Abstract: A consumable unit and an image forming apparatus for controlling a consumable includes a first memory that stores consumable item information regarding the consumable and provides the consumable item information through password authentication, and a second memory that rewrites recycling prevention information, which indicates that recycling is impossible, a limited number of times. Therefore, if the consumable is replaced, it is possible to prevent the first memory and second memory from being recycled.

Abstract: Disclosed are a light guide member, a charge eliminating unit and an image forming apparatus and/or an image reading apparatus having the same. The light guide member may include an incidence face through which light is introduced, an irregular reflection portion arranged along a longitudinal direction of the light guide member for irregular reflection of the light introduced through the incidence face and an emission face arranged opposite the irregular reflection portion for emission of the light. At least one recess may be formed in the incidence face for diffusion of the light introduced through the incidence face.

Abstract: A medium feeding unit for use in an image forming apparatus includes: a cassette frame to load a printable medium; a guiding member disposed inside the cassette frame to move in a widthwise direction of the printable medium, and to guide the printable medium; and a stopper disposed rotatably to the cassette frame to regulate movement of the guiding member.

Abstract: A printing system and printer with an electronic signature capability, and a method thereof are provided. To print security documents using an electronic signature stored in a portable memory, the printing system of the invention includes a portable memory for storing an electronic signature. A memory interface connects detachably to the portable memory. A printer receives the electronic signature from the memory interface, composes the received electronic signature with print data, and executes a print operation. Accordingly, a stamping or signature process on numerous documents can be facilitated, and excessive stamping or signature execution can be prevented. Moreover, the electronic signature of the invention can be executed on various types of forms or documents.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic album image forming apparatus having a scanner function, which includes an electronic album unit for displaying, selecting and editing a digital image; a print unit for printing a digital image selected in the electronic album unit; and a scan unit for scanning an original document and converting it into a digital image.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic album image forming apparatus having a scanner function, which includes an electronic album unit for displaying, selecting and editing a digital image; a print unit for printing a digital image selected in the electronic album unit; and a scan unit for scanning an original document and converting it into a digital image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a device information storage unit, a determiner and a controller. The device information storage unit is included in a replaceable device of the image forming apparatus and stores device-related information. The determiner determines whether the replaceable deice is a licensed or recycled product by analyzing the information stored in the device information storage unit, and outputs the determination result. The controller controls an operation of the image forming apparatus in response to the determination result output from the determiner. Since an operation of the image forming apparatus can be controlled according to characteristics of the replaceable device installed in the image forming apparatus, printing quality can be prevented from being deteriorated, durability of the image forming apparatus can be lengthened, and a user can safely use the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed are a light guide member, a charge eliminating unit and an image forming apparatus and/or an image reading apparatus having the same. The light guide member may include an incidence face through which light is introduced, an irregular reflection portion arranged along a longitudinal direction of the light guide member for irregular reflection of the light introduced through the incidence face and an emission face arranged opposite the irregular reflection portion for emission of the light. At least one recess may be formed in the incidence face for diffusion of the light introduced through the incidence face.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus which includes a photosensitive body on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing unit including toner to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive body, a temperature sensor installed in the developing unit to measure temperature around the toner, a memory unit having information regarding the toner and installed in the developing unit to receive signals from the temperature sensor, and a controller electrically connected to the memory unit to control developing operations based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a device information storage unit, a determiner and a controller. The device information storage unit is included in a replaceable device of the image forming apparatus and stores device-related information. The determiner determines whether the replaceable deice is a licensed or recycled product by analyzing the information stored in the device information storage unit, and outputs the determination result. The controller controls an operation of the image forming apparatus in response to the determination result output from the determiner. Since an operation of the image forming apparatus can be controlled according to characteristics of the replaceable device installed in the image forming apparatus, printing quality can be prevented from being deteriorated, durability of the image forming apparatus can be lengthened, and a user can safely use the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A replaceable unit to participate in an image forming job of an image forming apparatus includes a storage unit to store therein a driving condition corresponding to an operation environment, a detecting unit to monitor the operation environment, a controlling unit to detect a corresponding driving condition from the storage unit if the detecting unit detects the driving environment, and an interface unit to provide a main body of the image forming apparatus with the detected corresponding driving condition. Accordingly, the replaceable unit can be driven under optimum driving conditions.

