Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a roll member that includes one or more controllable cells and methods for making and using the roll member to control an image (or toner) state thereon. The controllable cells can be disposed on a roll substrate and configured in a manner that each controllable cell can be addressed individually and/or as groups. Each controllable cell can be addressable to provide a surface vibration to release toner particles adhered/attracted thereto and can also be capable of sensing the toner state of the roll member and thus to control the image or toner state. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed roll member can be used as a donor roll for a development system of an electrophotographic printing machine to create controlled and desired toner powder cloud for high quality image development.

Abstract: For an automatic image diagnosis, toned images or residual toner existing on the photoconductive surface of a photoreceptor may be scanned with light energy provided by the raster scanning system. The light energy, which may be reflected from the photoreceptor surface, may be disturbed due to scattering/absorption in toned or damaged surface regions. The light energy may be directed to image sensors to obtain a spatial image map of the photoreceptor surface in conjunction with pixel clock information present for the raster scanning system. The evaluation may be made based on the spatial image map. Diagnostic and maintenance may then be applied to correct the defect and/or adjust a tone level for a latent image formed on the photoreceptor surface.

Abstract: A xerographic marking device includes an intermediate transfer unit, a media transport path and at least one two-color image-on-image (IOI) drum module. Each two-color IOI drum module includes in a process order around a photoreceptor: a) a first charging unit; b) a first exposure unit; c) a first development unit; d) a second charging unit; e) a second exposure unit; and f) a second development unit, wherein the intermediate transfer unit receives a first toned image and a second toned image from the photoreceptor in a single transfer and transfers those toner images to print media to produce a toned image on print media. In various embodiments, specific color pairings are provided.

Abstract: A xerographic marking device includes a media transport path and at least one two-color image-on-image (IOI) drum module. Each two-color IOI drum module includes in a process order around a photoreceptor: a) a first charging unit; b) a first exposure unit; c) a first development unit; d) a second charging unit; e) a second exposure unit; and f) a second development unit, wherein the intermediate transfer unit receives a first toned image and a second toned image from the photoreceptor in a single transfer and transfers those toner images to print media to produce a toned image on print media. In various embodiments, the xerographic marking device is modular and includes a common paper transport module having a cavity and a marking engine sized to fit within the cavity.

Abstract: A xerographic marking device includes an intermediate transfer unit, a media transport path and at least one two-color image-on-image (IOI) drum module. Each two-color IOI drum module includes in a process order around a photoreceptor; a) a first charging unit; b) a first exposure unit; c) a first development unit; d) a second charging unit; e) a second exposure unit; and f) a second development unit, wherein the intermediate transfer unit receives a first toned image and a second toned image from the photoreceptor in a single transfer and transfers those toner images to print media to produce a toned image on print media. In various embodiments, specific color pairings are provided.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there are printing apparatuses and methods of enhancing an image quality on a media. The method of enhancing an image quality on a media can include providing an ink-based halftone image on a media, wherein the halftone image can include an amount of noise. The method can also include depositing a transparent overcoat layer at least over the halftone image, wherein the transparent overcoat layer can include a major amount of cross-linkable resin and a minor amount of a photoinitiator. The method can further include embossing the transparent overcoat layer to form an embossed micro-structured overcoat layer and curing the embossed micro-structured overcoat layer to form the micro-structured overcoat layer, such that the micro-structured overcoat layer reduces the amount of noise.

Abstract: An image printing system for adjusting gloss on printed documents includes a marking engine constructed to print images, which have gloss, on a document; a gloss measurement device, includes a linear array sensor to detect a generally specular and diffuse reflectance in the first direction produced by one or more illuminators; a processor configured to receive image data relating to a content of the image to be printed on the document; to process the detected generally specular and diffuse reflectances to determine a characteristic of the gloss of the document, and to compare the gloss characteristic with the image data relating to content of the image printed on the document; and a controller configured to control at least one process controls parameter of the marking engine based on the comparison of the gloss characteristic with the image content by the processor.

Abstract: A system is provided for measuring gloss and spatial dependence of gloss. In a first embodiment, the system comprises: a first illuminator configured to emit a first light beam at a point on a target, thereby producing a generally specular reflectance in a first direction; a second illuminator configured to emit a second light beam at the point on the target, thereby producing generally diffuse reflectance in the first direction; a linear array sensor configured to detect the generally specular reflectance and the generally diffuse reflectance in the first direction; and a processor configured to process the generally specular reflectance and the generally diffuse reflectance detected by the linear array sensor.

Abstract: A xerographic system and method use a tri-level development process in which at least one xerographic imaging unit includes a photoreceptor and a pair of developer units. A first developer unit includes a full strength toner of a given color and a second developer unit includes a reduced strength toner of the same or substantially the same color. By use of the tri-level process, excellent color-to-color registration can be achieved for each processed color separation. Moreover, by use of two strengths of the same colorant, a tighter control of a tone reproduction curve can be achieved. Additional xerographic imaging units can include a developer unit that provides spot color, custom color or specialty color capabilities. Additional benefits and gamut expansion can be achieved through use of a tandem architecture. A preferred implementation uses a four drum, eight color tandem architecture with full strength and reduced strength toners formulations of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CYMK) colorant.

Abstract: An improved electrostatic printing method includes printing a first marking material, such as a fully colorized toner, and also printing a second marking material on the same area of the print substrate. The second marking material is a mixture of two toners, where at least one of the two toners has a lower color strength than the first marking material. The second marking material has the same hue as the first marking material, and the ratio of toners in the mixture is such that the second marking material has a color strength matching that of an undesirable optical density printing rage of the first marking material.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a printing method that can utilize a lightly pigmented toner along with a darkly pigmented toner to improve the image quality. The method can include receiving a dataset corresponding to a printing of a printing system using a darkly pigmented toner. The printing system may have an undesirable optical density printing range for the darkly pigmented toner. Further, the method can include converting the dataset to a first dataset corresponding to a first printing of the printing system using the darkly pigmented toner, and a second dataset corresponding to a second printing of the printing system using a lightly pigmented toner. The first dataset can avoid the undesirable optical density printing range for the darkly pigmented toner, and a combination of the first printing and the second printing providing a substantially same printed optical density corresponding to the received dataset.

Abstract: Consistency of document reprints is improved by recording characteristics of a reference printing system used to produce a reference printing of a document, determining related characteristics of a reprint printing system, retrieving the recorded characteristics and compensating for differences between the reference system and the reprint system in the reprint system prior to using the reprint system to produce reprints of the document. Analytical test prints (TPs) are produced with the respective printing systems in close temporal association to the production of the respective reference prints and reprints. TPs can be customized according to aspects of the document. TP customization allows the compensation to address aspects of the printing systems that have a bearing on perceived consistency in the reprints. TPs can be customized with regard to colors in test patches or both the colors and locations of test patches on a page. Compensation is based on measurements of the TPs.

Abstract: Measurements are taken of a first parameter associated with a first marking engine and of a second parameter associated with a second marking engine. The first and second measurements are compared to predetermined first and second reference values. An engine-to-engine difference is determined by calculating a difference between the first measured parameter and the second measured parameter. The difference values are compared to corresponding predetermined threshold values. Based on the comparison, a system controller selects a mode of operation of the document processing system.

Abstract: An image printing system for adjusting gloss on printed documents includes a marking engine constructed to print images, which have gloss, on a document; a gloss measurement device, includes a linear array sensor to detect a generally specular and diffuse reflectance in the first direction produced by one or more illuminators; a processor configured to receive image data relating to a content of the image to be printed on the document; to process the detected generally specular and diffuse reflectances to determine a characteristic of the gloss of the document, and to compare the gloss characteristic with the image data relating to content of the image printed on the document; and a controller configured to control at least one process controls parameter of the marking engine based on the comparison of the gloss characteristic with the image content by the processor.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a roll member that includes one or more linear arrays of actuator cells and methods for making and using the roll member. In one embodiment, each linear array of the roll member can be controllably actuated as a group by, e.g., an oscillating voltage, to release toner particles adhered thereto and to form a uniform toner cloud in the development area between the roll member and an image receiving member. The controllable actuation can also aid in the unloading process of the residual toner particles from the roll member. In various embodiments, the uniform toner cloud and/or the controllable unloading process can enable a non-interactive development system for image-on-image full-color printing.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a roll member that includes one or more controllable cells and methods for making and using the roll member to control an image (or toner) state thereon. The controllable cells can be disposed on a roll substrate and configured in a manner that each controllable cell can be addressed individually and/or as groups. Each controllable cell can be addressable to provide a surface vibration to release toner particles adhered/attracted thereto and can also be capable of sensing the toner state of the roll member and thus to control the image or toner state. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed roll member can be used as a donor roll for a development system of an electrophotographic printing machine to create controlled and desired toner powder cloud for high quality image development.

Abstract: At least sequential current and subsequent sheets of a print job are received in a document processing system. Each sheet includes a front image and a back image. The received sheets are scheduled to be printed with at least one of a first and a second sequence by at least one of a first and a second marking engine based on a comparison of the image content in corresponding selected portions of each front and back image.

Abstract: In a system including a plurality of elements, or plurality of subsystems of elements, each performing a process using process control to maintain operation within a latitude of a setpoint and having an output characteristic that contributes to an overall output quality specification of the system, a control method includes setting a desired overall output quality specification, and determining optimum setpoints and latitudes of the plurality of elements, within a range of possible setpoints and latitudes for each element, to achieve the desired overall output quality specification. The control method further includes dynamically re-setting the setpoints and/or re-allocating the latitudes of at least two of the plurality of elements (or subsystems of elements) to compensate for degradation of the attribute caused by variation in the output characteristic of one element within the desired overall output quality specification.

Abstract: A system is provided for measuring gloss and spatial dependence of gloss. In a first embodiment, the system comprises: a first illuminator configured to emit a first light beam at a point on a target, thereby producing a generally specular reflectance in a first direction; a second illuminator configured to emit a second light beam at the point on the target, thereby producing generally diffuse reflectance in the first direction; a linear array sensor configured to detect the generally specular reflectance and the generally diffuse reflectance in the first direction; and a processor configured to process the generally specular reflectance and the generally diffuse reflectance detected by the linear array sensor.

Abstract: A xerographic system and method use a tri-level development process in which at least one xerographic imaging unit includes a photoreceptor and a pair of developer units. A first developer unit includes a full strength toner of a given color and a second developer unit includes a reduced strength toner of the same or substantially the same color. By use of the tri-level process, excellent color-to-color registration can be achieved for each processed color separation. Moreover, by use of two strengths of the same colorant, a tighter control of the tone reproduction curve can be achieved. Additional xerographic imaging units can include a developer unit that provides spot color, custom color or specialty color capabilities. Additional benefits and gamut expansion can be achieved through use of a tandem architecture. A preferred implementation uses a four drum, eight color tandem architecture with full strength and reduced strength toners formulations of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CYMK) colorant.