Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P.
Image forming apparatus and image density control method
An image forming apparatus includes a control device that calculates a developing ability of the developing device based on a detection value detected by an optical detection device from the plural toner patches. The control device adjusts an image formation condition based on the calculated developing ability. A factor detection device is provided to detect a contributing factor that causes the developing ability to largely change after the last adjustment of the image formation condition. The control device controls image formation such that when the factor detection device does not detect the contribution factor and a developing ability calculated this time is different from that calculated last time (as to a part of the plural toner patches), the plural toner patches are formed based on a prescribed fixed image formation condition so that an attraction amount of toner attracting to the plural toner patches enter a prescribed range detectable for the optical detection device. The remaining toner patches are formed (based on an image formation condition determined) in accordance with the image formation condition previously adjusted. When the detection device detects the contribution factor, the entire toner patches are formed based on the prescribed fixed condition.
Ricoh Company Limited
G G G G G G
G03G G03G G03G G03G G03G G03G
inventional inventional additional additional additional additional
Akira Tetsuya Yoshiaki Yushi Shin Hitoshi Kayoko Nobutaka Kohta
Yoshida Muto Miyashita Hirayama Hasegawa Ishibashi Tanaka Takeuchi Fujimori