Abstract:
According to embodiments, an image processing apparatus includes a roller, an erasing unit, and a controller. The roller conveys a first plurality of media and a second plurality of media. The erasing device erases images from the first plurality of media, without erasing images from the second plurality of media. The controller is programmed to receive a setting of a quantity of the first plurality of media, stop erasing of the images when an error occurs in conveying at least one of the first plurality of media, and continue erasing until a value obtained by counting the first plurality of media conveyed to the erasing device, including the at least one of the first plurality of media for which the error occurs, equals the quantity of the first plurality of media.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/149,419, filed on Jan. 7, 2014, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-19314, filed on Feb. 4, 2013; the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image processing apparatus that has a function of erasing an image formed on a recording medium. 
         [0003]    There is known an image processing apparatus (a so-called image forming apparatus) that forms an image on a recording medium, for example, a sheet by using a developer which may be decolored. The developer that is used in the image processing apparatus is maintained in a visible state while being colored at a temperature lower than a predetermined value, and becomes an invisible state while being decolored at a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined value. 
         [0004]    Further, there is known an image processing apparatus (a so-called image erasing apparatus) dedicated for an image erasing process that erases an image in a manner such that an image formed on a sheet by the image processing apparatus is heated at a predetermined temperature value or more so as to decolor the image. The sheet from which the image is erased may be reused as an image forming sheet. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, there is also known a hybrid image processing apparatus that has an image erasing function and an image forming function. 
         [0006]    In the image processing apparatus having the image erasing function, a user sets ten sheets having an image formed thereon on a sheet feeding cassette or an input tray of the image processing apparatus, for example, when the user wants to collectively perform an image erasing process on the ten sheets having an image formed thereon (hereinafter, referred to as image formed sheets). The user sets, for example, the erasing operation mode and the erasing number of “10” by an operation panel of the image processing apparatus. Further, the user starts the image erasing process in the image processing apparatus by operating a start key of the operation panel. 
         [0007]    The image processing apparatus performs an image process such as an image erasing process while conveying the sheet. In the image processing apparatus, a conveyance error (a so-called jam) may occur in which the sheet is not conveyed while being jammed in a conveyance path inside the apparatus. In the event of the jam, the image processing apparatus stops an image process such as an image erasing process. The image processing apparatus resumes the stopped image process when the sheet jammed in the conveyance path inside the apparatus is removed by the user. In many cases, the removed sheet is discarded by the user. 
         [0008]    In a case where the image processing apparatus resumes the image process after removing the sheet, the image processing apparatus resumes the image process from the state immediately before the occurrence of the jam without counting the number of the removed sheets as the number of the sheets to be subjected to the image process. For example, when the number of the sheets set to be subjected to the erasing process is “10” as described above, the erasing process is performed on the third sheet, and the jam occurs during the erasing process performed on the fourth sheet, the image processing apparatus stops the erasing process. When the fourth sheet remaining in the conveyance path inside the apparatus is removed by the user, the image processing apparatus resumes the image erasing process. Since the image processing apparatus does not count the fourth sheet as the number of the sheets to be subjected to the image erasing process, the other seven sheets with respect to the number of the sheets set to be subjected to the erasing process are fed from the sheet feeding cassette or the input tray so as to perform the image erasing process thereon. 
         [0009]    In a case of the image erasing process, the number of the sheets that are subjected to the image erasing process by the image processing apparatus and are discharged to the outside of the apparatus finally becomes equal to the number of the sheets set to be subjected to the image erasing process, that is, ten sheets. However, the number of the sheets that are fed from the sheet feeding cassette or the input tray by the image processing apparatus becomes eleven sheets more than the number of the sheets set to be subjected to the erasing process. 
         [0010]    Since the sheets more than the setting number of the sheets are fed, sheets different from the ten image formed sheets set in advance on the sheet feeding cassette or the input tray for the erasing process need to be also set on the sheet feeding cassette or the input tray. 
         [0011]    When image forming sheets which do not need the image erasing process, for example, sheets on which an image is not formed are originally set on the sheet feeding cassette or the input tray, the image erasing process performed on the set sheets becomes a useless process, and hence power is uselessly consumed in the image processing apparatus. 
         [0012]    Even when the sheets originally set on the sheet feeding cassette or the input tray are the image formed sheets, some users may desire a configuration in which the sheets more than the setting number are not fed from the sheet feeding cassette or the input tray. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the entire configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating the configurations of a photosensitive drum of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment and the peripheral components thereof; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the control configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a first guide screen that is displayed on a display unit and an operation panel of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating the control operation of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a second guide screen that is displayed on the display unit and the operation panel of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a third guide screen that is displayed on the display unit and the operation panel of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a fourth guide screen that is displayed on the display unit and the operation panel of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating the control operation of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a fifth guide screen that is displayed on a display unit and an operation panel of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    According to embodiments, provided is an image processing apparatus that includes an erasing unit, an operation panel, and a control unit. The erasing unit erases an image formed on a conveyed recording medium. The operation panel receives the setting of the number of the recording mediums from which the image is erased. In a case where the image erasing process is stopped due to a conveyance error of the recording medium and the image erasing process is resumed, the control unit continues the image erasing process until a value obtained by counting the number of the recording mediums conveyed to the erasing unit together with the number of the recording mediums causing the conveyance error reaches a setting number. 
         [0024]    Hereinafter, embodiments will be described further with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. 
         [0025]    A first embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the entire configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 
         [0026]    An image processing apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes an image forming mode, an image erasing mode, an image reading mode, and the like as operation modes. The image forming mode is an operation mode that may perform an image forming process in which the image processing apparatus  1  forms an image on a sheet. The image erasing mode is an operation mode that may perform an image erasing process in which the image processing apparatus  1  erases an image formed on a sheet. The image reading mode is an operation mode that may perform an image reading process in which the image processing apparatus  1  reads an image of a document. The image processing apparatus  1  performs each process of each operation mode in response to an operation in which a start key to be described later is operated by a user in each operation mode. 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the image processing apparatus  1  includes a document plate  2 , a cover  3 , a carriage  4 , and an exposure lamp  5 . The document plate  2  is disposed at the upper portion of the body of the image processing apparatus  1 . The document plate  2  is formed by a transparent member, for example, a glass plate. The document plate  2  holds a document that is placed thereon by the user. The cover  3  is disposed on the document plate  2  in an openable and closable manner. The carriage  4  is disposed on the lower surface side of the document plate  2 . The exposure lamp  5  is disposed in the carriage  4 . 
         [0028]    The image processing apparatus  1  includes a scanning unit  84  that reads an image of a document held by the document plate  2 . The scanning unit  84  is operated in the image reading process of the image forming mode or the image reading mode. The scanning unit  84  includes reflection mirrors  6 ,  7 , and  8 , a magnification lens block  9 , and a charge coupled device (CCD)  10  other than the carriage  4  and the exposure lamp  5 . In the image reading process of the scanning unit  84 , the carriage  4  moves along the lower surface of the document plate  2 . The exposure lamp  5  exposes a document on the document plate  2  by a beam in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the carriage  4 . The reflection mirrors  6 ,  7 , and  8  lead the beam, which is reflected from the document and generated by the above-described exposure, to the magnification lens block  9 . The magnification lens block  9  optically magnifies an image formed by the reflected beam and leads the image to the CCD  10 . The CCD  10  outputs an image signal of a level corresponding to the reflected beam image. 
         [0029]    The image processing apparatus  1  includes an operation panel  11  that receives the condition of each operation mode set by the user. The operation panel  11  is disposed near the document plate  2 . The operation panel  11  includes a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit  12 . 
         [0030]    The image processing apparatus  1  includes an exposure unit  20 . The exposure unit  20  is operated in the image forming process of the image forming mode. Based on, for example, the image signal output from the CCD  10 , the exposure unit  20  emits each of a laser beam B 1  corresponding to a yellow image signal, a laser beam B 2  corresponding to a magenta image signal, a laser beam B 3  corresponding to a cyan image signal, and a laser beam B 4  corresponding to a black image signal toward each of a photosensitive drum  21  as a yellow image carrier, a photosensitive drum  22  as a magenta image carrier, a photosensitive drum  23  as a cyan image carrier, and a photosensitive drum  24  as a black image carrier. 
         [0031]    The image processing apparatus  1  includes the photosensitive drums  21  to  24  and a transfer belt  30  as an image carrier. The photosensitive drums  21  to  24  are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval along the transfer belt  30 . In  FIG. 1 , the transfer belt  30  is disposed above the photosensitive drums  21  to  24 . The transfer belt  30  is suspended between a drive roller  31  and a driven roller  32 . The transfer belt  30  rotates in the counter-clockwise direction by the power generated from the drive roller  31 . 
         [0032]    The image processing apparatus  1  includes primary transfer rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44 . The primary transfer rollers  41  to are respectively disposed at the positions facing the photosensitive drums  21  to  24  with the transfer belt  30  interposed therebetween so as to be movable up and down. The primary transfer rollers  41  to  44  are operated in the image forming process of the image forming mode. The primary transfer rollers  41  to  44  rotate while pressing the transfer belt  30  against the circumferential surfaces of the photosensitive drums  21  to  24 , so that images (erasable toner images to be described later) formed on the photosensitive drums  21  to  24  are transferred to the transfer belt  30 . 
         [0033]    The configurations of the photosensitive drum  21  and the peripheral components will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating the configurations of the photosensitive drum  21  and the peripheral components. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the image processing apparatus  1  includes a cleaner  21   a , a neutralizing lamp  21   b , a charging unit  21   c , and a developing unit  21   d . The cleaner  21   a , the neutralizing lamp  21   b , the charging unit  21   c , and the developing unit  21   d  are operated in the image forming process of the image forming mode. The cleaner  21   a , the neutralizing lamp  21   b , the charging unit  21   c , and the developing unit  21   d  are disposed around the photosensitive drum  21  in this order. The cleaner  21   a  removes an erasable toner that remains on the surface of the photosensitive drum  21  after the transfer operation. The neutralizing lamp  21   b  removes a charge remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum  21 . The charging unit  21   c  uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum  21  by applying a static charge to the surface of the photosensitive drum  21 . 
         [0034]    The exposure unit  20  forms an electrostatic latent image by emitting the laser beam B 1  to the charged photosensitive drum  21 . The developing unit  21   d  stores a yellow developer D. The developing unit  21   d  forms a yellow erasable toner image by developing the electrostatic latent image while supplying the erasable toner included in the yellow developer D to the photosensitive drum  21 . 
         [0035]    The image processing apparatus  1  also includes the cleaner, the neutralizing lamp, the charging unit, and the developing unit around the other photosensitive drums  22 ,  23 , and  24 . Since the peripheral configurations of the photosensitive drums  22  to are the same as the peripheral configuration of the photosensitive drum  21 , the description thereof will not be repeated. The photosensitive drums  22 ,  23 , and  24  form erasable toner images of respective colors of magenta, cyan, and black. 
         [0036]    The developer D of each color is, for example, a mixture of an erasable toner and a magnetic carrier. The erasable toner is maintained in a visible state while being colored at a value lower than a predetermined temperature value, and becomes an invisible state while being decolored due to the heating at the predetermined temperature value or more. The erasable toner includes a dye and a coloring substance. The dye and the coloring substance are bonded to each other when the environmental temperature is lower than a predetermined value, for example, 120.degree. C. Due to this relation, the color of the dye becomes a visible state. The relation between the dye and the coloring substance becomes invalid when the environmental temperature is the predetermined value or more. When the relation becomes invalid, the color of the dye becomes an invisible state. 
         [0037]    The image processing apparatus  1  includes a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes  50 . The sheet feeding cassettes  50  are disposed below the exposure unit  20 . The sheet feeding cassettes  50  store sheets P as subjects for the image forming process of the image forming mode. The plurality of sheet feeding cassettes store different sizes of sheets P. Among the plurality of sheet feeding cassettes  50 , the sheet feeding cassette  50  that is located at the uppermost stage also serves as a sheet feeding cassette that stores sheets Px as subjects for the image erasing process of the image erasing mode. 
         [0038]    The image processing apparatus  1  includes a pickup roller  51 , a sheet feeding roller  52 , and a conveyance path  53 . The pickup roller  51  and the sheet feeding roller  52  are disposed for each of the plurality of sheet feeding cassettes  50 . The respective pickup rollers  51  extract the sheets P and Px inside the respective sheet feeding cassettes  50  one by one. The respective sheet feeding rollers  52  feed the sheets P and Px extracted by the respective pickup rollers  51  to the conveyance path  53 . The image processing apparatus  1  includes registration rollers  54 , a secondary transfer roller  33 , a fixing unit  60 , sheet discharging rollers  55 , a sheet discharging port  56 , and a sheet discharging tray  57 . The conveyance path  53  extends to the sheet discharging port  56  while passing through the registration rollers  54 , the facing position between the driven roller  32  and the secondary transfer roller  33 , the fixing unit  60 , and the sheet discharging rollers  55 . The sheet discharging port  56  communicates with the sheet discharging tray  57 . 
         [0039]    The sheet discharging rollers  55  discharge the sheets P and Px to the sheet discharging tray  57  through the sheet discharging port  56 . In a case where the front and rear surfaces of the sheets P and Px are reversed, the sheet discharging rollers  55  are reversed when the leading ends of the sheets P and Px first exit from the sheet discharging port  56 , so that the sheets P and Px are inserted (switched back) into the image processing apparatus and the sheets P and Px are supplied to a reversing unit to be described later. The sheet discharging tray  57  holds the sheets P and Px that are discharged by the sheet discharging rollers  55 . 
         [0040]    The registration rollers  54  are disposed at the upstream position in relation to the secondary transfer roller  33  in the sheet conveying direction of the conveyance path  53 . The registration rollers  54  convey the sheet P that is fed by the sheet feeding roller  52  in the image forming process of the image forming mode to the secondary transfer roller  33  so as to match the rotation timing of the transfer belt  30  that carries the erasable toner image. 
         [0041]    The secondary transfer roller  33  is disposed at the position facing the driven roller  32  with the transfer belt  30  and the conveyance path  53  interposed therebetween. The secondary transfer roller  33  transfers the erasable toner image that is transferred to the transfer belt  30  in the image forming process of the image forming mode to the conveyed sheet P. The secondary transfer roller  33  constitutes a transfer unit along with the transfer belt  30 , the drive roller  31 , the driven roller  32 , and the primary transfer rollers  41  to  44 . 
         [0042]    The image processing apparatus  1  includes the reversing unit that reverses the front and rear surfaces of the sheets P and Px. The reversing unit includes sheet feeding rollers  71 ,  72 , and  73  and a conveyance path  70 . The conveyance path  70  extends from the termination end of the conveyance path  53  toward the upstream position in relation to the registration rollers  54  in the sheet conveying direction, and is joined to the conveyance path  53  at the upstream position. The sheet feeding rollers  71  to  73  and the conveyance path  70  guide the sheets P and Px that are switched back by the sheet discharging rollers  55  to the upstream position of the registration rollers  54 . 
         [0043]    The image processing apparatus  1  includes an input tray  74 , a pickup roller  76 , a sheet feeding roller  77 , and a conveyance path  75 . The input tray  74  is disposed on the side wall of the image processing apparatus  1  in an attachable and detachable manner. The input tray  74  holds the sheet P of the image forming subject or the sheet Px of the image erasing process subject set by the user. The conveyance path  75  extends from the input tray to the upstream position in relation to the registration rollers  54  in the sheet conveying direction, and is joined to the conveyance path  53  at the upstream position. The pickup roller  76  and the sheet feeding roller  77  are disposed along the conveyance path  75 . The pickup roller  76  extracts the sheets of the input tray  74  one by one. The sheet feeding roller  77  supplies the sheet extracted by the pickup roller  76  to the upstream position of the registration rollers  54 . 
         [0044]    The fixing unit  60  is a heating unit that includes a heating roller  61  and a pressure roller  62 . In the image forming process of the image forming mode, the fixing unit  60  heats the conveyed sheet Pat a first temperature, for example, 100.degree. C. lower than a predetermined value (for example, 120.degree. C.) by the heating roller  61  so that the erasable toner image transferred to the sheet P is fixed to the sheet P in a visible state. The fixing unit  60  serves as the erasing unit in the image erasing process of the image erasing mode. In the image erasing mode, the fixing unit  60  heats the conveyed sheet Px at a second temperature, for example, 130.degree. C. equal to or higher than the predetermined value by the heating roller  61  so that the image of the sheet Px is erased. 
