| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the need of stopping the operation of an image forming apparatus as in the conventional manner, to drastically shorten maintenance time; and also to restrain the lowering of the operation rate of the image forming apparatus to the minimum. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus has: a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on an image carrier; a developing means for developing the latent image by using color toners of at least one or more colors; a transfer means for transferring the formed developed image to a transfer material; and a fixing means for fixing the transferred image on the transfer material. Also, the image forming apparatus is equipped with: a detection means for detecting the failure of the image forming apparatus by detecting a discharge phenomenon between the image carrier and the developing means; and a communication means connected to external equipment through a network and communicating with the external equipment through the network when the detection means detects the failure of the image forming apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT |
