The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 19, 2009
Filed:
Jun. 09, 2005
Takayuki Kawakami, Nagano-ken, JP;
Takashi Hama, Nagano-ken, JP;
Takatomo Fukumoto, Nagano-ken, JP;
Yoichi Yamada, Nagano-ken, JP;
Takayuki Kawakami, Nagano-ken, JP;
Takashi Hama, Nagano-ken, JP;
Takatomo Fukumoto, Nagano-ken, JP;
Yoichi Yamada, Nagano-ken, JP;
Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A test pattern Plonger than a length Ld corresponding to a circumferential length of a developing roller is formed along a moving direction of a photosensitive member (or developing roller). The developing roller transports a great quantity of toner on its surface in a first revolution thereof and hence, the test pattern has a high density. When the residual toner runs low, the toner transport quantity is decreased in the subsequent revolution, so that the test pattern Pis decreased in the density at its portion beyond the length Ld from its head. If a density difference is observed at place corresponding to a boundary between image portions formed in the first revolution and the second revolution, it is concluded that image quality is degraded due to the shortage of residual toner.