Xerox Corporation

Roger W Budnik

James M Pacer

Guru B Raj

Michael G Swales

Ralph A Shoemaker

Michael E Beard

Scott L Kauffman

Richard M Maier

David E Rollins

David P Vanbortel

Porfirio J Perez

Steven E Kolb

Ameet S Bhattacharya

Aron Nacman

Keith Allan Nau

John H Hinton

Dave R Campbell

Jared Walton Moran

A multifunction device having a user interface that enables the selection of a particular region of a document image after an initial scan of a document that creates a preview (thumbnail) image of the document. Using a display on the multifunction device, a desired region of the image may be selected for to manipulating and final scanning. A selection box is displayed over the preview image to show the user the region that will be scanned. The user can then select an area of the image for further manipulation through the user interface by moving and/or resizing the selection box, zooming in/out, or erasing a region within the selection box.

Systems and methods that provide custom region scan with preview image on a multifunction device

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 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.

Non-uniform development indicator

Ros beam failure detector

Actuator performance indicator

ROS pixel size growth detector

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.

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

Roger W Budnik