US4801980A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toner density control apparatus
Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
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Filing: 1987-10-28
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Granted: 1989-01-31
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Expires: 2007-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A toner density control apparatus wherein an image density of a reference image on a photosensitive member is compared with a predetermined level to control a toner density, a voltage to be applied on a light-emitting element is controlled according to a difference between an output of a light-receiving element when it receives a light reflected from a non-image surface region on the photosensitive member and correction reference data, and a signal is supplied to the outside when the voltage is increased more than a predetermined value.
Inventors
- 👤 Tomio Arai
- 👤 Hiroshi Kuru
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:51
CPC Classifications
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: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A toner density control apparatus comprising: an image density sensor having a light-emitting element for irradiating a reference image on a photosensitive member, and a light-receiving element for receiving a light reflected from said reference image to detect a density of said image; means for comparing an output of said sensor with a predetermined level to control a toner density; means for controlling a voltage to be applied on said light-emitting element according to a difference between an output of said light-receiving element when it receives a light reflected from a non-image surface region on said photosensitive member and correction reference data; and means for generating a signal to be supplied to the outside when said voltage to be applied is increased more than a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A toner density control apparatus comprising: an image density sensor having a light-emitting element for irradiating a reference image on a photosensitive member, and a light-receiving element for receiving a light reflected from said reference image to detect a density of said image; means for comparing an output of said sensor with a predetermined level to control a toner density; means for controlling a voltage to be applied on said light-emitting element according to a difference between an output of said light-receiving element when it receives a light reflected from a non-image surface region on said photosensitive member and correction reference data; and means for generating a signal to be supplied to the outside when said voltage to be applied is increased more than a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The toner density control apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reference image is obtained by developing an image on a reference density plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The toner density control apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said comparison and the control of radiating light are carried out at a timing after a copy is initiated but before an image is formed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The toner density control apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said control means of the voltage to be applied on said light-emitting element is means for controlling a radiating light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The toner density control apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising means for controlling such that the voltage to be applied on said light-emitting element is suppressed not more than a limited value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The toner density control apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for indicating such a state that the voltage to be applied reaches a limited value based on the signal supplied to the outside.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The toner density control apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said correction reference data are stored in a ROM.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The toner density control apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said light-receiving element is an LED.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The toner density control apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said photosensitive member is a drum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The toner density control apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said image formation is a first time of image formation.
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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) | 1992-01-31 | 1992-08-01 | 1993-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-31 | 1996-08-01 | 1997-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-31 | 2000-08-01 | 2001-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |