Abstract: In an example, a print system is described and includes a supply interface to form electrical communication with a container of print fluid and a controller to retrieve data from a machine-readable medium coupled to the container, identify a container group identifier based on the retrieved data, and set a group flag based on a comparison of the container group identifier with data representing a group reference.

Abstract: The printing system includes a liquid supply container that stores a liquid; a printing device that receives a liquid supplied from the liquid supply container and performs printing; an imaging device that acquires image information including at least a part of the liquid supply container; an acquisition section that acquires reference information; a determination section that collates the image information with the reference information and determines whether or not the liquid is allowed to be supplied according to a collation result; and a control section that controls the printing device according to the determination.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner container, a support member, a lock member, a lock removing portion, and a moving mechanism. The toner container is attachable to an attachment position in an apparatus main body. The support member supports the toner container which is moved between the attachment position and a detachment position located toward a surface of the apparatus main body. The lock member is provided on the support member, is movable in a first direction along the surface, and is displaced between a lock position where the toner container is locked to the attachment position and a removal position. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the lock removing portion moves the lock member to the removal position to remove a lock of the toner container. The moving mechanism moves the toner container toward the detachment position when the lock removing portion removes the lock.

Abstract: An example print device may comprise a consumable component comprising a human-indiscernible hardware-based identifier. The example print device may also comprise a sensor to read the human-indiscernible hardware-based identifier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect a remaining amount of a recording agent in a cartridge mounted in the image forming apparatus, an output device configured to output at least one of visual and audio information, and a controller. The controller is configured to, upon a first cartridge being dismounted, store, as a previous remaining amount, a remaining amount of a recording agent in the first cartridge detected by the sensor. The controller is also configured to, upon a remaining amount of a recording agent in a second cartridge that has been mounted in the image forming apparatus after the first cartridge is dismounted decreasing to or below a first threshold value as detected by the sensor, control the output device to output information that varies based on a value of the previous remaining amount.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage and an authentication section. The storage stores container identification information provided to each individual developer container in combination with remaining amount information indicating a remaining amount of developer stored in the developer container. The authentication section authenticates the developer container based on the remaining amount information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a print engine to perform a printing job using toner filled in a toner cartridge, a communicator to communicate with a memory chip attached to a toner refill apparatus which refills the toner cartridge with toner, a memory to store group information corresponding to a plurality of image forming apparatuses for sharing the toner refill apparatus, and a processor to determine whether or not the toner refill apparatus is usable based on information stored in a memory chip of the toner refill apparatus and group information stored in the memory.

Abstract: A toner container includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An input gear is positioned on the housing for mating with a corresponding output gear in an image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. A toner agitator is movably positioned in the reservoir. The toner agitator is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a first rotational direction causes movement of the toner agitator for agitating toner in the reservoir. An encoded member is encoded with authentication information of the toner container and is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a second rotational direction causes movement of the encoded member for communicating the authentication information of the toner container to a controller of the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printing unit that prints an image on a recording medium, and an image quality adjustment unit that performs an image quality adjustment of the printing unit in a case of a state in which an operation is started, which causes the number of operations performed by a user to become larger than a predetermined number.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a print engine to perform a print job by using a toner filled in a toner cartridge, a communication apparatus to communicate with a memory chip attached to a toner refill apparatus refilling the toner in the toner cartridge, and a processor to, based on an error being found in a toner injection process for the toner cartridge by using the toner refill apparatus, store information related to the error in the toner cartridge.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an authenticating service of a chip having an intrinsic identifier (ID). In a typical embodiment, an authenticating device is provided that includes an identification (ID) engine, a self-test engine, and an intrinsic component. The intrinsic component is associated with a chip and includes an intrinsic feature. The self-test engine retrieves the intrinsic feature and communicates it to the identification engine. The identification engine receives the intrinsic feature, generates a first authentication value using the intrinsic feature, and stores the authentication value in memory. The self-test engine generates a second authentication value using an authentication challenge. The identification engine includes a compare circuitry that compares the first authentication value and the second authentication value and generates an authentication output value based on the results of the compare of the two values.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a drive gear, a first gear, and a second gear rotatable relative to the first gear. The drive gear includes a small-diameter gear part, and a large-diameter gear part. The first gear includes: a first gear teeth part having a plurality of gear teeth; and a first protrusion movable in accordance with rotation of the first gear teeth part. The second gear includes: a second gear teeth part having at least one gear tooth; and a second protrusion movable in accordance with rotation of the second gear teeth part. The second gear teeth part is configured to meshingly engage with the large-diameter gear part to rotate the second gear after the first gear rotates by a prescribed angle by meshing engagement between the small-diameter gear part and the first gear teeth part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a temperature sensor, a memory, a fixing device, and a controller. The temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of an inside of the image forming apparatus. The memory is configured to store temperature history information regarding a history of the temperature of the inside of the image forming apparatus detected by the temperature sensor. The fixing device is configured to fix a toner image onto the paper sheet by heating the paper sheet to a fixing temperature. The toner image is transferred to the paper sheet using a toner stored in a toner cartridge of the image forming apparatus. The controller is configured to control a fixing temperature at the fixing device based on the temperature history information stored in the memory.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main unit, a main unit memory, a drum cartridge, a toner cartridge, and a controller. The main unit memory stores printer identification information. The drum cartridge includes a drum memory that stores drum identification information. The toner cartridge includes a toner memory that stores toner identification information. The controller is configured to store in the main unit memory the drum identification information stored in the drum memory and store in the drum memory the printer identification information stored in the main unit memory, if it determines that the drum cartridge installed in the main unit is new, and store in the main unit memory the toner identification information stored in the toner memory and store in the toner memory the drum identification information stored in the drum memory, if it determines that the toner cartridge installed in the main unit is new.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a management method of a processing tool mounted to a processing apparatus. The management method includes an information input step of inputting product type information that indicates a product type and a serial number displayed on the processing tool or a case of the processing tool to the processing apparatus when the processing tool is mounted to the processing apparatus, and a tallying step of counting the number of inputs of the serial number regarding each identical product type and tallying the number of uses regarding each product type from the input information. Order timing of each product type is determined from the number of uses.

Abstract: In an example, a method includes extracting a static value and a dynamic value from a computer readable storage device mounted on a consumable that is locked in a printing device. Based at least in part on a comparison of the static value to the dynamic value, it is determined that the consumable should be unlocked to facilitate removal of the consumable from the printing device. A signal is then sent to a drive mechanism with which the consumable is engaged. The signal instructs the drive mechanism to take an action that unlocks the consumable.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form a toner image using a first toner supplied to the image forming unit with a first process bias VR; a density sensor configured to detect a density of toner in the image forming unit; a toner cartridge containing a second toner and including a memory that stores data representing a process bias VA appropriate for the second toner; a mounting unit on which the toner cartridge is mounted; and a toner replenishing unit configured to replenish the image forming unit with the second toner from the toner cartridge mounted on the mounting unit based on the density, in which a density detected by the density sensor when the toner cartridge is mounted on the mounting unit is converted into an estimated amount, and the image forming unit is set to a process bias V until the image forming unit is replenished with the second toner by the estimated amount after the toner cartridge is mounted on the mounting unit, the

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer to bear a latent image, a charging device to charge the image bearer, a developing device to develop the latent image on the image bearer, a cleaning device to clean a surface of the image bearer, a target component including at least one of the image bearer, the charging device, the developing device, and the cleaning device, and a temperature change suppression member opposed adjacent to or disposed in contact with an outer peripheral face of the target component. The temperature change suppression member suppresses a temperature change of the target component.

Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner and a rotatable auger in the reservoir. A screw flight of the auger is configured to move toner away from a first end of the auger and toward a second end of the auger when the auger rotates in an operative rotational direction. A segment of the screw flight at a first end of the screw flight has an outer diameter that is reduced in comparison with an outer diameter of the screw flight outside the segment of the screw flight to reduce an efficiency of the auger at the first end of the screw flight for reducing toner packing against an interior wall of the housing when the auger rotates in a direction counter to the operative rotational direction.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a consumable product is provided, comprising: one or more consumable components; a radio frequency communication tag; wherein said radio frequency communication tag comprises data indicative of a type of consumable component to which said consumable components belong. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a machine is provided, being configured to operate using a consumable product of the kind set forth; wherein said machine comprises a reader configured to read data from the radio frequency communication tag of the consumable product.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a cartridge is detachably mounted, wherein the cartridge includes: a storage unit that stores one or a plurality of sets of information associating identification information assigned according to a classification for image forming apparatus with control information used to control the image forming apparatus, and a management unit that, in response to a request from an image forming apparatus in which the cartridge is mounted, provides information stored in the storage unit; and the image forming apparatus comprises: a holding unit that holds identification information assigned to the image forming apparatus itself, and an acquisition unit that, with the identification information held in the holding unit, requests to and acquire from the cartridge corresponding control information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a first mode and a second mode with respectively different rotational peripheral velocity ratios of a developer bearing member, stores a first lifetime threshold value of a developing apparatus corresponding to the first mode and a second lifetime threshold value of the developing apparatus corresponding to the second mode, updates a lifetime determination value of a developing apparatus on the basis of drive amount information when the developer bearing member operates in the first mode and second modes, performs a first determination related to a lifetime in the first mode on the basis of the first lifetime threshold value and the lifetime determination value, performs a second determination related to a lifetime in the second mode on the basis of the second lifetime threshold value and the lifetime determination value, and makes a notification on the basis of determination results.

Abstract: A developing device includes a housing that includes a container portion, a rotating portion, and a developing roller. The container portion has a metal formed portion formed of metal and contains developer. The rotating portion is to be rotated so as to transport the developer contained in the container portion in a longitudinal direction. The developing roller holds the developer transported by the rotating portion. The metal formed portion is disposed in at least part of the container portion in a region superposed on a developer holding region of the developing roller in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a main assembly, a replacement unit detachably mounted on the main assembly, an identification unit configured to identify whether the replacement unit is a first unit mounted in advance in a shipment state of the image forming apparatus or is a second unit after replacement, a common signal line configured to transmit a signal from the identification unit and another signal; a memory unit mounted on the main assembly and configured to store control information for the first unit, and a control unit configured to control the first unit based on the control information of the first unit, wherein the control unit is switchable between an identification mode and a normal operation mode, and wherein the control unit switches control information of the replacement unit mounted on the main assembly depending on whether the replacement unit is the first unit or the second unit.

Abstract: A drum cartridge includes a first photosensitive drum, a frame, a main body connector, a first toner cartridge connector, a drum-cartridge circuit board, a harness, and a first harness. The harness is electrically connected between the main body connector and the drum-cartridge circuit board. The harness extends in the first direction. The first harness is electrically connected between the first toner cartridge connector and the drum-cartridge circuit board. The first harness extends in the second direction.

Abstract: In a cartridge, a developing roller is configured to rotate around a first rotational axis extending in a predetermined direction and to carry developer thereon, the developing roller having a first end and a second end apart from each other in the predetermined direction, a from-first-to-second direction being defined along the predetermined direction as being directed from the first end to the second end. A developing electrode is formed of a conductive material and is configured to be electrically connected to the developing roller, the developing electrode including a main part and a protruding portion protruding from the main part in the from-first-to-second direction. A detection body is formed of an insulating material and is rotatably supported by the protruding portion, the detection body including a first opening that exposes part of the protruding portion and a covering portion covering part of the protruding portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges containing toners, each cartridge including a storage element that stores a type of thermal characteristic information of the toner contained therein, and a reading portion configured to read the type of thermal characteristic information. A fixing portion thermally fixes a toner image, formed by a plurality of toners of different colors contained in the cartridges, respectively, onto a recording material, and a control portion controls the fixing portion by switching a thermal fixing condition in accordance with a combination of the types of the thermal characteristic information read by the reading portion, the thermal fixing condition being a condition that prioritizes the performance of fixing, to a recording material, a toner, of the toners that form the toner image, that is transferred first to the recording material, from among the plurality of toners of different colors.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a toner cartridge used in an image forming apparatus including a processor which forms a toner pattern image on a photoconductive member, transfers the toner pattern image on a medium, and changes an image forming condition based on a detection result obtained by optically detecting the toner pattern image transferred onto the medium, the toner cartridge including: a toner accommodating container accommodating a toner, and a memory. The memory stores reference data which is determined according to toner characteristics in the toner accommodating container, and is used for applying a reference value for an optical detection result of a toner pattern formed by the toner on the medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of developer containers to contain different types of developers and a container mount in which the plurality of developer containers is removably installed and arranged adjacent to each other. Each of the developer containers includes an engagement portion. The engagement portion of one of the developer containers engages the engagement portion of another of the developer containers adjacent to the one of the developer containers when the developer containers are installed in the container mount in a predetermined order, to allow the developer containers to be installed. Further, the engagement portion of one of the developer containers interferes with the engagement portion of another of the developer containers adjacent to the one of the developer containers when the developer containers are installed in the container mount in a different order from the predetermined order, to prevent the developer containers from being installed.

Abstract: A consumables consumption apparatus includes a cartridge determination section that determines one of a specified cartridge and an unspecified cartridge which is attached to the consumables consumption apparatus in accordance with maintenance subject information indicating a subject of a maintenance contract and a notification section that requests a selection of one of use agreement of the unspecified cartridge and replacement of the unspecified cartridge by the specified cartridge when the cartridge determination section determines that the unspecified cartridge is attached and that makes a notification indicating at least one of information on cancellation of the maintenance contract and information on replacement by the specified cartridge when the use agreement is selected.

Abstract: To provide a display device including a display that displays an input screen having one or a plurality of areas arranged with an input element, a determiner that determines a cause of a disabled state if the input element is in the disabled state, and a display controller that performs control to identifiably display the one or the plurality of areas arranged with the input element in the disabled state, in a color corresponding to the cause.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stopper movable between a stopping position in which the stopper contacts with a downstream end portion of a cartridge, having a first contacting portion and a second contacting position, in a mounting direction, to stop the cartridge from being moved in the mounting direction and a non-stopping position in which the stopper is retracted from the stopping position so as not to stop the cartridge from being moved in the mounting direction. The stopper moves from the stopping position to the non-stopping position in conjunction with movement of a movable member from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a drive gear, a first gear, and a second gear rotatable relative to the first gear. The drive gear includes a small-diameter gear part, and a large-diameter gear part. The first gear includes: a first gear teeth part having a plurality of gear teeth; and a first protrusion movable in accordance with rotation of the first gear teeth part. The second gear includes: a second gear teeth part having at least one gear tooth; and a second protrusion movable in accordance with rotation of the second gear teeth part. The second gear teeth part is configured to meshingly engage with the large-diameter gear part to rotate the second gear after the first gear rotates by a prescribed angle by meshing engagement between the small-diameter gear part and the first gear teeth part.

Abstract: A drum cartridge includes a frame on which a toner cartridge is attachable, a photosensitive drum, and a drum memory. The drum cartridge relays information stored in the toner memory to the image forming apparatus when the toner cartridge is attached to the frame.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a toner cartridge used in an image forming apparatus including a processor which forms a toner pattern image on a photoconductive member, transfers the toner pattern image on a medium, and changes an image forming condition based on a detection result obtained by optically detecting the toner pattern image transferred onto the medium, the toner cartridge including: a toner accommodating container accommodating a toner, and a memory. The memory stores reference data which is determined according to toner characteristics in the toner accommodating container, and is used for applying a reference value for an optical detection result of a toner pattern formed by the toner on the medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chip processing device and a method for chip processing using the same, where the device can program, detect, reset or inspect a plurality of chips, and meanwhile has one or more functions of programming, detecting, identifying, resetting or inspecting. The plurality of chips has different communication interfaces, and/or uses different communication protocols. The chip processing device can be configured to program, detect, identify, reset or inspect a chip after obtaining the model of the chip to be processed, thus having higher universality.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner container, and a lock drive portion. The toner container is attached to an attachment position set in an apparatus main body. The lock drive portion acquires a identification information from a storage portion, and upon determining, based on the identification information, that the toner container has an attachment compatibility, places a lock member at a lock position, and upon determining that the toner container does not have the attachment compatibility, places the lock member at a unlock position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body and a unit detachably mounted to the apparatus body and comprising a unit body, a cam, a first movement member, and a second movement member. The unit includes a first contact portion, an urging portion, and a second contact portion. The second movement member is attachable to the first movement member in a first manner or a second manner. A detection pattern of a detection signal differs between a state in which the second movement member is in contact with the first contact portion and a state in which the second movement member is in contact with the second contact portion, and differs between a state in which the second movement member is attached in the first manner and a state in which the second movement member is attached in the second manner.

Abstract: A toner container includes a container body, an opening, a cover, a toner discharge port, a shutter, a cylindrical structure, protrusions, and an identifier. The shutter is attached to the cover and includes a main shutter covering the toner discharge port. The main shutter moves between a closed position to close the toner discharge port and an open position to open the toner discharge port. The protrusions are on both sides of the cover and protrude in a direction orthogonal to a toner container mounting direction. The identifier is on the cover to indicate a toner color. The cylindrical structure's leading end is downstream of leading ends of the protrusions in the mounting direction. The main shutter's leading end is downstream of the protrusions' leading ends in the mounting direction when the main shutter is in the closed position. The protrusions are downstream of the identifier in the mounting direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a read-out unit, a memory unit, and a processor. The read-out unit reads out first collation information from an exchange product which is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The memory unit stores second collation information. The processor detects a power supply or a sleep return, compares the first collation information with the second collation information based on detection of the power supply or the sleep return, and sets an operation mode based on a comparison result of the first collation information with the second collation information.

Abstract: In a cartridge, a developing roller is configured to rotate around a first rotational axis extending in a predetermined direction and to carry developer thereon, the developing roller having a first end and a second end apart from each other in the predetermined direction, a from-first-to-second direction being defined along the predetermined direction as being directed from the first end to the second end. A developing electrode is formed of a conductive material and is configured to be electrically connected to the developing roller, the developing electrode including a main part and a protruding portion protruding from the main part in the from-first-to-second direction. A detection body is formed of an insulating material and is rotatably supported by the protruding portion, the detection body including a first opening that exposes part of the protruding portion and a covering portion covering part of the protruding portion.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a first gear; a second gear; a cover; a link; and an urging member engaging with the second gear and the link. The second gear is rotatable from a first position to a second position in accordance with the first gear when the second gear engages with the first gear. The link is movable together with rotation of the second gear and pivotally movable relative to the second gear. The link has: a first state where a distal end portion of the link contacts the cover; and a second state where the link pivotally moves relative to the second gear. The first state is provided due to resilient deformation of the urging member in the first position of the second gear. The second state is provided due to a restoring force of the urging member in the second position of the second gear.

Abstract: A developing cartridge may include a housing including an outer surface, a small-diameter gear, a large-diameter gear, a first gear, and a moving member. The small-diameter gear may include a first engaging portion positioned on at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the small-diameter gear. The large-diameter gear may be positioned farther from the outer surface than the small-diameter gear from the outer surface. The large-diameter gear may be rotatable together with the small-diameter gear. The first gear may include a second engaging portion, a first end surface, a second end surface, and at least one protrusion. The moving member may include a contact portion configured to move the moving member from one position to another position in a state where the contact portion is in contact with the protrusion.

Abstract: An image bearing member unit and a developing unit are respectively configured to be attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, the image bearing member unit has a first memory that stores information related to a toner amount during a toner supply in accordance with a use amount of the image bearing member unit, the developing unit has a second memory that stores information related to a toner amount during the toner supply in accordance with a use amount of the developing unit, and a control device controls, during the toner supply, the toner supply with a toner amount based on the information stored in the first memory and the information stored in the second memory.

Abstract: A developer cartridge comprises a first gear. The first gear may include a first protrusion extending in a radial direction of the first gear. The first protrusion may be positioned at a circumference of a column of the first gear. The first protrusion may be spaced apart from a second end face opposite to a first end face facing an exterior surface of a casing configured to accommodate developer therein. The first protrusion may be further from the second end face than a large-diameter gear in an axial direction. A rotational circumference of the first protrusion defined by rotation of the first protrusion and a portion of the large-diameter gear are aligned in the axial direction.

Abstract: A process unit has an image carrying unit having an image carrying member configured to be rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, and a developing agent removing member, a developing unit having a developing agent carrying member configured to be rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a waste developing agent collecting unit configured to collect the developing agent removed by the removing member from the image carrying member. The waste developing agent collecting unit is arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to the developing unit such that the waste developing agent collecting unit faces the developing unit, and the developing unit is connected to the waste developing agent collecting unit such that the developing unit being movable in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the waste developing agent collecting unit.

Abstract: An erroneous insertion preventing system includes a first cartridge including a first frame provided with a first engaging portion and a first discrimination portion, a second cartridge including a second frame provided with a second discrimination portion, and a main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The main assembly includes a movable member provided with a portion-to-be-engaged engageable with the first engaging portion and a regulating portion having a configuration corresponding to the first discrimination portion. The first cartridge is mounted in the main assembly without movement of the first discrimination portion being limited by the regulating portion. In a case that the second cartridge is attempted to be inserted into the main assembly, by insertion of the second cartridge into the main assembly, the regulating portion and the second discrimination portion interfere with each other to prevent mounting of the second cartridge in the main assembly.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to form an image includes a mounting portion on which a container containing toner is mounted, a motor to rotate an agitation member in the container, an electrical circuit to acquire an output value corresponding to electrostaticcapacitance between electrodes of the container and a controller. The controller controls the motor to rotate the agitation member, controls the electrical circuit to acquire the output value, and controls to detect the amount of the toner in the container based on the acquired output value. The controller controls to write predetermined information in a memory of the container where the detected amount is below a predetermined amount. Where the predetermined information is stored in the memory of the container currently mounted on the mounting portion, the controller determines whether the container is a refilled container based on the output value acquired while the agitation member is rotating.

Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing for accommodating developer therein; a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one side of the casing in a second direction; a storage medium having an electric contact surface; and a holder movable relative to the casing in the second direction with the electric contact surface between a first position and a second position, the holder having an outer surface at which the electric contact surface is positioned.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a replacement time predicting circuit, a variation determining circuit, and a replacement time adjusting circuit. The replacement time predicting circuit periodically predicts, based on a consumption trend, a replacement time of a consumption article starting from a time when a replacement article is ordered, the replacement time being a time when a non-consumption amount of the consumption article is equal to or less than a specific replacement threshold. The variation determining circuit determines a variation of each later-predicted replacement time from a replacement time that is predicted when the replacement article is ordered, each later-predicted replacement time being predicted after the replacement article is ordered. The replacement time adjusting circuit, in response to the variation determined by the variation determining circuit, changes the consumption trend of the consumption article so as to reduce or eliminate the variation.