Patent ID: 8126346

Claim:
A fixing device that fixes an unfixed image formed on a recording medium at a fixing nip, the fixing device comprising: a fixing belt which is a heating member that rotates around an axis that is stationary relative to a position of the nip; a pressure rotator configured to form the fixing nip with the fixing belt; an induction heating coil located outside the fixing belt, the induction heating coil being configured to heat the fixing belt; a pressure rotator separating mechanism configured to move the pressure rotator away from the fixing belt; and a controller configured to control a start-up state of the fixing device during which the fixing belt is rotated while being heated by the induction heating coil, the start-up state being completed by performing two step rotation modes, the modes including a first start-up mode in which, while the pressure rotator is positioned away from the fixing belt by the pressure rotator separating mechanism, the controller controls the fixing belt to rotate the fixing belt while the fixing belt is heated until the fixing belt reaches a predetermined temperature or the fixing belt is rotated while being heated for a predetermined time period, and a second start-up mode, performed after the first start-up mode, in which the controller controls the pressure rotator separating mechanism to move the pressure rotator towards the fixing belt such that the fixing belt is heated and rotated while the pressure rotator is in contact with the fixing belt, wherein the start-up state is performed without advancing a recording medium toward the fixing nip, and wherein, after the second start-up mode is completed, the controller sends a control signal to start an image fixing operation such that the recording medium advances towards the fixing nip.