Abstract: The presently described embodiments relate to improving system productivity where maintenance purge routines are required through use of a digital front end (DFE) job scheduler. This approach utilizes knowledge of future jobs to maximize productivity. So, even if a low coverage area job is being processed, and a purge routine is scheduled, the purge routine may be avoided. This is achieved by projecting the system evolution over a future time horizon and determining the schedule of toner purge events (a non productive dead cycle) to minimize a cost function that penalizes the purge event (dead cycling and material loss should be minimized) and the deviation of average toner resident time in the sump from some desired set point of range. In this regard, knowledge that a high coverage area job is downstream and average toner residient time may be advantageously used to effectively perform the purge itself while in productive mode.

Abstract: The presently described embodiments relate to improving system productivity where maintenance purge routines are required through use of a digital front end (DFE) job scheduler. This approach utilizes knowledge of future jobs to maximize productivity. So, even if a low coverage area job is being processed, and a purge routine is scheduled, the purge routine may be avoided. This is achieved by projecting the system evolution over a future time horizon and determining the schedule of toner purge events (a non productive dead cycle) to minimize a cost function that penalizes the purge event (dead cycling and material loss should be minimized) and the deviation of average toner resident time in the sump from some desired set point of range. In this regard, knowledge that a high coverage area job is downstream and average toner residient time may be advantageously used to effectively perform the purge itself while in productive mode.

Abstract: An electrostatic printing machine having a development station having a toner dispenser for dispensing toner in the development station and wherein the electrostatic printing machine employs a method for improving xerographic stability of condition the development station, including reviewing a print job comprising job images for toner usage; calculating a dispense rate base on the toner usage, print job attributes, and sensing toner quantity that is present; comparing the calculated dispense rate to a predefined minimum dispense rate; and if the calculated dispense rate is less than the predefined minimum dispense rate, setting the toner dispenser to the predefined minimum dispense rate; the setting includes scheduling a detone process if the toner mass in the development station exceeds a predefined threshold value.

Abstract: A toner concentration control system for maintaining image quality in a developer structure, the toner concentration control system comprising: a transfer efficiency estimator for measuring a transfer efficiency estimate associated with a developed image on an imaging surface before and after transfer; and a toner dispenser, responsive to said transfer efficiency estimator, for adjusting a toner dispense rate.