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:
Aug. 19, 2014
Filed:
Oct. 18, 2010
Motoki Adachi, Ashigarakami-gun, JP;
Masanori Tanaka, Yokohama, JP;
Hideo Kihara, Yokohama, JP;
Takashi Mukai, Kawasaki, JP;
Shinichi Agata, Suntou-gun, JP;
Shuhei Kawasaki, Susono, JP;
Yuji Kawaguchi, Tokyo, JP;
Motoki Adachi, Ashigarakami-gun, JP;
Masanori Tanaka, Yokohama, JP;
Hideo Kihara, Yokohama, JP;
Takashi Mukai, Kawasaki, JP;
Shinichi Agata, Suntou-gun, JP;
Shuhei Kawasaki, Susono, JP;
Yuji Kawaguchi, Tokyo, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a developing device, a detection mode execution unit, and a notice signal generating unit. The developing device supplies a toner bearing member with toner in a container by rotating a toner supply member in a contact manner with the toner bearing member. The detection mode execution unit executes a detection mode in which a predetermined period for changing a toner amount in the foam layer by rotating the toner supply member is provided, a capacitance Cbetween the first and second electrode members is detected before the predetermined period, and a capacitance Cbetween the first and second electrode members is detected after the predetermined period. The notice signal generating unit generates a low toner amount notice signal in response to an absolute value |C−C| of a difference between the capacitances Cand Cbeing smaller than a predetermined threshold.