Abstract: A first conveyance path and a second conveyance path are formed in a housing. The first conveyance path extends in a conveyance direction to reach a first discharge port for discharging a sheet. The second conveyance path extends in the conveyance direction at a position higher than the first conveyance path to reach a second discharge port for discharging a sheet. The second discharge port is located at a position upstream of the first discharge port in the conveyance direction. A first print engine is provided at the first conveyance path. The first print engine is configured to print an image by using a recording agent on a sheet conveyed along the first conveyance path. A second print engine is provided at the second conveyance path. The second print engine is configured to print an image by using a recording agent on a sheet conveyed along the second conveyance path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller to control a process of printing identification information along with an image on a medium. A first image forming section forms images using a non-decolorable material. A second image forming section forms images using a decolorable material. A fixing device performs fixes images to the medium at a first fixing temperature at or above a decoloring temperature of the decolorable material. When the identification information is to be visible, the controller controls the first image forming section to form the image and identification information, and the images are fixed to the medium at the first temperature. When the identification information printed on the medium is to be invisible, the first image forming section forms the first image, the second image forming section forms the identification information, and the fixing device fixes the images at the first temperature.

Abstract: A label die cutting device enables easily changing the shape of the die cut made in label paper. A printer 1 has a print unit 7 and a die cutting process unit 8 (label die cutting device). The die cutting process unit 8 has a conveyance path 9 for conveying the label paper 5, a die cutting unit including wire pins 41 and a wire pin drive mechanism 42 for advancing and retracting the wire pins 41, and a die cutting controller 68 for driving the wire pin drive mechanism 42 to strike the wire pins 41 against the label paper 5 on the conveyance path 9 and die cut the label paper 5 based on print data. The die cutting unit is a wire dot head 27.

Abstract: A print apparatus that binds sheets at corners includes printing images onto the sheets, performing binding processing at specified corners using any of a first binding unit that performs the binding processing by being displaced to a plurality of positions and a second binding unit that performs the binding processing at a fixed single position, reversing the sheets via a conveyance path provided for reversing the sheets, and controlling permitting execution of the binding processing using the first or the second binding unit in a case where the sheets to be used are sheets of a type permitted to be reversed, and permitting execution of the binding processing using the first binding unit while prohibiting execution of the binding processing with use of the second binding unit in a case where the sheets to be used are sheets of a type prohibited from being reversed.

Abstract: According to the embodiments, there is provided an erasing apparatus and an image-forming apparatus. The erasing apparatus prints a mark including printing information of a sheet before erasing processing on the sheet after erasing processing. The image-forming apparatus performs control such that an image to be printed is suppressed to be formed on an area on which a large number of images have been printed in the sheet before the erasing processing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printer, an interface through which print data includes at least one of a first setting to form a first image with a decolorable colorant and a second setting to form a second image with a non-decolorable colorant, and a controller that determines whether the print data includes a layout setting to form a plurality of images on a sheet. If the print data includes the layout setting and only one of the first and the second setting, the printer forms the images with a corresponding one of the decolorable colorant and the non-decolorable colorant on the sheet based on the layout setting. If the print data includes the layout setting, the first setting and the second setting, the printer forms each of the first image and the second image on different sheets.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a sheet feeder to load a roll body including a recording medium wound around, an image forming unit to form an image on the recording medium, and a conveyance unit including a conveyance belt to convey the recording medium drawn out from the roll body so as to oppose the recording medium to the image forming unit. The sheet feeder and the conveyance unit are integrated as a sheet feed conveyance unit. The sheet feed conveyance unit is configured to load the roll body in at least the sheet feeder and be drawable from the apparatus body to a position at which the conveyance belt is visible.

Abstract: An image erasing apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read identifiers printed on each of first and second surfaces of a sheet, an erasing unit, a sheet storage unit, a conveying unit configured turn over the sheet while conveying the sheet, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to determine a first number of times the first surface of the sheet has been subjected to an erasing process and a second number of times the second surface of the sheet has been subjected to the erasing process, based on the identifiers read by the reading unit, control the conveying unit to turn over the sheet when the first number of times is smaller than the second number of times, and control the conveying unit to convey the sheet without turning over the sheet when the first number of times is greater than the second number of times.

Abstract: A hybrid inkjet printer for printing on a non-porous medium includes a data processing system provides a tone value of a half-tone pattern in a pre-determined function of an image-wise lay-down of an inkjet image; toner printer for pre-coating a non-porous medium with toner resin particles in a half-tone pattern to create a patterned toner coated medium in accordance with the tone value; inkjet ejectors for applying the image-wise lay-down of the inkjet image to said half-tone patterned toner coated media to provide an image on said half-tone patterned toner coated medium; and a fuser for fusing said image on said toner coated medium.

