Xerographic development system, a method for predicting changes in the ratio of toner to carrier
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsRoger W. Budnik, James M. Pacer, Scott L. Kauffman, Richard M. Maier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a control system for xerographic development, an important value to be monitored in real time is the ratio of toner to carrier (T/C) in the developer supply. However, direct measurements of T/C, whether by magnetometer readings of the developer, or densitometer readings of developed test patches, tend to be noisy. To exclude unusual T/C measurements, after every T/C reading, a likely range of change in T/C is calculated. If a subsequent T/C reading is not within this likely range, the reading is substituted with an upper or lower boundary of the calculated likely range.
Claims9
In an electrostatographic printing system in which there is provided a primary supply of developer material, the developer material comprising toner and carrier and having a toner to carrier ratio (T/C) associated therewith, wherein the developer material in the primary supply of developer material is used for developing electrostatic latent images on a charge receptor,
- a method of operating the system comprising the steps of:
- calculating, according to an algorithm, a range of likely change of T/C for a predetermined number of prints made with the system, the range including at least one limit value of T/C, the algorithm including as an input at least one of a limit rate of dispense of new developer into the primary supply and an assumed limit mass per unit area developed by the system;
- outputting the predetermined number of prints;
- measuring, after outputting the predetermined number of prints, the T/C in the primary supply;
- if the measured T/C is outside the calculated range, substituting a substitute value for the measured T/C in a subsequent calculation relating to T/C;
- and
- outputting a print using the substitute value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.