US4974024A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Predictive toner dispenser controller
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1989-07-03
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Granted: 1990-11-27
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Expires: 2009-07-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus which controls the dispensing of marking particles into a developer unit used in an electrophotograhic printing machine adapted to reproduce a copy of an original document. The quantity of marking particles required to reproduce the copy of the original document is predicted and the dispensing of marking particles controlled in response thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan Bares
- 👤 Gedeminas J. Reinis
- 👤 Neil A. Frankel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:46
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0849; G03G15/50; G03G15/5033; G03G15/5041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An electrophotographic printing machine for reproducing a copy of an original document in which a latent image of the original document is recorded on a photoconductive member with the latent image being developed with marking particles at a developer unit, wherein the improvement includes: means for storing a supply of marking particles; means for discharging marking particles from said storing means into the developer unit; means for scanning the original document and generating an output signal corresponding to the average area of the original document having indicia thereon; and means, responsive to the output signal from said scanning means, for generating a control signal that is transmitted to said discharging means to regulate dispensing of marking particles into the developer unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
An electrophotographic printing machine for reproducing a copy of an original document in which a latent image of the original document is recorded on a photoconductive member with the latent image being developed with marking particles at a developer unit, wherein the improvement includes: means for storing a supply of marking particles; means for discharging marking particles from said storing means into the developer unit; means for scanning the original document and generating an output signal corresponding to the average area of the original document having indicia thereon; and means, responsive to the output signal from said scanning means, for generating a control signal that is transmitted to said discharging means to regulate dispensing of marking particles into the developer unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A printing machine according to claim 1, wherein said scanning means includes a raster input scanner.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A printing machine according to claim 2, further including: means for recording a test patch; means for developing the test patch with marking particles; and means, responsive to the density of the developed image on the photoconductive member, for regulating said discharging means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A printing machine according to claim 3, wherein said regulating means includes a densitometer for measuring the average density of the marking particles developed on the test patch and generating a signal corresponding thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A printing machine according to claim 4, wherein said generating means receives the signal from said densitometer and, in response thereto, generates another control signal that is transmitted to said discharging means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-11-26 | 1994-05-28 | 1994-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-26 | 1998-05-28 | 1998-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-26 | 2002-05-28 | 2002-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |