Patent ID: 8004729
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of adjusting a multi marking engine printing system without a densitometer, said adjustment being to improve engine to engine printing consistency, said method comprising: initiating an adjustment of a printing system having a plurality of marking engines including at least respective first and second marking engines, each of said first and second marking engines including a respective photoreceptor and a respective charging grid, developer, and exposing apparatus operatively associated with said respective photoreceptor, said respective first and second marking engines capable of developing a respective predetermined latent image on said photoreceptor; setting a respective charging grid voltage of said respective charging grids, a respective developer bias voltage of said developers and a respective exposure level of said exposing apparatuses to respective predetermined respective corresponding values for each of said respective first and second marking engines; generating respective first and second print samples, each print sample having at least a portion suitable for evaluation of a background development level and corresponding to an area of said photoreceptor that is absent a predetermined latent image, using said respective first and second marking engines; evaluating said respective print samples from said first and second marking engines to determine said respective background development levels; and, adjusting at least said charging grid voltage of at least one of said respective first and second marking engines based at least partially on said evaluation, said adjustment being of a magnitude and direction that are directed toward setting said printing system so that subsequently generated respective third and fourth test prints generated using said respective first and second marking engines would have respective visually apparent background levels that are of improved consistency with one another as compared to a consistency of said first and second test prints.