Abstract: A toner supply device includes a toner cartridge, a cartridge driving source, a toner detection sensor, a conveyance member which conveys toner, and a rotating member driving source which drives the conveyance member. In addition, a driving controller controls the rotating member driving source, and a controller controls a series of replenishment operations of the toner cartridge based on a detection result of the toner detection sensor. The series of replenishment operations of the toner cartridge is controlled based on information about driving of the conveyance member, which is acquired at every predetermined period after starting the series of replenishment operations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a charging unit, an image exposure unit configured to form image portion potential by exposing the photosensitive member to light, a weak exposure unit configured to form non-image portion potential by exposing the photosensitive member to weak light having a lower exposure amount than the light for forming the image portion potential, and a developer bearing member configured to carry developer, wherein a relationship of Ldev<Lvd<Lbg is satisfied, where the photosensitive member exposed to the weak light by the weak exposure unit has a weak exposure area having a length of Lbg in a photosensitive member longitudinal direction, a length of the developer carried by the developer bearing member in the photosensitive member longitudinal direction is Ldev, and the photosensitive member charged by the charging unit has a charging area having a length of Lvd.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner container; a developing unit; a detection unit detecting toner in the developing unit; a measurement unit measuring as to whether there is a full amount of toner or no toner in the developing unit by using a detection history of the detection unit with regard to the toner; a supplying unit supplying the toner from the toner container to the developing unit; a toner-amount calculation unit calculating, using image data to be printed, an amount of toner consumption needed during printing; an accumulation unit calculating an accumulated amount of toner consumption by accumulating the amount of toner consumption every time printing is conducted; and a fault determination unit determining, using the accumulated amount of toner consumption, whether a measurement result by the measurement unit is normal or not as to whether there is a full amount of toner or no toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier to carry a latent image on a surface thereof, a developing device to develop the latent image with toner to form a toner image on the surface of the latent image carrier, a transfer unit to transfer the toner image onto a recording medium, and a controller. The controller executes an image density adjustment control of adjusting a developing bias to obtain a target image density. The controller further executes a forced toner consumption control of forcibly consuming the toner contained in the developing device by attaching the toner to the latent image carrier to form a toner pattern on the surface of the latent image carrier. The controller executes the forced toner consumption control to forcibly consume a smaller amount of toner in response to a higher developing bias as adjusted by the image density adjustment control.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a toner carrier, a region setting unit, a printing-rate detecting unit, a discharge-region determining unit, and a region redividing unit. The region setting unit is configured to set a plurality of regions divided along an image width direction on the image carrier. The printing-rate detecting unit is configured to detect a printing rate when forming the image for each of the plurality of regions. The discharge-region determining unit is configured to determine necessity of a toner discharge for each region based on the detected printing rate. The region redividing unit is configured to redivide a region determined to require the toner discharge into a plurality of regions in which respective printing rates during subsequent image formation are individually detected.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a driving motor, a gear mechanism including a drive gear rotated by driving force of the driving motor and a slave gear meshed with the drive gear, to transmit the driving force to an object, one of the drive gear and the slave gear including a toothless portion without the gear tooth, formed on a circumferential edge of the corresponding gear, a control unit, a detection unit that detects a driving current for the driving motor when the driving motor is working, a decision unit that decides whether the driving current detected by the detection unit is below a predetermined threshold, and a calculation unit that counts the number of times that the decision unit has decided that the driving current is below the threshold, and calculates an amount of movement of the slave gear on the basis of the number of times counted.

Abstract: A developer amount detector for detecting an amount of developer contained in a unit removably installable in an image forming apparatus, including optical elements having a light-emitting element to emit light and a light-receiving element to receive the light; two light-guiding members, provided in the unit, to guide the light from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element; a holder, held in the image forming apparatus, to hold the optical elements, movable in a direction orthogonal to optical axes of the optical elements as the unit is being installed in the image forming apparatus; and a positioning mechanism to position the unit within the image forming apparatus by restricting movement of the holder in the direction orthogonal to the optical axes relative to the unit in a state in which the unit is installed in the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A high voltage power supply includes a developer carrier, an image carrier, a developing control unit, a load detection unit, a variation detection unit, and a voltage correction unit. The developing control unit applies a developing bias voltage to the developer carrier and thereby supplies the developer to the image carrier and develops an electrostatic latent image. The variation detection unit detects the variation in capacitance between the developer carrier and the image carrier detected by the load detection unit. The voltage correction unit corrects the developing bias voltage by decreasing the developing bias voltage as the variation increases, and increasing the developing bias voltage as the variation decreases.

