Abstract: An imaging device includes a substantially continuous web of media; a web transport system configured to transport the continuous web along a web path; and a print station positioned along the web path and configured to apply ink to a first side of the continuous web to form images thereon. An image sensor is positioned downstream from the print station along the web path to scan a second side of the continuous web opposite from the first side. The image sensor is configured to generate a reflectance signal indicative of a reflectance of light from the second side of the continuous web. A controller is operably coupled to receive the reflectance signal from the image sensor, and to adjust at least one print process parameter based on the reflectance signal while the imaging device is performing print operations.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a substantially continuous web of media; a web transport system configured to transport the continuous web along a web path; and a print station positioned along the web path and configured to apply ink to a first side of the continuous web to form images thereon. An image sensor is positioned downstream from the print station along the web path to scan a second side of the continuous web opposite from the first side. The image sensor is configured to generate a reflectance signal indicative of a reflectance of light from the second side of the continuous web. A controller is operably coupled to receive the reflectance signal from the image sensor, and to adjust at least one print process parameter based on the reflectance signal while the imaging device is performing print operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing statistical process control (SPC) in a printing environment to address errant reads of control sensors is provided. The system uses SPC, in systems having feedback control based on control sensor data, to identify errant reads and ensure that such errant reads are not used in the applicable feedback loop. Unnecessary reaction to the errant reads is thus avoided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing statistical process control (SPC) in a printing environment to address errant reads of control sensors is provided. The system uses SPC, in systems having feedback control based on control sensor data, to identify errant reads and ensure that such errant reads are not used in the applicable feedback loop. Unnecessary reaction to the errant reads is thus avoided.

Abstract: A method controlling toner age in a developer housing including: recording a latent image in a predefined image frame on an imaging surface; and generating a purge patch in an unused portion of the predefined image frame. Other features include generating an inline purge signal to initiate generating of the purge patch; recording the purge patch includes scaling the purge patch to fit in the unused portion of the predefined image frame; activating or inactivating the generating of the purge patch based upon an amount of unused portion of the image frame.

Abstract: A closed-loop toner concentration adjustment system extends xerographic process control performance with a system and method including a first controller to adjust toner concentration (TC) in a developer of the imaging device to alter a DMA level of the imaging device, the TC being adjusted based on a TC target value; a second controller to adjust an electrostatic development field to alter the DMA level; and an adjustment logic device to adjust the TC target value based on adjustments made to the electrostatic development field. The first controller outputs a dispense amount to the developer based on a difference between a measurement of the actual TC and the TC target value, thereby adjusting the TC based on the dispense amount to the developer. The second controller adjusts the electrostatic development field based on a difference between a measurement of the actual DMA level and a DMA target value.

Abstract: A closed-loop toner concentration adjustment system extends xerographic process control performance with a system and method including a first controller to adjust toner concentration (TC) in a developer of the imaging device to alter a DMA level of the imaging device, the TC being adjusted based on a TC target value; a second controller to adjust an electrostatic development field to alter the DMA level; and an adjustment logic device to adjust the TC target value based on adjustments made to the electrostatic development field. The first controller outputs a dispense amount to the developer based on a difference between a measurement of the actual TC and the TC target value, thereby adjusting the TC based on the dispense amount to the developer. The second controller adjusts the electrostatic development field based on a difference between a measurement of the actual DMA level and a DMA target value.

Abstract: A method for maintaining developer material within in a predefined state through the scheduling of increased toner throughput coordinated among multiple developer housings. The method monitors developer material health at each developer station within a plurality of developer stations to detect unhealthy developer material. If unhealthy developer material is detected in at least one of developer stations, a toner purge state is identified for each of the remaining developer stations. Based on the toner purge states, a toner purge is performed.

