Patent ID: 8121505

Claim:
A hybrid printing system for producing full process color prints and low cost monochrome prints, the hybrid printing system comprising: (a) a machine frame; (b) a media path assembly mounted within said machine frame and including a media supply source, and an image transfer/transport unit having a top side and a bottom side for receiving and moving media and images to a fusing apparatus; (c) a full process color image output terminal (IOT) assembly including a moveable intermediate image receiving and carrying member and a first series of components for forming and transferring full process color images onto said intermediate image receiving and carrying member, said full process color IOT assembly being mounted for forming a first image transfer nip with one of said top side and said bottom side of said image transfer/transport unit; (d) a monochrome image output terminal (IOT) assembly mounted opposite said full process color image output terminal (IOT) assembly for forming a second image transfer nip with an other of said top side and said bottom side of said image transfer/transport unit, said monochrome image output terminal (IOT) assembly including a moveable image bearing member and a second series of components for forming monochrome images on said image bearing member; and (e) a fusing system aligned with the image transfer/transport unit for receiving and fusing image carrying media, the fusing system including: a first fusing apparatus for fusing full process color images; a second fusing apparatus for fusing monochrome images; and a reversible common pressure roller moveable to form one of a first fusing nip and a second fusing nip, the first fusing nip being formed when the first fusing apparatus is activated and the second fusing nip being formed when the second fusing apparatus is activated.