Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting the state of a consumable for a printer. The apparatus includes a consumable cartridge, a drive motor, a current measuring device, memory and processing circuitry. The consumable cartridge has a rotatable member that is carried by the cartridge. The motor is configured to rotate the rotatable member. The current measuring device is associated with the motor, and is operative to measure current flow through the motor. The memory is configured to store a predetermined value corresponding to current flow through the motor, and indicative of a change in state of the rotatable member. The processing circuitry is coupled with the current measuring device and the memory and is operative to determine when the measured current flow corresponds to the predetermined value of current flow. Furthermore, the processing circuitry identifies a state of the consumable cartridge. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes one or more sliders which carry optical parts and can linearly reciprocate in a predetermined direction. The apparatus optically scans and thereby reads an image on an original document located at a predetermined position. The image reading apparatus includes a magnetic encoder for detecting positions of the sliders.

Abstract: An image forming device detects a standard pattern transferred to a transfer belt by an image carrier. The standard pattern is transferred onto the transfer belt at an image transfer position and detected at a standard pattern detection position. The distance between the image transfer position and the standard pattern detection position is a non-integer-multiple of the distance which the transfer belt is moved by one rotation of the image belt drive roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately and quickly enabling a technical representative to diagnose the source (or identify the component(s)) that is the root cause of the motion quality defect being experienced to reduce down time of the printing machine. The output of an encoder on the photoreceptor, electronically measured, translates variations in the photoreceptor velocity into voltage. The voltage is then converted into frequency, using a Fast Fourier Transform, for comparison to a predetermined set of frequencies associated with defective drive components to identify the source of the motion quality defect.

Abstract: A staging assembly for use in an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a paper feed assembly having a plurality of rollers for feeding a transfer sheet to an electrophotographic assembly. A removable idler gear is interposed between the paper feed assembly and the electrophotographic assembly, and drives the paper feed assembly when installed. A staging assembly drives the paper feed assembly when the idler gear is removed and includes a rotatable drive element for connection to and rotation of one of the rollers; a drive unit for rotatably driving the rotatable drive element; and an electrical connector for electrically connecting the staging assembly to the electrophotographic assembly. The staging assembly is a modular assembly which is connectable to and removable from the paper feed assembly.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process unit provided detachably attachable to the apparatus; a driving source provided inside the apparatus and outside the process unit; a power transmitter to transmit a driving force from the driving source; a rotary member provided inside the process unit, the rotary member being rotated by the driving force from the driving source transmitted through the power transmitter. The apparatus further includes a detector to detect a state of rotation of the rotary member, and to output a signal corresponding to the state of rotation of the rotary member; and a judging member to judge a rotation abnormality of the rotary member on the basis of the signal output from the detector.