Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding human operators through a sequence of maintenance and repair tasks such as the removal of paper jams in complex reprographic equipment. The invention comprises the placement of human interpretable indicators in locations corresponding to various operations to be performed by an operator and then activating such indicators in sequence when sensors and a control algorithm confirm that operations preceding the operation in the sequence are completed.

Abstract: An image reproduction device is provided with an automatic feed unit for documents; a double-sheet detector for detecting more than one sheet as the document for copying; an operator control unit provided with an operator control panel; and a control unit for controlling the automatic feed unit, processing the signal from the double-sheet detector and controlling the operator control unit. The device which is also provided with an operator control unit adapted to offer a choice between switching the double-sheet detector on or off is thus suitable for the image reproduction of documents in cases in which, dependent on the presence of documents consisting of more than one sheet, the operator is offered the free choice of adapting the operation of the image reproduction device thereto.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a main body of the apparatus which has an opening section, a cover which covers/uncovers the opening section of the main body of the apparatus, a photosensitive member provided in the main body of the apparatus, a developer provided for forming a toner image sticking toner on the photosensitive member at a developing position in the main body of the apparatus, a transfer roller provided in the main body of the apparatus, and a control mechanism provided in the main body of the apparatus, for rotating the photosensitive member by a distance larger than a distance between the developing position and the transcribing position during the cover is moved from the first position to the second position and then moved from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: Toner is conserved in an image forming apparatus, such as an electrophotographic printer (e.g., laser printer), by varying the interpage gap when approaching an exhaustion of the recording media supply (“paper out”). A supply level sensor is used to determine whether the supply of discrete recording media (e.g., paper sheets) is above or below a predetermined level. A smaller value interpage gap is used when the supply level is above the predetermined level. The interpage gap is automatically lengthened to a second larger value when the sensed media supply level drops below the predetermined level. The longer second interpage gap allows for “paper out condition” that may result from printing of sheet N−1 to be determined prior to image formation beginning for sheet N. The interpage gap may be reset to the smaller value when the supply has been refilled to above the pre-determined level.

Abstract: As a control method of an image formation apparatus 1 having an image formation apparatus main unit 2 and a postprocessing unit 3, when paper jam (1) occurs in the postprocessing unit 3, paper jam (2) is caused to occur at a paper ejection position at the last stage in the image formation apparatus main unit 2 and the paper stop position is controlled in the image formation apparatus main unit 2 based on the paper jam (2).

Abstract: The carrying apparatus comprises a carrying device for carrying an object to be carried, along a carrying route, a heating device for heating the object being carried along the carrying route, a control device for temporarily stopping and keeping the object being carried along the carrying route, and a detection device for detecting whether the object is positioned at the heating device, when carrying of the object is temporarily stopped by the control device, wherein if the detection device detects the object positioned at the heating device, the control device controls operation of the carrying device so as to carry the object until the detection device does not detect the object any more, and then to stop carrying of the object.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a main body of the apparatus which has an opening section, a cover which covers/uncovers the opening section of the main body of the apparatus, a photosensitive member provided in the main body of the apparatus, a developer provided for forming a toner image sticking toner on the photosensitive member at a developing position in the main body of the apparatus, a transfer roller provided in the main body of the apparatus, and a control mechanism provided in the main body of the apparatus, for rotating the photosensitive member by a distance larger than a distance between the developing position and the transcribing position during the cover is moved from the first position to the second position and then moved from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: In the course of a printing job, if the capacity of a designated face-up (or face-down) discharge exit is exceeded, the printing is executed in the inverted order of pages and the printed sheets are discharged to a face-down (or face-up) discharge exit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes two temperature sensors each being responsive to the surface temperature of a particular portion of a fixing member. A reference temperature setting section sets a reference temperature value on the basis of the temperatures that are sensed by the two temperature sensors when the surface of the heating member is heated to a preselected temperature by a heat source. A controller calculates an actual temperature value on the basis of the temperatures sensed by the temperature sensors. The controller then compares the actual temperature value and reference temperature value to thereby determine whether or not a jam ascribable to a recording medium wrapped around the fixing member has occurred. The controller interrupts current supply to the heat source if such a jam has occurred.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a predetermined processing is performed in response to occurrence of an abnormal condition that an image forming job cannot be executed. A first processing is preset for the apparatus as a common processing to respond to the abnormal condition. A second processing is set for the image forming job as a processing to respond to the abnormal condition. Either the first processing or the second processing is selected according to priorities assigned thereto. The selected processing is performed in response to occurrence of the abnormal condition when the abnormal condition occurs. The processing to handle the abnormal condition can flexibly be selected from among a plurality of processings according to the environment in which the printer system is placed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting wrinkling of sheets of material is provided. A change in an angle the sheet forms with a reference line can be detected. When the change in the angle exceeds a threshold value, wrinkling of the sheet can be detected. In an exemplary embodiment, ultrasound signals may be used to detect wrinkling. As ultrasound passes through a sheet of material, for example, paper, there is both a phase shift and an amplitude reduction to that ultrasound signal. As the angle of the sheet changes with respect to the ultrasound signal due to wrinkling of the sheet, the phase shift and amplitude of the signal after it passes through the sheet changes. Thus, as the sheet begins to wrinkle, there is a change in the phase shift and amplitude of the signal. These changes can be used to detect the start of a document jam or wrinkling of a sheet of material.

Abstract: As a control method of an image formation apparatus 1 having an image formation apparatus main unit 2 and a postprocessing unit 3, when paper jam (1) occurs in the postprocessing unit 3, paper jam (2) is caused to occur at a paper ejection position at the last stage in the image formation apparatus main unit 2 and the paper stop position is controlled in the image formation apparatus main unit 2 based on the paper jam (2).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming device on which toner images are formed; a transfer device for transferring the toner images onto a record medium; a voltage-application unit for applying a transfer voltage to the transfer device; a current-detection unit for detecting current flowing between the image forming device and the transfer device; a storage unit for storing a first current value detected at a non-operation position of the transfer device, and a second current value detected at an operation position of the transfer device; and a transfer device state-determination unit for determining the presence of the transfer device and the occurrence of an anomaly in a contact operation of the transfer device with the image forming device and a shunt operation in which the transfer device is moved away from the image forming device.

Abstract: A printer service tool includes a control panel port connector for connecting to the control panel port of a printer, a controller diagnostic port connector for connecting to a diagnostic port of the printer, and a display. The display displays a plurality of menus. A first menu includes a representation of buttons displayed on a control panel of the printer. A second menu includes menu items which provides ability to monitor printer functionality.

Abstract: A paper feeding control method for compensating the rotational speed of a paper feeding roller by varying the rotational speed appropriately according to the paper feed delay when detecting the presence of the paper feed delay on a paper feeding path of a liquid electrophotographic color printing device. The paper feeding control method measures the time taken for a paper to be fed on the paper feeding path to a certain part of the feeding path, and determines the presence and degree of the paper delayed at the certain part by comparing the measured time at the certain part with a preset paper feeding time for the certain part. Next, according to the determination made, the method adjusts the rotational speed of the driving motor for driving the paper feeding roller to increase the rotational speed of the paper feeding roller, and to compensate for the paper feed delay.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus for processing sheets from an image forming apparatus includes a first processing unit for processing a sheet, the first processing unit including a processing station for processing a sheet, a first path for transporting a sheet therethrough, and a second path for transporting a sheet to the processing station, a second processing unit for processing the sheet transported from the first processing unit, a power supply for supplying power independently to the first processing unit and the second processing unit. The first processing unit selects the first path when the first processing unit is not supplied with power by the power supply.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with an electrostatic charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a feeding unit, a transfer unit, a peeling-off unit, a fixing device and also a cooling mechanism used when taking out a jamming sheet in the fixing device. The fixing device consists of a fixing unit having fixing rollers and discharge guide unit for discharging a sheet after fixed by the fixing unit. The cooling mechanism, such as, a cooling fan or a refrigerant cooling unit, is provided at the discharge guide, to cool the jamming sheet that has caused jamming only in the fixing unit and discharged therefrom. Time for cooling the jamming sheet may be controlled by a user manual operation or for a predetermined period within a recovery allowable time, so as not to cool the fixing rollers, which would otherwise cause a long recovery time.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to make it possible to extend a degree of freedom on designing and further improve the reliability when an output control is performed according to a status change of a printer engine. When there is the status change of the printer engine, whether an output monitoring timer of a CCRT signal is OFF or not is detected. If NO, whether the counting operation of the timer has been finished or not is discriminated. When the counting operation of the timer is finished, the timer operation is stopped. After the timer operation was stopped, the CCRT signal is set to “true”. When a status request command from an image controller is received, a transmission preparation of a current state of the printer engine is started. After completion of the transmission preparation of the status signal, an SBSY signal is set to “true” and the CCRT signal is set to “false”. After that, the timer is set to a predetermined value and the counting operation is started.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, in which toner images formed on an image forming body are formed on double sides of a transfer material, a writing of an image on the image forming body by a writing device according to image data for an intermediate transfer body is conducted before a feeding of the transfer material is started.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes two temperature sensors each being responsive to the surface temperature of a particular portion of a fixing member. A reference temperature setting section sets a reference temperature value on the basis of the temperatures that are sensed by the two temperature sensors when the surface of the heating member is heated to a preselected temperature by a heat source. A controller calculates an actual temperature value on the basis of the temperatures sensed by the temperature sensors. The controller then compares the actual temperature value and reference temperature value to thereby determine whether or not a jam ascribable to a recording medium wrapped around the fixing member has occurred. The controller interrupts current supply to the heat source if such a jam has occurred.

Abstract: Conveyance of a sheet is controlled based on a detected skew amount of a conveyed sheet and a result of determination on whether an operation mode set through an operation console is a punching mode or not, thus protecting a user from spending extra time and efforts and extra cost in the event that a sheet skews.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to enable a maintenance work to be executed with appropriate timing. When jam occurrence is detected by jam sensors placed in a plurality of positions in a sheet transporting path, a control section changes a display state such as a shape and a blinking period of a mark in a display section, in accordance with history information which is stored in a storage section. When the display contents of the display section is visually checked, the part where the jam has occurred can be identified from the display position of the mark, and the jam occurrence history in the part can be known from the shape and the blinking period of the mark. Therefore, it is possible to correctly judge the necessity of a maintenance work.

Abstract: Even if a user sets an erroneous setting to a sheet, in order to provide an image formation system which can recycle sheets and improve operability without executing incorrect processing to the sheet, a reference value, which is referred in confirming an abnormal state of the sheet to be conveyed, before a generation of sheet size information is made to differ from the reference value after the generation of the sheet size information on the basis of a sheet detected result. In accordance with the sheet size information to be confirmed and the sheet size information acquired according to an instruction from an operator, processing corresponding to the instruction from the operator to the sheet is invalidated. An image formation operation is interrupted in accordance with the sheet size information to be confirmed and the sheet size information acquired according to the instruction from the operator.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, a charger for contacting with and charging the image bearing member to form a latent image on the image bearing member, a developing device for developing the latent image formed on the image bearing member with a toner, the developing device collecting the toner on the image bearing member, an intermediate transfer member, and a transfer charger for transferring a toner image on the image bearing member to the intermediate transfer member, wherein the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer member by the transfer charger is transferred to a recording material, and when the image forming operation is interrupted, the toner image on the image bearing member which is not yet transferred to the intermediate transfer member is transferred to the intermediate transfer member by the transfer charger.

Abstract: A method and a system for facilitating service for image forming devices such as copiers, fax machines and printers. A main service center receives a service request from a user, such as via an Internet home page that the main service center maintains. Based on the service requests and databases for user information and information regarding local service centers, the main service centers identifies the local service center(s) that are suitable for meeting the service request, in term of the type of devices and territories they service and other factors. The user, the main service center, and the one or more local service centers transmit information among themselves to track the service request and responses by the user and one or more local service centers and to ensure that the requested service is appropriately supplied.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium conveyance method and apparatus, which can prevent a properly conveyed recording medium from being determined as jamming to thereby avoid an unnecessary operation of dealing with a jam. A timing measuring means 102 measures timing in which the recording medium passes a predetermined location downstream of a separation electrifier, which separates a moving recording medium from a photosensitive drum, in accordance with information acquired by a post-separation sensor, which detects the recording medium at the predetermined location downstream of the separation electrifier.

Abstract: A sheet attachment detecting apparatus includes a rotary member which is rotatable for conveying a sheet and whose surface is electrically conductive, an electrically conductive member which can be abutted on and separated from the surface of the rotary member, and an attachment detector which applies a power to the rotary member and the electrically conductive member for detecting the attachment of the sheet around the rotary member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resetting a sheet processing device is disclosed in which even if a trouble occurs, a sheet processing can be continued after resetting without wasting the previous processing. In a sheet processing device in which a set of sheets conveyed from an image forming device is discharged to a discharge tray after a predetermined processing process, the processing process is finely divided into plural function units and the function units are individually reset. In a memory device, a status flag indicating the condition of each module unit is assigned to each unit. The presence of a partially performed operation is confirmed by the status flag, and only the function unit having partially performed operation is reset to its initial condition.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes (i) a photosensitive drum for holding an electrostatic latent image on its surface, the photosensitive drum being driven to rotate by a motor, (ii) charging means for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum so that the surface has a predetermined polarity and a predetermined potential, (iii) exposing means for forming an electrostatic latent image by exposing the charged surface of the photosensitive drum, and (iv) developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image, and is arranged so that after stop of the motor due to occurrence of a trouble, during an inertial rotation time in which the photosensitive drum rotates due to an inertial force, the exposing means executes discharge exposure with respect to a charge remaining region on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is able to form either single or double sided copies on a recording medium while achieving an excellent image quality in either a matted or glossy finish. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing portion in which a first roller includes a first temperature and hardness for forming a matted image, whereas a second roller includes a higher temperature and hardness for forming a glossy image. Alternatively, or in addition, to different hardness and temperatures, the recording medium can be conveyed at a first speed to form a matted image, and a slower speed to form a glossy image. The image forming apparatus further includes an inverse and re-fixing sub-mode, which utilizes an inverting and returning passage, for reducing the curl in a recording medium, and thus also reducing the instances in which clogging takes place. The inverting and returning passage has a length sufficient to accommodate a plurality of recording mediums.

Abstract: Front and side surfaces of an image forming device are provided with a front cover and a side cover, respectively, which cover an image forming section, and which can be opened and closed. A supporting hinge of the side cover is provided along a lateral edge thereof toward the rear of the main body of the device, and the side cover opens to widely expose a lower portion of the image forming section. Further, by means of an obstructing body provided integrally with the front cover, the front and side covers are given an order of opening and closing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes, a network interface for connecting the image forming apparatus to a network as a network terminal, an electronic mail communication control unit for communicating an electronic mail with another network terminal through said network interface, a memory for storing an address of a predetermined network terminal, a sensor for detecting an abnormal condition of the image forming apparatus, a controller for producing the electronic mail according to the address stored in the memory, and wherein the electronic mail communication control unit sends an electronic mail produced by the controller to the predetermined network terminal when the sensor detects an abnormal condition such as when the sensor detects a paper jam, toner empty and paper-out.

Abstract: A printing system has a host apparatus for generating print data and sending the generated print data to a printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus for printing an image on the basis of the received print data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with print request controls for accepting a print request relevant to a job from an operator on condition that use of an image forming section is permitted by permission controls. The image forming apparatus is also provided with print controls for making the image forming section execute image formation relevant to the above job according to instructions by the print request controls. The image forming apparatus is further provided with inhibition controls for inhibiting acceptance of a print request relevant to a job different from the above job by the print request controls, regardless of the presence or absence of permission by the permission controls after accepting the print request relevant to the above job by the print request controls. Thereby, it is possible to prevent another person from opportunistically using the apparatus even when the operator forgets to cancel the permission of use of the image forming section by the permission controls.

