Abstract: An apparatus having a help function allows a user to obtain help information after first checking what help information is available at a host computer. An image-forming apparatus and a method and program for displaying help information are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the deflection of a belt in an electrophotographic printing machine includes an elongate arm member having a first end and a second end. The second end engages and is displaced by the belt. A gearbox includes a plurality of gears interconnected into a gear arrangement, and a gearbox shaft rotatable by the gear arrangement. The second end of the arm member is coupled to the gear arrangement, which converts displacement of the second end of the arm member to rotation of the gearbox shaft. An encoder is associated with the gearbox shaft. The encoder includes at least one encoder output. The encoder senses rotation of the gearbox shaft and issues electrical pulses on the encoder output. The electrical pulses are indicative of the magnitude and direction of the rotation of the gearbox shaft. A counter includes at least one counter input and at least one counter output. The counter input is electrically connected to the encoder output.

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

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus on the main body of which a process cartridge is detachably mountable and for forming an image on a detachably mountable and for forming an image on a recording medium includes (a) a mounting device for detachably mounting the process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process device for acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cartridge radio communication device having a memory element for storing therein information necessary for the image forming operation performed by the process cartridge when the process device is caused to act on the electrophotographic photosensitive member to thereby form an image on the recording medium, and radio-communicating to the main body the information stored in the memory element, (b) a main body radio communication device having a controlling portion for effecting the reading and writing of the information to the memory element of the cartridge radio communication device, an

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a main controller and an engine controller. When an error occurs in an image forming engine, the engine controller sends to the main controller status information representative of original conditions set up before the error and error information representative of the error and causes a second relay to interrupt the application of an AC voltage to a heater controller. The main controller stores the received status information in its memory and turns off a first relay to thereby interrupt the application of the AC voltage to a second power supply. After recovery from the error, the main controller again turns on the first relay and thereby causes the engine controller to restore the original conditions represented by the status information.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printer has a printing mechanism that prints data on a medium on a transport belt and is movable between operative and non-operative positions. The printing mechanism and a main body have mechanical contacts through which the printing mechanism receives electric power from the main body when the printing mechanism is at the operative position. A density sensor is located downstream of the printing mechanism with respect to a direction of travel of the transport belt and detects a density of the surface of the transport belt. A controller causes the printing mechanism to print a test pattern on the transport belt and compares a density of the printed test pattern with a density of print data of the test pattern. If there is a difference in density between the data of test pattern and the printed test pattern, the controller generates a reporting signal.

Abstract: A printing system for printing on recording media first by a first printer and then by a second printer provides that print data is supplied in a page by page manner to the first and second printers from a print data source. Page information is sent to the printers using the print data and corresponding page information is sent to a buffer storage by the first printer. The page information in the buffer storage and the page information sent to the second printer are verified in a page by page manner by determining adherence to a predetermined rule. A synchronization mark is generated on the recording media by the first printer and is read by the second printer, which is used to control the printing process.

Abstract: A toner container is detachably mountable on an image forming apparatus and includes a container body that contains toner therein. An agitating member is disposed within the container body and agitates the toner within the container body. First and second rotating portions rotate together with a rotary shaft of the agitating member at both end sides of the rotary shaft. The first and second rotating portions are exposed to the exterior of the container body, wherein the container body includes a first mark at a position corresponding to a predetermined position of the first rotating portion and a second mark at a position corresponding to a predetermined position of the second rotating portion.

Abstract: Vibration data is transmitted from a remote site to a control facility using wireless data transmission. In one embodiment, the vibration signal is conditioned and digitized, and then sent via a page transmitter to the control facility.

Abstract: The invention provides automatic machinery with the capability to communicate to an operator or technician or other machine user with a description of a machine condition, such as, for example, a machine problem, if the machine requires attention.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-forming machine having a photoconductor forming a surface and a toning station adjacent the surface. The toning station has at least one roller for supplying toner near the surface. Additionally, the image-forming machine has a replenisher station for supplying toner to the toning station. The replenisher station includes a moving part connected with the replenisher station, and a control device located near the moving part. The control device monitors the movement of the moving part and generates a timing signal in response. The present invention also provides a method for detecting toner clogging in a replenisher station for an image-forming machine. The method includes monitoring the movement of a moving part connected with the replenisher station, generating a timing signal in response to the movement of the moving part, and determining whether toner is clogged in the replenisher station based upon the timing signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ascertaining resource requirements print jobs. There are at least two significant features of the invention. A first feature results from a provision of a system and method for segmenting the document to provide a sample window. A RIP (Raster Image Processing) analysis is performed with respect to the sample to determine a ratio of laser on and laser off times for same. On the basis of the RIP analysis with respect to the sample data, the requirements of the entire document are estimated. The resource requirements of the entire job are then estimated, page by page, in a similar manner and compared to a resource (e.g. toner) availability data provided by the printer. If adequate resources are available, the job is printed. If adequate resources are not available, a message is provided to the user or, the printer is automatically supplied with additional resources.

Abstract: This invention relates to a Web-based imaging system that provides print job assurance. Such systems of this type, generally, warm the user, prior to printing, whether or not the print job will be able to be printed, as expected.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image reading device for reading an original document image to form the image in a copying mode; a modem device for decoding data sent from a public network; a first memory for registering telephone identification information for a remote station; a detector for detecting a telephone identification provided with a caller identification service of a communication enterprise; and a controller for controlling the modem device, realizing a first communication mode for receiving facsimile data to form the image in a facsimile mode, or a second communication mode for diagnosis of the apparatus and for setting control information of the apparatus from the remote station through the modem device. The controller realizes the first communication mode when the telephone identification does not coincide with the registered telephone identification, and realizes the second communication mode when the telephone identification coincides with the registered telephone identification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring rub-off from an image-bearing substrate.

Abstract: To be able to effectively use an image processing apparatus having plural functions and execute an effective use of the image processing apparatus under a condition of reflecting user's will, use environment of the image processing apparatus and the like, an error in the image processing apparatus is detected by a detector, and a screen including a function restriction key for restricting the function of the image processing apparatus is displayed in accordance with detection by the detector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an openable and closable member openable and closable relative to the main body of the apparatus, and a detecting device for detecting the opened and closed states of the openable and closable member, the openable and closable member having an engagement portion to be engaged with the detecting device, one of the detecting device and the engagement portion of the openable and closable member being movable relative to the other.

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

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

Abstract: The invention provides automatic machinery with the capability to communicate to an operator or technician or other machine user with a description of a machine condition, such as, for example, a machine problem, if the machine requires attention.

Abstract: A remote diagnosis system includes a central computer system that receives user data related to a user request and deals with the user request data, and at least one kind of image-forming apparatus connected to the central computer system. Each image-forming apparatus has a user request data input device, through which data related to a user request is optionally input, and a user request data transmitting device that transmits the user request data to the central computer system. A data communication adapter collects the user request data from the at least one kind image forming apparatus and transmits the user request data to the central computer system. An interface interfaces the at least one kind of image-forming apparatus with the data communication adapter, and a public communication network connects the data communication adapter with the central computer system.

Abstract: A method of notifying an operator of an event with respect to a hard copy output engine includes detecting a status of a portion of the hard copy output engine from a sensor incorporated in the hard copy output engine and displaying, in response to detecting, a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface includes information describing the portion and the status, and includes a set of user-selectable options. The set of user-selectable options includes dismissal of the graphical user interface, assistance in ordering consumables or services identified by the graphical user interface, deferment of action with respect to the consumables or services identified by the graphical user interface for a user-selectable interval and inhibiting further displaying of the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A series of registration marks are printed on a color patch sheet or on a series of color patch sheets used for calibrating a color image reproduction system. These registration marks will be printed by a printer under control of an image processing unit and thereafter scanned by a scanner and interpreted by the image processing unit. For example, the registration marks may be small, black, rectangular blocks arranged at one or all of the top, bottom and sides of the page. These marks provide a variety of color patch information including the horizontal and vertical start and end points of the color patch array, the horizontal width and vertical height of the color patches, the page number of the color patch sheet and print mode of the printer when the color patches are printed, and an indication of the bottom of the color patch sheet.

Abstract: A printer service tool includes a control panel port connector for connecting to the control panel port of a printer, a controller diagnostic port connector for connecting to a diagnostic port of the printer, and a display. The display displays a plurality of menus. A first menu includes a representation of buttons displayed on a control panel of the printer. A second menu includes menu items which provides ability to monitor printer functionality.

