Abstract: A multifunction print device and a method of using the multifunction device is disclosed. The multifunction print device includes a user interface comprising at least one input mechanism configured to transmit a user request to enter at least one of a print mode and a non-print mode; a plurality of elements configured to be in either an active or inactive state, wherein the elements comprise one or more first elements configured to perform printing functions and one or more second elements configured to perform non-printing functions; and a control system configured to, in response to a user request to enter non-print mode, switch the one or more second elements from an inactive state to an active state while keeping the one or more second elements in an inactive state.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of facilitating synchronization of a maintenance moving image between an image processing apparatus and a mobile information terminal, thereby making it possible to more efficiently show the moving image to a user who performs a maintenance operation. The mobile information terminal is registered as a distribution destination of the moving image. The moving image for current reproduction and display on the apparatus and information of the reproduction position of the moving image are distributed to the terminal to thereby cause the terminal to reproduce and display the moving image from the position. The position is changed based on information of a change in the reproduction position received from the terminal. When the position is changed on the image apparatus, information of a change in the position is transmitted to the terminal, to thereby cause the terminal to change the position.

Abstract: A print system comprises notification part for providing, to a user, a notification of an inquiry about whether concurrent printing output that an image forming apparatus performs first printing output and subsequently performs second printing output is scheduled, in a non-sleep period associated with the first printing output by the image forming apparatus; and setting part for setting a transition standby period for transition of the image forming apparatus to a sleep state at a first value when a reply for informing that the concurrent printing output is scheduled is not sent from the user, and setting the transition standby period at a second value which is larger than the first value when the reply is sent from the user.

Abstract: In a switching power source, in a state where a second voltage smaller than a first voltage is output from an output unit by intermittently driving a switching unit, the switching unit changes a number of driving times of the switching unit for each driving cycle when the switching unit is intermittently driven.

Abstract: A multifunctional printer 10 comprises an operation unit 13 making image formation requests, an image forming unit 16 forming an image in response to an image formation request issued from the operation unit 13 or an external device, a determination unit determining whether the image formation request is issued from the operation unit 13 or the external device, a main power source 23 activating the operation unit 13 and image forming unit 16 to bring them into a usable state, and a control unit actuating the image forming unit 16, when the main power source 23 completely activates the image forming unit 16 and the determination unit determines that the image formation request is a request issued from the external device, regardless of whether the operation unit 13 is activated or not.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a motor control apparatus includes a timer to measure a period in which a job is not executed, a sensor to detect a temperature of a physical object, an acquisition part to acquire time information measured by the timer and temperature information detected by the sensor, and a drive control part that determines a current value of a motor provided in the physical object based on the time information and the temperature information acquired by the acquisition part, and controls the motor current value by applying a voltage level corresponding to the determined current value to a drive element of the motor.

Abstract: A method of reading document image data and transferring the image data to a data reception apparatus, includes setting memory areas for storing the image data in a data storage section and setting a reading condition, upon receipt of a scan start command; transmitting the scan start command for instructing the scanner apparatus to start operations; instructing the scanner apparatus to transmit the image data to a transfer data storage section; transferring the image data in the transfer data storage section to the data storage section in response to a data transferring request command; transmitting a document end signal to the data storage section; executing feeding of subsequent document sheets, without transmitting another scan start command; determining whether distance from a rear end is a predetermined length or more, and an available space is a predetermined amount or more; and controlling a feeding section based on determination results.

Abstract: A disclosed control device includes a first unit configured to generate image data of multiple images to be superposed one on the other to form a single image and transmit the image data. The second control unit transmits to the first control unit a horizontal sync reference signal for achieving synchronization of the images in a horizontal direction. Based on the horizontal sync reference signal, the first control unit transmits to the second control unit a transfer clock signal that indicates transmission timing of the image data and an effective area signal that indicates an effective area of the image data. The first control unit asserts the effective area signal for an effective-area-signal assertion period that occurs between two consecutive reference-signal assertion periods during which the horizontal sync reference signal is asserted.

Abstract: An image reading system includes a scanner apparatus and a data reception apparatus. The data reception apparatus has a receiving section receiving image data transferred from the scanner apparatus, a received data storage section storing the image data received in the receiving section, and a driver program executing section executing a driver program for operating the scanner apparatus to transmit a scan start command. The scanner apparatus has a feeding section feeding an original document sheet to a predetermined reading position, a reading sensor reading an image of the original document sheet fed by the feeding section, a transfer data storage section storing image data from the reading sensor, a transfer section transferring the image data stored in the transfer data storage section to the data reception apparatus, and a scanner control section controlling the feeding section and the reading sensor.

Abstract: An image-reading device includes a document-supporting base, a document-pressing member, a reading unit, a controlling unit, and a determining unit. The document-supporting base has a transparent member on which a document is placed. The document-pressing member is disposed on the document-supporting base so as to cover the transparent member. The document-pressing member is capable of opening and closing on the document-supporting base. The reading unit has a light source and capable of reading an image from the document placed on the transparent member while the light source irradiates light on the document. The controlling unit is configured to control the reading unit to execute a first scanning operation to output image signals for the image on the document while the light source is lit, and a second scanning operation to output image signals for the image on the document while the light source is not lit.

Abstract: With reference to any one of a plurality of images, the other images are moved by a distance greater than or equal to one pixel width in a main scanning direction and/or a sub-scanning direction. Then, the plurality of images are combined to form a composite image.

Abstract: A printing system including a printing device which has a cancel instruction unit that instructs cancellation of a current job being processed from an operation panel, and an image reading device that describes original image data read from an original in a page description language and sends to the printing device, in which the image reading device describes the read original image data in the page description language and sends it as a copy job to the printing device, obtains a job holding state from the printing device and reserves at least the transmission of the copy job to the printing device until the job held by the printing device runs out when it is judged according to the obtained job holding information that the printing device is in a job holding state.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining real-time performance in a sub-assembly device that is driven by a dc motor. In one example embodiment, an electric motor is energized such that a sub-assembly driven by the motor achieves a target operating speed. Pulse width modulation data is captured and plotted along a time axis. A time duration when the sub-assembly device ended a startup operation and achieved a steady state operation is determined. A portion of the plotted data is then compared to an ideal plot defined for that sub-assembly device. Based on the result of that comparison, a determination is made whether the sub-assembly device is performing within accepted operational parameters. A maintenance operation is signaled to be performed in response to the determined sub-assembly operational performance. The data is stored in a historical database from which a preventative maintenance schedule can be derived.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed in which parameters or functions thereof can be executed with fewer key operations. An electronic device such as a facsimile device has a display unit that displays a plurality of keys that can be respectively used to specify and select the parameters or functions thereof, and will determine whether the length of time that each of the plurality of keys is pushed is long or short. If a key is pushed for a short period of time, that key will simply be selected, and if a key is pushed for a long period of time, that key will be selected and facsimile transmission will automatically begin.

Abstract: Stopping and starting the movement of media in a scanner before completion of scanning can generate artifacts in the display of the scanned image. These artifacts arise from measurements made during the deceleration of the media before stopping and the acceleration of the media after starting. By scanning the regions that pass the optical sensor during deceleration and acceleration of the media while the media is moving relative to the optical sensor at a substantially constant speed, the degree to which artifacts are produced is reduced. The scanning of the sections of the media corresponding to the deceleration and acceleration distances of the media can be done by moving the optical sensor while the media is stationary, or, by moving the media while the optical sensor is stationary.

Abstract: Stopping and starting the movement of media in a scanner before completion of scanning can generate artifacts in the display of the scanned image. These artifacts arise from measurements made during the deceleration of the media before stopping and the acceleration of the media after starting. By scanning the regions that pass the optical sensor during deceleration and acceleration of the media while the media is moving relative to the optical sensor at a substantially constant speed, the degree to which artifacts are produced is reduced. The scanning of the sections of the media corresponding to the deceleration and acceleration distances of the media can be done by moving the optical sensor while the media is stationary, or, by moving the media while the optical sensor is stationary.

Abstract: A device and method of scanning a job on a document-processing device when a print path is not available. The method includes initiating a job and determining that a printer job channel is not available. The method further includes scanning the job and spooling the job to a mass storage device. The method also includes storing the job in the mass storage device until the printer job channel becomes available.

Abstract: A scanner includes a housing, a transparent platform, a scanning module, a motor and a calibration paper. The transparent platform is installed on the housing for a document to be placed on. The scanning module is moveably installed inside the housing for scanning the document. The motor is installed inside the housing for driving the scanning module. The calibration paper is installed at a front end of the housing and has a graph for calibrating step angle errors of the motor.

Abstract: A color reading apparatus in which reflection light from a read-target medium is read on a line-by-line basis for each color of red, green, blue by a monochromatic line image sensor. The color reading apparatus performs a color reading operation while the relative position between the read-target medium and the monochromatic line image sensor is changed by a feeding apparatus. The color reading apparatus includes a feed control device that stops a driving source of the feeding apparatus at the completion time of a one-line color reading operation composed of one-line reading operations for red, green and blue colors when a reading operation for a read-target medium is temporarily interrupted.

Abstract: An image reader provided with an image pick-up unit which reads an image in a fast scanning direction in accordance with a fast scanning synchronizing signal, a drive unit which causes the image pick-up unit to move in a slow scanning direction in accordance with a drive control signal asynchronous with the fast scanning synchronizing signal, an intermittent read instruction unit which generates a stop instruction and a restart instruction for allowing the image reading to be performed intermittently by the image pick-up unit, a phase holding unit which, upon issuance of a stop instruction, recognizes and holds a phase difference between the fast scanning synchronizing signal and the drive control signal, and a phase control unit which, upon issuance of a restart instruction, corrects a phase difference between the fast scanning synchronizing signal and the drive control signal on the basis of the phase difference recognized and held by the phase holding unit.

Abstract: A time administrator includes (a) a first unit which acts as a clock and transmits a first signal indicative of a standard time, (b) a second unit which makes access to the first unit and receives the first signal, (c) a third unit which judges whether a system for adjusting a current time is adapted and further whether the system is to be applied to the standard time, and (d) a fourth unit which, when the third unit judges that the system is to be applied to the standard time, carries out a specific operation to the standard time, and transmits a second signal indicative of the result of the operation as a current time, and which, when the third unit judges that the system is not to be applied to the standard time, transmits a third signal without carrying out the operation which third signal is indicative of the standard time as a current time.

Abstract: There is provided an optical scanner collecting information from an original by means of sweeping scan. The scanner comprises a memory working as a buffer between the scanner and an external unit receiving data from the scanner. According to the invention and in order to reduce mechanical vibrations from displacement means displacing the original relative to the scanner at a feed rate, the scanner comprises control means for controlling the magnitude of the feed rate. The feed rate is adjusted according to a procedure comprising a first step: if the memory has capacity for a higher data rate and if said feed rate is less than a preferred value, then said feed rate is increased by a value that is a fraction of said preferred value. Further, the scanner may comprise a data processor for maintaining a preferred line resolution while the feed rate is below the predetermined value.

Abstract: A facsimile machine includes a machine housing; an upper guide member disposed above the machine housing and adapted to be movable between an operating position, in which a document transport path is formed, and an open position, in which the document transport path is opened; an operating panel mounted on the top of the upper guide member and provided with dial number call keys for calling previously stored dial numbers of destinations, and a function switching key for selecting from two alternative call dial numbers stored for each of the dial number call keys; and a key switching plate having openings through which the key heads of the dial number call keys are exposed with the key switching plate disposed on the operating panel so as to be invertible between a first position and a second position and adapted to move the function switching key in a switching manner upon the inversion thereof.

Abstract: In an electronic white board apparatus, when at power on a screen is not in a screen home position, the screen is moved in a first direction. When the screen reaches the home position during a predetermined movement thereof, the screen is stopped. If the screen does not reach the home position even after it has been moved more than the predetermined movement, the screen is moved in the opposite to the first direction until the screen reaches the home position.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus which includes a heater for fixing an image on a recording member and a heater control unit for controlling the heater. A timer is provided for outputting a time and a time range register registers a heater-on time range. A heater-on managing unit controls the heater control unit so that the heater is at a preheat temperature level within the heater-on time range, and so that the heater is at an image fixing temperature level when an image signal is received. Further, a heater-off managing unit controls the heater control unit so that the heater is at the image fixing temperature level out of the heater-on time range when the image signal is received. The heater-on managing unit can also shift a beginning time of the heater-on time range from a registered time to a time of a receipt of the image signal, so to extend the ending time of the heater-on time range when the image signal is received within the heater-on time range.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises a plurality of line sensors for reading images at different positions of a document sheet, a drive unit for relatively driving the line sensors to said document sheet, and a control unit for controlling the drive unit to intermittently effect the relative drive to read the document sheet image in a plurality of steps. The control unit controls the drive unit such that a drive distance by the relative drive is equal to an integer multiple of a read line width of the line sensors.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus designed for reduced power consumption, a smaller number of component parts, smaller size, lighter weight and lower cost includes an original reading section having a contact-type line image sensor and a first biasing roller driven so as to be rotated in a state in which the contact-type line image sensor is biased, a recording section arranged in the vicinity of the original reading section and having a line thermal head and a second biasing roller driven so as to be rotated in a state in which the line thermal head is biased, a driving mechanism in which a reversible motor is used as a drive source, a rocking mechanism for driving solely the first biasing roller when the motor is rotatively driven in one direction and driving both the first and second biasing rollers when the motor is rotatively driven in the other direction, and a power transmission mechanism in which the rocking mechanism is arranged in a power transmission system for driving the first and second biasing rollers.

Abstract: An image scanner-reader has an image read unit, and an employing control unit. The image read unit is used to read an original document and provide image data of the original document. The employing control unit is used to control the relative moving speed between the original document and the image read unit, and when an original document reading operation is suspended, the employing control unit controls the restart of the reading operation after decreasing the relative moving speed to a slow reading speed of the original document. Therefore, when the image data buffer becomes full enough to cause a suspension state, and the read operation is restarted after changing control conditions, so that the quantity of data transferred to the image data buffer is reduced. Namely, according to the present invention, the number of occurrences of the suspension state can be greatly reduced, and thereby the overal reading speed can be improved without increasing the data receiving speed of a host device.

Abstract: An image formation device in which an image according to image data received from an image data output device is selectively written by light beam in an optical image memory and the image is printed out on a recording medium, includes a light source for emitting light beam, a scanning device for scanning a surface of the optical image memory with the light beam, a switch for turning on or off the light beam, a sensing device for sensing from the image data a beam irradiating period T per a single pixel corresponding to a density of the pixel, and a controller for controlling the switch so that the light beam intermittently performs T/n period irradiation n times during a scanning period per a single pixel.

Abstract: In order to detect the format of asynchronously, serially transmitted character data using a command signal which includes a plurality of command character data, wherein the beginning of each of the command character data is identified by a start bit, and the character length of each of the character signals is L (a positive integer), the start bit is detected and a train of pulses generated to enable each of the character data to be sampled; the character signal is sampled and converted into a corresponding parallel signal; each of the parallel character signals outputted are ascertained; the number of character data received is counted and it is determined if a predetermined matching is achieved.

Abstract: An image processing system has a reading device for reading an image of an original line by line, which repeats the reading operation at a predetermined cycle. A moving device moves an image reading position of the reading device in accordance with a driving signal. A driving device supplies to the moving device the driving signal for moving the image reading position of the reading device by a pitch line during a time period of the reading operation of a line. A computer generates a signal for instructing resumption of image reading by the reading device after interruption of the image reading. The driving device initiates supply of the driving signal to the moving device before the reading operation, upon reception of the image reading resumption signal generated from the computer.

Abstract: Distyrylbiphenyl compounds of formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.3, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 are halogen, hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or cyano, and M.sup..sym. is a salt-forming cation, are used as fluorescent whitening agents in solid and, preferably, liquid, detergent compositions. They are distinguished by good white effects and insignificant spotting behavior.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading scanner for reading an image of an original while scanning the original, and a scanner sensor provided in an initial position for detecting the initial position of the scanner. The scanner starts scanning of the original from a scanning start position distant from the initial position in a predetermined direction, and the original is scanned in the predetermined direction from the scanning start position. When the scanner sensor detects the reading scanner after operation of the reading scanner, the operation of the scanner is stopped.

Abstract: A thermovision pyrometer for measuring the temperature of an object t.v. camera for focusing thermal radiation, an optical switch for alternately passing at least two spectral components of the radiation, a detector for sensing each spectral component and for generating respective video signals proportional to the density of the spectral components. The synchronizing signal of the t.v. camera controls the optical switch. The pyrometer also includes a gating circuit for generating a gating marker signal which control the position of the point of observation. The gating circuit also is controlled by the t.v. synchronizing signal. Further, the pyrometer includes a sampling circuit for sampling and measuring the amplitudes of the video signals from both the t.v. camera and the gating circuit, as well as circuitry for determining the temperature of the object based upon the ratio of the flux densities of the respective spectral components detected at the point of observation.