Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to transfer a developer image; a processor; and memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, causing the image forming apparatus to: perform an image forming operation of forming an image; perform a cleaning operation of cleaning unnecessary developer of the image forming unit; in a case where existence of data of an image which is to be formed is recognized after activation of the image forming apparatus before a first image forming operation, determine whether to perform the cleaning operation; and in a case where existence of data of the image which is to be formed is not recognized after the activation of the image forming apparatus before the first image forming operation, not to perform the cleaning operation.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method capable of strictly keeping to a preset toner consumption amount and maintaining an image quality the user wants. A target toner save value used in toner save processing is set. In accordance with the set target toner save value, toner save processing is performed for data of the first page of image data formed from a plurality of pages. A toner save amount before and after toner save processing is calculated, and the difference value between the calculated toner save amount and the set target toner save value is calculated. Target toner save values for data of Nth and subsequent pages (N is an integer of 2 or more) of the image data formed from a plurality of pages are decided based on the calculated difference value of the target toner save value.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member that fixes toner on a recording material; a magnetic-field-producing unit including an exciting member that produces an alternating-current magnetic field, and first magnetic-circuit-producing members that each produce a magnetic circuit of the alternating-current magnetic field and are provided at a predetermined first interval and a second interval, smaller than the first interval, in a longitudinal direction of the fixing member; a temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of the fixing member; and a second magnetic-circuit-producing member having a cut portion in which the temperature measuring device is provided and that produces a magnetic circuit of the alternating-current magnetic field while conducting heat to the fixing member by being induction-heated.

Abstract: A drive unit includes a drive pulley connected to a drive source, a driven pulley connected to a target to be moved, at least one relay pulley for transmitting power from the drive pulley to the driven pulley, a plurality of belts including a first belt entrained around the drive pulley and the relay pulley, and a second belt entrained around the relay pulley and the driven pulley, a first tension application device, and a second tension application device. The first tension application device contacts the first belt to provide tension thereto. The second tension application device contacts the second belt to provide tension thereto. A cyclic speed variation component of the first belt in one rotation period transmitted to the driven pulley via the relay pulley and a speed variation component of the second belt in one rotation period transmitted to the driven pulley counteract each other.

Abstract: An image reader is provided, in its housing, with a first scanning unit made up of an LED array of a plurality of LED elements that are arranged in a row in the horizontal scanning direction and that emit light to a document. An air intake port and an air exhaust port are disposed on the housing of the image reader. An imaginary line of an air flow path coupling the air intake port and the air exhaust port to one another is configured to pass adjacent a center of the LED array of the first scanning unit in the horizontal scanning direction with the first scanning unit stopped at a reading position of the document transferred by a document transfer device.

Abstract: A toner image heater includes a heating roller; an external heater for heating the heating roller; a heater for heating the external heater; a detector for detecting a temperature of the external heater; a controller for maintaining the external heater at a target temperature; and an air blower for blowing air toward the heating roller when a predetermined kind of the recording material is separated from the heating roller, wherein the controller controls the target temperature in accordance with information corresponding to a temperature of the air blown from the air blower.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, in which color toner images are primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer medium, and then secondarily transferred to a recording sheet at a secondary transfer nip, a secondary transfer current output device applies a transfer current to the transfer nip while determining the transfer current based on area ratios of the toner images using an algorithm. When determining the transfer current, the secondary transfer current output device estimates the target value of a transfer current needed for transferring one of the toner images to be not lower than that needed for transferring another toner image, which is primarily transferred next to the one of the toner images, and the target value of a transfer current needed for transferring a first toner image, which is primarily transferred firstly, to be lower than that needed for transferring a last toner image, which is primarily transferred lastly.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a subjected-to-development member; a first developer-transporting unit; a regulator that regulates the thickness of a developer; a second developer-transporting unit; a density detecting unit that detects center density and edge density of a developed image formed on the subjected-to-development member by the first developer-transporting unit and the second developer-transporting unit; a reference-image forming controller that forms a reference developed image on the subjected-to-development member by forming an electrostatic latent image having a uniform image density at a center position and an edge position; and a speed controller that increases rotation speed of the second developer-transporting unit as compared to the case of forming the reference developed image if the center density of the reference developed image detected by the density detecting unit is lower than the edge density.

Abstract: A fixation unit which allows paper with a toner image formed thereon to be fed between a first roller and a second roller for fixing the toner image on the sheet. The fixation unit includes a drive controller. The drive controller rotates the first and second rollers on different driving conditions. The drive controller rotates the first roller at a constant circumferential speed at least in a state where the first and second rollers are in pressure contact with each other and rotates the second roller with a constant torque which is low enough for the second roller to stop rotating when the first roller stops rotating.