Patent ID: 8693930

Claim:
An image formation device, comprising: a plurality of imaging units each operable to create toner images in a corresponding color; an intermediate transfer body on which the toner images are overlaid in a primary transfer; a secondary transfer unit operable to perform a secondary transfer of the toner images so overlaid onto a recording sheet; a first misregistration correction unit operable to (i) cause the imaging units to form a reference pattern in each color on the intermediate transfer body, (ii) execute a first misalignment reading acquisition process to acquire a misalignment reading for each of the reference patterns, and (iii) adjust the imaging units so as to correct the misalignment readings so acquired; a storage unit storing therein the misalignment readings for the reference patterns in each color acquired by executing the first misalignment reading acquisition process; and a second misregistration correction unit operable to (i) cause each of a subset of the imaging units to form a reference pattern in the corresponding color on the intermediate transfer body, (ii) execute a second misalignment reading acquisition process, the second misalignment reading acquisition process consisting of: acquiring misalignment readings for the reference patterns formed by the subset of the imaging units, and estimating misalignment readings in each color for which a reference pattern is not formed by the subset of the imaging units according to the misalignment readings so acquired and the misalignment readings stored in the storage unit, and (iii) adjust the imaging units so as to correct all of the misalignment readings so acquired.