Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an image carrier configured to hold a developing agent image; a transfer unit that transfers the developing agent image to a recording medium; a first application unit that controls a transfer voltage applied to the transfer unit; a recovery unit that recovers the developing agent remaining on the image carrier; a second application unit that controls a recovery voltage applied to the recovery unit; a determination unit that determines whether or not a recovery current flowing between the image carrier and the recovery unit exceeds a first predetermined current value; and a control unit that, when the determination unit makes a positive determination that the recovery current has exceeded the first predetermined current value, performs a protective control for controlling the first application unit such that a transfer current flowing between the image carrier and the transfer unit becomes greater.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer device controller for controlling the whole transfer device, a storage for storing various kinds of data etc. necessary for control, an intermediate transfer unit including a primary transfer power supply and its driver, a secondary transfer unit including a secondary transfer power supply and its driver, and a PTC unit. In the transfer device, a controller communicates with a main controller that controls the whole image forming apparatus, and acquires, for example, information on the total print count or the like. When PTC radiation is determined to be needed based on the above information, the controller controls to drive the PTC unit.

Abstract: A cleaning device including a cleaning member that moves in a predetermined direction and is in contact with a cleaning target that moves in a predetermined direction and which is directly or indirectly heated by a heater, to remove toner particles on a surface of the cleaning target. A contact surface of the cleaning member with the cleaning target includes a plurality of regions of different toner-releasing ability.

Abstract: A toner dam maintenance process and system model the amount of toner mass at a toner cleaner blade, and apply a corrective procedure, such as insertion of a paperless copy into the print job mid-job or immediately prior to cycle out, to replenish the toner mass at the cleaner blade to maintain lubrication and reduce cleaning failure. The modeling includes contributing factors toward toner dam input and output, including untransferred toner, cycle-in/cycle-out bands, untransferred background, and leakage of toner from the cleaner blade. One or several threshold can be reached to cause one or more different corrective actions to take place. The action may be adding or skipping a pitch to insert a corrective maintenance pattern without transfer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting blade life in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include retrieving a number of print starts, a number of print cycles, a wear rate for print starts, and a wear rate for print cycles from a memory, calculating wear of a cleaning blade based on the number of print starts, the number of print cycles, the wear rate for print starts, and the wear rate for print cycles, wherein the wear rate for print starts and the wear rate for print cycles are weighed differently, determining if the calculated wear of the cleaning blade exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein if it is determined that the calculated wear of the cleaning blade exceeds a predetermined threshold, sending a notification that the cleaning blade needs to be replaced.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate replacing cleaning blades employed to chisel excess toner from a photoreceptor surface. For example, a cleaning unit can comprise a blade holder with a plurality of cleaning blades attached thereto, which is rotated (e.g., by an actuator) to remove a used cleaning blade from the photoreceptor surface and position a new cleaning blade against the photoreceptor surface. Blade replacement can be triggered by a detected defect on an output image or by detected excess toner on the photoreceptor surface downstream from the cleaning blade. Additionally, blade replacement can be triggered as a function of blade use (e.g., measured in time, prints, photoreceptor cycles), friction force on the blade, or a combination thereof, to achieve a desired (e.g., low) cleaning unit failure probability.

Abstract: A fuser unit for an image forming apparatus including: a tape-like cleaning member that abuts on a fuser roller and cleans its peripheral surface; a press roller that presses the fuser roller via the cleaning member; a feed roller that feeds said cleaning member; a wind roller that winds the cleaning member therearound; and a controller that actuates a fixing function before an image formation, stops it after said image formation, and rotates and stops the wind roller and/or the feed roller to control a winding quantity of the cleaning member, wherein said controller calculates a toner image amount based on the prescribed number of pages by tracking from a page on which an image is formed just before the image formation is completed, and determines whether or not said cleaning member is wound around the wind roller during a non-fixing period based on the calculated toner image amount.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that carries an image; a developing unit that develops the image on the image carrier into a toner image; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image carried on the image carrier onto a transfer medium; and a cleaning unit that cleans residual toner, having not been transferred by the transfer unit, from the image carrier. The cleaning unit includes a cleaning roller member provided in contact with the image carrier and supplied with a predetermined bias voltage, having a surface layer of a conductive fiber cloth, and a conductive roller member provided in contact with the cleaning roller member and supplied with a predetermined bias voltage.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus that includes process units for different colors and a lifetime management device that manages lifetime information on each unit of the image forming apparatus. The lifetime management device counts the number of prints produced by the image forming apparatus with respect to each of photoconductor units and developing units in the process units, and measures an operation amount unique to the respective units. Based on the number of prints, service life of each unit and operation amount, the lifetime management device calculates the remaining lifetime of each unit.

Abstract: If, upon an occurrence of a jam, a sheet is detected by a sensor disposed downstream of a fixing portion or the leading end thereof has not reached this sensor and a coverage rate is high, the jam is judged to have occurred in the fixing portion. A number (x) of blank sheets to be passed is determined from a coverage rate of the entire sheet, and a cleaning mode is automatically executed if the automatic execution of the cleaning mode is selected, whereas a notification urging the input of an instruction as to whether or not to execute the cleaning mode is given if the automatic notification is selected. Therefore, toner adhered to the fixing portion can be simply and properly cleaned.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium; a storage container that is detachably and attachably provided and that stores waste powder having been discarded and transported from the image forming section; a first transporting section that transports, from the image forming section, the waste powder having been discarded in the image forming section; a transport path through which the waste powder having been transported by the first transporting section is caused to fall down and is transported; a second transporting section that transports, to the storage container, the waste powder having been transported through the transport path; and a controller that stops driving of the second transporting section if an operation set in advance is executed when the storage container is removed.

Abstract: This invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of shortening the user's print waiting time as much as possible when it is determined that image adjustment is necessary during the image forming operation, and a control method therefor. To accomplish this, in a color image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming stations which form toner images with a plurality of toners on the basis of a job, it is discriminated whether adjustment processing is necessary during a continuous image forming operation based on the job. If it is discriminated that adjustment processing is necessary, it is determined whether each of the image forming stations has a non-operating time enough to execute the discriminated adjustment processing during the image forming operation. The image forming station determined to have a non-operating time enough to execute adjustment processing executes the discriminated adjustment processing during the non-operating time.

Abstract: A sheet feeder with electrostatic dust-collecting function includes a paper path, a feeding roller, a dust-collecting passageway, an electrostatic charge generator and a dust-collecting box. The feeding roller located on the paper path feeds a sheet through the paper path. The dust-collecting passageway has an inlet connected to the paper path and an outlet located opposite to the inlet. The electrostatic charge generator disposed at the outlet of the dust-collecting passageway generates electrostatic charges to attract dust coming from the sheet through the dust-collecting passageway and the paper path. The dust-collecting box for collecting the dust is disposed at the outlet of the dust-collecting passageway and has an adhesive layer for adhering the dust.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member to carry a toner image, a drive device to drive the image carrying member, a cleaning member to slide in contact with the image carrying member so as to remove toner remaining on the image carrying member after transferring the toner image onto a sheet from the image carrying member, and a controller, so as to perform a reverse rotation to rotate and stop the image carrying member in a reverse direction of a forward direction at time of image formation and then perform a forward operation to rotate and stop the image carrying member in the forward direction, to control the drive device on the basis of a use amount of the image carrying member.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus is provided with a fixing roller that fixes a toner image that has been transferred onto a paper, a cleaning member that cleans a circumferential surface of the fixing roller using a metal roller that is idly rotated by contacting the circumferential surface of the fixing roller, a drive control means that, at a predetermined timing, sets a rotation velocity of the fixing roller to high-speed rotation that is faster by a predetermined velocity than a rotation velocity during print processing, a load torque detection means that detects a load torque of a drive source of the fixing roller, and a determination means that determines an extent of smearing of the cleaning member based on a load torque detected by the load torque detection means during high-speed rotation by the drive control means.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a cleaning blade cleans residual toner adhered on the surface of an image carrier and a sound sensor collects a sound generated inside a casing of the image forming apparatus. A determining unit determines, based on the sound collected by the sound sensor, whether cleaning failure has occurred in the cleaning blade. The determining unit makes the determination based on at least intensity of a first sound component that is a sound component of a first frequency and intensity of a second sound component that is a sound component of a second frequency different from the first frequency.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a rotation shaft (71);a movable body (72) that is attached to the rotation shaft (71), that is provided with a cleaning member (73), and that moves with rotation of the rotation shaft (71); a motor M for rotating the rotation shaft (71); a control section (8) for controlling rotation of the motor M; a current detecting section (77) for detecting a current flowing through the motor M; and a time counting section for counting time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate replacing cleaning blades employed to chisel excess toner from a photoreceptor surface. For example, a cleaning unit can comprise a blade holder with a plurality of cleaning blades attached thereto, which is rotated (e.g., by an actuator) to remove a used cleaning blade from the photoreceptor surface and position a new cleaning blade against the photoreceptor surface. Blade replacement can be triggered by a detected defect on an output image or by detected excess toner on the photoreceptor surface downstream from the cleaning blade. Additionally, blade replacement can be triggered as a function of blade use (e.g., measured in time, prints, photoreceptor cycles), friction force on the blade, or a combination thereof, to achieve a desired (e.g., low) cleaning unit failure probability.

Abstract: An embodiment according to the invention is characterized in that a waste toner is delivered to a certain place through a rotation of a stirring member (a paddle) for causing the waste toner to be even and the waste toner thus delivered is detected by means of detecting unit (an optical sensor).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive member; a discharging unit arranged to face the photosensitive member; a high-voltage power supply unit which supplies power to the discharging unit; a discharge detection unit which detects abnormal discharge in the discharging unit; an output controller which controls an output of the high-voltage power supply unit according to control information; and a cleaning detection unit which compares current control information for the high-voltage power supply unit supplying power to the discharging unit in which abnormal discharge is detected with previous control information for the high-voltage power supply unit when previous abnormal discharge is detected in the discharging unit, and which detects whether the discharging unit has been cleaned based on the comparison result.

Abstract: A protective layer setting unit includes a protective agent, and an application unit for applying the protective agent on an image carrying member. An attenuated total reflection (ATR) method is used for detecting a surface condition of the image carrying member after applying the protective agent. A peak Pa at a given wavenumber, attributed to the image carrying member, has a peak area Sa in an infrared spectrum observed after applying the protective agent. A peak Pb at a given wavenumber, attributed to the protective agent, has a peak area Sb in the infrared spectrum observed after applying the protective agent. A peak area ratio of Sb/Sa is used for evaluating the protective layer setting unit. The protective layer setting unit is accepted when the Sb/Sa is set to a given range after applying the protective agent to the image carrying member for a given time period.

Abstract: A method for detecting a stress condition in a cleaning system of an imaging device is provided. The method comprises receiving a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal. The PWM signal has a duty cycle for driving a PWM servo motor of a cleaning system. A determination is then made whether the duty cycle of the PWM signal indicates that the servo motor is working within design limits. If the duty cycle is within design limits, characteristic adjustments of the duty cycle of the PWM are detected that indicate an occurrence of a non-catastrophic stress condition in the cleaning system. Once a characteristic adjustment of the duty cycle is detected, an alert signal is generated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transport belt, a carriage, a reflection sensor, and a control unit. The transport belt transports a recording sheet in a sub-scanning direction. The carriage, mounting a recording head, reciprocally moves in a main scanning direction to record an image on the recording sheet. The reflection sensor, mounted on the carriage, receives light reflected from the transport belt to detect a leading edge of the recording sheet, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the received light. The control unit controls a contamination check process. The control unit instructs the carriage to move to a given position over the transport belt and to drive the transport belt for one rotation while maintaining the carriage at the given position. The control unit determines whether contamination exists on the transport belt based on the detection signal output from the reflection sensor.

Abstract: A sheet carrier apparatus includes a sheet carrier guide to guide a sheet in a first direction and includes an opening; and a paper-dust removal member that is arranged substantially above the opening and so as to make a contact with the sheet carried on the sheet carrier guide, is extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and removes paper dust so that the paper dust falls through the opening. In the sheet carrier apparatus, the paper-dust removal member includes a first part and a second part that are arranged along the second direction, and the first part and the second part have a different contact resistance against the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet conveying unit that guides and conveys a sheet material by a lower conveying guide includes an opening in the lower conveying guide, a brush-like member on a downstream side of the opening to scrap off paper dust adhered on a surface of a sheet material. A sheet detecting unit controls operation of the brush-like member.

Abstract: A method for detecting a stress condition in a cleaning system of an imaging device is provided. The method comprises receiving a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal. The PWM signal has a duty cycle for driving a PWM servo motor of a cleaning system. A determination is then made whether the duty cycle of the PWM signal indicates that the servo motor is working within design limits. If the duty cycle is within design limits, characteristic adjustments of the duty cycle of the PWM are detected that indicate an occurrence of a non-catastrophic stress condition in the cleaning system. Once a characteristic adjustment of the duty cycle is detected, an alert signal is generated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photoconductive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. A developer develops the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image on the photoconductive drum. A transfer-fixer transfers the toner image from the photoconductive drum to a recording sheet and fixes the toner image on the recording sheet. A waste toner particle collector collects toner particles remaining in the developing section into a collection container. A toner amount detector detects the amount of toner particles collected in the collection container. A notifying portion notifies a user when the amount of toner detected reaches a predetermined observing amount. A collection amount setting portion enables a reduced collection amount to be set for the collection of waste toner particles in the developing section in accordance with an increase in the detected toner amount after the detected toner amount reaches the observing amount.

