Patent Grant
8849141
This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-089717 filed Apr. 14, 2011. The entire content of the priority application is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a fixing device that thermally fixes a transferred developing agent image to a sheet.
A well-known electrophotographic image forming apparatus has a fixing device that thermally fixes a developer image to a sheet. There have been proposed methods for controlling a temperature of the fixing device. According to one of such methods, a temperature of a back-up roller of the fixing device is detected at certain intervals once a series of printing is initiated after a period of stand-by, and a temperature of a heat roller is controlled to decline in a phased manner each time the detected temperature reaches a predetermined temperature.
However, in the above-described temperature controlling method, if a recording sheet enters between the heat roller and the back-up roller when output of a heat source becomes smaller in response to the gradually-lowered temperature of the heart roller, a temperature between the heat roller and the back-up roller may be caused to drop substantially because heat is drastically taken away by the recording sheet. This phenomenon is so called “undershoot”.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming device capable of suppressing occurrence of undershoot.
In order to attain the above and other objects, there is provided an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording sheet. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device configured to thermally fix the image on the recording sheet, a temperature sensor and a controller. The fixing device includes: a heat source configured to generate an amount of heat; a heat member heated in accordance with the amount of heat applied from the heat source; and a back-up member providing a nip region for nipping the recoding sheet in cooperation with the heat member. The temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the heat member. The controller is electrically connected to the heat source and the temperature sensor and is configured to control the heat source. The controller includes: an output determination unit configured to determine an output at which the heat source is operated to generate a target temperature, the output being determined by performing a prescribed calculation based on a difference between the target temperature and the temperature of the heat member detected by the temperature sensor, the target temperature being a temperature at which the heat member is to be heated; a first setting unit configured to set a first target temperature upon receipt of a print command; a second setting unit configured to set a second target temperature lower than the first target temperature; a switching unit configured to switch the target temperature from the first target temperature to the second target temperature when a prescribed condition is met; a determination unit configured to determine whether the recording sheet is being conveyed toward the nip region; and a supplemental output control unit configured to generate a supplemental output greater than the output obtained from the prescribed calculation for performing supplemental heating to the heat member at least until the recording sheet reaches the nip region if the recording sheet is determined to be conveyed toward the nip region when the target temperature is switched from the first target temperature to the second target temperature.
In the drawings:
First, a general configuration of a laser printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to
Throughout the specification, the terms “above”, “below”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “rear” and the like will be used assuming that the laser printer 1 is disposed in an orientation in which it is intended to be used. More specifically, in
As shown in
The sheet supply unit 3 is disposed at a lower portion of the main frame 2. The sheet supply unit 3 includes a sheet supply tray 31 for accommodating the sheet S, a lifter plate 32 for lifting up a front side of the sheet S, a sheet supplying mechanism 33 and a pair of registration rollers 34. Each sheet S accommodated in the sheet supply tray 31 is directed upward by the lifter plate 32, is supplied toward the process cartridge 5 by the sheet supplying mechanism 33, passes between the registration rollers 34 and is conveyed between a photosensitive drum 61 and a transfer roller 63. A path along which the sheet S is conveyed within the main frame 2 (sheet conveying path) is shown by a thick solid line in
The exposure unit 4 is disposed at an upper portion of the main frame 2. The exposure unit 4 includes a laser emission unit (not shown), a polygon mirror, lenses and reflection mirrors (shown without reference numerals). In the exposure unit 4, the laser emission unit emits a laser beam (indicated by a chain line in
The process cartridge 5 is disposed below the exposure unit 4. The process cartridge 5 is detachably loadable in the main frame 2 through a front opening defined when the front cover 21 of the main frame 2 is opened. The process cartridge 5 includes a drum unit 6 and a developing unit 7.
The drum unit 6 includes the photosensitive drum 61, a charger 62, and the transfer roller 63. The developing unit 7 is detachably mounted on the drum unit 6. The developing unit 7 includes a developing roller 71, a supply roller 72, a thickness-regulation blade 73, and a toner accommodating portion 74 in which toner (developer) is accommodated.
In the process cartridge 5, after the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is uniformly charged by the charger 62, the surface is exposed to high speed scan of the laser beam from the exposure unit 4. An electrostatic latent image based on the image data is thereby formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61. The toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 74 is supplied to the developing roller 71 via the supply roller 72. The toner then enters between the developing roller 71 and the thickness-regulation blade 73 and is carried on the developing roller 71 as a thin layer having a uniform thickness.
The toner borne on the developing roller 71 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 61, thereby forming a visible toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61. Then, the sheet S is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 63, so that the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 61 is transferred onto the sheet S.
The fixing device 8 is disposed rearward of the process cartridge 5. The toner image (toner) transferred onto the sheet S is thermally fixed on the sheet S while the sheet S passes through the fixing device 8. The sheet S on which the toner image is thermally fixed is then conveyed by conveying rollers 23, 24 and is discharged onto a discharge tray 22 formed on an upper surface of the main frame 2.
Next, a detailed structure of the fixing device 8 will be described with reference to
As shown in
In the following description, a direction in which the sheet S is conveyed (a front-to-rear direction) will be simply referred to as a sheet conveying direction.
The fusing film 81 is of an endless film (of a tubular configuration) having heat resistivity and flexibility. The fusing film 81 has an internal space within which the halogen lamp 82, the nip plate 83, the reflection plate 84 and the stay 86 are disposed. The fusing film 81 has widthwise end portions that are guided by guide members (not shown) so that the fusing film 81 is circularly movable. The fusing film 81 may be a metal film or a resin film. Alternatively, the fusing film 81 may be a film whose outer circumferential surface is coated with a rubber.
The halogen lamp 82 is configured to generate radiation heat for heating the nip plate 83 and the fusing film 81 (a nip region N) such that the toner on the sheet S can be heated. The halogen lamp 82 is positioned at the internal space of the fusing film 81 such that the halogen lamp 82 is spaced away from an inner surface of the nip plate 83 by a predetermined distance.
The nip plate 83 is a plate-shaped member and is heated by the radiation heat from the halogen lamp 82. The nip plate 83 is positioned such that an inner circumferential surface of the fusing film 81 is slidably movable with a lower surface of the nip plate 83. The nip plate 83 transmits the radiation heat from the halogen lamp 82 to the toner on the sheet S via the fusing film 81.
The reflection plate 84 is adapted to reflect the radiant heat from the halogen lamp 82 (the radiant heat mainly radiated frontward, rearward and upward) toward the nip plate 83. As shown in
The pressure roller 85 nips the fusing film 81 in cooperation with the nip plate 83 to provide the nip region N for nipping the sheet S between the pressure roller 85 and the fusing film 81. The pressure roller 85 is disposed below the nip plate 83. The pressure roller 85 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown) disposed in the main frame 2. By the rotation of the pressure roller 85, the fusing film 81 is circularly moved along the nip plate 83 because of the friction force generated between the pressure roller 85 and the sheet S, and between the sheet S and the fusing film 81. The toner image on the sheet S can be thermally fixed thereon by heat and pressure applied while the sheet S passes between the pressure roller 85 and the fusing film 81 (the nip region N).
The stay 86 is adapted to support the nip plate 83 via the reflection plate 84. The stay 86 receives pressure (load) applied from the pressure roller 85. The stay 86 is disposed at the internal space of the fusing film 81 such that the stay 86 covers the reflection plate 84. For fabricating the stay 86, a highly rigid member such as a steel plate is folded into a shape (having a substantially U-shaped cross-section) in conformance with an outer profile of the reflection plate 84.
In the fixing device 8, the toner image transferred on the sheet S is thermally fixed thereon while the sheet S passes the nip region N (between the fusing film 81 (nip plate 83) and the pressure roller 85).
Next, how the controller 10 controls operations of the fixing device 8 will be described with reference to
As shown in
The temperature sensor 11 is a well-known sensor configured to detect a temperature of the nip plate 83. Note that, here, the temperature sensor 11 may detect the temperature of the nip plate 83 directly or indirectly. For example, the temperature sensor 11 may detect the temperature of the nip plate 83 by detecting a temperature of the fusing film 81 or the pressure roller 85. The temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11, which will be referred to as a “detected temperature” hereinafter, is then outputted to the controller 10.
The sheet sensor 12 is a sensor configured to detect whether there is a sheet S that is being conveyed toward the fixing device 8 (the nip region N). The sheet sensor 12 may be configured of, for example, an actuator that pivotally moves when the conveyed sheet S is in abutment therewith and a light sensor that detect pivotal movement of the actuator. Although not shown in the drawings, the sheet sensor 12 is disposed on the sheet conveying path (shown in thick solid line in
In
The controller 10 controls outputs of the halogen lamp 82 for controlling operations of the fixing device 8. The controller 10 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM and input-output circuits (all not shown). The controller 10 is configured to perform controls by executing various computations based on inputs from the temperature sensor 11 and the sheet sensor 12, print commands, and programs and data stored in the ROM.
Specifically, the controller 10 of the present embodiment is configured to mainly execute following control operations: a normal heating control operation and a supplemental heating control operation.
<Normal Heating Control Operation>
In the normal heating control operation, the controller 10 determines a target temperature, and controls the output of the halogen lamp 82 based on a difference between the target temperature and the detected temperature (to be referred to as a difference D, a target temperature TT and a detected temperature DT, respectively, whenever appropriate).
The target temperature is set in accordance with operation modes of the laser printer 1, such as an image forming mode in which a temperature of the nip region N is maintained at a temperature suitable for thermal fixation of toner, and a stand-by mode in which the temperature of the nip region N is maintained at a temperature lower than the temperature for thermal fixation. The controller 10 then determines the output of the halogen lamp 82 by executing prescribed computations based on the difference D between the target temperature TT and the detected temperature DT, which is equal to a value obtained by subtracting the detected temperature from the target temperature (D=TT−DT).
More specifically, the controller 10 determines a duty ratio from the difference (D) between the target temperature (TT) and the detected temperature (DT). Hereinafter, how the controller 10 controls the output of the halogen lamp 82 based on the duty ratio will be described, as an illustrative example, assuming that a print command (a command to start image formation) is inputted to the laser printer 1.
As shown in
Specifically, referring to
The controller 10 controls power supply to the halogen lamp 82 by switching ON and OFF an AC current supplied thereto, in accordance with the ON-OFF patterns associated with the determined duty ratio. More specifically, as shown in
Once finishing controlling the power supply for the one control unit, the controller 10 again determines the duty ratio. If the duty ratio is set to be 33%, the controller 10 then treats three half sines (one and a half cycles of the sinusoidal wave) as next one control unit, and controls power supply to the halogen lamp 82 as ON, OFF, OFF per each half sine during another period of time corresponding to the new one control unit. Further, when this power supply control is ended, the controller 10 again determines the next duty ratio. If the duty ratio is 50%, the controller 10 then treats two half sines (one cycle of the sinusoidal wave) as next one control unit and controls power supply to the halogen lamp 82 as ON, OFF per each half sine during a period of time corresponding to the current one control unit. In this way, thereafter, the controller 10 repeats to control the power supply to the halogen lamp 82 in accordance with the duty ratio determined each time.
As shown in
Then, the controller 10 switches the target temperature from the first target temperature T1 (high) to the second target temperature T2 (low) at a time t3 when a prescribed condition is met. In the present embodiment, this switching is configured to be executed when a predetermined period of time (40 seconds in the embodiment) has elapsed after the detected temperature reaches a prescribed temperature (100 degrees in the embodiment).
At this time when the target temperature is switched to the second target temperature T2 from the first target temperature T1 (at the time t3), the controller 10 determines whether there is a sheet S that is currently being conveyed toward the nip region N (between the nip plate 83 and the pressure roller 85). If the controller 10 determines that the sheet S is being conveyed toward the nip region N, the temperature sensor 11 performs the supplemental heating control operation.
The controller 10 makes this determination based on the input from the sheet sensor 12. Specifically, when the sheet sensor 12 detects that the sheet S has passed the sheet sensor 12 at a time t2 which is immediately before the time t3, the controller 10 determines that the sheet S is currently being conveyed toward the nip region N. On the other hand, if the sheet sensor 12 detects that no sheet S has passed at the time t2, the controller 10 determines that no sheet S is being conveyed toward the nip region N.
<Supplemental Heating Control Operation>
In the supplemental heating control operation, the controller 10 controls the halogen lamp 82 such that the output of the halogen lamp 82 is larger than the output determined from the above-described prescribed calculation during the normal heating control operation (more specifically, the output determined immediately before the time t3). More specifically, the controller 10 controls the power supply to the halogen lamp 82 at the duty ratio of 100% in the supplemental heating control operation.
