Abstract: A cartridge includes a housing, a drive-transmission member and a detected body. The housing has a first wall and a second wall opposing each other in a first direction from the second wall toward the first wall. The drive-transmission member is rotatable about a first axis parallel to the first direction for transmitting a drive force. The detected body is rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis upon receipt of the drive force to move the detected body irreversibly from a first position to a second position. The detected body includes: a detected portion; a receiving portion configured to receive the drive force; and a peripheral portion positioned downstream of the receiving portion in a radial direction of the detected body away from the second axis, at least a portion of the detected portion being positioned on the peripheral portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a detachable fixing device that is capable of printing with high quality without printing wastefully. A storage unit stores identification information about a fixing device in association with an attribute of a sheet that is printable with the fixing device concerned. A control unit executes printing when the storage unit does not store an attribute of a sheet corresponding to a fixing device that is currently attached to the image forming apparatus. The control unit determines whether to execute printing according to an attribute of a sheet used in printing and an attribute of a sheet stored in the storage unit when the storage unit stores the attribute of the sheet corresponding to the fixing device that is currently attached to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A developing cartridge is provided. The developing cartridge includes a housing which accommodates developer therein, a receiving member which receives a driving force output member provided in an image forming apparatus, a developing roller which rotates by the driving force received by the receiving member, and a detectable rotary member including a detectable portion, which is a detection target to be detected by a detection member provided in the image forming apparatus, and a contact portion which is provided away from the detectable portion. The detectable rotary member rotates from a retreat position to an initial position where the detectable rotary member is rotated by the driving force received by the receiving member, by the contact portion contacting an interference member fixed in the image forming apparatus in a process of mounting the developing cartridge into the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing cartridge. The developing cartridge includes a casing, a developer roller, and a coupling member. The coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which an axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from an axis L1 of the developer roller so that the axis L2 does not pass through developer roller, (ii) a second position in which the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position, (iii) and a third position in which the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position and in a direction opposite to the direction the coupling member is inclined when in the second position.

Abstract: A cartridge includes: a casing including a developer accommodation part for accommodating developer; an agitator for agitating the developer and rotatable about a first rotational axis extending in an axial direction; a receiving member rotatable about a second rotational axis upon receipt of a drive force inputted thereto; a first drive-force transmission member rotatable about a third rotational axis upon receipt of the drive force from the receiving member; and a second drive-force transmission member rotatable about the first rotational axis together with the agitator. The second drive-force transmission member can contact the first drive-force transmission member and receive the drive force therefrom, the first rotational axis being positioned closer to the second rotational axis than the third rotational axis is to the second rotational axis when projected in the axial direction of the agitator.

Abstract: This invention concerns a cleaning unit which has a photosensitive body and a cleaning frame body supporting the photosensitive body, and which is attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording material. In the cleaning unit, which is installed in the apparatus main body so as to adjoin a developing unit including a developing roller that bears toner for developing an electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive body 1, engagement portions (bosses) are disposed on the cleaning frame body so as to protrude toward the developing unit side, and engage with engaged portions (insertion guide portions) disposed on the apparatus main body when the cleaning unit is attached to the apparatus main body.

Abstract: Many devices, such as printers, work with one or more removable unit. Often, the removable units have an electronic circuit that used to communicate with the device. It may be desirable to provide a replacement unit in these devices. The replacement unit must include an electronic circuit that is able to communicate with the original device. Disclosed is a method and apparatus where a replacement unit is provided with a new electronic circuit and a used electronic circuit. The new electronic circuit is electrically connected to the used electronic circuit and uses the used electronic circuit to facilitate communication with the host device.

Abstract: A developing cartridge may include multiple rotary members, at least one of the rotary members configured to be detected by an image forming apparatus. In one example, the rotary members may include engagement portions configured to engage with one another to rotate the rotary members. Additionally or alternatively, in a case where one rotary member is in a driven position, the other rotary member may be rotatable a predefined amount from a non-driving state in which the other rotary member is rotatably disengaged from the one rotary member, to a driving state in which the other rotary member rotatably engages the one rotary member with the engagement portions in contact with one another.

