Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a paper feeding device that supplies paper; a reception unit that receives a print instruction including output control information in which a paper type is designated by page; a setting unit that sets a priority in paper change by paper type based on the output control information included in the print instruction received by the reception unit; an instruction unit that issues a paper change instruction based on the priority set by the setting unit; and a printing device that performs printing on paper of a type designated by the instruction unit.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a plurality of medium feed units configured to feed a recording medium on respective carrying routes, an image forming unit configured to form an image on the recording medium fed from one of the plurality of medium feed units, a first roller provided on a common route of the carrying routes, the first roller being configured to rotate at a first circumferential velocity and carry, to the image forming unit, the recording medium fed from one of the plurality of medium feed units, and a control unit configured to control the first circumferential velocity of the first roller depending on from which of the plurality of medium feed units the recording medium is fed.

Abstract: A main body control part of an image forming device switches select signals to a unicast mode by a communication mode switching part at least when stopping a recording paper that is being transported on a paper feeding path or when transporting a recording paper stopped on the paper feeding path, and switches the select signals to the broadcast mode after transmitting control data. Each of the paper feeding control parts executes a paper feeding control based on the control data received with the unicast mode, upon detecting the broadcast mode.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including an image forming section to perform image formation based on a plurality of jobs, including: a control section to allow a display section to display switching information showing that a paper feeding tray to be used in performing the job is to be switched, the switching information displayed before the plurality of jobs are performed by the image forming section.

Abstract: A removable media input tray assembly comprising a housing for receiving a removable media input tray. One or more housing assemblies stackable beneath an image forming device. The assembly having a substantially continuous media reference surface extending the height of a media feed path formed by two vertically aligned plates, one plate mounted on the removable media input tray and the other mounted on the housing and extending into the removable media input tray when installed in the housing, the arrangement of plates minimizing any gaps in the media reference surface within the assembly and adjacent assemblies and the image forming device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit; a transport roller transporting the sheet to the image forming unit; a stacking unit stacking a sheet; a manual feed path extending from a manual feed slot to the transport roller; a feed path extending from the stacking unit to the transport roller; a feed unit transporting the sheet of the stacking unit to the transport roller through the feed path; a first detection unit detecting a sheet inserted into the manual feed path from the manual feed slot; and a control unit, when the first detection unit detects the sheet inserted from the manual feed slot while an operation to feed the sheet of the stacking unit to the image forming unit by the feed unit and the transport roller, and an image forming operation by the image forming unit are executed, aborting the image forming operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image according to a specified printing time, including: an image forming condition setting unit for setting an image forming condition including an information related to the specified printing time and an information related to recording material; a control unit adapted to calculate a recording material acquisition startup time for starting to acquire a recording material based on the image forming condition set by the image forming condition setting unit, and adapted to issue a warning related to a replenishment of the recording material, and/or to inhibit formation of image, after the recording material acquisition startup time, in the case where there is no recording material specified under the image forming condition or in the case where the recording material is insufficient.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is swung with a stopper which is swingable simultaneously with a switching member, and which allows rotation of an output gear by being disengaged from the output gear with a swinging movement of the switching member to an ON side, and which stops the rotation of the output gear by being engaged with the output gear with a swinging movement of the switching member to an OFF side. When the switching member is swung to the OFF side, the stopper is engaged with the output gear at the same time as the switching member is disengaged from the triggering member or before the switching member is disengaged from the triggering member. Accordingly, a descent of a pressing plate at the time of stopping the pressing plate is prevented without using a one-way clutch.

Abstract: An image forming system executes image forming with pages kept continuous by controlling supplying of sheets corresponding to pages for which sheets have not fed in consideration of pages for which sheets have already been fed, even if image forming processing is temporally suspended.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a main body and optional trays and a communication method between the main body and the optional trays, the apparatus including: the main body having a main controller; at least one optional tray detachably set up in the main body and having a tray controller for communicating with the main controller to transmit and receive data; and communication lines forming a communication channel connecting the main controller and the tray controllers, for data exchange, and for informing the main controller that the data is provided from tray controllers to the main controller. Since the main body and the optional trays communicate through a single UART communication channel, the number of communication channels is decreased thereby saving time and simplifying protocol as well as reducing costs and simplify circuits. Also, it is possible to assign IDs rapidly and simply, prevent generation of errors in ID assignment, and make use of the image forming apparatus convenient.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device including a sheet feed cassette. The sheet feed cassette includes a tray extendable and contractible in a direction of sheet feed; a guide member having a long groove provided on a bottom plate of the sheet feed cassette in the direction of sheet feed; a pressing member having a shaft in a lower portion thereof loosely inserted into the guide member, the pressing member movable along the guide member and contacting a rear edge of a sheet stored in the sheet feed cassette; a link cam plate having a long guide groove into which the shaft of the pressing member is movably inserted, the link cam plate being swingably provided on the bottom plate of the sheet feed cassette; and a sheet size detector including a convex portion and a size detector to detect a size of the sheet stored in the sheet feed cassette.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming images on recording media of different sizes are provided. The image forming procedure may include reading setting information which includes the size of a substitute recording medium for each user from a memory and, when the size of the recording medium specified by the print instruction is not available, executing a print instruction by automatically changing the size of a recording medium to be used to the size of the substitute recording medium based on the setting information. Additional computer-readable storage media storing image forming procedures are also provided.

Abstract: A sheet supply device that is addable to a medium processing device includes a strage part storing a medium and a controller. The controller performs a first operation in which the medium is supplied from the storage part of the sheet supply device, and a second operation in which another medium supplied from an upstream side of a medium path is carried to a downstream side. When the second operation is performed, the controller operates the carrying part by transmitting a drive force to the carrying part via the transmission mechanism without operating the carrying transmission member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus body provided with an image formation unit and plural paper feeding apparatuses. Paper conveyance paths of the plural paper feeding apparatuses are daisy-chained with respect to the image forming apparatus body. An output unit outputs an instruction signal which instructs a specified paper feeding apparatus to start feeding a paper. A paper feed unit feeds the paper upon receipt of the instruction signal. A recognition unit recognizes a delay time until an analysis that the instruction signal is a paper feed instruction. A correction unit corrects an output timing of the instruction signal based on the delay time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a conveyance unit that conveys plural single cut-sheet recording media arrayed along a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction; and an image forming unit that forms an image on the plural single cut-sheet recording media conveyed by the conveyance unit.

Abstract: A controller includes: a detection unit that detects that a housing unit housing a recording medium has been inserted into an insertion slot for inserting the housing unit; a prediction unit that predicts a vibratory excitation time at which vibrations will occur based on a time detected by the detection unit; a determination unit that determines whether the vibrations will occur based on the vibratory excitation time during a period when an image-forming unit is forming an image on a recording medium supplied from a different supply source for recording media from the housing unit inserted into the insertion slot; and a control unit that controls the image-forming unit to prevent image formation if the determination unit determines that the vibrations will occur during a period when the image-forming unit is forming an image on the recording medium.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes: an acquisition unit that reads an original and acquires image data; a plurality of accommodation units that accommodate therein printing media on which images are to be formed; and an accommodated-printing-medium setting unit that sets an accommodated-printing-medium size which is a size of the printing medium accommodated in each of the accommodation unit, and an accommodated-printing-medium sort which is a sort of the printing medium.

Abstract: When an instruction reception section receives an image forming instruction from an operator, a detector detects an toner image forming unit which performs an image forming operation in connection with the operator's instruction. A mode determining section determines which one of an image formation preceding mode or a sheet conveyance preceding mode is set for the toner image forming unit detected by the detector, and a drive controller controls drivings of the sheet conveying section and the image forming section according to the determined mode.

Abstract: Described is an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to create a vacant tray. The apparatus includes a paper sheet managing section to conduct consecutive operations including: acquiring the residual amount of the paper sheets accommodated in each of plurality paper sheet trays; calculating a total sum of residual amounts of paper sheets having the same attributes; comparing the above-calculated total sum with the maximum accommodating capacity of each of the paper sheet trays currently accommodating the paper sheets concerned; and notifying the operator of the fact that a vacant tray can be made by collecting the paper sheets concerned into a specific paper sheet tray, if there exists such paper sheets and a combination of paper sheet trays that make the total sum of the residual amounts of the paper sheets equal to or smaller than the maximum accommodating capacity of the specific paper sheet tray.

Abstract: The present application is directed to image forming devices with option trays to introduce media into a media path. One embodiment include the image forming device having a body with a front, back, top, and bottom sides. The sides may form an interior space to contain an imaging unit. The imaging unit may include elements for producing toner images. A media path may extend in a substantially vertical orientation within the interior space. An integrated tray may be positioned at the bottom side of the body and include a first input tray and a manual feed inlet on the front side of the body. Each of first input tray and manual feed inlet form sections of the media path. An option tray may be operatively connected to the bottom side of the body, and may include a second input tray and a multi-purpose feeder. The option tray further lengthens the media path and provides additional avenues to introduce media sheets into the media path.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of restricting copying using, as a master copy, a copy of a produced work such as a book. An MFP is provided with a printing permission/prohibition judging section and an output paper sheet selection section. The printing permission/prohibition judging section judges whether or not restriction information for restricting image formation is contained in either (i) an information tag provided in a document, or (ii) image data acquired by an image scanning section. The output paper sheet selection section selects a regulatory-information-containing recording paper sheet (i.e.

Abstract: A method of controlling medium feeding in an image forming apparatus includes an image forming step of forming an image on a medium in response to an image forming request, and a feed control step of selecting one of a plurality of first medium feed units that feeds a medium corresponding to attribute information that matches medium attribute information included in the image forming request, and of selecting a second medium feed unit upon finding matching between attribute information indicative of a medium fed by the second medium feed unit and the medium attribute information included in the image forming request if none of the first medium feed units feeds a medium corresponding to the attribute information that matches the medium attribute information included in the image forming request.

Abstract: This invention provides appropriate information of the next action or operation to be taken by the user on the basis of the property of a print job and status sent from a printer when paper-out information is sent from the printer while the print job is output to the printer having a plurality of paper supplying ports. To this end, it is monitored whether or not a paper-out message is received during output of a print job to the printer having the plurality of paper supplying ports. If a paper-out state has occurred, when the user has explicitly designated one paper supplying port, it is determined that the paper supplying port cannot be switched, and information that prompts the user to re-set paper sheets is displayed. On the other hand, when the user has not explicitly designated any paper supplying port, information indicating that another paper supplying port is selectable is displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tray, a sensor, and a transport mechanism. The tray holds a media stack. The transport mechanism moves the tray past the sensor to scan a side of the media stack.

Abstract: Techniques for scanning and generating fingerprints for articles prior to the use of the articles. The fingerprinting of the articles is performed such that it is decoupled from the process of using the articles. As a result, the fingerprinting process does not act as a bottleneck to the use of the articles. In one embodiment, a printer is provided that is configured to generate fingerprints for paper sheets loaded into the printer prior to the paper sheets being available for printing. The pre-fingerprinted sheets are then made available for printing. In this manner, the process of fingerprinting of the paper sheets is decoupled from the printing operations performed by the printer. As a result, the fingerprinting process does not act as a bottleneck to the printing process.

Abstract: A printing system includes a first sheet media source dispensing a length of sheet media and a second sheet media source dispensing pre-cut sheets of media. A merging unit is operative to receive the length of sheet media and position pre-cut sheets of media along the same. A marking unit receives and marks images on the length of sheet media as well as the pre-cut sheets positioned thereon. A separating unit is adapted to separate the pre-cut sheets from the length of sheet media. A cutting unit is adapted to divide the length of sheet media into marked and unmarked sheets of media. A sheet receiving unit is operative to receive the marked sheets of media and the pre-cut sheets of media. A method of printing on continuous feed and pre-cut sheet media is also included.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming device including: a sheet number control part for controlling a maximum processable sheet number set on a paper attribute basis for a finisher for finishing a printed sheet; an automatic tray switching part for switching an initially selected tray part to another tray part when paper runs out in the midst of print processing on sheets fed from the initially selected tray part to continue the print processing, the initially selected tray part being initially selected from a plurality of tray parts holding sheets of different paper attributes; and a tray switch determining part for, when a feeding tray part runs out of paper in the midst of print processing set to execute finishing, determining whether to actuate the automatic tray switching part on the basis of maximum processable sheet numbers and a paper attribute of paper of a selectable tray part candidate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a first and a second sheet feeding sections for accommodating sheets before printing in a stacked manner; a first sheet conveying section including first conveying members and adapted to convey a sheet received from the first sheet feeding section; a second sheet conveying section including second conveying members and adapted to convey a sheet received from the second sheet feeding section; a plurality of image forming units each including driven members and adapted to form toner images of different colors; a first driving source for driving the first conveying members; and a second driving source for driving the second conveying members. Some of the driven members are driven by the first driving source and others are driven by the second driving source.

Abstract: To prevent damages to a recording paper that is being transported and a jam of the recording paper within a device caused due to shift in the timings of communications through providing a communication control device that has a main body control unit 100 connected to each paper feeding control unit 200 via common communication lines, which transmits control instructions by using a unicast mode that individually transmits control data to each of the paper feeding control units 200 from the main body control unit 100 at different timings, and transmits executing instructions for the control instructions by using a broadcast mode that transmits control data simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for processing a print job including a plurality of raster image processed pages. A tab page is created that includes a tab image located at a predetermined position in the tab page, the predetermined position associated with a tab position on tab stock. The tab page is raster image processed, and the rasterized tab page is inserted at a selected position in the print job. The tab image is detected on the rasterized tab page at the predetermined location, and then the rasterized tab image is positioned at the associated tab position.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus capable of being connected with sheet feeding apparatuses, image forming apparatuses and post processing apparatuses having: a common conveyance path to convey the sheet from the apparatuses on the upper stream side or sheet storing sections to down stream side having, a plurality of sheet feeding paths, a receiving conveyance path, a sending conveyance path, and a transit path to connect the receiving conveyance path and sending conveyance path, wherein the sending conveyance path has a shared conveyance path in which a plurality of sheet conveyance paths to feed the sheet from a plurality of the sheet storing sections are merge and reach to a sheet outlet, and the transit conveyance path is provided integrally with any one of the sheet storing sections, which can be withdrawn from a sheet supplying apparatus main body, at the bottom of the sheet storing section thereof.

Abstract: An optional apparatus of an image forming device is provided for setting its own driving condition using received specification information of a main body and method thereof. The optional apparatus is additionally combined into the main body of the image forming device to expand functions of the image forming device, and includes a driving unit driven to perform an addition function required to expand the functions of the image forming device, and a control unit for receiving specification information of the main body, setting a driving condition of the driving unit based on the received specification information, and then controlling the driving unit according to the set driving condition. The optional apparatus can be implemented as a general optional apparatus that can be combined into any kind of image forming device.

Abstract: Alignment nip regulation may be implemented by controlling the approach of media to an alignment nip. Where media is fed from a plurality of sources and from a plurality of approach angles through a common alignment nip, nip entry may be controlled by focusing the media through a diverter or a jog in an existing path to alter the course followed by the media sheets. The diverter may be configured to direct the media sheets to a contact point at or near the alignment nip, such as on a roller that forms the alignment nip. Alternatively, media sheets arriving at the nip from separate conduits may be separately directed to a common contact point near the alignment nip. In either case, one or more sensors may detect the approach of the media sheets at a time when the sheets are a common, predetermined distance away from the alignment nip.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is capable of feeding paper from a paper feeding unit when paper types set in selected paper feeding units are all the same type even if the selected paper feeding units do not include a paper feeding unit in which a predetermined paper type is set. At least one of paper feeding portions stacking a paper with the designated paper size is selected based on an attribute set to each of a plurality of paper feeding portions. in a case where a selected plurality of paper feeding portions do not include a paper feeding portion set with the predetermined attribute when the attributes set to the selected plurality of paper feeding portions are the same, a paper is fed to the image forming unit from any one of the selected plurality of paper feeding portions.

Abstract: A feeder includes a feed unit and a re-feed unit. A feed unit feeds a recording medium (such as a sheet of paper) on a feed tray to a printer engine. A re-feed unit feeds the recording medium having passed through the printer engine again to the printer engine. A roller pair for paper feeding and another roller pair for paper re-feeding share one drive roller. That is, the drive roller and a driven roller constitute the former roller pair, whereas the drive roller and another driven roller constitute the latter roller pair, thereby enabling the downsizing of the feeder.

Abstract: An apparatus with the additionally installable equipment. The apparatus includes an apparatus housing and an additionally installable equipment detachably attached to the apparatus housing. An inserted portion is formed to a bottom surface of the apparatus housing, and an inserting portion is formed to an upper surface of the additionally installable equipment. When the additionally installable equipment is detached from the apparatus housing upon titling the apparatus housing at a tilt angle, a summation of the tilt angle and an interference angle formed of a point where the inserted portion and the inserting portion interfere with each other is rendered less than forty five degrees. Thus, when the additionally installable equipment is detached from the apparatus housing, the additionally installable equipment can be detached from the apparatus housing without deforming the inserting portion.

Abstract: A first signal line is provided for transmitting to each of a plurality of paper feeders an output signal from a printing paper sensor provided in the uppermost paper feeder among the plurality thereof. In response to an output signal that has been transmitted via the first signal line, a halting unit causes a halt to processing that is for transporting printing paper in each of the paper feeders.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a first carriage path for carrying paper stored in a paper feeding tray to a printer, there is a second carriage path for carrying paper stored in a second paper feeding tray to the printer. The first carriage path and the second carriage path individually carry a paper to the printer.

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

Abstract: An image forming system, including an image forming apparatus, and a first sheet supplying device which is connected to the image forming apparatus, wherein the first sheet supplying device includes a scanner, a plurality of drawer-type sheet supplying trays, and a control section which is configured to prevent a predetermined sheet supplying tray among the plurality of sheet supplying trays from being drawn out, based on an operational condition of the scanner.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a body; a tray unit on which a plurality of sheets are mounted, the tray unit being provided in the body; a separating unit that separates the plurality of sheets by blowing air toward the plurality of sheets mounted on the tray unit; and a cover that is attached to the body at a position near the tray unit so as to be capable of opening and closing, the cover being provided with at least a part of the separating unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a plurality of container units containing sheets, a sheet feeding device provided for each of the plurality of container units and configured to feed the sheets; and a controller switching between modes including a first mode and a second mode in order to automatically switch a sheet feeding position from a container unit in current use to another container unit. In the first mode, the sheet feeding position is switched to the other container unit in the state in which a prescribed amount of sheets are left in the container unit in current use, and in the second mode, the sheet feeding position is switched to the other container unit after the sheets in the container unit in current use are exhausted.

Abstract: A modular flexible media handling apparatus includes an input module (28) through which flexible media enters the apparatus, at least one main path module (28, 30, 32, 34) through which flexible media passes along a main path (24), at least one lookaside module (36, 38) through which flexible media selectively passes along a lookaside path, and an output module (34) in which flexible media from the lookaside path and main path are merged.

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

Abstract: In a printing device capable of increasing a printing speed, a sheet-feeding mechanism selectively feeds to-be-printed sheets placed in a longitudinal tray and a transversal tray. A memory stores a transversal maximum printing dimension corresponding to a printing unit. A processor receives a printing signal containing first and second dimensions. The processor judges whether or not a maximum of the first dimension and the second dimension is smaller than or equal to the transversal maximum printing dimension. If yes, the processor enables the sheet-feeding mechanism to feed the to-be-printed sheet placed in the transversal tray. The processor further judges whether or not the first dimension is smaller than the second dimension. If yes, the processor rotates a printing content corresponding to the printing signal by 90 degrees and then outputs a rotated content to the printing unit. If not, the processor directly outputs the printing signal to the printing unit.

Abstract: An image-recording apparatus including (a) a carriage carrying a recording head, (b) a maintenance unit disposed at a standby position located outside a recording area (L) of the recording head, (c) medium feeding devices to feed recording media from respective cassettes (d) first, second and third gears which are disposed outside the recording area and through which a drive force is selectively transmitted from a drive-force output gear to one of the medium feeding devices and the maintenance device, and (e) a power-transmission switching device having a shift gear which is moved for selective meshing engagement with the first, second and third gears according to a distance of movement of the carriage from the recording area toward the maintenance unit.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of improving operability while suppressing an increase in apparatus size. In a front cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a front cover is inserted into a bundle of sheets on which images have been formed, and in a rear cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a rear cover is inserted into the bundle of sheets. Insertion sheets for the front cover and insertion sheets for the rear cover are set with the same orientation in a manual feed tray 105. An insertion sheet for the front cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to a finisher 500 in one of a face-down state and a face-up state. An insertion sheet for the rear cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to the finisher 500 in the other of the face-down state and the face-up state. The insertion sheets for the front cover and for the rear cover conveyed from the manual feed tray 105 and the sheets on which images have been formed are stacked on the finisher 500.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine is provided. In the device, a predetermined period of time is measured from when an operator has specified a desired size of paper through an operation panel. A duration is measured, during which a paper feed cassette accommodating the desired-size paper specified through the operation panel has been absent from a cassette loading section at a specified loading position. A determination is made as to whether or not an appropriate operational condition has been met by completing loading of a paper feed cassette accommodating the desired-size paper on the cassette loading section, provided that the duration has lasted for more than a certain period of time within the predetermined period of time. When it is determined that the appropriate operational condition has not been met, a warning indicative of the inappropriate operational condition is given through the operation panel.

Abstract: An image formation device is equipped with a withdrawably provided paper supply cassette. A display portion and a cover-like opening/closing portion are also provided. The display portion is formed at an upper portion of a withdrawal side of the paper supply cassette and shows information relating to the paper supply cassette. The opening/closing portion structures a portion of a side wall of the device at an upper side relative to the paper supply cassette, at the withdrawal side of the paper supply cassette, and includes an openably/closeably attached manual tray. A masking portion, which masks at least some of the display portion when the manual tray is open, is also provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus determining a paper feed source having a possibility of feeding paper sheets in executing a printing job in accordance with contents of the printing job and detecting characteristics of a paper sheet fed from the paper feed source for executes printing processing of a printing job, wherein the printing of the printing job is performed by feeding at least one paper sheet from each of all the paper feed sources having a possibility of paper feed and, if the detected characteristics of the paper sheet do not meet the characteristics of a paper sheet stored in a memory, printing processing is temporarily or completely stopped.