Image forming apparatus which corrects for misregistration

Claim 2

An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of latent image forming means for forming latent images on a plurality of image carriers; a plurality of developing means, arranged corresponding to the image carriers, for forming developed images by developing the latent images formed by the latent image forming means; means for conveying the developed images formed by the developing means; means for detecting the developed images being conveyed on the image conveying means, the detecting means including a light source, a first optical fiber element for guiding a light from the light source and illuminating the image conveying means to obtain reflected light, a second optical fiber element for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light guided by the second optical fiber element into an electric signal; means for computing a misregistration correcting amount to correct misregistration of each of the developed images conveyed by the image conveying means based on the detecting result of the detecting means; and means for executing correction of the misregistration based on the computed result of the computing means.

Claim 3

An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second optical fiber element of the detecting means is arranged in line in a direction parallel to a moving direction of the image conveying means against the first optical fiber element.

Claim 4

An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second optical fiber element of the detecting means is arranged in line in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the image conveying means against the first optical fiber element.

Claim 5

An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting means further includes an objective lens arranged between a set of the first and second optical fiber elements and the image conveying means.

Claim 6

An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first optical fiber element and the second optical fiber element of the detecting means are arranged with specified angle of incidence and angle of reflection provided against a normal line which is vertical to a plane surface of the image conveying means.

Claim 7

An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the detecting means further includes a first objective lens arranged between the first optical fiber element and the image conveying means and a second objective lens arranged between the second optical fiber element and the image conveying means.

Claim 8

An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second optical fiber element of the detecting means includes a plurality of optical fiber elements arranged to surround the first optical fiber element.

Claim 9

An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second optical fiber element of the detecting means includes a plurality of optical fiber elements arranged to surround the second optical fiber element.

Claim 10

An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting means includes a first and a second detecting unit which are comprised of a set of the first and the second optical fiber elements, and the first and the second detecting units are arranged in a straight line in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the image conveying means.

Claim 11

An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting means includes a first and a second detecting unit which are comprised of a set of the first and the second optical fiber elements, and the first and the second detecting units are arranged in a straight line in a direction parallel to a moving direction of the image conveying means.

Claim 12

An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting means includes a first and a second detecting unit which are comprised of a plurality of sets of the first and the second optical fiber elements, and the first detecting unit is arranged in a straight line in a direction parallel to a moving direction of the image conveying means, and the second detecting unit is arranged in a straight line in a direction orthogonal to the first detecting unit.

Claim 13

An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting means includes a first detecting unit comprising a set of the first and the second optical fiber elements and a second detecting unit comprising a set of the first and second optical fiber elements, the first detecting unit being arranged at one end side in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the image conveying means and the second detecting unit being arranged at the other end side in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the image conveying means.

Claim 14

An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of latent image forming means for forming latent images on a plurality of image carriers; a plurality of developing means, arranged corresponding to the image carriers, for forming developed images by developing the latent images formed by the latent image forming means; means for conveying the developed images formed by the developing means; means for detecting the developed images being conveyed on the image conveying means, the detecting means including: a common light source; a common light receiving element for converting a light into an electric signal; a first detecting unit comprising a first optical fiber element, in which one end thereof is optically connected to the common light source and the other end thereof faces the image conveying means, for guiding the light from the common light source and illuminating the image conveying means to obtain reflected light, and a second optical fiber element, in which one end thereof is optically connected to the common light receiving element and the other end thereof faces the image conveying means, for guiding the reflected light to the common light receiving element; and a second detecting unit comprising a third optical fiber element, in which one end thereof is optically connected to the common light source and the other end thereof faces the image conveying means, for guiding the light from the common light source and illuminating the image conveying means to obtain reflected light, and a fourth optical fiber element, in which one end thereof is optically connected to the common light receiving element and the other end thereof faces the image conveying means, for guiding the reflected light to the common light receiving element; means for computing a misregistration correcting amount to correct the misregistration of each of the developed images conveyed by the image conveying means based on the detecting result of the detecting means; and means for executing correction of the misregistration based on the computed result of the computing means.

Claim 15

An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of latent image forming means for forming latent images on a plurality of image carriers; a plurality of developing means, arranged corresponding to the image carriers, for forming developed images by developing the latent images formed by the latent image forming means; means for conveying the developed images formed by the developing means; means for detecting the developed images being conveyed on the image conveying means, the detecting means including: a common light source; a common light receiving element for converting a light into an electric signal; a first detecting unit comprising a first optical fiber element, in which one end thereof is optically connected to the common light source and the other end thereof faces the image conveying means, for guiding the light from the common light source and illuminating the image conveying means to obtain reflected light, and a second optical fiber element, in which one end thereof is optically connected to the common light receiving element and the other end thereof faces the image conveying means, for guiding the reflected light to the common light receiving element; and a second detecting unit comprising a third optical fiber element, in which one end thereof is optically connected to the common light source and the other end thereof faces the image conveying means, for guiding the light from the common light source and illuminating the image conveying means to obtain reflected light, and a fourth optical fiber element, in which one end thereof is optically connected to the common light receiving element and the other end thereof faces the image conveying means, for guiding the reflected light to the common light receiving element; means for computing a misregistration correcting amount to correct the misregistration of each of the developed images conveyed by the image conveying means based on the detecting result of the detecting means; and means for executing correction of the misregistration based on the computed result of the computing means.

Claim 16

An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the other ends of the first and second optical fiber elements of the first detecting unit are arranged at one end side in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the image conveying means, and the other ends of the third and fourth optical fiber elements of the second detecting unit are arranged at the other end side in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the image conveying means.

Claim 17

An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of latent image forming means for forming latent images on a plurality of image carriers; a plurality of developing means, arranged corresponding to the image carriers, for forming developed images by developing the latent images formed by the latent image forming means; means for conveying the developed images formed by the developing means; first detecting means for detecting the developed images conveyed on the image conveying means, the first detecting means including a first light source, at least one first optical fiber element for guiding the light from the first light source and illuminating the image conveying means to obtain reflected light, and at least one second optical fiber element, which is combined with the first optical fiber element, for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction; second detecting means for detecting the developed images conveyed on the image conveying means, the second detecting means arranged with a space to the first detecting means in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the image conveying means and including a second light source, at least one third optical fiber element for guiding the light from the second light source and illuminating the image conveying means to obtain reflected light, and at least one fourth optical fiber element, which is combined with the third optical fiber element, for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction; first supporting means for supporting the first detecting means movable in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the image conveying means; second supporting means for supporting the second detecting means movable in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the image conveying means; first moving means for moving the first supporting means along the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the image conveying means; second moving means for moving the second supporting means along the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the image conveying means; means for computing a misregistration correcting amount to correct misregistration of each of the developed images conveyed by the image conveying means based on the detecting results of the first and the second detecting means; means for executing correction of the misregistration based on the computed result of the computing means; and means for changing a relative position between at least either the first or the second detecting means and the image conveying means.

Claim 18

An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of latent image forming means for forming latent images on a plurality of image carriers; a plurality of developing means, arranged corresponding to the image carriers, for forming developed images by developing the latent images formed by the latent image forming means; means for conveying the developed images formed by the developing means; first detecting means for detecting the developed images conveyed on the image conveying means, the first detecting means including a first light source, at least one first optical fiber element for guiding the light from the first light source and illuminating the image conveying means to obtain reflected light, and at least one second optical fiber element, which is combined with the first optical fiber element, for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction; second detecting means for detecting the developed images conveyed on the image conveying means, the second detecting means arranged with a space to the first detecting means in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the image conveying means and including a second light source, at least one third optical fiber element for guiding the light from the second light source and illuminating the image conveying means to obtain reflected light, and at least one fourth optical fiber element, which is combined with the third optical fiber element, for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction; first supporting means for supporting the first detecting means movable in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the image conveying means; second supporting means for supporting the second detecting means movable in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the image conveying means; first moving means for moving the first supporting means along the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the image conveying means; second moving means for moving the second supporting means along the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the image conveying means; means for computing a misregistration correcting amount to correct misregistration of each of the developed images conveyed by the image conveying means based on the detecting results of the first and the second detecting means; means for executing correction of the misregistration based on the computed result of the computing means; and means for changing a relative position between at least either the first or the second detecting means and the image conveying means.

