Abstract: Methods for automated uniformity assessment and modification of image non-uniformities using an image measurement device capable of determining image reflectance and/or transmitter as a function of position, such as a spectrophotometer, a calorimeter, and/or a densitometer. One or more of these devices scan an image on a substrate, such as a sheet, thereby generating data representing image characteristics, such as, for example, image non-uniformity. The sheet may contain a reference/test pattern including one column, strip or patch intended to have a uniform density. This data generated by the device after the scan of the substrate is analyzed with signal processing algorithms for image characteristics assessment, including image spatial uniformity and compared to reference image characteristics including image spatial uniformity. An image modification profile may be generated to be applied to a marking system to thereby alter subsequent image data and improve image spatial uniformity of the marking system.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus having a spots cleaning blade to remove residual agglomerations of particles from the imaging surface. The spots cleaning blade is made from a material that has a low coefficient of friction, low resilience and higher hardness than a standard spots blade. These properties enable the spots cleaning blade to provide a continuous slidable contact with the imaging surface to remove residual particles therefrom. Additionally, an electrically conductive surface can be added to the front or back surface of the blade to cause toner particles to be repelled from and cloud near the blade where they can be removed by a vacuum device or the like. The conductive surface may be direct negative, direct positive or A-C potential to provide the necessary repelling force.

Abstract: An image development system for developing a latent image on an imaging surface, such as a xerographic photoreceptor, with plural development rollers having internal axially extending developer magnets with relatively offset axial end positions, and wherein at least one development roller has a smooth surface area at that same end, to reduce edge banding image defects from the interaction of the axial ends of the magnets of adjacent development rollers, especially for large size copy sheets being printed, such as B4 size. The image developer unit may have three development rollers with three different lengths of developer magnets to provide three different magnetic end positions staggered on opposite sides of the end position of the large sheet (relative to the imaging surface).