Xerox Corporation

Nancy Beth Goodman

Howard A Mizes

Dale Robert Mashtare

Robert P Loce

Wencheng Wu

Peter Paul

John F Knapp

R Enrique Viturro

Martin Edward Banton

Shu Chang

Thomas Allen Henderson

Beilei Xu

R Victor Klassen

Edul N Dalal

James R Larson

Gerald M Fletcher

Gary Allen Denton

George Amos Gibson

William J Nowak

Robert J Gruber

Jack T LeStrange

Robert Roy Buckley

Michael C Mongeon

Jack Thomas Lestrange

Charles Donahue Rizzolo

Paul C Julien

Yeqing Zhang

Richard P Germain

Peter A Torpey

Edward Blair Caruthers

Mark A Jackson

Dusan G Lysy

Susan June Zoltner

Susan J Kremer

Steve P Hoover

Anne-Claire K Markle

A test target is written in a non image zone at set time intervals. The test target is sensed. At least one of frequency, amplitude and phase of banding, which is inherent in a printing device, is determined based on the sensed test target. At least one banding compensation parameter based at least on one of the determined frequency, amplitude and phase of banding is determined. Characteristics of producing an image based on the determined banding compensation parameter are adjusted to compensate the banding inherent in the printing device.

Methods and systems for determining banding compensation parameters in printing systems

Measurements are taken of a first parameter associated with a first marking engine and of a second parameter associated with a second marking engine. The first and second measurements are compared to predetermined first and second reference values. An engine-to-engine difference is determined by calculating a difference between the first measured parameter and the second measured parameter. The difference values are compared to corresponding predetermined threshold values. Based on the comparison, a system controller selects a mode of operation of the document processing system.

Printing systems

At least sequential current and subsequent sheets of a print job are received in a document processing system. Each sheet includes a front image and a back image. The received sheets are scheduled to be printed with at least one of a first and a second sequence by at least one of a first and a second marking engine based on a comparison of the image content in corresponding selected portions of each front and back image.

Page scheduling for printing architectures

In a system including a plurality of elements, or plurality of subsystems of elements, each performing a process using process control to maintain operation within a latitude of a setpoint and having an output characteristic that contributes to an overall output quality specification of the system, a control method includes setting a desired overall output quality specification, and determining optimum setpoints and latitudes of the plurality of elements, within a range of possible setpoints and latitudes for each element, to achieve the desired overall output quality specification. The control method further includes dynamically re-setting the setpoints and/or re-allocating the latitudes of at least two of the plurality of elements (or subsystems of elements) to compensate for degradation of the attribute caused by variation in the output characteristic of one element within the desired overall output quality specification. The system may be an image forming apparatus, such as a xerographic system, or a modular document processing system. The control method may be stored on a computer readable media.

Control method using dynamic latitude allocation and setpoint modification, system using the control method, and computer readable recording media containing the control method

Many xerographic machines have a motor polygon assembly (MPA), which is a rotating polygonal mirror. As the MPA rotates, it reflects a modulated light beam to produce scan lines on a photoreceptor. Inconsistencies in the MPA can cause inconsistencies in the scan lines, and therefore banding in a printed document. Misalignment, improper mounting, improper manufacture, or sources can cause the MPA inconsistencies. The banding is periodic, can be measured and can be compensated for. Although the modulated light beam can be modulated by many sources, further modulation using a compensation source can reduce banding.

Compensation of MPA polygon once around with exposure modulation

A system and method of determining a residual toner mass on a receiving member includes providing one or more test patterns to the receiving member, transferring the test patterns from the receiving member to a transfer medium, determining a sensor signal obtained after transfer, processing the sensor signal obtained after transfer and determining an amount of residual toner mass based on the processed sensor signal. A xerographic marking device also includes a receiving member, an array-type optical sensor or a point optical sensor arranged on the receiving member, and a controller that generates one or more test patterns, transfers the test patterns to a transfer medium, determines a sensor signal obtained after the transfer by the optical sensors, processes the determined sensor signal, and determines an amount of residual toner mass based on the processed sensor signal.

Method and apparatus for controlling non-uniform banding and residual toner density using feedback control

A registration system for image data in a binary image path includes a registration parameter source, such as a preprogrammed memory or a dynamic device, which provides registration parameters to correct for registration errors from a predetermined reference likely or predicted to occur during image output. A warping processor is in data communication with the registration parameter source which applies a selected registration parameter to an element of the image data resulting in a warped data element, minimizing the effects of the registration error. The system optionally includes an image reducing device which receives groups of high addressable binary image data and converts them to a single pixel. The pixel is then provided to the warping processor. The warping processor applies the selected registration parameter, either static or dynamically selected, from the registration parameter source to the averaged single pixel producing a warped data element. The warped data element is then optionally provided to a tone reproduction curve calibrator which adjusts for darkness errors induced by the warping or displacement of the warped data element. The calibrated pixel is then re-rendered by a processor which processes the calibrated pixel back into a plurality of print-ready data elements. The processor estimates quantization errors induced by the warping of the pixel positioning and disperses that error to following pixels. The print-ready data elements are provided to an image output terminal which produces a physical representation of the original binary image.