The controller 10 executes the supplemental heating control operation for a prescribed period of time from the time t3 until a time t5 when a prescribed number of sheets S have passed the nip region N. In the present embodiment, only one sheet S is assumed to pass the nip region N for simplifying explanation. In other words, the controller 10 set the duty ratio to 100% during the supplemental heating control operation from the time t3 until the time t5 (this prescribed period of time corresponding to claimed third period of time).
Note that the period of time during which the prescribed number of sheets S has passed the nip region N may be detected by well-known methods and constructions: for example, by calculating from the detection results of the sheet sensor 12, or by detecting the sheet S at a sheet sensor (not shown) disposed downstream of the nip region N (the fixing device 8) in the sheet conveying direction. Here, detailed explanations are therefore omitted.
When a prescribed period of time has elapsed since the supplemental heating control operation is initiated (the prescribed period of time corresponding to claimed second period of time), the controller 10 is configured to control the power supply to the halogen lamp 82 such that the duty ratio becomes gradually smaller, for example, in the embodiment, from 100%, to 75%, then to 67% and then to 50% and so on. In the embodiment, the controller 10 starts to gradually reduce the duty ratio from the time t5, as shown in
In other words, the controller 10 performs the supplemental heating control operation (at the duty ratio of 100%) until the single sheet S has passed the nip region N (until the time 5). After the time 5, the controller 10 does not immediately goes back to the normal heating control operation, but gradually makes the output of the halogen lamp 82 smaller to finally goes back to the normal heating control operation.
For comparison, suppose that the normal heating control operation is resumed immediately after the time t5. In this case, as shown by a broken line labeled “duty ratio (comparison)” in
Here, for facilitating understanding, how the controller 10 performs the normal heating control operation and the supplemental heating control operation upon receipt of the print command will be described with reference to a flowchart of
As shown in
When the prescribed period of time has elapsed since the detected temperature becomes the predetermined temperature (when the predetermined condition is met) (S30: YES), the controller 10 then sets the second target temperature T2 as the target temperature (S40, at the time t3 in
When there is any sheet S being conveyed to the nip region N (S50: YES), the controller 10 starts the supplemental heating control operation in S60 where the output of the halogen lamp 82 is controlled at the duty ratio of 100%. The controller 10 continues to maintain the duty ratio of 100% until the prescribed number of sheets S have passed the nip region N (S70: NO).
Once the prescribed number of sheets S have passed the nip region N (S70: YES, at the time t5 in
On the other hand, if there is no sheet S which is being conveyed toward the nip region N when the target temperature is switched from the first target temperature T1 to the second target temperature T2 (S50: NO), the controller 10 continues the normal heating control operation (S90) without performing the supplemental heating control operation.
When the print command has been processed (when the image forming mode is ended), the controller 10 may proceed to the stand-by mode where the normal heating control operation is performed at a target temperature lower than the second target temperature T2, or a sleep mode where the controller 10 shuts off the power supply to the halogen lamp 82 so that the temperature of the nip region N can be lowered to and maintained at an ambient temperature.
Here, for the sake of comparison, assume that the normal heating control operation is continued to be executed even after the target temperature has been switched to the second target temperature T2 at the time t3. That is, the supplemental heating control operation is not performed even after the time t3. As shown by broken lines of
In this state, when the sheet S enters into the nip region N (at a time t4), the sheet S takes the heat applied to the nip region N away therefrom drastically since an amount of heat applied to the nip region N has been smaller (i.e., undershoot could occur). The detected temperature consequently drops substantially at a time t3′. As the detected temperature falls, the difference between the target temperature (T2) and the detected temperature becomes large enough to cause the duty ratio to be changed to a higher value (100% in case of
According to the supplemental heating control operation of the present embodiment, on the other hand, at the time t3 when the target temperature is switched to the second target temperature T2 from the first target temperature T1, the output of the halogen lamp 82 is set to become greater (the duty ratio 100%) beforehand if the sheet S is to be conveyed toward the nip region N. Hence, even when the sheet S enters the nip region N at the time t4 and thereafter, a significant drop in the temperature of the nip region N can be suppressed from being caused.
It should be noted that, during the normal heating control operation and the supplemental heating control operation, the controller 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to control the output of the halogen lamp 82 to become smaller when any of the following conditions is met.
(Condition 1)
The controller 10 controls the output of the halogen lamp 82 to be small when the sheet sensor 12 detects that the sheet S is being conveyed toward the nip region N (more specifically, when the detection result of the sheet sensor 12 changes from ND to D (at the time t2 or at the time t6, for example)) but the sheet S does not arrive at the nip region N even after a predetermined period of time has passed since the passage of the sheet sensor 12. This predetermined period of time is set according to a size of the conveyed sheet S (corresponding to claimed fourth period of time). With this configuration, even if the sheet S is jammed upstream of the fixing device 8 in the sheet conveying direction, excessive increase in the temperature of the nip region N can be suppressed.
(Condition 2)
The controller 10 controls the output of the halogen lamp 82 to be small when the sheet S arrived at the nip region N does not leave the nip region N (the sheet S is continued to be nipped between the nip plate 83 and the pressure roller 85) even after a prescribed period of time has elapsed since the arrival at the nip region N. This predetermined period of time is set according to a size of the sheet S (corresponding to claimed fifth period of time). With this configuration, even if the sheet S is jammed at the fixing device 8, the temperature of the nip region N can be suppressed from rising too high.
Here, whether the sheet S has reached the nip region N and whether the sheet S remains at the nip region N can be detected by using well-known constructions or methods: for example, by detection results performed at a sheet sensor disposed adjacent to the fixing device 8 (immediately upstream or downstream of the fixing device 8 in the sheet conveying direction). Hence, a detailed explanation on how to detect availability of the sheet S at the fixing device 8 is omitted.
(Condition 3)
The controller 10 controls the output of the halogen lamp 82 to become small during execution of the normal heating control operation and the supplemental heating control operation, when the detected temperature goes up beyond a temperature higher a prescribed upper temperature limit of the nip region N. With his configuration, the temperature of the nip region N can be suppressed from rising too high.
Here, in the present embodiment, making the output of the halogen lamp 82 smaller means to include both of the following two cases: shutting down the power supply to the halogen lamp 82 (power OFF); and making the output (duty ratio) of the halogen lamp 82 smaller to the output (duty ratio) used when any of the above-described conditions is met.
As described above, the laser printer 1 of the present embodiment performs the supplemental heating control operation during which the output of the halogen lamp 82 is controlled to be higher than that determined during the normal heating control operation if the sheet S is detected to be conveyed toward the nip region N when the target temperature is switched. Hence, occurrence of undershoot (rapid fall in the temperature of the nip region N) when the sheet S enters the nip region N can be suppressed.
Further, the controller 10 of the present embodiment is configured to execute the supplemental heating control operation until the prescribed number of sheets S have passed the nip region N. Therefore, undershoot can be suppressed from occurring while the prescribed number of sheets S pass the nip region N of the fixing device 8.
Further, the controller 10 of the present embodiment is configured to control the amount of heat applied to the nip plate 83 such that the amount of heat is gradually reduced when a prescribed period of time (the claimed second period of time t5) has elapsed (at the time t5) since the supplemental heating control operation is started (at the time t3). Therefore, the output of the halogen lamp 82 can be prevented from becoming drastically too small after the time t5. In other words, the output of the halogen lamp 82 can be made greater for a while after the time t5, compared to a case where the output of the halogen lamp 82 is controlled according to the normal heating control operation even after the time t5. As a result, the occurrence of undershoot can be suppressed when the sheet S enters into the nip region N subsequently after the time t5.
Further, the controller 10 controls the duty ratio to be maintained at 100% for a prescribed period of time (the claimed third prescribed period of time, from the time t3 until the time t5) in the supplemental heating control operation. In other words, the output of the halogen lamp 82 can be maintained at its maximum level, and therefore undershoot can be suppressed from occurring.
Further, when there is a sheet S that is determined to be conveyed toward the nip region N, the controller 10 controls the output of the halogen lamp 82 to become smaller if the sheet S does not reach the nip region N even after a prescribed period of time (the claimed fourth period of time) has elapsed. Therefore, even in case that the sheet S gets jammed upstream of the fixing device 8 in the sheet conveying direction, the temperature of the nip region N can be suppressed from rising excessively high when the sheet S is jammed upstream of the fixing device 8 in the sheet conveying direction.
Further, the controller 10 controls the output of the halogen lamp 82 to become smaller when the sheet S remains at the nip region N even after a prescribed period of time (the claimed fifth period of time) has elapsed since the sheet S reaches the nip region N. Therefore, the temperature of the nip region N can be suppressed from elevating too high when the sheet S is jammed at the fixing device 8.
Further, during the normal heating control operation and the supplemental heating control operation, the controller 10 reduces the output of the halogen lamp 82 if the detected temperature exceeds the upper temperature limit predetermined for the nip region N. This configuration serves to suppress the temperature of the nip region N from rising too high.
Various modifications and changes are conceivable.
For example, the controller 10 of the embodiment is configured to execute the supplemental heating control operation from the time t3 when the target temperature has been switched until the time t5 when the prescribed number of sheets S have passed the nip region N. However, instead, the controller 10 may be configured to execute the supplemental heating control operation until the target temperature reaches the second target temperature T2. Alternatively, the controller 10 may be configured to execute the supplemental heating control operation for a predetermined fixed period of time, or for a period of time (corresponding to claimed first period of time) that is set each time based on information contained in a print command indicating that how many sheets are to be printed. Still alternatively, the controller 10 may be configured to execute the supplemental heating control operation until when the sheet S, which is determined to be conveyed toward the nip region N when the target temperature is switched, actually reaches the nip region N.
Further, the controller 10 of the embodiment is configured to go back to the normal heating control operation after the amount of heat applied to the nip plate 83 is gradually reduced after a prescribed period of time (the claimed second period of time) has elapsed from initiation of the supplemental heating control operation. However, the controller 10 may be configured to go back to the normal heating control operation immediately after the supplemental heating control operation is completed (for example, immediately after the sheet S passes between the nip plate 83 and the pressure roller 85).
Further, during the supplemental heating control operation (i.e., during the claimed third period of time (from the time t3 until the time t5)), the controller 10 maintains the duty ratio at 100% in the embodiment. However, the duty ratio may not necessarily be set to 100% provided that the halogen lamp 82 (heat source) can be operated at an output greater than that determined during the normal heating control operation (the output calculated based on the prescribed method). Still alternatively, the controller 10 may be configured to control the output of the halogen lamp 82 using a method other than controlling the duty ratio.
Further, in the embodiment, switching to the second target temperature T2 from the first target temperature T1 is configured to be executed when the predetermined period of time has elapsed since the detected temperature reaches the prescribed temperature. However, the switching may be configured to be carried out when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the print command is received, or when the detected temperature becomes the prescribed temperature.
Further, the controller 10 is configured to determine whether there is any sheet S that is currently being conveyed toward the nip region N based on the detection result outputted from the sheet sensor 12. However, alternatively, the controller 10 may be configured to determine whether the sheet S is being conveyed toward the nip region N based on information contained in a print command indicative of on how many sheets image formation needs to be performed.
Further, instead of the halogen lamp 82 of the present embodiment, an infrared ray heater or a carbon heater is available as a heat source.
Instead of the nip plate 83 of the embodiment, the fusing film 81 of the embodiment may serve as the heat member. Further, a cylindrical-shaped member made from a metal such as aluminum (so called a heat roller) may also be used as the heat member.
In the depicted embodiment, the pressure roller 85 is employed as a back-up member. However, a belt like pressure member is also available.
Further, the sheet S can be an OHP sheet instead of a plain paper and a postcard.
Further, in the depicted embodiment, the present invention is applied to the monochromatic laser printer 1 as an example of image forming apparatus. However, a color laser printer, an LED printer, a copying machine, and a multifunction device are also available.
While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-089717 | Apr 2011 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7324771 | Lemaster et al. | Jan 2008 | B2 |
| 8565630 | Kim et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8588639 | Takahashi et al. | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8649698 | Namiki et al. | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 20070217807 | Maeda et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 06-130856 | May 1994 | JP |
| 08-185081 | Jul 1996 | JP |
| 2003-050517 | Feb 2003 | JP |
| Entry |
|---|
| Translation of Tanaka, JP,2003-050517,A pub date: Feb. 21, 2003. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20120263489 A1 | Oct 2012 | US |
