Abstract: An image forming apparatus is arranged so as to include an optical head unit constituted of exposing device and information reading device, one cylindrical white light source which is commonly used as a light source for the above both devices, liquid crystal shutter arrays for individually opening and closing optical paths of the light source in direction of a photoreceptor, and to control open/close operation of an exposure shutter array according to an image signal and to control the shutter arrays such that when the exposing device operates, the information reading shutter array closes and that when the information reading device operates, the exposure shutter array closes. As a result, in an arrangement which is carried out a simultaneous charge-expose-development process and has exposing function and information reading function, it is possible to sufficiently miniaturize an apparatus.

Abstract: An information search terminal apparatus and information search system for performing information search by using a variety of windows assure high manipulatability for the user by making available information of the results of searches performed in the past and the current system state.