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US5202769A
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US
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Digital electrostatic printing apparatus using a counted number of pixels of various densities to determine and control an amount of toner used during image development
Assignee: Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp
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Filing: 1990-12-10
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Granted: 1993-04-13
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Expires: 2010-12-10
Abstract
Abstract image output apparatus includes a circuit for counting the number of pixels of various color and gradation densities contained in the image data, a circuit for estimating, based on the counted number, the amount of toner that will be consumed during development of the image data; and a circuit and rollers of an controlling based on the estimated amount the actual a mount of toner supplied for developing the image.
Inventors
- 👤 Tadaomi Suzuki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:35
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; G03G15/55; G03G15/553; G03G15/556; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S347/00; Y10S347/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An image output apparatus using toner for developing an image formed from pixels of various gradation densities, wherein the image is represented by digital data and each pixel has an associated gradation density value and color value, the apparatus comprising: means for counting pixels of the various gradation densities contained in the image data to produce a counted number, wherein the counting means counts on one basis of both a gradation density value and a color value; means for estimating, in accordance with the counted number, and amount of toner that will be consumed during development of the image data; and means for controlling, in accordance with the estimated amount, as actual amount of toner supplied for developing the image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An image output apparatus using toner for developing an image formed from pixels of various gradation densities, wherein the image is represented by digital data and each pixel has an associated gradation density value and color value, the apparatus comprising: means for counting pixels of the various gradation densities contained in the image data to produce a counted number, wherein the counting means counts on one basis of both a gradation density value and a color value; means for estimating, in accordance with the counted number, and amount of toner that will be consumed during development of the image data; and means for controlling, in accordance with the estimated amount, as actual amount of toner supplied for developing the image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein saaid digital image data is represented as image pages and wherein said means for counting counts one page of pixels at a time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
119 words
An image output apparatus using toner for developing an image formed from pixels of various gradation densities, the apparatus comprising: means for counting pixels of the various gradation densities contained in the image data to produce counted number, wherein the counting means comprises a counter for the pixels which are black, a counter for the pixels which are a first shade of grey, and a counter for the pixels which are a second shade of grey; means for estimating, in accordance with the counter number, an amount of toner that will be consumed during development of the image data; and means for controlling, in accordance with the estimated amount, an actual amount of toner supplied for developing the image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
119 words
An image output apparatus using toner for developing an image formed from pixels of various gradation densities, the apparatus comprising: means for counting pixels of the various gradation densities contained in the image data to produce counted number, wherein the counting means comprises a counter for the pixels which are black, a counter for the pixels which are a first shade of grey, and a counter for the pixels which are a second shade of grey; means for estimating, in accordance with the counter number, an amount of toner that will be consumed during development of the image data; and means for controlling, in accordance with the estimated amount, an actual amount of toner supplied for developing the image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the counting means further comprises a counter for the pixels which are a color, a counter for the pixels which are a first shade of the color, and a counter for the pixels which are a second shade of the color.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the apparatus includes a toner dispensing motor, and wherein the controlling means selectively sets an operation time of the motor based on the estimated amount of toner.
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) | 1996-04-12 | 1996-10-12 | 1997-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-12 | 2000-10-12 | 2001-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-12 | 2004-10-12 | 2005-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |