Abstract: There is provided an image forming device, comprising: a print unit configured to form an image on a recording medium in which a memory device is embedded; a detection unit configured to detect a condition of the memory device embedded in the recording medium, the detection unit being positioned on a downstream side in a feeding direction with respect to the print unit; and a notification control unit configured to provide notification concerning the condition of the memory device, in response to a fact that the detection unit detects that the memory device embedded in the recording medium is defective.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which forms an image electrophotographically, comprises an image transfer unit which transfers a toner image to a recording medium, a fixing unit comprising a heat roller and a pressure roller, a conveying direction change unit which changes a conveying direction of the recording medium discharged from the fixing unit upwardly, a discharge roller which discharges the recording medium, of which conveying direction has been changed by the conveying direction change unit, to a discharge part, and a curl removing roller which is provided on a conveying extending between the conveying direction change unit and the discharge roller and bends the recording medium in an opposite direction from a bend direction imparted to the recording medium at the heat roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cassette attaching section, a media cassette, a loading plate and a first and second ground conducting route. The cassette attaching section includes a media supplying roller for supplying media. The media cassette is attachably and removably installed in the cassette attaching section. The loading plate is mounted in the media cassette and loads the media stacked up in the media cassette. The first ground conducting route makes static electricity discharge from the loading plate to a grounding portion of the cassette attaching section when the media cassette is attached to the cassette attaching section. The second ground conducting route conducts with the media and makes static electricity discharge to the grounding portion when a distance between the media supplying roller and the media is shortened after the first ground conducting route is conducted.

Abstract: A recording material charging apparatus comprises: a pre-transcription charging section arranged between a transcribing section that transcribes a toner image retained by a toner image retaining body on a recording material having concavity and convexity and a conveying section that conveys the recording material to the transcribing section and is arranged closest to the transcribing section, the pre-transcription charging section charging the recording material that is to be conveyed to the transcribing section; and a voltage supplying section that supplies voltage of a polarity opposite to a charging polarity of the toner image retained in the toner image retaining body to the pre-transcription charging section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming part, a fixer including a heating member and a pressure member, a reverse transport part to forward a recording medium transported from the fixer to the image forming part, a toner image sensor to detect presence of a toner image on the recording medium, and a controller. When a glossy image formation mode is selected and no toner image is detected on the recording medium, the image forming part does not form a toner image on the recording medium, the fixer performs a first heating and pressing process and transports the recording medium to the reverse transport part, the reverse transport part transports the recording medium to the image forming part, the image forming part forms a toner image on the recording medium transported from the reverse transport part, and the fixer performs a second heating and pressing process and fixes the toner image thereon.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device to form an image on a sheet and a sheet feeding unit to feed the sheet to the image forming device. The sheet feeding unit includes an endless, dielectric belt disposed facing an upper surface of a sheet stack to contact and attract an uppermost sheet to the surface thereof and feed the sheet in the sheet feeding direction, and an electric potential pattern forming unit to form an electric potential pattern on the surface of the dielectric belt. The electric potential pattern has multiple potential holding sections of identical absolute values and opposite polarities disposed adjacent to each other at a uniform pitch. The electric potential pattern forming unit forms the electric potential pattern to have equal numbers of positive potential holding sections and negative potential holding sections.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate permitting a high-speed marking system or printer to run at maximum speed without being impeded by a relatively slow, low-speed finisher. A plurality of low-speed finishers are coupled to the high-speed marking system in a tandem, and optionally parallel-tandem, arrangement, where the number of finishers is equal to or greater than the ration of the maximum operating speed of the marking system to individual finisher maximum operating speed. In this manner, a low-cost solution is provided to overcome bottleneck problems associated with low-speed finishers.

Abstract: The presence/absence of a printing failure on a printed product is accurately detected to prevent a defective product from mixing in printed products to be delivered to a customer. In order to achieve this object, a printing processing method according to this invention includes steps of inputting first image data, executing the printing process for a printing medium based on the first image data, reading the printing medium on which the first image data is printed to obtain second image data, specifying a determination area to be used to determine the presence/absence of a printing failure in the second image data based on a processing content after the printing process for the printing medium, and determining the presence/absence of the printing failure by comparing the first image data and the second image data corresponding to the determination area.

Abstract: A print media preheating system and method of preheating print media that includes an upper heating plate that is arranged to heat a pre-printed side of the print media with a pressure of the upper heating plate on the print media being relieved by lifting the upper heating plate away from the print media so as to reduce smudging of ink printed on the pre-printed side of the print media.

Abstract: A sheet feeding unit that can be incorporated in an image forming apparatus includes an endless belt and a charging member. The charging member charges the endless belt with an alternating voltage to attract a sheet to separate from multiple sheets and feed the sheet, and has an electrode contacting the endless belt at an angle thereto and between which a nip is formed. The endless belt and an interior surface of the charging member define a space across which electric discharge is performed to charge an outer layer of the endless belt. A distance of the gap and a length of the nip in the sheet conveyance direction define a basic charging region. The distance of the basic charging region is smaller than a distance of a unit charging region where the electric charge of identical polarity is held on the endless belt.

Abstract: A print media preheating system and method of preheating print media that includes an upper heating plate that is arranged to heat a pre-printed side of the print media with a pressure of the upper heating plate on the print media being relieved by lifting the upper heating plate away from the print media so as to reduce smudging of ink printed on the pre-printed side of the print media.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus, having: a first sheet feeding member to press a top surface of a sheet for sending out a sheet stored in a sheet storing section; a second sheet feeding member arranged on a downstream side of the first sheet feeding member with respect to a sheet feeding direction to further convey the sheet from the first sheet feeding member downstream; and a first cleaning member rotatably supported in contact with a circumference surface of the first feeding member and a circumference surface of the second feeding member to cleaning a circumference surface of the first feeding member and a circumference surface of the second feeding member by rotation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having the improved construction and mounting structure of a device for charging paper to be attached to a paper feed body is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of developing devices and a paper feed body which is mounted opposite to the plurality of developing devices and rotates to feed paper. A sheet member is mounted to a developing device of the plurality of developing devices, which is disposed on an uppermost paper stream side in a feeding direction of the paper. The sheet member charges the paper as it advances to the paper feed body to attach the paper to the paper feed body. The image forming apparatus further includes a voltage transmission part which transmits high voltage to the sheet member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming section that forms an image with a recording material on a recording medium to an edge thereof, and a cleaning section that cleans off the recording material adhering to an edge surface of the recording medium after the image forming section forms the image thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluffer environmental control in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include determining a media type to be used for processing a print job, determining a target relative humidity for the determined media type, measuring an ambient temperature and relative humidity, determining whether air blown from a media stack fluffer needs to be heated based on the determined target relative humidity and the measured ambient temperature and relative humidity, wherein if it is determined that the fluffer air needs to be heated, heating the fluffer air to reach target relative humidity, and processing the print job.

Abstract: An image development method implemented on a substrate conditioning unit for the drying and compression of a print substrate in an electrophotographic imaging process. The conditioning unit includes a heating mechanism for maintaining the heat of compression rollers, belts or nip rollers for compressing the substrate by a determined distance between the conditioning rollers, or by direct contact between a compression roller and a nip roller, and having an abhesive layer to prevent adhesion of the conditioning unit to the print substrate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of effectively cooling down a recording medium heated by a toner fixing unit includes a cooling mechanism having a duct, a radiating fin, and a heat pipe. The duct includes two air flow structures, each including an air inlet, an air supply path, an air exhaust path, and an air outlet. The radiating fin is arranged between the air supply path and the air exhaust path of each air flow structure. The radiating fin has a plurality of fins each radially extending in parallel to a flow of air in the duct. The heat pipe has one side connected to the radiating fin and another side arranged in a vicinity to an exit of a toner fixing mechanism. The heat pile rotates to draw heat from the heated recording sheet having a fixed toner image.

Abstract: An image forming device is provided that facilitates enhanced image on an output image receiving medium based on one or more sensed or user-input characteristics of the output image receiving medium. A very light uniform toner dust layer is distributed over an entire page to be printed (including image and non-image areas), or in intended non-image areas particularly along edges of a lightweight output image receiving medium. A programmable selection of a color or other parameters of toner dusting, from a plurality of choices, is undertaken such that toner presence in non-image areas is not visually perceptible. The system may effectively print over a variety of background colors. An effective and simple user interface provides an option to the user to choose appropriate low perceptibility toner color so that a relatively higher level of the chosen color may be deposited without crossing a perceptibility threshold.

Abstract: A warm air generating apparatus includes: a blowing apparatus for generating an air flow in a predetermined direction; a heating member disposed on a flow path of the air flow for heating air; a temperature detection member that has a heat sensing portion and detects a temperature of the heating member; and a biasing member for applying a biasing force that causes the heat sensing portion to contact a part of the heating member.

Abstract: An image forming system, comprises an image forming section to form an image on a sheet; a fixing section to fix the image formed on the sheet; a sheet conveying passage to convey the fixed sheet; a humidifying roller arranged on the sheet passage and to humidify the sheet; a water supplying tank to feed water to the humidifying roller; an electric component; and a waterproofing member to protect the electric component from water.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member to bear an electrostatic latent image on the surface thereof, a transfer-fixing member disposed adjacent to the image baring member, including a transfer surface onto which the toner image is transferred from the image bearing member, a first pressure member to meet and press against the transfer-fixing member to form a nip therebetween, a heating member to heat a recording medium, provided upstream of the nip in a direction of transport of the recording medium, and a transport guide member to change a contact area of the recording medium and the heating member in accordance with a thickness or a resilience of the recording medium. When the recording medium passes the nip, the toner image is pressed and fixed on the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, a transfer unit, a pre-heating unit, a fixing unit, a first temperature sensor, and a first heat controller. The image carrying member carries a toner image. The transfer unit transfers the toner image carried on the image carrying member to a recording medium transported to a transfer position. The pre-heating unit selectively heats the recording medium before the recording medium is transported to the transfer position. The fixing unit fixes the toner image on the recording medium. The first temperature sensor detects temperature of the recording medium as the recording medium passes through the pre-heating unit. The first heat controller changes an amount of heat energy to be applied to the recording medium per unit area of the recording medium by the pre-heating unit. The first heat controller is controlled based on a detection result of the first temperature sensor.

Abstract: A printing system and method is provided. The printing system includes one or more printing system modules, at least one media sheet path interfacing the printing system modules, and a job scheduler for executing one or more printing system print jobs. The job scheduler routes a media sheet to one or more printing system modules for preshrinking or preenlarging without marking and subsequently routes the preshrunk or preenlarged media sheet to one or more printing system modules for marking. The method of printing includes generating a print job to be printed using one or more printing system modules. Print jobs requiring two or more printing system modules for marking are executed by routing a media sheet to one or more printing system modules for preshrinking or preenlarging without marking, and subsequently routing the preshrunk or preenlarged media sheet to the one or more printing modules for marking.

Abstract: Image transfer quality in an electrophotographic image forming device is improved by preconditioning a media sheet prior to transferring a toner image thereto at an image transfer station. The media sheet is preconditioned by applying a static charge to it. In a color DTM type device, the charge reduces the transfer voltages required at downstream image transfer stations to account for charge accumulated on the media sheet as a result of the image transfer process at upstream image transfer stations. The charge may be applied to the media sheet at a media sheet preconditioning element positioned upstream of an image transfer station. Alternatively, an initial charge may be applied to the media sheet at an image transfer station, without transferring a toner image to the sheet, and returning the sheet via a duplex path to positioned upstream of an image transfer station prior to an image transfer operation.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes: a tension applying unit that applies tension to a recording medium; an image carrier that holds a toner image; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image held by the image carrier to the recording medium while tension is applied to the recording medium; a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium; and a retreat unit that causes the recording medium to move away from the fixing unit while tension is not applied to the recording medium, wherein rotation of the image carrier is suspended after the toner image is transferred from the image carrier to the recording medium, and after the suspension of rotation of the image carrier, application of tension to the recording medium is suspended, and the recording medium is caused to move away from the fixing unit by the retreat unit.

Abstract: There is provided a technique in which a paper jam in a fixing unit can be prevented without adding a special part or the like, and without causing a damage of a pressure roller and distortion of an image due to adhesion of toner or paper powder to a peeling member. There are provided an image judgment part that judges whether an image is formed on a second surface as a back surface opposite to a first surface of a sheet on which an image is to be formed, and an image forming part that forms a specified image in the vicinity of a leading end of the first surface of the sheet in a sheet transport direction in a case where the image judgment part judges that the image is formed on the second surface.

Abstract: An image formation device having computer readable instructions that alleviate the necessity of the user to enter the correct page size into the image formation device. The computer readable instructions contain, among other things, a look-up table, or map, of known print media dimensions the image formation device is able to handle. The size of the media loaded into the image formation device is detected and assigned a value according to the look-up table, or map, of the computer readable instructions. The value is compared to the known types of media that are supportable by the printer. These types of media are grouped into predetermined categories according to their respective width dimensions. A determination of whether the image formation device performs a function is made based on the comparison of the converted value to the predetermined group of media.

Abstract: For a sheet paper used for forming a toner image or ink image, a surface layer that can be stripped is stacked on a plastic layer. A sliding member is caused to slide in contact with the plastic layer of the used sheet paper on which a toner image or ink image has been formed, and the toner image or ink image is stripped off the plastic layer together with the surface layer. A new surface layer is formed on the plastic layer to regenerate the sheet paper, and the sheet paper is thus made reusable.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing a toner image; a transfer device for transferring the toner image onto a sheet from the image bearing member; a fixing device for fixing on the sheet the toner image which has been transferred onto the sheet; a cleaning member arranged on a side of the transfer device with respect to the sheet to be transported from the transfer device to the fixing device, for removing a toner stain adhering to the sheet; a biasing device for biasing the sheet against a side of the cleaning member; and a controller for regulating a biasing force of the biasing device according to a type of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes: a conveyance unit that conveys a sheet along a sheet conveying path; a paper dust removal roller that is provided in the sheet conveying path to cover a range that is longer than a width of the sheet, the paper dust removal roller removing paper dust that is adhered to the sheet by rotating as the sheet is conveyed; a first dust removing member that contacts with a first portion of the paper dust removal roller where contacts with edges of the sheet, and removes paper dust that is adhered to a surface of the paper dust removal roller; and a second dust removing member that contacts with a second portion of the paper dust removal roller where contacts with a surface of the sheet, and remove paper dust that is adhered to the surface of the paper dust removal roller.

Abstract: A sheet carrying unit, includes: a first belt stretched by a plurality of rollers, the first belt carrying a sheet while putting the sheet on a surface of the first belt; a first driving roller that drives the first belt; a second belt stretched by a plurality of rollers, the second belt carrying the sheet while holding the sheet together with the first belt; and a second driving roller that drives the second belt; wherein a frictional force generated between the second driving roller and the second belt is set smaller than a frictional force generated between the first belt and the first driving roller, a frictional force generated between the first belt and the sheet, and a frictional force generated between the second belt and the sheet, respectively.

Abstract: A method and printing device positions a conductive film applicator adjacent a printing media transport within a printing device. The conductive film applicator is positioned between the printing media input and the marking station. As the printing media moves by the conductive film applicator, the conductive film applicator applies a conductive film to the printing media. After the conductive film has been applied to the printing media, the printing media is moved to the marking station and printing operations are performed on the printing media. After printing is complete, the printing media can be output from the printing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member; an image forming section to form a toner image on the image carrying member; a transferring section to transfer the toner image formed on the image carrying member to a sheet; a fixing section to fix the toner image onto the sheet; a sheet feeding section to feed a sheet to the transferring section; a sheet tray to store sheets to be fed by the sheet feeding section; a dehumidifying heater arranged to the sheet tray and to perform dehumidification for sheets; a waste toner box arranged to adjoin the sheet tray and to accommodate waste toner; and a partition member arranged between the sheet tray and the waste toner box and between the dehumidifying heater and the waste toner box.

Abstract: A method for reusing a recording medium forms an image on the recording medium by use of an image forming material, and removes the image forming material from the recording medium through thermal transfer by use of a peeling member. The recording medium is paper produced by applying a treatment liquid at a size pressing after paper making and then drying the treatment liquid. The treatment liquid includes a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer having an alkyl group with carbon atoms at its side chain as an image-repellant substance. The image forming material includes a thermoplastic resin, and the adhesive strength between the peeling member and the image forming material is higher than the adhesive strength between the recording medium and the image forming material.

Abstract: An image forming device has an image forming unit adapted to execute image formation on a recording medium, a writing unit adapted to be able to execute at least information writing in a non-contact manner to a non-contact IC chip added to the recording medium, and a control unit (i) capable of executing both a first mode of executing control so as to change an operation of the image formation by the image forming unit based on whether or not the information writing to the non-contact IC chip by the writing unit was correctly executed, and a second mode of executing control so as to cause the image forming unit to execute the image formation to the recording medium to which the non-contact IC chip has been added, irrespective of whether or not the information writing to the non-contact IC chip by the writing unit was correctly executed, and (ii) adapted to selectively execute one of the first mode and the second mode.

Abstract: A sheet moisturizing device, including a moisturizing section which applies water on a sheet carrying a formed image and moisturizes the sheet, a switching section which switches whether a moisturizing process is to be conducted onto the sheet by the moisturizing section or not, and a control section which controls the switching section based on image information carried on the sheet.

Abstract: Image transfer quality in an electrophotographic image forming device is improved by preconditioning a media sheet prior to transferring a toner image thereto at an image transfer station. The media sheet is preconditioned by applying a static charge to it. In a color DTM type device, the charge reduces the transfer voltages required at downstream image transfer stations to account for charge accumulated on the media sheet as a result of the image transfer process at upstream image transfer stations. The charge may be applied to the media sheet at a media sheet preconditioning element positioned upstream of an image transfer station. Alternatively, an initial charge may be applied to the media sheet at an image transfer station, without transferring a toner image to the sheet, and returning the sheet via a duplex path to positioned upstream of an image transfer station prior to an image transfer operation.

Abstract: A recording material charging apparatus comprises: a pre-transcription charging section arranged between a transcribing section that transcribes a toner image retained by a toner image retaining body on a recording material having concavity and convexity and a conveying section that conveys the recording material to the transcribing section and is arranged closest to the transcribing section, the pre-transcription charging section charging the recording material that is to be conveyed to the transcribing section; and a voltage supplying section that supplies voltage of a polarity opposite to a charging polarity of the toner image retained in the toner image retaining body to the pre-transcription charging section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an image forming device for forming an image on a recording material, a fixing member for fixing the image formed on the recording material in a fixing nip, and a pressure member brought into pressure contact with the fixing member to form the fixing nip, the hardness of the pressure member being smaller than the hardness of the fixing member, wherein the image forming apparatus is operable in a mode for inserting the recording material into the fixing nip so that the image forming surface of the recording material is brought into contact with the pressure member, and subjecting the recording material to a preheating process, and then forming the image.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic printer or copier, toner images of images to be printed onto a printing substrate are generated and fixed, causing sliding characteristics to be worsened. In order to remedy this problem, a moistening device is provided that applies on the printing substrate a moistening agent made from a moistening fluid and a lubricant dissolved therein. Two problems are thus solved: the printing substrate is moistened and simultaneously lubricated.

Abstract: There is provided a book binding apparatus including: a stacking portion that stacks sheets thereon; and a folding portion that folds the sheets stacked on the stacking portion; wherein there are provided a humidifying portion that humidifies the portion to be made into the folded portion of the sheet before being folded by the folding portion for each sheet to be stacked on the stacking portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of forming an image on any of an image-erasable recording medium having recording-medium identification information and a recording medium and is capable performing image formation according to a first mode for forming an erasable image and according to a second mode for forming an inerasable image arbitrarily. The apparatus includes an image-forming unit, a detecting unit, and a control unit, feeds the image-erasable recording medium to the image-forming unit and allows the same to carry out image formation according to the first image-forming mode, when the first image-forming mode is selected, the detecting unit detects a recording medium having the recording medium-identification information, and the mode-control unit determines that image formation on an image-erasable recording medium can be carried out and does not prohibit image formation according to the first image-forming mode.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus has an image bearing member for bearing a toner, a transfer device which forms a transfer area in cooperation with the image bearing member for transferring the toner on the image bearing member onto a recording material, a charge elimination device which is opposed to the recording material at an upstream side of the transfer area in a conveying direction of the recording material thereby eliminating a charge on the recording material, and a control device which controls the recording material so as to form a loop in a position opposed to the charge elimination device, wherein the recording material forms a loop by the control device thereby approaching to the charge elimination device.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus including a stacking portion for stacking a plurality of sheets thereon, a sheet feeding portion for feeding the sheets stacked on the stacking portion, a fan for sending air to the sheets to loosen the sheets stacked on the stacking portion, a heater for warming the air sent by the fan, a temperature detecting portion for detecting the temperature of the heater, and a control portion for starting the driving of the fan in conformity with the temperature detecting portion having detected a predetermined temperature after temperature control for adjusting the heater to a target temperature has been started.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic printer or copier, toner images of images to be printed onto a printing substrate are generated and fixed, causing sliding characteristics to be worsened. In order to remedy this problem, a moistening device is provided that applies on the printing substrate a moistening agent made from a moistening fluid and a lubricant dissolved therein. Two problems are thus solved: the printing substrate is moistened and simultaneously lubricated.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus is provided with a sheet stacking device for stacking sheets thereon, a sheet feeding device for feeding the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device, and a heating device for heating the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device. The heating device is designed such that of the heat generating areas of the heating device, the heating value of the heat generating area for the central portion of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device is greater than the heating values of the other heat generating areas.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a forming unit configured to form a latent electrostatic image on a latent electrostatic image bearing member based on a digital image; a developing unit configured to develop the latent electrostatic image with a toner to form a visible image; a transferring unit configured to transfer the visible image to one of an electrophotographic image receiving roll and an electrophotographic image receiving sheet; and a smoothing and fixing unit configured to smooth and fix the transferred image on one of the electrophotographic image receiving roll and the electrophotographic image receiving sheet to thereby form a series of electrophotographic prints and an electrophotographic print. In the apparatus, the hardware including the media, printer and unit for aftertreatment optimally matches with the toner, and the apparatus can produce high-quality images equal to silver-halide photographs.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, such as a printer, having a frame member, wherein there is provided, inside the frame member and on the upstream side of a sheet discharging portion with respect to the sheet conveying direction, a buffering device equipped with a rotary member capable of forward and reverse rotation, and wherein there are formed, along the peripheral surface of the rotary member, a buffering path for causing sheets to stay temporarily, a part of a sheet processing path for conveying sheets to a sheet processing apparatus, and a part of a re-conveying path for re-conveying sheets to an image forming portion.

Abstract: A sheet storage cassette includes: a case provided with a storage portion; a stacking plate on which a sheet is placed; and a lifting unit that lifts the stacking plate. The lifting unit has: a driving gear that communicates with an output gear of the device main body in a state where the sheet storage cassette is received in the device main body, is rotated by driving force transmitted from the output gear, and is provided with an engaged part; a swing portion that has an engaging part engaged with the engaged part, and lifts the stacking plate by a rotation of the driving gear; and a reverse rotation allowing unit that allows the driving gear to rotate in an opposite direction to a direction of lifting the stacking plate when inserting the sheet storage cassette into the device main body.

Abstract: An imaging device, such as a printer, scanner, copier, multifunctional printer, and the like includes a sensor to detect the size of media fed into the imaging device. The detected media size can be set as the default media size for further operations, if desired.