         [0045]    The control configuration of the image processing apparatus  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the control configuration of the image processing apparatus  1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the image processing apparatus  1  includes a central processing unit (CPU) as a computer, the operation panel  11 , a read only memory (ROM)  81 , a random access memory (RAM)  82 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  83 , the scanning unit  84 , an image processing unit  85 , a process unit  86 , and a sensor unit  87 . The CPU  80  is connected to the operation panel  11 , the ROM  81 , the RAM  82 , the HDD  83 , the scanning unit  84 , the image processing unit  85 , the process unit  86 , and the sensor unit  87 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a first guide screen  121  of the liquid crystal display unit  12  and the operation panel  11  used in the image processing apparatus  1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the operation panel  11  includes a numeral key  13 , a start key  14 , a copy key  15 , a scan key  16 , and an erasing key  17 , and the like other than the touch panel type liquid crystal display unit  12 . The copy key  15  receives a user&#39;s operation for setting the image forming mode. The scan key  16  receives a user&#39;s operation for setting the image reading mode. The erasing key  17  receives a user&#39;s operation for setting the image erasing mode. The numeral key  13  receives a user&#39;s operation for setting the number of sheets to be subjected to the image erasing process and the like. The start key  14  receives a user&#39;s operation for instructing the execution of the image erasing process or the like. 
         [0047]    The ROM  81  stores various control programs. The RAM  82  stores various data. The HDD  83  stores image data. As described above, the scanning unit  84  includes the carriage  4 , the exposure lamp  5 , the reflection mirrors  6  to  8 , the magnification lens block  9 , and the CCD  10 , and reads an image of a document on the document plate  2  by optically scanning the image. The image processing unit  85  processes the image signal output from the scanning unit  84  so as to convert the image signal into an image signal suitable for forming an image. 
         [0048]    The process unit  86  includes the exposure unit  20 , the photosensitive drums  21  to  24 , the transfer belt  30 , the drive roller  31 , the driven roller  32 , the primary transfer rollers  41  to  44 , the secondary transfer roller  33 , the fixing unit  60 , and the conveyance paths  53 ,  70 , and  75 . The process unit  86  further includes the cleaner, the neutralizing lamp, the charging unit, the developing unit, and the like disposed around the photosensitive drums  21  to  24 . The process unit  86  forms an image on the sheet P based on the image signal processed by the image processing unit  85  in the image forming process of the image forming mode. 
         [0049]    In the image erasing process of the image erasing mode, the process unit  86  erases the image formed on the sheet Px by causing the fixing unit  60  to serve as the erasing unit. 
         [0050]    The sensor unit  87  includes a plurality of sensors that detect the positions of the sheets P and Px in the conveyance paths  53 ,  70 , and  75 . The plurality of sensors is provided at predetermined positions of the conveyance paths  53 ,  70 , and  75 . For example, the respective sensors are switched on when detecting the leading ends of the sheets P and Px and are switched off when detecting the tail ends thereof. The CPU  80  determines the positions of the sheets P and Px in the conveyance paths  53 ,  70 , and  75  by monitoring the on and off states of the respective sensors of the sensor unit  87 . Further, the CPU  80  determines a sheet jam occurrence state, a sheet jam occurrence position, and a sheet jam solving state by monitoring the on and off states of the respective sensors of the sensor unit  87 . 
         [0051]    The CPU  80  counts the number of the sheets P and Px fed from the sheet feeding cassette  50  by monitoring, for example, the on and off states of the sensor provided between the sheet feeding roller  52  and the registration rollers  54  in the conveyance path  53  among the plurality of sensors. The CPU  80  counts the number of the sheets P and Px fed from the input tray by monitoring, for example, the on and off states of the sensor provided between the sheet feeding roller  77  and the registration rollers  54  in the conveyance path  75  among the plurality of sensors. Hereinafter, a value obtained by counting the number of the sheets P and Px fed from the sheet feeding cassette  50  or the input tray  74  is referred to as a first counted value. The CPU  80  counts the number of the sheets P and Px discharged to the sheet discharging tray  57  by monitoring, for example, the on and off states of the sensor provided at a position near the sheet discharging rollers  55  in the conveyance path  53  among the plurality of sensors. Hereinafter, a value obtained by counting the number of the sheets P and Px discharged to the sheet discharging tray  57  is referred to as a second counted value. 
         [0052]    The CPU  80  is a control unit that controls the execution of the main function of the image processing apparatus  1  based on the program inside the ROM  81 . When the copy key  15  of the operation panel  11  receives the operation of the user, the CPU  80  sets the operation mode of the image processing apparatus  1  to the image forming mode. 
         [0053]    When the start key  14  of the operation panel  11  receives the operation of the user in the image forming mode, the CPU  80  starts the execution of the image forming process of the image processing apparatus  1  so that an image is formed on the sheet P fed from the sheet feeding cassette  50  or the input tray  74 . In the image forming process, the fixing unit  60  fixes the image (toner image) formed on the sheet P to the sheet P as described above. 
         [0054]    When the erasing key  17  of the operation panel  11  receives the operation of the user, the CPU  80  sets the operation mode of the image processing apparatus  1  to the image erasing mode. 
         [0055]    The CPU  80  starts the execution of the image erasing process of the image processing apparatus  1  so that an image formed on the sheet Px fed from the sheet feeding cassette  50  or the input tray  74  is erased when the start key  14  of the operation panel  11  receives the operation of the user in the image erasing mode. In the image erasing process, the fixing unit  60  erases the image formed on the sheet Pas described above. 
         [0056]    When the image processing apparatus  1  starts the image forming process and the image erasing process, the CPU  80  obtains the first counted value by counting the number of the sheets fed from the sheet feeding cassette  50  or the input tray  74 . When the numeral key  13  of the operation panel  11  receives the setting of the number of the sheets from the user before the start key  14  of the operation panel  11  receives the operation of the user, the CPU  80  controls the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  so that the image forming process and the image erasing process are continued until the first counted value reaches the value set for the number of the sheets. 
         [0057]    When the image processing apparatus  1  starts the image forming process and the image erasing process, the CPU  80  obtains the second counted value by counting the number of the sheets discharged to the sheet discharging tray  57 . When the jam to be described later does not occur during the image forming process and the image erasing process, the second counted value is equal to the first counted value. Accordingly, the CPU  80  may control the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  so that the image forming process and the image erasing process are continued until the second counted value reaches the value set for the number of the sheets. 
         [0058]    A conveyance error may occur in which the sheets P and Px are jammed in the conveyance paths  53 ,  70 , and  75  and the sheets are not conveyed during the image forming process and the image erasing process of the image processing apparatus  1 . In the description below, the conveyance error is referred to as jam. 
         [0059]    When the CPU  80  determines that the jam of the conveyed sheets P and Px occurs, the CPU sets the operation mode of the image processing apparatus  1  to an error mode. The CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  in order to notify the sheet jam occurrence state to the user and notify an action necessary for solving the jam of the sheet in the error mode. The display unit displays the first guide screen (see  FIG. 4 ) for notifying the sheet jam occurrence state and the action necessary for solving the jam of the sheet. 
         [0060]    The CPU  80  stops the process operation of the image processing apparatus  1  in the error mode. For example, when the jam occurs during the image forming process, the CPU  80  controls the image processing apparatus  1  so that the image forming process is stopped. Since the image forming process is stopped, the operation for the fixing process of the fixing unit  60  is stopped. When the jam occurs during the image erasing process, the CPU  80  controls the image processing apparatus  1  so that the image erasing process is stopped. Since the image erasing process is stopped, the operation for the image erasing process of the fixing unit  60  is stopped. 
         [0061]    The sheets P and Px remain in the conveyance paths  53 ,  70 , and  75  of the image processing apparatus  1  that stops the process. Hereinafter, the sheets that remain in the conveyance paths  53 ,  70 , and  75  are referred to as the jam causing sheets. When the jam causing sheets P and Px are removed from the conveyance paths  53 ,  70 , and  75  in a manner such that the user removes the jam causing sheets P and Px, the CPU  80  determines that the jam of the sheet is solved. 
         [0062]    The CPU  80  cancels the error mode by determining that the jam of the sheet is solved, and resumes the process of the image processing apparatus  1  immediately before the occurrence of the jam of the sheet. For example, when the process of the image processing apparatus  1  immediately before the occurrence of the jam of the sheet is the image forming process, the CPU  80  controls the fixing unit  60  so that the fixing process of the fixing unit  60  is resumed. For example, when the process of the image processing apparatus  1  immediately before the occurrence of the jam of the sheet is the image erasing process, the CPU  80  controls the fixing unit  60  so that the image erasing process of the fixing unit  60  is resumed. 
         [0063]    When the image erasing process is resumed, the CPU  80  performs a first control or a second control below. In the first control, the CPU  80  counts the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  for the image erasing process along with the number of the jam causing sheets Px, and controls the fixing unit  60  so that the image erasing process is continued until the counted value reaches the user setting number. A value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  along with the number of the jam causing sheets Px is the first counted value. Accordingly, the fixing unit  60  continues the image erasing process until the first counted value reaches the user setting number. 
         [0064]    In the second control, the CPU  80  counts the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  for the image erasing process without including the number of the jam causing sheets Px, and controls the fixing unit  60  so that the image erasing process is continued until the counted value reaches the user setting number. A value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  without including the number of the jam causing sheets Px is the second counted value. Accordingly, the fixing unit  60  continues the image erasing process until the second counted value reaches the user setting number. 
         [0065]    Further, when the error mode caused by the jam during the image erasing process is canceled, the CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  so that the user designates whether the value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px fed from the sheet feeding cassette  50  or the input tray  74  and conveyed to the fixing unit  60  includes the jam causing sheet Px. The display unit  12  displays the second guide screen (see  FIG. 6 ) for causing the user to designate whether the value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  includes the number of the jam causing sheets Px. 
         [0066]    When the image erasing process is resumed, the CPU  80  performs any one control of the first control and the second control in response to the designation of the user in the second guide screen. 
         [0067]    The control that is performed by the CPU  80  in the image erasing process of the image erasing mode will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating the control operation of the image processing apparatus  1 . When the user wants to erase the images formed on, for example, ten sheets Px subjected to the image forming process, the ten sheets Px are set on, for example, the sheet feeding cassette  50  at the uppermost stage. Further, the user operates the erasing key  17  of the operation panel  11  in order to set the operation mode of the image processing apparatus  1  to the image erasing mode. Subsequently, the user sets the setting number of “10” corresponding to the number of the set sheets Px by operating the numeral key  13  of the operation panel  11 . The CPU  80  determines whether the operation panel  11  receives the operation of the user, sets the operation mode of the image processing apparatus  1  to the image erasing mode, and receives the set sheet number. 
         [0068]    In ACT  101 , the CPU  80  determines whether the start key  14  of the operation panel  11  receives the operation of the user. When the CPU  80  determines that the start key  14  of the operation panel  11  receives the operation of the user (YES in ACT  101 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  proceeds to ACT  102 . In ACT  102 , the CPU  80  starts the image erasing process by controlling the pickup roller  51  and the sheet feeding roller  52  so that the sheet Px is fed from the sheet feeding cassette  50 . Specifically, the CPU  80  supplies ten sheets Px set on the sheet feeding cassette  50  to the conveyance path  53  one by one by controlling the operation of the pickup roller  51  and the sheet feeding roller  52 . 
         [0069]    In ACT  103 , the CPU  80  determines the conveying position of the sheet Px in the conveyance paths  53 ,  70 , and  75  and determines whether the jam occurs by monitoring the on and off states of the respective sensors of the sensor unit  87 . 
         [0070]    When the CPU  80  determines that the jam occurs (YES in ACT  103 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  proceeds to ACT  104 . In ACT  104 , the CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  of the operation panel  11 . The display unit  12  displays the first guide screen  121  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating the first guide screen  121  that is displayed on the display unit  12  and the operation panel  11 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the first guide screen  121  includes a guide message  12   a  of the “jam occurrence” for notifying the occurrence of the jam and a guide message  12   b  that the “sheet jam occurs” for notifying the occurrence of the jam. The first guide screen  121  includes a guide message  12   c  of “please remove the sheet according to the guidance” for notifying the action necessary for solving the jam. The first guide screen  121  includes an image pattern  12   d  for notifying the jam occurrence position by a mark M. 
         [0072]    The user may recognize the state where the sheet Px of the erasing process subject is jammed, the method of solving the jam, and the jam position inside the image processing apparatus  1  by looking at the first guide screen  121 . In many cases, the sheet Px that is removed by the user is discarded by the user unless the sheet Px has a considerably good condition. 
         [0073]    In ACT  105 , the CPU  80  determines whether the jam is solved in a manner such that the user removes the jam causing sheet Px in the conveyance paths  53 ,  70 , and  75  by monitoring the on and off states of the respective sensors of the sensor unit  87 . When the CPU  80  determines that the jam is solved (YES in ACT  105 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  proceeds to ACT  106 . In ACT  106 , the CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  of the operation panel  11 . The display unit  12  displays a second guide screen  122  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating the second guide screen  122  that is displayed on the display unit  12  and the operation panel  11 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the second guide screen  122  includes a guide message  12   e  of the “jam solving” for notifying the solving of the jam. The second guide screen  122  includes a guide message  12   f  of “does the number counted for the setting number includes the removed sheet?” for inquiring if the number of the sheets Px removed by the user is included in the value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  for the image erasing process. The second guide screen  122  includes a first response key  12   g  having a response message of “included” displayed thereon and a second response key  12   h  having a response message of “not included” displayed thereon for receiving the response of the user with respect to the inquiry. The number of the sheets Px that are removed by the user when the jam is solved is equal to the number of the jam causing sheets Px. 
         [0075]    In the second guide screen  122 , the user operates the first response key  12   g  when the user wants to include the number of the jam causing sheets Px in the value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60 . The user operates the second response key  12   h  when the user does not want include the number of the jam causing sheets Px in the value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60 . 
         [0076]    In ACT  107 , the CPU  80  determines whether any response key of the first response key  12   g  and the second response key  12   h  receives the operation of the user. When the CPU  80  determines that the first response key  12   g  receives the operation of the user (YES in ACT  107 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  proceeds to ACT  108 . In ACT  108 , the CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  of the operation panel  11 . The display unit  12  displays a third guide screen  123  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating the third guide screen  123  that is displayed on the display unit  12  and the operation panel  11 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the third guide screen  123  includes the guide message  12   e  of the “jam solving” for notifying the solving of the jam. The third guide screen  123  includes a guide message  12   i  of “is the erasing process continued?” for inquiring whether the image erasing process of the image erasing mode is continued in this way. The third guide screen  123  includes a third response key  12   j  having a response message of “YES” displayed thereon for enabling the continuation and a fourth response key  12   k  having a response message of “NO” displayed thereon for disabling the continuation. 
         [0078]    In the third guide screen  123 , the user operates the third response key  12   j  when the user wants to continue the erasing process. The user operates the fourth response key  12   k  when the user does not want to continue the erasing process. 
         [0079]    In ACT  109 , the CPU  80  determines whether any response key of the third response key  12   j  and the fourth response key  12   k  receives the operation of the user. When the CPU  80  determines that the third response key  12   j  receives the operation of the user (YES in ACT  109 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  proceeds to ACT  110 . In ACT  110 , the CPU  80  counts the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  by including the number of the jam causing sheets Px. For example, the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  is counted by including the number of the jam causing sheets Px of “1”. Specifically, the CPU  80  counts the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  as the first counted value. In ACT  111 , the CPU  80  determines whether the first counted value as the value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  for the image erasing process reaches the user setting number of “10”. 
         [0080]    When the CPU  80  determines that the first counted value does not reach the user setting number (NO in ACT  111 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  returns to ACT  102 . In ACT  102 , the CPU  80  resumes the image erasing process by controlling the pickup roller  51  and the sheet feeding roller  52  so that the next sheet Px is fed from the sheet feeding cassette  50 . 
         [0081]    When the CPU  80  determines that the first counted value reaches the user setting number (YES in ACT  111 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  proceeds to ACT  112 . In ACT  112 , the CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  of the operation panel  11 . The display unit  12  ends the image erasing process by displaying a fourth guide screen  124  illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating the fourth guide screen  124  that is displayed on the display unit  12  and the operation panel  11 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the fourth guide screen  124  includes a guide message  12   m  of the “erasing process end” for notifying the end of the erasing process. The fourth guide screen  124  includes a first display section  12   n  having a guide message of the “setting number” for displaying the user setting number. The fourth guide screen  124  includes a second display section  12   o  having a guide message of the “number of the removed sheets due to the jam” for displaying the number of the jam causing sheets Px. The fourth guide screen  124  includes a third display section  12   p  having a guide message of the “completion number of sheets of erasing process” for displaying the number of the sheets Px subjected to the erasing process. The number of the jam causing sheets Px indicates the number of the sheets Px that are removed by the user from the inside of the image processing apparatus  1  for solving the jam. The number of the sheets Px subjected to the erasing process indicates the number of the sheets Px from which the image is removed and which are discharged to the sheet discharging tray  57 . 
         [0083]    The CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  so that the user setting number received by the numeral key  13  of the operation panel  11  is displayed on the first display section  12   n . The CPU  80  detects the number of the jam causing sheets (the number of the sheets Px removed by the user from the inside of the image processing apparatus  1 ) by subtracting the second counted value from the first counted value. The CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  so that the value obtained by subtracting the second counted value from the first counted value is displayed on the second display section  12   o . The CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  so that the second counted value is displayed on the second display section  12   o.    
         [0084]    The first display section  12   n  of the fourth guide screen  124  of  FIG. 8  displays that the user setting number is, for example, “10”. The second display section  12   o  of the fourth guide screen  124  displays that the number of the jam causing sheets Px is, for example, “1”. The third display section  12   p  of the fourth guide screen  124  displays that the number of the sheets subjected to the erasing process is, for example, “9”. 
         [0085]    In the fourth guide screen  124 , the user may recognize the number of the sheets Px set in advance by the display content of the first display section  12   n . The user may recognize the number of the jam causing sheets, that is, the number of the sheets that are not subjected to the image erasing process by the display content of the first display section  12   o . The user may recognize the number of the sheets that are subjected to the image erasing process by the display content of the first display section  12   p.    
         [0086]    As described above, when the number of the jam causing sheets Px is included in the value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  for the image erasing process, the sheets Px that are fed from the sheet feeding cassette  50  of the uppermost stage finally become ten sheets Px set by the user. Accordingly, the image erasing process is not unnecessarily performed on the originally set sheet, for example, the image forming sheet P other than the ten sheets Px of the sheet feeding cassette  50  of the uppermost stage. The image forming sheet P indicates the sheet which does not need the image erasing process and on which the image is not formed. 
         [0087]    Further, since it is possible to avoid the unnecessary sheet feeding operation after the jam is solved, power is not consumed uselessly in the image processing apparatus  1 . 
         [0088]    Meanwhile, in ACT  109 , when the CPU  80  determines that the fourth response key  12   k  receives the operation of the user (NO in ACT  109 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  proceeds to ACT  114 . In ACT  114 , the CPU  80  ends the image erasing process regardless of the value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px fed from the sheet feeding cassette  50  and conveyed to the fixing unit  60 . After the image erasing process ends, in ACT  112 , the CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  of the operation panel  11 . The display unit  12  displays the fourth guide screen. 
         [0089]    For example, when the jam occurs after the fourth sheet Px is fed from the sheet feeding cassette  50  and the number of the discharged sheets Px is three, the CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  so that the user setting number received by the numeral key  13  of the operation panel  11  is displayed on the first display section  12   n  of the fourth guide screen  124 . The CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  so that a value obtained by subtracting the second counted value from the first counted value is displayed on the second display section  120 . The CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  so that the second counted value is displayed on the second display section  120 . Accordingly, the first display section  12   n  displays that the user setting number is “10”. The second display section  12   o  displays that the number of the jam causing sheets Px is “1”. The third display section  12   p  displays that the number of the sheets subjected to the erasing process is “3”. 
         [0090]    In ACT  107 , when the CPU  80  determines that the second response key  12   h  receives the operation of the user (NO in ACT  107 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  proceeds to ACT  116 . In ACT  116 , the CPU  80  counts the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  for the image erasing process without including the number of the jam causing sheets Px. Specifically, the CPU  80  counts the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  as the second counted value. In ACT  111 , the CPU  80  determines whether the second counted value as the value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  reaches the user setting number of “10”. When the CPU  80  determines that the second counted value does not reach the user setting number (NO in ACT  111 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  returns to ACT  102 . In ACT  102 , the CPU  80  resumes the image erasing process by controlling the pickup roller  51  and the sheet feeding roller  52  so that the next sheet Px is fed from the sheet feeding cassette  50 . 
         [0091]    As described above, when the number of the jam causing sheets Px is not included in the counted number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  for the image erasing process, the number of the sheets Px subjected to the image erasing process becomes equal to the user setting number. 
         [0092]    When the user wants to perform the image erasing process on all sheets inside the sheet feeding cassette  50  of the uppermost stage, the number of all sheets inside the sheet feeding cassette  50  is set by the operation of the numeral key  13  of the operation panel  11 . When the numeral key  13  of the operation panel  11  receives the setting number corresponding to the number of all sheets inside the sheet feeding cassette  50 , the CPU  80  performs the image erasing process on all sheets inside the sheet feeding cassette  50  of the uppermost stage. 
         [0093]    The image processing apparatus  1  according to a second embodiment will be described. In the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, the CPU  80  performs a third control and a fourth control instead of the first control and the second control. The CPU  80  performs the third control when the jam occurrence position of the sheet Px is a predetermined area of the conveyance paths  53 ,  70 , and  73 . In the third control, the CPU  80  controls the fixing unit  60  so that the image erasing process is continued until the first counted value as the value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  for the image erasing process by including the number of the jam causing sheets Px reaches the user setting number. Accordingly, the fixing unit  60  continues the image erasing process until the first counted value reaches the user setting number. 
         [0094]    The CPU  80  performs the fourth control when the jam occurrence position of the sheet Px is other than the predetermined area of the conveyance paths  53 ,  70 , and  73 . In the fourth control, the CPU  80  controls the fixing unit  60  so that the image erasing process is continued until the second counted value as the value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  for the image erasing process without including the number of the jam causing sheets Px reaches the user setting number. Accordingly, the fixing unit  60  continues the image erasing process until the second counted value reaches the user setting number. The configuration of the image processing apparatus  1  according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the third control and the fourth control. Accordingly, in the description below, the description other than the third control and the fourth control will not be repeated. 
