Patent · US Active

Heater controller, image forming apparatus, method for controlling heater

US8521049B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
10References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 2, 2011
Grant dateAug 27, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 14, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G15/2039
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A heater controller performs on/off control of a plurality of heaters and includes a storage unit that stores therein a plurality of pattern sets. Each of the pattern sets includes a plurality of heater-on/off patterns for respectively controlling the heaters. The heater controller calculates a reference value representing an average of values of electric power supplied to the heater controller over a predetermined period of time; calculates, for each of the pattern sets, an output power value to be supplied to the heaters when the heaters are turned-on according to the heater-on/off patterns included in the pattern set; calculates, for each of the pattern sets, a difference between the reference value and the output power value; selects, from the pattern sets, one pattern set having a smallest difference; and performs on/off control of the heaters according to the heater-on/off patterns included in the pattern set thus selected.

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