Eastman-kodak Company

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag

Frederick E Altrieth, Iii

Chung-Hui Kuo

Stacy M Munechika

James A Zimmer, Jr

James F Wilson

David R Brent

Alfred Gonnella, Jr

Mark K Hughes

Barbara S Smith

Richard George Allen

Douglas B Beaudet

Thomas R Hull

Brian B Mix

Alfred J Gonnella

Valerie J Snyder

Yvonne K Pensgen

Nelson C Kunkel

A print engine includes a printer module for printing image data in a plurality of different print modes, wherein each print mode has an associated line print time. A data interface receives image data and associated metadata for a print job from a pre-processing system, the metadata including print mode metadata. A digital memory stores a plurality of pulse timing functions, each pulse timing function corresponding to one of the line print times associated with the plurality of print modes. A metadata interpreter interprets the metadata and determines the print mode to be used to print the image data. A printer module controller controls the printer module to print the image data using the pulse timing function corresponding to the line print time associated with the print mode, wherein each light source is activated for a pulse count corresponding to a pixel code value of an associated image pixel.

Print engine with print-mode-dependent pulse timing functions

A method is described for calibrating a linear printhead including an array of light sources. A test target is printed by activating the light sources in the printhead in accordance with digital image data for the test target, wherein a current value for each light source is controlled responsive to an initial set of current control parameters. A digital image capture system is used to capture an image of the printed test target, and the captured digital image is analyzed to determine an estimated exposure gain error for each light source. An updated set of current control parameters is then determined which is adapted to compensate for the estimated exposure gain errors.

Adaptive printhead calibration process

A print engine is adapted to print image data from a plurality of pre-processing systems that supply image data at different image resolutions and halftoning states. A data interface receives the image data and associated metadata including an image resolution parameter and a halftone state parameter. A metadata interpreter interprets the metadata and determines image processing operations that are required to prepare the image data for printing using a printer module. A resolution modification processor module processes the image data to modify its resolution if the metadata interpreter determines that the image resolution of the image data does not match the printer resolution. A halftone processor module processes the image data by applying a halftoning operation if the metadata interpreter determines that the image data is not in an appropriate halftoning state.

Print engine with adaptive processing

A quality check of the photoconductive belt of an electrographic print engine may be performed by writing a toner image on each of the virtual image frames of the loop and printing out those images. The printer user interface may provide a test screen to prompt a user to perform such a quality check. To facilitate the printing of sample receivers for each frame of a printer's film loop a user button is provided at the user interface. When selected, this signals the marking engine to schedule for print an appropriate number of receivers such that each frame on the film belt will be printed on. Each receiver may be a duplicate copy of a particular receiver in the currently printing job.

Method for performing quality checks on a print engine film loop

This invention provides an image-forming system having automatic finish output chaining, where an imaging job can switch to an alternate destination when a default destination is no longer usable.

Image-forming system with automatic finish output chaining

A printer includes multiple source trays, an output destination, and a media path. The media path couples the source trays to the output destination. Ordered media is loaded within one or more source trays. The printer is configured to automatically recover from a jam when processing the ordered media by selectively shedding selected ordered media from a source tray. A method of recovering from the jam includes generating a request that identifies the insertion order of selected ordered media, inserting the selected ordered media within an output; and purging selected ordered media when a jam occurs to provide a uniform output.

Ordered media jam recovery system and method

A job ordering system for an image-forming machine that transfers an image onto a sheet at essentially the same time in which an inserter places an inserted sheet into a sheet output path. The image-forming machine has image-forming equipment, a sheet output path, and an inserter. The image-forming equipment transfers an image onto a sheet and provides the sheet to the sheet output path. The inserter places an inserted sheet onto the sheet output path at essentially the same time as the image-forming equipment transfers the image onto the sheet. One or more images may be transferred onto a plurality of sheets according to a sheet sequence for an image-forming job. One or more inserted sheets may be placed on the sheet output path at one or more inserted sheet positions.

Job ordering system for an image-forming machine

This invention provides an image-forming machine with a user detection system. The image-forming machine has image-forming equipment and at least one sensor. The image-forming equipment may include a photoconductor, one or more chargers, an exposure machine, a toning station, a fusing station, related equipment, and accessories. The image-forming machine may also include a sensor interface and a communication link. The sensor is monitored to detect when a user is near the image-forming machine. An output signal from the sensor indicates a user presence near the image-forming machine. A warm-up procedure is started in response to the output signal of the sensor.

User detection system for an image-forming machine

Method and apparatus for optically reproducing information from an original document sheet together with electronically written additional information that may be either constant in content for all copies or may vary in content from copy to copy. Electrophotographic reproduction apparatus includes data entry apparatus for reading in the sets of variable information data items defining the electronically written information and is operable to format a template of one or more patches defining a minimal template area in which the variable information may be electronically reproduced onto the document without unnecessarily obscuring the optically reproduced information. Optionally, the template may be displayed to the operator who may format the size, style and font of alphanumeric and symbolic information in order to achieve a desired appearance on the composite copy. The original document sheet or a copy thereof is then placed on a digitizing tablet, and the operator may select the coordinates on the document of the template within which the electronically written, variable information is to be reproduced. The document sheet is then placed on the exposure platen and the document information is optically copied together with the electronically reproduced minimal size template onto an intermediate master having a black patch(es) corresponding in shape and placement to the template. If acceptable to the operator, the intermediate master is again placed on the exposure platen and optically reproduced in a first image frame while the variable information is electronically exposed by an LED print head on the same or a second image frame, and a composite copy is made. In the case of single or multiple copies of documents with constant additional information, the composite copies are made with a fixed template corresponding in size and shape to the formatted information. In the case of single or multiple copies of documents with variable additional information, the composite copies are made with a fixed template of an area sufficient to accommodate the additional information which occupies the greatest space.

Method and apparatus for reproducing documents with variable information

A reproduction apparatus having a control system which includes a plurality of hard buttons and switches for providing operator input to and control of said reproduction apparatus, a display for displaying selectable features for a reproduction run and for displaying alphanumeric and graphical information, and a touchscreen overlaying at least a part of the display and having soft buttons and areas for providing operator input to the reproduction apparatus. A method of providing control of the display includes the steps of:

Automatic termination of screen saver mode on a display of reproduction

An improved summarization system for reproduction apparatus of the kind having a plurality of operating features for producing copy jobs. The apparatus includes an operator control communication interface, a display device for producing feature selection screens and signals indicative of selected features and a memory and control for addressing screens to the display device and controlling the apparatus to produce copies. The summarization system is operatively associated with the memory and control for generating and addressing onto the display device, separate screens summarizing, respectively, selected standard operating features, selected job level operating features, and selected page level operating features, without display of non-selected operating features.

System and method for job set up summarizing in reprographic apparatus

A reproduction apparatus for making copies of information, the reproduction apparatus having a plurality of operating features and accessories selectable to produce a copy job according to preselected operating feature and accessory selected parameters, and a device for programming the reproduction apparatus to accomplish a copy job according to the preselected operating parameters. The programming device comprises an operator control interface for displaying, one at a time, display screens from a plurality of display screens at a standard operating feature level, a job specific level, and a page specific level. The plurality of display screens respectively show selectable operating features and accessory setup parameters, and the particular operator selections from selectable operating features and accessory setup parameters to establish preselected operating parameters. Navigation between display screens, at a given program level, is accomplished directly without having to return to an alternate programming level. Signals are produced respectively representing such preselected operating parameters. A logic and control means generates and addresses the display for recording and storing the signals from the operator control interface, and controls the reproduction apparatus to produce a copy job in accordance with the signals.

Set-up navigation scheme for programming reproduction apparatus

In reproduction apparatus having a plurality of selectable features for carrying out a reproduction run, an operator control panel for providing operator interface for controlling the reproduction apparatus. The operator control panel includes a display for displaying a sequence of graphics at periodic intervals to assist an operator in carrying out a task involving the reproduction apparatus and a touchscreen overlaying the display having an operator actuable touch button for providing operator input to the reproduction apparatus for causing a current graphic displayed to be held, thereby disabling the periodic sequencing of the graphics.

Jam clearance operator control for a reproduction apparatus

A reproduction apparatus, such a an electrographic copier-duplicator having a plurality of selectable features for carrying out a reproduction run, has control apparatus. The control apparatus includes an operator control panel permanently mounted on the reproduction apparatus, the control panel

Reproduction apparatus having touch screen operator interface and

Reproduction apparatus having an improved system for storage and retrieval of a job setup comprising job selected operating features. The apparatus has a display device on which are addressed a features selection screen(s), a job store/retrieve memory screen and a job naming screen. The job naming screen comprises alpha numeric characters, selectable by the operator touch address, to define a word/phrase job name, which is stored in apparatus memory together with the related job operating features signals and a job code number.

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Scottsville, NY, United States of America

Frederick E Altrieth, Iii