Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, a physical property detector, a data storage device, and a latent image carrier replacement time detector. The image forming apparatus includes a replaceable latent image carrier, forms a latent image on a surface of the latent image carrier, develops the latent image into a visible image, and transfers the visible image onto a recording medium. The physical property detector detects predetermined physical properties of the image forming apparatus in a continuous manner or an intermittent manner. The data storage device stores, as a specific physical property, data on at least one of the detected physical properties, which changes before and after replacement of the latent image carrier. The latent image carrier replacement time detector detects, on the basis of changes over time of the stored specific physical property, a latent image carrier replacement time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier configured to carry an electrostatic latent image, a toner carrier configured to carry a toner and develop the electrostatic latent image, a switching member configured to perform a switching operation between a contact state where the toner carrier contacts the image carrier and a separation state where the toner carrier is separated from the image carrier, a first electrode member, a second electrode member arranged such that the electrostatic capacity between the first and second electrode members in the contact state is different from the electrostatic capacity therebetween in the separation state, a detection device configured to detect the electrostatic capacity between the first and second electrode members.

Abstract: A method for printer stability enhancement in a multiple printer printing system includes determining a first printer stress state of a first printer in a printing system, wherein the first printer is assigned a first printing role. A second printer stress state of a second printer in the printing system is also determined, wherein the second printer is assigned a second printing role that is different from the first printing role. The first printer stress state is compared to the second printer stress state, and the first printing role is reassigned to the second printer and the second printing role is reassigned to the first printer if the first printer stress state is different than the second printer stress state. A printing system implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining a predicted usable life of components, such as a photoreceptor, associated with an imaging device. The systems and methods include a power source configured to increase an electric field across the photoreceptor. A sensor or array is configured to detect charge deficient spots (CDS) in a charge transport layer (CTL) of the photoreceptor as a result of increasing the electric field. The systems and methods are configured to determine the predicted useable life of the photoreceptor based on the detected CDS. The systems and methods are further configured to output a report of the estimation. The estimation is conducted at fixed or variable intervals throughout the life of the photoreceptor and/or imaging device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a container storage that is installed on a toner container and stores first information relating to a use amount of a toner in the toner container and stores second information relating to a use amount of an image holding portion, which is a component not including the toner container and including at least an image holding body from among components installed in a cartridge; a housing storage that stores at least the second information and remains in the housing when the cartridge is removed from a housing; and an information write unit that writes the second information stored in the housing storage into the container storage if the first information stored in the container storage indicates that the toner in the toner container is unused and the second information stored in the container storage indicates that the image holding portion is used.

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus, the amount of light of an exposure unit for a weak exposure is changed according to a remaining service life of a photosensitive drum when the weak exposure is performed for the background area of a corresponding photosensitive drum by using the exposure unit.

Abstract: In a print apparatus having a photosensitive drum used for color printing, the number of sheets on which color printing has been performed and the number of sheets on which monochrome printing has been performed are obtained. It is determined whether or not the lifetime of the photosensitive drum used for color printing has expired based on a threshold value determined based on the ratio between the number of sheets on which color printing has been performed and the number of sheets on which monochrome printing has been performed and the sum of the number of sheets on which the color printing has been performed and the number of sheets on which the monochrome printing has been performed.

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: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member for bearing a developer image, a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member into the developer image and a cleaning blade. In addition, a controller executes a stop operation of the image bearing member in which the image bearing member is, after being temporarily stopped at an end of an image forming operation, rotated in the same direction as that during the image forming operation and then is rotated in a direction opposite to that during the image forming operation, and a predicting portion predicts a remaining usable lifetime of the image bearing member. In the stop operation of the image bearing member after the remaining usable lifetime is below a threshold, the controller controls an amount of rotation in the direction opposite to that during the image forming operation so as to be smaller than the amount of rotation before the remaining usable lifetime is below the threshold.

Abstract: A method applicable to an image forming apparatus with a lubricant to be applied to a surface of a photoreceptor for measuring surface roughness of the surface of the photoreceptor after lubricant application, the method including: a first step of measuring a surface profile of the photoreceptor and obtaining first data indicating the surface profile; a second step of generating second data on the basis of the first data, the second data indicating arithmetic mean roughness Ra within a predetermined range; and a third step of calculating a difference value ?Ra between second data before lubricant application and second data after lubricant application obtained by performing the first and second steps both before and after the lubricant is applied to the photoreceptor.

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus, the amount of light of an exposure unit for a weak exposure is changed according to a remaining service life of a photosensitive drum when the weak exposure is performed for the background area of a corresponding photosensitive drum by using the exposure unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes photosensitive drums; drum charging members, an AC voltage source for outputting an AC voltage commonly to at least two of the charging members; AC voltage control devices for the charging members; variable resistors connected between the AC voltage source and the at least two charging members, respectively; a use situation detecting unit for detecting use situations of the drums, respectively; and an adjusting unit for adjusting electric resistances of the variable resistors, respectively. The adjusting unit adjusts the electric resistances of the resistors in accordance with the detection results of the use situation detecting unit such that the discharge currents applied to the at least two charging members are within predetermined ranges, respectively.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an image bearing member, a charger to charge the surface of the image bearing member, an irradiator to irradiate the image bearing member to form the latent image, a developing device to develop the latent electrostatic image with toner to obtain a visible image, a transfer device to transfer the visible image to a transfer medium by a transfer bias applied to a transfer area between the image bearing member and the transfer member, and a voltage detector to measure a first surface voltage and a second surface voltage under different conditions, and a life expectancy identification device to identify whether or when the expected working life of the image bearing member has come to the end based on a comparison of the first surface voltage and the second surface voltage.

Abstract: An image forming system includes at least one toner cartridge, an image forming unit, and a cartridge life determination module. The toner cartridge may include toner and at least one component. The image forming unit may selectively form an image in one of a low coverage mode and a high coverage mode such that a greater amount of the toner is used in the high coverage mode than the low coverage mode in a formation of the respective image. The cartridge life determination module may determine an amount of remaining life of the toner, an amount of remaining life of the at least one component, and an effective amount of remaining life of the at least one toner cartridge based on the amount of remaining life of the toner and the amount of remaining life of the at least one component.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detachably-mounted cartridge including a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and an operation member, a remaining amount detector for detecting a remaining amount of developer in the developer accommodating portion, an operation amount detector for detecting a cumulative operation amount of the operation member, and a setting device for setting timing of subsequent remaining amount detection of the remaining amount detector. The remaining amount detector provides a remaining amount ratio of the developer remainder to a maximum accommodation capacity of the developer accommodating portion, and the operation amount detector provides an operation amount ratio of a remaining operation amount until the end of the service life from the detection of the cumulative operation amount to a total operation amount until the end of the service life from an initial state of the operation member.

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 information rewrite unit that rewrites information stored in a storage if an empty detector detects that a toner container is empty and the toner container is at least allowed to be released, and then if the empty detector detects that the toner container is not empty.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an operation panel has, as a configuration of the operation panel, a display portion including a function to display environmental label information of the image forming apparatus. The environmental label information includes information on a type of greenhouse effect gases (CO2) and a total emission amount of the greenhouse effect gases in a life cycle of the image forming apparatus. On the display portion, there is provided a selective display portion for displaying an environmental label as list display or thumbnail display, as well as selectively displaying detailed information of the environmental label according to the environmental label.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section that forms an image, a plurality of detectors that detect an amount of variation of indicators respectively determining an amount consumed of the consumable supply, a determination section that determines whether or not the amount of variation has reached any one of first lifespan values, an interruption section that interrupts an image forming operation based on the first lifespan values, and an extension setting section that inhibits the interruption of the image forming operation and sets an extension mode of extending a period of execution of the image forming operation, wherein the determination section determines whether or not an amount of variation of one indicator has reached an extended lifespan value when the extension mode is set, and wherein the interruption section interrupts the image forming operation based on extended lifespan value when the extension mode is set.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charging member, a voltage applying part, a current measuring part and a controlling part. The image carrier carries a toner image. The charging member electrically charges the image carrier. The voltage applying part applies voltage to the charging member. The current measuring part measures current flowing into the charging member. The controlling part controls applied voltage of the voltage applying part. The controlling part decides, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the charging member for a predetermined time by the voltage applying part, if an increase quantity of the current measured by the current measuring part exceeds a predetermined threshold value, that at least one of the image carrier and the charging member is in an abnormal state.

Abstract: A method for providing a message on a replaceable printing component of a printing device includes detecting a trigger event, retrieving a message from a memory associated with the replaceable printing component in response to the trigger event, and forming the message on an imaging member of the replaceable printing component, wherein the trigger event includes an end of a print job, and wherein the message remains on the imaging member after completion of the print job.

Abstract: An image forming system includes at least one toner cartridge, an image forming unit, and a cartridge life determination module. The toner cartridge may include toner and at least one component. The image forming unit may selectively form an image in one of a low coverage mode and a high coverage mode such that a greater amount of the toner is used in the high coverage mode than the low coverage mode in a formation of the respective image. The cartridge life determination module may determine an amount of remaining life of the toner, an amount of remaining life of the at least one component, and an effective amount of remaining life of the at least one toner cartridge based on the amount of remaining life of the toner and the amount of remaining life of the at least one component.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a consumable supply detachably attached to an apparatus main body; a detection unit for detecting that the consumable supply is exchanged; a display unit for displaying the consumable supply detected with the detection unit; and an input unit for receiving an input operation for confirming whether the consumable supply detected with the detection unit is correctly exchanged.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a management apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, a storage unit, a selection unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires any one of simple data or detailed data including the simple data from a plurality of image processing apparatuses. If the detailed data is acquired, the determination unit determines maintenance data to be applied to the image processing apparatus which is an output source of the detailed data. The storage unit stores the maintenance data in association with related data included in the detailed data. If the acquisition unit acquires the simple data, the selection unit selects the maintenance data associated with the related data similar to the acquired simple data. The output unit outputs the maintenance data as the data for update with respect to the image processing apparatus which is an output source of the simple data.

Abstract: A printing system includes an instruction unit for instructing, in response to determination of using a reuse consumable in the case of replacement of a consumable of an image forming apparatus, a setting to be changed according to the replacement with the reuse consumable, wherein the setting instructed by the instruction unit is performed in the image forming apparatus after the replacement with the reuse consumable.

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: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit including a latent image carrier, a charging device, a latent image writing device, and a development device; a cumulative value calculation device that calculates, for each of regions of a surface of the image carrier, a cumulative value of the area of a latent image formed in the region; a surface potential detector that detects the surface potential of the image carrier in one of the regions as a detection region; and a determination device that determines the deterioration degree of the detection region on the basis of the detected potential, and determines the deterioration degree of a region other than the detection region on the basis of the detected potential, the cumulative value for the detection region, and the cumulative value for the region other than the detection region.

Abstract: Based on a photosensitive drum life threshold value when each of the plurality of image formation execution modes is independently used, and a photosensitive drum life threshold value according to a usage rate of each of the image formation execution modes, the image forming apparatus having a plurality of image formation execution modes calculates a photosensitive drum life threshold value according to the usage rate. Then, the image forming apparatus compares the calculated photosensitive drum life threshold value with a remaining CT film thickness prediction value for the photosensitive drum to determine the life of the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to reduce the frequency of image defect occurrences to a level as lower as possible by detecting abnormalities generated with age on the photoreceptor member and/or in the cleaning section, so as to suppress an amount of spoiled paper sheets and material. The image forming apparatus includes: a light source that is disposed at a position located between a cleaning section and a charging section, to emit an inspection light, which is to be irradiated onto a photoreceptor member over a main-scanning direction thereof; a tight-contact type image sensor that has a line image sensor to receive the inspection light reflected from a surface of the photoreceptor member; and a control section to determine a status of a surface of the photoreceptor member, based on a result of analyzing the inspection light receive by the line image sensor.

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 first information on a thickness of a charge transporting layer of the photosensitive member and second information on an amount of the light received by the charge transporting layer of the photosensitive member.

Abstract: An apparatus that uses plural kinds of consumable items different from each other, the apparatus including a consumption status detecting device to detect a respective consumption status for each of the plural kinds of the consumable items, a memory to store a plurality of settings for each of the plural kinds of the consumable items, each of the settings including presence or non-presence of information output, and an output device to output the consumption status detected by the consumption status detecting unit, according to the setting of the presence or the non-presence of information output stored in the memory.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing unit having a developing frame defining therein a developing chamber and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the developing chamber, and a developing agent unit including a developing agent container that accommodates therein a developing agent, and an agitator disposed in the developing agent container and rotatable about a rotation axis in a rotational direction to agitate the developing agent. The developing agent container includes an arcuate bottom wall whose center of radius of a curvature is coincident with the rotation axis, and an arcuate protruding wall protruding from the bottom wall toward the developing chamber and positioned downstream of the bottom wall in the rotational direction. The protruding wall is formed with an opening providing a fluid communication between an interior of the developing agent container and the developing chamber. The opening has a downstream end in the rotational direction in an operational state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body storage part, a determination part, and an initial adjustment part. The first image forming unit includes a first storage part storing first information indicative of whether or not an initial adjustment of the first image forming unit has been completed. The determination part determines whether or not the first information stored in the first storage part and the second information stored in the main body storage part satisfy respective prescribed conditions. The initial adjustment part causes the first and second image forming units to perform the initial adjustment when the first information indicates that the initial adjustment of the first image forming unit has not been completed and the second information indicates that the second image forming unit corresponds to an unused state.

Abstract: A system and method by which, in photoreceptor devices that use non-contact charging, an impending failure of a photoreceptor can be accurately estimated based on a determined thickness of a charge transport layer in the photoreceptor. The systems and methods may include measuring current delivered to the photoreceptor charge transport layer, measuring voltage of the photoreceptor transport layer, determining a slope of the charge device, determining the thickness of the charge transport layer based on at least one of the measured current value, voltage value, or charge device slope, and determining a photoreceptor replacement interval based on the determined thickness.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, a physical property detector, a data storage device, and a latent image carrier replacement time detector. The image forming apparatus includes a replaceable latent image carrier, forms a latent image on a surface of the latent image carrier, develops the latent image into a visible image, and transfers the visible image onto a recording medium. The physical property detector detects predetermined physical properties of the image forming apparatus in a continuous manner or an intermittent manner. The data storage device stores, as a specific physical property, data on at least one of the detected physical properties, which changes before and after replacement of the latent image carrier. The latent image carrier replacement time detector detects, on the basis of changes over time of the stored specific physical property, a latent image carrier replacement time.

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.

Abstract: An image carrier deterioration degree evaluating apparatus for evaluating a degree of deterioration of an image carrier of an image forming apparatus, the image carrier deterioration degree evaluating apparatus including: an image deletion detecting unit that detects image deletion by obtaining latent image information written on the image carrier; an image deletion reducing unit that performs a process of reducing image deletion when the image deletion detecting unit detects image deletion, and an image carrier deterioration degree evaluating unit that drives the image deletion detecting unit and the image deletion reducing unit alternately one or more times each, and evaluates a degree of deterioration of the image carrier by using the latent image information obtained one or more times by the image deletion detecting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including at least one latent image carrier, an image forming unit to form a toner image on the at least one latent image carrier based on image data, a transfer body onto which the toner image formed on the at least one latent image carrier is transferred in one or more valid image ranges, a non-image range determiner to determine a non-image range on a surface of the transfer body onto which the toner image is not transferred, a surface detector to detect the surface of the transfer body in the non-image range, and a toner determiner to determine whether or not toner is present in the non-image range based on a result detected by the surface detector.

Abstract: There are provided an image forming apparatus which is capable of efficiently performing necessary actions to thereby reduce downtime. At least one job can be registered. Image formation is performed according to the at least one registered job. Action objects are detected on which actions necessary for the image forming apparatus should be taken.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller, an image bearing device with a first memory and one of a first developer material holding device, and a second developer material holding device that are detachably attached to the image bearing device. The first developer material holding device includes a second memory and the second developer material holding device does not includes the second memory. The controller makes a decision to determine whether a developer material holding device attached to the image bearing device has the second memory attached thereto. The controller manages one of the first developer material holding device and the second developer material holding device in accordance with the decision.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a plurality of consumable items are loadable to the apparatus. The apparatus includes a consumption status detecting unit to detect a respective consumption status of each of the consumable items, a consumption information output setting unit to set whether an exchange message for each of the consumable items is to be output, and a consumable item information output unit to output the exchange message, which is indicative of an exchange time of the respective consumable item, based on the respective consumption statuses detected by the consumption status detecting unit and the setting of the consumption information output setting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an information rewrite unit that rewrites information stored in a storage if an empty detector detects that a toner container is empty and the toner container is at least allowed to be released, and then if the empty detector detects that the toner container is not empty.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a container storage that is installed on a toner container and stores first information relating to a use amount of a toner in the toner container and stores second information relating to a use amount of an image holding portion, which is a component not including the toner container and including at least an image holding body from among components installed in a cartridge; a housing storage that stores at least the second information and remains in the housing when the cartridge is removed from a housing; and an information write unit that writes the second information stored in the housing storage into the container storage if the first information stored in the container storage indicates that the toner in the toner container is unused and the second information stored in the container storage indicates that the image holding portion is used.

Abstract: A degradation level estimating device for estimating degradation level of a photoreceptor of an image forming apparatus performing at least a charging process, an optical image writing process, a developing process, and a transferring process in which a toner image on the photoreceptor is transferred onto a receiver while applying a charge to the photoreceptor. The degradation level estimating device includes a charge dependence detector to detect charge quantity dependence of a charge property of the photoreceptor in the charging process on the quantity of the charge applied to the photoreceptor in the last transferring process by subjecting the photoreceptor to the processes plural times without performing the optical image writing process, followed by the charging process, while changing the quantity of the charge and measuring the charge property of the photoreceptor. The degradation level estimating device estimates the degradation level of the photoreceptor based on the charge quantity dependence.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image forming apparatus capable of avoiding positional interference between an electrical potential sensor and a developing device during the installation or separation of the developing device. The positional interference is prevented by moving the electrical potential sensor out of the movement path of the developing device in association with the opening/closing movement a cover for an access opening in the body of the image forming apparatus for the installation/separation of the developing device. A link device connects the cover and the electrical potential sensor to each other so as to cause the movement of the electrical potential sensor in linkage with the opening/closing of the cover. The link device serves as an anti-interference device that prevents the positional interference between the developing device and the electrical potential sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods of diagnosing a photoreceptor associated with an imaging device. The photoreceptor is configured to enter into a diagnostic cycle to complete a set number of cycles. A sensor or array is configured to a scan a component associated with the imaging device during each of the set of cycles to establish defect data. The defect data is analyzed to filter one or more charge deficient spots (CDS) from background noise in the defect data. The systems and methods determine whether the photoreceptor needs replacement based on the determined one or more CDS. The systems and methods are further configured to output a report of the determination. The determination is conducted at fixed or variable intervals throughout the life of the photoreceptor and/or imaging device.

Abstract: A method monitors an electric current supplied to an electrostatic brush within a printing device. The electrostatic brush contacts and cleans a photoreceptor surface within the printing device. The method records a current spike pattern of when the electric current exceeds a first current threshold during the monitoring; however, the method will stop operations of the printing device if the electric current exceeds a second current threshold that is greater than the first current threshold. Further, the method can determine whether a scratch is present on the photoreceptor surface based on the current spike pattern.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing unit having a developing frame defining therein a developing chamber and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the developing chamber, and a developing agent unit including a developing agent container that accommodates therein a developing agent, and an agitator disposed in the developing agent container and rotatable about a rotation axis in a rotational direction to agitate the developing agent. The developing agent container includes an arcuate bottom wall whose center of radius of a curvature is coincident with the rotation axis, and an arcuate protruding wall protruding from the bottom wall toward the developing chamber and positioned downstream of the bottom wall in the rotational direction. The protruding wall is formed with an opening providing a fluid communication between an interior of the developing agent container and the developing chamber. The opening has a downstream end in the rotational direction in an operational state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developer carrier, a runout measurement information storage unit to store runout measurement information of the image carrier and the developer carrier, including runout amounts on the circumference of the image and developer carriers in a development area, a development gap measurement information storage unit to store information obtained by measuring a development gap when runout measurement points of the image and developer carriers face each other, and a development electric field strength control unit to obtain each development electric field strength based on the runout measurement information and the development gap measurement information, and determine control contents of development electric field strength control to cause the entire development electric field strengths to fall within an acceptable range of a target electric field strength to perform the control contents.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: a storage medium which stores manufacture information to a consumable supply; a reading unit which reads information in the storage medium; a communication control unit which receives failure information of the consumable supply; a display unit which displays information; and a control unit which receives the failure information of the consumable supply by the communication control unit, then determines whether a consumable supply in use is equivalent to a failed consumable supply or not, and performs control to display the failure information on the display unit when the consumable supply is determined as equivalent to the failed consumable supply.