Abstract: A line concentrator classifies printers connected via a communications network into groups according to the capabilities of the printers and includes a storage section which stores a VLAN table classifying the printers into groups and listing virtual addresses corresponding to the respective groups. When a monitoring section receives data addressed to a virtual address, it refers to the VLAN table and performs controls so as to transmit the received data to all of the printers belonging to the group corresponding to the virtual address. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the problem, such as concentration of jobs to a specific information processing device, and to provide a line concentrator capable of rapidly performing data transfer processing.

Abstract: In an apparatus having a document reading portion for reading an image of a document on a document platen, by reading an image of a document on a display screen using an area sensor, it's not necessary to set a document for reading on the platen so that the document is prevented from being left behind, and even when a document on the platen and the document sticks out of the platen to extend over the screen, it is possible to prevent the document on the screen is erroneously read. When detecting a document on the platen and detecting that an object on the screen does not have a standard size by the area sensor, a control portion of the apparatus controls so that the document reading portion reads the image of the document on the platen and the area sensor is prohibited from reading the image.

Abstract: A toner cartridge counts the number of times the toner cartridge has been shaken by a counting unit. A control unit of an image forming apparatus acquires the counting result of the counting unit, and controls each unit of the apparatus such that a display unit displays a message encouraging the worker to shake the toner cartridge since the shaking of the toner cartridge is insufficient if the acquired counting result is smaller than a predetermined value, and the toner contained in the toner cartridge is supplied to a developing unit of the image forming apparatus since the toner cartridge is sufficiently shaken and the toner in the toner cartridge is stirred and dissolved if the acquired counting result is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: There is provided a mediation section (34) for switching between an active status in which data transmitted to a specific address is registered and processed and a non-active status other than the active status. When the mediation section (34) judges that unprocessed data stored in a data storage section (31) cannot be processed in a predetermined time, the mediation section (34) instructs one or more other MFPs to change into the active status and causes the MFP including the mediation section (34) to change into the non-active status, so as to cause a data processing section (32) to process the unprocessed data. As a result, it is possible to perform mediation concerning a job (data) without using a server.

Abstract: In an apparatus having a document reading portion for reading an image of a document on a document platen, by reading an image of a document on a display screen using an area sensor, it's not necessary to set a document for reading on the platen so that the document is prevented from being left behind, and even when a document on the platen and the document sticks out of the platen to extend over the screen, it is possible to prevent the document on the screen is erroneously read. When detecting a document on the platen and detecting that an object on the screen does not have a standard size by the area sensor, a control portion of the apparatus controls so that the document reading portion reads the image of the document on the platen and the area sensor is prohibited from reading the image.

Abstract: A toner cartridge counts the number of times the toner cartridge has been shaken by a counting unit. A control unit of an image forming apparatus acquires the counting result of the counting unit, and controls each unit of the apparatus such that a display unit displays a message encouraging the worker to shake the toner cartridge since the shaking of the toner cartridge is insufficient if the acquired counting result is smaller than a predetermined value, and the toner contained in the toner cartridge is supplied to a developing unit of the image forming apparatus since the toner cartridge is sufficiently shaken and the toner in the toner cartridge is stirred and dissolved if the acquired counting result is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A line concentrator classifies printers connected via a communications network into groups according to the capabilities of the printers and includes a storage section which stores a VLAN table classifying the printers into groups and listing virtual addresses corresponding to the respective groups. When a monitoring section receives data addressed to a virtual address, it refers to the VLAN table and performs controls so as to transmit the received data to all of the printers belonging to the group corresponding to the virtual address. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the problem, such as concentration of jobs to a specific information processing device, and to provide a line concentrator capable of rapidly performing data transfer processing.

Abstract: There is provided a mediation section (34) for switching between an active status in which data transmitted to a specific address is registered and processed and a non-active status other than the active status. When the mediation section (34) judges that unprocessed data stored in a data storage section (31) cannot be processed in a predetermined time, the mediation section (34) instructs one or more other MFPs to change into the active status and causes the MFP including the mediation section (34) to change into the non-active status, so as to cause a data processing section (32) to process the unprocessed data. As a result, it is possible to perform mediation concerning a job (data) without using a server.

Abstract: A printer system includes an ink ribbon end detector for detecting that the ink ribbon cassette has been used to the end; an used ink ribbon cassette holding position memory device for storing therein information indicative of holding position of a used ink ribbon cassette held on a stocker when the ink ribbon cassette end detection means detects that an ink ribbon has been used to the end, and a cassette holding determining device for determining whether or not an ink ribbon cassette whose ink ribbon has not been used is set in the stocker based on holding information. In the printer system having the described arrangement, an optimal available ink ribbon cassette is selected, and in the case of storing plural ink ribbon cassettes in the same color, a continuous printing operation of a large capacity may be performed without using user's hands.

Abstract: A printer system includes an ink ribbon end detector for detecting that the ink ribbon cassette has been used to the end; an used ink ribbon cassette holding position memory device for storing therein information indicative of holding position of a used ink ribbon cassette held on a stocker when the ink ribbon cassette end detection means detects that an ink ribbon has been used to the end, and a cassette holding determining device for determining whether or not an ink ribbon cassette whose ink ribbon has not been used is set in the stocker based on holding information. In the printer system having the described arrangement, an optimal available ink ribbon cassette is selected, and in the case of storing plural ink ribbon cassettes in the same color, a continuous printing operation of a large capacity may be performed without using user's hands.