Abstract: With a push of a maintenance button disposed on a printer, printer information mail is created based on information previously stored in a memory, and sent to a mail server. The sent mail is read by a support server, the support server extracts maintenance information that best suits the contents of the sent mail from a database, and sends it as maintenance information mail to the mail server in reply to the mail. When the maintenance information mail arrives at the printer, cleaning is performed or error remedy is displayed or printed, according to the contents of the maintenance information mail.

Abstract: A network or local printer has a video demonstration mode, preferably using a control console of the printer to display steps to be performed by a human user, by producing a video presentation. A stored selection of video clips is stored or made available, each demonstrating an operation being performed on an exemplary printer that resembles the particular printer apparatus. A video clip processor selects among the video clips and/or controls the manner of playback, based on sensed conditions and/or user input to assist the human user in performing the operation, without boring experienced users or overloading inexperienced ones with unneeded information.

Abstract: A remanufacturing method for a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, including (a) a frame separating step of separating the first frame and the second frame from each other; (b) a developing blade dismounting step of dismounting, from the second frame, a developing blade; (c) a sealing material mounting step of mounting a sealing material between the second frame and the developing blade; (d) a developer filling step of filling the developer into a developer accommodating portion of the second frame through a developer supply opening for supplying, to a developing roller, the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion; (e) a developing blade mounting step of mounting the developing blade to the second frame; and (f) a frame coupling step of the coupling the first frame and the second frame.

Abstract: An integrated information support system (IISS) uses a stand-alone, large capacity memory device, such as a CD ROM, to enhance the user interface of a copier system. The IISS, providing system users with access to vast quantities of graphical, textual, video and audio information, is a separately controlled system which may be integrated with the normal control functions of the copier system. Information is retrieved from the memory device and presented to a system user either spontaneously, on-demand, or in response to specific system conditions such as faults. In a preferred embodiment, an expert coach controls the presentation of information and is capable of monitoring user actions to, for example, ensure a suggested course of action is actually being followed. The IISS may advantageously share existing user interface facilities, such as the copier system's video monitor and button matrix.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling machines, such as printers, copiers, facsimile machine and other image forming machines. A server is used for transmitting and communicating information among machines and computers. The server acquires, after machine installation, reference values and during operation, current condition information. The server evaluates this information with the reference values such that a response to the machine may be executed remotely. The server also may update the reference values which change during operation.

Abstract: A maintenance system for improving maintenance service includes a copying machine and a management server. When a copying machine uses a communication server to notify a management server of malfunction, the management server posts malfunction details and the names of components required for repair to an information terminal of a serviceperson. The copying machine is notified of an estimated time of arrival of the serviceperson, and the time is displayed on an operation panel.

Abstract: A logic and control unit (LCU) is configured to assess the viability of various subsystems in the electrophotographic marking process. The LCU determines a charging efficiency between a primary charger and a photoconductor, establishes a reference voltage on the photoconductor, wherein the reference voltage corresponds to the charging efficiency, operates a first subsystem in a non-print production mode to produce a first resulting voltage on the photoconductor, and translates the photoconductor to a stationary sensor for measuring the first resulting voltage.

Abstract: In a printer in a system comprising multiple printers connected to a LAN, the service technician executes certain diagnostic adjustment through the operation of keys on the operation unit. When this is done, the controller of the printer generates a script that describes that the same service as indicated via the key input by the service technician in this diagnostic adjustment episode should be executed. The generated script is sent to the other printers. Each printer that receives the script automatically executes diagnostic adjustment based on the description of the script. As a result, the same diagnostic adjustment tasks as those executed regarding the printer from which the script was received is performed on each printer that received the script.

Abstract: In a printer in a system comprising multiple printers connected to a LAN, the service technician executes certain diagnostic adjustment through the operation of keys on the operation unit. When this is done, the controller of the printer generates a script that describes that the same service as indicated via the key input by the service technician in this diagnostic adjustment episode should be executed. The generated script is sent to the other printers. Each printer that receives the script automatically executes diagnostic adjustment based on the description of the script. As a result, the same diagnostic adjustment tasks as those executed regarding the printer from which the script was received is performed on each printer that received the script.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with an image bearing member and a charging member for contactably charging the image bearing member. The charging member is provided within an exchangeable unit. An electric power containing an AC component is applied to the charging member, and adjustments are made to the magnitude of the AC component. When the exchangeable unit is exchanged, the magnitude of the AC component is returned to an initial value thereof, so as to extend the life of the image bearing member in situations where the exchangeable unit is exchanged and the AC component might otherwise have a magnitude inappropriate for the new unit.

Abstract: A method of scheduling service events for a hard copy output engine includes (i) estimating when a service event is likely to occur, (ii) estimating, from a record of past usage, when peak usage is likely to occur, (iii) determining when the service event estimate is contemporaneous with the peak usage estimate and (iv) executing a predetermined protocol when determining is indicative of contemporaneous estimates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying the root causes of image artifacts visible in the printed output of an electrophotographic printer, activating a special operating mode for the marking engine, and referencing the printing process intentionally to each rotating member of the electrophotographic process in turn. The referencing insures that image artifacts and/or non-uniformities originating from each rotating member are visible in the same location on each printed output. Since the rotating members employed are intentionally designed to be different in diameter, the referencing of the printing process to each one of the rotating members in conjunction with variable receiver sizes enables an operator to associate each image artifact or non-uniformity with a specific rotating member causing it. The appearance of image artifacts is enhanced through zero offset voltage printing and flat-field exposure of the rotating member images as appropriate.

Abstract: When a job is executed in an image processing apparatus, a user is recognized by inputting a user ID from an operation unit. When an abnormality such as interferes with execution of the job occurs, data indicative of avoidance countermeasures for each user or each type of abnormality stored in a memory is referred to and the plural avoidance countermeasures are displayed sequentially from the one that is most frequently executed, and an optimum one is selected. After that, the frequency data for the selected avoidance countermeasure is renewed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing or eliminating rotational skew between images formed on opposing sides of a media sheet during duplex printing. An image forming device is configured to print out a test page having a skewing scale formed thereon. A rotational skew correction factor can be determined from the skewing scale and provided to the image forming device, which is configured to alter placement of images on a media sheet in response to the rotational skew correction factor to compensate for rotational skew.

Abstract: The present invention includes individually (independently) a drive control section for driving/controlling an induction heating device of a fixing device and a main-body control section for entirely controlling an electronic copying machine. The start-up processing for the induction heating device is started prior to start-up processing for parts of the main body of the electronic copying machine other than the induction heating device.

Abstract: An optical device for indicating the position of a flexible web in a machine. The device is mounted in a fixed bracket and a collimated beam is reflected from the web onto a screen to produce a visible light spot. The location of the light spot on the screen is directly related to the position of the web.

Abstract: A maintenance system for improving maintenance service includes a copying machine and a management server. When a copying machine uses a communication server to notify a management server of malfunction, the management server posts malfunction details and the names of components required for repair to an information terminal of a serviceperson. The copying machine is notified of an estimated time of arrival of the serviceperson, and the time is displayed on an operation panel.

Abstract: An evaluation method and printer in which a maintenance man may easily identify a deteriorated component in addition to a component that is broken down or is remarkably hard to operate without the need for any additional complex detecting device. A printer has a control part which controls a mechanical part and judges quantitatively in which state among normal, deteriorated, and abnormal states each mechanical part component is located. This judgment will change in accordance with whether the printer is in a maintenance or a normal mode. Further, a deteriorated component can be determined by visually inspecting a copy after one or a combination of electric parameters have been set to printable upper and lower limits.

Abstract: A multi-mode image forming apparatus and method have a first mode which can be used by all users and a second mode which is available to authorized users only. The second mode is induced in response to a request from a management apparatus which is connected image forming apparatus. A reception arrangement is arranged to receive updating data sent from the management apparatus in the second mode and to store this data in a memory from which a non-volatile memory of the image forming apparatus can be updated at a later time. This arrangement permits file data to be transferred from the management apparatus to a HDD in the image forming apparatus. During an update, this data can be read out from the HDD to an EEPROM (non-volatile memory) so that even if the updating operation fails, the time for repeating the updating can be minimized.

Abstract: A method for operating a printer or copier provides that error conditions are sensed utilizing monitoring units. A determination is made as to whether the error condition is readily repairable by the user and, if so, the display unit displays information on the error condition including instructions for repairing the error condition. If, on the other hand, the error condition is determined to be repairable only by a skilled technician, the display unit displays only the instructions to contact the skilled technician.

Abstract: A light source within a photocopy machine continuously shines high level, wide band fluorescent light on the photoreceptor to maintain the photoreceptor in a uniformly light-shocked condition. This constant level of light shock has no adverse effects on either the life or performance of the photoreceptor in normal operation. Thus, the photoreceptor becomes less sensitive to unintentional, uneven ambient room light and random, long lasting delta voltages within the print area are reduced so that print quality defects are minimized.

Abstract: In a printer or copier, error conditions are sensed. A determination is made as to whether the error condition is readily repairable by the user and if so, the display unit displays information on the error condition, including instructions for repairing the error condition. If, on the other hand, the error condition is determined to be repairable only by a skilled technician, the display unit displays only the instructions to contact the skilled technician.

Abstract: A method to print images on media sheets prints test patterns in an interrupt mode while printing the main job in a regular mode. The method includes marking a first group of images on a corresponding first group of sheets, marking a test pattern on a first test pattern sheet, marking a second group of images on a corresponding second group of sheets, delivering the first test pattern sheet to a sample tray, and passing the first and second groups of sheets to a finishing module. In a varient, the first test pattern sheet follows the first group of sheets in a sequence, the second group of sheets follows the first test pattern sheet in a sequence, and the second group of images follows the first group of images in a sequence.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is disclosed which comprises print means for printing input print data on a print recording medium, the print means driven by the input print data, storage means for storing the print data, storage control means for determining whether or not storage specification is set in the print data and storing the print data in the storage means as a file if the storage specification is set, attribute information transfer means for transferring attribute information of the file stored in the storage means to a source issuing the attribute information transfer request in response to an input attribute information transfer request, file conversion means for converting the file stored in the storage means into an image data file in response to an image data file transfer request input based on the attribute information, image data file transfer means for transferring the image data file to a source issuing the image data file transfer request, and reprint means for reading the file stored in the stora

Abstract: An image forming apparatus operable in a trial copy mode before a usual copying operation is disclosed. The apparatus includes a trial copy mode section for executing the trial copy mode for forming a document image on a recording medium in set conditions at least once and discharging it to a preselected destination. An automatic document feeding section is positioned above a glass platen mounted on the apparatus body for automatically feeding a document to the glass platen. A first copy starting section includes a start key for commanding the start of a copying operation or a trial copy key for commanding the execution of the trial copy mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes, a network interface for connecting the image forming apparatus to a network as a network terminal, an electronic mail communication control unit for communicating an electronic mail with another network terminal through said network interface, a memory for storing an address of a predetermined network terminal, a sensor for detecting an abnormal condition of the image forming apparatus, a controller for producing the electronic mail according to the address stored in the memory, and wherein the electronic mail communication control unit sends an electronic mail produced by the controller to the predetermined network terminal when the sensor detects an abnormal condition such as when the sensor detects a paper jam, toner empty and paper-out.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus administration system includes an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet of paper. A service terminal is connected to the image forming apparatus through a communication line and administers conditions of the image forming apparatus. An operation panel has operation keys and a screen. A changing device can be operated to change an indication of the operation panel from an indication for inputting an operation command for image formation to an indication for inputting a request command for transmitting data from the image forming apparatus to the service terminal. A transmitting device can transmit the data in response to the request command and the changing device changes the indication of the operation panel from the indication for inputting a request command for transmitting data from the image forming apparatus to the service terminal to the indication for inputting an operation command for image formation before the transmission of the data is completed.

Abstract: A host computer does not instruct to initiate calibration immediately when calibration is requested by a printer. The host computer instructs to initiate calibration at time which is designated by an operator. As for the execution time of calibration to be designated, time right after calibration is requested, and time when a printing job is completed are included. Further, when automatic determination for determining execution time of calibration is designated, the execution time is determined on the basis of state of a printing job to be executed, or state of a printing job in progress. As for the state of a printing job, there are the number of remaining pages of the printing job, color printing or monochromatic printing, whether image data is included or not, for example. Accordingly, depending upon the state of the printing job, an optimized execution time of calibration is determined.

Abstract: An error print output setting method for controlling whether an error message is printed out by a printer when an error occurs. The method includes a step to judge whether the status monitor indicative of the status of a printer is to be displayed on the display of a personal computer in S1080. If the setting indicates that the status monitor is to be displayed on the personal computer, the error print output option is set to "off" in S1100. Therefore, when a printing error occurs, an error message is displayed on the computer display and not printed out by the printer. Thus, excessive waste of paper can be prevented.

Abstract: Modification of process control signals so as to enable electrostatographic reproduction apparatus, including a dielectric support member transported about a path into operative association with electrographic process elements to form an information reproduction on a receiver member and a process controller for receiving and sending appropriate timing control signals in an expected value range for controlling the electrographic process, to operate over an alternate process range. For the desired signal modification, an input signal in a particular value range is received. A predetermined gain is applied to the received signal, and thereafter a predetermined offset is applied to the signal as modified by the gain application. The signal derived by gain application and offset is then emitted at an alternate value range to effect process control.

Abstract: Work start data is transmitted to an administrating device (a service center) by a work start data transmitting mechanism when an instruction for start of a maintenance work is issued from a work start instructing mechanism, and work end data is transmitted to the administrating device by a work end data transmitting mechanism when an instruction for end of the maintenance work is issued from a work end instruction mechanism. Also time measurement is started by a time measuring mechanism when an instruction for start of a maintenance work is issued from the work start instructing mechanism, and in a case where, even if the measured time reaches a prespecified period of time, an instruction for end of the maintenance work is not issued from the work end instructing mechanism, work end data is automatically transmitted by a work end data automatically transmitting mechanism to the administrating device.

Abstract: A system is constructed by connecting a plurality of digital copying machines (stations) having a common structure, and a master station 1001 and slave stations 1002 to 1004 are defined in accordance with their addresses. The master station 1001 issues a status request command to the slave stations at a predetermined time interval in order to gather information on the status of each slave station. The status which can be used in the system are recognized, depending upon the information, and a user selects the station or stations to be used. One of the station is made to read an original image, and the image is printed by the selected station or stations. The above constructed image processing system results in good expandability.

Abstract: In a copier, to execute renewal of a maintenance contract with ease and without fail, a current date is compared with a contract expiry date, and a current total count of copies is compared with a count prescribed by the contract. As long as the contract is valid, the copier is operated in a normal copying mode. Meanwhile, the difference between the current count and the contract count is monitored every time a copying operation takes place. When the contract count is exceeded, the copier displays a message indicating expiry of the contract and requesting renewal of the contract in order to notify its user that the contract count has been exceeded. The copier then switches to a restricted copying operation mode. If the user chooses to renew the contract, the user contacts a service provider, so that the service provider checks the state of the contract for the copier and performs a procedure for renewing the contract.

Abstract: An expert system, such as could be used for service of a complicated physical device such as a printer or copier, exploits a knowledge base which is written in a markup language format such as SGML. The knowledge base comprises text which, if desired, can be printed out on paper to yield a traditional service manual. In addition to the typical formatting markup language tags surrounding the text of the knowledge base, hierarchical tags are provided in the electronic version of the knowledge base, to define a set of decision trees which can be accessed and navigated by an expert system. A diagnostic advisor can access specific elements of the knowledge base as needed to synthesize optimized diagnosis and repair procedures depending on an entry given by a tech rep servicing a machine. This arrangement thus supports both a printed service manual and a viewer that provides expert diagnostic advice.

Abstract: A touch screen display having a display surface composed of a touch screen, on which screens can be selectively displayed by touching the touch screen in an interactive manner. The touch screen display does not take time in executing a program and ensures high display response performance. A location specified by a touch on the display surface of a plasma display is detected in a touch detecting circuit by detecting a mesh number which is allocated to each of mesh regions into which the whole display surface is divided by a virtual mesh. By a switch filter, when the detected mesh number corresponds to other locations than those of control instruction indicia each displayed in the form of an operation button on the screen displayed on the display surface, the mesh number is invalidated. On the other hand, when the mesh number corresponds to the location of any one of the control instruction indicia, the mesh number is validated.

Abstract: A copying machine which detects its own condition, such as the surface potential of a photosensitive member and the toner density in a developer, and communicates with a central supervisory apparatus to transmit the detected data at a preset time or when a specified number of copies are made. The communication is controlled in accordance with the number of copies which have been made since the previous communication or the time which it has taken to make the specified number of copies since the previous communication. When the number of copies is smaller than a reference number or when the time is shorter than a reference time, the communication is canceled, or alternatively, the image forming apparatus sends the central supervisory apparatus such information. When regular communication is conducted, only items of data which have changed since the previous communication are transmitted.

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.