Abstract: An image-forming system is composed of an image-forming apparatus body, a folding device, a bookbinding device, and a finisher, which are connected to the image-forming apparatus body. In the image-forming system, in order to support maintenance, an available period of time for maintenance for each processing module (a unit or a device sectionalized in a processing functional unit) is calculated based on contents of a job presently in execution and contents of registered jobs so as to display the available period of time for maintenance of the calculated processing module on an operation display.

Abstract: An image forming system that makes it possible to open or remove an external cover of an apparatus to perform maintenance on the apparatus even while the system is operating. Out of a plurality of conveying paths, at least one conveying path for which at least one part related to the conveying path can be subjected to maintenance is determined, in accordance with a type of the image forming process being executed. The conveying path for which it has been determined that the part related to the conveying path can be subjected to maintenance is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image formation apparatus to which a postprocess unit requiring a discharge condition that a transfer member of which image formation face is being turned downward is discharged and a binding position at a time of binding the member at its trailing edge is being at the left of the image formation face can be installed. On a platen glass, an original is carried in such a state as its read face is opposite to an upper face of the glass, and an image on the read face of the original is read by a scanner supported at a running read position when the original passes the running read position. Then, through a mirror image process, it is formed on an image formation face (upper face) of a sheet the read image of whcih direction is the same as that of the set original. When the image-formed sheet is discharged externally by the reverse sheet discharge control, the sheet is discharged in such a state as its face is being turned downward.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of improving operability while suppressing an increase in apparatus size. In a front cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a front cover is inserted into a bundle of sheets on which images have been formed, and in a rear cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a rear cover is inserted into the bundle of sheets. Insertion sheets for the front cover and insertion sheets for the rear cover are set with the same orientation in a manual feed tray 105. An insertion sheet for the front cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to a finisher 500 in one of a face-down state and a face-up state. An insertion sheet for the rear cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to the finisher 500 in the other of the face-down state and the face-up state. The insertion sheets for the front cover and for the rear cover conveyed from the manual feed tray 105 and the sheets on which images have been formed are stacked on the finisher 500.

Abstract: Sheet thickness data obtained from the output of a sheet thickness detecting sensor are calculated to thereby calculate a sheet bundle thickness. When the sheet bundle thickness reaches a predetermined value, other aftertreatment differing from a set aftertreatment is executed.

Abstract: A printing system for processing a print job transmitted from a terminal to a printer by the printer, includes a display which can display information associated with the print job, and a controller which switches in accordance with a demanding party of the information associated with the print job whether all pieces of information associated with the print job are displayed on the display or some pieces of information associated with the print job are limited upon display on the display.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which makes it possible to carry out maintenance on a sheet processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus, by opening a cover even during operation of an image forming system comprised of the image forming apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus without detaching the sheet processing apparatus from the image forming system and moving the same and initializing the system. Settings as to post-processing on sheets are made through the operation of an operation and display unit. When any of the covers is opened, a CPU determines whether image formation and sheet conveyance are to be stopped or continued according to the settings. A controller provides control according to the result of the determination.

Abstract: To maintain high productivity and performing high-grade processes while minimizing deviation of a sheet process position in a direction at a right angle to a sheet conveying direction whatever types of sheets are to be processed, timing for starting detection of an end position of each of the sheets is controlled so as to execute the detection of the end position of each of the sheets at a vicinity of a sheet processing position on the sheet at which a sheet process is executed.

Abstract: To maintain high productivity and performing high-grade processes while minimizing deviation of a sheet process position in a direction at a right angle to a sheet conveying direction whatever types of sheets are to be processed, timing for starting detection of an end position of each of the sheets is controlled so as to execute the detection of the end position of each of the sheets at a vicinity of a sheet processing position on the sheet at which a sheet process is executed.

Abstract: The proposed apparatus is designed for being capable of recovering even when the overlapped transport of insert sheets has occurred without stopping the apparatus, thereby providing an improved utility to the users. The apparatus includes a first sheet feeder for sequentially separating blank sheets into individual sheet, an image forming device for forming images on the blank sheets, a transport device for waiting the blank sheet to be supplied to the image forming apparatus at predetermined time, a second sheet feeder for sequentially separating the insert sheets into individual sheet, an overlapped transport detecting device for determining whether or not the insert sheets have been transported in overlapped condition, and a controller for discharging all the insert sheets of a set involved in the overlapped transport onto a predetermined place, finding the first insert sheet of a next set of insert sheets, and discontinuing the drive of the transport device.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of accurately superimposing or aligning sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus during buffering even when the space intervals between the sheets are reduced. A sheet processing apparatus sequentially receives sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus and carries out post-processing on the sheets. During execution of the post-processing on the sheets, a plurality of sheets are discharged successively from the image forming apparatus and superimposed one upon another around a buffer roller. The conveying speed of the sheets is controlled such that a conveying time period over which a sheet preceding a final one of the sheets to be superimposed one upon another around the buffer roller is conveyed over a predetermined path section is shorter than a conveying time period over which the final one is conveyed over the predetermined path section.

Abstract: A sheet-thickness detector device has a sheet guide with a sheet-guide surface for guiding a sheet between a magnetic field sensor and a magnetic guide element. The magnetic field sensor, having an approach-guide plane disposed upstream in a sheet conveying direction for guiding the sheet to a detection surface, comes into direct contact with the sheet. By the structure mentioned above, the thickness of a sheet is detected so as to determine sheet double feeding and the like without producing sheet jamming.

Abstract: An image-forming system is composed of an image-forming apparatus body, a folding device, a bookbinding device, and a finisher, which are connected to the image-forming apparatus body. In the image-forming system, in order to support maintenance, an available period of time for maintenance for each processing module (a unit or a device sectionalized in a processing functional unit) is calculated based on contents of a job presently in execution and contents of registered jobs so as to display the available period of time for maintenance of the calculated processing module on an operation display.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus has a sheet conveyor and sheet processing unit for performing a predetermined process to the sheet conveyed by that sheet conveyor. A sheet discharger discharges the processed sheet to a stacking unit, the unit having a cover which may be opened or closed and which includes a detector for detecting whether or not the cover is opened and closed, and a controller will immediately stop, in a case where the discharge process to the sheet that is performed by the discharge unit, driving of the sheet discharge unit and sheet conveyor when it is detected that the cover is opened and for continuing, in a case where the discharge process to the sheet is not performed by the sheet discharge unit, the driving of the sheet conveyor in spite of the detection that the cover is open.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a sheet processing unit for feeding a cover sheet and a folder for folding the cover sheet with a bundle of recording sheets. The sheet processing unit has a cover sheet feeder for feeding a cover sheet facing upward toward an image forming unit, a reversing unit for reversing the cover sheet so that the cover sheet faces downward, and a conveyor for conveying the reversed cover sheet to the folder in a switchback manner so that the front face of the cover sheet faces the folding roller pair. The folder has a thrusting member for thrusting the bundle of sheets toward the folding roller pair and discharging the folded bundle to a discharge tray.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which makes it possible to carry out maintenance on a sheet processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus, by opening a cover even during operation of an image forming system comprised of the image forming apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus without detaching the sheet processing apparatus from the image forming system and moving the same and initializing the system. Settings as to post-processing on sheets are made through the operation of an operation and display unit. When any of the covers is opened, a CPU determines whether image formation and sheet conveyance are to be stopped or continued according to the settings. A controller provides control according to the result of the determination.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming system that are capable of preventing a user or operator from forgetting to carry out a maintenance operation based on required sub-maintenance items after execution of a maintenance operation based on an associated maintenance item, such as component replacement, cleaning, or adjustment. A table of maintenance items and sub-maintenance items associated with respective ones of the maintenance items is stored in a ROM. When a CPU determines that a maintenance operation based on a selected one of the maintenance items has been completed, the CPU determines whether or not there is any sub-maintenance item associated with the selected maintenance item, by referring to the table. When it is determined that there is one or more sub-maintenance items associated with the selected maintenance item, a CPU provides control to display the sub-maintenance item or items in an operating/display unit.

Abstract: The proposed apparatus is designed for being capable of recovering even when the overlapped transport of insert sheets has occurred without stopping the apparatus, thereby providing an improved utility to the users. The apparatus includes a first sheet feeder for sequentially separating blank sheets into individual sheet, an image forming device for forming images on the blank sheets, a transport device for waiting the blank sheet to be supplied to the image forming apparatus at predetermined time, a second sheet feeder for sequentially separating the insert sheets into individual sheet, an overlapped transport detecting device for determining whether or not the insert sheets have been transported in overlapped condition, and a controller for discharging all the insert sheets of a set involved in the overlapped transport onto a predetermined place, finding the first insert sheet of a next set of insert sheets, and discontinuing the drive of the transport device.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus is provided, which is capable of achieving high quality processing and maintaining high productivity without giving rise to problems such as sheet jam or damage of sheets even when various sheets having different attributes are conveyed. A buffer roller 505 is inhibited from carrying out a sheet staying operation in accordance with the type of sheets conveyed from an upstream side of the apparatus, to be conveyed to a downstream side of the apparatus via the buffer roller 505.

Abstract: A sheet-thickness detector device has a sheet guide with a sheet-guide surface for guiding a sheet between a magnetic field sensor and a magnetic guide element. The magnetic field sensor, having an approach-guide plane disposed upstream in a sheet conveying direction for guiding the sheet to a detection surface, comes into direct contact with the sheet. By the structure mentioned above, the thickness of a sheet is detected so as to determine sheet double feeding and the like without producing sheet jamming.