Abstract: There are provided an image forming apparatus, an image input/output apparatus, a paper feed control method, a memory medium, and a program, in which lengths of one side of sheets of image formed paper can be aligned, and even in case of outputting the image formed paper in which different paper sizes exist mixedly, a post-process such as stapling or the like can be smoothly performed. A core portion of the image I/O apparatus has a paper feeding direction specifying control unit which is constructed in a manner such that when a plurality of paper sizes exist mixedly in one image forming job, on the basis of paper mixture information which is set on a printer driver of a PC/WS and shows which paper sizes exist mixedly in the one image forming job, the paper feeding direction for performing a paper feed in the vertical direction or a paper feed in the lateral direction to the paper which can be fed in both of the vertical direction and the lateral direction is specified.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an input unit for input of setting information, an image forming unit, a conveying unit, a control unit, and a jam detecting unit, wherein a set of a plurality of different kinds of special sheets disposed in a predetermined order is used. When occurrence of a jam is detected by the jam detecting unit, the control unit recognizes whether a special sheet having been fed is present in the image forming system, and if it is recognized that a special sheet is present in the image forming system, the control unit controls the conveying unit, after the jam being released, to eject a special sheet or sheets as unnecessary up to one that is disposed preceding a special sheet that is of the same kind as a most front one that was present in the image forming system at the time of the occurrence of the jam.

Abstract: A burden on a user when changing sheets such as with an ink jet printer and the like is reduced, and the necessary stack space is secured without considering the step difference up to the mounting surface of an ejected paper tray worth of the amount of curls for sheets that easily curls such as post cards and the like. Thus, enlargement of the apparatus and increase in the manufacturing cost are suppressed, and is easily adopted for low cost type for mass consumption.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a plurality of paper feed trays in which paper sheets are to be stacked; paper feed units each provided to each of the plurality of paper feed trays, the paper feed units sucking or discharging air in accordance with setting values corresponding to types of paper sheet to carry the paper sheets stacked in the respective paper feed trays toward a paper path; a storage unit to store the setting values for the paper feed units according to the types of paper sheet; an input unit to input a change instruction value for changing at least one of the setting values; and a control unit to change the at least one of the setting values stored in the storage unit into the change instruction value and to store the changed at least one of the setting values into the storage unit.

Abstract: A sheet tray device including (a) a first tray and (b) a second tray which is disposed on an upper side of the first tray and which includes (b-1) a support member, (b-2) a supported body pivotably supported by the support member, and (b-3) a hinge through which the supported body is pivotable. The hinge includes (i) a shaft portion, (ii) first and second bearing portions, and (iii) a removal preventer portion for preventing removal of the shaft portion from the first and second bearing portions. The first and second bearing portions are offset from each other in an axial direction of the shaft portion, and are located on respective opposite sides of the shaft portion in a diametrical direction of the shaft portion. The shaft portion includes a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion that are contactable with the first and second bearing portions, respectively. Also disclosed is an image forming apparatus including the sheet tray device.

Abstract: A card reorienting mechanism and an input hopper of plastic card processing equipment, for example a desktop plastic card printer. The card reorienting mechanism is a modular unit that permits the entire mechanism to be inserted or removed as a single unit from the printer. In addition, the input hopper is designed as an interchangeable system that permits alteration in the card capacity of the hopper.

Abstract: An image forming unit includes an image forming device that forms an image on a recording medium disposed at a lower portion thereof, a device frame that supports the image forming device at the lower portion, having a first attaching portion to which to attach a first storage frame and a second attaching portion to which to attach a second frame. Either a first storage unit or a second storage unit is attached to the image forming unit. The first storage unit includes a first storage tray having a first storage capacity, a first guide member and the first storage frame. The second storage unit includes a second storage tray having a second storage capacity larger than the first storage capacity, the second guide member and the second storage frame.

