Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an informing portion that issues information; a storing portion that stores sheets; a sheet detecting portion that detects presence or absence of the sheets in the storing portion; a determination portion that determines a type of the sheets stored in the storing portion; and a control portion that causes the informing portion to issue a predetermined information in a case where the absence of the sheets is undetected by the sheet detecting portion and a change of the type of the sheets is determined by the determination portion.

Abstract: A rotation member unit detachable from a casing includes a rotation member for rotating when driven, and plural drive introduction members arranged at both ends of the rotation member in a rotation axial direction of the rotation member, respectively. The drive introduction member engages with a drive transmission member rotated by a motor.

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: 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: A developing cartridge usable with an image forming apparatus includes a housing having a developing member, a developer storing portion storing developer supplied to the developing member, and a mounting portion allowing at least one developer cartridge storing supplementary developer to be detachably mounted. Printing operations can be performed using the developer available in the developer-storing portion even in the absence of a developer cartridge.

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: 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 status notification method includes providing a forwarding manager for a status notification. The forwarding manager enables the status notification to be directed to a second target. Following a presentation of the status notification with respect to a first target, the status notification is directed to a second target as at least an indirect result of a utilization of the forwarding manager.

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 image forming section including first and second image forming parts each forming a toner image by using an image forming unit to be mounted, the first and the second image forming parts being inhibited from forming respective toner images if an image forming unit is not mounted to the first image forming part, the first image forming part being allowed to form a toner image if an image forming unit is mounted to the first image forming part while an image forming unit is not mounted to the second image forming part; and a transporting section including first and second receiving parts receiving waste powder discarded by the first and second image forming parts, respectively, and that transports the received waste powder. The second receiving part is provided downstream of the first receiving part in a transporting direction of the waste powder.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which includes a multiplexer (MUX) which is able to be connected to at least one developer supplier, at least one pull-up resistor which is connected in parallel to at least one connection line between the at least one developer supplier and the MUX, and a central processing unit (CPU) which detects a connection signal from the at least one pullup resistor and the at least one connection line, and determines whether an initial developer supplier is mounted according to the value of the connection signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that can provide notification, so that maintenance personnel of a manufacturer or the like can be made aware of a usage condition in a case where an unsuitable toner cartridge is intermittently used. The image forming apparatus is equipped with a primary storage section storing specific information concerning a replaceable part, such as a toner cartridge that can be attached or removed from a main body, and a secondary storage section storing information concerning usage of the replaceable part. The specific information is read from the primary storage section in a condition where the replaceable part is attached, and a judgment is made by a judgment section concerning whether the replaceable part is suitable. If the replaceable part cannot be judged as suitable, information concerning the use of the replaceable part is stored in the secondary storage section and notification is provided by a notification section.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a support member movable between an accommodated position within a main casing and a pulled-out position outside the main casing, developing units, toner cartridges, and a cover member. Each toner cartridge includes a casing and a shutter. The casing accommodates toner therein and is formed with an opening for supplying the toner to the corresponding developing unit. The opening faces in a first direction when the toner cartridge is accommodated in a corresponding cartridge accommodating section in the support member. The shutter is movable between an opening position for exposing the opening and a closing position for closing the opening. The cover member is movable between an opening posture for exposing a first side of the corresponding cartridge accommodating section in the first direction and a closing posture for opposing the first side of the corresponding cartridge accommodating section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion capable of mounting a plurality of first image forming units for forming images in different colors or a plurality of second image forming units for forming images in a single color. The first image forming units and the second image forming units are arranged to be exchangeable. The first image forming units retain toner in different colors, and the second image forming units retain toner in the single color. The image forming apparatus further includes a preference control unit for leaving at least one of the second image forming units unused and preferentially using rest of the second image forming units when the first image forming units are exchanged to the second image forming units in a monochrome printing operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to one aspect comprises: a main unit; and a developer cartridge detachably attached to the main unit. The developing cartridge comprises: a rotation body having a rotational axis and rotatable in a rotation direction; and one rotational arm of a first rotational arm or two rotational arms of the first rotational arm and a second rotational arm which are rotatable around the rotational axis. The main unit comprises: a swingable detecting arm; an elastic member that urges the detecting arm toward a neutral position. When the developer cartridge is attached to the main unit, the first rotational arm contacts with the detecting arm to swing in a first swing direction from the neutral position. When the rotation body rotates by a predetermined rotation amount, the second rotational arm contacts with the detecting arm in a second direction from the neutral position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has: an image forming unit which is configured to scan a laser beam in a main scanning direction to expose a photosensitive member, and which forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member to form an image; a process cartridge that is detachably mounted within the image forming apparatus, the process cartridge holding the photosensitive member on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, and configured to develop the electrostatic latent image by supplying toner to the electrostatic image; and an origin detection unit that is provided on the process cartridge in a position lying within a range of an optical path of the laser beam and out of a range of an optical path of the laser beam for forming the electrostatic latent image, the origin detection unit configured to detect an origin of the laser beam for scanning and exposing.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a first detecting unit, a second detecting unit, a control unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium by using coloring materials of a plurality of colors based on image information. The first detecting unit detects whether or not the first given number of the first housing units are installed to the apparatus. The second detecting unit detects whether or not the second given number of the second housing unit and the third given number of the first housing unit are installed to the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a detection unit that detects, regarding a toner supply device loaded into an installation space of an apparatus main body, a type of the toner supply device or detects improper loading of the toner supply device and a notification unit that notifies loading of the toner supply device of a wrong type or improper loading of the toner supply device based on a result of detection by the detection unit.

Abstract: A device and a method for detecting the position of a developing unit mounted in an image forming apparatus are provided.

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

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first developing cartridge and a first photosensitive cartridge. The first developing cartridge is removably mounted in the first photosensitive cartridge and includes a toner hopper, a supply roller and a developing roller. The first photosensitive cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a charger provided at a position adjacent to the photosensitive drum, a first wall provided adjacent to the supply roller, the toner hopper, and the developing roller when the first developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge, the first wall including a first opening, and a second wall which faces the first wall and is provided adjacent to the charger, the second wall including a second opening on an opposite side of the charger from the photosensitive drum. A portion of a wall of the first developing cartridge projects through the first opening in the first wall of the first photosensitive cartridge.

Abstract: An imaging cartridge contains a wastebin and a hopper connected to the wastebin. A flat mounting surface on the wastebin receives a circuit board. A microswitch actuating tab is formed on the body of the imaging cartridge. A hopper is connected to the wastebin in a manner such that the hopper is supported entirely by the wastebin when the imaging cartridge is installed in the imaging cartridge receiving cavity of the imaging machine. The hopper is void of any protrusions adapted to rest on a supporting member in the imaging cartridge receiving cavity of the imaging machine.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof. The control method of an image forming apparatus includes mounting a cartridge including a status indicating element, determining whether the mounted cartridge is a new one based on identification information of the mounted cartridge and status information of the status indicating element, and performing initial settings with respect to the new cartridge if it is determined that the mounted cartridge is a new one. With this, it is possible to induce a user to use an authenticated cartridge and prevent an image from being deteriorated and a component from being worn due to use of a fraudulent cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus detects the presence or absence of a toner seal and whether a cartridge is loaded on a main body of the image forming apparatus without use of an additional redundant detection means, due to the provision of an electrically-conductive layer at the toner seal for sealing and closing an opening in a process cartridge including a developer container.

Abstract: A controller includes: a detection unit that detects that a housing unit housing a recording medium has been inserted into an insertion slot for inserting the housing unit; a prediction unit that predicts a vibratory excitation time at which vibrations will occur based on a time detected by the detection unit; a determination unit that determines whether the vibrations will occur based on the vibratory excitation time during a period when an image-forming unit is forming an image on a recording medium supplied from a different supply source for recording media from the housing unit inserted into the insertion slot; and a control unit that controls the image-forming unit to prevent image formation if the determination unit determines that the vibrations will occur during a period when the image-forming unit is forming an image on the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an electrostatic latent image bearing member; a toner cartridge; a developing member; a transfer member; a developing device; and circulating member. The toner cartridge is removably coupled to the developing device. The developing device incorporates the developing member. The circulating member is capable of operating while the toner cartridge remains coupled to the developing device, to circulate the toner between the developing device and the toner cartridge irrespective of whether the developing member is operating.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a replaceable member, a first determination unit, and a second determination unit. The replaceable member is removable from the image forming apparatus in a open state of a door and has a storage portion storing given information. The first determination unit determines whether or not a response from the storage portion exists. The second determination unit determines the image forming apparatus is in the open state or a removed state where the replaceable member is removed from the image forming apparatus when the first determination unit determines the response is not exist in given number of times.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to this invention which allows double-sided printing can reduce the toner consumption amount by decreasing the size of a developer image on the second page as compared with the size of a developer image printed on the first page in margin-less printing. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus includes a setting unit adapted to set, when images are to be formed on both surfaces of a printing material without margin, a size of a developer image on a second page of the printing material smaller than a size of a developer image on a first page of the printing material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main unit; and a developer cartridge detachably attached to the main unit. The developer cartridge includes a rotational body having a rotational axis and rotatable in a rotation direction; and an extended portion formed on the rotational body to extend along the rotational axis, the extended portion rotatable around the rotational axis. The main unit includes a driving unit configured to rotate the rotational body in the rotation direction; a detecting unit configured to detect a movement of the extended portion and an extending amount of the extended portion; and a determining unit configured to: determine whether the developer cartridge is a new product according to a presence of a movement of the extended portion detected by the detecting unit; and determine type of the developer cartridge based on the extending amount of the extended portion detected by the detecting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. In the image forming apparatus, a contact portion that contacts a detection gear of a development cartridge and to which information about the development cartridge is transmitted is positioned inside of a path for attachment and detachment of a process cartridge. At both times of attachment and detachment of the process cartridge to and from a main unit casing, when the process cartridge contacts the contact portion, the contact portion can be swayed in a single direction while a pivot extending in a direction parallel to the direction of attachment and detachment of the process cartridge is taken as a fulcrum for swaying action.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes; a main body; a detachable member; a cover; a displacement member movable between a preventing position and a permitting position; a one-way link mechanism provided for displacing the displacement member from the preventing position to the permitting position when the cover is opened from a state in which the cover is closed and the displacement member is disposed in the preventing position, and for keeping the displacement member in the permitting position when the cover is closed from a state in which the cover is opened; a position detection unit for detecting a position of the displacement member right after a power supply unit has been switched on; and a history determination unit for determining an existence of a history showing an opening and closure of the cover while the power supply unit is left off based on the position of the displacement member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is supplied capable of adopting low price structure to obtain information that is stored in a storing section and is used for analyzing reason of failure/repair.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same, the image forming apparatus including: a toner cartridge including a memory to provide first authentication information, and an authentication key circuit to provide a second authentication information; and a controller to authenticate the toner cartridge when the first authentication information and the second authentication information are identical. Furthermore, the controller intentionally destroys the first authentication information or the second authentication information when there is no toner in the toner cartridge. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized use of the toner cartridge, and thus to perform an ideal print operation.

Abstract: A cartridge includes an engagement gear which includes a first engaging portion and is configured to selectively rotate. The cartridge also includes a rotational body which includes a second engaging portion, and a center axis of the rotational body is aligned with a center axis of the engagement gear. Moreover, the cartridge includes an extension portion which is positioned offset from a center of rotation of the rotational body. The engagement gear and the rotational body are configured to selectively be positioned in one of a first state in which the second engaging portion and the first engaging portion are separated from each other, and a second state in which the second engaging portion engages the first engaging portion. The rotational body is configured to rotate with the engagement gear when the engagement gear rotates and the engagement gear and the rotational body are in the second state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes toner-image forming units, an intermediate transfer body, a controller, a detector, an instruction acceptance unit, and a memory. The toner-image forming units form toner images. The toner images are transferred onto the intermediate transfer body. The controller performs control of causing, among the toner-image forming units, one or multiple toner-image forming units to be used to form the toner images to contact the intermediate transfer body, and of separating the other toner-image forming units from the intermediate transfer body. The detector detects a test pattern formed by the toner forming units. The instruction acceptance unit accepts an instruction for performing a detection process with the detector. The memory stores, among forming modes indicating combinations of toner-image forming units to be used, a first forming mode for forming an image and a second forming mode for forming the test pattern.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the invention includes an auxiliary power supply configured to detachably mountable on the image forming apparatus, a fixing device including a main heater heated by a commercial power supply and an auxiliary heater heated by the auxiliary power supply, a detector that detects mounting and detachment of the auxiliary power supply, and a control unit that performs control to carry out, when the mounting of the auxiliary power supply is detected by the detector, continuous printing of sheets at printing speed higher than printing speed at the time when the auxiliary power supply is not mounted. According to the image forming apparatus according to the invention, the image forming apparatus is capable of operating without deteriorating power use efficiency during continuous printing at normal speed and, on the other hand, can secure stable fixing performance even when the speed of the continuous printing is increased.

Abstract: A device and a method for detecting the position of a developing unit mounted in an image forming apparatus are provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus acquires a type of consumable material possessed by the image forming apparatus using a library provided in an application platform, displays forms capable of printing using the type of consumable material acquired, and forms an image using one or more forms designated from among the displayed forms.

Abstract: An apparatus detecting connection states of connectors includes plural resistors having resistance values different from each other and connected in series to each other, in which sums of at least two resistance values selected from the plural resistance values are different from each other in all combinations of the plural resistance values, and are different from the resistance value of each of the resistors, plural first connectors provided correspondingly to the respective resistors, plural second connectors connected to the first connectors and including bypass lines which bypass the respective resistors when the second connectors are connected to the first connectors, and a controller to detect connection states of the second connectors to the first connectors based on a voltage value of a detection signal flowing through the resistors and the bypass lines.

Abstract: Option unit configuration information indicating a mounting method of option units mounted to an image forming apparatus is acquired. An availability of use of an option unit mounted to the image forming apparatus is determined based on the mounting method of option units indicated by the acquired option unit configuration information and rules for setting the availability of use of an option unit mountable to the image forming apparatus which is stored in a storage medium. In this case, the rules are for setting, based on a mounting order of a plurality of option units mountable to the image forming apparatus, the availability of use of the option unit, and the option unit configuration information further includes information indicating a mounting order of a plurality of option units mounted to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body and a fixing unit, as well as first and second fixing unit attachment detection portions, each of which includes an optical sensor. The fixing unit is detachably attached to the main body, and includes a unit-side connector which connects with a main body-side connector when the fixing unit is attached to the main body to receive power. The first fixing unit attachment detection portion is at a different position on the main body from where the main body-side connector is located in a longitudinal direction of the fixing unit. The second fixing unit attachment detection portion is at a different position on the main body from where the main body-side connector is located and a position where the first fixing unit attachment detection portion is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the fixing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that includes: an image forming apparatus main body; a replaceable unit which is attached to the image forming apparatus main body in a detachable manner; a storage unit provided in the replaceable unit, the storage unit storing information with respect to the replaceable unit; a first detecting unit that detects a first-stage operation for replacing the replaceable unit and other operation at a first stage of replacing the replaceable unit; a second detecting unit that detects a second-stage operation for replacing the replaceable unit at a second stage of replacing the replaceable unit; and a control unit that controls access to the storage unit in accordance with whether the second detecting unit detects the second-stage operation, when the first detecting unit detects the first-stage operation.

Abstract: In a constitution for detecting a position of a transfer member on the basis of a detection result of a current passing between the transfer member and an image bearing member, the positional detection is performed after a contacting and separating operation of the transfer member is carried out. By the contacting and separating operation of the transfer member, the image bearing member located out of a normal position is pressed to the normal position by the transfer member. After the image bearing member is pressed to the normal position, a position of the transfer member is detected.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a main body and an optional device detachably connected thereto via two connectors each having multiple signal terminals corresponding to various signals. The main body includes a connection confirmation unit that confirms that a specific signal terminal in the multiple signal terminals of each connector is connected; a request-signal generating unit that sends a request signal from the main body to the optional device via a signal terminal other than the specific signal terminal when connection of the specific signal terminal is confirmed by the connection confirmation unit, and requests a reply signal from the optional device; and a communication confirmation unit that determines that the two connectors of the main body and the optional device are connected when confirming that the reply signal is received via the signal terminal other than the specific signal terminal.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a first detecting unit, a second detecting unit, a control unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium by using coloring materials of a plurality of colors based on image information. The first detecting unit detects whether or not the first given number of the first housing units are installed to the apparatus. The second detecting unit detects whether or not the second given number of the second housing unit and the third given number of the first housing unit are installed to the apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a plurality of detachable image forming devices each configured to form a color image, an image carrying device configured to carry the color images sequentially overlaid into a single color image, an exchange detecting device configured to detect an exchange operation of the plurality of detachable image forming devices, a test pattern reading device configured to read a predetermined test pattern formed by the plurality of detachable image forming devices on the image carrying device, and a controller configured to instruct the plurality of detachable image forming devices to form the predetermined test pattern on the image carrying device when the exchange detecting device detects the exchange operation, and to perform a color image position adjustment based on readings of the predetermined test pattern by the test pattern reading device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention can include an image forming apparatus having an image carrier, a light emitting portion capable of emitting a light towards a predetermined position, a light receiving portion capable of detecting a light amount of incident light from the predetermined position, a light emission control portion capable of changing an outgoing light amount of the light emitting portion, and a determining portion capable of determining whether or not the image carrier is disposed in the predetermined position based on a change in detected light amounts at the light receiving portion including a change in the outgoing light amount of the light emitting portion.

Abstract: A developing cartridge removably set in a laser printer includes a drive gear that inputs a drive force thereto, a detection gear that irreversibly moves from a unused position where the detection gear does not engage with the drive gear, to a used position where the detection gear does not engage with the drive gear, through a drive force transmitting position where the detection gear engages with the drive gear, and a contact member formed on the detection gear. Provided in a main frame of the laser printer is an actuator that moves the detection gear from the unused position to the drive force transmitting position as the contact member contacts the actuator when the developing cartridge is set in the main frame of the laser printer.