Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit which comprises a cartridge having a toner therein to form an image and a controller to control the image forming unit to increase a density of the image to be formed, if it is determined that a standard of the cartridge does not meet a usage requirement.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that rotates and carries a toner image by a surface layer disposed on a surface thereof; a charging roll that charges the surface layer while the image carrier completes one or more rotations; a power supply unit that supplies a current to the charging roll; a detector that samples and detects the current that the power supply unit outputs; a leak current detector that detects a leak current included in the current that the detector has detected; a layer thickness calculating unit that calculates a numerical value relating to the thickness of the surface layer on the basis of the current that the detector has detected; and a current leak state determining unit that determines a current leak state on the basis of the current that the detector has detected and the leak current that the leak current detector has detected.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus operates in a first image formation mode for forming an image on an image bearing member by using developer under a first predetermined image forming condition and a second image formation mode for forming an image on an image bearing member by using developer under a second image forming condition which is different from the first predetermined image forming condition. The apparatus is set so that the amount of consumption of developer for forming an image in the second image formation mode is smaller than the amount of consumption used for forming an identical image in the first image formation mode.

Abstract: In an image forming system, a lifetime management device calculates remaining lifetime of process units, a transfer unit, a secondary transfer unit, a belt cleaning unit and a fixing unit mounted on an image forming apparatus based on an operation amount thereof and a predetermined lifetime index. Based on the remaining lifetime and a predetermined replacement index, the lifetime management device determines whether any unit needs to be replaced, and, if any, transmits a replacement request signal to an external information processor together with a signal indicating remaining lifetime of other units via a communication line.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which uses a consumable item is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a consumed status detecting unit which detects a value of the consumed status of the consumable item, a determining unit which determines whether to output an exchange message of the consumable item by comparing the value of the consumed status of the consumable item detected by the consumed status detecting unit with a predetermined value, an exchange message output setting unit which sets presence or non-presence of an output of the exchange message, and a consumed status output setting unit which sets presence or non-presence of an output of the consumed status of the consumable item detected by the consumed status detecting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming method, which are capable of forming images at stable image quality by executing adjustment of operating conditions at appropriate timings, are provided. When a Vsync count corresponding to an integrated value of a rotation count of an intermediate transfer belt reaches a predetermined value V1 or V2, a charging current Iw is increased by one level and an adjusting operation of a developing bias is executed (at a time t4 or t5), to thereby stabilize an image density. Further, when remaining service life of a developer reaches a predetermined value (50%) (at a time t6), if the Vsync count at that moment suggests that the time to change the charging current Iw is drawing near, the change thereof is executed ahead of the schedule, whereby the adjusting operation of the developing bias, which should otherwise be executed at the time t7, is omitted.

Abstract: A consumable management device includes a life determining unit that determines whether a consumable reaching a life end exists in an object apparatus which operates with a plurality of consumables or not, a stop process unit that, when the life determining unit determines that a consumable reaching a life end exists, performs a stop process of stopping the operation of the object apparatus, an additional replacement determining unit that, when the object apparatus is to be stopped, determines whether, in addition to replacement or replenishment of the consumable, a consumable which is to be replaced or replenished exists or not, and a notification process unit that, when the additional replacement determining unit determines that a consumable which is to be additionally replaced or replenished exists, performs a notification process of notifying an operator that the consumable which is to be additionally replaced or replenished is to be replaced or replenished.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first image formation mode for forming an image on an image bearing member by using developer under a first predetermined image forming condition and a second image formation mode for forming an image on an image bearing member by using developer under a second image forming condition which is different from the first predetermined image forming condition and is set so that an amount of consumption of developer with respect to an identical image in the second image formation mode is smaller than that in the first image formation mode, the apparatus includes storing means for storing information on an amount of usage of the image bearing member, and control means for changing the second image forming condition in the second image formation mode depending on the information stored in the storing means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus concerned about global environment, which enables its user to be convinced of his/her commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions accompanying power consumption by letting the user purchase a consumable goods/replacement part to lead the user to join greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The electronic apparatus is configured as a printer, etc. that operates with attached a refill cartridge (consumable goods), which is replaceable in the apparatus body and affixed with information by which a greenhouse gas emission right accordance is identified.

Abstract: A consumable printing component for use in a printing device includes an imaging member and a memory storing message data. In response to a trigger event, a message is formed on the imaging member at the end of a print job such that the message remains on the imaging member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of detecting a resistance value of an intermediate transferring member at a stabilized sensitivity irrespective of the influences of environmental conditions, disturbing elements, etc. and contributing to the promotion of the image quality when forming images. The image forming apparatus is equipped with an electric potential controller to fix electric potential of the photosensitive surface of a photosensitive drum, a power source to supply a prescribed voltage or current to the photosensitive surface through the transferring surface of an intermediate transferring member, and a resistance detector to detect a current value flowing through the intermediate transferring member against a prescribed voltage supplied from the power source or a voltage value generated in an intermediate transferring member against a prescribed current and detect a resistance value of the intermediate transferring member based on the detected current value or voltage value.

Abstract: A quality check of the photoconductive belt of an electrographic print engine may be performed by writing a toner image on each of the virtual image frames of the loop and printing out those images. The printer user interface may provide a test screen to prompt a user to perform such a quality check. To facilitate the printing of sample receivers for each frame of a printer's film loop a user button is provided at the user interface. When selected, this signals the marking engine to schedule for print an appropriate number of receivers such that each frame on the film belt will be printed on. Each receiver may be a duplicate copy of a particular receiver in the currently printing job.

Abstract: A main control section 41 displays a prompt for cleaning of a discharge wire 15-2 to a user together with a prompt for maintenance work for replacement of a toner container (consumable item) 21 to the user on a display screen of a touch panel section 53, for example, when a replacement timing of the toner container (consumable item) 21 that has been reached is detected. The user who sees the content of the display carries out cleaning work of the discharge wire 15-2 at the same time with maintenance work for replacement of the toner container 21. This can contribute to an improvement in user convenience and also increase the operating capacity of an apparatus body to the extent possible.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor having on a surface thereof a photosensitive layer, in which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a contact charging roll applied with a bias containing a direct current component having superimposed thereon an alternating current component, the contact charging roll charging the photoreceptor to a predetermined potential, a film thickness detecting unit detecting a film thickness of the photosensitive layer of the photoreceptor, an environment detecting unit detecting environment, and a contact area changing unit changing a contact area between the contact charging roll and the photoreceptor based on detected results of the film thickness detecting unit and the environment detecting unit.

Abstract: A method of controlling an image forming apparatus having at least one consumption part. The method includes fetching specification information corresponding to the at least one consumption part, detecting whether control information for controlling a printing operation of the image forming apparatus according to the specification information is present in a memory of the image forming apparatus, storing the specification information of the at least one consumption part and the control information about the printing operation into the memory of the image forming apparatus when the control information is not present in the memory, and controlling the printing operation of the image forming apparatus according to the control information stored in the memory of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which allows an independent and easy replacement of replaceable image forming devices including an image forming unit detachably provided in the image forming apparatus. The image forming unit includes a housing, a plurality of replaceable devices, and a nonvolatile memory. The plurality of replaceable devices are replaceably mounted inside the housing. The nonvolatile memory is mounted on the housing and stores lifetime information of the image forming unit and each one of the plurality of replaceable devices.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, an electrifying member, a high voltage applying unit for applying to the electrifying member a high voltage in which a DC component of a constant voltage on an AC component of a constant current are superposed, a DC current measuring unit for measuring a DC current value flowing from the electrifying member to the photoconductor when the photoconductor is electrified, and a controller for integrating the DC current value measured by the DC current measuring unit for an application time of the DC component to the photoconductor, calculating an electrostatic charge quantity of a DC current flowing into an electrostatic capacitance unit constituting the AC generator and subtracting the electrostatic charge quantity from the integration result to calculate the electrified charge quantity corresponding to the film thickness of the photoconductive thin film.

Abstract: A disclosed maintenance management system includes an upper-limit information storage unit configured to store an upper limit of usage for each component identifier of a component, which upper limit is expressed by using an accumulated number of revolutions of a photoconductive drum in an image forming apparatus; a revolution number information acquiring unit configured to acquire a number of revolutions of the photoconductive drum used in the image forming apparatus; and an alarm output unit configured to calculate the accumulated number of revolutions of the used photoconductive drum, calculate a component service life predictive value by using the upper limit stored in the upper-limit information storage unit for each component identifier, and output an alarm including component information pertaining to the corresponding component identifier in the event that the component service life predictive value is less than or equal to a remainder day reference value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit which comprises a cartridge having a toner therein to form an image and a controller to control the image forming unit to increase a density of the image to be formed, if it is determined that a standard of the cartridge does not meet a usage requirement.

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: 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: The residual potential and charging potential of the surface of a photosensitive drum 20, or the charging potential and exposure potential of the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 are detected by an exposure sensor 28. The lifetime of the photosensitive drum 20 is judged in accordance with the difference between the detected charging potential and residual potential, or the difference between the detected charging potential and exposure potential.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus allows mounting thereon and dismounting therefrom a plurality of types of cartridges, each of the cartridges including a plurality of process members used for image formation and a storage medium for storing information. The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of setting information for setting an image forming condition in accordance with a plurality of characteristics of the cartridges; and a controller that sets the image forming condition based on information regarding a usage amount of each of the plurality of types of cartridges and selection information for selecting one of the plurality of pieces of setting information, the selection information being stored in the storage medium in the cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes: an image carrier that carries a developer image by a charge layer provided on a surface of the image carrier; a charger that charges the image carrier; a feeder that feeds the charger with a charge; a total charge amount detector that detects the total amount of the charge output by the feeder; an unsupplied charge amount calculator that calculates the amount of the charge output by the feeder but not supplied to the charger; and a layer thickness calculator that calculates the thickness of the charge layer based on the unsupplied charge amount calculated by the unsupplied charge amount calculator and the total charge amount detected by the total charge amount detector.

Abstract: The present invention performs density adjustment (ATR process) and transfer voltage control (ATVC) in parallel; the ATR process transfers and forms a patch image on an intermediate transfer member and detects and adjusts the density of the patch image, and the ATVC gradually raises a transfer voltage to measure a transfer current and generates a transfer voltage corresponding to a target transfer current to control a transfer of an image from an image carrier to the intermediate transfer member. The present invention determines the timing at which the patch image is formed in the density adjustment, in association with the transfer voltage in the transfer voltage control step, to allow a density adjustment process based on density adjustment and transfer voltage control to be executed in parallel.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a photoreceptor that rotates, a charging member provided in contact with or in close proximity of the photoreceptor to charge the photoreceptor, a charge amount detecting portion that accumulates current flowing across the photoreceptor to obtain a charge amount of the photoreceptor, while the current is being applied from the charging member until a voltage on a surface of the photoreceptor substantially corresponds to the voltage applied by the charging member, and a controller that calculates a film thickness of the photoreceptor based on the charge amount.

Abstract: The residual potential and charging potential of the surface of a photosensitive drum 20, or the charging potential and exposure potential of the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 are detected by an exposure sensor 28. The lifetime of the photosensitive drum 20 is judged in accordance with the difference between the detected charging potential and residual potential, or the difference between the detected charging potential and exposure potential.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device may use a feedback loop to determine environmental conditions and accordingly set one or more operating parameters. The device may detect a resistance/capacitance characteristic of a feedback loop comprising an interface between a first component and a second component of an image forming unit. The interface may be one in which a toner image is transferred during image forming device operation. A controller may adjust the detected resistance/capacitance characteristic in response to an age of one of the first component or the second component, thereby accounting for the age or wear of the components.

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 device in which image carrying bodies on which an electrostatic latent image is respectively formed in accordance with for each a plurality of colors are arranged in a tandem manner, in which a charging voltage in which an alternating voltage and a direct voltage are superimposed is applied to charging devices which respectively charge each image carrying body, and in which a color image is formed by sequentially overlapping a toner image of each color formed on each image carrying body on an intermediate transfer medium or a transfer material. A direct voltage power supply for applying a direct voltage to the charging device for each color is independently provided for each charging device for each color, and an alternating voltage power supply for applying an alternating voltage to the charging device for each color is commonly provided to the charging device for each color.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a recognizing member configured to read a property stored in a memory member of a consumable item via a communication member, and to recognize if the consumable item can be used. The image forming apparatus also includes a property changing member configured to communicate to the memory member and to change a parameter so that information stored in the memory member cannot be accessed when the recognizing member recognizes the consumable item can be no longer used.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to which a cartridge is mountable and which is operable to form images at different image formation speeds, wherein the cartridge includes a memory medium having a memory area for storing information relating to image forming conditions of process means corresponding to the image formation speeds, the image forming apparatus includes a control unit for setting the image forming conditions, wherein the control unit sets an image forming condition corresponding to the image formation speed on the basis of the image forming condition of the process means responding to the image formation speed.

Abstract: In an image forming device, when a replacement timing of a photoconductive drum unit has been reached, the image forming device determines whether or not a replacement timing of a developing unit is close, but not yet actually reached. When the replacement timing of the developing unit is close but not yet reached, the image forming device collectively displays a message to urge the user to replace both the photoconductive drum unit and the developing unit at the same time to avoid problems such as a foggy image.

Abstract: A system for analyzing an organic photo conducting drum includes an identification system, a feature examination system, and an evaluation processing system. The identification system identifies one or more characteristic relating to the organic photo conducting drum. The feature examination system examines one or more features of the organic photo conducting drum. The evaluation processing system provides an analysis of the organic photo conducting drum based on the identified one or more characteristics and the examined one or more features.

Abstract: The residual potential and charging potential of the surface of a photosensitive drum 20, or the charging potential and exposure potential of the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 are detected by an exposure sensor 28. The lifetime of the photosensitive drum 20 is judged in accordance with the difference between the detected charging potential and residual potential, or the difference between the detected charging potential and exposure potential.

Abstract: A method for determining the approximate surface conductivity of a photoreceptor surface. The method involves forming a latent image of a series of lines of different widths on the surface, developing the image, and then printing the image. Based on which lines print, the surface conductivity can be computed once the developability of isolated lines is established through a calibration procedure.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photoconductor having a photoconductive layer on an outer surface thereof; a charging portion that charges the photoconductor; a developing portion that develops a latent image formed on the photoconductor; a transfer portion that transfers a developed image; current detectors respectively provided to the charging portion, the developing portion, and the transfer portion to detect currents respectively flowing from the charging portion, the developing portion, and the transfer portion to the photoconductor; an integrating portion that calculates a charge amount by integrating the currents detected by the current detectors over a given period of time; and a layer thickness calculating portion that calculates a thickness of the photoconductive layer based on the charge amount.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that rotates and carries a toner image by a surface layer disposed on a surface thereof; a charging roll that charges the surface layer while the image carrier completes one or more rotations; a power supply unit that supplies a current to the charging roll; a detector that samples and detects the current that the power supply unit outputs; a leak current detector that detects a leak current included in the current that the detector has detected; a layer thickness calculating unit that calculates a numerical value relating to the thickness of the surface layer on the basis of the current that the detector has detected; and a current leak state determining unit that determines a current leak state on the basis of the current that the detector has detected and the leak current that the leak current detector has detected.

Abstract: A replaceable component is installable in and removable from a printing device and contains one or more supplies used in printing by the printing device. A memory and a port are in the replaceable component. Data that characterizes usage of the one or more supplies in printing by the printing device is stored in the memory. The data can be transferred through a cable from the port to a host computer using a data transfer protocol of the port.

Abstract: A printing control device, method, system and program with a consumable product detachably mounted thereon, including a state storing unit that stores a usage state of the consumable product, a detachment detecting unit that detects that the consumable product has been detached a usage state checking unit that checks the usage state of the consumable product whose detachment has been detected by the detachment detecting unit based on data stored in the state storing unit a determination unit that determines whether the consumable product is still usable or not based on the usage state checked by the usage state checking unit and a notification unit that notifies that the consumable product is still usable if the determination unit determines that the consumable product is still usable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for managing consumables of an image forming apparatus widely used in printers, multi-function printers, and so on. The apparatus of the present invention includes memory devices provided in the consumables for writing and reading data related to the consumables and for managing the consumables. As such the present invention uses less signal lines for a development cartridge, informs a user to refill the consumables, and is less sensitive to noise due to the digital management of consumables.

Abstract: An encoder of a process unit encodes an identification code output by the CPU of a main unit, thereby obtaining a response code. The response code is returned to the main unit. The logic of the encoder is changeable. At shipment, a first logic is set in the encoder. After use, a second logic determined on the basis of a predetermined rule is set to the encoder under control of the CPU. The main unit stores the second logic set in the encoder of the process unit. The identification code is encoded by the encoder of the main unit individually with the first logic and the stored second logic, with the result that normal codes are obtained. The normal codes are collated with the response code by a collator. The CPU identifies the status of the process unit based on the result of the collation by the collator.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member having a surface layer; an electrostatic image forming device for forming an electrostatic image on the surface layer; a developing device, containing at least toner and a carrier, for developing the electrostatic image; a density measuring device for measuring a density of the developed electrostatic image; a layer thickness measuring device for measuring a thickness of the surface layer; and an adjusting device for adjusting toner content in the developing device. The adjusting device adjusts the toner content on the basis of an output of the layer thickness measuring device.

Abstract: Single-wire data communications with data storage memory units that may be coupled with a wirelessly energized power supply is enabled in electronic monitoring modules in customer replaceable units (CRUs) such as toner bottles in image forming devices. Communication between modularly designed office equipment and installed CRUs may include data transmission implemented by providing a single point of contact on, for example, a rotational axis at the closed end of a rotating CRU, or by placing a conductive patch, band ring on the periphery of such CRU such that a single-wire data transfer contact is effected with the CRU. A communications link is provided which is not adversely affected by dirt or other foreign objects and is not limited by necessary motion which must be imparted to the CRU for optimum operation in the modular equipment within which the CRU is installed, or other interference that may adversely affects a wireless communications link.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a method of controlling development includes a current measuring unit to measure a developing current flowing between a developing roller and a photosensitive medium, and a controlling unit to calculate at least one of a thickness of a photosensitive film of the photosensitive medium, a thickness of a developer on a surface of the developing roller, and the quantity of development on the surface of the photosensitive medium using the measured developing current, and then display information concerning replacement of consumables, or control a developer supply vector and a development vector on a basis of the calculated value.

Abstract: A printer having an embedded marking agent yield test capability has a formatter, a control panel, a print engine module, and a memory module. The memory module stores a data file for printing a standard marking agent test page, and is linked to the control panel. The memory module is further linked to the print engine module via a linkage that bypasses the formatter. Standardized marking agent test pages can thereby be printed directly from the printer control panel while bypassing the formatter. This removes uncertainties and inconsistencies that were associated with marking agent testing of the prior art.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member having a surface layer; an electrostatic image forming device for forming an electrostatic image on the surface layer; a developing device, containing at least toner and a carrier, for developing the electrostatic image; a density measuring device for measuring a density of the developed electrostatic image; a layer thickness measuring device for measuring a thickness of the surface layer; and an adjusting device for adjusting toner content in the developing device. The adjusting device adjusts the toner content on the basis of an output of the layer thickness measuring device.

Abstract: Informing the user when consumables and/or customer replaceable units will have to be resupplied, changed and/or replaced, relative to the jobs sent to the image forming system, is a beneficial way to avoid unnecessary printing delays. When a job is added to a job queue or repositioned within the job queue, a warning can be associated with that job, and displayed to the user. With this information, the user can pre-emptively add a consumable and/or to replace a customer replaceable unit to avoid delays and maintain productivity. Alternatively, if such a system fault would occur prior to an urgent job reaching the top of the job queue, the user can manipulate the order and/or presence of the various jobs in the queue to ensure the high-priority job is completed before the consumable is fully exhausted and/or the customer replaceable unit reaches the end of its useful life.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light source for emitting light constituting an optical signal, an optical waveguide for conducting the light emitted by the light source and an engine portion for receiving the light conducted by the optical waveguide. The engine portion includes a modulator for modulating the received light and a target on which an image corresponding to the optical signal is formed by being exposed by the modulated light.

Abstract: A printer, printer control method, and medium for storing the control method meter and store cumulative values relating to the operation of replaceable units (parts or devices) in the printer to make maintenance easier and more reliable, and enable more accurate analysis of part or device failure. The printing processor of the printer prints text or graphics, and a holder holds a replaceable part or device that operates or a consumable that is used in conjunction with the printing operation of the printing processor. A counting processor meters operation or use of the replaceable part or device, and a detection processor detects when the part or device in the holder has been replaced or newly installed. Values indicative of the operation or use metered by the counting processor are stored in nonvolatile memory.