| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To bring an intermediate transfer member into contact with and separate it from a latent image carrier to detect an amount of sticking toner before transfer and an amount of sticking toner left untransferred, by one sensor. <P>SOLUTION: A latent image carrier 2 and an intermediate transfer unit (an intermediate transfer belt 5 and a transfer roller 6) are separated from each other, and then a test pattern 1 is generated on the latent image carrier 2. Laser light is radiated from an optical sensor 4 to the test pattern 1 to detect reflected light. The amount of sticking toner of the test pattern 1 is detected from a value of the reflected light. Next, the latent image carrier 2 and the intermediate transfer unit are brought into contact with each other again, and a test pattern 2 is generated on the latent image carrier 2 in the same condition as the test pattern 1. Laser light is radiated to the test pattern 2 to detect reflected light. The amount of sticking toner of the test pattern 2 is detected from a value of the reflected light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI |
