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. 19, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 27, 2000
Kiyoshi Nagamine, Saitama, JP;
Yoshifumi Ozaki, Saitama, JP;
Toru Ishikawa, Saitama, JP;
Hiroshi Kawarazuka, Saitama, JP;
Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
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.