Abstract: A meandering detection device capable of detecting meandering of a subject with high accuracy includes: a contact which has an open end making contact with and following a subject body and which is supported by a support part; a reflection part integrally provided to the contact and reflecting light; an emission part emitting light toward the reflection part; and a first and a second light receiving parts which are disposed in front of the reflection part, which receive the light reflected by the reflection part and then outputs signals in accordance with respective amounts of light received, and which detect meandering of the subject based on a difference in the amount of light received.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet supply unit for supplying a printing medium; and a sheet discharge unit for discharging the printing medium after an image is transferred to the printing medium. Further, the image forming apparatus includes a transport path medium number storage unit for storing a transport path medium number; a discharge number storage unit for storing a discharge number; an upper limit print number storage unit for storing an upper limit print number; an addition unit for calculating an addition sum of the discharge number and the transport path medium number; a number comparison unit for comparing the addition sum with the upper limit print number; and a sheet supply stop unit for stopping the sheet supply unit when the addition sum exceeds the upper limit print number.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods for moving a media sheet along a media path of an image forming device. The media path may include first and second sections. A sensor that detects the media sheet moving along the media path may be positioned between the first and second sections. The media sheet moves through the first section and past the sensor causing the sensor to send a signal to a controller. The media sheet may be moved at differing speeds past the sensor causing the sensor to be activated when the sheet is moving at a first speed, and deactivated when the media sheet is moving at a second speed. The controller may adjust the speed of one or both of the first and second sections based on the signal or signals received from the sensor.

Abstract: A method of operating a printer comprising at least one tray for retaining print media comprises reading a code associated with a quantity of print media, and associating the code with loading the quantity of print media in the tray in a database. If the print media in the tray is deemed unusual, based on types of media placed in the tray in the past, a human user near the printer is notified. The code on the print media is read through a wireless device in direct communication with a server retaining the database for a population of printers.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for reducing transfer deletions in an electrostatographic machine. The apparatus includes a registration controller for driving a print substrate at a registration velocity and feeding the print substrate to an image-retentive member. The apparatus also includes a system controller operably associated with the registration mechanism controller. The system controller monitors at least one operating parameter of an image forming apparatus and generates a control signal in response to the monitored operating parameter(s). The registration controller is responsive to the control signal and is configured to adjust the registration velocity in accordance with the control signal as the image-retentive member is driven at a preselected velocity.

Abstract: In a control method of an image forming apparatus having an image forming section which forms an image on a sheet, and an ejecting section which ejects, as a print set unit, a plurality print sets of sheets on each of which an image has been formed by the image forming section, the control method includes the steps of: detecting an impact applied to the apparatus from an outside thereof, with an impact detector while the image forming section performs an image forming operation; identifying a print set including a sheet on which an image of a page has been formed, to which the image forming operation has been performed when the impact detector detects the impact; and ejecting the identified print set which is distinguished from other print sets.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to which a paper handling unit is connected thereto is provided. The image forming apparatus detects the size of a sheet in a direction in which the sheet is conveyed for image formation. The image forming apparatus outputs sheet size mismatch information indicating that the size of the sheet does not match a predetermined size to the paper handling unit before a size detecting operation thereof has been completed detecting the trailing edge of the sheet is greater than the predetermined size.

Abstract: An image formation device enabling manual two-sided printing in which a user supplies the sheets, has a receiving unit, which receives printing page quantity information; a control unit, which based on the printing page quantity information determines the number of pages printed in the first pass of manual two-sided printing, issues a printing instruction for the number of pages printed, on condition that print processing has ended according to the printing instruction, issues an instruction to change image forming conditions when performing printing, and, after the change instruction, issues a printing instruction for the second pass of printing; and a printing unit, which changes the image forming conditions according to instructions to change the image forming conditions, and executes print processing according to the printing instruction.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder (ADF) with a feeding roller used to carry a paper sheet to a reading position is provided. The ADF comprises a feeding path, a paper cartridge, an exit roller set, and a first lever. The feeding path is arranged in the ADF for guiding the paper sheet reaching the reading position and leaving the reading position. The paper cartridge has a fixed front edge aligned with an inlet of the feeding path. The exit roller set is located by the feeding path and at a downstream position with respect to the reading position. The exit roller set includes two exit rollers leaning against each other for carrying the paper sheet leaving the ADF. The first lever is connected between the paper cartridge and one of the exit rollers. As the paper sheet is jammed at the exit roller set, the paper cartridge may be raised to drive the first lever to separate the two exit rollers for removing the jammed paper sheet.

