Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method which can take a countermeasure against a tail or the like in consideration of differences of various conditions such as a kind of transfer paper and the like is provided. The apparatus has an image processing portion for extracting an image pattern whose image information has a concentration of 100% and executing a thin-out process for thinning out a predetermined area in the extracted image pattern at a predetermined ratio. The image processing portion or step changes the thin-out process according to the transfer paper kind.

Abstract: A primary transfer device includes a primary transfer roll that is capable of being engaged with and disengaged from an intermediate transfer member to which a developer image is primarily transferred; and a setting-changing unit that changes a setting of pressure of the primary transfer roll to the intermediate transfer member in accordance with kind of a recording medium to which the developer image is secondarily transferred, wherein the setting-changing unit has an irregular medium transfer mode for a case where the recording medium to which the developer image is a recording medium having irregularities formed on a surface thereof, and an ordinary transfer mode for a case where the recording medium is a recording medium other than the recording medium having the irregularities, wherein a pressure set in the irregular medium transfer mode is smaller than that set in the ordinary transfer mode.

Abstract: A recording material determination apparatus includes a first detection unit configured to detect a characteristic corresponding to a surface condition of a recording material based on a captured image of a surface of the recording material, a second detection unit configured to detect a characteristic corresponding to a grammage of the recording material based on an ultrasonic wave detected via the recording material by irradiating the recording material with an ultrasonic wave, and a conveyance unit configured to convey the recording material. The first detection unit and the second detection unit are located opposite each other with respect to the conveyance unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image supporting body, a developing device, a cleaning device, an input device, a recycling mechanism, and a controller. The image supporting body is for having a latent image based on image data formed on a surface thereof. The developing device applies a developer to the image supporting body to develop the latent image. The cleaning device eliminates developer remaining on the surface of the image supporting body, after a developer image formed by the developing has been transferred to paper. The input device receives a setting input related to a type of paper for use in image forming. The recycling mechanism transports the developer eliminated by the cleaning device to the developing device as recycled developer. The controller is configured to selectively operate the recycling mechanism based on the type of paper set by the input device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image bearing members, a developing unit, an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer body, and a registration roller. A linear speed difference between the intermediate transfer belt and the secondary transfer body is variably set based on a basis weight of a recording medium.

Abstract: A method of revising a medium resistance to determine a transfer voltage and an image forming device to perform the same. The method includes supplying a medium recognition voltage to recognize a print medium, and reading medium resistances according to a predetermined reading cycle, calculating an estimated medium resistance based on the read medium resistances, by referring to a pattern of medium resistance in an interval between a time at which the medium recognizing voltage is supplied and a predetermined stabilizing time, and determining a medium resistance to be applied when a transfer voltage is supplied, by comparing the calculated estimated medium resistance with the read medium resistances obtained after the predetermined stabilizing time.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a fixing member, a peeling member, a driving mechanism, and a driving-mechanism control unit. The fixing member comes into press contact with a sheet while rotating and heats the sheet. The peeling member peels the sheet off the fixing member. The driving mechanism moves the peeling member to change the size of a gap between the distal end of the peeling member and the fixing member. The driving-mechanism control unit controls the driving mechanism to set the size of the gap.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a static electricity eliminator to remove residual charge from a printing medium. A selector is provided to connect the static electricity eliminator to ground through a selected resistance, and a controller is provided to control the selector depending on printing medium characteristics. The resistance in the ground path connected to the static electricity eliminator is changed according to printing medium characteristics such that elimination of residual charge is effective over a range of printing media having different printing medium characteristics.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a control method thereof to improve quality of an image in consideration of a change in posture of a print media. The image forming apparatus can include a transferred unit on which a visible image is formed, a transferring unit to form a transfer region through which the visible image is transferred onto a print medium, along with the transferred unit, a bias supplying unit to supply bias to the transferring unit so that a transfer electric field is produced in the transfer region, and a controller to control the bias supplying unit to supply different first to third biases to the transferring unit while at least first to third regions of the print medium pass through the transfer region, respectively.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion for forming a toner image of color toner and transparent toner on a recording material; a heating device for heating the toner image formed on the recording material; an execution portion for executing a mode in which the transparent toner is partly placed in an image formable region of the recording material; and a control portion for controlling, on the basis of an amount of the color toner to be placed in an adjacent region adjacent to a region in which the transparent toner is to be placed, an amount of the transparent toner so that the amount of the transparent toner to be partly placed on the recording material when glossiness in the adjacent region is high is larger than that when the glossiness in the adjacent region is low.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including an image forming section forming images on image forming faces of a recording medium, a condition setting section individually setting an operating condition of the image forming section for forming the image on a first image forming face of a recording medium and another operating condition of the image forming section for forming the image on a second image forming face of the recording medium opposite to the first image forming face in the manual duplex mode, and a control section controlling the image forming section on the basis of each operating condition set by the condition setting section.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of controlling a speed of a fuser cleaner web in a fuser apparatus, and the corresponding fuser apparatus. The method utilizes a fuser apparatus having a fuser roll and a web nip roll, the fuser cleaner web for cleaning the fuser roll and being disposed between the fuser roll and the web nip roll. The method determines a property of a media to be fused in the fuser apparatus, and controls a speed of the fuser cleaner web based on the determined property of the media.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to this invention which allows double-sided printing can reduce the toner consumption amount by decreasing the size of a developer image on the second page as compared with the size of a developer image printed on the first page in margin-less printing. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus includes a setting unit adapted to set, when images are to be formed on both surfaces of a printing material without margin, a size of a developer image on a second page of the printing material smaller than a size of a developer image on a first page of the printing material.

Abstract: An excitation coil positioned along an axial direction of a fixing rotational body having a heat generating layer causes the heat generating layer to generate heat by electromagnetic induction. Magnetic flux shielding members positioned outside the excitation coil in a radial direction of the fixing rotational body cover at least one end of a maximum sheet passing region. A controller moves the magnetic flux shielding members along the excitation coil, and when a fed sheet has a width smaller than a width of the maximum sheet passing region, a center hole of the excitation coil is more widely covered. In a plan view, a circumference of each of the magnetic flux shielding members partially and obliquely crosses with the center hole in the axial direction of the fixing rotational body.

Abstract: An image forming system including: a fixing device for fixing a toner image on the recording sheet; a curl flattening section for flattening a curl formed on the recording sheet, and conveying the recording sheet in a downstream direction against the fixing device; a first conveying route for conveying the recording sheet having been processed by the fixing device to the curl flattening section; a second conveying route, being longer than the first conveying route, for conveying the processed recording sheet to the curl flattening section; a switching section for switching the conveying route, to guide to the first conveying route or the second conveying route; and a control section for controlling the switching section to guide the recording sheet to the first conveying route or the second conveying route, based on a type of the recording sheet, having been processed by the fixing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the image carrier; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the image carrier to a transfer target having ridges and valleys on a surface thereof; an adjusting unit that adjusts a ratio of A/B, where A is a transfer ratio [%] from the image carrier to a valley portion of the transfer target while B is a transfer ratio [%] from the image carrier to a ridge portion of the transfer target, based on an adjustment input by a user; and a control unit that controls a transfer condition of the transfer unit based on the ratio of A/B adjusted by the adjusting unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for media thickness measurement in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving images of a media stack from an imaging device, measuring one or more sheet-to-sheet interfaces in the media stack from the received images, determining the media thickness based on the sheet-to-sheet interface measurements, and adjusting at least one image production device parameter based on the determined media thickness.

Abstract: A fixing device including a rotatable fixing member to fix a toner image on a recording medium, a pressing member to press against the fixing member to form a nip portion therebetween, through which the recording medium passes, and a nip pressure applying mechanism that movably supports the pressing member. The nip pressure applying mechanism presses the pressing member against the fixing member at a predetermined nip pressure during a fixing operation, and draws the pressing member away from the fixing member for a predetermined distance before the fixing operation. The predetermined distance is set depending on a condition for the fixing operation.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording medium includes a fixing roller to rotate in a predetermined direction of rotation, a pressing roller to rotate and contact an outer circumferential surface of the fixing roller to form a nip between the pressing roller and the fixing roller through which the recording medium bearing the toner image passes to fix the toner image by heat and pressure, a pressing lever to hold both lateral end portions of the pressing roller, and a cam disposed on a camshaft, to rotate the pressing lever to change the position of the pressing roller. Rotation of the cam in a first, pressing direction enables the pressing roller to pressingly contact the fixing roller. Rotation of the cam in a second direction opposite the pressing direction enables the pressing roller to separate from the fixing roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; a development device; a speed varying unit that can vary a speed of a developer bearing member; a sensing portion that senses an environmental temperature around the development device; and a controller that can perform a mode in which, compared with a period which an image forming region of the image bearing member passes through the developing region, the rotation speed of the developer bearing member slows down a period which a non-image forming region of the image bearing member passes through the developing region, wherein based on sensing result of the sensing portion, the controller performs the mode when the environmental temperature is higher than a predetermined value, and the controller does not perform the mode when the environmental temperature is lower than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A user operates the operation panel portion 6 and selects an image quality mode in a pre-stage of carrying out CD-R printing. If an operation of commencing CD-R printing on the operation panel portion 6 is enabled, the CPU 16 causes the scanner unit 21 to scan a sample CD-R 25 and takes in the image data. The CPU 16 causes the taken-in image data to be subjected to an image working process and masks pixels not required to be printed. The ASIC 20 transfers the processed image data to the printer unit 22 and executes CD-R printing. At this time, the CPU 16 carries out scanning and printing at a resolution responsive to the image quality mode.

Abstract: There is provided a color page printer including a print engine operable by a color mode for executing color printing and a monochrome mode for executing monochrome printing, and a control unit for controlling the print engine to generate a printed paper having a content corresponding to received print data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a fixing device including: a fixing member; and a pressure member configured to be pressed against the fixing member in order to form a nip portion, wherein a sheet configured to be fed into the nip portion in order to fix unfixed toner image thereon; a compressor configured to supply compressed air; a nozzle configured to be disposed at an outlet side of the nip portion and to blast the compressed air to an adhered portion of the sheet to the fixing member; and a controller configured to correct open-time of the nozzle based on image forming condition and to control number of times that the compressed air is blasted to the sheet in accordance with length of corrected open-time, wherein the open-time of the nozzle is determined in accordance with basis weight of the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer device, a voltage applicator, a current sensor, and a discharge detector. The transfer device transfers a toner image from one surface to another by developing an electrical field across a transfer gap when provided with a transfer bias. The voltage applicator applies a stepped test voltage to the transfer device. The current sensor senses a current flowing to the transfer device during application of the test voltage the discharge detector detects an electrical discharge occurring in the transfer gap based on a rate of increase of the sensed current.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a photoconductive member, an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer and fixing belt, a fixing and pressing roller, and a heating device. The heating device heats a toner image on the transfer and fixing belt between a first toner image transfer position for transfer from the intermediate transfer belt onto the transfer and fixing belt and a second toner image transfer position for transfer from the transfer and fixing belt onto a sheet in a moving direction of a belt surface of the transfer and fixing belt and, at the same time, heats the sheet conveyed to the second toner image transfer position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a section for obtaining a property of a recording material; an adjusting section for adjusting a toner amount of a toner image formed by development depending on the property of the recording material; a charging section for charging the toner image before transfer; and a controlling section for adjusting a charging quantity by the charging section depending on the toner amount, where an appropriate quantity of charge depending on the toner amount is provided to the toner image before transfer to the recording material. Depending on the property of the recording material, an appropriate toner amount is transferred at a high transfer efficiency, and uniformity of a solid concentration is ensured.

Abstract: A developing unit that includes a stirring roller stirring a developer and a developing roller and develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier to form a toner image; a drive source that rotationally drives the developing roller and the stirring roller; and a control unit that switches a rotational speed of the developing roller in modes of an image formation mode and an adjustment mode, and rotationally controls the stirring roller at a first speed in the modes are provided.

Abstract: A record medium determining device 1, which determines a kind of a record medium 16 by irradiating a laser light 17 to a surface of the record medium 16, detecting a received light position and a received light intensity of a reflected light 18 by a line sensor 14, and comparing a distribution state of the received light position and the received light intensity with a previously determined distribution state, is disposed on the upstream side of a record medium conveyance path 653 with respect to a fixing unit.

Abstract: Using an operation panel a user selects group to which a recording medium to be subjected to image formation belongs out of plural groups of recording media classified according to grammages, a classification processing unit sub-classifies the group selected, to which the recording medium belongs, into plural sub-groups of recording media according to a detecting result of the media sensor provided further upstream in a conveying direction of a recording medium than a fixing unit, and a control unit sets, for the recording medium belonging to the group selected, the temperature of the fixing unit to a fixing temperature in a fixing temperature range and controls this fixing temperature according to any one of the sub-groups sub-classified. Consequently, it is possible to perform fixing processing at an optimum temperature according to a type of a recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism and an image fixing unit. The image forming mechanism forms a toner image on a recording sheet. The image fixing unit fixes the toner image onto the recording sheet. The image fixing unit includes a magnetic flux generator, a heat member, a magnetic flux adjuster, and a controlling member. The magnetic flux generator generates a magnetic flux. The heat member is heated inductively by the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generator. The magnetic flux adjuster reduces the magnetic flux active on the heat member to form a heat reduction area in an outer circumferential surface of the heat member in a width direction thereof. The controlling member moves the magnetic flux adjuster to change the heat reduction area.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a heating member for heating a toner image on a recording material in a heating nip, a pressing member for forming the heating nip and being in contact with the heating member, an abrading member for abrading a surface of the heating member, a contact-and-separation device for causing contact and separation of the abrading member with respect to the heating member, and a selecting device for selecting, depending on the basis weight of the recording material to be heated by the heating member, whether or not the contact-and-separation means brings the abrading member into contact with the heating member before a recording material is conveyed to the heating nip.

Abstract: A fixing device, in which an unfixed image carried by a recording medium is passed through a fixing nip part being pressed by a fixing rotative body and a pressuring rotative body, and is fixed to the recording medium, is disclosed, including: a pressing part, and control part. The pressing part applies a pressure to the fixing nip part. The control part controls the pressure to be applied to the fixing nip part by the pressing part, to be lower than a case in which the recording medium passes through a curl correcting part for correcting a curl of the recording medium, when the recording medium does not pass through the curl correcting part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a control method thereof to improve quality of an image in consideration of a change in posture of a print media. The image forming apparatus can include a transferred unit on which a visible image is formed, a transferring unit to form a transfer region through which the visible image is transferred onto a print medium, along with the transferred unit, a bias supplying unit to supply bias to the transferring unit so that a transfer electric field is produced in the transfer region, and a controller to control the bias supplying unit to supply different first to third biases to the transferring unit while at least first to third regions of the print medium pass through the transfer region, respectively.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet of recording medium, a sheet feed tray selecting unit, a medium size selecting unit that selects a first medium size, a medium type selecting unit that selects a medium type. A determining unit determines operation of the image forming unit based on a search result of a first sheet feed tray corresponding to the first medium size selected by the medium size selecting unit, a search result of a second sheet feed tray corresponding to the medium type selected by the medium type selecting unit, a selected tray selected by the sheet feed tray selecting unit, and resetting values specified for the operation of the image forming unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a fixer to fix an image formed on a sheet and includes a rotary heat generator including a heat generation layer, a pressure member to form a nip with the rotary heat generator to sandwich the sheet therebetween, an excitation coil disposed facing the rotary heat generator, to inductively heat the heat generation layer, a demagnetization coil disposed facing the heat generation layer, to generate magnetic flux that partly counteracts magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil and a fixer controller to control activation of the excitation coil as well as the demagnetization coil before a second image formation job after completion of a first image formation job in which an image is formed on a sheet of recording media whose width is smaller than a maximum sheet width usable in the fixer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a fixing unit that fixes the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit by applying heat; a first detector unit that detects a length of the recording medium in a transport direction, the first detector unit being disposed upstream of the fixing unit in the transport direction; and a second detector unit that detects the length of the recording medium in the transport direction, the second detector unit being disposed downstream of the fixing unit in the transport direction.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes an input tray, a transfer path, a roller assembly, an ejecting tray, a light emitter, a light receiver, a comparator and a discriminating unit. The light emitter successively emits multiple light beams of different intensities to the document. When the multiple light beams penetrating through the document are received by the light receiver, the light receiver outputs corresponding voltage signals. The discriminating unit is electrically connected to the light receiver for discriminating document types according to the voltage levels of the voltage signals.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fuser including, a heating unit configured to heat a toner to be fixed on a sheet medium and the sheet medium and including at least three heat sources that can be independently driven, a temperature detecting unit configured to detect temperature of the heating unit in at least two positions spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the heating unit, and a control unit configured to change power supply to the heat sources of the heating unit according to elapse time from the power supply to the heat sources, a number of sheet media to be continuously processed, and a type of the sheet media.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a toner charge amount control portion for controlling the toner charge amount based on the property of a recording material; a recording material charging section for charging the surface of the recording material based on the toner charge amount controlled by the aforementioned toner charge amount control portion; and a recording media charge amount control portion for controlling the amount of charge on the surface of a recording material applied by the recording material charging section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus outputting a color image and a monochrome image obtains data for output image by RIP-convert of accepted image data, and extracts feature of the data for output image. When the data for output image is determined to correspond to a color image, the image forming apparatus outputs a color image corresponding to the data for output image, on condition that the feature satisfies a determination reference.

Abstract: Disclosed are printing methods, apparatus and systems to compensate for distortion caused by fusing toner to a media substrate. According to one exemplary embodiment, the method includes processing image data according to media characterization data for a measured fuser temperature. The media characterization data provides a basis to compensate for media substrate shrinkage due to fusing the printed image on the media substrate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus main body, an image creating unit that is provided in the apparatus main body and creates an image to be printed on recording paper, a paper feeding mechanism on which plural pieces of the recording paper are stacked as a paper bundle, a paper-type distinguishing device that distinguishes a type of the recording paper from the paper bundle stacked on the paper feeding mechanism, and a printing unit that prints, according to the type of the recording paper distinguished by the paper-type distinguishing device, the image created by the image creating unit on the recording paper.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are optimal or near optimal algorithms implemented as software tools that will allow the user/machine to identify optimal media out of the job set automatically. There are at least two main process steps to the exemplary embodiment. The first step involves the off-line characterization of the printing/image rendering system that will be used to extract the principal basis vectors from the experimental data. The second step involves the run-time mode, in which the pre-characterized basis vectors are used in conjunction with an optimal algorithm that will identify the media for re-calibration/re-characterization from the group of media set that the customer is interested to print. The optimal algorithm performs the combinatorial search every time the customer wishes to select the media. Once the optimal media is selected, the customer or the machine can print color patches (which are also optimal set) and execute the rest of the processing to reconstruct the best color management LUTs.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is operable in a speed priority mode in which a temperature range that permits a fixing operation via a pressure belt is wide and an image-quality priority mode in which a temperature range that permits a fixing operation via the pressure belt is narrow. A user interface of the image forming apparatus is configured to enable an operator to select the speed priority mode or the image-quality priority mode for a coated paper.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method of optimizing an electro-photographic reproduction machine having a fusing subsystem and an air knife. The methods acquire at least one electro-photographic reproduction machine objective and media characteristic; and the acquired objective and characteristic are used to determine values for the pressurized air emitted from the air knife, the position of the air knife, and the rotation of the air knife relative to a fuse roll in the fusing subsystem. The methods further disclose acquiring the leading edge of the media being stripped and then using the beam strength of the media to assist in stripping the body of the sheet. The air knife can be controlled by a controller or a processor based on determined optimization parameter values that relate to objectives and media characteristics.

Abstract: In a device for detecting a basis weight of a recording material, an initial measurement is performed by using ultrasonic waves that have passed through the recording material, and the recording material is roughly classified first. By changing the number of pulses of the driving signal in accordance with a result of the initial measurement, the basis weight of the recording material can be detected by using ultrasonic waves suitable for the recording material, so that the detection accuracy of the basis weight of the recording material can be increased.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a characteristic acquiring unit configured to acquire a characteristic of the medium, a fixing device including a heating member configured to heat the front surface of the medium and a pressing member configured to heat a rear surface of the medium, and a control unit configured to turn off, when the thickness or the basis weight of the medium is determined to be equal to or smaller than a predetermined value based on an acquired characteristic of the medium, heating power for the pressing member at start of a fixing operation by the fixing device and control the temperature of the pressing member during the fixing operation to the temperature between a second threshold temperature which is temperature lower than a temperature during standby of the fixing operation, and a first threshold temperature lower than the second threshold temperature.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a heating member for heating a toner image on a recording material in a heating nip, a pressing member for forming the heating nip and being in contact with the heating member, an abrading member for abrading a surface of the heating member, a contact-and-separation device for causing contact and separation of the abrading member with respect to the heating member; and a selecting device for selecting, depending on the basis weight of the recording material to be heated by the heating member, whether or not the contact-and-separation means brings the abrading member into contact with the heating member before a recording material is conveyed to the heating nip.

Abstract: When an infra-red heater is to be taken out from a fixing device for maintenance of the infra-red heater, screw-fastening is first released and one holder is extracted from a holding member. The infra-red heater is then pulled out from the side the holder was extracted from. This process is then reversed when a new or repaired infra-red heater is to be mounted on the fixing device. There is a pressure member in pressure contact with a flexible fixing member. The surface area of the contacting member facing the pressure member is variable.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section for forming images on papers based on image data of a document having a plurality of document pages and an additional image which is previously set; a post-processing device for carrying out a post-processing for the papers; a first input section for inputting and setting a division of the post-processing of the document pages; a second input section for setting the additional image so as to be formed on a first document page of the plurality of document pages; and a control section for causing the image forming section to form the additional image on the first document page of each division when the division of the post-processing of the document pages is set by the first input section and when the additional image is set by the second input section so as to be formed on the first document page of the plurality of document pages.