Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a casing, a movable member moving from a position outside the casing to a position inside the casing upon contact of a detection object, a radio communication device disposed on the movable member and configured for radio communication with a sending and receiving unit via radio waves, a shielding member for shielding the radio communication between the radio communication device and the sending and receiving unit in a state that the movable member is located within the casing, and a controller for determining the presence of the detection object by determining whether the sending and receiving unit can communicate with the radio communication device.

Abstract: A simulating system having: a data retrieving device which time-sequentially retrieves a control value which is outputted from a control system in an image forming apparatus to a controlled system and an input value inputted from the controlled system to the control system as a control result; a data storing device which stores a time-series data group including a plurality of control values and the input values corresponding to the control values; and a simulating device which simulates the control result of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the control value outputted to the controlled system in accordance with an algorithm, wherein a correlation between each of the control values and the input value corresponding to each of the control values included in the time-series data group has been implemented.

Abstract: An image processing system for enabling a manufacturer's image forming apparatuses to be used as far as possible by a user. Design is made to enable a manufacturer or a vendor to appeal the predominance, particularly economy, of their own image forming apparatuses by the utilization of a user interface for controlling a recording process.

Abstract: A plurality of subsystems having diverse individual functions can be connected to an image forming apparatus. Each of the subsystems is made up of, for example, plural kinds of units which are different in performance from each other. Each of the units has inherent information related to the performance, and decides the operation specification of the entire image forming apparatus according to the combination of those units.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus of the present invention, an allowable temperature range of a fixing unit is divided into a plurality of fixing temperature ranges, and image data conversion ? tables respectively suitable for the divided fixing temperature ranges are prepared. A fixing temperature of the fixing unit is measured during image forming. A ? table suitable for the measured fixing temperature can be selected and used. Consequently, even when a reduction in fixing temperature within the allowable temperature range is caused in the fixing unit in the case of continuously outputting color images at a high speed, the resulting change in tint of output images can be reduced.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a configuration in which a plurality of subsystems, each having a specific function, are interchangeably connected to a base platform. Each of the subsystems includes a plurality of units having a variety of different performances. A control unit is capable of control each of the subsystems so that the image forming apparatus flexibly provides functions that are tailored to individual users' requirements.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a position detection circuit which detects the registration error amount between a recording medium conveyance unit and an image forming unit positioned by a positioning mechanism, on the basis of reading of a reference pattern arranged on either unit, and a controller which calculates a correction amount on the basis of the detected registration error amount and controls the operation timings of the image forming unit and recording medium conveyance unit in accordance with the correction amount.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus of the present invention, an allowable temperature range of a fixing unit is divided into a plurality of fixing temperature ranges, and image data conversion ? tables respectively suitable for the divided fixing temperature ranges are prepared. A fixing temperature of the fixing unit is measured during image forming. A ? table suitable for the measured fixing temperature can be selected and used. Consequently, even when a reduction in fixing temperature within the allowable temperature range is caused in the fixing unit in the case of continuously outputting color images at a high speed, the resulting change in tint of output images can be reduced.

Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a casing, a movable member moving from a position outside the casing to a position inside the casing upon contact of a detection object, a radio communication device disposed on the movable member and configured for radio communication with a sending and receiving unit via radio waves, a shielding member for shielding the radio communication between the radio communication device and the sending and receiving unit in a state that the movable member is located within the casing, and a controller for determining the presence of the detection object by determining whether the sending and receiving unit can communicate with the radio communication device.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming system that is capable of making uniform in size printed images, which should originally be the same in size, between transfer sheets on which the images have been printed by a plurality of printers having different functions and capabilities when enough time has elapsed after fixing. In each of the printers, an image controller or the like forms predetermined marks on a transfer material, and a fixing device thermally fixes of the predetermined marks formed on the transfer material, and a mark detecting device or the like detects the predetermined marks. A host server connected to the printers via a network adjusts the sizes of images to be formed by the respective printers according to the predetermined marks detected by the respective printers, and then transfers the image data to the printers. Each of the printers performs image formation based on the transferred image data.

Abstract: An apparatus for executing a printing process on the basis of a print job from an external apparatus, comprises a post-processing unit which can apply post-processing for printed paper sheets using paper sheets prepared independently of the printed paper sheets; a detector for detecting in the post-processing means that the paper sheets prepared independently of the printed paper sheets are set; determination means for determining whether or not print start trigger information is attached to the print job, which indicates an instruction to start printing in response to trigger information to start printing; and print control means for, (i) when a print job designated with the post-processing by the post-processing unit is received and it is determined that the print start trigger information is attached to the received print job, delaying a process of the print job until the detector detects that the paper sheets are set, and starting execution of the print job when the detector detects that the paper sheets

Abstract: An image forming system which is capable of realizing a highly accurate simulated printing operation thereby shortening a development schedule and reducing development costs. In the image forming system, a plurality of printer functional modules perform operations for printing. A plurality of printer drivers drive the printer functional modules, respectively. A system controller is connected to the printer drivers via a general-purpose bus to control the printer drivers. A bus I/F connects an external computer to the image forming system via the general-purpose bus. Printer control software constructs a printer control environment enabling control identical to the control by the system controller to be performed on the printer drivers, on the external computer, to thereby carry out printer control. Simulation software cooperates with the printer control software to simulatively realize printing operation.

Abstract: A simulating system having: a data retrieving device which time-sequentially retrieves a control value which is outputted from a control system in an image forming apparatus to a controlled system and an input value inputted from the controlled system to the control system as a control result; a data storing device which stores a time-series data group including a plurality of control values and the input values corresponding to the control values; and a simulating device which simulates the control result of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the control value outputted to the controlled system in accordance with an algorithm, wherein a correlation between each of the control values and the input value corresponding to each of the control values included in the time-series data group has been implemented.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a position detection circuit which detects the registration error amount between a recording medium conveyance unit and an image forming unit positioned by a positioning mechanism, on the basis of reading of a reference pattern arranged on either unit, and a controller which calculates a correction amount on the basis of the detected registration error amount and controls the operation timings of the image forming unit and recording medium conveyance unit in accordance with the correction amount.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a configuration in which a plurality of subsystems, each having a specific function, are interchangeably connected to a base platform. Each of the subsystems includes a plurality of units having a variety of different performances. A control unit is capable of control each of the subsystems so that the image forming apparatus flexibly provides functions that are tailored to individual users' requirements.

Abstract: A plurality of subsystems having diverse individual functions can be connected to an image forming apparatus. Each of the subsystems is made up of, for example, plural kinds of units which are different in performance from each other. Each of the units has inherent information related to the performance, and decides the operation specification of the entire image forming apparatus according to the combination of those units.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding device comprising: a sheet storage case which stores sheets; a heating reproduction type dehumidification member; moving means which moves the dehumidification member; and a heating reproduction section having heating means which reproduces the dehumidification member by heating, wherein the heating reproduction section is connected to the sheet storage case such that they are separated from each other, the dehumidification member is disposed across the interior of the sheet storage case and the heating reproduction section and moved cyclically between the interior of the sheet storage case and the heating reproduction section by the moving means, and the dehumidification member dehumidified in the interior of the sheet storage case is reproduced by heating by the heating means in the heating reproduction section.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus has an excitation coil disposed adjacent the heating element; a voltage source for applying to the excitation coil a high frequency electric power provided by modulating an input AC electric power with a high frequency, wherein the heating element is heated by induction by the excitation coil supplied with the high frequency electric power, wherein the heating element has a characteristic frequency which is unequal to integer multiple s of a frequency of the AC electric power.

Abstract: An apparatus for executing a printing process on the basis of a print job from an external apparatus, comprises a post-processing unit which can apply post-processing for printed paper sheets using paper sheets prepared independently of the printed paper sheets; a detector for detecting in the post-processing means that the paper sheets prepared independently of the printed paper sheets are set; determination means for determining whether or not print start trigger information is attached to the print job, which indicates an instruction to start printing in response to trigger information to start printing; and print control means for, (i) when a print job designated with the post-processing by the post-processing unit is received and it is determined that the print start trigger information is attached to the received print job, delaying a process of the print job until the detector detects that the paper sheets are set, and starting execution of the print job when the detector detects that the paper sheets

Abstract: An image processing system for enabling a manufacturer's image forming apparatuses to be used as far as possible by a user. Design is made to enable a manufacturer or a vendor to appeal the predominance, particularly economy, of their own image forming apparatuses by the utilization of a user interface for controlling a recording process.