Abstract: A paper feeder includes a paper storing section that stores papers by vertically stacking the papers on a loading plate, and the uppermost paper stored in the paper storing section is fed by a pickup roller. In order to transport a supplied paper to an image forming apparatus without changing its posture, paper outgoing apertures are individually disposed on the paper feeder side. Transfer paths, respectively corresponding to the paper outgoing aperture, are disposed in the image forming apparatus, and a paper supplied from the paper feeder is transported to an image formation processing section of the image forming apparatus. This allows a paper to be transported without being curved, when the paper is supplied to the image forming apparatus from an additionally provided paper feeder. As a result, paper jam is prevented.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a sheet feeding tray, a sheet discharge tray, an image recording portion including an ink jet recording head and a platen, a sheet feeding roller, a first roller portion, disposed between the sheet feeding tray and the image recording portion, and a second roller portion, disposed at a position across the image recording portion from the first roller portion. After the recording material fed from the sheet feeding tray is passed between the ink jet recording head and the platen and is nipped by the first roller portion, recording is carried out when the recording material is fed in an opposite direction between the ink jet recording head and the platen.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a document loading unit in which a document sheet is loaded, a recording-sheet loading unit in which a recording sheet is loaded, a supply roller that supplies the document sheet or the recording sheet from the document loading unit or the recording-sheet loading unit, a separator that separates the document sheet or the recording sheet in cooperation with the supply roller, a feeding path through which both the document sheet and the recording sheet pass, a reading unit that reads an image on the document sheet, and a recording unit that records an image on the recording sheet.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a first storing unit in which a sheet bundle is stacked, a second storing unit that is provided near the first storing unit and in which the sheet bundle is stacked, a transfer tray that is provided in the second storing unit and transfers the sheet bundle from the second storing unit to the first storing unit, and a stopper that regulates, when the transfer tray transfers the stacked sheet bundle from the second storing unit to the first storing unit and moves from the first storing unit to the second storing unit, movement of the sheet bundle on the transfer tray.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body which includes an attachment portion, a standby tray which is provided adjacent to the attachment portion of the apparatus body and stacks a paper thereon, a paper feeding tray stacks the paper thereon, a movement mechanism which moves the paper from the paper feeding tray located at the mounted position onto the standby tray along the paper conveying path, a holder member which moves to a first position so as to hold the paper at a predetermined position on the paper feeding tray and moves to a second position so as to recede from the paper conveying path, and a lock mechanism which engages with the holder member so as to hold the holder member at the first position when the paper feeding tray is located at the withdrawn position.

Abstract: A starting unit starts, in parallel with a blowing operation for a first tray, a blowing operation for a second tray that is to perform a feeding operation next. When a predetermined time elapses after starting the blowing operation for the second tray, a feeding unit switches from the first tray to the second tray, and feeds the recording medium from the second tray. When the blowing operation is performed for a number of trays before switching the trays and the number of trays is equal to or larger than a predetermined number, a control unit limits the number of trays for performing the blowing operation.

Abstract: A sheet processing device includes a sheet aligning unit that aligns a sheet recording medium. The sheet aligning unit is configured to be pulled out from a main body of the sheet processing device, and includes a sheet conveying member for conveying the sheet recording medium.

Abstract: A two-way paper pickup system in which both a feed tray and a feed cassette can be used, and a printer adopting the same. The paper pickup system includes a feed tray on which paper or a feed cassette is placed, a first pickup assembly that moves the paper placed on the feed tray, a resistance plate that allows the moved paper to be separately transferred, and a second pickup assembly that is moved to a paper exit of the feed cassette so as to move paper included in the feed cassette when the feed cassette is placed on the feed tray. When the feed cassette is inserted into the printer, the first pickup assembly is moved on the feed cassette while being rotated.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus that includes plural paper feed trays, and when there occurs out-of-paper in a paper feed tray during printing, changes over from the paper feed tray to another to continue the printing, which includes a detection section that detects that paper is added in the paper feed tray, a memory that stores paper feed trays for which the detection section detects that paper is added therein in the sequence of paper being added; and a paper feed tray changing section that, when there occurs out-of-paper in a paper feed tray in operation during printing, selects a paper feed tray in which paper is added in the earliest time among the paper feed trays which are stored in the memory, and changes over the paper feed tray.

Abstract: A recording-sheet supplying apparatus which supplies recording sheets one by one in a sheet-supply direction, including: a first sheet tray that accommodates first recording sheets; a second sheet tray disposed above the first sheet tray and configured to accommodate at least one second recording sheet; an arm provided so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis located above the second sheet tray, and so as to be in a posture in which a distal end of the arm is located downstream of the pivot axis in the sheet-supply direction; a first sheet-supply roller provided at a first portion of the arm; and a second sheet-supply roller provided at a second portion of the arm nearer to the pivot axis than the first portion, wherein where the second sheet tray is on an upstream side in the sheet-supply direction, only the first sheet-supply roller contacts an uppermost first recording sheet, and where the second sheet tray is on a downstream side in the sheet-supply direction, only the second sheet-supply roller contacts

