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:
Jan. 07, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 02, 2001
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A method of detecting a developer remaining amount for successively detecting the remaining amount of a developer used for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the method including successively detecting the remaining amount of developer based on a period of time for which a light is blocked by a developer carried by a developer carrying member, wherein the developer is carried by the developer carrying member to a position in which the developer blocks the light that has entered a developer containing portion from a first light transmission opening of said a developer containing portion for containing the developer when the light transmitted from the first light transmission opening to an inside of the developer containing portion is transmitted from a second light transmission opening of the developer containing portion to an outside of the developer containing portion.