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: An image forming apparatus has an image bearing member, a charging member which contacts with the image bearing member to charge it, detecting device for detecting an electric current flowing through the charging member when a predetermined voltage is applied thereto, and a display device for displaying an information about a life of the image bearing member in conformity with the result of detection by the detecting device. The display device can display at least two different kinds of information corresponding to at least two different electric currents detected by the detecting device.

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: 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: An image forming apparatus having a photosensitive unit including a film disposed thereon. The film wears over time causing its thickness to decrease, which causes non-uniformity in line image data produced by the apparatus. The invention counteracts changes in the film thickness by adjusting the intensity of the edges of the image in response to the amount of wear the apparatus has undergone. The amount of wear can be gauged by detecting the number of rotations made by the photosensitive unit or the number of sheets processed by the photosensitive unit. The invention has the particular advantage of ensuring consistency in the thickness of line images. A method for controlling exposure is also described.

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: According to a feature of the present invention, an imaging apparatus has a support with a cylindrical inner surface for receiving a recording media about an axis of the support. A rotor forms a gap with the inner surface such that the gap varies as the rotor rotates and as an inverse function of the concentricity of the support and the rotor. An electrode is carried at the portion of the rotor forming the gap with the inner surface such that a capacitance between the electrode and the inner surface varies as the rotor rotates and as an inverse function of the concentricity of the support and the rotor. A detector, including a power source adapted to produce an electrical charge across the gap and an impedance, measures the change in the dimension of the gap as the rotor rotates so that the concentricity of the support and the rotor can be measured while the rotor is rotating.

Abstract: A life informing device for a charge body includes a body to be charged, and a charging member for charging the charge body. The charging member is adapted to receive an oscillating voltage and to be in contact with the charge body during the charging operation. Also provided is an informing device for visually or acoustically informing the user whether the charge body reaches the end of the life time thereof, based on an accumulated time of the application time during which the oscillating voltage is applied.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image bearing member, image forming device for forming a developer image on the image bearing member, cleaning device for cleaning the image bearing member, a container for containing therein the developer removed from the image bearing member, life detecting device for detecting the life of a consumptive part in the apparatus, fullness detecting device for detecting whether the quantity of the developer in the container has reached a predetermined quantity, operation stopping device for stopping the operation of the image forming device at predetermined time, and releasing device for releasing the stoppage of the operation of the image forming device.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a latent image electrostatically formed on a photoconductive element is developed by a two-ingredient type developer consisting of toner and carrier. The photoconductive element has a life coincident with the life of the developer. When the photoconductive element and developer reach the end of their life, they are replaced at the same time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for detecting the useful life of an image bearing member includes an image bearing member; a charging member contactable to the image bearing member for charging the image bearing member, the charging member being supplied with a voltage. The image forming apparatus also includes a discharging member for electrically discharging the image bearing member, the discharging member discharging a first region of the image bearing member and a second region of the image bearing member, different from the first region in a direction of a generating line of the image bearing member; and a detecting device for detecting a current flowing through the charging member when the charging member is supplied with a predetermined voltage and charges the first region having been discharged by the discharging member and when the charging member also charges the second region having been discharged by the discharging member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developer container for containing a developer for developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive member; measuring means for measuring usage degree of the photosensitive member; developer amount detecting means for detecting whether a remaining amount in the container is lower than a predetermined level; display means for displaying the remaining amount in accordance with the usage degree after the detecting means detects that the remaining amount is lower than the predetermined level.

Abstract: A copying machine equipped with a PC counter for counting cumulative rotation time of a photoconductive drum, a development counter for counting cumulative drive time of a developing unit, a sensor for detecting deposition amount of toner onto the photoconductive drum, a sensor for detecting toner concentration in the developer, and a humidity sensor. Based on output values from the counters and sensors, a control section of the copying machine estimates the degree of consumption of a consumable article by using fuzzy inference method or neural network, and thereby decides whether the consumable article have reached an end of life.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to perform a well tonality reproduction according to a state of an image support body. In order to achieve the object, the present invention is featured by comprising the image support body for supporting an image which is to be formed on a medium, a signal generation means for generating an image signal representing the image, a detection means for detecting a value according to a membrane thickness of the image support body, and a conversion means for converting the image signal on the basis of the detected value according to the membrane thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving, steering and maintaining tension on a moving web, particularly in an electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an endless photoreceptor belt supported by a plurality of rolls and arranged to move in a predetermined path through a plurality of processing stations disposed therealong the belt being of the type which is supported by a plurality of rolls. A belt utility roll for driving, steering and maintaining tension on the belt adapted for rotational movement about a first axis and tilting movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis is used. The drive motor and transmission are mounted integral to the utility roll unit and tilt with the roll. An actuator tilts the roll in one of two directions to cause the belt to laterally walk along the roll to maintain the predetermined belt path.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a measuring device for measuring the elapsed time for feeding a sheet of paper from its top edge to its bottom edge by feeding a first paper; a paper size calculating device for calculating a paper size on the basis of the measured time and the paper feeding rate which is determined by the printing apparatus; a calculated result transmitting device for transmitting the paper size calculated by the calculating device and informing an operator of the paper size; a comparing device for comparing the paper size calculated by the calculating device with the paper size specified by an external apparatus; a size setting device for setting within the printing apparatus the calculated paper size as a specified paper size for printing a second and later sheets when the above comparison indicates that both sizes match each other; a display device for displaying a mismatch of the paper size in order to inform an operator of the mismatch when the above comparison indicates that the paper size

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a latent image electrostatically formed on a photoconductive element is developed by a two-ingredient type developer consisting of toner and carrier. The photoconductive element has a life coincident with the life of the developer. When the photoconductive element and developer reach the end of their life, they are replaced at the same time.

Abstract: A monitoring system for replaceable units, such as toner cartridges in an electrophotographic printer, includes on the unit an electronic count memory and an electronic flag memory. The count memory maintains a one-by-one count of prints made with the cartridge. The flag memory includes a series of bits which are alterable from a first state to a second state but not alterable from the second state to the first state. The bits in the flag memory are altered at predetermined intervals as prints are made with the cartridge. The flag memory is used as a check to override unauthorized manipulation of the count memory.