Abstract: A recording unit configured to record an image on a recording medium, medium storages storing same-sized recording media, a conveyance mechanism configured to selectively convey the recording media stored in the medium storages to the recording unit, and a maintenance mechanism are provided. When, at the start of a maintenance period in which the maintenance of the recording unit is performed by the maintenance mechanism, the number of recording media stored in the sender medium storage is smaller than the number of recording media required to record all remaining images onto recording media in accordance with image data and, among the medium storages, there is at least one predetermined remaining number medium storage which is a medium storage storing more recording media than the sender medium storage, one of the at least one of predetermined remaining number medium storage is selected as the sender medium storage, during the maintenance period.

Abstract: A text image trimming method, according to the following steps: step 1, obtaining text image data; step 2, using straight line detection method to detect the straight lines of the text image, obtaining edges of a trimmed quadrangle; step 3, detecting text on the image data, obtaining the coordinates of the boundary points of a text region; and step 4, obtaining the final trimming result according to the results of steps 2 and 3. The method can automatically detect the edges of the text region and utilize the detected text region to verify and remove unrelated redundant information thereby, allowing the user to only see the portion containing the text region useful to the user when viewing image data.

Abstract: Provided are an image forming apparatus, a method of indicating the remaining quantity of a consumable material and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program for the remaining quantity of a consumable material. The image forming apparatus includes an array of LEDs arranged on a body of the image forming apparatus such that a lighting condition of the LEDs is visible to a user at a remote place from the image forming apparatus; an image forming section; and a control section configured to operate the image forming section to perform image forming processing. The control section is further configured to operate the LEDs to turn on or blink in a first lighting pattern according to a status of an operation of the image forming apparatus, and operate the LEDs to turn on or blink in a second lighting pattern according to a remaining quantity of a consumable material.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display section, a display control section, a distance detection section, and a coordinate detection section. The display section has a display area in which a selection image is displayed. When the selection image is formed by a plurality of images hierarchically associated with one another, the display control section displays consecutively the images configuring the selection image in accordance with the hierarchical association. The distance detection section detects a spatial distance between a pointer and the display area. The coordinate detection section detects coordinates which correspond to a position of the pointer. The display control section displays, together with a specified image displayed at a position corresponding to the coordinates detected by the coordinate detection section, related images in an immediately lower level in the hierarchy associated with the specified image, when the spatial distance detected is shorter than a preset threshold distance.

Abstract: A printing system includes a first unit, a second unit, a third unit, and a display. The first unit stores start and end time of a printed job. The second unit stores start time of an in-progress print job and stores predicted end time calculated from attributes of the in-progress print job. The third unit stores predicted start and end time calculated from attributes of a ready-for-print job. The display indicates a mark representing current time, indicates a figure along a time axis on one side of the mark, representing an existence of the printed job from the start to end time, indicates a figure crossing the mark, representing an existence of the in-progress print job from the start to predicted end time, and indicates a figure on the other side of the mark, representing an existence of the ready-for-print job from the predicted start to end time.

Abstract: The present specification discloses systems and methods for enabling users to troubleshoot multifunction devices using handheld devices, such as mobile phones. In one embodiment, software executing on the handheld device receives data indicative of an error state in a multifunction device, causes the handheld device to obtain and display an image representative of an area of the multifunction device which would need to be serviced to address the error state, determines instructions for addressing the error state, and causes the handheld device to display the instructions in relation to the image representative of an area of the multifunction device.

Abstract: An operation console used in relation to an apparatus as an object of control operated by a user operation includes: a display device having a display area for displaying information to the user; an input device for the user to input a request; and a display control device displaying, if a request for displaying specific information on said display device is input through the input device, the specific information on the display device. The input device includes a plurality of operation buttons for inputting a plurality of requests, corresponding to respective requests, arranged in the vicinity of the display area. Among the plurality of operation buttons, an operation button corresponding to the request for displaying the specific information is provided closest to the display device.

Abstract: An operation unit of an image forming apparatus having a plurality of operation modes, allowing accurate and easy input by the user requesting switching of display to a screen image allowing selection of an operation mode, includes: a pilot lamp, a touch-panel display, and hardware keys including a power key, an energy-saving key and a home key. The home key that switches the display on the touch-panel display to an operation mode selecting screen image (home screen image) when pressed is provided closer to the touch-panel display than other hardware buttons.

