Xerox Corporation

Edward L Steiner

Kenton W Fiske

John W Daughton

Kenneth W Laskowski

Thomas Criswell

Stephen P Wilczek

Kenneth Gillett

Gerald A Gray, Jr

Edward G Reehil

Philip Richardson

Gary A Gray

James M Donohue

Frank M Nelson

George E Mager

William P Kukucka

Charles P Holt

Phillip J Batchelor

Warren L Hall

Joseph A Marino

Henry E Mannella

Donald S Post

Daniel L Mueller

William E Jordan

Kenneth A Davis

Ronald J Carter

Stephen A Wilczek

An electrostatographic type copying or reproduction machine incorporating a programmable controller to operate the various machine components in an integrated manner to produce copies. The controller carries a master program bearing machine operating parameters from which an operating program for the specific copy run desired is formed and used to operate the machine components to produce the copies programmed. A multiple prioritized interrupt system is employed to distribute the operating program to the machine.

Control system and interface for electrostatographic machines

An electrostatographic type copying or reproduction machine incorporating a programmable controller to operate the various machine components in an integrated manner to produce copies is disclosed. The controller carries a master program bearing machine operating parameters from which an operating program for the specific copy run desired is formed and used to operate the machine components to produce the copies programmed. A multiple prioritized interrupt system is employed to distribute the operating program to the machine. Self check routines check the operational integrity of the controller prior to start-up of the machine and periodically while the machine is processing copies.

Copy reproduction machine with controller self check system

An electrostatographic type copying or reproduction machine incorporating a programmable controller to operate the various machine components in an integrated manner to produce copies. The controller carries a master program bearing machine operating parameters from which an operating program for the specific copy run desired is formed and used to operate the machine components to produce the copies programmed. A multiple prioritized interrupt system is employed to distribute the operating program to the machine. In particular, upon periodic interruption, control data is output (refreshed) to the various machine components and failure to refresh within a preset interval inhibits machine operation.

Protection system for electrostatographic machines

An electrostatographic type copying or reproduction machine incorporating a programmable digital computer to operate various machine components. The computer includes a memory which contains a plurality of different operating programs with each program instructing the machine to operate in a different manner. Provision is made for selectively permitting the user to access the programs of lesser complexity, while providing access to all of the programs to trained service personnel. The service personnel can expand or restrict the number of programs that the user is permitted to use depending on her familiarity with the machine.

Reproduction machine with selectively disclosable programs

A reproduction machine for making either single sided or duplex copies, and incorporating automatic document handler and sorter for handling original documents being copied and copies made. To enable copy quality to be checked, either when the machine is stopped or in the midst of a copy run, a sample copy is provided for. Where the sample copy is selected during a copy run, an accommodation in copy billing rate is made.

Sample copy system for xerographic reproduction machine

An electrostatic type reproduction machine incorporating optionally active document handler for automatically advancing originals to be copied into copying position together with a sorter for sorting copies. On inputting a copy run, a check is automatically made to determine if the program is legal, i.e. if the machine can perform the copy run selected. In this context, checks are run to determine whether or not the document handler has been selected and if not, the operating status of the sorter and machine.

Improper copy run program entry check for electrostatic type

An operator console for a reproduction machine, with the console including a fixed number of input selection devices, e.g. pushbuttons, for initiating machine activity. The activation of the machine components is preferably controlled by a digital computer being instructed by a plurality of operating programs. The selection of the same console input device will initiate a different machine activity depending on what program is currently instructing the machine.

Operator console for a reproduction machine

In a controller for a host machine such as an electrostatographic copier having a central processing unit module connected via a system bus to an input-output processing unit module, a direct memory access system functioning as part of the input-output processing unit module and operative to provide a high-speed means of refreshing and updating control registers in the host machine by direct accessing of memory in the central processing unit module. The direct memory access system may be programmed to synchronously refresh-update the host machine's control registers as in its normal mode and also asynchronously refresh-update the control registers as in the abnormal mode of a detected electrical disturbance in the electro-sensitive periphery surrounding the control registers, thus requiring restoring thereof. High-speed movement of data by the direct memory access system is achieved through dedicating a portion of random access memory in the central processing unit module for such accessing, and transferring control of the system bus from the central processing unit module to the direct memory access system. This enables data accessed through a fixed sequence of addresses from dedicated memory to be transferred directly to the host machine's control registers without incurring time constants that would otherwise be had if the data were to be manipulated by a central processor in the central processing unit module.

Direct memory access module for a controller

A xerographic type copying or reproduction machine incorporating a programmable controller to operate the various machine components in an integrated manner to produce copies is disclosed. The controller carries a master program bearing machine operating parameters from which an operating program for the specific copy run desired is formed and used to operate the machine components to produce the copies programmed. A fault flag array is routinely scanned, each flag comprising the array being associated with an operating component or area of such machine such that on a fault or malfunction thereof, the fault flag corresponding thereto is set. On detection of a fault flag, a machine fault is declared. Display means are provided to visually identify the fault location. A permanent record of certain faults and machine operations are stored in memory for future use.

Fault detection and system for electrostatographic machines

A non-volatile storage module as utilized in a controller for directing a plurality of control registers of a host machine. The controller includes a central processor that is communicatively coupled through a system bus having control data, and address lines to the module and host machine. The non-volatile storage module includes a data memory operative to interface with the system bus for storing data, and for input-output of the data therefrom through the system bus upon command of the central processor. In addition, the module further includes a power storage unit coupled to the data memory for distributing a plurality of power signals from the host machine through a plurality of critical and non-critical power lines to the data memory for providing a power source that may be utilized therein for a power down condition and for sensing a power down condition on the critical power line from the power storage unit for the switching thereof to the data memory. The module also includes an apparatus that is operative upon indication of a power down condition from the host machine for generating an enabling signal to the data memory while a current address signal on the system bus is being received by the data memory.

Non-volatile storage module for a controller

A controller for directing a host machine which is operative to include a central processor for program execution, a system bus controlled by the central processor for carrying data, address and control signals, and a data memory coupled to the system bus. Additionally included is a direct memory access moudle for conveyance through the system bus of a hold signal to the central processor upon receipt of an enabling signal, and upon acknowledgement for control assumptions of the system bus for generating address and state signals that will directly access the data memory for host machine update. Operative to interface with the above is a fault timer including a counter clocked at a given frequency for reset by the state signal from the direct memory access module if within a given period, and upon absence of reset for generating a fault signal, and a bistable unit operative to receive the fault signal from the counter for clocked latching thereof, and for generating a hold signal through the direct memory access module to the central processor and a disabling signal to the host machine.

Watch dog timer module for a controller

A method of controlling a reproduction machine to produce duplex copies from a set of original documents and for automatically adjusting the reproduction process in the event of a fault condition so that the selected number of copies are ultimately produced even though some copies may have been lost due to the fault.

Reproduction machine having duplex job recovery capabilities

To minimize the effects of electromagnetic noise on signals generated by a data processing unit controlling the process stations in an electrostatographic machine, the data processing unit itself is encased in a shielded housing to thwart electromagnetic radiation. Output signals from the data processing unit are distributed to remote interface units located throughout the electrostatographic machine where the signals are stored and used to control networks actuating the electrostatographic process stations. Electro-optic couplers are used in transmitting input and output signals to and from the data processing unit to further minimize noise isolation.

Apparatus and method for noise immunity for control signals in

Apparatus and method for transmitting signals between a data processing unit and the process stations of an electrostatographic machine. Operating signals from the data processing unit are transmitted in blocks to one or more remote interface units where the signals are stored pending use in controlling the electrostatographic processing stations. A return signal path is provided for two transmitted logic signals as a test of the integrity of the signal transmission. And in addition, a timing device is associated with the remote interface unit or units so that, in the absence of signals occurring within a predetermined period, the remote interface unit will be inactivated.

Apparatus and method for noise immunity in distributing control signals

An imaging lens system for electrostatic type reproduction machine or copiers utilizing a zoom lens effective to provide, within the magnification limits of the lens, infinitely variable image sizes. A control is provided to pre-set the lens to automatically give, upon actuation at least one preselected image size, with an override control to enable the lens to be set to provide any image size regardless of pre-set conditions. Further controls are provided for the machine nonimage erase mechanism to automatically compensate for changes in the image borders brought about by changes in image size due to resetting of the zoom lens. For this purpose, an infinitely variable edge fadeout apparatus is provided incorporating movable shutters to vary the effective size of the edge erasure slots in correspondence with image size together with timing controls for changing the operational timing of the pitch fadeout lamp in response to changes in image size upon resetting of the zoom lens. Further controls enable the critical positioning of the image produced by the zoom lens on the photosensitive member to be adjusted to assure that the image, whatever the size, is optimally positioned on the copy produced with other controls to enable the image, whatever the size produced by the zoom lens, to be physically moved or offset on the copy.

Growing community of inventors

Macedon, NY, United States of America

Edward L Steiner