Method for calculating toner age and a method for calculating carrier age for use in print engine diagnostics
First Claim
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1. A method for measuring and controlling toner age in a developer housing having developer including carrier and toner comprising:
- providing a maximum toner age in a memory;
sensing toner concentration in the developer housing and storing toner concentration in the memory;
calculating the amount of dispensed developer from the dispense rate and the toner in the replenisher;
determining toner age in the developer housing based upon the toner concentration, and the amount of developer dispensed since a previous developer age calculation; and
interrupting a print job when the toner age is greater than a maximum toner age.
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Abstract
The present invention generally relates to a digital imaging system or a light lens based imaging system. More specifically, the present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for calculating toner age and, additionally, carrier age using a toner concentration sensor and the amount of material dispensed. Both of these quantities can be used to ensure image quality by anticipating or diagnosing problems in image quality, which may be caused by toner age or carrier age.
26 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for measuring and controlling toner age in a developer housing having developer including carrier and toner comprising:
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providing a maximum toner age in a memory; sensing toner concentration in the developer housing and storing toner concentration in the memory; calculating the amount of dispensed developer from the dispense rate and the toner in the replenisher; determining toner age in the developer housing based upon the toner concentration, and the amount of developer dispensed since a previous developer age calculation; and interrupting a print job when the toner age is greater than a maximum toner age. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for measuring and controlling toner age in a developer housing comprising:
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a memory storing a maximum toner age; a dispenser for dispensing developer to a developer housing at a dispense rate; means for determining toner age in said developer housing based upon a toner concentration, and the amount of replenisher dispensed since a previous toner age calculation; means for determining carrier age in the developer housing based upon the toner concentration, and the amount of replenisher dispensed since a previous carrier age calculation; and a toner concentration sensor sensing a toner concentration in the developer housing; a mass sensor sensing a developed mass per unit area; and a control unit for receiving the dispense rate, the toner concentration and the developed mass per unit area, determining the toner age in the developer housing based upon the dispense rate, and the toner concentration, and initiating a purging of the toner in the developer housing when the toner age is greater than the maximum toner age. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electrostatic printing machine having a method for measuring and controlling toner age in a developer housing having developer including carrier and toner, the method comprising:
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providing a maximum toner age in a memory; providing a maximum carrier age in a memory; sensing toner concentration in the developer housing and storing toner concentration in the memory; calculating an amount of dispensed toner from a dispense rate and the toner in a replenisher; calculating an amount of dispensed carrier from the dispense rate and the toner in the replenisher; determining carrier age in the developer housing based upon the toner concentration, and the amount of replenisher dispensed since a previous carrier age calculation; and interrupting a print job when the carrier age is greater than a maximum toner age. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification