Systems and methods incorporating job scheduling to extend the lifetime of an ink sump
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsChu-heng Liu, George A. Gibson, James R. Larson
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Abstract
Methods and system incorporating job scheduling to extend the lifetime of an ink sump according to one or more replenishment models in which two replenishing sumps are used to maintain compositional stability in a working ink sump operable in a three subcomponent ink replenishment system. Determinations of failure modes of the toner sump are made and basic principles for replenishment are presented for implementation in a control system operable to enhance ink sump performance and to extend the ink sump lifetime.
Claims6
In a liquid immersion development (LID) image reproduction system, a method of extending the lifetime of an ink sump unit, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a large sump volume in the ink sump unit;
- (b) performing print job scheduling so as to extend the lifetime of the ink sump unit;
- and
- (c) performing a series of print jobs, each of which having a duration less than a predetermined criterion.
In a liquid immersion development (LID) image reproduction system, a method of restoring the compositional stability of an ink sump unit, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) recording the deviation from average print area sustained by the ink sump unit;
- (b) determining a level of recorded deviation indicative of an impaired compositional stability of the ink sump unit;
- and
- (c) responsive to step (b), performing print job scheduling so as to perform a series of sacrificial print jobs each of which having a duration less than a predetermined criterion.
An electrostatographic imaging system, comprising:
- a print engine employing an ink sump having a large sump volume in the ink sump, operable according to a liquid immersion development (LID) process for performing a series of print jobs, each of which having a duration less than a predetermined criterion;
- and
- a control system for performing automated scheduling of a plurality of print jobs of varying characteristics according to one or more job scheduling criteria determinable for extending the lifetime of the ink sump, the control system being operable for performing print job scheduling so as to extend the lifetime of the ink sump unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.