An image processing system includes an image forming unit, an image decoloring unit, a first sheet stacking unit, a second sheet stacking unit, a first detector for the first sheet stacking unit, a second detector for the second sheet stacking unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls a transport path of a sheet discharged from one of the image forming unit and the image decoloring unit.

Systems and methods for aligning preprinted images on a roll of substrate to the moving components of a web press are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes determining the speed of the moving components of the press, determining the speed of the web of preprinted images and adjusting the speed of the web of preprinted image to match the speed of the web. In particular embodiments, a press which produces rolls of preprinted material can be modified to change the equivalent cutoff length of the press. In further embodiments, a method of pasting new rolls of material to expiring rolls of material is accomplished by modulating the drive speed of the new roll of material to match the expiring roll of material while at the same time aligning the images on the new roll with the expiring roll.

Provided is an image forming apparatus preventing lowering of continuous printing performance; including plural paper feeding stages in main body; a residual paper quantity detection sensor; a printer part printing on paper; a paper feeding stage searching part functioning every time paper feeding is made; a paper feeding stage selection part determining existence of paper feeding capable stage, on result by paper feeding stage searching part, and selecting a paper feeding stage; a system control part performing stage changeover according to selection result by paper feeding stage selection part; when there exists no paper feeding capable stage, paper feeding stage selection part notifying system control part of it, and when there exists paper feeding capable stage, paper feeding stage selection part altering priority levels in stage searching on detection result by residual paper quantity detection sensor, and number of sheets required for printing, selecting paper feeding stage.

One object is to detect a sheet with high precision by using ultrasonic waves. A sheet processing apparatus detects a paper sheet based on a change in ultrasonic waves. The sheet processing apparatus includes a support member that supports a sheet. A through part is formed in the support member. The sheet processing apparatus further includes a transmitting unit that transmits ultrasonic waves from a transmitting surface; a reflecting unit that reflects the ultrasonic waves, which were transmitted from the transmitting unit and passed through the through part; and a receiving unit that receives on a receiving surface the ultrasonic waves reflected by the reflecting unit. The receiving surface faces downward, and the transmitting surface is parallel to a vertical direction or faces downward, or the transmitting surface faces downward, and the receiving surface is parallel to a vertical direction or faces downward.

A sheet conveying device includes: a sheet discharge roller disposed in a conveying path of sheets so as to discharge a sheet being conveyed to a sheet discharge tray; a conveying unit that conveys sheets on a side of the conveying path closer to an upstream side than the sheet discharge roller; a motor that rotates at a constant system speed during conveying of sheets to drive the conveying unit; a transmission mechanism that transmits power of the motor to the sheet discharge roller to rotate the sheet discharge roller; and a controller that controls an operation of the transmission mechanism, wherein the transmission mechanism changes a circumferential speed of the sheet discharge roller, and the controller performs speed reduction control of controlling the operation of the transmission mechanism to temporarily reduce the circumferential speed of the sheet discharge roller when a sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray.

A system and control method are provided for determining an amount of a product dispensed from or added to a product formation. At defined intervals, a mark is projected with a light source imager onto an aspect of the product formation that changes as the amount of product is depleted or added to the product formation. A digital image is taken of the aspect of the product formation that captures the projected mark and is transmitted to a digital imager processor, wherein a feature of the projected mark is analyzed that changes as the product formation decreases or increases in size as the product is dispensed or added. The analyzed feature is compared with a predetermined value of the feature at a predefined size of the product formation to determine an actual amount of the product on the product formation, or amount of product depleted from or added to the product formation.

A system and control method are provided for determining an amount of a product dispensed from or added to a product formation. At defined intervals, a mark is projected with a light source imager onto an aspect of the product formation that changes as the amount of product is depleted or added to the product formation. A digital image is taken of the aspect of the product formation that captures the projected mark and is transmitted to a digital imager processor, wherein a feature of the projected mark is analyzed that changes as the product formation decreases or increases in size as the product is dispensed or added. The analyzed feature is compared with a predetermined value of the feature at a predefined size of the product formation to determine an actual amount of the product on the product formation, or amount of product depleted from or added to the product formation.

An information processing method performs steps for an information processing apparatus to communicate with an image forming apparatus having first and second sheet output sections. The second sheet output section can be switched between a close position to serve to guide a sheet to the first sheet output section, and an open position not to guide the sheet to the first sheet output section but to stack the sheet. The method inputs a type of sheet, acquires information indicating whether the second sheet output section is in an open or closed state, and transmits image information to the image forming apparatus. When the sheet type recommends the sheet be output to the second sheet output section and the second sheet output section is in the closed state, a message is output to prompt to switch the second sheet output section into the open position before the image information is transmitted.

An information processing method performs steps for an information processing apparatus to communicate with an image forming apparatus having first and second sheet output sections. The second sheet output section can be switched between a close position to serve to guide a sheet to the first sheet output section, and an open position not to guide the sheet to the first sheet output section but to stack the sheet. The method inputs a type of sheet, acquires information indicating whether the second sheet output section is in an open or closed state, and transmits image information to the image forming apparatus. When the sheet type recommends the sheet be output to the second sheet output section and the second sheet output section is in the closed state, a message is output to prompt to switch the second sheet output section into the open position before the image information is transmitted.

A sheet stacking apparatus includes a stacking portion, a conveyance member, an abutment portion, a belt member having elasticity and configured to move the sheet toward the abutment portion, a driving source, and a controller configured to control the driving source such that (i) the belt member rotates at a first speed after the belt member contacts the current sheet and before the leading edge of the current sheet abuts against the abutment portion, and (ii) a rotational speed of the belt member is set at a second speed slower than the first speed in at least a part of a period of time after the leading edge of the current sheet abuts against the abutment portion and before the belt member contacts the next sheet.