         [0095]    In the erasing process of the image erasing mode, the control and the revolving parts thereof different from the first embodiment among the control executed by the CPU  80  will be described with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 9 . In ACT  107 , when the CPU  80  determines that the first response key  12   g  receives the operation of the user (YES in ACT  107 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  proceeds to ACT  201 . In ACT  201 , the CPU  80  determines whether the position of the jam causing sheet Px is the predetermined area by monitoring, for example, the on and off states of the respective sensors of the sensor unit  87 . 
         [0096]    The predetermined area is a conveyance path that has many curved portions or a conveyance path that includes a plurality of rollers for conveying the sheet. In other words, the predetermined area is an area where the jam causing sheet is likely to be damaged largely. Specifically, for example, the predetermined area corresponds to the area from the registration rollers  54  to the sheet discharging port  56  in the conveyance path  53  and the entire area of the reversing conveyance path  70 . 
         [0097]    When the CPU  80  determines that the position of the jam causing sheet Px is the predetermined area (YES in ACT  201 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  proceeds to ACT  108 . In ACT  108 , the CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  of the operation panel  11 . As described above, the display unit  12  displays the third guide screen  123 . 
         [0098]    In ACT  109 , when the CPU  80  determines that the third response key  12   j  receives the operation of the user (YES in ACT  109 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  proceeds to ACT  110 . In ACT  110 , the CPU  80  determines whether the first counted value reaches the user setting number of “10”. When the CPU  80  determines that the first counted value does not reach the user setting number of “10” (NO in ACT  110 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  returns to ACT  102 . In ACT  102 , the CPU  80  resumes the operation of feeding the next sheet Px as described above. 
         [0099]    In ACT  201 , when the CPU  80  determines that the position of the jam causing sheet Px is other than the predetermined area (NO in ACT  201 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus proceeds to ACT  202 . In ACT  202 , the CPU  80  controls the display unit  12  of the operation panel  11 . The display unit  12  displays a fifth guide screen  125  illustrated in  FIG. 10 . In ACT  203 , the CPU  80  counts the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  for the image erasing process without including the number of the jam causing sheets Px as in ACT  116 . For example, when one sheet Px remains inside the image processing apparatus  1  due to the jam and one sheet Px is removed from the image processing apparatus  1  by the user so as to solve the jam, the CPU  80  counts the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  for the image erasing process without including the number of the sheets Px of “1”. Specifically, the CPU  80  counts the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  as the second counted value. 
         [0100]      FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating the fifth guide screen  125  that is displayed on the display unit  12  and the operation panel  11 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the fifth guide screen  125  includes the guide message  12   e  of the “jam solving” for notifying the solving of the jam. The fifth guide screen  125  includes a guide message  12   q  of the “removed sheets may be set again for the usage” for notifying the possibility that the sheets removed from the image processing apparatus  1  by the user to solve the jam may be reused. 
         [0101]    The possibility that the removed sheets may be reused indicates the possibility that the sheets Px are not damaged and hence the sheets Px may be set on the sheet feeding cassette  50  of the uppermost stage for the image erasing process. 
         [0102]    The user recognizes the possibility that the removed sheets Px may be reused by looking at the fifth guide screen  125 . When the removed sheets Px are not largely damaged in actual fact, the sheets Px are set again on the sheet feeding cassette  50  of the uppermost stage. After the sheets Px are set again, the user operates the start key  14  of the operation panel  11 . 
         [0103]    In ACT  204 , the CPU  80  determines whether the start key  14  of the operation panel  11  receives the operation of the user. When the CPU  80  determines that the start key  14  of the operation panel  11  receives the operation of the user (YES in ACT  101 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  proceeds to ACT  111 . In ACT  111 , as described above, the CPU  80  determines whether the second counted value reaches the user setting number of “10”. When the CPU  80  determines that the second counted value does not reach the user setting number of “10” (NO in ACT  111 ), the operation of the image processing apparatus  1  returns to ACT  102 . In ACT  102 , the CPU  80  resumes the operation of feeding the next sheet Px as described above. 
         [0104]    As described above, according to the image processing apparatus  1  of the second embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the jam causing sheet Px is largely damaged by the position of the jam causing sheet Px. When the CPU  80  of the image processing apparatus  1  determines that the jam causing sheet Px is not largely damaged, the CPU  80  counts the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  without including the number of the jam causing sheets Px. Further, the CPU  80  displays the message (the fifth guide screen  125 ) that urges the user to set the jam causing sheet Px on the sheet feeding cassette  50  again on the display unit  12 . Accordingly, the user may effectively use the reusable sheet Px. When the sheet is used more frequently, natural resources may be saved greatly. 
         [0105]    In the above-described embodiments, a case has been described in which the image formed sheet Px is set on the sheet feeding cassette  50  of the uppermost stage and is fed for the image erasing process. However, the position of setting the sheet Px, that is, the position of feeding the sheet Px is not limited to the sheet feeding cassette  50  of the uppermost stage, and may be the sheet feeding cassette  50  or the input tray  74  of the lower stage. 
         [0106]    In the above-described embodiments, a configuration has been described in which the user designates whether the value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  for the image erasing process includes the number of the jam causing sheets Px through the second guide screen  122  after the jam is solved. However, whether the number of the jam causing sheets Px is included in the value obtained by counting the number of the sheets Px conveyed to the fixing unit  60  may be designated in a manner such that the user initially sets any mode of the mode in which the counted number includes the jam causing sheet Px and the mode in which the counted number does not include the jam causing sheet Px instead of the method in which the image processing apparatus  1  displays the second guide screen  122 . 
         [0107]    The content of the guide message or the image pattern that is displayed on the display unit  12  of the operation panel  11  is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be modified into various forms. The content of the guide message or the image pattern that is displayed on the display unit  12  may be appropriately changed in response to the culture or the language in a region where the image processing apparatus  1  is installed. 
         [0108]    While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.