Hybrid scavengeless development using a failure mode detection system

An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface, comprising:

• a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material comprising toner;
• a toner donor member spaced from the surface and being adapted to transport toner to a region opposed from the surface;
• means for conveying said developer material in the chamber of said housing onto said donor member;
• an electrode member spaced near the surface of a donor roll, said electrode member;
• a power supply electrically biasing said electrode member to detach toner from said donor member as to form a toner cloud for developing the latent image;
• and
• a current signature analysis system, in communication with said power supply, for sampling the current signature going through said electrode member;
• and
• a comparator, in communication with said current signature analysis system, for comparing said current signature to a plurality of preset fault signatures, said comparator including means for generating a message fault, said generating means generates said message fault if the difference between said instant current signature to said plurality of preset fault signatures exceed a preset threshold value.