Abstract: A drum idle rotation is executed by the timing before printing on the basis of the number of drum idle rotating times selected by the operator, or the number of drum idle rotating times is set in accordance with a print image kind or a drum count value and the drum idle rotation is performed by the timing before printing on the basis of the set value. The number of drum idle rotating times by the timing before printing is corrected by a print density or an apparatus environment. Defective exposure or generation of a lateral stripe due to oligomer which is generated in the portion where a developing roller or a photosensitive drum is come into contact is prevented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a detector that brings a cleaning blade made from elastomer in contact with a photoconductor to observe vibrations of the cleaning blade or a supporting member for the cleaning blade and calculates an index value based upon a normal condition using multi-dimensional data for each frequency obtained by Fourier transform of the vibrations as signals, thereby detecting abnormality of a condition of contact of the cleaning blade with the photoconductor such as the presence of adhesion material or damage to the photoconductor.

Abstract: A control device and a method for monitoring wear parts for printers and copiers is provided. The control device includes a counter device with which the replacement intervals or, respectively, the maintenance intervals for individual wear parts are monitored. The replacement and maintenance intervals can be individually set, so that they can be matched to the respective use conditions of the printer.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which each of the plurality of image forming station includes an image bearing body, a developer for developing latent image on the image bearing body by toner, and a cleaner for effecting cleaning of toner on the image bearing body. The toner image on the image bearing body is transferred to a carrying member side; toner on the carrying member is collected by the cleaner via the image bearing body. A volume of the cleaner of first image forming station of the plurality of image forming station to contain toner made is larger than a volume of cleaners of other image forming stations to contain toner.

Abstract: Toner xerographically adhered to a material, such as a sheet of paper, may be removed using a solvent-based or solventless approach. The application of ultrasonic tamping, scraping and brushing may aid in removing toner particles. In a solvent-based approach, a solvent may be applied generally or the solvent may be targeted specifically to the toner covered portions of the material to loosen the adhesive securement of the toner to the material. Thereafter, the toner is subjected to a mechanical abrasion using ultrasonic and physical agitation to cause flaking of the toner.

Abstract: Imaging devices, imaging systems, imaging methods, and real estate advertising methods are described. According to one aspect, an imaging device includes a communications interface configured to receive a value from externally of the imaging device, an image sensor configured to provide image data regarding an image, processing circuitry coupled with the communications interface and the image sensor and configured to process the image data from the image sensor, and wherein the value is configured to configure a parameter of at least one of the image sensor to provide the image data and the processing circuitry to process the image data.

Abstract: With a push of a maintenance button disposed on a printer, printer information mail is created based on information previously stored in a memory, and sent to a mail server. The sent mail is read by a support server, the support server extracts maintenance information that best suits the contents of the sent mail from a database, and sends it as maintenance information mail to the mail server in reply to the mail. When the maintenance information mail arrives at the printer, cleaning is performed or error remedy is displayed or printed, according to the contents of the maintenance information mail.

Abstract: A method and structure for a detone cleaner assembly for an image processing apparatus includes a drive motor, a plurality of rotating components, and a current sensor for sensing a current being drawn by the drive motor. The rotating components form a serial connection to distribute a rotational force produced by the drive motor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a unit in which at least an expendable component is incorporated. The unit is reusable by periodically replacing the expendable component. Indication means for indicating a record on use of the unit is attached to a given position on the unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to cleaning systems for electrographic processes and, in particular, to detecting leaks in such processes. A process and apparatus for sensing leaks is provided in an electrographic process cleaning system of the type configured to have a particle collection container.

Abstract: A method for measuring a width of a contact zone between a surface, having movement, and a cleaner brush, having a detoning member, the surface having a toner image thereon, the contact zone having particles of the toner image removed from the surface, 'comprising the steps of developing the toner image on the surface, the toner image having sufficient width to overlap the cleaner brush; moving the toner image into direct alignment with the cleaner brush; stopping the movement of the surface; rotating the cleaner brush against the surface to remove the toner image from the surface in the contact zone; moving the toner image out of direct alignment with the cleaner brush; transferring the toner image from the surface onto a substrate; fusing the toner image on the substrate; measuring the entire width extending in the process direction of the cleaned areas; and converting the measurement of the width for diagnostic analysis and process control.

Abstract: In an imaging system including at least one imaging medium transfer surface, an apparatus for detecting defects on the transfer surface is provided. The apparatus includes a scanner mechanism adapted and constructed to generate signals corresponding to a condition of the transfer surface. A processor is also provided. The processor is operatively connected to the scanner mechanism, and is adapted and constructed to receive and interpret signals from the scanner mechanism. In an imaging system including at least one imaging medium transfer surface, a method of detecting defects on an image medium surface is provided. The method includes the following steps. First, a scanning mechanism is provided. The scanning mechanism is adapted and constructed to generate signals corresponding to a condition of the transfer surface within the imaging system. Next, a defect is detected on the transfer surface by analyzing the signals generated by the scanning mechanism.

Abstract: A method to provide a highly intelligent, automated diagnostic system that identifies the need to replace specific parts to minimize machine downtime rather than require extensive service troubleshooting. In particular, a systematic, logical test analysis scheme to assess machine operation from a simple sensor system and to be able to pinpoint parts and components needing replacement is provided by a series of first level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a first level of data and by a series of second level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a second level of data. Each of the first level tests and first level data is capable of identifying a first level of part failure independent of any other test. Each of the second level tests and second level data is a combination of first level tests and first level data or a combination of a first level test and first level data and a third level test and third level data.

Abstract: A method to provide a highly intelligent, automated diagnostic system that identifies the need to replace specific parts to minimize machine downtime rather than require extensive service troubleshooting. In particular, a systematic, logical test analysis scheme to assess machine operation from a simple sensor system and to be able to pinpoint parts and components needing replacement is provided by a series of first level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a first level of data and by a series of second level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a second level of data. Each of the first level tests and first level data is capable of identifying a first level of part failure independent of any other test. Each of the second level tests and second level data is a combination of first level tests and first level data or a combination of a first level test and first level data and a second level test and second level data.

Abstract: A method to provide a highly intelligent, automated diagnostic system that identifies the need to replace specific parts to minimize machine downtime rather than require extensive service troubleshooting. In particular, a systematic, logical test analysis scheme to assess machine operation from a simple sensor system and to be able to pinpoint parts and components needing replacement is provided by a series of first level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a first level of data and by a series of second level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a second level of data. Each of the first level tests and first level data is capable of identifying a first level of part failure independent of any other test. Each of the second level tests and second level data is a combination of first level tests and first level data or a combination of a first level test and first level data and a third level test and third level data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and printing machine are disclosed that contain a monitoring system that includes a sensor and artificial stress conditions to determine the cleaner brush life. A comparative analysis is performed from the data provided by the monitoring system of a normal cleaning residual toner particle mass and artificial stress conditions cleaning residual toner particle mass to predict brush cleaner life reliably.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a cleaning device using a webbing is capable of surely removing stains firmly adhered to a desired surface to be cleaned. Even when the degree and the kind of contamination on the above surface is irregular due to the varying operating condition of the apparatus, the cleaning device is operable in a desirable manner. The cleaning device includes a webbing pressed against the surface to be cleaned and a pressing member having a plurality of projections with edge portions at the ends of the projections and wherein at least two of the projections are in the cleaning range at any one time. In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning device is provided in an image forming apparatus and cleans a conveyor belt for conveying a recording medium to which a toner image is to be transferred.

Abstract: A method to evaluate the cleaning performance of brush cleaners by measuring the brush to photoreceptor nip width (e.g cleaning footprint or contact zone) using an ESV sensor or ETAC sensor. This nip width measurement is automatically made using one of the sensing devices. The nip width measurement is converted into diagnostic information using a software algorithm or similar mode of conversion. The diagnostic information can be used in a variety of ways such as a diagnostic tool for a technical representative to warn against the end of brush life, to adjust cleaner biases for automatic changes in setup to achieve better cleaning, to predict brush replacement, to correct brush BPI (i.e. brush to photoreceptor interference) for an under or over engaged brush.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for identifying cleaner retraction timing faults in an electrostatographic printer. A toner image or patch is developed on the photoreceptor during the non-printing mode of the printer. After cleaning by a retractable cleaner, the portion of the image or patch not cleaned is measured and compared to a predetermined length in order to determine cleaner retracting timing faults in the cleaner subsystem.