Abstract: In a control method of sheet-feeding in an image forming apparatus in which a sheet is fed to an image forming section of the image forming apparatus having a finisher which receives the sheet on which the image is formed and finishes the sheet, the control method comprises the steps of: conducting a continuous image forming process that makes plural sets of sheets each on the image which the image has been formed; and controlling a starting of a sheet-feeder which feeds a first sheet of a set of sheets to the image forming section, according to a logical product of a condition on the continuous image forming process in the image forming apparatus and a condition of an operating process in the finisher.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording sheet whose area is larger than that of a predetermined size-fixed recording sheet, comprises an image forming member for forming an image on the recording sheet; a sheet feeder to feed the recording sheet to the image forming member; a controller to control the image forming member so as to form an image on the recording sheet such that a first central point of the recording sheet defined in terms of a main scanning direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording sheet feeder is placed on a first center line of the image, wherein the first center line is perpendicular to the main direction, and one side of the image is parallel to one side of the recording sheet.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an image-forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, an area of which is wider than that of a standard fixed-form size having a predetermined fixed-form size, based on an original image recorded on a document.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an image forming apparatus, wherein workability in forming images on recording materials in various types and sizes has been improved. The image forming apparatus includes a storing member for storing recording materials having an arbitrary size; a first input device for inputting size information corresponding to the arbitrary size of the recording materials; and a controller for controlling an image forming operation according to the size information inputted by the first input device. The size information includes regular size information and non-regular size information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of storing units for storing respective recording materials of various sizes; a plurality of feeding members for feeding out the recording materials from each of the storing units; a conveyance path along which the recording materials being fed out by each of the feeding members are conveyed; a plurality of conveying members for conveying the recording materials along the conveyance path; an image forming section for forming an image on the recording materials conveyed along the conveyance path; and a plurality of first regulators provided at respective predetermined positions with respect to corresponding ones of each of the storing units for regulating at least a maximum size of the various sizes of the recording materials while at least at a part of each of the recording materials is fed out from the respective corresponding storing units.

Abstract: A counting device for counting a number of image forming operations of an image forming apparatus. The counting device includes a registering device for registering a plurality of identification codes and a comparing device for comparing an identification code stored in a portable memory card with the plurality of identification codes registered in the registering device. A first memory counter counts a number of image forming operations of the image forming apparatus when the comparing device matches the identification code stored in the portable memory card with at least one of the plurality of identification codes registered in the registering device. A second memory counter counts a number of image forming operations of the image forming apparatus when the comparing device does not match the identification code stored in the portable memory card with any of the plurality of identification codes registered in the registering device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an inner memory, first checking means, second checking means, a mode selector, judging means and a portable memory. The portable memory is adapted to be connected to the main body of the apparatus and memorizes a portable memory identification number to identify the same portable memory and a plurality of usable apparatus numbers to represent usable image forming apparatuses which become usable by the connection of the same portable memory. The inner memory memorizes an apparatus identification number to identify the image forming apparatus and a plurality of acceptable portable memory numbers to represent portable memories acceptable for the same image forming apparatus. The first checking means checks if the apparatus identification number coincides with any of the usable apparatus numbers, and the second checking means checks if, the portable identification number coincides with any of the acceptable portable memory numbers.

Abstract: A braking system for image forming apparatus returns an optical scan system in the image forming apparatus to a preselected home position after each scan of a document placed on a platen, within a predetermined period of time. Various factors including temperature, the number of copies of the document previously made, can change the operating performance of the braking system so that it does not return the optical scan system to the home position within the predetermined period. Detectors are provided to detect and sense the factors which will change the operating performance of the braking system. Brake control apparatus is responsive to the detectors and controls the braking system to return the optical scan system to its home position within the preselected period of time to thereby maintain the efficiency of the braking system even as the factors such as temperature, and number of copies previously made changes during operation of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A fail-safe apparatus for an image forming apparatus includes a central processing unit (CPU), a drive section or load, a disconnecting circuit, and a watchdog circuit. The CPU controls an image forming sequence. The drive section or load is controlled by the CPU through an input-output controller. The disconcerting circuit disconnects power supply to the drive section or load upon reception of a trigger signal. The watchdog circuit monitors an operation of the CPU so as to output a reset signal to the CPU and the input-output controller upon detection of an operation abnormality, and to output the trigger signal to the disconnecting circuit.

Abstract: A power source unit for an image recording apparatus having a CPU which controls an operation sequence of a load, includes a current sensor and a relay. The current sensor senses a load current. The relay is connected to a supply path to the load. The relay is operated to interrupt the supply path to the load when the CPU determines that the load current sensed by the current sensor exceeds a current limit value which is determined in advance for every operation cycle of the unit.

Abstract: A circuit board for mounting a CPU for controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising a multilayered circuit board for mounting the CPU, and a shield layer for shielding the multilayered circuit board without connecting the shield layer to the circuits of the board. The circuits of the multilayered circuit board are produced by a printing or an electrolytic plating method or an electroless plating method.