Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag

Eastman-kodak Company

Heidelberg Digital L.l.c.

James Denny Anthony

Terry Nate Morganti

Philip A Stern

Kurt E Jones

John C Fournier

Eric C Stelter

Matthias Hermann Regelsberger

David Francis Cahill

Kenneth P Friedrich

Paul Essic Thompson

Anne F Lairmore

Kenneth M Patterson

William A Hameister

Guy J Rossi

Todd C Beehler

James Van Orchard

A simple and economical method and apparatus for identifying the toner installed in a multi-toner printer by identifying the toner holder installed in the printer is disclosed. Additionally, the multi-toner printer is controlled based on the toner holder installed and a job selection. A toner identification apparatus comprising a toner identification module, a display device, and an input device, identifies the toner holder installed in a multi-toner printer by producing and identifying a unique voltage identification signal for the installed toner holder. A job selection algorithm determines whether the installed toner holder is the correct toner holder for a specified job selection. Additionally, if the toner holder installed in the multi-toner printer contains MICR toner, the job selection algorithm mandates a security procedure that must be carried out in order for printing to be allowed. In response to the job selection algorithm, the toner identification apparatus creates a control signal that instructs a control device of a multi-toner printer whether to allow a selected print job.

Method and apparatus for toner identification

The invention relates to a device and method for treating the surface of an article in connection with printing. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and device, which is capable of checking the motion of a roller in a device for fixing toner on printed sheet or web material using a magnet and a magnetic sensitive element located in a fixed position near the rotating element so as to sense the passage of at least a pole thereof at each rotation of the magnet.

Device for treating the surface of an article in connection with printing

A toner level detector assembly includes an electrically conductive container body that defines a container cavity and an orifice. A sensor assembly includes a holder and a probe. The holder is sealingly associated with the orifice. The probe is disposed within the holder. The holder electrically isolates the probe from the container body. The probe senses a level of material within the container cavity.

Capacitive probe toner level detector assembly

A container having an electrically conductive container body. The container body defines a container cavity. A sensor assembly is disposed within said container cavity. The sensor assembly is electrically isolated from the container body, and is configured for sensing a level of material within the container cavity.

Capacitive toner level detection

A mechanism for cleaning the surface of an operative element of a reproduction apparatus. The cleaning mechanism includes an elongated web of cleaning cloth material. A first support provides a supply of the elongated web of cleaning cloth material, and a second support provides a take-up for the elongated web of cleaning cloth material. A motor is operatively coupled to the second support to drive the second support for selectively advancing of the elongated web of cleaning cloth material from the first support to the second support to provide a clean portion of the elongated web of cleaning cloth material to clean the operative element. An encoder, associated with the motor, produces a string of pulses while the motor is operative to drive the second support. A logic and control unit produces a signal for turning the motor on for a period of time establishing a web advancement cycle where a given predetermined number of pulses in a pulse string are produced by the encoder. Responsive to the actual number of pulses in the pulse string of an advancement cycle, the period of time that the motor is turned on in a subsequent advancement cycle is adjusted based on the actual number of pulses in a previous string of pulses in order to adjust advancement of the web to provide for the most efficient use of the web of cleaning cloth material.

Cleaning web advancement and drive control mechanism

A method and system for cleaning and removing particles from a printer machine quietly and efficiently with a variable speed blower whereby the blower can operate in a reduced power mode during normal operation and in an increased power mode for special cleaning operations in the printer machine.

System and method for quietly and efficiently cleaning and removing particles from a copier/printer machine

The invention provides a diagnostic system for a densitometer in an image-forming machine. An image-forming machine with a densitometer diagnostic system may have a photoconductor, one or more chargers, an exposure machine, a toning station, and a densitometer. A densitometer diagnostic system for an image-forming machine may have an emitter, a collector, amplifier circuitry, and diagnostic circuitry. The diagnostic circuitry reduces the drive current to the emitter in the densitometer by a known or calculable value. The output voltage from the amplifier circuitry in the densitometer is reduced in proportion to the reduction in the drive current. To perform diagnostic testing of the densitometer, a first output voltage is obtained from the densitometer without the diagnostic circuitry connected. A second output voltage is obtained from the densitometer with the diagnostic circuitry connected. When the difference in first and second output voltages matches an output voltage specification, the densitometer is functional. The diagnostic circuitry may be removed from the densitometer when not in use. Alternatively, the densitometer may have a switch to disconnect the diagnostic circuitry when not in use.

Densitometer diagnostic system for an image-forming machine

Electrostatographic recording method and apparatus that includes a primary image-forming member (PIFM) which moves along a closed path at high-speed. The PIFM may be in the form of an endless belt, which has a row of image frame synchronizing indicia. The indicia are spaced from each other in the direction of movement of the PIFM. The indicia are not all uniformly spaced from one another so that an interframe area larger than other smaller interframe areas on the PIFM can exist. During a production run toner images are formed on the image frames by sensing the image frame synchronizing indicia. The larger interframe area is provided preferably at a splice or seam area to provide sufficient time for a change in a process element for which sufficient time is not available at a smaller interframe area. As an example, the process element may be a transfer roller which is switched in polarity at the larger interframe area to reduce toner contamination of the transfer roller due to presence of the seam or placement of toner at process control patches at such area. The endless belt may contain a single row of indicia that are used to synchronize two respective different series of image frame sizes.

Electrostatographic image-forming apparatus and method

An electrostatographic recording apparatus includes an endless recording member upon which toner images are recorded. A densitometer is provided for measuring density of a toned area on the recording member. The densitometer includes a light emitting and/or light sensitive component that is located in an internal space confined by the endless recording member. The densitometer further includes a slidable support upon which the component is mounted in facing relationship with and proximate to an internal facing portion of the recording member. A stationary mounting structure is attached to a film core upon which the film-like recording member is supported. The slidable support is received within the stationary mounting structure. An electrical circuit is electrically connected to the component and is mounted on a side of the slidable support that is opposite in facing direction to that of the component.

Growing community of inventors

Victor, NY, United States of America

James Denny Anthony