Toner supplement control device operative concurrent with image forming apparatus active status
US5331377A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jul 19, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0877
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A toner supplement control device incorporated in an image forming apparatus for executing the supplement of a fresh toner to a developing unit only when a particular document image process mode is under way. The particular process mode is any one of a document image receive mode, a document image record mode, a document image copy mode, a supervisory report record mode, etc. In the event of initialization of the apparatus, during ordinary recording operation, and when a cleaner and toner magazine (CTM) is to be replaced, whether or not a fresh toner is present in the CTM is determined on the basis of the condition of a fresh toner existing in a developing unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.