Patent ID: 7065307

Claim:
An image forming apparatus adapted to execute a series of image formation processing in such a way as to develop and make visible an electrostatic latent image that is formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier by using a developer layer that is carried on a developer carrier, to transfer the visualized image onto a recording medium, thereafter to eliminate the developer remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier by using a cleaning unit, and to pass the post-transfer recording medium through fixing means for heating and pressurizing it to thereby perform adhering and fixing of the image, comprising: predicted image correction means for correcting the developing conditions for visualizing the electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier on the basis of the length of lapse time that from an immediately preceding image formation processing or that length of time and the environmental conditions; and control means for controlling the flow of operation associated with the correction of the images, wherein the control means prohibits, during warming-up of the fixing means, one, or a plurality of, or all, operations of an actual measurement image correction operation that forms a visualized test image on the electrostatic latent image carrier and that, according to that test image, corrects the developing conditions for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier, a preliminary rotating operation for the electrostatic latent image carrier, and a preliminary agitating operation for the developer, thereby executing the image formation processing following the completion of warming-up of the fixing means by using a value of correction that is determined by the predicted image correction means.