Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first power calculator for calculating a power consumption amount of a driving load unit and a post-processing device based on at least one of measured values of a voltage and a current, which are supplied to the driving load unit and the post-processing device; second and third power calculators for calculating power consumption amounts of a fixing heater driving unit and a controller based on an operating state and an operating time of the image forming apparatus; and a power summing-up unit for calculating a power consumption amount of the image forming apparatus by summing up the power consumption amount calculated by the first power calculator and the power consumption amount predicted by each of the second and third power calculators.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for fixing a toner image to a recording sheet by transporting the recording sheet through a fixing nip formed by a heating rotating body and a pressing rotating body that press against each other. The image forming apparatus includes an idle rotation unit that causes idle rotation of the heating rotating body and the pressing rotating body during a standby state of the image forming apparatus, a cumulative amount recording unit that measures an amount of the idle rotation and record a cumulative amount of the idle rotation, and a prohibiting unit that prohibits the idle rotation unit from causing the idle rotation when the cumulative amount reaches a predetermined allowable value.

Abstract: A replacement consumable unit management apparatus is provided with: a receiver which receives consumable unit replacement information indicating that one consumable unit of one color or more than one consumable unit of different colors has been replaced with a new one, from one or more than one image forming apparatus which the replacement consumable unit management apparatus can access via a communication circuit; a consumable unit manager which manages the remaining amount information or the life information of the one or more than one consumable unit, and stock information indicating the states of the stocks of replacement consumable units for the one or more than one consumable unit; a determiner which, if the receiver receives the consumable unit replacement information while a consumable unit which cannot be replaced with a new one because of no stock and a consumable unit whose remaining amount information or life information is smaller than a first predetermined value are both used at the same place

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body storage part, a determination part, and an initial adjustment part. The first image forming unit includes a first storage part storing first information indicative of whether or not an initial adjustment of the first image forming unit has been completed. The determination part determines whether or not the first information stored in the first storage part and the second information stored in the main body storage part satisfy respective prescribed conditions. The initial adjustment part causes the first and second image forming units to perform the initial adjustment when the first information indicates that the initial adjustment of the first image forming unit has not been completed and the second information indicates that the second image forming unit corresponds to an unused state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first power calculator for calculating a power consumption amount of a driving load unit and a post-processing device based on at least one of measured values of a voltage and a current, which are supplied to the driving load unit and the post-processing device; second and third power calculators for calculating power consumption amounts of a fixing heater driving unit and a controller based on an operating state and an operating time of the image forming apparatus; and a power summing-up unit for calculating a power consumption amount of the image forming apparatus by summing up the power consumption amount calculated by the first power calculator and the power consumption amount predicted by each of the second and third power calculators.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for fixing a toner image to a recording sheet by transporting the recording sheet through a fixing nip formed by a heating rotating body and a pressing rotating body that press against each other. The image forming apparatus includes an idle rotation unit that causes idle rotation of the heating rotating body and the pressing rotating body during a standby state of the image forming apparatus, a cumulative amount recording unit that measures an amount of the idle rotation and record a cumulative amount of the idle rotation, and a prohibiting unit that prohibits the idle rotation unit from causing the idle rotation when the cumulative amount reaches a predetermined allowable value.

Abstract: Time required for setting a print mode in a print standby state is shortened, in performing recovering operation. In an attachment state of consumable units on an image forming apparatus, information of the consumable unit memorized in nonvolatile memories of consumable units is memorized in a second nonvolatile memory, and after the print mode is set in an unprintable state, recovering operation having possibility of replacing the consumable units is performed. Thereafter, whether the same consumable units as those before the unprintable state are attached to the image forming apparatus is determined.

Abstract: A replacement consumable unit management apparatus is provided with: a receiver which receives consumable unit replacement information indicating that one consumable unit of one color or more than one consumable unit of different colors has been replaced with a new one, from one or more than one image forming apparatus which the replacement consumable unit management apparatus can access via a communication circuit; a consumable unit manager which manages the remaining amount information or the life information of the one or more than one consumable unit, and stock information indicating the states of the stocks of replacement consumable units for the one or more than one consumable unit; a determiner which, if the receiver receives the consumable unit replacement information while a consumable unit which cannot be replaced with a new one because of no stock and a consumable unit whose remaining amount information or life information is smaller than a first predetermined value are both used at the same place

Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs image stabilization after a printed page count exceeds a first threshold, if either an end of a job or a mode switch from monochrome mode to color mode has been detected. Even if neither the end of the job nor the mode switch from monochrome mode to color mode has been detected, the image forming apparatus performs image stabilization if the printed page count exceeds a second threshold that is larger than the first threshold.

