Control Of Developing Patents (Class 399/53)
  • Patent number: 8718499
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes first and second developer carrying members and a control device. The apparatus is operable in a first mode where an image of a single color is formed using the first developer carrying member and is operable in a second mode, wherein an image of a plurality of colors is formed using the first and second developer carrying members. The control device controls a first discharging operation for discharging developer from the first developer carrying member and a second discharging operation for discharging developer from each of the first and second developer carrying members. When the apparatus executes only the first mode, the control device performs more image formations, in a period between completion of the second discharging operation and start of the first discharging operation, compared to a period between completion of the first discharging operation and start of a subsequent first discharging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Okubo, Masahiro Yoshida, Kazunori Hashimoto, Masahiro Shibata, Hisashi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8712263
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for carrying an electrostatic latent image; a developing device, containing a developer including a toner and a carrier, for developing the electrostatic latent image carried on the image bearing member into a toner image with the developer; a supplying device for supplying the toner to the developing device; a first detecting portion for detecting information on a temperature of the developing device; a second detecting portion for detecting information on a temperature of the supplying device; and a correcting portion for correcting, when detection results of the first and second detecting portions are different from each other, an image forming condition with increase of a supply amount of the supplying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8705127
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a setting unit and a correcting unit. The setting unit sets a gloss level of an image to be formed by forming plural toner images using a transparent toner and plural color toners having different colors and by fixing the plural toner images onto a recording medium in such a manner that the plural toner images are placed on top of one another on the recording medium. The correcting unit corrects image data defining density values per pixel of the toner images formed using the plural color toners of the respective colors so that a total density value that is a sum of a density value per pixel of the toner image formed using the transparent toner and density values per pixel of the toner images formed using the plural color toners of the respective colors may not exceed a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Koyatsu, Masahiko Kubo, Hidetoshi Kawashima, Toshifumi Takahira
  • Patent number: 8705126
    Abstract: A printing device includes a receiving part receiving print job data, an analysis part, a memory part, an image forming part that executes a print process of image information using first and second consumable products and that includes a remaining amount detecting part, and a print control unit that controls the print process. When the remaining amount of the first consumable product is detected to be lower than a predetermined amount, the print process using the first consumable product is temporarily suspended, the memory part stores the image information and the print information of the print job data that are sequentially received by the receiving part. When the print information for another print process not using the first consumable product is stored in the memory part, the print control unit deletes information relating to the print job data of the suspended print process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Hirama
  • Patent number: 8699057
    Abstract: An arrangement which is capable of copying a clear toner image formed by a clear toner. In the image forming apparatus, a scanner section of an MFP reads an original. A CPU of the MFP determines whether or not position information indicative of a position where a clear-toner image formed by a clear toner is formed is contained in an image of the original read by the scanner section. When the CPU determines that the position information indicative of the position where the clear-toner image is formed is contained in the image of the original, the CPU forms the image of the original and the clear-toner image based on the position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hajime Ohno
  • Patent number: 8699901
    Abstract: Provided is a deposited-toner measuring apparatus capable of accurate detection of the amount of toner deposited on the toner carrying member, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the aforementioned measuring apparatus and capable of controlling the amount of toner deposited on the toner carrying member to a desired level so as to provide stable image quality at all times. A deposited-toner measuring apparatus that removes a toner layer in a part of the surface of the toner carrying member, detects change in the capacitance at the portion with a toner layer and the portion without such a toner layer, and detects the amount of the deposited toner based on the detection result of the said change in the capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Junya Hirayama, Toshiya Natsuhara, Takeshi Maeyama, Shigeo Uetake, Nofumi Mizumoto, Makiko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8693907
    Abstract: Methods for printing are provided. In one aspect a primary imaging member having a pattern of engine pixel locations with image modulated differences of potential and with first toner having a first toner difference of potential is moved to a second development station. A second development difference of potential of the first polarity at the second development station forms a second net development difference of the second development difference of potential less any image modulated difference of potential at the individual engine pixel location and less any difference of potential relative to ground of any first toner at the individual engine pixel location. The second development difference of potential is greater than the first development difference of potential so that second toner that is different from the first toner, is developed onto the first toner using the second net development difference of potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: William Yurich Fowlkes, Donald Saul Rimai
  • Patent number: 8693906
    Abstract: Methods for printing are provided. In one aspect a primary imaging member having a pattern of engine pixel locations with image modulated differences of potential and with first toner having a first toner difference of potential is moved to a second development station. A second development difference of potential of the first polarity at the second development station forms a second net development difference of the second development difference of potential less any image modulated difference of potential at the individual engine pixel location and less any difference of potential relative to ground of any first toner at the individual engine pixel location. The second development difference of potential is greater than the first development difference of potential so that second toner that is different from the first toner is developed onto the first toner using the second net development difference of potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: William Yurich Fowlkes, Donald Saul Rimai
  • Patent number: 8693905
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sensor that detects a property of a developer material, a transport unit that contacts the developer material and moves the developer material toward a recording medium, and a controller that receives the data regarding the property of the developer material from the sensor unit and sets both a voltage and a velocity of the transport unit, wherein the voltage and the velocity is determined based on data regarding the detected property of the developer material received from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: W. Bradford Willard
  • Patent number: 8688014
    Abstract: A temperature sensor detects information regarding humidity in an atmosphere of a developing container. A temperature sensor detects information regarding humidity in an atmosphere of a toner hopper. An inductance sensor detects information regarding a toner density within the developing container. A printer controller controls a replenishing operation of a replenishing screw member based on image information. The printer controller controls the replenishing operation of the replenishing screw member so that a toner density within the developing container is less than or equal to a predetermined value based on a detection result of the inductance sensor. The printer controller controls the predetermined value to be small when a difference between humidity detection results detected by each of the temperature sensors is large as compared to when the difference is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Shigehiro
  • Patent number: 8687987
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; developing devices, each of which includes a developer carrying member, having an electrode member, for carrying a developer, and a developer feeding member, having a core metal and a surface foam layer, for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member; a supporting member, supporting the developing devices, for sequentially rotating the developing devices to a developing position; and a controller for executing an operation for reducing non-uniform distributions of the developers in the developing devices on the basis of electrostatic capacities between the electrode members and the core metals, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouki Yano, Takuya Kitamura, Hideo Kihara, Yuta Isobe, Yuji Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8682187
    Abstract: A development device includes a development portion, to develop a latent image formed on a latent image carrier with developer, disposed close to the latent image carrier; a developer agitation container to agitate the developer, provided separately from the development portion; a transport system connecting the development portion and the developer agitation container, through which the developer is transported from the developer agitation container to the development portion by air; and a developer retainer to temporarily retain the developer, disposed downstream from the transport system, to which the developer remaining in the transport system escapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Takuma, Junichi Matsumoto, Tomoya Ohmura, Hiroshi Kikuchi, Natsumi Matsue
  • Patent number: 8682228
    Abstract: A developer includes a developer carrying body that carries a two-component developer having a magnetic toner and a carrier. A toner carrying body opposes the developer carrying body and receives toner from the developer carrying body. An image carrying body develops an electrostatic latent image by toner carried on the toner carrying body. A first magnetic member is inside the developer carrying body and opposes a surface of the toner carrying body. A second magnetic member is inside the toner carrying body and opposes the surface of the developer carrying body. The second magnetic member is magnetized to an opposite polarity to the first magnetic member and generates a magnetic force at least on the surface of the toner carrying body in a range of 25 mT to 40 mT in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the toner carrying body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Mukataka, Masashi Fujishima, Yukihiro Mori
  • Patent number: 8676072
    Abstract: Methods for printing are provided. In one aspect, the method includes providing a primary imaging member having engine pixel locations with a ratio modulated difference of potentials, establishing a first development difference of potential to form a first net development difference of potential between the first development difference of potential and the engine pixel location and providing a first charged toner such that the second toner develops at the engine pixel location. Establishing a second development difference of potential that is greater than the first difference of potential proximate the engine pixel location such that a determined amount of first toner develops at the engine pixel locations according to a second net development difference of potential. Wherein the range of second toner potentials is such that a determined range of ratios of second toner amounts and the determined first toner amount provide ratio modulated differences of potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Donald Saul Rimai, William Yurich Fowlkes
  • Patent number: 8676073
    Abstract: A toner transportation device includes a toner case and a drive section. The toner case includes a main body containing toner, and an agitating unit rotatably mounted in the main body that agitates the toner. The drive section includes a driving unit driving the agitating unit, a detection unit detecting a driving unit driving state, and a control unit able to transmit a drive instruction signal to the driving unit and receive a detection signal regarding the driving unit driving state from the detection unit. The control unit determines whether the toner case is in an overload state in accordance with a detection signal reception state. The control unit performs a retry control, causing the driving unit to repeatedly rotate the agitating unit forward and backward when the control unit determines that the toner case is in an overload state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Murata, Tatsuhiko Yoshii, Naoki Mizutani, Takeshi Fujimura, Naoki Yamane
  • Publication number: 20140064759
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller and an imaging unit having a developing device to develop a latent image on a surface of a latent image carrier with toner. When control target value of control parameters that influence a developing ability of the imaging unit becomes inappropriate, the controller performs target value correction processing of correcting the control target value to bring the control target value close to an appropriate value for stabilizing a development density of the imaging unit. In the target value correction processing, the controller corrects a control target value of a second control parameter having a response speed, obtained when the developing ability is changed by the correction, faster than a first control parameter, correct the control target value of the first control parameter, and then turn the control target value of the second control parameter back to the original value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Makoto KOMATSU, Shinji Kato
  • Publication number: 20140056605
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a subjected-to-development member; a first developer-transporting unit; a regulator that regulates the thickness of a developer; a second developer-transporting unit; a density detecting unit that detects center density and edge density of a developed image formed on the subjected-to-development member by the first developer-transporting unit and the second developer-transporting unit; a reference-image forming controller that forms a reference developed image on the subjected-to-development member by forming an electrostatic latent image having a uniform image density at a center position and an edge position; and a speed controller that increases rotation speed of the second developer-transporting unit as compared to the case of forming the reference developed image if the center density of the reference developed image detected by the density detecting unit is lower than the edge density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Taiyo UEHARA
  • Patent number: 8655229
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, which includes a controller configured to switch a circumferential velocity of a development roller from a second circumferential velocity to a first circumferential velocity no later than when development of a photoconductive drum is started and to switch the circumferential velocity of the development roller from the first circumferential velocity to the second circumferential velocity after the development of the photoconductive drum is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomitake Aratachi, Yoshiteru Hattori
  • Patent number: 8649694
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes image holding bodies that hold latent images and toner images, developer units that form toner images by developing the latent images, a transfer unit that transfers the toner images to a recording medium, a fixing unit that fixes the transferred toner images to the recording medium, container mounting portions on which toner containers are replaceably mounted, and remaining toner amount calculating units that calculate the amount of toners remaining in the toner containers, wherein the remaining toner amount calculating unit includes a primary calculator that calculates plural primary remaining amounts on the basis of bases different from each other, a storage unit that stores empty area data of a remaining amount space, and a secondary calculator that refers to the empty area data stored in the storage unit, and calculates a ratio of a distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20140010561
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording medium, includes a developer container configured to store developer, an image bearing member configured to be rotated and on which a latent image is formed, a developer bearing member configured to bear developer and to be rotated to develop the latent image, an agitation member configured to be rotated to agitate the developer stored in the developer container, and a control unit configured to control the rotations of the image bearing member, the developer bearing member, and the agitation member so as to rotate the agitation member while the image bearing member is not rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Yukio Kubo, Masaaki Sato, Masatoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8626015
    Abstract: Printers are provided for printing using large particle toner. One printer has a printer controller causing a first imaging module to form first toner image using a first toner particle having a first charge-to-mass ratio and a median volume weighted diameter between 3 um and 9 um and having a first charge-to-mass ratio and, a second imaging module to form a second toner image using second toner particles having a median volume weighted diameter that is greater than 20 um and a charge-to-mass ratio that is between ? to ½ of the first charge to mass ratio of the first toner times the ratio of the median volume weighted diameter of the first toner to the median volume weighted diameter of the second toner. The first toner image is transferred to a receiver using a first electrostatic field and the second toner image is transferred using a second electrostatic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Muhammed Aslam, Donald S. Rimai, Dinesh Tyagi
  • Publication number: 20140003827
    Abstract: A representative configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a torque meter configured to gauge a rotation load of a photosensitive drum, and a controller configured to control whether to drive a development sleeve when the photosensitive drum is rotated during non image formation or control a driving speed of the development sleeve when the photosensitive drum is rotated during non image formation, based on a difference between first dynamic torque of the photosensitive drum when the development sleeve is rotated at a first speed and second dynamic torque of the photosensitive drum when the development sleeve is stopped or when the development sleeve is rotated at a second speed smaller than the first speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Arimura
  • Patent number: 8620198
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner supply member which is in contact with the toner carrier and is provided within the container, has a foam layer on its surface, rotates in a predetermined direction for image formation and supplies the toner to the toner carrier and has a contact area with the toner carrier with an uppermost stream position in the predetermined direction of the contact area being higher than a lowermost stream position and has a period when the toner supply member rotates in the opposite direction of the predetermined direction to increase the toner amount contained in the foam layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuta Isobe
  • Patent number: 8611771
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive member that is configured to carry a developer image; a developing roller that is configured to supply developer to the photosensitive member; a transfer member that is configured to transfer the developer image carried on the photosensitive member to a transfer medium; and a control unit that is configured to execute a collection mode upon receiving a printing instruction for executing a printing operation but before initiating the printing operation, wherein the control unit in the collection mode is configured to: discharge the developer of one or more circumferences of the developing roller, which has been carried on the developing roller, to the photosensitive member; and collect the discharged developer by the developing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keita Hironaka
  • Publication number: 20130322901
    Abstract: A toner image for measurement of an area coverage modulation of 90% or more is formed on a photosensitive drum in a non-image formation, and a setting condition for defining a developability of a toner image in an image formation is set so that a detection result of an optical sensor detecting the toner image for measurement becomes a preset target value. The target value is set to be lower as a value of the setting condition increases from a lower side to a higher side of the developability. The target value is set so that a color difference ?E of an image having half the maximum image density obtained after the setting condition is set with respect to an image having half the maximum image density obtained after the setting condition is set in a setting mode with use of unused developer is 6.5 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Nakase, Hideki Fujita, Michihito Yamazaki, Yasushi Takeuchi, Kousuke Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20130322893
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is characterized by including a first developing device configured to develop an electrostatic latent image using a developer, a second developing device configured to develop an electrostatic latent image using a developer, a common driving source unit configured to commonly drive the first developing device and the second developing device, and an execution unit configured, in a case where only the first developing device is a new developing device, to execute a predetermined initialization operation to drive the first developing device and a toner discharge operation to discharge toner from the second developing device during the initialization operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Hideaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8600249
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member; a plurality of rotatable developer carrying members; a plurality of developing devices in each of which a respective one of the developer carrying members is provided; and a developing device supporting member rotatable in a direction of codirectional peripheral movement with the image bearing member where the supporting member and the image bearing member are opposed to each other and integrally supporting the plurality of said developing devices. The peripheral speed of the developing device supporting member divided by a peripheral speed of the image bearing member at the time when each of the developer carrying members departs from the surface of the image bearing member and is still rubbing the surface of the image bearing member with the developer is larger than 0 and smaller than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Kawaguchi, Motoki Adachi, Shuhei Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20130308967
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes first and second developer carrying members and a control device. The apparatus is operable in a first mode where an image of a single color is formed using the first developer carrying member and is operable in a second mode, wherein an image of a plurality of colors is formed using the first and second developer carrying members. The control device controls a first discharging operation for discharging developer from the first developer carrying member and a second discharging operation for discharging developer from each of the first and second developer carrying members. When the apparatus executes only the first mode, the control device performs more image formations, in a period between completion of the second discharging operation and start of the first discharging operation, compared to a period between completion of the first discharging operation and start of a subsequent first discharging operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Okubo, Masahiro Yoshida, Kazunori Hashimoto, Masahiro Shibata, Hisashi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8588634
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides toners having a tunable gloss level, electrophotographic apparatuses for using such toners as well as processes for making such toners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Graham Zwartz, T. Brian McAneney, Eric Rotberg, Richard P. N. Veregin, Valerie M. Farrugia, Jordan H. Wosnick
  • Publication number: 20130302053
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of a representative configuration of the present invention includes a photosensitive drum, which carries an electrostatic latent image, and a developing sleeve, which carries a two-component developer and develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum into a toner image. Moving directions of the photosensitive drum and the developing sleeve are opposite at an opposing portion in a developing device having a speed changing portion, which changes the driving speed of the developing sleeve, and a controller, which switches a target speed of the developing sleeve so that it is driven at a second velocity, before it is driven at the first velocity set in a lower speed mode, when the lower speed mode is executed in which the photosensitive drum is driven at a lower speed than in the normal image forming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinya Suzuki, Tadashi Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20130279929
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of cleaning electrodes (such as wires) is used in a toner-based electrostatic printing device. The electrodes produce an environment containing charged toner particles to assist in electrostatic printing. The method automatically monitors at least two printing parameters that are unrelated to signals and voltages provided to the electrodes (using a processor of the electrostatic printing device). Further, this method also uses the processor automatically infers a toner contamination of the electrodes from the printing parameters. This allows the processor to automatically adjust the printing the used by the electrostatic printing device during electrostatic printing to maintain the contamination of the electrodes below a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michele D. Cleary, James A. Winters, James P. Kitchen
  • Patent number: 8559853
    Abstract: Various methods, devices and techniques for improving image quality for an image forming device are disclosed. For example, improved image quality can be had for an image forming apparatus having a first image forming unit including a first image carrier and a first developer carrier in contact with the first image carrier at a first pressure, and the first image carrier carries a first developer having a first charging characteristic, and a second image forming unit including a second image carrier, and a second developer carrier in contact with the second image carrier at a second pressure, greater than the first pressure, and the second developer carrier carries a second developer having a second charging characteristic. The first pressure and the second pressure are preset based on the first charging characteristic and the second charging characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Arihiro Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 8554095
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which is capable of bringing an output density close to a target density even if a charge amount of toner particles changes, includes an image forming unit having an image carrier and a developing unit, a storage unit storing a saturation charge amount of toner particles, and a control unit. The control unit forms a patch image using the image forming unit, measures the density of the patch image to obtain a first potential that is a contrast potential corresponding to a target density, estimates the charge amount of the toner particles in the developing unit to obtain a first charge amount, obtains a second potential from the first potential, the first charge amount and the saturation charge amount, and sets the second potential as the contrast potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 8554092
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion for forming a toner image of color toner and transparent toner on a recording material; a heating device for heating the toner image formed on the recording material; an execution portion for executing a mode in which the transparent toner is partly placed in an image formable region of the recording material; and a control portion for controlling, on the basis of an amount of the color toner to be placed in an adjacent region adjacent to a region in which the transparent toner is to be placed, the amount of the transparent toner so that the amount of the transparent toner to be partly placed on the recording material when glossiness in the adjacent region is high is larger than that when the glossiness in the adjacent region is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sumito Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20130259497
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes an exposure unit to form an electrostatic latent image with image dots on a rotatable image carrier by exposing the image carrier to irradiation light, a development unit to form a developer image by attaching a developer to the electrostatic latent image, a voltage supply unit to supply the development unit with a development voltage, a cleaning unit to clean up the developer left on the image carrier after the development, and a developer discard amount controller to control an amount of the developer to be forcibly attached to the image carrier based on a total rotation number of the image carrier if the number of image dots printed during a prescribed number of rotations of the image carrier is smaller than a reference value, and to forcibly attach the controlled amount of the developer to the image carrier to discard the developer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: OKI DATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Susumu YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8547597
    Abstract: Dot patterns formed by two different half-tone processes of the plurality of tone processes for each color of CMYK and formed with/without the presence and absence of transparent toner overlap are created and test patches obtained by collecting the dot patterns are printed. The printed test patches are read to generate image data, and tone correction arithmetic is performed on the basis of the image data. Concentration in the case of the presence of transparent toner in a different half-tone process is predicted based on the dot patterns with the transparent toner overlap in the test patches and concentration in the case of the absence of transparent toner in a different half-tone process is predicted based on the dot patterns without the transparent toner overlap in the test patches. The tone correction arithmetic is performed based on the predicted values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Takeshi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20130243454
    Abstract: In the case of a standard sized sheet, a first controller sets a linear velocity D of an image bearing member at a first velocity and sets a linear velocity S of a toner bearing member so that S/D, which is a ratio of the linear velocity S to the linear velocity D, has a first value and a second controller sets the thickness of the toner layer carried on the toner bearing member at a first layer thickness. In the case of a long sheet, the first controller sets the linear velocity D at a second velocity slower than the first velocity and sets the linear velocity S so that the S/D has a second value larger than the first value and the second controller sets the thickness of the toner layer at a second layer thickness smaller than the first layer thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Chikara Ishihara, Masashi Fujishima
  • Patent number: 8538283
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for printing an image on a continuous print medium includes an image processing unit for converting print data received to image data printable; a developer image forming unit for forming a developer image using specific developer according to the image data; a transfer unit for transporting the continuous print medium and transferring the developer image to the continuous print medium; and a control unit for instructing timings of the developer image forming unit to form the developer image and the transfer unit to transport the continuous print medium when the control unit receives a conversion process completion notice from the image processing unit. Further, it is arranged so that an initialization operation of the developer image forming unit is performed before the developer image forming unit forms the developer image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Negishi
  • Publication number: 20130236201
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner forced consumption control unit that performs toner forced consumption control in which toner in a developing unit is forcibly consumed when a certain condition to perform the toner forced consumption control is met. The certain condition to perform the toner forced consumption control includes a specific performance condition that a transfer bias switching condition to switch a transfer bias to a superimposed transfer bias in which an alternating current component is superimposed on a direct current component, from a direct current transfer bias is met. When the specific performance condition is met, the toner forced consumption control unit performs preliminary toner forced consumption control in which the toner forced consumption control is performed before an image forming operation using the superimposed transfer bias is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Takehide Mizutani, Shinya Tanaka, Yasunobu Shimizu, Hirokazu Ishii, Keigo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8532510
    Abstract: In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus employing a contact development system, contact of a development roller against a photosensitive drum is started while forming an electrostatic latent image of a detection pattern for detection in each individual apparatus, and a developed toner image is detected at a predetermined position. At this time, a time from the time when contact of the development roller was started until the time when the toner image was detected is measured, and a delay time from a time when contact operation of the development roller was started until a time of actual contact is calculated by subtracting the time needed until the developed toner image reaches the detection position. The time when contact of the development roller is started is delayed by this time. The same sort of control is also performed for the separation time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Murasaki, Takaomi Uezono, Yasuhisa Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8532545
    Abstract: A developing device in an image forming apparatus includes: a first developer carrier that rotates in a same direction as a rotating direction of an image carrier of the image forming apparatus so as to supply developer to the image carrier; and a second developer carrier that rotates in a direction opposite to the rotating direction of the image carrier so as to supply the developer to the image carrier. The developing device simultaneously performs a refreshing operation of performing replacement of the developer and a filming removal operation of causing the image carrier to rotate idle while forming an image for use in the refreshing operation and causing the first and second developer carriers to rotate in their respective rotating directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Tomonari Hokkyoh, Takashi Suzuki, Koutarou Yamada, Katsuhiro Akinaga
  • Patent number: 8532511
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an image forming contrast potential for obtaining the maximum density is set by reading a specific pattern transferred and formed on a sheet. A photosensor detects the density of a specific pattern formed on an image carrier at the image forming contrast potential, and the detection result is stored. A correction amount for the image forming contrast potential is calculated on the basis of the relationship between the stored detected density, and the density, detected by the optical sensor, of the specific pattern formed on the image carrier at a predetermined timing. The image forming contrast potential is adjusted by the correction amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Komiya
  • Publication number: 20130223861
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum; a first sleeve for carrying a developer containing toner and a carrier having a volume resistivity lower than that of the toner and for developing an image on the drum by rubbing the drum with the developer; a second sleeve for carrying the developer received from the first sleeve and for developing the image by rubbing the drum with the developer carried on the second sleeve; a voltage source for applying a developing bias voltage including a DC voltage component and an AC voltage component to the first sleeve and second sleeve; and a driving device for rotating the first sleeve at a peripheral speed higher than the drum and for rotating the second sleeve at a peripheral speed which is higher than the drum and which is lower than the first sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130223862
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member for bearing an electrostatic latent image; 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 a stirring member for stirring the developer and for feeding the developer to the developer supplying member; and a controller for controlling, 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Patent number: 8520227
    Abstract: A printing system according to this invention includes a display, a storage section, a determination section, and a control section. The display is capable of displaying an ECO mode recommending screen which recommends a plurality of ECO modes for selection. The storage section is configured to store therein a characteristic of a printing data item unsuited for ECO mode printing. The determination section is configured to determine whether or not a printing data item is suited for the ECO mode printing. The control section causes the display section to display the ECO mode recommending screen in response to a determination made by the determination section that the printing data item is suited for the ECO mode printing and then start a printing process in response to a printing instruction given by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoko Toizumi, Masanori Matsumoto, Tsutomu Yoshimoto
  • Publication number: 20130216250
    Abstract: A development device includes a developer bearer to carry by rotation developer to a development range facing a latent image bearer, and a developer regulator to adjust an amount of developer transported to the development range by the developer bearer. Multiple projections are formed in a surface of the developer bearer, and the developer bearer rotates in a reverse direction to a direction of rotation for image development while image development is not performed. The developer regulator includes a blade having a first end held by a regulator holder and a second end that contacts the multiple projections formed in the surface of the developer bearer and is disposed in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of the developer bearer for image development.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Hideyasu SEKI, Yasuyuki Ishii, Yoshiko Ogawa, Osamu Endou, Yuuji Ishikura, Masayuki Yamane, Keiichi Yoshida, Atsushi Kurokawa, Masahiro Watanabe, Akihiro Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20130216251
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first voltage application section for applying a first bias to a magnetic roller, a second voltage application section for applying a second bias to a developing roller, and a controller for controlling the voltages of the first and second voltage application sections and the driving/rotating of the magnetic roller and the developing roller. When no image formation is taking place, the controller can execute a toner collection mode in which, with the first and second biases set at the same potential and the second bias set lower than the voltage applied to an image carrying member, the magnetic roller is rotated in the direction reverse to that in which it is rotated during image formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
  • Patent number: 8515301
    Abstract: An image forming device includes an image carrier, an exposing part, a developing member; a developer reserving part; a detection part to detect a developer remaining amount; a first count part to count a rotation number of the image carrier; a second count part to count an exposing dot number; a first calculation part to calculate a print duty for a print sheet based on the rotation number of the image carrier and the exposing dot number; and a discarding part in which when the developer remaining amount is equal to or less than a standard remaining amount, and when the print duty is less than a standard duty, developer is to discard more than the case in which the developer remaining amount is more than the standard remaining amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Niijima
  • Patent number: 8509637
    Abstract: A metering skive for a dry electrophotographic (EP) printer is mounted on a retractable skive mount. The skive mount is spring-loaded to a mounting block, and a stop pin sets the distance between the skive mount and the mounting block. A movable spacer with a plurality of laterally-separated regions of respective, different thicknesses is mounted between the head of the stop pin and the mounting block. A retractor can be operated to pull the skive mount towards the mounting block so the spacer can be moved to select a desired spacing between the mounting block and the skive mount, and thus a desired gap between the metering skive and the toning member in the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Dobbertin, David James Cornell, Henry Paul Mitchell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8502994
    Abstract: A method of controlling a printing job of an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit. The method of controlling a printing job includes transforming scanned data into printable data, and determining a time to start driving the image forming unit according to the type of data scanned, starting driving the image forming unit at the determined start time, and printing the scanned data transformed into printable data. The time required to perform a printing job is thereby reduced, and scanned data can be output normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung-ho Lee, Sang-hyup Lee