Patent US3876106A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3876106A
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Toner concentration monitoring apparatus utilizing programmable digital computer
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1973-10-01
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1993-10-01
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for continuously monitoring the concentration of toner in an electrographic developer mixture of toner and carrier particles at a magnetic brush development station by sensing the reflectivity of such mixture. The apparatus includes a radiation source for illuminating the mixture, first and second photocells for producing analog signals representative of the reflectivity of the mixture and the intensity of the radiation source, respectively. The apparatus further includes digital processing apparatus having an analog to digital converter and a programmable digital computer, having stored program, which in response to the analog signals, produces in accordance with such stored program a representation of the relative proportion of toner particles in the mixture.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen R Powell
- 👤 John L Connin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:19
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0849; G03G15/0855; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S222/00; Y10S222/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
In apparatus for monitoring in a developer the proportion of carrier and toner particles having divergent reflectance characteristics, the improvement comprising: a. a radiation source for projecting radiant energy upon the mixture to illuminate a portion thereof; b. first and second photosensitive means, said first photosensitive means being disposed to receive radiation from said source which is reflected from the mixture and said second photosensitive means being disposed to receive radiation directly from said source, said first and second photosensitive means being adapted to produce first and second analog signals representative of the reflectivity of said mixture and the intensity of radiation of said source, respectively; c. analog to digital conversion means responsive to said first and second analog signals to respectively produce first and second digital signals corresponding thereto; and d. programmable digital computation means having a stored program and being responsive to said first and second digital signals for producing in accordance with said stored program a representation of the proportion of toner particles in the mixture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
In apparatus for monitoring in a developer the proportion of carrier and toner particles having divergent reflectance characteristics, the improvement comprising: a. a radiation source for projecting radiant energy upon the mixture to illuminate a portion thereof; b. first and second photosensitive means, said first photosensitive means being disposed to receive radiation from said source which is reflected from the mixture and said second photosensitive means being disposed to receive radiation directly from said source, said first and second photosensitive means being adapted to produce first and second analog signals representative of the reflectivity of said mixture and the intensity of radiation of said source, respectively; c. analog to digital conversion means responsive to said first and second analog signals to respectively produce first and second digital signals corresponding thereto; and d. programmable digital computation means having a stored program and being responsive to said first and second digital signals for producing in accordance with said stored program a representation of the proportion of toner particles in the mixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 including actuable toner replenishing means for adding toner particles to the developer and wherein said programmable digital computation means actuates said actuable toner replenishing means when the proportion of toner particles in the developer is below a predetermined level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 including a multiplexer responsive to said first and second analog signals for multiplexing such signals to said analog to digital converter means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
184 words
In apparatus for monitoring the proportion of a mixture of carrier and toner particles having divergent reflectance characteristics, the improvement comprising: a. a radiation source for projecting radiant energy on the mixture to illuminate a portion thereof; b. first and second photosensitive means, said first photosensitive means being disposed to receive radiation from said source which is reflected from the mixture and said second photosensitive means being disposed to receive radiation directly from said source, said first and second photosensitive means being adapted to produce first and second analog signals representative of the reflectivity of said mixture and the intensity of radiation of said source, respectively; c. a multiplexer responsive to said first and second analog signals for sequentially multiplexing such signals; d. an analog to digital converter responsive to said sequentially multiplexed analog signals to produce first and second digital signals corresponding thereto; and e. a programmable digital computer having a stored program and being responsive to said first and second digital signals for producing in accordance with said stored program a representation of the proportion of the toner particles in the mixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
184 words
In apparatus for monitoring the proportion of a mixture of carrier and toner particles having divergent reflectance characteristics, the improvement comprising: a. a radiation source for projecting radiant energy on the mixture to illuminate a portion thereof; b. first and second photosensitive means, said first photosensitive means being disposed to receive radiation from said source which is reflected from the mixture and said second photosensitive means being disposed to receive radiation directly from said source, said first and second photosensitive means being adapted to produce first and second analog signals representative of the reflectivity of said mixture and the intensity of radiation of said source, respectively; c. a multiplexer responsive to said first and second analog signals for sequentially multiplexing such signals; d. an analog to digital converter responsive to said sequentially multiplexed analog signals to produce first and second digital signals corresponding thereto; and e. a programmable digital computer having a stored program and being responsive to said first and second digital signals for producing in accordance with said stored program a representation of the proportion of the toner particles in the mixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said program is adapted to solve the following control equations: a. V.sub.o = K.sub.Pro E + K.sub.INT .intg.E d t b. E = .alpha.R - .alpha.C, and c. t.sub.on = K.sub.c V.sub.o T
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3742489A
Cited
US3777173A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |