Patent ID: 6178299
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: G03G,G05D

Abstract:
A method of controlling a power supply from a power supply unit to heat sources of a printer that comprises a heat generating portion having at least three heat sources, the power supply unit, and a power supply controller for controlling the power supply from the power supply unit to the heat generating portion, including the steps of:a) grouping predetermined ones of the heat sources into a first group, and grouping all or part of the remaining ones of the heat sources not belonging to the first group into a second group for adjusting periods of power supply to the heat sources belonging to the heat generating portion;b) controlling, for a predetermined first time period, the power supply to the heat sources belonging to the first group for controlling temperatures of the heat sources belonging to the first group, while disconnecting the power to the heat sources belonging to the second group during the predetermined first time period;c) disconnecting, for a predetermined second time period after the first time period has passed, the power supply to the heat sources belonging to the first group, while controlling the power supply to the heat sources belonging to the second group for controlling temperatures of the heat sources belonging to the second group for the predetermined second time period; andd) repeating step b) and step c) at least once.