Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of image forming units (R1–R4) for forming toner images, a fixing unit (63) for fixing the tone image to a medium, and a temperature control unit (122) for determining if each image forming unit is set and changing the set temperature of the fixing unit based on the determination. If a predetermined image forming unit is not used, a temperature can be set for the fixing unit so that the warming-up time can be shortened in the stand-by state. As a result, the image forming speed and through-put can be improved.

Abstract: A division/coupling process section refers to item “DOCUMENT PROCESS” in a division/coupling set information DB. If a document division/coupling process needs to be executed, division/coupling set information from the division/coupling set information DB is referred to. If scan parameters need to be referred to, the division/coupling process section refers to scan parameters from a scan parameter DB. If an inquire process needs to be executed by referring to item “EXCESS DOCUMENT PROCESS” in the division/coupling set information DB, necessary information is acquired from an input/output section through a division/coupling inquire process section. Thus, the document division/coupling is determined and executed. Information on the divided/coupled document is temporarily stored in a division/coupling buffer and also information on document registration is stored in the division/coupling buffer. The divided/coupled document is then registered into document management systems through a register process section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided including at least one color cartridge that supplies at least one color toner, a monochrome cartridge that supplies monochrome toner, an image formation unit configured to form an image on an image-transferring member using at least one of the at least one color toner and the monochrome toner, and a processor electrically coupled to the image formation unit. The processor is configured to determine whether the at least one color cartridge contains insufficient color toner for printing an image according to a first image job and to control the image formation unit to print a second image job before the first image job requiring the at least one color cartridge if the at least one color cartridge contains insufficient color toner for printing the image of the first image job.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus which, when switching operation from color image forming operation to monochromatic image forming operation, forms a monochromatic image on each of a prescribed number of sheets by stopping a part of the functions of yellow, magenta and cyan image forming sections of the color image forming operation, and thereafter, forms a monochromatic image only with a black-only image forming section, thereby permitting extension of service life of the image forming sections, while improving the productivity.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, method, and computer program product, in which image data stored in a file can be printed in two printing modes when a sample printing mode is selected. A first page printing mode is a mode in which only a first page of a selected file is printed. A designated page range printing mode is a mode in which a designated page range of the selected file is printed in order of pages. A mismatch between the number of pages of the selected file and a designated page range is judged. When the mismatch arises, a warning is displayed on a display device of the image forming apparatus to give the warning to an operator.

Abstract: A multifunctional printer retains image data in an image memory when paper runs out during a copying operation, until another operation is requested or a predetermined time period expires. Also, the multifunctional printer retains information of the document that has not been recorded in a RAM when erasing the image data. Then, the information is displayed on an operation panel when the document needs to be re-scanned in order to enable the user to re-scan the document.

Abstract: Informing the user when consumables and/or customer replaceable units will have to be resupplied, changed and/or replaced, relative to the jobs sent to the image forming system, is a beneficial way to avoid unnecessary printing delays. When a job is added to a job queue or repositioned within the job queue, a warning can be associated with that job, and displayed to the user. With this information, the user can pre-emptively add a consumable and/or to replace a customer replaceable unit to avoid delays and maintain productivity. Alternatively, if such a system fault would occur prior to an urgent job reaching the top of the job queue, the user can manipulate the order and/or presence of the various jobs in the queue to ensure the high-priority job is completed before the consumable is fully exhausted and/or the customer replaceable unit reaches the end of its useful life.

Abstract: A plurality of devices for reading document images are connected through a network. A master device and slave devices are set among the devices. Read conditions and image forming conditions are respectively notified to the slave devices by the master device. Each slave device reads an original document based on the read condition, and outputs the read image data attached with the image forming condition, to the print device. The print device prints image data from various read devices under the image forming conditions attached thereto, thereby to print image data from the plurality of read devices, integrated with each other.

Abstract: Upon receiving print data from a host, the print data is saved, and an image information generation module generates rasterized image data and saves it in a rasterized image storage means after compression. At this time, a time T1 required for analysis is measured. The stored rasterized image data is output to an engine, and a time T4 required for reading out and outputting the data at that time is also measured. The times T1 and T4 are compared. If T4>T1, a print process is done by generating rasterized image data from the print data for the second and subsequent copies; if T4<T1, the stored rasterized image data is read out and printed. In a color print process, rasterized image data is generated from the print data to execute a print process, thus activating a color correction function.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus including image forming portions for respective color components of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. It can be set whether a discriminating function of discriminating whether an original image is a color image or a monochromatic image is used. If the use of the discriminating function is set, a preparatory operation of forming the image in a full-color recording mode is performed before obtaining a result of the discrimination. When the result of the discrimination is monochrome, the image formation in a monochrome recording mode is executed after a shift from the full-color recording mode to the monochrome recording mode. If configured to perform the preparatory operation of forming the image in the monochrome recording mode before obtaining the result of the discrimination, when the result of the discrimination is color, the image formation in the full-color recording mode is executed after a shift from the monochrome recording mode to the full-color recording mode.

Abstract: In a laser printer capable of printing on both sides of a sheet, alignment or skew of the sheet is corrected with register rollers before printing is performed first on a side of the sheet. The sheet with an image having been formed by a process unit is fed to a re-circulation path for printing on the other side of the sheet. The sheet alignment or skew is corrected in the re-circulation path by a guide plate while the sheet is fed by re-circulation feed rollers. The sheet fed back to the register rollers is fed toward the process unit without being temporarily stopped at the register rollers before printing on the other side of the sheet.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for executing a job by using a job parameter set including a combination of values of various setup items which define an operation condition of the job as a work unit, the image processing apparatus provided with: a job parameter memory for memorizing a plurality of job parameter sets, each of the plurality of job parameter sets being associated with a page size of an input image of a job having been executed; a page size acquiring device for acquiring a present page size of an input image of a present job to be executed; and a job parameter election device for electing a candidate for a job parameter set for the present job by retrieving the present page size among the plurality of job parameter sets memorized in the parameter memory.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a controller which distinguishes the type of original from image data obtained by prescanning an original image and selects image processing parameters suited to the type of original. When automatic image forming mode is selected, the controller outputs, depending on whether a user has selected monochrome or multi-color image processing operation, a control signal indicating whether or not to prescan the original image to obtain information necessary for distinguishing the type of original to an image scanning unit.

Abstract: A control method for an image forming apparatus that has an image forming unit that performs an image forming operation based on an image forming mode set via a first setting operation by a user includes a causing step, an enabling step, a prohibiting step, and a permitting step. In the causing step, the image forming apparatus performs a trial image forming operation for confirming the image forming operation based on the image forming mode set via the first setting operation. In the enabling step, a changing operation for changing the image forming mode after the trial image forming operation is performed. In the prohibiting step, at least one of execution of the trial image forming operation and execution of the changing operation are prohibited when the image forming mode set in the first setting operation satisfies the predetermined condition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are economical methods and apparatuses for controlling a printer based on whether there are toner stations designated as “special toner stations.” Specifically, a printer running a print job is controlled based on whether a hold jobs mode is enabled only for the special toner stations. If the hold mode procedure is not enabled, printing is then allowed. If the hold jobs mode is enabled only for special toner stations, the identity of the installed toner is determined. Additionally, if the hold mode procedure is enabled, the print job is subjected to additional procedures before being allowed to print. These additional procedures may include determining if any predefined attributes exist for the job ticket and automatically applying these attributes, placing the print job into a “hold status,” permitting manual changes to be made to the print ticket, and forwarding notification of the print job upon its completion.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a loading means for loading a sheaf of originals obtained by staking a sheaf of the originals to be copied and a sheaf of the originals for front and reverse cover sheets, a feed means for feeding the originals one by one from the loaded sheaf, a read means for reading the fed original, a storage means for storing a read original image, an image formation means for reading the original images of four pages from the storage means, and forms the images of two pages on each of front and reverse faces of a sheet, a setting means for performing setting to form the images on the front and reverse cover sheets, and a control means for controlling, according to the setting, the reading of the images from the storage means such that the original images for the front and reverse cover sheets are respectively formed on front and reverse cover sheet pages, for controlling the reading such that the original image for the cover sheet is formed on the sheet different from the sheet not

Abstract: Editing a printing job of printing data temporarily stored in an intermediate-code format is restricted such that an error does not occur in the result of printing. A user interface for editing the printing-setting information of the data temporarily stored in the intermediate-code format is controlled such that a change of printing settings which can be edited is restricted and the printing settings are displayed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided including at least one color cartridge that supplies at least one color toner, a monochrome cartridge that supplies monochrome toner, an image formation unit configured to form an image on an image-transferring member using at least one of the at least one color toner and the monochrome toner, and a processor electrically coupled to the image formation unit. The processor is configured to: determine whether the at least one color cartridge contains insufficient color toner for printing an image according to a first image job, queue a second image job not requiring the at least one color cartridge before the first image job requiring the at least one color cartridge if the at least one color cartridge contains insufficient color toner for printing the image of the first image job, and control the image formation unit to form images in accordance with the queue.

Abstract: A printing method for printing of a print job by a printing apparatus having a monochrome mode and a full-color mode. The method may include examining a portion of the print job to determine whether the portion includes a color page, and if the portion includes a color page, scheduling printing of a first page of the portion and one or more subsequent pages of the print job in a full-color mode, irrespective of the color content of the one or more subsequent pages.

Abstract: There is provided a double-sided printing device that can eliminate a user having to care about the orientation of double-sided recording sheets when such recording sheets are set. A type of a recording sheet to be fed from a feed cassette is designated. An obverse surface image and a reverse surface image are printed, respectively, on the obverse surface and the reverse surface of the recording sheet in a predetermined order. The predetermined order is reversed when the designated type of the recording sheet matches a predetermined type of recording sheet.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided which includes a print mechanism configured to print in a plurality of color modes, and a controller configured to select an active color mode switching option from among a plurality of color mode switching options, and instruct the print mechanism to switch between the color modes according to the active color mode switching option. Each of the color mode switching options defines a manner in which the printing apparatus and method will switch between the plurality of color modes when printing a document.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image forming apparatus that has two operation panels—a standard operation panel and an optional operation panel. The image forming apparatus has a standard mode and a professional mode which provide different displays on the operation panels. In addition, custom displays may be stored and recalled by the users.

Abstract: An image formation and control method and apparatus enabling a user to print data to be printed reliably up to the limited reproduction number permitted to the user even if troubles at the time of printing occur when the number of reproductions of the data to be printed is limited, is presented. With reference to the printing management information added to the data to be printed, when the number of reproductions of the data to be printed is limited, the mode is changed from the performance priority mode for normally reproducing data to be printed into the safety priority mode capable of carrying out the required reproduction more reliably than in the performance priority mode, the number of printing of the data to be printed is managed as a printing history, and the printing of the data to be printed is controlled based on the number of reproductions of the data to be printed and the managed printing history.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for, in the halted state where trial copying of one set is completed, determining whether a mode has been changed, and for automatically changing a numeral accordingly.

Abstract: When a transfer and conveyance belt mechanism has already started moving and a recording sheet has just passed through a cyan color photoreceptor drum, photoreceptor drums for cyan, magenta and yellow colors have not yet abutted on the transfer and conveyance belt. Then, only when the recording sheet has passed through the yellow color photoreceptor drum, the photoreceptor drums for cyan, magenta and yellow abut transfer and conveyance belt at the same time.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for print recommendation and control. In one embodiment, a system and method pertain to analyzing print job parameters, determining whether any of the print job parameters are impermissible, and interrupting the print job if one or more print job parameters is determined to be impermissible. In another embodiment, a system and method pertain to analyzing print job parameters, determining if one or more print job parameters is likely to create an adverse printing outcome, and if it is determined that an adverse printing outcome is likely, notifying the user as to the likelihood of the adverse printing outcome and providing an alternative print recommendation to the user.

Abstract: A printer or other color output device is configured to manage consumable wear. A wear level and a consumable use level of a color cartridge are evaluated. A color cartridge failure mechanism is projected to be either color cartridge wear-out or consumable exhaustion. Where color cartridge wear-out is projected, selection is made between faster printing and a reduced risk of color cartridge wear-out.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus including a paper feeding unit for selectively feeding color papers, each of which is assigned by an operation unit, and a controlling device, for controlling storing an assigned color paper data and an image data into a storage device, and for controlling selecting the same color paper when the image data is again output from the storage device. Therefore, the same image data can be automatically output to the same color paper.

Abstract: The digital synthesizer comprises a system control unit, a read control unit, and a write drive control unit, and based on a magnification fine adjustment value set using a magnification fine adjustment panel, in the copy mode, a magnification of an image in the main scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a write reference clock frequency for modulating a laser beam for image formation so that a desired pixel density is obtained and also a magnification of the image in the auxiliary scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a scan speed when reading an image from a document, while in the printer mode, a magnification of an image in the main scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a write reference clock frequency and also a magnification of the image in the auxiliary scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a rotational speed of a polygon mirror for scanning a photosensitive mirror with a write beam.

Abstract: An image forming system for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatus and which is capable of conducting a tandem operation such that an image input by one of the plurality of image forming apparatus is output by the plurality of image forming apparatus and which includes job reserving sections provided on each of the image forming apparatus, for reserving an image forming job, wherein while conducting the tandem operation, any of the job reserving sections on the image forming apparatus is capable of reserving a job.

Abstract: A paper-conserving method for printing a document, which includes determining the number of pages in a document to be printed and automatically selecting a paper conserving print layout for the document when at least two pages are detected. When the document has two or more pages, the layout includes duplexing. When the document has 3 or more pages, the layout will be N-up, where N has a value of at least 2.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an input unit for inputting an image signal representing an original image, a processing unit for performing image processing of the image signal input from the input unit, and a recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium on the basis of the image signal subjected to the image processing by the processing unit. The processing unit performs rotation processing of the image signal in accordance with the shapes of the original image and the recording medium.

Abstract: An image processing device is made convenient for a user to specify and cancel jobs one by one when there are a plurality of recorded jobs containing image data a user wants to cancel. The operating unit of the image processing device receives a cancellation command from a user and executes memory recall and extracts the image data for a job which is the target of a cancellation command when a document reading operation is not being executed and when a print operation is not being executed. Then, all jobs including such image data are extracted, and the target job table of the destruction command and other jobs including the image data included in the target job are extracted from the memory unit of the image processing device and canceled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image formation system for forming images of read original images, a control method of the image formation system, image formation apparatuses, a storage medium thereof. According to the present invention, sheets of which size corresponds to an attribute of the images are selected, and it is detected whether or not the image formation apparatus has the sheets selected by the image formation apparatus. When it is detected that the image formation apparatus does not have the selected sheets, sheets other than the selected sized sheets are selected as sheets used in forming images by the image formation apparatus, and it is controlled that another image formation apparatus performs an image formation using the sheets other than the selected sized sheets.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus for printing color images for a plurality of recording mediums having one or more photoreceptors for forming toner images of different color toners. The toner images are superimposed onto the intermediate transfer drum having a length of circumference such that a plurality of color images for the plurality of recording mediums can be held on this intermediate transfer drum. The superimposition of colors is done by consecutively repeating the primary transfer of each toner developed on the photoreceptor to the intermediate transfer drum. The toner images are formed on the photoreceptor and transferred to the intermediate transfer drum consecutively if the color images to be printed are solely of a specific monochrome color.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, in which an image on an original document is read with the image divided into plural areas, a copy image is formed by synthesizing images of the divided areas, and the copy image is printed on a surface of a target image forming medium.

Abstract: In a presentation mode, it is aimed to omit an extra setting procedure for setting for OHP and ordinary sheets and a change of the setting, and to provide an excellent presentation mode setting environment capable of starting the setting from any sheet. When a presentation mode is set, it is selected which of the OHP and ordinary sheets the setting input for image formation should be performed to, a setting screen for inputting image formation setting information according to the selected sheet is displayed by a CPU on a display unit, the setting information input from the setting screen is stored in a nonvolatile memory, and then the information being subjected to the setting input is stored in the nonvolatile memory and the setting screen is changed to a setting screen for other sheet by the CPU even if the setting information for any sheet is being input.

Abstract: Delivery information of a recording paper is obtained. When a delivery order is a descending order, a printing page order is set to the descending order and, thereafter, a print job is received and analyzed, thereby confirming that the printing page order is the descending order. After that, image data of all pages is generated and an occupation command of a print processor is issued. Subsequently, the image data is outputted and, after completion of the output of images of all pages, the occupation command of the print processor is released.

Abstract: An eletrophotographic marking machine and electrophotographic process wherein the machine has a logic and control unit programed to complete a print mode operation wherein an image recording member such as a belt is moved past a series of workstations in a print mode operation, the control unit being configured to permit a process isolation that interrupts the print mode operation of the machine without causing a hard stop of the machine. The controller is further configured to allow the restart of the interrupted print mode operation from the point of stoppage so the interrupted print mode can be completed.

Abstract: In a presentation mode, it is aimed to omit an extra setting procedure for setting for OHP and ordinary sheets and a change of the setting, and to provide an excellent presentation mode setting environment capable of starting the setting from any sheet. When a presentation mode is set, it is selected which of the OHP and ordinary sheets the setting input for image formation should be performed to, a setting screen for inputting image formation setting information according to the selected sheet is displayed by a CPU on a display unit, the setting information input from the setting screen is stored in a nonvolatile memory, and then the information being subjected to the setting input is stored in the nonvolatile memory and the setting screen is changed to a setting screen for other sheet by the CPU even if the setting information for any sheet is being input.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus that has an auto-print function for once storing data received externally into a memory and thereafter automatically printing out the data and is able to properly inhibit the auto-print. The apparatus is provided with non-manipulation process executing units for executing another process by putting an operation input unit or a print unit inoperable or inexecutable for a specified time regardless of operation of the operation input unit. The apparatus is further provided with an inhibition unit capable of inhibiting the execution of processing by the non-manipulation process executing units for an arbitrary inhibition time and a changing unit for changing the inhibition time according to the operation state of the operation input unit and the operation state of the present apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image forming section for forming images on sheets, including a sheet processing apparatus disposed to be piled up with a sheet conveying section and the image forming section in a housing of the image forming apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus aligns and binds sheets on which images are formed.

Abstract: An image forming system for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatus and being capable of conducting a tandem operation such that an image inputted by one of the plurality of image forming apparatus is outputted by the plurality of image forming apparatus, the system comprises:

Abstract: There is described an image forming apparatus favorably applied to a copying machine equipped with a control function for jobs including image forming processing. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming section to form an image, a sheet-feeding/conveyance section to convey a recording sheet, a controlling section to control the image forming section and the sheet-feeding/conveyance section and a memorizing section to memorize jobs reserved for an image forming processing. The image forming processing for one of the jobs includes a startup operation, an image forming operation and a terminating operation.

Abstract: In the course of a printing job, if the capacity of a designated face-up (or face-down) discharge exit is exceeded, the printing is executed in the inverted order of pages and the printed sheets are discharged to a face-down (or face-up) discharge exit.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus is capable of storing a plurality of jobs in memory, and the stored plurality of jobs are printed and output in the storage sequence. A permitted time for exclusive use of the image forming apparatus to print a first job (print time upper limit) can be set and changed by a user using an operation panel. When the permitted time has elapsed after starting printing of the first job, the first job is interrupted and printing of another job is started. This arrangement prevents delaying the printing of other jobs due to the continuous printing of the first job over a long time period.

Abstract: In an image reading device and image forming device, improved is the operability of the operation device provided with keys for reducing the number of operations. A shortcut key display screen having a shortcut key to which an arbitrary function among a plurality of functions may be allocated thereto is displayable on a display unit, every function setting screen comprises an allocation instruction key for providing instructions for allocating the function to the shortcut key, and, when the allocation instruction key is selected, a series of functions set before the function setting screen having the allocation instruction key is displayed on the display screen is allocated to the shortcut key.

Abstract: An image read by an image reader is rendered into binary data and then is stored in a document reading memory. In accordance with the color information provided to the document by a color marker which is stored in the document reading memory, a document image subjected to image processing is displayed on a color LCD. The user can check the color LCD before printing by a printer, such that photocopying by mistake and the like can be prevented.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for, in the halted state where trial copying of one set is completed, determining whether a mode has been changed, and for automatically changing a numeral accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image formation system for forming images of read original images, a control method of the image formation system, image formation apparatuses, a storage medium thereof. According to the present invention, sheets of which size corresponds to an attribute of the images are selected, and it is detected whether or not the image formation apparatus has the sheets selected by the image formation apparatus. When it is detected that the image formation apparatus does not have the selected sheets, sheets other than the selected sized sheets are selected as sheets used in forming images by the image formation apparatus, and it is controlled that another image formation apparatus performs an image formation using the sheets other than the selected sized sheets.