Abstract: If connecting the optional paper feeding deck or furnisher to the image forming apparatus such as a printer, those optional devices are to be controlled by connecting the paper conveyance control apparatus to control those options. Such an image forming apparatus has a video controller to convert the printer language sent from a high-order device such as a host computer, into a bit map data and a printer engine to print the bit map data. Such a paper conveyance control apparatus, being electrically connected to the video controller, has a memory to be shared with the video controller. The video controller writes the job schedule in the shared memory. The paper conveyance control apparatus controls the optional device according to the written job schedule.

Abstract: Delivery information of a recording paper is obtained. When a delivery order is a descending order, a printing page order is set to the descending order and, thereafter, a print job is received and analyzed, thereby confirming that the printing page order is the descending order. After that, image data of all pages is generated and an occupation command of a print processor is issued. Subsequently, the image data is outputted and, after completion of the output of images of all pages, the occupation command of the print processor is released.

Abstract: If an optional paper feeding deck or furnisher, or paper stacker, is connected to an image forming apparatus (such as a printer), such optional devices are to be controlled by connecting the paper conveyance control apparatus to control those options. Such an image forming apparatus has a video controller to convert the printer language sent from a high-order device such as a host computer, into bit map data and a printer engine to print the bit map data. Such a paper conveyance control apparatus, being electrically connected to the video controller, has a memory to be shared with the video controller. The video controller writes the job schedule in the shared memory. The paper conveyance control apparatus controls the optional device according to the written job schedule.

Abstract: Each output page is distributed to a printer which can color-output a job of a plurality of pages in which color output pages and B/W output pages exist mixedly and to a printer which can monochromatically output such a job, thereby efficiently executing a page outputting process in which an ejecting unit is effectively resource-utilized. Color output information and paper ejecting process resource information are obtained from each image processing apparatus. When a series of jobs in which B/W output pages and color output pages exist mixedly and which is requested from each host computer is received, a main controller analyzes the received series of jobs and distributes and outputs each page to a plurality of image processing apparatuses having different image processing functions on the basis of the obtained color output information and paper ejecting process resource information.

Abstract: Delivery information of a recording paper is obtained. When a delivery order is a descending order, a printing page order is set to the descending order and, thereafter, a print job is received and analyzed, thereby confirming that the printing page order is the descending order. After that, image data of all pages is generated and an occupation command of a print processor is issued. Subsequently, the image data is outputted and, after completion of the output of images of all pages, the occupation command of the print processor is released.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided with a main body including a video controller, having video signal generation device for generating a video signal from image information based on a recording command from an external apparatus and control device, and with a supervisory controller including optional unit control device for controlling at least an optional unit connectable to the main body. The video controller includes a process time informing device for informing the supervisory controller of an image development process time, and the supervisory controller includes a paper transport time memory for storing the paper transport time from the optional paper feed source to the entrance of the printing apparatus, a comparator for comparing the process time informed by the process time informing device with the paper transport time stored in the paper transport time memory, and a paper feed source changing device for changing the paper feed source in case the comparator identifies that the process time is shorter.

Abstract: When an optional unit (40, 50) is mounted, a video controller (27) serving as main control unit sends various control commands to a supervising controller (101) through an interface (114). The supervising controller (101) controls an engine controller (26) through an interface (29) while controlling the optional unit (40, 50) in accordance with the received control commands, thereby recording an image. When no optional unit is mounted (when the optional units 32, 40, 50 are absent), the video controller (27) directly controls the engine controller (26) through an interface (28), thereby recording an image. With the above arrangement, the supervising controller (101) serving as a control unit associated with optional units can be attached/detached.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a measuring device for measuring the elapsed time for feeding a sheet of paper from its top edge to its bottom edge by feeding a first paper; a paper size calculating device for calculating a paper size on the basis of the measured time and the paper feeding rate which is determined by the printing apparatus; a calculated result transmitting device for transmitting the paper size calculated by the calculating device and informing an operator of the paper size; a comparing device for comparing the paper size calculated by the calculating device with the paper size specified by an external apparatus; a size setting device for setting within the printing apparatus the calculated paper size as a specified paper size for printing a second and later sheets when the above comparison indicates that both sizes match each other; a display device for displaying a mismatch of the paper size in order to inform an operator of the mismatch when the above comparison indicates that the paper size