Abstract: A medium feeding unit for use in an image forming apparatus includes: a cassette frame to load a printable medium; a guiding member disposed inside the cassette frame to move in a widthwise direction of the printable medium, and to guide the printable medium; and a stopper disposed rotatably to the cassette frame to regulate movement of the guiding member.

Abstract: A consumable unit and an image forming apparatus for controlling a consumable includes a first memory that stores consumable item information regarding the consumable and provides the consumable item information through password authentication, and a second memory that rewrites recycling prevention information, which indicates that recycling is impossible, a limited number of times. Therefore, if the consumable is replaced, it is possible to prevent the first memory and second memory from being recycled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of driving a transfer belt are disclosed. The apparatus and method comprise driving the transfer belt provided in an image forming apparatus by a predetermined distance when the transfer belt has been stopped for a predetermined time, and thus varying the contact portion with a plurality of rollers provided on the transfer belt. Image contamination due to deformation on the belt can be avoided. Additionally, because the rotation time of the driving source can be set to a predetermined time during the power-saving mode, power consumption can be minimized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to store information on an amount of toner used. The method includes determining whether a customer replaceable unit monitor (CRUM) memory to store information on an amount of used toner is included in a cartridge of an image forming device; storing the information on the amount of used toner in a non-volatile memory of the image forming device when the CRUM memory is not included in the cartridge of the image forming device; and storing the information on the amount of used toner in the CRUM memory when the CRUM memory is included in the cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of satisfying various demands of a user by enabling the user to determine a grade of consumables in a single image forming apparatus, and the method of employing the same. The printing method of an image forming apparatus which has a recognition device to print according to grades of consumables, comprises the steps of checking a grade of at least one consumable by the recognition device, searching a setup condition of the apparatus, through which the optimum printing can be obtained by combining the mounted consumables, setting up a printing condition which is preset by the combination of the consumables, and printing with the setup condition by a user's printing command.

Abstract: A thin-film deposition method for a semiconductor device includes injecting a process gas into a process chamber to deposit a thin film and forming a plasma atmosphere inside the process chamber while injecting the process gas to deposit a thin film on a semiconductor substrate. The thin film is formed by a reaction between the process gas and the plasma.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic album image forming apparatus having a scanner function, which includes an electronic album unit for displaying, selecting and editing a digital image; a print unit for printing a digital image selected in the electronic album unit; and a scan unit for scanning an original document and converting it into a digital image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a device information storage unit, a determiner and a controller. The device information storage unit is included in a replaceable device of the image forming apparatus and stores device-related information. The determiner determines whether the replaceable deice is a licensed or recycled product by analyzing the information stored in the device information storage unit, and outputs the determination result. The controller controls an operation of the image forming apparatus in response to the determination result output from the determiner. Since an operation of the image forming apparatus can be controlled according to characteristics of the replaceable device installed in the image forming apparatus, printing quality can be prevented from being deteriorated, durability of the image forming apparatus can be lengthened, and a user can safely use the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A printing system and printer with an electronic signature capability, and a method thereof are provided. To print security documents using an electronic signature stored in a portable memory, the printing system of the invention includes a portable memory for storing an electronic signature. A memory interface connects detachably to the portable memory. A printer receives the electronic signature from the memory interface, composes the received electronic signature with print data, and executes a print operation. Accordingly, a stamping or signature process on numerous documents can be facilitated, and excessive stamping or signature execution can be prevented. Moreover, the electronic signature of the invention can be executed on various types of forms or documents.