Abstract: Provided are a storage chip, an imaging cartridge, a method for changing a serial number and a method of using the storage chip. The storage chip includes a communication unit, a control unit and a storage unit; the storage unit stores information of multiple different serial numbers and mark information or access mark information about whether a currently-selected serial number is legal; the control unit determines whether the serial number information sent to the imaging device is determined as legal according to a preset strategy and autonomously changes the selected serial number information when a preset condition is satisfied according to the determination result, so that the method of changing the serial number of the storage chip is more convenient, user experience is greatly improved and the problem that the storage chips are unusable because of the same serial number can be solved.

Abstract: A cartridge including: a housing configured to accommodate therein developer; a driving receiving part configured to receive a driving force; a rotary member configured to rotate by receiving a driving force from the driving receiving part, and a detected part configured to be moved by the rotation of the rotary member, wherein the rotary member is configured to rotate from a first state where the driving force from the driving receiving part is transmitted to the rotary member to a second state where the transmission of the driving force from the driving receiving part to the rotary member is released, and then rotate from the second state to the first state.

Abstract: Example secure upgrade supplies and methods are disclosed. A disclosed example upgrade supply cartridge structured includes a chamber to store a material useable by the imaging forming apparatus to form an image on media; a security device to provide an authentication credential to an image forming apparatus, the authentication credential useable to authenticate an identity of the upgrade supply cartridge; and a tamperproof data storage including upgrade data useable by the image forming apparatus to activate a capability included but disabled in the image forming apparatus, the tamperproof data storage structured to store an identifier of the image forming apparatus after the upgrade supply cartridge has been utilized by the image forming apparatus to activate the disabled capability.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes: image formation units each configured to form a developer image; an intermediate transfer body onto which the developer images formed by the respective image formation units are transferred; a secondary transfer member configured to transfer the developer images, which are transferred to the intermediate transfer body, onto a record medium using a voltage supplied to the secondary transfer member; and a voltage supply unit configured to supply a voltage to the secondary transfer member. Arrangement of the image formation units is changeable. Depending on the arrangement of the image formation units in a conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer body, the voltage supply unit changes a voltage to be supplied to the secondary transfer member.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus which includes a main body, a driving unit and a detecting unit, includes: a housing that is configured to accommodate a developer therein, and includes a first side wall and a second side wall opposed to the first side wall in a longitudinal direction; a passive unit that is configured to receive a driving force from the driving unit, is mounted on the first side wall, and is rotatable around a first axis line parallel to the longitudinal direction; and a detected body mounted on the first side wall and including a detected part which is detected by the detecting unit. The detected body advances outwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first side wall and retracts inwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first side wall by the driving force received by the passive unit.

Abstract: A cartridge including a housing configured to accommodate therein developer, a driving receiving part configured to receive a driving force, a transmission member configured to rotate by receiving a driving force from the driving receiving part, a first rotary member configured to rotate by abutting on the transmission member and receiving a driving force from the transmission member, a second rotary member configured to abut on the transmission member by receiving a driving force from the first rotary member, and rotate by abutting on the transmission member and receiving a driving force from the transmission member, and a detected part configured to move in accordance with the rotation of the second rotary member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body and a cartridge configured to be mounted to and detached from the apparatus main body. The cartridge includes a rotating member which is configured to rotate and comprises a detected portion and a first engaging portion. The apparatus main body includes a detecting portion configured to detect the detected portion and a second engaging portion configured to engage with the first engaging portion. At least when the detecting portion detects the detected portion, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with each other by rotation of the rotating member.

Abstract: A cartridge including a housing configured to accommodate therein developer, a driving receiving part configured to rotate by receiving a driving force, a rotary member configured to rotate from a first position by receiving a driving force from the driving receiving part, and a detected member including a detected part and configured to move in an axis direction parallel with a rotational axis of the rotary member while being restrained from rotating, by receiving a driving force from the rotary member, wherein the detected member includes a first restraint part configured to restrain the rotation of the rotary member at the first position.

Abstract: A cartridge for accommodating developer includes a detected member configured to be detected by an external first sensor, and a drive-force transmission member configured to transmit a drive force to the detected member upon receipt of the drive force from outside. The detected member is configured to rotate in a first direction about a first rotational axis extending in an axial direction. The detected member includes: a receiving part configured to contact the drive-force transmission member to receive the drive force therefrom; and a first detected part. A portion of the first detected part and a portion of the receiving part are arranged at the same position as each other in the axial direction.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus which includes a main body, a driving unit and a detecting unit, includes: a housing that is configured to accommodate a developer therein, and includes a first side wall and a second side wall opposed to the first side wall in a longitudinal direction; a passive unit that is configured to receive a driving force from the driving unit, is mounted on the first side wall, and is rotatable around a first axis line parallel to the longitudinal direction; and a detected body mounted on the first side wall and including a detected part which is detected by the detecting unit. The detected body advances outwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first side wall and retracts inwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first side wall by the driving force received by the passive unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus executes control for predicting a toner remaining amount, if the apparatus can acquire a predetermined value as identification information indicating a type or a manufacture of a toner cartridge.

Abstract: An object is to improve a user's convenience. There is provided a control unit for use in a liquid ejecting apparatus using a tank containing a liquid and a storage material attachable to and detachable from the liquid ejecting apparatus, and storing an amount of the liquid in the tank. After the storage material is not mounted on a predetermined place, the control unit receives an answer for a question to ask whether or not the liquid is injected to the tank.

Abstract: Provided herein is an image forming device including a main body; a consumable unit detachable from and attachable to the main body, and including a CRUM chip; a storage which stores a detection list including information on counterfeit CRUM chips and a conversion serial information list including a plurality of conversion serial information each of which is converted from serial information stored in the CRUM chip according to a plurality of different predetermined rules; and a controller to limit use of the consumable unit, when verifying the consumable unit based on at least one of the detection list and the conversion serial information list fails.

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: An image forming apparatus includes a notifier, a power source, a first replaceable unit, a first body connector, a power supply switch, a detachment necessity determiner for determining whether the first replaceable unit needs to be detached, and a power supply controller. The first body connector includes a body power terminal and allows the first replaceable unit to be detachably connected thereto. The first replaceable unit includes a unit connector and an operation portion. The unit connector is connected to the body power terminal for supplying a power voltage to the operation portion. When the first replaceable unit is determined necessary to be detached, the power supply controller causes the power supply switch to turn off supply of the power source voltage from the power source to the body power terminal and causes the notifier to provide a notification recommending detachment of the first replaceable unit.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a first electric pathway connects a charging portion and a power supply unit, a second electric pathway is formed in the photoconductor unit and connects the first electric pathway and the photoconductor. An electrical component is disposed on the second electric pathway and has predetermined electrical property in accordance with the type of the photoconductor unit. A current detection portion is configured to detect current flowing through the second electric pathway when a detection voltage is applied on the first electric pathway. A determination processing portion is configured to determine the type of the photoconductor unit and existence of usage of the photoconductor unit, based on a current value detected by the current detection portion. The blocking portion is configured to block the second electric pathway after determination by the determination processing portion.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus may include an imaging cartridge and a toner cartridge that are detachably attached to a main body, a first optical sensor that is mounted in the imaging cartridge and detects a toner level in a development chamber, and a second optical sensor that is mounted in the toner cartridge and detects a toner level in the development chamber.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises image forming sections for each color, each including a pressure receiving parts pair in a first outer region of a first rotary body and a second rotary body as an image carrier and a developing roller. A first image forming section includes a first pressure receiving part of the first rotary body and a second pressure receiving part of the second rotary body as the pressure receiving parts pair. A second image forming section includes a third pressure receiving part of the first rotary body and a fourth pressure receiving part of the second rotary body as the pressure receiving parts pair. A protruding distance of the first pressure receiving part is smaller than a protruding distance of the third pressure receiving part. A protruding distance of the second pressure receiving part is larger than a protruding distance of the fourth pressure receiving part.

Abstract: A system for restricting operation of wireless devices, for example cell phones, comprises a controller and a plurality of sensors. The system restricts device usage, while permitting emergency phone calls, for example 911 calls. The sensors receive transmissions from devices, and use the transmissions for identification and determining whether a device is within a restricted zone. One disclosed method is triangulation, using time of arrival of transmissions at the sensors. If the device is within the zone, the controller sends device identification, and possibly a customized restriction request, to a remote node, for example a control node of a cell phone network operator. The operator then uses its network resources to implement the requested restrictions. Communication between the controller and the remote node is secure, possibly encrypted, to minimize malicious interference. A wireless control can define vertices of the zone and exempt certain devices from restrictions. Jamming is not required.

Abstract: A toner container includes a cylindrical container body, having a first opening in a first end thereof and a notch in a circumferential surface thereof continuous with the first opening in the first end, a flange member to engage the first opening and the notch in the container body and having a toner outlet therein through which toner in the container body is discharged, a shutter member disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the container body, a conveyance member, rotatably installed inside the container body to convey the toner from a second end of the container body opposite the first end to the toner outlet in the flange member, and a recessed portion in the container body that projects inward into the interior of the toner container 5 mm or less from an inner surface of the container body.

Abstract: A system for customizing settings of an electronic device includes a replaceable component having an optical member for receiving optical energy. The optical member has an optical characteristic for modifying an amount of the optical energy that leaves the optical member relative to an amount of the optical energy received by the optical member. A support is located on an outer casing of the electronic device and the replaceable component is mountable on the support. The system further includes an optical sensor including a detector positioned to receive the amount of the optical energy leaving the optical member when the replaceable component is mounted on the support. A controller determines one or more predetermined settings to be applied to the electronic device based at least upon the amount of the optical energy received by the detector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; a developer carrying member for carrying developer; a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a cleaning means for removing the developer remaining on the developer carrying member after a developer image is transferred onto a transfer material, a developer buffering portion for accommodating the developer removed by the cleaning portion, and a feeding member driven for feeding the developer from the developer buffering portion to a developer container provided in the main assembly; a storing portion for storing cartridge operation information; and a controller for controlling the feeding member to stop drive of the feeding member on the basis of the cartridge operation information stored in the storing portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a main body, a photoconductive drum, a development cartridge including a development roller, a switching mechanism configured to switch between a contact state where the development roller and the photoconductive drum are in contact with each other, and a separate state where the development roller and the photoconductive drum are separated away from each other, and a controller configured to perform a preparatory mode to make preparations for forming a developer image on the photoconductive drum and transferring onto a transfer object the developer image formed on the photoconductive drum, and during execution of the preparatory mode, rotate the development roller while maintaining the separate state between the development roller and the photoconductive drum.

Abstract: A method and system for converting a toner cartridge printer to a white, clear or fluorescent toner printer. The method may comprise the steps of: providing a printer having one or more toner printing cartridges; removing at least one of the one or more toner printing cartridges; providing one or more white, clear, or fluorescent toner printing cartridges; installing one or more white, clear, or fluorescent toner printing cartridges into the printer; using raster image processor software for printing cartridge remapping; and printing one or more toner print layers using the installed white, clear, or florescent toner printing cartridges in one pass.

Abstract: A method of operating a cartridge chip installed in an imaging device includes: causing, by the cartridge chip, the imaging device to enter an error condition; monitoring the timing or sequence of communication signals received from the imaging device during at least a portion of the error condition; and operating, based on the timing or sequence of the communication signals received from the imaging device during at least a portion of the error condition, in a first mode of operation compatible with a first type of imaging device or in a second mode of operation compatible with a second type of imaging device.

Abstract: Provided are a collecting toner container that is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus so as to collect and store toner; an opening portion through which toner flows from the main body of the image forming apparatus into the collecting toner container; and a stirring/conveying member that conveys the toner flowing from the opening portion into the collecting toner container in the downstream direction of the collecting toner container, wherein a discharge opening used to discharge the toner inside the collecting toner container is formed in each of two adjacent surfaces as a bottom surface and a side surface of the collecting toner container, and the discharge openings provided in the respective surfaces are formed so as to share a ridge line portion of the two surfaces.

Abstract: Cartridges may include a developing roller, an electrode, a detection member, and a cover member. The developing roller rotates about an axis extending along a first direction. The electrode includes a protrusion that protrudes along the first direction to an end portion. The detection member includes a cover portion, which covers an exposable portion of the protrusion when the detection member is in a first position, and which exposes the exposable portion of the protrusion when the detection member is in a second position. The cover member covers a portion of the detection member and exposes the cover portion when the detection member is in the first position. The cover member extends in the first direction to an end portion. An overlap portion of the protrusion extends at least to the end portion of the cover member and overlaps a portion of the cover member in a second direction.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a developing cartridge for a laser printer, comprising a stirring wheel and an activation mechanism, the activation mechanism comprising a diameter-changing wheel, a return spring and a sliding block, wherein the diameter-changing wheel is parallel with an axial direction of the stirring wheel and includes two sections of arcs, a larger diameter arc of the two sections of arcs is meshed with the stirring wheel, a protruding block is provided on a lateral end wall at a side of the axial direction of the diameter-changing wheel facing the end cover, a part of the end cover corresponding to the diameter-changing wheel is provided as an inclined wall, the inclined wall is provided with a sliding groove, the sliding block is mounted in the sliding groove, the return spring presses the sliding block in the sliding groove at one end close to the diameter-changing wheel.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer member, first transfer units, and second transfer units. Images of reference colors and other colors are transferred onto the transfer member being rotated. The first transfer units each transfer the image of a corresponding one of the reference colors. The second transfer units disposed upstream of the first transfer units in a rotational direction of the transfer member each transfer the image of a corresponding one of the other colors. The image of one of the reference colors is transferred by one of the first transfer units disposed most upstream. The other colors include at least one color of lightness lower than lightness of the one of the reference colors of the image transferred by the one of the transfer units. The highest-lightness image among the other colors is transferred by one of the second transfer units disposed most downstream.

Abstract: A chip for a cartridge with dispensable material may be provided. In one aspect, the chip may comprise a non-volatile memory for storing a number tracking amount of dispensable material in the cartridge, a key storage for storing an encryption key, a signature verification module and circuit components. The circuit components may be configured to receive and process a first message, receive and validate a second message, and update the amount of dispensable material if the validation of the second message succeeds. The first message may comprise a first command and an operation input value for a print job at the cartridge, and to process the first message may comprise decreasing the amount of dispensable material. The second message may comprise a second command to increase the amount of dispensable material, and may be validated using the signature validation module and the encryption key.

Abstract: The systems, methods and apparatuses described herein provide a chip for a cartridge with dispensable material may be provided. In one aspect, the chip may comprise a non-volatile memory for storing a number tracking amount of dispensable material in the cartridge, a circuit with permanently and irreversibly changeable state and circuit components configured to receive and process a first message, and receive a second message. The first message may comprise a first command and an operation input value for a print job at the cartridge, and to process the first message may comprise decreasing the amount of dispensable material. The second message may comprise a second command to increase the amount of dispensable material. The circuit components may be further configured to ignore the second command if the circuit has permanently and irreversibly changed its state to prevent responding to requests to increase the number tracking amount of dispensable material.

Abstract: A connector includes a first connector member and a second connector member. The first connector member retains an integrated circuit having multiple first electrodes in a secured state and is externally contactable with the multiple first electrodes. The second connector member is attachable to and detachable from the first connector member and has a connection unit that is directly connected to the multiple first electrodes of the integrated circuit when the first connector member is attached to the second connector member.

Abstract: A unit checking device is provided which checks whether a unit detachably provided to a device body is new or old. The unit checking device includes a transistor for checking provided in the unit and configured to be destructed by power supplied from the device body; and an inspection device provided in the device body and configured to determine whether or not the transistor is destructed by applying a voltage to the transistor.

Abstract: A latent image forming unit forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member. A developing unit includes a container. The container stores toner. A circulating unit circulates the toner in the container. The developing unit develops the electrostatic latent image using the toner. A replenishment unit replenishes the developing unit with toner. A detection unit detects a density of the toner in the container. An acquisition unit acquires a circulation period at which the circulating unit causes the toner to circulate. A determining unit determines a correction condition based on the circulation period. A correction unit corrects a detection result of the detection unit based on the correction condition. A controller controls the replenishment unit based on the detection result corrected by the correction unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit configured to develop using toner an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member, a mounting unit to which a container is mounted, the container including a containing unit configured to contain toner and a pump unit, and performing a supplying operation for supplying toner by expansion and contraction of the pump unit, a driving unit configured to rotationally drive the container to cause the container to perform the supplying operation, and a controller configured to control a rotational speed of the container based on a time for which the supplying operation has been performed.

Abstract: A developing cartridge is provided. The developing cartridge includes a housing which accommodates developer therein, a receiving member which receives a driving force output member provided in an image forming apparatus, a developing roller which rotates by the driving force received by the receiving member, and a detectable rotary member including a detectable portion, which is a detection target to be detected by a detection member provided in the image forming apparatus, and a contact portion which is provided away from the detectable portion. The detectable rotary member rotates from a retreat position to an initial position where the detectable rotary member is rotated by the driving force received by the receiving member, by the contact portion contacting an interference member fixed in the image forming apparatus in a process of mounting the developing cartridge into the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a toner container to store toner and two rotary agitation members to rotate to agitate toner in the toner container. The toner container has two arc-shaped portions adjacent to each other at an inner bottom wall of the toner container. The two rotary agitation members has edges to rotate along the two arc-shaped portions with rotation phases thereof shifted from each other. The two rotary agitation members are placed with rotation trajectories thereof partially overlapping each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including applications and system side software for providing system side services to the applications is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: an authentication module for displaying an authentication screen on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus, wherein the authentication module allows the image forming apparatus to display a screen for using the image forming apparatus instead of the authentication screen if authentication data input from the authentication screen satisfies an authentication condition, and wherein the authentication module is provided in the image forming apparatus separately from the system side software.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an optical detecting device; a movable unit including a rotatable member having a first light-blocking surface and a second light-blocking surface; and a control unit. The movable unit rotates with rotation of the rotatable member so that the second light-blocking surface is movable to a first position where the optical detecting device is light-blocked and a second position where the optical detecting device is not light-blocked, and includes a locking member for locking the second light-blocking surface in the second position. When the first and second light-blocking surfaces pass through a detecting portion of the optical detecting device, the control unit discriminates a state of the movable unit on the basis of a detection result of the optical detecting device.

Abstract: A cartridge includes: first and second cartridge constituent members assembled with each other; a memory for storing information on the cartridge; a color display member for displaying color information of a developer accommodated in the cartridge; first and second supporting portions provided on the first and second cartridge constituent members, wherein the first supporting portion is provided with a slit for permitting insertion of the memory, and the second supporting portion is provided with a slit for permitting insertion of the color display member; and first and second preventing portions provided on the other cartridge constituent member. When the first and second cartridge constituent members are assembled with each other, the first preventing portion prevents movement of the memory inserted in the first supporting portion, and the second preventing portion prevents movement of the color display member inserted in the second supporting portion.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a maintenance staff information store part that stores maintenance staff identification information, a maintenance staff authentication part that determines an authentication success when identification information, which is input from an operation panel, is identical to the maintenance staff identification information, a maintenance history store part that, when a replacement of a consumable item is performed, stores the maintenance staff identification information as well as information of the consumable item that was used before the replacement, and an output part that outputs the maintenance staff identification information that was authenticated at the time of the replacement of the consumable item as well as the information of the consumable item that is stored in the maintenance history store part, the consumable item being used before the replacement.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an endless transfer member, a first transfer section, a second transfer section, and a medium transfer section. An image is transferred to the transfer member during circulation of the transfer member. The first transfer section forms an image using a toner containing flat metallic pigment particles, and transfers the formed image to the transfer member through a transfer current. The second transfer section forms an image using a toner not containing flat metallic pigment particles, and transfers the formed image to the transfer member through a transfer current. The second transfer section is disposed upstream of the first transfer section in a circulation direction of the transfer member. The medium transfer section transfers the image transferred to the transfer member to a recording medium through a transfer current. The transfer current for the first transfer section is smaller than that for the second transfer section.