US3894799A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for monitoring copy quality
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1973-07-26
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Granted: 1975-07-15
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Expires: 1993-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A copy quality sensor for a reproduction machine of the type having a photoconductive member on which latent images of the original being copied are electrostatically formed and thereafter developed. The developed latent images are then transferred to copy sheets which may be then fused to provide a permanent image. The aforesaid transfer of images from the photoconductive member to the copy sheets is effected by a transfer apparatus which includes a transfer roller. A portion of the photoconductive member and transfer roller are reserved for receipt of a test image, which is developed normally on the photoconductive member in addition to the image of the original. The developed test image is transferred directly to the surface of the transfer roller rather than to the copy sheet. A light source is arranged to impinge a beam against the transfer roller opposite the point on which the test image appears, and a photoelectric type pick-up is positioned to receive the beam reflected off of the transfer roller. The pick-up generates an output signal proportional to the intensity of the reflected light which in turn varies with the density of the test image developed on the transfer roller. The output of the pick-up is used to regulate addition of make-up toner to the developer in response to the density of the test image developed.
Inventors
- 👤 Danny J Prats
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:24
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0849; G03G15/0855; G03G15/50; G03G15/5054; G03G15/5058
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
In a copying machine for producing copies of originals of the type having a photoconductive member, means to establish a latent electrostatic image of the original being copied On said member, means to develop the image of said original, and means including a transfer roller to transfer the image of said original to a copy substrate material, the combination of: means to develop a separate test pattern on said photoconductive member, means to transfer said test pattern directly to said transfer roller avoiding said copy substrate material whereby to provide a developed test pattern of said transfer roller, and means to analyze said developed test pattern on said transfer roller for developed image quality.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a copying machine for producing copies of originals of the type having a photoconductive member, means to establish a latent electrostatic image of the original being copied On said member, means to develop the image of said original, and means including a transfer roller to transfer the image of said original to a copy substrate material, the combination of: means to develop a separate test pattern on said photoconductive member, means to transfer said test pattern directly to said transfer roller avoiding said copy substrate material whereby to provide a developed test pattern of said transfer roller, and means to analyze said developed test pattern on said transfer roller for developed image quality.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The copy machine according to claim 1 in which said photoconductive member and said transfer roller are larger than the image produced of said original whereby to provide a separate area for said test pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a copying machine of the type having a photoconductive member, means to establish a latent electrostatic image on said member, means to develop the image, and means including a transfer roller to transfer the image to a copy substrate material, the combination of: means to develop a test image on said photoconductive member, means to transfer said developed test image directly to said transfer roller avoiding said copy substrate material, and means to analyze said developed test image on said transfer roller for developed image quality, said analyzing means including a source of radiant energy adapted to direct a beam of light energy against said transfer roller, and light responsive means in the path of said reflected light beam to produce an output signal reflecting the intensity of said reflected light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a copying machine of the type having a photoconductive member, means to establish a latent electrostatic image on said member, means to develop the image, and means including a transfer roller to transfer the image to a copy substrate material, the combination of: means to develop a test image on said photoconductive member, means to transfer said developed test image directly to said transfer roller avoiding said copy substrate material, and means to analyze said developed test image on said transfer roller for developed image quality, said analyzing means including a source of radiant energy adapted to direct a beam of light energy against said transfer roller, and light responsive means in the path of said reflected light beam to produce an output signal reflecting the intensity of said reflected light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
201 words
As a means for monitoring the quality of the copies produced by a reproduction machine, the machine including a photoconductive member on which latent electrostatic images of the document being copies are formed, the photoconductive member being larger than the images whereby to provide an unused strip-like portion along at least one margin of the photoconductive member, means to develop the images, and means to transfer the developed images from the photoconductive member to copy material, the transfer means including a transfer roller in operative disposition with the photoconductive member and sized sufficiently to provide a strip-like portion corresponding to and opposite the photoconductive member unused strip, the combination of means to generate on said photoconductive member strip a predetermined test image for development by the developing means, said transfer means serving to transfer the developed test image to said transfer roller strip, a source of radiant energy, means supporting said energy source so that the energy beam emitted therefrom strikes said transfer roller strip and is reflected therefrom, and radiant energy sensitive pick-up means disposed to intercept the reflected energy beam and to generate a control signal indicative of the density of the developed test image on said transfer roller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
201 words
As a means for monitoring the quality of the copies produced by a reproduction machine, the machine including a photoconductive member on which latent electrostatic images of the document being copies are formed, the photoconductive member being larger than the images whereby to provide an unused strip-like portion along at least one margin of the photoconductive member, means to develop the images, and means to transfer the developed images from the photoconductive member to copy material, the transfer means including a transfer roller in operative disposition with the photoconductive member and sized sufficiently to provide a strip-like portion corresponding to and opposite the photoconductive member unused strip, the combination of means to generate on said photoconductive member strip a predetermined test image for development by the developing means, said transfer means serving to transfer the developed test image to said transfer roller strip, a source of radiant energy, means supporting said energy source so that the energy beam emitted therefrom strikes said transfer roller strip and is reflected therefrom, and radiant energy sensitive pick-up means disposed to intercept the reflected energy beam and to generate a control signal indicative of the density of the developed test image on said transfer roller.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3712733A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-14 | 1979-01-13 | 1979-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-01-13 | 1983-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-14 | 1987-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |