Lexmark International, Inc.

Franklin Joseph Palumbo

Paul Douglas Horrall

Darin Michael Gettelfinger

David Anthony Schneider

Reginald Keith Bethel

Robert Watson McAlpine

Donald Wayne Stafford

Jay Scott Siekmann

Michael James Shanor

Stacy Marie Pargett

Matthew Ryan Keniston

Christopher Kent Washing

Gregory Scott Tigges

Alfred Louis Fahmy

Philip David Jones

William Dale Smith

Benjamin Keith Newman

John Patrick Spicer

Gregory Lawrence Ream

Jason Paul Hale

James Lee Combs

Jason Lee Rowe

Niko Jay Murrell

Jarrett Clark Gayne

John Andrew Buchanan

Alan Stirling Campbell

Cary Patterson Ravitz

James J Molloy

Daniel Paul Cahill

Mark Andrew Omelchenko

Tom E Stickler

Daniel R Steinberg

Julie Ann Gordon Whitney

Peter Brown Pickett

Jennifer Marie Murphy

Steven David Sieckowski

Ryan Thomas Bradley

Kenji Totsuka

Francis Foldes, Jr

Adam Daniel Cahill

Luis Banguis Jimenez

Front panel of multi-function electrophotographic printer scanner

Printer panel

A method of determining a media class using an optical translucence sensor (OTS) in an imaging device. A media sheet for processing by a media processing device (MPD) in the imaging device passes through an OTS positioned on a media path prior to the MPD. The OTS has an output that is periodically sampled in several predefined interest zones to provide a plurality of intrinsic variables related to the media sheet. The intrinsic variables are combined with extrinsic variables to form a variables data set that is normalized then fed to a controller having a predefined set of media class determining equations for determining a media class for the media sheet. A media class determining equation is provided for each class of media expected to be used in the imaging device. The determined media class is then used to set one or more operating parameters for the media processing device.

Method of determining a media class in an imaging device using an optical translucence sensor

A method and system for carrying out an image-to-paper printer registration setup includes: using a printer undergoing registration setup, printing a test pattern on a sheet having reference targets within a printable region of the sheet; using a scanner, scanning the printed sheet to generate an image bitmap of the test pattern-bearing sheet larger than the sheet itself so that the image bitmap contains the sheet edges and measuring in numbers of pixels the distances between the reference targets and/or sheet edges using multiple swaths of the image bitmap itself as the measuring tool; and, using a processor and based on the measured distances, calculating error-associated adjustment values in millimeters to use to correct errors in the registration setup of the image-to-paper in the printer and transferring the error-associated adjustment values to the printer to perform adjustment of its setup actuators.

Method, system and test sheet image bitmap for carrying out a scanner-and-processor based image-to-paper registration setup

The present application is directed to image forming devices with option trays to introduce media into a media path. One embodiment include the image forming device having a body with a front, back, top, and bottom sides. The sides may form an interior space to contain an imaging unit. The imaging unit may include elements for producing toner images. A media path may extend in a substantially vertical orientation within the interior space. An integrated tray may be positioned at the bottom side of the body and include a first input tray and a manual feed inlet on the front side of the body. Each of first input tray and manual feed inlet form sections of the media path. An option tray may be operatively connected to the bottom side of the body, and may include a second input tray and a multi-purpose feeder. The option tray further lengthens the media path and provides additional avenues to introduce media sheets into the media path.

Architecture for a media feeding option for an image forming device

An image forming device includes a body having a top, a bottom, a front and a back. In one embodiment, a plurality of horizontally-aligned imaging units, each comprising a photoconductive member, transfer toner images to an intermediate transfer mechanism located below the plurality of imaging units. A pick mechanism may pick media sheets from a media input tray and feeds the media towards the front of the body. For duplex printing, the media sheets may travel along a duplex path that extends along the front of the body. In one embodiment, an access door at the front of the body pivots between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, a user may gain access to both media paths.

Architecture for an image-forming device

The present application is directed to methods and devices for aligning media sheets in an input tray of an image forming device. The input tray includes a support surface and at least two spaced apart side walls. A first side wall includes a reference surface to align the media sheets. A second side wall includes a plurality of biasing members. The biasing members bias the media sheets toward the reference surface.

Media tray media biasing devices

A system and method reduces wear on an image-forming device. The image-forming device includes one or more toner cartridges, each having an associated PC drum and transport member to transport toner images or media. Each of the PC drums maintain contact with a surface of the transport member regardless of whether they are being used to form a toner image. A controller controls the rotation of the PC drums to rotate or not rotate while in contact with the surface of the transport member.

Methods and devices for reducing wear on a print cartridge

Multi-functional image forming devices that may include a base color laser printer comprising a front side, a back side, a top, and a bottom. The color laser printer may further include a media path, a laser printhead, and a plurality of image forming units. A scanning mechanism comprising a scan bed may be mounted on the top of the base color laser printer. In one embodiment, the media path includes a first section positioned within the base color laser printer and a second section that extends between the scanning mechanism and the top of the base color laser printer. In one embodiment, the scanning mechanism is pivotally mounted to the base color laser printer and movable to access the second section of the media path.

Architectures for multi-functional image forming devices

The present application is directed to second transfer areas and methods of transfer toner images from an intermediate member to a media sheet. The second transfer area comprises a second transfer nip formed between a second transfer roller and a back-up roller. The media path moves through this nip with the toner images on the intermediate member being transferred to the media sheets. The amount of force applied by the second transfer roller affects the transferability of the toner images to the media sheet. Further, the intermediate member may contact the second transfer roller at soft nip and hard nip locations. The lengths of these nips may also affect the transferability of the toner images.

Second transfer area for an image forming device and methods of use

The present application is directed to methods and devices for determining the absence of media sheets within an image forming device. In one embodiment, a support section configured to hold a stack of media sheets is positioned in an input area of the image forming device. A pick mechanism is positioned to contact a top-most sheet in the support section. The pick mechanism may include a pick motor and a pick roller. A sensor roller may be positioned to contact the top-most media sheet at a position spaced away from the pick roller. A controller may determine the absence of a media sheet based on the movement of the sensor roller after a predetermined movement of the pick motor.

Methods and devices for detecting the absence of a media sheet within an image forming device

An apparatus and method for the transport and/or storage of developing agent in an image forming apparatus. A cartridge may be employed having a reservoir for developing agent and a component, such as a drum, which may include an interior region capable of storing developing agent. A transport device may be included that is capable of transporting developing agent between the reservoir and a location in the image forming apparatus such as the drum interior.

Developing agent transport and storage

A conveyor mechanism for moving waste toner within an interior of a waste toner reservoir. The conveyor mechanism has a first end positioned in proximity to an inlet into the waste toner reservoir, and a second end positioned vertically above the first end. The conveyor mechanism operates to move the toner from a lower position within the waste toner reservoir to the vertically elevated position. The conveyor device may allow for the capacity of the waste toner reservoir to be more fully utilized. In use, the conveyor device is activated and waste toner is moved into the upper reaches of the waste toner reservoir.

Method and device for conveying waste toner in an image forming device

A developer reference system for a contact development process having machine frame mounted support rollers for the developer roll. Skew between the PC drum and the developer roll is reduced by referencing each to the same support structure. Rolling resistance of the developer roll support rollers is reduced by using thin diameter metal pins for mounting the support rollers.

Contact development system reference structure

Growing community of inventors

Nicholasville, KY, United States of America

Franklin Joseph Palumbo