US3781548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Control system
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1971-04-05
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1991-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A control system for regulating the performance of predetermined sequences of operations by an operating device upon sheets of material having variable lengths is disclosed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention wherein photoelectric sensing means are utilized to sense the leading and trailing edges of a sheet of material upon which the device operates. Pulse generating means generates first and second pulses when the photoelectric sensing means senses the leading and trailing edges respectively, of a sheet of material. First and second switch means respond to the generated first and second pulses for initiating first and second predetermined sequences of operations respectively, to be performed by the operating device.
Inventors
- 👤 R Gerace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:15
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/14; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/06; G05B19/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
388 words
A control system for regulating the performance of predetermined sequences of operations by an electrophotographic reproducing device wherein said predetermined sequences are performed in time delayed relationship, said time delay being defined by the length of a document to be reproduced, comprising: photoelectric sensing means for sensing the leading and trailing edges of a document to be reproduced; pulse generating means coupled to said photoelectric sensing means for generating a first pulse when said photoelectric sensing means senses the leading edges of a document and for generating a second pulse when said photoelectric sensing means senses the trailing edge of a document, said pulse generating means comprising triggerable bistable means adapted to assume a first stable state when a signal applied thereto exceeds a predetermined threshold level and to assume a second stable state when a signal applied thereto is less than said predetermined threshold level; and transition detecting means coupled to said triggerable bistable means for detecting each transition in the state assumed by said triggerable bistable means whereby said first pulse is generated when said triggerable bistable means assumes said first state and said second pulse is generated when said triggerable bistable means assumes said second state; first switch means coupled to said pulse generating means and responsive to said first pulse for initiating a first predetermined sequence of operations, said first switch means including first bistate means coupled to said pulse generating means and adapted to assume a first state in response to said first pulse, and first electromagnetic means coupled to said first bistate means and adapted to be energized when said first bistate means assumes said first state, whereby the energization of said first electromagnetic means enables first mechanical means to establish said first predetermined sequence of operation, and second switch means coupled to said pulse generating means and responsive to said second pulse for initiating a second predetermined sequence of operations, said second switch means comprising, second bistate means coupled to said pulse generating means and adapted to assume a first state in response to said second pulse, and second electromagnetic means coupled to said second bistate means and adapted to be energized when said second bistate means assumes said first state, whereby the energization of said second electromagnetic means enables second mechanical means to establish said second predetermined sequence of operations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
388 words
A control system for regulating the performance of predetermined sequences of operations by an electrophotographic reproducing device wherein said predetermined sequences are performed in time delayed relationship, said time delay being defined by the length of a document to be reproduced, comprising: photoelectric sensing means for sensing the leading and trailing edges of a document to be reproduced; pulse generating means coupled to said photoelectric sensing means for generating a first pulse when said photoelectric sensing means senses the leading edges of a document and for generating a second pulse when said photoelectric sensing means senses the trailing edge of a document, said pulse generating means comprising triggerable bistable means adapted to assume a first stable state when a signal applied thereto exceeds a predetermined threshold level and to assume a second stable state when a signal applied thereto is less than said predetermined threshold level; and transition detecting means coupled to said triggerable bistable means for detecting each transition in the state assumed by said triggerable bistable means whereby said first pulse is generated when said triggerable bistable means assumes said first state and said second pulse is generated when said triggerable bistable means assumes said second state; first switch means coupled to said pulse generating means and responsive to said first pulse for initiating a first predetermined sequence of operations, said first switch means including first bistate means coupled to said pulse generating means and adapted to assume a first state in response to said first pulse, and first electromagnetic means coupled to said first bistate means and adapted to be energized when said first bistate means assumes said first state, whereby the energization of said first electromagnetic means enables first mechanical means to establish said first predetermined sequence of operation, and second switch means coupled to said pulse generating means and responsive to said second pulse for initiating a second predetermined sequence of operations, said second switch means comprising, second bistate means coupled to said pulse generating means and adapted to assume a first state in response to said second pulse, and second electromagnetic means coupled to said second bistate means and adapted to be energized when said second bistate means assumes said first state, whereby the energization of said second electromagnetic means enables second mechanical means to establish said second predetermined sequence of operations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said triggerable bistable means comprises Schmitt trigger means whereby said first stable state is represented by a signal admitting of a first level and said second stable state is represented by a signal admitting of a second level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said transition detecting means comprises differentiating means responsive to transitions in the level of a signal applied thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A control system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said first and second bistate means comprise first and second monostable multivibrator means, respectively, each of said monostable multivibrator means being adapted to assume the quasistable output state thereof in response to a pulse applied thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A control system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said first and second electromagnetic means comprise: first and second relay means, respectively, each of said first and second relay means including an energizing coil and a moveable contact, said moveable contact being adapted to complete a series circuit; and first and second solenoid means including first and second activating coils serially connectable to a source of energy via said first and second moveable contacts, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
