Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating remote access and customization of internally generated printing node status reports. In some embodiments, the methods and systems advantageously facilitate remote access and customization of internally generated printing node status reports by adapting preexisting features that generate local hard copies of printing node status reports in response to locally initiated commands. Such adaptation enables a printing node to receive, process and respond to remotely initiated requests for printing node status reports in a manner that permits remote customization of the style of printing node status reports.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure can provide a method for replacing a customer replaceable unit (CRU) in a printing system. The method can include determining a historic usage pattern for a CRU during a usage of the CRU, calculating a remaining time for the CRU based on the historic usage pattern, and signaling a user for ordering a new CRC when the remaining time for the CRU is substantially equivalent to a pre-determined value.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive body includes a substrate and a photosensitive layer. In the electrophotographic photosensitive body, a reflectance to an exposure light L1 is defined as a first reflectance, and a reflectance of an eliminating light is defined as a second reflectance. The first reflectance is positively correlated with a light intensity rate of the exposure light L1, and the second reflectance is positively correlated with the light intensity rate of the exposure light L1 in a first case, while is negatively correlated with the light intensity rate of the exposure light L1 in a second case. In the first case, an amount of change of the first reflectance to an amount of change of the light intensity rate of the exposure light L1 is less than 1. In the second case, an amount of change of the first reflectance to an amount of change of the light intensity rate of the exposure light L1 is more than 1.

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: 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: A print apparatus having a photosensitive drum used for color printing. In the apparatus, 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 device includes an image holding member and a charging unit. In a case in which an AC current, while being increased, is supplied to the charging unit in a state in which a DC voltage value and an AC voltage value applied to the charging unit are maintained, or a case in which a DC voltage, while being increased, is supplied to the charging unit in a state in which the AC voltage value applied to the charging unit is maintained, a current detection unit detects DC current values. An inflection point derivation unit derives an inflection point of a correlation line representing an correlation between the detected DC current values and the supply amounts. An execution unit executes pre-specified processing when a characteristic value of the derived inflection point reaches a pre-specified value.

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 apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing a developer image; a driving portion for rotationally driving the image bearing member; a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member into the developer image; a cleaning blade, slidably contacting the image bearing member which is rotated, for removing from the image bearing member a developer remaining on the image bearing member after transfer of the developer image; a controller capable of executing a stop operation of the image bearing member in which the image bearing member is, after being temporarily stopped at the time of 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 for predicting a remaining usable lifetime of the image bearing member.

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 bearing member for bearing an electrostatic latent image; a charger for electrically charging the image bearing member by contact of electroconductive magnetic particles carried on a magnetic particle carrying member with the image bearing member; a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image by supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image; a layer thickness detecting device for detecting a thickness of a surface layer of the image bearing member; a supplying device for supplying the magnetic particles to the magnetic particle carrying member with predetermined timing; and a control device for controlling a supply amount of the magnetic particles so that the supply amount of the magnetic particles supplied by the supplying device increases with an increase of an amount of change in thickness, in terms of an absolute value, of the surface layer obtained from a detection result of the layer thickness detecting device.

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 is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an acquiring unit that acquires a plurality of types of operation control information of the image forming apparatus that indicate deterioration of a toner in the image forming apparatus or deterioration of a component of the image forming apparatus. An index value calculating unit calculates an index value indicating a state of the image forming apparatus based on the acquired operation control information. An abnormality judging unit judges whether the image forming apparatus abnormality has occurred and predicts an occurrence of a failure that requires maintenance of the image forming apparatus due to deterioration of the toner in the image forming apparatus or deterioration of the component of the image forming apparatus based on the index value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a transfer portion that transfers a toner image; a conveying member that conveys a recording material; a conveying member position index sensing member that senses a conveying member position index fixed to the conveying member in the transfer portion; a toner image position index sensing member that senses a toner image position index fixed to the image bearing member in the transfer portion; a drive member that can control a position of the conveying member in a moving direction of the conveying member and a rotating speed of the conveying member; and a control portion that controls the drive member to position the conveying member position index with respect to the toner image position index reaching the transfer portion based on the sensing results of the conveying member position index and the toner image position index.

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: An image forming apparatus, according to the present invention can include, an image carrier, a charger configured to charge the image carrier, an exposure unit configured to form an electrostatic latent image by exposing the image carrier, a developing unit configured to develop the electrostatic latent image, a detection unit configured to detect the density of a developer adherent to the image carrier, and a controller configured to determine a deteriorated state of the image carrier, by charging the image carrier and then conducting a development, in a condition where a potential difference between the charger and the developing unit is set to be smaller than that at the time of image formation, before detecting a density of a developer on an unirradiated portion on the image carrier, so that a detection result to be used for its decision of the deteriorated state of the image carrier is obtained.

Abstract: A method for delaying the start of a gage for tracking the life of a consumable item for an imaging device according to one exemplary embodiment includes counting the number of revolutions of a rotating imaging component having a correlation with the life of the consumable item and determining whether a predetermined delay threshold is satisfied based on the number of revolutions of the imaging component counted. Until the predetermined delay threshold is satisfied, starting the gage and tracking the remaining life of the consumable item are delayed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photoconductive drum; a developing roller carrying toner; a DC voltage application portion outputting a DC voltage to be applied to the developing roller, and receiving a feedback voltage; an AC voltage application portion applying an AC voltage to be applied to the developing roller; a detection portion detecting occurrence of electric discharge; a first resistor portion generating a feedback voltage that is fed to the DC voltage application portion; a second resistor portion connected between the DC voltage application portion and the AC voltage application portion, and having a switching portion with which conducting on and off are switchable; and a control portion controlling the switching portion, at the time of printing, to bring the second resistor portion into a conducting state and, at the time of electric discharge detection, to bring the second resistor portion into a non-conducting state.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (200) that senses photoreceptor failure in a xerographic printing apparatus is disclosed. The xerographic printing apparatus can include a rotatable photoreceptor (110) having a photoreceptor surface (111), a cleaning device (124) for removing marking material from the photoreceptor, and a printing apparatus controller (150) that controls operations of the xerographic printing apparatus. The method can include charging (220) the photoreceptor surface to a fixed voltage. The method can include discharging (230) at least a portion of the charged photoreceptor surface to an exposed voltage. The method can include developing (240) the discharged portion of the photoreceptor surface by providing a cleaning field between the charged photoreceptor surface fixed voltage and a developing bias voltage. The method can include reducing (250) the cleaning field. The method can include generating (260) a developed image on the photoreceptor using the reduced cleaning field.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an image forming portion forms an image on a rotator. A first designating portion determines a first estimated phase point based on a base time point, and designate, as a designated parameter, a correction parameter corresponding to said first estimated phase point based on change characteristics information stored in a storage portion. A correcting portion corrects an image forming position on the rotator based on the designated parameter. A changing portion changes a value of the designated parameter into an adjusted value intermediate between the designated parameter and a reference parameter that is a correction parameter designated based on the time when the detecting portion detects the detecting phase point.

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 selective job aggregation method includes identifying a predetermined usage match between a first consumable component and a second consumable component of printer device. Print jobs are then selectively aggregated to encourage expiration of a first expected useful life of the first consumable component to occur with expiration of a second expected useful life of the second consumable component.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first unit including means contributable to image formation; a second unit constituting a pair with the first unit and including means contributable to the image formation; a detecting device for detecting a degree of use of each of the first unit and the second unit, wherein limits of usability are predetermined for the first unit and the second unit, respectively; and a control device capable of outputting information signals for notifying states near the limits of usability on the basis of preset thresholds of degrees of use, respectively, wherein a number of capable image formations from an output of the signal indicating the near state for the first unit to the limit of usability of the first unit is larger than a number of capable image formations from an output of the signal indicating the near state for said second unit to the limit of usability of the second unit, and wherein the control device outputs the signal for the second unit when the degree of the second

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: An image forming apparatus in which a first consumable item and a second consumable item are loadable to the image forming apparatus, includes a consumption status detector that detects an end status and a near-end status for each of the first and second consumable items, wherein the end status is a consumption status in which the consumable item must be exchanged immediately and the near-end status is a consumption status in which the consumable item must be exchanged in the near future; a consumption information output setting unit that sets settings indicating whether to output information for each of the end status and the near-end status of the first and second consumable items detected by the consumption status detector; and a consumption information output unit configured to output the information for each of the end status and the near-end status of the first and second consumable items based on the settings set by the consumption information output setting unit and a detection result of the consumpti

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, and a measurement unit configured to measure the time during which the image carrier contacts the toner carrier, wherein the measurement unit starts the measurement when the electrostatic capacity changes exceeding a predetermined value along wit

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an image forming portion forms an image on a rotator. A storage portion stores change characteristics information relevant to correction parameters corresponding to phase points of the rotator. A designating portion designates a correction parameter from the correction parameters based on the change characteristics information. A correcting portion corrects an image forming position on the rotator based on the correction parameter designated by the designating portion. When a first determining portion determines, based on a detecting phase point of the rotator detected by a detecting portion, that the current phase of the rotator corresponds to a shifting phase point, and further a second determining portion determines that the image forming portion is in inactive time, the designation by said designating portion is shifted to the correction parameter corresponding to the shifting phase point.

Abstract: A device for determining an end of life of an organic photoreceptor includes a potential detecting unit that detects a residual potential of the organic photoreceptor, a temperature detecting unit that detects temperature of the organic photoreceptor in either one of a direct manner and an indirect manner, and a life determining unit that determines the end of life of the organic photoreceptor based on the residual potential detected by the potential detecting unit and the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit.

Abstract: A photoreceptor charge transport layer thickness determining apparatus for a photoreceptor including a scorotron charge device having coronode wires and a scorotron grid positioned between the corona wires and the photoreceptor charge transport layer, the scorotron charge device being configured to charge the photoreceptor layer using corona discharge to generate ions directed to a surface of the photoreceptor charge transport layer. A first current measuring device measures a current supplied to the coronode wires and outputs a first current value, a second current measuring device measures a current being delivered to the scorotron grid and outputs a second current value, and a processor receives the first and second current values and determines a current delivered to the photoreceptor charge transport layer by subtracting the second current value from the first current value, and determines a thickness of the photoreceptor charge transport layer using the current value.

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: In an image forming apparatus, an image forming portion forms an image on a rotator. A storage portion stores change characteristics information relevant to correction parameters corresponding to phase points of the rotator. A designating portion sequentially designates the correction parameters based on the change characteristics information. A correcting portion corrects an image forming position on the rotator based on the correction parameter designated by the designating portion. When it is determined, based on a detecting phase point of the rotator detected by a detecting portion, that the current phase of the rotator corresponds to a gradual phase point at which the correction parameter changes at a rate equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the designation by said designating portion is shifted to the correction parameter corresponding to the gradual phase point.

Abstract: A photoreceptor charge transport layer thickness determining apparatus for a photoreceptor including a scorotron charge device having coronode wires and a scorotron grid positioned between the corona wires and the photoreceptor charge transport layer, the scorotron charge device being configured to charge the photoreceptor layer using corona discharge to generate ions directed to a surface of the photoreceptor charge transport layer. A first current measuring device measures a current supplied to the coronode wires and outputs a first current value, a second current measuring device measures a current being delivered to the scorotron grid and outputs a second current value, and a processor receives the first and second current values and determines a current delivered to the photoreceptor charge transport layer by subtracting the second current value from the first current value, and determines a thickness of the photoreceptor charge transport layer using the current value.

Abstract: A consumable unit and an image forming apparatus for controlling a consumable includes a first memory that stores consumable item information regarding the consumable and provides the consumable item information through password authentication, and a second memory that rewrites recycling prevention information, which indicates that recycling is impossible, a limited number of times. Therefore, if the consumable is replaced, it is possible to prevent the first memory and second memory from being recycled.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for supplying a charge voltage to an organic photoconductor (OPC) drum. The apparatus includes a storage unit for storing first service life information of the OPC drum according to a first supplying method, and second service life information of the OPC drum according to a second supplying method, a sensor unit for measuring information about conditions surrounding the apparatus, a control unit for selecting one of the first and second supplying methods according to the measured information and determining a charge voltage corresponding to the service life information according to the selected method, and a voltage supplying unit using the selected method to supply the determined charge voltage to the OPC drum.

Abstract: A xerographic marking engine adjusts a charging actuator value, such as an AC peak-to-peak voltage or an AC peak-to-peak current, based on a determined knee value, VKNEE, of a charge curve for an imaging apparatus photoreceptor within the xerographic marking engine and environmental sensor data. The environmental sensor data may measure environment temperature and environment humidity. In near A-zone environments, for example, operational environments in which the temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the relative humidity is 80%, the charging actuator value may be selected to achieve a predetermined photoreceptor wear rate that avoids print quality defects due to lateral charge migration. In other than A-zone environments, the charging actuator value may be selected to minimize the photoreceptor wear rate, while avoiding print quality defects. The described approach allows optimal photoconductor wear to be achieved, in all operational environments, without increasing the risk of print quality defects.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a charging member, a voltage applying unit that applies at least one of voltage of a DC component and voltage of an AC component to the charging member, a capacitance unit connected to a superposition point for the DC component and the AC component, a DC current measuring unit that measures the value of DC current passed from the charging member to the photoconductor, a capacitance measuring unit that measures the electrostatic charge amount of current coming into the capacitance unit, and a control unit that integrates the DC current value measured by the DC current measuring unit with time for which the voltage is applied to the photoconductor and calculates a charge amount corresponding to the thickness of the photosensitive thin film by subtracting the electrostatic charge amount measured by the capacitance measuring unit from the result of integration.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a plurality of consumable items. The apparatus includes a consumption status detecting unit that detects a respective consumption status of each of the consumable items; a consumption information output setting unit that sets presence or non-presence of information output for each of the consumption statuses detected by the consumption status detecting unit; and a consumable item information output unit that outputs information on the consumable items based on the respective consumption statuses detected by the consumption status detecting unit and the setting of the presence or the non-presence of information output set by the consumption information output setting unit.

Abstract: A method (400) and apparatus (100) that detects carrier particles (130) in an electrophotographic device is disclosed. The apparatus may include an image carrying member (110). The image carrying member may have a first side (111) and have a second side (112) opposite from the first side. The image carrying member may be configured to operate in a direction of motion (115). The image carrying member may also be configured to transport an image on the first side. The apparatus may also include a magnet (120) coupled to the second side of the image carrying member. The magnet may have a length (122). The length of the magnet may be at an angle (124) of greater than zero and less than 90 degrees to the direction of motion of the image carrying member. The magnet may be configured to attract toner carrier particles transported on the image carrying member. The apparatus may also include a first sensor (140) coupled in proximity to the first side of the image carrying member and coupled in proximity to the magnet.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (200) that senses photoreceptor failure in a xerographic printing apparatus is disclosed. The xerographic printing apparatus can include a rotatable photoreceptor (110) having a photoreceptor surface (111), a cleaning device (124) for removing marking material from the photoreceptor, and a printing apparatus controller (150) that controls operations of the xerographic printing apparatus. The method can include charging (220) the photoreceptor surface to a fixed voltage. The method can include discharging (230) at least a portion of the charged photoreceptor surface to an exposed voltage. The method can include developing (240) the discharged portion of the photoreceptor surface by providing a cleaning field between the charged photoreceptor surface fixed voltage and a developing bias voltage. The method can include reducing (250) the cleaning field. The method can include generating (260) a developed image on the photoreceptor using the reduced cleaning field.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure can provide a method for replacing a customer replaceable unit (CRU) in a printing system. The method can include determining a historic usage pattern for a CRU during a usage of the CRU, calculating a remaining time for the CRU based on the historic usage pattern, and signaling a user for ordering a new CRC when the remaining time for the CRU is substantially equivalent to a pre-determined value.

Abstract: A liquid droplet ejection apparatus comprising a liquid droplet ejection head that ejects liquid droplets, a conveyor belt that retains and conveys a recording medium while causing the recording medium to face the liquid droplet ejection head, and a charge roll that causes the recording medium to be electrostatically attracted to the conveyor belt. The charge roll and the conveyor belt are configured not to contact each other, and a gap between the charge roll and the conveyor belt is less than the thickness of the recording medium.

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: Imaging methods, imaging member charging methods, and image engines are described. According to one embodiment, an imaging method includes providing an imaging member having an outer surface comprising a plurality of portions having a plurality of different radii, rotating the portions of the outer surface of the imaging member adjacent to a charge device configured to provide an electrical charge to the imaging member which is usable for imaging, first controlling a position of the charge device with respect to one of the portions of the outer surface of the imaging member using the one of the portions of the outer surface at one moment in time, second controlling a position of the charge device with respect to an other of the portions of the outer surface of the imaging member using a positioning control system at an other moment in time, and using the charge device, providing the electrical charge to the one of the portions of the imaging member at the one moment in time.

Abstract: A total layer thickness detection apparatus for a charged body includes: a saturated charge amount detection unit that detects a saturated charge amount of a charged body having plural coating layers with mutually different relative dielectric constants; a storage unit that stores relation information indicating relation of change of the saturated charge amount of the charged body with respect to a change of layer thickness of a surface layer of the charged body; and a calculation part that calculates a total layer thickness of the plural coating layers of the charged body based on the change of the saturated charge amount detected by the saturated charge amount detection unit and the relation information stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a charging device, a developing device, a thickness detecting unit and a parameter setting unit. A photosensitive layer is formed on a surface of the photosensitive member. The charging device charges the photosensitive member. The developing device forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive member. The thickness detecting unit detects a thickness of the photosensitive layer on a basis of a value of a current supplied to the charging device. When the thickness detecting unit detects the thickness of the photosensitive layer, the parameter setting unit sets at least one of a charge parameter for the charging device and a development parameter to be different from that used in forming an image on a recording medium by transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member onto the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an image holding member and a charging unit. In a case in which an AC current, while being increased, is supplied to the charging unit in a state in which a DC voltage value and an AC voltage value applied to the charging unit are maintained, or a case in which a DC voltage, while being increased, is supplied to the charging unit in a state in which the AC voltage value applied to the charging unit is maintained, a current detection unit detects DC current values. An inflection point derivation unit derives an inflection point of a correlation line representing an correlation between the detected DC current values and the supply amounts. An execution unit executes pre-specified processing when a characteristic value of the derived inflection point reaches a pre-specified value.

Abstract: A thickness variation detector of a photoconductor includes: a current detection unit that detects a value of current being used for charging a surface of the photoconductor in a state in which a charging unit is in contact with a surface of the photoconductor; and a thickness variation detection unit that detects a thickness variation along a rotation direction of the photoconductor based on the value of current.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus manages information regarding the lifetimes of a plurality of photosensitive media or developing units using a single storage. The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive unit comprising a photosensitive medium, a developing unit comprising a developing roller that applies developer to the photosensitive medium and a developing device that is removable and contains the developer supplied to the developing roller. A storage is included in one of the photosensitive unit or the developing unit, whichever has a longer lifetime, and stores information regarding at least one of the photosensitive unit and the developing unit. A controller controls the information stored in the storage. The image forming apparatus has a plurality of photosensitive units and/or developing units.

Abstract: The dielectric thickness of a photoreceptor is determined in a variety of ways, including using a relationship between threshold voltage and dielectric thickness, using a relationship between dielectric thickness and the difference between biased transfer roller (BTR) voltage and photoreceptor surface potential, using a relationship between dielectric thickness and biased charging roller (BCR) impedance, using a relationship between dielectric thickness and the slope of the DC current vs. voltage curve for the BTR or the BCR, and using a relationship between dielectric thickness and the BTR voltage at zero current. The threshold voltage can be found by using the slope of the BCR DC current vs. voltage curve, measuring photoreceptor surface potential for a plurality of target values below the charging knee to obtain the intercept value, or finding the actual value of the charging knee. A method of using the BCR as an electrodynamic voltmeter is also disclosed.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus that includes process units for different colors and a lifetime management device that manages lifetime information on each unit of the image forming apparatus. The lifetime management device counts the number of prints produced by the image forming apparatus with respect to each of photoconductor units and developing units in the process units, and measures an operation amount unique to the respective units. Based on the number of prints, service life of each unit and operation amount, the lifetime management device calculates the remaining lifetime of each unit.