Unibody printing and copying system and process

• US 5,430,524 A
• Filed: 03/28/1994
• Issued: 07/04/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Nelson, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grimley, A. T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brase, Sandra L.
• Application Number:
  US08/218,448
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 355/200, 355/202, 355/204, 355/208, 355/210, 355/228, 355/229, 355/232, 355/233, 355/260, 346/108, 346/160
• US Class Current: 399/2
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/00 Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern G03G16/00, G03G17/00 take precedence ; xerographic printers for data processors per se G06K15/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00002 Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for error detection, error correction or monitoring in digital computers or digital computer components G06F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00015 Reproducing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00031 Testing, i.e. determining the result of a trial H04N1/00029 takes precedence; using test signals for transmission mode changing H04N2201/33371
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00053 out of service, i.e. outside of normal operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00058 using a separate apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00063 using at least a part of the apparatus itself, e.g. self-testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00082 Adjusting or controlling interrupting an operation H04N1/00915; inhibiting an operation H04N1/00925
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00238 using an image reproducing device as a local output from a computer output via network, e.g. network printing H04N1/00233
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00538 Modular devices, i.e. allowing combinations of separate components, removal or replacement of components

Abstract

There is disclosed a system and method for assembling all of the parts of a xerographic system in a unitary housing. The unitary molded housing contains the xerographic optics, the modulator, the toner and developer cartridges as well as the printer drum. Using this unitary housing, the modulator can be aligned by using optical sensors in substitution for the printing drum during assembly, and can contain other components such as a document scanner that allows the print engine to also be used as a fax machine, or a copier.

Claims

1. A document processing unit in communication with a host system comprising:

a. a document scanner, wherein said scanner converts images to digital data;

b. a xerographic print engine including;

i. a light source;

ii. a photoreceptor;

iii. a modulator for modulating light from said source in response to digital signals from either said host system, or from said document scanner, wherein said modulator converts said digital signals from either said host system or from said document scanner directly into an image on said photoreceptor;

c. a communications port operable for receiving data from said host system, and sending data from said document scanner to said host system; and

d. a unitary body, wherein said unitary body is molded to hold all components of said unit is proper optical alignment such that said proper optical alignment is maintained when any region of said body is flexed.