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: When an image forming apparatus is disabled due to a cause rather than the detection of the toner empty condition, it is determined whether a recovery operation is a first recovery operation or a second recovery operation. The first recovery operation is associated with a mounting/dismounting of the toner cartridge performed from when the image forming apparatus is disabled until when the recovery operation begins. The second recovery operation is not associated with the mounting/dismounting. A toner supply control controls the toner supply operation when the recovery operation is performed on condition that the empty memory memorizes that the toner empty detector detects the empty condition. When the recovery operation is the first recovery operation, the toner supply control allows the toner to be supplied into the developer housing. While, when the recovery operation is the second recovery operation, the toner supply control prohibits the toner from being supplied into developer housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which the consumption article can be attached to and detached from a main body has a controller, which reads first new/old information that is stored in a repetitively rewritable area of a memory provided on the consumption article and represents whether or not the consumption article is unused after manufacturing or after recycling and second new/old information that is stored in a once rewritable area of the memory and represents the number of times of recycling of the consumption article and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus on the basis of the first new/old information and the second new/old information.

Abstract: A process cartridge having a nonvolatile memory for storing prescribed information corresponding to addresses is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming device. The nonvolatile memory includes a first address at which data including a shipment destination used by a control system of the main body of the image forming device is stored, a second address where data including process control information to further control the control system of the main body is stored, a first unused address at which data including a destination code is stored and which is used by the control system of the main body of the image forming device is not defined, and a second unused address at which no data is stored and of which use by the control system of the main body of the image forming device is not defined.

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: An image forming apparatus, in which a consumption article can be attached to and detached from a main body, has a device that makes an access to a memory provided on the consumption article, a device that determines whether or not an access failure has occurred during the access to the memory, and a device that switches over between warning levels according to the address of the memory where the access failure has occurred or an attribute concerning write and read where the access failure has occurred.

Abstract: An image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus having a sorting function, a stapling function, etc. The post-processing apparatus is movable between a first position to receive long papers and a second position to receive non-long papers. When the post-processing apparatus is set in the second position, a paper inlet port of the post-processing apparatus faces a paper ejection port of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body storage part, a determination part, and an initial adjustment part. The first image forming unit includes a first storage part storing first information indicative of whether or not an initial adjustment of the first image forming unit has been completed. The determination part determines whether or not the first information stored in the first storage part and the second information stored in the main body storage part satisfy respective prescribed conditions. The initial adjustment part causes the first and second image forming units to perform the initial adjustment when the first information indicates that the initial adjustment of the first image forming unit has not been completed and the second information indicates that the second image forming unit corresponds to an unused state.

Abstract: A process cartridge having a nonvolatile memory for storing prescribed information corresponding to addresses is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming device. The nonvolatile memory stores first destination information of “shipment destination” data to be used to control the printing operation by a control system of the main body of the image forming device and second destination information of “lot No.” data not to be used to control the printing operation by the control system. The nonvolatile memory allows the image forming device to perform an appropriate printing operation without changing a program of the main body of the image forming device even when a new destination is arisen for a reason of production management, marketing etc. after beginning to put the image forming device on the market.

Abstract: Time required for setting a print mode in a print standby state is shortened, in performing recovering operation. In an attachment state of consumable units on an image forming apparatus, information of the consumable unit memorized in nonvolatile memories of consumable units is memorized in a second nonvolatile memory, and after the print mode is set in an unprintable state, recovering operation having possibility of replacing the consumable units is performed. Thereafter, whether the same consumable units as those before the unprintable state are attached to the image forming apparatus is determined.

Abstract: When an image forming apparatus is disabled due to a cause rather than the detection of the toner empty condition, it is determined whether a recovery operation is a first recovery operation or a second recovery operation. The first recovery operation is associated with a mounting/dismounting of the toner cartridge performed from when the image forming apparatus is disabled until when the recovery operation begins. The second recovery operation is not associated with the mounting/dismounting. A toner supply control controls the toner supply operation when the recovery operation is performed on condition that the empty memory memorizes that the toner empty detector detects the empty condition. When the recovery operation is the first recovery operation, the toner supply control allows the toner to be supplied into the developer housing. While, when the recovery operation is the second recovery operation, the toner supply control prohibits the toner from being supplied into developer housing.