US 7162196 B2
In one embodiment, an imaging device includes a main unit that includes a print mechanism, and an auxiliary unit that includes a document finishing mechanism.
1. An imaging device, comprising:
a main unit that includes a print mechanism and a media input tray; and
a physically separate auxiliary unit that is positioned below the main unit, couples with the same in stacked configuration, and physically supports the main unit, the auxiliary unit including an integral document finishing mechanism and a further media input tray, wherein the document finishing mechanism is accessible from an environment outside the imaging device through a slot provided in an exterior of the auxiliary unit such that printed media is fed through the slot into the document finishing mechanism from outside the auxiliary unit, wherein the auxiliary unit has a footprint that is substantially the same as a footprint of the main unit.
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14. An auxiliary unit for an imaging device, wherein the auxiliary unit is located physically separate from a main unit of the imaging device and is couplable in a stacked configuration with the main unit including a print mechanism and a media input tray, so that the auxiliary unit is positioned below the main unit, wherein the auxiliary unit to comprises:
an integral document finishing mechanism accessible from an environment outside the imaging device through a slot provided in the exterior of the auxiliary unit such that printed media is fed through the slot into the document finishing mechanism from outside the auxiliary unit; and
a further media input tray; wherein the auxiliary unit has a footprint that is substantially the same as the footprint of the main unit.
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Less expensive imaging devices typically do not include the document finishing capabilities of many high-end imaging devices such as stapling, binding, hole punching, folding, and trimming. However, many users of less expensive imaging devices desire such finishing capabilities so that they can not only print hardcopy pages, but further organize or convert those pages into finished documents. In small office and home environments in which space may be at a premium, it is undesirable to have to accommodate additional equipment.
The disclosed imaging devices can be understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale.
Many users desire document finishing capability, but may not wish to purchase free-standing document finishing equipment. As described in the following, however, such document finishing capability can be integrated into a relatively small, inexpensive imaging device in such a manner so that the footprint of the imaging device is not increased. Therefore, the imaging device user can finish documents, for instance in a small office or home setting, without having to provide additional space for free-standing document finishing equipment.
Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views,
The main unit 102 comprises an outer housing 106 that at least encloses a print mechanism. In the example of
The main unit 102 further comprises a control panel 110 that may be used to control operation of the imaging device 100 and adjust device settings. In addition, the main unit 102 comprises a media input tray 112 that is configured to hold media, such as paper, for input into the device to facilitate printing and/or photocopying. The main unit 102 may include one or more output areas 114 at which printed media are output from the imaging device 100.
The auxiliary unit 104 is adapted for coupling with the main unit 102. In particular, as is depicted by dashed lines in
In addition to the media input tray 116, the auxiliary unit 104 comprises at least one integral document finishing mechanism. In the example of
As is apparent from
The nature of the document finishing mechanism 122 depends upon the particular implementation. By way of example, the document finishing mechanism 122 is capable of one or more of stapling, binding, hole punching, folding, and trimming. Optionally, more than one type of document finishing mechanism can be integrated into the auxiliary unit 104. For example, a stapling mechanism can be provided in one location within the auxiliary unit 104, and a binding mechanism can be provided in another location within the auxiliary unit 104. In some embodiments, various different modular auxiliary units 102 may be available for purchase, each having different finishing capabilities. For instance, one auxiliary unit 104 can provide stapling functionality, another auxiliary unit 104 can provide binding functionality, and so forth. Depending upon the implementation, such auxiliary units 102 may be installable by the customer, thereby obviating the need for a service call.
The printing unit 202 comprises the print mechanism that is used to generate hard copy documents, either from data provided by a host device (e.g., personal computer (PC)) or by the scanning unit 200. In the example of
A laser diode is provided within a laser emitter 214 that emits a laser beam 216 that is pulsed on and off as it is swept across the surface of the photoconductor member 212 to selectively discharge the surface of the photoconductor member. In the orientation shown in
Recording media 226, for instance sheets of paper, are loaded from the input tray 112 by a pickup roller 228 into a conveyance path of the imaging device 100. Each recording medium 226 is individually drawn through the device 100 along the conveyance path by various drive rollers and/or conveyors (unnumbered) such that the leading edge of each recording medium is synchronized with the rotation of the region on the surface of the photoconductor member 212 that comprises the developed toner image. As the photoconductor member 212 rotates, the toner adhered to the member contacts the recording medium 226, which has been charged by a transfer member 230, for example a transfer roller, such that the toner particles are moved away from the surface of the photoconductor member and onto the surface of the recording medium.
The transfer of toner particles from the surface of the photoconductor member 212 to the surface of the recording medium 226 normally is not completely efficient. Therefore, if toner particles remain on the surface of the photoconductor member 212, those toner particles are removed from the photoconductor member and deposited in a toner waste hopper 232. As the recording medium 226 moves along the conveyance path past the photoconductor member 212, the recording medium is delivered to a fusing system 234 that, for example, comprises a fuser roller and a pressure roller that form a nip that applies heat and pressure to the recording medium 226 to fuse the toner to the surface of the recording medium. After fusing is completed, the recording medium 226 is output from the imaging device 100, for instance in one of the output areas 114 (
As identified in
In addition to providing the print data stream to the laser emitter 214, the controller 238 controls a high voltage power supply (not shown) that supplies voltages and currents to the components used in the imaging device 100, in some embodiments including the finishing mechanism(s) of the auxiliary unit 104. The controller 238 further controls a drive motor (not shown) that drives the printer gear train (not shown) as well as the various clutches and feed rollers (not shown) necessary to move recording media 226 through the conveyance path of the device 100. A power control circuit 240 controls the application of power to the fusing system 234.
The media input tray 116 of the auxiliary unit 104 also holds media 226 which are fed up to the main unit 102 with a pickup roller 242 and various drive rollers and/or conveyors through the opening 118. As is further indicated in
In view of the above, it can be appreciated that the imaging device 100 provides the added functionality of document finishing without expanding the footprint of the imaging device. Therefore, user need not purchase, and provide space for, separate finishing equipment to obtain such document finishing.