Abstract: A non-impact printer apparatus and method wherein enabling waveforms for enabling a plurality of recording elements for recording pixels are characterized by pulse durations that can vary by one exposure clock pulse period with some recording elements being enabled after others so that some of the benefits of center pulsewidth modulation (CPWM) are provided without the disadvantages of CPWM of pulsewidths being at least two exposure clock periods apart.

Abstract: A corona charger and method and apparatus for corona charging features an insulative shield and an electrically biased grid electrode spaced from the shield. One or more substantially bare corona wires are located between the grid electrode and the shield. The corona wires are electrically biased with an AC voltage. An electrically biased highly conductive buried floor electrode forms a part of the charger and has a surface located between the one or more corona wires and the shield. An insulating layer is located between the corona wires and the surface of the buried floor electrode so that there is no exposure of the buried floor electrode in a direct line of sight from a corona wire.

Abstract: A non-impact recording method and apparatus comprises recording grey level pixels using a recording element in accordance with a selectable combination of recording element on-time and intensity wherein at least some pixels are recorded using the recording element so that a pixel of one density is recorded using a different recording element on-time and a different intensity than used for recording a pixel recorded at a second density, the selectable combination being predetermined in accordance with a multi-bit signal representing a grey level of the pixel to be recorded. The recording element also records certain other pixels represented by multi-bit signals that define the same grey level using different combinations of on-time and duration to form pixels of different densities over an image area which pixels tend to average out to the density defined by the multi-bit signal for the certain other pixels.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus makes at least a two color image from an original having some color. The apparatus includes a color scanner which scans the original area-by-area for color content and picks an accent color from available accent colors in the apparatus from the color content analysis. A typical output would be a print in which an original is reproduced in a combination of black and a color picked which color is closest to one of the predominant colors in the original.

Abstract: An image processing system for providing edge enhancement of low resolution binary image files processes the low resolution data in sections or windows using a binary edge enhancement processor unit to determine whether an edge transition or "kink site" occurs within each window. The edge enhancement processor includes a decision matrix that identifies a pixel based on a calculated gradient magnitude and direction. In one operating mode, the original data in the window is replaced with edge enhanced gray-scale data stored in a look-up table if a kink site is identified. In a second operating mode original data is replaced with higher resolution binary data. To improve speed of operation of the processor, a set of criteria used for determining where enhancement pixels are to be generated has logic operators used for processing the criteria operated simultaneously with a bias provided favoring determinations having closer proximity towards a site likely to require image enhancements.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus and method including a toner image bearing member (TIBM) and a seamed endless belt that is brought into transfer relationship with the TIBM at a transfer station by movement of the TIBM in a process direction through the transfer station whereby a marking particle image formed on the TIBM is transferred from the TIBM towards the belt. The seam on the belt is configured in a configuration other than a straight line perpendicular to the process direction and is used in at least some transfers. In one embodiment, the belt is a paper transport belt and a receiver member is supported on the belt so as to overlie the seam on the belt during such transfers. In a second embodiment, the belt serves as an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and at least some transfers are made from the TIBM to the ITM at the seam area of the belt.

Abstract: An electrostatographic imaging apparatus and method for cleaning remnant toner. An intermediate transfer member (ITM) is in transfer relation to a primary image-forming member to transfer the toner image from the primary image-forming member to the ITM. The ITM then transfers the image to a receiver sheet. A cleaning brush including plural individual brush fibers in engagement with the ITM removes residual toner from the ITM. The fibers each include an electrically conductive core and a surrounding substantially nonconductive annular portion. An electrically conductive backing secures the fibers and is adapted to electrically induce a potential from the backing to the cores of the fibers. The backing is substantially electrically insulated from the electrically conductive cores of the fibers. An electrical potential is established on the backing which is induced upon the cores of the fibers to attract remnant toner from the ITM to the brush.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning toner and/or other contaminant particles from a moving surface to be cleaned in an electrostatographic apparatus includes a cleaning blade, such as a wiper blade or a scraper blade, that engages the surface to be cleaned at a first location to remove the particles from the surface. A dust seal blade is provided that extends toward the surface in a second direction generally opposite to the first direction, which corresponds to the direction of motion of the surface to be cleaned, and is of a length and supported so as to be able to contact the surface to be cleaned at a second location upstream of the first location. The cleaning blade, the dust seal blade and the surface to be cleaned form a cavity for containing contaminant particles to assist in operation of the cleaning blade apparatus.

Abstract: A composite toner image made up of first and second toners is formed on an image member. A first electrostatic image of a first polarity is formed on the image member. That electrostatic image is toned with a first toner of the first polarity. The image member is imagewise exposed to create a second electrostatic image also of the first polarity. Exposure is overlapped into the portion of the image member under the first toner image to prevent any charge on the photoconductor of the first polarity underneath the first toner image from repelling toner into the portions of the second electrostatic image that are discharged. Preferably, the second exposure is accomplished through the base of the image member in order to thoroughly expose portions of the electrostatic image underneath the first toner image.

Abstract: An electrostatographic recording apparatus and method wherein a primary charger establishes a uniform electrostatic charge on an electrophotoconductive image recording member in accordance with a first operating parameter. A recording device imagewise modulates the charge on the image recording member to form electrostatic latent images in accordance with a second operating parameter and also forms a developable process control patch. A development station develops the electrostatic latent images and the control patch on the image recording member with toner in accordance with a third operating parameter. A replenishment device provides toner to the development station at a controlled rate in accordance with a replenishment signal.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a toner image bearing member and a transfer backing member that define a transfer nip. Pressure is applied in the transfer nip to a receiver member that is in engagement with the toner image bearing member for transfer of a toner image on the toner image bearing member to the receiver member. A sensor senses a parameter related to thickness of the receiver member prior to movement of the receiver member into the nip. An adjustment device is responsive to sensing of the parameter and adjusts nip spacing between the toner image bearing member and the transfer backing member.

Abstract: An electrometer probe is used in an electrophotographic apparatus as part of a process control system to measure charge on a photoconductive film belt. This measurement is used to control voltage level or other process parameter of the electrophotographic process. The probe is supported in an electrometer probe holder so that a sensor aperture of the probe is at a fixed distance from the film belt. In order to ensure proper operation of the electrometer probe, a method and an apparatus for independently calibrating the electrometer probe is provided. A curved plate is provided on the electrometer probe holder. The plate is mounted at the same spacing from the probe aperture as the film belt. This plate has a receptacle for the service person's test lead to attach. The other end of the test lead is attached to a test point for the toning station bias supply. The probe may be reoriented on the probe holder to position the probe aperture at the fixed distance to the plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reproducing an original image includes a scanner or other image source for generating digitized raw image data for each pixel of an image. For each pixel, the raw image data is transformed into a rendering gray level value by comparing the raw image data value with threshold values from a threshold mask set. There are various threshold mask sets that may be used in accordance with a dot type that is selected based on a calculated local contrast index. The dot type being either a mixed dot type or one of a fixed threshold or a partial dot type. A printer or display 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.

Abstract: A method of producing images includes forming an electrostatic latent image on a primary image forming member. A toner image is developed on the primary image forming member using a developer comprising dry toner particles having a mean volume weighted diameter D between 5 .mu.m and 10 .mu.m. The toner particles contain particulate addenda in a concentration range between (3.2/D)% and (5.6/D)%. The toner image is electrostatically transferred from the primary image forming member to an intermediate transfer member having a compliant layer, and then electrostatically transferred from the intermediate transfer member to a receiver.

Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus and method for cleaning remnant toner and carrier particles. An intermediate transfer member (ITM) is in transfer relation to a primary image-forming member to transfer the toner image from the primary image-forming member to the ITM. The ITM then transfers the image to a receiver sheet . A fiber cleaning brush includes plural individual conductive brush fibers in engagement with the ITM to remove residual toner and carrier particles from the ITM. A detoning member includes an electrically conductive surface that contacts the brush fibers and is electrically biased to electrostatically remove toner particles from the fiber brush. The detoning member includes magnets for attracting remnant carrier to the detoning roller and for attracting a skive blade of magnetic material into engagement with the detoning roller.

Abstract: An electrostatographic recording apparatus and method includes a primary charger that establishes a uniform electrostatic charge on the image recording member in accordance with a first operating parameter. A recording device that imagewise modulates the charge on the image recording member to form electrostatic images in accordance with a second operating parameter and additionally forms a developable process control patch. A development station develops the electrostatic images and the control patch on the image recording member with toner in accordance with a third operating parameter. A transfer station transfers developed images from the image recording member. The transfer station includes a transfer member and power supply providing to the transfer member a transfer current used for transferring developed images. In one embodiment a sensor senses density of the developed control patch.

Abstract: A problem of mismatch in pixel resolution between a front-end device, at one relatively low pixel resolution, and an output device such as a non-impact printer or a display at a higher pixel resolution is overcome by providing for grey level enhancement of low pixel resolution binary image data to minimize jaggies in a printed or displayed image, and then increasing the pixel resolution of the grey level enhanced image data to match that of the output device.

Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction method and apparatus includes an electrostatic recording member moving in a process direction. A plurality of recording elements on a writer imagewise expose the recording member to form electrostatic latent images on the recording member. The writer includes driver circuitry for actuating selected recording elements. The exposed recording member is then moved through a development station to develop the latent images. The developed images are transferred to a record member. An operator selectable adjustment controller is manually adjusted for generating adjustments in operation of the recording elements to compensate for a misalignment of a process station in the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrostatographic method and apparatus of forming a toner image on a receiver. In order to improve transfer of a pigmented toner image to a receiver, a clear toner layer is applied to a support member. The pigmented toner image is applied over the clear toner layer. The pigmented toner image is sintered and the sintered pigmented toner image is then transferred to a receiver sheet.

Abstract: A driver chip for use in an LED or other multi-element recording printhead includes a plurality of current driver channels. Data for determining recording durations for each of the current driver channels is provided on a data bus. A token bit is shifted through a shift register in association with image data to be latched by registers corresponding to a specific driver channel. The driver chip is operational in different recording resolution modes so that it may be connected to recording arrays of different resolutions. When operational in other than its highest or higher resolution, a by-pass signal is generated causing the token bit to by-pass certain stages of the shift register.