Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller that starts a forced drive stop sequence for stopping image formation at least by stopping rotation of a developer carrier in a first direction when a number of printed sheets reach a threshold. The forced drive stop sequence rotates the developer carrier in a second direction for a prescribed time period when the image formation is stopped. The forced drive stop sequence stops the rotation of the developer carrier in the second direction and resumes the image formation after the prescribed time has elapsed.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus that includes process units for different colors and a lifetime management device that manages lifetime information on each unit of the image forming apparatus. The lifetime management device counts the number of prints produced by the image forming apparatus with respect to each of photoconductor units and developing units in the process units, and measures an operation amount unique to the respective units. Based on the number of prints, service life of each unit and operation amount, the lifetime management device calculates the remaining lifetime of each unit.

Abstract: In an image forming system, a lifetime management device calculates remaining lifetime of process units, a transfer unit, a secondary transfer unit, a belt cleaning unit and a fixing unit mounted on an image forming apparatus based on an operation amount thereof and a predetermined lifetime index. Based on the remaining lifetime and a predetermined replacement index, the lifetime management device determines whether any unit needs to be replaced, and, if any, transmits a replacement request signal to an external information processor together with a signal indicating remaining lifetime of other units via a communication line.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a latent image bearing member a surface of which is rotated, a charging device, an irradiating device, a developing device, a transfer device, and a control unit. The control unit controls the image forming apparatus to perform subsequent image formation in accordance with a subsequent image forming request when determining that the subsequent image forming request is present at a predetermined determination time after completion of previous image formation, and controls the image forming apparatus to shut down certain predetermined operations including at least rotation of the surface of the latent image bearing member and application of a charging bias from the charging device and a developing bias from the developing device in accordance with a predetermined shutdown sequence when determining that the subsequent image forming request is not present at the predetermined determination time.

Abstract: Process units, a transfer unit, a belt cleaning unit, a secondary transfer unit and a fixing unit each include a storage unit that stores therein information on the operation amount thereof measured by a controller as operation record with respect to each unit. The controller updates the information stored in the storage unit after each time the controller measures the operation amount. The controller calculates remaining lifetime of the units based on the operation amount and a predetermined lifetime index.

Abstract: A control unit controls a device that executes an image forming process, compares changes of each toner adhesion amount in an image-density-detection pattern image when a developing-bias control condition is changed, with respect to a toner adhesion amount in an image-density-detection pattern image in a normal status, performs a malfunction-occurrence prediction process according to the degree of each change of the densities, and displays the result.

Abstract: In an image forming system, a lifetime management device calculates remaining lifetime of process units, a transfer unit, a secondary transfer unit, a belt cleaning unit and a fixing unit mounted on an image forming apparatus based on an operation amount thereof and a predetermined lifetime index. Based on the remaining lifetime and a predetermined replacement index, the lifetime management device determines whether any unit needs to be replaced, and, if any, transmits a replacement request signal to an external information processor together with a signal indicating remaining lifetime of other units via a communication line.

Abstract: Process units, a transfer unit, a belt cleaning unit, a secondary transfer unit and a fixing unit each include a storage unit that stores therein information on the operation amount thereof measured by a controller as operation record with respect to each unit. The controller updates the information stored in the storage unit after each time the controller measures the operation amount. The controller calculates remaining lifetime of the units based on the operation amount and a predetermined lifetime index.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus that includes process units for different colors and a lifetime management device that manages lifetime information on each unit of the image forming apparatus. The lifetime management device counts the number of prints produced by the image forming apparatus with respect to each of photoconductor units and developing units in the process units, and measures an operation amount unique to the respective units. Based on the number of prints, service life of each unit and operation amount, the lifetime management device calculates the remaining lifetime of each unit.