Abstract: Measures for controlling an engagement force between a photo imaging plate and a developer roller in a printing device are described. A motor is operated to generate rotational motion. The rotational motion is translated into linear motion. The linear motion causes an adjustment to the engagement force between the developer roller and the photo imaging plate. A characteristic of the motor is monitored. The motor is controlled on the basis of the monitored characteristic in order to maintain a desired engagement force between the developer roller and the photo imaging plate.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printer having an intermediate transfer belt (ITB) module having an endless belt wrapped around a first and second roll and a plurality of imaging drums, all mounted in a frame between a rear panel and an access panel pivotally mounted to the front panel. The first and second rolls lie in an ITB reference plane and the imaging drums lie in an imaging drum reference plane that is mutually planar to the ITB reference plane. A camming device, mounted to one of the front panel and the access panel, rotates the access panel to provide a skewing adjustment to ITB module and plurality of imaging drums to substantially correct a skew error caused by the racking of the front panel with respect to the rear panel with the access panel maintaining mutual planarity between the ITB reference plane and the imaging drum reference plane.

Abstract: A developing device includes: a first developing body that develops a developing agent image on a development surface using a developing agent; a second developing body that develops a developing agent image on the development surface using the developing agent; and a sealing member that is disposed between a region where a first delivery pole and a second delivery pole are opposed to each other and the development surface, and adjacently to the first developing body and the second developing body at distances so small that developing agents formed as magnetic brushes on a first conveyance pole and a second conveyance pole respectively can touch the sealing member to secure sealing to prevent the developing agent from leaking to the outside of a device body.

Abstract: A method and system for printing image documents using a variety of toners where some toners using a multi-development station having two or more development stations. These toners are co-printed prior to fixing, on the receiver by the multi-development station.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus of a rotary type, when a pause is made during continuous image formation, the time taken to restart image formation after the pause is shortened so as to reduce stress on the user. In the image forming apparatus, it is determined beforehand whether the next image formation mode is a color mode or a mono mode, and a developing device to be first used in the next image formation mode is moved to a developing standby position.

Abstract: A developing device includes: a plurality of developer retaining bodies that retain developer and rotate, and that respectively convey the developer, which is supplied to each of the developer retaining bodies from a developer supply section, to an image bearing body that rotates and bears a latent image; and a speed changing unit that is adapted to change a rotation speed of at least one of the developer retaining bodies excluding a developer retaining body that is furthest downstream side in a direction of rotation of the image bearing body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming method are provided that realize both the use of a decolorizing toner and a non-decolorizing toner and miniaturization of the apparatus.

Abstract: In a rotary-type image forming apparatus, rotation of a rotary is temporarily stopped at a position where a coupling member and a drive transmission member are engageable with each other, and a developing roller is set in a rotating state. Subsequently, the rotary is rotated so as to bring the developing roller into contact with a surface of a photosensitive drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive body, and a plurality of developing devices to develop a color image on the photosensitive body. The plurality of developing devices include fixed-position developing devices, of which positions relative to the photosensitive body are fixed, and moveable developing devices, of which positions relative to the photosensitive body are changed. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can be manufactured compactly, by mounting four developing devices, e.g., for yellow, magenta, cyan and black for the color printing such that three developing devices stand by at the respective development positions and one developing device variably moves to the development position so that the photosensitive body is reduced in diameter when compared to a conventional photosensitive body which opposes four developing devices.

Abstract: A developing device that can be mounted to and dismounted from a mounting and dismounting section provided in an image forming apparatus main unit, the developing device includes: a developing device main unit; a positioning member for positioning the developing device main unit with respect to the mounting and dismounting section by engaging the mounting and dismounting section when the developing device is mounted to the mounting and dismounting section, the positioning member being fixed on a one end side in a longitudinal direction of the developing device main unit; a coupling member that is to be coupled to the mounting and dismounting section when the developing device is mounted to the mounting and dismounting section, the coupling member being attached to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device main unit in such a manner that its relative position to the developing device main unit can be changed; and an element capable of communication in a noncontacting manner with

Abstract: Imaging apparatuses and Image forming methods are described. According to one embodiment, an imaging apparatus includes a photoconductor including an image forming surface configured to receive a latent image, a plurality of developers individually configured to provide a marking agent to the image forming surface to develop the latent image, wherein one of the developers is configured to move in a first direction with respect to the image forming surface to implement development of the latent image by the one of the developers and an other of the developers is configured to move in a second direction different than the first direction to implement development of the latent image by the other of the developers, and wherein the photoconductor is configured to provide the developed image for transfer to media after the development of the latent image by the one and other developers.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus provided with a rotary type image developing apparatus, during monochrome print job processing, it is judged whether the amount of toner remaining in the developing chamber of the black developer unit is equal to or less than a predetermined amount M. If the judgement is affirmative, (i) the monochrome print job is suspended, (ii) the rotary rack is rotated to stop the black developer unit at the toner supply position temporarily, and is moved to the developing position again, and (iii) the monochrome print job is resumed. With the stated structure, the toner can be steadily supplied even when the amount of toner remaining in the developing chamber gets low during executing monochrome print jobs.

