US4365894A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for controlling toner concentration
Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
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Filing: 1980-05-28
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Granted: 1982-12-28
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Expires: 2000-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A method of controlling toner concentration in an electrophotographic recording apparatus includes placement of a reference image in the form of a density pattern on the electrostatic member preceding or following an information image thereon. Photoelectric sensing of this pattern controls selective addition of toner to the developer and variation in the pattern to maintain a predetermined concentration of toner therein in accordance with the sensed density of the developed reference image. The pattern is preferably in the form of pulses to avoid edge effects.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroya Nakamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:52
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/23; H04N1/29; H04N1/295; G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0849; G03G15/0855; G03G15/50; G03G15/5033; G03G15/5041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of controlling the concentration of toner used in an electrophotographic recording apparatus having a member for receiving and retaining an electrostatic image, reproducing means for receiving information supplied in the form of an electric signal and for impressing an electrostatic image of said electric signal information on said member, and a developing means for developing an electrostatic image carried on said member, said method comprising the steps of: energizing the reproducing means to form a reference density region on said member, synchronizing the energization of said reproducing means with the signals supplied thereto so that the electrostatic image and the reference density region are sequentially formed on said member. developing the reference density region by the same means for developing the electrostatic image, sensing the toner density of the developed reference density region, producing signals representative of the sensed toner density, comparing said produced signals with signals representative of a desired toner density, producing a signal representative of the difference between the signal representative of said sensed toner density and the desired toner density, adding toner in accordance with said last-mentioned signal and varying at least one parameter of the reference density region in accordance with said last-mentioned signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of controlling the concentration of toner used in an electrophotographic recording apparatus having a member for receiving and retaining an electrostatic image, reproducing means for receiving information supplied in the form of an electric signal and for impressing an electrostatic image of said electric signal information on said member, and a developing means for developing an electrostatic image carried on said member, said method comprising the steps of: energizing the reproducing means to form a reference density region on said member, synchronizing the energization of said reproducing means with the signals supplied thereto so that the electrostatic image and the reference density region are sequentially formed on said member. developing the reference density region by the same means for developing the electrostatic image, sensing the toner density of the developed reference density region, producing signals representative of the sensed toner density, comparing said produced signals with signals representative of a desired toner density, producing a signal representative of the difference between the signal representative of said sensed toner density and the desired toner density, adding toner in accordance with said last-mentioned signal and varying at least one parameter of the reference density region in accordance with said last-mentioned signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method according to claim 1 in which the reference density region is formed as a pattern of pulses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method according to claim 2 in which the width of said pattern is varied in accordance with the aforesaid last-mentioned signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | 1986-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-27 | 1990-06-28 | 1990-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-27 | 1994-06-28 | 1994-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |