Fujitsu Corporation

Yoji Hoki

Makoto Inoue

Shinichi Watarai

Megumi Yasuda

A method of controlling a fuser unit of an image-forming apparatus such as a laser printer, in a warming-up stage, so that excess mechanical and electrostatic stresses are not imposed on the process elements. The method includes the steps of: starting the energization of a heater of a heat roller substantially at the same time as the commencement of an initialization process of mechanical and electrostatic conditions of the apparatus while rotating the heat roller and a backup roller together; stopping the rotation of the rollers after the initialization process has been completed; monitoring a surface temperature of the heat roller for a first predetermined period after the completion of the initialization; and if the surface temperature has reached a set value within the first predetermined period, determining that the fuser unit is ready for operation, and conversely, if the set value has not reached within the first predetermined period, carrying out an additional warming-up process of rotating the heat roller and the back-up roller again until the set value is reached, unless a second predetermined period has expired subsequent to the expiration of the first predetermined period.

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Tokyo, Japan

Yoji Hoki