Xerox Corporation

Stephen John Nichols

Judith M Vandewinckel

Meera Sampath

Gerardo Leute

Elizabeth A Richenderfer

A system and method for the automated detection of printing defects in an image output device are described, employing an imaging device adjacent a photoresponsive member in the output device, wherein the imaging device generates image signals in response to developed and undeveloped regions on the photoresponsive member to identify defects therein.

System and method for automated detection of printing defects in an image output device

The present invention relates to the remote activation of a system diagnostic for a customer. The system so activated is resident at the customer location. The activation is initiated at a location remote from the customer location. The activation of the diagnostic may also include correction and optimization of the system if it is determined that it is needed. Any such initiated system activity would most typically be performed after hours. The system then communicates locally to the customer the diagnostic results as found, as well as any other action taken.

Machine optimization methodology

During the operation of a document processing system machine and job data are collected from a document processing system. Optionally, machine information, both for the specific machine and population based data are acquired from a database or server. Having accumulated the job data and machine data, the diagnostic inference engine performs an analysis to determine the initial diagnosis of the document processing system. After obtaining the initial diagnosis, the system determines the test patterns to be printed and the image quality tests to be performed. The system then prints test patterns, and scans the patterns to determine image quality parameters and/or to automatically identify image defects. Optionally, image defect information may also be provided by the customer or the service engineer via a user interface. Next, a diagnostic inference engine uses the results of the image quality analysis to refine the initial diagnosis. Then, the diagnostic results are output, stored, and optionally displayed to, for example a customer or a customer service engineer. Based on the diagnostic results, and if problems are found, the machine enters a repair sequence. In particular, the machine can request either a customer or a customer service engineer repair action, or, alternatively, enter an auto-correction or an auto-calibration mode to repair itself. Upon completion of one or more, or any combination, of these repair actions, the machine verifies its operation and again checks to ensure the repairs have been completed successfully.

Systems and methods for automated image quality based diagnostics and remediation of document processing systems

A method for measuring a width of a contact zone between a surface, having movement, and a cleaner brush, having a detoning member, the surface having a toner image thereon, the contact zone having particles of the toner image removed from the surface, 'comprising the steps of developing the toner image on the surface, the toner image having sufficient width to overlap the cleaner brush; moving the toner image into direct alignment with the cleaner brush; stopping the movement of the surface; rotating the cleaner brush against the surface to remove the toner image from the surface in the contact zone; moving the toner image out of direct alignment with the cleaner brush; transferring the toner image from the surface onto a substrate; fusing the toner image on the substrate; measuring the entire width extending in the process direction of the cleaned areas; and converting the measurement of the width for diagnostic analysis and process control.

Method to evaluate the cleaning performance of brush cleaners in an electrophotographic printer

A toner concentration sensing system is disclosed for controlling the dispensing of toner into a developer sump. A toner concentration sensor is located in the bottom of the mixing area of the developer sump adjacent one of the mixing augers. The toner concentration sensor can be positioned flush with the bottom of the mixing chamber or the sensor can project slightly from the bottom of the chamber. A magnet is positioned on the rotating mixing auger for rotating with the auger past the toner concentration sensor. As the auger rotates, the magnet with developer material adhering thereto, sweeps the top of the toner sensor to improve the accuracy of the toner concentration readings. A toner dispenser is actuated when the detected toner concentration goes below a predetermined limit.

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Walworth, NY, United States of America

Stephen John Nichols