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:
Feb. 15, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 02, 1998
Akira Domon, Kashiwa, JP;
Yasushi Shimizu, Toride, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on recording medium, includes a mounting portion capable of detachably mounting a developing unit including a developing member for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing agent containing portion for containing developing agent to be supplied to the developing member and a signal output member for outputting a signal corresponding to a remaining amount of developing agent contained in the developing unit, and a remaining amount detecting portion for detecting the remaining amount of the developing agent contained in the developing unit when the developing unit is mounted to the mounting portion. The remaining amount detecting portion detects a pre-signal outputted from the signal output member prior to image formation, to detect the remaining amount of the developing agent on the basis of a detected result.