Abstract: There is provided a development cartridge capable of switching development colors in a plurality of development cartridges without using development rack. A development cartridge of the present invention has a part of a drive member for switching development colors.

Abstract: The image forming unit 100 includes a photosensitive drum 11, a rotary developing device 30, and a rotation speed control device 70. Electrostatic latent images are formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The rotary developing device 30 includes a plurality of developing apparatuses 13 having a developing roller 14 disposed in opposition to the photosensitive drum 11, and a distance regulating collar 73 that regulates the distance between the photosensitive drum 11 and the developing roller 14. The rotation speed control device 70 includes a rotation speed control device 71 that controls the rotation speed of the rotary developing device 30 so that for a predetermined period of time until the developing apparatus 13 reaches the developing position the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 11 and the movement speed in the circumferential direction of the distance regulating collar 73 are equal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming structure including an image carrier that carries an image and an optical writing device that writes a latent image onto the image carrier in an integral arrangement; plural development devices that develop a latent image carried by the image carrier; a shifting mechanism unit that shifts the image forming structure relative to the development devices; and a shift controller that controls the shifting mechanism unit so that the image carrier is shifted to a development position in contact with one of the development devices in a predetermined order.

Abstract: A plurality of chambers are adapted to accommodate a plurality of cartridges each containing toner to be used for printing. A mode changer is operable to change an operation mode of the printing apparatus in accordance with a combination of respective colors of toner in the cartridges accommodated in the chambers. A first detector is operable to detect a residual amount of toner in each of the cartridges. A second detector is operable to detect the respective colors of toner in the cartridges when the operation mode is changed. A controller is operable to generate an image data including a plurality of first identifiers each indicative of the residual amount of toner in one of the cartridges and a plurality of second identifiers each indicative of one of the colors of toner and associated with one of the first identifiers. A display is adapted to display the image data.

Abstract: A method of producing an image on a final image receptor from image data in a multiple pass electrophotographic system is provided. The method includes the steps of applying transfer assist material to an intermediate transfer member and providing at least one development unit including a photoreceptive element and charged toner particles. During each complete processing cycle of an intermediate transfer member, a toned image is created and transferred to the intermediate transfer member by application of a bias. In multiple processing cycles of the intermediate transfer member, the transfer assist material and the at least one toned image thereby form a composite image layer on the intermediate transfer member. The method further includes contacting the composite image layer with a final image receptor while applying a bias that is sufficiently strong to transfer at least a portion of the composite image layer to the final image receptor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method for reproducing an image includes a plurality of color developing units, and a developing unit detector configured to detect a type and a position of each of the plurality of color developing units. A printer control unit controls the reproduction of the image based on the type and position of each of the plurality of color developing units detected by the developing unit detector.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus including first and second photosensitive bodies, first and second exposing units to form electrostatic latent images on the first and second photosensitive bodies respectively charged to a uniform electric potential, a first developing unit to develop an electrostatic latent image of the first photosensitive body by supplying a color toner to the electrostatic latent image of the first photosensitive body, and a second developing unit in which a transparent toner and a white toner charged to different polarities are contained and which develops a transparent toner image and a white toner image by respectively supplying the transparent toner and the white toner to an image portion and a non-image portion of an electrostatic latent image of the second photosensitive body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus comprising: an exposing means and a developing means. The developing means comprises a plurality of developing devices, a rotating member rotatable while supporting the plurality of the developing devices, and a driving means for the rotation drive of the rotating member for selectively moving the plurality of the developing devices to the developing position such that the driving means transmits driving force to the rotating member via a gear at a drive transmitting position. An angle ?e(°) formed by a straight line linking the rotation center of the rotating member and the drive transmitting position and the tangent of the image bearing member at an exposing position in the image bearing member moving direction satisfies the following relationship with the premise that an pressure angle of the gear is ?(°) and the image bearing member rotating direction is positive:????e??.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an image bearing member on which a latent image is formed, a plurality of developing devices for developing the latent image, each of the developing devices containing developer, and a turnable turning member on which the plurality of developing devices are mounted. The turning member is caused to turn based on a turn history of the turning member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus comprising: an exposing means and a developing means. The developing means comprises a plurality of developing devices, a rotating member rotatable while supporting the plurality of the developing devices, and a driving means for the rotation drive of the rotating member for selectively moving the plurality of the developing devices to the developing position such that the driving means transmits driving force to the rotating member via a gear at a drive transmitting position. An angle ?e(°) formed by a straight line linking the rotation center of the rotating member and the drive transmitting position and the tangent of the image bearing member at an exposing position in the image bearing member moving direction satisfies the following relationship with the premise that an pressure angle of the gear is ?(°) and the image bearing member rotating direction is positive: ????e??.

Abstract: A color image forming system including a photosensitive drum, a charger which charges the photosensitive drum, and a laser scanning unit which is installed below the photosensitive drum and radiates light onto the charged photosensitive drum, to form an electrostatic latent image. The system further includes a plurality of developing units with toner of at least four colors such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, arranged at different heights along the outer surface of the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image with the toner when a developing roller installed in each of the developing units is maintained at a developing gap with the photosensitive drum. A transfer unit transfers the developed image onto a piece of paper, and a fusing unit is installed above the photosensitive drum and fuses the transferred image onto the piece of paper. The developing units may be arranged in the order of magenta, cyan, yellow, and black.

Abstract: An image forming device, has an image carrier on which a latent image is formed, and a development device to which a plurality of development units for containing developer with the same color are detachably installed, and development is performed by attaching the developer of the development unit on the latent image of the image carrier. And the image forming device further has calibration control unit for forming the latent image of a predetermined patch pattern on the image carrier, developing the image by the developer of the development unit, detecting the developed patch pattern and deciding control parameters, and the calibration control unit performs calibration by only apart of the development units or by one development unit out of the plurality of development units.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic image on an image bearing member includes a rotary member including a plurality of mounting portions, to which a plurality of developing devices and a plurality of balance weights are detachably mountable. The rotary member selectively shifts a mounted developing device to a developing position opposite to the image bearing member. A developing process is performed in a first mode in which developing devices are attached to all the mounting portions, and in a second mode in which a developing device is mounted to at least one of the mounting portions, and no developing devices are mounted to the remaining mounting portions, and wherein, in the second mode, balance weights are mounted to the remaining mounting portions. An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member and the developing apparatus.

Abstract: Prior to execution of a printing operation, a print preparatory operation is conducted collectively on all developer cartridges mounted to a developing unit, thereby bringing all the developer cartridges into a printable state. Therefore, even if a residual amount of toner in the cartridge runs too low to continue the printing operation performed using one of plural cartridges mounted to the developing unit, the printing operation is allowed to continue by switching the cartridge to the next cartridge. Hence, a large volume of monochromatic prints may be produced in an efficient manner.

Abstract: In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a developing roller is press fit into the rotor at the edge of the rotary holder of the revolver type color developing device that is positioned against the photosensitive drum and a developing gap between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller is finely adjusted in parallel to a line connecting the center of the photosensitive drum and the rotary holder by sliding the developing roller in the rotor by the adjuster. Irrespective of the adjustment of the developing gap, the developing position on the photosensitive drum is always kept at a constant position and a developing image of high level of quality is obtained.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: an image bearing member on a surface of which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing device which contains a developer and which has a rotatable developer carrying member, which abuts against the surface of the image bearing member, and a storage device storing information on image formation history, the developing device being adapted to visualize the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image bearing member as the developer carrying member carries the developer to the electrostatic latent image; a moving mechanism which moves the developing device to one of a first position where development is performed and a second position where development is not performed; and a control device which controls, based upon the information on image formation history stored in the storage device, an operation for giving a charge to the developer according to a lapsed time from a finish time of image formation, in a state in which the developing device is move

