US5386276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Detecting and correcting for low developed mass per unit area
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1993-07-12
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Granted: 1995-01-31
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Expires: 2013-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A method of maintaining consistent large solid area development by developing a large area test patch covering the image area of a photorececptor and detecting the lead edge and trail edge density of the test patch using a densitometer to measure reflectance and comparing the lead and trail edge density to the lead and trail edge density of a reference patch. The reference patch is generated after the changing of developer elements such as developer material and photoreceptor and an electrostatic set up performed. Alternatively a density differential between lead and trail edge density of the test patch is detected. Electrostatic parameters such as preset toner concentration control values and decreasing the development field of the test patch are adjusted to maintain constant large solid area development.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael G. Swales
- 👤 John D. Sotack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:31
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0849; G03G15/0855; G03G15/50; G03G15/5033; G03G15/5041; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00025; G03G2215/00029; G03G2215/00033; G03G2215/00037; G03G2215/00042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
In a machine having an imaging surface, a projecting system for projecting an image onto the imaging surface, a developer for application of developer material to the image projected onto the imaging surface for transfer of the image to a copy sheet, the developer responding to a given set point, the method of adjustment of the developer comprising the steps of; sensing a toner mass on a reference developed patch within an interimage space on the imaging surface, storing reference data representing lead edge and trail edge toner mass on the reference developed patch, sensing lead edge and trail edge toner mass of a developed test patch within the interimage space on the imaging surface, comparing the reference data representing lead edge and trail edge toner mass on the reference developed patch with the lead edge and trail edge toner mass of the developed test patch and, adjusting the developer in response to comparing the reference data representing lead edge and trail edge toner mass with the lead edge and trail edge toner mass of the developed test patch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a machine having an imaging surface, a projecting system for projecting an image onto the imaging surface, a developer for application of developer material to the image projected onto the imaging surface for transfer of the image to a copy sheet, the developer responding to a given set point, the method of adjustment of the developer comprising the steps of; sensing a toner mass on a reference developed patch within an interimage space on the imaging surface, storing reference data representing lead edge and trail edge toner mass on the reference developed patch, sensing lead edge and trail edge toner mass of a developed test patch within the interimage space on the imaging surface, comparing the reference data representing lead edge and trail edge toner mass on the reference developed patch with the lead edge and trail edge toner mass of the developed test patch and, adjusting the developer in response to comparing the reference data representing lead edge and trail edge toner mass with the lead edge and trail edge toner mass of the developed test patch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of comparing the reference data representing lead edge and trail edge toner mass on the reference developed patch with the lead edge and trail edge toner mass of the developed test patch includes the step of determining the reference lead edge to test patch lead edge ratio.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 including the step of determining the reference trail edge to test patch edge ratio.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a machine having an imaging surface, a projecting system for projecting an image onto the imaging surface, a developer controlled by a given set point for application of developer material to the image projected onto the imaging surface, and a control storing a reference for developer quality, the method of adjustment of the developer set point comprising the steps of: developing a test patch on the imaging surface determining toner concentration on the test patch developed on the imaging surface including the step of determining the lead edge and trail edge toner concentration on an elongated test patch, comparing the toner concentration on the test patch with the reference for developer quality and selectively adjusting the set point in response to said comparing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a machine having an imaging surface, a projecting system for projecting an image onto the imaging surface, a developer controlled by a given set point for application of developer material to the image projected onto the imaging surface, and a control storing a reference for developer quality, the method of adjustment of the developer set point comprising the steps of: developing a test patch on the imaging surface determining toner concentration on the test patch developed on the imaging surface including the step of determining the lead edge and trail edge toner concentration on an elongated test patch, comparing the toner concentration on the test patch with the reference for developer quality and selectively adjusting the set point in response to said comparing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the reference for developer quality includes a lead edge and trail edge toner concentration measurement on a reference test patch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of comparing the toner concentration on the test patch with the reference for developer quality includes the step of comparing lead edge and trail edge ratios.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of selectively adjusting the set point includes the step of altering a toner concentration control value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of selectively adjusting the set point includes the step of decreasing the development field of the test patch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
123 words
A machine having an imaging surface, a projecting system for projecting an image onto the imaging surface, a developer effected by a given set point for application of developer material to the image projected onto the imaging surface, and a control storing a reference for developer quality, the control including: means for developing an elongated test patch with toner on the imaging surface, means for determining a lead edge and trail edge toner concentration on the elongated test patch, a sensor for determining toner concentration on the test patch developed on the imaging surface, a comparator relating toner concentration on the test patch with the reference for developer quality, and a device for selectively adjusting the set point in response to said comparing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
123 words
A machine having an imaging surface, a projecting system for projecting an image onto the imaging surface, a developer effected by a given set point for application of developer material to the image projected onto the imaging surface, and a control storing a reference for developer quality, the control including: means for developing an elongated test patch with toner on the imaging surface, means for determining a lead edge and trail edge toner concentration on the elongated test patch, a sensor for determining toner concentration on the test patch developed on the imaging surface, a comparator relating toner concentration on the test patch with the reference for developer quality, and a device for selectively adjusting the set point in response to said comparing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The machine of claim 9 including means to store a lead edge and trail edge toner concentration measurement from a reference test patch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The machine of claim 9 wherein the comparator relating the toner concentration on the test patch with the reference for developer quality includes logic for comparing lead edge and trail edge ratios.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The machine of claim 9 wherein the device for selectively adjusting the set point includes means for altering a toner concentration control value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
174 words
In a network interconnecting an imaging machine and a remote station, the imaging machine having an imaging surface, a projecting system for projecting an image onto the imaging surface, a developer effected by a given set point for application of developer material to the image projected onto the imaging surface, the remote station including a device to evaluate imaging machine quality, at least one of the machine and remote station having a memory for storing a reference for machine developer quality, the method of adjustment of the developer set point comprising the steps of: developing a test patch on the imaging surface, determining toner concentration on the test patch developed on the imaging surface including the step of determining a lead edge and trail edge toner concentration on an elongated test patch, comparing the toner concentration on the test patch with the reference for machine developer quality, transmitting a result of the comparing to the remote station over the network and selectively adjusting the set point in the machine in response to said result.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
174 words
In a network interconnecting an imaging machine and a remote station, the imaging machine having an imaging surface, a projecting system for projecting an image onto the imaging surface, a developer effected by a given set point for application of developer material to the image projected onto the imaging surface, the remote station including a device to evaluate imaging machine quality, at least one of the machine and remote station having a memory for storing a reference for machine developer quality, the method of adjustment of the developer set point comprising the steps of: developing a test patch on the imaging surface, determining toner concentration on the test patch developed on the imaging surface including the step of determining a lead edge and trail edge toner concentration on an elongated test patch, comparing the toner concentration on the test patch with the reference for machine developer quality, transmitting a result of the comparing to the remote station over the network and selectively adjusting the set point in the machine in response to said result.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the remote station includes an expert system for evaluating imaging machine quality and transmitting data to the imaging machine for selectively adjusting the set point.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the reference for developer quality includes a lead edge and trail edge toner concentration measurement of a reference test patch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of comparing the toner concentration on the test patch with the reference for developer quality includes the step of comparing lead edge and trail edge ratios.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of selectively adjusting the set point includes the step of altering a toner concentration control value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a machine having an imaging surface, a projecting system for projecting an image onto the imaging surface, a developer controlled by a given set point for application of developer material to the image projected onto the imaging surface, the method of adjustment of the developer set point comprising the steps of: developing a test patch on the imaging surface, determining toner concentration of a first portion and a second portion of the test patch developed on the imaging surface, comparing the toner concentration of the first portion and the second portion of the test patch, and selectively adjusting the set point in response to said comparing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a machine having an imaging surface, a projecting system for projecting an image onto the imaging surface, a developer controlled by a given set point for application of developer material to the image projected onto the imaging surface, the method of adjustment of the developer set point comprising the steps of: developing a test patch on the imaging surface, determining toner concentration of a first portion and a second portion of the test patch developed on the imaging surface, comparing the toner concentration of the first portion and the second portion of the test patch, and selectively adjusting the set point in response to said comparing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of determining toner concentration on the test patch includes the step of determining a lead edge and trail edge toner concentration on an elongated test patch.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of selectively adjusting the set points includes the step of altering a toner concentration control value.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of selectively adjusting the set points includes the step of decreasing a development field of the test patch.
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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) | 1998-01-30 | 1998-08-01 | 1999-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-30 | 2002-08-01 | 2003-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-30 | 2006-08-01 | 2007-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |