Abstract: An image forming apparatus, according to the present invention can include, an image carrier, a charger configured to charge the image carrier, an exposure unit configured to form an electrostatic latent image by exposing the image carrier, a developing unit configured to develop the electrostatic latent image, a detection unit configured to detect the density of a developer adherent to the image carrier, and a controller configured to determine a deteriorated state of the image carrier, by charging the image carrier and then conducting a development, in a condition where a potential difference between the charger and the developing unit is set to be smaller than that at the time of image formation, before detecting a density of a developer on an unirradiated portion on the image carrier, so that a detection result to be used for its decision of the deteriorated state of the image carrier is obtained.

Abstract: When there are a plurality of candidate image forming apparatuses that are to be turned ON, a CPU refers to an MFP wearout degree table and obtains wearout degree of each candidate. Then, the CPU determines whether there is any candidate of which wearout degree is lower than a prescribed lower threshold value or not. If there is a candidate of which wearout degree is lower than the prescribed lower threshold value, the CPU determines the image forming apparatus as the object to be powered ON.

Abstract: A receptacle in the printing system can hold either a first consumable stored in a first replaceable unit (RU) [customer-RU (CRU)], or a second consumable stored in a second RU. A marking engine prints selected print jobs having corresponding data at corresponding times on corresponding receivers, and a monitoring system records the data and times for a plurality of the jobs. A cost-estimating unit responsive to a received schedule including a plurality of service times uses the recorded corresponding data and the recorded corresponding times to estimate respective costs of installing the first and second RUs in the receptacle at a selected one of the service times. A decision unit decides which RU should be installed in the receptacle at the selected service time using the costs. An interface responsive to the decision unit indicates that the selected RU should be installed in the receptacle at the selected service time.

Abstract: A printing system for indicating a replaceable unit (RU) should be removed from a marking engine so that the consumable in the replaceable unit is not discarded includes a receptacle for holding the RU and a marking engine for using the consumable in the RU to print selected jobs. The jobs printed are monitored. A scheduling system responsive to a personnel schedule indicating service times and to the monitored print data selects a service time at which the RU should be removed from the receptacle and another at which it should be reinstalled in the receptacle, so that consumable in the RU is not discarded.

Abstract: A printing system for indicating when to replenish a consumable includes a front end for providing a plurality of print jobs to be printed, each job having corresponding data. A marking engine uses a consumable to print selected jobs at corresponding times on corresponding receivers. A monitoring system records the corresponding data and corresponding times for a plurality of the jobs on the marking engine. A life-estimating unit estimates the end of life of the consumable using the recorded corresponding data and recorded corresponding times. An interface responsive to the life-estimating unit indicates that the consumable should be replenished.

Abstract: In a multi-printer system with two marking engines, the jobs printed are monitored and the remaining lives of consumables in replaceable units (RUs) in the engines are estimated. A decision unit responsive to the estimated lives of the consumables determines that the first RU in the first marking engine should be moved to the second marking engine at a selected service time, so that a remaining amount of the consumable in the first RU is not discarded.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a fixing part fixing a toner image onto a recording medium by heating it, includes an ambient temperature predicting part predicting an ambient temperature from a fixing temperature rising period of time taken until the fixing part reaches a certain temperature; a member temperature predicting part predicting a member temperature of a member from the predicted ambient temperature and an operating state of the image forming apparatus; a cumulative-used-service-lifetime calculating part calculating a current cumulative used service lifetime from the predicted member temperature, the operating state of the image forming apparatus and an immediately preceding cumulative used service lifetime; a limit-of-usable-period-of-time calculating part calculating a limit of usable period of time by subtracting the calculated current cumulative used service lifetime from a service lifetime of the member; and a reporting part reporting the calculated limit of usable period of time.

