Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying powder coatings to a substrate either directly or by intermediate transfer using a magnetic brush developer.

Abstract: A simple and economical method and apparatus for identifying the toner installed in a multi-toner printer by identifying the toner holder installed in the printer is disclosed. Additionally, the multi-toner printer is controlled based on the toner holder installed and a job selection. A toner identification apparatus comprising a toner identification module, a display device, and an input device, identifies the toner holder installed in a multi-toner printer by producing and identifying a unique voltage identification signal for the installed toner holder. A job selection algorithm determines whether the installed toner holder is the correct toner holder for a specified job selection. Additionally, if the toner holder installed in the multi-toner printer contains MICR toner, the job selection algorithm mandates a security procedure that must be carried out in order for printing to be allowed.

Abstract: An electrophotographic machine includes a dielectric member configured for carrying a toner image. A transfer roller engages the dielectric member and transfers the toner image to an image substrate. A transfer roller power supply biases and periodically reverse biases the transfer roller. A transfer roller cleaning brush having conductive bristles engages the transfer roller. An electrically conductive brush housing encloses the transfer roller cleaning brush and defines an opening through which the bristles contact the transfer roller. The brush housing is electrically charged to the same electrical potential as said transfer roller and is selectively discharged.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for adjusting dry ink concentration in a developing station (30) of a printer is disclosed. The adjustment is performed by calculating the thermal drift of a dry ink monitor (40) and applying the result as a compensating factor in calculations in a software algorithm. The dry ink monitor (40) has a sensing port (42) in contact with a dry ink concentration and is connected to a dry ink monitor interface board (10) that houses a temperature sensor (20). The monitor interface board (10) is positioned in proximity to the dry ink monitor (40) to enable the temperature sensor (20) to measure a temperature of the dry ink concentration. The software algorithm is used to adjust the dry ink concentration based on a slope coefficient calculated by the printer based on outputs from the dry ink monitor (40) and the dry ink monitor interface board (10).

Abstract: A mechanism and process for detecting mottle or banding in a developed electrophotographic image. Within an electrophotographic reproduction apparatus 10, a photoconductor is used for receiving and developing a latent image. The photoconductor traverses a path that passes a charging station 28, an exposure station 34, a toning station 38, and a transfer station 46. Either a densitometer 76 for measuring the density of the developed image on the photoconductor, or an electrometer 50a or 50b for detecting the voltage of the image on the photoconductor, detects mottle or banding on the developed image. The densitometer 76 or electrometer 50a or 50b has an aperture small enough to detect mottle or banding with wavelengths perceptible by human eyes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for replenishing toner based on the electric current used over time by the exposure subsystem. Toner take-out for each image is estimated by measuring the current used by the exposure system, subtracting the quiescent current, integrating over a page or frame, and multiplying by a predetermined value that indicates the amount of toner required by the image, based on the average current used for the exposure and other process parameters. These calculations are done either in hardware or in software. The replenishment system is used to add the correct amount of toner to the developer station to maintain the toner concentration at an approximately constant aim value.

Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus having a transfer assembly, including an electrically biased transfer roller in nip relation with a dielectric support member, for effecting transfer of a pigmented marking particle image from an image area of a dielectric support member to a receiver member in transfer relation with the dielectric support member in the transfer nip, a mechanism for cleaning the transfer roller including a control for the electrical bias on the transfer roller. The electrical bias control has a power supply generating an electrical output, of a settable polarity, connected to the transfer roller for applying an electrical bias of a set polarity thereto. A mechanism disables the power supply for a period of time during a start-up phase of reproduction so as to prevent transfer of residual marking particles from the dielectric support member to the transfer roller.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the response of an electrometer used in an electrophotographic recording apparatus. The apparatus includes a movable base disposed adjacent said electrometer. The base includes a non-conductive material. A conductive pattern is disposed on the base. The conductive pattern is electrically connected to a variable power supply. A motor moves or drives the base past the electrometer. The motor is controlled by a motor control to vary the speed of movement of said base. A method is also provided for determining the response of an electrometer used in an electrophotographic recording apparatus. An electrometer to be tested is selected and the operational parameters of the electrometer are dynamically tested.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-forming machine having a photoconductor forming a surface and a toning station adjacent the surface. The toning station has at least one roller for supplying toner near the surface. Additionally, the image-forming machine has a replenisher station for supplying toner to the toning station. The replenisher station includes a moving part connected with the replenisher station, and a control device located near the moving part. The control device monitors the movement of the moving part and generates a timing signal in response. The present invention also provides a method for detecting toner clogging in a replenisher station for an image-forming machine. The method includes monitoring the movement of a moving part connected with the replenisher station, generating a timing signal in response to the movement of the moving part, and determining whether toner is clogged in the replenisher station based upon the timing signal.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the rate at which the printing of images and documents can take place, is provided. The document or image to be reproduced is positioned at an image capture location. To capture the image, the desired image is illuminated by lamps and ultimately transferred onto paper. The illumination device is driven by multiple energy sources that can be synchronized to charge and fire in an alternating manner to drive the illumination device at the desired rate.

Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus having a transfer assembly, including an electrically biased transfer roller in nip relation with a dielectric support member, for effecting transfer of a pigmented marking particle image from an image area of a dielectric support member to a receiver member in transfer relation with the dielectric support member in the transfer nip, a mechanism for cleaning the transfer roller including a control for the electrical bias on the transfer roller. The electrical bias control has a power supply generating an electrical output, of a settable polarity, connected to the transfer roller for applying an electrical bias of a set polarity thereto. A mechanism disables the power supply for a period of time during a start-up phase of reproduction so as to prevent transfer of residual marking particles from the dielectric support member to the transfer roller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for replenishing toner based on the electric current used over time by the exposure subsystem. Toner take-out for each image is estimated by measuring the current used by the exposure system, subtracting the quiescent current, integrating over a page or frame, and multiplying by a predetermined value that indicates the amount of toner required by the image, based on the average current used for the exposure and other process parameters. These calculations are done either in hardware or in software. The replenishment system is used to add the correct amount of toner to the developer station to maintain the toner concentration at an approximately constant aim value.

Abstract: A mechanism and process for detecting mottle or banding in a developed electrophotographic image. Within an electrophotographic reproduction apparatus 10, a photoconductor is used for receiving and developing a latent image. The photoconductor traverses a path that passes a charging station 28, an exposure station 34, a toning station 38, and a transfer station 46. Either a densitometer 76 for measuring the density of the developed image on the photoconductor, or an electrometer 50a or 50b for detecting the voltage of the image on the photoconductor, detects mottle or banding on the developed image. The densitometer 76 or electrometer 50a or 50b has an aperture small enough to detect mottle or banding with wavelengths perceptible by human eyes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-forming machine having a photoconductor forming a surface and a toning station adjacent the surface. The toning station has at least one roller for supplying toner near the surface. Additionally, the image-forming machine has a replenisher station for supplying toner to the toning station. The replenisher station includes a moving part connected with the replenisher station, and a control device located near the moving part. The control device monitors the movement of the moving part and generates a timing signal in response. The present invention also provides a method for detecting toner clogging in a replenisher station for an image-forming machine. The method includes monitoring the movement of a moving part connected with the replenisher station, generating a timing signal in response to the movement of the moving part, and determining whether toner is clogged in the replenisher station based upon the timing signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to cleaning systems for electrographic processes and, in particular, to detecting leaks in such processes. A process and apparatus for sensing leaks is provided in an electrographic process cleaning system of the type configured to have a particle collection container. According to an aspect of the invention, a pressure is sensed that is indicative of pressure inside the particle collection container.

Abstract: A protection circuit for an electrophotographic image-forming apparatus is disclosed. The protection circuit monitors the operational state between the power supply and scavenger plate of the electrophotographic image-forming apparatus and issues an interrupt signal whenever a de-coupled state is sensed.

Abstract: This invention provides an image-forming machine with a pulse densitometer that avoids the formation of artifacts on electrophotographic films. The image-forming machine may have a charger, an exposure machine, a toning station, a transfer charger, a fusing station, and a densitometer positioned next to a photoconductor. The densitometer may have an emitter, a collector, and a pulse apparatus. The densitometer provides one or more pulses to measure the toner and photoconductor densities. The pulsed emissions are essentially below the exposure threshold of electrophotographic films, especially those sensitive to the infrared spectral region.

Abstract: This invention provides an image-forming machine with a pulse densitometer that avoids the formation of artifacts on electrophotographic films. The image-forming machine may have a charger, an exposure machine, a toning station, a transfer charger, a fusing station, and a densitometer positioned next to a photoconductor. The densitometer may have an emitter, a collector, and a pulse apparatus. The densitometer provides one or more pulses to measure the toner and photoconductor densities. The pulsed emissions are essentially below the exposure threshold of electrophotographic films, especially those sensitive to the infrared spectral region.

Abstract: The invention relates to cleaning systems for electrographic processes and, in particular, to detecting leaks in such processes. A process and apparatus for sensing leaks is provided in an electrographic process cleaning system of the type configured to have a particle collection container.

Abstract: Modification of process control signals so as to enable electrostatographic reproduction apparatus, including a dielectric support member transported about a path into operative association with electrographic process elements to form an information reproduction on a receiver member and a process controller for receiving and sending appropriate timing control signals in an expected value range for controlling the electrographic process, to operate over an alternate process range. For the desired signal modification, an input signal in a particular value range is received. A predetermined gain is applied to the received signal, and thereafter a predetermined offset is applied to the signal as modified by the gain application. The signal derived by gain application and offset is then emitted at an alternate value range to effect process control.