Patent · US Expired

Image forming apparatus

US6349183B1 · kind B1 · utility

11Cited by
6References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 27, 2000
Grant dateFeb 19, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 27, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G2215/0177
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a toner supply for supplying toner to the developing unit; a toner supply control device for determining the final amount of toner supply, on the basis of the standard amount of toner supply corresponding to image coverage and a change in the amount of toner supply corresponding to the density of an image, thereby controlling the toner supply; a toner supply history storage device for storing a history concerning the amount of toner supplied; a toner consumption status determination device for determining whether or not an excessive amount of toner is consumed, on the basis of the toner supply history information; and development property stabilization device which interrupts formation of an image when the toner consumption status determination device determines that an excessive amount of toner is consumed, thereby causing the toner supply to supply toner and causing the developing unit to agitate and blend a developing agent or to temporarily agitate and blend a developing agent.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.