Patent ID: 6055400
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A multicolor image forming apparatus which transfers a plurality of monochromatic toner images formed on a first image carrier onto a second image carrier in a superimposed manner to form a multicolor toner image, and then transfers the multicolor toner image onto a printing medium, comprising:exposure means for writing an image based on image data onto the first image carrier;development means having a plurality of development units provided for each toner color for developing the image written on the first image carrier;development unit movement means for moving one of a color to be used subsequently among the plurality of development units to a development position; andwriting processing means for initiating the writing of an image corresponding to the subsequent toner color by said exposure means after the passage of a first predetermined time required to complete the movement of the preceding development unit by said development unit movement means following the termination of the writing of an image corresponding to the preceding toner color, wherein said writing processing means has an operation mode for repeatedly writing a plurality of pages of image to continuously form toner images of the same color over a plurality of pages on the first image carrier and is arranged to output a writing termination signal when the repeated writing of image is terminated, and said development unit movement means is arranged to move the development unit after the passage of the second time in response to the writing termination signal.