Abstract: A document reader has a main conveying path, an auxiliary conveying path, a pickup roller, a first conveying roller, and a second conveying roller. The auxiliary conveying path runs between a first connection point and a second connection point on the main conveying path. The cylindrical surface of the first conveying roller is located partially on the main conveying path and partially on the auxiliary conveying path. While the first conveying roller is under the forward or reverse control, it rotates normally. The cylindrical surface of the second conveying roller is located partially on the main conveying path between the second connection point and a discharge position. A controller switches from the forward control selected during this mode to the reverse control, while a document being conveyed along the main conveying path is out of contact with the first conveying roller.

Abstract: A sheet transportation control method and an image forming apparatus are provided with which it is possible to prevent, by changing a set time, frequent detection of abnormal transportation. In an image forming apparatus 10 in which a paper jam (abnormal transportation) is detected based on the timing of detection of a sheet on which an image will be formed by each one of sheet sensors disposed along a transportation path along which said sheet is transported and based on a jam detection time (set time) stored in advance within a flash memory (storage part) 26 and paper transportation and image formation is stopped upon detection of a paper jam, when it is determined to change the jam detection time, a post-change jam detection time is determined and the jam detection time stored in the flash memory 26 is changed to thus determined jam detection time.

Abstract: When a request for a change in output information and output order of, or cancellation of an output process of, image data obtained from computers 3 is made by a user, a print server apparatus 1 notifies other users of requested change content and obtains from each user an instruction indicating whether to permit a change process based on the notified change content or not. With this image processing apparatus, when a plurality of users make requests for output processes of respective image data and a change in output order of each image data or the like is requested, other users can confirm the change content and get to other work appropriately so as to enhance the work efficiency.

Abstract: An abnormality detecting method and an image processing method for an image processor is provided. The image processor can easily detect an abnormal rotation of a photosensitive drum without having a special detecting means but using an existing sensor, and keeps image data until a normal toner image is transferred and fine printing is carried out. The image processor forms a toner image corresponding to image data on a plurality of photosensitive drums, and detects the position of the toner image at a given part on a transfer object, to which given part the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred, to detect a rotation failure of the photosensitive drum. When a rotation failure is detected, the image processor keeps input image data without deleting even after the end of image formation.

Abstract: An inkjet print device prints by reciprocally moving a carriage (15) in a main scan direction while controlling ink ejection from a print head (17) according to information on the position of the carriage (15) both in a forward movement and in a return movement. An encoder (22), a first U/D counter (29), a second U/D counter (30), a timer (31), and an interval timer (32) senses the position of the carriage (15). The encoder (22), the first U/D counter (29), and the timer (31) senses the speed of the carriage (15). A TBL memory (33) is used in determining a positional correction quantity at a sensed carriage speed from a positional correction quantity at a predetermined carriage speed. A head control section (26) controls ink ejection from the print head (17) based on the carriage position and the positional correction quantity.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a plurality of image data acquisition units for respectively acquiring one or more page(s) of image data; a color or monochrome determining unit for determining whether each of the acquired pages is in color or in monochrome; an image forming unit for performing image formation of each page switchably using a monochrome-only image forming function for a monochrome page or a color and monochrome image forming function for a color page and a monochrome page; an image data switching unit for sequentially selecting and arranging the acquired pages of image data one by one so that the image formation of each page is performed in the order of selection; a function selecting unit for selecting either one of the monochrome-only and color and monochrome image forming functions for each of the arranged pages on the basis of the determination result made by the color or monochrome determining unit; and a control unit for controlling the image forming unit so that image formation of

Abstract: A sheet transportation control method and an image forming apparatus are provided with which it is possible to prevent, by changing a set time, frequent detection of abnormal transportation. In an image forming apparatus 10 in which a paper jam (abnormal transportation) is detected based on the timing of detection of a sheet on which an image will be formed by each one of sheet sensors disposed along a transportation path along which said sheet is transported and based on a jam detection time (set time) stored in advance within a flash memory (storage part) 26 and paper transportation and image formation is stopped upon detection of a paper jam, when it is determined to change the jam detection time, a post-change jam detection time is determined and the jam detection time stored in the flash memory 26 is changed to thus determined jam detection time.

Abstract: An engine controller controls a plurality of devices in an image forming engine. The engine controller includes a communication interface to perform data communication with the main body controller, and a storage section for storing information. The storage section stores a character string-bit order lookup table, in which the order of arranged data for part of or all of a plurality of bit information items regarding a plurality of devices is associated with a plurality of character strings identifying the bit information items. A character string obtaining section sends out data with the character strings arranged in accordance with the arranged order, via a communication interface to the main body controller.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus, supplied from a commercial power supply and including a fuel cell, comprising: a fuel producing device for the fuel cell, in which the fuel producing device produces fuel for the fuel cell making use of the commercial power supply. This image forming apparatus needs little consumption of energy during periods of standby and does not need refueling even though it includes a fuel cell. Further, efficient use of commercial power supply makes it possible to shorten the time for temperature rise of the fixing unit without the necessity of increasing the wattage of the commercial power supply and avoid insufficient power supply even upon high-speed high-volume printing.

Abstract: An inkjet print device prints by reciprocally moving a carriage (15) in a main scan direction while controlling ink ejection from a print head (17) according to information on the position of the carriage (15) both in a forward movement and in a return movement. An encoder (22), a first U/D counter (29), a second U/D counter (30), a timer (31), and an interval timer (32) senses the position of the carriage (15). The encoder (22), the first U/D counter (29), and the timer (31) senses the speed of the carriage (15). A TBL memory (33) is used in determining a positional correction quantity at a sensed carriage speed from a positional correction quantity at a predetermined carriage speed. A head control section (26) controls ink ejection from the print head (17) based on the carriage position and the positional correction quantity.

Abstract: When a request for a change in output information and output order of, or cancellation of an output process of, image data obtained from computers 3 is made by a user, a print server apparatus 1 notifies other users of requested change content and obtains from each user an instruction indicating whether to permit a change process based on the notified change content or not. With this image processing apparatus, when a plurality of users make requests for output processes of respective image data and a change in output order of each image data or the like is requested, other users can confirm the change content and get to other work appropriately so as to enhance the work efficiency.

Abstract: In a conveyance path made up of guide plates which guide a copy sheet to a transfer region between a photoreceptor and an opposing transfer device and a second guide plate for conveying the copy sheet to a fixing rollers, the guide plates and the fixing rollers including a pre-fixing guide, which all will be in contact with copy sheets, are grounded via a common resistor having a high resistance. An adjuster resistor is interposed in series between the common resistor and the guide plates positioned before transfer which are closer from the transfer region compared to the fixing rollers. When a copy sheet resides across the transfer region with both sides in contact with the guide plates and fixing rollers or with one side in contact, the total current that flows during a transfer operation is practically determined by the common resistor which has a high resistance.

Abstract: An electrographic copying machine has a photoreceptor drum which moves so that a photosensitive layer on its surface is successively charged, exposed, developed and charge-removed. The photosensitive layer is made of an amorphous material. The drum surface is charged by a charger before a latent image is formed thereon through exposure. A voltage generator is provided which supplies the charger with a voltage to charge the drum surface. It takes time for the potential of the charged drum surface at the developing section to reach a predetermined potential from a potential higher than the predetermined potential due to a rise characteristic of the surface potential. A controller is provided which corrects an output voltage value of the voltage generator to a voltage value necessary for the drum surface to be charged at the predetermined potential in a predetermined number of charging operations performed until the surface potential reaches the predetermined potential.

Abstract: In a copying processing performed several times from the depression of a copy button of a copying machine until the surface potential of the photoreceptor drum is stabilized, a voltage sufficiently high for correcting the rise characteristic of the photosensitive layer on the drum surface is applied to a charger. A main circuit having a controlling portion to realize this corrects the output voltage of the high-voltage generating circuit which applies a high voltage to the charger to a voltage value necessary for the drum surface to be charged at a stable potential level. The main circuit charges the drum surface at the stable potential level necessary for development from copying of the first sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a high voltage transformer provided with one common secondary winding for supplying a high voltage power to a main charger and to a transferring charger, a resistor for sensing a shield current of the transferring charger, an error detecting amplifier for controlling a primary side of the high voltage transformer so that the sensed shield current is constant; a constant voltage device connected to a grid of the main charger for constant-voltage controlling the main charger, and a resistor inserted in a current path to the transferring charger for setting a current supplied from the high voltage transformer to the main charger to be greater than a current supplied from the high voltage transformer to the transferring charger.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a charge removing device for removing the residual charge on a photosensitive film. The light emitted from an optical source of the charge removing device is selected from the range between the wavelengths which correspond to half of the maximum absorbance in a light absorbance characteristic of the photosensitive film. Since carrier generation does not occur by the light emitted by the charge removing device, the charging ability and the charge retaining ability of the photosensitive film are improved, and the image quality is significantly improved.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum driver for rotating a photosensitive drum at either a normal speed or a higher speed, a charger, a charge remover for removing residual charges on the photosensitive drum surface after a toner image is transferred, a starter for instructing a start of image forming operation, and a controller responsive to the starter for controlling the operative parts. Upon the starter being turned on, the controller drives the charger and the charge remover, and permits the photosensitive drum driver to rotate the photosensitive drum at the higher speed, and suspends the image formation, After the photosensitive drum completes the initial one turn, the controller starts the image formation and permits the photosensitive drum driver to rotate the photosensitive drum at the normal speed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum rotatable, a developer disposed near the photosensitive drum for developing an electrostatic latent image into a toner image, a transfer disposed on a downstream of the developer for transferring the toner image onto copy paper, and a pre-transfer charger disposed between the developer and the transfer for charging the photosensitive drum at a specified level to assure a smooth transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum to the copy paper, the charger including a casing formed with a guide portion for guiding the copy paper to the transfer.

Abstract: For a pre-transfer charging device provided in image processing apparatus for a xerographic image reproducing machine, a bipartite shield is provided, having a shield upper case mounted in an imaging apparatus first frame, and a shield lower case mounted in an imaging apparatus second frame fitted with a guide at least partially defining a sheet conveyance path into an imaging unit of the imaging apparatus. The imaging unit includes a chargeable photoconductor drum and is mounted in the first frame, which is pivotally joined to the second frame. A bottom exterior surface of the shield lower case serves as a guide partially defining a terminal portion of the sheet conveyance path. A discharge wire is fitted in the shield upper case, extending axially within the pre-transfer charging device, and therein is movable integrally with the shield upper case. During maintenance on the imaging apparatus, the first frame is opened off of the second frame.

Abstract: An image density control device is for use in an image forming apparatus having an exposure lamp for emitting light to illuminate a document, a photoreceptor for receiving light reflected from the document to produce an electrostatic latent image, and a charger for charging the photoreceptor. The image density control device includes a detector for detecting the density of the document, a light emission amount controller responsive to the detector for holding an amount of light emitted from the exposure lamp at a predetermined fixed value when the document density lies in a predetermined range, and surface potential controller responsive to the detector means for controlling the charger to change the surface potential of the photoreceptor in accordance with a change in the document density when the document density lies in the predetermined range.