Abstract: A sheet which entered between a first sheet conveying unit and a second sheet conveying unit is detected by a sheet detecting unit. A loop of the sheet formed with a difference of sheet conveying speeds between the first and second sheet conveying units is detected by a loop detecting sensor. After the sheet detecting unit detected the sheet, if the loop detecting sensor does not detect the loop, a control unit which controls the sheet conveying speed of at least one of the first and second sheet conveying units controls the sheet conveying speed of at least one of the first and second sheet conveying units, thereby reducing an amount of the formed loop.

Abstract: A digital printer is operable in an inactive mode, such as a sleep mode or a cycle-in mode, and an active mode. In response to receiving a first print request, the digital printer delays beginning switching from the inactive mode to the active mode, for a delay period of predetermined duration. In response to receiving a second print request during the delay period, the digital printer begins switching from the inactive mode to the active mode substantially immediately. The delay increases opportunities for processing multiple print requests within one switching to the active mode.

Abstract: An integrated printing system is provided comprising a first image marking engine and a second image marking engine. The first and second image marking engines can be serially arranged with one another in a first operating mode. The first operating mode includes marking and passing of media to and from the first and second marking engines. A control system is provided for detecting a failure within one of the first and second image marking engines. A second operating mode is provided wherein the control system detects the failure and enables passing of the media through one of the first and second marking engines and marking of the media in another of the first and second marking engines when the failure is of a specified type.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first stacking unit for stacking regular sheets on which images are formed, an image forming unit for forming an image on a regular sheet fed from the first stacking unit, a second stacking unit for stacking the insertion sheets, a delivery unit for discharging the regular sheets from the image forming unit and the insertion sheets from the second stacking unit into a single sheet discharge section, and a paper thickness detection unit provided on a common carrier path through which the regular sheets carried from the image forming unit and the insertion sheets delivered from the second stacking unit are transported for detecting the thickness of the regular sheets and the insertion sheets.

Abstract: In a system in which a print controller and an image forming apparatus are communicably connected, a first paper information to be used by the print controller and a second paper information to be used by the image forming apparatus are both held in the print controller and the image forming apparatus. The first paper information and the second paper information include a common ID for paper data that corresponds between the first and second paper information. In response to a restore instruction, both sets of the first paper information or both sets of the second paper information are merged. ID duplication is eliminated by changing the IDs in regard to paper data in which IDs are duplicated as a result of merging. The first and second paper information to be used by the print controller and the image forming apparatus are updated based on the result of merging.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for notifying a user of a document left at a xerographic apparatus, such as a printer or copier. The system includes a sensor module for sensing the document and determining whether the user is within a predetermined distance of the xerographic apparatus. The system further includes a notification module for notifying the user of the document left if the copier user is outside the predetermined distance of the copier. The system and method can utilize RFID transponders each worn by a respective copier user or input data for determining the identity of the user. Notification can be accomplished by one of several methods, such as transmitting an electronic message to the user, actuating an alarm located near or at the xerographic apparatus, and preventing further use of the apparatus until the document is retrieved.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of sheet feed units, a first output unit which performs a first output prior to an image forming by an image forming unit when it is judged that no sheet feed unit accommodates a recording sheet of a requested sheet size while it is judged that a recording sheet is present in at least one of the sheet feed units, and a second output unit which performs second a output after the image forming is started when is the sheet size judging unit judges that a recording sheet judged by the sheet presence detecting units to be present in at least one of the sheet feed units does not match a recording sheet of the requested sheet size.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has transfer rollers for transferring an unfixed image, fixing rollers with a changeable conveying speed, discharging rollers with a changeable conveying speed thereof and for discharging the recording material on which the image has been fixed by the pair of fixing rollers, a loop detecting sensor for detecting the loop of the recording material between the transfer rollers and of fixing rollers, and a control for changing the conveying speed of the fixing rollers on the basis of the detection of the loop detecting sensor so that the loop of the recording material is maintained with a predetermined range, wherein the control board controls the conveying speed of the discharging rollers so as to become equal to the conveying speed of the fixing rollers after the recording material has passed the transfer rollers.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit which forms an image on a medium for each page, and a notification unit which, when image formation start instructions cannot be successively issued to the image forming unit for successive pages to be formed on media, notifies the image forming unit of the interval between the instructions. The image forming unit shifts to a stop state when the notified interval exceeds a predetermined time.

Abstract: An improvement in a finishing system that eliminates ‘cut and try’ by a user in trying to place staples in copy sheet sets in a desired position includes using input media orientation and the user's Finishing Selection to determine stapling position on output copy sheets.

Abstract: A printing system and method includes at least two modules, at least one of which is a marking engine module. In the method, one or more sheets to be printed are submitted. Available paths are determined for one of the one or more sheets and a preferred available path is determined and submitted to one or more of the plurality of modules. A reservation matrix representative of the one of the one or more sheets being scheduled on the preferred available path is updated. The steps of determining the available paths, determining a preferred available path, submitted the preferred available path and updating the reservation matrix are repeated for each subsequent sheet of the one or more sheets of the print job.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveying mechanism capable of accurately detecting a conveyance amount of an object to be conveyed with a simple configuration. A magnetic sensor is fixed to a casing along a locus of a contact point between a sheet and a conveying roller on the basis of a play between the conveying roller and an opening. With the configuration, the contact point and the magnetic sensor are disposed relatively close to each other. Consequently, the pure conveyance amount according to the rotation amount of a magnetic recording medium using the contact point as a reference can be detected by the magnetic sensor. Moreover, the movement amount of the contact point relative to the center axis of the opening as a reference position in association with the play can be also detected with high sensitivity. Thus, the conveyance amount of the sheet can be accurately obtained.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for adjusting an image formation speed with respect to printing data transferred from a digital office device. To that end, an internal temperature and an operation environment of the digital office device are measured. The measured internal temperature and the operation environment are used to calculate a first threshold output sheet number. When the sheet number of the image formation with respect to the transferred printing data exceeds the first threshold output sheet number, the operation environment is used to adjust the image formation speed with respect to the printing data.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit which forms an image on a medium for each page, and a notification unit which, when image formation start instructions cannot be successively issued to the image forming unit for successive pages to be formed on media, notifies the image forming unit of the interval between the instructions. The image forming unit shifts to a stop state when the notified interval exceeds a predetermined time.

Abstract: In an image-forming apparatus, a recording sheet passes in a first feeding path when it is determined that the size of the recording sheet does not satisfy the condition for feeding the recording sheet in a second feeding path even in a case in which the second feeding path is selected as the feeding path for the recording sheet.

Abstract: An abnormality determining apparatus includes an information storage unit for storing normal index information serving as an index of a normal state of the detection subject, an information obtaining unit for obtaining a plurality of types of information, and an abnormality determining unit for determining the presence of an abnormality in the detection subject on the basis of the normal index information stored in the information storage unit, and the information obtained by the information obtaining unit. The information storage unit stores a plurality of normal index information having different values. The abnormality determining unit selects, at a predetermined timing, normal index information to be used to determine the presence of an abnormality in the detection subject from the plurality of normal index information.

Abstract: A printing device is provided that includes a housing having a media path therethrough. The printing device includes at least one sensor for detecting when a media jam occurs in the media path. At least one indicator is operatively associated with a processor to provide a series of indications that can be used to locate the media jam. The indicators can comprise lights, audible indicators or graphical indicators.

Abstract: An image formation method and image formation apparatus capable of forming images on both sides of a recording medium even if a first image formation unit or a second image formation unit does not have the required functions. Detection is conducted to determine whether or not the first image formation unit and second image formation unit have the required functions. If, as a result of this detection, it is determined that one of the image formation units does not have the required functions, the method of forming an image on both faces of the paper is switched to the method for forming an image using only the image formation unit having the required functions.

Abstract: An articulated flag member arrangement detects bi-directional passage of an object. In embodiments, the articulated flag member arrangement comprises a first flag member and a second flag member wherein the first and second flag members interact with each other to detect bi-directional passage of an object, for example, using the same sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet ejection sensor 4 disposed immediately downstream of a fixing device 3 that detects the passage of a sheet P, time measurement means 61 that measure a time T4 from when a print start signal is transmitted during an margin adjustment to when the sheet is detected by the sheet ejection sensor, time storage means 62 that store a proper setting time T5 that is considered as an appropriate time from when the print start signal is transmitted to when the sheet is detected by the sheet ejection sensor so as to set predetermined end margins, and control means 63 that automatically corrects an signal transmission timing of the print start signal so as to achieve a match between the measured time measured by the time measurement means and the proper setting time stored by the time storage means.

Abstract: A print control apparatus and a print control method perform optimum page layout processing in accordance with properties of output apparatus capable of book bind printing. The order of sheets and the order of sides are obtained as book bind print setting information from the type of printer capable of book bind printing or paper discharge orifice or the type of finisher, then based on the obtained setting information, the page layout upon book bind printing is determined, and print data transmitted to the output apparatus is generated in accordance with the determined page layout.

Abstract: A reference time ts, which corresponds to a period of time a sheet S needs to move passed a detection position P1 where a sheet detection sensor 841 is disposed, is set in advance in accordance with the length of the sheet S. After a time t1 from the start of driving of a gate roller, as the leading edge of the sheet S transported to a nip area N which is between the heater roller 91 and a pressurizing roller 92 arrives at the detection position P1, an output from the sheet detection sensor 841 changes to an L-level. When the transportation of the sheet has been normal, the sensor output returns to an H-level after a reference time ts or a longer time. On the contrary, upon occurrence of a jam J2 that the sheet S has got wrapped around the heater roller 91, the leading edge of the sheet S moves backward, and therefore, a duration tm in which the sensor output is kept at the L-level becomes shorter than the reference time ts.

Abstract: There is provided an original conveying apparatus for conveying an original to an image reading section of an image forming apparatus, which is capable of preventing the number of times of writing to a nonvolatile storage medium that stores a correction value for the light emission amount of an optical sensor from exceeding a limited number of times even when adjustment of the light emission amount of the optical sensor is carried out frequently, reducing as far as possible the number of times of writing data to the storage medium that can store such data a limited number of times, thereby eliminating the occurrence of inconvenient situations such as it being impossible to maintain proper output processing, and lengthening the lifetime of the storage medium.

Abstract: A laser printer is equipped with a device for conveying a recording medium, the device being capable of detecting errors that might occur along each possible conveying path and the total number of steps involved in error resolution methods stored in an error table and capable of storing this data along with the conveying paths. The device sorts the conveying paths in order beginning from the error resolution methods involving the least total number of steps and updates the error table to reflect this order. The device then displays at least one resolution method based on the updated error table, along with the conveying path and total number of steps required to perform each resolution method.

Abstract: Page numbers on original document volumes that have been read are deleted from the read image information as a part of image processing, and page information sorted with the original document pages of multiple read original document volumes as a single document is superimposed onto the image information from which the page numbers have been deleted, following which the pages are printed out. The pages are thus provided with serial page numbers according to the sorting thereof, and situations wherein both original and new page numbers are present on the pages can be avoided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit transferring a toner image on a first face of a sheet, a fixing unit fixing the toner image onto the first face of the sheet, and a sheet detecting unit detecting the sheet in a sheet transporting path. The sheet detecting unit includes a rotator which rotates by a slide contact on a second face which is backside of the first face of the sheet, and a supporting member which supports the rotator rotatably. The rotator is comprised of a material which is charged by the slide contact on the sheet with a first polarity, the first polarity being opposed to a second polarity with which a toner of the toner image is charged. The supporting member is comprised of a material charged by the slide contact on the sheet with the second polarity.

Abstract: Aspects for providing an out of paper indication by a printer are described. The aspects include controlling paper ejection during a print job to provide an out of paper indication with a last sheet of a paper supply in a printer. The controlling of the paper ejection further includes starting ejection of a page of the print job, determining if the page being ejected comprises the last sheet, completing ejection of the page when the page does not comprise the last sheet, and stopping ejection of the page when the page does comprise the last sheet. Additionally, the partial ejection of the last sheet is maintained until paper is added to the paper supply.

Abstract: A system and method for judging a paper jam condition in a device, such as an image forming apparatus, including the steps of checking a feed sensor unit, operating a timer, and if it is judged that the feed sensor unit is switched to an “ON” state, calculating a value T1 for a fuse lamp drive unit of the apparatus to be in an “ON” state. The system and method then directs a comparison of the value T1 with a reference value T2, and judges a paper jam condition exists and aborts a printing operation if the value T1 is out of an error range of the T2. The paper jam condition is detected through the use of a feed sensor unit and monitoring of the fuser control, therefore a discharge sensor unit is not required at a discharging side of the image forming apparatus for sensing the paper jam condition.

Abstract: A method of an embodiment of the invention is disclosed that advances media sheets through an image-forming device such that each successive pair of media sheets are advanced at least substantially adjacent to one another. The method transmissively optically senses a leading edge of each of the media sheets and a lagging edge of each of the media sheets. The method detects occurrence of an out-of-media sheets situation where a length of time after the lagging edge of one of the media sheets has been optically sensed exceeds a threshold length of time.

Abstract: The carrying apparatus includes a carrying device for carrying an object to be carried, along a carrying route having a corner part, a control device for temporarily stopping and holding the object carried by the carrying device, and a detection device for detecting the object positioned at a corner part of the carrying route, wherein if the detection device detects the object when the control device stops carrying the object, the control device controls the carrying device such that the carrying device carries the object until the detection device does not detect the object any more and the carrying device then stops carrying the object.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, the position of latent image forming on a photosensitive drum is changed to thereby dynamically change the position of image forming on an intermediate transfer medium in accordance with printing conditions, thereby enabling an image to be transferred onto each sheet of a printing medium while the intermediate transfer medium is being rotated at a predetermined speed even if the image forming position is changed. The printing conditions are determined by, for example, setting for at least one of double-sided printing, offset paper discharge using a finisher, a post process related to stapling, use/nonuse of an electronic sorter, and image processing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is controlled so that, in a standby state before an image forming part becomes able to perform image forming, documents are successively conveyed to a predetermined read position on a platen glass by a document feeder and images are read from all the documents, and so that, at the time of document image reading in the standby state, operating noise from the document feeder is reduced.

