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 forming apparatus is provided which includes a sheet containing section for containing sheets, a conveying member and a conveying path for conveying the sheets, at least one optical sensor that is arranged in the conveying path and has a light emitting element and a light receiving element for detecting presence or absence of a sheet on the conveying path, a driver for changing an amount of emitted light of the optical sensor, a sheet supply operation detecting section for detecting a supply operation of the sheets contained in the sheet containing section, and a control section for adjusting an amount of emitted light of the optical sensor according to an output of the sheet supply operation detecting section.

Abstract: The image formation apparatus has a plurality of cooling fans inside the main body of the apparatus and comprises an error detecting function of detecting occurrence of an error such as a sheet jam, and switches between operation and non-operation of the cooling fans or changes a rotation number thereof in operation according to a form of a detected error. Thus, it allows optimization of in-apparatus the temperature in the apparatus control on error occurrence and temperature control of each inside portion of the apparatus on sheet jam occurrence so as to solve various problems relating to in the apparatus temperature status on the error occurrence.

Abstract: An electro photo multi functional peripheral apparatus comprises a main body which is provided with an optional device such as a duplex module, a sorter, a power stacker and a large scale paper feeding unit at one side thereof. A feeding unit for feeding a recording paper is mounted at the other side of the main body. A feeding cassette is mounted at a lower portion of the main body. A multipurpose feeding unit assembly is removably mounted at a center portion of the main body and horizontally transports the recording paper fed from the feeding unit. The main body is formed with a first, a second and a third paper transport paths for discharging the recording paper fed from the multipurpose feeding unit assembly, the feeding cassette and the duplex module, respectively.

Abstract: A plurality of photosensitive drums are disposed in a sheet transport direction so as to be in contact with a transfer belt and a transfer voltage for transferring toner images on the photosensitive drums onto a sheet transported by the transfer belt is applied thereto. A sensor for sensing a temperature or humidity in the working atmosphere of the image forming apparatus is provided; when a jam occurs, sheet transportation is ceased at a first stage to thereby enable the sheet in the jam to be removed; at a second stage subsequent thereto, transportation of the sheet is restarted; and the transfer voltage applied onto the transfer belt is controlled based on a measurement result of the sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for halting a printer at a predetermined time to allow service personnel to open the printer and inspect the printing operation for evidence of faulty components and other problems. The printer includes a printing mechanism and a selector that is used for selecting a predetermined instant at which to halt the printer. A controller is coupled to the selector and to the printing mechanism. The controller operates to halt the printing operation at the selected predetermined instant. The instant can be measured in time, as an event that occurs in the printing process, or as a time relative to such an event. The instant can be selected from a list or selected at random by the operator. A sensing device within the printer can detect the determination of the occurrence of the printer operation event. The printing operation can be initiated in a conventional manner or the printing operation can be commenced automatically upon selection of the predetermined event.

Abstract: When an engine test print switch specifies execution of an image forming operation test mode, a trouble state of a printer engine is detected. Based on the trouble state detection result, a driving operation of a main motor is varied, and a notice of the trouble state of the printer engine is issued, thereby easily discriminating trouble contents by using only the printer engine without any personal computer or another specific jig, etc. when the printer engine falls in a trouble state.

Abstract: A manual paper feeding apparatus comprises a tray for manual paper feeding, a paper feed roller to feed the paper fed manually from the tray, a separation roller which is pressed to contact the paper feed roller, rotated at the pressed contact position in the direction reverse to the paper feed roller, and separates the sheets of paper one by one, a power transmission device to transmit power to the paper feed roller and separation roller, and a reversing device which is provided in the power transmission device, and rotates the paper feed roller in the direction reverse to the paper feeding direction, based on that the paper fed between the paper feed roller and separation roller is pulled in the direction reverse to the manual feeding direction.

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: In one embodiment, an imaging device is provided that generates and transfers an image to a print media. A bias voltage is applied to a fuser to charge the fuser where the fuser bias voltage is affected by the print media contacting the fuser. An image is fused to the print media with the fuser and the fuser bias voltage is measured. Whether the print media is in the fuser can be determined based on the measured fuser bias voltage.

Abstract: A plurality of photosensitive drums are disposed in a sheet transport direction so as to be in contact with a transfer belt and a transfer voltage for transferring toner images on the photosensitive drums onto a sheet transported by the transfer belt is applied thereto. A sensor for sensing a temperature or humidity in the working atmosphere of the image forming apparatus is provided; when a jam occurs, sheet transportation is ceased at a first stage to thereby enable the sheet in the jam to be removed; at a second stage subsequent thereto, transportation of the sheet is restarted; and a transport distance of the sheet is controlled based on a printing ratio of an image formed on the sheet.

Abstract: A first reversing inlet path and a second reversing inlet path are branched from a path for transporting a sheet having an image formed thereon by a printer unit. A first reversing path and a second reversing path are connected respectively to the first reversing inlet path and the second reversing inlet path. The sheet having the image formed thereon by the printer unit is transported through the first reversing inlet path or the second reversing inlet path for reversing the sheet. When one of the first reversing inlet path and the second reversing inlet path is unusable, the sheet reversing operation is continued using the other reversing inlet path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus transfers a toner image formed on a photoconductor drum onto a sheet-like recording member while the sheet-like recording member is transported and attracted to a transfer belt, and comprises a jam handling control unit for detecting a transport fault of the sheet-like recording member, and for stopping the transport operation when the transport fault is detected. When the transport fault is detected in a section other than a fixing section, the jam handling control unit first causes the transport operation of the fixing section, and thereafter causes the transfer belt and the transport operation on the upstream side thereof to stop, and any sheet-like recording member remaining on the transfer belt so that the transport mechanism on the upstream side thereof is transported and stopped at the position spanning between the area of the fixing section and the area of the transfer belt.

Abstract: In a laser printer, when a sheet of paper, which is to be supplied in between a photosensitive drum and a transfer roller, is jammed, after the sheet of paper is removed and the jam is cleared up, a developing jam control program is executed to rotate a drum cleaning roller at a rotational speed higher than a normal rotational speed and to apply the transfer roller with a reverse bias voltage whose polarity is the same as that of the charged toner.

Abstract: A multifunctional printer is provided with an external LCT (Large Capacity Tray) that has an elevator movable in up/down directions, the elevator being empowered by a power supply to a drive mechanism of a body unit. Paper is provided on the elevator to be fed into the body unit. When a sheet of paper remains within the LCT during a paper delivery error, the elevator is lowered to a predetermined location before shutting down the power supply to the drive mechanism in the body unit.

Abstract: A system for enunciating imaging machine anomaly conditions is provided. The system has a control unit, memory, a logic interface unit, and an audible signal generator. Audible signals are custom mapped to individual imaging machine anomaly or exception conditions by a user. The customized mapping of audibly signals is provided by a user mapping interface and alerts nearby personnel to both the specific anomaly condition and to the specific office machine in need of attention. The selection of audible signals may range from tones, chimes, music, and verbal communications to user customized sound bytes.

Abstract: At the detection of occurrence of sheet feeder jam, in the occasion when medium in the course of one face printing exist, the one face printing is continued. And, this medium is inserted in the duplex printing unit. After this, in a process of demanding relief of sheet feeder jam A{circle over (2)}, a relief of sheet feeder jam is demanded. And, in a process of watching the duplex print unit A{circle over (4)}, change in the duplex printing unit is watched. In the occasion when there is no change in the duplex print unit, after printing process is re-started, re-use of the medium is allowed.

Abstract: An imaging device is provided that generates and transfers an image to a print media. A fuser fuses the image to the print media through a process of heat and pressure. The fuser is charged with a voltage to reduce toner particles from being attached to the fuser. When the print media contacts the fuser, its current path is altered causing the voltage of the fuser to change. A fuser sensor measures the voltage of the fuser and based on the measured voltage, the imaging device can determine whether a print media is in the fuser. In the event of a malfunction such as a paper jam, the device can determine the location of the paper at least in part by the measured fuser voltage.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a paper sensor disposed in a fixing device downstream of a fixing roller pair in a direction of paper conveyance. When a jam occurs in the fixing device without the paper sensor sensing a paper sheet and if the fixing device is not pulled out of the apparatus body, it is determined that a paper left in the fixing device has not been removed. The apparatus is then inhibited from resuming its operation with a jam status being maintained.

Abstract: A control system for an image forming device includes a sensor mounted on an optical path unobstructed by elements that are subject to wear for detecting a time varying signal representing reflected light from both a photoconductive element and a transfer sheet internal to the image forming device, a memory storing reference values, and a controller to control an image forming operation based on the reference values stored in the memory and the time-varying signal received from the sensor. The controller reads the time-varying signal from the sensor and compares the time-varying signal read to the reference values to determine a condition of the image forming device.

Abstract: An office information system having a device which provides a user with an operational message of the system is disclosed. In an embodiment of the office information system, a path record storage device stores a plurality of path records related to components of the system, each path record indicating a locating path needed to reach a location of a specific one of the components in the system when a failure related to the specific one of the components occurs. A failure location detecting device detects a location of a component in the system when a failure related to the component occurs. A reached location determining device reads a path record from the path record storage device when the location of the failure is detected, and determines a currently reached location in the system based on the path indicated by the path record.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus which uses a hollow space between an image reading section provided in an upper part of the apparatus and an image forming section provided in a lower part of the apparatus as a paper output space, the hollow space is used also as a space for temporarily holding a sheet of paper during a switchback operation. This arrangement helps prevent physical contact between the paper and the body of an operator or other objects and makes it easier to deal with a paper jam which is likely to occur during the switchback operation.

Abstract: A main CPU causes a sheet jam indicator in a status display portion to blink when a sensor unit detects a sheet jam, produces a correct action sound when a cover related to the jam cleaning process is opened, and produces an error sound when a cover unrelated to the jam cleaning process is opened.

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: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting the presence of a shipping insert in a printing device. In one arrangement, the system and method pertain to determining if a print medium is detected at a fusing system exit of the printing device, and if a print medium is detected at the fusing system exit of the printing device, determining if a page count of the printing device is equal to zero, wherein if the page count is equal to zero it is confirmed that a shipping insert is present in the printing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing device having a nip portion in which a recording material having an unfixed image is nipped and conveyed and the unfixed image is fixed to the recording material; a pressure applying device for applying a pressure to the nip portion; a pressure release device for releasing the pressure in the nip portion; and a detection device for detecting a presence or absence of the recording material. When the pressure in the nip portion is released by the pressure release device, the detection device outputs a detection result representing the presence of the recording material. The pressure release device have a plurality of levers for releasing the pressure and the levers are arranged at both ends of the fixing device in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the recording material.

Abstract: An imaging device is provided that generates and transfers an image to a print media. A fuser fuses the image to the print media through a process of heat and pressure. The fuser is charged with a voltage to reduce toner particles from being attached to the fuser. When the print media contacts the fuser, its current path is altered causing the voltage of the fuser to change. A fuser sensor circuit measures the voltage of the fuser and based on the measured voltage, the imaging device can determine whether a print media is in the fuser. In the event of a malfunction such as a paper jam, the imaging device can determine the location of the print media at least in part by the measured fuser voltage.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member that bears visual images, a visual image forming device that forms the visual images on the image bearing member, and a two-side transfer device including a recording medium holding member spanning a plurality of stretch members to hold a recording medium thereon. The two-side transfer device transfers respective of the visual images on the image bearing member onto respective of both sides of the recording medium on the recording medium holding member while the recording medium holding member is moved in a predetermined direction. The image bearing member intrudes into a part of the recording medium holding member spanning two adjacent stretch members of the plurality of stretch members by an intrusion amount of about 0.2 mm or greater so that the recording medium holding member moves in contact with the image bearing member, having a contact width in a predetermined direction.

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: In an apparatus, such as a fuser for xerographic printing, wherein sheets pass through a nip formed by two moving rollers, a substantially enclosed, effectively funnel-shaped path is defined to direct sheets from the nip to a subsequent processing station. When a jam condition occurs in the path, a movable surface defining the path moves to increase a size of the path. The increase in size prevents impaction of subsequent sheets entering the path, and also facilitates manual jam clearance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing supplemental counts or “clicks” to account for recovery conditions in a document processing system. The application of recovery counts combined with the system cycle count when suitably summed will provide superior measure of the wear for a replaceable element as well as improved indication for the determination of the end of life of a replaceable element in that system. In this manner the more timely service or substitution for that replaceable element in the system can be provided, thereby allowing costs and service down-time to be minimized.

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 of sheets being conveyed, and a display adapted to display results of detection of the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a sensing control system having an optical sensor and a control device. A detected object is recognized by using the difference of an output characteristics correspond to a quantity of reflected light. Thus, one or more detected objects may be precisely detected by the one optical sensor.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus is provided which primarily transfers a toner image onto an intermediate transfer member, and then secondarily transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer member onto a transfer material, wherein a controller controls the process so that when the image forming apparatus stops, a toner image pattern &agr; formed on a non-image area of a photoconductive member is preventing from causing image problems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing supplemental counts or “clicks” to account for recovery conditions in a document processing system. Furthermore, these recovery condition “clicks” will be further modified depending upon the type of recovery condition encountered. The application of recovery counts thus modified when combined with the system cycle count and suitably summed will provide superior measure of the wear for a replaceable element as well as improved indication for the determination of the end of life of a replaceable element in that system. In this manner, the more timely service or substitution for that replaceable element in the system can be provided, thereby allowing costs and service down-time to be minimized.

Abstract: In an apparatus, such as a fuser for xerographic printing, wherein sheets pass through a nip formed by two moving rollers, a substantially enclosed, effectively funnel-shaped path is defined to direct sheets from the nip to a subsequent processing station. When a jam condition occurs in the path, a movable surface defining the path moves to increase a size of the path. The increase in size prevents impaction of subsequent sheets entering the path, and also facilitates manual jam clearance.

Abstract: An armored unit includes a side cover and a guide member. When sheet jam operation is carried out, a fixing unit is pulled out with the armored unit, and then is pushed to the rear side. This operation unlocks the lock member provided in the guide member, and a shoulder screw moves in a guide hole. Thus, the fixing unit is moved from the pulled out position toward the rear side and toward the main body of image forming device to be shifted to a receding position. On this account, it is possible to provide an image forming device ensuring sufficient space for removing a jammed sheet by hand with a small opening space.

Abstract: When a jam happens at the second printer in a tandem printer system, the printing operation is terminated at the first and second printers. The continuous sheet after establishment of the primary page images at the first printer is reserved between the first and second printers. The first recovery page for the second printer is determined based on the primary page images on the continuous sheet remaining between the first and second printers. Accordingly, it is not necessary to remove the entire continuous sheet remaining between the first and second printers when the printing operation should be recovered. It is possible to minimize the loss of the continuous sheet reserved between first and second printers even when a jam happens at the second printer.

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 present invention concerns a fixing apparatus and an image-forming apparatus. The fixing apparatus and the image-forming apparatus include a heating roller; a heating element disposed in the heating roller; a pressing roller pressure-contacting the heating roller to fix an image onto a transfer sheet passing through a pressure-contacting section between the heating roller and the pressing roller; and a cooling device to cool the heating roller. In the fixing apparatus, the cooling device is activated during a predetermined time period after consecutive fixing operations are completed. While, the image-forming apparatus further includes a control section to activate the cooling device during a predetermined time period after consecutive fixing operations are completed.

Abstract: A printing system comprises at least one input source for storing a medium prior to printing or otherwise operating on the medium and a second input source to store at least one set of an ordered media comprising a plurality of sheets having different physical characteristics. A central processing unit stores a graphical representation of the set of ordered media. Upon the occurrence of a jam in the printing system, the central processing unit determines which sheet of the set of ordered media is the correct one to recover to. The central processing unit generates a graphical representation indicating the correct sheet of the set of ordered media to be recovered to and displays the representation on a display for the operator.

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: When an engine test print switch specifies execution of an image forming operation test mode, a trouble state of a printer engine is detected. Based on the trouble state detection result, a driving operation of a main motor is varied, and a notice of the trouble state of the printer engine is issued, thereby easily discriminating trouble contents by using only the printer engine without any personal computer or another specific jig, etc. when the printer engine falls in a trouble state.

Abstract: When a jam happens at the second printer in a tandem printer system, the printing operation is terminated at the first and second printers. The continuous sheet after establishment of the primary page images at the first printer is reserved between the first and second printers. The first recovery page for the second printer is determined based on the primary page images on the continuous sheet remaining between the first and second printers. Accordingly, it is not necessary to remove the entire continuous sheet remaining between the first and second printers when the printing operation should be recovered. It is possible to minimize the loss of the continuous sheet reserved between first and second printers even when a jam happens at the second printer.

Abstract: In a laser printer, when a sheet of paper, which is to be supplied in between a photosensitive drum and a transfer roller, is jammed, after the sheet of paper is removed and the jam is cleared up, a developing jam control program is executed to rotate a drum cleaning roller at a rotational speed higher than a normal rotational speed and to apply the transfer roller with a reverse bias voltage whose polarity is the same as that of the charged toner.

Abstract: The system monitors the number of sheets that should be housed in the finishing tray based on the information from the copying machine, the output from the sensor located on the sheet conveyance path to the finishing tray unit and the signals that indicate ejection of the sheets from the finishing tray. When jam correction is performed, the system determines the number of sheets for which image formation should be re-performed in accordance with the output from the finishing tray paper detection sensor.

Abstract: A printing system comprises at least one input source for storing a medium prior to printing or otherwise operating on the medium and a second input source to store at least one set of an ordered media comprising a plurality of sheets having different physical characteristics. A central processing unit stores a graphical representation of the set of ordered media. Upon the occurrence of a jam in the printing system, the central processing unit determines which sheet of the set of ordered media is the correct one to recover to. The central processing unit generates a graphical representation indicating the correct sheet of the set of ordered media to be recovered to and displays the representation on a display for the operator.

Abstract: The invention provides automatic machinery with the capability to communicate to an operator or technician or other machine user with a description of a machine condition, such as, for example, a machine problem, if the machine requires attention.

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: 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.