Abstract: A method for preventing contamination of a lens assembly by charged particles on an image bearing surface in an electrophotographic printer includes providing a conductive electrode with an opening adjacent the lens assembly; charging the conductive electrode with a variable voltage power supply; and matching a voltage on the image bearing surface with the variable voltage power supply.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member for electrophotography includes a substrate, a cured static dissipative silicone compliant layer comprising crosslinked silicone polymer formed from a UV light curable siloxane and a UV curing catalyst, and an outermost surface ceramer layer. This intermediate transfer member can be incorporated into a suitable imaging apparatus for forming a toned image on a receiver element.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrophotographic image having raised information providing a distinct tactile feel. One or more layers of marking particles are formed on an intermediate transfer member using an electrophotographic process responsive to visible image data. A layer of non-marking particles is then formed over the layers of marking particles responsive to tactile image data, wherein a volume average diameter of the non-marking particles is between 150% and 200% of the volume average diameter of the marking particles. The formed layers of marking particles and non-marking particles are then transferred onto a receiver medium so that the non-marking particles are in direct contact with the receiver medium. The transferred layers of non-marking particles and marking particles are then fused onto the receiver medium, wherein the layer of fused non-marking particles has a maximum thickness of at least 20 ?m to provide the distinct tactile feel.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrophotographic image having raised information providing a distinct tactile feel. A layer of non-marking particles is formed onto a receiver medium using an electrophotographic process responsive to tactile image data. One or more layers of marking particles are then formed over the layer of non-marking particles responsive to visible image data, wherein a volume average diameter of the non-marking particles is between 150% and 200% of the volume average diameter of the marking particles. The formed layers of non-marking particles and marking particles are then fused onto the receiver medium, wherein the layer of fused non-marking particles has a maximum thickness of at least 20 ?m to provide the distinct tactile feel.

Abstract: A method for determining transfer bias settings in an electrophotographic printing system having a plurality of printing modules, each printing module including a respective transfer subsystem operated at an associated transfer bias setting. The method includes defining a plurality of test transfer bias sets, each test transfer bias set including a transfer bias setting for the transfer subsystem in each of the printing modules. For each of the defined test transfer bias sets, a plurality of process control patches are transferred onto a measurement surface, wherein the process control patches include a monochrome patch printed using a particular printing module and at least one multi-color patch. A monochrome transfer function and a multi-color transfer function are determined characterizing the amount of the transferred toner as a function of the transfer bias, and are used to determine a transfer bias setting for the particular printing module.

Abstract: A method for creating a scratch-off document having hidden information, the method includes providing a substrate; depositing a first layer of first toner particles on the substrate, wherein the first layer includes at least two thicknesses in which one region is thicker than the other region; depositing a second layer of toner particles on the first layer, wherein the first toner particles have a different thermal conductivity than the second toner particles; and applying heat to the first and second layers simultaneously so that the first layer adheres to the substrate in regions of the lesser thickness of the first toner particles and does not adhere in the regions of greater thickness of the first toner particles; wherein the first and second layers in the regions of greater thickness of the first toner layer can be removed thereby revealing hidden information.

Abstract: A method for creating a scratch-off document having hidden information, the method includes providing a substrate; depositing a first layer of first toner particles on the substrate, wherein the first layer includes at least two thicknesses in which one region is thicker than the other region; depositing a second layer of toner particles on the first layer, wherein the first toner particles have a different thermal conductivity than the second toner particles; and applying heat to the first and second layers simultaneously so that the first layer adheres to the substrate in regions of the lesser thickness of the first toner particles and does not adhere in the regions of greater thickness of the first toner particles; wherein the first and second layers in the regions of greater thickness of the first toner layer can be removed thereby revealing hidden information.

Abstract: A scratch-off document includes a substrate and a toner covering; the toner covering including: a first layer of first toner particles on the substrate having a first and second thickness, wherein the first and second thicknesses are different; a second layer of second toner particles on the first layer of toner particles; and at least one additive in either the first or second layer for creating a thermal conductivity difference between the first and second layer, wherein a portion of the first layer having a greater thickness and a portion of the second toner layer in registration with the first layer of greater thickness is manually removable by a scratching action.

Abstract: A method for producing a raised print using a three-component printer includes receiving image data and height data for an image to be printed, the height data specifying that raised printing should be produced in a non-yellow region of the image data. Separation data are determined for a yellow toner and two additional colored toners. The yellow separation data is determined based on the image data and the height data. The yellow separation and at least one of the colored separations specify that respective toners be deposited one atop the other in the non-yellow region. The two additional colored toners include respective amounts of black colorant. Using the printer with exactly three printing modules, respective toner images are deposited on the receiver, each corresponding to respective separation data. The deposited toner is fixed to the receiver.

Abstract: A printing system includes a rotatable transport member that transports a receiver on its obverse. A tackdown unit includes an electrode arranged facing the reverse of the transport member. A source responsive to the control system produces a tackdown current, and a charger spaced apart from the transport member facing the obverse thereof selectively deposits charge on the receiver in response to the tackdown current. A non-contact voltmeter arranged facing the receiver on the obverse after the charger measures a resulting voltage. A control system drives a selected voltage or current through the charger using the source and measures a resulting voltage using the non-contact voltmeter. The selected voltage or current and the measured resulting voltage are used to automatically estimate a capacitance of the receiver.