Abstract: An electrical connecting mechanism includes: a first connector disposed at an apparatus main body; a second connector disposed at an optional device, a power feed switch disposed at one among the apparatus main body and the optional device and capable of switching between a connected state and an unconnected state; and an operation element that is disposed in the other one among the apparatus main body and the optional device, and causes a state in which power can be supplied from the apparatus main body to the optional device to be entered by changing the power feed switch to the connected state, when the first connector and the second connector are coupled.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image data acquiring unit that acquires image data of an image formed on a sheet; an identification information image reading unit that reads an identification information image formed on the sheet, the identification information image corresponding to identification information that identifies the sheet on which the image is formed; an image forming unit that forms a first image based on the image data acquired by the image data acquiring unit on the sheet with a decolorable colorant which becomes colorless by a predetermined chemical reaction; and a storage control unit that stores the identification information and the image data of the image to be formed on the sheet, on which the identification information image corresponding to the identification information is formed, in a predetermined storage region in a correlated manner.

Abstract: An image data transmission apparatus which are capable of improving reliability of log files by ensuring proper storing of log information about transferred image data. A preceding log, which includes information about the transmission of image data, is transmitted to a log file server connected with a scanner via a network. In the scanner, it is determined whether the log file server has succeeded in receiving or storing the preceding log. If the log file server has succeeded in receiving or storing the preceding log, the image data is transmitted to a designated destination of image data transmission.

Abstract: A multi function peripheral with a plurality of functions includes a function selecting unit accepting therethrough an input to select a function to be executed from the plurality of functions, a display unit displaying thereon an information screen showing information on the function selected through the function selecting unit, and a display control unit controlling the display unit to, each time a function is selected through the function selecting unit, display thereon a first information screen showing information on the selected function. When a second information screen showing information on a function in execution has been displayed on the display unit, the display control unit controls the display unit to display thereon the first information screen concurrently with the second information screen.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first acquiring unit, a determination unit, a second acquiring unit, and a notifying unit. The first acquiring unit acquires first settable region information on a plane-shaped recording medium in other image forming apparatus. The first settable region information indicates a first settable region on which a registration mark is settable. The determination unit determines a first region based on the first settable region information. The first region is a region on which the registration mark is formable in a cascade printing system including the image forming apparatus and the other image forming apparatus. The second acquiring unit acquires second settable region information on the plane-shaped recording medium. The second settable region information indicates a second settable region on which the registration mark is formable in the plane-shaped recording medium. The notifying unit provides invalidity information indicating the registration mark is possible invalid.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image data acquiring unit that acquires image data of an image formed on a sheet; an identification information acquiring unit that acquires identification information that identifies the sheet on which the image is formed; an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data on the sheet with a decolorable colorant which becomes colorless by a predetermined chemical reaction and that forms an identification information image based on the identification information on the sheet with a non-decolorable colorant which does not become colorless by the chemical reaction; and a storage control unit that stores the identification information and the image data of the image to be formed on the sheet, on which the identification information image corresponding to the identification information is formed, in a predetermined storage region in a correlated manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming method to perform a printing for a plurality of sheets of paper, comprising: expressing any one region in a first color, the one region being one of a predetermined number of regions which are provided at an end part of each sheet of the plurality of sheets of paper and are continuous in an extending direction of the end part of the sheets; expressing the other regions except the one region in a second color; and printing an additional image in which the one region expressed in the first color is shifted sequentially in the extending direction of the end part of the sheets, in an order of the printing of each sheet of paper.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that can be connected to an image-forming apparatus, a method, and a program used for the information processing apparatus are disclosed. The information processing apparatus comprises a control unit for controlling print-setting information set for document data to be printed, a recognition unit for recognizing information about a first function specified by the print-setting information by translating the print-setting information controlled by the control unit, an obtaining unit for obtaining information about a second function of the image-forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus, a determination unit for determining whether or not the image-forming apparatus can perform the first function recognized by the recognition unit based on the second-function information obtained by the obtaining unit, and a modification unit for modifying the print-setting information controlled by the control unit based on the determination result.

