Image forming apparatus, and method of controlling warming-up time of image forming apparatus
US8073352B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 2008 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 15, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/00978
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit and a fixing process managing system. The fixing process managing system, including a mode switchover unit, controls a time mode and a temperature mode for heating a fixing member. In the time mode, the fixing unit is determined to be ready for a fixing process when a given time elapses after activation of the image forming apparatus. In the temperature mode, the fixing unit is determined to be ready for a fixing process when a temperature of the fixing member attains a given reference temperature after activation of the image forming apparatus. The mode switchover unit selects between the temperature mode and the time mode. The fixing process managing system selects the temperature mode instead of the time mode when a supply amount of electrical power to the fixing unit is determined to be below a required electrical power supply level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.