Patent ID: 6055386
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus, comprising:an image bearing member;means for forming first and second reference toner images on the image bearing member in process control and image forming modes, respectively;means for emitting light on the first and second reference toner images;means for receiving reflected light from the first and second reference toner images;means for detecting the intensity of the reflected light; andmeans for controlling the image forming means in response to the detected intensity of the reflected light;wherein a continuous lighting time of the light emitting means in the image forming mode is shorter than in the process control mode, the continuous lighting time being defined as a time from a start of the emitting of the light by the light emitting means until the detection of the intensity of the reflected light by the detecting means; andthe light emitting means is configured such that the intensity of the emitted light changes according to the continuous lighting time.