Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a self-diagnosis system suitable for grasping conditions relating to electrophotographic parameters of an engine in an image forming apparatus on the market, and for reducing customer complaints. The self-diagnosis system enables the electrophotographic parameters to be displayed and/or output, has a function of displaying the electrophotographic parameters by converting the electrophotographic parameters into indices other than physical quantities, the function of printing the electrophotographic parameters on an output sheet, and the function of enabling the electrophotographic parameters to be transferred to an external information apparatus by a communication device, and includes a device for transferring the electrophotographic parameters to a formatter through a video interface or from the formatter to a host computer, a computer in a service center, or the like via a communication line or the internet.

Abstract: There is described an image forming apparatus favorably applied to a copying machine equipped with a control function for jobs including image forming processing. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming section to form an image, a sheet-feeding/conveyance section to convey a recording sheet, a controlling section to control the image forming section and the sheet-feeding/conveyance section and a memorizing section to memorize jobs reserved for an image forming processing. The image forming processing for one of the jobs includes a startup operation, an image forming operation and a terminating operation.

Abstract: A system for controlling data transmission comprises at least two control devices, a first common communication line to which each of the at least two control devices is connected, and a plurality of operation devices for carrying out respective processing operations. Each of the at least two control devices is connected with a different one of the plurality of operation devices and is provided with a priority rank depending on the one of the operation devices connected thereto.

Abstract: An automatic two-sided recording apparatus having an image forming station to form an image on a recording sheet and a sheet feeder to feed the recording sheets onto the station, includes an intermediate stacker having an inlet through which a recording sheet whose one side has been subjected to recording is stacked thereon by a switchback member provided adjacent to the inlet. The inlet is used also an outlet through which the recording sheet is fed out for recording on the other side thereof by the switchback member through a conveyor. The apparatus further includes a controller that switches between a stackless mode in which the switchback member feeds in the recording sheets the stacker and feeds out onto the station without stacking in the stacker, and a stack mode in which the switchback member feeds in and feeds out from the stacker onto the station after stacking in the stacker.

Abstract: A mirror smudge detecting apparatus for detecting a smudge on a mirror member used in an image forming apparatus such as a copier.

Abstract: An electric circuit provided with an abnormal condition detector for a motor, for use in a toner image forming apparatus, includes a current detection circuit for detecting a presence of a current when a power supply circuit is switched OFF; a test circuit for confirming a line connection between a control circuit and a switch by transmitting a test signal between the control circuit and the switch and a control circuit for determining an abnormal section causing an abnormal condition of a motor.

Abstract: A copying machine in which an image of a document placed on a platen is optically read and transferred on a transfer sheet sent out from a sheet feeding cassette. The temporary stop times of transfer sheets at the registration unit are averaged after transfer sheets in each sheet feeding cassette have been copied. The obtained average is compared with a predetermined reference value. The start of the sheet feeding operation by sheet feeding cassette is advanced in accordance with the result of the comparison.