Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a first communicating part that reads data stored in a storage device of an outside apparatus and writes data in the storage device of the outside apparatus, a second communicating part that transmits and receives data with respect to the outside apparatus, and an operation controlling part that operates either the first communicating part or the second communicating part. The operation controlling part is configured to operate the first communicating part when power is supplied to the communication apparatus and operate the second communicating part when power is not supplied to the communication apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including a body housing in which an opening is formed for providing removal/mounting access of a removable cartridge; a door member for selectively closing the opening. The removable cartridge includes a cartridge status chip in which predetermined information relating to the removable cartridge is recorded. The door member of the image forming apparatus and the removable cartridge may each be provided with respective contact terminal or terminals that engage when the door member is closed with the removable cartridge received in the body housing of the image forming apparatus. The controller of the image forming apparatus uses the electrical continuity information of the contact terminal or terminals in order to determine the closure status of the door member and to control the operation of the image forming apparatus accordingly.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of determining whether a development unit is refilled with developer and an image forming device adopting the method. The method comprises a first step of reading a serial number and an amount of remaining developer from the development unit, and determining whether the amount of the remaining developer read from the development unit is greater than 0; and a second step of determining, in a case where the determination result of the first step is “YES”, that the development unit is not refilled with the developer; or determining, in a case where the determination result of the first step is “NO”, whether the development unit is refilled with the developer, based on information stored in the development unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus embeds second class data that is different from sheet to sheet in first class data that is common throughout a printing operation. First and second unfolding sections unfold the first and second class data to image data. An image carrying body image examination section compares image data unfolded by the second unfolding section and picked up image data unfolded by the first unfolding section and prepared by an image carrying body image pickup section, and an intermediate transfer body image examination section compares image data unfolded by the second unfolding section and picked up image data unfolded by the first unfolding section and prepared by an intermediate transfer body image pickup section.

Abstract: A fitting structure for process cartridges and an image forming apparatus body of an image forming apparatus capable of fitting the process cartridges for plural colors thereto, the fitting structure including: an incompatible member with its cross-sectional shape in an axial direction being rotationally symmetrical, the incompatible member having at least one attaching projection and one displaying hole or one displaying notched portion formed on a position different from a rotational shaft of the rotationally symmetrical shape; an attached portion of the process cartridge capable of holding the incompatible member, having identification display portions for identifying the plural colors arranged on the position corresponding to the displaying hole or the displaying notched portion; and an acceptance portion of the image forming apparatus body having an acceptance concave portion for accepting the at least one attaching projection of the incompatible member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. A development cartridge having a first memory storing therein cartridge information is detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus casing and an exposure unit having plural light emitting portions. The exposure unit is supported by the apparatus casing so that the light emitting portions face a photosensitive member rotatably supported by the apparatus casing. The image forming apparatus further includes a reader unit disposed on the exposure unit and configured to read the cartridge information from the first memory when the development cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A cartridge including identifier data that is indicative of a plurality of globally unique identifiers. The cartridge is configured for use in a printer capable of printing machine-readable coded data onto a surface. The printer has an interface for receiving the cartridge, a reader for reading the identifier data, a coded data generator and a printhead. The coded data generator is configured for allocating a globally unique identifier from the identifier data and generating coded data on the basis of the allocated identifier. The coded data includes a machine-readable pattern of coded data identifying a unique region identity for association with a substrate to be printed.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a main body, a replaceable unit, a determination unit, a first memory, a second memory, a temporary memory, a first control unit, and a second control unit. The determination unit determines whether the replaceable unit is a genuine product or a non-genuine product with respect to the main body. The first memory is configured to store a physical value increasing with a use of the main body mounted with the genuine product. The second memory is configured to store the physical value increasing with the use of the main body mounted with the non-genuine product. The temporary memory is configured to temporarily store the physical value increasing with the use of the main body mounted with the non-genuine product.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus for forming an image using toner contained in a toner cartridge, genuineness of the toner cartridge with or without a memory device is verified. A counter counts a value concerning image formation. A cartridge detector determines the presence or absence of the toner cartridge. A reader is configured to retrieve data from a memory device if any provided in the toner cartridge. A controller is configured to exercise two types of control. If the cartridge detector determines that the toner cartridge is present, the value counted by the counter is greater than a predetermined value, and the reader has failed retrieval of predetermined data, then a first type of control conformable to a toner cartridge other than a genuine toner cartridge is exercised. Otherwise, a second type of control conformable to the genuine toner cartridge is exercised.

Abstract: An imaging material supply cartridge uses a partition map to identify access modes and encryption attributes.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit with a supply roller that supplies toner to a developing roller located such that of a contact region between the developing roller and the supply roller, the uppermost stream position in the rotating direction of the supply roller during image formation is located higher than the lowermost stream position, wherein the supply roller rotates in a reverse direction during image formation if the developing unit is new.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a unit, which is detachably attachable to a main body of the apparatus and has a portion to be detected, and a detecting device which detects the portion to be detected in the unit. It is determined that the unit is in an unused state since both of a first state in which the portion to be detected is detected by the detecting device and a second state in which the portion to be detected is not detected by the detecting device are confirmed, and thereafter, the first state or the second state is maintained. Furthermore, there is provided a restricting member which inhibits the first state or the second state from being maintained.

Abstract: A method of authenticating at least one piece of content provided to an image forming apparatus in which at least one consumable is disposed includes determining whether the at least one consumable includes authentication information of the at least one piece of content, displaying the at least one piece of content on a user interface according to a license policy corresponding to the authentication information, selecting at least one piece of content from the at least one piece of content displayed on the user interface, and executing the selected at least one piece of content.

Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a housing and a detection gear having a detection protrusion detectable by detecting device of an image forming apparatus. The detection gear is rotatable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the detection protrusion is detectable by the detecting device and a gear toothed portion opposes an agitator gear. In the second position, the detection protrusion is undetectable by the detecting device and a toothless portion opposes the agitator gear. When the detection gear is in the first position, an urging portion of the housing contacts the detection gear and applies rotational force to urge the gear toothed portion toward the agitator gear. When in the second position, the urging portion contacts the detection gear and regulates the position of the detection gear in the rotational direction to cause the toothless portion and the agitator gear to oppose each other.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided systems, computer readable media, and methods to authenticate a customer replaceable unit (CRU) in a printer system by comparing a validation code in the CRU with a printer generated validation code. The Validation Code is a string of numbers and/or characters that can be referred to as a value. The validation code will be comprised of a value string including programmed characters representing a combination of all or portions of a market program designator or code, consumable identification (ID) information and a randomly generated value, which may be hidden from view. The code is independently established by the printing system or device using the same algorithm and information and validates the resulting Code when they match. The printing system or device must confirm the Validation Code and ID applicability of the consumable to deem it appropriate for use.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods and systems for authenticating an imaging device consumer replaceable unit (CRU) used in products such as a printing system with appropriate programming such that they are able to positively recognize and accommodate authorized consumables. A microcontroller or processing chip is integrated with the CRU and capable of generating a Validation Code. A code key will be comprised of a value string including programmed characters representing a combination of all or portions of a market program designator or code, consumable identification (ID) information and a randomly generated value, which may be hidden from view. The resulting string key is a basis for an algorithm created Validation Code. This code is generated by the consumable processor and readable by a printing system or device the CRU is inserted into.

Abstract: In the image formation apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of detection sections outputs binary signals to a detection identification control section, and an image formation control section for control of periphery of the engine of the apparatus outputs a detection section identifying signal and a detection section period signal to the detection identification control section. Also, the detection identification control section outputs a detection result of the detection sections as detection data to a control board. A plurality of driver sections are connected to a driver identification control section via a data line through which driving signals for driving a section to be driven are transmitted. Accordingly, the present invention provides a versatile image formation apparatus with a reduced number of output lines which can deal with a change of image formation system without increasing the number of signal lines.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a replaceable image formation unit. The image forming apparatus includes an input device for inputting a signal representing occurrence of abnormality in one of an output image and the image forming apparatus recognized by an operator, a unit specifying device for specifying an image formation unit to be replaced for resolving the abnormality upon receiving the signal, and a notification device for notifying information related to the replacement unit based on the unit specification result.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor with a toner; and a developing tank for storing the toner to be supplied to the developing roller, the developing tank including: a toner receiving port for receiving the toner to be stored; a shutter having a function for sliding to open and close the toner receiving port, the shutter being adapted to be maintained in a closed state by an electrically-releasing adhesive; and a pair of conductive member for supplying an electric current to the electrically-releasing adhesive to open the shutter.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including an image forming engine for performing image forming operation, at least one RFID tag storing attribute information, a fit-in member detachably mounted in the apparatus body, the fit-in member being fitted with the RFID tag, an RFID tag interface through which the attribute information is read out from the RFID tag, a controller for controlling the image forming engine according to the attribute information read out through the RFID tag interface, and a mode switcher for switching the image forming apparatus from image forming mode which enables execution of the image forming operation to maintenance mode which enables execution of maintenance operation. The mode switcher enables a transfer from the image forming mode to the maintenance mode if maintenance mode startup information is detected from the attribute information read out through the RFID tag interface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a main body and optional trays and a communication method between the main body and the optional trays, the apparatus including: the main body having a main controller; at least one optional tray detachably set up in the main body and having a tray controller for communicating with the main controller to transmit and receive data; and communication lines forming a communication channel connecting the main controller and the tray controllers, for data exchange, and for informing the main controller that the data is provided from tray controllers to the main controller. Since the main body and the optional trays communicate through a single UART communication channel, the number of communication channels is decreased thereby saving time and simplifying protocol as well as reducing costs and simplify circuits. Also, it is possible to assign IDs rapidly and simply, prevent generation of errors in ID assignment, and make use of the image forming apparatus convenient.

