Abstract: A developer container includes a conveyance member having at least a first sheet member and a second sheet member and configured to convey the developer, a deformation portion provided to contact the first sheet member and configured to elastically deform the first sheet member, and a release portion configured to release elastic deformation of the first sheet member to cause the developer on the first sheet member to fly toward an opening, wherein a containing chamber includes a recessed portion as viewed in a lengthwise direction of the containing chamber and wherein the second sheet member is in contact with a wall inside the recessed portion when the developer on the first sheet member is positioned at the release portion.

Abstract: A powder detection device includes a detection unit, a cleaning unit, and a drive unit. The detection unit includes detection surfaces provided in a storage container and enables detection of powder through the detection surfaces. The cleaning unit removes the powder from the detection surfaces by sliding along the detection surfaces. The drive unit reciprocates the cleaning unit along a path extending through the detection surfaces and differentiates a speed at which the cleaning unit is moved in a first direction along the path from a speed at which the cleaning unit is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A lock device includes a lock cover, a restricting portion, a drive source, a biasing portion, and a pressing portion. The lock cover is opened and closed when a developer storing portion storing developer is attached or detached. The restricting portion, when the lock cover is closed, is engaged with the lock cover in such a way as to restrict the lock cover from being opened. The drive source drives the restricting portion in such a way as to release an engagement between the restricting portion and the lock cover. The biasing portion biases the restricting portion in a direction opposite to a direction in which the drive source drives the restricting portion. The pressing portion presses the lock cover in an opening direction in conjunction with an operation of the drive source to release the engagement between the restricting portion and the lock cover.

Abstract: A biasing portion biases a restricting portion in a direction opposite to a direction in which a drive source drives the restricting portion. Each of a lock cover and the restricting portion includes an engaging portion that has a contact surface, and when the lock cover is closed, the contact surfaces of the lock cover and the restricting portion are engaged with each other while facing each other. The contact surfaces of the lock cover and the restricting portion are not parallel to each other in a state where the lock cover is closed, and as the lock cover is displaced in an opening direction of the lock cover when the drive source is not driving the restricting portion, one or both of the engaging portions are bent and the contact surfaces become parallel to each other.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting a rubbing cloth, the method includes rubbing a coloring sheet with the rubbing cloth; and detecting the rubbing cloth according to a pattern in a rubbed region. The device includes a base platform, a coloring sheet is provided on the base platform; and a rubbing roller, a rubbing cloth to be detected is provided on an outer surface of the rubbing roller, the rubbing roller is disposed in parallel to the base platform and the rubbing roller is configured to rub on the coloring sheet. By coloring the rubbing cloth with the coloring sheet, and detecting the rubbing cloth with a pattern in a rubbed region, the quality of the rubbing cloth can be detected by observing the depth and the arrangement of the pattern.

Abstract: A control device may obtain, at each of a plurality of sets of date-and-time, a current value related to a current remaining amount of a print material used by the print performing unit. The control device may calculate N1 change values by using a plurality of current values obtained at the plurality of sets of date-and-time, each change value being related to a change per unit time of a remaining amount of the print material. The control device may specify a first greatest change value among the N1 change values. The control device may perform a first prediction process that includes calculating a first future value by using the first greatest change value, the first future value being related to a future remaining amount of the print material, and a first output process using the first future value in a case where the first prediction process is performed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes at least a load unit, a driving unit that drives the load unit, and a controller that controls the driving unit. The controller determines that at least one of the load unit and the driving unit malfunctions if a velocity change time period that the driving unit has taken to reach a second velocity from a first velocity is off a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Image formation is properly performed by suppressing an influence on a transfer property in the image formation due to variation in a toner particle charge amount. An image forming apparatus comprises a developing device for performing development using developer including a charged toner particle, a toner supply container for supplying the toner particle to a development unit, and a CPU for controlling a toner particle amount supplied to the developing device. The CPU calculates a toner consumption amount consumed by the development. Then, from the result, the CPU calculates a toner supply amount which makes the toner charge amount in the developing device constant. Then, the CPU supplies the toner of the calculated amount to the developing device.

Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet are detectable by a magnetic sensor when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A polarity of the first magnet is oriented opposite a polarity of the second magnet relative to the shaft. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a charging, a charge power supply to supply a charging bias to the charging device, a developing device, a toner adhesion amount detector, an environment detector, and a controller to determine whether to execute a charging bias adjustment process in which the charging device charges the image bearer to have different potentials, the developing device supplies the toner to the image bearer according to the different potentials, the toner adhesion amount detector detects the amount of toner adhering to the image bearer, and the controller adjusts the charging. The controller includes a memory device to store the environment data, and is configured to compare the environment data with previous environment data stored in the memory device, and determine not to execute the charging bias adjustment process when an environment change amount is not greater than a threshold.

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 apparatus of the present disclosure includes a developing device and a toner storage container. The toner storage container is detachable and attachable with respect to an apparatus main body. The toner storage container includes a supply screw which conveys toner by rotating forward, and a first engagement unit coupled via a gear train to a rotation shaft of the supply screw. The apparatus main body includes a second engagement unit which engages with the first engagement unit to restrain detachment/attachment of the toner storage container by engaging with the first engagement unit. In a case where an amount of toner in the toner storage unit has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount, a control unit makes the supply screw rotate backward to thereby release engagement between the first and second engagement units.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an estimation unit corrects ambient temperatures or ambient humidities measured by an environment measurement unit on the basis of calculating an estimated temperature or humidity from measured temperatures or humidities and temperature correction values or humidity correction values, so as to estimate ambient temperatures or ambient humidities of other photoconductors of which the ambient temperatures or the ambient humidities are not measured. A control unit determines image formation conditions for the image forming units forming images on the photoconductors of which the ambient temperatures or the ambient humidities are not measured, on the basis of the ambient temperatures or the ambient humidities estimated by the estimation unit.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developer carrier; and a receiving member. The casing includes a support portion. The receiving member receives a drive force from an external drive source to transmit the drive force to the developer carrier. The receiving member has a cylindrical configuration. The support portion rotatably supports the receiving member. The receiving member includes: a receiving portion; a transmission portion; and a fitting portion. The receiving portion has an outer edge in a radial direction of the receiving member. The transmission portion defines an outer circumferential edge of the receiving member. The fitting portion is positioned inward of the transmission portion in the radial direction and fitted with the support portion. The outer edge of the receiving portion is positioned inward of the transmission portion in the radial direction and outward of the fitting portion in the radial direction.

Abstract: Control is performed so that a current value gradually shifts, corresponding to a sensor value. More specifically, when a predicted value of a remaining toner amount is calculated, processing for correcting a consumed toner amount corresponding to the sensor value is performed for a consumed toner amount.

Abstract: An information processing device may accept an input of a first print instruction. The information processing device may send first print data to a printer in response to accepting the input of the first print instruction. The information processing device may store second print data in the memory in a print stand-by state. The information processing device may receive a push notification from the push notification server. The push notification may include first information that is related to first print processing using the first print data and outputted from the printer. The information processing device may send the second print data to the printer in response to receiving the first information.

Abstract: A developer cartridge may include a gear configured to be movable between an engagement position in which the gear engages an auger or supply gear to provide toner from a toner container to a developing unit and a disengaged position in which the gear does not engage the auger or supply gear. The gear may be moved by a cam and/or cam gear from the engagement position to the disengaged position and vice versa. The cam gear may include toothless and toothed portions to allow the developer cartridge to maintain the movable gear in either the engagement position or the disengaged position. In some arrangements, an urging member such as a spring may bias the cam gear in a rotation direction, while a lever may provide a counteracting force when the movable gear is to be maintained in a particular position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit attachment part to which developing units are to be attached, each of the developing units being associated with a first criteria for performing developer refreshing and a second criteria for performing developer refreshing, wherein the second criteria is defined so as to be met prior to the first criteria, and a controller configured to control a timing of developer refreshing executed for each of the developing units according to the first and second criteria values thereof. When the first criteria for performing developer refreshing is met for at least one of the developing units, the controller causes developer refreshing to be performed for all developing units whose first or second criteria is met.

Abstract: A molded resin product for use with an image forming apparatus includes: a base portion formed of a resin material; a positioning portion provided on the base portion; and a movable member formed by injection molding so as to be movable relative to the base portion. When the molded resin product is connected to a connection part, the positioning portion positions the molded resin product and the connection part relative to each other, and the movable member is contactable to a contact portion of the connection part.

Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned in the reservoir and has a rotational axis. A toner agitator is rotatably coupled to the rotatable shaft. A first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor are positioned on the housing. The first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor form a capacitor having a capacitance that changes in response to a change in an amount of toner in the reservoir between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor. The first electrical conductor includes a rod positioned in the reservoir at the rotational axis of the rotatable shaft and extending along the rotational axis of the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus that can detect a replacement of toner cartridge and can accurately manage information after the replacement even if serial numbers of the toner cartridges before and after the replacement are identical to each other. Each toner cartridge is provided with a nonvolatile memory that can record cartridge information, such as printed page count value (i.e., total number of printed sheets) and beginning-of-use date and time. The image forming apparatus includes a device built-in memory that can store and update the cartridge information. The image forming apparatus refers to and compares the cartridge information about two cartridges that are likely to be replaced at arbitrary timing and identifies the replacement of the toner cartridge if any discordance is confirmed.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir is positioned on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. An interface gear is exposed on the front of the housing near a second side of the housing. A magnet is movable in response to rotation of the interface gear. An engagement member is positioned on an exterior of the top of the housing proximate the second side of the housing. The engagement member is aligned with a point in a path of movement of the magnet. The engagement member has a front surface that is unobstructed to contact and push a magnetic sensor in the image forming device to an operating position of the magnetic sensor during insertion of the toner cartridge into the image forming device.

Abstract: When cartridge replacement has occurred, reference use information that is acquired for the first time after occurrence of the cartridge replacement and reference time information indicative of when the reference use information is acquired are stored. Every time target use information, which is acquired after the reference use information is acquired, is acquired, a first period, which is defined from a particular time until printing by a printing execution section using printing agent in a presently-connected cartridge is estimated to become impossible, is computed based on the target use information, target time information indicative of time when the target use information is acquired, the reference use information, and the reference time information. When the first period is shorter than a first set period, output information corresponding to the state of use of the presently-connected cartridge is outputted.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a toner bottle, a sub hopper configured to temporarily store toner supplied from the toner bottle, a development apparatus configured to receive supply of the toner from the sub hopper, a first detector configured to detect a remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle, a second detector configured to detect an empty space for toner in the sub hopper, and a controller configured to have the toner supplied from the toner bottle to the sub hopper each time the empty space in the sub hopper exceeds a threshold value Th1. When the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle is smaller than a threshold value ThA, the controller lowers the threshold value Th1 to a threshold value Th2.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member, a developing device, and a controller configured to execute an operation in a forced consumption mode. The controller includes a difference calculating portion, an integrating portion, and a flag. In a case where the flag is set when a predetermined time is elapsed after the integrated value exceeds the predetermined threshold, the image formation on the predetermined number of the recording materials is effected and then the controller executes the operation in the forced consumption mode, and in a case where the flag is reset when the predetermined time is elapsed after the integrated value exceeds the predetermined threshold, the image formation on the predetermined number of the recording materials is effected and then the controller continues an image forming operation without executing the operation in the forced consumption mode.

Abstract: A toner container is attachably and detachably formed at a container-attaching part of an image forming apparatus, and includes a first IC tag. The first IC tag is arranged on a circumferential surface of the toner container. The first IC tag makes communication with a reader arranged at the container-attaching part when the toner container is attached to the container-attaching part. The first IC tag cannot make communication with the reader when a distance between the first IC tag and the reader is less than a threshold distance (for example, less than 2 mm). With the first IC tag being arranged at a position opposite to the reader, the distance (for example, 1 mm) between the first IC tag and the reader is shorter than the threshold distance. The first IC tag is arranged at a position separate from the position opposite to the reader.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a printing device, a detection device, a processor, and a storage device. The printing device prints, with concentration corresponding to each input value, an image on a recording medium for the each input value. The detection device detects a concentration value of the each image. The storage device stores each variation information previously set for the each input value. The each variation information indicates a specific concentration value and a range of variation from the specific concentration value. The processor converts, of the concentration values detected by the detection device, the concentration value included in the corresponding variation range into the corresponding specific concentration value. The processor, based on the each concentration value obtained through the conversion process, generates a new gamma correction table.

Abstract: A developer container includes: a housing chamber 147 which includes an opening 145 and which houses developer; a stirring member 160 which includes a sheet-like stirring portion 160b and a rotary shaft 160a to which the stirring portion 160b is attached; and a first electrode 143 and a second electrode 144 which are used to detect an amount of the developer and which are arranged with an interval therebetween, where in an area X1 between the first electrode 143 and the second electrode 144 in the housing chamber 147 is positioned below the rotary shaft 160a of the stirring member 160, and the sheet-like stirring portion 160b comes into contact with the area X1 due to rotation of the stirring member 160.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus and a first storage unit that stores registree information of users registered to work on the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a processor programmed to determine whether or not work needs to be performed on the image forming apparatus by a worker based on a predetermined condition, obtain presence information of a registree from a second storage unit, the presence information indicating the presence state of the registree, identify one or more registrees associated with the work to be done, in a case where work needs to be done on the image forming apparatus by a worker, and upon determining that one or more registrees is present, perform a notification process that notifies one of the present registrees that work needs to be done on the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A developer supply container 1 detachably mountable to a developer supplying apparatus 201 includes a developer accommodating portion 2 capable of accommodating a developer, a discharge opening 4a for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion 2 toward the developer supplying apparatus 201, a pump portion 3a for effecting a discharging operation through the discharge opening 4a, a communicating portion 4d provided at a position contacting the discharge opening 4a and capable of storing a constant amount of the developer, and a regulating portion 7 capable of taking a developer flow regulating state in which the flow of the developer into the communicating portion 4d and a developer flow non-regulating state in which the entering of the developer is not regulated, the regulating portion 7 taking the developer flow regulating state in a discharging operation of the pump portion 3a, wherein the regulating portion 7 is provided with an air flow path 7g for communicating between

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing container, a rotatable member including a first screw portion and a second screw portion, a first feeding path configured to accommodate the first screw portion, a second feeding path provided in communication with the first feeding path at a position downstream of the second screw portion with respect to a develop feeding direction, and a developer discharging opening provided in the second feeding path. In a state in which the developing device is mounted to the image forming apparatus, in a cross section of the second feeding path perpendicular to a rotational axis of the rotatable member, the second feeding path includes a region where a distance between side surfaces of the second feeding path in a side above a center of a rotation shaft of the rotatable member with respect to a vertical direction increases upwardly.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a developing portion; a toner storing container; and a supply path capable of supplying toner to the developing portion from the toner storing container, where the toner storing container is attachably and detachably provided to the supply path, and the toner storing container has a screw-like conveying member configured to convey the toner; a discharge portion configured to discharge the toner toward the supply path; and a first cleaning member arranged at an end portion of the conveying member and configured to clean the discharge portion by scraping the toner on the discharge portion based on a rotation of the conveying member.

Abstract: A process cartridge including a first frame member molded by pouring a resin from a gate; a conductive sheet adhered integrally to a sheet adhering portion of the first frame member by molding of the resin; and a second frame member configured to define a toner storage portion by being coupled with the first frame member, wherein, the first frame member includes a bent portion at the sheet adhering portion, and a portion of the first frame member different in thickness is provided at an adjacent position to the adhering portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, laving a photosensitive member, an exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member, a developer roller to supply a developer agent to the photosensitive member, a humidity sensor to detect humidity, and a controller, is provided. The controller executes a preparatory rotation controlling process, in which the photosensitive member and the developer roller are rotated prior to forming the electrostatic latent image, and an image-forming controlling process, in which the electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive member. In the preparatory rotation controlling process, the developer roller is rotated at a first peripheral velocity under a condition of the humidity being lower than or equal to a predetermined value, and at a second peripheral velocity being higher than the first peripheral velocity under a condition of the humidity being higher than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A device having a function of adjusting image processing such as PWM setting, printer density setting and engine speed downstream of a video counter or a dot counter determines a correction coefficient of a video count value or a dot count value, according to a combination of adjustment values of image processing for realizing configured print settings, and corrects the count value by applying the correction coefficient to the video count value or the dot count value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus transfers a first image including a first toner not containing a metal pigment onto a specific medium having a smoothness of 112 seconds or smaller, fixes the first image for use as a base coat onto the specific medium, and transfers and fixes a second image including a second toner containing a metal pigment onto the base coat fixed onto the specific medium.

Abstract: A toner container is removably mounted in a housing of an image forming apparatus. The toner container contains a toner and has a stirring member for stirring the toner. An electric motor drives the stirring member. A storage device stores a required load value set for the toner container. A load detecting section includes an electric current sensor that measures a drive electric current of the electric motor. The load detecting section detects an actual load value of the electric motor in driving of the stirring member based on the drive electric current measured. A determination section compares the actual load value detected by the load detecting section with the required load value stored in the storage device and determines whether or not the actual load value coincides with the required load value to determine whether or not the toner container mounted in the housing is a genuine product.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: an image formation unit including an accumulation unit accumulating toner, and forms an image based on image data using the accumulated toner; a measurement unit measures toner density of an developer in the accumulation unit; a replenishment unit replenishes toner to the accumulation unit from an attached container; a first determination unit determines a first value based on the image data; a second determination unit determines a second value based on the measurement result of the measurement result; a third determination unit determines a third value by accumulating the second value; and a controller controls the replenishment unit based on the first value, the second value, and the third value, wherein in a case where the container has been replaced, the third determination unit changes the third value into a predetermined value before the difference is determined by the second determination unit.

Abstract: In the case that a developer supply container is provided with a feeding portion for feeding a developer by receiving a rotational force and a pump portion for discharging the developer by reciprocation, and the rotational force and a reciprocating force are received from a main assembly side of an image forming apparatus, there is a liability that a driving connection is not properly established between a portion of the developer supply container for receiving the reciprocating force and a portion of the main assembly side for applying the reciprocating force. The developer supply container is provided with a drive converting mechanism for converting the rotational force received from the main assembly side to a force for operating a volume changing type pump.

Abstract: In the case that a developer supply container is provided with a feeding portion for feeding a developer by receiving a rotational force and a pump portion for discharging the developer by reciprocation, and the rotational force and a reciprocating force are received from a main assembly side of an image forming apparatus, there is a liability that a driving connection is not properly established between a portion of the developer supply container for receiving the reciprocating force and a portion of the main assembly side for applying the reciprocating force. The developer supply container is provided with a drive converting mechanism for converting the rotational force received from the main assembly side to a force for operating a volume changing type pump.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to end-of-life determination for a print cartridge. For example, a print cartridge according to the present disclosure, may include a plurality of consumable components. Each of the plurality of consumable components may have an associated sensor to monitor use of the respective consumable component. The print cartridge may further include a memory including instructions executable by a processor to, for each of the plurality of consumable components, receive a past use value quantifying an amount and type of use of the respective consumable component, determine an end-of-life value for the respective consumable component using the past use value and a predetermined tuning factor for the respective consumable component, and determine an end-of-life value for the print cartridge based on the plurality of end-of-life values for the plurality of consumable components.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus (6) includes a document placing table (6a) to an upper surface of which a contact glass (25) is fixed, and a document pressing device (24) supported at an end of the document placing table (6a) to be openable/closable via a hinge portion, and having, on its back surface side, a document presser (30) that presses a document placed on the contact glass (25). The document pressing device (24) includes a light transmission window (31) transmitting light in a front-surface-to-back-surface direction of the document pressing device (24). The light transmission window (31) is disposed at a position not overlapping with the contact glass (25) when the document pressing device (24) is at the closure position, and when the document pressing device (24) has moved in an opening direction from the closure position, light that has passed through the light transmission window (31) reaches the contact glass (25).

Abstract: This invention provides an image forming apparatus which communicates with a plurality of cartridges without increasing its circuit dimension. To accomplish this, the apparatus includes a control circuit having an output terminal for outputting a clock signal and data signal used to generate a transmission signal to the cartridge, and an input terminal for receiving a transmission signal from the cartridge. The apparatus includes N connectors each having the first electrode which is connected to the first electrode surface of each cartridge, and the second electrode which is connected to the second electrode surface. The apparatus includes a 1-to-N first signal line for connecting the input terminal to the N first electrodes, and a 1-to-N second signal line for connecting the output terminal to the N second electrodes. The apparatus includes N switching units which are interposed between 1-to-N branch points and the second electrodes on the second signal line.

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 apparatus includes an image forming apparatus body and a unit. The unit is installed on the image forming apparatus body and includes a wireless tag. The image forming apparatus body includes a first power supply unit, a setting unit, a second power supply unit, a generating unit, and a communication unit. The second power supply unit generates a second value of voltage set in the setting unit. The generating unit uses the first power supply unit as a power source and generates a first signal for transmission to the wireless tag. The communication unit uses the second power supply unit as a power source, generates a second signal having amplitude in proportion to the second value set in the setting unit based on the first signal, and transmits the second signal to the wireless tag by wireless.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, an exposure device, and a developing device. A sensor detects a toner image formed by the developing device to output density information, and a supply device supplies developer to the developing device. In addition, a controller controls the supply device on the basis of a detection result of a supply control toner image formed by the exposure device, a storing portion stores the detection result, and an exchange detecting portion detects information for discriminating exchange of the photosensitive member and the developing device. When the developing device is not exchanged but the photosensitive member is exchanged, the controller executes an operation in a mode in which the controller adjusts an exposure condition for forming the supply control toner image by the exposure device after exchange of the photosensitive member.

Abstract: When an image forming apparatus detects that an amount of toner returns to a first reference amount or more without replacement of a container after determining that a toner low state has occurred, the image forming apparatus controls a container memory unit to store predetermined information. When performing toner supply, if the predetermined information is stored, the image forming apparatus performs at least one of a first process for changing a time ratio so that a rotation period ratio of a supply screw is increased and a second process for changing the first reference amount to be increased.

Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing an increase in the cost of a process cartridge and capable of reducing image defects caused by replacement of the process cartridge. A process cartridge including a charging roller and a developing unit is attachable to and detachable from an image forming apparatus. A development temperature sensor is disposed in the developing unit. An in-device temperature sensor is disposed outside the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus. In the case where a temperature detected by the development temperature sensor is lower than a temperature detected by the in-device temperature-humidity sensor, a peak-to-peak voltage of an alternating-current voltage applied to the charging roller is set based on the result of detection by the development temperature sensor.

Abstract: A developing device includes a development unit, a developer amount detector, an accuracy requirement determiner, and a detection count setting unit. The development unit includes a developer container configured to store a developer. The development unit is configured to supply the developer from the developer container to a latent image bearer, on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed according to image data, to form a developer image. The developer amount detector is configured to detect a developer amount in the toner container of the development unit in every detection period. The accuracy requirement determiner is configured to a determine accuracy requirement required as a detection accuracy of the developer amount by the developer amount detector. The detection count setting unit is configured to set a number of times of detection of the developer amount by the developer amount detector based on the accuracy requirement.

Abstract: A powder container is provided. The powder container includes a powder storage and a conveyer. The powder storage stores a powder to be used for image formation and has a vent hole to pass air between an inside and an outside of the powder storage. The conveyer conveys the powder inside the powder storage. The vent hole is on an upper surface of the powder storage facing the conveyer.