Claim 19

An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of latent image forming means for forming latent images on a plurality of image carriers; a plurality of developing means, arranged corresponding to the image carriers, for forming developed images by developing the latent images formed by the latent image forming means; means for conveying the developed images formed by the developing means; means for detecting the developed images being conveyed on the image conveying means, the detecting means including a light source for illuminating the image conveying means to obtain reflected light, an optical fiber element for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light guided by the optical fiber element into an electric signal; means for computing a misregistration correcting amount to correct the misregistration of each of the developed images conveyed by the image conveying means based on the detecting result of the detecting means; and means for executing correction of the misregistration based on the computed result of the computing means.

Claim 20

An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of latent image forming means for forming latent images on a plurality of image carriers; a plurality of developing means, arranged corresponding to the image carriers, for forming developed images by developing the latent images formed by the latent image forming means; means for conveying the developed images formed by the developing means; means for detecting the developed images being conveyed on the image conveying means, the detecting means including a light source for illuminating the image conveying means to obtain reflected light, an optical fiber element for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light guided by the optical fiber element into an electric signal; means for computing a misregistration correcting amount to correct the misregistration of each of the developed images conveyed by the image conveying means based on the detecting result of the detecting means; and means for executing correction of the misregistration based on the computed result of the computing means.

Claim 21

An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming a prescribed image on an image carrier; means for detecting the prescribed image formed by the image forming means on the image carrier, the detecting means including a light source for illuminating the image carrier to obtain a reflected light from the image carrier, an optical fiber element for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light guided by the optical fiber element into an electric signal; and control means for controlling the image forming means to correct a misregistration of the prescribed image from a desired position, where the prescribed image should be located, based on the detecting result of the detecting means and to form an image at the desired position.

Claim 22

An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming a prescribed image on an image carrier; means for detecting the prescribed image formed by the image forming means on the image carrier, the detecting means including a light source for illuminating the image carrier to obtain a reflected light from the image carrier, an optical fiber element for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light guided by the optical fiber element into an electric signal; and control means for controlling the image forming means to correct a misregistration of the prescribed image from a desired position, where the prescribed image should be located, based on the detecting result of the detecting means and to form an image at the desired position.

Claim 23

An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming a prescribed image on an image carrier; means for detecting the prescribed image formed by the image forming means on the image carrier, the detecting means including a light source, an optical fiber element for guiding a light from the light source onto the image carrier to obtain a reflected light from the image carrier, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light into an electric signal; and control means for controlling the image forming means to correct a misregistration of the prescribed image from a desired position, where the prescribed image should be located, based on the detecting result of the detecting means and to form an image at the desired position.

Claim 24

An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming a prescribed image on an image carrier; means for detecting the prescribed image formed by the image forming means on the image carrier, the detecting means including a light source, an optical fiber element for guiding a light from the light source onto the image carrier to obtain a reflected light from the image carrier, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light into an electric signal; and control means for controlling the image forming means to correct a misregistration of the prescribed image from a desired position, where the prescribed image should be located, based on the detecting result of the detecting means and to form an image at the desired position.

Claim 25

An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming a prescribed image on an image carrier; means for detecting the prescribed image formed by the image forming means on the image carrier, the detecting means including a light source, a first optical fiber element for guiding a light from the light source and illuminating the image carrier to obtain a reflected light, a second optical fiber element for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light guided by the second optical fiber element into an electric signal; and control means for controlling the image forming means to correct a misregistration of the prescribed image from a desired position, where the prescribed image should be located, based on the detecting result of the detecting means and to form an image at the desired position.

Claim 26

An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming a prescribed image on an image carrier; means for detecting the prescribed image formed by the image forming means on the image carrier, the detecting means including a light source, a first optical fiber element for guiding a light from the light source and illuminating the image carrier to obtain a reflected light, a second optical fiber element for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light guided by the second optical fiber element into an electric signal; and control means for controlling the image forming means to correct a misregistration of the prescribed image from a desired position, where the prescribed image should be located, based on the detecting result of the detecting means and to form an image at the desired position.

Claim 27

An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the second optical fiber element of the detecting means is arranged in line in a direction parallel to a moving direction of the image carrier against the first optical fiber element.

Claim 28

An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the second optical fiber element of the detecting means is arranged in line in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the image carrier against the first optical fiber element.

Claim 29

A pattern misregistration detecting apparatus comprising: an image carrier carrying a prescribed pattern; means for moving the image carrier in a specified direction; means for detecting the prescribed pattern on the image carrier, the detecting means including a light source for illuminating the image carrier to obtain a reflected light from the image carrier, an optical fiber element for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light guided by the optical fiber element into an electric signal; and means for obtaining an amount of misregistration of the prescribed pattern from a desired position, where the prescribed pattern should be located, based on the detecting result of the detecting means.

Claim 30

A pattern misregistration detecting apparatus comprising: an image carrier carrying a prescribed pattern; means for moving the image carrier in a specified direction; means for detecting the prescribed pattern on the image carrier, the detecting means including a light source for illuminating the image carrier to obtain a reflected light from the image carrier, an optical fiber element for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light guided by the optical fiber element into an electric signal; and means for obtaining an amount of misregistration of the prescribed pattern from a desired position, where the prescribed pattern should be located, based on the detecting result of the detecting means.

Claim 31

A pattern misregistration detecting apparatus comprising: an image carrier carrying a prescribed pattern; means for moving the image carrier in a specified direction; means for detecting the prescribed pattern on the image carrier, the detecting means including a light source, an optical fiber element for guiding a light from the light source onto the image carrier to obtain a reflected light from the image carrier, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light into an electric signal; and means for obtaining an amount of misregistration of the prescribed pattern from a desired position, where the prescribed pattern should be located, based on the detecting result of the detecting means.

Claim 32

A pattern misregistration detecting apparatus comprising: an image carrier carrying a prescribed pattern; means for moving the image carrier in a specified direction; means for detecting the prescribed pattern on the image carrier, the detecting means including a light source, an optical fiber element for guiding a light from the light source onto the image carrier to obtain a reflected light from the image carrier, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light into an electric signal; and means for obtaining an amount of misregistration of the prescribed pattern from a desired position, where the prescribed pattern should be located, based on the detecting result of the detecting means.

Claim 33

A pattern misregistration detecting apparatus comprising: an image carrier carrying a prescribed pattern; means for moving the image carrier in a specified direction; means for detecting the prescribed pattern on the image carrier, the detecting means including a light source, a first optical fiber element for guiding a light from the light source and illuminating the image carrier to obtain a reflected light, a second optical fiber element for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light guided by the second optical fiber element into an electric signal; and means for obtaining an amount of misregistration of the prescribed pattern from a desired position, where the prescribed pattern should be located, based on the detecting result of the detecting means.

Claim 34

A pattern misregistration detecting apparatus comprising: an image carrier carrying a prescribed pattern; means for moving the image carrier in a specified direction; means for detecting the prescribed pattern on the image carrier, the detecting means including a light source, a first optical fiber element for guiding a light from the light source and illuminating the image carrier to obtain a reflected light, a second optical fiber element for guiding the reflected light in a specified direction, and a light receiving element for converting the reflected light guided by the second optical fiber element into an electric signal; and means for obtaining an amount of misregistration of the prescribed pattern from a desired position, where the prescribed pattern should be located, based on the detecting result of the detecting means.

Claim 35

A pattern misregistration detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the second optical fiber element of the detecting means is arranged in line in a direction parallel to a moving direction of the image carrier against the first optical fiber element.

Claim 36

A pattern misregistration detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the second optical fiber element of the detecting means is arranged in line in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the image carrier against the first optical fiber element.