Xerox Corporation

Joseph W Ward

Russell G Schroeder, Ii

Mark A Scheuer

Prasad P Padmanabhan

Eric Michael Gross

Eric Scott Hamby

Patricia Joanne Donaldson

Daniel W MacDonald

Edward W Smith, Jr

Paul A Garsin

John Buranicz

Brendan C Casey

Robert M Mara

Jeff C Carter

Joseph A Mastrandrea

Donald L Wegeng

Gregory C Sosinski

Raymond A Povio

Hung M Pham

Thomas G Beaman

Rosario A Bracco

David G Wilcox

Daniel D Truong

Cathleen J Raker

Michael J Thomas

Daniel R Maurer

Ronald E Shaul

Todd M Austin

Russell A Coleman

Raymond L Mongeon

Kenneth Wang

Patrick O Waller

Agatha Yang

Paula Siviy

Patrick S Chan

Sue K Lam-Chon

Patricia A Papaleo

Colleen Tremaine

Joel Lissade

A method and system for the determination of toner usage in proportion to image-feature density, with independent estimation of each color toner module consumption. The system accurately accounts for image-wise color interactions due to color occlusion that may effect the actual amount of toner used by multiple color modules. The method includes a toner replenishment flow control process that responds to the toner consumption/depletion in the developer material (e.g., toner and carrier) as determined by one or more estimation modules, and thus maintains a stable and constant toner/carrier concentration ratio.

Method and system for managing replenishment of toners

In a digital printing apparatus, such as a xerographic or ink-jet printer, test marks, such as halftone patches or fiducial marks for image registration, are generated on demand. Coordinates of a desired location of the test mark within an imageable area (such as on a print sheet or on a photoreceptor), as well as a selection of the desired type of test mark, are entered through a user interface. Also entered is data about conditions under which image-quality tests using the test marks are to be performed. Information about the test mark and test conditions is retained as a small number of scalar values. The system enables test methods for a machine to be changed easily, and a basic set of system software can be readily applied to different types of printing hardware.

Versatile system for creating test images in a digital printing apparatus

There is provided a method for use with a printing machine having a movable imaging member and a projecting system for modulating a beam and projecting an image into the movable imaging member. The printing machine further includes a developer for application of developer material to the image projected onto the movable imaging member for transfer of the image to a print media sheet. The method, which is intended for use in controlling exposure of a test patch on the movable imaging member includes the steps of: a) providing a time-keeping device with the time-keeping device including a variable value which is either incrementable or decrementable; b) detecting a signal indicating that the movable imaging member is positioned relative to the beam in a selected orientation, wherein the movable imaging member passes by the beam at a selected speed; c) providing a reference value with the reference value varying as a function of the selected speed; d) in response to the detecting of (b), modulating the beam, relative to the movable imaging member, so as to expose a portion for the test patch; e) concurrent with the modulating of (d), incrementing or decrementing the variable value of the time keeping device; and f) repeating said modulating of (d) until the value of the variable value is about equal to the reference value and the test patch is exposed.

Control system for test patch area exposure in a printing machine

The present invention generally relates to an imaging system, and more specifically, a method and apparatus for accurately predicting toner usage and hence toner dispensing requirements in an imaging system. The toner concentration control system maintains toner concentration in a developer structure, which is connected to a dispenser containing toner. The toner concentration control system includes a toner mass estimator providing a toner mass estimate of the toner mass in the developer structure to be applied to the photoreceptor; a feed forward dispense unit receiving the toner mass estimate and transmitting a feed forward dispense command based on the toner mass estimate; a toner concentration target adjusted by toner age, toner break-in and temperature in the developer structure; a feed back dispense unit receiving the adjusted toner concentration target and transmitting a feedback dispense command; and a total dispense unit receiving the feed forward dispense command and the feedback dispense command, and outputting total dispense command to the dispenser, which dispenses the toner to the developer structure in accordance with the total dispense command.

Toner concentration control for an imaging system

The present invention generally relates to an imaging system, and more specifically, a method and apparatus for accurately predicting toner usage and hence toner dispensing requirements in an imaging system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a feed forward toner concentration control system and method for replacing toner in each developer structure, which was used to develop a latent image on a photoreceptor belt, in order to maintain toner concentration in at least one developer structure. First and second pixel counts for first and second toner in each sector are received. The first toner mass is estimated based on first pixel counts. The second toner mass is estimated based on second pixel counts. Feed forward dispense commands are generated based on first toner mass estimate and second toner mass estimate to dispense each toner into each corresponding developer structure to replace toner used to develop the latent image on the photoreceptor in order to maintain toner concentration in each developer structure.

Feed forward toner concentration control for an imaging system

The present invention generally relates to an imaging system, and more specifically, a method and apparatus for accurately predicting toner usage and hence toner dispensing requirements in an imaging system. More, specifically, the present invention relates to a toner concentration control system for maintaining toner concentration in a developer structure, which is connected to a dispenser containing toner. The toner concentration control system including: a toner mass estimator providing a toner mass estimate of the toner mass in the developer structure to be applied to the photoreceptor; a feed forward dispense unit receiving the toner mass estimate and transmitting a feed forward dispense command based on the toner mass estimate; a toner concentration target adjusted for toner age in the developer structure; a feed back dispense unit receiving the adjusted toner concentration target and transmitting a feedback dispense command; and a total dispense unit receiving the feed forward dispense command and the feedback dispense command, and outputting total dispense command to the dispenser, which dispenses the toner to the developer structure in accordance with the total dispense command.

Feed forward and feedback toner concentration control for an imaging

The present invention generally relates to an imaging system, and more specifically, a method and apparatus for accurately predicting toner usage and hence toner dispensing requirements in an imaging system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a toner concentration control system for maintaining toner concentration in a developer structure, which is connected to a dispenser containing toner. The toner concentration control system includes a toner mass estimator providing a toner mass estimate of the toner mass in the developer structure to be applied to the photoreceptor; a feed forward dispense unit receiving the toner mass estimate and transmitting a feed forward dispense command based on the toner mass estimate; a toner concentration target adjusted for toner break-in in the developer structure; a feed back dispense unit receiving the adjusted toner concentration target and transmitting a feedback dispense command; and a total dispense unit receiving the feed forward dispense command and the feedback dispense command, and outputting total dispense command to the dispenser, which dispenses the toner to the developer structure in accordance with the total dispense command.

A method of decreasing toner in solid area development to improve the latitude of a xerographic process in a machine having a projecting system for modulating a beam and projecting an image onto an imaging surface by specifying pixels defining solid image areas and selectively modulating the beam with regard to the specified pixels to change the state of the pixels from black to gray or partial white.

Solid area toner reduction to maximize process latitude

An image data transfer architecture in which control data and image data are isolated is provided. Bidirectional buffers isolate data buses from the control bus, thereby allowing control to be maintained by an 8-bit programmed microprocessor. The controller microprocessor does not handle image data thereby reducing complex software and support components required of prior multiple 16- and 32-bit microprocessor controller systems. Isolation is achieved by having multiple data buses handling image data at various stages of processing, such as, for example, input image data, compressed image data and output image data. Additional efficiencies are realized by eliminating the inherent delays caused when high speed image output terminals are forced to share data buses with much lower speed image input terminals.

Image data transfer architecture and method for an electronic

A method and apparatus for modifying an image data signal has a serial channel for obtaining a desired number of current M-bit patterns from the image data. Unique bit patterns are recognized in the current bit patterns, and new bit patterns are generated, each being specific to the detected unique bit pattern. The current and new bit patterns are combined in a predetermined manner to modify the image data as desired. For example, if the unique bit patterns are recognized as dark images on a leading edge of an image, the new bit patterns are generated and combined with the current bit patterns to lighten the image, particularly at the leading edge to improve stripping of the print media on which the image is printed from a fuser roll of the printer.

Method and apparatus for high-speed electronic data signal modification

A fluid jet assisted electrographic marking apparatus for placing electrostatic charges upon a receptor surface in an imagewise pattern by converting high speed serial data into real time parallel applied data including means for supplying a transport fluid, a housing including an upstream ion generation region and a downstream ion modulation region, the housing including inlet means for receiving transport fluid from the means for supplying located upstream of said ion generation region, ion modulation means located at the ion modulation region, an outlet means from which transport fluid exits the housing, said ion modulation means including charged storage means having electrically conductive electrodes positioned adjacent the path of the transport fluid in the ion modulation region for controlling the passage of ions out of said housing, and a data translator for converting the serial data into real time parallel applied data, the charge storage means and the electrodes being integrally fabricated upon a substrate, the data translator being wire bonded or fabricated upon or otherwise integrally connected upon and to the substrate.

High speed VLSI based serial to multiplexed data translator

An electrically operated stapling apparatus is disclosed having a circuit utilizing a capacitor for driving the solenoid actuator for the apparatus. The circuit includes a fullwave rectifier for charging the capacitor with closely spaced dc pulses and includes circuitry for producing a plurality of charging levels for the capacitor depending upon the number of sheet material to be stapled. A reference circuit is also provided to insure the voltage level of charging is such that the operation of the apparatus is immune to line source voltage fluctuations.

Capacitive discharge drive for electric stapler

An automatic duplicating system in which computer fanfold documents are fed by an automatic handling apparatus having a tractor and drive control system for advancing the document across the platen of the processor for the system. An arrangement is provided which will shut down the system in the event there is a break in the fanfold material during a reproduction run or the end of the document has been attained during normal operation. Sensing devices are utilized in the path of movement of the document and a circuit is provided to produce a train of pulses in accordance with the movement of the document. The frequency of the train of pulses is compared with a reference frequency to insure proper operation.

Sensor controlling in computer fanfold reproduction

An automatic duplicating system in which computer fanfold documents are fed by an automatic handling apparatus having a tractor and drive control system for advancing the document across the platen of the processor for the system. An arrangement is provided which will control operation of the tractor and drive control system, and use is made of a stepper motor having many, small angled rotational movements which can be digitally controlled. A logic circuit arrangement is provided to energize and control the motor so that precise positioning of an edge of each frame section of the fanfold document can be made relative to a platen registration edge. In addition, the logic circuit is adapted to effect acceleration and deceleration of the motor in a controlled sense.

Stepper motor drive system in computer fanfold reproduction

An automatic duplicating system in which computer fanfold documents are fed by an automatic handling apparatus having a tractor and drive mechanism for advancing the document across the platen of the processor for the system. An arrangement is provided which will control operation of the tractor and drive mechanism for job recovery in the event there is a malfunction in the operation of the system and in order to keep the integrity of the count of copies being made. Operator actuated programmer is provided to assist in making up the lost copies.

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Pittsford, NY, United States of America

Joseph W Ward