Abstract: A method for providing a page countdown for a replaceable unit of an image forming device according to one embodiment includes calculating a number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of its life. The calculated number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of life is displayed on a display screen. After the calculated number of pages remaining is displayed, the displayed number of pages remaining is decreased by one for each page printed, the number of pages remaining is recalculated and a discrepancy between the displayed number of pages remaining and the recalculated number of pages remaining is tracked. If the discrepancy exceeds a predetermined error threshold, the recalculated number of pages remaining is displayed and the displayed number of pages remaining continues to be decreased by one for each page printed from the displayed recalculated number of pages remaining.

Abstract: A toner case includes a case main body and a shutter, a lever, a rotating member and a transmitting member attached to the case main body. The case main body includes a discharge port discharging a toner. The shutter is rotatably attached to open/close the discharge port and includes a shutter side gear. The lever is rotatably attached to operate the shutter and includes a lever main body that includes a lever side gear meshing with the shutter side gear. The rotating member is installed in a rotatable state. The transmitting member is rotatably attached to transmit the rotation to the rotating member and includes a transmitting member main body that covers the outside of the lever main body and includes an aperture. The aperture exposes a meshing part of the lever side gear and shutter side gear when the transmitting member is located to a predetermined rotational displacement.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer conveyance device to transport developer, using a positive-displacement pump to alternately generate positive pressure and negative pressure by changing a volume of an internal space thereof, a destination developer container to which the developer conveyance device transports developer, a sensor provided to the destination developer container, to detect developer in the destination developer container, and a controller to control the positive-displacement pump according to a detection result generated by the sensor. The controller disabled detection of developer by the sensor in a non-detection period that starts from a stop of the positive-displacement pump.

Abstract: A feeder feeds a first recording medium in a first direction. A curved guide guides the first recording medium fed by the feeder upward along a first path. An upper guide receives a leading edge of the first recording medium, guided by the curved guide, and guides the first recording medium in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction. An insertion guide guides, along a second path, a second recording medium inserted from an opening. A conveying unit disposed downstream of the upper guide in the second direction conveys the first recording medium and the second recording medium to a recording unit which records an image on each recording medium supported by a supporting unit. A deflecting member has a surface inclined with respect to the second direction and deflects a leading edge of the second recording medium, guided by the insertion guide, upward toward the upper guide.

Abstract: A dot-count calculation section counts the number of dots that are printed, and calculates an amount of toner consumed in a developing device (toner consumption amount). A toner supply amount calculation section calculates an amount of toner supplied to the developing device by the toner supply mechanism (toner supply amount). A cumulative toner supply amount holding section holds a cumulative toner supply amount. A correction toner supply amount calculation section calculates a used amount of the toner in the toner case (correction toner supply amount), based on the toner consumption amount and the toner supply amount. A cumulative toner supply amount updating section adds the correction toner supply amount and the cumulative toner supply amount, and stores a value resulting from the addition in the cumulative toner supply amount holding section, as a new cumulative toner supply amount.

Abstract: A developer amount detector to detect an amount of developer inside a developer container includes a light-emitting element; a light-receiving element; a first light guide including a first end disposed to face the light-emitting element and a second end disposed inside the developer container, covered with a translucent cover including a light-emitting face; a second light guide including a first end disposed to face the light-receiving element, a second end disposed inside the developer container, covered with a translucent cover including a light-receiving face to face the light-emitting face across a gap; and a cleaner including a sliding portion to slidingly contact the light-emitting face and the light-receiving face. The cover of each of the first and second light guides includes a material lower in chargeability with the sliding portion than a material of a body of each of the first and second light guides.

Abstract: A system for measuring a particulate material according to one example embodiment includes a container having a reservoir for storing the particulate material. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted on the shaft and rotatable independent of the shaft. A driving member is rotatable with the shaft and positioned to push the paddle when the shaft rotates. The paddle is free to fall ahead of the driving member. At least one sensor is positioned to sense a rotational motion of the paddle as the shaft rotates. A processor in electronic communication with the at least one sensor is configured to determine an amount of the particulate material remaining in the reservoir based on the sensed rotational motion of the paddle.

Abstract: A cartridge plug for a CRUM-enabled ink or toner cartridge includes a CRUM device seated in an annular position, secured in a recess at a center of the cap. The recess is formed in a mounting surface of the cap that extends above a peripheral surface of the cap that the surrounds the mounting surface. The mounting surface is contiguous with the peripheral surface, being interposed by flexible walls that compress under load. The mounting surface is compressible under load by way of the flexible walls, and springs back to a resting position as a load is decreased.

Abstract: A tandem-type electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes multiple color image forming units using a dry toner, a first black image forming unit using the dry toner, and a second black image forming unit using a wet toner and performs an image formation with the dry toner in a first printing mode and an image formation with the wet toner in a second printing mode. The image formed in the second printing mode with the wet toner is fixed to a recording medium at a temperature lower than the image formed in the first printing mode with the dry toner. Each of the image forming units corresponds to a process cartridge that is removably installable in the tandem-type electrophotographic image forming apparatus and including an image carrier and other image forming components integrally therein.

Abstract: A developing device includes: a toner detection unit that detects whether there is toner that is stored; a stirring unit that stirs toner in a toner container; a calculation unit that calculates an output duty by comparing an output voltage of the toner detection unit representing whether there is toner after the stirring, with a predetermined voltage value; and a remaining amount detection unit that detects an amount of remaining toner at the output duty from a correspondence relationship between the output duty and an amount of remaining toner that is previously set.

Abstract: Provided is a technology that enhances the detection precision of the residual amount of a developer. An apparatus according to the invention includes: an accommodating portion in which a developer is accommodated; a sheet-like stirring member that, by rotating, stirs the developer accommodated in the accommodating portion; a piezoelectric element that is affixed to the stirring member and that outputs voltage when being deformed; and a deflection forming portion that comes in contact with the stirring member, thereby causing the stirring member to deflect, when a free end of the rotating stirring member is outside a developer accumulation region in the accommodating portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of reading a unique pattern of a toner bottle without using an expensive device, and of preventing the delay of the toner replenishment. A control unit controls a driving unit to rotate a toner bottle for replenishing toner and controls a reading unit to read a unique pattern of the toner bottle in conjunction with the rotation of the toner bottle, when receiving a toner replenishment signal in N-th time from a toner remaining amount detection unit after receiving the bottle detection signal from a bottle mounting detection unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive member; an exposure portion; a developing portion; a sensor; a supply portion; a controller for controlling a developer amount based on density information outputted from the sensor after an electrostatic image for a supply control toner image is exposed to light under an exposure condition for supply control and then is developed into the supply control toner image, which is then detected by the sensor; a storing portion; and an exchange detecting portion. The controller is capable of executing an operation in a mode, in which the exposure condition for the supply control, based on information detected by the exchange detecting portion. In the mode, the exposure condition for the supply control is controlled based on the information stored in the storing portion and a detection result, by the sensor, of a control toner image formed during the operation in the mode.

Abstract: An eletrophotographic image forming apparatus may include a developing unit; a toner buffer unit which feeds a toner to the developing unit, and includes an agitating member agitating the toner contained inside the toner buffer unit and a first carrying member carrying the toner contained inside the toner buffer unit to the developing unit; a toner cartridge which feeds the toner to the toner buffer unit, and includes a second carrying member carrying the toner contained inside the toner cartridge to the toner buffer unit; and a control unit which controls a first driving unit driving the second carrying member and a second driving unit driving the agitating member and the first carrying member, and the control unit includes a first feed mode, a second feed mode and a toner supplement mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a body of the image forming apparatus; and a cartridge installable with respect to the body, wherein the cartridge includes a developer accommodating portion accommodating a developer; a developing portion supporting a developer holding member holding the developer thereon; and a shutter configured to be movable between an open position at which the shutter opens a communication port and a close position at which the shutter closes the communication port. The body includes a detecting section detecting a state of the cartridge which changes as the cartridge is used, and a judging section judging whether or not a cartridge exchange timing for exchanging the cartridge has arrived, based on the state of the cartridge detected by the detecting section; and the shutter moves to the close position under a condition that the judging section judges that the cartridge exchange timing has arrived.

Abstract: A toner resupply device includes a detector plate for detecting a surface of toner stored in a hopper; a douser that moves together with the detector plate; a fixing plate for fixing the detector plate and the douser integrally; and a toner sensor for detecting a phase of the douser. The douser has a light-blocking surface that blocks light to be detected by the toner sensor, and a shaft extending in an axial direction crossing the light-blocking surface, the shaft being inserted in a hole made in the detector plate. The shaft has a groove in which the fixing plate is locked, the groove extending in a direction crossing the axial direction. The fixing plate in a state of being locked in the groove pushes the shaft in the axial direction, thereby fixing the detector plate and the douser to each other.

Abstract: A developer transport unit which includes an intra-vessel transporting device to transport developer in a developer storage vessel to an ejection unit. The developer storage vessel is detachably attached at one end to an ejection unit. There is a transport/supply device to transport the developer from the ejection unit to a sub-storage vessel, and an intermediate-developer amount detector to obtain an amount of developer present in the sub-storage vessel. Further, there is a control unit to control driving of the intra-vessel transporting device and the transport/supply device.

Abstract: A printing device (and associated method) comprises a carrier supply, one or more tubes operatively connected to the carrier supply, one or more developer stations operatively connected to the tubes, and at least two sensors connected to each of the tubes. The tubes supply a pulse of the carrier material (“slug”) from the carrier supply to the developer stations. The sensors are positioned a known distance apart along a length of the tubes. The sensors detect the slug of the carrier material passing in the tubes. The processor determines the slug speed based on the timing difference of when the different sensors detect the slug. The processor determines the size of the slug based on the slug speed and determines the dispense rate of the carrier supply based on the size of the slug.

Abstract: A consumable component containing a consumable supply used at the time of image formation is detachably mounted on an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming an image, a storage for storing identification information of the mounted consumable component, and a detecting unit for detecting remaining amount of the consumable supply. When removal and mounting of a consumable component is detected while the remaining amount of the consumable supply is not lower than a prescribed value (YES at step S1070), the image forming apparatus compares the identification information obtained from the mounted consumable component with the identification information stored in the storage, and thereby determines whether the mounted consumable component corresponds to the identification information stored in the storage (step S1090).

Abstract: For each of N imaginary regions divided at predetermined intervals in the direction of the rotation shaft of a developer roller (12), the amount of toner consumed when an image is formed is previously calculated. Then, the same amount of toner as a toner consumption amount calculated for each imaginary region is supplied to a development device (2) earlier by a time in which the toner supplied from a toner hopper (5) is transported to each imaginary region than at the time of the development. Thus, it is possible to maintain a toner concentration within the development device within a predetermined range without the toner being dispersed and an image formation speed being reduced even if an image having a high print rate is formed.

Abstract: Provided is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including: a toner buffer unit arranged between a toner cartridge and a developing unit to receive toner from the toner cartridge and supply the toner to the developing unit; and a toner level detection unit. The toner buffer unit includes a first buffer unit connected to the toner cartridge. A first conveyance member including a rotation shaft and a conveyance wing provided in the rotation shaft and transporting the toner in a radial direction is provided in the first buffer unit. The toner buffer unit includes an elevation plate provided in the first buffer unit and elevated according to a toner level, and a sensor unit detecting a location of the elevation of the elevation plate. The elevation plate is located to be spaced apart from the conveyance wing in an axial direction of the rotation shaft.

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: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including a moving member configured to support a first process cartridge and move the first process cartridge to a position for forming an image, and a detection unit configured to detect a state of a second process cartridge, in which the moving member holds the detection unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image includes an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed, a developer carrying member for carrying a developer to visualize the electrostatic latent image, and a developer feeding member, having a foam layer at its surface, for feeding the developer to the developer carrying member by being rotated in contact with the developer carrying member. In addition, a controller is capable of executing an operation in a first mode in which the developer feeding member is rotated for a first time and then the electrostatic latent image is visualized at a first speed by the developer carrying member and an operation in a second mode in which the developer feeding member is rotated for a second time longer than the first time and then the electrostatic latent image is visualized at a second speed slower than the first speed by the developer carrying member.

Abstract: Electronic systems, such as printing systems, often use components that have integral memory. The integral memory can be used to store information about the component. In some printing systems this memory includes a portion that stores a value indicative of a print yield. Disclosed is a method and system for allowing the memory to have data indicative of an increased print yield.

Abstract: A receiving member is configured to receive a driving force from outside, is mounted on a first side wall on an opposite side from a developer accommodating portion, and is rotatable around a first axis line parallel to the longitudinal direction. A rotating member is rotatably provided between the first and second side walls, and configured to be rotated by the driving force received by the receiving member. A detection body is mounted on the second side wall on an opposite side from the developer accommodating portion and includes a detected part which is detected by a detecting unit. The detection body advances outwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the second side wall and retracts inwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the second side wall by the driving force received by the receiving member.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer container, an agitation conveyance member, a toner detection sensor, and a scraper. Agitation conveyance member agitates and conveys a developer in developer container. Toner detection sensor detects a toner concentration or a remaining amount of toner in developer container. Scraper is provided in agitation conveyance member, and cleans a detection surface of toner detection sensor when agitation conveyance member rotates. Scraper includes a first member that comes into contact with detection surface of toner detection sensor when agitation conveyance member rotates forward, and a second member that comes into contact with detection surface of toner detection sensor when agitation conveyance member rotates reversely. First member has a wear resistance higher than that of second member, and a coefficient of friction between second member and detection surface is higher than a coefficient of friction between first member and detection surface.

Abstract: Either a first developer cartridge or a second developer cartridge is attachable to an image forming device. The second developer cartridge has capacity for accommodating developer larger than capacity for accommodating developer of the first developer cartridge. The control device determines whether the attached cartridge is the first developer cartridge or the second developer cartridge; determines that the replacement of the attached cartridge is needed upon comparison of a consumed amount of developer based on the image data that is inputted with a first threshold value when the first developer cartridge is attached; and determines that replacement of the attached cartridge is needed upon comparison of a detection value with a second threshold value when the second developer cartridge is attached. The detection value is obtained based on the detection information outputted by the detection device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first cartridge configured to contain developer of a first color; a second cartridge configured to contain developer of a second color; a processor; and memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, causing the image forming apparatus to: indicate the necessity to replace the first cartridge by using at least information based on a first use amount and information based on a number of printed sheets; and indicate the necessity to replace the second cartridge by using at least information based on a second use amount without using the information based on the number of printed sheets.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a developer container for accommodating a developer. The developer container includes a conductive path. The conductive path includes a resin.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a developer container in which a conductive resin sheet is used as an electrode for detecting an amount of developer by using electrostatic capacitance. A configuration in which an end of the conductive resin sheet in a longitudinal direction is provided outside an end of a sheet member in a longitudinal direction, or a configuration in which the sheet member starts contact with the conductive resin sheet from a second surface on the downstream side in a direction or rotation than a first surface are also provided.

Abstract: A developer container includes a stirring member that stirs a developer and a conductive resin sheet that comes into contact with the stirring member when the stirring member rotates. The developer container detects developer quantity using capacitance.

Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having an inner volume forming a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted on the shaft and rotatable independent of the shaft. A driving member is rotatable with the shaft and positioned to push the paddle when the shaft rotates. The paddle is free to fall ahead of the driving member. The paddle includes a magnetic element rotatable with the paddle and detectable by a magnetic sensor when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device for detecting the motion of the paddle.

