The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 11, 1990
Filed:
May. 25, 1989
Naoyoshi Kinoshita, Osaka, JP;
Yoshihiko Hatta, Osaka, JP;
Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus employing a two-component developer including toner and carrier comprises: a developing unit containing the developer; a toner concentration sensor provided on the developing unit for detecting the concentration of the toner included in the developing unit; a comparing apparatus for comparing a value detected by the toner concentration sensor with a prescribed concentration reference value; a supplying apparatus for supplying toner to the developing unit; a controlling apparatus for controlling toner supply by the supplying apparatus based on the result of comparison by the comparing apparatus; and a detecting apparatus for detecting whether or not a detachable member whose attachment influences the detection of the toner concentration sensor is attached near the developing unit. The controlling apparatus changes the amount of toner supply by the supplying apparatus based on detected value from the toner concentration sensor in response to the detection output from the detecting apparatus.