Patent ID: 7289750
Filing Date: 2007-10-30
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus for forming monochromatic images only with toner of a specific color, said apparatus comprising: a latent image carrier capable of carrying thereon an electrostatic latent image; a developing unit having a plurality of cartridges each of which is freely mounted to and removed from said developing unit and contains the toner of the specific color; and a controller which performs a printing operation while selectively transferring one of the cartridges mounted to said developing unit to a development position, the printing operation in which the electrostatic latent image on said latent image carrier is developed using the toner in the cartridge positioned at the development position, wherein said controller is arranged to be able to conduct any of a plurality of different print preparatory process modes to be conducted prior to the printing operation to enable the printing operation by means of the cartridge, selects one print preparatory process mode from the plurality of print preparatory process modes according to operating conditions of the apparatus, and conducts the selected mode.