Abstract: A method is described of determining a sensitivity parameter of a toner monitor that forms a part of an electrostatographic recording apparatus having a development station that includes a mixture of a toner material in a toner developer composition wherein concentration of the toner material in the composition tends to change with use of the apparatus in making copies or prints. The method comprises providing in the development station a known weight or concentration of toner material as an initial condition of weight or concentration of toner material. The toner monitor generates a first signal representing a first output voltage of the toner monitor for the initial condition of weight or concentration of toner material. The electrostatographic recording apparatus is operated in a recording mode wherein the predetermined weight or concentration of toner material in the development station is reduced by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a magnetic brush toning station for applying toner to an electrostatic image. The brush includes a rotatable magnetic core positioned inside a non-magnetic sleeve. To facilitate the removal of developer from the sleeve after it has toned an electrostatic image, a skive located against the sleeve downstream of the toning position has a roughened surface upon which the developer rolls or tumbles to move away from the sleeve and ultimately fall into a mixing sump.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic apparatus, an apparatus and method is provided for controlling reproduction by controlling adjustments to the parameters V.sub.o and E.sub.o. A density parameter D.sub.OUT of an exposed and developed maximum density patch is measured. An error, .DELTA.D.sub.OUT, in the measured density parameter is calculated from a density setpoint. The error, .DELTA.D.sub.OUT is multiplied by first and second constants to obtain respective adjustment values used for adjusting E.sub.o and V.sub.o. The control operation is repeated periodically to provide new adjustment values that are used for adjusting E.sub.o and V.sub.o and a fixed ratio is always maintained between the first and second constants.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for reproducing an original image scans an original image to digitize the image so as to produce a digitized image signal, and collects statistical information of dot regions from the digitized image signal. For each dot region of the digitized image signal, a dot type is selected to render that dot region in accordance with the statistical information, the dot type being either a mixed dot type or one of a fixed threshold or a dot type mathematically modified from said mixed dot type. A printer is controlled to print the digitized image signal by rendering the dot regions in accordance with the selected dot type for each dot region, so that an original image that may contain different types of image regions is satisfactorily reproduced. In order to reduce printer moire patterns indexes to the threshold masks may be modified to avoid rigid threshold mask patterns from being used.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus such as a copier/printer includes a plurality of job image buffers (JIBs). Each JIB includes a compressor for compressing rasterized image data, a memory store for storing compressed rasterized image data and an expander for expanding the compressed rasterized image data. An electronic writer has a plurality of writing components, with each component being associated with a respective segment of an image to be simultaneously recorded. A writer interface is operatively connected to the JIBs and the writing components for simultaneously outputting to the writing components data for a respective image segment to be recorded by its respective writing component. A controller controls flow of data to the JIBs so that each of the plural JIBs receives data for only one respective segment of each page of image data.

Abstract: A photographic camera, including a moveable exposure initiation member, is provided with a film brake that is applied by movement of the member to initiate an exposure. The brake engages an element of the film advancing mechanism and thereby arrests film movement during the exposure. The brake is released after the exposure when the member returns to its original position.A method of assembling a camera also is provided using certain parts reassembled and reused from a single-use camera with a film brake as noted above.

Abstract: A copier apparatus and method includes a scanning station for electronically scanning a set of document sheets to be copied as a copy job. The scanning station includes a platen for supporting a document sheet to be scanned in a first mode wherein the document sheet is manually positioned on the platen by an operator. This document sheet serves as a master and the image thereon is used for copying onto copies made of other document sheets in the set. The scanning station further provides for scanning of the document sheets in a second mode wherein document sheets are automatically fed. A controller automatically actuates the scanning station for scanning a document sheet in the first mode and also actuates a feeder for automatically feeding document sheets to the scanning station for scanning document sheets in the second mode.

Abstract: A non-impact printhead is formed of modules. Each module comprises a tile support that has mounted thereon a plurality of LED chip arrays and driver chip arrays for driving the LEDs. A spreader board is also mounted on the tile for distributing signals to the driver chips. A ground connection between the LEDs and the spreader board is made without relying upon electrical conductivity through the tile and a mother board which supports several tiles. Rather, a ground path is provided by a conductive layer upon the tile. In one embodiment, a via in the spreader board connects this ground path with the top surface of the spreader board. In a second embodiment, the ground path continues along a bottom surface of the spreader board to a ground strip of a bus bar.

Abstract: A non-impact recording apparatus for recording grey level exposures, the recording apparatus includes one or more recording elements such as LEDs. Image data signals of a predetermined multibits per pixel bit-depth dimension are generated by a data source along with a signal representing the predetermined bit-depth dimension. An exposure clock counter counts exposure clock pulses and outputs a count signal in response to clock pulses. The count signal represents a count value. A comparator compares a multibits-per-pixel image data signal with the count signal from the counter and generates a signal. A current driver is responsive to the signal from the comparator and controls a recording duration. Counting in the counter is adjusted in accordance with the multibits per pixel bit-depth dimension of the image data signal.

Abstract: A system for performing edge enhancement of mixed low resolution image files employs a binarization and sorting unit to sort data that is indicative of binary data from the mixed low resolution image input file. The sorted binary data is then supplied to a binary data edge enhancement processor for edge enhancement processing. The output from the binary data edge enhancement processor unit is supplied to a data merger unit along with the original image data. The data merger unit determines whether the original image data was part of a gray-scale image. If the data merger determines the original data is part of a gray-scale image, the original data is supplied as the output of the processing system. If the data merger determines that the original data is binary image data, the output from the binary edge enhancement processor unit is supplied as the output of the processing system.

Abstract: A color image-forming apparatus comprises an electrophotoconductive imaging member moving in a first direction. A first corona charger forms an electrostatic charge on the imaging member. A first exposure device such as a laser or LED printhead imagewise modulates the electrostatic charge on an area of the member comprising an image frame. A first developer station develops a first visible image on the image frame with a pigmented toner of a first color. A second corona charger electrostatically charges the image frame having the visible image. A second exposure device such as a laser or LED device imagewise modulates the electrostatic charge on the image frame that was formed by the second charger. A second visible image is then formed on the image frame with a pigmented toner of a second color. The first and second visible images are transferred to a surface of a receiver sheet to form a two-colored image thereon.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a printer that includes an LED printhead wherein the LEDs are arranged in a row in a series of arrays wherein each array includes a plurality of LEDs generally uniformly spaced a nominal pitch distance on the array in the direction of the row. The arrays have respective array end LEDs which have spacing from adjacent array end LEDs on adjacent arrays that are different than the nominal pitch distance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resequencing image data for a non-impact printer having a plurality of recording elements. A memory stores image data such that image data for plural recording elements are stored at one address location. The memory is sequentially addressed so that the data stored at successive addresses are sequentially output from the memory in a sequence suited for the type of printhead. A multiplexer controls the outputs from the memory so that only data in the correct sequence is output at each address location during a first empty cycle whereas other image data at each address location are output at subsequent empty cycles.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electronic scanner for scanning a set of original document pages to be reproduced as a production job. The scanner produces first signals representing image information on the document pages. An operator control panel (OCP) allows input of job and page level requirements for copying the set of documents pages as a copy job and generates second and third signals respectively representing these. A job image buffer is responsive to the first, second and third signals and stores fourth signals representing image information for use in reproducing the set of document pages. There is also provided a buffer for generating fifth signals representing consecutive numbers for use in annotating copies of the document pages. In response to the fourth and fifth signals, the copier produces a proof set of consecutively numbered hard copy pages of the set of document pages with consecutive numbered annotations not present on the original document pages.

Abstract: An electrostatographic copier or copier/printer apparatus and method for calibrating same with an improved means for adjusting for process control parameters is described. The apparatus includes a scanner for scanning an original document to be copied and for generating signals representing a density characteristic of images on the document. An electronic writer responsive to scanned signals modulates charge on an electrostatographic recording member to form a latent electrostatic image. The latent image is developed and transferred to a record member. Them are provided further means responsive to rescanning of the record member by the scanner for generating adjustment signals for correcting for calibration errors in processing of an image, and the writer is responsive to the adjustment signals. The writer may thereby correct for nonuniformities in a direction transverse to said process direction.

Abstract: A copier apparatus and method for copying is described that includes a scanning station for scanning a set of document sheets to be copied as a production job. The scanning station includes a platen for supporting a document sheet to be scanned in a first mode wherein the document sheet is manually positioned on the platen by an operator. An automatic document handler or feeder is provided for automatically feeding seriatim document sheets to the scanning station for scanning document sheets in a second mode; i.e., an automatic feeding mode. An operator control panel includes a display for indicating options for selection by an operator in response to clearance of a jam condition in the feeder. The display includes an option for selecting the first mode; i.e. platen mode, for scanning of the document sheet that was jammed.

Abstract: A copier and/or printer apparatus that supports plural interrupts. When a job is tagged as an interrupt job, the queueing of jobs switches from FIFO to LIFO in order to process the interrupt job as soon as prescribed. Another job may interrupt the first interrupt job still adhering to the LIFO operation making it the active job as soon as prescribed. When this second interrupt job is completed, the first interrupt job resumes. When the first interrupt job is completed, the job that was interrupted resumes. The original job that was interrupted may have been the first-out job of a FIFO job queue. Interrupting an interrupt is thus possible in an electronic copier and/or printer. The limiting factor is the maximum number of jobs that memory space has been allocated for on power-up of the machine. There thus may be supported interrupting a "normal" job, interrupting a queue of "normal" jobs, proofing a page, and proofing a page within an interrupt job (2 levels of interrupt).

Abstract: An electronic/copier printer apparatus includes a scanner for scanning original documents representing a copy from a first source of image information and printer input means for receiving electrical signals representing electronic information of a production job from a second source of information. A marking engine prints production jobs. The marking engine means includes means for communicating with the scanner and the printer input means. A memory forms a part of the marking engine and stores electrical signals representing production jobs from the first and second sources. The marking engine includes a security mode wherein in response to a loss of communication with one of the scanner and the printer input means while communication remains with the other there is selectively prevented production of production jobs stored in said memory means and derived from the one to which communication is lost while selectively printing production jobs from the other to which communication remains.

Abstract: The voltages, V.sub.0, on a photoconductor surface are measured over a wide range of grid voltages, the results of which are stored in a look-up table V.sub.grid vs. V.sub.0. The updated V.sub.grid /V.sub.0 look-up table permits automatic and accurate adjustment of the primary charging step in the electrographic cycle. This method accommodates any number of desired V.sub.0 levels over a wide range of voltage. The present use establishes the relationship without going through a lengthy iterative procedure inherent in using feedback adjustment loops. The calibrated look-up table is updated as often as is required to compensate for such things as aging, wear, and environmental changes, to name a few. Calibration is repeated and the entire look-up table is updated after certain intervals of time or usage, or whenever drift is detected at even a single point of the V.sub.grid to V.sub.0 relationship. This compensates for the variability of corona charging over time as well as over a range of V.sub.0 's.

Abstract: An assembly of an LED array of LED elements and lens array provides for improved flattening of the peaks and valleys of the light profile emitted by the array after lensing. The assembly employs the line spread function (LSF) of the lens to determine the positioning of opaque electrodes overlying each LED region. The electrodes then function not only as a means for current injection into the LED, but also to modulate light intensity across the width of the region to aid in properly shaping the LED light output profile to best fit the lens characteristics. The LSF of the lens may also be used to define areas in which to adjust the light-emitting layer or anti-reflection coating thicknesses in directions extending across the LED regions to accentuate or attenuate light output intensity.