Abstract: An apparatus which is capable of substantially prolonging the service live of each component part and preventing the degradation of apparatus specifications before and after parts interchange work by the user. A controller of the image forming apparatus detects a component part requiring interchange from among the component parts based on wear ratios of the respective component parts. The controller determines whether or not to interchange the component part requiring interchange with another component part, based on the wear ratios of the respective component parts and usage rate of the respective component positions. When it is determined that the component part requiring interchange should be interchanged with another component part, the image forming apparatus issues a parts interchange notification.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit; a controller that controls the image forming unit to form, on a recording medium, an image based on image data in accordance with a first print setting; and a data recording unit that records original data of the image data and the first print setting on a non-contact tag attached to the recording medium.

Abstract: A replacing mouth 5 for replacing each of toner cartridges 40 is provided at such a position that when any of developer units 32 stops at a developing position 38, the toner cartridge 40 adjacent to the pertinent developer unit 32 and supplementing the toner to another developer unit 32 different from the pertinent developer unit 32 can be replaced. Further, an information reading device 46 for reading the information from the storage medium 42 included in each of the toner cartridges 40 reads the information from the storage medium when any of the developer units 32 is located at the developing position 38.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is configured to receive supply of toner from a toner container. The toner container contains the toner and is rotated to supply the toner. The image forming apparatus includes a developer, a container mountable unit, a toner detector, a rotation counter, and a controller. The developer develops an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier using the toner. To the container mountable unit, the toner container is exchangeably mounted. The toner detector detects an amount of the toner supplied from the toner container. The rotation counter counts a number of rotations of the toner container during the supply of the toner. The controller determines whether the toner container is suitable for the image forming apparatus based on a result of detection by the toner detector and based on a result of counting by the rotation counter.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a toner cartridge includes a toner container to be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus body, a shutter to open and close a toner supply port of the toner container, and a key that indicates a type of the toner cartridge and allows the shutter to slide if the key coincides with a release part of the image forming apparatus body.

Abstract: Provides is an image forming system, comprising an image forming device and an information processing device connected to the image forming device, further comprising a function-detecting unit detecting that a second function is added to the image forming device having a first function, and a notification unit notifying the user using the first function of the fact that the second function is added when addition thereof is detected by the function-detecting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to which a plurality of cartridges are detachably mountable, the cartridges each having a cartridge side identification portion, the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of mounting portions to which the cartridges are demountably mountable; and a identification urging means, provided in each of the mounting portions, for permitting a cartridge to be mounted to the mounting portion when the cartridge is properly to be mounted to the mounting portion on the basis of correspondence with the cartridge side identification portion, and for urging the cartridge in a direction opposite a direction in which the cartridge is mounted when the cartridge is improper for the mounting portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an accumulating unit to accumulate a correspondence of tray classification information that represents a classification of sheet trays and tray identifiers including information for identifying the sheet trays, a determining unit to determine whether there are overlapping tray identifiers in the accumulating unit, the overlapping tray identifiers being tray identifiers that are common for same-tray classification information or different-tray classification information and a changing unit to, when the determining unit determines that there are overlapping tray identifiers, change the overlapping tray identifiers in the accumulating unit so that there are no overlapping tray identifiers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus main body; a plurality of cartridges removably mounted to the apparatus main body and accommodating developer of respective colors, each of the cartridges including a nonvolatile memory; and a storing control unit provided in the apparatus main body. The storing control unit is configured to store, in each of the nonvolatile memories, given information on all of the cartridges and identification information of the cartridges in response to a use of at least one of the cartridges, such that the given information on each of the cartridges is associated with identification information of a respective one of the cartridges.

Abstract: A toner container detachably attached to a toner-container holder of a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a container body that includes an opening, and discharges toner contained in the container body, from the opening; and a held portion that is held by the toner-container holder in a non-rotating manner. The held portion includes an open/close member for opening/closing the toner outlet in synchronization with an attachment/detachment operation of the held portion to/from the toner-container holder.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has at least one tray for feeding or discharging a sheet, and includes an input tray ID holding unit which holds an input tray ID that is optionally input so as to identify the tray, an initial tray ID holding unit which holds an initial tray ID set beforehand so as to identify the tray, a tray ID comparing unit which compares the input tray ID and the initial tray ID, and a tray ID allocating unit which allocates a new tray ID to the tray to which the initial tray ID is allocated, when the input tray ID and the initial tray ID are found overlapped as a result of the comparison by the tray ID comparing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a process cartridge that is removable from the image forming apparatus. When the process cartridge is installed, the image forming apparatus automatically searches a print job that matches the process cartridge that is currently installed onto the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A toner cartridge comprises a toner container which contains toner, a driving member which rotationally drives a conveying member, an agitating member which agitates a toner in the toner container while being rotated, a driven member which rotates in association with the driving member which is for rotationally driving the agitating member, and a rotational body which rotates according to rotation of the driven member, has a plurality of slits in rotational circumference for identifying a type of the toner cartridge, and has 1/K or more of the slits when a ratio of a rotational speed R1 (rad/s) of the driving member and a rotational speed R2 (rad/s) of the driven member is K=R2/R1.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus executes controls relating to image formation in a dispersed manner without centralization. A printer part of the image forming apparatus includes a laser module, an image process module, a paper-feed cassette module, a conveyance module, a both-side module, a fixing module, a paper discharge module and a shared data module. Each module stores operation condition information, indicating its operation condition in the shared data module, and executes autonomously a specific operation by referring to operation parameters and the operation condition information indicating the operation conditions of the modules, stored in the shared data module.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: an image formation section for forming a toner image based on image data on a recording medium; a first fixing device for fixing the toner image formed by the image formation section; an accommodation section for storing the first fixing device or a second fixing device having different specifications than those of the first fixing device; and a peripheral member arranged on the periphery of the accommodation section to operate synchronously with the first fixing device or second fixing device; wherein, when the first fixing device accommodated in the accommodation section has been replaced by the second fixing device, a status of the peripheral member is switched in conformity to specifications of the second fixing device.

Abstract: A unit installable in an apparatus and a method of managing a unit installed in an apparatus are provided. The unit includes a container for a consumable, and a chip mounted to the container. The chip includes a first memory to store data that is accessible and decodable by the apparatus to authenticate the unit. The chip includes a second memory to store recycling prevention information.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling an image forming apparatus and include a supplies information storage unit, which is included in supplies of an image forming apparatus and which has a writable first storage area and a second storage area providing write protection, and which stores information regarding the supplies in the first storage area, a replacement time detecting unit, which detects a replacement time of the supplies and outputs the sensing result, and an information controller, which in response to the result output from the replacement time detecting unit, stores the information stored in the first storage area in the second storage area, sets the write protection, and deletes the information stored in the first storage area. Accordingly, illegally recycled supplies can be prevented from being installed or used.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is supplied capable of improving distance precision and relative position precision of a RFID tag and RFID unit so as to heighten communication quality of image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus comprises attachable and removable image forming unit which has a RFID tag, and a RFID unit which is located in a LED head installing section and communicates with the RFID tag through radio communication, wherein the RFID tag is located on a side wall of the image forming unit and faces the RFID unit.

Abstract: In an image-forming apparatus for forming an image using toner contained in a toner cartridge, genuineness of the toner cartridge with or without a memory device is verified. A counter counts a value concerning image formation. A cartridge detector determines the presence or absence of the toner cartridge. A reader is configured to retrieve data from a memory device if any provided in the toner cartridge. A controller is configured to exercise two types of control. If the cartridge detector determines that the toner cartridge is present, the value counted by the counter is greater than a predetermined value, and the reader has failed retrieval of predetermined data, then a first type of control conformable to a toner cartridge other than a genuine toner cartridge is exercised. Otherwise, a second type of control conformable to the genuine toner cartridge is exercised.

Abstract: A print system with one or more interchangeable modular accessory cartridges that will interchange with conventional printer cartridges. The interchangeable modular accessory cartridges are mounted in the printer in fixed relation to an imaging area and are identifiable to carry out supplemental actions. The accessory cartridges are capable of communicating and are controllable by a controller.

Abstract: When a replaceable unit is mounted, a CPU of an image forming apparatus recognizes whether or not a corresponding machine type code and a corresponding country code are stored in a main body NVM. When the corresponding machine type code and the corresponding country code are not stored in the main body NVM, the CPU reads a machine type code and a country code stored in the unit NVM of the mounted replaceable unit from the unit NVM. The CPU stores the machine type code and the country code read from the unit NVM in the corresponding machine type code and the corresponding country code of the main body NVM.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes an electrophotographic image-forming section, a receptacle, a detecting unit, a shielding member, a drive mechanism. The electrophotographic image-forming section transfers developer onto a recording sheet to form developer image thereon. The receptacle collects developer not transferred onto the recording sheet. The receptacle includes a detection portion. The detecting unit detects light passing through the detection portion. The shielding member is movably disposed in the detection portion to move between a first position blocking the light to be detected by the detecting unit and a second position allowing the light to pass through the detection portion. The drive mechanism moves the shielding member between the first position and the second position in a direction different from a vertical direction.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a receiving unit that is removably receiving a component, a determination unit that determines the acceptability of the component received in the receiving unit, and a control unit that, if the determination unit does not confirm the acceptability of the component, provides a notification and stops at least a portion of the image forming function at a predetermined time, after providing the notification.

Abstract: A processing unit according to this invention includes a photosensitive drum, an initial detection gear, a rotation stop, and a stopper arm. The photosensitive drum forms an electrostatic latent image on a surface thereof. The initial detection gear is a member which is rotatable in a manner linked to rotation of the photoreceptor for identifying the processing unit as a new one or an old one. The rotation stop is provided on the photosensitive drum. The stopper arm is engageable with the rotation stop.

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: In a case where a qualified cartridge is not mounted, a toner supply controller stops driving of a toner supply motor. A controller calculates the toner density in a toner tank in accordance with a detection signal of a TC sensor to determine whether the toner density is within an allowable range. In a case where the toner density is out of the allowable range, the toner supply controller allows the toner supply motor to start driving. After that, in a case where the toner density in the toner tank becomes high, a cartridge mounting status determining section determines that a non-qualified cartridge is mounted. On the other hand, in a case where the toner density in the toner tank does not change or becomes lower, the cartridge mounting status determining section determines that the cartridge is not yet mounted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus body settable to any of at least first and second modes; a replacement part detachably attachable to the apparatus body; a first storage provided in the apparatus body and configured to store ID information for at least a selected one of the first and second modes; a second storage provided in the replacement part and configured to store ID information of the replacement part; and a determination section configured to compare the ID information of the apparatus body stored in the first storage with the ID information of the replacement part stored in the second storage to determine whether to permit use of the replacement part, wherein the second storage of the replacement part shipped with the image forming apparatus stores at least first ID information for the first mode and second ID information for the second mode.

Abstract: Provided is a method of orienting a printer chip to enable interoperation between the printer chip and more than one type of printer. The printer chip has a plurality of sets of contacts, each set of contacts capable of interoperation with a different type of printer, cartridge, or photoconductor unit. The chip is installed on the cartridge with the chosen set of contacts oriented to mate with the electrical contacts in the printer cartridge receiving cavity of the printer. The result is a printer chip that can be installed on a printer cartridge or photoconductor unit in a plurality of orientations in order to allow the printer cartridge or photoconductor unit to interoperate with a plurality of types of printers, or allow a plurality of types of printer cartridges or photoconductor units to interoperate with a printer.

Abstract: An electronic device support member is fitted into and pressingly attached to a cover so that a face on which an electronic device and an antenna are disposed is opposed to the rear face of the cover. A base has a fitting receive portion into which a fitting portion of the cover is to be fitted, on the peripheral edge of the surface opposed to the cover. Two elastic claws are disposed on the peripheral edge of the rear face. A second housing has a recess portion into which a memory chip is to be fitted and secured, in the surface. The recess portion is formed into a circular concave shape, and has two engagement portions for respectively receiving the elastic claws of the memory chip.