Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image information input section into which image information is input, and image holding members by which toner images of two or more colors including black and clear colors are held, respectively. The image forming apparatus further includes a transfer-receiving material to which toner of all colors are transferred from their respective image holding members, an image-area pinpointing section wherein an area of clear toner image to be superposed on a linear image region to be formed with toner of the black color is pinpointed in the image information input into the image information input section, and an image processing section wherein is performed replacement processing that at least part of black image on the pinpointed image area is formed with a hybrid of two or more kinds of colored toner instead of black toner.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus including: a developing unit; a developer supply unit; a toner density detecting unit; a mode setting unit; a first supply control unit; a second supply control unit; and a second standard value setting unit. The toner density detecting unit detects toner density. The mode setting unit, when toner density detected by the toner density detecting unit is less than a first standard value and a second standard value that is lower than the first standard value or more, sets a first developer supply mode as a mode for supplying developer to the developing unit and when the toner density detected by the toner density detecting unit is less than the second standard value, sets a second developer supply mode as a mode for supplying developer to the developing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier transferring the developer image to a material at a transfer position; plural developing units supplying developer of corresponding colors; a cleaner disposed downstream of the transfer position in the rotating direction of the image carrier with respect to the image carrier; a recycle developer storage unit storing the developer; a recycle developer developing unit supplying the developer to the image carrier; and a control unit controlling a recycle developer adjustment by supplying the developer from at least one of the plural developing units to the image carrier, forming a developer image on the image carrier, allowing the developer image to pass through the transfer position without being transferred onto the material, and allowing the developer of the developer image to be recovered in the cleaner to supply the developer to the recycle developer storage unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image; a development device that includes a toner carrier which is disposed opposite to the image carrier, carries and supplies toner to the image carrier, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of the image carrier; and a control means that performs a refresh process in which toner is ejected from the toner carrier to the image carrier in a time an image is not formed, and a toner ejection pattern which is formed by ejecting a line image a plurality of times that has an acute angle to a main scan direction at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction of the image carrier over a total width of a development region.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a forced toner consumption controller which executes a forced toner consumption control; a toner supply controller which executes a toner supply control; and a pre-job controller which, upon receipt of an image forming job, and before the start of the job, acquires a toner consumption index value, determines a specific target image density based on the acquired index value, executes a previous toner consumption and supply control including the forced toner consumption control and the toner supply control that makes a toner concentration in a developer of a development device subjected to the forced toner consumption control approach a specific target toner concentration, and then executes a previous image density adjustment control that adjusts one or more image forming conditions to make an image density after the previous toner consumption and supply control approach the specific target image density.

Abstract: An image forming unit includes an image bearing body, a developer bearing body that supplies a developer to the image bearing body, a developer storage portion for storing the developer, a developer reserving portion that reserves the developer, a replenishing member that replenishes the developer from the developer reserving portion to the developer storage portion, and a guide member provided between the replenishing member and the developer bearing body. The guide member temporality holds the developer replenished by the replenishing member and regulates falling of the developer. A conveying member conveys the developer held by the guide member in an axial direction of the developer bearing body along the guide member. A detecting portion is provided between the guide member and the developer bearing body for detecting the developer. The replenishing member replenishes the developer to the developer storage portion based on a result of detection using the detecting portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises: a storage medium 35 configured to arrange in a toner cartridge 30; a detection sensor 37 configured to detect the toner specific concentration of the developer in the developing apparatus 14; a control unit 100 configured to calculate a value corresponding to the drive time of the drive motor 31 to calculate an integrated count value for the toner cartridge, and output a message containing the cause of an abnormity corresponding to the count value when the toner specific concentration detected by the detection sensor shows a value indicative of the empty of the toner, wherein the count value and an empty information indicating whether or not the toner cartridge is empty are stored in the storage medium.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a developing unit adapted to contain a developer a member adapted to perform a circumduction motion in the developing unit and a detection unit installed on an internal surface of the developing unit and adapted to detect a signal corresponding to pressure in the developing unit which varies with the circumduction motion of the member. An amount of the developer can be determined based on the detected pressure.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a plurality of developing cartridges including respective toner accommodating portions for accommodating toners for forming an image on the image bearing member; a discriminating portion for discriminating color of the toner accommodated in each of the plurality of developing cartridges; a controller capable of controlling an image forming operation in a state in which the developing cartridges, of the plurality of developing cartridges, accommodating the toners of the same color are mounted; and a storing portion for storing lifetime information of the plurality of developing cartridges, respectively. When the developing cartridges accommodating the toners of the same color are mounted, the controller determines the developing cartridge, of the developing cartridges accommodating the toners of the same color, to be used for performing the image forming operation, on the basis of the lifetime information.

Abstract: A first image forming unit includes a first developing unit that develops a latent image, and a second image forming unit includes a second developing unit that develops a latent image. A transfer unit transfers an image formed by at least one of the first and second image forming units onto a recording medium. A controller performs control to form a transfer image on the recording medium through at least one of a first operation and a second operation. In the first operation, images formed by the first and second image forming units are transferred onto the recording medium as transfer images. In the second operation, the image formed by the first image forming unit is transferred onto the recording medium as a transfer image. A stopping unit stops operation of the second developing unit when the number of transfer images formed through the second operation reaches a preset value.

Abstract: The developer supplying device supplies a supplementary developer including a toner and a carrier in a predetermined weight ratio. The developer supplying device includes a supplementary developer container containing the supplementary developer, and a supplementary developer feeding passage configured to feed the supplementary developer from the supplementary developer container to a developing device. The supplementary developer container is replaced when the supplementary developer is substantially exhausted. The developer supplying device further includes a carrier concentration determining device provided on the supplementary developer feeding passage to determine the concentration of the carrier in the supplementary developer fed through the supplementary developer feeding passage, and a residual supplementary developer amount estimating device configured to estimate the amount of the supplementary developer remaining in the supplementary developer container.

Abstract: A system and method have been developed that enable a printer user to exhaust completely the useful life of a customer replaceable unit. The system and method also ensure that a user of the printer knows how to remove a persistent reorder message.

Abstract: A development device includes a developer carrier configured to develop an electrostatic latent image by causing a developer to adhere to an electrostatic latent image carrier, a first supply member disposed in non-contact with the developer carrier and configured to supply a developer to the developer carrier, a second supply member disposed in contact with the first supply member below the first supply member and configured to supply the developer to the first supply member, and a developer holder configured to hold the developer for replenishing the second supply member. The first supply member and the second supply member rotate so that the surfaces thereof move in the same direction at their opposed parts.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion with a plurality of image bearing members and a plurality of developing devices, a plurality of cartridges, a maintenance door allowing access to the image forming portion for a maintenance operation, a plurality of first doors, remainder detecting means for detecting information relating to amounts of the developers in the cartridges, locking means for locking the first doors, a controller, a moving mechanism, and a second door capable of opening and closing to cover the first doors. The first doors open and close respective openings for insertion of the cartridges into the main assembly independently from each other, without access via the maintenance door. The controller controls the locking means to release a locking of a first door corresponding to a cartridge which requires exchange, on the basis of a detection result of the remainder detecting means.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier carrying a latent image, a developing device visualizing the latent image utilizing a two-component developer, a supply device supplying toner according to a change in toner density in the two-component developer inside the developing device, and a control device having an input side connected to a density sensor detecting a value of the toner density and an image information acquisition device acquiring information on an image formed on the latent image carrier, and an output side connected to a driving device driving the supply device. When the detected value is higher than a target value of the toner density stored by the control device, the control device performs control to stop the driving device or drive the driving device to supply toner in an amount less than a combined toner supply amount of first and second toner supply amounts.

Abstract: Patch detection ATR control is executed each time image formation of a predetermined number of sheets is performed, and a replenishment quantity of a replenishment developer to be supplied from a hopper (31) is corrected so that a toner charge amount of a developer included in a developing device (4) becomes closer to a target toner charge amount. Further, Dmax control is executed each time a predetermined number of times of control for correcting the replenishment quantity of the replenishment developer are performed, and a development contrast used for the image formation is set so that a developed toner image attains a maximum density of an output image. A control portion (110) changes the target toner charge amount based on a density of a patch formed in accordance with the Dmax control.

Abstract: A developing unit includes: a developer carrier; a toner supplying member having a porous surface layer; a toner storage storing therein toner; a stirring member that is rotated to stir the toner; a toner amount detecting unit that detects an amount of the toner; a toner supplying unit that supplies new toner to the toner storage based on a detection result; and a toner removing member that removes the toner carried in the porous surface layer, wherein the toner removing member is arranged in a separable and contactable manner from and with the porous surface layer, and the developing unit has a stirring mode in which the toner removing member is brought into contact with the porous surface layer, and the toner supplying member is rotated while the stirring member is rotated to stir the toner.

Abstract: A toner supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, the toner supply container including a rotatable container body for containing toner; and a sensor, rotatable integrally with the container body, for detecting a remaining toner amount in the container body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control portion. The control portion determines a developer near end when the residual amount of a developer is in a range from a first predetermined amount to a second predetermined amount, and determines a developer end when the residual amount of the developer is equal to or lower than the second predetermined amount. Besides, in a case where the control portion determines the developer end after a predetermined number of printings are executed in a developer near end state, the control portion supplies the developer from a developer supply device to a development device via a first supply opening, and in a case where the control portion determines the developer end after more than the predetermined number of printings are executed, the control portion supplies the developer from the developer supply device to the development device via a second supply opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a development device, a supply developer container, a supply developer supply member, a toner density detecting portion, and a controller. The controller that controls an image formation condition based on first information regarding a humidity of the developer accommodated in the developing device, second information regarding a humidity of the developer accommodated in the supply device and third information regarding a supply amount supplied by the supply device.

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

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming a visual image on a recording medium includes a toner replacing device that replaces toner stored in a developing device with fresh toner, and a determiner that determines if a recording medium selected by a user necessitates replacement of the toner. The toner replacing device replaces the toner with fresh toner when the determiner determines that the recording medium necessitates replacement of the toner before the latent image is formed on a photoconductive member.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes an optical emitter positioned to emit a light beam through a window into a reservoir holding toner toward a reflective surface in the reservoir as a paddle positioned within the reservoir rotates. An optical receiver is positioned to sense an amount of the light beam reflected by the reflective surface. At least one processor is configured to receive a signal related to the amount of light sensed by the optical receiver.

Abstract: A sensor device includes: a member that has an aperture facing a target measuring position through which a target to be measured passes; a sensor that is provided in an opposing relation to the target measuring position, and that measures a physical quantity of the target at a sensor surface facing the aperture; and a moving member that reciprocates a movement in a predetermined direction, and includes: a cleaning unit that cleans the sensor surface by contacting the sensor surface while the moving member moves to at least one of an outward movement and a return reciprocal movement; an applying portion that applies to the moving member a force in one direction of the reciprocation movement; and a manipulation portion that is moved by an operator against the force applied by the applying portion in an direction opposite to that of a direction of the force.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a determination unit determining whether an amount of colorant remaining in a container is equal to or greater than a threshold value and a control unit causing a print unit selectively to perform plural double-side printing methods in which at least one of the number of one-side printed sheets N and the number of opposite-side printed sheets M is different. When the determination unit makes a negative determination, the control unit performs a negative selection process of selecting a double-side printing method satisfying at least one condition of a condition that the number of one-side printed sheets N is smaller than that when the determination unit makes an affirmative determination and a condition that the number of opposite-side printed sheets M is greater than that when the determination unit makes the affirmative determination.

Abstract: Toner is supplied from a toner container to a developing part that causes the toner to adhere to a latent image formed on a latent image carrying member and develops the latent image, a pre-toner-supply operation of supplying a predetermined amount of toner to the developing part is carried out, a fog detecting image is formed and fog is detected in the fog detecting image, a toner supply amount to be supplied to the developing part is determined based on the fog detected in the detecting and an operational status of the developing part since the toner was supplied to the developing part the last time, and the toner supply amount of the toner determined in the determining is supplied to the developing part.

Abstract: A toner container including a first electrode disposed within the toner container, a second electrode electrically connected to the first electrode and disposed within the toner container, and a sense electrode disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The sense electrode and the first electrode form a first capacitor having a first capacitance that changes in response to a change in toner amount existing therebetween.

Abstract: A system and related method for selectively printing color content of a page with a reduced color gamut are provided. The system includes a detection module, a printing mode module, and a conversion module. The detection module is configured to detect a color object in the page and the printing mode module exists in at least one mode. The conversion module can selectively convert the detected color object to a converted reduced-colorant object in accordance with the existence of the at least one mode of the printing mode module.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member and a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image. The developing device includes a developer container, a rotatable developer carrying member, including a first electrode member; and a developer supplying member, including a second electrode member. The apparatus further includes a measuring device capable of measuring a remaining developer amount; and a replenishing device for performing a replenishing operation by rotating the developer supplying member while applying a DC bias between the first and second electrode members so that a value obtained by subtracting an electric potential of the second electrode member from an electric potential of the first electrode member has a polarity identical to a normal charge polarity of the developer. When the remaining developer amount measured is not more than a threshold, the replenishing operation is performed and the remaining developer amount is measured again.

Abstract: A method for forming a variable data job includes a fixed original image provided by original image data in a first multiple channel color plane and content provided by variable image data in a second multiple channel color plane. The original image data is converted to fixed image data in a clear channel color plane. Raster image processing is performed on the fixed image data to translate the fixed image data into a first ready-to-print file. The ready-to-print file is saved in a memory as a post-RIP file. The variable image data is subsequently provided in at least the second multiple channel color plane. Image processing is performed on the variable image data to obtain a second ready-to-print file. The post-RIP file is merged with the second ready-to-print file for forming the variable data job. The variable data job is printed to render output.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus including: a toner cartridge storing toner; a developer; a hopper temporarily storing toner supplied from the toner cartridge and supplying the developer with the toner; a magnetic sensor including a magnet and a reed switch that determines whether the magnet is within a detection area thereof, one of which is fixed to a predetermined position, and the other of which is configured to move downwards as a surface level of toner stored in a toner storage of the hopper decreases and thus serves as a surface level detector for detecting the surface level; a lifter configured to periodically lift the surface level detector above the surface level such that the magnet goes out of the detection area; and an ON-edge detector configured to detect ON-edges each indicating a point in time when the magnet has entered the detection area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a holding unit configured to change a developing device to first and second orientations. Whether a developer in the developing device is unevenly distributed in a longitudinal direction of the developing device is detected based on a capacitance C1 between first and second electrode members in the first orientation and a capacitance C2 between the first and second electrode members in the second orientation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing device, a holding unit, and a detection device. The image bearing member supports an electrostatic latent image. The developing device includes a developer bearing member having a first electrode member and supporting a developer to develop the electrostatic latent image. The developing device includes a supply member having a second electrode member and supplying the developer to the developer bearing member at a nip portion. The holding unit holds and change the developing device to a first posture and to a second posture where the deposited developer falls off the first posture. The detection device detects a remaining developer amount in the developing device based on a capacitance C1 between the first and second electrode members in the first posture and a capacitance C2 between the first and second electrode members in the second posture.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is adapted to distinguish a presence between a full and a partially-full toner cassette. The image forming apparatus includes a load cell positioned in a developer station. The load cell is adapted to sense a mass of a toner cassette at least during an insertion of the toner cassette into the apparatus. A processor is adapted to determine a toner volume contained in the toner cassette based on a mass differential. A controller is adapted to drive or suspend a motor in the developer station to control an operation of the image forming apparatus. The controller controls the operation based on the toner volume.

Abstract: Provided is a developing device including a container that contains developer; a developing roller that transports the developer within the container to a photoconductor side; a trimmer having a tip brought close to the developing roller, and provided upstream of the photoconductor in a transporting direction by the developing roller; and a detector provided in the trimmer or in the vicinity of the trimmer of the inner surface of the container to detect the pressure caused by the developer.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a density detector that detects image density, and a memory that stores information relating image density to dot size. When a dot size is specified, the image forming device automatically obtains the corresponding image density from the information in the memory, prints a test pattern, compares its density with the density corresponding to the specified dot size, and adjusts an image forming parameter until the density corresponding to the specified dot size is obtained. Dot size can be accurately adjusted in this way without the need for elaborate measuring equipment. In particular, the size of dots used to embed invisible information in images can be accurately controlled.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores image formation information in which print setting information is associated with an index useful in deciding to suppress consumption of a recording material; and an execution unit that executes a process of displaying one or more pieces of the image formation information stored in the storage unit on a display unit in association with print data to be printed.

Abstract: Developer density in an electrophotographic system is measured. The developer includes toner particles and magnetic carrier particles. First and second mutually-insulated electrodes define a working volume between them through which developer passes without contacting the first electrode. An AC voltage or current source is connected to the electrodes. An inductor is connected in series with a voltage source, or an inductor is provided in parallel with a current source. The voltage or current is applied and corresponding current or voltage across the electrodes is measured. The density of the developer in the working volume is automatically determined using a processor responsive to the measured current or voltage and the applied bias.

Abstract: A developing apparatus including a developing container for containing developer, the developing container having an opening portion, a developer carrying member for carrying the developer at the opening portion, a detecting member for detecting a developer amount, the detecting member detecting a capacitance between the developer carrying member and the detecting member, and a force receiving portion for receiving a force and moving the developing container between a first position in which a developing operation is performed by the developer carrying member and a second position in which the developing operation is not performed, wherein the capacitance can be detected in the second position, and the detecting member is a rotatable developer supplying member for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member, the developer supplying member including a foam layer in which the developer can enter.

Abstract: A developer supply device supplies a toner supply amount to a developing chamber based on an output of an inductance sensor. An elapsed time is set such that the toner supply amount is smaller with respect to the same output of the inductance sensor when the elapsed time after conveyance start of a developer according to an image formation start signal is less than a predetermined time until a surface level of the developer is stabilized than when the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the predetermined time. As the elapsed time approaches the predetermined time, a ratio at which the toner supply amount is set to be small with respect to the same output of the inductance sensor is reduced.

Abstract: A image forming apparatus includes: a motor; a mounting unit for receiving a cartridge including a detection target moved by a rotational driving force of the motor; a printing unit; a detecting unit for detecting the detection target at a detection position on a movement trajectory of the detection target; and a control unit for controlling the motor and the detecting unit. The control unit performs: a rotation control process of: accelerating the motor; rotating the motor at a constant speed in a time period when accelerating a rotational speed of the motor up to a target speed; detecting the detection target by the detecting unit while the motor rotates at the constant speed; and accelerating again the motor after completing the detection; and a determining process of determining a kind and/or a state of the cartridge on the basis of the detection result of the detecting unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for detecting the status of printing devices and recovering from printing errors.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a maintenance staff information store part that stores maintenance staff identification information, a maintenance staff authentication part that determines an authentication success when identification information, which is input from an operation panel, is identical to the maintenance staff identification information, a maintenance history store part that, when a replacement of a consumable item is performed, stores the maintenance staff identification information as well as information of the consumable item that was used before the replacement, and an output part that outputs the maintenance staff identification information that was authenticated at the time of the replacement of the consumable item as well as the information of the consumable item that is stored in the maintenance history store part, the consumable item being used before the replacement.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including: photosensitive drums; electrostatic latent image forming units; developing sleeves; patch detection sensors which detect image densities of the toner images formed by the electrostatic latent image forming units; and toner replenishment units which replenish the developing sleeves with the toner based on the detection results of the patch detection sensors. Further, controllers are provided to make a control such that the rotation speeds of the developing sleeves at the time of forming the reference toner image is higher than the rotation speeds of the developing sleeves at the time of forming a normal image.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing chamber; a toner carrier disposed in the developing chamber; a toner supply part configured to supply toner to the toner carrier; a toner amount detecting part configured to change its rotational position according to the amount of toner near the toner supply part to detect the amount of toner remaining in the developing chamber; and a toner flow restricting part configured to block movement of the toner around the toner amount detecting part which is caused by a flow of the toner in the developing chamber generated by the rotation of the toner supply part and the toner carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer bearing body for supplying developer to a surface of the image bearing body, on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by a latent image forming unit; a driving unit for rotating the developer bearing body; a speed control unit for determining a rotation speed of the developer bearing body; a drive control unit for controlling the driving unit so that the developer bearing body rotates at the determined rotation speed; and a control unit for determining the amount of developer to be disposed of on the basis of the determined rotation speed and controlling disposal of the determined amount of developer on the surface of the developer bearing body.

Abstract: A printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that performs printing using a recording material, and includes a plurality of storage units configured to store a recording material, a reception unit configured to receive designation information for specifying a storage unit to which the recording material is supplied, and a moving unit configured to move the storage unit that the designation information specifies, into a position at which the recording material can be supplied, according to an instruction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit; a toner bottle and a paper feed tray; sensors rendered operable immediately after the image forming apparatus is powered on, outputting detection signals that assume different values depending on whether remaining amount of toner or recording paper is lower than a prescribed value; a main control unit, rendered operable after a prescribed activating process after power-on of the image forming apparatus, for controlling the image forming unit; and an alarm device including an LED that is turned on to give an alarm if any consumable supply such as toner is in a near end state, in response to an output from the sensors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is configured to give an instruction for unlocking of a cover corresponding to a toner container, from a replacement screen of the toner container displayed when no toner inside the toner container is detected. Further, the image forming apparatus is configured such that the cover corresponding to at least one toner container can be unlocked at a time from the displayed screen.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include a sensor which detects a density of a patch image formed on an image carrier; an image quality control section which controls an image forming condition based on a detection value of the sensor; and a judging section which judges if the detection value has a tendency of increasing or decreasing, or not, wherein, the image quality control section compensates the image forming condition with a first compensating amount in case when the detection value does not have the tendency of increasing nor decreasing, and compensates the image forming condition with a second compensating amount of which absolute value is larger than an absolute value of the first compensating amount corresponding to the second compensating amount, in case when the detection value has the tendency of increasing or decreasing.