Abstract: An original size detecting apparatus is capable of carrying out accurate original size detection without erroneous detection of the size of an original due to the influence of external scattered light. A CCD reads reflected light of light irradiated from a light source onto an original placed on an original platen glass. Optical sensors detect two open states of the original presser plate, and a scanner controller performs predetermined control corresponding to each of the open states of the original presser plate detected by the optical sensors, to determine the size of the original based on the result of the reading by the CCD.

Abstract: An original size detecting apparatus is capable of carrying out accurate original size detection without erroneous detection of the size of an original due to the influence of external scattered light. A CCD reads reflected light of light irradiated from a light source onto an original placed on an original platen glass. Optical sensors detect two open states of the original presser plate, and a scanner controller performs predetermined control corresponding to each of the open states of the original presser plate detected by the optical sensors, to determine the size of the original based on the result of the reading by the CCD.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus reads an image from a document being simultaneously fed by the apparatus. A document feeder unit feeds the document on a original plate. A first image reading unit reads an image from the fed document at a first document-read position on the original plate. A second image reading unit reads an image from the fed document at a second document-read position located at a predetermined distance from the first document-read position in a document feeding direction. An abnormal pixel detection unit detects abnormal pixels resulting from rubbish moved between the first document-read position and second document-read position on the original plate together with the document.

Abstract: There is provided an image reading apparatus for acquiring a read signal of an image by receiving and photoelectrically converting a light reflected from a document. The location of an alien substance on an original plate is detected based on a reflected light received by a light receiving unit adapted to receive a light reflected from a document. When an alien substance is detected, an illumination unit selectively illuminates the location in which the alien substance has been detected. Also, a message which prompts cleaning of the alien substance is displayed. A method of displaying the alien substance location are also provided. Thereby, the image reading apparatus of the present invention can assists a user in cleaning the alien substance such as a dust or dirt on the original plate.

Abstract: A technique for reducing downtime that accompanies the execution independently of adjustment processing for maintaining image quality and the execution of finishing processing relating to a printing medium. In order to apply the finishing processing to the printing medium in a finishing processing unit, an image forming apparatus to which this technique is applied sets a time between sheets that extends from end of image formation regarding a first sheet of the printing medium to start of image formation regarding a second sheet of the printing medium transported following the first sheet of the printing medium in the image forming unit, and executes adjustment processing, which is for maintaining image quality in the image forming unit, within the set time between sheets.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus whereby waiting time (downtime), which is required for forming an image by automatic adjustment relating to image formation density or image formation position, is made shorter than in the prior art. When an image having a size equal to or less than a prescribed size is formed is formed in this apparatus, the image to be formed is placed on an image carrier in such a manner that a vacant area for forming an adjustment pattern can be reserved on the image carrier. As a result, automatic adjustment relating to image formation density or image formation position can be executed while an image is formed.

Abstract: An original size detecting apparatus is capable of carrying out accurate original size detection without erroneous detection of the size of an original due to the influence of external scattered light. A CCD reads reflected light of light irradiated from a light source onto an original placed on an original platen glass. Optical sensors detect two open states of the original presser plate, and a scanner controller performs predetermined control corresponding to each of the open states of the original presser plate detected by the optical sensors, to determine the size of the original based on the result of the reading by the CCD.

Abstract: An original size detecting apparatus is capable of carrying out accurate original size detection without erroneous detection of the size of an original due to the influence of external scattered light. A CCD reads reflected light of light irradiated from a light source onto an original placed on an original platen glass. Optical sensors detect two open states of the original presser plate, and a scanner controller performs predetermined control corresponding to each of the open states of the original presser plate detected by the optical sensors, to determine the size of the original based on the result of the reading by the CCD.

Abstract: An original size detecting apparatus is capable of carrying out accurate original size detection without erroneous detection of the size of an original due to the influence of external scattered light. A CCD reads reflected light of light irradiated from a light source onto an original placed on an original platen glass. Optical sensors detect two open states of the original presser plate, and a scanner controller performs predetermined control corresponding to each of the open states of the original presser plate detected by the optical sensors, to determine the size of the original based on the result of the reading by the CCD.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which can improve image formation capability to a satisfactory degree while curbing the rise in running cost. An image forming device forms adjustment images having different densities on an image support member having a higher optical reflectivity than an optical reflectivity of the adjustment images. A reading reads the adjustment images. An output from the reading device is read at a predetermined number of readings or time interval between readings based on the densities of the adjustment images susceptible to the optical reflectivity of the image support member.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus capable of compatibly realizing enhancement of durability of a heat rotation member heated by magnetic flux from magnetic flux generation means and early rise up of the image heating apparatus to a heatable temperature includes magnetic flux generation means, heating means, drive means, pressure rotation member, and control means. The control means controls power supply to the magnetic flux generation means and the heating means and rotational drive of the drive means. The control means effects control so that rotational drive of the heat rotation member and the pressure rotation member and power supply to the magnetic flux generation means are stopped until a temperature of the pressure rotation member reaches a predetermined value after power supply to the heating means is effected at the time of startup of the image heating apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided an image reading apparatus for acquiring a read signal of an image by receiving and photoelectrically converting a light reflected from a document. The location of an alien substance on an original plate is detected based on a reflected light received by a light receiving unit adapted to receive a light reflected from a document. When an alien substance is detected, an illumination unit selectively illuminates the location in which the alien substance has been detected. Also, a message which prompts cleaning of the alien substance is displayed. A method of displaying the alien substance location are also provided. Thereby, the image reading apparatus of the present invention can assists a user in cleaning the alien substance such as a dust or dirt on the original plate.

Abstract: This invention can provide a fixing apparatus capable of determining its own life with high accuracy, and an image forming apparatus using this fixing apparatus. To accomplish this, a fixing apparatus includes a fixing unit whose nip portion is separable, a fixing driving motor which drives the fixing unit, a load detecting unit which detects the load acting on the fixing driving motor, and a determining unit which determines the life of the fixing unit on the basis of the difference between the load while the fixing unit is in a press-contacted state and the load while the fixing unit is in a separated state, which are detected by the load detecting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which can improve image formation capability to a satisfactory degree while curbing the rise in running cost. An image forming device forms adjustment images having different densities on an image support member having a higher optical reflectivity than an optical reflectivity of the adjustment images. A reading reads the adjustment images. An output from the reading device is read at a predetermined number of readings or time interval between readings based on the densities of the adjustment images susceptible to the optical reflectivity of the image support member.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus capable of compatibly realizing enhancement of durability of a heat rotation member heated by magnetic flux from magnetic flux generation means and early rise up of the image heating apparatus to a heatable temperature includes magnetic flux generation means, heating means, drive means, pressure rotation member, and control means. The control means controls power supply to the magnetic flux generation means and the heating means and rotational drive of the drive means. The control means effects control so that rotational drive of the heat rotation member and the pressure rotation member and power supply to the magnetic flux generation means are stopped until a temperature of the pressure rotation member reaches a predetermined value after power supply to the heating means is effected at the time of startup of the image heating apparatus.

Abstract: A technique for reducing downtime that accompanies the execution independently of adjustment processing for maintaining image quality and the execution of finishing processing relating to a printing medium. In order to apply the finishing processing to the printing medium in a finishing processing unit, an image forming apparatus to which this technique is applied sets a time between sheets that extends from end of image formation regarding a first sheet of the printing medium to start of image formation regarding a second sheet of the printing medium transported following the first sheet of the printing medium in the image forming unit, and executes adjustment processing, which is for maintaining image quality in the image forming unit, within the set time between sheets.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus whereby waiting time (downtime), which is required for forming an image by automatic adjustment relating to image formation density or image formation position, is made shorter than in the prior art. When an image having a size equal to or less than a prescribed size is formed is formed in this apparatus, the image to be formed is placed on an image carrier in such a manner that a vacant area for forming an adjustment pattern can be reserved on the image carrier. As a result, automatic adjustment relating to image formation density or image formation position can be executed while an image is formed.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus reads an image from a document being simultaneously fed by the apparatus. A document feeder unit feeds the document on a original plate. A first image reading unit reads an image from the fed document at a first document-read position on the original plate. A second image reading unit reads an image from the fed document at a second document-read position located at a predetermined distance from the first document-read position in a document feeding direction. An abnormal pixel detection unit detects abnormal pixels resulting from rubbish moved between the first document-read position and second document-read position on the original plate together with the document.

Abstract: There is provided a communication system which is capable of resetting sub-communication ICs without providing special reset signal lines for transmitting a reset signal and also capable of properly transmitting a communication reset signal to the sub-communication ICs to reset the same when the system is in an abnormal state or when the power supply is turned off, an image forming apparatus provided with this communication system, an initialization method, and a storage medium that contains a program for executing the method. A host CPU controls the whole communication system. A communication controller controls a serial communication. A plurality of sub-communication ICs transmit serial data between themselves and the communication controller. A first reset IC resets the host CPU, and a second reset IC rests the communication controller. The first and second ICs reset the host CPU and the communication controller, respectively, according to different setting conditions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a pair of sheet transporting members having rotary shafts on the same axis in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of a sheet, and rotatively driven independently of each other to thereby transport the sheet, a detector provided along a cross direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the sheet for detecting the transported state of the sheet transported by the sheet transporting members, and a controller for drive-controlling the pair of sheet transporting members on the basis of the detection information of the detector, and effecting the correction of a sheet position in the cross direction and the correction of the skew feed posture of the sheet relative to the transport direction.