Abstract: When a user changes a density adjusting value (developing contrast), and even when variations in the usage state of process characteristics (of the photosensitive body and the developing device) of the cartridge change, the amount of recording agent consumed can be suppressed to be low, and a sharp line image can be recorded. An image forming apparatus of this invention includes an edge detecting portion for detecting an edge of image data, an image data correcting portion for correcting image data inside the edge so as to decrease its density, a laser driving circuit for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive body, and a correction value determining table for acquiring an instruction value for giving an instruction to correct a density contrast, wherein a correction condition for image data changes in accordance with an instruction value.

Abstract: When a user changes a density adjusting value (developing contrast), and even variations and usage state of the process characteristics (photosensitive body and developing) of the cartridge change, the amount of recording agent consumed can be suppressed low, and a sharp line image can be recorded. An image forming apparatus of this invention includes an edge detecting portion for detecting an edge of image data, an image data correcting portion for correcting image data inside the edge so as to decrease its density, a laser driving circuit for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive body, and a correction value determining table for acquiring an instruction value for giving an instruction to correct a density contrast, wherein a correction condition for image data changes in accordance with an instruction value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which includes an image bearing body and a light beam scanner for exposing the image bearing body, which is charged, based on an image signal and forming an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing body. A rise time or a fall time of a light beam emitted from the light beam scanner is controlled when a pixel density of the electrostatic latent image is switched.

Abstract: When a user changes a density adjusting value (developing contrast), and even when variations in the usage state of process characteristics (of the photosensitive body and the developing device) of the cartridge change, the amount of recording agent consumed can be suppressed to be low, and a sharp line image can be recorded. An image forming apparatus of this invention includes an edge detecting portion for detecting an edge of image data, an image data correcting portion for correcting image data inside the edge so as to decrease its density, a laser driving circuit for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive body, and a correction value determining table for acquiring an instruction value for giving an instruction to correct a density contrast, wherein a correction condition for image data changes in accordance with an instruction value.

Abstract: A photosensitive member which can prevent occurrence of a streak image due to wear of a surface of the photosensitive member while preventing occurrence of image-flow is provided, and an average particle diameter of a scraped particle obtained from a surface of the photosensitive member by the rubbing of a cleaning member is 9.0 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: When a user changes a density adjusting value (developing contrast), and even variations and usage state of the process characteristics (photosensitive body and developing) of the cartridge change, the amount of recording agent consumed can be suppressed low, and a sharp line image can be recorded. An image forming apparatus of this invention includes an edge detecting portion for detecting an edge of image data, an image data correcting portion for correcting image data inside the edge so as to decrease its density, a laser driving circuit for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive body, and a correction value determining table for acquiring an instruction value for giving an instruction to correct a density contrast, wherein a correction condition for image data changes in accordance with an instruction value.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that has an image bearing body, exposing device for exposing the image bearing body, which is charged, based on an image signal and forming an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing body, wherein a pixel density of the electrostatic latent image can be switched, and control device for controlling a responsibility to the image signal of the exposing device when the pixel density is switched.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developer bearing member for bearing and carrying developer to a developing area. A developer is borne on the developer bearing member, wherein the developer has a weight average particle size not exceeding 6.5 &mgr;m and contains an external additive of a charging polarity opposite to that of the developer. A voltage application device applies a voltage to the developer bearing member, wherein the voltage including at least a first voltage V1 for acting on the developer in a direction from the developer bearing member toward an image bearing member and a second voltage V2 for acting on the developer in a direction from an image bearing member toward said developer bearing member, and a charged potential VL of the image bearing member, a latent image potential VD a distance H between the developer bearing member and an image bearing member, and wherein the voltages V1 and V2 satisfy a following relationships: |V1−VL|/H≦3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a development density adjusting method in which development density is adjusted by varying ratio of application time of a voltage having the first voltage value to application time of a voltage having the second voltage value in one period, and difference between a potential of the developer bearing member and a potential of the electrostatic latent image, when the voltage having the first voltage value is applied to the developer bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member and a developer carrying member spaced from the photosensitive member by a gap. The developer carrying member carries a developer containing an externally added strontium titanate. A bias voltage is applied between the photosensitive member and the developer carrying member with a substantially rectangular waveform. This bias voltage forms an oscillating electric field therebetween. The electric field provided by the difference between a jump peak voltage of the bias voltage and the potential of the photosensitive member at a portion exposed to the light is not less than 4.1 V/micron. The electric field provided by a difference between the jump peak voltage and a potential of the photosensitive member at a portion not exposed to light is not more than 3.5 V/micron.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developing container for storing a developing agent, a developing agent carrier which is disposed at the opening of the developing container, and carries the developing agent, a detection member which is disposed in the developing container and moves at a predetermined cycle, and a judging means for judging the residual amount of developing agent on the basis of changes in voltage induced at the detection member in the cycle.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on recording medium, includes a mounting portion capable of detachably mounting a developing unit including a developing member for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing agent containing portion for containing developing agent to be supplied to the developing member and a signal output member for outputting a signal corresponding to a remaining amount of developing agent contained in the developing unit, and a remaining amount detecting portion for detecting the remaining amount of the developing agent contained in the developing unit when the developing unit is mounted to the mounting portion. The remaining amount detecting portion detects a pre-signal outputted from the signal output member prior to image formation, to detect the remaining amount of the developing agent on the basis of a detected result.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member include a toner container for containing toner to be used for developing the latent image, a light transmitting member for transmitting light for detecting that an amount of the toner in the toner container is smaller than a predetermined level, a cleaning member for cleaning the light transmitting member, a stirring member reciprocating device for reciprocating a stirring member, and a cleaning member reciprocation device for reciprocating the cleaning member with a degree of displacement larger than that of the stirring member.

Abstract: A developing unit including a developer container for accommodating a developer, a first window portion which is formed in an upper portion of the developer container and through which light passes, a second window portion which is formed in a lower portion of the developer container and through which light passes, a first wiping member for wiping the first window portion, a second wiping member for wiping the second window portion, and a holding member for holding the first wiping member and the second wiping member at opposite ends of said holding member, wherein the holding member performs a reciprocating operation with respect to a supporting point.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus light emitting means and light receiving means cooperative with the light emitting means to detect amount of toner in a part of the process cartridge, the process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member; process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a toner container, adapted for being mounted in the part, for containing the toner to be used for developing a latent image formed in the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a light transmitting member, provided in the toner container, for transmitting light emitted from the light emitting means to permit detection of the amount of the toner in the toner container when the process cartridge is mounted to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus; a cover member movable between a protecting position for protecting the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a retracted position wherein the co