Abstract: An electrical connecting mechanism includes: a first connector disposed at an apparatus main body; a second connector disposed at an optional device, a power feed switch disposed at one among the apparatus main body and the optional device and capable of switching between a connected state and an unconnected state; and an operation element that is disposed in the other one among the apparatus main body and the optional device, and causes a state in which power can be supplied from the apparatus main body to the optional device to be entered by changing the power feed switch to the connected state, when the first connector and the second connector are coupled.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a first developing unit to form an image using a dry developer and a second developing unit to form an image using a wet developer. The first developing unit forms an image using yellow, magenta, cyan and black developers, and the second developing unit forms an image using a developer having lighter colors than the yellow, magenta, cyan and black developers. Therefore, light colors requiring high resolution and high definition may be printed using a wet type image forming module capable of easily expressing the light colors, and original and dark colors may be printed using a dry image forming module. Hence, it is possible to print a color image having high resolution and high definition, and enhance the color reproducibility of the image.

Abstract: A production and finishing system, particularly a printing and finishing system, for electronic management and control of a wide range of finishing processes characterized by input from multiple production operations and equipment that, depending upon the job, may be variably applied to work pieces that themselves are highly variable between different jobs. Particular emphasis is demonstrated in relation to printing and finishing operations for printed documents. The principles of the present invention, however, apply to such production and finishing systems as, without limitation, textile production (which may include printing, cutting, sewing, and finishing), packaging operations for various consumer and industrial products, and printed wiring board production, etc. The present invention is particularly applicable to many operations where processes for production of work pieces are managed separately from processes for finishing and packaging of such work pieces.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image data acquiring unit that acquires image data of an image formed on a sheet; an identification information acquiring unit that acquires identification information that identifies the sheet on which the image is formed; an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data acquired by the image data acquiring unit on the sheet with a decolorable colorant which becomes colorless by a predetermined chemical reaction and that forms an identification information image based on the identification information on the sheet with a non-decolorable colorant which does not become colorless by the chemical reaction by which the decolorable colorant becomes colorless; and a storage control unit that stores the identification information and the image data of the image to be formed on the sheet, on which the identification information image corresponding to the identification information is formed, in a predetermined storage region in a correlated m

Abstract: An image forming device, which is linkable to an optional unit, includes: a connector providing an electrical connection with the optional unit; a connector cover opening and closing a connecting surface of the connector; and a cover opening-and-closing mechanism opening the connecting surface of the connector by moving the connector cover in accordance with a linking operation linking the optional unit.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a first developing unit to form an image using a dry developer and a second developing unit to form an image using a wet developer. The first developing unit forms an image using yellow, magenta, cyan and black developers, and the second developing unit forms an image using a developer having lighter colors than the yellow, magenta, cyan and black developers. Therefore, light colors requiring high resolution and high definition may be printed using a wet type image forming module capable of easily expressing the light colors, and original and dark colors may be printed using a dry image forming module. Hence, it is possible to print a color image having high resolution and high definition, and enhance the color reproducibility of the image.

Abstract: An image sensor having a pixel array includes a sensor layer comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements of the pixel array, a circuit layer comprising circuitry associated with the pixel array, and a crosstalk reduction layer arranged between the sensor layer and the circuit layer and configured to reduce crosstalk between adjacent ones of the photosensitive elements. The crosstalk reduction layer may comprise, for example, an amorphous silicon germanium (a-SiGe) layer specifically configured to reduce red light crosstalk in the image sensor. The image sensor may be implemented in a digital camera or other type of digital imaging device.

Abstract: A xerogrpahic system and method use a tri-level development process in which at least one xerographic imaging unit includes a photoreceptor and a pair of developer units. A first developer unit includes a conventional first toner of a given color (CYMK) and a second developer unit includes a hypochromatic light form of the first toner. By use of a specific tri-level process, excellent color-to-color registration can be achieved for each processed color separation because overlap between colorants can be prevented. Moreover, by use of two forms of the same colorant, a smoother tone reproduction curve can be achieved when an aggressive blending strategy is used. Gamut loss and ink limit violation can be avoided by adjusting the blending curve in certain situations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is installed in a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a copying function of recording images continuously and a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from an external apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a first storing section which stores recording media before recording, a plurality of image forming sections which form images and record the images on the recording media, and a second storing section which stores the recording media after recording. The image forming sections are configured to selectively perform an operation of recording images on the recording media by individually performing an image forming operation in parallel, and an operation of recording images on one recording medium by performing the image forming operation by turns.

Abstract: A hybrid printing assembly includes a first printing subassembly operable to produce a first pattern on a medium, and a second printing subassembly operable to generate a second pattern on the medium.

Abstract: Electro-photographic press print systems, methods of disposing a fluid onto a substrate in an electro-photographic press print system, and electro-photographic ink primers, are disclosed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided that performs image processing based on data received over a prescribed network and includes a number generator generating a number according to a prescribed rule, an apparatus identifier generator using the number generated by the number generator to generate an apparatus identifier distinguishing the image processing apparatus, a communication controller transmitting the apparatus identifier generated by the apparatus identifier generator and receiving address information of a prescribed communication protocol together with the apparatus identifier via the network, and a communication configuration memory storing the address information received by the communication controller, wherein the communication controller uses the address information stored in the communication configuration memory to communicate data with another apparatus on the network.