Abstract: A cassette is used by being mounted on an image forming apparatus body and can be accommodated in a state where media, which will be supplied to the image forming apparatus body, are loaded. The cassette includes a first tray, a second tray and a slide mechanism. The first tray is able to contain multiple media. The second tray is able to contain multiple media. The slide mechanism allows the first tray and the second tray to be movable relative to each other. The first tray has an oblique surface and a first separation portion, and the second tray has an oblique surface and a second separation portion. Each of the oblique surfaces can separate an uppermost medium from other media in such a manner that distal ends of the media during delivery abut against the oblique surface. Each of the first and second separation portions guides the separated medium along the oblique surface in a paper feeding direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of sheet feed trays, a tray information management unit, a sheet feed control unit, and an image forming unit. The sheet feed trays contain recording sheets. The tray information management unit manages tray information in which tray identification information on the sheet feed trays is associated with sheet type information on sheet types of recording sheets contained in the sheet feed trays. The sheet feed control unit selects, from among the sheet feed trays, one sheet feed tray containing a recording sheet of one sheet type designated in an image forming request by referring to the tray information, and controls a sheet feeding operation for feeding the recording sheet from the selected tray. The image forming unit forms an image on the recording sheet fed from the selected tray according to image forming data input with the image forming request.

Abstract: A paper feeder includes: a first paper feed cassette in which to store a recording medium with a lock state; a locking portion that determines whether to bring the lock state of the first paper feed cassette into the unlocked state or the locked state; a second paper feed cassette in which to store a recording medium, capable of selectively entering an unlocked state and a locked state; and a lock state transmitting portion that transmits the lock state of the first paper feed cassette to the second paper feed cassette to bring the second paper feed cassette into the unlocked state or the locked state in accordance with the lock state of the first paper feed cassette.

Abstract: Mechanism unit(s) functioning as automatic-feed cassette(s) and mechanism unit(s) functioning as manual-feed tray(s) together form a single integral module, constituting a hybrid paper supply module. In such constitution, paper transport path(s) may be formed between or among first guide member(s) provided at automatic-feed cassette mechanism unit(s) and second guide member(s) provided at manual-feed mechanism unit(s), and manual-feed mechanism unit(s) may be pulled outward and to side(s) of apparatus(es) so as to cause paper transport path(s) to be opened up to the exterior, facilitating removal of jammed paper. Furthermore, given such constitution, a plurality of hybrid paper supply modules may be stacked together to constitute a paper supply mechanism. Manual-feed tray(s) with which manual-feed mechanism unit(s) of respective hybrid paper supply module(s) is or are provided may be collapsible so as to permit extension and/or retraction.

Abstract: After pre-printed cards are manufactured at least a corner of each card is imaged. It is then determined whether the position and orientation of markings in the image with respect to the corner are within tolerance. If not, the card is rejected. If the markings are, or include, indicia, these indicia may be identified to allow identification of the card. This allows a determination of whether the card is in an intended order, or it allows selection of the batch into which the card is placed. It also means that cards in a given set of cards arranged in a first order can be randomized by first buffering cards in buffers and then outputting the cards to an output conveyor. In one approach, each unique card in the set is sent to a different buffer such that like cards are buffered in the same buffer. Cards are then randomly fed from the buffers to form a re-ordered set of cards such that cards in the re-ordered set of cards have an order that is random with respect to the first order.

Abstract: When a first feeding unit is not ready to perform air feeding at the beginning of a print job, roll feeding using a second feeding unit is performed; when it is determined that the first feeding unit is ready to preform air feeding, air feeding using the first feeding unit is preformed. Upon execution of a print job by roll feeding, a preparation is started to make the first feeding unit ready to air feeding. When the first feeding unit is ready to execute the print job by air feeding, the print job is executed by exchanging roll feeding to air feeding using the first feeding unit.

Abstract: A sheet feed unit for use in an image forming apparatus includes a sheet feed unit body and a sheet cassette. The sheet feed unit body includes a first frame and a first contact face provided on the first frame. The sheet cassette, which is withdrawable from the sheet feed unit body, includes a second frame, a second contact face provided on the second frame, and a separator. The second contact face is attached to the first contact face when to set the sheet cassette at a position in the sheet feed unit body. The separator is inserted between the first contact face and the second contact face to separate the sheet cassette and the sheet feed unit body, and is disengaged from the first contact face and the second contact face to set the sheet cassette at the position in the sheet feed unit body.

