Abstract: A multicolor image forming apparatus includes an exposure unit to direct optical beams for optically writing different single-color images on image carriers, respectively, a pattern forming unit to form a positioning pattern on a transport member, a pattern detector to detect the positioning pattern, disposed above the transport member, a positional data detector disposed on a scanning line to detect positional data in a sub-scanning direction of the optical beams, an adjustment unit, and a storage unit. The adjustment unit detects positional deviations among the different single-color images based on detection results generated by both the pattern detector and the positional data detector, respectively, and then corrects the positional deviations. The storage unit stores as reference data the positional data in the sub-scanning direction of the optical beams detected when the positional deviations are corrected.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an image forming unit includes a movable member that is rotationally driven by a driving unit. A moving distance or a moving speed of the movable member is detected. The driving unit is controlled based on a quantity of control. An occurrence of a detection error or a control error is determined based on the moving distance, the moving speed, or the quantity of control. A predetermined error process is executed if an error occurs.

Abstract: A host apparatus communicates with a server that stores binary data containing a host apparatus supporting program that is necessary when the host apparatus is used with a predetermined one of a plurality of devices and a download program that downloads the host apparatus supporting program to the predetermined device, recognizes the predetermined device when the predetermined device is connected to the host apparatus, outputs a request to acquire the binary data to the server, stores the binary data in a storage unit of the host apparatus when the server inputs the binary data, executes the download program contained in the binary data stored in the storage unit to download the host apparatus supporting program to the predetermined device, and deletes the binary data from the storage unit after the download program is executed or when the use of the predetermined device is completed.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling timing for starting image formation, and image forming apparatus using such device and method are described. A detector outputs a synchronization detection signal when a light beam enters the detector. The timing for starting image formation is determined based on timing when a counter value, which is counted from timing when the synchronization detection signal is detected, reaches a reference counter value. The reference counter value may be determined according to an operation mode.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming devices, a transfer device including a transfer belt, a test pattern forming device configured to form, on the transfer belt, a test pattern including a plurality of marks formed by the image forming devices, an optical sensor configured to read the plurality of marks, and a checking device configured to determine whether reading by the optical sensor is performed correctly or not.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image carrying member, a transfer member, support rollers, a detecting mechanism, and a controller. The image carrying member supported by the support rollers, forms a toner image on its surface facing a surface of the transfer member, which transfers the toner image to a recording medium. The detecting mechanism includes a detection roller, a roller shaft, a moving member, and a sensor, and detects a speed of the image carrying member. The detection roller includes one support roller selected from the support rollers, and is provided with the roller shaft. The moving member is directly fixed to the roller shaft and rotates with the detection roller. The sensor detects a moving speed of the detection roller with the moving member. The controller controls a traveling speed of the image carrying member to a target speed based on a detection result of the sensor.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming devices attachable to and detachable from a housing, a transfer device including a transfer belt, an exchange detecting device configured to detect exchange of the image forming devices, a test pattern forming device configured to form, on the transfer belt, a test pattern including a plurality of marks formed by the image forming devices, when the exchange detecting device detects an exchange of the image forming device, an optical sensor configured to read the plurality of marks, and a checking device configured to determine whether reading by the optical sensor is performed correctly or not.

Abstract: In an image forming device, a correction unit corrects image formation operation based on a plurality of correction patterns. A pattern creation unit forms an electrostatic latent image of the correction patterns on a photoconductor and transferring the image to an intermediate transfer body to form the correction patterns thereon. A pattern detecting unit detects the correction patterns formed on the intermediate transfer body. A speed detecting unit detects a movement speed of the correction patterns on the intermediate transfer body are moved. A timing holding unit computes a set value of detection start timing for starting detection of each correction pattern to hold the set value. The correction unit is provided to determine, in advance of correcting image formation operation, a detection start timing based on the movement speed and the set value.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming devices attachable to and detachable from a housing, a transfer device including a transfer belt, an exchange detecting device configured to detect exchange of the image forming devices, a test pattern forming device configured to form, on the transfer belt, a test pattern including a plurality of marks formed by the image forming devices, when the exchange detecting device detects an exchange of the image forming device, an optical sensor configured to read the plurality of marks, and a checking device configured to determine whether reading by the optical sensor is performed correctly or not.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which includes a plurality of image forming portions transferring a yellow image, a magenta image, a cyan image, and a black image formed on a plurality of photoconductor drums to a sheet conveyed on a conveying belt, a marking unit forming marks on the conveying belt, a detecting unit detecting the marks with three or more sensors aligned in a direction normal to a direction in which the sheet is conveyed, a calculating unit calculating an amount of color misalignment in accordance with results detected by the detecting unit, and a correcting unit correcting the color misalignment in accordance with the calculated amount of color misalignment, wherein the calculating unit calculates an amount of skew difference in accordance with results detected by two sensors among the three or more sensors, wherein one sensor of the two sensors is disposed on one end of the three or more sensors and the other sensor of the two sensors is disposed on the other end of the three or more sensors, w

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which includes a plurality of image forming portions transferring a yellow image, a magenta image, a cyan image, and a black image formed on a plurality of photoconductor drums to a sheet conveyed on a conveying belt, a marking unit forming marks on the conveying belt, a detecting unit detecting the marks with three or more sensors aligned in a direction normal to a direction in which the sheet is conveyed, a calculating unit calculating an amount of color misalignment in accordance with results detected by the detecting unit, and a correcting unit correcting the color misalignment in accordance with the calculated amount of color misalignment, wherein the calculating unit calculates an amount of skew difference in accordance with results detected by two sensors among the three or more sensors, wherein one sensor of the two sensors is disposed on one end of the three or more sensors and the other sensor of the two sensors is disposed on the other end of the three or more sensors, w

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic process part for image formation provided for an image carrying medium for each color; a non-end moving part moving images transferred thereto from the respective image carrying media for the respective colors; and an image detecting part detecting an image formed on the non-end moving part. The respective electrophotographic process parts are disposed in sequence along the non-end moving part, and form positional error detection marks on the non-end moving part; the image detecting part detects the thus-formed positional error detection marks; and positional error correction is performed based on a result of detection thus performed by the image detecting part. The apparatus comprises a control part having at least two modes in the positional error correction; and the control part performs control such that one of the at least two modes is selected according to a positional error amount detected by the image detecting part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a plurality of detachable image forming devices each for forming a color image, an image carrying device for carrying the color images sequentially overlaid into a single color image, an exchange detecting device for detecting an exchange of the image forming devices, a test pattern reading device for reading a predetermined test pattern formed by the image forming devices on the image carrying device, and a controller configured to instruct the image forming devices to form the predetermined test pattern when either the detecting device detects the exchange, the fixing temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature, a color print adjustment command is provided, or the total number of color prints is greater than that at the last color print adjustment, and to perform color image position adjustment based on readings of the predetermined test pattern by the test pattern reading device.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus including a plurality of photosensitive drums on which toner images of different colors are respectively formed. An endless belt confronts the plurality of photosensitive drums. A drive source drives rotation of the endless belt, or alternatively plural drive sources drive the photosensitive drums to individually rotate. A memory stores pre-measured characteristics of a color misregistration of a color image in a sub-scanning direction of the apparatus, the color image formed by transferring images from respective of the plurality of photosensitive drums. Further, a control unit changes an average running speed of the endless belt, or alternatively an average running speed of at least some of the photosensitive drums, by controlling the drive sources, to compensate for color misregistration, based on the stored characteristics of color misregistration. The belt can either transport a paper sheet or have a color image formed thereon as an intermediate transfer device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program for driving a motor in a feedback control system, capable of suppressing oscillation of the motor rotational speed are disclosed. A motor drive controller includes a drive motor, a detector, and a motor drive controller. The drive motor drives a moving body around a target speed. The detector detects a current moving speed of the moving body and outputs it as a detector pulse signal. The controller calculates a difference between the current moving speed and the target moving speed, calculates a control value based on the difference, calculates a pulse rate of a drive pulse signal based on the control value after having controlled the control value to be within a predetermined value, and controls the drive motor based on the pulse rate.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a pattern forming unit forms a pattern for ameliorating image positional displacement, and a detecting unit detects the pattern. An ameliorating unit ameliorates an image positional displacement based on the pattern detected. If for example, the pattern cannot be detected, then e.g., monochrome printing is enabled, and a notifying unit notifies that the amelioration is not possible.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image carrying member, a transfer member, support rollers, a detecting mechanism, and a controller. The image carrying member forms a toner image on its surface facing a surface of the transfer member, supported by the support rollers, which transfers the toner image to a recording medium. The detecting mechanism includes a detection roller, a roller shaft, a moving member, and a sensor, and detects a speed of the transfer member. The detection roller includes one support roller selected from the support rollers, and is provided with the roller shaft. The moving member is directly fixed to the roller shaft and rotates with the detection roller. The sensor detects a moving speed of the detection roller with the moving member. The controller controls a traveling speed of the transfer member to a target speed based on a detection result of the sensor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program for driving a motor in a feedback control system, capable of suppressing oscillation of the motor are disclosed. A motor drive controller includes a drive motor, a detector, and a motor drive controller. The drive motor drives a moving body around a target moving speed. The detector detects a current moving speed of the moving body and output it as a detector pulse signal. The controller calculates a difference between the current moving speed and the target moving speed, calculates a control value based on the difference, calculates a pulse rate of a drive pulse signal based on the control value after having controlled the control value to be within a predetermined value, and feedback controls the drive motor based on the pulse rate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image carrying member, a transfer member, support rollers, a detecting mechanism, and a controller. The image carrying member forms a toner image on its surface facing a surface of the transfer member, supported by the support rollers, which transfers the toner image to a recording medium. The detecting mechanism includes a detection roller, a roller shaft, a moving member, and a sensor, and detects a speed of the transfer member. The detection roller includes one support roller selected from the support rollers, and is provided with the roller shaft. The moving member is directly fixed to the roller shaft and rotates with the detection roller. The sensor detects a moving speed of the detection roller with the moving member. The controller controls a traveling speed of the transfer member to a target speed based on a detection result of the sensor.

Abstract: A maintenance pattern forming method includes conveying, generating, and forming. The conveying conveys a transfer member on a surface of a conveying member such that there is a spacing area between two adjacent transfer members on the surface of the conveying member. The generating generates a timing signal for at least one of a plurality of colors formed by a color image forming apparatus. The forming forms at least one of a process control pattern, a position adjustment pattern, and a blade curl suppression pattern onto the spacing area based on the timing signal.