Abstract: A display device has a registration portion which accepts input of a message created by a user, a storage portion which stores the message inputted via the registration portion, a determination portion which extracts information on a display period of the message from the content of the message and which determines, based on the extracted information, an end time of display of the message, a time counting portion which counts time, and a display portion which displays the message stored in the storage portion until the end time determined by the determination portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an ejection tray, a printing portion and a display position. The printing portion prints, on a sheet, an image based on image data and ejects the printed sheet to the ejection tray. The display portion displays ejected-sheet information for notifying the orientation of the front and back surfaces of the printed sheet ejected to the ejection tray and the orientation of the printed image on the printed sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control device that detects a change in a first state concerning placement and removal of sheets in a sheet feed device or mounting and demounting of the sheet feed device and detects a second change in a second state concerning placement and removal or mounting and demounting of a member. When the control device detects the first change, the control device displays, on a display, first display information prompting for the user to enter settings concerning the type of sheets to be supplied to the sheet feed device. After accepting settings, the control device counts a predetermined time and deletes the first display information. When detecting the second change, the control device displays the display information for a longer time. Accordingly, when the user checks or sets the first display information about sheets, convenience is improved.

Abstract: A print server receives a print instruction from a client terminal and causes printing to be performed by a print device selected by the client terminal out of print devices registered with the print server. If a print device unregistered with the print server is selected, the print server acquires device information about the unregistered print device via the client terminal. The print server generates a print setting screen for the unregistered print device from the acquired device information and transmits the print setting screen to the client terminal. The print server further generates print data for the unregistered print device from print settings set by the client terminal on the transmitted print setting screen, and causes the printing to be performed.

Abstract: An operation device receives information indicating an image processing job to be executed according to specific image processing settings and sends an execution check request to each one of a plurality of image processing apparatuses. The operation device displays, at a display, one or more image processing apparatuses capable of executing and currently available to perform the image processing job according to the specific image processing settings, based on responses respectively received from the plurality of image processing apparatuses.

Abstract: Provided is a control device including a reception unit that receives an instruction of an image quality adjustment from a user, a changing unit that changes, when the instruction is received by the reception unit, an image forming condition in an image forming section from a first condition to a second condition, and an output unit that outputs first information indicating the first condition and second information indicating the second condition in association.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section that forms an image, a transport path section along which a recording material that is yet to undergo or has undergone image formation performed by the image forming section is transported, a transport unit that is provided in the transport path section and transports the recording material while nipping the recording material, an operated portion that is operated by a user and activates the transport unit such that the recording material is removed from the transport unit, and a notification unit that notifies a completion of the operation of the operated portion on the basis of a position of the recording material that is removed from the transport unit by the user's operation of the operated portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of switching play pattern of a moving image for guidance of work, the pattern including a pattern for a toner bottle replacement work and pattern for a jam release work, is provided. When a toner bottle replacement work is detected, the work contents displayed on the operation unit are guided by the moving image which is continuously played. On the other hand, when a jam release work is to be performed, the work contents are guided by the moving image which is paused for each work unit to wait for a play instruction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of distinguishing whether paper material retained in a sheet conveying path is an original or a recording material. An image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit that reads an original, a photosensitive drum that forms an image on a recording sheet, and a main motor and a double-sided-printing drive motor which convey the original and the recording sheet. Paper sheet sensors detect an occurrence of a jam of the original or the recording sheet. When a paper jam is detected, a CPU controls a display section to display a plurality of sheets retained in a conveying path, in a manner distinguishing between the original and the recording material.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus and an upper device connected to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a first receiving unit for receiving a print mode including a cost priority mode; a first transmission unit for transmitting the print mode to the upper device; a second receiving unit for receiving a print instruction; a print control unit for printing the print data; a duplex print control unit for controlling a printing operation; and a fixing temperature control unit for controlling a fixing temperature. The upper device includes a first storage unit for storing a save setting; a third receiving unit for receiving image data; a second storage unit for storing the print mode; an arrangement print control unit for generating the print data; and a second transmission unit for transmitting the print instruction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium, plural recording medium supply sections that supply a recording medium to the image forming section, a recording medium setting section that sets attributes of the recording medium supplied by the recording medium supply section, a function program registration section that makes function programs for executing processes that use processing functions relating to image formation correspond to recording medium attribute information relating to the recording medium usable for the function program and performs registration for each of the function programs, and a control section that controls whether or not the registered function program is executable based on the attributes of the recording medium set by the recording medium setting section and the recording medium attribute information registered by the function program registration section.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, guidance information is stored in advance for guiding an optimal operation procedure for execution of a job, and the guidance information is displayed on a display portion based on operation input that is input to an input portion in order to execute a job of image formation. For example, a device control portion compares operation input that is input to the input portion in order to execute the job of image formation to the guidance information corresponding to the job executed by the operation input, and causes the display portion to display the guidance information in a case where an actual frequency of operation input is greater than a frequency of operation input that is specified in an operation procedure of the guidance information.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus, connected to a printing apparatus, that transfers print data to the printing apparatus and performs a status display of the printing apparatus, the data processing apparatus comprising: a first determination unit adapted to determine a processing status of the print data; a second determination unit adapted to determine the presence/absence of a warning status based on a status notified from the print apparatus; and a message display unit adapted to display a warning based on the determination made by the second determination unit, in accordance with the processing status of the print data as determined by the first determination unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a job receiving unit that receives a job for executing printing; an image-quality-adjustment execution unit that executes a normal image-quality adjustment at an image-quality adjustment time and a prior image-quality adjustment before the image-quality adjustment time; an image-quality-setting receiving unit that receives an image-quality setting; a reply request unit that, within a specific state before the image-quality adjustment time since the job is received by the job receiving unit, requests a reply indicating whether to execute a prior image-quality adjustment if a specific condition for the reception of the image-quality setting is satisfied; and a printing execution unit that, if the reply indicates that the prior image-quality adjustment is to be executed, prints an image on a recording medium by executing the job after the image-quality-adjustment execution unit executes the prior image-quality adjustment.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section, a body housing, a protruding housing, a light diffusing portion, a light source, a light guide path, and a control unit. The image forming section performs image formation on a sheet. The body housing is formed by a box body with a top surface, and contains the image forming section. The protruding housing is located on the top surface, and has a top portion protruding upwardly above the top surface. The light diffusing portion is located in or near the top portion of the protruding housing. The light source is located inside the body housing or the protruding housing, and emits light. The light guide path guides light emitted by the light source to the light diffusing portion. The control unit controls illumination of the light source based on the information related to the image formation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an operating section, a control section and an image display unit. The operating section accepts inputting operations for settings on information on an image forming size of an original image and a setting on a paper sheet size. The control section compares the image forming size with the paper sheet size, and outputs, if the image forming size exceeds the paper sheet size at least in either of a lengthwise direction and a lateral direction, a notice signal to cause a notice to that effect. The image display unit displays a preview image based on the notice signal.

Abstract: On a touch-panel display of an image forming apparatus, pieces of information are displayed divided into five areas, that is, a system area , a function selecting area, a preview area, an action panel area and a task trigger area, of which arrangement is kept unchanged even when operational modes are switched. With such an arrangement, the same or similar pieces of information are displayed on an area arranged at the same position even in different operational modes.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first electric power state and a second electric power state in which power consumption is smaller than that in the first electric power state. It is determined whether or not to display a screen for setting information of a sheet held in a sheet holding unit on a display unit, in accordance with whether a factor in a transition is a first factor that is detection of the sheet being held in the sheet holding unit or a second factor that is different from the first factor, after the image forming apparatus is caused to transition from the second electric power state to the first electric power state.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus determines whether or not supplementation of a consumable product is required, and whether or not an image corresponding to the consumable product procurement information including information related to the procurement of the consumable product is recorded by linkage with the consumable product. Then when the image forming apparatus determines that that supplementation of a consumable product is required, and that an image corresponding to the consumable product procurement information is recorded by linkage with the consumable product, a printing instruction screen for the image is displayed, and the printing of the image is performed in accordance with the printing instructions input through the printing instruction screen.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a recording material accommodating portion configured to accommodate a recording material; an image forming portion configured to form a toner image on the recording material fed from the recording material accommodating portion; a fixing portion configured to heat-fix the toner image formed on the recording material by the image forming portion; a storing portion configured to store information corresponding to a type of the recording material accommodated in the recording material accommodating portion; a detecting portion configured to detect that a predetermined operation is performed by an operator before the image forming apparatus receives an image formation instruction; and an executing portion configured to execute a start-up process, when the detecting portion detects the predetermined operation performed by the operator, over a time depending on the information stored in the storing portion.

Abstract: A print system including a print engine for printing a receiving material, a plurality of holders, each for holding one type of receiving material and delivering said material for printing to the print engine, a receiver for receiving jobs, a job being an order containing printing information on one or more types of receiving material specified in said order, and a control system for planning jobs, wherein the jobs are placed in a print queue in a sequence of finishing, and the control system is adapted to establish: a) the types of receiving material specified for a set of different jobs in the print queue, b) a shortage of a type of receiving material if there is insufficient receiving material present in the plurality of holders in order to finish a job of the said set, c) an indication of the time when said type of receiving material is no longer present in the plurality of holders, and wherein the print system further comprises a unit for displaying an image adapted to show an operator of the print syste

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive output object information on an object to be output; a storage unit configured to store therein output device information on different types of output devices; and a determining unit configured to determine an output device based on the output object information and the output device information.

Abstract: A high-voltage power-supply apparatus comprises a controller configured to output a control signal containing a pulse with a variable drive frequency; a switching unit configured to be switched by the control signal and output a drive signal; a piezoelectric transducer having a predetermined resonant frequency, and configured to be driven by the drive signal and output a high-voltage output voltage; a current detector configured to detect an electric current of a load connected to an output side of the piezoelectric transducer and output a current-detection result; and a lower-limit-value setup unit configured to set a frequency lower limit value for the drive frequency of the controller. The controller is configured to vary the frequency lower limit value in accordance with the current-detection result.

Abstract: A tilt panel apparatus includes a tilt panel capable of pivoting between a first orientation and a second orientation, and an apparatus main body that supports the tilt panel in a pivotable state. The tilt panel has an external housing surface around the pivot center of the tilt panel, the external housing surface being exposed on the outer side of an apparatus when the tilt panel is in the first orientation and entering into a gap formed between the tilt panel and the apparatus main body as the tilt panel pivots from the first orientation toward the second orientation; and a stepped portion is formed in the apparatus main body adjacent to an edge portion that forms the opening of the gap, the stepped portion being a step higher than the edge portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly, a rotatable unit, a first gear, provided in one of the rotatable unit and the main assembly, including a gear portion at an arcuate portion having a center substantially aligned with a rotation center of the rotatable unit, and a second gear, provided rotatably in another one of the rotatable unit and the main assembly, engageable with the first gear in a first rotation region of the rotatable unit. In addition, a third gear is provided at a position different from the second gear with respect to a circumferential direction of the arcuate portion and is engageable with the first gear when the rotatable unit is rotated in a second rotation region thereof. A damper mechanism imparts rotational resistance to the second and third gears when each of the second and third gears is rotated.

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.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus determines a remaining recording material amount based on a sensor value and a predicted value. When a sensor falsely detects the remaining recording material amount, the image forming apparatus appropriately determines the remaining recording material amount. Upon acquisition of a new sensor value, the image forming apparatus does not update a current value with the new sensor value if a difference between the new sensor value and the current value is a predetermined value or greater.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a display device that displays a plurality of windows having hierarchy levels in such a manner that a low-level window overlaps a high-level window, each of the plurality of windows containing a first object to close the subject window and one or more second objects to select items; an extraction portion that extracts, from one or more second objects in the high-level window, a selection candidate object that is likely to be selected by a user after the low-level window is closed; and a control portion that controls, when the extraction portion extracts the selection candidate object, the display device in such a manner that the first object in the low-level window overlaps the selection candidate object, or the first object in the low-level window is disposed close to the selection candidate object.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managing a printing system. The approach involves determining at least one printer of the printing system is capable of at least five-color printing. The approach also involves determining a print job to be processed by the printing system includes using a custom colorant. The approach further involves determining if the custom colorant is ready for use, if an alternative colorant is ready for use, or if any custom colorants or alternative colorants are within a predetermined proximity of the printer. The approach additionally involves causing a preview of an output of the print job to be rendered and displayed, causing the print job to be processed or held, and causing one or more colorants to be ordered or made ready for use if the print job is held.

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.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device according to one embodiment includes a controller configured to provide a page countdown for a replaceable toner cartridge of the image forming device on a display screen. The controller, upon detecting a toner cartridge that is out of usable toner, is configured to determine a number of pages remaining for a page countdown associated with the toner cartridge. The controller is configured to determine whether a toner sump of an imaging unit positioned in the image forming device to receive toner from the toner cartridge contains sufficient toner to print the number of pages remaining for the page countdown associated with the life of the toner cartridge. The controller is configured to continue the page countdown if the imaging unit contains sufficient toner and to reset the page countdown if the imaging unit does not contain sufficient toner.

Abstract: A method of providing instructions to a user of an imaging device includes generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of the imaging device in a 3D computer generated environment. At least one computer generated imagery (CGI) instruction sequence is then rendered from the 3D model. The CGI instruction sequence depicts at least one action being performed on the imaging device and is rendered from a virtual viewpoint corresponding to a viewpoint of a user physically performing the at least one action. The rendered CGI instructions are stored in memory of the imaging device and selectively displayed on a user interface display screen of the imaging device.

Abstract: In a case where it is determined that attribute information of a first sheet is not stored in a storing unit and it is determined that no sheets are held in a sheet holding unit with respect to which attribute information of a second sheet is stored in the storing unit, a control apparatus performs a notification indicating that the attribute information of the first sheet is not stored in the storing unit and no sheets are held in the sheet holding unit with respect to which the attribute information of the second sheet is stored in the storing unit.

Abstract: Methods, printers, and control panels for printers are disclosed. An example printer includes a control panel, a print substrate path exit to output a print substrate from the printer in response to a printing task, and a control panel actuator to move the control panel from a first position in which the control panel at least partially obstructs a print substrate from passing through the print substrate path exit to a second position in which the control panel does not obstruct the print substrate from passing through the print substrate path exit.

Abstract: A setting device sets a print page to be clear-coated. When print data is obtained, the setting device displays a preview of a print page image represented by the print data (step S1040). The setting device further receives a designation for a print page image of which preview is displayed, and sets a print page corresponding to the print page image of which designation has been received as a print page to be clear-coated (step S1050).

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming portion, an image data generation portion, a position information obtaining portion, a position information adding portion, a storage portion, an image data searching portion, and a list display portion. The image forming portion forms an image on a print sheet based on image data. The position information obtaining portion obtains position information associated with a place where the image data has been generated. The position information adding portion adds the obtained position information to the generated image data. The storage portion stores therein the image data to which the position information has been added. The image data searching portion searches for the stored image data based on the position information. The list display portion displays a list of the searched image data as a candidate for the image data to be printed by the image forming portion.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image processing device; a display portion capable of detecting a touch of an input object; a storage storing preset-setting groups; a preset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller displays icons corresponding to the preset-setting groups; and an image-processing-device controller for controlling the image processing device. When at least two icons are displayed on the display portion such that one icon is displayed in a selected state manner, and a specific icon is displayed in a non-selected state manner, and when the specific icon is touched, the preset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller moves the specific icon located on a second area to a first area and moves the one icon located on the first area to the second area in a direction in which the specific icon is moved, and displays the specific icon in the selected state manner and display the one icon in the non-selected state manner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an operating member operated by an operator to give an instruction on operation; a top exterior member that is formed with a holding recess in which the operating member is arranged; a first mounting part provided on the holding recess, on which the operating member is mounted in a first posture in which the operating member is inclined by a first inclination angle with respect to the top exterior member; and a second mounting part provided in the holding recess, on which the operating member is mounted in a second posture in which the operating member is inclined by a second inclination angle different from the first inclination angle with respect to the top exterior member. The operating member is configured to be selectively mounted either on the first mounting part or on the second mounting part with use of a mounting member.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes a light source, a light guide plate, a diffusion sheet, and a lens. The light source is configured to perform partial light emission. The light guide plate is configured to guide light from the light source. The diffusion sheet is stacked over the light guide plate with a gap defined between the light guide plate and the diffusion sheet, and is configured to diffuse the light guided by the light guide plate. The lens is stacked on the diffusion sheet and has an upper surface serving as a light emitting surface.

Abstract: A printing apparatus that is configured to, in order to efficiently execute printing by suitably skipping a page that is not to be printed, receive information about an attribute of paper to be skipped without printing, and based on information about the received attribute, print a page that does not use paper having the attribute and skip printing of a page that uses paper having the attribute.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store therein a plurality of function setting items; a display unit configured to display the function setting items stored in the storage unit; a selecting unit configured to select one or more function setting items to be displayed on the display unit from the function setting items stored in the storage unit based on a selecting condition for selecting the function setting items to be displayed on the display unit; and a control unit configured to select, when a single function setting item is selected by the selecting unit, the single function setting item as a function setting item to be executed by the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A paper conveying apparatus includes a sound signal generator for generating a sound signal, a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on the sound signal, a control module for stopping conveyance of a paper when the sound jam detector determines that the jam has occurred, a paper state detector for detecting a state of the paper, and a recovery processing module for performing recovery processing which resumes conveyance of the paper in accordance with a content of detection of the paper state detector when the sound signal generator outputs a predetermined sound signal after stopping conveyance of the paper by the control module.