Parallel printing architecture using image marking engine modules
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsBarry Mandel, Steven Moore, Robert Lofthus, Joannes deJong, Lloyd Williams, Martin Krucinski, Lisbeth Quesnel
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Abstract
An integrated printing system is provided and includes at least two generally vertically aligned image marking engines and at least two generally horizontally aligned image marking engines. The printing system further includes at least one generally horizontal interface media transport for transporting media between and to the vertically aligned and the horizontally aligned image marking engines.
Claims48
An integrated printing system comprising:
- at least two generally vertically aligned image marking engines;
- at least two generally horizontally aligned image marking engines;
- and,
- at least one interface media transport for transporting media to said generally vertically aligned and said generally horizontally aligned image marking engines.
An integrated printing system comprising:
- at least two generally vertically aligned image marking engines;
- at least two generally horizontally aligned image marking engines;
- at least one generally horizontal interface media transport for transporting media from one image marking engine to at least another image marking engine in said system.
A method for printing media adapted for a plurality of image marking engines, the method comprising:
- providing at least two generally vertically aligned image marking engines;
- providing at least two generally horizontally aligned image marking engines;
- feeding media from at least one feed source into said generally vertically aligned image marking engines and said generally horizontally aligned image marking engines;
- and,
- transporting said media from said generally vertically aligned image marking engines and said generally horizontally aligned image marking engines into at least one media exit portion.
An integrated printing system comprising:
- at least one interface media transport extending from a media feed source to a media finishing portion;
- at least one additional media transport for connecting said at least one horizontal interface media transport with at least one image marking engine;
- said at least one additional media transport includes an inverter for enabling single pass duplexing between said at least one image marking engine and another image marking engine;
- and,
- said at least one image marking engine and said another image marking engine are generally vertically aligned.
The integrated printing system 41, wherein said inverter is an input inverter, said input inverter includes a bypass.
The integrated printing system 41, wherein said inverter is an output inverter, said output inverter includes a bypass.
An integrated printing system comprising:
- a plurality of image marking engines selectively connected to one another and aligned in a generally vertical and horizontal arrangement;
- each image marking engine includes at least one entrance media path and at least one exit media path;
- and,
- an interface media transport linking at least one of said at least one entrance media path and said at least one exit media path of said each image marking engine.
An integrated printing system utilizing a xerographic imaging system which comprises:
- a data source adapted for generating electronic image data and transmitting same to a plurality of image marking engines;
- said plurality of image marking engines include two substantially vertically aligned image marking engines and two substantially horizontally aligned image marking engines;
- and,
- at least one interface media transport for transporting media to said substantially vertically aligned and said substantially horizontally aligned image marking engines.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.