Abstract: An image reading apparatus configured to be disposed in an image forming apparatus. An image reading unit is configured to read an image from a document. A light permeable member has a surface configured to face the image on the document, the surface having a roughness of at most 0.5 S. A coating is disposed on the surface of the light permeable member, the coating configured to prevent adherence of contaminants on the surface.

Abstract: An instruction form execution apparatus includes an instruction form input part that inputs an instruction form to indicate execution of a process, an execution part that executes the process indicated in the instruction form, and a deletion part that deletes the instruction form when the execution part completes the execution of the process indicated in the instruction form.

Abstract: An instruction sheet making section of an instruction sheet editor displays on a GUI icons of services capable of being executed by using a service list sent from a service search server. Further, the instruction sheet making section also displays logic icons of linking processing patterns of the respective services. An instruction sheet making section combines the services provided by one or more service processing sections and makes an instruction sheet, by using service icons and logic icons selected by a user, while referring to and utilizing I/F information sent by the service processing section. Therefore, it is possible to easily combine the services capable of being executed on a network and produce a workflow.

Abstract: The present invention updates only necessary information alone, while decreasing the user's load of operation, without executing complex processing. A service-retrieving server searches for a FAX service that is currently available. A concentrated-management section displays on a GUI the searched result of the service-retrieving server. And the management section collectively updates a FAX number table that is commonly used by a respective one of the service-processing devices that appear in a FAX service list.

Abstract: A linking processing device includes a receiver and a controller. The receiver receives instruction information including a control content for linking and performing processing, on a network, of a plurality of services that each perform predetermined process of document data. The controller issues a request to each of the services for processing a document as a processing object, on the basis of the control content contained in the instruction information received by the receiver.

Abstract: A linking information making device including a service list acquisition unit which acquires a service list expressing services which execute predetermined processing of document data; an interface information acquisition unit which individually acquires pieces of interface information from service processing devices respectively providing the services expressed in the service list which has been acquired by the service list acquisition unit; and a linking information making unit which makes linking information to link services provided by the respective service processing devices, based on the interface information which has been acquired by the interface information acquisition unit.

Abstract: When a user selects a job order, a job-order analysis section analyzes the job order and supplies required information to a UI generation section and a parameter management section. Data of a scanning operation screen which has been stored beforehand is read out in the UI generation section for a “scan” operation described in the job order, as a type is “scan” indicating a function which has been provided in a multiple function device beforehand. Moreover, the parameter value of “color” on the scanning operation screen is set as “true” in the UI generation section, as the default value of “color” in the job order is “true”. A control panel displays the scanning operation screen generated in the UI generation section.

Abstract: In a finisher for an image forming apparatus, when a staple mode is selected, sheets are sequentially stacked on a stacker while being turned over. In a corner staple mode, a stapler staples the sheets stacked on the stacker at the side facing the first page of the sheet stack. The stapled sheet stack is driven out to a first tray. In a center staple mode, after the sheet stack has been stapled, it is folded double at its center by a fold edge, then pressed by a press roller pair, and then driven out to a second tray.

Abstract: A sheet sorting and storing apparatus has a stack of bin trays which are brought open at a sheet reception position, but held close at the other position. The apparatus minimizes noises upon sheet reception with a simple mechanism, improving the efficiency of sheet sorting. The bin trays are inclined down or up depending on a position of a sheet discharge device. A desired bin tray is deviated by a deviation mechanism in an approximately horizontal direction so that a spacing in the direction of the tray inclination is enlarged between two adjacent bin trays located at the sheet reception position, while keeping constant a vertical spacing thereof. A flexible film of elastic material may be provided at the sheet entrance side of the bin trays to prevent the discharged sheet from leaping out thereof.

Abstract: A sheet sorting and storing apparatus has a stack of bin trays which are brought open at a sheet reception position, but held close at the other position. The apparatus minimizes noises upon sheet reception in a simple mechanism, improving the efficiency of sheet sorting. The bin trays are inclined down or up depending on a position of a sheet discharge device. A desired bin tray is deviated by a deviation mechanism in an approximately horizontal direction so that a spacing in the direction of the tray inclination is enlarged between two adjacent bin trays located at the sheet reception position, while keeping constant a vertical spacing thereof. The deviation mechanism includes a guide in connection with the bin trays to approximately horizontally deviate them by its slant portion connecting upper and lower vertical slots. Each bin tray has a support on its both sides with parallel surfaces to support the next upper bin tray through rollers disposed between the parallel surfaces of the adjacent bin trays.

Abstract: In an automatic document feeder (ADF) for an image forming apparatus, a table is loaded with multiple documents or a single document, as desired. A transport section transports the document or one of the documents fed from the table to a predetermined position on a glass platen included in a body of the apparatus, and then transports it away from the predetermined position. A feed section has a feeding member for feeding the document from the table to the transporting section, and a separating member movable in opposite direction to an intended direction of document feed into frictional engagement with the feeding member. A mode selecting section is accessible for selecting either of a multiple feed mode for sequentially feeding the multiple documents from the table while separating the individual documents, and a single feed mode for feeding the single document therefrom. A drive source drives the separating member while switching the drive direction thereof.

Abstract: A finisher for an image forming apparatus and capable of changing the binding angle of a staple relative to a sheet stack to be bound, as desired. A stapler is rotatable substantially about the binding position thereof to change the angle thereof relative to a sheet stack. This maintains the binding position substantially constant in both of parallel binding and inclined binding.

Abstract: In a graph generating device, when an input unit inputs data to be graphed, the data is stored in a data storage area through a processing control unit and a data generator. The data generator generates in a graph storage area element data for the graph elements based on the input data in the data storage area. A display control unit displays a graph on a display unit based on the data in the graph storage area. When the input unit directs the destination of a displayed graph element, coordinate data on the position of the destination is stored in a layout storage area through the processing control unit and a layout changing unit. The data generator 22 updates the element data in the graph storage area 43 based on the data in the data storage area 41 and the coordinate data in the layout storage area 42. The display control unit 24 updates and displays a graph on the display screen based on new element data in the graph storage area 43.

Abstract: A finisher connectable to an image forming apparatus for surely discharging sheets to bin trays thereof without regard to the sheet size while preventing the sheets from dropping from the bin rays or from being inaccurately positioned on the bin trays. The finisher has a discharge roller for sequentially discharging sheets driven out of the image forming apparatus to the bin trays. The rotation speed of the discharge roller is controlled on the basis of size information representative of the size of sheets to be transferred from the image forming apparatus to the finisher.

Abstract: A finisher for use with a copier, laser printer or similar image forming apparatus and having a function of sorting or stacking sheets sequentially driven out of the apparatus and a function of stapling each stack of such sheets. A plurality of bins are sequentially moved to a position where the bins face the sheet outlet of the apparatus one at a time. A particular pair of the bins define a sheet inlet for receiving the sheets coming out of the sheet outlet one at a time. The sheets are distributed to the bins via the inlet to be stacked on the bins. A sheet stack is pulled out of each bin by a sheet stack moving device, bound at a staple position by a stapler, and then returned to the bin.

Abstract: A cover unit for covering an external face of a machine tool. The cover unit is formed with small opening for allowing a workpiece to pass therethrough. The cover unit is also formed with a large opening for facilitating maintenance to the machine tool. The small opening is selectively closed by a first closure means to avoid scattering of the cutting chips and machining liquid toward outside during machining to the workpiece. The large opening is selectively closed by a second closure means during machining to the workpiece.

Abstract: A machine tool includes two movable tables on which workpiece is mounted. A base mount has an upper surface provided with at least two machinable regions and workpiece handling regions. A column is supported above the base mount and movable in a first direction, and a spindle head is supported on the column and movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The spindle head is movable over the machinable regions. The tables are arranged in parallelism and movable in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. Each of the tables is movable between each of the machinable regions and the workpiece handling regions. First, second and third drive means are connected to the column, the spindle head and the tables, respectively. The drive means are also connected to a numerical control unit for numerically controlling the movements of the column, the spindle head and the tables in the first, the second and the third directions respectively.

Abstract: A machine tool having pallets each being movable between machining region and non-machining region. At the machining region, there are provided a movable column which supports a spindle head, and a stationary table confronting the column. In front of the stationary table, a workpiece handling station is provided which defines the non-machining region. When one of the pallets is positioned at the machining region for machining to the one of the workpieces, another pallet is brought to the non-machining region, where already machined workpiece is replaced by a new workpiece, and the another pallet is again introduced into the machining region while the first workpiece is still subjected to machining. Machining to the new workpiece is achievable by simply moving the column within the machining region.

Abstract: An original paper turning over and conveying out apparatus which comprises: an original paper processing portion for processing an original paper; an original paper stacking portion for stacking original papers; a first conveyor route; a discharge roller disposed at an outlet of the first conveyor route; a second conveyor route; a fixed pressing member; and a movable pressing member. The first conveyor route interconnects the processing portion and the stacking portion and able to convey the original paper in a forward direction from the processing portion to the stacking portion and vice versa in a backward direction. The second conveyor route diverges from the first conveyor route so that the original paper conveyed backward through the first conveyor route is guided to the second conveyor route and conveyed to the stacking portion. The original paper is discharged into the stacking portion in a state of being turned over through the discharge roller.

Abstract: A machine tool having a main spindle head and an indexing table those being inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. The machine tool comprises the main spindle head, a main spindle, a reciprocation drive means and the indexing table. The main spindle is provided with a tool mount portion at one end portion thereof for mounting a tool, and the reciprocation drive means drives the main spindle head in an axial direction of the main spindle. The indexing table mounts thereon a workpiece and is angularly rotatable about its central axis. Further, an indexing apparatus is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises a base frame, an indexing table, an indexing shaft, a single drive source, a drive means, a follower member, coupling means and shifting means. The drive means is connected to the single drive source, and the follower member is connected to the indexing shaft and is engageable with the drive means for rotating the indexing shaft about its axis.