Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light scan head having a plurality of LED elements disposed along a main-scanning direction of a photoreceptor drum and configured to expose the photoreceptor drum with light, a developing device disposed to face the photoreceptor drum in the main-scanning direction and including a development roller configured to supply a developer to the photoreceptor drum, and a non-uniform density correction unit configured to control an intensity of light emitted from the plurality of LED elements of the light scan head based on correction data that corresponds to a tendency pattern of an expected non-uniform image density so as to correct the non-uniform density of an image that is to be formed on a recording medium.

Abstract: A method of determining the velocity of relative displacement between a substrate and an image sensor, for example the velocity of displacement of a page relative to a scanner, involves imaging a reference pattern on the substrate, using the image sensor, while the relative displacement occurs between the substrate and the image sensor. The reference pattern includes plural crossing points marked at predetermined locations on the substrate, each crossing point formed of a first line portion crossing a second line portion. Locations in the image that correspond to the crossing points are compared to the predetermined locations on the substrate and the velocity of the relative displacement between the image sensor and the substrate is determined using relationships between the predetermined locations and the detected locations in the generated image.

Abstract: The reflection detection apparatus includes multiple light-receiving elements configured to detect a pattern formed on an object by receiving a reflected light from the object, and a selector configured to select a first light-receiving element group from the multiple light-receiving elements. The selector is configured to select the first light-receiving element group that includes one or more light-receiving elements each mainly receiving a specularly reflected light from an area of the object where no pattern is formed among the multiple light-receiving elements, on a basis of outputs from the multiple light-receiving elements. The detection of the pattern is made on a basis of an output from the first light-receiving element group.

Abstract: Test patches are formed such that lengths of the test patches in a rotational direction of the intermediate transfer member are shorter than a length of the intermediate transfer member from a primary transfer portion located in the lowermost stream among the plurality of primary transfer portions to the secondary transfer portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an update unit configured to cause an image forming unit to form a first measurement image, to cause a measurement unit to measure the first measurement image, and to update a process condition based on a measurement result; a first determination unit configured to cause the image forming unit to form a plurality of second measurement images, to cause the measurement unit to measure the plurality of second measurement images, and to determine the process condition based on a measurement result, the plurality of second measurement images being formed according to a plurality of test process conditions; and a second determination unit configured to determine the plurality of test process conditions, based on environment information obtained by an obtainment unit and the process condition updated by the update unit.

Abstract: When a colorimeter is colorimetrically measuring a test pattern, a control unit controls a motor such that the colorimeter and a facing member are closer to each other. A recording material on which the test pattern has been formed is brought into contact with the colorimeter. Even when the colorimeter is not colorimetrically measuring the test pattern, the control unit controls the motor such that the colorimeter and the facing member are closer to each other. The recording material on which the test pattern has been formed is brought into contact with the colorimeter.

Abstract: An optical detection device includes a light emitting element, a light receiving element, a housing including a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein light emitted from the light emitting element reaches the light receiving element through the second aperture after passing through the first aperture and being reflected by an irradiated surface, and a slope provided in the housing and inclined in an array direction of the light emitting element and the light receiving element, as viewed in a normal direction of the irradiated surface, wherein the slope is provided at a portion on an upstream side of the first aperture in an emission direction of light from the light emitting element, the portion faces the light emitting element in the array direction, and light emitted from the light emitting element enters the portion.

Abstract: The device comprises: a light emission control unit forming an latent image on a photoconductor; a correction value calculation unit calculating a correction pattern for correcting a transfer position where a developer image of the latent image transfers to a conveying member; and an angle adjustment processing unit that determines an angle of an oblique line pattern included in the correction pattern on the basis of a detection signal of an angle adjustment pattern including a plurality of continuous oblique line patterns, wherein the light emission control unit controls a light to emit so that a plurality of oblique line patterns having different inclinations relative to a conveying direction of the conveying member are continuously formed to draw the angle adjustment pattern, and controls the light to emit so that an oblique line pattern having the determined angle is formed in the correction pattern to draw the correction pattern.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit configured to heat and fix a measurement image formed by an image forming unit to a sheet, a measurement unit arranged downstream of the fixing unit in a conveyance direction of the sheet and configured to measure color of the fixed measurement image, a conversion unit configured to convert a measurement result of the measurement unit into a measurement result at a predetermined temperature based on conversion setting information set in advance, a setting unit configured to set a mode for generating the conversion setting information, and a generation unit configured to generate the conversion setting information by causing the image forming unit to form the measurement image on the sheet, causing the fixing unit to fix the formed measurement image, and causing the measurement unit to repeatedly measure the fixed measurement image in response to setting of the mode.

Abstract: An image forming section forms a printed image on paper based on image data. A post-printing processing section performs post-printing processing on the paper. A stabilization section performs stabilization on image data. A sheet interval detection section detects a sheet interval between consecutive sheets being conveyed in the post-printing processing section. A sheet interval determination section determines whether or not the sheet interval exceeds a reference period of time. A cumulative time measuring section measures a cumulative total time of an image formation operation. A time determination section determines whether or not the cumulative total time exceeds a predetermined period of time. A control section controls, upon determination that the cumulative total time exceeds the predetermined period of time and the sheet interval exceeds the reference period of time, the stabilization section to perform the stabilization during the sheet interval exceeding the reference period of time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier to carry a toner image, a transfer member to form a transfer nip by contacting the image carrier surface, and a power supply to output a voltage to the recording material captured in the transfer nip so as to transfer the toner image formed on the image carrier surface. The voltage is switching alternately between a voltage in the transfer direction and a voltage opposite to the voltage in the transfer direction, and a time average value (Vave) of the voltage is set to have a polarity of the transfer direction, and is set to a value in the transfer voltage side, and a change mode to change a cycle of the voltage output from the power supply can be changed based on the toner deterioration information which determines the deterioration status of the toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of stabilizing image density on a long-term basis by compensating for an error in prediction of toner particle charge amount, while reducing variation in image density on a short-term basis by the prediction. A CPU predicts an amount of electrostatic charge of toner particles in a developer container and sets an exposure condition and causes a toner image to be fixed on a recording medium and a pattern image for detecting image density, to be each formed on a photosensitive drum according to the set exposure condition, while performing gradation correction based on the gradation conversion table. The CPU updates the gradation conversion table such that a detected density of the pattern image becomes closer to a target density. The CPU sets the exposure condition based on a result of the prediction such that toner image density becomes constant.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member by using developer, a temperature detecting portion that detects information regarding the temperature of the developer in the developing device, and a density detecting portion that detects the density of a control image formed on the image bearing member. In addition, a controller controls the amount of the developer supplied to the developing device based on the detection result of the density of the control image, and a change portion changes an electric potential difference between an electric potential of the electrostatic latent image of the control image and a DC bias applied to the developing device so as to compensate for changing developing efficiency caused by temperature, based on the detection result acquired by the temperature detecting portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit and a controller. The image forming unit forms an image on a continuous recording medium by transferring to the continuous recording medium a toner image obtained by developing a latent image formed on a photoreceptor. The controller controls the image forming unit such that an image based on image information is formed in a specific image area on the continuous recording medium, and at the same time, a specific image pattern is formed in a specific side area outside the image area on the continuous recording medium.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a processor is configured to: determine whether prescribed criterion is met, the prescribed criterion indicating that a non agitation period of time, during which the agitator has not agitated the toner, has passed a predetermined period of time; perform a mark data generating process in which mark data is generated by forming a mark and reading the formed mark when the prescribed criterion is met; perform another mark data generating process in which another mark data is generated by forming another mark and reading the formed another mark after performing the mark data generating process; determine whether a difference between the mark data and the another mark data is within a prescribed range; and determine an adjustment value on a basis of at least one of the mark data and the another mark data when the difference is within the prescribed range.

Abstract: Provided are a first detecting unit having a singular first light-receiving element disposed to face a direction of normal reflection of light, the light having been emitted from a first light-emitting element toward a first detection image formed on the rotary member and reflected thereat, and a second detecting unit having a singular second light-receiving element disposed to face a direction different from a direction of normal reflection of light, the light having been emitted from a second light-emitting element toward a second detection image formed on the rotary member and reflected thereat. A value relating to toner density is obtained based on a first detection result detected by the first detecting unit and a second detection result detected by the second detecting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer; a toner image forming unit, a transfer unit, a detector, and a controller. The toner image forming unit forms a plurality of types of density detection patterns on the surface of the image bearer in mutually-different positions in a surface-movement direction of the image bearer. The density detection patterns have mutually-different lengths in a direction orthogonal to the surface-movement direction of the image bearer. The transfer unit transfers the density detection patterns onto the surface of the transfer member. The detector detects image densities of the density detection patterns transferred on the surface of the transfer member. The controller calculates an image density difference between the density detection patterns on a basis of a detection result obtained by the detector, and corrects a transfer bias for transferring a toner image on a basis of a value of the image density difference.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a vibration adjustment unit which adjusts a natural frequency of an optical system, a measuring unit which measures vibrational information indicating change in vibration, and a controller which individually drives each unit. The measuring unit measures the vibrational information after the natural frequency is adjusted to a drive frequency of each unit at an initial state. The controller stores this vibrational information as initial vibrational information. The measuring unit measures the vibrational information after the natural frequency is adjusted to a drive frequency of a unit to be checked. The controller compares this vibrational information with the initial vibrational information measured after adjustment of the natural frequency to the drive frequency of the unit to be checked. The controller determines abnormality in the unit to be checked according to the comparison.

