Abstract: An image forming device includes a main body unit; an image forming device disposed in the main body unit; a first structural member capable of dividing and moving relative to a third structural member; a second structural member capable of dividing and moving relative to the third structural member and the first structural member; a first transport path situated between the first structural member and the second structural member; a second transport path situated between the second structural member and the third structural member; a sensor for detecting the medium; a first positioning unit for restricting a movement of the second structural member; a second positioning unit for engaging the first structural member with the third structural member; and a control unit for sending a signal to restrict a movement of the first structural member to a specific position based on a detection result of the sensor.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a main body unit; an image forming device disposed in the main body unit; a first structural member capable of dividing and moving relative to a third structural member; a second structural member capable of dividing and moving relative to the third structural member and the first structural member; a first transport path situated between the first structural member and the second structural member; a second transport path situated between the second structural member and the third structural member; a sensor for detecting the medium; a first positioning unit for restricting a movement of the second structural member; a second positioning unit for engaging the first structural member with the third structural member; and a control unit for sending a signal to restrict a movement of the first structural member to a specific position based on a detection result of the sensor.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a data receiving unit for receiving printing data and first identification information through a network; a data storage unit for storing the printing data and the first identification information; a non-contact medium information obtaining unit for obtaining second identification information stored in a memory of a non-contact medium; a print control unit for controlling a printing process of forming an image according to the printing data; a information comparison unit for comparing the first identification information with the second identification information; and a data control unit for retrieving the printing data corresponding to the first identification information from the data storage unit and sending the printing data to the print control unit when the information comparison unit determines that the first identification information matches to the second identification information.

Abstract: An image forming section forms a visible image on a charged surface of an image bearing body. A transfer section transfers the visible image onto a recording medium. A fixing unit fixes the visible image on the recording medium. A temperature detecting section outputs a signal indicative of a temperature of the image bearing body. A controller performs a cooling operation in which the temperature of the image bearing body is lowered when the signal is higher than a first predetermined value. When the controller performs the cooling operation, the controller turns on and off the heater of the fixing unit with a first duty cycle. When the controller does not perform the cooling operation, the controller turns on and off the heater of the fixing unit with a second duty cycle higher than the first duty cycle. During the cooling operation, the controller may drive the medium-transporting mechanism to rotate in an idling mode in which no printing is performed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus such as a printer has: an image forming unit which forms an electrostatic latent image onto a charged photosensitive drum, deposits toner onto the image, and forms a visible image; a belt arranged so as to run freely in contact with the image forming unit; a temperature sensor which detects a temperature of the belt; and a controller which controls an image forming process on the basis of the detected temperature. Since the belt temperature is detected and the printing process is controlled on the basis of the detected temperature, an increase in temperature of the drum and an increase in temperature in the printer can be suppressed. Thus, the flowability of the toner in each image forming unit does not deteriorates and image quality can be improved.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms a toner image on a toner image bearing body and the toner image is transferred onto a recording medium. An image forming section forms the toner image on the toner image bearing body, which may be a transfer belt. A reading section optically reads the toner image formed on the image bearing body. A covering section is provided between the reading section and the toner image bearing body. The covering section can move between an opening position, where the covering section covers the reading section, and a closing position, where the covering section does not cover the reading section. A drive mechanism drives the covering section to move between the opening position and the closing position. An adjustment section adjusts the reading section when the covering section is at the closing position. The covering section includes a reflection member attached thereto.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a data receiving unit for receiving printing data and first identification information through a network; a data storage unit for storing the printing data and the first identification information; a non-contact medium information obtaining unit for obtaining second identification information stored in a memory of a non-contact medium; a print control unit for controlling a printing process of forming an image according to the printing data; a information comparison unit for comparing the first identification information with the second identification information; and a data control unit for retrieving the printing data corresponding to the first identification information from the data storage unit and sending the printing data to the print control unit when the information comparison unit determines that the first identification information matches to the second identification information.

Abstract: An image forming section forms a visible on a charged surface of an image bearing body. A transfer section transfers the visible image onto a recording medium. A fixing unit fixes the visible image on the recording medium. A temperature detecting section outputs a signal indicative of a temperature of the image bearing body. A controller performs a cooling operation in which the temperature of the image bearing body is lowered when the signal is higher than a first predetermined value. When the controller performs the cooling operation, the controller turns on and off the heater of the fixing unit with a first duty cycle. When the controller does not perform the cooling operation, the controller turns on and off the heater of the fixing unit with a second duty cycle higher than the first duty cycle.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus such as a printer has: an image forming unit which forms an electrostatic latent image onto a charged photosensitive drum, deposits toner onto the image, and forms a visible image; a belt arranged so as to run freely in contact with the image forming unit; a temperature sensor which detects a temperature of the belt; and a controller which controls an image forming process on the basis of the detected temperature. Since the belt temperature is detected and the printing process is controlled on the basis of the detected temperature, an increase in temperature of the drum and an increase in temperature in the printer can be suppressed. Thus, the flowability of the toner in each image forming unit does not deteriorates and image quality can be improved.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms a toner image on an image bearing body and the toner image is transferred onto a recording medium. An image forming section forms a toner image on a toner image bearing body such as transfer belt. A reading section optically reads the toner image formed on said image bearing body. A covering section is provided between the reading section and the toner image bearing body. The covering section can move between an opening position where said covering section covers said reading section and a closing position where said covering section does not cover said reading section. A drive mechanism drives the covering section to move between the opening position and the closing position. An adjustment section adjusts the reading section when the covering section is at the closing position. The covering section includes a reflection member attached thereto.

Abstract: A sheet guide mechanism, for use with a printer having a printing head on a carriage that is mounted on a carriage shaft for movement in a printing direction which is transverse to a feeding direction of a printing sheet supported by a platen, includes a sheet guide movably mounted on the carriage shaft. The sheet guide moves in the printing direction along with the printing head. The sheet guide can move in unison with the printing head without interfering with the printing operation.