Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, when photosensitive members 4Y, 4M, 4C are in contact with a transfer belt, then color adjustment is performed. When the photosensitive members 4Y, 4M, 4C are not in contact with a transfer belt, i.e., only a photosensitive member 4Bk is in contact with the transfer belt, then only black adjustment is performed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transport part which includes a transport belt to transport a printing medium, an image forming part which transfers a toner to form a color image, and a controller which controls the image forming part to form a test image for color registration of the image forming part on the transport belt while an image is formed for a plurality of printing media. Thus, both a test image and a plurality of printed media are formed during a single printing process.

Abstract: A belt transfer device according to the present invention includes an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer member, a shifter, a detector, and a controller. The transfer member primarily transfers a toner image from an image carrier to the intermediate transfer belt. The shifter reciprocates in specified opposite directions so as to shift the transfer member between a transfer position where the transfer member is in compressive contact with the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt and a home position where the transfer member is away from the belt surface. The detector outputs a signal representing the position of the shifter. Based on the state of the signal output from the detector while the shifter is reciprocating each time in the opposite directions, the controller determines whether the tensile force of the intermediate transfer belt is proper.

Abstract: This invention provides an image forming apparatus, which attains a uniform gloss level of an overall image by preventing regions having different gloss levels from being generated on the image to be formed upon execution of image formation using a transparent toner, and a control method thereof. To accomplish this, an image forming apparatus of this invention identifies pixels to be developed using only a black toner of colored toners from an image signal of an image to be formed on a printing material upon execution of image formation using the transparent toner. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus executes exposure control so as to perform development using the transparent toner in an amount required to reduce a gloss level difference between the pixels to be developed using only the black toner and those to be developed using the colored toners other than the black toner.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods for determining when to transition between printing color images and printing black-only images in an image forming device. A variety of factors may be evaluated in order to select a trigger value. An examined portion of a print history and an examined portion of a print queue may be evaluated to determine one or more test values. Based on a comparison of the one or more test values with the trigger value, a determination may be made whether to transition between color printing and black-only printing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) developing units using a C developer, a M developer, a Y developer, and a K developer, respectively; at least one auxiliary developing unit using a developer other than the C, M, Y, and K developers; a plurality of photosensitive media formed in the C, M, Y, and K developing units and the auxiliary developing unit, respectively; a plurality of cleaning members formed in the C, M, Y, and K developing units and the auxiliary developing unit, respectively, so as to clean surfaces of the plurality of photosensitive media; and waste developer storage units formed in the C, M, Y, and K developing units and the auxiliary developing unit, respectively, so as to collect waste developer cleaned by the plurality of cleaning members.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming portion for forming a developer image, said first image forming portion including a first image supporting member for forming a static latent image and a first developing member for attaching developer to the static latent image; a second image forming portion for forming a developer image, said second image forming portion including a second image supporting member for forming a static latent image and a second developing member for attaching developer to the static latent image; a transfer portion for transferring the developer image to a printing medium; and a fixing unit for fixing the developer image to the printing medium. The second developing member has a surface roughness greater than that of the first developing member. The fixing unit is disposed at a position closer to the first image forming portion relative to the second image forming portion.

Abstract: A transfer device includes: an image carrier belt; a first roller around which the image carrier belt is wound; a second roller around which the image carrier belt wound around the first roller and shifted; a first transfer roller contacting the first roller via the image carrier belt; a second transfer roller contacting the second roller via the image carrier belt; and a transfer belt wound around the first transfer roller and the second transfer roller. A width L3 of the image carrier belt and a width L4 of the transfer belt have the relationship of L3>L4.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer belt, a photosensitive belt, a primary transfer roller, a secondary-transfer opposing roller, and a secondary transfer roller. The photosensitive belt comes into contact with a surface of the intermediate transfer belt to form a primary transfer nip. The secondary-transfer opposing roller comes into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt to form a secondary transfer nip. The closest distance between a surface of the photosensitive belt and that of the primary transfer roller is greater than the thickness of the intermediate transfer belt. A toner image on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred onto a recording sheet at the secondary transfer nip while a transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image holding member; a toner image formation device that forms a toner image using a toner, the toner including a first component and a second component that are present separately from each other and form a color when they are reacted with each other, and a photocurable composition containing either one of the first component and the second component, the photocurable composition being cured or maintained in an uncured state by applying color forming information, to control the reaction for color formation; a color forming information applying device; a transfer device; a fixing device; and a color formation device.

Abstract: An image forming device includes: image forming sections that form toner images with charged toners of respective colors on respective surfaces of image retainers; a transfer accepting body to whose surface the toner images are transferred electrostatically; transfer members that transfer the toner images to the transfer accepting body; a first charge applying section that switches, according to an instruction, between a first mode of applying the charge to all the transfer members and a second mode of applying the charge to apart of the transfer members; and a second charge applying section that applies, when the charge is applied in the second mode, a charge having the same polarity as that of the charged toners, to the transfer accepting body surface, at an applying point upstream from where the toner images are transferred to the transfer accepting body in a moving direction of the transfer accepting body.

Abstract: A reciprocating-motion converting mechanism includes a cam that rotates around a rotation center; a reciprocating member that is reciprocated due to rotation of the cam; and a pressing unit that presses the reciprocating member to the cam. A first load torque is generated by a load applied at a point of contact of the cam and the reciprocating motion member. A load applying unit applies a load to the cam to generate a second load torque having a phase substantially opposite to a phase of the first load torque.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a primary transfer device that primarily transfers a first image from a first image bearer onto a first belt unit at a primary transfer position, a secondary transfer device that secondarily transfers the first image from the first belt unit onto a printing medium at a secondary transfer position, and a direct transfer device that directly transfers a second image from a second image bearer onto the printing medium at a direct transfer position. A second belt unit is rotatably suspended by plural second rollers and carries and conveys the printing medium through the direct transfer position and the secondary transfer position. An interval between the direct transfer position and the secondary transfer position is prescribed natural number times of a circumference of one of the plural second rollers, which fluctuates a velocity of the second belt unit.

Abstract: A liquid droplet ejection apparatus comprising a liquid droplet ejection head that ejects liquid droplets, a conveyor belt that retains and conveys a recording medium while causing the recording medium to face the liquid droplet ejection head, and a charge roll that causes the recording medium to be electrostatically attracted to the conveyor belt. The charge roll and the conveyor belt are configured not to contact each other, and a gap between the charge roll and the conveyor belt is less than the thickness of the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of performing monochrome printing and color printing in which all the developing units share a single development transformer is constructed such that at the time of monochrome printing the photoreceptor drums for colors are stopped rotating while all the developing units are constantly applied with a high voltage. Further, the cumulative operation time in which the black photoreceptor drum has been operated for monochrome printing is calculated so that the color-printing photoreceptor drums which are stopped during monochrome printing are rotationally driven by a predetermined angle when the cumulative operation time exceeds predetermined fixed time. Thus, the surface of each color-printing photoreceptor drum that is being worn is restored by making the fresh surface of the drum oppose the associated color developing unit, whereby it is possible to prevent occurrence of defects on the surface of each photoreceptor drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section that forms a plurality of images including an image of a low-gloss toner lower in glossiness than any other color toner and an image of a transparent toner; an intermediate transferer to which the plurality of images formed by the image forming section are transferred; and a control section that controls a position for forming the image of the transparent toner, so as to prevent the image of the transparent toner from being transferred under the image of the low-gloss toner on the intermediate transferer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus uses toner that is given color-generation information and a color-generation state or a non-color-generation state of the toner is controlled, and includes an image carrier, a unit that forms toner image on the image carrier, an intermediate transfer medium that the toner image formed on the image carrier is transferred to, a first transfer unit that transfers the toner image to the intermediate transfer medium surface, a unit that gives color-generation information to the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer medium, a second transfer unit that transfers the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer medium surface to a recording medium, a unit that fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium and a unit that causes color generation in the toner image that the color-generation information is given.

Abstract: A misregistration correcting unit correcting image misregistration on an endless belt in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes an image creation part that creates on the endless belt misregistration correction pattern sets each including a pattern of mark groups each being one of a horizontal line mark group formed of horizontal line segment marks and an oblique line mark group formed of oblique line segment marks; a position detecting part that detects the mark positions; a position detection counting part that counts the number of the detected positions of each mark group and detects an abnormal mark group whose number of the detected positions is other than a prescribed number; a detection result storing part that stores information on the detected mark positions; and a misregistration calculating part that calculates the amount of misregistration based on the stored position information excluding that of the abnormal mark group.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image; plural developing devices that store respective developers of different colors and visualize the electrostatic latent image with the developers; a developing device switching mechanism that switches among the developing devices to allow one of the developing devices to visualize the electrostatic latent image carried by the image carrier; a transfer unit that transfers a developer image visualized by the one of the developing devices to a recording medium; a fixing device that fixes the developer image transferred by the transfer unit onto the recording medium; a first transporter that transports in a first direction the recording medium with the developer image fixed thereon by the fixing device; a second transporter that transports in a second direction the recording medium with the developer image fixed thereon by the fixing device; and a transporter switching mechanism that switches between the first transpor

Abstract: A hybrid single pass, multi-pass full color printing system is provided and includes (a) a moveable intermediate transfer belt (ITB) mounted within a machine frame and having a path of movement; (b) a plurality of single pass image output modules mounted along the path of movement, each having imaging devices including an image carrying member and a single developer housing containing a single color developer for forming an image in a single pass on the image carrying member for transfer onto the ITB; and (c) at least one single pass, multi-pass image output module mounted along the path of movement and having imaging devices including an image bearing member and a plural number of selectable developer housings, and each of the selectable developer housings containing a single spot color developer for forming spot color images in single passes and in multiple passes on the image bearing member for transfer onto the ITB.

Abstract: There is provided a color image forming apparatus which is capable of preventing fogging, and decrease of a transfer efficiency of a toner image onto a recording medium when forming a color image, and stably forming a high-definition color image excellent in a color reproducibility. In a color image forming apparatus including a toner image forming section, a transfer section, a fixing section, a recording medium feeding section, and a discharging section, respective color toners which are used in the toner image forming sections are adapted to have different time constants ? from each other.

Abstract: A xerographic system and method use a tri-level development process in which at least one xerographic imaging unit includes a photoreceptor and a pair of developer units. A first developer unit includes a full strength toner of a given color and a second developer unit includes a reduced strength toner of the same or substantially the same color. By use of the tri-level process, excellent color-to-color registration can be achieved for each processed color separation. Moreover, by use of two strengths of the same colorant, a tighter control of a tone reproduction curve can be achieved. Additional xerographic imaging units can include a developer unit that provides spot color, custom color or specialty color capabilities. Additional benefits and gamut expansion can be achieved through use of a tandem architecture. A preferred implementation uses a four drum, eight color tandem architecture with full strength and reduced strength toners formulations of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CYMK) colorant.

Abstract: A hybrid printing system including (a) a machine frame; (b) a multi-color image producing module mounted within the machine frame and including color image output terminals and an endless intermediate transfer member for receiving color images from the color image output terminals to form a multi-color image; (c) a separate black image producing module mounted within the machine frame spaced from the multi-color image producing module and including a black image output terminal; and (d) a print media transport/transfer module mounted within the machine frame for receiving and moving image receiving print media through the machine frame, the print media transport/transfer module including a repositionable electrostatic transport/transfer member having multi-positions including (i) a first position forming a first image transfer nip with the endless intermediate transfer member, and (ii) a second position forming a second image transfer nip with the black image output terminal.

Abstract: A hybrid printing system includes (a) a media path assembly having an image transfer/transport unit for receiving and moving media to a fusing apparatus; (b) a process color image output terminal (IOT) assembly including first imaging components for forming and transferring color images onto the intermediate image receiving member, the color IOT assembly being mounted for forming a first image transfer nip with one of a first side and a second and opposite of the image transfer/transport unit; and (c) a monochrome image output terminal (IOT) assembly mounted opposite the process color image output terminal (IOT) assembly for forming a second image transfer nip with the other of the first side and the second and opposite of the image transfer/transport unit, the monochrome image output terminal (IOT) assembly including a moveable image bearing member and second imaging components for forming monochrome images on the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photoconductor drum; a transfer belt wound around the photoconductor drum and configured to move in a first direction; and a transfer member configured to come into abutment with the photoconductor drum at an abutment position via the transfer belt, wherein the transfer belt comes into contact with the photoconductor drum at a first position and comes out of contact with the photoconductor drum at a second position, and a peripheral surface length of the photoconductor drum between the abutment position and the second position is larger than a peripheral surface length of the photoconductor drum between the first position and the abutment position.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus comprising: a first development device which develops an electrostatic image on a first image bearing member with toner of color other than black; a first transfer member which forms a nip portion for nipping an image receiving member with the first image bearing member; a second development device which develops an electrostatic image on a second bearing member with black toner so as to form a toner image and collects the toner on the second image bearing member; and a second transfer member which forms a nip portion for nipping the image receiving member with respect to the second image bearing member and transfers the toner image on the second image bearing member electrostatically to the image receiving member, wherein the position of the second transfer member to the second image bearing member in the moving direction of the image receiving member is in the downstream side relative to the position of the first image bearing member of the first transfer member.

Abstract: An image forming device has image forming units 3-6, a transfer belt 7, a position detection unit 19, a concentration sensor 23, and an adjustment unit. A toner image is formed on the surfaces of the image forming units 3-6, and transferred onto the transfer belt 7. The position detection unit 19 detects a predetermined position on the surface of the transfer belt 7. On the predetermined position, the concentration sensor 23 detects first information relating to the color of the surface of the transfer belt 7. The concentration sensor 23 detects second information relating to the color of the pattern image that is formed on the predetermined position. The adjustment unit adjusts toner concentration at the time of forming an image based on the first information and the second information detected by the concentration sensor 23.

Abstract: A hybrid single pass, multi-pass full color printing system is provided and includes (a) a moveable intermediate transfer belt (ITB) mounted within a machine frame and having a path of movement; (b) a plurality of single pass image output modules mounted along the path of movement, each having imaging devices including an image carrying member and a single developer housing containing a single color developer for forming an image in a single pass on the image carrying member for transfer onto the ITB; and (c) at least one single pass, multi-pass image output module mounted along the path of movement and having imaging devices including an image bearing member and a plural number of selectable developer housings, and each of the selectable developer housings containing a single spot color developer for forming spot color images in single passes and in multiple passes on the image bearing member for transfer onto the ITB.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carrier rollers placed on an inner circumferential side of an annular conveying path so as to face the annular conveying path and so as to be juxtaposed in a sheet conveying direction along the annular conveying path. Opposed rollers are provided on the outer circumferential side of the annular conveying path. The respective image carrier rollers and the opposed rollers which are in pressure contact therewith constitute pairs of transfer rollers, respectively. Imaging sections for forming intrinsic color images on surfaces of the respective image carrier rollers are provided. A sheet is introduced to the annular conveying path and is conveyed along the sheet conveying direction sequentially through nip sections of the pairs of transfer rollers, while the images formed on the surfaces of the respective image carrier rollers by the imaging sections are transferred one by one onto the sheet.

Abstract: A single-pass bypass printing machine including: (a) a moveable photoreceptor belt for moving through an imaging path; (b) apparatus for supplying and feeding print media along a main media path and a bypass media path; (c) a first stage including at least three imaging subassemblies for forming a first color toner image on the photoreceptor; (d) a first transfer station for transferring the first color toner image onto the print media; (e) apparatus for diverting the print media from the main media path onto the bypass media path; (f) a second stage including at least one marking engine for forming a second color toner image on the photoreceptor; (g) apparatus for moving the print media from the bypass media path back into the main media path; and (h) a second transfer station for transferring the second color toner image onto the print media, forming a desired multi-color toner image on the print media.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus (10) includes image bearing members (20) having respective peripheral surfaces and arranged sequentially so that toner images of toners having different colors are formed on the peripheral surfaces, respectively, an endless belt (30) having a surface and so rotated that the toner images are sequentially transferred to the surface or a sheet (P) conveyed on the surface, transferring members (40) for transferring the toner images to the surface of the endless belt (30) or the sheet (P). The downstream-most image bearing member (20) from which the toner image is last transferred to the surface of the endless belt (30) or the sheet (P) is arranged so that a contact pressure of the downstream-most image bearing member (20) against the endless belt (30) becomes higher than contact pressures of the other image bearing members (20) against the endless belt (30).

Abstract: Image forming apparatus includes image forming units, an intermediate transfer member, a mark detecting mechanism, a counter, and a controller. The intermediate transfer member have marks. A distance between nth and (n+1)th marks is substantially equal to or smaller than a difference between a distance from a write position of the nth image forming unit to a primary transfer position of the (n+1)th image forming unit and a distance from a write position of the (n+1)th image forming unit to the primary transfer position of the (n+1)th image forming unit. The controller controls the nth image forming unit to start writing when the mark detecting mechanism detects the nth mark and the counter reaches a predetermined count value, and controls the (n+1)th image forming unit to start writing when the mark detecting mechanism detects the (n+1)th mark and the counter reaches another predetermined count value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a first toner-image forming unit that forms a first monochrome toner image, a first intermediate transfer drum onto which the first monochrome toner image is transferred, a first transfer unit that transfers the first monochrome toner image from the first intermediate transfer drum onto first recording paper, a second toner-image forming unit that forms a second monochrome toner image substantially simultaneously and in parallel with the formation of the first toner image, a second intermediate transfer drum onto which the second monochrome toner image is transferred, a second transfer unit that transfers the second monochrome toner image from the second intermediate transfer drum onto second recording paper, and a paper feeding unit that feeds the first recording paper and the second recording paper to the first transfer unit and the second transfer unit, respectively, substantially simultaneously and in parallel with each other.

Abstract: A color printing machine with a hybrid development architecture is provided including a photoreceptor, a first and second set of development housings, a biased transfer belt, and a fuser. The first set of development housings are arranged in an image-on-image configuration in proximity to the photoreceptor. The biased transfer belt is in proximity to the photoreceptor at a transfer station. The second set of development housings are arranged in a tandem configuration in proximity to the biased transfer belt. The fuser is in proximity to the biased transfer belt.

Abstract: Printing with the use of toner, in particular, for electrophotographic printing, wherein a printing machine set up for multi-color printing and includes several imaging stations or printing units is provided with at least two black toners in two imaging stations or printing units, one of said toners being suitable and provided for generating a duller printed image and one being suitable and provided for generating a glossier printed image, the printing of the duller printed image being at one speed and the printing of the glossier printed image being at a different speed.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, when photosensitive members 4Y, 4M, 4C are in contact with a transfer belt, then color adjustment is performed. When the photosensitive members 4Y, 4M, 4C are not in contact with a transfer belt, i.e., only a photosensitive member 4Bk is in contact with the transfer belt, then only black adjustment is performed.

Abstract: A color printing machine with a hybrid development architecture is provided including a photoreceptor, a first and second set of development housings, a biased transfer belt, and a fuser. The first set of development housings are arranged in an image-on-image configuration in proximity to the photoreceptor. The biased transfer belt is in proximity to the photoreceptor at a transfer station. The second set of development housings are arranged in a tandem configuration in proximity to the biased transfer belt. The fuser is in proximity to the biased transfer belt.

Abstract: A hybrid printing system including (a) a machine frame; (b) a multi-color image producing module mounted within the machine frame and including color image output terminals and an endless intermediate transfer member for receiving color images from the color image output terminals to form a multi-color image; (c) a separate black image producing module mounted within the machine frame spaced from the multi-color image producing module and including a black image output terminal; and (d) a print media transport/transfer module mounted within the machine frame for receiving and moving image receiving print media through the machine frame, the print media transport/transfer module including a repositionable electrostatic transport/transfer member having multi-positions including (i) a first position forming a first image transfer nip with the endless intermediate transfer member, and (ii) a second position forming a second image transfer nip with the black image output terminal.

Abstract: A system and method to replace a transfer belt of a color laser printer transfer belt assembly without replacing the entire assembly, including one or more novel holding fixtures and a method for releasing the tension on the transfer belt prior to removal of the transfer belt from the assembly, then reapplying tension to a replacement transfer belt and, optionally, replacing the motor assembly and/or the microchip that controls operation of the transfer belt assembly.

Abstract: A single-pass bypass printing machine including: (a) a moveable photoreceptor belt for moving through an imaging path; (b) apparatus for supplying and feeding print media along a main media path and a bypass media path; (c) a first stage including at least three imaging subassemblies for forming a first color toner image on the photoreceptor; (d) a first transfer station for transferring the first color toner image onto the print media; (e) apparatus for diverting the print media from the main media path onto the bypass media path; (f) a second stage including at least one marking engine for forming a second color toner image on the photoreceptor; (g) apparatus for moving the print media from the bypass media path back into the main media path; and (h) a second transfer station for transferring the second color toner image onto the print media, forming a desired multi-color toner image on the print media.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a first toner-image forming unit that forms a first monochrome toner image, a first intermediate transfer drum onto which the first monochrome toner image is transferred, a first transfer unit that transfers the first monochrome toner image from the first intermediate transfer drum onto first recording paper, a second toner-image forming unit that forms a second monochrome toner image substantially simultaneously and in parallel with the formation of the first toner image, a second intermediate transfer drum onto which the second monochrome toner image is transferred, a second transfer unit that transfers the second monochrome toner image from the second intermediate transfer drum onto second recording paper, and a paper feeding unit that feeds the first recording paper and the second recording paper to the first transfer unit and the second transfer unit, respectively, substantially simultaneously and in parallel with each other.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus includes an image forming section that is configured to adopt an intermediate transfer system for three colors of cyan, magenta and yellow, and a direct transfer system for black. A transfer medium is conveyed to a transfer medium convey belt. Cyan, magenta and yellow are intermediately transferred by an intermediate transfer belt and a secondary transfer roller. Black is directly transferred by a black photoconductor body and a transfer roller. Toners of the respective colors are fixed by a fixing device.

Abstract: The color image forming apparatus comprises a transfer belt device which feeds a transfer member such as a paper and a plurality of image forming units. The image forming units are disposed facing towards the transfer belt device. The transfer belt device, at least in a portion in which the image forming units have been disposed, is arranged such that it is inclined with respect to the ground. Each of the image forming unit forms a desired image and sequentially transfers the formed image on the transfer member fed by the transfer belt device.

Abstract: A xerographic system and method use a tri-level development process in which at least one xerographic imaging unit includes a photoreceptor and a pair of developer units. A first developer unit includes a full strength toner of a given color and a second developer unit includes a reduced strength toner of the same or substantially the same color. By use of the tri-level process, excellent color-to-color registration can be achieved for each processed color separation. Moreover, by use of two strengths of the same colorant, a tighter control of the tone reproduction curve can be achieved. Additional xerographic imaging units can include a developer unit that provides spot color, custom color or specialty color capabilities. Additional benefits and gamut expansion can be achieved through use of a tandem architecture. A preferred implementation uses a four drum, eight color tandem architecture with full strength and reduced strength toners formulations of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CYMK) colorant.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image bearing member; a first developing means forming a toner image of transparent toner on an electrostatic latent image formed on the first image bearing member; a second image bearing member having an electrostatic capacity per unit area which is smaller than an electrostatic capacity per unit area of the first image bearing member; second developing means for forming a toner image of chromatic toner on an electrostatic latent image formed on the second image bearing member, wherein a maximum toner amount of the toner image formed on the first image bearing member is larger than a maximum toner amount of the toner image formed on the second image bearing member; and transferring means for transferring the transparent toner image and the chromatic toner image onto a transfer material.

Abstract: A color image scanning and printing device includes a scanning unit which scans an image of a plural number of pages, a conversion unit performing a conversion process by converting a scanned result scanned by the scanning unit into image data of each of a plurality of color components for printing one page as a unit, a printing unit which prints an image based on the converted image data of each of the color components, and a control unit which executes the conversion process by the conversion unit for a part of the color components of the scanned result of the image of the plural number of pages, prior to the conversion process by the conversion unit for remaining color components.

Abstract: A belt unit includes a belt, a contact member, a movable member, an eccentric cam, a contact-separation mechanism, and a braking unit. The contact member is configured to come into contact with the belt. The contact-separation mechanism allows the movable member to move according to the rotation of the eccentric cam to control contact and separation between the contact member and the belt. The braking unit controls the rotation of the eccentric cam by a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A locking apparatus includes a lever unit disposed at an intermediate transfer belt frame to cause an intermediate transfer belt to contact a photosensitive medium; a locking unit disposed at a supporting cover to cause the supporting cover to be fixed to and separated from an engine frame; and a coupling unit to cause the lever unit to operate in association with the locking unit.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus and method thereof. The apparatus includes a photosensitive body, an exposing unit to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body charged to a uniform electric potential, and a developing unit to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body, wherein a color toner attached to an image portion of the electrostatic latent image and a transparent toner charged to an opposite polarity to the polarity of the color toner and attached to a non-image portion of the electrostatic latent image are together accommodated in the developing unit, and at least one of the color toner and the transparent toner is a potato type polymerization toner.

Abstract: A modular copying system including combinations of printer, scanner, and system controller modules formed as independent frames. The scanner module includes devices for image reading, first data I/O and first synchronizing signal generation; the printer module includes devices for image forming, second data I/O and second synchronizing signal generation; and the system control module includes devices for third data I/O and system control. The modules are added or removed according to user requirements and the system is capable of accommodating up to seven modules. The modules are stacked in a vertical direction and arranging devices ensure proper module alignment. Once the modules are aligned and assembled in the system, communications between each module is accomplished via light wave, electric wave, or sonic wave transmission and reception. As a result, system interconnection is reduced, system noise is reduced and various connecting cables are eliminated.