# US 10,310,404 B2 · Image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,310,404 B2 - Document ID: US10310404B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/873,976 - Filed: 2018-01-18 - Published: 2018-05-24 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-06 - Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba; Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba; Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Seiji Iino - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10310404B2 ## CPC - G03G 15/6585: {by using non-standard toners, e.g. transparent toner, gloss adding devices} - B41J 2/435: characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material - B41J 11/0021: {using irradiation} - B41J 11/00212: {Controlling the irradiation means, e.g. image-based controlling of the irradiation zone or control of the duration or intensity of the irradiation} - G03G 15/043: with means for controlling illumination or exposure (G03G15/041 takes precedence) - G03G 15/6573: {Feeding path after the fixing point and up to the discharge tray or the finisher, e.g. special treatment of copy material to compensate for effects from the fixing} - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises an image forming section and a specific light source. The image forming section forms an image on an image receiving medium with a specific material which emits visible light through irradiation by specific light. The specific light source emits the specific light to the image receiving medium at a downstream side of the image forming section in a conveyance direction of the image receiving medium. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming section configured to form an image on an image receiving medium with a specific material which emits visible light through irradiation by specific light; a specific light source configured to emit the specific light to the image receiving medium at a downstream side of the image forming section in a conveyance direction of the image receiving medium; and a discharge mechanism configured to discharge the image receiving medium to a discharge tray so that the specific light is emitted to a printing surface of the image receiving medium. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge mechanism comprises a reversing unit that reverses the image receiving medium conveyed from a fixing section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge tray is positioned at the downstream side of the image forming section in the conveyance direction of the image receiving medium, and the specific light source emits the specific light to the image receiving medium discharged to the discharge tray. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a discharge control section configured to control printing and discharge operation executed to a plurality of the image receiving media in such a manner that the image receiving media are discharged to the discharge tray in order starting from a final the image receiving medium at the time a plurality of the image receiving media is discharged. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific material comprises a UV toner; and the specific light source emits a UV light. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a mode selection section capable of selecting a UV print mode for forming an image on the image receiving medium with the specific material and an ordinary print mode for forming an image on the image receiving medium with an ordinary material that is visually recognizable with visible light. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: an ordinary light source configured to emit visible light to the image receiving medium; and a light source switching section capable of switching between the specific light source and the ordinary light source. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge tray is comprised in a main body of the image forming apparatus. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an irradiation timing control section configured to control timing at which the specific light is emitted to the image receiving medium immediately after the image receiving medium is discharged to the discharge tray. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific light source emits the specific light towards the image receiving medium from an outlet of the image receiving medium. ### Claim 11 An image forming method, comprising: forming an image on an image receiving medium with a specific material which emits visible light through irradiation by specific light; emitting the specific light to the image receiving medium at a downstream position in a conveyance direction of the image receiving medium; and discharging the image receiving medium to a discharge tray so that the specific light is emitted to a printing surface of the image receiving medium. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The image forming method according to claim 11, wherein the specific light has a wavelength from 10 nm to 380 nm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The image forming method according to claim 11, wherein the visible light has a wavelength from 400 nm to 700 nm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The image forming method according to claim 11, wherein the specific material comprises a UV toner and the specific light is UV light. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The image forming method according to claim 11, further comprising: forming an image on the image receiving medium with an ordinary material that is visually recognizable with visible light. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The image forming method according to claim 15, further comprising: emitting visible light to the image receiving medium; and switching between emitting specific light and emitting ordinary light. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The image forming method according to claim 11, further comprising: discharging the image receiving medium to the discharge tray at the downstream side in the conveyance direction; and emitting the specific light to the image receiving medium on the discharge tray. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The image forming method according to claim 17, further comprising: controlling a timing at which the specific light is emitted to the image receiving medium immediately after the image receiving medium is discharged to the discharge tray.