The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 18, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 21, 1998
David A Ender, New Richmond, WI (US);
Robert E Brenner, Jr, New Richmond, WI (US);
Harold D Kracht, Stillwater, MN (US);
Mary Poppendieck, Eden Prairie, MN (US);
Imation Corp., Oakdale, MN (US);
Abstract
An electrophotographic imaging system including a combination erase and belt position detection system which may be employed for belt registration or image registration. In one embodiment, the system includes an erase bar having a pattern of light extending longitudinally across a photoconductor belt being moved in a first direction forming a transport path, wherein the erase bar is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A photodetector is disposed adjacent the photoconductor belt, wherein the photodetector is responsive to light from the erase bar and provides a belt position signal representative of the position of the photoconductor belt relative to the continuous transport path, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The belt position signal may be employed for belt steering or modulation of a laser beam representative of latent images to be scanned on the photoconductor belt. In one preferred application, the erase bar employs an optical fiber and light extraction mechanism for uniform radial light extraction and controlled radial and longitudinal light extraction along its length.