Patent ID: 8135298

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit configured to form a toner image on an image carrier; a transfer unit configured to transfer the toner image on the image carrier to a recording medium; a fusing rotating body that is heated by a heating unit; a pressure rotating body that contacts the fusing rotating body to form a fusing/nipping portion between the fusing rotating body and the pressure rotating body, the fusing rotating body and the pressure rotating body forming a fusing rotating body pair; a fusing device configured to cause the recording medium to pass through the fusing/nipping portion and configured to fuse the toner image on the recording medium onto the recording medium; a temperature detecting unit configured to detect a temperature on a surface of the fusing rotating body; a control unit configured to cause the fusing rotating body pair to be rotated in response to an image formation request, detect an amount of decrease in the temperature of the fusing rotating body surface at a predetermined time with the temperature detecting unit, and extend a time between the image formation request and an arrival of the recording medium with the toner image formed thereon at the fusing/nipping portion when the temperature decrease amount is greater than a threshold value; and wherein the control unit is configured to allow a user to select whether the time before the recording medium with the toner image formed thereon arrives at the fusing/nipping portion should be extended, using an operating unit with which the user can enter an instruction into the apparatus.