Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a movable image bearing member, a charging member capable of contacting with the image bearing member to charge the image bearing member, a cleaning member capable of contacting with the charging member to clean the surface of the charging member, a detecting circuit for detecting a parameter related to the deteriorated state of the surface of the image bearing member, and a controller for controlling the frequency of the cleaning member on the basis of the result of the detection by the detecting circuit.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of producing excellent images without transfer irregularities regardless of impedance fluctuation dependent on transfer timing, and which avoids enlargement of the apparatus.The aforesaid objects are attained by the image forming apparatus of the present invention which sequentially transfers toner images formed by a plurality of image forming units onto the same transfer sheet via a plurality of transfer charging means, wherein transfer output is controlled in accordance with the change of impedance of the transfer area dependent on the timing of each transfer.

Abstract: A photocopy count system and method which records usage information for accounting and billing purposes. The photocopy tracking system comprises a plurality of remote mini-terminals, a multiport serial board, and a central control computer. Billing identifier information entered at a remote mini-terminal is received at the central control computer where it is processed for verification of validity. If the billing information is valid, the central control computer generates a copier enable signal which is received at the remote mini-terminal to enable the associated photocopier. As each photocopy event occurs, the copy signal is detected by the central control computer. When copying is completed, the copy count and associated billing information is stored at the control computer for later accounting and billing use. The control and processing functions are centralized so as to reduce the cost to install and maintain the system.

Abstract: In image forming apparatus pertaining to the present invention, after a malfunction is detected, the control of the image forming apparatus is carried out while isolating the malfunctioning device from said control, so that the image forming operation can be performed. It is determined whether a condition governing continued image forming exists during said isolating control. If said certain condition does not exist, the image forming operation is allowed to continue. Where said certain condition does exist, the image forming operation is suspended and subsequent image forming operations are prohibited, or a maintenance call request is displayed.

Abstract: An image quality control apparatus controls quality of xerographic images formed by a xerographic imaging system onto a recording medium when at least one sensor which is operative to provide signals to the xerographic imaging system for quality control malfunctions. The image quality control apparatus includes a controller device in communication with the xerographic imaging system. The controller includes a data collection device, a determining device and an input generating device. The data collection device collects and processes sensor data received from the at least one sensor while the at least one sensor is operative. The determining device determines whether the at least one sensor malfunctions.

Abstract: An engine control unit of a printer engine checks the status of each part of the printer, and if there is any change in the status, generates a predetermined representative status of changes and outputs a status change signal to a controller (RIP). The controller is informed of a change in the status by the status change signal, and reads the predetermined representative status to discriminate the changed status from unchanged statuses. In accordance with the discriminated status, the current status can be read. Accordingly, it is not necessary to periodically read the statuses, improving the efficiency of an image forming process. A status change informing control unit in the engine control unit sets a changing status bit of a basic status or status change signal and sends it to the controller, when there occurs a change in any data of a presence/absence and paper size of a paper sheet at a paper feeding port and a loading state of an optional paper feeder.

Abstract: A method to provide a highly intelligent, automated diagnostic system that identifies the need to replace specific parts to minimize machine downtime rather than require extensive service troubleshooting. In particular, a systematic, logical test analysis scheme to assess machine operation from a simple sensor system and to be able to pinpoint parts and components needing replacement is provided by a series of first level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a first level of data and by a series of second level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a second level of data. Each of the first level tests and first level data is capable of identifying a first level of part failure independent of any other test. Each of the second level tests and second level data is a combination of first level tests and first level data or a combination of a first level test and first level data and a third level test and third level data.

Abstract: A product catalog related to an image reading apparatus includes a recording medium having a first side and a second side, at least one description region provided on an arbitrary one of the first and second sides of the recording medium and including characters and/or graphics describing the image reading apparatus, and at least one image evaluation pattern provided on an arbitrary one of the first and second sides of the recording medium and including a pattern for evaluating a performance of the image reading apparatus which processes the pattern.

Abstract: A sheet transportation device for use in an image forming apparatus is provided which has self-diagnosis and self-repair functions. The sheet transportation device has a sheet transportation system including a plurality of units (8). A control sequence for a sheet transportation operation is applied from a system body (10) to the respective units (8). The units (8) each execute the control sequence to perform the sheet transportation operation. The units (8) are each constructed so as to perform an autonomous operation. This construction allows the respective units to autonomously perform self-diagnosis and repair operations. The fault diagnosis and repair operations are performed in parallel to the sheet transportation control. Therefore, the sheet transportation device can flexibly adapt itself to an external influence such as a change in the use environment and a malfunction due to a time-related change such as the aging of components thereof.

