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:
Apr. 12, 2005
Filed:
Jun. 02, 2003
Applicant:
Ayako Iino, Tokyo, JP;
Inventor:
Ayako Iino, Tokyo, JP;
Assignee:
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G03G015/08 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
Each of a plurality of developing units accommodates toner of different color. Toner images of the different colors are formed on corresponding image carriers and sequentially transferred onto an image transfer medium. Toner remaining on the image carriers is recovered after transfer of toner image of particular color. The toner recovered is supplied to corresponding developing unit for reuse. A controller controls the operation of the image forming apparatus. The controller starts a self-diagnosis mode when receiving an interruption signal. The self-diagnosis mode includes detecting how the toners of different colors are mixed in each developing unit.