Abstract: The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is connectable to an external device through a communication line, and includes an image forming device for forming an image on paper and a device for setting specified set conditions in the image forming device. The image forming apparatus performs image forming operation corresponding to the set conditions, and further includes a receiving device for receiving a control signal from the communication line and a transmission device for transmitting the set conditions through the communication line in response to reception of the control signal.

Abstract: A control system of image forming apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of image forming apparatus and a control unit connected to each of the image forming apparatus through a communication line, and each of the image forming apparatus includes a data transmitting device for transmitting information related to a consumption amount of consumable products to the control unit through the communication line, and the control unit includes a receiving device receiving the information transmitted from the image forming apparatus and determines a stock amount of the consumable products which a user of the image forming apparatus has on the basis of the information received by the receiving device.

Abstract: A control system of image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of image forming apparatus and a control unit connected to each of said image forming apparatus through a communication line.Each of said image forming apparatus includes a detecting device for detecting contents of maintenance work for the image forming apparatus, and a transmitting device for transmitting the work data showing the detected results by the detecting device to the control unit through the communication line. The control unit includes a receiving device for receiving the work data transmitted from one of the image forming apparatus and a memory for storing the received work data.

Abstract: A control system of image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes image forming apparatus and a portable maintenance device connectable thereto. The image forming apparatus transmits first condition data indicating conditions of the apparatus to the portable maintenance device when the portable maintenance device is connected thereto, and the portable maintenance device receives the condition data from the image forming apparatus when it is connected to the image forming apparatus. Also, the portable maintenance device can be input second condition data indicating conditions of the image forming apparatus, and displays at least one piece of stored guide information on the basis of the first and second condition data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus with a developing device in which first and second detecting elements are provided respectively at opposite ends of the device to detect that substantially same amounts of developer are present in both ends. By this, the image forming apparatus is permitted to start image formation only when the developer is evenly dispersed in the both ends of the device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is provided with a sheet guide disposed adjacent to a transfer charger and is movable between the first position adjacent to a photosensitive drum and the second position away from the drum by function of a driver which is controlled by a controller. The controller actuates the driver for positioning the sheet guide at the first position when the rear end of a paper passes the transfer section.The sheet guide disposed between the transfer section and fixing section is movable between the first position where the guide is lifted up from an ordinary paper feed path and the second position which constitutes an ordinary feed path by a function of a driver which is controlled by a controller. The controller actuates the driver for positioning the sheet guide at the first position before the leading end of a transfer paper is nipped by a pair of rollers at the fixing section.