Abstract: In a calibration data input process, a carriage 5 is moved toward an ink sensor 19 to a prescribed position while the ink sensor 19 detecting levels of reflected light. Then the amount of reflected light is read for over a range wider than the width of the carriage 5 including a theoretical detecting position P2. An actual detecting position P1 is found based on the level of reflected light. The difference between the theoretical detecting position P2 and the actual detecting position P1 is calculated and is stored as the calibration value ? in a first calibration data memory M1. Accordingly, the actual detecting position P1 is set as P2±?. The calibration value ? is used in a calibration process to calibrate the detecting position, so that the level of reflected light can be detected with accuracy.

Abstract: In view of the fact that a limited storage area of a facsimile memory cannot store a large amount of data necessary to operate and manage the facsimile machine, a hard disk of a personal computer connected to the facsimile machine is used for storing such a large amount of data. For example, an application software needed for achieving a certain function of the facsimile machine is supplied from a service station managed by a manufacturer of the facsimile machine and is downloaded and installed in a hard disk of the personal computer. An example of the function is a scheduled/delayed transmission for scheduling a time of facsimile transmission at a specific time or after a certain period of time has passed. As far as the facsimile machine and the personal computer are connected, other kinds of data, such as help list data and facsimile transaction information, are stored in the hard disk of the personal computer.

Abstract: A printer includes: a paper transport unit; a print unit including a print head; a downstream sensor mounted on the print head; an upstream sensor disposed upstream of the downstream sensor; and a control unit. The control unit makes the paper transport unit transport paper at a first speed of low speed and a second speed of high speed. The control unit obtains first and second transport distances with which the paper has been transported since being detected by the upstream sensor and till being detected by the downstream sensor, while transporting the paper at the first and second speeds. The control unit calculates a response delay time of the upstream sensor from a difference between the first transport distance and the second transport distance, and corrects a remaining printable distance on a paper rear end side on the basis of the response delay time.

Abstract: A technique is provided which sufficiently inhibits deformation of printing paper resulting from drying of ink on the paper. When the amount of ink ejected during which the front end of the printing paper is moved, after entered into a counter area facing a print head, to a determination point exceeds the ink amount “enough to cause deformation” of the printing paper, the front end of the printing paper is moved from the determination point to a hold position located downstream thereof and left there for a predetermined time. Thus, the shape of the front portion of the printing paper is maintained, and the deformation of the printing paper due to the drying of ink is prevented.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet feeding device, which is provided with a paper supply member which feeds a sheet of paper on the top of stack of paper, the paper supply member being actuated by an actuator. The sheet feeding device further provided with a control system which controls the paper supply member, the control system having a stable sheet feeding operation mode in which the control system drives the paper supply member for a first time period initially, then stops the paper supply member after the first time period terminates, and then drives the paper supply member for a second time period.

Abstract: A printer includes: a paper transport unit; a print unit including a print head; a downstream sensor mounted on the print head; an upstream sensor disposed upstream of the downstream sensor; and a control unit. The control unit makes the paper transport unit transport paper at a first speed of low speed and a second speed of high speed. The control unit obtains first and second transport distances with which the paper has been transported since being detected by the upstream sensor and till being detected by the downstream sensor, while transporting the paper at the first and second speeds. The control unit calculates a response delay time of the upstream sensor from a difference between the first transport distance and the second transport distance, and corrects a remaining printable distance on a paper rear end side on the basis of the response delay time.

Abstract: An internet terminal is capable of transmitting and receiving voice signals to and from a telephone terminal having a handset. If the internet terminal receives an incoming call when disconnected from the telephone terminal, then the internet terminal stores a voice message from a calling party and issues a notification to the telephone terminal regarding the stored voice message when the telephone terminal is subsequently connected to the internet terminal.

Abstract: An IP telephone apparatus for executing a telephone call through a computer network. The IP telephone apparatus includes: a main unit; a telephone line connection unit connected to a telephone network; an external telephone connection unit connectable to an external telephone; a dialing start command detection unit configured to detect an IP telephone dialing start command; an audio signal input/output unit that inputs/outputs an audio signal; a handset validation unit configured to selectively validate one of a handset of the main unit and a handset of the external telephone; an audio signal path switching unit that switches a connection target of the validated handset from the telephone line connection unit to the audio signal input/output unit when the IP telephone dialing start command is detected so that the audio signal input/output unit can be transmitted to the network terminal through the computer network.

Abstract: A call system for performing a voice call by an Internet call function using a known telephone terminal. In a multifunction machine serving as the telephone terminal, the output destination and the input source of audio signals input/output from/to a transmitter/receiver may be switched to an audio I/F. In the switched state, audio based on audio signals input/output from/to an outside source through the audio I/F is output/input from the transmitter/receiver. Therefore, when the multifunction machine is connected to a PC having the Internet call function such that audio signals can be input/output through an audio cable, an indirect audio call by the Internet call function with the transmitter/receiver is available. When an incoming call from a telephone line network is received, reception of the incoming call is notified so that a user can confirm the reception of the incoming call during the voice call by the Internet call function.

Abstract: In a calibration data input process, a carriage 5 is moved toward an ink sensor 19 to a prescribed position while the ink sensor 19 detecting levels of reflected light. Then the amount of reflected light is read for over a range wider than the width of the carriage 5 including a theoretical detecting position P2. An actual detecting position P1 is found based on the level of reflected light. The difference between the theoretical detecting position P2 and the actual detecting position P1 is calculated and is stored as the calibration value &agr; in a first calibration data memory M1. Accordingly, the actual detecting position P1 is set as P2 ±&agr;. The calibration value &agr; is used in a calibration process to calibrate the detecting position, so that the level of reflected light can be detected with accuracy.

Abstract: In order to achieve image direct-forming from a scanner to a printer, an image forming system is provided with an image forming apparatus, a host apparatus, a selecting unit and a scanner. The host apparatus stores image forming control data and programs set according to the type of the printer, and outputs them at a given time event. The selecting unit is used to select an image direct-forming mode from a plurality of image forming modes. The scanner reads image information on an object and generates image data. The scanner includes a rewritable nonvolatile memory having a storage capacity enough to store one of the control data or program associated with at least one type of the printer, and a control unit for storing, into the memory, at least one of the control data or program outputted from the host apparatus.

Abstract: In a calibration data input process, a carriage 5 is moved toward an ink sensor 19 to a prescribed position while the ink sensor 19 detecting levels of reflected light. Then the amount of reflected light is read for over a range wider than the width of the carriage 5 including a theoretical detecting position P2. An actual detecting position P1 is found based on the level of reflected light. The difference between the theoretical detecting position P2 and the actual detecting position P1 is calculated and is stored as the calibration value &agr; in a first calibration data memory M1. Accordingly, the actual detecting position P1 is set as P2±&agr;. The calibration value &agr; is used in a calibration process to calibrate the detecting position, so that the level of reflected light can be detected with accuracy.

Abstract: Whether or not a calling signal is inputted to NCU 2 during facsimile communication is first monitored (S1). If no calling signal is detected (S1:NO), a subroutine processing for a display processing is executed (S2). If a calling signal is detected (S1:YES), a subroutine processing for the ID receiving processing is executed (S3). If the facsimile communication is terminated (S4:YES), a subroutine processing for the processing of displaying the received ID (S5), a subroutine processing for a printing processing (S6), and a subroutine processing for a redial processing (S7) are sequentially executed. The processing from S1 is then repeated (S9).

Abstract: There is provided a sheet feeding device, which is provided with a paper supply member which feeds a sheet of paper on the top of stack of paper, the paper supply member being actuated by an actuator. The sheet feeding device further provided with a control system which controls the paper supply member, the control system having a stable sheet feeding operation mode in which the control system drives the paper supply member for a first time period initially, then stops the paper supply member after the first time period terminates, and then drives the paper supply member for a second time period.

Abstract: Whether or not a calling signal is inputted to NCU 2 during facsimile communication is first monitored (S1). If no calling signal is detected (S1: NO), a subroutine processing for a display processing is executed (S2). If a calling signal is detected (S1: YES), a subroutine processing for the ID receiving processing is executed (S3). If the facsimile communication is terminated (S4: YES), a subroutine processing for the processing of displaying the received ID (S5), a subroutine processing for a printing processing (S6), and a subroutine processing for a redial processing (S7) are sequentially executed. The processing from S1 is then repeated (S9).

Abstract: In a calibration data input process, a carriage 5 is moved toward an ink sensor 19 to a prescribed position while the ink sensor 19 detecting levels of reflected light. Then the amount of reflected light is read for over a range wider than the width of the carriage 5 including a theoretical detecting position P2. An actual detecting position P1 is found based on the level of reflected light. The difference between the theoretical detecting position P2 and the actual detecting position P1 is calculated and is stored as the calibration value &agr; in a first calibration data memory M1. Accordingly, the actual detecting position P1 is set as P2±&agr;. The calibration value &agr; is used in a calibration process to calibrate the detecting position, so that the level of reflected light can be detected with accuracy.

Abstract: In order to achieve image direct-forming from a scanner to a printer, an image forming system is provided with an image forming apparatus, a host apparatus, a selecting unit and a scanner. The host apparatus stores image forming control data and programs set according to the type of the printer, and outputs them at a given time event. The selecting unit is used to select an image direct-forming mode from a plurality of image forming modes. The scanner reads image information on an object and generates image data. The scanner includes a rewritable nonvolatile memory having a storage capacity enough to store one of the control data or program associated with at least one type of the printer, and a control unit for storing, into the memory, at least one of the control data or program outputted from the host apparatus.

Abstract: In view of the fact that a limited storage area of a facsimile memory cannot store a large amount of data necessary to operate and manage the facsimile machine, a hard disk of a personal computer connected to the facsimile machine is used for storing such a large amount of data. For example, an application software needed for achieving a certain function of the facsimile machine is supplied from a service station managed by a manufacturer of the facsimile machine and is downloaded and installed in a hard disk of the personal computer. An example of the function is a scheduled/delayed transmission for scheduling a time of facsimile transmission at a specific time or after a certain period of time has passed. As far as the facsimile machine and the personal computer are connected, other kinds of data, such as help list data and facsimile transaction information, are stored in the hard disk of the personal computer.

Abstract: In view of the fact that a limited storage area of a facsimile memory cannot store a large amount of data necessary to operate and manage the facsimile machine, a hard disk of a personal computer connected to the facsimile machine is used for storing such a large amount of data. For example, an application software needed for achieving a certain function of the facsimile machine is supplied from a service station managed by a manufacturer of the facsimile machine and is downloaded and installed in a hard disk of the personal computer. An example of the function is a scheduled/delayed transmission for scheduling a time of facsimile transmission at a specific time or after a certain period of time has passed. As far as the facsimile machine and the personal computer are connected, other kinds of data, such as help list data and facsimile transaction information, are stored in the hard disk of the personal computer.

Abstract: In an image input/output system, a personal computer (PC) and a multi-function peripheral apparatus, containing a scanner device and a printer device, are connected by a single cable via respective parallel interfaces. If a detector device of the multi-function peripheral apparatus detects an error in the scanner device or the printer device, the multi-function peripheral apparatus transmits error information to the PC via the parallel interfaces. Despite the error in the printer or scanner device, the PC is able to output an ordinary operation instruction to the device that is free from the error. In accordance with such an instruction, the multi-function peripheral apparatus exchanges information or data with the PC, thereby allowing the device that has no error to operate normally.