Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080285876 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING IMAGES PRODUCED IN IMAGE FORMING DEVICES - An image forming device is provided that facilitates enhanced image on an output image receiving medium based on one or more sensed or user-input characteristics of the output image receiving medium. A very light uniform toner dust layer is distributed over an entire page to be printed (including image and non-image areas), or in intended non-image areas particularly along edges of a lightweight output image receiving medium. A programmable selection of a color or other parameters of toner dusting, from a plurality of choices, is undertaken such that toner presence in non-image areas is not visually perceptible. The system may effectively print over a variety of background colors. An effective and simple user interface provides an option to the user to choose appropriate low perceptibility toner color so that a relatively higher level of the chosen color may be deposited without crossing a perceptibility threshold. | 11-20-2008 |
20080307638 | DICOROTRON WIRE ASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND STORAGE TOOL - A system and apparatus that removes and collects non-functional wire assemblies from dicorotron units is described. It has a removal tool with flexible levers mounted on the top of a storage box. The removal tool has an open top and bottom, the open bottom is aligned with an opening in the top of the box to permit a dislodged anchor and wire assembly to fall therethrough. | 12-18-2008 |
20100195930 | DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING IMAGE QUALITY BY ADDRESSING IMAGE NOISE FROM ELECTRICAL NOISE - Provided are devices, systems and methods that improve image quality by identifying and addressing image noise caused by electrical noise. Electrical noise emanating from a plurality of components of an image apparatus is identified, producing an electrical noise detection calculation based on the detected electrical noise, and inputting the electrical noise detection calculation into an image noise correction calculation apparatus, calculating an image noise correction calculation. | 08-05-2010 |
20100285281 | MICROSTRUCTURED IMAGE OVERCOAT LAYER FOR IMPROVED IMAGE UNIFORMITY APPLIED WITH BLANKET OVERCOATER AND FUNCTIONAL EMBOSSING ROLLER - In accordance with various embodiments, there are printing apparatuses and methods of enhancing an image quality on a media. The method of enhancing an image quality on a media can include providing an ink-based halftone image on a media, wherein the halftone image can include an amount of noise. The method can also include depositing a transparent overcoat layer at least over the halftone image, wherein the transparent overcoat layer can include a major amount of cross-linkable resin and a minor amount of a photoinitiator. The method can further include embossing the transparent overcoat layer to form an embossed micro-structured overcoat layer and curing the embossed micro-structured overcoat layer to form the micro-structured overcoat layer, such that the micro-structured overcoat layer reduces the amount of noise. | 11-11-2010 |
20110150514 | METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY CORRECTING TRANSFER PRESSURE NON-UNIFORMITY USING THE CROSS PROCESS UNIFORMITY - This invention relates to an electrophotographic marking apparatus and provides an automatic method for automatically scanning and correcting TAB pressure non-uniformity using a cross-process uniformity controller and a closed loop system. The TAB is contacted with an image on a photoreceptor surface to leave its imprint or footprint on the image. Sensing said footprint and marking indicated changes in the TAB performance and pressure. This method uses a CPUC full width array in conjunction with a software version for assessing TAB performance. This method continuously monitors the TAB performance during the running of a marking apparatus. | 06-23-2011 |
20110249997 | VARIABLE PRESSURE TRANSFER ASSIST BLADE - A printing apparatus and method include a charging device positioned adjacent a photoreceptor that places a latent image charge on the photoreceptor. A donor device is adjacent the photoreceptor, and transfers marking material to regions of the photoreceptor that have received the latent image charge. In addition, a media path that is adjacent the photoreceptor causes at least one sheet of media to be placed on the photoreceptor and the marking material. A transfer assist blade that is also adjacent the photoreceptor, presses the sheet of media against the photoreceptor to cause the marking material to be transferred to the sheet of media. The apparatus also includes a controller that is operatively connected to the transfer assist blade. The controller causes the transfer assist blade to apply more pressure to leading and trailing portions of the sheet of media relative to the middle portion of the sheet of media. | 10-13-2011 |
20120070203 | REUSABLE TRANSFER ASSIST BLADE ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRO-PHOTOGRAPHIC MARKING DEVICES - As set forth herein, a reusable transfer assist blade (TAB) assembly includes a replaceable blade assembly that is locked into position between a clamp assembly and an extruded portion of the TAB assembly. When the blade assembly requires replacement, spring tables on the clam assembly are biased upward to release the clamp assembly from the extruded portion, and the clamp assembly is rotated about a clamp tab-clamp pocket interface at the top of the TAB assembly. The blade assembly is removed and replaced, the clamp assembly is rotated back into position against the extruded portion, and the spring tabs re-engage interlocking features on the extruded portion to lock the replacement blade in position. The expensive extruded portion and clamp assembly are thus reused and the inexpensive blade assembly is discarded or recycled. | 03-22-2012 |
