Patent · US Active

Image forming apparatus for controlling switching from monochrome image forming mode to color image forming mode

US10191424B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
2References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 12, 2017
Grant dateJan 29, 2019
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 12, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G15/0136
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of reducing a downtime for switching between a monochrome image forming mode and a color image forming mode. In the image forming apparatus, images formed by a plurality of image forming stations are transferred in superimposition onto a transfer member. Further, the image forming apparatus controls image formation in each of a first mode of performing image formation using only an image forming station located at the most downstream position in a moving direction of the transfer member among the plurality of image forming stations, and a second mode of performing image formation using the plurality of image forming stations.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.