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method for reproducing an image includes a plurality of color developing units, and a developing unit detector configured to detect a type and a position of each of the plurality of color developing units. A printer control unit controls the reproduction of the image based on the type and position of each of the plurality of color developing units detected by the developing unit detector.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus having at least one single electrostatic latent image bearing member and a plurality of image forming units each having a replenishing developer cartridge and a developing assembly, at least one of the image forming units is a special-color image forming unit having a special-color replenishing developer cartridge containing a special-color replenishing developer, and at least one of the other image forming unit is a non-special-color image forming unit having a non-special-color replenishing developer cartridge containing a non-special-color replenishing developer. The special-color replenishing developer cartridge has a volume larger than the volume of the non-special-color replenishing developer cartridge, and the special-color replenishing developer contains a toner and a carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of developing devices for developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member, and a rotary member holding the plurality of developing devices and rotated in a route including a developing position, the rotary member selectively positioning any one of the developing devices at the developing position. Each of the plurality of developing devices has a plurality of developer carrying members carrying a developer thereon and carrying the developer to the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of developing devices for developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member, a rotary member holding the plurality of developing devices and rotated in a route including a developing position, the rotary member selectively positioning any one of the developing devices at the developing position, each of the plurality of developing devices having a first developer carrying member and a second developer carrying member for carrying a developer thereon and carrying it to the image bearing member, and a holding member holding the first developer carrying member and the second developer carrying member and pivotally movably provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearing member and a developing portion having a plurality of developing devices provided facing the latent image bearing member, as well as an inputting portion for inputting an image signal, an auto-discriminating portion for automatically discriminating the kind of image input, and a control portion for changing between a first mode for executing monochrome image formation, a second mode for executing color image formation, and an auto-selecting mode for changing over between the first mode and the second-mode according to the discrimination of the auto-discriminating portion. In the auto-selecting mode, movement of a predetermined developing device to a predetermined position is started before the auto-discriminating portion makes the discrimination.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes two developing units each including two developing rollers facing a particular photoconductive drum and rotatable about respective axis parallel to the axis of the drum. Each developing unit is supported by a respective image forming unit and angularly movable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the drum. When each developing unit is angularly moved by a preselected angle, a gap for development is established between one of the developing rollers and the associated drum.

Abstract: The present invention retreats all developing units of a color developing apparatus to a retracted position where the units are not rotated around the axis of rotation to develop a Bk latent image by color toner, while a Bk image is being developed, and retracts the units to a position wherein a photoconductive drum can be located to be opposite to a predetermined color developing unit in the shortest time, when color image formation is instructed.

Abstract: An electrophotographic toner is formed as a blend of toner particles and external additives. The external additives include (1) first inorganic fine particles having an average primary particle size of 80-800 nm of oxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, zinc and zirconium, (2) second inorganic fine particles other than silica having an average primary particle size of below 80 nm and (3) silica fine particles having an average primary particle size of below 30 nm. As a result, the toner can be made free from difficulties, such as melt-sticking onto an image-bearing member in a low humidity environment, roughening of halftone images in a low humidity environment, toner blot-down after storage at high temperatures or in continuous image formation on a large number of sheets, fog in continuous formations of images of low color area percentage in a low humidity environment, and re-transfer in multi-color image formation.

Abstract: The color copying machine includes a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed by light exposure, a revolver rotating such that a plurality of first developing devices are selectively placed so as to face the drum surface, a second developing device, an intermediate transfer member which superposes developing agent images formed on the drum surface and which transfers the superposed developing agent images, a conveyance passage which conveys a transfer medium toward the intermediate transfer member, and a transfer unit which transfers a developing agent image transferred to the intermediate transfer member onto the transfer medium conveyed through the conveyance passage. The revolver housing a plurality of first developing devices and the second developing device are arranged at positions outside the area above the photosensitive drum. The conveyance passage goes through a position outside the area below the revolver and the second developing device.

Abstract: An electrophotographic toner is formed as a blend of toner particles and external additives. The external additives include (1) first inorganic fine particles having an average primary particle size of 80-800 nm of oxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, zinc and zirconium, (2) second inorganic fine particles other than silica having an average primary particle size of below 80 nm and (3) silica fine particles having an average primary particle size of below 30 nm. As a result, the toner can be made free from difficulties, such as melt-sticking onto an image-bearing member in a low humidity environment, roughening of halftone images in a low humidity environment, toner blot-down after storage at high temperatures or in continuous image formation on a large number of sheets, fog in continuous formations of images of low color area percentage in a low humidity environment, and re-transfer in multi-color image formation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearing member and a developing portion having a plurality of developing devices provided facing the latent image bearing member, as well as an inputting portion for inputting an image signal, an auto-discriminating portion for automatically discriminating the kind of image input, and a control portion for changing between a first mode for executing monochrome image formation, a second mode for executing color image formation, and an auto-selecting mode for changing over between the first mode and the second-mode according to the discrimination of the auto-discriminating portion. In the auto-selecting mode, movement of a predetermined developing device to a predetermined position is started before the auto-discriminating portion makes the discrimination.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus in which, if the image forming apparatus using only a normal toner is modified to be capable of forming an image formed of a special toner, an appropriate image can be formed in accordance with the characteristics of the special toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of developing devices, a plurality of developing device assemblies, and a controller. At least one developing device is provided for each type of toners to form the multi-color images. Each developing device assembly carries a plurality developing devices. The controller switches the developing devices carried by one of the developing device assemblies, while the developing devices carried by another developing device assembly are operating.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a latent image bearing member and a developing portion having a plurality of developing devices provided facing the latent image bearing member, since an inputting portion for inputting an image signal, an auto-discriminating portion for automatically discriminating the kind of an inputted image, and a control portion for changing over a first mode for executing monochrome image formation, a second mode for executing color image formation, and an auto-selecting mode for changing over the first mode and the second mode according to the discrimination of the auto-discriminating portion, capable of controlling such that movement of a predetermined developing device to a predetermined position is started before the auto-discriminating portion makes the discrimination in the case the auto-selecting mode is selected, are provided, at the time of starting the image formation by the auto-selecting mode, the developing device can be provided to the vicinity of the developing pos

Abstract: An electrophotographic toner is formed as a blend of toner particles and external additives. The external additives include (1) first inorganic fine particles having an average primary particle size of 80-800 nm of oxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, zinc and zirconium, (2) second inorganic fine particles other than silica having an average primary particle size of below 80 nm and (3) silica fine particles having an average primary particle size of below 30 nm. As a result, the toner can be made free from difficulties, such as melt-sticking onto an image-bearing member in a low humidity environment, roughening of halftone images in a low humidity environment, toner blot-down after storage at high temperatures or in continuous image formation on a large number of sheets, fog in continuous formations of images of low color area percentage in a low humidity environment, and re-transfer in multi-color image formation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for indicating a low toner condition in a printer having a plurality of toner cartridges are provided. A method is provided which includes presenting a cartridge having low toner at a cartridge access way where the cartridge can be removed and replaced. The method can also include providing a carriage which can movably support the plurality of toner cartridges and can automatically move the cartridge having low toner to the cartridge access way when a low toner condition is detected. An apparatus is provided which includes a movable carriage which can move in a substantially linear manner. Other apparatus are provided which include a movable carriage which can move in a substantially rotational manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing an image onto a medium such as paper incorporates elements of xerographic and direct marking printing technologies. A layer of colorless toner is applied to an intermediate surface, such as a charge receptor drum. The toner layer is compacted to reduce its porosity. Then, an ink image is applied to the toner layer, such as by ink jet printing. The toner layer including the embedded ink image is transferred from the charged receptor drum to a printing medium, such as paper. A fuser fixes the toner and embedded ink image onto the surface of the paper.

Abstract: A low toner pile height color image reproduction machine is disclosed for forming full-gamut toner images approximating a “look and feel” of offset lithographic images.

Abstract: A developing system is provided for forming a full-color image, which includes

Abstract: In a multicolor image forming apparatus, in order to form two pages of toner images on a transfer belt, a plurality of images are written during a first interimage period. After writing of the plurality of images, a development unit is rotated during a subsequent second interimage period to prepare for the subsequent toner color. The second interimage period is predetermined longer than the first interimage period. The second interimage is predetermined including the time required until the development of the images thus written is terminated, the time required for the rotation of the development unit and the time required for convergence of vibration caused accompanying the rotation.

Abstract: The invention provides image forming method and apparatus. One embodiment of the invention is an image forming apparatus with a developing device. This apparatus also includes: (1) an electrostatic latent image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, (2) a developing roller rotatably driven in a first direction during developing, (3) a developing-roller-reverse rotator which rotates the developing roller in a second direction opposite the first direction, when the developing device moves with respect to the electrostatic latent image carrier. Another embodiment is an image forming apparatus that also includes a developer-regulating member positioned in direct contact with or close proximity to the developing roller. In this embodiment, the rotation of the developing roller in the second direction dislodges materials stuck between the developing roller and the developer-regulating member.

Abstract: An image printing apparatus includes a photoreceptor belt on which a latent electrostatic image is formed, and a plurality of development devices for developing the latent electrostatic image formed on the photoreceptor belt. Each of the development devices has a development roller for coating a developer liquid on the photoreceptor belt, and a squeegee roller for removing excess developer liquid from the photoreceptor belt. A roller driving means drives the squeegee rollers, and an elevating means elevates the development devices. The plurality of development devices are supported by a pair of frames that are spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other. The roller driving means commonly drives the squeegee rollers of the development devices. The frame elevating means displaces the pair of frames, such that the squeegee rollers are simultaneously in contact with or out of contact with the photoreceptor belt.