Abstract: In the image forming method, a halftone image is generated by performing halftone processing for an input image, a scanned image of a printed material on which on which the halftone image is printed is obtained, and a failure component of an image forming apparatus is identified based on a difference between the scanned image and the input image. In the generation, the halftone image is generated by representing a dot pattern of a halftone portion in a case where the input image is a test image for the failure diagnosis by a dot pattern whose frequency is relatively higher than that of a dot pattern that is applied to the halftone portion in a case where the input image is an image other than the test image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing member, a first detection processing portion, and an acquisition processing portion. The developing member conveys developer to a facing portion between the developing member and the image-carrying member. The first detection processing portion detects a first development current for each of a plurality of specific voltages with different DC voltage values applied to the developing member, the first development current flowing, in response to application of the specific voltages, through the facing portion including the developer and a specific exposed area, formed by the light emitting portion, on the image-carrying member. The acquisition processing portion acquires a potential value of the specific exposed area based on the DC voltage values of the specific voltages and current values of the first development current, detected by the first detection processing portion, corresponding to the respective specific voltages.

Abstract: In an example, a printing apparatus may include, a rotatable shaft, a removable drum mounted on the shaft and a fixing element to fixedly couple the removable drum to the shaft, so that the removable drum is to rotate with the shaft. The printing apparatus may also include a heater, a printing apparatus satellite component located adjacent to the removable drum and engageable with the removable drum and a controller. The controller may be to receive a command to prepare the removable drum for removal; and in response, control the shaft to rotate the removable drum; control the heater to heat the removable drum while it rotates; and control the printing apparatus to engage the satellite component of the printing apparatus with the removable drum while it rotates.

Abstract: A printer, capable of appropriately extending an existing replacement recommendation time of a component determined based on a life prescribed for the component, includes: a time determination unit (timer), a comparison examination unit (comparator), and a notification unit (notifier). The timer determines a time at which replacement of a component is recommended based on tendency information indicating a deterioration tendency of the component with respect to an operation status. The tendency information is generated from collection and storage of information on the operation status collected from a plurality of printers and information on a degree of deterioration at a disposal time of the component. The comparator compares a time output by the time determination unit with a predetermined life of the component, and examines whether to perform recommendation for component replacement.

Abstract: A processor determines an image defect in a test image obtained through an image reading process performed on an output sheet output by an image forming apparatus. The processor derives a vertical data string that is composed of data about horizontal representative values serving as representative values of a plurality of pixel values in each line in a horizontal direction in the test image. Moreover, the processor determines the presence or absence of at least one periodicity set in advance in the vertical data string by performing frequency analysis on the vertical data string. Furthermore, the processor determines the occurrence or non-occurrence and the cause of periodic density unevenness serving as a type of the image defect according to the determination result on the periodicity.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; a developing roller; a separation mechanism configured to switch a state of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller between a contact state and a separation state; a main memory storing therein a first rotation number and a second rotation number; and a controller configured to perform calculating a deterioration quantity of the photosensitive drum based on the first rotation number and the second rotation number in the main memory. A surface of the developing roller contacts a surface of the photosensitive drum in the contact state, whereas the surface of the developing roller is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum in the separation state. The first rotation number is the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum in the contact state, and the second rotation number is the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum in the separation state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developer bearing member, a driving unit, a latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic image having light area potential and a dark area potential, and an application unit that applies a developing bias. The driving unit drives the image bearing member and the developer bearing member in a first peripheral speed ratio and a second peripheral speed ratio larger than the first peripheral speed ratio. The image forming apparatus further includes an acquiring unit acquiring information related to a change in an electrostatic capacitance of the image bearing member and a determining unit determining a developing contrast according to the electrostatic capacitance. The determining unit determines the developing contrast based on the acquired information when the driving unit drives the image bearing member and the developer bearing member in the second peripheral speed ratio.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a motor, a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a main memory, and a controller. The controller is configured to perform storing a first rotation number and a second rotation number in the main memory. The first rotation number is the rotation number of the photosensitive drum rotated in a first state where the photosensitive drum rotates and the developing roller is stopped. The second rotation number is the rotation number of the photosensitive drum rotated in a second state where the photosensitive drum rotates and the developing roller rotates. The controller is further configured to perform, in a case where the photosensitive drum rotates, determining a total deterioration quantity of the photosensitive drum which is a cumulative deterioration quantity of the photosensitive drum based on the first rotation number and the second rotation number.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a charger, a detection unit, and a determination unit. The charger charges the photoconductor. The detection unit detects an actual charging potential of the photoconductor after the photoconductor is charged by the charger. The determination unit determines one of a plurality of causes related to a charging abnormality of the photoconductor based on a relationship between a standard charging potential of the photoconductor to be obtained by charging by the charger and a charging potential detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer device, a sensor, and a processor. The processor compares a surface potential difference between a first surface potential and a second surface potential of the image carrier to a threshold to detect that a surface potential difference exceeding the threshold is generated in the image carrier in a state where the supply of the developer from the developing unit to the image carrier is inhibited, the first surface potential being a surface potential of the image carrier to which the transfer bias measured by the sensor is not applied, and the second surface potential being a surface potential of the image carrier to which the transfer bias is applied.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developer bearing member, a driving unit, a latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic image having light area potential and a dark area potential, and an application unit that applies a developing bias. The driving unit drives the image bearing member and the developer bearing member in a first peripheral speed ratio and a second peripheral speed ratio larger than the first peripheral speed ratio. The image forming apparatus further includes an acquiring unit acquiring information related to a change in an electrostatic capacitance of the image bearing member and a determining unit determining a developing contrast according to the electrostatic capacitance. The determining unit determines the developing contrast based on the acquired information when the driving unit drives the image bearing member and the developer bearing member in the second peripheral speed ratio.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that executes an image forming operation for forming a toner image on a recording material and an application operation of applying a metal soap to a surface of an image bearing member by supplying a toner stored in a toner storing unit to the surface of the image bearing member from the developing member. A surficial moving speed of the image bearing member during the application operation is lower than the surficial moving speed of the image bearing member during the image forming operation, and a speed difference between the surficial moving speed of the developing member and the surficial moving speed of the image bearing member during the application operation is larger than that during the image forming operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developer bearing member, a driving unit, a latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic image having light area potential and a dark area potential, and an application unit that applies a developing bias. The driving unit drives the image bearing member and the developer bearing member in a first peripheral speed ratio and a second peripheral speed ratio larger than the first peripheral speed ratio. The image forming apparatus further includes an acquiring unit acquiring information related to a change in an electrostatic capacitance of the image bearing member and a determining unit determining a developing contrast according to the electrostatic capacitance. The determining unit determines the developing contrast based on the acquired information when the driving unit drives the image bearing member and the developer bearing member in the second peripheral speed ratio.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor, a measurer that measures the number of rotations of the photoreceptor, and a hardware processor. The hardware processor predicts a film scraping amount of the photoreceptor on the basis of a measurement result of the measurer and determines a service life of the photoreceptor on the basis of a prediction result of the hardware processor. The hardware processor calculates the film scraping amount by multiplying the number of rotations of the photoreceptor per predetermined time by a predetermined coefficient, and integrates the calculated film scraping amount for each predetermined time. The predetermined coefficient is set to a different value according to the number of rotations of the photoreceptor per predetermined time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a power supply, and circuitry. The power supply is configured to apply a charging voltage to the photoconductor. The circuitry is configured to control film thickness detection of detecting a charging current corresponding to the charging voltage to detect a film thickness of a surface of the photoconductor. The circuitry is further configured to determine a sampling period taken to detect the charging current; calculate a variation in the charging current detected; and determine whether the variation is greater than a threshold. The circuitry is configured to: determine the sampling period according to a determination result as to whether the variation is greater than the threshold; and sample the charging current for the sampling period determined, on a subsequent film thickness detection control.

Abstract: An image forming device includes: a conductive roller that abuts an image carrier to rotate; a power supply circuit that applies voltage to the roller; a controller that controls the power supply circuit so as to apply the voltage to the roller over a predetermined detection period in a state in which the image carrier and the roller are rotated; a detection value acquirer that acquires a detection value acquired by the application of the voltage indicating a state of the image carrier in the detection period; and a state detector that detects a state of the image carrier on the basis of a plurality of acquired detection values, wherein a length of the detection period is set to a length at which both the numbers of rotations of the image carrier and the roller from a start of the detection period are integers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control unit configured to execute a first mode and a second mode of forming images on first through third image bearing members. In the first mode, a toner image is formed on a third image bearing member without having toner images formed on the first and second image bearing members in a state where the first through third image bearing members are abutted against an intermediate transfer body. In the first mode, the control unit controls at least a first charging device such that a primary transfer contrast in a first primary transfer portion is set to be equal to or greater than a discharge starting voltage, and applies an AC voltage to a second charging device such that a discharge current having a current quantity smaller than that in the second mode is supplied.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a charging member, a voltage applier, a rubbing member, a process executor, a current detector, a characteristic deriver and a process controller. The rubbing member is arranged in contact with a surface of the photoconductor to rub the surface. The process executor executes a refresh process of causing the rubbing member to rub the surface for a predetermined time by supplying toner to the rubbing member. The current detector detects a current value of a current flowing from the charging member to the photoconductor. The characteristic deriver derives an electrical characteristic of discharge products adhering to the surface on the basis of an oscillating voltage applied to the charging member by the voltage applier and the current value. The process controller determines whether or not to re-execute the refresh process according to the electrical characteristic when the refresh process is finished.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a member for use in forming an image, an acquiring unit, a scanning unit, and a control unit. The acquiring unit is configured to acquire first image information on the image formed on a recording material. The scanning unit is configured to scan the image formed on the recording material to acquire second image information. The control unit is configured to compare the first image information acquired by the acquiring unit with the second image information acquired by the scanning unit to determine a state of the member based on a comparison result.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image carrying member, a charging member, an exposing device, a destaticizer, a high-voltage generation circuit, a current detector, and a controller. The controller is configured to execute a contamination state check mode having a potential saturation step where the surface potential of the image carrying member is saturated by applying a DC voltage alone to the charging member, an exposure step where the image carrying member of which the surface potential is saturated is exposed to light in an exposure pattern extending continuously over its entire area in the main scanning direction while being displaced at a constant rate in the sub-scanning direction by the exposing device, and a current detection step where the charging current that passes while the exposure pattern formed on the surface of the image carrying member passes through the charging member is detected by the current detector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor configured to be rotatable; a charger configured to charge the photoconductor; an overcurrent detector configured to output an overcurrent detection signal in response to detection of an overcurrent in the charger; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to execute: an obtaining process of obtaining the overcurrent detection signal output from the overcurrent detector; a first counting process of counting a first number of detections based on the overcurrent detection signal obtained in the obtaining process, the first number of detections being the number of the overcurrent detection signals synchronized with a first cycle corresponding to one rotation of the photoconductor; and a first determining process of determining whether the first number of detections is not smaller than a first threshold which is not smaller than 2.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member including a photosensitive layer and a protective layer provided outside the photosensitive layer; a charging member configured to electrically charge the photosensitive member; an exposure device configured to expose, to light, the photosensitive member charged by the charging member; a detecting member configured to detect a surface potential of the photosensitive member; and an output portion configured to output information on a lifetime of the photosensitive member. The output portion outputs the information on the basis of an exposure amount with which the photosensitive member charged is exposed to light and a detection result of the surface potentials of the photosensitive member by the detecting member before and after the photosensitive member is exposed to the light with the exposure amount.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device that forms an image by an electrophotographic method, wherein the image forming device includes the photosensitive body on which two or more layers are laminated, and further includes a hardware processor that predicts a degree of consumption of a photosensitive body, and the hardware processor specifies timing when a layer begins to lie on an outermost side, the layer being one of the two or more layers and lying on the outermost side at time of predicting the degree of consumption, and uses an electrical characteristic of the image forming device after the timing specified, to predict the degree of consumption of the photosensitive body.

Abstract: A system for monitoring field devices operating in process plants includes a remote terminal unit (RTU) coupled to several field devices, each configured to perform a respective function in a process plant, and a host disposed remotely from the RTU and coupled to the RTU via a communication network. The RTU includes (i) a first interface module configured to communicate according to a digital industrial automation protocol, via which the RTU receives data indicative of respective statuses of the field devices, (ii) a memory to store the received data, and (iii) a second interface module configured to communicate with remote hosts via a communication network. The host is configured to (i) request the statutes of the field devices and (ii) receive, from the RTU, indications of the status based on the data stored in the memory of the RTU.

Abstract: An imaging device has a photoconductive drum with a surface that is charged and selectively discharged to create a latent electrostatic image of an image to-be-printed for attracting toner for transfer to a media. A memory of the imaging device stores energy density values for use by the laser beam that can be accessed by a controller according to a predetermined number of media imaged by the photoconductive drum. During imaging, the controller controls the laser beam based on the stored energy density values. The energy density of the laser beam is increased or decreased when the laser beam is scanned along the photoconductive drum.

Abstract: The operation data collection device for work machines includes a plurality of sensors attached to a work machine to receive measurement data as operation data and record the operation data in an operation data storage section. The operation data collection device further includes: a communication processing section that transmits the operation data stored in the operation data storage section to an external server in response to a download request from the external server; an access history management section that manages a download status of the operation data recorded in the operation data storage section, through the download request from the external server and the transmission of the operation data to the external server; and a recorded data change processing section that changes a condition for recording the operation data in the operation data storage section in accordance with the download status of the operation data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive member; a charger that charges a surface of the photosensitive member; an exposure device that forms a latent image; and a developing device that applies toner to the latent image, wherein the photosensitive member is incorporated in a detachable photosensitive member unit, and the developing device is incorporated in a detachable developing unit, the image forming apparatus including: an optimization controller that performs optimization of a charging bias of the charger and a developing bias of the developing device; and a replacement determiner that determines which of the photosensitive member unit and the developing unit is to be replaced when an optimized developing bias is out of a predetermined allowable range, wherein the replacement determiner determines that the developing unit is to be replaced, and determines that the photosensitive member unit is to be replaced.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a charger, an exposure device, a transfer device, a first and a second surface voltmeter, and a processor. At the first rotation of the photoconductor, the charger charges a charge area on the photoconductor, the exposure device exposes a part of an exposure area in an axial direction of the photoconductor, and the transfer device charges an exposed and unexposed area. At the second rotation, the charger charges the charge area, and the exposure device exposes the exposed and unexposed area at the first rotation. After the exposure at the second rotation, the first surface voltmeter measures a surface potential V1 of the unexposed area at the first rotation, and the second surface voltmeter measures a surface potential V2 of the exposed area at the first rotation. The processor evaluates a life of the photoconductor based on the surface potentials V1 and V2.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, a scraper, and a controller. The controller performs an image formation process to form the developer image on the photosensitive member by using the developing device. The controller acquires, as a first value, at least one of a value of the charging current flowing in the charger and a value of the transferring current flowing in the transfer device. The controller calculates an accumulation current value by using result of an integral of a second value over time. The second value is an absolute value of the first value. The controller performs a scraping process in which the scraper scrapes the photosensitive member when the accumulation current value reaches a threshold value.

Abstract: In a first image formation mode, an image is formed with a first development contrast C1 and a specific dot pattern is formed with a second development contrast C2, which is lower than the first development contrast C1; in a second image formation mode, an image is formed with a third development contrast C3 and a specific dot pattern is formed with a fourth development contrast C4, which is lower than the third development contrast C3; and when ?C1 (=C2/C1) denotes a ratio between the second development contrast C2 and the first development contrast C1, and ?C2 (=C4/C3) denotes a ratio between the fourth development contrast C4 and the third development contrast C3, ?C2<?C1 is satisfied.

Abstract: An image forming device that forms an image by transferring a toner image formed by developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor from the photoreceptor to an intermediate transfer body by applying a transfer bias to a transfer member and putting the transfer member in contact with the intermediate transfer body. The device includes: a current supplier selectively supplying a first constant current and a second constant current to the transfer member; a first voltage acquirer acquiring a first voltage occurring between the transfer member and the intermediate transfer body while the transfer member is supplied with the first constant current; a second voltage acquirer acquiring a second voltage occurring between the transfer member and the photoreceptor while the transfer member is supplied with the second constant current; and a thickness acquirer acquiring a value indicating photoreceptor layer thickness of the photoreceptor by using the first and second voltages.

Abstract: A process control system includes an I/O module configured to be connected to a field device which is installed in a plant in which an industrial process is controlled, the I/O module autonomously transmitting data received from the field device, and a higher-level device that comprises a memory which temporarily stores the data autonomously transmitted from the I/O module, the higher-level device reading the data stored in the memory at a predetermined period.

Abstract: In a method to determine a negative effect on a surface of an image carrier of a print group, a reflection spectrum is determined of a region of the surface of the image carrier, the reflection spectrum indicating an intensity of light for different wavelengths. The light is reflected from the region of the surface of the image carrier. A reference spectrum is determined for the region of the surface of the image carrier. The reflection spectrum is then compared with the reference spectrum. Depending on the comparison, the determination is made whether a negative effect is present at the region of the surface of the image carrier.

Abstract: An I/O module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a receiver electrically connectable to a field device and configured to receive first information autonomously transmitted from the field device, a storage storing the first information received by the receiver, and a comparator configured to compare the first information stored in the storage and second information newly received by the receiver and to rewrite the first information stored in the storage with the second information newly received by the receiver when the first information stored in the storage is different from the second information newly received by the receiver.

Abstract: A fiber member and a transfer belt are movable into contact with or away from each other. In an initial contact state in which an image carrying member and the transfer belt are separated and the transfer belt and the fiber member start touching, an upstream side of the fiber member in the movement direction of the transfer belt touches the transfer belt before a downstream side of the fiber member touches the belt. In a contact state in which the image carrying member and the transfer belt are in contact and the transfer belt and the transfer device are in contact, a holding surface is inclined with respect to an opposing portion of an inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt in such a manner that a distance between the holding surface and the opposing portion increases from the downstream side to the upstream side in the movement direction.

Abstract: In an image forming method for forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image pattern including an image portion and a non-image portion by exposing a surface of an image bearer with light based on the image pattern, the image portion has a plurality of pixels, the pixels constituting the image portion but not adjacent to at least a non-image portion are exposed with a first optical output that is higher than a given optical output obtained when the entire pixels corresponding to the image portion are exposed over a given time period.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an exposure device configured to expose image bearing members charged by charging devices to form latent images on the image bearing members, and a control unit configured to, in ether one or both of an image forming unit A and an image forming unit B, adjust an amount of exposure by which the image bearing member is exposed and a charging voltage based on information about the image bearing members of the image forming units A and B. The control unit is configured to make the charging voltage and the amount of exposure in the image forming unit A different from the charging voltage and the amount of exposure in the image forming unit B.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum life estimation mechanism which estimates wear amounts of a charge transfer layer in both of a toner bearing area and an end portion of a toner non-bearing area of a developing roller and informs a user that the photosensitive drum has reached the end of its life if, out of total wear amounts of the areas corresponding to predetermined life threshold values of the toner bearing and non-bearing areas, either of the total wear amounts reaches the threshold value.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing diagnostic testing based on information handling system variables include receiving a first indication specifying diagnostic tests to be performed on an information handling system, receiving a second indication specifying diagnostic test conditions respectively associated with the diagnostic tests, receiving a third indication specifying health condition severity of the information handling system, and receiving a fourth indication specifying a user profile including user usage patterns. Based on the first indication, the second indication, the third indication, and the fourth indication, a schedule for executing diagnostic tests is generated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a charging apparatus, an exposure apparatus configured to expose the image bearing member charged by the charging apparatus to form an electrostatic latent image, a developing apparatus provided with a developer accommodation section and configured to develop the electrostatic latent image, a signal output unit configured to output a first signal for exposing a printing part of the image bearing member and a second signal for exposing a non-printing part of the image bearing member, a counting apparatus configured to receive the electric signal output from the signal output unit and count the first signals and the second signals, and a calculation apparatus configured to obtain a use amount of the developer by the developing apparatus from count values of the first signals and the second signals counted by the counting apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a first control unit configured to control the image forming apparatus, a second control unit configured to control the image forming unit based on control of the first control unit, and a signal output unit configured to output a control signal for controlling an operation of the image forming unit, when the image forming apparatus is in a power saving state in which power supply to the first control unit is stopped, wherein the second control unit performs a specific operation for maintenance of the image forming unit, according to the control signal output from the signal output unit, when the image forming apparatus is in the power saving state in which power supply to the first control unit is stopped.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes at least one imaging device including at least a photoconductor, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device; a detector that detects that the photoconductor of the at least one imaging device has reached the end of a life of the photoconductor; and a controller that controls the at least one imaging device under an imaging condition including a charge condition, an exposure condition, a development condition, and a transfer condition. After the controller acquires detection information of the detector, the controller controls the at least one imaging device by changing the imaging condition to a condition that decreases an image quality.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is capable of reducing downtime while preventing generation of friction between an image carrier and a belt member when the image carrier or the belt member is replaced. Whether or not a photosensitive drum should be replaced is determined based on usage conditions of the photosensitive drum, and when it is determined that the photosensitive drum should be replaced, a separating operation of separating an intermediate transfer belt from the photosensitive drum is carried out after an image formed on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred to a recording medium. When it is not determined that the photosensitive drum should be replaced, the separating operation is not carried out after the image formed on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred to the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photoreceptor that bears a latent image, an electrostatic charging unit that negatively charges the electrophotographic photoreceptor uniformly with electricity, and a latent image writing unit that writes a latent image on the electrophotographic photoreceptor. A one-component developing unit renders the latent image visible by developing thereof. A transfer device transfers the toner image from the electrophotographic photoreceptor onto a transfer medium. The inequality C×V<Q?1.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a deterioration determining device to determine a deterioration degree of a latent image bearer based on a potential detected by a surface potential detector. The deterioration determining device calculates a relative value indicating the deterioration degree based on the aggregated number of pixels and a time value for each of virtually divided regions. The deterioration determining device determines a deterioration degree of a detecting target region of the virtually divided region based on a potential detected by the surface potential detector. The deterioration determining device further determines deterioration degrees of non-detecting target respective regions of the virtually divided regions based on the relative values of the non-detecting target respective regions, the relative value of the detecting target region, and the deterioration degree of the detecting target region.

Abstract: Described herein is a device that generates a beam of light with uniform intensity. The device includes an array of light sources. The light generated passes through a beam splitter. One beam is used for feedback to maintain uniform intensity. The other beam passes through a barrel which is used to mold the beam with uniform intensity into the desired shape and to reduce divergence. The device can be used as part of a quality control system for testing a photoreceptor drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable photosensitive member, an exposure unit for exposing a surface of the photosensitive member to light, and a detecting portion for detecting a lifetime of the photosensitive member on the basis of a thickness of a charge transporting layer of the photosensitive member and an amount of the light received by the charge transporting layer of the photosensitive member.

Abstract: A management server capable of communicating with a providing apparatus via a network and using a function provided by the providing apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive failure information from the image forming apparatus, and a notification unit configured to perform notification for arranging maintenance of the image forming apparatus according to the failure information received from the image forming apparatus, wherein the management server does not arrange the maintenance of the image forming apparatus if it can be identified that the failure is caused by the providing apparatus based on the received failure information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photoreceptor drums, a plurality of developing devices, a plurality of polishing members, an endless intermediate transfer component, a primary transfer unit, a secondary transfer unit, a secondary transfer unit, a development refresh unit, and a photoreceptor refresh unit. The photoreceptor refresh unit is configured such that, in executing the photoreceptor-refresh control process, if the development refresh unit detects a toner-deteriorated developing device, the circumferential surface of the deteriorated photoreceptor drum is polished, by the polishing member provided for the deteriorated photoreceptor drum, using the polishing-agent contained in the toner discharged from the toner-deteriorated developing device by the development refresh unit executing the development-refresh control process.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum; a charging rotatable member for charging the drum by applying a voltage comprising a DC voltage component and an AC voltage component; a current detector for detecting a current flowing when a predetermined inspecting voltage is applied to the charging rotatable member; a storing portion for storing information corresponding to a reference current; a supplying portion for supplying a signal for notifying information corresponding to a lifetime of the drum on the basis of information stored in the storing portion and an output of the current detector; and a renewing portion for renewing information stored in the storing portion in accordance with the output of the current detector.