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US4416535A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electrophotographic copying apparatus

Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1982-05-26
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Granted: 1983-11-22
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Expires: 2002-05-26
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Abstract

Abstract The disclosure is directed to an improved electrophotographic copying apparatus which includes a detector for detecting amount of toner adhering to a reference latent image, a replenishing device for replenishing toner to a developer in a developing device when the toner amount detected by the detector falls below reference toner amount and a correcting device for changing the reference toner amount, and/or voltage of a developing bias power source at a time when the reference latent image is developed, according to an operation for altering original document projecting magnifications, so that toner concentration of the developer may be maintained in the best condition at a reduced size magnification as well as an equal size magnification.

Inventors

  • 👤 Takafumi Tottori

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 08:14
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/065; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0849; G03G15/50; G03G15/5033; G03G15/5041; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S222/00; Y10S222/01

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 178 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus which comprises an original document image exposure device in which original document magnification with respect to a photosensitive surface of a photoreceptor is changeable, a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive surface of the photoreceptor, a developing electrode provided within the developing device and grounded via an impedance element and a developing bias power source, a black reference image with white background which is arranged adjacent to a platform for the original document so that a reference latent image corresponding to the reference image is formed on the photosensitive surface of the photoreceptor, a detector for detecting amount of toner adhering to said reference latent image after development of the reference latent image by said developing device, means for replenishing toner to a developer in said developing device when the toner amount detected by the detector falls below reference toner amount, a correcting means for changing the reference toner amount and/or voltage of the developing bias power source according to an operation for changing the original document magnification.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 178 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus which comprises an original document image exposure device in which original document magnification with respect to a photosensitive surface of a photoreceptor is changeable, a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive surface of the photoreceptor, a developing electrode provided within the developing device and grounded via an impedance element and a developing bias power source, a black reference image with white background which is arranged adjacent to a platform for the original document so that a reference latent image corresponding to the reference image is formed on the photosensitive surface of the photoreceptor, a detector for detecting amount of toner adhering to said reference latent image after development of the reference latent image by said developing device, means for replenishing toner to a developer in said developing device when the toner amount detected by the detector falls below reference toner amount, a correcting means for changing the reference toner amount and/or voltage of the developing bias power source according to an operation for changing the original document magnification.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 41 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus is claimed in claim 1, wherein said correcting means comprises means for setting the voltage of said developing bias power source at high level when the original document projecting magnification is set at a reduced size magnification.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 41 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said correcting means comprises means for setting the voltage of said developing bias power source at high level only when the reference latent image is developed at the reduced size magnification.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 45 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said correcting means comprises means for setting the reference toner amount, which corresponds to a first magnification at a value smaller than said reference toner amount would be set at a second larger size magnification.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said correcting means is so arranged as to simultaneously change voltage of said developing power source and said reference toner amount.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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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) 1986-11-21 1987-05-23 1987-11-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-11-21 1991-05-23 1991-11-22 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-11-21 1995-05-23 1995-11-22 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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