Operator Interface (e.g., Display Control Panel) Patents (Class 399/81)
  • Publication number: 20110318032
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes: a manual acquiring unit which is configured to receive a user input to acquire a correction value; an image forming unit which is configured to form an image while adjusting at least one of positional deviation and density deviation of the image based on the correction value; and a changing unit which is configured to execute at least one of a first changing process of changing a permissible range of a correction value for positional deviation according to a status of a factor causing a change in a position of an image, and a second changing process of changing a permissible range of a correction value for density deviation according to a status of a factor causing a change in a density of an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro MURAYAMA, Osamu TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20110318042
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of functions including a function of executing an operation involving use of a consumable, a selecting unit that selects one function from the plurality of functions, a detector that detects a remaining level of the consumable and a controller. The controller is operable to switch displayed contents to information corresponding to the one function when the one function is selected, instruct execution of an operation corresponding to the changed displayed information, display a warning indication when the remaining level of the consumable is not more than a predetermined level, determine whether the selected one function is the function of executing the operation involving use of the consumable, and inhibit the switching the displayed contents when one function is selected and is determined to be the function of executing the operation involving use of the consumable while the warning indication is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Makoto SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8085415
    Abstract: A printer includes a receiving unit configured to receive a print job; a printing unit which executes a printing process to print an image on a recording medium based on the print job received by the receiving unit; a suspending unit which suspends the printing process based on suspension information added to the print job; an indicating unit which indicates that the printing is in process during suspension of the printing process; and a re-starting unit which re-starts the printing process suspended by the suspending unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Nagami
  • Patent number: 8086145
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a housing that stores a developing agent including toner and a carrier and that is replenished with the toner and the carrier; an agitation conveyance member that rotates the developing agent to thus agitate and convey the developing agent; a developing agent supply member that supplies to a developing area the conveyed developing agent; a first outlet that discharges a superfluous developing agent, which is in excess of first set storage capacity, of the stored developing agent and that is connected to a recovery device for transferring and collecting the superfluous developing agent; a second outlet that discharges an excessive developing agent, which is in excess of second set storage capacity that is larger in amount than the first set storage capacity, of the stored developing agent; a container that stores the excessive developing agent; and a detection unit that detects the stored excessive developing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8081896
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism for forming an image, at least one developer container replaceably provided in the image forming apparatus for containing developer, a housing for housing the image forming mechanism and the at least one developer container, and an operation device provided on the housing. The housing includes at least one openable portion opened for replacement of the at least one developer container. The operation device includes an instruction display part for indicating a message prompting opening of the at least one openable portion, and at least one developer-end display part for indicating depletion or near-depletion of the developer contained in any one of the at least one developer container. The at least one developer-end display part and the instruction display part are placed adjacent to each other and are viewable from a front side of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiko Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8077329
    Abstract: A display device of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention is a display device of an electronic apparatus for setting a plurality of conditions for a process of the electronic apparatus through an input portion 57 while displaying the conditions before the electronic apparatus performs the process in accordance with the conditions. The device comprises a determination portion 58 of determining whether or not each of the conditions has not yet been set, and a liquid crystal display panel 41 of displaying notifying information indicating to what degree conditions remain to be set. The liquid crystal display panel 41 displays buttons for setting the respective conditions on a screen thereof, and displays button(s) which have already been pressed as being unfilled and the number of buttons which have not yet been pressed. Therefore, by viewing the screen, the number and types of conditions which have not yet set can be known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihide Momose, Norihide Kunikawa, Suehiro Ueda, Masayuki Gomi, Atsushi Umekage
  • Patent number: 8073354
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may be for printing sheets on the basis of a print instruction input therein, including: a limit quantity storage unit storing a predetermined limit quantity; an accounting storage unit storing an accounting for printing one sheet; and a printing authorization unit authorizing execution of printing, when the print instruction is input, after a quantity of a consumer product consumed by printing reaches the limit quantity stored in the limit quantity storage unit, on condition that a user pays a price obtained by multiplying the number of sheets which should have been continuously printed on the basis of the print instruction by the accounting with reference to the accounting storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 8068262
    Abstract: An imaging system for processing a media includes a media transport path, an imaging station, a displacement device that controllably displaces the media along the media transport path relative to the imaging station, and a controller assembly. The controller assembly includes a feedback filter, a feedforward filter, a low-pass filter and a memory that stores and time delayed releases control data. During operation, the displacement device is actuated in response to an actuation command generated by the controller assembly. The actuation command has a feedback component based on a filtering by the feedback filter of an error signal including information about the position error between a desired and an actual position of the media and a feedforward component based on a time delayed, low-pass filtered, frequency dependent filtering of the error signal by the feedforward filter. The feedforward filter is configured such that the closed-loop controlled characteristics of the displacement device are compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: OCE-Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan A. C. J. Winteraeken, Franciscus J. W. M. Wolters
  • Patent number: 8064784
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a first consumable item and a second consumable item are loadable to the image forming apparatus, includes a consumption status detector that detects an end status and a near-end status for each of the first and second consumable items, wherein the end status is a consumption status in which the consumable item must be exchanged immediately and the near-end status is a consumption status in which the consumable item must be exchanged in the near future; a consumption information output setting unit that sets settings indicating whether to output information for each of the end status and the near-end status of the first and second consumable items detected by the consumption status detector; and a consumption information output unit configured to output the information for each of the end status and the near-end status of the first and second consumable items based on the settings set by the consumption information output setting unit and a detection result of the consumpti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiya Inoue, Yasuyuki Igarashi, Takeshi Fujita, Yuka Saito, Toshio Kitazawa
  • Publication number: 20110280602
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a charging device that charges an electric charge to an image carrier, a developing device supplying the image carrier with a developer, and a transfer device that transfers a toner image formed on the image carrier by a developing device onto a recording medium. The apparatus further includes a control unit, discriminates between a first mode of forming an image on a first recording medium of a first thickness and a second mode of forming an image on a second recording medium thinner than the first recording medium to control a developing contrast electric potential, and controls a magnitude of the developing contrast electric potential in the second mode so as to be lower than the first mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicants: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Sunao Takenaka
  • Patent number: 8050586
    Abstract: In a case where a display unit displays a setting screen having a first display area to display a draft graphical image in accordance with draft setting and a second display area to display a finished graphical image in accordance with sheet setting, and a user designates a position to be stapled, a staple region mark is superimposed and displayed on a region corresponding to the position to be stapled in the draft graphical image in accordance with the draft setting, and a staple position mark is superimposed and displayed on a position corresponding to the position to be stapled in the finished graphical image in accordance with the sheet setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Hoshino, Yuko Kimoto
  • Publication number: 20110262172
    Abstract: An operating device includes a first support frame, a support shaft, an operating panel, a second support frame, and a spring. The first support frame is fixed to a front side of a main apparatus. The support shaft projects from the first support frame in a widthwise direction of the main apparatus. The second support frame is pivotally supported on the support shaft in such a manner as to be displaceable within a predetermined range in the widthwise direction while supporting the operating panel. The spring biases the second support frame in a first direction which the second support frame is pressed against the first support frame. The first support frame has a plurality of recesses on a circumference of a circle that is concentric with the support shaft. The second support frame has a first projection capable of being engaged into any one of the recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Yasushi NAKAMURA, Hiroyuki Nagao, Hidenobu Mandai, Yoshiya Kinoshita, Kazuhiro Matsuyama, Kazuhisa Yoneda
  • Patent number: 8045877
    Abstract: A history information management device 100 includes an operation panel 5 having a touch panel 5a, first storage unit 44a, storage operation control unit 45d, and display operation control unit 45e. The operation panel 5 receives a functional configuration. The first storage unit 44a stores the functional configuration as the history information, and the touch panel 5a displays it. The storage operation control unit 45d controls a storing operation for history information in the first storage unit 44a based on a first condition judging whether or not the storage operation control unit 45d controls the first storage unit 44a to store the history information. The display operation control unit 45e controls a displaying operation of the history information on the touch panel 5a based on a second condition judging whether or not the display operation control unit 45e controls the touch panel 5a to display the history information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Yusuke Nakagoshi
  • Publication number: 20110255882
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a sheet feeding portion which feeds a topmost sheet of sheets stacked on a sheet stacking portion and an image forming portion which forms an image to the sheet fed by the sheet feeding portion. The image forming apparatus also has a moisture-proof member set to a covering position so as to contact with and cover a topmost sheet of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking portion, a moisture-proof member detection portion which determines whether the moisture-proof member is available at the covering position, and a notification portion which notifies the presence or absence of the moisture-proof member at the covering position based on a detection result from the moisture-proof member detection portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuri Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8035827