Abstract: A toner, including at least a binder resin; a colorant; and a modified layered inorganic mineral in which at least a part of ions between the layers are modified with an organic material ion, wherein the toner includes at least one external additive having an average primary particle diameter of from 80 to 180 nm and an aspect ratio of from 0.7 to 0.95.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming a color image of CMK color plates by electrophotography system in which a K color plate having highest visibility among CMYK colors is composed of a rational number mesh. Profile of halftone dots (201Kh) becomes constant substantially and the factor for generating streak and unevenness is suppressed. Furthermore, C color plate and M color plate are formed of super cells and the K color plate, C color plate and M color plate are formed at an interval of 30°. Consequently, a Rosetta formed of halftone dots (201Ch, 201Mh, 201Kh) of CMK is optimized and the factor for generating moiré component is suppressed.

Abstract: A printer is provided with a scanner mounted to a printer main body includes control for suppressing the scanning speed of the carriage during a reading operation of a document image by a scanner. With this structure, the printer can perform an image forming operation at maximum speed and the time required for forming an image can be reduced while suppressing a reading inferior resulting from the vibrations generated from the carriage by suppressing such vibrations.

Abstract: An image formation device receives formation information having a predetermined structure and formed based on document information which is an object for image formation, executes a process of image formation based on the formation information, and sends the formation information to a transmission destination via a communication medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is installed in a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a copying function of recording images continuously and a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from an external apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a first storing section which stores recording media before recording, a plurality of image forming sections which form images and record the images on the recording media, and a second storing section which stores the recording media after recording. The image forming sections are configured to selectively perform an operation of recording images on the recording media by individually performing an image forming operation in parallel, and an operation of recording images on one recording medium by performing the image forming operation by turns.

Abstract: A hybrid printing assembly includes a first printing subassembly operable to produce a first pattern on a medium, and a second printing subassembly operable to produce a second pattern on the medium.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus, including: a movable image bearing body; an image forming unit for forming a developer image on the image bearing body; a transferring unit for transferring the developer image formed on the image bearing body onto a moving transferring medium; and a control unit for controlling the image forming unit to form a predetermined image composed of a dot image with a predetermined density prior to formation of a normal image, in which a composite image is formed from the normal image and the predetermined image in an area where the normal image is to be formed, and the dot image is formed in a dot area having the normal image and the predetermined image overlapped with each other, with a density determined on the basis of a relationship between a density of the normal image and the predetermined density in the dot area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first image forming unit and a second image forming unit that form images by different methods on the same page. The image formed by the second image forming unit is used as an identifying image to distinguish an original document made by the image forming apparatus from copies of the original document. The second image forming unit may, for example, emboss or punch holes in the printing medium. The second image forming unit may accordingly be a serial impact dot matrix printing unit or a stamping unit, while the first printing unit may be, for example, an ink jet printing unit or an electrophotographic printing unit. One of the two image forming units is preferably capable of making copies by printing on multiple-ply forms.

Abstract: An electrographic printing machine including: a first photoconductive member; an imaging device for recording a first latent image on the first photoconductive member to form a first developed image; a first developer unit for developing the first latent image; a second photoconductive member, closely adjacent to the first photoconductive member in a transfer region; a second imaging device for recording a second latent image on the second photoconductive member; a second developer unit for developing the second latent image to form a second developed image; a first transfer station for transferring the second developed image on the second photoconductive member to the first photoconductive member; and a second transfer station for transferring developed images on the first photoconductive member to a recording substrate.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus of the present invention is, for example, a digital color copying machine arranged to include two image processing units (first and second image processing units) each having a photosensitive body. The first image processing unit forms a monochrome image and the second image processing unit forms a particular pattern or a trace pattern. According to this arrangement, the particular pattern or trace pattern can be added to a monochrome image while maintaining a printing rate as fast as a monochrome image printing rate. Consequently, an additional information of a color other than black can be combined with a monochrome image at the same printing rate as the monochrome image printing rate, thereby making it possible to provide a compact and inexpensive apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which includes a first image forming section for performing image formation based on monochromatic image data, and a second image forming section for performing image formation based on color image data. The first and second image forming sections are arranged in mutually different positions along a path for conveying recording paper. The image forming apparatus further includes an image processing section for outputting monochromatic image data and color image data, which have undergone image processing, to the first image forming section and the second image forming section respectively, at individual timings for forming images an either one or both sides of the recording paper.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus and method forms an image on a recording medium and includes a toner applying step for applying fusible powder toner to a recording medium to form a toner image, a semi-fixing step for semi-fixing the toner image, an ink applying step for applying liquid ink containing a coloring to the recording medium to form an ink image, and a thermal fixing step for thermally fixing an image formed by the toner applying step and the ink applying step.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can form an image of a high-precision security information for anti-reproduction. A photosensitive material-coated area in a recording paper is exposed with an exposure unit to form an image of a high-precision security information. Since the image of the security information is thus formed by exposing the photosensitive material, it can be formed as an image incapable of reproduction.

Abstract: An image forming process for forming an image on a recording medium includes applying a melting colored powder to the recording medium to fix the powder heating and applying liquid inks containing a colorant in a non-aqueous solvent to the recording medium. An image forming apparatus includes device for forming an image with a melting colored powder and a device for forming an image with liquid inks containing a colorant in a non-aqueous solvent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an image-forming device having at least one patterned roller for affecting the amount of toner present on a print medium when the print medium is advanced through a paper path of the image-forming device and contacts the at least one patterned roller. The roller includes a purposeful pattern that is formed in an outer surface of the roller. The purposeful pattern is configured to form an identifying mark on a print medium as a result of the amount of toner present on the print medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first image forming unit and a second image forming unit that form images by different methods on the same page. The image formed by the second image forming unit is used as an identifying image to distinguish an original document made by the image forming apparatus from copies of the original document. The second image forming unit may, for example, emboss or punch holes in the printing medium. The second image forming unit may accordingly be a serial impact dot matrix printing unit or a stamping unit, while the first printing unit may be, for example, an ink jet printing unit or an electrophotographic printing unit. One of the two image forming units is preferably capable of making copies by printing on multiple-ply forms.

Abstract: A hybrid printing apparatus and related control method have a first print section 1a composed of a plurality of printing machines located in parallel to one another, and a second print section 1b composed of one printing machine and connected to the first print section, via a print medium transfer section 1c having a transfer passage 31 composed of discrete passage components which include change-over rollers 32 to change over start/stop operations in transfer of print media and medium detection sensors 33 to detect leading edges of the print media discharged from the respective printing machines of the first print section 1a, respectively. A control section 1d controls timings at which the change-over rollers 32 are changed over, so as to sequentially transfer the printing media from the first section 1a to the second print section 1b in response to detection signals from the medium detection sensors 33.

Abstract: The specification discloses an image forming apparatus which forms a visual image on a belt transfer member by at least one of image forming units and transfers the formed visual image onto a recording medium with the aid of the belt transfer member. In the image forming apparatus, the belt transfer member includes an endless belt wound on a plurality of tension rolls. A bending member, which bends the endless belt toward the inside of a tangential line connecting points on the outer circumferences of a couple of tension rolls, and locates the bent endless belt inside the tangential line, is additionally provided outside the endless belt located between at least the couple of adjacent tension rolls. An image forming unit may be additionally provided within an outside bending concave region of the endless belt, which is bent by the bending member and the tension rolls adjacent to the bending member.

Abstract: An image formation method for forming an image on a recording medium comprises a first step for applying fusible powder toner to a recording medium to form a toner image, a step for semi-fixing the toner image, a second step for applying liquid ink containing a coloring material to the recording medium to form an ink image, and a third step for performing thermal fixing of an image formed by the first and second steps, carried out in sequence. An apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a first unit for applying fusible powder toner to a recording medium to form a toner image, a unit for semi-fixing the toner image, a second unit for applying liquid ink containing a coloring material to the recording medium to form an ink image, and a third unit for performing thermal fixing of an image formed by the first and second units, in sequence.

Abstract: A power saving mode, in which the temperature of a heater of a printer is made lower than a predetermined temperature, is turned on when a predetermined condition has been met, and turned off when a job has occurred. The power saving mode is continued if a job has occurred in a state in which the power saving mode is turned on and the job that has occurred is a job which does not use the printer.

Abstract: A method of electronic processing of a latent image from a photographic element, the method employing pulsed radiation and radio frequency photoconductivity apparatus having a sample capacitor with a gap, including the steps of: placing the element in an electromagnetic field adjacent the sample capacitor; providing an advance mechanism for advancing the photographic element past the capacitor; scanning the element through the gap in the sample capacitor with a pulsed, focused beam of radiation; directly measuring the photoelectron response of the element and recording the resulting signals from the radio frequency photoconductivity apparatus; and advancing the element and repeating the exposing and measuring steps to provide a two dimensional readout of the latent image on the photographic element at ambient temperature or below.