Abstract: In a case that it is determined that a first feeding unit is not ready to feed upon designation of a first print job that requires air feeding, start of the first print job is waited until the first feeding unit is ready to feed. In a case that a second print job that requires roll feeding is accepted during waiting for the first print job, the second print job is executed, and the first print job that requires air feeding is executed after completion of the second print job.

Abstract: Embodiments herein comprise registrations module(s) positioned between image output terminal(s), feeder module(s), and/or finisher module(s). Each registration module comprises a casing having first mounting points that correspond to second mounting points on an adjacent module. The first mounting points and the second mounting points allow the registration module to be repeatedly connected to and disconnected from an adjacent module. Each registration module also includes sensors within the casing, a controller operatively connected to the sensors, and sheet feeders. The sensors determine alignment characteristics of media passing through the module and the controller is adapted to correct the alignment characteristics of the media through unequal rotation of the sheet feeders, if the alignment characteristics deviate from a predetermined standard.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming body, a locking unit blocking movement of at least one movable object of the image forming body, and a control unit controlling a locking state of the locking unit and a releasing state of the locking unit. The locking unit includes a latching member provided on one of the at least one movable object and provided with a latching depression, a supporting member provided on the image forming body, and a locking member movably supported by the supporting member so as to be insertable into and removable from the latching depression of the latching member.

Abstract: Embodiments of an imaging device are disclosed. In an example embodiment, first and second trays are provided. The second tray is movable. A roller is also provided that is configured to pick media from the first tray and the second tray, depending upon the position of the second tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of operating a printer recognizes and allocates a unique identification (ID) to each of a plurality of trays, which are mounted in a printer as options. The apparatus includes a signal transmission unit transmitting a recognition signal to trays from a main frame of a printer, and a recognition unit reading the recognition signal from the trays, recognizing unique codes which correspond to the trays, and transmitting the unique codes of the trays to the main frame of a printer. The unique IDs of trays, which are mounted as options, can be recognized without a manual operation by a user, thereby giving convenience to the user and preventing errors from occurring during an operation of the printer.

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 forming system has a sheet deck assembly, an image forming apparatus, and a feeding buffering apparatus with plural feeding buffer trays for temporarily storing sheets of printing paper fed from plural printing paper decks of the sheet deck assembly. The feeding buffering apparatus feeds the temporarily stored sheets to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of paper feed units setting index sheets. A storage section stores size information and index number information indicating the number of index sheets per set of paper sheet set in each paper feed unit, and a control section automatically changes the paper feed unit to be used from a first paper feed unit to a second paper feed unit and does not automatically change the paper feed unit to a third paper feed unit when the index sheets in the first paper feed unit are exhausted, the size information and the index number information of the first paper feed unit coinciding with those of the second paper feed unit and at least one of the size information and the index number information of the first paper feed unit not coinciding with those of the third paper feed unit.

Abstract: Displaying of document information to be printed in a printing apparatus capable of inserting, during printing on print sheets fed from a predetermined sheet feed unit, a plurality of types of sheets from sheet feed units different from the predetermined sheet feed unit, is controlled by setting information on an insert sheet to be inserted in document information, determining for each page of the document information and of the set insert sheet whether or not the page is printable or unprintable, and controlling to differently display a printable page and an unprintable page in accordance with the determination result.

Abstract: A printer includes a first paper tray carrying a selected print medium and a user interface having a control associated with a selected attribute of the set of attributes defining all print media. The control has a first input device providing a control system input selectively associating a range of values of the selected attribute with the first paper tray. The printer control system feeds the print mechanism from the first paper tray when a print job is received, designating media having a value for the selected attribute falling within the range of values associated with the first paper tray.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method are disclosed. The image forming apparatus and method comprise a main image forming apparatus having a developing section and capable of being independently driven so that it prints an image onto a paper fed on the basis of input image information; at least one sub-image forming apparatus removably mounted to the main image forming apparatus in sequence, the sub-image forming apparatus having a developing section and modularized to perform printing operation according to a control command.

Abstract: An automatic pre-printed sheets insertion system integratable into an otherwise conventional printer, without requiring any additional space, yet enabling the feeding of selected pre-printed sheets into the printer output path, bypassing the print engine and fuser, yet integrating collated with the output of regular sheets being regularly fed and printed within the printer. It includes a separate insert sheets feeding system and feeding path for feeding insert sheets from a bi-directional sheet feed tray which can be mounted in the same location as a normal sheet feed tray. The separate path can be through an existing inverter. The special tray can be a dual-mode tray and/or a repositionable tray for feeding blank or other normal sheets in one direction for printing and for feeding insert sheets in the opposite direction to be integrated into the printer output.

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: A removable media tray for an image forming apparatus includes a housing, an exit port in the housing, a primary media stack, and a multi-purpose tray (MPT) input. Within the tray are first and second pick mechanisms operative to select a media sheet from the primary stack or MPT stack, respectively, and move the media sheet to the image forming apparatus through the exit port. A motor is disposed within the tray housing, and first and second drive assemblies operatively connect the motor to the first and second pick mechanisms, respectively. The motor drives the first pick mechanism forward by rotating in one direction, and drives the second pick mechanism forward by rotating in the opposite direction. A media sensor in the exit port senses media sheets from a variety of sources, including the primary media stack, the MPT stack, a duplex return path, or a large-capacity media sheet supply.

Abstract: In an image forming device, at least one optional paper cassette can be vertically mounted below a device main body having an image forming portion. A pickup roller picks up a recording paper from a recording paper storage portion adjacent a recording paper transportation path in the optional paper cassette. A feed roller transports the recording paper through the recording paper transportation path in the optional paper cassette from upstream to downstream. A combination of a power source and a power transmission path, which are used to drive both the pickup roller and the feed roller, can be optionally changed, and consequently, a plurality of operation arrangements can be utilized.

Abstract: An image I/O apparatus has a paper feeding direction specifying control unit 125 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 11 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: A sheet storing portion storing a stack of recording sheets and sequentially supplying recording sheets to an image forming portion has a tray pullout frame that can be pulled out to the front side of the apparatus and a sheet tray provided in the tray pullout frame. The sheet tray stores recording sheets, and the tray pullout frame can be pulled out to a lateral side while the frame is mounted in the apparatus. The front part of the tray pullout frame can be open as the frame is mounted to the apparatus main body, so that the recording sheet transport path can be open and the apparatus can be restored upon a paper jam.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus is provided with a sheet stacking device for stacking sheets thereon, a sheet feeding device for feeding the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device, and a heating device for heating the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device. The heating device is designed such that of the heat generating areas of the heating device, the heating value of the heat generating area for the central portion of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device is greater than the heating values of the other heat generating areas.

Abstract: A printer for printing on a receiving medium of a predetermined type, including a plurality of feeders for holding receiving media and a control unit, wherein the control unit contains determining means for determining that at least two feeders of the said plurality of feeders hold receiving medium of the predetermined type, means for determining the amount of receiving medium which can be added to each of the two feeders up to a predetermined maximum amount for these feeders, and means for selecting the feeder to which the largest amount receiving medium can be added for feeding a receiving medium to the printing unit.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit installed in a main body of the image forming apparatus and a tray stack including stacked media supplying units for supplying the media piece from selected one of the stacked media supplying units to the image forming unit. The tray stack is detachable from and attachable to the main body. The tray stack includes a register installed only in uppermost one of the stacked media supplying units. The register functions to correct skew of the media piece with respect to a transport direction along which the media piece is transported and then feed the media piece to the image forming unit.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for an image forming apparatus can perform various operations. These are, for example, an operation to start an image formation and an output process that inhibits opening and closing of a feeding route interlocked with opening and closing of a storage section. This is done if the received operation or a process executed based on the operation satisfies a preset predetermined condition.

Abstract: Parallel printing systems and methods incorporate inverter assemblies for not only inverting media during transport through the system but also to register the media or provide a velocity buffer transports with different drive velocities. The inverter assemblies can include the capability to optionally deskew the media and provide lateral registration corrections. The inverter assembly nip rollers are sufficiently spaced from process drive nip rollers to decouple a document in the inverter assembly from the highway paths. The method comprises combining the inverting function selectively with either the registering or the velocity buffering functions.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having plural printing paper loading devices and a main controller. Each of the printing paper loading devices has a sub-controller to generate a test signal, and an inverting circuit of an open collector type to generate an output signal by performing an inverting operation with respect to an input signal. The printing paper loading devices are consecutively connected so that the output signal of one of the printing paper loading devices becomes the input signal input into another of the printing paper loading devices. The inverting circuit outputs a low level signal regardless of the level of the test signal when the input signal is high level, and outputs a signal of a same level as the test signal when the input signal is of the low level. Each of the sub-controllers sets its own ID based on the level of the output signal of the printing paper loading device corresponding thereto. The main controller receives the IDs set by the sub-controllers through a common bus.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes two recording material storage sections arranged vertically, each having a magazine, a cutter and a pair of take-out rollers, a transport device having a pair of transport rollers for transporting a recording material, the transport device supporting the recording material in a horizontal state, and a recording drum for holding the recording material on a peripheral surface thereof. The apparatus further includes a tilt mechanism for tilting the transport device to set the pair of transport rollers to a position opposed to the recording drum, and an image recorder for recording an image on the recording material held by the recording drum.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus is provided with a sheet stacking device for stacking sheets thereon, a sheet feeding device for feeding the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device, and a heating device for heating the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device. The heating device is designed such that of the heat generating areas of the heating device, the heating value of the heat generating area for the central portion of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device is greater than the heating values of the other heat generating areas.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus comprises a transporting roller pair and resist roller pair for transporting sheets supplied from a sheet supplying device positioned relative to the image formation apparatus at a sheet supplying interval, and an image processing controller for receiving, from the sheet supplying device, information relating to the sheet supplying interval. In the event of the image formation apparatus transporting sheets supplied from the sheet supplying device, the transporting roller pair and resist roller pair transport the sheets at the sheet supplying interval, based on the information regarding the sheet supplying interval received by the image processing controller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a recording-media supplying tray for storing a recording medium; a print section for printing an image on the recording medium; a storing section for storing an adjustment value for a printing of the image in the print section related to a type of the recording medium or the recording-media supplying tray for each of two sides of the recording medium; and a control section for controlling the print section so that the printing of the image is adjusted for each of the two sides depending on the adjustment value for each of the two sides, which is stored in the storing section.

Abstract: A tandem printing system includes two printers separated by a dual finisher station centered between the two printers. The system's two input/output terminals are controlled to act as one high-speed print engine. With this arrangement, improved productivity is realized if one printer is not functional (i.e., 50% instead of 0%). The centrally positioned dual finisher station simplifies the paper path for the second of the dual finishers.

Abstract: A paper feeder includes a plurality of paper feeding units that feeds a recording medium from a paper feeding tray, has a first guiding surface towards a paper transporting path that guides the recording medium, and is arranged along a direction of transporting the recording medium, and a transporting guide that has a second guiding surface towards the paper transporting path between the paper feeding units. The transporting guide is arranged in such a manner that the second guiding surface is overlapped with the first guiding surface of at least one of the paper feeding units adjacent to the transporting guide on either of an upstream side and a downstream side in the direction of transporting the recording medium.

Abstract: In an image forming device, left and right mounting frames are disposed on the respective left and right frames of the image forming device by hooking pawls provided on the front side thereof. The mounting frames support a paper supply roller and separating mechanism. A trigger unit is fixed inside the left frame for turning ON and OFF the driving of the paper supply roller via a gear. A multipurpose unit is swingably supported on the mounting frames by a support unit. However, when a manual feed unit is mounted in the image forming device, the left and right mounting frames and the trigger unit are not installed, but the manual feed unit is swingably supported on bearing protrusions.

Abstract: An image forming system has a sheet deck assembly, an image forming apparatus, and a feeding buffering apparatus with plural feeding buffer trays for temporarily storing sheets of printing paper fed from plural printing paper decks of the sheet deck assembly. The feeding buffering apparatus feeds the temporarily stored sheets to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying paper cassettes. The apparatus for identifying paper cassettes includes first through N-th paper cassettes, wherein each of N-1 output ports (where N is a positive integer greater than 1) is connected to N-1 input ports, which have one of N input ports and one of N output ports, a paper cassette identification unit to generate a synchronizing signal in response to an identification symbol which is transmitted from the first through N-th paper cassettes and indicates one of the first through N-th paper cassettes, and to transmit the generated synchronizing signal to paper cassettes in which an “undefined symbol” that indicates that the identification symbol has not been assigned, among the first through N-th paper cassettes is given, and a serial bus which connects the first through N-th paper cassettes to the paper cassette identification unit.

Abstract: Parallel printing systems include first and second adjacent electronic printers and at least one sheet bypass section extending around the second electronic printer to provide a sheet transporting path overlying the second electronic printer and bypassing the second electronic printer. The sheet bypass section includes an output for merging printed sheets from the first electronic printer with printed sheets printed by the second electronic printer. The output preferably comprises a intermediate transport section having a first input aligned with the output of the bypass section and a second input aligned with the output of the second electronic printer.

Abstract: A system for printing media includes a plurality of marking engines for outputting printed media in a stream, a media path system operable to transport the printed media from the marking engines to one or more finishing stations such that the streams are merged and transported one on top of the other and one or more finishing stations capable of compiling media in groups of 2 or more sheets for post processing the printed media into one or more completed jobs.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms images of originals on sheets, includes a plurality of feeders for feeding sheets, a memory for storing sheet types in association with the plurality of feeders, and storing the priority between the sheet types, and a selector for selecting one of the plurality of feeders to be used for a sheet feeding operation in accordance with the sheet types and the priority stored in the memory.

Abstract: A system for printing media includes a plurality of marking engines for outputting printed media in a stream, a media path system operable to transport the printed media from the marking engines to one or more finishing stations such that the streams are merged and transported one on top of the other and one or more finishing stations capable of compiling media in groups of 2 or more sheets for post-processing the printed media into one or more completed jobs.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus is provided with a sheet stacking device for stacking sheets thereon, a sheet feeding device for feeding the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device, and a heating device for heating the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device. The heating device is designed such that of the heat generating areas of the heating device, the heating value of the heat generating area for the central portion of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device is greater than the heating values of the other heat generating areas.

Abstract: On the basis of information obtained from an IC card and concerning the physical features of a user, it is judged whether or not the user is a handicapped person. When it is judged that the user is a handicapped person, a fixed sheet supply source is not displayed on an LCD of an operation panel. When the user is a handicapped person, therefore, it is possible to inhibit sheet feeding from the fixed sheet supply source, from which it is difficult to remove a jammed sheet.

Abstract: A system for printing media includes a plurality of marking engines for outputting printed media in a stream, a media path system operable to transport the printed media from the marking engines to one or more finishing stations such that the streams are merged and transported one on top of the other and one or more finishing stations capable of compiling media in groups of 2 or more sheets for post-processing the printed media into one or more completed jobs.

Abstract: A method of designating a paper type after loading paper in an output apparatus having one or more cassettes includes determining the one or more cassettes to be designated as certain paper types according to open/closed states of the one or more cassettes and whether the paper is loaded into the one or more cassettes; determining whether a menu for designating a paper type for the one or more cassettes to be designated as certain paper types is displayed on a user interface of the output apparatus; and designating a type of paper loaded into the one or more cassettes to be designated as a paper type in the displayed menu for designating a paper type.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first feeding unit for feeding a recording sheet, a detachable second feeding unit provided in the lower part of an image forming apparatus main body, an image forming portion for forming an image on the recording sheet, a first feeding path for feeding the recording sheet from the first feeding unit to the image forming portion, a second feeding path for feeding the recording sheet from the second feeding unit to the image forming portion, and a guide member for guiding the recording sheet fed at a merge portion of the second feeding path merged with the first feeding path, wherein the guide member is pivoted on the upstream side in the recording sheet feed direction, rotatably by the recording sheet fed from the second feeding path.

Abstract: A sheet re-feeding path (32) is disposed substantially horizontally at a location below a fixing unit (14) and an image forming unit. At a location below the sheet re-feeding path (32), sheet decks (3, 4) are disposed horizontally along a sheet conveying direction in the sheet re-feeding path (32). Also, a drawing path (37) for switchbacking the sheet is disposed substantially horizontally between the sheet re-feeding path (32) and the sheet decks (3, 4). A sheet feeding path (7) for feeding the sheet from the sheet deck (3) disposed at an upstream side crosses the drawing path (37) to join to the sheet re-feeding path (32). Accordingly, a space, which is occupied by component parts or devices related to the conveyance of the sheet, can be made compact, whereby sheet capacity can be increased.

Abstract: An automatic pre-printed sheets insertion system integratable into an otherwise conventional printer, without requiring any additional space, yet enabling the feeding of selected pre-printed sheets into the printer output path, bypassing the print engine and fuser, yet integrating collated with the output of regular sheets being regularly fed and printed within the printer. It includes a separate insert sheets feeding system and feeding path for feeding insert sheets from a bi-directional sheet feed tray which can be mounted in the same location as a normal sheet feed tray. The separate path can be through an existing inverter. The special tray can be a dual-mode tray and/or a repositionable tray for feeding blank or other normal sheets in one direction for printing and for feeding insert sheets in the opposite direction to be integrated into the printer output.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit installed in a main body of the image forming apparatus and a tray stack including stacked media supplying units for supplying the media piece from selected one of the stacked media supplying units to the image forming unit. The tray stack is detachable from and attachable to the main body. The tray stack includes a register installed only in uppermost one of the stacked media supplying units. The register functions to correct skew of the media piece with respect to a transport direction along which the media piece is transported and then feed the media piece to the image forming unit.

Abstract: In the case where the paper size and paper type other than that stored in the tray of the printer is specified by the printing job data, through registration to the alternative table an alternative printing is performed on the papers stored in a predetermined tray. Even in the case where there is no paper of a specified size and type the next time on, the printer does not become in the paper disagreement error condition, and the printing processing is executed. Thus, it is not necessary to change the setting of the tray or depress the CONTINUE switch in each printing job data, and the printing processing is continued. Therefore, operability in users is enhanced.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for controlling a second cassette feeder (SCF) in an image forming device. The control apparatus comprises a main body; a SCF mounted in the main body for supplying sheets of paper; a control unit in the main body for controlling the image forming device; and a SCF control unit for communicating a state of the SCF to the control unit and controlling the SCF. The control method comprises steps of initializing the main body and SCF; deciding whether the SCF is mounted; sending SCF-driving data to the SCF from the main body control unit if the SCF is mounted; and controlling the SCF by the SCF control unit using the driving data. SCFs are therefore compatible since the control unit in the main body downloads driving-related data into the SCF when the SCF is detected, while the SCF programmable ROM and firmware are shared.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to continue paper feed operation from another paper feed stage and shorten the operation stop time without stopping paper feed operation even when paper sheets run out during paper feed operation of index sheets, and obtain an output result intended by the user by inhibiting ACC between paper feed stages with different index numbers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms images of originals on sheets, includes a plurality of feeders for feeding sheets, a memory for storing sheet types in association with the plurality of feeders, and storing the order of priority between the sheet types, and a selector for selecting one of the plurality of feeders to be used for a sheet feeding operation in accordance with the sheet types and the order of priority stored in the memory.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a medium width detector and a controller that controls the medium width detector. The medium width detector detects a width of a page of print medium. The controller selects one of a plurality of medium cassettes and controls the medium width detector accordingly. When a predetermined condition is detected, the controller controls the medium width detector to detect the width of the page of print medium. The predetermined conditions include, for example, (1) when a printing operation is performed for the first time after power up of the apparatus; (2) when print data has not been received for a predetermined time length after a last reception of print data; (3) printing is performed for the first time after failure of transport of print medium occurs, a medium feeding mode is switched, and (4) when a print job is received.

Abstract: When operating in a photocopier mode a first tray is first selected, and a second tray is then selected if there is no recording medium in the first tray. If recording medium is in the second tray but the size of the recording medium is not the same as the size of the recording medium loaded to the first tray, a notice indicating a size change is presented and recording is completed only if the user approves the size change using an operating panel.