    Abstract: In an application management system for managing a plurality of applications that are installed in an image processing device, in the case where an instruction of execution start is received, if an application execution unit has already executed an incompatible application that would cause an unintended operation of the application whose execution is to be started if concurrently executed with another application, and a warning screen about the application execution start is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuya Sakai
  • Patent number: 8036562
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus 1 to form a panel sheet 100 placed at sections 111 to 113, 115 to 117 and 119 to 121 where operation buttons to be operated by a user are located, having a display 24b to display country setting screen to conduct country setting, operation buttons 24a at the sections 111 to 113, 115 to 117 and 119 to 121 to received operation to select a country in a state where the country setting screen to conduct country setting is being displayed on the display 24b. The panel sheet 100 corresponding to the language selected via the operation buttons 24a at the sections 111 to 113, 115 to 117 and 119 to 121.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Mitsubori, Yasuyuki Kamai
  • Publication number: 20110243594
    Abstract: Upon recovery from a power-saving mode to a normal mode and then restart of fixing temperature control from a state in which the fixing temperature control is stopped, a control part (display control part 10 obtains a current temperature of a fixing part based on output of a temperature detector and required stabilization time T1 based on required stabilization time data, and based on necessary time data A and the number of remaining setting screens on which settings need to be made in a wizard format, issues a restart signal RS for restarting the fixing temperature control between a first time point TP1 reached by tracing back by the required stabilization time T1 from a predicted time point at which making the settings is predicted to complete and a second time point TP2 as a time point the necessary time before the first time point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasushi SAITO
  • Patent number: 8032037
    Abstract: A cartridge used for image formation is detachably accommodated in a main body of an image forming apparatus. A cartridge determining unit determines a cartridge type, which is a type of the cartridge, and a print-job determining unit determines a print job type, which is a type of a print job received from an external device. If the print job type and the cartridge type do not match, an inhibiting unit inhibits an image formation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Toshio Kitazawa, Tomoyuki Takahira, Satoshi Miyazaki, Hideaki Matsui, Kazuma Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20110235254
    Abstract: Provided is a control panel support mechanism having a first support member attached to an image forming apparatus, a second support member supporting a control panel and axially supported by the first support member to be vertically swingable with respect to the first support member, a lock member slidable towards or away from a swing axis of the second support member, and a biasing unit to bias the lock member to slide towards the swing axis. The first support member has a plurality of engaging grooves each positioned along a radial direction with respect to the swing axis and having an opening at an end of the first support member opposite the swing axis, the plurality of engaging grooves being aligned vertically. The biasing unit biases the lock member so that the lock member enters one of the plurality of engaging grooves through the opening to lock in engagement with the engaging groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Naotaka Uchida, Akira Yamamura, Kenji Sawada
  • Publication number: 20110236036
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit which fixes an unfixed toner image retained onto a recording medium by at least heat while moving the recording medium; a setting unit which sets a plurality of levels of fixing condition in the fixing unit in accordance with user's desire; and a changing unit which changes at least one of temperature with which the recording medium is heated by the fixing unit and speed with which the recording medium is moved by the fixing unit, in accordance with the level of fixing condition set by the setting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi NAGAMINE
  • Patent number: 8023853
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of functions including a function of executing an operation involving use of a consumable, a selecting unit that selects one function from the plurality of functions, a detector that detects a remaining level of the consumable and a controller. The controller is operable to switch displayed contents to information corresponding to the one function when the one function is selected, instruct execution of an operation corresponding to the changed displayed information, display a warning indication when the remaining level of the consumable is not more than a predetermined level, determine whether the selected one function is the function of executing the operation involving use of the consumable, and inhibit the switching the displayed contents when one function is selected and is determined to be the function of executing the operation involving use of the consumable while the warning indication is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8019251
    Abstract: An angular position adjusting apparatus for adjusting the angular position of a control panel of an image processing apparatus is disclosed that includes a rotary member attached to the control panel, an input part for generating an input signal indicative of changing the angular position of the control panel, a motor part connected to the rotary member for changing the angular position of the control panel by driving the rotary member, and a setting part for setting the angular position of the control panel in correspondence with the power status of the image processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Kazuo Koike, Tasuku Kohara, Takashi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8019242
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of executing process control at appropriate timing are provided. A control section of an image forming apparatus carries out control for determining execution time of process control and executing the process control. The control section includes a counting section, a determining section and a process control management section. The counting section counts a number of printed sheets. The determining section determines on what time process control is to be executed form the counted number of printed sheets for each time zone. The process control management section manages the process control executed at an image forming section with the whole of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Kitagawa, Katsuhiro Nagayama, Masayuki Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20110217050
    Abstract: In a printing apparatus, first printing data used for the first printing apparatus to perform a print is associated with second printing data generated from the same print job as the first printing data. A printing apparatus detects an operating state of the apparatus. The printing apparatus, when the detected operating state shows generation of an error and the error is not removed, in a case where it is determined that a job inputted into a printing system and associated is not completed, displays information in regard to a removal method of the error on an I/F. In addition, the printing apparatus notifies the printing apparatus of generation information of the error. The printing apparatus displays the information showing that the error is generated on an I/F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takuto Harada
  • Patent number: 8014693
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including maintenance function for maintaining the image forming apparatus at a given operating condition includes an operation screen unit. The operation screen unit is useable for conducting maintenance on the image forming apparatus. The maintenance is categorized into a service-maintenance work conductable by a service engineer within service-operation content, and a user-maintenance work conductable by a user within user-allowed-operation content. The operation screen unit includes a user-specific operation screen, with which the user-maintenance work is conductable for adjusting the maintenance function within the user-allowed-operation content. The user-specific operation screen displays the user-allowed-operation content, which is different from the service-operation content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Kadokura
  • Patent number: 8014692
    Abstract: When an instruction reception section receives an image forming instruction from an operator, a detector detects an toner image forming unit which performs an image forming operation in connection with the operator's instruction. A mode determining section determines which one of an image formation preceding mode or a sheet conveyance preceding mode is set for the toner image forming unit detected by the detector, and a drive controller controls drivings of the sheet conveying section and the image forming section according to the determined mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuji Furushige
  • Publication number: 20110211888
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus arranged to produce groups of printed sheets. Each group includes a plurality of sequential sheets. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of storage units each configured to store the printed sheets produced by an image forming unit, a sorter unit configured to sort the printed sheets of a group into a plurality of portions, wherein the sheets in each portion are in sequential order, and to output each of the portions to a different storage unit, and a display unit configured to display an indication of the storage unit storing the portion including the first or the last sheet of the group such that a user is directed to collect the portion including the first or the last sheet of the group from the indicated storage unit first.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Seiya Fujinaga
  • Patent number: 8010009
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a display device for displaying an operation guide to an operator, and a display controller for causing the display device to display an operation procedure comprised of a plurality of operations as the operation guide while automatically switching the respective operations in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Chigusa Mochizuki, Dai Shigenobu, Miki Teshima, Hiromi Sakata, Tetsuya Maeda
  • Publication number: 20110206400
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides toners having a tunable gloss level, electrophotographic apparatuses for using such toners as well as processes for making such toners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward Graham Zwartz, T. Brian McAneney, Eric Rotberg, Richard P.N. Veregin, Valerie M. Farrugia, Jordan H. Wosnick
  • Patent number: 8004699
    Abstract: A scanner section, a printing section, and an operation section having an input section for receiving operational information and a display section are provided. A setting table section is provided and is formed from non-contact type and contact type IC card reader use sections, in which the non-contact type and contact type IC card readers are arranged, respectively. The non-contact type and contact type IC card reader use sections are closer to and farther from an operator, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Okada
  • Patent number: 8006198
    Abstract: A technique is provided, which can help the user to know well that process modes have been switched among them, thereby enabling the user to work more efficiently. A display control device is provided, which comprises: a selection information acquisition unit 201 that acquires selection information representing which process mode has been selected from a plurality of process modes in which different processes are performed; and a control unit 202 that displays display objects corresponding to set items related to the process mode selected, in a first display region on a screen, and display objects corresponding to any process mode not selected, in a second display region narrower than the first display region on the screen, on the basis of the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition unit 201.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yumiko Okuma, Mahina Nakamura, Maki Sato, Tsunehiro Motegi, Yasutsugu Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7995236
    Abstract: A printer of the present invention allows a plurality of sheet feeding apparatuses, each having a particular sheet feed speed range adaptive to a plurality of print speeds, to be selectively connected thereto. When any one of the sheet feeding apparatuses is connected to the printer, a controller automatically sets a print speed range on the printer in accordance with print speed range information corresponding to the sheet feeding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Hoshi, Mituru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7995945
    Abstract: There is displayed, in a display section, a photocopy processing setting screen having a setting information display area to display information indicating various setting particulars of photocopy processing, a button display area to display various icons indicating the setting particulars of the photocopy processing, and a graphic to associate each setting particular displayed in the setting information display area with each icon to set the setting particular displayed in the setting information display area among the icons displayed in the button display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuko Kimoto, Naoki Hoshino
  • Patent number: 7995948
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a device body, a side cover fixed to the device body to cover a side face of the device body, a top cover attached swingably to the device body to cover an upper face of the device body, the top cover and the side cover defining a mating portion as a boundary region therebetween, a plane portion formed in a first one of the top cover and the side cover, and an inclined portion formed at a side of the first one in the mating portion, the inclined portion including an inclined surface configured to be inclined with respect to the plane portion, the inclined surface extending toward a back surface side of a second one of the top cover and the side cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Yano, Sachiko Yano, legal representative, Keiichiro Egami, Yusuke Nakata, Kayo Hasui
  • Publication number: 20110188877
    Abstract: When a manual feed tray detector detects that a manual feed tray has been set to a feeding position before any one of workflow images displayed on a workflow screen is pressed by a user, a display controller causes a sheet storage location reception screen to be displayed in an interrupting manner between respective reception screens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Narihiko Suese
  • Patent number: 7991317
    Abstract: In order to provide an automatic job template generating apparatus capable of making operations simpler by reducing the steps in the user interface operation to match a frequently used capability of an MFP, an automatic job template generating apparatus of the invention is formed of an operation history acquisition unit configured to acquire an operation history of a multi function peripherals for each user according to information accessed to the multi function peripherals on the Web, an operation frequency analysis unit configured to analyze an operation frequency at regular timing according to the operation history acquired by the operation history acquisition unit, and a job template generation unit configured to newly generate a job execution parameter having a high operation frequency on an operation screen as a job template button according to an analysis result of the operation analysis unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kato, Sunao Tabata, Haruhiko Ishida, Masao Yamaguchi, Takahiro Fuchigami
  • Patent number: 7983583
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet of recording medium, a sheet feed tray selecting unit, a medium size selecting unit that selects a first medium size, a medium type selecting unit that selects a medium type. A determining unit determines operation of the image forming unit based on a search result of a first sheet feed tray corresponding to the first medium size selected by the medium size selecting unit, a search result of a second sheet feed tray corresponding to the medium type selected by the medium type selecting unit, a selected tray selected by the sheet feed tray selecting unit, and resetting values specified for the operation of the image forming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yuko Ota, Yasuko Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20110170893
    Abstract: This invention provides an image forming apparatus that includes a storage area to store a print job. Whether the type of printing medium set in the received print job is the same as the type of printing medium provided in the image forming apparatus is determined. Print processing is suspended after storing the print job in the storage area when it is determined that the former type is not the same as the latter type, and the suspension time for which the print job has been suspended is measured. The suspension time is compared with a predetermined period, and the print job is deleted from the storage area when the suspension time reaches the predetermined period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Fumikazu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7978992
    Abstract: In an MFP, when a count of printed sheets of paper exceeds a predetermined count, a controller reads, from internal counters, a frequency of a stabilization process executed in return, a frequency of a stabilization process executed automatically in printing, a frequency of a stabilization process executed manually based on a user's instruction, and a frequency of return, respectively. When the frequency of the stabilization process executed automatically is small while the frequency of the stabilization process executed manually is large, the controller raises a frequency level of execution of the stabilization process. When the frequency of the stabilization process executed manually is small, the controller lowers the frequency level of execution of the stabilization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Okunishi, Atsushi Kawai, Yoshihiko Yoshizaki, Kohei Hayashi, Hideaki Komiyama, Yasufumi Naitou
  • Patent number: 7970295
    Abstract: Document processing systems and methods are presented in which a graphical user interface is used to set a user-selectable refill level for a print engine consumable, such as toner, replenisher, paper, etc. Once the user-selectable level has been reached, the user is notified and is prompted to either refill the print consumable or to continue use of the document processing system without refilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Keith L. Willis
  • Publication number: 20110135322
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a plurality of paper feed stages includes a setting unit configured to set a paper type including a plurality of items for each of the plurality of paper feed stages, a storage unit configured to store a paper type history indicating a history of one or more paper types set by the setting unit for each paper feed stage, a control unit configured to acquire the stored paper type history for each paper feed stage, and a display control unit configured to display the acquired paper type history for each paper feed stage in a setting screen for setting the paper type for one of the plurality of paper feed stages to be able to be selected. The setting unit sets, for the paper feed stage, the paper type selected via the setting screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuka Masuyama
  • Patent number: 7957041
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a document reading unit for reading a document on a table or at a predetermined reading position to which the document is transported by a document feeder and an interrupt key for receiving an interrupt job. When a user turns on the interrupt key, an inquiry whether a document for an interrupt job is read on a table or at a predetermined reading position to which the document is transported by the document feeder is displayed on a liquid crystal display. When the user selects either one of them, an interrupt process is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Baba
  • Publication number: 20110129237
    Abstract: A system having an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus includes setting whether the status of the image forming apparatus is immediately confirmed by a user, transmitting a file containing a status log based on the status change of the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus to an external file server, and displaying a list of the image forming apparatus to be contained in the system on a screen in the information processing apparatus, wherein with respect to the image forming apparatus as to which a setting is made to immediately confirm the status, a button to instruct confirmation of the status of the apparatus is displayed in the list, and wherein when an instruction to confirm the status is executed from the list, status of the image forming apparatus is displayed based on the status log to be contained in the file transmitted from the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Isamu Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7952731
    Abstract: A printing system includes a receive controller that enables by using a user interface unit an input of an instruction during performing of first print processing with a print apparatus, and an operation controller that enables the print apparatus to perform check processing before completion of the first print processing in the case where the instruction is input, the check processing being second print processing by using print data which is used in the first print processing, the operation controller enabling the print apparatus to continue the first print processing after the second print processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Utsunomiya, Kazuhiko Ushiyama, Takeshi Tarumi
  • Patent number: 7949277
    Abstract: Reprographic device provides collated and uncollated subset finishing selections at the local Graphical User Interface to allow the user to program different types of finishing within a single job to construct mixed subset finished output. Subset finishing provides a user with the ability to select different finishing options, stapling/folding/offset/hole-punching to a portion of a larger job. Print jobs can make use of software based solutions to create custom print subset finishing. Methods allow different finishing options to be applied to portions of a larger collated or uncollated job from the local GUI. A new group of subset programming attributes can be made available on the local UI. A user can then construct a mixed subset job of both print and scanned images and apply custom finishing operations on each subset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Wilbert D. Douglas
  • Publication number: 20110116814
    Abstract: A method and system for printing image documents using a variety of toners where some toners using a multi-development station having two or more development stations. These toners are co-printed prior to fixing, on the receiver by the multi-development station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: James D. Shifley, Alan J. Swire, Thomas N. Tombs
  • Publication number: 20110116817
    Abstract: Generally, an imaging device is capable of applying respective EP engine settings to different zones within a page of media. In an example embodiment, a method includes printing in first and second zones on a page of media using first and second EP engine settings that are respectively associated with the first and second zones. The imaging device prints in the first zone on the page of media based on a first EP engine setting that is associated with the first zone. The imaging device switches from the first zone on the page of media to the second zone on the page of media responsive to a size indicator. The imaging device prints in the second zone on the page of media based on a second EP engine setting that is associated with the second zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Matthew D. Heid, Kevin Dean Schoedinger, David John Mickan
  • Publication number: 20110103819
    Abstract: An MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) transmits, when a user selects a mode, information representing the selected mode to a server. Receiving the information representing the mode from the MFP, the server reads extended functions corresponding to the received mode, forms display data for displaying the read extended function on the MFP, and transmits the formed display data to the MFP. Receiving the display data from the server, the MFP displays standard functions and displays the extended functions using the received display data, in an initial setting image for the mode selected by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Sekiya
  • Patent number: 7937012
    Abstract: An angle adjusting device configured to support an operations panel so that up and down rotation of the operations panel against an apparatus main body can be made in a designated angle range and configured to adjust a rotational angle of the operations panel in up and down directions against the apparatus main body, the angle adjusting device includes i) a fixing member fixed to the apparatus main body, ii) a rotation member where the operations panel is provided, the rotation member being provided to the fixing member so as to be rotated with respect to a designated rotation shaft in the designated angle range, iii) a lock mechanism configured to lock rotation of the rotation member against the fixing member with respect to the rotation shaft, at one or more parts in the designated angle range, by using a force other than a frictional force between the fixing member and the rotation member, and iv) a setting mechanism configured to set a lock-on state and lock-off state of the lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Kawai, Hayato Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20110099518
    Abstract: A recording device is disclosed which has a push switch and no display. A menu item is sequentially changed out of a plurality of menu items, which are arranged in a specific order, by operating the push switch. Sub-pluralities of menu items are sequentially skipped based on the continuous operation of the push switch to quickly arrive at a desired menu item, without the need to select each and every menu item in sequential order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Kifuku, Ayako Ohashi, Tomoyuki Oi, Masahiro Furuya