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:
Aug. 16, 2011
Filed:
Dec. 18, 2008
William S Wong, San Carlos, CA (US);
Michael L Chabinyc, Goleta, CA (US);
Sanjiv Sambandan, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Pengfei Qi, Menlo Park, CA (US);
William S Wong, San Carlos, CA (US);
Michael L Chabinyc, Goleta, CA (US);
Sanjiv Sambandan, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Pengfei Qi, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A system, including an improved sensor, for determining toner particle uniformity is described. The sensor measures toner particle charge, typically be having the charge on the toner particle control a current flow through the channel of a thin film transistor. By measuring the charge on many toner particles, the system determines whether sufficient toner degradation has occurred that the toner should be replaced. The sensor is particularly suitable for being formed on a thin diagnostic sheet that is input through the paper path of a printing system.