Patent ID: 7433614
Filing Date: 2008-10-07
Classification: B65H,G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a printer engine configured to form an image on a medium; a supply unit configured to supply the medium to the printer engine through a feed path; a light emitting element configured to emit light onto the medium at a predetermined position on the feed path; a transmitted light receiving element configured to receive transmitted light of the light emitted by the light emitting element which is transmitted through the medium; a reflected light receiving element configured to receive reflected light of the light emitted by the light emitting element which is reflected by the medium; a detecting unit which executes a detection through the emission of light and the reception of transmitted light and reflected light; a first determining unit which determines a characteristic of the medium based on detection signals output by the transmitted light receiving element and the reflected light receiving element as a result of the detection; a control unit which executes a predetermined control in the image forming apparatus based on the characteristic determined by the first determining unit; and a light guide member configured to guide the light emitted by the light emitting element when the medium is not present, to the reflected light receiving element.