The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 27, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 04, 2001
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus of the type in which it is possible to select an image forming station for image formation from a plurality of image forming stations, includes: a plurality of image forming stations each having an image bearing member for bearing a latent image and a developing device for developing the latent image on the image bearing member by a developer; transfer members adapted to come into contact with a medium member to induce a charge and to electrostatically transfer developed images formed in the plurality of image forming stations to the medium member; and a current control portion for controlling an electric current flowing through the transfer members, wherein the current control portion effects control such that no electric current flows through the transfer member corresponding to an image forming station not being used for image formation.