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: An image forming system provided with a printer engine and a controller which communicates with the printer engine over a serial communication interface. The controller receives a condition change signal from the printer engine over a dedicated signal line, which is outputted by the printer when the condition of the printer engine changes. The identity of the condition that has changed is then communicated over the serial communication interface. Further, the controller designates one of a plurality of kinds of condition changes, in response to which the condition change signal is outputted, according to the conditions of the controller or the image forming system.

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: A development system including a developer transport adapted for depositing developer material on an imaging surface having an electrostatic latent image thereon, including a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material including toner. A donor member is mounted partially in said chamber and spaced from the imaging surface, for transporting toner on an outer surface thereof to a region opposed from the imaging surface. The toner donor member has a magnetic assembly which includes a plurality of poles and a sleeve, enclosing said magnetic assembly and rotating about said magnetic assembly. A sensor measures a magnetic field of said donor roll at a predefined position on said donor roll. A control system generates an electric field continuously optimize the development of toner regardless of the ever changing height of the developer bed.

Abstract: A method and system for determining that problems exist in a business office device such as a copier, printer, facsimile machine, or scanner by analyzing the user settings of the business office device. If the user settings deviate from the default settings by a predetermined amount, there is a probability that the default settings are improper, parameters need to be changed within the business office device, or defective components within the business office device need to be changed. The analysis of the user settings is triggered after a predetermined time period expires, after a predetermined number of jobs are performed, or alternatively after a predetermined combination of jobs and elapsed time occurs. After a problem is found to exist with the default settings, the business office device communicates with a diagnostic service center via a connectionless-mode of communication such as by an Internet electronic mail message.

Abstract: When any one of keys other than a start key on an operation panel is depressed after a printing operation according to a background job starts in a ready state, a system CPU for controlling all the parts of the machine sets a condition flag indicative of the start of a front job. By virtue of the flag, the CPU determines the front job is being executed, and even if any trouble occurs in the background job, the CPU instructs a message indicator to display the trouble occurrence message for only a predetermined short period of time, and then lets the front job operation continue. The CPU controls the message indicator to display the message of the occurrence of the trouble in the background job again when the front job operation has finished.

Abstract: A corona charger in an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus includes a coronode and a power supply applying a voltage to the coronode. A detector detects pre-arc noise in the operation of the coronode and issues a signal that is used to adjust operation of the power supply to avoid arcing and/or to indicate a malfunction condition.

Abstract: In a copying machine according to the invention, a plurality of jobs are read and registered, and printing and reading of thus registered jobs can be independently performed. In the copying machine, if printing is stopped during printing a job registered under number 4, for example and it is highly probable that the estimated ending time for printing of jobs under job numbers 4 and 5 will be changed, the estimated ending times for these jobs are displayed in dots unlike the normal display. As a result, the user can be informed that an estimated time for the end of printing for a certain job becomes inaccurate.

Abstract: A copying machine managing system for managing copying machines connected to a host computer via a circuit, wherein each copying machine includes a help data storage unit having a first storage region for storing simple help data related to the copying operation and a second storage region for temporarily storing detailed help data related to the copying operation. The detailed help data are transmitted from the host computer. The copying machine managing system further includes a detailed data request unit for requesting the host computer to transmit the detailed help data via a circuit; and a display unit for displaying the data stored in the help data storage unit. The host computer includes a data base for storing detailed data, and a help data retrieval unit for retrieving the corresponding detailed help data from the data base in compliance with a request from the detailed data request unit.

Abstract: A belt transporter roller for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a rotating shaft of an elastic roller; and an elastic fin wound around the rotating shaft and provided along an axial direction thereof, the fin including at least two spiral groups different in winding direction.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, determination is made whether an interruptive print wait state is attained during interruptive printing. When determination is made that the apparatus is in an interruptive print wait state, an interruption recover process is effected. Then, the apparatus returns to the normal mode prior to interruption. Thus, an image processing apparatus is provided that can have the waiting time caused by an interruption in the normal job reduced.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a printer for recording a received image on a sheet, a sorter for sorting the sheet by stacking the sheet recorded by the printer in one of a plurality of bins, a determination unit for determining a bin in which the sheet is to be stacked, a discrimination unit for discriminating if the sheet can be stacked in the determined bin, a memory for storing the received image when the discrimination unit discriminates that the bin determined by the determination unit cannot stack the sheet, and a second memory for storing bin information indicating the bin determined by the determination unit in correspondence with the image stored in the memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately and quickly enabling a technical representative to diagnose the source (or identify the component(s)) that is the root cause of the motion quality defect being experienced to reduce down time of the printing machine. The output of an encoder on the photoreceptor, electronically measured, translates variations in the photoreceptor velocity into voltage. The voltage is then converted into frequency, using a Fast Fourier Transform, for comparison to a predetermined set of frequencies associated with defective drive components to identify the source of the motion quality defect.

Abstract: In a service system, a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a control unit for remote-controlling them are connected by a communication line. A plurality of terminal units are located at respective service stations and also connected to the control unit. The image forming apparatuses each sends, when an event indicative of or predictive of an error occurs therein, information representative of the event to the control unit. The control unit received the information analyzes it and then selectively sends information relating to maintenance or repair to the image forming apparatuses to the terminal units.

Abstract: In a document reproduction apparatus with an imaging station and a sheet feeding system for feeding physical document sheets in a sheet feeding path at a first velocity in a document sheet motion direction to the imaging station to be imaged, with a transmissivity sensor for measuring the transmissivity of the document sheets to provide an imaging control signal for reducing show-through imaging defects from light transmissive document sheets including opposite side images of duplex documents, there is provided a document sheet light transmissivity measurement system with a scanning system for linearly moving a single scanner on a single axis at a second velocity across the sheet feeding path orthogonally of the document motion direction in coordination with the document sheet movement at the first velocity so that the scanner diagonally scans the document on two axes before the document is imaged, to provide a more accurate transmissivity measurement of the document sheet than a single axis transmissivity sc

Abstract: In a management system in which electronic photocopiers are linked through a network with a host computer at a maintenance company that manages the photocopiers and with another host computer at a lease company that performs charging and other tasks related to the use of the photocopiers, registration to the latter host computer and setting thereupon of transmission times of periodical reports can be performed without any inconvenience. Data including the ID number of a copier and the code of the maintenance company are transmitted from a communications control device provided in the copier to the host computer of the lease company. This host computer, when the received ID number and code have not been registered, puts the ID number and code on a list of unregistered copiers, and makes the device transmit data every day until the copier is registered.

Abstract: A system, including a printing system and a remote diagnostic facility, is provided for performing a diagnostic operation relative to the printing system by reference to electronic data corresponding with one or more dialog screens stored in a memory of the printing system. In practice, a telecommunication link is formed between a facsimile transmission system of the printing system and a facsimile receiving system of the remote diagnostic facility, and the electronic data corresponding with the one of the one or more dialog screens is specified for transmission thereof across the communication link. When an event occurs, the electronic data corresponding with the one of the one or more dialog screens is transmitted from the facsimile transmission system to the facsimile receiving system, a print is produced, at the remote diagnostic facility, with the transmitted electronic data, and a diagnostic operation is performed with the print.

Abstract: An information outputting method and apparatus monitors a depressing state of a predetermined key. Depressing the predetermined key switches between ordinary display modes of a plurality of displays such as LEDs allocated to a predetermined state of information alarms and a special display mode. After completion of the switching instruction, either one of the information display processings allocated to the displays which are sequentially turned on is started in accordance with a depression instructing state of the key. The instruction information is input through a key input device of an operation panel of the apparatus.

Abstract: In the host computer of a multiple photocopier management system, a maintenance supervising system is provided for supervising maintenance job contents on routinely serviced photocopier components. Stored in the host computer RAM are maintenance tables for retaining in routine maintenance sequences job items for periodic maintenance on the photocopier components. After completing routine maintenance on a photocopier, a service engineer inputs maintenance reporting data which is accepted in job store areas of the RAM. The maintenance reporting data categorizes a maintenance job, in particular as to whether a component has been repaired, and indicates actual job content, component-by-component. The routine maintenance sequences each constitute an order of ranking numbers each assigned to a job item, and the rank order in the sequence is updated according to the ranking number corresponding to the content of the reported job.

Abstract: An apparatus which detects a mass of marking material developed on a test patch recorded on a photoconductive surface. The apparatus includes a densitometer, a capacitor sensor and a controller. The densitometer is spaced from and adjacent to the photoconductive surface. The capacitor sensor is also positioned adjacent to the photoconductive surface and spaced therefrom. In operation, the densitometer generates a first signal proportional to the specular component of the total reflectivity of the material deposited on the test patch developed on the photoconductive surface. The capacitor sensor generates a second signal proportional to the mass of material developed on the test patch recorded on the surface. In response to these signals, the controller generates a first control signal as a function of the first signal received from the densitometer in response to the mass of material deposited on the test patch being less than a preselected mass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a special-document discriminating apparatus used for providing a counterfeit preventing function to a digital copy machine and the like, and to a managing system for an image forming apparatus having a special-document discriminating function. The special-document discriminating apparatus is provided with a ROM for discriminating a special-document such as paper money, which ROM is detachably attached to a controlling circuit board. Data used for determination may be learned from test pattern data input from the image forming apparatus, or the data may be input from an external unit via a communication line. The managing system for an image forming apparatus comprises an image forming apparatus and a managing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus. Either the image forming apparatus or the managing apparatus has a special-document discriminating function.

Abstract: An electronic image processing apparatus includes a controller and a plurality of resources in an arbitrary configuration. Each of the resources provides an associated processor storing data related to operational capabilities of the associated resource. The controller is adapted to dynamically configure the image processing apparatus to operate in accordance with the operational capabilities of each of the processors by defining job requirements as a combination of images defining a set of sheets and specifying compilations of sheets. The job requirement is converted into an assembly tree relationship for merging into additional assembly trees for formulating the job requirement.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes image forming device for forming an image on a recording material, the image forming device including an image bearing member, a charging member for charging the image bearing member and a voltage source for supplying a voltage to the charging member; and determining device for determining a substantial intersection between an actual voltage-current characteristic curve between the charging member and the image bearing member and a predetermined voltage-current curve predetermined for the charging member, and for determining a bias to be applied to the charging member during image forming operation of the basis of the intersection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning residual particles from a surface that includes a cleaning brush with a fiberless segment and a fiber segment. These two segments enable the cleaning brush to both clean the surface with the fiber segment by rotating the cleaning brush and prevent cleaning when the fiberless segment is stopped, during development, in the home position. The fiberless segment, in the home position, enables image on image development, without retraction of the cleaner brush, by positioning the fiberless segment of the brush directly opposite to the surface where the image has being developed by image on image.

Abstract: A controller accurately discriminates a copying-inhibited document prepared by using paper on which a copying-inhibited pattern is printed or copied on the entire surface, executes the copying inhibition control, detects a hardware error, and executes the copying inhibition control upon detection of the hardware error by recognizing a copied document as a copying-inhibited document and executing copying inhibition control when a copying-inhibited document detected signal is inputted during an operation for reading a copied document from the copying-inhibited document discriminator, and also by determining that a hard error has occurred in the copying inhibition discriminating board, giving a warning through an operation displaying unit, and executing a copying inhibition control when a copying-inhibited document signal or a copying-inhibited document not-detected signal is inputted during a period other than that for reading a copied document.

Abstract: A print control device for an electrophotographic printer for receiving print data from a host system, converting the print data into image data, and sequentially supplying the image data and a command signal to an engine controller for controlling an engine. The print control device includes a receiving buffer for temporarily storing the print data; a timer for measuring time; an interface process section for causing the timer to start when the print data begin to be received and causing the timer to stop when a predetermined amount of print data are stored in the receiving buffer: and a print start control section for computing a data transmission speed from the host system according to the time measured by the timer, and determining a rotating speed of a print drum according to the data transmission speed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a concept of functional quantities indicative of quantified functional degrees of such lower-level functions as "clearer characters", "cleaner background", and "thicker characters", which are subordinating to a qualification-oriented function of "more beautiful characters". Characteristic patterns of functional quantities F1, F2 and F3 of the lower-level functions for physical parameters (for example, the surface potential of a photoreceptor body) are prepared. When a fault repair is implemented by changing a value of a physical parameter, a tradeoff occurs between lower-level functions which are influenced by the physical parameter. That is, taking into account the functional quantities F1, F2 and F3 of the lower-level functions, the value of the physical parameter is set so that the functional quantity of the function of "more beautiful characters" is maximized.

Abstract: A voltage is supplied to a charging member by a voltage supplying device, the charging member contacts a photosensitive body, which is rotating in a predetermined direction, in order to charge its surface, temperature of the charging member is detected by a temperature detector, and the voltage to be supplied by the voltage supplying device is corrected by a voltage correcting device in accordance with the result of detection by the temperature detector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting color and gray balance in a color printer, wherein a multicolored output sheet including a set of printer color balance adjustment instructions for performing color balance adjustments processor is produced by the print engine. A processor provides a color balance judging indicator, from to a scanned test pattern sheet in the case of a copier or from a memory electronically storing a test image. A controller is used to for transmit the set of printer color and gray balance adjustments to the processor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing multiple process parameters with a single sensor in a printing machine. The sensor senses the photoreceptor belt seam to insure that the latent image is not formed on the belt seam; the toner density is used to control the toner dispenser, photoreceptor charging, developer bias, image exposure and image processing systems; registration marks which are used to control registration of multiple images; presence of copysheets in a paper transport which is used to indicate timing and paper jams or faults; and copysheet type which is used to control the fusing process time. In order to measure all of these parameters, the sensor is uniquely located in printing parameter sensing relationship to the photoreceptor and along the paper path of the printing machine.