Abstract: Confidentiality of a job that requires authentication processing prior to printing is maintained as much as possible. A method for controlling a printing system is provided that is capable of receiving a plurality of types of print jobs including a first type print job that requires authentication processing prior to printing and a second type print job that does not require authentication processing prior to printing, comprising the steps of allowing the printing system to execute a specific operation for allowing the printing system to start printing of a target job in case where resources required to complete printing of the target job are present in the printing system and causing the printing system to execute the specific operation in case where the target job is the first type job.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a receiving unit that is removably receiving a component, a determination unit that determines the acceptability of the component received in the receiving unit, and a control unit that, if the determination unit does not confirm the acceptability of the component, provides a notification and stops at least a portion of the image forming function at a predetermined time, after providing the notification.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detachable consumable part having a storage unit configured to store information. The image forming apparatus includes a counting unit configured to count the number of times of access to the storage unit, a measurement unit configured to measure a used amount of the consumable part, and an access control unit configured to control an access frequency to the storage unit based on the counted number of times of access and the used amount of the consumable part.

Abstract: A replaceable unit monitor assembly includes a substrate member, multiple thermal insulating stand-off members, and a monitor device mounted on the substrate member. The stand-off members mount the substrate member to an end hub of a fuser roll of a printing machine while limiting conductive heat transfer to the monitor device.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an information processing device and an image forming device. The information processing device includes: a generator configured to generate secure job information including image forming information and image forming authentication information; and a transmitter configured to transmit the secure job information.

Abstract: A method for delaying the start of a gage for tracking the life of a consumable item for an imaging device according to one exemplary embodiment includes counting the number of revolutions of a rotating imaging component having a correlation with the life of the consumable item and determining whether a predetermined delay threshold is satisfied based on the number of revolutions of the imaging component counted. Until the predetermined delay threshold is satisfied, starting the gage and tracking the remaining life of the consumable item are delayed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus inputs print data from an external device, and analyzes the input print data. The image processing apparatus rasterizes the print data into first image data on the basis of the analysis result. The image processing apparatus receives status information representing the status of a printing apparatus, temporarily saves the first image data in a holding unit on the basis of the received status information and the analysis result, interrupts a transfer process for the first image data to the printing apparatus, starts the transfer process for second image data to the printing apparatus, and transfers, to the printing apparatus, setting information of the print data that corresponds to the first image data. The printing apparatus determines whether corresponding image data has been received within a predetermined period after reception of the setting information of the print data from the image processing apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that can provide notification, so that maintenance personnel of a manufacturer or the like can be made aware of a usage condition in a case where an unsuitable toner cartridge is intermittently used. The image forming apparatus is equipped with a primary storage section storing specific information concerning a replaceable part, such as a toner cartridge that can be attached or removed from a main body, and a secondary storage section storing information concerning usage of the replaceable part. The specific information is read from the primary storage section in a condition where the replaceable part is attached, and a judgment is made by a judgment section concerning whether the replaceable part is suitable. If the replaceable part cannot be judged as suitable, information concerning the use of the replaceable part is stored in the secondary storage section and notification is provided by a notification section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which uses a consumable item is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a consumed status detecting unit which detects a value of the consumed status of the consumable item, a determining unit which determines whether to output an exchange message of the consumable item by comparing the value of the consumed status of the consumable item detected by the consumed status detecting unit with a predetermined value, an exchange message output setting unit which sets presence or non-presence of an output of the exchange message, and a consumed status output setting unit which sets presence or non-presence of an output of the consumed status of the consumable item detected by the consumed status detecting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a plurality of replaceable parts and a control section which manages an accumulated amount of work of each of the parts; wherein the control section comprises reference values for replacement of each of the parts and performs, a first mode which carries out a prescribed control in case where an accumulated amount of work of any one of parts of the plurality of parts reaches one of the reference values for replacement; and, a second mode which carries out the prescribed control in case where an accumulated amount of work of a specific part of the plurality of parts reaches one of the reference values for replacement.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an interface unit which receives print data and file data; a printing unit which prints an image on a recording medium; a writing unit which stores tag data in a non-contact type tag when the recording medium provides the non-contact type tag; a buffer unit in which file data is stored in the non-contact type tag; and a control unit which controls the printing unit and the writing unit. The control unit stores the file data in the buffer unit when the file data is received. The control unit controls the printing unit to form an image on the recording medium based upon content of the print data when the print data is received. The control unit controls the writing unit to store the file data stored in the buffer unit in the non-contact type tag.

Abstract: In a copier having an image data converter that sets the C density, the M density and the Y density to a density obtained by multiplying the density of black in the RGB system by a CMY mixture ratio and sets the K density to a density obtained by multiplying the density of black by a K mixture ratio when black in the RGB system is converted into the CMYK system, the image data converter sets the K mixture ratio to a K reference mixture ratio when TK<PHK, and sets the K mixture ratio to a K high mixture ratio that is higher than the K reference mixture ratio when TK?PHK. Here, TK is a K toner amount of consumption insufficiency which is a K toner amount to be consumed to prevent toner deterioration at the driving amount of the developing unit, and PHK is a K high predetermined value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a predicting unit that predicts a prediction lifetime of a consumable that is detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus, based on consumption information corresponding to an operation of the image forming apparatus; a connection determining unit that determines whether or not the image forming apparatus is connected to a managing apparatus that manages a replacement time of the consumable that is detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus; a consumption information transmitting unit that transmits the consumption information to the managing apparatus located outside the image forming apparatus; a managed lifetime information receiving unit as defined herein; a replacement time determining unit that determines whether or not the replacement time of the consumable has been reached; a learning unit as defined herein; and a prediction lifetime updating unit as defined herein.

Abstract: A selective job aggregation method includes identifying a predetermined usage match between a first consumable component and a second consumable component of printer device. Print jobs are then selectively aggregated to encourage expiration of a first expected useful life of the first consumable component to occur with expiration of a second expected useful life of the second consumable component.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described hereinto to provide a notification when a predetermined event occurs that is related to a consumable. A print engine outputs hard copies based on electronically received data. One or more toner cartridges that are utilized by the print engine to place toner onto a hard copy substrate. A meter monitors and provides a level of remaining toner for each of the one or more cartridges. A yield component receives level data from each meter to compare to an expected yield and an expected grams per impression, wherein if the expected yield and/or the expected grams per impression are outside of a predetermined threshold, a signal is output.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first unit including means contributable to image formation; a second unit constituting a pair with the first unit and including means contributable to the image formation; a detecting device for detecting a degree of use of each of the first unit and the second unit, wherein limits of usability are predetermined for the first unit and the second unit, respectively; and a control device capable of outputting information signals for notifying states near the limits of usability on the basis of preset thresholds of degrees of use, respectively, wherein a number of capable image formations from an output of the signal indicating the near state for the first unit to the limit of usability of the first unit is larger than a number of capable image formations from an output of the signal indicating the near state for said second unit to the limit of usability of the second unit, and wherein the control device outputs the signal for the second unit when the degree of the second

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a first consumable item and a second consumable item are loadable to the image forming apparatus, includes a consumption status detector that detects an end status and a near-end status for each of the first and second consumable items, wherein the end status is a consumption status in which the consumable item must be exchanged immediately and the near-end status is a consumption status in which the consumable item must be exchanged in the near future; a consumption information output setting unit that sets settings indicating whether to output information for each of the end status and the near-end status of the first and second consumable items detected by the consumption status detector; and a consumption information output unit configured to output the information for each of the end status and the near-end status of the first and second consumable items based on the settings set by the consumption information output setting unit and a detection result of the consumpti

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with a monitoring device for monitoring the operating states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the operating amount of a part is detected, information about the operating amount is stored in relation to the part, and the stored information is sent to the monitoring device, the first consumed level of the part, which is calculated by the monitoring device based on the sent information, is acquired, and the acquired first consumed level is output in relation to the part. The second consumed level is calculated based on the stored information. When the first consumed level is acquired from the monitoring device, the first consumed level is output. When the first consumed level cannot be acquired from the monitoring device, the calculated second consumed level is output.