Abstract: A method of supplying a developing unit with toner and an image forming apparatus using the method are provided. The method may include supplying toner to a developing unit separate from a toner bottle in an image forming apparatus. The method includes: detecting a remaining amount of toner in the developing unit during printing; comparing the remaining amount of toner with a first reference value; if the remaining amount of toner is greater than the first reference value, continuing printing; and if the remaining amount of toner is not greater than the first reference value, determining whether to supply toner based on a preset mode. Deterioration of printing quality in a toner supply mode may be markedly reduced according to a user's settings.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner container; a developing unit; a detection unit detecting toner in the developing unit; a measurement unit measuring as to whether there is a full amount of toner or no toner in the developing unit by using a detection history of the detection unit with regard to the toner; a supplying unit supplying the toner from the toner container to the developing unit; a toner-amount calculation unit calculating, using image data to be printed, an amount of toner consumption needed during printing; an accumulation unit calculating an accumulated amount of toner consumption by accumulating the amount of toner consumption every time printing is conducted; and a fault determination unit determining, using the accumulated amount of toner consumption, whether a measurement result by the measurement unit is normal or not as to whether there is a full amount of toner or no toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus detecting container's dismounting. A drive unit rotates the container for replenishing toner to a development unit. An output unit outputs a first signal while a predetermined portion of the container is detected, and outputs a second signal while the predetermined portion is not detected. A decision unit decides a count of changes from the second signal to the first signal based on a toner replenishing amount. A detection unit detects dismounting of the container in a case where the first signal is changed to the second signal during not rotating. The controller stops the rotation in a case where the count of changes reaches the count decided, controls the drive unit to output the first signal in a case where containers should be exchanged, and does not control the drive unit to output the first signal in a case where containers should not be exchanged.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of reducing an image defect even when an container is rotated for checking. A development unit forms an image by developing an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member. A drive unit rotates the container mounted to a mounting portion for replenishing the toner to the development unit. An output unit outputs a specified signal when detecting a predetermined portion of the container. A determination unit determines whether the container is mounted to the mounting portion according to the specified signal. A decision unit decides a toner replenishing amount based on image data. A controller controls the drive unit to execute a detecting operation that rotates the container when the determination unit does not determine that the container is mounted. A correction unit corrects the toner replenishing amount based on the output of the output unit when the detecting operation is executed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing an electrostatic latent image, and a developing device including a container for accommodating the developer, a developer carrying member for carrying the developer and for developing the electrostatic latent image with the developer, a developer supplying member for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member, and stirring member for stirring the developer and for feeding the developer to the developer supplying member. In addition, a controller controls, before image formation, a stirring operation by the stirring member on the basis of information on electrostatic capacity between the developer carrying member and the developer supplying member.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof according to this invention, in a case that a received print job designates image formation on a surface of a sheet on which an image has been formed, whether image formation on the sheet based on the print job is possible is determined based on at least image information of the sheet acquired by reading the image of the sheet. If it is determined that image formation on the sheet based on the print job is impossible, the image formation on the sheet is stopped. If it is determined that the image formation on the sheet based on the print job is possible, an image is formed on the sheet in accordance with the image information of the print job.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photoreceptor drums, a plurality of developing devices, a plurality of polishing members, an endless intermediate transfer component, a primary transfer unit, a secondary transfer unit, a secondary transfer unit, a development refresh unit, and a photoreceptor refresh unit. The photoreceptor refresh unit is configured such that, in executing the photoreceptor-refresh control process, if the development refresh unit detects a toner-deteriorated developing device, the circumferential surface of the deteriorated photoreceptor drum is polished, by the polishing member provided for the deteriorated photoreceptor drum, using the polishing-agent contained in the toner discharged from the toner-deteriorated developing device by the development refresh unit executing the development-refresh control process.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus executes control for predicting a toner remaining amount, if the apparatus can acquire a predetermined value as identification information indicating a type or a manufacture of a toner cartridge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discriminating bottle types, for stirring the toner, and for detecting the amount of toner remaining in the toner bottle. A toner bottle is adapted to fit the apparatus for discriminating toner bottle types, and a toner bottle is adapted for the apparatus for stirring toner. The genuineness of the toner bottle product is checked by sensing a rib assumed to be formed with a predetermined length on the outer surface of the toner bottle. Toner is stirred by continuously rotating the toner bottle in forward and reverse directions. The toner bottle can be easily rotated in the forward and reverse directions by sensing the rib of the toner bottle by using the sensor. Since the load of rotation of the toner bottle changes in accordance with the amount of remaining toner, the rotational speed of the toner bottle is sensed by using the sensor to check whether toner is close to empty.