Abstract: An image-forming machine has a developing device that includes a developing agent container for containing a developing agent with toner and carrier particles, and a developing agent application device for applying the developing agent onto an image carrier device. The developing device also includes a toner replenishing device for replenishing the developing agent container with toner, a toner concentration detection device for detecting toner concentration of the developing agent, and a toner replenish control device. The toner replenish control device controls the toner replenishing device by comparing a value detected by the toner concentration detection device with a threshold value.

Abstract: A toner conveyer applied to a housing having a pair of side walls and a through hole formed in at least one of the pair of side walls. The toner conveyer includes a shaft which is inserted at its one end portion in said through hole formed in one of said pair of side walls and is mounted between said pair of side walls to rotate. A main spiral vane is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a main portion of the shaft. An inside limiting piece is formed at the one end portion of the shaft. The inside limiting piece has protruded portions that extend in the radial direction beyond the inner diameter of the through hole and non-protruded portions located on the inside of the inner diameter of the through hole in the radial direction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a density processing method in which input gray level-output gray level data are previously generated and stored in a first storing device, the input gray level-output gray level data are transferred to a second storing device, and an address in the second storing device is designated on the basis of input gray level data inputted so that output gray level data stored in the specified address in the second storing device is outputted. In the present invention, access addresses to the second storing device are converted depending on the designated copy density, so that input gray level-output gray level characteristics are converted into characteristics corresponding to the designated copy density.

Abstract: A color image is by an optical scanner for conversion into three primary color data corresponding to the respective densities of the three primary colors. An edge detector detects a pixel of an edge based on the three primary color data. A pixel color judging device judges a color of a target pixel based on the three primary color data of the target pixel and its adjacent pixels. Based on edge detection results of the edge detector and pixel color judgment results of the pixel color judging device, detected is a pixel of a black edge. Judgement conditions for the pixel color judgement are established based upon characteristics that depend upon the order of arrangement of color filters in a scanner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for performing a one-side image formation to form an image of a designated page on a recording sheet is disclosed. Selected from a plurality of pages each carrying an image to be formed, a page can be designated by an operation section. Image formation on one side of a recording sheet carrying an image of the designated page formed on the other side thereof is prohibited. Thus, the recording sheet carries the image of the designated page formed only on one side thereof. Where images on two-sided document original sheets are copied to prepare a set of document copies, for example, one-side image formation is performed to copy an image on a cover sheet or on an inter-sheet for chaptering, while two-side image formation is performed to copy images of the other pages on normal sheets.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus in which an original image read by a scanner is rotated by an angle of 90.degree. to be output. One-page image data output from the scanner is stored in a memory on a dot-by-dot basis. The memory is adapted to read therefrom and write therein dot data along a dot array and along a line array. A first read-out operation in which the dot data are successively read out of the memory along the dot array and a second read-out operation in which the dot data are successively read out of the memory along the line array are alternately switched every time reading a one-page image of the document original is competed. Dot data newly generated is written in a storage area from which the previous dot data has been read out at substantially the same time when the previous dot data is read out of the memory.

Abstract: Special sheets to be handled differently from normal sheets are accommodated in a specific sheet feeding deck such that a predetermined operation or presentation associated with reproduction procedure is permitted or prohibited for the special sheets in the specific sheet feeding deck. For example, if the production of two-sided copies is prohibited for a specific sheet feeding deck which accommodates sheets to be used again, the sheets are not automatically selected during the production of two-sided copies even if they are of the same size as a document original. This ensures erroneous handling is prevented, such as image forming on both sides of the special sheets in the specific sheet feeding deck.

Abstract: An electrostatic latent image-developing device includes a toner cartridge provided with a container having a toner discharge opening, a toner contained in the container and a sealing tape for sealing the toner discharge opening, and a toner cartridge-holding device having a toner-receiving opening and allowing detachable mounting of the toner cartridge. The toner cartridge holding device has a toner cartridge mount detection switch that is opened and closed by the attachment or detachment of the toner cartridge. The toner cartridge mount detection switch is inserted in an electric circuit that feeds electric power to an electric motor that drives a conveying device for conveying the discharged toner from the cartridge to the developing unit or drives a take-up shaft for taking up the sealing tape.

Abstract: An imaging unit comprising a frame means, an image-carrying means mounted on the frame means, a developing means and a cleaning means. The cleaning means includes a toner conveying pipe member made of a synthetic rubber for defining a passage for conveying the toner removed from the image-carrying means, a toner conveying means for conveying the toner through the toner conveying pipe member, and a toner-recovering container detachably combined to the toner conveying pipe member. When the toner-recovering container is combined to the toner conveying pipe member, the toner discharge opening formed in the side surface of the toner conveying pipe member is communicated with the toner receiving opening formed in the toner-recovering container. A positioning member is disposed to place the toner discharge opening and the toner receiving opening in positions relative to each other.

Abstract: In a management system in which electronic photocopiers are linked through a network with a host computer at a maintenance company that manages the photocopiers and with another host computer at a lease company that performs charging and other tasks related to the use of the photocopiers, registration to the latter host computer and setting thereupon of transmission times of periodical reports can be performed without any inconvenience. Data including the ID number of a copier and the code of the maintenance company are transmitted from a communications control device provided in the copier to the host computer of the lease company. This host computer, when the received ID number and code have not been registered, puts the ID number and code on a list of unregistered copiers, and makes the device transmit data every day until the copier is registered.

Abstract: A jam detecting device according to the present invention quickly outputs a jam detection signal when a part of a sheet is insufficiently conveyed during conveyance. A discharge detecting switch 55 is provided in the vicinity of discharge rollers 36. In addition, a plurality of (for example, three) pulse output units 230, 231 and 232 are provided in relation to the discharge detecting switch 55. Each of the pulse output units 230, 231 and 232 is so constructed as to output a pulse as the sheet is moved. In a jam judging circuit 235, when a signal of the discharge detecting switch 55 is on, a jam signal is outputted on the basis of the fact that no pulses are applied for not less than a predetermined time period from at least one of the pulse output units 230, 231 and 232. When a Jam occurs, therefore, the jam can be quickly detected.

Abstract: A compact cleaning apparatus capable of having a good cleaning function is provided with an image forming apparatus. The cleaning apparatus of the image forming apparatus is pivoted inside this image forming apparatus and cleans an intermediate transfer belt or photosensitive drum. This cleaning apparatus is arranged by a casing having an opening for collecting toner stripped from the surface of the object; a cleaning member mounted on one side edge of the opening of the casing and depressed against the surface of the object; and a drive mechanism having a fulcrum located below the opening of the casing, for pivoting the casing in a direction along which the casing is separated from the object. Three shafts cooperate to perform an engagement or removal operation.

Abstract: A toner image transfer for use in an image forming apparatus provided with a rotatable photosensitive member, the toner image transfer includes: a charging wire; a shield casing for shielding the charging wire, the shield casing including a first wall extending in parallel with the charging wire and a second wall extending in parallel with the first wall and positioned downstream of the first wall with respect to the rotation of the photosensitive member, the first and second walls each having a free end defining an opening facing the photosensitive member, a line connecting the respective free ends of the first and second walls intersecting a line connecting a center of the photosensitive member and the charging wire at an acute angle. A plurality of spaced guide operative members in the form of a string are positioned over the opening and are spaced more closely in one area than in another area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a structure in which it is judged whether or not the trailing end of a continuous sheet is fixed to a feeding reel. The continuous sheet wound around the feeding reel is pulled out, and is conveyed through a conveying path passing through an image forming section. When the continuous sheet is conveyed, the rotation or the stop of the feeding reel is detected. When the stop of the rotation of the feeding reel is detected while the continuous sheet is being conveyed, it is judged that the continuous sheet has been used up. The continuous sheet is further conveyed for a predetermined time period after the judgment. It is judged whether or not the trailing end of the continuous sheet is fixed to the feeding reel depending on whether or not the continuous sheet exists in a predetermined position of the conveying path.

Abstract: A data managing device according to the present invention processes the same object pixel before and after variable magnification processing, and collectively manages processing data before and after the variable magnification processing by making access to a memory once. In the variable magnification processing before and after which the number of object pixels differs, 1-bit BF data for area separation processing performed before the variable magnification processing and 7-bit produced error data for error diffusion processing performed after the variable magnification processing are mixed, and data composed of a total of 8 bits which is obtained by the mixing is read out/written from and to the same address in a SRAM 4 at the same access timing. Therefore, at the time of reduction processing, a reduction processing control signal SMWAIT is produced, and error diffusion processing is stopped when the signal is at a high level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel trinitrofluorenonimine derivative represented by the general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.0 is an alkyl group; and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and indicate a hydrogen atom, an alkyl, an alkoxy, an aryl, an aralkyl, a halogen atom or an alkyl halide. This derivative is superior in electron transferring capability and compatibility with binding resin. Accordingly, an electrophotosensitive material comprising this derivative as an electron transferring material is superior in sensitivity.

Abstract: A checking method for checking a reloadable memory includes writing operative data in connection with a specified operation on a first portion of the reloadable memory and check data on a second portion of the reloadable memory; reading data from the second portion after writing the operative data and the check data on the reloadable memory; and judging whether the read data agrees with the written check data. A checking device for checking a reloadable memory includes a reader for reading data from a specified portion of the memory after reloading operative data and writing a check data; and a judger for judging whether the read data agrees with the check data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for impression development which comprises forming a thin layer of a toner on a surface of a developing roller with a plate-like rigid member, and developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor by contacting the thin layer with the electrostatic latent image. The toner comprises toner particles, and prescribed amount of inorganic fine particles (mean particle diameter of 0.1 to 1.0 .mu.m on the volume basis), and/or comprises toner particles which have prescribed distribution of the odd-shape degree of the toner particle (mean value of the odd-shape degree and the proportion of the number of toner particles having the odd-shape degree of not more than 0.2). According to the method for impression development, it becomes possible to form an image having no failures and good image quality.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of cutting a strip-shaped continuous sheet on which an image is formed to a desirable cutting length. A rolled-sheet is conveyed by registration rollers and the like. The rolled-sheet is further led to the vicinity of a photosensitive drum through pre-transfer rollers. The rolled-sheet to which a toner image has been transferred is subjected to toner fixing processing by a fixing device. When the leading end of the rolled-sheet reaches the pre-transfer rollers, the rotational speed of a sheet feeding motor is increased during a predetermined time. Consequently, the sheet conveying speed on the upstream side of the pre-transfer rollers in a direction of sheet conveyance is increased, thereby forming slack in a sheet portion between the registration rollers and the pre-transfer rollers. Consequently, tension exerted on a sheet portion between the fixing device and the pre-transfer rollers does not affect the conveyance of the sheet by the registration rollers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with the following: rewritable RAM which outputs as output image data, data at an address corresponding to an input image data; a ROM in which a data to be written in the RAM is stored; a data processing CPU capable of processing and changing the data to be written in the RAM before the data are written; and a RAM. The ROM also stores parameter data representative of the characteristic of the data stored therein. The CPU and the RAM process the data to be written in the RAM with reference to the parameter data.