Abstract: A process unit including a first housing detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus, an image carrier to carry an image on a surface thereof, a charger to charge the surface of the image carrier, a developing device to form the image on the surface of the image carrier, a cleaning device to remove toner from the surface of the image carrier, a lubricant to be supplied to the surface of the image carrier, a lubricant container to contain the lubricant, and a waste toner container to store the toner removed from the surface of the image carrier. The first housing includes the image carrier and at least one of the charger, the developing device, and the cleaning device. The lubricant, the lubricant container, and the waste toner container together are detachably attachable to the first housing.

Abstract: If the device-specific maintenance rate statistics is higher than the average maintenance rate statistics, method embodiments herein alter replacement warning thresholds for components of the device by extending the replacement warning thresholds to produce modified replacement warning thresholds. If the specific device incurs unscheduled maintenance visits more often than average, the embodiments herein extend the replacement warning thresholds for components of the device. The amount that the replacement warning thresholds are extended is different for different parts, and is based on part life, part cost, and part service cost. If the device-specific maintenance rate statistics is lower than the average maintenance rate statistics, method embodiments herein alter replacement warning thresholds for components of the device by shortening the replacement warning thresholds to produce modified replacement warning thresholds.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device including a developer bearing member for bearing and conveying a developer and configured to develop a latent image formed on an image bearing member using the developer, a bias application unit configured to apply at least an AC bias to the developer bearing member, an integration unit configured to integrate an application time of the AC bias applied by the bias application unit, and a determination unit configured to determine a replacement timing of the developing device based on an integrated value by the integration unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus in which a replacement component is set including the replacement component in which a storage medium storing adjustment necessity information indicating whether an adjustment procedure is needed or not after the replacement component is replaced and adjustment item information indicating an adjustment item is attached, an information reading unit to read the adjustment necessity information and the adjustment item information from the storage medium when the replacement component is set and a control unit to execute the adjustment procedure based on the adjustment necessity information and the adjustment item information read by the information reading unit when a power is turned on after the replacement component is replaced.

Abstract: An image forming system, having means for storing usage histories of latent image carriers, developer, or the like and maintenance cycles of image forming apparatuses and having a function for selecting image forming apparatuses outputting an image based on the usage history data or the maintenance cycles, in order to achieve uniform output image qualities. By managing the usage histories so as to achieve approximately the same deteriorated conditions of the latent image carriers of the image forming apparatuses, the image forming apparatuses can be put in the same condition and thus the output image qualities can be approximately the same in the image forming apparatuses. Additionally, the maintenance cycles can be adjusted to be approximately the same in the image forming apparatuses. Otherwise, maintenance periods can be controlled so as not to overlap in the image forming apparatuses.

Abstract: An apparatus having an operative mode and a non-operative mode with a method for counting events with a volatile counter and a non-volatile electronic memory having a number N of memory areas, includes counting events with the volatile counter, when the count value has been incremented by a predetermined number M or when the apparatus passes into the non-operative mode, saving the count value to one of the memory areas, with cycling switching of the memory area into which the count value is written; and when the apparatus passes into the operative mode, initializing the counter with the maximum of the count values stored in the N memory areas.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of functions including a function of executing an operation involving use of a consumable, a selecting unit that selects one function from the plurality of functions, a detector that detects a remaining level of the consumable and a controller. The controller is operable to switch displayed contents to information corresponding to the one function when the one function is selected, instruct execution of an operation corresponding to the changed displayed information, display a warning indication when the remaining level of the consumable is not more than a predetermined level, determine whether the selected one function is the function of executing the operation involving use of the consumable, and inhibit the switching the displayed contents when one function is selected and is determined to be the function of executing the operation involving use of the consumable while the warning indication is displayed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a replaceable constituent element; an information storage unit that holds information indicating a type of the constituent element received by a user interface; and a life calculation controller that, when at least one piece of the information stored in the information storage unit indicates a particular type, performs control to suppress calculation of a life of the constituent element.

Abstract: An intelligent on-board monitoring system for replaceable module for a printing apparatus includes a memory element, an input for receiving information either from sensors on the replaceable module, or from the printing apparatus concerning printing operations performed, and a microprocessor connected to the memory for performing calculations upon data stored in the memory and upon the input information. By expanding this intelligent on-board monitoring system with expanded memory, either on board the replaceable module, or by way of network access, the capability to enable software upgrades is provided. The software upgrades may relate to the performance of the replaceable module or to the machine into which it is installed. These software upgrades may be accomplished without requiring computational resources of the printing apparatus itself and by proper scheduling without impacting customer machine utilization.

Abstract: An information attaching unit attaches either one of carrier density information of initial developer and loose apparent density information of toner in the initial developer to a housing of a developing device. A density-information storage unit stores therein either one of the carrier density information and the loose apparent density information as electronic data. At least one of the information attaching unit and the density-information storage unit is provided before shipment of the developing device.

Abstract: A method and system compare actual consumable usage (e.g., toner usage) with expected consumable usage in a xerographic machine, such as a printer or copier. Expected toner usage may be predicted from pixel count (area coverage) and actual usage is obtained from monitoring of consumable usage, such as from toner dispense data or toner bottle replacements. If the actual toner usage differs significantly from the expected toner usage (e.g., ±40%), the system may take some action, such as scheduling of a service call. Early detection of abnormal consumable usage in a xerographic machine may allow early correction before any noticeable image defects occur, such as images that are too light or too dark.

Abstract: Upon generation of an image forming request, a control unit sets a request flag in a nonvolatile rewritable memory. A toner consumption monitoring unit calculates amount of toner consumption during a process of image formation based on the image forming request and the request flag. Upon completion of the process of image formation, the control unit deletes the request flag from the memory unit. Thus, it becomes possible to determine whether the amount of toner consumption is correctly updated based on the request flag and accurately monitor the amount of toner consumption.

Abstract: In an MFP, when a count of printed sheets of paper exceeds a predetermined count, a controller reads, from internal counters, a frequency of a stabilization process executed in return, a frequency of a stabilization process executed automatically in printing, a frequency of a stabilization process executed manually based on a user's instruction, and a frequency of return, respectively. When the frequency of the stabilization process executed automatically is small while the frequency of the stabilization process executed manually is large, the controller raises a frequency level of execution of the stabilization process. When the frequency of the stabilization process executed manually is small, the controller lowers the frequency level of execution of the stabilization process.

Abstract: A developer consumption determining method for determining a developer consumption of an image forming apparatus includes the steps of dividing one of writing pixels into a plurality of sub-pixels in a main scanning direction, determining a weighting coefficient for each of surrounding sub-pixels of one of the sub-pixels located within a predetermined distance from the one of the sub-pixels on the basis of positional relationships, determining respective emission coefficients for the surrounding sub-pixels on the basis of one of durations and exposures of the light beams applied to the surrounding sub-pixels, summing products of the weighting coefficients of the surrounding sub-pixels and the respective emission coefficients to obtain total exposure for the one of the sub-pixels, repeating for all of the sub-pixels the steps of determining the weighting coefficient, determining respective emission coefficients, and summing products, and summing the total exposures for all the sub-pixels to determine the devel

Abstract: A consumable unit and an image forming apparatus for controlling a consumable includes a first memory that stores consumable item information regarding the consumable and provides the consumable item information through password authentication, and a second memory that rewrites recycling prevention information, which indicates that recycling is impossible, a limited number of times. Therefore, if the consumable is replaced, it is possible to prevent the first memory and second memory from being recycled.

Abstract: The invention describes an image forming apparatus having a cartridge configured to be removably attached to a main body. The cartridge has a rotational body positioned within the cartridge and an extension portion protruding outward from the rotational body in an axial direction. The device body has a main body, which has a driving member that rotates the rotational body and the extension portion, a detecting unit for detecting a movement of the extension portion, and a determining unit for determining a type of the developer cartridge using either a time elapsed between a time in which the driving member begins driving the rotational body and a time in which the detecting unit detects the movement of the extension portion, or a drive amount of the drive device occurring during an elapsed time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an acquiring unit that acquires a plurality of types of operation control information of the image forming apparatus that indicate deterioration of a toner in the image forming apparatus or deterioration of a component of the image forming apparatus. An index value calculating unit calculates an index value indicating a state of the image forming apparatus based on the acquired operation control information. An abnormality judging unit judges whether the image forming apparatus abnormality has occurred and predicts an occurrence of a failure that requires maintenance of the image forming apparatus due to deterioration of the toner in the image forming apparatus or deterioration of the component of the image forming apparatus based on the index value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of which maintenance work can always be conducted appropriately independent of time-degradation of the apparatus is provided. In the image forming apparatus of which maintenance work is done in accordance with either a user mode or a service engineer mode, an image forming unit including an image forming station prints an image in accordance with image data, and a main CPU calculates duration of use of the apparatus as an index indicating time-degradation, and determines whether or not the calculated duration of use of the apparatus has reached one year as a predetermined threshold value. Based on the result of determination, a user mode or a service engineer mode is set as a maintenance method for conducting maintenance work.

Abstract: Automatically determining the cost of a printed job on a digital printing press before the job is run. A job control component in the digital front end of the printing press collects and stores the processing information from the job processing components from prior runs. A job-reporting component displays the stored and estimated processing information and automatically computes and displays the estimated cost of the job. The method includes determining a future toner cost using a toner cost, a future press usage cost, and a substrate cost based on historical toner consumption and then rasterizing the job to determine the total job cost.

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: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit; a toner bottle and a paper feed tray; sensors rendered operable immediately after the image forming apparatus is powered on, outputting detection signals that assume different values depending on whether remaining amount of toner or recording paper is lower than a prescribed value; a main control unit, rendered operable after a prescribed activating process after power-on of the image forming apparatus, for controlling the image forming unit; and an alarm device including an LED that is turned on to give an alarm if any consumable supply such as toner is in a near end state, in response to an output from the sensors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which uses a consumable item is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a consumed status detecting unit which detects a value of the consumed status of the consumable item, a determining unit which determines whether to output an exchange message of the consumable item by comparing the value of the consumed status of the consumable item detected by the consumed status detecting unit with a predetermined value, an exchange message output setting unit which sets presence or non-presence of an output of the exchange message, and a consumed status output setting unit which sets presence or non-presence of an output of the consumed status of the consumable item detected by the consumed status detecting unit.

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus and method in an image-forming system employ RFID tags capable of transmitting/receiving data via wireless communication. The RFID tags are mounted, respectively, on bottoms of fixing and developing units of the image-forming system, or on bottoms of feed and Organic Photosensitive Conductor (OPC) units of the image-forming system in case if the image-forming system has a detachable developing unit structure. An RFID reader is provided as an integral component of the motherboard or mounted as a separate module thereon. Priorities for wireless communication are assigned to the RFID tags mounted on the units and, according to the priorities, the RFID reader performs wireless communication with the RFID tags to read and write data from/into the RFID tags.

Abstract: A server component includes a network interface and an analysis component. The server component is at least partially implemented by an operative set of processor executable instructions configured for execution by at least one processor. The network interface is in operative communication with a network and is configured to communicate with at least two nodes of different node types. The network interface is also in operative communication with a local RFID tag attached to a corresponding module. A node of the at least two nodes is a printer-based node associated with a printing machine. The analysis component is configured to utilize the network interface to communicate with the node associated with the printing machine such that the analysis component is in operative communication with the local RFID tag attached to the corresponding module.

Abstract: A consumable component sorting system which make it possible to prolong the service life of a consumable component and reduce cost burdened on a user. An image forming apparatus collects information on its own operational environment or operational condition. A data server estimates a change in characteristics of the consumable component used in the image forming apparatus based on the information on the operational environment or the operational condition of the same collected thereby. A component managing server sorts out a consumable component suited to the operational environment or the operational condition of the image forming apparatus, based on the result of the estimation of the data server.