Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a container, a storage unit, a drive unit, a detector, and a determination unit. The container is configured to accommodate toner therein and be detachably mounted on an image forming apparatus main body. The storage unit is configured to store identification information on the toner accommodated in the container, and use history information. The drive unit is configured to rotationally drive a rotation target constituted by the container to transport the toner to an opening provided in an end of the container. The detector is configured to detect a current value of the drive unit. The determination unit is configured to determine a state of the container based on the current value detected by the detector.

Abstract: A rotational force is transmitted to a main assembly side feeding member for feeding the toner into a main assembly side toner accommodating portion from a coupling member provided on a cartridge. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a discharge opening configured to discharge the toner removed from the photosensitive drum toward the main assembly side feeding member, and a coupling member configured to transmit the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member. The coupling member is movable between a first position for transmitting the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member and a second position retracted from the first position.

Abstract: A consumable-component management apparatus equipped with a plurality of consumable components, includes a display that displays information, and at least one controller configured to acquire a first value in units of days based on usage information regarding a first consumable component, acquire a second value in units of days based on usage information regarding a second consumable component, and cause the display to display a screen on which pieces of identification information regarding the plurality of consumable components are arranged, wherein an instruction object is disposed on the screen, the instruction object enabling a change in arrangement order between the identification information regarding the first consumable component and the identification information regarding the second consumable component based on a magnitude relationship between the first value and the second value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of automatically rolling back the system to an appropriate state. The image forming apparatus updates system data set therein. History information of the system data is managed, and execution of rollback processing for replacing the system data by system data which was set before the system data is controlled based on the history information of the system data.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying potential solutions for abnormal events based on historical data are described. One example method includes obtaining interaction data between a client device and a server; determining whether an abnormal event exists in the obtained interaction data; in response to determining, obtaining attribute information of a user corresponding to the client device from the obtained interaction data; identifying one or more records in a database, each record including the attribute information, a cause of one or more previous abnormal events, and a weight characterizing a severity of the previous abnormal events; determining a cause of the abnormal event, wherein the determined cause is the same as the cause of the previous abnormal events from the record in the identified one or more records that includes a largest weight; and providing a solution to address the abnormal event based on the determined cause.

Abstract: In one example of the disclosure, it is determined that an amount of print agent remaining in a print agent container of a print apparatus is below a threshold level. An amount of print solution is transferred from a print solution reservoir of the print apparatus, or an amount of print solution solvent is transferred from a solvent reservoir of the print apparatus, into the print agent container. At least some of the remaining print agent is caused to dissolve into the amount of print solution or print solution solvent to forma rinse solution. The rinse solution is transferred from the print agent reservoir to the print solution reservoir.

Abstract: Provided is an image formation device including a photoreceptor configured to carry a toner image and a developer configured to form the toner image on a surface of the photoreceptor and configured such that the developer is a replaceable development unit, the image formation device including: a development bias application section configured to apply a development bias to between the photoreceptor and the developer; a stabilization control section configured to perform image stabilization control of determining a development bias value to be used in future by changing the development bias while measuring a density of the toner image formed by the developer, thereby obtaining the toner image with a target density; and a life determination section configured to determine expiration of use of the development unit when the development bias value determined by the stabilization control falls outside a preset acceptable range.

Abstract: A printing device, including: a cartridge storing developer; a memory provided in the cartridge; and a controller configured to execute a printing process of operating the cartridge form a developer image on a sheet by use of the developer in the cartridge, a first access process of performing access to the memory when the printing process is not being executed, and a second access process of performing access to the memory in a period in which the printing process is being executed, in response to a predetermined operation of the printing device, wherein, when an access failure occurs in the first access process, the controller notifies an error, and wherein, when an access failure occurs in the second access process, the controller continues the printing process and executes the second access process again in response to a next timing of the predetermined operation of the printing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a voltage adjustment portion having a voltage adjustment member connected to a contact member contacting an endless belt, the voltage adjustment portion changing a current flowing from a current supply member contacting the belt at a position different from a position, at which an image bearing member contacts the belt with respect to a rotating direction of the belt, to the voltage adjustment member via the belt according to a control signal input from a control portion outputting a control signal, thereby changing a size of a transfer potential to transfer a toner image borne by the image bearing member onto the belt at a part at which the belt contacts the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a control method of an image forming apparatus having high convenience are provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image transfer system and a processor. The image transfer system is configured to be switchable between a first position, where printing is performed in a first mode, and a second position, where printing is performed in a second mode. The processor, when executing a print job by switching a position of the image transfer system to a position set in advance as a home position at a waiting time for printing, switches the position of the image transfer system to a position corresponding to the print job and sets the home position based on a result of comparison between a print history in a first mode and a print history in a second mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a conductive member to form an image on a sheet using a toner includes: a voltage acquisition portion configured to acquire a biased voltage value as a voltage value by applying a bias to the conductive member; an environment sensor configured to output an environment condition measurement value representing an internal environment condition; and a hardware processor configured to transform the biased voltage value acquired by the voltage acquisition portion into a virtual voltage value appearing in the conductive member as the biased voltage value under a standard environment condition, in which the environment condition has a predetermined standard condition, on the basis of the environment condition measurement value output from the environment sensor, and determine a service life of the conductive member on the basis of the virtual voltage value.

Abstract: An image forming system includes: an image former that performs an image forming process on a paper sheet, the image forming process including foil pressing, and a controller that controls the image former to perform the image forming process by selectively setting one of a first test print mode and a second test print mode when a test print mode is set, an amount of foil consumption at the image former being normal in the first test print mode, an amount of foil consumption at the image former being reduced in the second test print mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus determines the replacement timing of a component of the image forming apparatus and includes: a rotatable body; a cleaner to remove developer adhered to the rotatable body; and a controller determining that a usable period of the cleaner is longer as a charge amount of the developer is smaller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: photoconductors rotatable and having toner images to be formed on surfaces; a transfer belt on which the toner images formed on the photoconductors are sequentially transferred; and a hardware processor that estimates timing of arrival of end of life of one photoconductor of the photoconductors due to depletion of the surface of the one photoconductor, wherein the hardware processor calculates a depletion amount of the one photoconductor due to a toner, as a first depletion amount, based on a first parameter having a positive correlation with an amount of the toner used for the toner image formed on the surface of another photoconductor that transfers the toner image on the transfer belt before the one photoconductor, and compares the calculated first depletion amount with a predetermined life estimation threshold value to estimate the timing of arrival of end of life of the one photoconductor.

Abstract: A management system is configured to manage a stock of a consumable product and includes a setting unit configured to set a type of a notification used in stock management when an image processing apparatus is a management target, a determination unit configured to determine whether a type of an alarm corresponding to a notification related to the consumable product generated by the image processing apparatus serving as the management target, matches the set type of the notification used in the stock management, and a stock management unit configured to manage the stock of the consumable product in accordance with the alarm that has been determined to have the type matching the set type of the notification used in the stock management.

Abstract: An information processing system includes one or more information processing apparatuses for determining lifetimes of components, to be replaced by preventive maintenance, of respective electric devices. The information processing system includes a leading variable specifying unit configured to specify, based on variables that represent use states of the electric devices and failure data of the electric devices which have been obtained from the electric devices, a plurality of leading variables relevant to the lifetimes of the components; a lifetime matrix creating unit configured to classify a plurality of values of each of the leading variables into sections to create a lifetime matrix in which the lifetimes of the components are set with respect to combinations of the sections each of which relates to a different leading variable; and a lifetime outputting unit configured to determine the lifetimes of the components with respect to the respective electric devices.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, based on print target image data, obtains a video count of a developer unit that forms an image on a photoconductor for each of regions divided in a scanning direction of a laser that exposes the photoconductor. Also after obtaining the video count, halftone processing is performed on the image data. Based on the obtained video count, patch data for cleaning the photoconductor corresponding to each region is generated. The developer unit is controlled to execute image formation based on image data for which the halftone processing is performed, and to execute image formation based on the generated patch data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer member, a cleaning blade, an information storing member configured to store information on contact pressures of the cleaning blade to the image bearing member, an information input portion, and an executing portion configured to execute a toner supplying operation for supplying toner to the cleaning portion using a toner image formed on the image bearing member, in a period other than a period in which the toner image is formed on the image bearing member, for each predetermined number of image forming operations. On the basis of the information inputted to the input portion, the executing portion sets amounts of the toner supplied to the respective regions in the toner supplying operation.

Abstract: A controller in a control device is configured to perform: acquiring a first value from a printer, the first value being related to a residual quantity of printing material remaining in a first cartridge at a first calendar date; acquiring a second value from the printer, the second value being related to a residual quantity of printing material remaining in a second cartridge at a second calendar date, the second cartridge being attached to the printer later than detachment of the first cartridge; estimating a third calendar date using the first value, the second value, the first calendar date, and the second calendar date, the third calendar date being a calendar date when a third value related to the residual quantity of printing material remaining in the second cartridge is assumed to be smaller than a prescribed quantity; and executing an output process according to the third calendar date.

Abstract: Operational event loggings and operational alarm productions within a running multiserver data processing system are automatically and repeatedly sampled and co-associated with one another so as to build annotated logs that can be used by post-process analytics for filling in mappings thereof into an anomalies versus parameters mapping space and for keeping track of unusual changes in the mappings or their rates where the unusual changes can be indicative of emerging new problems of significance within the system.

Abstract: An imaging device has a drive gear assembly which operatively engages with a backup roll gear of a fuser assembly when the fuser assembly is inserted into the imaging device. Such engagement causes the drive gear assembly to rotate, and in turn rotates a drive motor coupled to the drive gear assembly. The drive motor includes Hall Effect sensors associated with a sensor arrangement that senses rotation of the motor. During rotation of the drive motor, sensor signals are transmitted to a controller of the imaging device, the controller counting rising and falling signal edges of the received sensor signals. Based on the number of rising and falling signal edges, a message is sent to a user of the imaging device whether or not the installation of the fuser assembly was successful.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer member, a measurement instrument, and a controller. The controller is configured to predict a lifetime of the transfer member based on first and second electrical states. The first electrical state is an electrical state of the transfer member when a first image carrier is attached as the image carrier. The second electrical state is an electrical state of the transfer member when a second image carrier different from the first image carrier is attached as the image carrier after formation of an image with the use of the first image carrier.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge includes a CRUM chip. The CRUM chip stores specific information about whether an ejection action by an ejection mechanism for the toner cartridge is permitted. In accordance with an instruction by a control portion of the image forming device, the ejection action is permitted in a case of a permitting cartridge for which the ejection action is permitted, and the ejection action is inhibited in a case of an inhibiting cartridge for which the ejection action is inhibited.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an operation panel having an operation surface for accepting operations from a user; a photovoltaic module for generating electric power upon reception of light; and a support member for supporting the photovoltaic module in such a way that the photovoltaic module is placed above the operation surface of the operation panel. The photovoltaic module is supported so as to be pivotable relative to the support member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member bearing an electrostatic latent image formed based on image information in forming an image, an electrification member being in contact with a surface of the image bearing member to electrify the image bearing member, a service life determining portion determining whether or not a service life of the electrification member has come to its end based on information concerning an electrification time during which voltage is applied to the electrification member obtained by using a detection result of the environment detecting portion and information concerning an image ratio of a formed image obtained by using the detection result of the environment detecting portion, and an alarm portion issuing an alarm in response to a determination made by the service life determining portion that the service life of the electrification member has come to the end.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a fixing device comprising a heater for heating a sheet on which an image is formed and a non-volatile memory in which characteristic information of the heater is stored. The fixing device is replaceable. In a case where the fixing device is replaced, the image forming apparatus starts to supply power to the heater before completing to read the characteristic information from the fixing device replaced. Due to this, the image forming apparatus can promptly heat the heater of the fixing device than before.

Abstract: A device management apparatus including a receiving unit configured to receive state information indicating a change in a state of a device and store the state information in a state information storage unit; a sending unit configured to send report information relating to the state information to a predetermined destination, when the state information received by the receiving unit corresponds to a report target; and a changing unit configured to expand the report targets when an operation state of the device does not fulfill a scheduled state of a present time point, the operation state being identified based on history of the state information stored in the state information storage unit.

Abstract: A method of converting a CMYK printer to print with a non-standard toner, comprising the steps: providing a CMYK toner printer; wherein the CMYK toner printer may have four toner printing cartridges, wherein three of the four toner printing cartridges may be color printing cartridges comprising a cyan toner printing cartridge, a magenta toner printing cartridge, and a yellow toner printing cartridge; removing one or more of the color toner printing cartridges from the toner printer, such that there may be one or more empty toner printing cartridge positions; providing one or more non-standard toner printing cartridges; and installing the one or more non-standard toner printing cartridges into the one or more empty toner printing cartridges.

Abstract: A method of converting a printer to print with white toner comprises the steps: providing a color toner printer; wherein the color toner printer may comprise a plurality of drum cartridges and a plurality of toner cartridges; wherein the plurality of toner cartridges may comprise a cyan toner cartridge, a yellow toner cartridge, a magenta toner cartridge, and a black toner cartridge; wherein the plurality of drum cartridges may comprise a cyan drum cartridge, a yellow drum cartridge, a magenta drum cartridge, and a black drum cartridge; removing the cyan toner cartridge, the magenta toner cartridge, the cyan drum cartridge, and the magenta drum cartridge; disassembling the cyan drum cartridge and the magenta drum cartridge; emptying and cleaning the cyan toner cartridge, the magenta toner cartridge, the cyan drum cartridge, and the magenta drum cartridge; priming the cyan drum cartridge and the magenta drum cartridge with a white toner; filling the cyan toner cartridge and the magenta toner cartridge with the

Abstract: An information mediation system includes a printer and an information mediation device which accumulates operation information that is modified according to an operation of the printer from the printer, in which the information mediation device has an operation information accumulating section which accumulates operation information of a type according to specifications of the printer from the printer, and a specification sensing section which senses a modification in the specifications of the printer, and the operation information accumulating section queries the type of operation information that is to be accumulated in a printer in which a modification of the specifications is sensed by the specification sensing section to an external management apparatus and accumulates the operation information of the type that is indicated by the query result from the printer in which the modification of the specifications is sensed.

Abstract: An image forming device provided in a management system manages remaining amount information of consumable contained in a loaded consumable container, detects identification information of a new consumable container to be loaded upon replacing the consumable container, and transmits a replacement notification including identification information, counter information indicating the operation status of the image forming device upon replacement, and remaining amount information of consumable contained in the previously loaded consumable container which has been removed by the replacement to a management device. The management device receives a replacement notification, associates identification information of a consumable container, counter information relating to the replacement of the consumable container, and the remaining amount information with each other based on the replacement notification, and stores the same as management information.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus fixes an image onto a recording material. A first fuse and a second fuse are connected in series each other. A power supply line is connected to one end of the first fuse. A signal line is connected to a connection point between another end of the first fuse and one end of the second fuse. A ground line is connected to another end of the second fuse. Information regarding the fixing apparatus is held in accordance with melt states of the first and second fuses.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; an intermediary transfer belt rotatable in a predetermined direction, a rubbing rotatable member provided between the secondary transfer portion and a cleaning blade with respect to the predetermined direction and configured to rub the belt; and a controller for controlling the belt such that after start of a both-side-printing mode operation in which the toner images are formed on respective sides of the recording material, the rotation of the belt is stopped at an end or interruption of the both-side-printing mode operation, and the belt is rotated in a direction opposite from the predetermined direction at least until a portion of the belt contacting the cleaning blade at the time of the stop of the rotation of the belt reaches a position opposing the rubbing rotatable member.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to providing cloud-based printing fluid subscription messages. in example embodiments, the system may then calculate a fulfillment trigger value based on a printing fluid fill level of a printing fluid storage unit and a printing fluid usage history of a remote printing device, where the fulfillment trigger value describes a printing fluid used level of the printing fluid storage unit that triggers an order request for as replacement supply of printing fluid. Next, system may update a subscription fulfillment status for the remote printing device to an order triggered state and send the subscription fulfillment status to the remote printing device, where the remote printing device determines whether to display a printing fluid subscription message based on the subscription fulfillment status.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a housing having a first wall and a second wall opposing each other, a drive-transmission member and a detected body rotatable about a first axis and a second axis respectively parallel to a first direction from the second wall toward the first wall. The detected body having a detected portion is movable first in the first direction and then in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the first wall while irreversibly moving from a first position to a second position, a distance between the detected portion and the first wall in the first direction being longer at the second position than at the first position. The drive-transmission member includes a first engaging portion engageable with the detected body at the first position and positioned upstream of an abutment portion abuttable with a receiving portion of the detected body in the first direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit that fixes an image, an obtaining unit that obtains information regarding conveying time taken to convey a recording material, a detection unit that detects information regarding an environment, and a control unit configured to determine, based on the information regarding the conveying time and the information regarding the environment, a timing at which the fixing unit is replaced.

Abstract: A method and system for managing field convertible operator replaceable components associated with a rendering device. A file that defines a set of operator replaceable components can be created and remotely installed on the device. The replaceable components associated with the device can be easily changed from a designation as a customer service engineer replacement component to an operator replacement component and vice versa. A determination that an operator is allowed to replace the component can be made based on a training level provided to the operator, the component availability, a usage pattern, and/or a security level. Such an approach enables the operator to perform the majority of maintenance on the device without requiring the services of a field engineer.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a detector for detecting at least one characteristic associated with a toner container installed in the image processing device. A counter is provided for selectively incrementing count data indicative of a number of pages having toner applied thereto that have been output by the image processing device. One or more processors and one or more computer-readable media coupled to the one or more processors are provided. The one or more computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to use the at least one characteristic detected by the detector and the count data to calculate a usage ratio representing an expected number of used toner bottles and an actual number of used toner bottles to determine whether the usage ratio exceeds a usage threshold, and communicating a result of the determination when the usage ratio exceeds the usage threshold.

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 method and apparatus of monitoring computer devices operating on a network is disclosed. Computer devices are all different and require monitoring settings that are tailored to their specific requirements. One example method of automatically configuring a set of monitoring requirements may include creating initial monitor counter values at a computing device and monitoring at least one computer based on the initial monitor counter values. Additional operations may include calculating override monitor counter values based on the monitoring of the at least one computer, and monitoring the at least one computer based on the override monitor counter values. The override values may be better suited for the device(s) being monitored and may replace the previously used monitoring settings.

Abstract: A method for providing a page countdown for a replaceable unit of an image forming device according to one embodiment includes calculating a number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of its life. The calculated number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of life is displayed on a display screen. After the calculated number of pages remaining is displayed, the displayed number of pages remaining is decreased in response to printing of pages by the image forming device, the number of pages remaining is recalculated and a discrepancy between the displayed number of pages remaining and the recalculated number of pages remaining is tracked. If the discrepancy exceeds a predetermined error threshold, the recalculated number of pages remaining is displayed and the displayed number of pages remaining continues to be decreased from the displayed recalculated number of pages remaining.

Abstract: A lubricant supplying device includes: lubricant; a supplying member that supplies the lubricant to a lubricant supply target; and a remaining amount detecting unit that detects that a remaining amount of the lubricant is equal to or smaller than a certain amount. The remaining amount detecting unit includes a first electrode member and a second electrode member. The lubricant supplying device includes a member that causes at least a part of the second electrode member to move and causes the second electrode member to abut the first electrode member with an increase in consumption of the lubricant.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: at least one container, a recorder, a communication unit, an input device, a memory, a display, and a controller. The controller performs: receiving a recording command via the communication unit; storing the recording command in the memory; and detecting a remaining amount of the consumables in the container. And the controller further performs: calculating a consumption amount of the consumables in accordance with the stored recording command; receiving authentication information; authenticating the stored recording command and comparing the detected remaining amount of the consumables with the calculated consumption amount to be consumed for the image of the authenticated recording command; and displaying information of a first authenticated recording command with a first indication indicating the first authenticated recording command is executed, when the calculated consumption amount is equal to or less than the detected remaining amount.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to update a supported-supplies database (110) of an image forming apparatus (105) are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes detecting insertion of an imaging supply (120) into an image forming apparatus (105), interacting with the inserted imaging supply (120) to obtain a supply identifier, the supply identifier representing an additional supported imaging supply for the image forming apparatus (105), and adding the obtained supply identifier to a supported-supplies database (110) of the image forming apparatus (105).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to form a color image by having at least one consumable product, the image forming apparatus including a main board, a first memory unit detachably coupled to the main body, a consumable product memory unit installed at the consumable product, and configured to store information on a lifespan of the consumable product, and a control unit configured to read the information on the lifespan of the consumable product from the consumable product memory unit, and to store the information on the lifespan of the consumable product at the first memory unit in the form of a backup.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cassette chamber, a paper feed cassette, a sheet size sensor, a lift-up sensor, and an arithmetic control unit. The paper feed cassette can be mounted in the cassette chamber, and lifts up a recording sheet placed in the paper feed cassette upon being mounted in the cassette chamber. The arithmetic control unit is configured to decide that the paper feed cassette is mounted when the lift-up sensor detects that the recording sheet is lifted up, despite the sheet size sensor having detected that the paper feed cassette is not mounted.

Abstract: A solid lubricant supply system includes a solid lubricant supplier to receive and supply solid lubricant to a solid lubricant supplying target. A pair of first and second moveable planar electrodes is opposed to each other. The second moveable planar electrode is partially moved toward the first moveable planar electrode as the solid lubricant is consumed. A residual solid lubricant quantity detecting unit is provide to detect a quantity of the residual solid lubricant at a first stage, in which the residual solid lubricant quantity is below a given level, by detecting electric conduction between the pair of first and second moveable planar electrodes when the pair of first and second moveable planar electrodes contacts each other. The first moveable planar electrode is enabled to further move together with the second moveable planar electrode when it is contacted and pressed by the second moveable planar electrode.

Abstract: A printing apparatus 100 is capable of mounting a multi-color printing material container having a storage device that stores identification information of the printing material container and ink consumption information of each color. The printing apparatus includes a first nonvolatile memory 120 that stores the identification information of printing material containers and first usage information that is based on the ink consumption information of each color, and a printing apparatus controller 110 that performs control of print processing.

Abstract: A device failure predictor includes data acquisition unit to acquire internal data of a target device, a peak value calculator to calculate a plurality of peak values of the internal data for a prescribed period of time, and a failure sign identification unit to set individual criteria for the plurality of peak values and determine whether or not the target device shows signs of failure according to the plurality of peak values and the individual criteria.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; a transfer belt configured to be charged to an opposite polarity to the surface of the photosensitive drum to electrostatically attract a recording paper sheet and convey the sheet while pressing the sheet against the photosensitive drum, thereby transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum to the sheet; a fixing section configured to apply heat to the recording paper sheet having the toner image transferred thereto and thus fix the toner image on the sheet; a toner collecting member disposed to face a separating position where the recording paper sheet is separated from the transfer belt and extending in a width direction of the sheet being conveyed, the toner collecting member being electrically grounded; and a thermally conductive member configured to collect heat near the fixing section and conduct the collected heat to the toner collecting member.