Abstract: In the present invention, a user selects a transfer process with respect to transfer target data being displayed in a first display area (window), which is the transfer source. At this point, a display processor of the information processing device, for example, changes the display mode so that the first display area is hidden except for the transfer target data. When the user specifies a second display area (window) as the transfer destination, a data processor executes the transfer process of the data to the second display area.

Abstract: In the present invention, a user selects a transfer process with respect to transfer target data being displayed in a first display area (window), which is the transfer source. At this point, a display processor of the information processing device, for example, changes the display mode so that the first display area is hidden except for the transfer target data. When the user specifies a second display area (window) as the transfer destination, a data processor executes the transfer process of the data to the second display area.

Abstract: A multifunctional apparatus includes an operation panel on which a touch panel and a hardware button are arranged. An external recording medium slot is arranged on the operation panel having a predetermined relationship with the largest-sized software key arranged on the touch panel or the largest-sized hardware button arranged on the operation panel.

Abstract: A powder detection device includes a detection unit, a cleaning unit, and a drive unit. The detection unit includes detection surfaces provided in a storage container and enables detection of powder through the detection surfaces. The cleaning unit removes the powder from the detection surfaces by sliding along the detection surfaces. The drive unit reciprocates the cleaning unit along a path extending through the detection surfaces and differentiates a speed at which the cleaning unit is moved in a first direction along the path from a speed at which the cleaning unit is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A powder detection device includes a detection unit, a cleaning unit, and a drive unit. The detection unit includes detection surfaces provided in a storage container and enables detection of powder through the detection surfaces. The cleaning unit removes the powder from the detection surfaces by sliding along the detection surfaces. The drive unit reciprocates the cleaning unit along a path extending through the detection surfaces and differentiates a speed at which the cleaning unit is moved in a first direction along the path from a speed at which the cleaning unit is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A powder detection device includes a detection unit, a cleaning unit, and a drive unit. The detection unit includes detection surfaces provided in a storage container and enables detection of powder through the detection surfaces. The cleaning unit removes the powder from the detection surfaces by sliding along the detection surfaces. The drive unit reciprocates the cleaning unit along a path extending through the detection surfaces and differentiates a speed at which the cleaning unit is moved in a first direction along the path from a speed at which the cleaning unit is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A powder detection device includes a detection unit, a cleaning unit, and a drive unit. The detection unit includes detection surfaces provided in a storage container and enables detection of powder through the detection surfaces. The cleaning unit removes the powder from the detection surfaces by sliding along the detection surfaces. The drive unit reciprocates the cleaning unit along a path extending through the detection surfaces and differentiates a speed at which the cleaning unit is moved in a first direction along the path from a speed at which the cleaning unit is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A toner cartridge, and a process unit and image forming apparatus using the same. Toner contained in an outer chamber is scooped with a toner scooping member by rotation of a toner container and slides down toward a communication port along an upper surface of a partition, and falls down to an inner chamber from the communication port. Then, the toner that has fallen down into the inner chamber from the communication port slides down toward a toner discharging port along the inner surface of the partition, and is discharged from the toner discharging port. Furthermore, toner discharged form the toner discharging port is discharged from a toner through hole provided in a toner container supporting member to the outside of the toner cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner cartridge supporting member which is movable between an insertion position and a draw-out position. An information storage device is provided on a toner cartridge that is mounted on the toner cartridge supporting member. A connector that is configured to engage the information storage device is provided on the image forming apparatus. The connector is movable in a moving direction of the toner cartridge supporting member. When a toner cartridge on the toner cartridge supporting member moves toward the draw-out position, the connector moves with and remains engaged with the information storage device for part of the movement so that information can be read from or written to the information storage device before the toner cartridge arrives at the draw-out position.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes: a toner holding container having an outlet formed thereon; a partition wall separating the inside of toner holding container to a toner discharging portion in which the outlet is formed and a toner stirring portion other than the toner discharging portion; a toner discharging member axially and rotatably supported in the toner discharging portion for carrying the toner contained in the toner discharging portion to the outlet; a toner stirring member axially and rotatably supported in the toner stirring portion for stirring and carrying to the toner discharging portion the toner in the toner stirring portion; and an upper lid with a recess formed to surround, like a tunnel, the toner discharging member at a portion above the outlet, together with the partition wall and the toner holding container.

Abstract: The development device of the present invention has a rotating shutter supported rotatably between a supply opening formed on a toner supply device and a receiving opening formed on a developing tank. The rotating shutter has an open section extending in the axial direction of the roller-shaped main section as well as opened in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction thereof, opening and shutting the supply opening in conjunction with attachment and detachment operation of the developing tank. The rotating shutter shuts the supply opening by covering the supply opening with the outer surface of the roller-shaped main section, and opens the supply opening by communicating the supply opening and the receiving opening through the open section. Thus, it is possible to prevent the leakage of toner even after repetitively performing the attachment and detachment operation of the developing tank.

Abstract: A toner cartridge, and a process unit and image forming apparatus using the same. Toner contained in an outer chamber is scooped with a toner scooping member by rotation of a toner container and slides down toward a communication port along an upper surface of a partition, and falls down to an inner chamber from the communication port. Then, the toner that has fallen down into the inner chamber from the communication port slides down toward a toner discharging port along the inner surface of the partition, and is discharged from the toner discharging port. Furthermore, toner discharged form the toner discharging port is discharged from a toner through hole provided in a toner container supporting member to the outside of the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A toner supply device includes a toner storage tank for storing toner; a toner supply roller for discharging toner; a covering member for covering the top surface of the toner storage tank filled with toner; and a sealing element provided between the toner storage tank and the covering member.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes: a toner holding container having an outlet formed thereon; a partition wall separating the inside of toner holding container to a toner discharging portion in which the outlet is formed and a toner stirring portion other than the toner discharging portion; a toner discharging member axially and rotatably supported in the toner discharging portion for carrying the toner contained in the toner discharging portion to the outlet; a toner stirring member axially and rotatably supported in the toner stirring portion for stirring and carrying to the toner discharging portion the toner in the toner stirring portion; and an upper lid with a recess formed to surround, like a tunnel, the toner discharging member at a portion above the outlet, together with the partition wall and the toner holding container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a toner cartridge supporting member which is movable between (i) an insertion position indicating that the toner cartridge is in the predetermined position and (ii) a draw-out position indicating that the toner cartridge is drawn out from the predetermined position; a detection device which detects a movement of the toner cartridge supporting member in a direction pointing from the insertion position toward the draw-out position; an information storage device which is provided in the toner cartridge; a connector which is provided so as to be detached from or fitted to the information storage device so as to be movable in a moving direction of the toner cartridge supporting member; and an information processing device which is capable of communicating with the information storage device via the connector and which carries out a communication stop process for causing a communication between the information processing device and the information storage device to be stopped wh