US6582039B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination color inkjet and laser image-printing device with dual paper-picking mechanism and method of implementing same
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 2001-07-24
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Granted: 2003-06-24
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Expires: 2021-07-24
Abstract
Abstract An image-printing device includes a dual paper-picking device that has two independent means of pulling sheets of paper or other print medium from a supply and feeding the same to the image-printing device. With two paper-picking means operating independently, two different paper transport paths can be operated. One path includes a laser print engine and prints monochromatic pages. The other path includes an inkjet print engine and prints color pages. The image-printing device firmware determines whether each page is a color or monochromatic page and formats the page accordingly for the appropriate print path.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce L. Johnson
- 👤 Leonard T. Schroath
- 👤 Bradley J. Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:51
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J13/00; B41J13/10; B41J13/103; B41J3/00; B41J3/54; B41J3/546
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An image-printing device comprising: a laser print engine for monochromatic printing; an inkjet print engine for color printing; a single supply of a print medium; and a dual paper-picking device with first and second paper-picking mechanisms, wherein said first paper-picking mechanism feeds print media from said single supply of a print medium to a first transport path that comprises said laser print engine, and said second paper-picking mechanism feeds print media from said single supply of print medium to a second transport path that comprises said inkjet print medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
An image-printing device comprising: a laser print engine for monochromatic printing; an inkjet print engine for color printing; a single supply of a print medium; and a dual paper-picking device with first and second paper-picking mechanisms, wherein said first paper-picking mechanism feeds print media from said single supply of a print medium to a first transport path that comprises said laser print engine, and said second paper-picking mechanism feeds print media from said single supply of print medium to a second transport path that comprises said inkjet print medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The image-printing device of claim 1 , wherein said first and second paper-picking mechanisms each comprise a driven roller that is selectively brought into contact with said single supply of print medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
The image-printing device of claim 1 , further comprising firmware for controlling operation of said image-printing device, wherein said firmware receives data of a print job, determines for each page of said print job whether that page should be printed monochromatically or in color, sends print data for that page to said laser print engine or said inkjet print engine depending on said determination of whether that page should be printed monochromatically or in color, and controls said dual paper-picking device to feed print media to that print engine receiving the print data for that page.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image-printing device of claim 3 , wherein said first and second paper-picking mechanisms each comprise a driven roller that is selectively brought into contact with said supply of print medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image printing device of claim 3 , wherein said output area further comprises an output tray in which sheets of a print job printed by both said laser print engine and said inkjet print engine are interleaved.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image printing device of claim 1 , wherein said output area further comprises an output tray in which sheets of a print job printed by both said laser print engine and said inkjet print engine are interleaved.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
210 words
A method of printing a print job with an image-printing device that comprises a single supply of a print medium, and both a laser print engine for monochromatic printing and an inkjet print engine for color printing, said method comprising: receiving data of a print job in said image-printing device; determining for each page of said print job whether that page should be printed monochromatically or in color; feeding print media from said single supply of a print medium to either a first transport path that comprises said laser print engine or a second transport path that comprises said inkjet print engine, said feeding to be accomplished by a dual paper-picking device with first and second paper-picking mechanisms, said first paper-picking mechanism corresponding to said first transport path, and said second paper-picking mechanism corresponding to said second transport path; controlling said dual paper-picking device to feed print media selectively to the print engine printing a particular page of said print job depending on said determination of whether that page should be printed to either of said first or second transport paths; and printing that page with said laser print engine or said inkjet print engine depending on said determination of whether that page should he printed monochromatically or in color.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
210 words
A method of printing a print job with an image-printing device that comprises a single supply of a print medium, and both a laser print engine for monochromatic printing and an inkjet print engine for color printing, said method comprising: receiving data of a print job in said image-printing device; determining for each page of said print job whether that page should be printed monochromatically or in color; feeding print media from said single supply of a print medium to either a first transport path that comprises said laser print engine or a second transport path that comprises said inkjet print engine, said feeding to be accomplished by a dual paper-picking device with first and second paper-picking mechanisms, said first paper-picking mechanism corresponding to said first transport path, and said second paper-picking mechanism corresponding to said second transport path; controlling said dual paper-picking device to feed print media selectively to the print engine printing a particular page of said print job depending on said determination of whether that page should be printed to either of said first or second transport paths; and printing that page with said laser print engine or said inkjet print engine depending on said determination of whether that page should he printed monochromatically or in color.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein said step of printing that page further comprises selectively sending print data for that page to said laser print engine or said inkjet print engine depending on said determination of whether that page should be printed monochromatically or in color.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein said first and second paper-picking mechanisms each comprise a driven roller, and said controlling said dual paper picking device further comprises selectively driving a roller of a paper-picking mechanism and selectively bringing that driven roller into contact with said single supply of print medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 7 , further comprising interleaving sheets of a print job printed by both said laser print engine and said inkjet print engine in an output tray of said image-printing device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
144 words
An image-printing device that comprises a single supply of a print medium, and both a laser print engine for monochromatic printing and an inkjet print engine for color printing, said device further comprising: means for receiving data of a print job in said image-printing device; means for determining for each page of said print job whether that page should be printed monochromatically or in color; means for selectively sending print data for a particular page of said print job to either said laser print engine or said inkjet print engine from said single supply of a print medium depending on said determination of whether that page should be printed monochromatically or in color; and means for printing that page with said laser print engine or said inkjet print engine depending on said determination of whether that page should be printed monochromatically or in color.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
144 words
An image-printing device that comprises a single supply of a print medium, and both a laser print engine for monochromatic printing and an inkjet print engine for color printing, said device further comprising: means for receiving data of a print job in said image-printing device; means for determining for each page of said print job whether that page should be printed monochromatically or in color; means for selectively sending print data for a particular page of said print job to either said laser print engine or said inkjet print engine from said single supply of a print medium depending on said determination of whether that page should be printed monochromatically or in color; and means for printing that page with said laser print engine or said inkjet print engine depending on said determination of whether that page should be printed monochromatically or in color.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
111 words
The device of claim 11 , further comprising: a dual paper-picking device with first and second paper-picking mechanisms, said first paper-picking mechanism feeding print media from said single supply of a print medium to a first transport path that comprises said laser print engine and said second paper-picking mechanism feeding print media from said single supply of a print medium to a second transport path that comprises said inkjet print engine; and means for controlling said dual paper-picking device to feed print media selectively to the print engine printing a particular page of said print job depending on said determination of whether that page should be printed monochromatically or in color.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 11 , further comprising means for interleaving sheets of a print job printed by both said laser print engine and said inkjet print engine in an output tray of said image-printing device.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for delivering print media to a printing device comprising: a first print media picking mechanism which feeds print media from a single supply of print medium to a first transport path; and a second print media picking mechanism which feeds print media from said supply of print medium to a second transport path; wherein said first transport path comprises a laser print engine; and. wherein said second transport path comprises an inkjet print engine.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for delivering print media to a printing device comprising: a first print media picking mechanism which feeds print media from a single supply of print medium to a first transport path; and a second print media picking mechanism which feeds print media from said supply of print medium to a second transport path; wherein said first transport path comprises a laser print engine; and. wherein said second transport path comprises an inkjet print engine.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein said single supply of print medium comprises a tray for supporting print media.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein said first and second print media picking mechanisms each comprise a driven roller that is selectively brought into contact with said single supply of print medium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
97 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 , further comprising firmware for controlling said print media delivering apparatus, wherein said firmware: receives data of a print job; determines for each page of said print job whether that page should be printed monochromatically or in color, sends print data for that page to said laser print engine or said inkjet print engine depending on said determination of whether that page should be printed monochromatically or in color, and controls said print media delivering apparatus to feed print media to that print engine receiving the print data for that page.
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) | 2006-06-23 | 2006-12-23 | 2007-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-23 | 2010-12-23 | 2011-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-23 | 2014-12-23 | 2015-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |