Abstract: An in-vehicle software updating method includes: acquiring, after starting a software update, a voltage measurement value of an in-vehicle power source; and acquiring a progress rate in the software update in a case in which the voltage measurement value is equal to or less than a second threshold. In a case in which the progress rate is less than a set value, the software update is interrupted. In a case in which the progress rate is equal to or greater than the set value, an operation mode of the zone control unit is switched to a power saving mode, and a second predicted voltage value of the in-vehicle power source at the update completion time is calculated. The software update is continued in a case in which the second predicted voltage value is greater than a first threshold.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program executable by a computer of a device, the program, when executed by the computer, causing the device to perform: causing a reader of the device to read a code image; determining, based on code information indicated by the code image and identification information of a consumable item of a printer stored in a first memory, whether to register the identification information of the consumable item indicated by the code information; registering the identification information in a second memory in a case where the determining determines to register the identification information; and displaying, on a display of the device, unique information of a consumable item whose identification information is registered in the second memory in a display mode different from a display mode of unique information of a consumable item whose identification information is not registered in the second memory.

Abstract: A system for accurately managing the consumables of a network of printers. The system monitors the printers in the network, collects data relating to operation of the printers, determines the current state of the printers regarding at least one consumable, and uses the data and the current state of the printers to predict when at least one consumable of at least one printer of the network will need to be replaced.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure relate to a container. The container has a chamber for storing build material for a three-dimensional printing system. The container comprises an opening coaxial with the chamber for coupling to the three-dimensional printing system. The container is configured such that rotation of the chamber in a first direction conveys build material in the chamber to the three-dimensional printing system and rotation of the chamber in a second direction conveys the build material away from the three-dimensional printing system.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that makes it possible to obtain a result of prediction of a consumption degree (remaining amount) of a consumable at a desired timing. The information processing apparatus is capable of communicating with an image forming apparatus that forms an image using toner supplied from a toner container mounted thereon. A reception unit receives first information on a consumption amount of the toner by the image forming apparatus. A controller acquires date information on a designated date, and determines second information on a consumption amount of the toner by the designated date, based on the first information in an amount corresponding to a predetermined number of days before a certain day before the designated date.

Abstract: A replaceable unit includes a communication unit to perform communication with a main body, and a non-volatile memory storing code information indicating whether a configuration of an error detection code is a first configuration or a second configuration. The communication unit stores, in a volatile memory, the code information, executes the communication in accordance with the code information in the volatile memory, and, upon receiving a change command, updates the code information stored in the volatile memory. The first configuration uses an error detection code of a first code length, the second configuration uses an error detection code of a second code length longer than the first code length, and the first configuration is used for the change command in order to change from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a photoconductor, an exposure device, a developing device, a toner concentration sensor, a supply motor, and a processor. The exposure device exposes the photoconductor based on image data. The developing device forms a toner image on the photoconductor with toner supplied from a toner cartridge. The toner concentration sensor detects a toner concentration in the developing device. The supply motor supplies the toner from the toner cartridge to the developing device based on the toner concentration. The processor detects a toner container supply abnormality based on a toner supply rate and a print rate of the image data, the toner supply rate being calculated based on a pixel count value that is an integrated value of pixel values of the image data and a supply motor count value that is an integrated value of drive times of the supply motor.

Abstract: An example operation method of an image forming apparatus includes determining a state of a toner refill operation of injecting toner from a toner reload kit (TRK) into a cartridge in the image forming apparatus, based on completion of injecting toner from the TRK into the cartridge, controlling the TRK to store information indicating a toner refill completion in a memory of the TRK, based on completion of injecting toner from the TRK into the cartridge, updating information of an amount of remaining toner of the cartridge based on an amount of the toner injected into the cartridge from the TRK, and based on the information indicating the toner refill completion being stored in the memory of the TRK, unlocking a locking apparatus in the image forming apparatus so the TRK may be removed from the cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, to form an image on a recording material using a recording agent supplied from a container detachably mounted to the image forming apparatus, includes a cover configured to cover a region in which the container is stored. A display instruction is received from a user to display a procedure for replacing the container. A display unit is caused to display the container replacing procedure based on receiving the display instruction. In a case where it is determined that the container replacing procedure is displayed on the display unit, performing control includes performing control to prevent a notification, prompting the user to close the cover, from being issued even if the cover is opened.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a first release processing portion, and a second release processing portion. The image forming portion includes a storage portion storing developer and forms an image by using the developer stored in the storage portion. The first release processing portion releases regulation on removal of a developer storage portion when a storage amount of the developer stored in the storage portion is equal to or smaller than a second threshold smaller than a first threshold. The second release processing portion releases the regulation on the removal of the developer storage portion based on the remaining amount of the developer that is acquired when the storage amount of the developer stored in the storage portion is larger than the second threshold.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to capturing an identifying characteristic of a printer, displaying a plurality of documents suitable for printing on the printer, receiving a selection of at least one document of the plurality of documents suitable for printing on the printer, and causing the selected at least one document to be delivered to the printer according to the identifying characteristic.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; a developing device; a developer storage; a supplier configured to supply developer; an optical sensor; and a controller configured to execute: a developing process of developing an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a usage-amount obtaining process of obtaining a usage amount of the developer; a supplying process of supplying the developer to the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold; and a detecting process of detecting, by the optical sensor, an amount of the developer in the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold larger than the first threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to execute the detecting process in a period different from a period in which the developing process is being executed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a release processing portion, a regulation processing portion, and a second restriction processing portion. The release processing portion releases regulation on removal of a developer storage portion when a storage amount of developer stored in an image forming portion is equal to or smaller than a second threshold smaller than a first threshold. The regulation processing portion regulates removal of the developer storage portion when the storage amount of the developer stored in the image forming portion is larger than the second threshold and removal of the developer storage portion has not been regulated. The second restriction processing portion imposes restriction on processing of the regulation processing portion when the regulation on the removal of the developer storage portion is released and a restriction condition is satisfied.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a development device which develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum into a toner image; a charger which charges the photosensitive drum; a development power supply which applies a prescribed bias voltage to the development device; and a calculating section which calculates a surface potential of the photosensitive drum based on a development current flowing in the development device. The calculating section calculates, as the surface potential, a bias voltage at which a non-charging development current that flows in the development device in an uncharged state in which the charger has not charged the photosensitive drum is equal to a charging development current that flows in the development device in a charged state in which the charger has charged the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A toner container information acquiring method includes: measuring a toner amount contained in a resin forming a toner container; and acquiring information regarding mechanical strength of the toner container based on the measured toner amount.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms a coverage rate adjustment patch having a coverage rate corresponding to a difference between a coverage rate measured by a coverage rate measurement unit and a coverage rate of an adjustment image pattern together with an adjustment image pattern by using the exposure device and the developing device in the calibration.

Abstract: A toner supply device for supplying toner to a developing device includes a toner container containing toner to be supplied to the developing device and a remaining amount sensor for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner container. The toner container includes a cylindrical rotating container having a spiral conveying rib formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof and a paddle provided so as to be slidable on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating container. The remaining amount sensor detects the remaining amount of toner on the upstream side on or before the contact position of the paddle in the toner conveying direction.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that makes it possible to obtain a result of prediction of a consumption degree (remaining amount) of a consumable at a desired timing. The information processing apparatus is capable of communicating with an image forming apparatus that forms an image using toner supplied from a toner container mounted thereon. A reception unit receives first information on a consumption amount of the toner by the image forming apparatus. A controller acquires date information on a designated date, and determines second information on a consumption amount of the toner by the designated date, based on the first information in an amount corresponding to a predetermined number of days before a certain day before the designated date.

Abstract: A method of converting developer in a printer cartridge, comprising the steps: providing a developer unit of a printer cartridge; removing a first mixture of a developer and a first toner from the developer unit; sieving the first mixture of the developer and the first toner; removing the first toner from the first mixture of the developer and the first toner; mixing a second toner to the developer to create a second mixture of the developer and the second toner, wherein the second toner is a different toner than the first toner; and adding the second mixture of the developer and the second toner into the developer unit of the printer cartridge.

Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus can include a supply reservoir including print substance, and a rotary valve having a central rotary axis, where the central rotary axis is perpendicular to a height of the supply reservoir, where the rotary valve is in a closed position such that the print substance is unable to be supplied from the supply reservoir.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; a developing device; a developer storage; a supplier configured to supply developer; an optical sensor; and a controller configured to execute: a developing process of developing an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a usage-amount obtaining process of obtaining a usage amount of the developer; a supplying process of supplying the developer to the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold; and a detecting process of detecting, by the optical sensor, an amount of the developer in the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold larger than the first threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to execute the detecting process in a period different from a period in which the developing process is being executed.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a developing device, a toner container, a first mechanism, a toner sensor, and a controller. The developing device adheres toner to an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor to form a toner image. The toner container supplies toner to the developing device. The first mechanism causes a toner interface to undulate in the toner container. The toner sensor detects a capacitance between a first electrode and a second electrode arranged apart from the first electrode. The controller determines a remaining amount of toner in the toner container based on detection information from the toner sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a body on which a development cartridge is mountable to form a toner image by supplying toner in the development cartridge to an electrostatic latent image formed, a communicating portion provided on an outer surface of the body to be coupled with a toner refill cartridge to form a connection with the development cartridge to perform a toner refill of the toner in the development cartridge through the connection with the development cartridge, a sensor to detect a remaining toner amount remaining in the development cartridge, and a controller to estimate, based on the sensor detecting the remaining toner amount, an estimated toner remaining rate of the development cartridge, which is an estimated rate of the toner remaining in the development cartridge based on toner consumption, according to the toner refill.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum; a developing roller; a developer supplying roller, provided in contact with the developing roller; a driving force receiving portion provided at a shaft end of the supplying roller; a first driving force transmitting portion; a second driving force transmitting portion; flexible sheets provided adjacent to an engaging portion between the first portion and the second portion to intermittently contact the second portion with rotation of the second portion, wherein a rotational direction of the roller is opposite to that of the roller, and a peripheral speed of the roller is larger than that of the roller.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a recording processing portion, an acquirement processing portion, and an output processing portion. The recording processing portion records a consumed amount of a consumable consumed by an image forming apparatus per predetermined unit time. The acquirement processing portion acquires prediction data that indicates a predicted consumed amount of the consumable per the unit time for a time period from a predetermined standard time, based on a comparison result between: a first record result corresponding to a first time period extending to a reference time; and a second record result corresponding to a predetermined second time period extending to the standard time, among a record result recorded by the recording processing portion, the reference time being a predetermined specific time period earlier than the standard time. The output processing portion outputs the prediction data acquired by the acquirement processing portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a toner detection sensor, a storage unit, and a control unit. The image forming unit includes an image carrier, a charging device, an exposure device, and a developing device. The toner detection sensor detects toner in the developing device. The control unit predicts transition of the toner deterioration degree in the developing device using the toner consumption amount and the cumulative operating time stored in the storage unit, and a predetermined toner deterioration model. The control unit is capable of measuring the toner deterioration degree based on amplitude of an output value of the toner detection sensor, and corrects the toner deterioration model, if the measured value of the toner deterioration degree is apart from the predicted value of the toner deterioration degree by a predetermined value or more.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image bearing body, a developing unit, a supplying unit, a detecting unit, and a control unit. The supplying unit supplies a recording agent from a recording agent cartridge to the developing unit. The detecting unit detects a residual amount of the recording agent. The control unit controls, if the recording agent cartridge is not replaced, the supplying unit to supply the recording agent to the developing unit if the detected residual amount decreases to a first residual amount or less and controls, if the recording agent cartridge is replaced, the supplying unit to supply the recording agent in the recording agent cartridge after the replacement to the developing unit if the detected residual amount of the recording agent in the recording agent cartridge before the replacement decreases to a second residual amount or less.

Abstract: A printing device includes: an RFID reader including a reader antenna; a cassette mounting portion in which a plurality of types of cassettes can be selectively mounted; a memory storing correlations between the types of cassettes and standard ranges concerning a return energy; and a controller. Each cassette includes an RFID tag storing cassette information related to the cassette. The RFID tag includes a tag antenna configured to communicate with the reader antenna. Communication sensitivity between the reader antenna and the tag antenna when the cassette is mounted in the cassette mounting portion is different for each type of cassette. The controller performs: communicating via the RFID reader with the RFID tag of the cassette mounted in the cassette mounting portion; and determining whether a value of the return energy received by the RFID reader in the communicating falls within any one of the standard ranges indicated by the correlations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner container, and a main body which the toner container is attachable to and detachable from. The main body includes an image forming unit including a photosensitive drum, a toner containing portion, and a development roller, an attaching portion in which the toner container is at a first position for allowing supply of the toner, an opening portion of the main body, an acquisition unit acquiring a correlation value correlating with a toner remaining amount, an opening/closing member moving between an open position and a closed position, a detection unit detecting the opening/closing member, a movement mechanism executing moving operation for moving the toner container from the first position to a second position, and a control unit controlling the movement mechanism to execute the moving operation in a case where both of a first condition and a second condition are satisfied.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a developing device, an environment sensor, a memory, and a processor. The developing device stores a developer containing a toner and a carrier. The environment sensor measures an environment parameter. The memory stores end time environment information indicating an environment parameter of a date and time when printing is ended. The processor discharges the toner stored in the developing device when a difference between the environment parameter indicated by the end time environment information and the environment parameter measured by the environment sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and puts the toner into the developing device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a photoconductor, an exposure device, a developing device, a toner concentration sensor, a supply motor, and a processor. The exposure device exposes the photoconductor based on image data. The developing device forms a toner image on the photoconductor with toner supplied from a toner cartridge. The toner concentration sensor detects a toner concentration in the developing device. The supply motor supplies the toner from the toner cartridge to the developing device based on the toner concentration. The processor detects a toner container supply abnormality based on a toner supply rate and a print rate of the image data, the toner supply rate being calculated based on a pixel count value that is an integrated value of pixel values of the image data and a supply motor count value that is an integrated value of drive times of the supply motor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly; an openable member, provided with a portion-to-be-engaged, for covering a mounting portion; an engaging member provided on the main assembly for engaging with the portion-to-be-engaged of the openable member positioned at a closed position so as to restrict movement of the openable member relative to the main assembly; a locking portion for locking the engaging member in an engaged state with the portion-to-be-engaged by restricting movement of the engaging member; an electric driving portion for unlocking the locking portion; a discriminating portion for discriminating that a consumable mounted is in an exchange state in which the consumable is to be exchanged; and a controller for driving the electric driving portion so as to unlock the locking portion when the controller receives, from the determining portion, a signal for determining that the consumable is in the exchange state.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes a storage unit, an image forming unit, a first electrode, a second electrode, a to-be-detected unit, a moving unit, a measuring unit, and a processor. The storage unit stores a recording material. The image forming unit forms an image with the recording material supplied from the storage unit. The to-be-detected unit is in the storage unit and is movable so that at least one of the distance to the first electrode and the distance to the second electrode changes. The moving unit moves the to-be-detected unit in the storage unit. The measuring unit measures the capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode. The processor controls the image forming unit based on the abnormality detected based on the capacitance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to which a containing a recording material is attached removably includes a specifying unit configured to specify a usage amount of the recording material that has been used for printing in a predetermined period, and a prediction unit configured to predict a remaining period for using the attached container, based on a remaining amount of the recording material contained in the attached cartridge and the specified usage amount. The specified usage amount does not include a usage amount of the recording material which has been used in the predetermined period by the image forming apparatus which has been in a predetermined state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method for determining a toner level and providing a notification are provided. The method of operating an image forming apparatus includes counting a number of times a lower toner hopper receives toner from an in-situ refillable upper toner hopper, calculating an estimate of toner volume transferred from the lower toner hopper to a surface of a photosensitive drum, determining an amount of toner consumed from the in-situ refillable upper toner hopper based on the number of times the lower toner hopper receives toner from the in-situ refillable upper toner hopper and the estimate of toner volume transferred from the lower toner hopper to the surface of the photosensitive drum, and generating an upper toner hopper refill notification when the amount of toner consumed from the in-situ refillable upper toner hopper is determined to exceed a threshold value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing cartridge, a control portion configured to cause the image forming unit to form the toner image in one mode selected from a plurality of modes including a first image forming mode for forming a first toner image whose maximum loading amount is a first loading amount and a second image forming mode for forming a second toner image whose maximum loading amount is a second loading amount different from the first loading amount, a detection unit, and a display portion configured to display information related to the number of sheets of a recording material on which the first toner images can be formed in the first image forming mode and information related to the number of sheets of a recording material on which the second toner images can be formed in the second image forming mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a development cartridge configured to store developer and including a developer bearing member bearing and conveying the stored developer to a position where an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member is developed, a detection unit configured to detect a developer amount within the development cartridge, and a display portion configured to display information indicating that the developer within the development cartridge is insufficient to form an image per size of a recording member, based on a remaining developer amount within the development cartridge detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, a developing device, a toner holder, a toner holder mount portion, and a locking member. The toner holder is dismountably mounted in the toner holder mount portion and stores toner for the developing device. The toner holder mount portion has a pair of side support rails supporting a side face of the toner holder. The locking member is adjacent to an end part, in the toner holder mounting direction, of at least one side support rail, and is swingable between a first position restraining mounting and dismounting of the toner holder and a second position allowing mounting and dismounting of the toner holder. The locking member, in the second position, is on the extension line of the side support rails and, together with the side support rails, guides the toner holder to and from the toner holder mount portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage case, a developer conveyance portion, a developer detecting portion, a time measuring portion, and a driving control portion. The storage case stores developer that is supplied to a developing device, and conveys the developer by driving a first conveyance member. The developer conveyance portion conveys, by driving a second conveyance member, the developer supplied from the storage case. The developer detecting portion is provided in the developing device and detects the developer supplied from the developer conveyance portion. The time measuring portion measures a required time between a time when the first conveyance member starts to be driven and a time when the developer detecting portion detects the developer. The driving control portion sets a driving time of the second conveyance member based on the required time measured by the time measuring portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container, an agitator, a toner supply, a toner sensor, and a controller. The developer container contains a two-component developer that includes toner and carrier. The agitator stirs the two-component developer. The toner supply replenishes the developer container with additional toner. The toner sensor detects a toner density of the two-component developer in the developer container. The controller calibrates the toner sensor using the two-component developer. The controller compares a first detection value indicating a toner density at a first time with a second detection value indicating a toner density at a second time after a predetermined time period has elapsed since the first time. The controller issues a notification regarding a suitability of calibration based on a comparison result of the first detection value and the second detection value.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a collecting unit that, when a predetermined transmission condition is established after a start of an operation of the information processing apparatus, collects information related to an operational environment of the information processing apparatus, and a transmitting unit that transmits the collected information to an image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a developing device, a sensor, a control information obtaining unit, and a control unit. The developing device forms an image on an image carrier using a developer. The sensor generates a signal indicating a measurement value related to the developer. The control information obtaining unit obtains, as control information of the developing device, one or more pieces of the control information pre-associated with the measurement value, from a recording medium associated with the developer. The control unit selects the control information associated with the measurement value indicated by the signal, from the one or more pieces of control information obtained from the recording medium. The control unit controls an operation of the developing device based on the selected control information.

Abstract: A logging module for identifying a suspected tampering condition of an access-controlled container, the logging module comprising: data collection means configured to collect data from said access-controlled container; and communication means for communicatively connecting the logging module across a network to a database storing a use history associated with said access-controlled container; wherein the logging module is configured to compare the collected data to the corresponding use history associated with said access-controlled container stored in the database to identify a suspected tampering condition of said access-controlled container, wherein the use history comprises data associated with the weight and/or volume of content of the access-controlled container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a sensor to detect a toner concentration, and a processor to control a rendering of image-forming data to form an image on an image forming medium, according to a level of toner concentration saving that is adjusted based on the detected toner concentration.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a collecting unit that, when a predetermined transmission condition is established after a start of an operation of the information processing apparatus, collects information related to an operational environment of the information processing apparatus, and a transmitting unit that transmits the collected information to an image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network.

Abstract: A development frame body includes a concave portion, which is projected in a direction along an upward direction of a gravitational direction, and which is located at a downstream side of a communication port and an upstream side of a replenishing port, the concave portion and the replenishing port overlap with each other in an axis direction of a shaft portion when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the axis direction, a relationship R1?L is satisfied, when a free length of the sheet portion is L and a distance from a rotation center of the shaft portion to an inner wall face is R1, and slit portions are formed in a free end of the sheet portion so that a section of the free end of the sheet portion can enter the concave portion when an agitation member is rotated.

Abstract: A remaining toner amount detecting apparatus includes two electrodes; a remaining toner amount detector configured to detect a remaining toner amount in a toner container based on a capacitance between the two electrodes; a storage configured to store a first capacitance value between the two electrodes preliminarily detected in a non-disposed state in which the toner container is not disposed between the two electrodes; and an abnormality detector configured to detect an abnormality of the remaining toner amount detecting apparatus based on the first capacitance value stored in the storage and a second capacitance value between the two electrodes that is detected in the non-disposed state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting replacement of a consumable to be used for image formation is provided. The replacement detection mechanism, in response to detecting replacement of the consumable is needed, counter data including a number of printed sheets using the consumable is initialized, without initialization of learning data for determining a remaining use period from a use amount in a predetermined period of the consumable.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a controller controls a toner container so that toner in the toner container is supplied to a developing section according to replenishment amount information stored in storage. The developing section includes a developer container that contains toner supplied from the toner container, and a sensor that detects a concentration of the toner in the developer container. The controller changes a replenishment amount indicated in the replenishment amount information based on a predicted toner concentration value in the developer container after the toner is supplied to the developer container under control of the toner container, and a detected toner concentration value detected by the sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a technology relating to an image forming apparatus configured to calculate a toner usage amount per day. The image forming apparatus stores the calculated toner usage amount per day in a list when a toner usage history is permitted to be stored, and avoids storing the calculated toner usage amount per day in the list when the usage history is inhibited from being stored. When the toner usage history is permitted to be stored, the image forming apparatus extracts a feature amount indicating a toner consumption tendency exhibited by a user based on the toner usage amount per day corresponding to a predetermined period stored in the list, and avoids extracting the feature amount when the toner usage history is inhibited from being stored.