Electrophotographic printing subsystem with self-monitoring and adjustment

• US 5,797,060 A
• Filed: 11/05/1996
• Issued: 08/18/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V., Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V., Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Thompson, E. Earle
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Fred L.
• Application Number:
  US08/743,927
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 399/25, 399/26, 399/32, 399/38
• US Class Current: 399/25
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/435 characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/04045 for exposing image information provided otherwise than by directly projecting the original image onto the photoconductive recording material, e.g. digital copiers G03G15/041, G03G15/043 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0856 Detection or control means for the developer level
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/326 by application of light, e.g. using a LED array
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/50 Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control sequencing control G03G21/14
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5033 by measuring the photoconductor characteristics, e.g. temperature, or the characteristics of an image on the photoconductor
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/55 Self-diagnostics; Malfunction or lifetime display
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/553 Monitoring or warning means for exhaustion or lifetime end of consumables, e.g. indication of insufficient copy sheet quantity for a job
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1875 provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. lifetime of the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1878 Electronically readable memory
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1882 details of the communication with memory, e.g. wireless communication, protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1889 for auto-setting of process parameters, lifetime, usage
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1663 having lifetime indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1823 Cartridges having electronically readable memory
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1838 Autosetting of process parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1238 simultaneously exposing more than one point
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/19 using multi-element arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1906 Arrangements for performing substitution scanning for a defective element
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/233 according to characteristics of the data to be reproduced, e.g. number of lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2338 : according to user specified instructions, e.g. user selection of reproduction mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2346 : according to a detected condition or state of the reproducing device, e.g. temperature or ink quantity
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/295 : Circuits or arrangements for the control thereof, e.g. using a programmed control device, according to a measured quantity

Abstract

An electrophotographic subsystem (130) with on-board monitoring and adjusting capabilities. The subsystem contains a photoreceptor, at least one toner dispenser, a light sensor and a processor. The processor monitors either light received from a light-imaging subsystem which is in the system into which the EP subsystem is inserted, the wear on the photoreceptor, or the toner'"'"'s composition and amount, or all of the above processes. The processor then sends information either via controllers or directly to various subcomponents as operating parameter settings or instructions.

Claims

1. An EP subsystem comprising:

a. a photoreceptor;

b. a light sensor operable to monitor light generated by a light imaging subsystem, wherein said light imaging subsystem includes a spatial light modulator array of individually controlled elements;

c. at least one toner dispenser operable to dispense toner to photoreceptor, wherein said toner dispenser includes monitoring capability and is operable to transfer said toner to said photoreceptor;

d. a processor, wherein said processor processes data with regard to at least one of the following processes;

i. light received from a light-imaging subsystem at said sensor, wherein said sensor provides said processor with information on the intensity of said light;

ii. said photoreceptor'"'"'s characteristics, wherein said characteristics include wear on said photoreceptor;

iii. said toner dispenser'"'"'s contents, both in amount and composition; and

iv. operating parameters for select subcomponents of said subsystem based upon data received by said processor and said light imaging subsystem, wherein said parameters for said light imaging subsystem include positions and numbers of said elements on said modulator array to be activated for transferring light to said EP subsystem; and

e. a non-volatile memory, into which these parameters are written, wherein said memory is erased upon opening of said EP subsystem.

2. The EP subsystem of claim 1 wherein said processor monitors at least one of said monitored processes in real-time.

3. The EP subsystem of claim 1 wherein said processor monitors at least one of said processes at power up.