Abstract: In an apparatus for measuring a deposited toner amount of a toner patch formed on a toner carrier, an intersection between a light outgoing and incoming plane including an optical axis of the light emitting portion and light receiving portion of an optical sensor and a surface of the toner carrier is perpendicular to a direction of propagation thereof. The light outgoing and incoming plane is inclined at a mounting angle toward the direction of propagation of the toner carrier with respect to a plane including the intersection. A control unit calculates the deposited toner amount in accordance with one of a peak value and a bottom value of a sense voltage in a thickness determining region and calculates the deposited toner amount in accordance with the other of the peak value and the bottom value in an area determining region.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a forming unit configured to form a detection patch on a recording material and a detecting unit configured to detect the detection patch on the recording material being conveyed at a first conveying speed. After the detecting unit detects the detection patch, the recording material with the detected detection patch is conveyed at a second conveying speed higher than the first conveying speed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, an image forming unit, an intermediate transfer member, a secondary transfer member, an image detector, a computing device, and a conveyor device. The computing device calculates a traveling speed of the intermediate transfer member based on detection information provided by the image detector. The conveyor device continuously transports to a secondary transfer portion a plurality of recording media one by one at a predetermined interval between successive recording media. The image forming unit forms a test image at a space between successive recording-medium contact regions of the intermediate transfer member at which the recording medium contacts the intermediate transfer member. A travel distance of the intermediate transfer member from the detection position on the intermediate transfer member to the secondary transfer portion in a traveling direction thereof is shorter than the space between the successive recording-medium contact regions.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning unit configured to perform cleaning while in contact with a light transmission member, the cleaning unit being movable with respect to the transmission member in a first direction and a second direction differing in orientation. The cleaning unit includes a first cleaning portion and a second cleaning portion capable of coming into contact with the transmission member, moves in the first direction while keeping the first cleaning portion in contact with the transmission member and keeping the second cleaning portion away from the transmission member, and moves in the second direction while keeping the first cleaning portion away from the transmission member and keeping the second cleaning portion in contact with the transmission member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to perform a printing operation by using a plurality of photosensitive media, a plurality of motors configured to drive the plurality of photosensitive media, and a motor controller configured to control a phase and a velocity of the other motor based on a periodic velocity of one motor from among the plurality of motors.

Abstract: Correction data is produced for density errors in prints produced using a printer. While printing a test image, the periods of rotation of one or more rotatable imaging members arranged along a receiver feed path in the printer are measured using respective period sensors. The printed test image is measured in both the cross-track and in-track directions and a two dimensional map of the one or more period sensors is determined. A reproduction error signal representing deviation from aim density is determined. The variations from the data at measured periods in one or both directions are used to produce a correction signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is capable of, even when the density of an image in a color with low reflectivity has decreased, detecting a misregistration of this color with high accuracy. A first image of a first color and a second image of a second value having lower reflectivity than that of the first color are transferred to an image carrier. A first signal corresponds to reflected light from a first measurement image, a second signal corresponds to reflected light from a second measurement image, and a third signal corresponds to reflected light from the image carrier. A threshold value is set based on the second signal and the third signal. A color misregistration between the first and second images is corrected based on information on a positional relationship between the first and second images determined by comparing the first signal and the threshold value.

Abstract: The forced light emission detection unit detects a forced laser beam emission state of an exposing unit when the exposing unit starts forming a latent image on a photosensitive drum. The toner transfer control unit performs the developing of the electrostatic latent image formed at a position before the electrostatic latent image on which the forced laser beam emission state is detected, and transfers the developed toner image to a sheet. The sheet re-conveyance unit makes the sheet being in a re-conveyance state using a duplex printing conveyance path. The toner re-transfer control unit reforms the electrostatic latent image formed after the position on which the force laser beam emission state is detected, performs the developing of the electrostatic latent image, and transfers the developed toner image to the sheet in the re-conveyance state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, an image forming unit configured to form a patch image on the image carrier, and a light emitting unit. In addition, a light receiving unit receives light reflected by the patch image when the patch image that moves with movement of the image carrier is irradiated with light by the light emitting unit, and includes one or more light receiving elements. A setting unit sets a first subset of light receiving elements for receiving reflected light from a first patch image and sets a second subset of light receiving elements for receiving reflected light from a second patch image, with the number of light receiving elements in the first subset differing from that in the second subset.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a correcting unit that corrects image data using a tone correction condition. An image forming unit forms an image on a printing medium based on the corrected image data. An obtaining unit obtains read data by a reading unit reading a pattern image formed on the medium by the image forming unit. A converting unit converts the read data into density data using a converting condition corresponding to the printing medium. A first creating unit creates the tone correction condition based on the density data converted by the converting unit. A second creating unit controls the correcting unit to correct the patch data using the tone correction condition created by the first creating unit, controls the image forming unit to form a patch image on another printing medium based on the corrected patch data, and creates the converting condition corresponding to the other printing medium.

Abstract: A coating method in which ink droplets containing functional material are ejected through nozzles on a substrate having a plurality of pixel regions and lyophobic portions adjacent to the respective pixel regions, to form a functional layer in each of the pixel regions includes: landing an ink droplet on a first pixel region and on a first lyophobic portion adjacent to the first pixel region; measuring a deviation of a landing position of the ink droplet on the first lyophobic portion from a set ink landing position; and ejecting an ink droplet on a second pixel region of the substrate while correcting the timing of ink ejection through the nozzles based on the deviation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: at least one first image carrier configured to carry an electrostatic latent image thereon; an image writing unit; a second image carrier configured to move along a transfer position facing to the at least one first image carrier; a first transfer unit provided opposite to the at least one first image carrier; a second transfer unit configured to transfer the subject image to a transfer material; a test pattern detection unit configured to detect the test pattern image; a control unit configured to correct an image forming condition of the subject image based on a result from the detection of the test pattern image, wherein the test pattern image is provided on the second image carrier at an area being out of the image forming area and being at the same range as the subject image in a scanning direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms, on a surface of a moving member moving in a first direction, an image under an image forming condition in accordance with image information. The image forming apparatus includes: a reflection-type optical sensor including an emission system including a plurality of light-emitting units arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and a light-receiving system including a plurality of light-receiving units that receive reflected light resulting from reflection of emission light emitted from the emission system at the surface of the moving member; and a determination device that determines whether there is an abnormality on the surface of the moving member on the basis of output signals from at least two or more light-receiving units.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a developer carrier configured to adhere toner onto the image carrier; an image density detector to detect a density of an image on the image carrier formed by the developer carrier adhering the toner on the image carrier; a rotary member to form an image pattern of which density is detected by the image density detector; and a rotational position detector to detect a rotational position of the rotary member. In the image forming apparatus, the image pattern is generated based on the rotational position detected by the rotational position detector and the rotary member that the rotational position detector detects the rotational position thereof is either the image carrier or the developer carrier.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus that reduces an operation speed of a unit configured to generate pieces of correction data with which the light intensity of laser light is corrected. Pieces of first correction data in a scanning direction of a photoconductor drum are associated with light sources and stored in memories. For a plurality of regions of the surface of the photoconductor drum, a CPU outputs, for each of the regions, pieces of correction data including pieces of second correction data for correction of electric potential characteristics of the region. The positions of pieces of first correction data match some of the positions of pieces of second correction data. A laser driver IC controls light intensity of laser light at the timing of the pieces of second correction data in accordance with a piece of first correction data and a piece of second correction data.

Abstract: The development roller adheres toner to an electrostatic latent image on the photo conductor drum in order to develop a toner image. The pattern image generating unit develops two pattern images that are two sets of plural test patches for calibration on the photo conductor drum. Each one of the pattern images includes the test patches corresponding to densities in gradation. Further, the pattern image generating unit sets an interval between a top of the first pattern image and a top of the second pattern image so that a remainder for the interval divided by a density fluctuation pitch is larger than a length of the test patch. The density fluctuation pitch is the product of a periphery length of the development roller and a ratio between a rotating speed of the development roller and a rotating speed of the photo conductor drum.

Abstract: An infiltration amount measuring unit is provided to measure the amount of carrier liquid infiltrated in recording paper. An output signal of the infiltration amount measuring unit is input to a control device to be used to calculate a voltage supplied to a heat source (heater) in a pre-fixing unit. A signal of a paper temperature measuring unit is input to the control device, which determines whether a target temperature is reached. The control device estimates the amount of carrier liquid in a toner layer based on the information from the infiltration amount measuring unit. Then, the pre-fixing unit is controlled such that the amount of carrier liquid in the toner layer falls within an appropriate range, based on the estimation result of the amount of carrier liquid.

Abstract: A moving device assembly includes a moving device and a shield. The moving device is movable between a first position and a second position, to move a detector including a detection surface relative to an opposing member disposed opposite the detector. The shield shields the detection surface of the detector. As the moving device is at the first position, the detector is at a proximal position at which the detector is near the opposing member, and as the moving device is at the second position, the detector is at a shield position at which the detector is separated from the opposing member and the detection surface of the detector is shielded by the shield.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, an image forming unit, a density sensor, a gradation characteristic data generator, and a gradation corrector. The density sensor includes a low-pass filter to remove a high-frequency component of an output of the image density sensor. The gradation characteristic data generator forms a gradation correction pattern on the image carrier. The gradation correction pattern is a continuous gradation pattern including first and second patterns. The gradation characteristic data generator continuously detects image density of the continuous gradation pattern and background areas adjacent to the continuous gradation pattern to generate the gradation characteristic data. The gradation characteristic data generator forms a compensation pattern on the image carrier next to and continuous with a leading end of the first pattern in an image carrier rotational direction, to compensate for a response delay of the output of the density sensor due to the low-pass filter.

Abstract: A digital printing apparatus comprising a developing roller (102) and an image carrying roller (101); the developing roller (102) being arranged to transfer liquid toner (107) onto the image carrying roller (101) in accordance with a charge pattern; an upstream charger (111) upstream of an area (108) of rotational contact between the developing roller (102) and the image carrying roller (101); a downstream discharger (112, 122, 132) downstream of the area (108); a sensor (200) downstream of the area (108) to detect a property representative of the charge of a liquid toner residue; and a controller (210) to receive sensor data from the sensor (200) and to provide a control signal to control the downstream discharger.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a forming unit configured to continuously form, on an image carrier, first and second detection patterns for detecting relative registration amounts and a density of each of a plurality of colors; and a control unit configured to control registration and the density. The forming unit forms the detection patterns such that a leading edge developer color of a detection pattern formed on a front side among the two detection patterns, in a direction in which the detection patterns are moved by rotation of the image carrier, is the same as a trailing edge developer color of the detection pattern formed on the front side, or a leading or trailing edge developer color of a detection pattern formed on a rear side among the two detection patterns.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a development device that develops an electrostatic latent image as a toner image using a toner, a density sensor that irradiates a controlling image and detects reflection from the controlling image, and a controller that forms controlling images on the image bearing member. The controller decides whether a mode for correcting toner density is performed or not according to both detection results of a first controlling image formed by developing the electrostatic latent image with the development device, the electrostatic latent image formed by exposing a surface of the image bearing member by an exposure device, and a second controlling image formed by developing with the development device without substantially performing exposure to the surface of the image bearing member by the exposure device.

Abstract: A drawer member that is capable of being drawn out from an image forming apparatus body and that includes a fixing unit that heats and fixes an image onto a recording medium, a first flow path that is formed around the fixing unit and that causes air that is heated by heat, which is discharged from the fixing unit, to circulate, and a second flow path that is formed adjacent to the first flow path on a side opposite to the fixing unit and in which air having a temperature lower than a temperature of air, which circulates in the first flow path, circulates.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a rotation-position detector, a development device, a transfer unit, a density sensor, and an image-forming-condition determination unit. The density sensor senses a density of a toner image on a transfer body. The image-forming-condition determination unit forms an image pattern, acquires periodical density variation information sensed by the density sensor and detection information of the rotation-position detector, and determines an image forming condition based on the periodical density variation information and the detection information acquired. The image carrier and the transfer body are different in linear velocity in an image formation in which the toner image is transferred to a recording medium.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus is capable of executing a color mode for forming images of a plurality of colors using the plurality of developer bearing members, and a mono-mode for forming images of mono color using one developer bearing member of the plurality of developer bearing members. The control unit, when the color mode is executed, determines the charging bias and, the first laser power and the second laser power for respective image bearing members, based on information about the plurality of image bearing members. The control unit, when the mono-mode is executed, determines the charging bias and, the first laser power and the second laser power to image bearing member for mono-mode, based on information about image bearing member for mono-mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a charging device configured to uniformly charge a surface of a photoconductive element; an image writing device configured to write an image in the charged photoconductive element by light to form an electrostatic latent image; a developing device configured to visualize the formed electrostatic latent image as a toner image; a transfer device configured to transfer the toner image to a sheet recording medium; a fixing device configured to fix the transferred toner image onto the medium; and a surface information detecting device configured to detect surface information of a fixing member of the fixing device. The surface information detecting device radiates optical spots on a surface of the fixing member in a direction crossing a conveying direction, receives reflected light of each optical spot, and detects the surface information of the fixing device based on the detection results of the reflective lights.

Abstract: A density detection apparatus includes the following elements. An image forming unit forms density detection images having different area ratios. A measuring unit measures an amount of reflected light. A storage unit stores reference values and also stores a representative value thereof. A determining unit determines a threshold for the area ratios of the density detection images on the basis of a variation among the reference values. A density obtaining unit obtains, for a density detection image having an area ratio which exceeds the threshold, a density level by using the amount of light reflected by the density detection image and the representative value, and obtains, for a density detection image having an area ratio which is equal to or smaller than the threshold, a density level by using the amount of light reflected by the density detection image, the associated reference value, and the representative value.

Abstract: Provided is a color conversion table creation method for creating a color conversion table for an image forming apparatus which forms an image by performing, on an input color value with total use amount of color material exceeding set amount, a process for reducing the total use amount of color material, the table presenting correspondence between the input color value input to the image forming apparatus and an output color value in a device-independent color space. The method includes: acquiring an input color value of a patch image for creating the table; when the total use amount of color material defined by the acquired input color value is around the set amount, adjusting the input color value to have a smaller difference between the total use amount and the set amount; and creating the color conversion table using the patch image with the adjusted input color value.

Abstract: A control part provided in an image forming apparatus controls a moving unit so as to cause a secondary transfer rotary member to move from an intermediate position to an abutment position at a first moving speed in the case of bringing the secondary transfer rotary member into abutment against an intermediate transfer member during an exposure period or a primary transfer period, and to cause the secondary transfer rotary member to move from a separation position to the abutment position at a second moving speed higher than the first moving speed in the case of bringing the secondary transfer rotary member into abutment against the intermediate transfer member during a period other than the exposure period and the primary transfer period. Thus, the productivity can be prevented from being degraded while a load change at a time of the abutment of the secondary transfer rotary member is reduced.

Abstract: When performing a printing operation, methods and devices automatically increase a marking material quantity setting when an excessive speed variation condition of a transfer surface is present and an excessive background marking condition is absent. Alternatively, the methods and devices automatically increase tension of the transfer surface and decrease a marking material quantity setting when the excessive speed variation condition is present and the excessive background marking condition is also present. Otherwise, these methods and devices automatically provide a message on the graphic user interface of a printing device when the excessive speed variation condition is present, the marking material quantity setting is at a marking material quantity maximum setting, and the tension of the transfer surface is at a tension maximum. The message provides instructions to use a different type media or initiate a service call.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a charging device which charges the image bearing member, an exposure device which exposes the charged image bearing member to light, a developing device having a developer carrying member, and developing the electrostatic latent image by supplying the developer from the developer carrying member, and an instructing portion which generates an instruction signal for instructing to perform a developer install mode for installing developer in the developing device at a time of non-image formation. In the developer install mode a control portion sets an absolute value of a potential on the image bearing member charged by the charging device to a value which is smaller than an absolute value of a potential of the developer carrying member caused by a direct current component of the bias to be applied to the developing device and larger than an absolute value of an image dark section potential on the image bearing member at the time of image formation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which includes a main body, and a belt unit removable from the main body. The belt unit includes a belt extending between a drive roller and a driven roller and configured to rotate such that a recording medium is fed in a feeding direction. The apparatus further includes a feeding device that feeds the recording medium to the belt, and a positioning section including an engaging portion and an engaged portion, the positioning section being configured to position the belt unit when the engaging portion engages the engaged portion. Also, an urging member is provided that urges the belt unit and causes a pressing force to be applied between the engaging portion and the engaged portion. An urging direction of the urging member has a component in the feeding direction.