A control system in accordAnce with claim 2 wherein said transition detecting means comprises: bistable circuit means having first and second stable output states and adapted to assume the first stable output state thereof in response to an applied signal admitting of a first level and to assume the second stable output state thereof in response to an applied signal admitting of a second level; and differentiating means responsive to transitions in the output state assumed by said bistable circuit means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
A control system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said first and second bistate means comprise: first and second relay means, respectively, each of said first and second relay means including an energizing coil and a moveable armature, said moveable armature being adapted to complete a series circuit; and first and second switch means coupled to said differentiating means and responsive to pulses applied thereto for energizing said first and second energizing coils, respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A control system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said first and second electromagnetic means comprise first and second solenoid means including first and second activating coils serially connectable to a source of energy via said first and second moveable armatures, respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
A control system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said bistable circuit means comprises: a relay coil; a switch having a control terminal for selectively energizing said relay coil when a signal admitting of a first level is applied to said control terminal; and a relay armature connected to a voltage source and adapted to contact a first relay contact when said relay coil is energized and to contact a second relay contact when said relay coil is de-energized.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A control system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said differentiating means comprises: a first differentiator coupled to said first relay contact for generating said first pulse when said relay armature contacts said first relay contact; and a second differentiator coupled to said second relay contact for generating said second pulse when said relay armature contacts said second relay contact.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
345 words
In a device for performing operations upon sheets of material having variable lengths wherein said operations are sequentially performed under the control of mechanical controlling means, apparatus for activating the mechanical controlling means, comprising: photocell means for sensing the leading and trailing edges of a sheet of material upon which said device operates, said photocell means being spaced from and in optical communication with a source of light for producing a signal in accordance with the intensity of light communicated thereto, the space defined by said photocell means and said source of light being adapted to receive said sheet of material; Schmitt trigger means coupled to said photocell means for generating a signal admitting of a first level when said signal produced by said photocell means exceeds a threshold level and for generating a signal admitting of a second level when said signal produced by said photocell means is less than said threshold level; pulse generating means having an input terminal coupled to said Schmitt trigger means and first and second output terminals for generating a first pulse at said first output terminal when the signal generated by said Schmitt trigger admits of a transition from said second level to said first level and for generating a second pulse at said second output terminal when the signal generated by said Schmitt trigger admits of a transition from said first level to said second level; first switch means coupled to said first output terminal and responsive to said first pulse for completing a first series circuit; second switch means coupled to said second output terminal and responsive to said second pulse for completing a second series circuit; first solenoid means including an energizing coil serially connected to a sOurce of energy via said first series circuit whereby said first solenoid means enables first clutch means to activate said mechanical controlling means, and second solenoid means including an energizing coil serially connectable to a source of energy via said second series circuit whereby said second solenoid means enables second clutch means to activate said mechanical controlling means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
345 words
In a device for performing operations upon sheets of material having variable lengths wherein said operations are sequentially performed under the control of mechanical controlling means, apparatus for activating the mechanical controlling means, comprising: photocell means for sensing the leading and trailing edges of a sheet of material upon which said device operates, said photocell means being spaced from and in optical communication with a source of light for producing a signal in accordance with the intensity of light communicated thereto, the space defined by said photocell means and said source of light being adapted to receive said sheet of material; Schmitt trigger means coupled to said photocell means for generating a signal admitting of a first level when said signal produced by said photocell means exceeds a threshold level and for generating a signal admitting of a second level when said signal produced by said photocell means is less than said threshold level; pulse generating means having an input terminal coupled to said Schmitt trigger means and first and second output terminals for generating a first pulse at said first output terminal when the signal generated by said Schmitt trigger admits of a transition from said second level to said first level and for generating a second pulse at said second output terminal when the signal generated by said Schmitt trigger admits of a transition from said first level to said second level; first switch means coupled to said first output terminal and responsive to said first pulse for completing a first series circuit; second switch means coupled to said second output terminal and responsive to said second pulse for completing a second series circuit; first solenoid means including an energizing coil serially connected to a sOurce of energy via said first series circuit whereby said first solenoid means enables first clutch means to activate said mechanical controlling means, and second solenoid means including an energizing coil serially connectable to a source of energy via said second series circuit whereby said second solenoid means enables second clutch means to activate said mechanical controlling means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further including first monostable multivibrator means interposed between said first switch means and said first output terminal for controlling said first switch means whereby said first series circuit is completed for a period of time determined by the time constant of said first monostable multivibrator means; and second monostable multivibrator means interposed between said second switch means and said second output terminal for controlling said second switch means whereby said second series circuit is completed for a period of time determined by the time constant of said second monostable multivibrator means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |