Method and apparatus of controlling image fixing temperature of image forming unit in a printer
US6353719B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 12, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/2003
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method of controlling the temperature of an image fixing unit having a developer fixed on a recording medium under a predetermined temperature in an image forming apparatus is provided. The temperature of the image fixing unit is set to one of a plurality of different temperatures stored in a controller of the image forming apparatus depending on an printing operation status of the image forming apparatus. The image fixing unit is heated and warmed-up to a predetermined ready temperature. If a print command is not received until the warm-up is completed, the ready temperature is maintained. The printing operation starts upon completion of the warm-up if the print command is received before the warm-up is completed. The temperature of the image fixing unit for the printing operation is set to a normal temperature during printing a first sheet, and the temperature of the image fixing unit for the printing operation of a second sheet of paper is set to a higher temperature higher than the normal temperature. If the print command is received while the ready temperature is maintained after the warm-up, the printing operation is performed with a lower temperature lower t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.