Image forming apparatus with detachable mounting process cartridge
US6512896B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 25, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 28, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/1823
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device has a process cartridge that includes a main cartridge accommodating a photosensitive body and a toner cartridge for use in replenis`hing toner as a precondition, is to precisely judge the service life of a photosensitive body and replacement timing of a main cartridge. Whether a predetermined condition is satisfied or not is judged with reference to a recording sheets count value G, a total operation time Tt1 and a toner cartridge related operation time Tx of the photosensitive drum, and a toner replenishing time Ts. In cases where a predetermined condition is satisfied, a message is displayed to urge the user to replace the process cartridge or the toner cartridge. When the toner is used up, the recording operation is inhibited, and an instruction to replace the process cartridge or the toner cartridge is displayed. Consequently, it is possible to accurately replace the photosensitive drum and toner cartridge at their respective adequate replacement timings.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.