Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110042545 | Anti-Tip Stability System Integral to an Imaging Apparatus - An imaging apparatus having a printer frame, a media tray frame module disposed below the printer frame, and an anti-tip stability system including two alignment posts mounted substantially diagonally on the media tray frame module. The alignment posts have first surfaces and second surfaces where each second surface makes an acute angle ranging from about 10 degrees to about 20 degrees with a horizontal plane. The alignment posts provide anti-tip stability to the imaging apparatus by engaging with the printer frame when the printer frame is tilted at a first contact angle with respect to the alignment posts due to the application of an external force. The alignment posts also facilitate relatively easy separation of the printer frame from the media tray frame module. | 02-24-2011 |
20120103118 | Detachable Reversible Pick Mechanism for Feeding Media From a Media Tray of an Image Forming Device - A detachable reversible pick mechanism for a media input tray. The pick mechanism comprises a reversible drive transmission having a drive shaft gear operatively connected to a pick axle gear, the drive shaft gear slidably engageable onto a cantilevered drive shaft extending from a housing, a pick axle having a pick wheel at each end, the pick axle operatively connected to the pick axle gear; and a transmission housing consisting of a top, a bottom, and a side surface defining a cavity therein for containing the reversible drive transmission, an opening in a front portion and in a rear portion of the transmission housing through which the pick axle and drive shaft, respectively, pass, the front portion dimensioned so that the pick wheels each extend beyond the top and the bottom of the front portion, and a releasable latch mounted on the side surface for rotatably engaging a free end of the cantilevered drive shaft to axially position the pick mechanism on the drive shaft, the latch allowing a user to readily dismount the pick mechanism for service or replacement. | 05-03-2012 |
20120104679 | Method for Positioning and Feeding Media Into a Media Feed Path of an Image Forming Device - A method for positioning and feeding media into a media feed path according to one embodiment includes moving a first media sheet from the top of a stack of media sheets in a media storage location in a media process direction from an initial pick position into a media feed path leaving a second media sheet at the top of the stack of media sheets. In the media storage location, the second media sheet is moved opposite the media process direction away from an entrance to the media feed path until a leading edge of the second media sheet reaches a known predetermined position in the media storage location. After the leading edge of the second media sheet reaches the known predetermined position, the second media sheet is moved in the media process direction from the stack of media sheets into the media feed path. | 05-03-2012 |
20120104680 | Method for Feeding Compressible Media in an Image Forming Device - A pick mechanism according to one exemplary embodiment includes transmission housing and a drive transmission engageable with a drive shaft for receiving rotational force from the drive shaft. A pick axle has at least one pick wheel mounted thereon and is operatively connected to the drive transmission for rotating the at least one pick wheel. A first stop extends from the transmission housing for limiting the rotation of the pick mechanism about the drive shaft. A method for feeding compressible media according to one embodiment includes rotating a pick mechanism downward about a drive shaft, limiting the downward rotation of the pick mechanism to convert the pick mechanism from a compliant element to a non-compliant element, and feeding a first compressible media from a top surface of a lift plate in a media process direction with the non-compliant pick mechanism. | 05-03-2012 |
20120104683 | System for Feeding and Separating Media in an Image Forming Device - A system for feeding and separating media in an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a pick mechanism having at least one rotatable pick roller for feeding a topmost media sheet from a stack of media sheets in a media storage location in a media process direction from an initial pick position into a media feed path. The system further includes at least one rotatable separator roller positioned opposite and spaced away from the at least one pick roller downstream from the initial pick position. The separator roller forms an open nip with the at least one pick roller. The at least one separator roller is rotatable counter to the media process direction for separating the topmost media sheet from an adjacent media sheet and returning the adjacent media sheet to a separation point upstream from the at least one separator roller. | 05-03-2012 |
20120104686 | RAISABLE LIFT PLATE SYSTEM FOR POSITIONING AND FEEDING MEDIA IN AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A system for positioning and feeding media in an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a raisable lift plate having a top surface for receiving a stack of media sheets and a pick mechanism for feeding the media sheets into a media feed path. The system further includes a drive transmission having a single input, a first output connected to the pick mechanism for driving the pick mechanism, a second output connected to the lift plate for raising the lift plate, a first clutched gear connected to the first output of the drive transmission, and a second clutched gear connected to the first clutched gear and the second output of the drive transmission. The second clutched gear has an engagement opposite the first clutched gear. A single motor is connected to the input of the drive transmission for raising the lift plate and driving the pick mechanism. | 05-03-2012 |
20120104688 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF MEDIA SHEETS IN A MEDIA TRAY IN AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A method for determining the amount of media sheets in a media tray in an image forming device according to one embodiment includes raising a lift plate supporting a stack of media sheets toward a pick mechanism for feeding the media sheets by rotation of a motor in a first direction. An amount of rotation of the motor in the first direction is determined. An indication of an amount of media sheets remaining in the media tray is provided based on the determined amount of rotation of the motor in the first direction. | 05-03-2012 |
20120139179 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING MEDIA POSITIONING AND INDEXING USING AN ENCODER IN AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A method for indexing a lift plate in an image forming device according to one exemplary embodiment includes driving a motor in a first direction to drive a pick mechanism for feeding media from a stack of media sheets on a raisable lift plate such that as media is fed the height of the pick mechanism decreases. When the height of the pick mechanism falls below a predetermined level, the motor is driven a predetermined amount of rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction to raise the lift plate in order to raise the pick mechanism to a desired pick height. | 06-07-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080320296 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SECURE REMOTE MOBILE PRINTING - Systems and methods for for secure, remote printing includes a mobile device (e.g., cell phone or PDA) establishing a secure communication connection with a mobile printer and a server, such a connection using one or more encryption protocols (e.g., SSL, TLS, etc.). The server encrypts the requested data and transmits it to the printer via the secure connection, whereon the printer decrypts and prints the data. The mobile device can, according to other aspects of the invention, logs operational performance characteristic of the printer, the server, and/or the communication connections therebetween. A media cartridge can be provided includes an enclosure having a substantially planar shape, wherein each of its length and width dimensions are greater than its height. An opening is disposed along a width-wise edge (e.g., a “front” of the enclosure), and one or more regions are also disposed on opposing length-wise edges (e.g., a “left side” and a “right side” of the enclosure). The regions permit a user to see and/or exert a force on sheet media (e.g., paper) contained within the enclosure. | 12-25-2008 |
20090000969 | MEDIA CARTRIDGE AND METHOD FOR MOBILE PRINTING - Systems and methods for secure, remote printing includes a mobile device (e.g., cell phone or PDA) establishing a secure communication connection with a mobile printer and a server, such a connection using one or more encryption protocols (e.g., SSL, TLS, etc.). The server encrypts the requested data and transmits it to the printer via the secure connection, whereon the printer decrypts and prints the data. The mobile device can, according to other aspects of the invention, logs operational performance characteristic of the printer, the server, and/or the communication connections therebetween. A media cartridge can be provided includes an enclosure having a substantially planar shape, wherein each of its length and width dimensions are greater than its height. An opening is disposed along a width-wise edge (e.g., a “front” of the enclosure), and one or more regions are also disposed on opposing length-wise edges (e.g., a “left side” and a “right side” of the enclosure). The regions permit a user to see and/or exert a force on sheet media (e.g., paper) contained within the enclosure. | 01-01-2009 |