20120120429 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY RENDERING LABELING SERVICE PRINTS WITH PRINT ENGINE PARAMETERS - A system and method for automatically rendering labeling service prints with print engine parameters. An auto-labeling application can be configured in association with a print engine controller for labeling the service prints with the print engine parameters via a built-in marker integrated with a fault multi-function device. A portable inline marker can also be separately attached to a baffle assembly of the fault device and connected to the print engine controller via a connector in order to receive the print engine parameters from the print engine controller. A setup routine configured with the auto-labeling application can be employed to customize the service print labels in a modular format and the parameters can be appended to each other based on the information required to troubleshoot the fault multi-function device. Such an approach effectively provides labeling of the service prints with enhanced service proficiency and customer satisfaction and reduces service time with respect to the fault multi-function device. | 05-17-2012 |
20120183316 | INTERDOCUMENT PHOTORECEPTOR SIGNAL SENSING AND FEEDBACK CONTROL OF PAPER EDGE GHOSTING - Apparatus and method for minimizing ghost defect are disclosed. Ghosting results in interdocument bands when paper size is changed and process control instability due to using the interdocument zone (IDZ) for voltage and density control. A controller retrieves feedback measurements of the IDZ and sheet zone (SZ) non-uniformity. In response to the measurements, the transfer current IDZ level is controlled to minimize differences in subsequent charging, photodischarge and development. | 07-19-2012 |
20120237239 | METHOD FOR ASSESSING TRANSFER PRESSURE UNIFORMITY - Systems and methods are described that facilitate automatically and uniformly depositing a marking material on transfer assist blade (TAB) petals to improve TAB pressure profile accuracy. A TAB liftoff timing value is adjusted in non-volatile memory (NVM) to delay TAB liftoff beyond a trailing edge of a page on which an oversized (in the process direction) image being printed. Toner deposited on a photoreceptor belt beyond the trailing edge of the page is picked up by the TAB petals once the trailing edge of the page has passed the TAB. The TAB is then disengaged and re-engaged against a backside of a next page, where the TAB petals deposit the uniformly acquired toner to generate the TAB pressure profile. | 09-20-2012 |
20120288307 | CONSTRAINED TRANSFER ASSIST BLADE (CTAB) FOR IMPROVED PRINT TO EDGE PERFORMANCE - An imaging forming device and a constrained transfer assist blade (CTAB) that provides for faster printing speeds, with an improved image-to-edge border specification is disclosed. An upper blade layer constrains pressure blades towards a lifter assembly in order to prevent the lower lying pressure blades from delaminating and a wear layer is formed around outer edges of the blade. Faster response times and improved trail edge flip defects as well as printing closer to the sheet edges is enabled. | 11-15-2012 |
20130021418 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DELIVERING SOLID-INK PELLETS - The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for supplying uninterrupted flow of solid-ink pellets to an image-forming device. The apparatus includes a container for retaining solid-ink pellets, and a selectably-inflatable bladder disposed within the container. Further, the apparatus includes a tube communicating the bladder with a pressure supply. | 01-24-2013 |
20130094004 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING FLAT THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGES - A method and system for producing a flat three-dimensional image utilizing acoustic transfer assist. An image is first developed in image bearing material onto the image bearing surface of a rendering device. A three-dimensional plastic sheet can be provided to the transfer section of the rendering device. Transfer of the image can then be accomplished as the plastic sheet comes into contact with the image-bearing surface. The transfer is facilitated by acoustic transfer assist technology associated with the rendering device. | 04-18-2013 |
20130094873 | LABEL PRESS FUSER ALGORITHM FOR FEEDING A CONTINUOUS ROLL OF LABEL MATERIAL THROUGH A SHEET FED PRINTING DEVICE - According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an apparatus and method to use a fuser speed algorithm to engage a web print media to a rotatable image carrier (PR) during transfer of toner to paper without additional parts or tight web requirement. The fuser speed algorithm can drive the web through a sheet fed printer efficiently by only using the fuser nip as the main drive. The fuser speed algorithm leverages the advantage of fuser speed to enable the required speed and tension at transfer for proper engagement, then release tension to create slack web at transfer so the PR drives create a buckle zone prior to the fuser system. The fuser speed algorithm drives the fuser at the nominal desired speed which is slower than PR speed to maintain the buckle zone. | 04-18-2013 |
20130144557 | SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS FOR PRINTMAKING DEVICES - There is provided a method and system evaluating performance of a printing device. In accordance with the method a diagnostic routine is executed on the printing device. The diagnostic routine evaluates performance of the printing device using a set of instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. The set of instructions are configured to identify a fault in the performance of the printing device based on an artifact identifiable on at least one diagnostic output. The diagnostic output is generated by the printing device with the identifiable artifact in accordance with the diagnostic routine for identifying the artifact and associated fault of the printing device. | 06-06-2013 |
20130279922 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AVOIDING FUSER JAMS IN AN IMAGE PRODUCTION DEVICE - A method and apparatus for avoiding fuser jams in an image production device may include determining an entrance velocity of media entering a fuser nip during a print job, the fuser nip being the area of a fuser formed by a fuser roll meeting a pressure roll, determining an exit velocity of media exiting the fuser nip, determining a difference between the entrance velocity and the exit velocity, determining if the difference between the entrance velocity and the exit velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein if the difference between the entrance velocity and the exit velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold, retracting the pressure roll away from the fuser roll for a predetermined time period, determining if the predetermined time period has expired, wherein if the predetermined time period has expired, reposition the pressure roll to meet the fuser roll to reform the fuser nip, and resuming printing the print job. | 10-24-2013 |
20130336684 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING STRIP RADIUS IN A PRINTING SYSTEM - An apparatus, system and method are provided for controlling one or more strip radii in a fuser. The fuser has a first member having a first surface. The fuser also has a belt having a first portion that contacts the first surface of the first member. The fuser further has a second member having a second surface that contacts a second portion of the belt in a region defining a nip. The fuser additionally has a stripping apparatus, positioned downstream of the nip in a process direction, comprising one or more adjustable blades configured to selectively exert one or more variable predetermined pressures on one or more selected sections of the first portion of the belt causing one or more selectable strip radii. | 12-19-2013 |
20130336685 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A STRIP RADIUS IN A PRINTING SYSTEM - An apparatus, system and method are provided for causing one or more selectable strip radii associated with stripping a substrate from a belt in a fuser after an image has been fused to the substrate during a printing process. The fuser has a first member having a first surface, and a belt having a first portion that contacts the first of the first member. The fuser has a second member having a second surface that contacts a second portion of the belt in a region defining a fusing nip. The fuser has a stripping apparatus, positioned downstream of the fusing nip in a process direction, comprising one or more transducers that cause one or more respective transducer segments to move at a frequency that deflects one or more sections of the first portion of the belt to cause one or more selectable strip radii on demand. | 12-19-2013 |
20140196811 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING A BEVERAGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH A BARCODE SCANNED FROM A BEVERAGE CONTAINER - A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for dispensing a beverage are disclosed. For example, the method receives an indication that a customer desires to dispense a beverage, scans a barcode associated with a beverage container being used by the customer, dispenses the beverage in accordance with information obtained from scanning the barcode and stores one or more dispensing details associated with the dispensing. | 07-17-2014 |
20140204405 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THICK PAPER IMAGE BORDER OPTIMIZATION - A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for optimizing printing of an image on a non-optimal medium are disclosed. For example, the method analyzes one or more characteristics of a medium, determines that the medium is a non-optimal medium based upon the one or more characteristics that are analyzed, determines if an alternate medium having optimal medium characteristics is available, determines if a print parameter modification is available, increases a minimum border width of the non-optimal medium such that a sum of the minimum border width of each side of the non-optimal medium is greater than a pre-defined percentage of a width of the non-optimal medium if the alternate medium and the print parameter modification are not available, and prints the image on the non-optimal medium using the minimum border width. | 07-24-2014 |
20140257630 | SAFETY DOOR INTERLOCK SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES - A vehicle door interlock system includes a logic processor operatively connected to a door of a vehicle positioned with respect to a pedestrian egress path. A first input to the logic processor comprises a velocity detection signal that determines a velocity of the vehicle. A second input comprises an object detection signal that determines movement of an object toward the vehicle, travelling along a path that would pass in front of the door. A third input comprises an open door signal. The logic processor provides a signal to an interlock device to prevent the door from being opened when the logic processor determines any one of: the vehicle moving based on the velocity detection signal, the object being at a distance and moving in a direction to intersect the pedestrian egress path based on the object detection signal, and lack of open door signal from the operator of the vehicle. | 09-11-2014 |
20150050054 | TRANSFER ASSIST MEMBERS - A transfer assist member comprising a plurality of layers, one of the layers being a check film layer comprised of a thermoplastic layer present on a polymer layer. | 02-19-2015 |
20150063880 | TRANSFER ASSIST BLADE - There is described a transfer assist blade for an electrostatographic machine. The transfer assist blade includes a wear layer for contacting a copy sheet, an interior layer having a thickness of from about 150 microns to about 500 microns and a back layer comprising a thermoset polyimide having dispersed therein carbon particles such that an out surface of the back layer has a surface resistance of from about 1×10 | 03-05-2015 |