Patent ID: 8903260

Claim:
An image forming apparatus configured to generate a color image using a multi pass scheme, the image forming apparatus comprising: a photosensitive unit comprising a photosensitive drum having an outer circumferential surface on which electrostatic latent images are formed, and a first driving unit configured to rotate the photosensitive drum; an exposure unit configured to form the electrostatic latent images on the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum by radiating light on the photosensitive drum; a developing unit configured to form toner images by sequentially supplying a plurality of color toners to the electrostatic latent images formed on the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum; an intermediate transfer unit comprising an intermediate transfer belt on which a first transfer of the toner images formed on the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum is proceeded in a sequential manner by colors, and a second driving unit configured to rotate the intermediate transfer belt; a transferring unit comprising a transfer roller to perform a second transfer of the toner images on a printing medium by applying a predetermined pressure to the printing medium that passes in between the intermediate transfer belt and the transfer roller while in contact with the intermediate transfer belt; a transfer belt cleaning unit configured to perform a cleaning task to remove a waste toner that remains on the intermediate transfer belt after the second transfer is performed; and a control unit configured to start idling of the intermediate transfer belt when an exposure with respect to one page is completed and the first transfer is in progress, and configured to start the second transfer by having the transfer roller make contact with the intermediate transfer belt through the printing medium while the idling of intermediate transfer belt is in progress.