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:
Oct. 08, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 04, 1999
Toshiyuki Karakama, Shizuoka-ken, JP;
Shirou Sakata, Mishima, JP;
Hideki Matsumoto, Mishima, JP;
Akiyoshi Yokoi, Shizuoka-ken, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a first electrostatic-capacity generating portion disposed at such a position that the first electrostatic capacity generating portion contacts the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion. The first electrostatic capacity generates portion generating an electrostatic capacity corresponding to an amount of the developer. A second electrostatic-capacity generating portion is disposed at such a position that the second electrostatic-capacity generating portion does not contact the developer accommodated in the developer-accommodating portion. The second electrostatic capacity generating portion generates a reference electrostatic capacity. A developer amount detector is provided for detecting an amount of the developer accommodated in the developer-accommodating portion on the basis of the electrostatic capacity generated by the first electrostatic-capacity generating portion and the reference electrostatic capacity generated by the said second electrostatic-capacity generating portion.