Abstract: A remote diagnosis system including a plurality of image forming apparatus each having a trouble informing device, and a central controller for receiving data including a trouble indicator indicative of a problem which may or has occurred in each of the image forming apparatus and for responding to this data. Also included is a data communication apparatus, connected to each of the plurality of image forming apparatus and the central controller, for receiving the data including the trouble indicator from each of the plurality of image forming apparatus, and for transmitting this data to the central controller. The remote diagnosis system further includes a trouble classifying device for classifying causes of trouble which may occur in each of the image forming apparatus. In addition, the data communication apparatus collects data classified by the classifying device.

Abstract: A print system includes a printer having a printer controller. One or more optional support devices are associated with the printer, wherein each optional support device includes a device controller. The system further includes a bi-directional serial communications path, including one or more trunklines, which provides serial electrical interconnection between the printer controller and each device controller of each optional support device of the system. The printer controller automatically assigns a unique device address to each optional support device. Transmission error detection system and method are provided at the printer controller and/or each optional support device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus electrophotographically forming a toner image on a record sheet based on original image information and being capable of performing one or more kinds of preliminary processing before switching to an image formation enabled state from an image formation disabled state caused by a trouble in the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of control to synchronize the arrival of images and copy sheets at a transfer station by sensing delay of a copy sheet arrival at the transfer station. There is then a determination that the delay of arrival is incapable of being corrected to synchronize with a given image. In response, the control decides to rewrite the given image on the receiving medium or further delay the arrival of the copy sheet, or a combination of rewrite and delay, in order that the arrival of a given image and copy sheet is synchronized.

Abstract: A sheet transportation device for use in an image forming apparatus is provided which has self-diagnosis and self-repair functions. The sheet transportation device has a sheet transportation system including a plurality of units (8). A control sequence for a sheet transportation operation is applied from a system body (10) to the respective units (8). The units (8) each execute the control sequence to perform the sheet transportation operation. The units (8) are each constructed so as to perform an autonomous operation. This construction allows the respective units to autonomously perform self-diagnosis and repair operations. The fault diagnosis and repair operations are performed in parallel to the sheet transportation control. Therefore, the sheet transportation device can flexibly adapt itself to an external influence such as a change in the use environment and a malfunction due to a time-related change such as the aging of components thereof.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording material, a fixing device for fixing the image on the recording material, an overlap-feed detector such as a transfer current detector for detecting an overlap-feed of the recording material conveyed to the fixing device and a set temperature controller for controlling the set temperature. The fixing device is maintained at a set temperature during an image fixing operation. The controller lowers the set temperature or stops the conveyance of the recording material when the overlap-feed detector detects the overlap feed. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can prevent a fixing device from breaking due to an overlap-feed of a recording material.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided in a printer to prevent wrapping of the paper web onto the printer's fixing roller which fixes the toner particles onto the paper web. The apparatus includes a sensor to monitor the speed and moving direction of the web at the output of the fixing station. The sensor is connected to a controller which operates to halt the operation of the fixing station or the printer when the sensor senses a reversal of the moving direction of the web. The controller may average the web moving speed and compare the average speed to a predetermined speed for halting printer operation if the average speed traverses the predetermined speed.

Abstract: A method is provided for copying in which a duplex copy can be smoothly made. In making N sets of double-sided copies of M one-sided documents, a method of copying includes a first document circulating step of copying images of even ordinal numbered documents on unused sheets and then stores these sheets into an intermediate tray. The second document circulating step of copying images of odd ordinal numbered documents on rear faces of one-side copied sheets forming double-sided copied sheets which are discharged. A cycle detecting solenoid for separating each circulation of the one-sided documents is provided and breakdown judging step of judging by a controlling device that a cycle detection sensor is out of order in the case where the cycle detecting solenoid is operated and a polarity of the cycle detection sensor is not changed.

Abstract: A digital copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus sets a copying operation time period per sheet based on the size of a copying sheet. If the remaining number of sheets corresponding to an expendable in the digital copying machine decreases, time at which this expandable runs out is displayed, and time at which a discharge tray is filled is displayed if the number of sheets to be discharged onto the discharge tray is expected to exceed a fixed value. As a result, an image forming apparatus permitting an operator to smoothly perform processings with the apparatus if a copying operation to a set of documents formed of a plurality of sheets cannot be completed.

Abstract: A method for driving an electrographic imaging unit. The method involves interrupting the operation of the imaging unit when an operational error occurs, resuming the operation of the imaging unit when the operation error is cleared within a predetermined time, and operating at least one of a photosensitive belt, a transfer roller, a fixation roller and a cleaning roller when the operational error is not cleared within the predetermined time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet supply apparatus with a supply device for supplying a sheet, a drive motor for driving the supply device, a power transmission switching mechanism for permitting or inhibiting transmission of power from the drive motor to the supply device, and control means for controlling an operation of the power transmission switching mechanism. The power transmission switching mechanism is controlled in such a manner that the transmission of power from the drive motor to the supply device is inhibited when a supplying operation is stopped.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet has a first conveyance path for guiding the sheet, and a second conveyance path arranged in continuation from the first conveyance path to guide the sheet conveyed from the first conveyance path. A conveyor drum, which may be an image transfer drum, retains the sheet on its surface and conveys the sheet such that the sheet moves along said second conveyance path. The drum and the second conveyance path are supported such that they can be moved in a direction which intersects the direction of sheet conveyance, so as to be drawn out of the main part of the apparatus. A sheet jam detector is provided for detecting a sheet jam at a predetermined position which is on the drum and which is spaced from the inlet of the second conveyance path by a distance greater than the length of the sheet which has the greatest length among the sheets which are to be handled by the apparatus, as measured along the second path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a charging station, an exposure station forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged image bearing member, and a developing station for developing the latent image formed on the surface of the image bearing member. A stop control device is provided for immediately stopping a charging operation by the charging device when the image forming apparatus must stop due to the detection of an irregular state during an image forming process. The image bearing member continues moving by at least the distance along that member from the charging to the developing station before the stop control device stops the developing operation and the moving of the image bearing member.

Abstract: A concave space is formed at a predetermined position of a lower portion of an apparatus including an image forming means. An up switch, a standard position moving switch, and a down switch are arranged. When the up switch is depressed, the apparatus moves the image forming means upward to a predetermined position. When the down switch is depressed, the image forming means moves downward to a predetermined position. When the standard position moving switch is depressed, the image forming means moves to a standard position. Therefore, a wheelchair user can easily operate the apparatus.

Abstract: A simulation system is provided which is capable of simulating the behavior of a sheet transported by a transportation system. In response to application of a control sequence formulated for the sheet transportation system, a simulation is performed to check how the sheet is to be transported in the sheet transportation system on the basis of the applied control sequence. Necessary data are extracted from hardware systems constituting the real sheet transportation system. On the basis of the extracted data, a virtual sheet transportation system is constructed in a computer, and the sheet is represented by information indicative of the locations of opposite ends of the sheet and the distance therebetween. The sheet thus represented is moved by a predetermined unit distance in the virtual sheet transportation system on the basis of the control sequence, and data is computed for every movement of the sheet.

Abstract: A method of removing a paper from a laser printer when a jam occurs includes the steps of starting printing after initialization of a laser printer system, and ascertaining if a jam occurs during the printing performance. The method also includes the steps of proceeding with printing in the absence of a jam, and ascertaining if the cover of the system is opened and then closed when the jam occurs. The printing mechanism motor of the laser printer may be driven at its maximum motor speed, to remove the paper, when the cover is opened and then closed. The time required to clear jams is greatly decreased, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the use of the laser printer.