Abstract: A coating process for the manufacture of cleaning blades is used where a hardened material coating is electro-deposited onto a carbon steel cleaning blade. The coating process is selected to provided a microporous surface. The pores thus produced are enlarged. The surface is sealed with sub-micron size particles of fluorocarbons, heat treated to create a smooth, slippery surface, while the hardened metal coating provides wear resistance to friction encountered during cleaning operation.

Abstract: In an input scanner provided with a document input, a sheet feeding path for transporting documents to a scanning station and to a document output; a scanning station having at least a first scanning element, normally fixed in position relative to the sheet feeding path, and supporting a full width array of photosensitive sensors with a coresponding optical arrangement for directing light from the document to the sensors, there is provided an arrangement for bringing the optical arrangement and sensors of the scanning element to a calibration sensing position for detection of a calibration target provided in a fixed position within the input scanner, while retaining the scanning element at a fixed position relative to the sheet feeding path.

Abstract: A non-black colored toner DMA sensor arrangement includes a light emitting device for illuminating a toner/surface substrate with light of a wavelength to which colored toners are non-absorbing, and to which the imaging surface is either partially absorbing or transmissive. Light is reflected from the toner predominantly by either scattering or multiple reflections to produce a significant component of diffusely reflected light. A sensor is arranged for detection of the diffusely reflected light, at an angle that does not detect the specularly reflected component of reflected light. An increasing level of diffusely reflected light indicates an increased density of toner coverage per unit area.

Abstract: In an ionographic device including an imaging head projecting a modulated stream of ions in imagewise fashion towards a moving imaging surface, wherein the head is provided with an ion chamber supporting a coronode held at a voltage V.sub.C to produce ions for deposit on an imaging surface and an ion chamber exit forming a modulation channel extending from the ion chamber towards the imaging surface through which a stream of ions are directed for imagewise modulation by a plurality of modulation electrodes, electric field distribution through the modulation channel is controlled by forming the modulation electrodes with resistive material. When a individual resistive material nib is turned on, a voltage difference is applied across the electrode in the ion flow direction, to shape the electric field through the modulation channel so that it is closely parallel to the surface of the electrode. Ions thus tend to flow in the direction of the electric field, though the modulation channel.

Abstract: An image processing arrangement for allowing a number of image processing techniques to be tested on a single sample sheet at a single time. A sample segment of the image may be selected for testing and successively repeated in a sample output for the number of image processing techniques to be tested. The proof page is printed on the printer, with the output of the proof page demonstrating the system operation with the desired image processing technique.

Abstract: An elastomeric cleaning blade supported in cleaning relationship with the imaging surface of an electrophotographic device, for removal of residual toner on the surface, is provided with a cleaning edge having predetermined and detectable characteristics of the cleaning blade. An electrical signal is applied to the cleaning edge, and variations in the electrical characteristics are monitored. Change in the electrical characteristics of the cleaning blade edge will be highly indicative of a cleaning blade failure, or impending failure. A signal based on the variation in electrical characteristics may be produced to create a warning indication or cause a corrective response to occur.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic device of the type including a belt-type charge retentive member, driven along an endless path through a series of image processing stations by a frictionally engaging driving member, including a blade cleaning station for removing residual toner and debris from the member after transfer of a toner image to a final substrate and an arrangement for controlling the driving member to selectively drive the charge retentive member in either direction along the endless path, so that the member may be occasionally back tracked to clear debris accumulating at the blade cleaner, the back tracking movement is controlled by provision of at least first and second sensor detectable indicia on the charge retentive member, spaced therealong at an interval equivalent to the desired back tracking distance.

Abstract: A device for rotating by a small angle, documents placed on an imaging device platen, for improved skew angle registration during imaging. An imaging device provided with a platen cover for covering the imaging platen of the imaging device includes document engagement member rotatably supported on the platen cover, between the imaging platen and the platen cover when the platen cover is in a closed position with respect to the platen of the imaging device. The document engagement member has a document contacting surface providing substantially non-slipping engagement of the document engagement member with documents placed on the platen when the platen cover is closed. An arrangement is provided for rotational adjustment of documents placed on the platen, at an externally accessible surface of the platen cover, and coupled to the document engagment member, for rotating the document engagement member through a small angle increment, and by consequence, documents engaged thereto, with respect to the platen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a scan line of image data, wherein image data from portions of the scan line is processed simultaneously along plural channels, each channel processing a portion of the image data, and provided with context information from an adjacent portion of the scan line. Context pixels are added at the trail edge of a first scan line portion, derived from the lead edge of a second scan line portion. In certain image processing requiring preceding and succeeding pixel context information, subsequent to processing, on correctly processing pixels are transferred for subsequent processing, and pixels at the trail edge of a first scan line portion, and the lead edge of a second scan line portion are not transferred, leaving complementary scan line portions.

Abstract: An ion printing head is provided with a pin array coronde as an ion generation device, a corona controlling electrode and an array of modulation electrodes controlling the flow of ions to an imaging member in imagewise configuration. The pin array coronode provides an efficient and highly directable source of ions. At least part of the directability of the ions appears to be a result of the highly directionalized ion or corona wind, that tends to flow in a direction defined by the plane of the coronode. The corona wind also serves the purpose of removing corona effluents from the area adjacent the coronode that eventually cause deterioration of the head parts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing image information. An address designation or token is applied to each pixel or data byte in a scan line of image data describing its position in the scan line. By providing each data byte of image information with an address token defining its specific position in the scan line, the image information for data byte on the image is specifically located in the final image configuration, without requiring storage of the entire image information for manipulation. Operation on both data and address token is possible for image manipulation routines.

Abstract: A cleaning housing supports in cleaning relationship a closely spaced combination of an upstream brush roll cleaner and an adjacent downstream foam or poromeric roll cleaner. Subsequent to release of toner from the surface, toner is carried away from the charge retentive surface on the fibers of the brush or the surface of the foam rolls. A blower creates a directed air flow for the removal of toner from the cleaning rolls. Mechanical toner removal devices may also be used to release toner from the roll surfaces. The brush roll cleaner provides a primary cleaning function, while the foam roll cleaner provides a secondary cleaning function as a back up to the brush roll cleaner and an abrading function for the removal of film buildup on the charge retentive surface.

Abstract: Imaging quality is measured in an electronic input scanner using the scanner imaging processing electronics. A contrast transfer function (CTF) of an optical system in an electronic input scanner is measured to determine focus quality by scanning a test pattern of lines, extending generally parallel with the slow scan direction, with no relative motion between the scanning element and the test pattern. The output of the scanning process is directed through the device thresholding operation. A series of successive scan lines are produced in this manner, each line produced with a successively incremented threshold level applied. The output of the thresholding device is examined at a plurality of locations to determine maximum and minimum transition points associated with the variation of threshold levels. Upon detection of the maximum and minimum, CTF is calculated using the threshold transition values. Signal to noise ratio is measured similarly by scanning a test pattern having a uniform gray image.

Abstract: In a cleaning arrangement for the removal of residual toner from a charge retentive surface, such as a photoreceptor surface in a reproduction machine, after a transfer step, a conductive cleaning member is arranged closely adjacent the surface. An A.C. voltage is applied to the member. In such an arrangement, toner in the vicinity of the blade is observed to jump from the surface in response to the electric field created at the member, forming an oscillating toner cloud. The agitated toner further aids in removal of toner from the surface by causing a large number of toner/toner impacts that jar toner held on the surface into movement. Toner held on the surface is thus removed electrostatically and mechanically. Toner in the cloud configuration may be easily removed from the area adjacent the surface by an airstream through the area, a biased collecting surface, or a traveling electrostatic wave arrangement, among other methods.

Abstract: An electrostatographic machine which includes means for forming an electrostatic latent image on an imaging member; means for developing the electrostatic latent image with a developer material; means for transferring, at a transfer station, the developed image to a copy sheet; a copy sheet system for conveying copy sheets to and from the transfer station and means for fusing the developed image to the copy sheet. The copy sheet system is withdrawable from the rest of the machine as a module comprising substantially the entire path through which copy sheets are moved during operation of the machine.

Abstract: In association with a blade cleaning arrangement supported for chiseling removal of toner from a charge retentive surface, an auger is provided to move toner to the edge of the charge retentive surface and simultaneously simulate a foam roll cleaner, known to have good abrasive characteristics in the presence of toner. An auger member having a roughened or sharpened surface in contact with a charge retentive surface is arranged slightly upstream and adjacent to a blade cleaning arrangement for the removal of residual toner accumulating adjacent to a cleaning blade after release from a charge retentive surface such as a photoreceptor in a reproduction machine. The auger member may be comprised of a foam material providing an abrading surface roughness. Other augering members simulate the abrading qualities of the foam roll cleaner, such as for example, a sharpened auger edge which lightly scrapes the charge retentive surface, or an auger of a polymeric material, with a roughed surface.

Abstract: An electrophotographic system including a corona charging device for applying a charge to a surface and having a coronode driven to a corona producing condition; a conductive grid interposed between the surface to be charged and the coronode; the conductive grid having a self-biasing arrangement to control the voltage thereon produced by corona current from the coronode, the self-biasing arrangement including a current sinking device between the conductive grid and a common; and a power supplying takeoff, electrically connected between the conductive grid and the current sinking device, and having a voltage thereat controlled by the current sinking device.

Abstract: A carrier bead pickoff device for removal of carrier beads adhering to a charge retentive surface in an electrophotographic device having at least one developer housing movable into and out of developing position includes a magnet supported on the movable developer housing of the type which is movable into and out of developing position with respect to the photoreceptor. When the developer housing is moved into developing position, the magnet is correspondingly brought into a position closely adjacent to a non-magnetic carrier bead catch supported closely adjacent to the charge retentive surface. Beads are collected at the bead catch and released upon removal of the magnet from proximity to the bead catch. The non-magnetic bead catch may be supported for movement into a bead catching position when the developer housing is brought into developing position, and to a bead releasing position when the developer is removed from developing position and the magnet is removed from its position adjacent the bead catch.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing device, including an ink donor supporting an ink meltable upon the application of a selected temperature, a printing head supporting a resistive heating element for generating the selected temperature at the ink donor, and means for bringing a final image support surface into contacting relationship with the ink donor in timed relationship to the application of the selected temperature to the ink donor including an electrically conductive heat sink layer, a heat resistant organic material having a very low thermal conductivity deposited on the heat sink layer and an array of resistors, supported on the heat resistant organic material, each resistor selectively controllable to apply a melting temperature to the meltable ink. The heat resistant organic material having a very low thermal conductivity is desirably a polyimide.

Abstract: A top-sheet feeding apparatus having an automatically elevating stack support tray (100) to keep the top sheet of the stack (5) in operative contact with sheet feed mechanism (10). An upwardly projecting member (2) is present on the tray. The stack of sheets is provided in a cartridge (3) which simplifies the change over of throughput material and reduces the risk of damage and contamination both during handling and storage. The cartridge (3) comprises a generally enclosed rectangular container (4) holding the stack of sheets (5). The container has three openings as follows: (i) in its top face (6b) a cut out portion (9) exposing a portion of the top sheet to permit engagement by the sheet feed mechanism (10), (ii) in a side face (6c) a slot (11) through which sheets can be fed out from the top of the stack, and (iii) in bottom face (6a) an aperture (7) slightly larger than the projecting member (2). The cartridge (3) also comprises a vertically movable plate (8) for supporting the stack (5).