Abstract: The invention concerns a hole-punching processor that forms punched-holes, for binding sheets into a file, on the sheets, which are ejected after images are formed on them from an image forming apparatus such as, for example, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine or a compound machine thereof. The hole-punching processor forms a punched-hole on a sheet residing in a conveying path for conveying the sheet through the hole-punching processor. The hole-punching processor includes a hole-punching device being movable in a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the sheet and a sheet-edge detector to detect a side-edge of the sheet in a direction parallel to the conveyance direction of the sheet. The hole-punching device moves with the sheet-edge detector to a center of the sheet, based on positional information of the side-edge detected by the sheet-edge detector, to punch a hole in the sheet.

Abstract: An improved electrophotographic printer is provided for printing on sheet media, and for joining two or more sheets of sheet media together within the print engine. A first sheet can be imaged with “standard” information and/or indicia, and can also have one or more strips of toner applied at predetermined locations. The first sheet is then run back to the print engine while a second (virgin) sheet of print media is picked from an input tray at a time that will cause both sheets to run through the print engine simultaneously, either exactly at the same time, or with some offset spacing. The two sheets will become joined or affixed to one another at locations in which the toner strips are of sufficient size and density, and will be output together as if stapled, or sealed, together.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for controlling the volume of a printable substrate after an image is created thereon, and more particularly to the production and use of a calenderizeable substrate in which a final thickness may be adjusted. The system employed for the process includes a pair of compression rollers wherein the nip force therebetween may be adjusted.

Abstract: A multifunction printer apparatus includes a printer, with a printer media path, and a scanner/stapler assembly detachably secured to the printer. The scanner/stapler assembly includes a scanner and a stapler-configured media path that begins at the printer media path and emerges from the scanner/stapler assembly along a direction perpendicular to a feed direction of the scanner.

Abstract: In a sheet treating apparatus for treating sheets on which images have been formed, the sheets are upwardly transported by transport rollers, etc., and are transported to an intermediate treatment tray, where the sheets are subjected to treatment such as stapling, and then the sheets can be delivered to a delivery tray disposed in a substantially vertical state above the intermediate treatment tray.

Abstract: An image data storing system, and more particularly a video capture controller to capture raw video image data from a peripheral unit and to provide compressed video image data to a document image management server. The video capture controller includes a control processor, a first memory, and a second memory. The first memory stores raw video image data from the peripheral unit under control of the control processor. The raw video image data stored in the first memory is then converted into compressed video image data, and is then stored in the second memory, again under control of the control processor. Then, the compressed video image data from the second memory is transferred to the image management server.

Abstract: When performing a punching operation for each of sheets individually conveyed to a predetermined punching position within a conveying path, each of the individually conveyed sheets is positioned at the predetermined punching position before performing the punching operation.

Abstract: A pasting and bookbinding method in which a leading edge of a sheet conveyed in a first conveying path having a sheet conveyor is brought into contact with a hitting member and the sheet skew is corrected, a linear paste coating portion is formed by a paste jetting device in the vicinity of a side edge portion of the sheet conveyed in a second conveying path in a direction perpendicular to the first conveying path, and plural sheets after the paste coating processing are stacked on a sheet stacking table provided below the second conveying path, and aligned by an aligner, and the linear pasted portion is pressed by a pressing device, and after a pasted booklet is produced, the booklet is delivered onto the delivery tray provided in the conveying direction downstream of the first conveying path and on an outside side surface of the apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has: character data forming means for forming character data; synthesizing means for synthesizing the character data formed by the character data forming means with image data; image output means for printing a synthesis result of the synthesizing means onto a sheet; sheet post-processing means for performing a post-process to the sheet outputted by the image output means; and adjusting means for adjusting a printing position of the character data and a processing position of the sheet post-processing means.

Abstract: A host device successively sends print data constituting a plurality of sets of copies of a document to be printed to a printer capable of printing on both sides of printing paper. If each set of copies to be printed consists of an odd number of pages, a blank page is inserted as the reverse side of the last page to make the total number of pages of the set of copies an even number. The print data thus created is sent to the printer as a single job. This makes it possible to prevent the last page of one set of copies and the first page of another set of copies from being printed on the same sheet of paper, thereby allowing each set of copies to be printed as a discrete set independent of other sets. Print job management is performed on the basis of a single print job.

Abstract: A sheet post-treatment device for receiving a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus to accumulate and match it comprises: routes including a first conveying route for receiving the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus; a switch-back route for inverting the received sheet; a second conveying route for conveying the inverted sheet; and a third conveying route for delivering the sheet conveyed onto a treating tray for accumulating and matching the sheet thereon, the switch-back route being arranged downward of the treating tray. The second conveying route is formed along the side wall of the sheet post-treatment device, and at least a part of the switch-back route is exposed.

Abstract: A printer for printing and binding documents and for moving bound documents into a collection tray. The printer has printing means designed to print onto substantially planar print media, a binder designed to bind a plurality of substantially planar print media together to form a substantially planar bound document and to retain the bound document in a substantially vertical orientation. The printer also has a collection tray positioned beneath the binder which is designed to receive and retain a bound document in a substantially vertical orientation. The printer also has a document transfer device positioned beneath the binder and above the collection tray. The document transfer device is designed to transfer a bound document from the binding means to the collection tray while maintaining the substantially vertical orientation of the bound document.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing device includes a placement unit for placing a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus; a discharging unit for successively discharging the sheet on the placement unit; and an offset unit for shifting an edge of a stitching sheet from an edge of a non-stitching sheet on the placement unit by a predetermined distance depending on whether the sheet discharged on the placement unit is subjected to a stitching process. A stitching unit stitches only the edge portions of the stitching sheets in a stack in a state that the edges of the stitching sheets are shifted from the edge of the non-stitching sheet by the offset unit.

Abstract: To automatically set a binding margin (blank from a folding line of a sheet center) sheet by sheet in the case of performing middle binding booklet printing, there is provided an information processing apparatus having: means for receiving designation of the middle binding booklet printing; memory means for storing a preset blank adjustment amount in booklet printing; and blank adjusting means for, when the designation of the middle binding booklet printing is received, automatically adjusting a blank amount from a binding position sheet by sheet on the basis of the blank adjustment amount stored in the memory means.

Abstract: A pasting binding apparatus for binding a bundle of sheets comprises a paste coating device to coat a paste in a form of a line onto a binding side of a sheet being conveyed on a conveying passage in a conveying direction by a conveying device; a pressing device located above the paste coating device and to stack the sheet coated with the paste onto the bundle of sheets and to press the sheet onto the bundle of sheets; and the conveying device to convey the sheet to the paste coating device and to the pressing device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus having a stapling means disposed detachably for stapling to conveyed sheets, the stapling means being movably supported between an operation position for stapling conveyed sheets and a replacement position for detaching the stapling means from the apparatus, the stapling means comprising; a connection portion connected to the apparatus for receiving a control signal from the apparatus; a cable for transmitting the control signal from the connection portion to the stapling means; and an urging means for urging the cable toward the inner side of the stapling means.

Abstract: Using imaging material binding techniques to simulate continuous sheet printing with single sheets of print media. Imaging material is applied to a binding region along the trailing edge of a first sheet. The trailing edge of the first sheet and the leading edge of a following second sheet are overlapped and the imaging material is activated to bind the sheets together. This process may be repeated for successive sheets to form one continuous sheet. The invention may be implemented, for example, in a stand alone appliance used in conjunction with a conventional single sheet printer, as an integrated printing device, or through a computer readable medium used to control operations in one or both of these devices.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a memory which stores one or more images as one document, and an image forming unit which forms on a sheet the image of the document stored in the memory. Also included is a controller which causes the image forming unit to perform the image forming of the plural documents stored in the memory, as one document. The image forming unit includes a binder for binding the sheets on which the images of the plural documents are respectively formed, as one sheaf.

Abstract: Duplex printers are provided with sheet registration utilization devices that take further advantage of the sheet registration capabilities of such printers. These sheet registration utilization devices include staplers, gluing devices and 2 or 3 hole punch systems.

Abstract: A compressible substrate such as paper has an image formed on the substrate. The imaged substrate is subjected to a compressive force throughout the entire area of the substrate to reduce the thickness of the substrate. The substrate remains in the reduced thickness, increased density state upon release of the compressive force.

Abstract: A sheet finisher of the present invention includes jogger fences for jogging sheets sequentially stacked in a stapling section, and a stapler for stapling the sheets together. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) controls a jogger motor such that the jogger fences each move to a first position, a second position, and a third position in accordance with the width of sheets in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance. The first position is remote from the edge of a sheet stack in the direction of the width by a preselected amount. The second position is closer to the edge than the first position by a preselected amount and slightly overlaps the edge. At the third position, when the stapler staples the sheet stack, the jogger fence substantially contacts the edge in accordance with the width.

Abstract: A document creating apparatus comprising a transport system for transporting documents and an image transfer system for transferring images onto them. A film depositor is provided for depositing a film on at least one of the documents sheets. At least two of the document sheets are placed against each other with the film located between them. The document sheets are attached to each other by the film.

Abstract: A digital image forming apparatus is equipped with image input means, image signal storage means and image forming means. The image signal storage means stores image data of a plurality of documents per page. The image forming means forms images on copy paper sheets based on the image data read from the image signal storage means. The digital image forming apparatus is also provided with a saddle stitching mode wherein the image data stored in the image signal storage means is transmitted in sequence to the image forming means so that images are formed on the copy paper sheets in a page order indicated by a page array of saddle stitching corresponding to a total page number of the documents. The digital image forming apparatus is further equipped with mode specification means which make it possible to specify a mode for the spread page that is different from that for the remaining pages.

Abstract: When printing is performed for a postcard or the like, the present invention aims to shorten a printing time necessary to print an output result desired by a user, obviate a user's erroneous operation, prevent from creating an unpurposed output matter, and create a user's desired output result. In order to do so, the present invention provides an image forming system which selects any of plural image forming modes including a first mode, in the first mode an image forming process is performed such that the plural images are arranged on an identical face of the sheet, performs the image forming process based on the selected image forming mode, and inhibits a working process for the sheets on which the images were formed, according as the first mode is selected.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus has a sheet processor in which the setting of punch action is permitted during a specified period of time, even after image formation is started when the setting of a punch action has been forgotten. When the start key of the image formation apparatus is operated for starting image formation in a situation in which a setting of an action for punching at least one hole in a sheet by a punch setting button is forgotten, an action setting by the punch setting button is permitted during a specified period of time taken after inputting of the start for image formation, so that sheet processing and image formation can be continued without pausing the apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming and paper bundling device and method for bundling the paper that is able to accurately correct the skew of a paper sheet independent of the shape or cutting accuracy of the paper sheet. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming an image on the paper sheet, a paper transfer unit for transferring the paper sheet towards the image forming unit, and a skew correcting unit for correcting the skew of the paper sheet being transferred. The skew correcting unit making correction of the paper sheet with reference to an end of the paper sheet that is parallel to the paper transfer direction. The skew correction unit making the correction by urging an end of the paper sheet towards a reference guide as the paper sheet travels through the skew correction unit. A register control portion moves in a direction perpendicular to the path of the paper sheet to register the sheet to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A host device successively sends print data constituting a plurality of sets of copies of a document to be printed to a printer capable of printing on both sides of printing paper. If each set of copies to be printed consists of an odd number of pages, a blank page is inserted as the reverse side of the last page to make the total number of pages of the set of copies an even number. The print data thus created is sent to the printer as a single job. This makes it possible to prevent the last page of one set of copies and the first page of another set of copies from being printed on the same sheet of paper, thereby allowing each set of copies to be printed as a discrete set independent of other sets. Print job management is performed on the basis of a single print job.

Abstract: A stapling apparatus for forming a plurality of sheet bundles on a sheet tray comprises a sheet tray, a stapler, moving means, and movement controlling means. The stapler is moved upward by the moving means and the movement controlling means to the position where plural sheets placed on the sheet tray are to be stapled. Consequently, the stapling apparatus can staple the sheets in the position where the sheets are to be bound which changes upward each time the sheet bundle is formed by the stapler and form a plurality of sheet bundles on the sheet tray.

Abstract: A spool file manager lays out print data, which has been stored in a spool file, in a format wherein the data is printed on each side of printing paper in conformity with a specified method of bookbinding printing. Specified methods of bookbinding printing include a method in which all output sheets of paper are folded in half collectively, and a method of gathering a certain number of sheets together at a time, folding the certain numbers of sheets in half and putting them in order. Pages that have been stored in the spool file are rearranged and printed out in accordance with the particular method. Sheets of paper that have thus been printed on are folded in half, in the order in which they are output, gathering together a certain number of sheets at a time, thus making it possible to bind the sheets together in the form of a book.

Abstract: The present invention checks the paper size of input document images one by one, and cancels the stapling process when the documents have different widths in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: A digital image forming apparatus is equipped with image input means, image signal storage means and image forming means. The image signal storage means stores image data of a plurality of documents per page. The image forming means forms images on copy paper sheets based on the image data read from the image signal storage means. The digital image forming apparatus is also provided with a saddle stitching mode wherein the image data stored in the image signal storage means is transmitted in sequence to the image forming means so that images are formed on the copy paper sheets in a page order indicated by a page array of saddle stitching corresponding to a total page number of the documents. The digital image forming apparatus is further equipped with mode specification means which make it possible to specify a mode for the spread page that is different from that for the remaining pages.

Abstract: A finisher connected to a copying machine produces a bound booklet by inserting papers from the copying machine into a cover with an adhesive layer of a hot-melt adhesive which is coated on the inner surface of near a spine interconnecting a front board and a back board, and heating the cover and a sheaf of papers, and joining them by adhesion. Thus, the series of operations ranging from the preparation of documents through the bookbinding can be facilitated and expedited.

Abstract: In a copier with a stapler and a sorter, an image read with a reader unit and a mark indicating a binding position designated from an operation unit are displayed on a CRT, and after an operator checks the binding position, the image is printed out on a sheet by a printer unit and the printed sheets are stapled at the designated position with a stapler. In this manner, the sheets are prevented from being stapled at a different position from that the operator desires.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a staple/punch device which staples/punches a sheet output from the image forming apparatus in a predetermined area relative to an output sheet receiving unit of the apparatus, staple and/or punch position designating devices which designate a staple and/or punch position for the output sheet and a staple and/or punch instructing device which gives a staple and/or punch instruction to the staple/punch device. When the designated staple/punch position is out of the predetermined area, a staple/punch instruction deleting device can delete the staple/punch instruction.

Abstract: A finisher is disclosed which is connected to a copying machine and possessed of a stapler which effects a stapling treatment on the sheets discharged from the copying machine and a binder which inserts the discharged sheets into a cover and binds by adhesion the sheets and the cover for bookbinding. This finisher has a memory for memorizing the stapling treatment or the binding treatment as a treating mode in advance, a staple sensor for detecting the existence of the staple, and a cover sensor for detecting the existence of the cover. When either of the sensors detects the lack of staple or cover, a feasible treating mode other than the unfeasible treating mode due to the lack of staple or cover in the treating mode memorized in the memory is executed prior to the unfeasible treating mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an image memory unit for storing image information, an image rotation unit for applying predetermined rotation to the image information read from the image memory unit, an image forming unit for forming an image on an output medium based on the image information derived directly from the image memory unit or by the image rotation unit, and a control unit for controlling the rotation of the image by the image rotation unit such that a staple position of the output medium formed by the image forming unit comes to a predetermined position.

Abstract: An apparatus allowing double-leaved side wiring or saddle wiring of copied sheets of paper performs the following process for forming an image on a two-page spread. In accordance with the direction of the document set on the apparatus, whether or not the image formed on the document should be divided and turned to an image of a two-page spread is determined. When a two-page spread image is to be formed, a blank page is inserted to the images to be printed on the sheets, or the order of images to be printed is exchanged. Thus an image is properly formed on a two-page spread.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is mounted in a copying machine or a printer and is adapted to serve the purpose of bundling and stapling a plurality of copied or printed sheets, automatically encasing the stapled bundle of sheets with a cover specially designed for enclosure, and binding the cover. The apparatus has an image memory, an image signal processing part, an image producing part, a sheet accumulating part, a cover storing part, a cover delivering part, a cover supporting part, a sheet delivering and inserting part, a heating part, and a CPU.

Abstract: In an image formation apparatus, the control temperature of a heat fixing device includes an operation temperature and a standby temperature that is relatively lower than the operation temperature. When an instruction is designated to start an image formation operation, data associated with the start timing of the first image formation operation is calculated. Control of raising the temperature of a roller for heat fixing from the standby temperature to the operation temperature is initiated so that the heat fixing roller attains the operation temperature at the start timing of an image formation operation. As a result, the time of initiating control to raise the temperature to the operation temperature level is optimized to reduce power consumption without increasing the standby time for an image formation operation.

Abstract: A sheet post processing apparatus includes at least one sheet receiving tray for accommodating sheets; a sheet discharging device for discharging sheets to the said sheet receiving tray; a sheet processing device for processing sheets accommodated on the sheet receiving tray; a reference member for guiding edges of the sheets on the sheet receiving tray and for functioning as a reference for alignment of the sheets to a reference position; an aligning member movable to a predetermined alignment position to urge the sheets on the receiving tray to the reference member; a device for changing a reference position of the reference member to make constant a distance from an edge of the sheet to a position where the sheets are processed by the sheet processing device.

Abstract: A basic control portion stores image information read by a scanner in a page memory of a page memory portion through image processing means. When memory full takes place such that image information to be stored in the page memory is larger than the capacity of the memory in a case where a staple sorting mode has been set, the basic control portion suspends the staple mode and forms images in a set sorting mode by using image data stored in the page memory. As a result, even if memory full takes place in the staple mode, the image can normally be formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image recording apparatus comprising a document size detection sensor 103 for recognizing a size of an image to be recorded, an image input section 101 for reading and storing therein the image to be recorded, a paper feeder (not shown herein) for storing therein and feeding recording paper having a specified size, an image forming section 108 for forming an image on recording paper fed from the paper feeder, an image processing section 106 for dividing a read image to two portions based on a result of detection by the document size detection sensor 103 when a size of the image to be recorded is larger than recording paper having a specified size and executing image processing for displacing a central position of each image so that an edge section of each image will be aligned to an edge of a binding space of each discrete sheet of recording paper, and an image output section 107 for outputting an image processed by the image processing section 108.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet post-treatment apparatus for receiving a sheet material on which an image was formed by an image forming apparatus and for post-treating such sheet material and for sending the sheet material to a next post-treatment apparatus. A sheet receiving opening has the same height as a sheet sending opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming images onto sheets in either one of a first mode for sequentially forming the images onto the sheets from a last page and a second mode for sequentially forming the images onto the sheets from a front page. The apparatus also includes a rotation processing unit for rotating the image in the direction of 180.degree. for the direction of the image in the first mode before the image forming unit forms the images in the second mode. The apparatus further includes a tray for stacking the sheets, a reversing path for reversing the sheet in the second mode, a conveying path for conveying the sheets formed with the images by the image forming unit to the tray directly or through the reversing path, and a stapler for performing a stapling on an upstream side in the conveying direction in the sheet and on a left side or a right side in the conveying direction.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a document size detection sensor for recognizing a size of an image to be recorded, an image input section for reading and storing therein the image to be recorded, a paper feeder for feeding recording paper having a specified size, an image forming section for forming an image on recording paper fed from the paper feeder, a control means for calculating a number of sheets of recording paper to be recorded from said total number of pages, an image processing section for executing image processing for displacing a central position of each image so that an edge section of each image will be aligned to an edge of a binding space of each discrete sheet of recording paper, and an image output section for outputting an image processed by the image processing section 108.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a function for recognizing a sorting mode, a function of recognizing a copy specification, a function of storing an original image, and a function of rotating this stored image. The apparatus has a function of alternately outputting sets of copy sheets in an angular difference of about 90.degree. in accordance with the copy specifications. An operator can discriminate the sets of copy sheets from each other using landscape and portrait copy sheets without using a mechanical sorter mechanism. When a binding unit is added to this image forming apparatus, the apparatus has a function of reversing the reading order of the pages of each set to reproduce the images and alternately binding and outputting the copy sheets at an angular interval of about 90.degree. in units of sets.