US5077576A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable image area lockout for damaged imaging members
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1990-11-13
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Granted: 1991-12-31
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Expires: 2010-11-13
Abstract
Abstract Document production apparatus has an imaging member with a plurality of image areas used to produce documents. Defective image areas can be locked out from being used to produce documents. When an image area is locked out, the apparatus enters a skip cycle mode wherein the apparatus continues to run without producing a document for a particular image area. The lockout is cancelled upon replacement of the imaging means such that previously locked out image areas can be used to produce documents.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Stansfield
- 👤 James R. Burt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:40
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/50; G03G15/5033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
Document production apparatus having an imaging member with a plurality of image areas; said apparatus having: means for using selected image areas of the imaging member to produce documents; and means for locking out defective image areas from being used to produce documents.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
43 words
Document production apparatus having an imaging member with a plurality of image areas; said apparatus having: means for using selected image areas of the imaging member to produce documents; and means for locking out defective image areas from being used to produce documents.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
Document production apparatus having an imaging member with a plurality of image areas; said apparatus having: means for using selected image areas of the imaging member to produce documents; means for designating image areas of the imaging member as being defective; and means for locking out designated image areas from being used to produce documents.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
Document production apparatus having an imaging member with a plurality of image areas; said apparatus having: means for using selected image areas of the imaging member to produce documents; means for designating image areas of the imaging member as being defective; and means for locking out designated image areas from being used to produce documents.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
Document production apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein: said imaging member is replaceable; and said apparatus further comprises means for resetting the locking out means upon replacement of said imaging means such that previously locked out image areas can be used to produce documents.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
Document production apparatus having an imaging member with a plurality of image areas; said apparatus having: means for repeatedly producing transferable images on selected image areas of the imaging member; means for designating image areas of the imaging member as being defective; and means for locking out designated image areas from being used to produce documents.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
Document production apparatus having an imaging member with a plurality of image areas; said apparatus having: means for repeatedly producing transferable images on selected image areas of the imaging member; means for designating image areas of the imaging member as being defective; and means for locking out designated image areas from being used to produce documents.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
Document production apparatus having an imaging member with a plurality of image areas, a production mode for producing documents, and a skip cycle mode wherein the apparatus continues to run without producing a document for a particular image area; said apparatus having: means for using selected image areas of the imaging member to produce documents in the production mode; and means for placing the apparatus in the skip cycle mode for defective image areas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
Document production apparatus having an imaging member with a plurality of image areas, a production mode for producing documents, and a skip cycle mode wherein the apparatus continues to run without producing a document for a particular image area; said apparatus having: means for using selected image areas of the imaging member to produce documents in the production mode; and means for placing the apparatus in the skip cycle mode for defective image areas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
Document production apparatus having an imaging member with a plurality of image areas; said apparatus having: a production mode wherein selected image areas of the imaging member are used to produce documents; means for identifying and designating defective image areas of the imaging member; a skip cycle mode wherein the apparatus continues to run, but without producing a document for one or more image areas; and sequencing control means for placing the apparatus in the skip cycle mode for designated defective image areas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
Document production apparatus having an imaging member with a plurality of image areas; said apparatus having: a production mode wherein selected image areas of the imaging member are used to produce documents; means for identifying and designating defective image areas of the imaging member; a skip cycle mode wherein the apparatus continues to run, but without producing a document for one or more image areas; and sequencing control means for placing the apparatus in the skip cycle mode for designated defective image areas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
Document production apparatus having an imaging member with a plurality of image areas and machine sequencing control means for controlling operation of the apparatus; said document production apparatus further comprising: means for detecting a predetermined position along the imaging member; means operable by the machine sequencing control means for producing documents on selected image areas of the imaging member; means for designating defective image areas by their spacial relationship relative to said predetermined position; and means operable by the machine sequencing control means for looking out designated image areas from being used to produce documents.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
95 words
Document production apparatus having an imaging member with a plurality of image areas and machine sequencing control means for controlling operation of the apparatus; said document production apparatus further comprising: means for detecting a predetermined position along the imaging member; means operable by the machine sequencing control means for producing documents on selected image areas of the imaging member; means for designating defective image areas by their spacial relationship relative to said predetermined position; and means operable by the machine sequencing control means for looking out designated image areas from being used to produce documents.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
Document production apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein: said imaging member is a flexible belt; and said detecting means is a splice detector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
Document production apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said imaging member is replaceable and said apparatus further comprises means for resetting the locking out means upon replacement of said imaging means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process for producing a document using an imaging member with a plurality of image areas; said process comprising the steps of: using selected image areas of the imaging member to produce documents; and locking out defective image areas from being used to produce documents.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process for producing a document using an imaging member with a plurality of image areas; said process comprising the steps of: using selected image areas of the imaging member to produce documents; and locking out defective image areas from being used to produce documents.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process as defined in claim 10 further comprising the steps of: selectively replacing imaging members which have defective image areas; and resetting the locking out means upon replacement of said imaging member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A process for producing a document using an imaging member with a plurality of image areas; said process comprising the steps of: identifying and designating defective image areas of the imaging member; and placing the apparatus in the skip cycle mode for designated defective image areas.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
A process for producing a document using an imaging member with a plurality of image areas; said process comprising the steps of: identifying and designating defective image areas of the imaging member; and placing the apparatus in the skip cycle mode for designated defective image areas.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
A process for producing a document using an imaging member with a plurality of image areas; said process comprising the steps of: detecting a predetermined position along the imaging member; producing documents on selected image areas of the imaging member; designating defective image areas by their spacial relationship relative to said predetermined position; and locking out designated image areas from being used to produce documents.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
65 words
A process for producing a document using an imaging member with a plurality of image areas; said process comprising the steps of: detecting a predetermined position along the imaging member; producing documents on selected image areas of the imaging member; designating defective image areas by their spacial relationship relative to said predetermined position; and locking out designated image areas from being used to produce documents.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-12-30 | 1995-07-01 | 1995-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-30 | 1999-07-01 | 1999-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-30 | 2003-07-01 | 2003-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |