Xerox Corporation

Ronald R Wierszewski

Thomas Acquaviva

Richard F Scarlata

James F Matysek

Stephen A Demchock

A method for synchronizing the feeding of an insert by a first drive mechanism with a sheet feed by a second feed mechanism and the first feed mechanism is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing the sheet in operable contact with the second feed mechanism at a first position, traversing the sheet sequentially with the second feed mechanism and the first feed mechanism, advancing the sheet toward a second position in cooperation with a first sensor adjacent one of the first feed mechanism and the second feed mechanism, placing the insert in operable contact with the first feed mechanism at a third position subsequent to the first sheet being in cooperation with the sensor, and advancing the insert into a fourth position within the first feed mechanism positioned closely behind the sheet positioned at a fifth position within the first feed mechanism.

Method and apparatus for inserting sheets into a stream of sheets in a

A method for tracking the position of a sheet through a paper path being translated by a plurality of feed mechanisms within a printing machine is provided. The method includes the steps of driving a first feed mechanism with the motion of a first drive means, placing the sheet in cooperation with the first feed mechanism at a first position, translating the sheet with the first feed mechanism toward a second feed mechanism, driving the second feed mechanism with the motion of a second drive means, placing the sheet in cooperation with the second feed mechanism at a second position, translating the sheet with the second feed mechanism toward a the sheet output position, the paper path being defined by the motion of the sheet through the first feed mechanism and the second feed mechanism from the first position to the sheet output position and calculating the distance the sheet traverses while influenced by one of the first drive means and the second drive means based at least partially upon the motion of the other of at least one of the first drive means and the second drive means.

Sychronized paper feeding across module boundaries with timed clock ticks

The present invention is a method and apparatus for selectively altering the sensitivity of an optical sensor. The sensor has both a light source and a detector which are optically aligned with one another. The detector produces a first output signal level in response to light having an illumination intensity greater than or equal to a threshold intensity, and a second output signal level in response to light having an illumination intensity less than a threshold intensity. The sensor further includes the ability to selectively alter the illumination intensity of the light emitted by the light source to a lower level between the threshold intensity and the normal operating intensity. Hence, operating at the lower intensity enables the sensor to detect translucent sheets or facilitates identification of marginally operable sensors.

Optical paper sensor having alterable sensitivity and illumination

An air knife pressure calibration system and method for a bottom vacuum corrugation recirculating document feeder includes measuring the air pressure and adjusting an air pressure control valve of the air knife to a predetermined value. This valve position is stored in a non-volatile memory and can be used to create a table of values for various document stack heights by adding constant values that represent additional documents to the one document value. Thus, customized valve positions are accomplished that are machine as well as altitude sensitive.

Bottom vacuum corrugation feeder air knife calibration system and method

A vacuum corrugation feeder stack height detection calibration system and method includes placing a single document in the document tray. Coupled to the stack height arm at the pivot point is a high resolution rotary encoder and dual beam sensor. The stack height arm is flipped up and then back down onto the document and pulses are counted. This difference in up and down pulses represents the 'one sheet case.' Software then stores this number in non-volatile memory and uses it to create a table of values for various document stack heights by adding constant values to the originally obtained 'one sheet case' value.

Bottom vacuum corrugation feeder stack height detection system

A plural mode automatic document handling system for a copier adapted to feed either conventional document sheets or continuous computer form web documents over the imaging station platen of the copier without using sprocket feeding, which includes a platen cover unit pivotably openable relative to said platen, with frictional drive roller sets upstream and downstream of the platen for feeding continuous computer form web over the platen having a first set of feed wheels mounted to the platen cover unit and pivotable therewith and a mating, opposing, second set of feed wheels stationarily mounted to the copier, which opposing sets of feed wheels form non-slip nips when the platen cover unit is closed over the platen, but which nips are opened when the platen cover unit is opened to allow intermediate web position loading of a computer form web. A system is also provided for doing so without interference by the platen transport. A CF mid-form start registration system is provided for automatically advancing a selected intermediate web position into a desired registration position for automatic feeding and copying after the intermediate web position loading and after the platen cover unit has been pivotably closed. There is a common input for inputting either conventional document sheet documents or one end of continuous computer form web documents to the automatic document handling system, and a common document path for feeding eiher document from the common input over the platen of the copier through the same platen transport. Additional roller drives are provided in the common document path adjacent the platen for conventional document sheets, which are automatically disengaged in response to sensing of the acquisition of web documents.

Mid form start CF document feeder

A sheet feeding apparatus in which successive sheets are separated and advanced from a stack thereof. As the sheet advances from the stack, it is aligned. After alignment, a conveyor moves the sheet to a delivery station. The aligning mechanism moves into the sheet path in response to the conveyor reaching a first predetermined position. When the conveyor moves to a second predetermined position, the aligning mechanism is spaced from the sheet path.

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Henrietta, NY, United States of America

Ronald R Wierszewski