Abstract: An additional image is formed on a recording medium by filling a predetermined area including a punched portion or a stapled portion, in addition to an image which is to be formed originally, such as a text document. The additional image is formed with white developer or transparent developer. Since the thickness of the recording medium is increased by the white developer or transparent developer forming the additional image portion, the region around the punched portion or the stapled portion is reinforced and the recording medium is kept from being broken easily. When the image and the additional image are superposed, the superposition of the image and the additional image is avoided by either reducing the image or changing the position of the image to be formed.

Abstract: An additional image is formed on a recording medium by filling a predetermined area including a punched portion or a stapled portion, in addition to an image which is to be formed originally, such as a text document. The additional image is formed with white developer or transparent developer. Since the thickness of the recording medium is increased by the white developer or transparent developer forming the additional image portion, the region around the punched portion or the stapled portion is reinforced and the recording medium is kept from being broken easily. When the image and the additional image are superposed, the superposition of the image and the additional image is avoided by either reducing the image or changing the position of the image to be formed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which printing with a developer whose lifetime has been exceeded can be prevented to avoid unstable printing, and an image forming apparatus in which erroneous insertion of a developer supply container can be prevented from occurring are is provided. An image forming apparatus has an apparatus body having an image forming unit, and a developer supply container which is detachably attached to the image forming unit to supply a developer in accordance with image formation. An IC chip having a nonvolatile memory for storing information relating to the developer supply container is disposed in the developer supply container. Processing means having a function of writing predetermined information into the nonvolatile memory is disposed in the apparatus body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which printing with a developer whose lifetime has been exceeded can be prevented to avoid unstable printing, and an image forming apparatus in which erroneous insertion of a developer supply container can be prevented from occurring are is provided. An image forming apparatus has an apparatus body having an image forming unit, and a developer supply container which is detachably attached to the image forming unit to supply a developer in accordance with image formation. An IC chip having a nonvolatile memory for storing information relating to the developer supply container is disposed in the developer supply container. Processing means having a function of writing predetermined information into the nonvolatile memory is disposed in the apparatus body.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of judging whether an expendable member such as a toner box mounted thereto is proper or not without reading all of specific information previously stored in a storing section of the expendable member. The image forming apparatus comprises a toner box removably mounted to a main body thereof, having an IC chip including a memory for storing the information specific to the toner box, and a CPU for judging whether a toner box mounted thereto is proper for the image forming apparatus or not. When a proper toner box is mounted to the main box for the first time, a random number is generated and stored in the memory of the IC chip and a memory of the main body, to carry out subsequent judgements of whether a toner box is proper or not using the random number.

Abstract: Feature is a fixing device equipped in an image forming device enabling reduction of electronic noise and preventing hot-offset and fixing disorder. The fixing device includes a rotatable fixing roll, a heater for heating the fixing roll, a temperature detector for detecting the surface temperature of the fixing roll, and temperature control circuitry. The temperature control circuitry is for controlling the fixing roll surface to maintain a predetermined temperature by supplying a predetermined electric power to the heater, wherein the temperature of the fixing roll during continuous image forming operation is detected periodically by the temperature detector, and in correspondence to the difference between a fixed reference temperature and the detected temperature, controlling the electric power quantity to be supplied to the heater during a cycle by increasing or decreasing a half-wave unit cycle number of the commercial power source.

Abstract: When a CPU switches the power supply to a fusing lamp to OFF from ON state while an exposing lamp stays on, the CPU suspends a feedback phase control of the exposing lamp and carries out a phase control of the exposing lamp based on the phase control data pre-stored in a RAM for a predetermined period before and after the switching. The exposing lamp is hardly affected by the variance in voltage caused by the switching of the power supply state to the fusing lamp, and therefore can emit exposing light in a constant amount to form an image. Thus, it becomes possible to produce a satisfactory copy image with substantially no inconsistency in copy density.

Abstract: After placing an original document on a document platen of a copying apparatus main body, when a detection switch detects a predetermined angle of .theta. of a document cover in the course of closing the document cover, a light-emitting device of a distance-measuring sensor is driven. Light released from the light-emitting device is projected onto the original document or the document cover, and the reflected light is received by a light-receiving device. A signal corresponding to the light-receipt point of the light-receiving device is released, and a measurement is made to find the distance from the sensor to the original document or to the document cover based on the signal. A discrimination is made as to the presence or absence of original document based on the measured distance, and copying control suitable for the result of the discrimination is carried out.

Abstract: A copying machine communication system is arranged so as to form a network by connecting a plurality of copying machines including ROMs which respectively store programs of various versions and a host computer in a service station through a public telephone line. This enables a serviceman in the service station to confirm the program version of the copying machine installed in a user's place, thereby permitting the serviceman to offer a prompt and efficient service.

Abstract: With a variable magnification copier of this invention, not only magnification but a reference position in the direction of scan is specified such that the image formed on a copy paper sheet is not automatically enlarged with respect to the front edge of the original document to be copied. The difference between the time to start a scan and the time to feed copy paper is controlled such that the enlarged image will not stick out of the paper.

Abstract: A composite copier has keys for selecting trimming and masking modes of operation whereby trimming and masking can be effected with respect to a specified area of an original image. The control system of the copier includes a memory device which remembers which of the modes has been selected and which area has been specified. After a copying process is effected on a copy sheet in the selected mode, the same sheet is recirculated back to the processing section for a second copying process with respect to the same area but from another original and in the other mode of operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a copy paper delivery-timing control device which includes the following: a home position sensor that detects the home position of the original scanner; a pulse-generator for generating a specific number of pulses corresponding to the travelling distance of the scanner; a counter that activates counting of a specific number of pulses when the scanner passes through its home position; a timer for activating counting as soon as the value of the counter exactly matches a specific value denoting the tip position of the original; a device for starting transfer of copy paper to the transference position as soon as the timer fully counts up the predetermined time; and a control device for activating the timer when the "1-set/2-copy" mode is entered for continuously copying both the left half and the right half of the original on individual copying papers.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying machine including a device for limiting light emitted by a light source toward a copy document on a document table. The device includes a plurality of light limiting blades positioned along the length of the light source. The light source is positioned within a reflective bowl.