Abstract: A rewritable, nonvolatile memory includes a first region having stored therein a processing program which allows an electronic device to perform a process, and having a first specific portion which is accessed first upon boot-up by the electronic device; and a second region having stored therein a boot program and a rewrite program. Upon erasing storage contents of the first region, the storage contents of the first region are erased by the rewrite program such that a storage content of the first specific portion is erased last. Upon writing storage contents into the first region, new storage contents are written into the first region by the rewrite program such that a storage content of the first specific portion is written first.

Abstract: An image processing device comprises an image data input means 2, an image data storage means 12 for storing the image data being input, an image data processing means 6 having multiple processing modes for outputting the stored image data, and a image data erasing means for erasing the image data stored in the storage means 12. The device further comprises erase count control means 8, 14 for controlling the number of times for erasing image data capable of having the number of times of erase set arbitrarily according to the security level required for each mode, and capable of having the set number of times of erase changed in mid-flow. Confidentiality is protected by performing erase operations repeatedly to the region storing the unnecessary image data according to the security level.

Abstract: To provide a sheet transporting device which can control sheet transport also with respect to plural kinds of tab sheets different from each other in terms of a tab position in a vertical direction with respect to a transporting direction without increasing the cost. In case of switching back the tab sheet, a timing for the switch back is controlled in accordance with a timing at which the sheet sensor detects a front end of the tab sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device of an image forming apparatus receives various operations such as an operation to start an image formation and output process (step S101), inhibits opening and closing of a feeding route interlocked with opening and closing of a storage section if the received operation or a process executed based on the operation satisfies a preset predetermined condition (step S103), and then starts the image formation and output process (step S104).

Abstract: In a sheet feeding apparatus, a contact-type sensor for detecting sheet-like documents stored in document tray is separated into upper document detector and a lower document detector arranged at upper and lower sides of the document tray, respectively. The sheet-like documents are detected separately with two actuators of the corresponding detectors. Accordingly, the requirement of a prior art for having a contact of the sensor increased in length in order to detect the sheets from a maximum to zero in the sheet storing unit can be eliminated.

Abstract: A control command communicated between a print control section and a finisher control section are relayed by an inserter control section. The print control section and the finisher control section generate the control command without taking into account processing at an inserter, and the inserter control section judges the content of the control command upon receiving the control command sent from the print control section or the finisher control section, and converts the control command or adjusts output timing of the control command if the control command needs to take into account the processing at the inserter.

Abstract: It is determined whether or not a jammed document is necessarily returned to a document tray when a jam of the document is caused within a carrier path and, then, the elevation operation of the document tray is controlled on the basis of its result of the determination. Since the jammed sheet of which reading has not been completed should be returned to the document tray, the document tray is moved down. Since the jammed sheet of which reading has been completed should not be returned to the document tray, the document tray is maintained at a position as it is. When the apparatus stops due to the carrying jam, a time required for processing the document is shortened.

Abstract: In accordance with the state of a document tray upon powering on a power source, the elevation operation of a document tray is controlled. In the case that the document tray is located not at the highest position, not at the lowest position, but at a middle position upon powering on the power source, the document tray is allowed to remain at the middle position as it is without performing the elevation of the document tray. In the case that the document tray is located at the highest position, the document tray is moved down. By reducing the wasteful operation (the initial operation) after powering on the power source, it is possible to reduce the operation time and the efficient sheet processing can be realized.

Abstract: For performing double-side printing, an image forming apparatus forms an image on one side of a sheet and then reverses the sheet if the sheet has not been reversed, forms an image on the other side of the sheet and then reverses the sheet if the sheet has been reversed once, and performs idle conveyance in which an image is not formed on a sheet and then discharges the sheet if the sheet has been reversed twice. According to the image forming apparatus and a method of forming an image by this apparatus, procedures of image formation by a user can be prevented from becoming troublesome and the sheets can be discharged in order of the originals.

Abstract: When a document detector provided on a document tray is ON (S11: YES), a controller judges whether or not a document is of a standard size, on the basis of a document size table stored in a storing unit (S12). When the document is of a standard size (S12: YES), after a predetermined time has elapsed (S13: YES), the controller elevates/lowers the document tray on the basis of a detection output of a guide-in roller position detector and causes the document tray to wait in a state capable of supplying and conveying the topmost layer of documents immediately. An image forming apparatus thus constructed can make a judgment as to whether or not to execute supply and conveyance of documents, according to the mount state of the documents.

Abstract: The subject invention offers data deletion operation with respect to the area storing image data for security purpose, and also offers a function for suspending the deletion operation by a specific condition so as to accept a request of processing new image data. The image processing device includes image data inputting means for inputting image data; image data storing means for storing the image data inputted by the image data inputting means; image data processing (outputting) means for processing (outputting) the image data stored in the image data storing means; image data invalidating (deleting) means for performing invalidation (deletion) of the image data stored in the image data storing means; directing means for directing cutoff of the invalidation performed by the image data invalidating means; and permitting means for permitting the cutoff of the invalidation directed by the directing means.

Abstract: A digital multifunctional device 1 comprises an image reading unit 2, a hard disk 12, an image forming unit 6 and a device control unit 8. When there is input of a new image data through the image reading unit 2 while the device control unit 8 is invalidating a preceding image data stored in the hard disk 12, the invalidation by the device control unit 8 of the preceding image data in the hard disk 12 is interrupted, and the new image data being input is utilized to invalidate the preceding image data.

Abstract: Provided are a user interfacing display apparatus having improved operability without confusing the user as to setting displayed on a pop-up screen, and an image forming apparatus. When a copy ratio key as a detail setting key is selected on an LCD as a display section provided in the user interfacing display apparatus mounted on an image forming apparatus, the pop-up screen is displayed. At the same time, a display state of an interruption key is changed, so as to be displayed to inform that the interruption key is unavailable. While the pop-up screen is being displayed, a user is not allowed to select the interruption key. Thus, for example, on contrary to a case where process is switched to an interruption mode while the pop-up screen is being displayed, there will be no confusion as to the detail setting displayed on the pop-up screen before switching to the interruption mode.

Abstract: For performing double-side printing, an image forming apparatus forms an image on one side of a sheet and then reverses the sheet if the sheet has not been reversed, forms an image on the other side of the sheet and then reverses the sheet if the sheet has been reversed once, and performs idle conveyance in which an image is not formed on a sheet and then discharges the sheet if the sheet has been reversed twice. According to the image forming apparatus and a method of forming an image by this apparatus, procedures of image formation by a user can be prevented from becoming troublesome and the sheets can be discharged in order of the originals.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus reads and processes images on the documents successively presented to an original image reading section by means of an ADF. The operation of the image processing apparatus is controlled by a control section provided therein. The control section creates a management table for each document for storing processing information related to a document reading action, and manages the documents based on the content of the management tables. Consequently, the image processing apparatus can readily and precisely carry out the recovery when the documents or sheets are jammed.