Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a top panel member that is arranged on an operator stand side of a main body of the image forming apparatus, that includes a recess having a bottom surface located below a level of a top surface of the top panel member, and that allows an authentication device configured to read information stored in an information recording medium to be mounted on the bottom surface of the recess; and a detachable cover that includes a protruding part, the protruding part protruding upward and defining, together with the recess, a space for housing the authentication device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first light-emitting unit, a second light-emitting unit, and a remaining-recording-medium detector. The first light-emitting unit is arranged on an outer surface of a recording medium setting unit on which recording media are set, and emits light while the recording media are being conveyed from the recording medium setting unit. The second light-emitting unit is arranged on or near an operating member that is to be operated when a recording medium jammed in a main body of the image forming apparatus is removed. The remaining-recording-medium detector detects presence or absence of a recording medium remaining in the main body of the image forming apparatus. The second light-emitting unit emits light when the operating member needs to be operated, based on a result of detection by the remaining-recording-medium detector. The first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit emit light in different manners.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an insertion entrance through which a toner container is inserted, and an entrance peripheral wall surrounding the insertion entrance and including an upper wall and a projecting bottom wall projecting beyond the upper wall to an upstream side in an insertion direction in which the toner container is inserted. The toner container includes a toner outlet in a substantially center portion of a bottom of the toner container in a width direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and a shutter to open and close the toner outlet. A recess recessed in the insertion direction is provided in a center portion of the projecting bottom wall in the width direction, and the recess in the projecting bottom wall is longer than the shutter in the width direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a top panel member that is arranged on an operator stand side of a main body of the image forming apparatus, that includes a recess having a bottom surface located below a level of a top surface of the top panel member, and that allows an authentication device configured to read information stored in an information recording medium to be mounted on the bottom surface of the recess; and a detachable cover that includes a protruding part, the protruding part protruding upward and defining, together with the recess, a space for housing the authentication device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an operating member operated by an operator to give an instruction on operation; a top exterior member that is formed with a holding recess in which the operating member is arranged; a first mounting part provided on the holding recess, on which the operating member is mounted in a first posture in which the operating member is inclined by a first inclination angle with respect to the top exterior member; and a second mounting part provided in the holding recess, on which the operating member is mounted in a second posture in which the operating member is inclined by a second inclination angle different from the first inclination angle with respect to the top exterior member. The operating member is configured to be selectively mounted either on the first mounting part or on the second mounting part with use of a mounting member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording medium storage unit that stores therein a recording medium; an image forming unit that is arranged above the recording medium storage unit and that forms an image on the recording medium transferred from the recording medium storage unit; a storage-unit exterior member that covers a front side of the recording medium storage unit; an image-forming-unit exterior member that covers a front side of the image forming unit and that protrudes forward relative to the storage-unit exterior member; and a fresh air supply path that is arranged on a back side of the image-forming-unit exterior member, through which fresh air introduced from outside the image forming apparatus flows.

Abstract: An operating section structure positioned forward of a document scanning unit. The operating section structure includes: an image display surface; and an authentication device placement surface for mounting a detachable authentication device at an angle different from the image display surface.

Abstract: An operating section structure positioned forward of a document scanning unit. The operating section structure includes: an image display surface; and an authentication device placement surface for mounting a detachable authentication device at an angle different from the image display surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to an information processing apparatus that includes a judging unit that judges a usage state of the information processing apparatus; a deciding unit that decides, according to the usage state, a position at which a display element on a display screen on a display unit is to be arranged in either a normal position or an inverted position on the display screen; and a display control unit that controls for arranging the display element in a determined position and for displaying the display element in the determined position on the display screen.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a substantially flat top face and a slanted front face, the bottom side of which recedes backward. The image forming apparatus may includes a paper discharge tray disposed at a lower portion of the slanted front face, the paper discharge tray protruding forward. The paper discharge tray may be tiltable upward and downward. Because the bottom side of the slanted front face recedes backward, the flat top face can be provided, and simultaneously, enough space for the feeding and discharging of paper can be secured.

Abstract: The toner bottle exchangeably used in an image forming apparatus. The toner bottle includes a bottle body having a substantially cylindrical shape and configured to contain toner, a gear configured to rotate a part of the toner bottle, a cap attached to the bottle body and including an opening arranged in a circumferential surface of the cap and configured to output toner to a development apparatus of the image forming apparatus, a toner conveyance mechanism arranged in the bottle body and configured to convey the toner to the opening.

Abstract: An image reading system includable in an image forming apparatus includes a document feed tray to contain original documents including either or both of a non-electronic recording medium and an electronic paper that includes a memory and a first communication element, a primary sensor to read the electronic data from the memory of each electronic paper before transfer of the original documents starts, a secondary sensor to sequentially detect the original documents during the transfer thereof and determine a media type of each original document, a transfer unit to transfer the non-electronic recording medium to a scanning position, a transfer controller to control the transfer unit based on the determination result of the secondary sensor, and an optical image reader to optically read an image formed on each non-electronic recording medium at the scanning position.

Abstract: The toner bottle exchangeably used in an image forming apparatus. The toner bottle includes a bottle body having a substantially cylindrical shape and configured to contain toner, a gear configured to rotate a part of the toner bottle, a cap attached to the bottle body and including an opening arranged in a circumferential surface of the cap and configured to output toner to a development apparatus of the image forming apparatus, a toner conveyance mechanism arranged in the bottle body and configured to convey the toner to the opening.

Abstract: A toner container detachably attached to a toner-container holder of a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a container body that includes an opening, and discharges toner contained in the container body, from the opening; and a held portion that is held by the toner-container holder in a non-rotating manner. The held portion includes an open/close member for opening/closing the toner outlet in synchronization with an attachment/detachment operation of the held portion to/from the toner-container holder.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a substantially flat top face and a slanted front face, the bottom side of which recedes backward. The image forming apparatus may includes a paper discharge tray disposed at a lower portion of the slanted front face, the paper discharge tray protruding forward. The paper discharge tray may be tiltable upward and downward. Because the bottom side of the slanted front face recedes backward, the flat top face can be provided, and simultaneously, enough space for the feeding and discharging of paper can be secured.

Abstract: A toner container includes a longitudinal container body and a held portion. The longitudinal container body has a first end and a second end distal to the first end in a length direction of the container body. The container body includes a gear configured to engage with a drive gear provided in the main body. The held portion is attached to the first end of the container body and configured to be detachably attached to the toner-container holder. The held portion includes a toner outlet, is configured to be held by the toner-container holder in non-rotating manner, and is biased downwardly by a force applied from the drive gear to the gear when the drive gear rotates.

Abstract: A copier includes an ADF that transports electronic paper and a paper medium to a read position. The ADF includes a medium type detector, a controller, a communication reader, and an optical reader. The medium type detector discriminates between electronic paper and a paper medium. The controller controls transport of electronic paper and a paper medium. The communication reader reads electronic data stored in the electronic paper at the read position. The optical reader optically reads an image on a paper medium at the read position to obtain electronic data.

Abstract: The toner bottle exchangeably used in an image forming apparatus. The toner bottle includes a bottle body having a substantially cylindrical shape and configured to contain toner, a gear configured to rotate a part of the toner bottle, a cap attached to the bottle body and including an opening arranged in a circumferential surface of the cap and configured to output toner to a development apparatus of the image forming apparatus, a toner conveyance mechanism arranged in the bottle body and configured to convey the toner to the opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a substantially flat top face and a slanted front face, the bottom side of which recedes backward. The image forming apparatus may includes a paper discharge tray disposed at a lower portion of the slanted front face, the paper discharge tray protruding forward. The paper discharge tray may be tiltable upward and downward. Because the bottom side of the slanted front face recedes backward, the flat top face can be provided, and simultaneously, enough space for the feeding and discharging of paper can be secured.