Abstract: The proposed apparatus is designed for being capable of recovering even when the overlapped transport of insert sheets has occurred without stopping the apparatus, thereby providing an improved utility to the users. The apparatus includes a first sheet feeder for sequentially separating blank sheets into individual sheet, an image forming device for forming images on the blank sheets, a transport device for waiting the blank sheet to be supplied to the image forming apparatus at predetermined time, a second sheet feeder for sequentially separating the insert sheets into individual sheet, an overlapped transport detecting device for determining whether or not the insert sheets have been transported in overlapped condition, and a controller for discharging all the insert sheets of a set involved in the overlapped transport onto a predetermined place, finding the first insert sheet of a next set of insert sheets, and discontinuing the drive of the transport device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit adapted to form an image on a sheet, a first sensor adapted to detect skew or a folded corner of a sheet being conveyed, a second sensor adapted to detect multiple feeding ofsheets being conveyed, and a display adapted to display results of detection of the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: A printing apparatus can reduce wasted power consumption, and prolong the life of an image forming section and fixing pressurizing rollers. It includes a printer control unit including a video controller and engine controller. According to a print reservation from the video controller, the engine controller controls a paper transport mechanism such as feed rollers, transport rollers and lifters, thereby feeding paper from a paper inlet designated by a printing condition. The engine controller controls a laser scanner unit to transfer a formed image to a sheet with a high voltage unit, and fixes it by a fixing assembly. It controls the paper transport mechanism to output the paper to the paper outlet designated by the printing condition. The image forming section and fixing pressurizing rollers are individually rotatable. Their rotation is stoppable individually without interference in a time from printing the first side to reversing and refeeding the paper.

Abstract: Representative embodiments provide for an imaging apparatus including a controller, a first imaging engine and a second imaging engine, each coupled with the controller and configured to form images on sheet media, and a nip assembly configured to pass a sheet media. The imaging apparatus including a circuit electrically coupled to the nip assembly and coupled with the controller, the circuit configured to provide a length signal to the controller corresponding to a length of a sheet media passed through the nip assembly, and wherein the controller is configured to control normal operation of the second imaging engine in correspondence to the length signal. Also provided is a method, including imaging a first side of a sheet media, passing the sheet media through a nip assembly, determining a length of the sheet media, and selectively imaging a second side of the sheet media in correspondence to the length.

Abstract: To prevent mixture of papers discharged by an image forming apparatus when sheet post-treatment equipment that executes post-treatment on papers discharged by the image forming apparatus post-treats papers supplied directly to the sheet post-treatment equipment by a user. When an off-line mode is selected via an operation panel of the sheet post-treatment equipment, a sheet post-treatment equipment controller notifies an engine controller of the image forming apparatus that this mode has been selected. The engine controller indicates on an operation panel that the off-line mode has been selected, and disables an image formation start instruction key.

Abstract: In a copier or input scanner wherein original documents are manually placed on a platen for scanning, when a platen cover is lowered over the document and approaches a closed position, a control system initiates a scanning operation while locking the platen cover in the closed position. After the scanning operation is completed, the platen cover is automatically pushed into an open position as a visual cue to the user that a new document may be scanned. The system facilitates manual scanning of odd-shaped documents, such as successive pages of bound books.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus has a first conveying unit for conveying a sheet, a second conveying unit for conveying a sheet in merging with the first conveying unit and a sheet merging overlapping device. At a junction between the first and second conveying unit, the sheet merging overlapping device overlaps the sheet conveyed by first conveying unit with the sheet conveyed by the second conveying unit in a sheet conveyance direction.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a cassette in which recording media are configured to be stacked. The cassette includes a rear end regulation member configured to be moved in a direction in which the recording media are fed to regulate rear ends of the recording media and a size detection device configured to swing with movement of the rear end regulation member. The sheet feeding device further includes a size determination device arranged within an area corresponding to a width of the cassette in the direction in which the recording media are fed. The size determination device is configured to determine a size of the recording media stacked in the cassette by detecting a position of the size detection device.

Abstract: In a multifunctional printing method and printing system, printed material is checked, verified and tracked. For that purpose different test equipments are located in-line with a printing line. Magnetic information being printed by a printing station onto the recording carrier using magnetic ink character readable toner may be in-line tested by a magnetic test equipment, which reads information from the magnetic recording zone on the carrier. Optical information may be tested by an in-line mounted optical test equipment, respectively. Further in-line test equipment is proposed such as a leaser bar code scanner and an address reader. The printing line may have additional devices such as print preprocessing unwinders or print postprocessing stackers, folders or cutters.