Abstract: A print interface system includes a printer integrated in combination with a sheet handling system such as a mailpiece inserter. The print interface system facilitates the handling of sheet material in various operating modes, including conventional printing, duplex printing, and mailpiece creation modes. The system includes an interface module having upper and lower housing segments defining first and second feed paths. A first feed path directs sheet material to a stacking surface of the upper housing segment and a second feed path directs sheet material to a downstream module of the sheet handling device. A repositionable diverter bifurcates the path exiting the printer to direct sheet material to one of the two feed paths. Furthermore, the upper housing segment is pivotally mounted to the lower housing segment to provide internal access to one of the first and second feed paths.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an image recording apparatus including: an image recording unit; a first sheet feeding cassette; a second sheet feeding cassette including a second placing portion and a discharged sheet placing portion disposed an upstream side of a second placing portion with respect to the first direction; a sheet feed unit configured to feed the recording medium; an auxiliary cover member disposed above the second placing portion; and an auxiliary sheet discharging tray disposed below the discharged sheet placing portion. A sheet insertion opening is formed between an upstream end of the cover member and the discharged sheet placing portion and communicates with the second sheet placing portion. The auxiliary sheet discharging tray is movable in a forward direction and a rearward direction opposite to the forward direction, with respect to the sheet insertion opening.

Abstract: An image forming system has a sheet deck assembly, an image forming apparatus, and a feeding buffering apparatus with plural feeding buffer trays for temporarily storing sheets of printing paper fed from plural printing paper decks of the sheet deck assembly. The feeding buffering apparatus feeds the temporarily stored sheets to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, comprising a case that accommodates an image forming unit; a sheet cassette that is capable of moving relative to the case; and a cover disposed above the sheet cassette, wherein the cover covers a side of the case in which the sheet cassette is removably set in the case, the cover is capable of opening and closing, and a slot, through which a sheet is capable of being inserted, is formed between the cover and the sheet cassette with a lower end of the cover defining an upper end of the slot.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form an image on a printable medium; a casing to accommodate the image forming unit; a feeding cassette coupled to the casing and arranged so as to move between a feeding position where the feeding cassette is separated from the casing and used to store the printable medium and a waiting position where the feeding cassette is folded up against the casing; a pick-up roller to feed the printable medium from the feeding cassette to the image forming unit when the feeding cassette is in the feeding position; and a pick-up roller cover coupled to the casing so that the pick-up roller cover can rotate between an open position exposing the sub feeding roller and a closed position covering the pick-up roller.

Abstract: An image forming device providing a document image reading mode, image recording mode, copying mode, recording sheet feeding mode, and recording sheet discharge mode. When interruption of feeding of a document or a recording sheet is detected by a sensor, the current driving force transmission path is switched and set to another driving force transmission path corresponding to an operation mode different from the current operation mode at which the interruption occurs.

Abstract: A flexible media integration system (10) includes a multifunction flexible media interface system (12). The interface system includes a plurality of flexible media input areas (22, 24, 26) for receiving flexible media (14), such as sheets of paper, from a plurality of associated input processors (16, 18, 20), such as printers or paper feeders. A plurality of flexible media output areas (32, 34) provide outputs to different associated flexible media output processors (36, 38), such as printers or finishers. The interface system also includes a sheet position sensing system (52) and a sheet transporting system (42). The transporting system provides selectable flexible media translation for selectably transporting flexible media from selected ones of the plurality of flexible media input areas to selected ones of the plurality of flexible media output areas so as to provide selectable flexible media feeding from selected flexible media input processors to selected flexible media output processors.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus which has multiple paper feed units and performs plural types of processing including at least facsimile processing, comprising a paper feeding subject setting unit which sets availability of paper feeding of each of the paper feed units when at least the facsimile processing is performed; and a warning unit which issues a warning when all the paper feed units are excluded from paper feeding at the time of the facsimile processing as a result of setting by the paper feeding subject setting unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a printing mechanism and a print media source for supplying print media sheets to the printing mechanism. The print media source includes a first media tray for holding a first print media, a second media tray for holding a second print media, and a sheet feeder mechanism having a sheet picking roller located to pick a top sheet of print media in the print media source, the top sheet of print media being located in one of the first media tray and the second media tray.

Abstract: A first sheet feeding device and a second sheet feeding device for feeding sheets stacked on a first stacking portion and a second stacking portion, respectively, are driven by a driving force generated by a drive source. A controller controls the drive source so that the magnitude of the driving force may differ between a case where the first sheet feeding device is driven and a case where the second sheet feeding device is driven.

Abstract: A stream of flat articles is to include imbricated formations (26.1, 26.2, 26.3) of different article types (A, B, C) and differing numbers of articles of the different types. For establishing such a stream a succession of supply devices (23.1, 23.2, 23.3) and a conveying surface are provided, the supply devices being equipped for preparing the imbricated formations (26.1, 26.2, 26.3) and for depositing whole preformed imbricated formations on the conveying surface. A device for establishing the stream of flat articles includes a main conveyor (21) with the conveying surface (21) and for each other device (23.1, 23.2, 23.3) an article source (25) and an intermediate conveyor (24), wherein the supply devices are controlled independently of each other and wherein the intermediate conveyor (24) and the article source (25) of one supply device may be driven independently of one another.

Abstract: In a sheet storing portion, a sheet tray which supports a sheet and a side regulating plate which moves depending on a sheet size to regulate a side end of the sheet are arranged. A notched portion to make it possible to move the side regulating plate is formed in the sheet tray, and a swingable auxiliary tray which constitutes the same plane as that of a sheet support surface of the sheet tray is arranged in the notched portion to prevent the sheet from being hanged down at the notched portion of the sheet tray. A hole into which the auxiliary tray can be inserted is formed in a side surface of the side regulating plate for the sheet. When the sheet tray moves upward to a predetermined position, the auxiliary tray is designed such that the auxiliary tray is brought into contact with a contact portion formed on an upper end of the hole and is swingably retreated downward, so that a sheet regulating surface of the side regulating plate can be assured.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a print part; a feeding part; a first sheet feeding tray; and a second sheet feeding tray. The first sheet feeding tray stores a sheet of a first size therein, the feeding part feeding the sheet of the first size from the first sheet feeding tray to the print part in a sheet feeding direction. The second sheet feeding tray is mounted on the first sheet feeding tray and stores a sheet of a second size smaller than the first size therein, the feeding part feeding the sheet of the second size from the second sheet feeding tray to the print part in the sheet feeding direction, the second sheet feeding tray receiving a sheet printed by the print part and discharged in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction. The second sheet feeding tray has a pair of side guides which are provided in parallel to the sheet feeding direction and which contact against side ends of the sheet of the second side to guide the sheet of the second side to the print part.

Abstract: A document forming apparatus, comprising a substrate feeder for storing and dispensing substrates to a printing engine, a controller for controlling the operation of the document forming apparatus, wherein the controller includes at least one database for storing information for the operation of the substrate feeder, and a user interface for controlling the operation of the document forming apparatus. The user interface includes a stock library view, a stock settings dialog screen having an expert feeder controls section with a manual mode operator and an auto mode operator, and a control panel screen for manual mode operation. The control panel screen includes means for adjusting a plurality of feeder parameters, indicators for manual and auto modes, and a save settings operator.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image former for forming an image on a sheet at a predetermined image-forming speed; a plurality of feeders; a carrier for carrying the sheet fed from either of the feeders to the image former; and a controller for controlling the carrier to suspend the sheet fed from either of the feeders at a first position upstream of the image former. The controller determines whether a subsequent sheet is suspended at a second position upstream of the first position and/or controls a speed at which the carrier carries the sheet, based on a feeder that feeds the sheet among the plurality of feeders and/or on the image-forming speed of the image former.

Abstract: A multifunction printed sheets interface system with plural sheet input areas for receiving printed sheets from plural printers, plural sheet outputs areas for plural outputs to different sheet processing systems, a sheet position sensing system, and a sheet transporting system providing selectable sheet translation from selected plural sheet input areas to selected plural sheet outputs areas so as to provide selectable sheet feeding from selected printers to selected sheet processing systems, and selectable sheet rotation of selected sheets and selectable sheet merging in a selected sheet sequence of sheets from plural printers. The sheet transporting system has a large planar area with a multiplicity of spaced apart independently operable variable sheet feeding direction and sheet velocity sheet transports, larger than the dimensions of any sheet to be fed thereon to allow simultaneous plural sheet variable transport thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for reversing a sheet, such as a banknote, from a front face to a rear face. In the reversing apparatus a first end of a common path communicates with an exit of a first conveyance path, a second end of common path communicates with an exit of a second conveyance path, and the first end of common path communicates with a merging path. Since the merging path is immediately after the common path, no delay is caused in the timing of feeding a banknote into the next processing step, improving reversing process performance. A first reversing roller rotates based on the on or off condition of a first electromagnetic clutch and a second reversing roller rotates based on or off condition of a second electromagnetic clutch. A banknote can be quickly and surely conveyed in the common path.

Abstract: A printer for printing on a receiving medium of a predetermined type, including a plurality of feeders for holding receiving media and a control unit, wherein the control unit contains determining means for determining that at least two feeders of the said plurality of feeders hold receiving medium of the predetermined type, means for determining the amount of receiving medium which can be added to each of the two feeders up to a predetermined maximum amount for these feeders, and means for selecting the feeder to which the largest amount receiving medium can be added for feeding a receiving medium to the printing unit.

Abstract: Dispenser modules include structure permitting their securement in stacked and aligned relation. The dispenser modules can contain sheet media such as notes and other items. The dispenser modules can be used in an automated banking machine operative to dispense multiple types of sheet media. Modules include a projection plate and a biasing latch arm on side walls thereof. The projection plate includes a pin adapted to be received in a side wall slot. A first module is locked to a second module through a first module latch preventing movement of a second module pin from a first module slot. Disassembly of the locked modules can occur with compressing of the latch to release the modules relative to each other.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has a primary media tray, a priority media feed tray, and a media feed mechanism configured to extract media from the priority feed tray and the primary media feed tray. The imaging apparatus further includes a priority media release device configured to selectively block media in the priority feed tray from being released to the media feed mechanism, and admit media in the priority feed tray to the priority media feed mechanism. In one configuration the priority media release device has a priority media release member selectively moveable from a first position to block media in the priority feed tray from the media feed mechanism, to a second position to admit media in the priority feed tray to the media feed mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an image-forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, an area of which is wider than that of a standard fixed-form size having a predetermined fixed-form size, based on an original image recorded on a document.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a plurality of sheet articles into a document includes a plurality of individual sheet input paths along which one or more sheet articles can be advanced, and a central accumulation area for accumulating the sheet articles. The central accumulation area includes a single-level accumulation surface for receiving one or more sheet articles advanced from each individual sheet input path and accumulating the sheet articles in a single stack. The central accumulation area can receive sheet articles from two or more different directions. The sheet articles can optionally be staged for accumulation into subsets prior to advancement to the central accumulation area. The central accumulation area advances the assembled document into an output path.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a media handling device for handling sheets of media contained in a conglomerate stack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying paper cassettes. The apparatus for identifying paper cassettes includes first through N-th paper cassettes, wherein each of N-1 output ports (where N is a positive integer greater than 1) is connected to N-1 input ports, which have one of N input ports and one of N output ports, a paper cassette identification unit to generate a synchronizing signal in response to an identification symbol which is transmitted from the first through N-th paper cassettes and indicates one of the first through N-th paper cassettes, and to transmit the generated synchronizing signal to paper cassettes in which an “undefined symbol” that indicates that the identification symbol has not been assigned, among the first through N-th paper cassettes is given, and a serial bus which connects the first through N-th paper cassettes to the paper cassette identification unit.

Abstract: A delivery system comprises a frame, and a plurality of hoppers attachable to the frame in a vertically spaced apart arrangement. The hoppers are each configured to hold a plurality of sheet-like materials. At least one upper belt is movably coupled to the frame, with the belt being configured to move the sheet-like materials downward from the hoppers. At least one contact roller is disposed below each hopper, and at least one suction apparatus that is associated with each hopper. A moving system is configured to move the suction apparatus toward and away from the hopper to grasp and remove one of the sheet-like materials from the hopper, and to move the removed sheet-like material downward until grabbed by the contact roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image former for forming an image on a sheet at a predetermined image-forming speed; a plurality of feeders; a carrier for carrying the sheet fed from either of the feeders to the image former; and a controller for controlling the carrier to suspend the sheet fed from either of the feeders at a first position upstream of the image former. The controller determines whether a subsequent sheet is suspended at a second position upstream of the first position and/or controls a speed at which the carrier carries the sheet, based on a feeder that feeds the sheet among the plurality of feeders and/or on the image-forming speed of the image former.