Xerox Corporation

Other

James M Pacer

Roger W Budnik

Guru B Raj

Michael G Swales

Ralph A Shoemaker

Robert E Grace

Michael E Beard

Scott L Kauffman

Richard M Maier

Robert M Mara

John G Elliot

Angelo T Caruso

Daniel C Roehrs

Patricia J Saraceno

David E Rollins

David P Vanbortel

Porfirio J Perez

Steven E Kolb

Ameet S Bhattacharya

George F Bergen

Eric Michael Gross

Gary Allen Denton

Eric Scott Hamby

Brendan C Casey

David R Stookey

Joseph A Mastrandrea

William M OuYang

Soon Kuan Kuek

Richard H Dennie

Patricia J Weber

David R Jenkins

Vilmarie Lopez-Heroux

An electrophotographic printing or copying machine includes a functional module which can be readily removed and replaced by service personnel. The module includes a monitor in the form of an electronically-readable memory, which includes information about how the particular module is to be operated. A distribution board electronically accesses the memories within the monitors and reads therefrom information, such as how much voltage to supply to different components within each module. The distribution board can also update the number of prints made with each module, and maintain this count within the monitors.

System for managing replaceable modules in a digital printing apparatus

A method and apparatus for implementing statistical process control (SPC) in a printing environment to address errant reads of control sensors is provided. The system uses SPC, in systems having feedback control based on control sensor data, to identify errant reads and ensure that such errant reads are not used in the applicable feedback loop. Unnecessary reaction to the errant reads is thus avoided.

Method and apparatus for implementing statistical process control (SPC) in a printing environment

A method and apparatus to determine the use status of a customer replaceable unit (CRU) in an electrophotographic printing machine. The CRU has a customer replaceable unit monitor (CRUM) which communicates with the machine controller upon insertion of the CRU into the machine. Based on the signal generated by the CRUM the controller can determine whether the CRU has been previously used in the machine or is new. Appropriate settings and adjustments can be made based on predetermined parameters according to use. In addition, if a CRU is new a cycle can be initiated in which a toner patch is developed and not transferred so that a layer of toner is deposited on the cleaning blade. This minimizes damage to a photoreceptor belt due to lack of lubrication of the cleaner blade and chatter that may result therefrom.

Method and apparatus for automatic customer replaceable unit (CRU) setup and cleaner blade lubrication

In a xerographic development system, a primary developer supply is used to develop electrostatic latent images. A secondary developer supply is available to dispense new developer, as needed, into the primary developer supply. A series of inputs, including counting the number of printed pixels and monitoring the reflectivity of a set of test patches, is entered into an algorithm which controls the dispensing of new developer. The various inputs are converted into metrics which relate to an amount of time fresh developer is dispensed into the primary developer supply.

Xerographic development system, method for determining when the developer material supply should be replenished

In a control system for xerographic development, an important value to be monitored in real time is the ratio of toner to carrier (T/C) in the developer supply. However, direct measurements of T/C, whether by magnetometer readings of the developer, or densitometer readings of developed test patches, tend to be noisy. To exclude unusual T/C measurements, after every T/C reading, a likely range of change in T/C is calculated. If a subsequent T/C reading is not within this likely range, the reading is substituted with an upper or lower boundary of the calculated likely range.

Xerographic development system, a method for predicting changes in the ratio of toner to carrier

In a xerographic development system wherein toner is conveyed from a donor member to a charge receptor by a development field having a DC bias and an AC component, reflectivities of a first test patch having a first target halftone density and a second test patch having a second target halftone density are measured, resulting in first and second possible errors. If the first error and the second error have the same sign, i.e., both patches are too light or too dark, the errors are substantially cured by altering the DC bias. If the first error and the second error have different signs, i.e. one patch is too dark and the other too light, a different correction strategy is employed.

Print quality control for a xerographic printer having an AC development field

In a xerographic development system in which an AC field is set up in a gap between a donor member and the photoreceptor to develop an electrostatic latent image, a series of tests are performed to ascertain that the width of the gap is within a suitable range. In test mode, various DC and AC biases associated with the field are systematically altered, and the reflectivities of resulting test images are read. Based on these reflectivity readings, it can be determined if the gap is too wide, such as to cause poor print quality, or too narrow, such as to cause arcing.

System for determining development gap width in a xerographic development system using an AC field

In a xerographic printing apparatus wherein a development field is maintained between the photoreceptor and a donor member, there is always a danger of arcing across the field, particularly at high elevations. An arcing-avoidance system interacts with the print quality control system of a printing apparatus, to monitor the biases within the apparatus being demanded at various times by the control system. If a bias consistent with arcing conditions is approached, the arcing-avoidance system constrains the control system to avoid the arcing conditions. The arcing-avoidance system accepts as an input the elevation of a particular printing apparatus.

High-altitude compensation for a xerographic development system

A method to provide a highly intelligent, automated diagnostic system that identifies the need to replace specific parts to minimize machine downtime rather than require extensive service troubleshooting. In particular, a systematic, logical test analysis scheme to assess machine operation from a simple sensor system and to be able to pinpoint parts and components needing replacement is provided by a series of first level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a first level of data and by a series of second level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a second level of data. Each of the first level tests and first level data is capable of identifying a first level of part failure independent of any other test. Each of the second level tests and second level data is a combination of first level tests and first level data or a combination of a first level test and first level data and a third level test and third level data. The second level tests and second level data are capable of identifying second and third levels of part failure. Codes are stored and displayed to manifest specific part failures.

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Webster, NY, United States of America

James M Pacer