Christopher Kent Rhoads

US Patent:

7377508, May 27, 2008

Filed:

May 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/436406

Inventors:

Christopher E. Rhoads - Georgetown KY, US
John Spicer - Lexington KY, US
Darin M. Gettelfinger - Lexington KY, US
Scott S. Williams - Versailles KY, US
Michael W. Lawrence - Lexington KY, US

Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

B65H 3/06

US Classification:

271116

Abstract:

A pick mechanism, having a clutch mechanism, for picking media sheets from an input tray and introducing them into a paper path of an image forming apparatus. The clutch mechanism comprises a plurality of balls positioned between an inner race and an outer race. Angular backlash between the inner race and the outer race may result in variations in the timing of the media sheets. An algorithm is further included to estimate the pick timing of the media sheets. The algorithm calculates an estimated pick time for a subsequent media sheet that incorporates the known engagement variations of the ball clutch pick mechanism.

US Patent:

7396009, Jul 8, 2008

Filed:

Sep 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/230098

Inventors:

Delbert Lester Elliott - Georgetown KY, US
Benjamin C. DeVore - Lexington KY, US
Christopher E. Rhoads - Georgetown KY, US

Assignee:

Lexmark International Inc. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

B65H 5/00

US Classification:

271 1003, 271 403

Abstract:

Methods and devices for moving a media sheet along a media path from an input area to a toner transfer area. One method comprises initially determining that the media sheet is to be moved from the input area. After making the determination, the media path is detected to ensure it is capable of moving the media sheet. If the media path is available, the media sheet is picked and moved along the path. If the media path is not available, the media sheet remains in the input area until the path is available. When required to wait for the path, an amount of delay is determined. Once the path is available, the delayed media sheet is picked from the input area and then accelerated to compensate for the delay.

US Patent:

20140079427, Mar 20, 2014

Filed:

Sep 20, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/623594

Inventors:

Christopher Edward Rhoads - Georgetown KY, US

Assignee:

LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

G03G 15/00

US Classification:

399 82

Abstract:

An imaging device, including one or more imaging units for use in transferring toner to media sheets, one of the imaging units being a black imaging unit for transferring black toner; a media transport path having a duplex path, the duplex path having at least one set of rollers for independently moving media sheets through the duplex path; and a controller operatively coupled to the one or more imaging units and the media transport path, for staging one or more media sheets in the duplex path for a period of time. The period of time results in an increase in the interpage gap which may be utilized while the imaging device interrupts a printing operation to perform any of a number of operations.

US Patent:

6519443, Feb 11, 2003

Filed:

Oct 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/969328

Inventors:

Matthew Christopher Coriale - Lexington KY
Christopher Edward Rhoads - Georgetown KY

Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

G03G 1500

US Classification:

399388, 399394, 399396

Abstract:

A method for calculating a print medium pick time for an imaging apparatus that transports media at variable speeds along a media path, includes the steps of providing a staging process for varying a transport velocity of a media sheet before transferring an image to the media sheet at the image transfer location, the staging process being used for positioning a top writing line margin of the media sheet in relation to the image at the image transfer location; determining a time period t corresponding to a time when a pick motor is started to pick the media sheet to a time when the staging process is started; determining a derived time period t representative of a normalized time from when the staging process is started to a time when a media path sensor senses the media sheet; and determining a compensated calculated pick time for the media sheet by summing the time period t with the time period t.

US Patent:

20170192379, Jul 6, 2017

Filed:

Feb 8, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/427114

Inventors:

- Lexington KY, US
Christopher E. Rhoads - Georgetown KY, US
John P. Richey - Lexington KY, US
David Anthony Schneider - Lexington KY, US
Daniel Steinberg - Lexington KY, US

International Classification:

G03G 15/20
G03G 15/00

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling the fuser assembly of an electrophotographic imaging device, including determining a resistance of the fuser heater at a predetermined temperature that is less than a fusing temperature for performing a fusing operation; calculating a set point heater resistance based on the determined heater resistance, the set point heater resistance being a resistance of the fuser heater at a predetermined set point temperature; reading a line voltage to the electrophotographic imaging device at a first time; calculating heater power based on the line voltage reading and the calculated set point heater resistance; and controlling a speed of a fusing operation based on the calculated heater power.