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. 04, 2009
Filed:
Nov. 12, 2008
Hiroshi Nakazato, Nagano-ken, JP;
Ken Ikuma, Nagano-ken, JP;
Keiichi Taguchi, Nagano-ken, JP;
Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus adapted for a smooth mounting/dismounting of a process unit and for the reduction of wasteful power consumption is provided. Unless a new image signal is applied after completion of an image forming operation, the apparatus starts a clocking operation by an internal timer (Step S). If the apparatus is left standstill for a predetermined length of time (Step S), a sleep process (Step S) is executed to shift the apparatus to a power save mode to consume less power. When an outside cover is opened (Step S), on the other hand, the apparatus is shifted to a replacement operation mode (Step S) in which only the rotation of a development rotary is permitted. However, if the apparatus is left with the outside cover opened (Step S), the sleep process is executed.