Abstract: Stored DC power is supplied to a load after a return to a normal-power mode or a power-up of an image forming device. An auxiliary power supply does not supply the stored DC power to the load, and a main power supply supplies AC and DC power to the load if it is determined that a predetermined processing is performed upon a starting of the image forming device. The auxiliary power supply supplies the stored DC power to the load, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed, and the main power supply does not supply the AC and DC power to the load if it is determined that the predetermined processing is not performed upon the starting of the image forming device. A decision whether the predetermined processing is performed is based on at least one of a number of sheets, an elapsed time, and an environmental temperature.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main power unit that outputs a first DC power and an auxiliary power unit that outputs a second DC power to the components of the image forming apparatus. The auxiliary power unit includes a rechargeable capacitor. A measuring unit measures performance of the capacitor and a determining unit determines performance insufficiency of the capacitor based on the measured performance and the system configuration of the image forming apparatus. The performance is, for example, changes in a capacitance of the capacitor with time. When the determining unit determines performance insufficiency of the capacitor, a control unit adjusts, for example, a use range of the capacitor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having (1) a main power supply unit (PSU), which converts an AC power source into an AC power and a first DC power, provides the AC power to a fusing unit, and provides the first DC power to a plurality of DC-powered units in the image forming apparatus, (2) a supplemental power supply unit, which accumulates the AC power source and provides a second DC power to the plurality of DC-powered units for a predetermined period, and (3) a controller, which increases or decreases the AC power to be provided to the fusing unit and selects the DC power source from the main PSU and the supplemental PSU by detecting that the supplemental PSU can provide the DC power to the plurality of DC-powered units or not. When the supplemental power supply unit can provide DC power to the Plurality of DC-powered units, the controller increases the AC power from the main power supply unit to the fusing unit and shortens the recovery time.

Abstract: A power supply device includes a first power-supply unit to input external power and to output first power supplying a predetermined constant voltage to a load, a second power-supply unit to accumulate charge and to output second power to the load in parallel with the first power being supplied from the first power-supply unit, and a controller to output a control signal to prevent the second power-supply unit from supplying power in case of a current increase due to a dynamic load change, and to cause the first power-supply unit to supply power for the dynamic current increase. The first power-supply unit supplies power having a current value smaller than a predetermined maximum current of the first power-supply unit. The second power-supply unit supplies power for a shortfall current exceeding the predetermined maximum current of the first power-supply unit.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus is disclosed. The image formation apparatus includes a manuscript reading unit for reading a manuscript, a main power supply for supplying electric power to an alternating-current load and a direct-current load, and an auxiliary power supply that is capable of storing electric power for supplying electric power to the direct-current load. Power supply to the direct-current load is switched between the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply when reading the manuscript is not being carried out.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an apparatus body. An image forming device included in the apparatus is at least partly implemented by a replaceable part. A counter counts prints output by the apparatus with the replaceable part. A memory and a first nonvolatile memory are built in the apparatus body. A second nonvolatile memory is built in the replaceable part. A controller writes a limit number of prints particular to the replaceable part in the first nonvolatile memory, stores, after image forming operation, a cumulative number of prints counted by the counter in the memory and second nonvolatile memory, and reports the time for replacing the replaceable part when the cumulative number stored in the memory exceeds the limit number of prints stored in the first nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main power unit that outputs a first DC power and an auxiliary power unit that outputs a second DC power to the components of the image forming apparatus. The auxiliary power unit includes a rechargeable capacitor. A measuring unit measures performance of the capacitor and a determining unit determines performance insufficiency of the capacitor based on the measured performance and the system configuration of the image forming apparatus. The performance is, for example, changes in a capacitance of the capacitor with time. When the determining unit determines performance insufficiency of the capacitor, a control unit adjusts, for example, a use range of the capacitor.

Abstract: A power supply device includes a first power-supply unit to input external power and to output first power supplying a predetermined constant voltage to a load, a second power-supply unit to accumulate charge and to output second power to the load in parallel with the first power being supplied from the first power-supply unit, and a controller to output a control signal to prevent the second power-supply unit from supplying power in case of a current increase due to a dynamic load change, and to cause the first power-supply unit to supply power for the dynamic current increase. The first power-supply unit supplies power having a current value smaller than a predetermined maximum current of the first power-supply unit. The second power-supply unit supplies power for a shortfall current exceeding the predetermined maximum current of the first power-supply unit.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus is disclosed. The image formation apparatus includes a manuscript reading unit for reading a manuscript, a main power supply for supplying electric power to an alternating-current load and a direct-current load, and an auxiliary power supply that is capable of storing electric power for supplying electric power to the direct-current load. Power supply to the direct-current load is switched between the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply when reading the manuscript is not being carried out.

Abstract: A process cartridge including a nonvolatile memory is removably mounted to an image forming apparatus also including a nonvolatile memory. Information representative of the conditions of use of the cartridge, which varies due to repeated operation, is written to both of the two memories. On the start-up of the apparatus, the information is first read out of the memory of the apparatus. Image forming conditions are set up in accordance with the amount of remaining toner and the cumulative number of prints output, which are included in the information, so that operating conditions are optimized in order to quicken image formation. Subsequently, the information is read out of the memory of the process cartridge and compared with the data stored in the memory of the apparatus. If the two data do not compare equal, then the data of the memory of the apparatus is updated in order to set new operating conditions.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a power supply part which supplies AC power and DC power to a load of the image forming device. A capacitor stores DC power therein and discharges the stored DC power to the load. A control unit is adapted to control the power supply part and the capacitor so that the DC power stored in the capacitor is supplied to the load during a predetermined period after power-up of the image forming device or return from a low-power mode occurs.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having (1) a main power supply unit (PSU), which converts an AC power source into an AC power and a first DC power, provides the AC power to a fusing unit, and provides the first DC power to a plurality of DC-powered units in the image forming apparatus, (2) a supplemental power supply unit, which accumulates the AC power source and provides a second DC power to the plurality of DC-powered units for a predetermined period, and (3) a controller, which increases or decreases the AC power to be provided to the fusing unit and selects the DC power source from the main PSU and the supplemental PSU by detecting that the supplemental PSU can provide the DC power to the plurality of DC-powered units or not. When the supplemental power supply unit can provide DC power to the Plurality of DC-powered units, the controller increases the AC power from the main power supply unit to the fusing unit and shortens the recovery time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an apparatus body. An image forming device included in the apparatus is at least partly implemented by a replaceable part. A counter counts prints output by the apparatus with the replaceable part. A memory and a first nonvolatile memory are built in the apparatus body. A second nonvolatile memory is built in the replaceable part. A controller writes a limit number of prints particular to the replaceable part in the first nonvolatile memory, stores, after image forming operation, a cumulative number of prints counted by the counter in the memory and second nonvolatile memory, and reports the time for replacing the replaceable part when the cumulative number stored in the memory exceeds the limit number of prints stored in the first nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A process cartridge including a nonvolatile memory is removably mounted to an image forming apparatus also including a nonvolatile memory. Information representative of the conditions of use of the cartridge, which varies due to repeated operation, is written to both of the two memories. On the start-up of the apparatus, the information is first read out of the memory of the apparatus. Image forming conditions are set up in accordance with the amount of remaining toner and the cumulative number of prints output, which are included in the information, so that operating conditions are optimized in order to quicken image formation. Subsequently, the information is read out of the memory of the process cartridge and compared with the data stored in the memory of the apparatus. If the two data do not compare equal, then the data of the memory of the apparatus is updated in order to set new operating conditions.