Patent ID: 7164877
Filing Date: 2007-01-16
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus having a full-color mode, a monochrome mode and a standby mode, said image forming apparatus comprising: a removable image transfer unit which includes: a full-color image forming sensor for detecting the current position of the sliding member of the full-color image transfer part moving mechanism; and a monochrome image forming sensor for detecting the current position of the sliding member of the monochrome image transfer part moving mechanism; wherein the moving path of the endless belt is selectively switched to one of three locations for the full-color mode, the monochrome mode and the standby mode as a result of ascending and descending motions of the full-color image transfer rollers and the monochrome image transfer roller; and wherein said image forming apparatus judges based on results of detection by the full-color image forming sensor and the monochrome image forming sensor whether said image forming apparatus is currently in the full-color mode for producing a full-color image, the monochrome mode for producing a monochrome image or the standby mode for performing standby processing operation and whether the image transfer unit is installed in said image forming apparatus.