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. 12, 2013
Filed:
Jul. 31, 2009
Yukio Ito, Tokyo, JP;
Yukio Ito, Tokyo, JP;
Oki Data Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus is supplied capable of informing user just after developer in an accommodating section is exhausted. In the apparatus, a developing section is used for forming and developing an electrostatic latent image through developer; an accommodating section accommodates the developer; a supplying section makes the accommodating section be installed exchangeably and supplies the developer to the developing section; a space amount obtaining section obtains a space amount of the supplying section before exchanging the accommodating section; an initial amount calculating section calculates an initial amount of developer in the accommodating section after exchanged on the basis of the space amount and an accommodating amount of the accommodating section; a use amount calculating section calculates a use amount of the developer used by the developing section; a judging section judges an existence/inexistence of the developer in the accommodating section on the basis of the initial amount and the use amount; and an informing section informs user of a judgment result when the judging section judges that the toner does not exist.