Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: an image forming unit for forming an image on a continuous paper; a fixing unit for fixing by heat the image which has been formed on the continuous paper by the image forming unit; conveyance units for conveying the continuous paper; and a control unit for controlling the conveyance units to convey the continuous paper in such a manner that, when an image forming operation by the image forming unit is stopped, the same portion of the continuous paper, on which the image is not formed, does not remain in the fixing unit for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveyance passage unit, a fixing device, an optical sensor, a fixing condition adjuster, and a regulator. A recording medium passes through the conveyance passage unit. The fixing device fixes a toner image onto the recording medium. The optical sensor includes a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device to detect smoothness of the recording medium according to strength of light received. The fixing condition adjuster adjusts fixing conditions according to the smoothness detected. The regulator is disposed in the conveyance passage unit to regulate conveyance of the recording medium, such that at least a part of the recording medium passes through an irradiated area including an intersection that is determined by an emission angle of a first optical axis of light emitted by the light-emitting device and a reflection angle of a second optical axis of light received by the light-receiving device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on each of recording media includes an optical sensor to irradiate each of the recording media with light to detect smoothness of each of the recording media according to a strength of specularly reflected light of the light with which each of the recording media is irradiated, and a processor to compare the smoothness of the recording media to determine whether a normal image can be formed on one of the recording media having a smoothness detected last.

Abstract: A fuser assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a rotatable fusing member forming a fusing nip with a backup member. A heating lamp is positioned to heat the fusing member. A first reflector is positioned around a circumferential portion of the fusing member and positioned to direct light from the heating lamp onto the fusing member. The first reflector covers a first section of an axial length of the fusing member and does not cover a second section of the axial length of the fusing member. A second reflector is movable between a first position covering at least a portion of the second section of the axial length of the fusing member and a second position uncovering at least a portion of the second section of the axial length of the fusing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of accurately computing power consumption thereof. First power consumption consumed by a fixing device of the image forming apparatus until the fixing device becomes a state capable of fixing a toner image onto a sheet is computed, second power consumption that includes power consumption consumed by the fixing device to fix the toner image onto the sheet and power consumption consumed by conveyance of the sheet is computed according to at least a sheet type, and third power consumption consumed by an exposure unit of the image forming apparatus to expose a photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus to light is computed according to an image to be formed. Then, a sum of the first to third power consumptions is computed.

Abstract: A serial tandem image forming system is described which is capable of inhibiting both the degradation of image quality and the reduction of the productivity. This system consists mainly of the control units of upstream and downstream apparatuses. When a preceding sheet differs from the subsequent sheet in sheet type, a control unit for controlling the image forming system has the subsequent sheet stand by at a paper stop roller of the upstream apparatus, and performs the operation of switching the operating states of the upstream and downstream apparatuses in accordance with the sheet type of the subsequent sheet. Also, the control unit predicts the timing of finishing the switching of the operating state, and then re-starts the conveyance of the subsequent sheet, in advance of finishing the switching of the operating state, by controlling the paper stop roller on the basis of the predicted finishing timing.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit configured to transfer a developing agent to a sheet for image forming and a plurality of fixing units each configured to perform a heat-fixing process on the developing agent transferred to the sheet by the image forming unit, whether the sheet is of a type for which a plurality of fixing units are to be used for performing a heat-fixing process is determined. It is controlled so as to electrify one fixing unit of the fixing units and not to electrify the other fixing units not to be used until the number of sheets having undergone the heat-fixing process by using the one fixing unit is equal to a predetermined number if the determining determines that the sheet is of a type for which a plurality of fixing units are to be used for performing a heat-fixing process.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a paper feed unit, an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a conveyance unit, a control unit, a movement unit and an actuator. The fixing unit includes sandwiching members between which paper is sandwiched. The paper has a toner image thereon formed by the image forming unit. The sandwiching members form a nip part, and the fixing unit fixes the toner image to the paper at the nip part. When an execution condition is satisfied, the control unit performs first control under which the actuator releases a sandwiching pressure made by the sandwiching members and thereafter the movement unit moves the sandwiching members along a paper width direction which is at right angles to a conveyance direction of the paper.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes an irradiation system with a light source configured to emit linearly polarized light of a first polarization direction onto a sheet-like object, in a direction oblique to a direction orthogonal to a surface of the object, a first photodetector arranged on an optical path of light that is emitted from the irradiation system and then is reflected at the object by regular reflection, a first optical element, arranged on an optical path of light reflected by diffuse reflection from an incidence plane of the object, configured to transmit linearly polarized light of a second polarization direction that is orthogonal to the first polarization direction, a second photodetector configured to receive light that has passed through the first optical element, and a detection unit configured to detect at least one of basis weight and thickness of the object.

Abstract: There is provided a recording medium imaging device capable of properly selecting pixels used for determining the kind of the recording medium from the captured surface image to remove pixels from which the surface property of the recording medium cannot be properly determined because the pixels extremely high in light quantity are affected by some sort of dirt or scratches in determining the kind of a recording medium. This allows the determination of kind of the recording medium based on the normally captured surface image to reduce the decrease in accuracy in determining the kind of the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a sheet conveying unit, a TOD (Top of Data) control module for instructing the image forming unit to start generation of a toner image, a timing roller driving module for instructing the sheet conveying unit to start driving of the timing roller, an image synchronization module designed depending on the sheet conveying unit and the image forming unit, and a sheet information module for generating an image synchronization identifier for designating a pattern of image synchronization control related to printing of the toner image on the sheet, depending on a type of the sheet designated. The image synchronization module is activated when the formation of the toner image on the sheet has become possible, and activate each of the TOD control module and the timing roller driving module, with a relative time lag based on the image synchronization identifier.

Abstract: A printing system is operable to enable a printing apparatus to continue a printing of a print job by using printing media of a second supply source after using printing media of a first supply source without expending all of printing media of the first supply source. The printing media included in the first supply source are the same size and type as the printing media included in the second supply source.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a recording material accommodating portion configured to accommodate a recording material; an image forming portion configured to form a toner image on the recording material fed from the recording material accommodating portion; a fixing portion configured to heat-fix the toner image formed on the recording material by the image forming portion; a storing portion configured to store information corresponding to a type of the recording material accommodated in the recording material accommodating portion; a detecting portion configured to detect that a predetermined operation is performed by an operator before the image forming apparatus receives an image formation instruction; and an executing portion configured to execute a start-up process, when the detecting portion detects the predetermined operation performed by the operator, over a time depending on the information stored in the storing portion.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotation body heating and fixing an unfixed image onto a recording medium; a pressing rotation body pressing the recording medium to the fixing rotation body; a first temperature detection unit detecting a temperature of the fixing rotation body; and plural second temperature detection units detecting a temperature of the pressing rotation body. Further the fixing device selects a predetermined second temperature detection unit from the plural second temperature detection units depending on an operation mode of the fixing device, and the fixing device detects the temperature of the pressing rotation body by using the predetermined second temperature detection unit selected by the fixing device.

Abstract: In an image heating apparatus including heat generating members arranged along a longitudinal direction of a belt, when an image heating operation is performed on a recording material having a width which is smaller than a maximum width of the recording material usable in the image heating apparatus, the heat generating member positioned within an area corresponding to a non passing portion of the recording material is actuated together with the heat generating member positioned within an area corresponding to a non passing portion of the recording material.

Abstract: A protection member is arranged such that the distance from an opening plane of a reception guide to the center of the protection member is half of the distance from the opening plane of the reception guide to the surface of a reception vibration member. In other words, the arrangement position of the protection member is in the center between the opening plane of the reception guide and the surface of the reception vibration member. Accordingly, even if a protection member is arranged, a transmission coefficient is obtained that is equal to a transmission coefficient in the case where no protection member is present.

Abstract: An optical sensor is disclosed, including an irradiating system; a first photodetecting system including a first photodetector which is arranged on an optical path of a light which is specularly reflected from a subject; a second photodetecting system including an optical element which is arranged on an optical path of a light which is diffuse reflected from the subject within an incident face in the subject and which separates a linearly polarized component in a second polarizing direction which is orthogonal to a first polarizing direction and a second photodetector which receives a light separated by the optical element; and a restricting member which is arranged on an optical path of an incident light with respect to at least one of the first photodetector and the second photodetector and which restricts a light receiving range in the at least one photodetector.

Abstract: A sensor device is disclosed, including a database, and a processing apparatus. The database includes, for multiple different first types of objects, a first output data which are output data of an optical system acquired beforehand for each of the first objects in a case in which a surface of one side of the first object is set as the detection surface; and a second output data which are output data of the optical detection system acquired beforehand for each of the first objects in a case in which a surface of an other side opposite to the one side of the first object is set as the detection surface. The processing apparatus matches measurement data with the database, the measurement data being the output data of the optical detection system which is acquired with respect to a second object, and determines a type of the second object.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes first and second rotatable members configured and positioned to form a nip for heating a toner image on a sheet; a rubbing rotatable member configured to rub a surface of the first rotatable member; a moving mechanism configured to move the rubbing rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member between a rubbing position for carrying out a rubbing process for the first rotatable member and a retracted position retracted the rubbing position; and an executing portion configured to execute the rubbing process in accordance with a number and a kind of the sheet processed by the image heating apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid type cooling device, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a heat releasing unit to release heat of a coolant that passes therethrough, and multiple air blowing fans disposed facing the heat releasing unit to blow air to the heat releasing unit. A cooling capacity of the liquid type cooling device varies according to a type of a recording medium on which an image is formed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner image holding member, a transfer unit, and a supply unit. The toner image holding member holds a toner image. The transfer unit transfers the toner image held by the toner image holding member to a recording medium. The supply unit supplies powder such that the powder is interposed between an end portion of the recording medium and the toner image holding member and/or the transfer unit if the recording medium includes an intermediate adhesive layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner image holding member, a transfer unit, and a supply unit. The toner image holding member holds a toner image. The transfer unit transfers the toner image held by the toner image holding member to a recording medium. The supply unit supplies powder such that the powder is interposed between an end portion of the recording medium and the toner image holding member and/or the transfer unit if the recording medium includes an intermediate adhesive layer.

Abstract: By providing a step in a pressing member for pressing a recording material P to a reading surface of an image-pickup unit, surface images in a tight contact area and a non-tight-contact area are picked up. By identifying the type of the recording material P based on the two surface images, the accuracy of identifying the recording material is improved without using a plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A recording material detection apparatus having a detecting device configured to detect a surface state of a recording material on the basis of reflected light from a surface of the recording material includes a reference surface to be irradiated with light from a light source, the detecting device includes a light-shielding portion configured to control conditions for detecting information relating to the surface state of the recording material on the basis of the reflected surface from the reference surface, and cover a portion of the reference panel other than the reference surface so as to prevent the light from the light source from being reflected from the portion of the reference panel other than the reference surface and being received by the light-receiving unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a transfer belt facing a surface of the image carrier, forming a nip serving as a transfer position with the image carrier, and configured to transfer a toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to a recording paper sheet with a transfer bias of opposite polarity to the surface of the image carrier; a fixing section configured to heat the sheet having the transferred toner image thereon to fix the toner image; and a static eliminator disposed downstream of the transfer position in a direction of conveyance of the sheet and configured to expose a back surface of the sheet opposite to the surface having the transferred toner image thereon to a DC discharge having the same polarity as the transfer bias and directed toward a position where the sheet separates from the transfer belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a measurement image on a recording sheet by using a color material, a fixing unit configured to fix the measurement image onto the recording sheet by heating the measurement image, a measurement unit configured to measure color values of the measurement image fixed on the recording sheet downstream of the fixing unit in a sheet conveyance direction of the recording sheet, a pressing member configured to press the recording sheet, on which the measurement image is formed, against the measurement unit, a selection unit configured to select a mode from among a first mode, in which the measurement image is measured with the pressing member pressing the recording sheet against the measurement unit, and a second mode, in which the measurement image is measured without the pressing member pressing the recording sheet against the measurement unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control unit having a first function and a second function. The first function controls a downstream transfer current to be less than an upstream transfer current. The second function controls the downstream transfer current to be greater than the upstream transfer current.

Abstract: A high voltage power supply system includes: a high voltage power supply; a current detector; a voltage detector; a conversion section configured to obtain a converted-current value by dividing a detected-current voltage value by a predetermined resistance value; a selector configured to select one of the detected-current voltage value and the detected-voltage voltage value; a resistance variable section configured to change the predetermined resistance value; a temperature detector; a humidity detector; and a control section configured to create a voltage setting signal, a selection signal, and a resistance variable signal on the basis of the detected-voltage voltage value, the detected-temperature value, and the detected-humidity value, and to apply the voltage setting signal to the high voltage power supply, the selection signal to the selector, and the resistance variable signal to the resistance variable section.

Abstract: A non-contact power supply unit including a secondary coil supplies an alternating voltage to multiple heat generation layers provided in a heat generation film. In one of the heat generation layers, a loop is provided as a variable impedance circuit in which the impedance changes according to the frequency. A capacitance element in which the impedance changes according to the frequency is provided in the loop. The heat generation amounts of the heat generation layers are switched by changing the frequency of the alternating voltage generated in the secondary coil according to the size of the recording material that is the heating target.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a heating roller that generates heat for melting toner attached to a printing medium; a first induction coil that is disposed outside the heating roller and heats the heating roller by using induced current generated according to current flowing through the first induction coil; two second induction coils that are disposed at upper portions of both ends of the first induction coil and heat the heating roller by using induced current generated according to current flowing through the two second induction coils; a power supply unit that supplies current to the first induction coil and the two second induction coils; and a control unit that controls the power supply unit to supply current flowing in the same direction or different directions to the first induction coil and the second induction coils according to the size of paper fed into the heating roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a medium storing portion storing a recording medium, and a storage unit that stores first size information indicating a size of the stored recording medium. A receiving unit receives print data containing image data and second size information indicating a size relating to the image data. A feeding unit feeds the recording medium from the medium storage portion. An image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium. A detection unit detects a size of the recording medium fed by the feeding unit to obtain third size information. A first determining unit determines whether the first size information corresponds to the second size information. A second determining unit determines whether the third size information corresponds to the second size information. An acquiring unit acquires determination instruction information. A determination control unit causes only the second determining unit to perform determination according to the determination instruction information.

Abstract: A mode in which a toner image formed on an intermediate transfer belt passes through a primary transfer portion without a toner image being transferred from a photosensitive drum onto the intermediate transfer belt is provided. In the mode, an area of the photosensitive drum that passes through the primary transfer portion while the toner image is passing through the primary transfer portion is defined as a first area. When the first area passes through a charging position, a charging bias is adjusted so that the occurrence of an image defect is prevented.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a heating roller that generates heat for melting toner attached to a printing medium; a first induction coil that is disposed outside the heating roller and heats the heating roller by using induced current generated according to current flowing through the first induction coil; two second induction coils that are disposed at upper portions of both ends of the first induction coil and heat the heating roller by using induced current generated according to current flowing through the two second induction coils; a power supply unit that supplies current to the first induction coil and the two second induction coils; and a control unit that controls the power supply unit to supply current flowing in the same direction or different directions to the first induction coil and the second induction coils according to the size of paper fed into the heating roller.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a width of a print media is measured. A margin adjustment decision is made utilizing a margin instruction if the measured width is within an acceptable variance from a standard width of the media. The margin adjustment decision is applied to a plot of an image to be printed on the media.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a fixing device configured to fix a toner image onto a sheet by heating the sheet having the toner image formed thereon; a wire-shaped guide configured to guide the sheet having the toner image fixed thereto; and a holder, configured to hold the wire-shaped guide, to which the wire-shaped guide is fixed by using elasticity of the wire-shaped guide.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer member and a bias applicator. The transfer member contacts a surface, on which a toner image is borne, of an image bearing body, to form a transfer nip. The bias applicator applies a DC voltage and an AC voltage as transfer bias to transfer the toner image on the image bearing body to a recording sheet in the transfer nip. The bias applicator applies a DC voltage having a same polarity as the DC voltage of the transfer bias and an AC voltage having an amplitude smaller than the AC voltage of the transfer bias or applies the DC voltage having the same polarity as the DC voltage of the transfer bias without applying an AC voltage, when an inter-sheet area that exists on the image bearing body passes through the transfer nip during a continuous image formation period.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating member, a pressurizing member, a coil wound in a loop shape in the width direction of the heating member to generate a magnetic flux that inductively heats the heating member, and a magnetic core adjacent to the coil. The magnetic core is configured to apply the magnetic flux to an inductive heat-generating layer of the heating member. The magnetic core includes first core parts and second core parts. The first core parts are positioned to enclose the coil in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which paper is conveyed. The second core parts are placed in hollow areas formed by the loops of the coil at both ends in the direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction. The second core parts have a higher Curie temperature and a lower thermal capacity than the first core parts.

Abstract: By providing a step in a pressing member for pressing a recording material P to a reading surface of an image-pickup unit, surface images in a tight contact area and a non-tight-contact area are picked up. By identifying the type of the recording material P based on the two surface images, the accuracy of identifying the recording material is improved without using a plurality of sensors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes; an image forming station for forming a toner image on a sheet; a fixing device including a fixing member and a pressing member; an air feeding member for air feeding cooling air toward the pressing member; and a shutter, provided between the air feeding member and the pressing member, for controlling an air feeding region, wherein the image forming apparatus operable selectively in a first mode for feeding the air an entire area with respect to the longitudinal direction of the pressing member, and in a second mode for feeding the air only a non-sheet-passing area when a small size sheet is fed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; an intermediate transfer body; a second-transfer member; a support mechanism that supports the second-transfer member in a second-transfer region; a surface-positioning member that is disposed upstream of the second-transfer member in a transport direction; a determination device that determines whether or not a recording medium is a thin medium; and a controller that, in a case where it is determined that the recording medium is a thin medium, controls the support mechanism so as to move the second-transfer member more upstream in the transport direction than in other cases and controls the position of the surface-positioning member so as to move the second-transfer member in a direction such that an angle between the intermediate transfer body and the second-transfer member on the upstream side becomes larger than in other cases.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a patch image generation unit which generates a patch image for image density detection disposed between toner images, and a patch density sensor which detects a density of the patch image. In order to prevent the output quality of a printed image from varying with the type of paper use, a correction unit performs correction processing to match a detected density and a target density by comparing the detected density of the patch image detected by the patch density sensor and the target density of the patch image which is set in advance, a toner deposit control unit controls a toner deposit when the image forming unit forms an image based upon image data and when the patch image generation unit generates the patch image, and a paper interval control unit controls an interval between consecutive papers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism, an image bearing member, a transfer member, a transfer member mount, and an image detector. The image forming mechanism forms a first image and a second image on a surface of the image bearing member. The transfer member is disposed facing the image bearing member and contactable thereagainst to form a transfer nip at which the first image is transferred from the image bearing member to a recording medium. The transfer member mount on which the transfer member is disposed accommodates multiple different sizes of transfer member. The image detector detects the second image on the surface of the image bearing member. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of interchangeable transfer members, only one of which at any given time faces the image bearing member, and a transfer member switching device to switch between the plurality of transfer members.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light source to illuminate a linear polarization in a first direction, a first optical detector disposed on a path of a light illuminated from the light source and specularly reflected by an object, a first optical element to separate the light reflected by the object into a linear polarization in the first direction and a linear polarization in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a second optical detector to receive the linear polarization in the second direction separated by the first optical element, and a processor to obtain an amount of the light specularly reflected by the object on the basis of an output signal of the first optical detector and an output signal of the second optical detector.

Abstract: A recording medium determination apparatus that determines grammage of a recording medium by using an ultrasonic wave includes a transmission unit configured to output an ultrasonic wave having a predetermined frequency, a reception unit configured to receive the ultrasonic wave output from the transmission unit and transmitted through the recording medium and output a received signal, a calculation unit configured to calculate a signal having a peak component according to a cycle of the received signal, and a determination unit configured to determine the grammage of the recording medium based on the signal calculated by the calculation unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device to form a toner image on a recording medium under a prescribed image forming condition, a fixing device to fix the toner image borne on the recording medium thereonto by heating the recording medium based on target fixing temperature, and a detector to detect a type of recording medium. The type is used in setting at least one of the image forming condition and the target fixing temperature. The inequality Tb>Ta is established when Ta represents a time period needed to reach a setting of fixing temperature allocated to the recording medium with its tip detected by the detector after detection of the tip and Tb represents a time period needed for the recording medium with its tip detected by the detector to reach the fixing device after detection of the tip.

Abstract: A fixing device, corresponding to a plurality of sheet passing widths, includes a rotating member configured to convey a recording medium, rise in temperature, and fix toner; temperature sensors configured to detect the surface temperature of the rotating member; heating members including at least one heat generating unit, provided inside the rotating member; and a control unit configured to control a heating state obtained by the heating members. The heat generating units are provided not to overlap each other in the direction of the sheet passing width orthogonal to the recording medium conveying direction. The temperature sensors are only placed at positions corresponding to the heat generating units used when printing on the recording medium having a minimum width. The control unit controls the heating state in accordance with the surface temperature, a sheet passing width, and an operational state of the rotating member that changes with time.

Abstract: An electrophotographic fixing device includes a pressure roller, and a fixing rotary member disposed at a fixed distance away from the pressure roller. The fixing rotary member includes a layer formed of an elastic body. The elastic body includes carbon fibers and hole portions. The electrophotographic fixing device controls pressure of a nip between the pressure roller and the fixing rotary member by a temperature setting according to a sheet type.

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 sheet of paper is set on a paper-supplying portion of a back surface gloss processing apparatus while its top surface is faced upward. A gloss level sensor measures a gloss level of a back surface of the sheet of paper. Data of this measurement is compared with a previously set threshold value. When this measurement result does not exceed the threshold value, it is determined that the gloss processing has not been performed on the back surface thereof. It is then determined whether or not the presently set operation mode is a top surface gloss processing mode. When determining that the present operation mode is not the top surface gloss processing mode, the operation mode is automatically changed from a presently set back surface gloss processing mode to the top surface gloss processing mode.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first fixing member a second fixing member that are movable to engage and disengage a fixing nip defined by the first and second fixing member. The fixing nip is disengaged to accommodate entry and exit of a cut sheet, and engaged to accommodate warm-pressure fixing a marking material image to the cut sheet.