Abstract: A print engine synchronization system apparatus enables the movement of a first print engine dielectric support member (DSM) having one or more image frames as well as the movement of a second print engine DSM having one or more image frames by monitoring a first frame signal from the moving first print engine DSM and a second frame signal from the moving second print engine DSM. An offset is determined for each of corresponding pairs of frames from the one or more image frames of the first and second print engine DSM and the determined offset for each corresponding pair of frames is compared to a target offset to maintain synchronization between the first and second print engines on a frame by frame basis by adjusting a second print engine DSM velocity based on the comparison of the determined offset and the target offset.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method charges and exposes a latent image carrier to form a latent image. Bias is applied to liquid developer on a developer carrier, and liquid developer collected by a developer carrier cleaning member is stored in a collected developer storing portion. The state of the collected liquid developer is determined based on a state of bias application or detected image data, and a stirring amount of a conveying member that stirs the collected liquid developer is controlled based on the determined state to improve a property of the collected liquid developer conveyed to a storing unit.

Abstract: A protective layer setting unit includes a protective agent, and an application unit for applying the protective agent on an image carrying member. An attenuated total reflection (ATR) method is used for detecting a surface condition of the image carrying member after applying the protective agent. A peak Pa at a given wavenumber, attributed to the image carrying member, has a peak area Sa in an infrared spectrum observed after applying the protective agent. A peak Pb at a given wavenumber, attributed to the protective agent, has a peak area Sb in the infrared spectrum observed after applying the protective agent. A peak area ratio of Sb/Sa is used for evaluating the protective layer setting unit. The protective layer setting unit is accepted when the Sb/Sa is set to a given range after applying the protective agent to the image carrying member for a given time period.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which forms an image on a sheet of paper, and a paper coloring apparatus which is connected to the electro-photographic image forming apparatus. The paper coloring apparatus includes a coating apparatus having two coating rollers which coat colored water on both faces of the paper sheet on which the image has been formed by the electro-photographic image forming apparatus. A supply section selectively supplies one of the colored water and a colorless water onto the two coating rollers of the coating apparatus. And a controller is provided for switching between a coloring process to color the paper sheet by supplying the colored water onto the two coating rollers, and a humidifying process to humidify the paper sheet by supplying the colorless water onto the two coating rollers.

Abstract: A developer storing apparatus which includes a developer storing portion for receiving and storing a developer. The developer storing apparatus also includes a developer carrying member including a rotary shaft and a spiral blade rotatably disposed in the developer storing portion and configured to carry the developer in the developer storing portion in a predetermined direction, an agitating member extending outside the spiral blade rotatably disposed in the developer storing portion and configured to agitate the developer in the developer storing portion, and a driving force transmitting portion that transmits a driving force to the developer carrying member.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of are provided.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus that is capable of reducing work burdens imposed on a user in terms of toner cartridge replacement. When a cartridge detection sensor detects that at least one of toner cartridges is emptied, a specified amount of toner is forcibly supplied from another toner cartridge than the toner cartridge subjected to detection to an intermediate hopper. After that, the amount of the toner within the another toner cartridge is detected. When an empty toner cartridge is newly detected, a request for replacement is issued as to both of the newly detected empty toner cartridge and the previously detected empty toner cartridge.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate using end-user feedback to automatically distinguish between a normal behavior and a device failure which can be a hard failure (e.g., a device malfunction) or a soft failure. For instance, upon detection of a usage switch from a first device to a second device by a user, a survey message is sent to the user to solicit information regarding the reasons for the switch. If the switch was triggered by a device malfunction, the detected device failure is verified and an alert is sent to an administrator and/or potentially impacted users. If the switch was triggered by the user's need for functionality (e.g., color printing, collation, etc.) not provided by the first device, which is otherwise functioning properly, then the detected failure is determined to be a failure and the failure detection algorithm is updated accordingly.

Abstract: A fuser member includes a substrate and an outer layer including a polymeric material and an aerogel component including aerogel particles having a surface area of from about 400 to about 1200 m2/g that is at least one of dispersed in or bonded to the polymeric material. Methods of making a fuser member include applying an outer layer including a polymeric material and an aerogel component over a substrate, and curing the outer layer such that the aerogel component is at least one of dispersed in or bonded to the polymeric material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus detachably mounts a cartridge and forms an image on a recording material. The apparatus includes a cartridge positioning portion, a movable member movable between a first position for positioning the cartridge to the positioning portion when the cartridge is mounted to a main assembly of the apparatus, and a retracted position, for permitting cartridge main-assembly mounting in a cartridge longitudinal direction. The movable member has an urging member urging the cartridge to the positioning portion when the movable member takes the first position. Also provided is a guiding member movable relative to the movable member to take a guide position guiding the cartridge when the movable member takes the retracted position and a position retracted from the guide position away from the cartridge when the movable member takes the first position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit configured to form an image onto an image forming medium based on received print data by using a cartridge removably provided, a cartridge determination unit configured to determine whether an MICR cartridge is inserted as the cartridge, a determination unit configured to compare a password input by an password input unit and a password registered in a password storage unit and determine whether an image forming process of the received print data is allowed to be performed, and a control unit configured to temporarily stop processing the print data, cause the notification unit to send the notification to input the password, and perform an MICR image forming control process that causes the image forming unit to resume the processing of the print data.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and corresponding method for maintaining a level of a marking material in a marking material waste sump of a printing apparatus to a desired level.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a structure that it is able to clean an ACR sensor in accordance with an ACR operation, and without requiring a user manipulation. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive media on which color images are formed respectively, a transfer unit to receive color images from the plurality of photosensitive media and transfer the received color images onto a printing medium, an auto color registration (ACR) unit to perform the ACR operation with respect to the transferred image, and a cleaning member to clean the ACR unit in association with the ACR operation. A method of cleaning an ACR sensor in an image forming apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a developing device which is capable of suppressing the generation of a fogging phenomenon and deposition of carrier particles to an electrostatic latent image carrier and developing the electrostatic latent image efficiently, the device includes a development sleeve and a magnet body onto which the sleeve is fitted, and using a two-component developer. An angular position which indicates the peak value of the magnetic flux density in the normal direction produced by a development pole of the magnet body is shifted downstream from the center position of the development pole in the direction of movement of the surface of a photosensitive member in a development region. The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus which can form high-quality images with reduced noise such as fogging by mounting the developing device.

Abstract: An image forming method and apparatus, the apparatus including a latent image carrier configured to carry a latent image thereon, a developing unit disposed facing the latent image carrier to develop the latent image with developer, a developer container containing the developer and attachable to the image forming apparatus, a developer detector configured to detect the presence of the developer in the developing unit, and a developer supply controller, and a disengagement detector configured to detect whether or not an intermediate transfer member is disengaged from the latent image carrier. The developer supply controller prohibits supply of the developer from the developer container to the developing unit when the developer detector detects that the developer is present in the developing unit, and when the disengagement detector detects that the intermediate transfer member is not disengaged from the latent image carrier.

Abstract: Provided is a cleaning roll (conductive roll) including a core, a coating layer formed thereon, and a shaft along the axis of the core. The coating layer contains a bismaleimide resin and a conductive agent. Also provided are a cleaning unit, a process cartridge, and an image-forming apparatus employing the conductive roll. The conductive roll may include a core and a coating layer containing a bismaleimide resin and a conductive agent formed on the external peripheral surface of the core.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing roller and a pressing roller that are in pressure contact with each other. A separating plate is placed opposite to the fixing roller with a certain gap in between them. Positioning portions are installed on the separating plate to be in contact with width-direction ends of the fixing roller for determining the gap. The positioning portions are arranged such that edges of contact portions of the positioning portions on the width-direction center side in contact with the fixing unit are positioned outside an image area and inside a paper-passing area for a recording medium of a maximum passing-capable size.

Abstract: A print engine synchronization method enables the movement of a first print engine dielectric support member (DSM) having one or more image frames as well as the movement of a second print engine DSM having one or more image frames by monitoring a first frame signal from the moving first print engine DSM and a second frame signal from the moving second print engine DSM. An offset is determined for each of corresponding pairs of frames from the one or more image frames of the first and second print engine DSM and the determined offset for each corresponding pair of frames is compared to a target offset to maintain synchronization between the first and second print engines on a frame by frame basis by adjusting a second print engine DSM velocity based on the comparison of the determined offset and the target offset.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a pair of fixing members opposing each other and a pressing lever that is rotatable around a shaft. The pressing lever can be moved either to a pressing position in which one of the fixing members is pressed against the other fixing member, or to a pressure releasing position in which the one of the fixing member is separated from the other fixing member. When the pressing lever moves between the pressing position and the pressure releasing position, a first control unit located near an end of the pressing lever controls displacement of the end.

Abstract: A liquid developer transport device includes a channel switching part that dispenses liquid developer to a first channel or a second channel. A filtering part filters liquid developer flowing in the first channel, and a first storage part stores the filter liquid developer. A second storage part stores liquid developer flowing in the second channel. The channel switching part switches channels when a toner particle concentration is more than a predetermined concentration.