Abstract: The cloud server holds the main database for storing all the registration data that is handled in the present system, and the edge server that is arranged close to the sensor holds a sub-database for storing part of the registration data. The sub-database in the edge server stores only the registration data having a high probability of being verified in the edge server. In the case where the edge server verifies the detection data that has been acquired by the sensor with the registration data within the sub-database and determines that the registration data that matches the detection data does not exist within the sub-database, the configuration allows the detection data to be transmitted to the cloud server and requests the detection data to be verified with the registration data within the main database.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier to carry a toner image, intermediate, primary, and secondary transfer members, and a voltage application member. The voltage application member applies a voltage to the image carrier. The secondary transfer member is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer member. The toner image carried on the image carrier is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer member in a state where the voltage application member applies the voltage to the image carrier. The intermediate transfer member has a volume resistivity from 5×107 ?·cm to 2×1011 ?·cm inclusive. A relation ?s1/?s2?1.5 is satisfied, where ?s1 denotes a surface resistivity which is measured from the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer member and ?s2 denotes a surface resistivity which is measured from an inner circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: The image heating apparatus includes a heater having first and second and heat-generation segments each having a plurality of spaced-apart heat generating parts therein in the longitudinal direction respectively. The heat generating parts each have first and second electro-conductive patterns provided along the longitudinal direction on a substrate and overlapping in the longitudinal direction, and a heat generating resistor which electrically connects the respective overlapping regions of the first electro-conductive pattern and the second electro-conductive pattern with each other and generates heat by supplied electric power. It simultaneously prevents the temperature in a non-sheet feeding portion from rising and secures fixing properties in the gap between the adjacent heat generating parts.

Abstract: The image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording medium has an endless belt with a base layer made of a metal material; a heater that contacts with an inner surface of the endless belt; and a backup member that forms a nip portion together with the heater through the endless belt. The image formed on the recording medium is heated while being pinched and conveyed in the nip portion. An end surface of the base layer includes a plane region and a curved surface region. When the thickness of the base layer is t, the width of the plane region in a thickness direction of the base layer is h, and the flatness ratio H of the end surface of the base layer is defined as h/t, the flatness ratio H satisfies 50%?H?90%.

Abstract: The image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording medium includes an endless belt that includes a base layer made of a metal material; a heater that contacts with an inner surface of the endless belt; and a backup member that forms a nip portion together with the heater through the endless belt. The image formed on the recording medium is heated while being pinched and conveyed in the nip portion. An end surface of the base layer includes a plane region and a curved surface region. When the thickness of the base layer is t, the width of the plane region in a thickness direction of the base layer is h, and the flatness ratio H of the end surface of the base layer is defined as h/t, the flatness ratio H satisfies 50%?H?90%.

Abstract: The image heating apparatus includes a heater has a first and heat-generation segment having a plurality of heat generating parts therein in the longitudinal direction respectively, and the heat generating parts each having a first electro-conductive pattern provided along the longitudinal direction on a substrate, and a second electro-conductive pattern provided along the longitudinal direction on said substrate and has a region that overlaps with said first electro-conductive pattern in the longitudinal direction, and a heat generating resistor which electrically connects the respective overlapping regions of said first electro-conductive pattern and said second electro-conductive pattern with each other and generates heat by a supplied electric power. It simultaneously prevents the temperature in a non-sheet feeding portion from rising and secures fixing properties in a gap between the divided heat generating resistors, and a heater used in this image heating apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image thermal apparatus including a flexible metallic sleeve, the inner peripheral surface of which contacts a heater. In order to provide increased durability for the sliding face of the heater, an imide resin that contains silicon nitride elementary particles is used to coat the sliding face of the heater.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording material, the apparatus including a conveying roller for conveying a recording material, the conveying roller including a metal core and an elastic layer provided outside the metal core, wherein the metal core has, in a central portion in the longitudinal direction thereof, a straight shape area having a substantially uniform diameter along the longitudinal direction and tapered shape areas, on both sides of the straight shape area, in which a diameter gradually decreases toward ends in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the elastic layer has, in a central portion in the longitudinal direction thereof, a straight shape area having a substantially uniform diameter along the longitudinal direction and inverted crown shape areas, on both sides of the straight shape area, in which a diameter gradually increases toward ends in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The image heating apparatus for heating a toner image formed on a recording material, includes a rotatable member; heating device for heating an outer peripheral surface of the rotatable member, the heating device including a heater for forming a heating nip portion in cooperation with the rotatable member; back-up device for forming a conveying nip portion in cooperation with the rotatable member, the conveying nip portion conveying the recording material; and control device for controlling a temperature of the heater and a rotation of the rotatable member; wherein the apparatus has a cleaning mode to remove toner from the heating device, wherein the control device, in the cleaning mode, starts energizing the heater to dissipate heat in a condition that the rotatable member stops and afterward stops energizing the heater, and wherein the control device rotates the rotatable member until a part which forms a heating nip portion in a peripheral direction of the rotatable member reaches the conveying nip portio

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image thermal apparatus including a flexible metallic sleeve, the inner peripheral surface of which contacts a heater. In order to provide increased durability for the sliding face of the heater, an imide resin that contains silicon nitride elementary particles is used to coat the sliding face of the heater.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording material, the apparatus including a conveying roller for conveying a recording material, the conveying roller including a metal core and an elastic layer provided outside the metal core, wherein the metal core has, in a central portion in the longitudinal direction thereof, a straight shape area having a substantially uniform diameter along the longitudinal direction and tapered shape areas, on both sides of the straight shape area, in which a diameter gradually decreases toward ends in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the elastic layer has, in a central portion in the longitudinal direction thereof, a straight shape area having a substantially uniform diameter along the longitudinal direction and inverted crown shape areas, on both sides of the straight shape area, in which a diameter gradually increases toward ends in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The image heating apparatus for heating a toner image formed on a recording material, includes a rotatable member; heating device for heating an outer peripheral surface of the rotatable member, the heating device including a heater for forming a heating nip portion in cooperation with the rotatable member; back-up device for forming a conveying nip portion in cooperation with the rotatable member, the conveying nip portion conveying the recording material; and control device for controlling a temperature of the heater and a rotation of the rotatable member; wherein the apparatus has a cleaning mode to remove toner from the heating device, wherein the control device, in the cleaning mode, starts energizing the heater to dissipate heat in a condition that the rotatable member stops and afterward stops energizing the heater, and wherein the control device rotates the rotatable member until a part which forms a heating nip portion in a peripheral direction of the rotatable member reaches the conveying nip portio

Abstract: A heat fixing apparatus, in which a recording material, with an unfixed image passes through a fixing nip formed by a fixing member and a pressurizing member, has an electro-conductive member to be in contact with the recording material disposed downstream of the fixing nip with respect to the recording material conveying direction, wherein a bias voltage is applied to at least one of the fixing member and the electro-conductive member. As recording materials are consecutively fed, the bias voltage applied while the recording materials pass through the fixing nip portion is gradually decreased in accordance with the number of heated recording materials. Thus, smeared image trailing edge upon fixing is prevented from occurring, and the amount of toner adhering to the surface of the fixing member or the surface of the pressurizing member is reduced, so that image errors such as toner contamination are prevented from occurring.

Abstract: A heat fixing apparatus, in which a recording material on which an unfixed image has been formed is caused to pass through a fixing nip formed by a fixing member and a pressurizing member that are in pressure contact with each other so that the unfixed toner is fixed as a permanent image, comprises an electro-conductive member to be in contact with the recording material disposed downstream of the fixing nip with respect to the recording material conveying direction, wherein a bias voltage is applied to at least one of the fixing member and the electro-conductive member. With the above-described structure, in the case that a state in which recording materials are consecutively fed continues, the bias voltage applied while the recording materials pass through the fixing nip portion is gradually decreased in accordance with the number of heated recording materials.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a fixing device of the film heating type and the pressure rotary member driving type and an image forming apparatus provided with this fixing device, at the start of printing, the output of a thermistor near a heater is detected, and when the temperature difference &Dgr;T=T2−T1 between the detected temperature T1 and the fixing temperature T2 is smaller than a desired temperature T0, the raising timing of the heater is delayed. Thereby, a pressure roller is not-excessively warmed at hot start and slip can be prevented. Also, in the image forming apparatus having the film heating type fixing device, in the next printing after the lapse of a predetermined time after the termination of a printing operation, the target temperature and heater electrical energization starting timing of the fixing device are changed in conformity with the temperature of the fixing device.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a fixing device, which can obtain good fixing ability while preventing occurrence of hot offset. The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that has image forming means for forming an image on a recording material, a heating member for heating the image on the recording material, a backup roller forming a nip with the heating member, a temperature detecting element for detecting a temperature of an atmosphere, and control means for controlling a power supply to the heating member, wherein when a print signal is inputted, the control means controls power supply (electrical communication) to the heating member in such a manner that the heating member maintains a set temperature in accordance with a detection temperature of the temperature detecting element, and, thereafter, a fixing operation is effected.

Abstract: In a fixing device of the film heating type and the pressure rotary member driving type and an image forming apparatus provided with this fixing device, at the start of printing, the output of a thermistor near a heater is detected, and when the temperature difference &Dgr;T=T2−T1 between the detected temperature T1 and the fixing temperature T2 is smaller than a desired temperature T0, the raising timing of the heater is delayed. Thereby, a pressure roller is not-excessively warmed at hot start and slip can be prevented. Also, in the image forming apparatus having the film heating type fixing device, in the next printing after the lapse of a predetermined time after the termination of a printing operation, the target temperature and heater electrical energization starting timing of the fixing device are changed in conformity with the temperature of the fixing device.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus prevents the offset of toner onto a fixing roller, by forming a surface mold release layer made of pure fluororesin material on a core member of the fixing roller and by applying a bias voltage to the fixing roller.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a fixing device, which can obtain good fixing ability while preventing occurrence of hot offset. The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that has image forming means for forming an image on a recording material, a heating member for heating the image on the recording material, a backup roller forming a nip with the heating member, a temperature detecting element for detecting a temperature of an atmosphere, and control means for controlling a power supply to the heating member, wherein when a print signal is inputted, the control means controls power supply (electrical communication) to the heating member in such a manner that the heating member maintains a set temperature in accordance with a detection temperature of the temperature detecting element, and, thereafter, a fixing operation is effected.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus prevents the offset of toner onto a fixing roller, by forming a surface mold release layer made of pure fluororesin material on a core member of the fixing roller and by applying a bias voltage to the fixing roller.