Abstract: A laser scanning apparatus, can suppress the unnecessary emission of a laser beam for a photosensitive drum, can prevent the degradation of the photosensitive drum, and can prolong the life time of a laser, using simple configuration. An image forming apparatus includes this laser scanning apparatus, and a method for starting the laser scanning apparatus. A laser scanning apparatus performing exposure with a laser beam predicts a time elapsing until completion of start on the basis of initial start conditions, shuts off the laser beam during the time predicted, emits a laser beam after the time predicted elapses, and detects completion of start.

Abstract: A print control apparatus includes an interface controller, a counter, a paper feed controller, and a print controller. The controllers operate in parallel in accordance with a value of the counter and a status of a paper sheet. The number of print instruction or instructions from an external device is counted by the counter, and, if the value counted by the counter is not “0” and if a printing apparatus is ready for feeding a paper sheet, the paper feed controller initiates picking up a paper sheet from a paper feed cassette and conveying it. In turn, the value counted by the counter is decreased by 1. When the print controller detects that the paper sheet is conveyed to a printing position, the paper sheet is printed. The external device can inquire regarding the current value of the counter as well as instruct the decrease or clearance of the value of the counter.

Abstract: To provide a laser scanning apparatus, which can suppress the unnecessary emission of a laser beam for a photosensitive drum, can prevent the degradation of the photosensitive drum, and can prolong the life time of a laser, with using simple configuration, an image forming apparatus using this laser scanning apparatus, and a method for starting the laser scanning apparatus. A laser scanning apparatus performing exposure with a laser beam predicts a time elapsing until completion of start on the basis of initial start conditions, shuts off the laser beam during the time predicted, emits a laser beam after the time predicted elapses, and detects completion of start.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an image reduce the processing load on a video controller. A CPU causes a counter to start counting the optical beam detection signals of a photodiode in accordance with a signal which indicates the leading edge of a sheet of recording paper received from a TOP sensor. Comparators compare the count value issued from the counter with the values set by the CPU at registers. Based on the comparison result, an F/F sets Q output. Thus, a BD signal is issued through a gate during a period specified by the values set at the registers. The use of the BD signal reduces the processing load on the video controller which generates and transfers an image signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fixing apparatus with a pair of fixing members at least one of which is rotatable, a nip being formed between the fixing members and a recording material which carries a non-fixed toner being conveyed through the nip and heated at the nip to fix the non-fixed toner onto the recording material. The apparatus has a cleaning mode for cleaning the fixing member, in which a sheet is pinched by the nip, and the sheet is conveyed in a direction by repeating rotation and stoppage of the rotatable fixing member.

Abstract: A color image formation system in which transfer means for sequentially receiving plural color images is idled if raster image data for a color has not yet been converted from a page description language into the raster image. A page description language or other code data for a first color is converted into a raster image of the first color and an electrophotographic process is commenced whereby a laser beam is modulated in accordance with the raster image of the first color and the image formed by the modulated laser beam is transferred to rotatable transfer means. After image formation in the first color is complete, code data for the second color is converted into raster image data. If conversion of the second color is not yet complete but the transfer means has rotated to a position where it is ready to receive the second color, the transfer means is idled by continued rotation thereof and forcibly restricting laser beam illumination whereby the transfer means is fed blank to a predetermined position.

Abstract: In an image printing operation, advance sheet feeding is performed if the size of a recording medium is known upon feeding at least one sheet of the recording medium. To the contrary, advance sheet feeding is not performed if the size of a recording medium is not known, for example, immediately after a power supply has been turned on or after a new supply of recording medium has been placed in a sheet feeding unit.