Method and apparatus for electronic registration in a binary image path

An intelligent printer driver is provided. The printer driver includes a printer detector which detects characteristics of a printer to be used to generate a document unless the driver is specific to a known printer. A document detector detects content of the document to be printed. A matching module compares the characteristics of the printer and the content of the document and determines whether the printer and content of the document are mismatched. A notification module notifies a user if the printer and the document are mismatched and a recommendation module generates recommendations to the user as to modifications of the document which are determined to be mismatched by the printer. The user may then select a preview document shown on the monitor, may request further modifications to the document, may print the document without any modifications, or may abort the print process.

Intelligent printer driver and user interface and method to recommend and/or automatically modify a document for printing, and a method therefore

Computer controller mixing of customer-selected colorants, including inks, for printing machines includes an ink supply station with a color matching control computer program, an ink mixing station, cleaning and waste disposal stations, for automatically emptying and cleaning ink mixing station components, which are integrally connected to a print engine, and scheduling of colorant changes to maximize use of a particular colorant and minimize colorant changes.

Computer controlled mixing of customer-selected color inks for printing machines

A system and method for color mixing control in an electrostatographic printing system. An operative mixture of colored developing material is continuously replenished with selectively variable amounts of developing materials of basic color components making up the operative mixture. The rate of replenishment of various color components added to the operative mixture is controlled to provide a mixture of developing material capable of producing a customer selectable color on an output copy substrate. A colorimeter is provided for monitoring the color of a test image printed with the operative mixture of developing material in the supply reservoir so that the color thereof can be brought into agreement with a color required to produce the customer selectable output color. The present invention can be used to control and maintain the color of the operational mixture of developing material in the reservoir through continuous monitoring and correction in order to maintain a specified ratio of color components in the reservoir over extended periods associated with very long print runs. The present invention may also be utilized to mix a customer selectable color in situ, whereby approximate amounts of primary color components are initially deposited and mixed in the developing material reservoir and resultant images printed with the developing material mixture are continually monitored and adjusted until the mixture reaches a desired color output.

Color mixing and control system for use in an electrostatographic

A high differential air pressure assisted blotting device for conditioning, on an image bearing member, liquid developer images consisting of charged toner particles and carrier liquid. The high differential air pressure blotting device includes a movable porous blotter belt forming an endless loop and having an outer surface for contacting and blotting carrier liquid from an image being conditioned, and a backup roller positioned at a first location within the endless loop for contacting a first portion of the blotter belt to gently urge the blotter belt into blotting-contact with the image being conditioned. Importantly, the high differential air pressure blotting device includes a high differential air pressure assembly positioned at a second location spaced from the image being conditioned so as not to disturb the image, and from the first location for contacting a second portion of the blotter belt and applying a high differential air pressure to such second portion to force carrier liquid out of the blotter belt before such second portion recontacts an image being conditioned.

Lid machine having a differential air pressure assisted blotting device

A method and apparatus for filtering and sensing a developer fluid in a printing or copying machine for processing purposes. In order to insure that developer fluid reclaimed from a developing process is free from contamination, a filter/sensor system is provided in the reclaimed fluid path. The reclaimed fluid passes through the filter and then the sensor senses the amount of toner remaining in the fluid. If the toner contamination level is too high, the fluid is recirculated to the filter where it is re-filtered. This process is repeated until the reclaimed fluid is free of contaminants. The filter/sensor system can also indicate process failure in the developing system. Cleaning a developer housing is yet another use for the recirculating sensor/filter process. In this mode the developer fluid in the toner sump is circulated through the sensor/filter until all of toner has been removed from the fluid. The cleaned fluid is reused in the system and another color of toner can now be added to the developer housing.

Method and apparatus for sensing and cleaning developer fluid

An electrostatographic imaging process includes forming an electrostatic latent image on an image forming device, developing the electrostatic latent image on the image forming device with at least one developer containing carrier particles and a blend of two or more compatible toner compositions, and transferring the toner image to a receiving substrate and fixing it thereto. Among the compatible toner compositions that may be selected are toner compositions having blend compatibility components coated on an external surface of the toner particles and particulate toner compositions containing therein blend compatibility components or passivated pigments. Electrostatographic imaging devices, including a tri-level imaging device and a hybrid scavengeless development imaging device, are also provided for carrying out the described process. The processes and apparatus of the present invention are especially useful in imaging processes for producing single color or highlight color images using customer selectable colors, or for adding highlight color to a process color image produced by the same apparatus.

Process and apparatus for achieving customer selectable colors in an

A apparatus for sensing fluid parameters such as optical density, light transmittance, electrical conductivity and/or other characteristics of a fluid, including an emitter adapted to project a light beam and an electrical current and a detector adapted to transmit a first signal in response to receiving the light beam and a second signal in response to receiving the electrical current. A processor determines a set of fluid parameters according to the signals transmitted from the detector. A measured amount of diluent may be added to the fluid to increase light transmittance and/or electrical conductivity so as to enhance sensor operation and sensitivity.

Fluid sensing aparatus

Highlight color imaging apparatus wherein tri-level images are created by using a transparency with optical densities suitable for forming a bi-level image having relatively high and intermediate voltage levels. A modulated light source is then employed to form a third voltage level on the imaging surface by reducing the intermediate voltage level to a relatively low residual voltage level.

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Webster, NY, United States of America

Nancy Beth Goodman