Abstract: An electronic document classification system for classifying electronic documents received through a network is provided. The classification system comprises a criteria table for storing predetermined criteria for items included in the electronic documents and a score counter provided corresponding to each of the electronic documents. For each of the items included in the electronic documents, the classification system compares the item with a corresponding criterion stored in the criteria table, obtains a score based on the comparison result, and adds the obtained score to the score counter. Therefore, the resultant value of the score counter indicates a sum of the scores obtained for the items included in the electronic document corresponding to the score counter. The classification system assigns a priority to each of the electronic documents in accordance with the value of the score counter corresponding to the electronic document. Thus, the electronic document received through a network are prioritized.

Abstract: A schedule management system in a managing party connects via a network to one or more managed parties. The system comprises a schedule table for storing a schedule created by the managing party. The created schedule is transferred to a common schedule table provided on a server. The server is provided outside the managing party. The system provides each of the managed parties with an inquiry means for inquiring the schedule stored in the common schedule table. When the schedule stored in the schedule table is modified for some reasons, the modified schedule is transferred to the common schedule table. Thus, the managed party can view the latest schedule. Furthermore, each of the managed parties transfers modification data via the modification means. The system modifies the schedule stored in the schedule table with the received modification data. The system further displays the progress in a hierarchical format.

Abstract: A secured as well as convenient system for information exchanging between enterprises using the Internet. An external server is divided into public Web server and a Web data management server, which connect to each other via a firewall. Data sent from browsers of outside users to the Web server are transferred to the Web data management server via the firewall. Thus, the firewall in the external server protects data supplied by outside users.

Abstract: An automatic price correcting system in which the seller and the buyer communicate with each other via network, is provided. The system comprises a standard price storing section for storing a price presented by the seller in response to specifications of an article presented by the buyer, as a standard price, a standard specifications table for storing specifications presented by the buyer and a correction table for storing information required to correct the standard price of the article, presented by the seller. According to the system, difference between the specifications of the article stored in the standard specifications table and changed specifications of the article, is converted into a correction value of price, trough means of referring to the correction table, when the specifications of the article are changed. The standard price stored in the standard price storing section is corrected using the correction value of price.

Abstract: A system for determining overall capability of a trading partner, is provided to a bidding system with which trading partners present their bidding prices via a network, in response to a matter presented by a buyer company. The system for determining overall capability of a trading partner, is provided with a trading partner database for storing data representing capabilities of the trading partners, in numerical form. A controller in the system reads the data on the trading partners represented in numerical form, from the trading partner database, on receiving the bidding prices and selects a trading partner or trading partners for the matter, based on the bidding prices and the data represented in numerical form. The controller is able to weight capabilities of the trading partners, according to an article subjected to the bidding. In this case, a trading partner or trading partners can be selected based on the weighted capabilities of the trading partners.

Abstract: A schedule management system in a managing party connects via a network to one or more managed parties. The system comprises a schedule table for storing a schedule created by the managing party. The created schedule is transferred to a common schedule table provided on a server. The server is provided outside the managing party. The system provides each of the managed parties with an inquiry means for inquiring the schedule stored in the common schedule table. When the schedule stored in the schedule table is modified for some reasons, the modified schedule is transferred to the common schedule table. Thus, the managed party can view the latest schedule. Furthermore, each of the managed parties transfers modification data via the modification means. The system modifies the schedule stored in the schedule table with the received modification data. Thus, the reliability of a schedule is improved. The system further displays the progress in a hierarchical format.

Abstract: A secured as well as convenient system for information exchanging between enterprises using the Internet. An external server is divided into public Web server and a Web data management server, which connect to each other via a firewall. Data sent from browsers of outside users to the Web server are transferred to the Web data management server via the firewall. Thus, the firewall in the external server protects data supplied by outside users.

Abstract: An electronic document classification system for classifying electronic documents received through a network is provided. The classification system comprises a criteria table for storing predetermined criteria for items included in the electronic documents and a score counter provided corresponding to each of the electronic documents. For each of the items included in the electronic documents, the classification system compares the item with a corresponding criterion stored in the criteria table, obtains a score based on the comparison result, and adds the obtained score to the score counter. Therefore, the resultant value of the score counter indicates a sum of the scores obtained for the items included in the electronic document corresponding to the score counter. The classification system assigns a priority to each of the electronic documents in accordance with the value of the score counter corresponding to the electronic document. Thus, the electronic document received through a network are prioritized.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus wherein toner images formed on a photosensitive member are transferred to a transfer medium and overlaid thereon, and the toner images on the transfer medium are transferred onto a copy sheet. The apparatus has a charger for reducing charge on the toner images transferred to the transfer medium, and output of the charger is controlled in accordance with the number of toner images on the transfer medium. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus has a first charger for reducing charge on the toner images transferred to the transfer medium and a second charger for recharging the toner images processed by the first charger.

Abstract: A sheet guiding apparatus and an image forming apparatus incorporating same. The copy sheet being transported to the transfer station by a pair of feed rollers is guided by a pair of guide panels arranged in one direction and an opposite direction. These guide panels are located in an extension state with a substantial intervening spacing at the moment transport starts, and are located in a contracted state with a narrow intervening spacing at the completion of sheet transport so as to prevent transport error and transfer dislocation. The timing by which the guide panels change form the extension state to the contraction state changing in accordance with the copy sheet size to assure guidability regardless of the size of the copy sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus wherein a toner image formed on a photosensitive member or a toner image once transferred therefrom to a transfer belt is transferred onto a copy sheet by a transfer charger, and the output of the transfer charger is controlled so as to apply a specified amount of charge to the copy sheet for fine image transfer. Specifically, an electric current flowing in the copy sheet is estimated based on an electric current flowing in the transfer belt when no sheets are on the belt, and the output of the transfer charger or alternatively a bias voltage impressed on a roller which supports the transfer belt is controlled so as to cause a specified value of electric current to flow in the transfer belt.

Abstract: A transfer belt for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is so arranged as to pass through a gap between a photoconductor and a transfer charger provided opposite to the photoconductor, and a second transfer charger is arranged outside the transfer belt at the downstream of a first transfer charger in the transporting direction of the transfer belt.The first transfer charger transfers an image on the photoconductor onto the transfer belt or onto the surface of a transfer material being properly transported thereto, while the second transfer charger transfers a transferred image on the transfer belt onto the back of the transfer material being transported on the transfer belt thus enabling to form an image only on one side or on both sides of the transfer material.