Abstract: A method of detecting the end of the life of an image bearing member has: a contact time detecting step of detecting the contact time when a developer carrying member that can be in contact with or have a clearance with an image bearing member contacts the image bearing member, the developer carrying member developing an electrostatic image formed in the image bearing member by a developer; and a determining step of determining the end of the life of the image bearing member in accordance with a parameter calculated by using the contact time detected in the contact time detecting step.

Abstract: A control device and a method for monitoring wear parts for printers and copiers is provided. The control device includes a counter device with which the replacement intervals or, respectively, the maintenance intervals for individual wear parts are monitored. The replacement and maintenance intervals can be individually set, so that they can be matched to the respective use conditions of the printer.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a mechanism for quickly removing an electronic device from a PC having a smaller case, which comprises a slot in the PC having one or more recesses at either side, enabling a tray installed with the electronic device to be inserted therein through a front opening of the slot and enabling one or more snapping members on either side of the tray to be adapted to snap into one or more recesses on the slot. In an operation of removing the electronic device from the PC, a user may pull a first clinging member of a pivotal gate at the front opening to open a gate upward, and then hold a handle of the tray to quickly pull the tray toward the front opening of the slot.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with imaging systems and wear indicators are provided. In one example system, an imaging device is provided that generates and transfers an image to a print media. A photoconductor includes a photosensitive surface layer and a wear indicator layer under the surface layer. The wear indicator layer is visually distinct from the surface layer so that when the wear indicator layer is exposed, it indicates worn areas of the surface layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device for forming an image on a recording material, wherein at least a part of the image forming means is in the form of a unit which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus, the apparatus includes a memory, wherein the memory is mounted to the unit, wherein the memory stores information relating to the timing at which a driving parameter of the image forming means is changed.

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 photoreceptor regenerating apparatus for regenerating a photoreceptor for use in an image forming apparatus including a grinding member that grinds a surface of a used photoreceptor, a photoreceptor measuring device that measures a surface condition of the used photoreceptor, and a grinding condition setting device that sets grinding conditions of the grinding member according to a measurement value of the photoreceptor measuring device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for and a method of compensating for development mass per area includes a photosensitive body on which an electrostatic latent image for an image is formed, a charger charging the photosensitive body, a developing unit developing the electrostatic latent image of the photosensitive body, a measuring unit measuring a charge current flowing through the photosensitive body from the charger, a comparator comparing the charge current with a reference current, and a controller controlling a developing unit control variable so as to compensate for a variation in a thickness of the photosensitive body according to an output of the comparator. A time indicator of a display informs a user whether the photosensitive body has to be replaced, and deterioration of an image quality caused by a decrease in the thickness of the photosensitive body can be prevented when a potential of the developing unit is controlled.

Abstract: A print control method of an electrophotograph in an image formation apparatus including at least a photoconductor, a charger, a light exposure unit, and a developing device for forming a background area and an image area on the photoconductor using the charger and the light exposure unit and detecting a potential of the image area after transfer and controlling a developing electric field, thereby printing an electrophotograph, includes lowering the percentage of toner covering the image area on the photoconductor when the potential is detected.

Abstract: A method of detecting life of an image bearing member has: a contact time detecting step of detecting contact time when a developer carrying member that can be in contact with or have a clearance with an image bearing member contacts the image bearing member, the developer carrying member developing an electrostatic image formed in the image bearing member by a developer; and a determining step of determining life of the image bearing member in accordance with a parameter calculated by using the contact time detected in the contact time detecting step.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a developing device for developing a latent image formed on the image bearing member, the image bearing member and the developing means being detachably mountable to the apparatus as a process unit; a developer supply unit for supplying a developer to the developing means, the developer supply unit being detachably mountable to the apparatus; and a first memory mounted on the process unit. The first memory stores information relating to the developer supply unit.

Abstract: A method of detecting the end of the life of an image bearing member has: a contact time detecting step of detecting the contact time when a developer carrying member that can be in contact with or have a clearance with an image bearing member contacts the image bearing member, the developer carrying member developing an electrostatic image formed in the image bearing member by a developer; and a determining step of determining the end of the life of the image bearing member in accordance with a parameter calculated by using the contact time detected in the contact time detecting step.

Abstract: An image carrier is provided with a support base that has the photosensitive layer, an image forming area for forming an electrostatic latent image and an information recording layer formed in an area except the image forming area on the surface for reading/writing of information by a beam. An image forming apparatus is provided with a detecting unit for optically detecting information recorded on the information recording layer and a controller for identifying the status of the image carrier from the detection result by the detecting unit.

Abstract: The image carrier of this invention comprises a support base that has the photosensitive layer, an image forming area for forming an electrostatic latent image and an information recording layer formed in an area except the image forming area on the surface for reading/writing of information by a beam. An image forming apparatus is provided with a detecting unit for optically detecting information recorded on the information recording layer and a controller for identifying the status of the image carrier from the detection result by the detecting unit.

Abstract: An imaging device is provided that generates and transfers an image to a print media. A photoconductor includes a photosensitive surface layer and a wear indicator layer under the surface layer. The wear indicator layer is visually distinct from the surface layer so that when the wear indicator layer is exposed, it indicates worn areas of the surface layer.

Abstract: An image bearing member life detecting method capable of accurately detecting that the life of an image bearing member has expired or will expire soon, an image forming apparatus using the method, and a cartridge detachably attachable to the image forming apparatus, are provided. An image bearing member damage index number D representing the consumption degree of an image bearing member is calculated on the basis of an applying period under each condition of an electrostatic charge bias applied to an electrostatic charging portion for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member, and/or the contact period of a developing portion for developing the electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member. When the process speed is switched, the calculation method is switched in accordance with the process speed, and the image bearing member damage index number D is calculated.

Abstract: A cylinder with a functional layer (23) and with a supporting body (1), which passes through the cylinder. On the supporting body (1), a sleeve that accommodates the functional layer (23) is supported at ends (2, 5). The supporting body (1) is for its part accommodated on supporting elements (10, 11, 13) provided on the frame side. The cylinder sleeve (3) that accommodates the functional layer (23) can be centered in relation to the axis of rotation (8) by centering faces (6, 7) formed at the ends (2, 5). One end of the cylinder can be exposed at the supporting element (13).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for and a method of compensating for development mass per area includes a photosensitive body on which an electrostatic latent image for an image is formed, a charger charging the photosensitive body, a developing unit developing the electrostatic latent image of the photosensitive body, a measuring unit measuring a charge current flowing through the photosensitive body from the charger, a comparator comparing the charge current with a reference current, and a controller controlling a developing unit control variable so as to compensate for a variation in a thickness of the photosensitive body according to an output of the comparator. A time indicator of a display informs a user whether the photosensitive body has to be replaced, and deterioration of an image quality caused by a decrease in the thickness of the photosensitive body can be prevented when a potential of the developing unit is controlled.

Abstract: A use situation reporting system reports the use situations of a developer and other consumables included in an image forming apparatus for forming images on a recording material. More particularly, the use situation reporting system reports an amount of remaining developer and the use times of consumables to a user. Thus, the timing of replacing a cartridge with a new one can be concisely reported to the user.

Abstract: A method of detecting the end of the life of an image bearing member has: a contact time detecting step of detecting the contact time when a developer carrying member that can be in contact with or have a clearance with an image bearing member contacts the image bearing member, the developer carrying member developing an electrostatic image formed in the image bearing member by a developer; and a determining step of determining the end of the life of the image bearing member in accordance with a parameter calculated by using the contact time detected in the contact time detecting step.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a replaceable process unit which holds a photosensitive body and a device to form at least one image can be held in a holding section. The image forming apparatus counts an amount of use of the process unit and stores a count value in a storage section. When the image forming apparatus performs a printing operation, the apparatus determines whether a mode selectively set by a mode setting section-is a first mode in which a printing operation stops when the count value reaches a given value or a second mode in which the printing operation does not stop when the count value reaches the given value.

Abstract: This invention provides an image bearing member life detecting method capable of accurately detecting that the life of an image bearing member has expired or will expire soon, an image forming apparatus using the method, and a cartridge detachably attachable to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; developing means for developing a latent image formed on said image bearing member, said image bearing member and said developing means being detachably mountable to said apparatus as a process unit; a developer supply unit for supplying a developer to said developing means, said developer supply unit being detachably mountable to said apparatus; first memory mounted on said process unit, wherein said first memory stores information relating to said developer supply unit.

Abstract: In a photoreceptor for an image forming apparatus including a charging device, a relationship between a thickness “A” of a surface portion of a photosensitive layer abraded by image forming operations, a thickness “B” of a portion of the photosensitive layer ground by an operation of grinding the abraded surface of the photosensitive layer, a number of times “n” the operation of grinding the abraded surface of the photosensitive layer has been executed, and an original photosensitive layer thickness “C” of the photoreceptor is set such that a thickness “D” of a remaining portion of the photosensitive layer after having been ground which is obtained by equation: D=C−[(A+B)×n+A], is equal to or greater than a thickness of the photosensitive layer in which leakage from the charging device to the photoreceptor does not occur, so that the photoreceptor may be reused.

Abstract: A method of detecting life of an image bearing member has: a contact time detecting step of detecting contact time when a developer carrying member that can be in contact with or have a clearance with an image bearing member contacts the image bearing member, the developer carrying member developing an electrostatic image formed in the image bearing member by a developer; and a determining step of determining life of the image bearing member in accordance with a parameter calculated by using the contact time detected in the contact time detecting step.

Abstract: An image bearing member life detecting method capable of accurately detecting that the life of an image bearing member has expired or will expire soon, an image forming apparatus using the method, and a cartridge detachably attachable to the image forming apparatus, are provided. An image bearing member damage index number D representing the consumption degree of an image bearing member is calculated on the basis of an applying period under each condition of an electrostatic charge bias applied to an electrostatic charging portion for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member, and/or the contact period of a developing portion for developing the electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member. When the process speed is switched, the calculation method is switched in accordance with the process speed, and the image bearing member damage index number D is calculated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including image forming means for forming an image on a recording material, wherein at least a part of the image forming means is in the form of a unit which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus, said apparatus includes memory, wherein said memory is mounted to said unit, wherein said memory stores information relating to timing at which a driving parameter of said image forming means.

Abstract: A method of detecting life of an image bearing member has: a contact time detecting step of detecting contact time when a developer carrying member that can be in contact with or have a clearance with an image bearing member contacts the image bearing member, the developer carrying member developing an electrostatic image formed in the image bearing member by a developer; and a determining step of determining life of the image bearing member in accordance with a parameter calculated by using the contact time detected in the contact time detecting step.

Abstract: A device has a process cartridge that includes a main cartridge accommodating a photosensitive body and a toner cartridge for use in replenis`hing toner as a precondition, is to precisely judge the service life of a photosensitive body and replacement timing of a main cartridge. Whether a predetermined condition is satisfied or not is judged with reference to a recording sheets count value G, a total operation time Tt1 and a toner cartridge related operation time Tx of the photosensitive drum, and a toner replenishing time Ts. In cases where a predetermined condition is satisfied, a message is displayed to urge the user to replace the process cartridge or the toner cartridge. When the toner is used up, the recording operation is inhibited, and an instruction to replace the process cartridge or the toner cartridge is displayed. Consequently, it is possible to accurately replace the photosensitive drum and toner cartridge at their respective adequate replacement timings.

Abstract: A remote monitoring diagnostic system and method utilize two different storage techniques. A time-coherent storage technique and change-detect storage technique are utilized to ensure that sensor signals are stored accurately and efficiently. A central diagnostic system can poll or pull the sensor values remotely. Additionally, an on-site monitor can perform anomaly detection to generate malfunction data.

Abstract: This invention provides an image bearing member life detecting method capable of accurately detecting that the life of an image bearing member has expired or will expire soon, an image forming apparatus using the method, and a cartridge detachably attachable to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: In a photoreceptor for an image forming apparatus including a charging device, a relationship between a thickness “A” of a surface portion of a photosensitive layer abraded by image forming operations, a thickness “B” of a portion of the photosensitive layer ground by an operation of grinding the abraded surface of the photosensitive layer, a number of times “n” the operation of grinding the abraded surface of the photosensitive layer has been executed, and an original photosensitive layer thickness “C” of the photoreceptor is set such that a thickness “D” of a remaining portion of the photosensitive layer after having been ground which is obtained by equation: D=C−[(A+B)×n+A], is equal to or greater than a thickness of the photosensitive layer in which leakage from the charging device to the photoreceptor does not occur, so that the photoreceptor may be reused.

Abstract: An information system for informing a user about consumable components such as a CRU using printed documents in an electrostatographic system.

Abstract: A method of detecting life of an image bearing member has: a contact time detecting step of detecting contact time when a developer carrying member that can be in contact with or have a clearance with an image bearing member contacts the image bearing member, the developer carrying member developing an electrostatic image formed in the image bearing member by a developer; and a determining step of determining life of the image bearing member in accordance with a parameter calculated by using the contact time detected in the contact time detecting step.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that includes a tube, a photosensitive layer provided at a part of the tube for forming an image forming area, and a magnetic recording layer provided at a part of the tube that is outside of the image forming area. The image forming apparatus also includes a writing/reading device that writes a using history of the image carrier on the magnetic recording layer. An information processing method includes recording a measured time information of a photosensitive drum on a magnetic recording layer on the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: The object of the present invention, employing a process cartridge that includes a main cartridge accommodating a photosensitive body and a toner cartridge for use in replenishing toner as a precondition, is to precisely judge the service life of a photosensitive body and replacement timing of a main cartridge. Whether a predetermined condition is satisfied or not is judged with reference to a recording sheets count value G, a total operation time Tt1 and a toner cartridge related operation time Tx of the photosensitive drum, and a toner replenishing time Ts. In cases where a predetermined condition is satisfied, a message is displayed to urge the user to replace the process cartridge or the toner cartridge. When the toner is used up, the recording operation is inhibited, and an instruction to replace the process cartridge or the toner cartridge is displayed.

Abstract: An image-processing apparatus and a control method for this apparatus. Image data is received through a communication section and is recorded by a recording section onto a recording material fed from a manual-feeding tray. Recording materials of various sizes can be set on this tray. The correct recording-material size is obtained based on the size of the received image data and is displayed, and an indication is also given to check whether the recording operation is to be performed. If the manual-feeding operation has been selected, an alarm sound indicates that the image data has been received. The processing then proceeds according to the instruction given in response to the display. Further, if it is determined that a recording error has occurred when the recording operation is performed through manual feeding, the image data is stored in a non-volatile storage.

Abstract: To provide an electrophotography apparatus with which the service life management of a printing unit can be carried out properly, a non-volatile memory for storing a count value for managing the service life of the printing unit is installed in both a main unit and the printing unit of the electrophotography apparatus. Then, the count value is written to the memory on the printing unit (PU) side (PU memory) when print processing is not in progress, and no power is supplied to the PU memory during print processing, so the correct count value is always stored in the PU memory. Therefore, the service life of the printing unit can be correctly evaluated.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that has a plurality of image forming stations for forming an image on a recording material, each of the plurality of image forming stations having a memory, and writing device for writing data into the memories, wherein when the image is formed on the recording material without at least one of the image forming stations being used, the writing device writes use data into the memory of the station used and the memory of the station not used.

Abstract: A method for monitoring filming levels on a photoreceptor surface of a printing machine includes the use of an enhanced toner area coverage sensor to measure level of filming of substantially the entire photoreceptor surface, the sensor being located at a point downstream from a cleaning station of the printing machine. When the measurement indicates that the filming is unacceptably high on a portion of the photoreceptor surface, corrective action is implemented, for example filming removal. The sensor is preferably mounted in a manner such that it may be moved over substantially the entire surface of the photoreceptor. Also, an electrostatic voltmeter is preferably mounted along with the sensor in order to monitor the charging of the photoreceptor surface.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus mountable a detachable unit mounting a memory in a main body of the apparatus, a memory-access-reservation control unit for accepting a request of an access with respect to a nonvolatile memory provided in a process cartridge in which a photosensitive drum, a toner and the like are integrated is provided in an engine control unit. When there is a request of an access with respect to the nonvolatile memory from a printer controller, the memory-access-reservation control unit accesses the nonvolatile memory in accordance with the request of the access. Upon completion of the access, the fact is notified to the printer controller. In response to the notification, the printer controller requests transmission of read information or confirms that a writing operation has been normally ended, by communicating with the engine control unit.

Abstract: A use situation reporting system reports the use situations of a developer and the other consumables included in an image forming apparatus for forming images on a recording material. More particularly, the use situation reporting system reports an amount of remaining developer and the use times of consumables to a user. Thus, the timing of replacing a cartridge with a new one can be concisely reported to the user.

Abstract: An excellent image forming state is secured constantly regardless of the history of an image forming unit installed. When a new drum cartridge is installed in a copying machine during a standby pending operation of a copy switch on a control panel, CPU reads the number of rotations of a photoreceptor drum from a memory of the drum cartridge, and updates a count of a counter C with the number of rotations read. When the copy switch is operated, CPU derives a grid voltage corresponding to the count of counter C from a relationship between the number of rotations of photoreceptor drum and the grid voltage of the electrostatic charger pre-stored in ROM, executes an image forming process by setting the grid voltage derived to a high-voltage source, and adds the number of rotations of photoreceptor drum made in the current image forming process to the count of counter C.

Abstract: A method to provide a highly intelligent, automated diagnostic system that identifies the need to replace specific parts to minimize machine downtime rather than require extensive service troubleshooting. In particular, a systematic, logical test analysis scheme to assess machine operation from a simple sensor system and to be able to pinpoint parts and components needing replacement is provided by a series of first level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a first level of data and by a series of second level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a second level of data. Each of the first level tests and first level data is capable of identifying a first level of part failure independent of any other test. Each of the second level tests and second level data is a combination of first level tests and first level data or a combination of a first level test and first level data and a third level test and third level data.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming appartus for judging life of photosensitive member based on revolution number of intermediate transfer member. The image forming apparatus is provided with a photosensitive rotary drum for carrying an electrostatic latent image, a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive rotary drum with a toner, a medium transfer rotary member to which the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred and mediates the toner image between the photosensitive drum and a recording sheet, an integration counter for integrating revolution number information of the medium transfer rotary member, and a judging unit for judging a life of the image holding member on the basis of the number of revolutions counted by a counter. A circumference of the medium transfer rotary member is substantially integer times as large as a circumference of the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: Printing on a large number of units of relatively narrow media accelerates wear on a photoconductor in an electrophotographic imaging device, such as an electrophotographic printer. The accelerated wear results from movement of a cleaning blade over a surface of the photoconductor on regions of the photoconductor outside a width of the media where toner is not available as a lubricant. The accelerated wear also results from exposure of the surface of the photoconductor on regions of the photoconductor outside the width of the media to the electric fields supplied by a transfer roller. The accelerated wear can cause excessive background development on the photoconductor. Background development toner not transferred to the media is collected in the waste hopper. Excessive background development can lead to leakage of toner from the waste hopper into the electrophotographic printer.

Abstract: An erasing device includes a sheet-like erasing member. The erasing member is supported by an electric charger in contact with the image bearing member for erasing a residual electric charge from the image bearing member. Preferably, the erasing member is supported by a supporting member which in turn is supported by the electric charger. Therefore, the erasing member can be disposed relative to the image bearing member with a greater precision without using any additional rigid member. Also, the image bearing member can be erased without any defect, which results in that the image bearing member is uniformly charged in the subsequent charging.

Abstract: This invention relates to a image forming apparatus comprising an image carrier, charging means, image exposing measuring means, surface correction toner image forming means for forming a toner image extending in parallel to a direction of a rotation axis of the image carrier at a non-image area on the surface of the image carrier and a controller for changing a formation condition of the surface correction toner image formed parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the image carrier at the non-image area on the surface of the image carrier by the surface correction toner image forming means, according to the surface roughness or the physical property value reflecting the surface roughness of the image carrier measured by the measuring means.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus gets information on the thickness of the photosensitive layer by using the image transfer power source and transfer brush, and controls the contact position of the transfer brush on the paper carrying belt based on the thickness information, so that in case the photosensitive layer wears thin partially due to the long-term use, the apparatus increases in compensation the impedance of the carrying belt in its section from the image transfer zone to the contact position of the transfer brush. The apparatus may be designed to use selectively multiple transfer brushes having different impedances, instead of the position control of one transfer brush.

Abstract: A method to provide a highly intelligent, automated diagnostic system that identifies the need to replace specific parts to minimize machine downtime rather than require extensive service troubleshooting. In particular, a systematic, logical test analysis scheme to assess machine operation from a simple sensor system and to be able to pinpoint parts and components needing replacement is provided by a series of first level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a first level of data and by a series of second level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a second level of data. Each of the first level tests and first level data is capable of identifying a first level of part failure independent of any other test. Each of the second level tests and second level data is a combination of first level tests and first level data or a combination of a first level test and first level data and a third level test and third level data.