Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that is capable of holding an image on a surface thereof while rotating, an image forming unit that forms the image on the image carrier, a transfer unit that transfers the image from the image carrier to a medium while rotating, a transport unit that circulates as the transfer unit rotates and that transports the medium to a transfer region while holding the medium, and a control unit that changes a timing at which the image forming unit forms the image in accordance with variation in a ratio of a rotation velocity of the transfer unit to a rotation velocity of the image carrier.

Abstract: A system and method for inductive heating applications includes positioning one or more inductive heating elements in a location, delivering electromagnetic radiation, by a radiation source, to heat at least a portion of the one or more inductive heating elements, and detecting, by a detector, the heat generated by the one or more inductive heating elements. The system and method also include controlling, by a processing unit, a condition based on the detected heat.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a receiver and a correcting unit. The receiver receives a first read value and a second read value. The first read value indicates a result of reading a first color by a reader from a recording medium in which the first color is applied to a first area in which in-plane density unevenness is confirmable within the recording medium. The second read value indicates a result of reading a second color by the reader. The second color is different from the first color and is applied to a second area that is substantially the same as the first area in a superimposed manner. The correcting unit corrects in-plane density unevenness of the second color applied to the first color in the superimposed manner based on the first read value received by the receiver and the second read value received by the receiver.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes, a first acquisition unit configured to acquire height data indicating the height of a three-dimensional structure to be formed on a recording medium, a setting unit configured to set a method for correcting the height indicated by the height data on the basis of a user's instruction, a correction unit configured to make a correction to reduce the height indicated by the height data on the basis of the method set by the setting unit, and an output unit configured to convert the height data corrected by the correction unit into first recording amount data indicating the recording amount of a first recording material for forming the three-dimensional structure on the recording medium, and output the first recording amount data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit including a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a temperature detector for detecting an environment temperature; a storage storing accommodate sheets, wherein a heating unit for heating the sheets is detachably mountable to the storage; a cooling unit for cooling the developing device; a controlling unit for operating the cooling unit in response to an output of the temperature detection unit. When the heating unit is not mounted in the storage, the controlling unit actuates the cooling unit in response to a first temperature detected by the detector. When the heating unit is mounted in the storage, the controlling unit actuates the cooling unit in response to a second temperature detected by the detector. The second temperature is lower than the first temperature.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a first image forming apparatus that includes a first imaging section used to form an image using a colored first developer, a second image forming apparatus that includes a second imaging section used to form the image using a second developer, which a color of the first developer is capable of penetrating, in a case of being laminated on the first developer on a medium, and a third imaging section used to form the image using a third developer which is capable of shading the color of the first developer in a case of being laminated on the first developer on the medium, and an information processing section that transmits information of a print image to the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus, the information processing section transmitting the information of the print image to the respective imaging sections such that, with respect to a visual recognition direction of the image on the medium, the image formed using the second developer is lam

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer on which an image is formed; a transfer device to form a transfer portion between the image bearer and the transfer device; a voltage application device to apply a transfer voltage to the transfer device to transfer the image from the image bearer to a transfer target at the transfer portion; an abnormality sensor to detect an abnormal level of the transfer voltage; a temperature sensor to detect an ambient temperature; and a control circuit. The control circuit controls the voltage application device to continue applying the transfer voltage irrespective of whether the abnormality sensor has detected the abnormal level of the transfer voltage when a detection temperature of the temperature sensor is below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus having high usability and securing both image quality and productivity. The image forming apparatus changes a rotational speed of a secondary transfer member depending on a basis weight of a sheet. The image forming apparatus performs digital sub-scanning scaling of correcting image data and polygon sub-scanning scaling of controlling a scanning speed during image formation so as to cancel out image deformation caused by change in rotational speed of the secondary transfer member. When giving priority to image quality, the image forming apparatus performs processing of the digital sub-scanning scaling and the polygon sub-scanning scaling, and when giving priority to productivity, the image forming apparatus performs only processing of digital sub-scanning scaling.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that forms, on a recording medium, an image including a special image based on special image data specifying a density value of a special toner that gives a special effect and a color image based on color image data specifying a density value of a color toner; a determining unit that determines whether the image is to be observed from an image formation surface or the image is to be observed from a surface opposite to the image formation surface through the recording medium; and an adjusting unit that performs adjustment to reduce the density value of the special image data based on a result of determination made by the determining unit.

Abstract: An image formation method includes: transferring a first developer image for an image formed based on image data and a second developer image for adhesion onto a print medium; folding the print medium with the first and second developer images transferred thereto; and fixing the first and second developer images to the folded print medium.

Abstract: An optical-writing control device calculates correction values for use in correcting a transfer position at which developing-agent images are to be transferred onto a sheet, and overlaying positions at which the developing-agent images are to be overlaid, based on a detection signal output from a sensor upon detection of a correction pattern for use in correcting the transfer position and a correction pattern for use in correcting the overlaying positions. A timing of detecting the pattern for use in correcting the overlaying positions is determined based on a correction value calculated based on the detection signal output upon detection of the pattern for use in correcting the transfer position. The pattern for use in correcting the transfer position is caused to have a width, in the main-scanning direction, that is wider than the width in the main-scanning direction of the pattern for use in correcting the overlaying positions.

Abstract: A control portion controls a drive of rotation of an image carrier and registers a second index with a first index passing through a transfer position at real time at the time of image formation. Before starting the image formation, the toner image forming portion is controlled to adjust misalignment between the first index and the second index. Accordingly, the second index is formed at a position on the image carrier which is registered with the first index in advance, so that a large amount of control for compensating a large amount of phase misalignment is no longer necessary.

Abstract: With a fixing apparatus, a shape of a folded portion on the side of a pressure roller of a sliding contact sheet is folded along a shape of the pressure roller, thereby uniformizing a longitudinal pressure distribution and preventing an uneven-gloss image due to pressure reduction.

Abstract: A first developer image is overprinted on a second developer image printed on a medium. A user inputs, through an inputting section, a magnification ratio or a reduction ratio of at least one of the first developer image and the second developer material image that should be printed. The magnification and the reduction ratios are applied vertically and horizontally substantially. A data parser performs parsing of print data. A magnification/reduction section produces the first image and the second image from the print data based on a result of the parsing. The first image is subjected to a variable magnification process. An image forming section transfers and fixes the first developer material image onto the medium after the variable magnification process, and then transfers and fixes the second developer material image on the medium so that the first and second developer material images are placed one over the other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit that uses a first toner for a first toner image and a second image forming unit that uses a second toner for a second toner image, and transfers, a controller that controls the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit, having two control modes, a first print mode in which the first toner image and the second toner image are continuously transferred to the transfer medium; and a second print mode in which the first toner image is transferred thereafter, the transfer medium, on which the first toner image is formed, is passed through the second image forming unit without the second image forming unit performing image transfer. The controller performs control in such a manner that an amount of the first toner in the first print mode is greater than that in the second print mode.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes an image unit that forms an image using a white toner and a color toner and a fixing unit that fixes the image to a medium with heat. The toner mass per unit area of the white toner ? (g/m2) in an image of the color toner superimposed on the white toner formed on paper used as the medium satisfies: 0.03+1.31×Rw?0.47×Rc+0.02×Gw?0.07×Gc???0.05+1.06×Rw+0.42×Rc?0.02×Gw+0.05×Gc where Rw is the average particle diameter (?m) of the white toner, Rc is the average particle diameter (?m) of the color toner, Gw is the storage modulus (kPa) of the white toner at 120° C., and Gc is the storage modulus (kPa) of the color toner at 120° C.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes process units that are closely arranged around respective photosensitive members and act on the photosensitive members, a light emission section that forms an electrostatic latent image for detection on the photosensitive member and a detection section that detects that the electrostatic latent image passes through a position facing the process unit, and a control section that performs misregistration correction control based on the detection result.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can transfer a plurality of color component images onto a surface of a recording medium to form an image on the recording medium. The image forming apparatus includes a pattern generation part to generate information about an alignment pattern to be used for a calibration of an image forming, a plurality of stations each including a photosensitive drum to form an alignment pattern corresponding to each of a plurality of color components onto a carry belt or the recording medium, and a read part to detect a plurality of alignment patterns formed by the plurality of stations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes image forming units forming toner images with first toners having different colors and a second toner having a different softening point from the first toners, an image transfer unit superposing the toner images one on top of another and transferring the superposed toner images onto a recording medium at least such that the toner image formed of the second toner is at the top of the superposed toner images, an image fixing unit fixing the transferred toner images, and an image controller that causes the image forming unit that uses the second toner to form the toner image over at least part of an image area and also causes the image transfer unit to perform the transfer such that the toner image formed of the second toner is at the top of the superposed toner images in the at least part of the image area.

Abstract: A method for producing a raised print using a three-component printer includes receiving image data and height data for an image to be printed, the height data specifying that raised printing should be produced in a non-yellow region of the image data. Separation data are determined for a yellow toner and two additional colored toners. The yellow separation data is determined based on the image data and the height data. The yellow separation and at least one of the colored separations specify that respective toners be deposited one atop the other in the non-yellow region. The two additional colored toners include respective amounts of black colorant. Using the printer with exactly three printing modules, respective toner images are deposited on the receiver, each corresponding to respective separation data. The deposited toner is fixed to the receiver.

Abstract: Latent image graduations formed on an intermediate transfer belt are read by a first sensor portion. Latent image graduations formed on a photoconductive drum are read by a second sensor portion. When an image is transferred from the photoconductive drum to the intermediate transfer belt on the basis of the information read by these sensor portions, the position of the image on the photoconductive drum is controlled to match the position of the image on the intermediate transfer belt. The first sensor portion and the second sensor portion are held integrally by the holding member. Accordingly, variations due to a temperature change of relative positions between the sensor portions or difference in vibrations of the respective sensor portions which may cause errors when aligning the images are reduced.

Abstract: A control portion controls a drive of rotation of an image carrier and registers a second index with a first index passing through a transfer position at real time at the time of image formation. Before starting the image formation, the toner image forming portion is controlled to adjust misalignment between the first index and the second index. Accordingly, the second index is formed at a position on the image carrier which is registered with the first index in advance, so that a large amount of control for compensating a large amount of phase misalignment is no longer necessary.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining toner colors to be combined to form a target color at a location on a receiver. In one aspect, a method includes determining a fluorescent toner color to be provided at the location based upon the density and hue angle of the target color; determining one or more reflective toner colors to be provided with the determined fluorescent toner color at the location to form the target color and the amount of the fluorescent toner color is decreased as the target color density increases.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes photosensitive drums, drive motors for driving the photosensitive drums, a motor control unit for controlling operations of the drive motors, and a printer control unit. The printer control unit stops rotations of the photosensitive drums at reference positions after a print job is finished. After prescribed time elapses from the end of the print job, microscale driving of the photosensitive drums is performed for a microscale driving time period. Then, drive amounts by the drive motors during the microscale driving are calculated. At the start of a next print job, activation timing of each of the drive motors is adjusted in accordance with the drive amount so as to reduce a variation generated due to the microscale driving.

Abstract: A method for producing a raised print using a three-component printer includes receiving image data and height data for an image to be printed, the height data specifying that raised printing should be produced in a non-yellow region of the image data. Separation data are determined for a yellow toner and two additional colored toners. The yellow separation data is determined based on the image data and the height data. The yellow separation and at least one of the colored separations specify that respective toners be deposited one atop the other in the non-yellow region. The two additional colored toners include respective amounts of black colorant. Using the printer with exactly three printing modules, respective toner images are deposited on the receiver, each corresponding to respective separation data. The deposited toner is fixed to the receiver.

Abstract: A method for producing a raised print on a receiver includes receiving image data and height data. The height data specify that raised printing should be produced in non-first-color region of the image data. Separation data are determined for a clear toner, a light toner having the first color, and at least two additional colored toners. The separation data for the clear toner is determined in response to the height data and the separation data for the light toner is determined in response to the image data and the height data so that the clear and light-toner separations specify that respective toners be deposited one atop the other in the non-first-color region. Respective toner images are deposited on the receiver, each corresponding to respective separation data. The deposited toner is fixed to the receiver member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which transfers clear toner and at least one of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black color toner onto a recording medium to form an image based on image information and image classification information, the apparatus including a clear priority determiner configured to determine a clear priority based on the image classification information; a toner adherence amount determiner determining amounts of the color toners and the clear toner to be adhered to the recording medium based on the image information and the clear priority; and a toner transferer transferring the color toners and the clear toner onto the recording medium in amounts determined by the toner adherence amount determiner.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining toner colors to be combined to form a target color at a location on a receiver. In one aspect, a method includes determining a fluorescent toner color to be provided at the location based upon the density and hue angle of the target color; determining one or more reflective toner colors to be provided with the determined fluorescent toner color at the location to form the target color and the amount of the fluorescent toner color is decreased as the target color density increases.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying belt for carrying a toner image; an image forming station for forming toner image on the image carrying belt; a sheet feeding belt for feeding a sheet; a transfer member for transferring the toner image from the carrying belt onto the sheet fed on the feeding belt; and a controller for controlling speeds of the carrying belt and the feeding belt. The controller is capable of controlling a relative speed between the carrying belt and the feeding belt at multiple levels. The image forming station forms a first toner pattern on the carrying belt in a state that the relative speed is at a first level, and forms a second toner pattern on the carrying belt in a state that the relative speed is at a second level which is different from the first level. The transfer member transfers the first toner pattern and the second toner pattern onto the sheet carried on the feeding belt.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes process units that are closely arranged around respective photosensitive members and act on the photosensitive members, a light emission section that forms an electrostatic latent image for detection on the photosensitive member and a detection section that detects that the electrostatic latent image passes through a position facing the process unit, and a control section that performs misregistration correction control based on the detection result.

Abstract: A method for detecting errors in individual color separation images of a multi-color printing machine, in particular an electrophotographic printing machine, comprising a plurality of printing units, is described. Using this method, first a plurality of first register lines is printed with a first printing unit, and a plurality of second register lines is printed with a second printing unit in such a manner that each of the first register lines, together with one of said second register lines, is positioned inside a respective registration frame. Then the plurality of the first and second register lines in the respective registration frame are detected with a register sensor, and an output signal of the register sensor relating to the respective second register line is compared with an intensity threshold value in order to determine whether the second register lines can be recognized.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that reduces a time period during which no image is formed due to a margin in leading end portion, by calculating the margin in leading end portion from position information of an image and moving forward output timing of a /TOP signal according to the margin in leading end portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus calculates a positional deviation in the main and sub-scanning directions for each color by forming registration patterns in two arrays along a sub-scanning direction on an image carrier. Each registration pattern in one array is paired with an identical registration pattern in the other array. A first sensor has: a light-emitting element irradiating one registration pattern in a pair; a photodetector for regular reflection light; and a photodetector for diffuse reflection light. A second sensor has: a light-emitting element irradiating the other one in the pair; and a photodetector for regular reflection light. The relative positions of a pair of registration patters calculated using the respective sensors are corrected so as to reduce the positional deviation between the calculated positions by the amount of offset deviation estimated occur between positions detected by the respective sensors when the registration patterns are without positional deviation.

Abstract: Methods for operating a printer to form a combination print with improved appearance are provided. In one aspect first receiver is provided with a first thickness at a first edge and having a first toner image on a first side with toner in an overlap area proximate the first edge. The first edge and overlap area are overlapped with a second receiver having a second thickness at a second edge; and the first receiver and second receiver are fused to cause any toner thereon to fuse such that the toner in the overlap area bonds the first receiver to the second receiver. The first toner image includes an edge concealment toner pattern positioned confronting the second edge with the edge concealment toner pattern having toner that reduces the visual impact of artifacts created by the overlapping second edge. Printed articles are also provided.

Abstract: An electrostatic transfer control method that avoids undesired retransfer effects. A printing device develops and transfers several control patches. The patches are transferred at different electrostatic set points and a control strategy is utilized involving one or more density sensors to measure the transferred toner patches whereby the obtained density information can be used to compute the optimal value of electrostatic transfer bias. Print operators can adjust the bias value based on preferences for predetermined standards.

Abstract: Methods forming a durable combination print and a printed article are provided. In one aspect, a first receiver is provided with a first thickness at a first edge and having a first toner image on a first side with toner at least in an overlap area proximate the first edge and toner forming a toner edge shield. The first edge and overlap area are overlapped with a second receiver having a second thickness at a second edge; and, the first receiver and the second receiver are fused to cause the toner in the overlap area to bond the first receiver to the second receiver. The first toner image includes a toner edge shield with a first end confronting the second edge that extends from the first side of the first receiver to at least about 50% of the second thickness and has a deflection surface sloped toward a second end.

Abstract: In a method or system for processing a measurement signal to detect a property of a toner mark, the toner mark is generated with aid of an image generation device. The toner mark is detected with aid of a measurement unit in that sample values determined by the measurement unit at sample points in time are output as the measurement signal for detecting the property of the toner mark. A function is determined to describe at least one part of a signal curve of the measurement signal on a basis of at least one part of the output sample values. At least one extreme value of the function is determined.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a combination print having an image thereon. In accordance with one aspect, a first receiver is provided having a first side with a toner in an overlap area and the first receiver is overlapped with a second receiver overlapping the first receiver; and the first receiver and second receiver are moved in the overlapped position past a print engine so that an image is formed on the combination of the first receiver and the second receiver with contiguous application of toner forming the image applied across the first receiver and the second receiver, the first receiver and second receiver are fused to bind the prints together and to fix the toner to form a combination print having a continuously applied image.

Abstract: A method for forming a variable data job includes a fixed original image provided by original image data in a first multiple channel color plane and content provided by variable image data in a second multiple channel color plane. The original image data is converted to fixed image data in a clear channel color plane. Raster image processing is performed on the fixed image data to translate the fixed image data into a first ready-to-print file. The ready-to-print file is saved in a memory as a post-RIP file. The variable image data is subsequently provided in at least the second multiple channel color plane. Image processing is performed on the variable image data to obtain a second ready-to-print file. The post-RIP file is merged with the second ready-to-print file for forming the variable data job. The variable data job is printed to render output.

Abstract: A printer is provided for forming a durable combination of printed receivers having a printer controller cooperating with a print engine, a receiver transport system, an overlap positioning system and a fuser to cause a first toner image on a first side of a first receiver with toner in an overlap area proximate to a first edge of the first receiver to overlap the first edge of the first receiver with a second edge of the second receiver having a thickness and to fuse the overlapped first receiver and second receiver to cause the toner in the overlap area to bond to the receivers. A toner edge shield forms a first end confronting a second edge that extends from a first side of the first receiver to at least about 50% of the thickness and that has a deflection surface that slopes toward a second end.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: color image forming means for effecting image formation with a color toner on the basis of color image data; transparent image forming means for effecting image formation, on the basis of transparent image data, with a transparent toner on a color toner image formed by the color toner forming means; fixing means for fixing a formed image, on a recording material, of the transparent toner superposed on the color toner; and control means for controlling the color image forming means, so that a toner amount per unit area of the color toner at a superposing portion of the transparent toner on the color toner image is less than that of the color image data at the superposing portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a controller that determines whether a first toner image to be firstly transferred to a transfer body has a portion that is not superimposed by a second toner image to be subsequently transferred to the transfer body so as to be superimposed on the first toner image to generate a determination result, and controls a transfer bias supplied to a transfer device that causes the second toner image to be transferred to the transfer body and an amount of toner to be adhered to form the second toner image, respectively, based on the determination result.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes image forming units forming toner images with first toners having different colors and a second toner having a different softening point from the first toners, an image transfer unit superposing the toner images one on top of another and transferring the superposed toner images onto a recording medium at least such that the toner image formed of the second toner is at the top of the superposed toner images, an image fixing unit fixing the transferred toner images, and an image controller that causes the image forming unit that uses the second toner to form the toner image over at least part of an image area and also causes the image transfer unit to perform the transfer such that the toner image formed of the second toner is at the top of the superposed toner images in the at least part of the image area.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus and a control method thereof, in which a transfer start position of a transfer belt is determined based on electric signals that correspond to a width of a position indicator provided on a transfer belt and are detectable during one rotation of the transfer belt even when noise occurs in output, thereby reducing the overall printing time.

Abstract: A toner image height measurement apparatus capable of accurately measuring heights of toner images of respective colors with a relatively simple construction and without being affected by toner colors. With motion of an image carrier, there occurs a change in reflection light amount detected by a photodiode of the height measurement apparatus in timing when laser light having been irradiated onto the image carrier starts to be irradiated onto or intercepted by a toner image and in timing when the laser light having been irradiated onto the toner image starts to be irradiated onto the image carrier. Based on a principle that these timings vary according to a toner image height, the height measurement apparatus detects the timing when the reflection light amount changes by a predetermined amount, thereby detecting the toner image height.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising image forming units, an image bearing member for bearing images, a table indicative of a correspondence relationship between temperature and an amount of a color misregistration. A pattern detection unit detects color registration patterns on the image bearing member. A calculation unit calculates the amount of the color misregistration based on the detection result of the patterns. A color registration adjustment unit has a first mode in which color registration adjustment is performed based on the amount of the color misregistration, and a second mode in which the amount of the color misregistration is predicted based on temperature using the table and the color registration adjustment is performed based on the predicted amount. An updating unit makes the image forming units form the color registration patterns when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, and updates the table based on the amount of the color misregistration.

Abstract: An apparatus associated with a printing device having a plurality of print engines comprising a first print engine and at least one second print engine is provided. The apparatus comprises a pixel clock generating module which generates a reference signal operating at a single video frequency derived from a first clock and the at least one first print engine. The apparatus further comprises a color data modification module which modifies the color data for the at least one second print engine based on an accumulated phase error for at least one second print engine, wherein the accumulated error is calculated based on calibration information for the at least one second print engine relative to the at least one first print engine.

Abstract: A method and system modify a rasterized digital image to reduce registration artifacts, the image having a black plane and a color plane by determining if a pixel is part of a connected black region and if the pixel is part of a connected color region. It is determined if the pixel is part of a connected black region and a connected color region that are contiguous. A dilation operation is performed on the color plane value of the pixel if the pixel is part of a connected black region and a connected color region that are contiguous.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an alternative printing unit. The alternative printing unit performs alternative printing of a black image by mixing images of color materials of three colors of cyan, yellow, and magenta. The alternative printing unit includes a color material amount control unit that controls amounts of the respective color materials, which form the images of the color materials of the three colors, so as to be smaller than those at a time of normal printing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying belt for carrying a toner image; an image forming station for forming toner image on the image carrying belt; a sheet feeding belt for feeding a sheet; a transfer member for transferring the toner image from the carrying belt onto the sheet fed on the feeding belt; and a controller for controlling speeds of the carrying belt and the feeding belt. The controller is capable of controlling a relative speed between the carrying belt and the feeding belt at multiple levels. The image forming station forms a first toner pattern on the carrying belt in a state that the relative speed is at a first level, and forms a second toner pattern on the carrying belt in a state that the relative speed is at a second level which is different from the first level. The transfer member transfers the first toner pattern and the second toner pattern onto the sheet carried on the feeding belt.