Abstract: A method for producing a raised print on a receiver includes receiving image data and height data. The height data specify that raised printing should be produced in non-yellow region of the image data. Separation data are determined for a clear toner, a yellow toner, and at least two additional colored toners. The separation data for the clear toner is determined in response to the height data and the separation data for the yellow toner is determined in response to the image data and the height data so that the clear and yellow separations specify that respective toners be deposited one atop the other in the non-yellow region. Respective toner images are deposited on the receiver, each corresponding to respective separation data. The deposited toner is fixed to the receiver member.

Abstract: A method for producing a raised print on a receiver includes receiving image data and height data. The height data specify that raised printing should be produced in non-first-color region of the image data. Separation data are determined for a clear toner, a light toner having the first color, and at least two additional colored toners. The separation data for the clear toner is determined in response to the height data and the separation data for the light toner is determined in response to the image data and the height data so that the clear and light-toner separations specify that respective toners be deposited one atop the other in the non-first-color region. Respective toner images are deposited on the receiver, each corresponding to respective separation data. The deposited toner is fixed to the receiver member.

Abstract: A method for producing a raised print using a three-component printer includes receiving image data and height data for an image to be printed, the height data specifying that raised printing should be produced in a non-yellow region of the image data. Separation data are determined for a yellow toner and two additional colored toners. The yellow separation data is determined based on the image data and the height data. The yellow separation and at least one of the colored separations specify that respective toners be deposited one atop the other in the non-yellow region. The two additional colored toners include respective amounts of black colorant. Using the printer with exactly three printing modules, respective toner images are deposited on the receiver, each corresponding to respective separation data. The deposited toner is fixed to the receiver.

Abstract: A transfer unit includes a rotatable static-dissipative member with a time-varying electrical property. A second member selectively transfers toner to or from the static-dissipative member. A power source selectively produces an electrostatic transfer field between the static-dissipative member and the second member, so that toner is transferred between the static-dissipative member and the second member. A charger spaced apart from the static-dissipative member selectively deposits charge thereon. A control system successively drives a plurality of different selected voltages or currents through the charger and measures a plurality of respective resulting charger currents or voltages. It uses the selected voltages or currents and the respective charger currents or voltages to automatically estimate a variation in the electrical property. It then causes the power source to produce an electric transfer field that transfers toner and compensates for the estimated variation.

Abstract: An electrophotographic (EP) printer for transferring a toner image to a receiver sheet has a tensioned rotatable transport web with a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa. The transport web is wrapped around a compliant image-bearing member. A compressible, rotatable nip-forming member that is relatively less stiff than the image-bearing member is adjacent to the transport web on the opposite side thereof from the image-bearing member. A mount holds the nip-forming member against the image-bearing member, and permits the axis of rotation of the nip-forming member to move closer to or farther from the transport web. When the leading edge of the receiver on the web engages with the image-bearing member, the nip-forming member compresses. The axis of rotation of the nip-forming member translates by an amount less than the thickness of the receiver sheet minus the compression of the compliant coating of the image-bearing member.

Abstract: A method of making an article such as a lens on a receiver member having a desired cross-sectional profile includes: moving the receiver member past a plurality of deposition stations, with at least two of the deposition stations having first and second sources of marking particles having different volume average diameters, and selecting at least two different deposition stations with each having different size marking particles and depositing selected amounts of different marking particles on selected different locations of the receiver member depending upon the desired cross-section of a portion of the lens, the unfused toner stack height capability of each deposition station, and the fused toner stack height capability for the fusing method. The method further includes heating the deposited marking particles to fuse the toner stack and form the article having desired cross-sectional profile.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrically reconditioning a rotatable photoreceptor in an electrophotographic (EP) printer includes a charger, an exposure subsystem, a transfer station, and an erase lamp arranged in that order around the photoreceptor in the direction of rotation thereof. A first corona electrode is disposed within 3 cm of the surface of the photoreceptor, but not in contact therewith, between the transfer station and the erase lamp. The transfer station and the erase lamp are at most 1 cm apart. A second corona electrode is disposed within 3 cm of the surface of the photoreceptor, but not in contact therewith, after the erase lamp in the direction of rotation of the photoreceptor. The erase lamp and the second corona electrode are less than 1 cm apart.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor is prepared for charging. Corona electrodes before and after the erase lamp apply respective biases to provide the correct sign of charge for cleaning, and to discharged trapped charges in the photoreceptor. Toner is then cleaned off the photoreceptor. This leaves the photoreceptor electrically and mechanically reconditioned and ready for its next printing cycle.

Abstract: A printing system includes a rotatable transport member that transports a receiver on its obverse. A tackdown unit includes an electrode arranged facing the reverse of the transport member. A source responsive to the control system produces a tackdown current, and a charger spaced apart from the transport member facing the obverse thereof selectively deposits charge on the receiver in response to the tackdown current. A non-contact voltmeter arranged facing the receiver on the obverse after the charger measures a resulting voltage. A control system drives a selected voltage or current through the charger using the source and measures a resulting voltage using the non-contact voltmeter. The selected voltage or current and the measured resulting voltage are used to automatically estimate a capacitance of the receiver.

Abstract: An electrophotographic (EP) printer prints on a receiver sheet moving on a tensioned rotatable transport web with a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa. The transport web is wrapped around a compliant image-bearing member. Two transfer stations are arranged along the belt, each with a rotatable image-bearing member. The first station has a first rotatable nip-forming member disposed adjacent to the transport web on the opposite side thereof from the first image-bearing member. The first rotatable nip-forming member is relatively stiffer than the first image-bearing member. The second station has a nip-forming member on a compliant mount. The second rotatable nip-forming member is relatively less stiff than the second image-bearing member.