Abstract: A method for operating a printing machine to maintain developer material within in a predefined state by monitoring the state of materials in a developer and automatically scheduling corrective action before print quality becomes significantly impacted. The corrective action can include forcing an increase in toner usage by periodically generating and developing images having high toner density.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a movable imaging surface, including: a reservoir for storing a supply of developer material including toner particles, said reservoir including a transport member; a donor member being arranged to receive toner particles from said transport member and to deliver toner particles to the image surface at locations spaced apart from each other in the direction of movement of the imaging surface thereby to develop the latent image thereon; a power supply, connected to said donor member, for biasing said donor member to deliver toner to the image surface during a printing mode of operation; a second power supply, connected to the transport member, for maintaining a predefined voltage difference between the transport member and the donor member such that toner particles are attracted to the donor member from the transport member during a printing mode of operation; a controller for generating a donor member purge signal trigger based on sensed or calculated dev

Abstract: A method controlling toner age in a developer housing including: recording a latent image in a predefined image frame on an imaging surface; and generating a purge patch in an unused portion of the predefined image frame. Other features include generating an inline purge signal to initiate generating of the purge patch; recording the purge patch includes scaling the purge patch to fit in the unused portion of the predefined image frame; activating or inactivating the generating of the purge patch based upon an amount of unused portion of the image frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a movable imaging surface, including: a reservoir for storing a supply of developer material including toner particles, said reservoir including a transport member; a donor member being arranged to receive toner particles from said transport member and to deliver toner particles to the image surface at locations spaced apart from each other in the direction of movement of the imaging surface thereby to develop the latent image thereon; a power supply, connected to said donor member, for biasing said donor member to deliver toner to the image surface during a printing mode of operation; a second power supply, connected to the transport member, for maintaining a predefined voltage difference between the transport member and the donor member such that toner particles are attracted to the donor member from the transport member during a printing mode of operation; a controller for generating a donor member purge signal trigger based on sensed or calculated dev

Abstract: A method for method for operating a printing machine to maintain developer material within in a predefined state by monitoring the state of materials in a developer and automatically scheduling corrective action before print quality becomes significantly impacted. The corrective action can include forcing an increase in toner usage by periodically generating and developing images having high toner density.

Abstract: A method for maintaining developer material within in a predefined state through the scheduling of increased toner throughput coordinated among multiple developer housings. The method monitors developer material health at each developer station within a plurality of developer stations to detect unhealthy developer material. If unhealthy developer material is detected in at least one of developer stations, a toner purge state is identified for each of the remaining developer stations. Based on the toner purge states, a toner purge is performed.

Abstract: A toner maintenance system for an electrophotographic developer unit, including a sump for storing a quantity of developer material comprised of toner material; a first member for transporting developer material from the sump, a viewing window, in communication with toner material, in the sump; an optical sensor, for measuring reflected light off the viewing window and toner material, and generating a signal indicative thereof. A toner concentration controller is adapted to receive a signal from the optical sensor and to generate an “Add Toner” signal to replenish toner material in the sump.

Abstract: A toner maintenance system for an electrophotographic developer unit, including a sump for storing a quantity of developer material a sump for storing a quantity of developer material comprised of toner material; a first member for transporting a mixture of developer material and toner particles from the sump, a viewing window, in communication with toner material, in the sump; an optical sensor, device for measuring reflected light off the viewing window and toner material, and generating a signal indicative thereof. A toner concentration controller is adapted to receive a signal from the sensor and to generate an “Add Toner” signal to replenish toner in the sump.

Abstract: There is provided a method for use with a printing machine having a movable imaging member and a projecting system for modulating a beam and projecting an image into the movable imaging member. The printing machine further includes a developer for application of developer material to the image projected onto the movable imaging member for transfer of the image to a print media sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and controlling electrical parameter of an imaging surface, the monitoring controlling apparatus including a patch generator for recording a first control patch at a first voltage level and a second control patch at a second voltage level on the imaging surface; electrostatic voltmeter for measuring voltage potentials associated with the first control patch and second control patch. A processor, in communication with the patch generator, calculates the electrical parameters of the imaging surface from the measured voltage potentials from the first and second control patches. The processor determines a deviation between the calculated electrical parameters values and setup values. Then, the processor produces and sends a feedback error signal to the patch generator if the deviation exceed a threshold level. The patch generator records a third control patch at a third voltage level on the imaging surface upon reception of the error signal. The ESV senses the third control patch.