Provided is a puncher having activating/inactivating switch for post-processing function. The puncher prevents undesirable post processing even if the switch indicates activation of the post processing. When a puncher which is registered in the image forming apparatus is attached to the puncher, the puncher obtains information indicating whether or not to the post processing using a punch die is activated or not. When the obtained information indicates that the post processing using the punch die is inactivated, even if the switch indicates activation of the post processing, the post processing is not performed.

An image forming system has a transmission assembly, standard and auxiliary sheet feeders, standard and auxiliary trays, an image forming device and a controller. The transmission assembly is for switching transmission of a drive force of a motor selectively to the one of the standard and auxiliary sheet feeders. The controller determines whether sheet is absent in the standard tray. The controller, based on determining the sheet is absent in the standard tray and receipt of preceding data, control the transmission assembly to initiate to switch the transmission of the drive force to the auxiliary sheet feeder. Also the controller, based on receipt of control data received after preceding data, control the image forming device to form an image based on the control data.

Systems, devices, and related methods for shaping near field interrogation signals are discussed herein. An example spindle supported near field communication (NFC) device includes a spindle configured to mount to a mounting surface, the spindle having an axis of rotation; a beam shaping NFC device including: a ferromagnetic core portion coaxial with the spindle; a coil disposed around the core portion, the coil to generate a near field interrogation signal; a first ferromagnetic flange portion to direct the near field interrogation signal in directions extending radially from the axis and to restrict the near field interrogation signal from extending in a first axial direction associated with the axis; and a second ferromagnetic flange portion to direct the near field interrogation signal in the directions extending radially from the axis and to restrict the near field interrogation signal from extending in a second axial direction associated with the axis.

A mobile printer for use with a piece of paper includes a computer memory, a processor in data communication with the computer memory, an input device in data communication with the processor, a housing configured to rest atop the paper, a carriage located inside the housing, carriage actuators for moving the carriage adjacent the paper, a scanning device coupled to the housing and positioned to obtain existing-indicia information, and a printing unit coupled to and movable with the carriage. The scanning device and the carriage actuators are in data communication with the processor. The printing unit includes an output nozzle and a supply passage for supplying ink from a reservoir to the output nozzle. Programming causes the scanning device to obtain the existing-indicia information, the computer memory to store the obtained existing-indicia information, the carriage actuators to selectively move the carriage, and the ink to pass from the output nozzle.

In an example, a print system include a component device that is operation in a number of state, a density engine, and a component engine. An example density engine identifies a plane region of a plane where print fluid is to be printed based on data of a print job and determines a density classifier for the plane based on a location of the plane region on the plane. An example component engine causes an adjustment of a component attribute of the component device based on the density classifier.

A printing system comprising a controller for controlling the processing of print jobs, a plurality of input holders for holding print media to be printed upon, a print engine for disposing marking material on the print media, and a plurality of output holders for holding the print media when the marking material has been disposed on the print media by the print engine and the print media is ready for taking out by an operator. The controller is configured to establish and to maintain a plurality of physical configurations of the printing system. Each physical configuration comprises the print engine, at least one input holder out of the plurality of input holders and at least one output holder out of the plurality of output holders. Each physical configuration is disjunctive from the at least one other physical configuration of the plurality of physical configurations with respect to the at least one input holder of the at least one other physical configuration of the plurality of physical configurations and with respect to the at least one output holder of the at least one other physical configuration of the plurality of physical configurations. The invention also relates to a job submission device and a method for the printing system.

An image forming apparatus and method for controlling an image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a detecting unit, a projecting unit, and a control unit. The detecting unit is configured to detect an event that needs user work on the image forming apparatus. The projecting unit is configured to project an image onto a projection target. The control unit is configured to control projection by the projecting unit. When an event that needs user work on the image forming apparatus is detected, the projecting unit projects an image onto a projection target so that a target portion of the user work can be identified and also projects an instruction image for performing the user work.

What is disclosed is a system and method for determining whether all processes performed by various secondary devices on a print/copy/scan job in a document reproduction environment completed. In one embodiment, a user/customer selects an application services represented by selectable icons displayed on a user interface of a multi-function device. In response to an application service having been selected, a list of process steps is retrieved. The various process steps are to be performed by one or more secondary devices for the selected application service. Then, for each secondary device in the retrieved list, a processor communicates to each secondary device to begin performing its associated process steps and waits until a notification is received from each secondary device that it has completed its various process steps. Upon complete of all process steps by all secondary devices, a notification is communicated to the user/customer that the job completed.

An object is to use a post processing apparatus effectively and to shorten execution waiting time of a print job of a user due to moving of a self-traveling post processing apparatus. In an image forming system including a self-traveling post processing apparatus which separably connects with each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, in a case of having received a print job which is executed by any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and performs the post processing by the post processing apparatus, the post processing apparatus is made to self-travel by a traveling section such that the post processing apparatus moves toward an image forming apparatus which has received a print job which performs post processing.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that outputs an image to a transfer medium on the basis of a job and a control unit that controls the image forming unit. The control unit is capable of outputting all sheets and outputting designated sheets in outputting the job and, when outputting the designated sheets, changes output control content according to whether the designated sheets are output as sheets for replacement media.