Xerox Corporation

Other

Ralph A Shoemaker

Roger W Budnik

James M Pacer

Michael G Swales

Guru B Raj

Michael E Beard

Fred F Hubble, Iii

Michael D Borton

James P Martin

David E Rollins

David P Vanbortel

Porfirio J Perez

Steven E Kolb

Ameet S Bhattacharya

Thomas M Lill

Theresa K Mattioli

Edward F Grabowski

Satchidanand Mishra

Anthony M Horgan

Robert C Yu

Bing R Hsieh

Eric Michael Gross

Scott M Silence

R Enrique Viturro

Richard L Post

Michael John Martin

David Clark Craig

Paul S Bonino

Raymond W Huggins

Alan J Werner, Jr

Donald C VonHoene

Jerry Floyd Adams

Song-Feng Mo

Patrick James Walker

Stephen F Randall

Douglas A Kreckel

Joseph A Mastrandrea

Wendy K Apton

Robert Allen Koontz

Patricio G Medina

Raymond L Mongeon

Jean A Maksymiak

Virginia N MacDonald

The present invention relates to methods and systems for monitoring of one or more machines or devices, such as washers and dryers, for a change of state and indicating when the change of state has occurred. In one aspect, the system comprises a monitor and alert unit which generates a signal indicative of the change of the state of the machine or device being monitored and a device or system to produce an alert notification based upon the signal. The monitor and alert unit includes an operational state sensor, a signal conditioner, and a comparator.

Machine or device monitoring and alert method and system

The present invention relates to methods and systems for monitoring operational cycles of one or more appliances, such as washers and dryers, and remotely indicating when such operating cycles have terminated. In one aspect, the present invention provides an appliance or machine monitoring system. The system includes a monitor and transmitter unit configured to monitor an operation cycle of an appliance or machine and transmit a wireless signal upon completion of the operation cycle. The monitor and transmitter unit includes an operation cycle sensor, a signal conditioner, a comparator, and a wireless transmitter broadcasting a wireless signal based upon the signal generated by the comparator. The system further includes a portable receiver and alert unit configured to receive signals generated by the wireless transmitter and generate a signal indicative of completion of an operation cycle of an appliance or machine.

Remote appliance or machine monitoring method and system

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 xerographic system () includes a moving photoreceptor () and multiple toner development systems () arranged to selectively dispose regions of toner on the moving photoreceptor. A toner density sensor () is arranged to measure toner density on the moving photoreceptor over a sensor area (A). A toner coverage monitor () operatively connected with the toner density sensor () monitors toner coverage based on measurements by the toner density sensor of toner coverage calibration regions disposed on the moving photoreceptor by the multiple toner development systems. A spatial registration monitor () also operatively connected with the toner density sensor () monitors spatial registration of the multiple toner development systems based on measurements by the toner density sensor of spatial registration calibration regions disposed on the moving photoreceptor by the multiple toner development systems.

Color mis-registration measurement using an infra-red color density sensor

A method and apparatus are provided to calibrate a xerographic print engine toner concentration sensor to accurately control the toner concentration to a specified operating target. At least two control patches are imaged onto a photoreceptor. Each patch has a different voltage level where the voltage levels are the difference between the exposure discharge voltage and the developmental roll voltage. The relative reflectivity of each patches is obtained. The latent patches are repeatedly developed at different toner concentrations. The reflectivities of the patches formed at the same toner concentration are combined to obtain a combined reflectivity for that toner concentration. As a result, a toner concentration curve is obtained that has an improved response relative to the toner concentration curves that correspond to each of the individual voltage levels.

Dual density gray patch toner control

A toner maintenance system for an electrophotographic developer unit, including a sump for storing a quantity of developer material comprised of toner material; a first member for transporting developer material from the sump, a viewing window, in communication with toner material, in the sump; an optical sensor, for measuring reflected light off the viewing window and toner material, and generating a signal indicative thereof. A toner concentration controller is adapted to receive a signal from the optical sensor and to generate an &ldquo;Add Toner&rdquo; signal to replenish toner material in the sump.

Optical toner concentration sensor

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

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.

Non-uniform development indicator

Ros beam failure detector

Actuator performance indicator

ROS pixel size growth detector

A flexible electrostatographic imaging belt having two parallel sides and a non imaging seam region extending substantially from one of the sides to the other side, the non-imaging seam region having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a seam within the non imaging seam region, the leading and trailing edges being perpendicular to the two parallel sides of the imaging belt, the belt comprising a substrate layer, a reflective electrically conductive layer, at least one imaging layer, an imaging region extending around the belt from adjacent the leading edge of the seam region to adjacent the trailing edge, the imaging region adapted to reflect monochromatic infrared radiation and a permanent localized solid attribute at a predetermined location in the non imaging seam region, the attribute adapted to reduce by at least about 50 percent direct reflection by the seam itself of a beam of monochromatic infrared radiation originally directed at the attribute. This belt is used in imaging apparatus and imaging processes.

Seamed flexible electrostatographic imaging belt having a permanent

An apparatus and method for eliminating random noise and calibrating a seam detection sensor in an electrophotographic printing machine. When the detected centerline remains within the tolerance window the algorithm proceeds as normal. In most cases, however, the center line is shifted outside the tolerance window., either from 2 to -X or +X to N-1. When the centerline falls within either of these two ranges, the algorithm recognizes this fact and assumes that a random noise condition has occurred. It then proceeds to take the previous centerline (C) and add the current photoreceptor belt length to it. This, theoretically, should be exactly where the centerline should have been in the absence of noise. If this condition continues for three successive belt revolutions and the machine completes the job it was running, the algorithm will force the machine to search for the seam at the next cycle up. If the centerline is calculated to be at position 1 or N, the algorithm assumes some drastic change has occurred and an immediate fault is declared. To calibrate the sensor, the calibration algorithm increases the duration of each calibration pulse to 80 ms, and two reads per pulse are instituted. The algorithm then chooses the greater of the two reads on each individual step, thus eliminating any read of the seam which might adversely affect the calibration scheme.

Area coverage sensor calibration and algorithm for seam detection noise

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

Ralph A Shoemaker