Abstract: If an optional paper feeding deck or furnisher, or paper stacker, is connected to an image forming apparatus (such as a printer), such optional devices are to be controlled by connecting the paper conveyance control apparatus to control those options. Such an image forming apparatus has a video controller to convert the printer language sent from a high-order device such as a host computer, into a bit map data and a printer engine to print the bit map data. Such a paper conveyance control apparatus, being electrically connected to the video controller, has a memory to be shared with the video controller. The video controller writes the job schedule in the shared memory. The paper conveyance control apparatus controls the optional device according to the written job schedule.

Abstract: If an optional paper feeding deck or furnisher, or paper stacker, is connected to an image forming apparatus (such as a printer), such optional devices are to be controlled by connecting the paper conveyance control apparatus to control those options. Such an image forming apparatus has a video controller to convert the printer language sent from a high-order device such as a host computer, into bit map data and a printer engine to print the bit map data. Such a paper conveyance control apparatus, being electrically connected to the video controller, has a memory to be shared with the video controller. The video controller writes the job schedule in the shared memory. The paper conveyance control apparatus controls the optional device according to the written job schedule.

Abstract: If connecting the optional paper feeding deck or furnisher to the image forming apparatus such as a printer, those optional devices are to be controlled by connecting the paper conveyance control apparatus to control those options. Such an image forming apparatus has a video controller to convert the printer language sent from a high-order device such as a host computer, into a bit map data and a printer engine to print the bit map data. Such a paper conveyance control apparatus, being electrically connected to the video controller, has a memory to be shared with the video controller. The video controller writes the job schedule in the shared memory. The paper conveyance control apparatus controls the optional device according to the written job schedule.

Abstract: If an optional paper feeding deck or furnisher, or paper stacker, is connected to an image forming apparatus (such as a printer), such optional devices are to be controlled by connecting the paper conveyance control apparatus to control those options. Such an image forming apparatus has a video controller to convert the printer language sent from a high-order device such as a host computer, into bit map data and a printer engine to print the bit map data. Such a paper conveyance control apparatus, being electrically connected to the video controller, has a memory to be shared with the video controller. The video controller writes the job schedule in the shared memory. The paper conveyance control apparatus controls the optional device according to the written job schedule.

Abstract: An optional apparatus which can be connected to a printer or other optional apparatus includes a communication section for communicating with other apparatus and a control section which executes a command in response to the command received via the communication section; wherein the communication section has a first communication path for receiving a data string from an apparatus on the upstream side in communication and for transmitting the received data string to an apparatus on the downstream side of the communication and a second communication path for receiving a data string received from the apparatus on the downstream side of communication and for transmitting the received data string to the apparatus on the upstream side of the communication; and the control section executes a command in the command string received via the first communication path or the second communication path and loads the data indicating the execution result of the command in the command string.

Abstract: A heating control device of an image forming apparatus determines a phase of heat control in accordance with a target temperature and a current temperature of a fixing roller and a change status of the current temperature, determines a control unit period tp, a main heater turn-on time tm, a sub-heater turn-on time ts and Duty No. in accordance with a count of a counter which counts the number of control units which are unit periods of control and a shift status of phase, and finally determines a type of control and supplies powers to the main heater and the sub-heater.A proper heater power to control to a target temperature can be applied in a short period and a temperature ripple is reduced.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method which allow a service engineer to accurately analyze the situation of a printer and specify a failure when he or she arrives at the place where the printer is installed. A computer predicts a failure from the status information of a printer, and transmits a test pattern corresponding to the failure to the printer via a controller. The computer then outputs an indication of print out. The service engineer can accurately analyze the failure because the test pattern has already been printed out upon occurrence of the failure.

Abstract: When a recording medium fed from a sheet feed drive mechanism is detected at a predetermined position, the counting of a loop feed time or the like variably set in accordance with a predetermined sheet feed condition such as the sheet type or particular supplying device is started, and the drive of the sheet feed drive mechanism is controlled by terminating the feeding operation in accordance with a count termination state. A count time of a timer for detecting a feed jam is variably set in accordance with a sheet feed condition such as material of sheet.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a chip, a laser element formed on the chip and a heating element formed on the chip. The laser element is driven to emit a laser beam upon light-on of a laser. Upon light-off of a laser, switching is made so that the heating element is driven so as not to emit the laser beam in the normal laser beam emission direction by the laser element.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for printing an image on a conveyed recording medium, includes a sensor, arranged on a convey path of the recording medium, for detecting presence/absence of the recording medium, a setting unit for setting a debouncing time of the recording medium, and a switching unit for switching the debouncing time.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus operated in synchronism with a vertical synchronization signal from an external device comprises a unit for sending out to the external device a signal indicating a status to accept the vertical synchronization signal, and switching device for switching between a plurality of operation modes related to an elapsed time from the send-out of the signal by the signal sending unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable recording material supporting drum for supporting a recording material by electrostatic attraction; an image forming device for forming an image on the recording material supported on the recording material supporting drum; wherein the recording material supporting drum includes a recording material supporting sheet for supporting the recording material and a supporting member for supporting the recording material supporting sheet, extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to a movement direction of the recording material supporting means, and wherein when the recording material is a resin sheet, it is supported on the recording material supporting sheet at a position outside the supporting member.