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

Abstract: A user is notified of an auto power off operation or an auto power save operation before the operation is executed. Therefore, an unexpected power off operation or unexpected switching into a power save mode can be avoided, and no extra labor or time is imposed on the user.

Abstract: The invention provides a diagnostic system for a densitometer in an image-forming machine. An image-forming machine with a densitometer diagnostic system may have a photoconductor, one or more chargers, an exposure machine, a toning station, and a densitometer. A densitometer diagnostic system for an image-forming machine may have an emitter, a collector, amplifier circuitry, and diagnostic circuitry. The diagnostic circuitry reduces the drive current to the emitter in the densitometer by a known or calculable value. The output voltage from the amplifier circuitry in the densitometer is reduced in proportion to the reduction in the drive current. To perform diagnostic testing of the densitometer, a first output voltage is obtained from the densitometer without the diagnostic circuitry connected. A second output voltage is obtained from the densitometer with the diagnostic circuitry connected.

Abstract: A communication control device is connected by wireless communication to a central management device 103, which is connected with a management center through a communication network. The central management device stores CS identification data and PS identification data for respectively identifying the central management device itself and registered individual communication control devices. These data are also stored in a management center. In case the currently used central management device is replaced by a new central management device, the registered data are registered in the new central management device from the management center through the communication network.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of improving throughput, preventing deterioration of developer and preventing shortening of the life of a developing apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, an image holding member holds an electrostatic latent image and a developer carrier carries developer to a developing portion, and a speed ratio between the image holding member and the developer carrier varies according to an image ratio.

Abstract: A method for image inspection and color guidance for printing products of a printing press, in which in on-line operation, actual image data of the printed images of the printed products are obtained and compared with nominal image data for the purpose of locating image defects, which comprises the steps of checking, upon the appearance of a defect, before any change in the ink feed is made, as to whether on the basis of the type of defect, some other cause than the color guidance for the deviation is possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a maintenance interval for a media-handling mechanism is provided. The determination of the maintenance interval includes the number of media sheets transported by the media-handling mechanism along with additional media information, such as the media size or the media type for each media sheet transported.

Abstract: An image forming system that does not impair the operability of a standardized external apparatus functions in a standard mode and an individual mode. The mode of the system is selected using a mode-switching switch on an operation unit or a work station. A display screen of the operation unit is switched in correspondence with the selected mode.

Abstract: A method and a system for facilitating service for image forming devices such as copiers, fax machines and printers. A main service center receives a service request from a user, such as via an Internet home page that the main service center maintains. Based on the service requests and databases for user information and information regarding local service centers, the main service centers identifies the local service center(s) that are suitable for meeting the service request, in term of the type of devices and territories they service and other factors. The user, the main service center, and the one or more local service centers transmit information among themselves to track the service request and responses by the user and one or more local service centers and to ensure that the requested service is appropriately supplied.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printer has a printing mechanism that prints data on a medium on a transport belt and is movable between operative and non-operative positions. The printing mechanism and a main body have mechanical contacts through which the printing mechanism receives electric power from the main body when the printing mechanism is at the operative position. A density sensor is located downstream of the printing mechanism with respect to a direction of travel of the transport belt and detects a density of the surface of the transport belt. A controller causes the printing mechanism to print a test pattern on the transport belt and compares a density of the printed test pattern with a density of print data of the test pattern. If there is a difference in density between the data of test pattern and the printed test pattern, the controller generates a reporting signal.

Abstract: The printing machine has at least one central unit with a memory or other data carrier for data processing, a controlled electronic machine controller, and at least one machine element connected to the machine controller. The system allows, upon installation, setup and adjustment of the printing machine rapid recognition of errors, so that options for correction are automatically offered. At least one file for playback of optical and/or acoustical help instructions is stored in the memory and associated with at least one machine element, machine function, and/or functional or setting error. The file is activatable via the central unit, which is connected to optical and/or acoustical output devices. Upon activation, the help instructions are played back. For each machine element or each machine function needed at that precise time, or for each functional or setting error which is displayed just at that time, the associated file with the appropriate help instruction is called up.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating notifications associated with the lifetime of peripheral unit consumables are described. In the described embodiments, users or clients are able to define and adjust their own threshold values that are associated with a consumable's lifetime. In one embodiment, a lifetime monitoring mechanism is provided and monitors the lifetime of a peripheral unit consumable that is associated with operation of the peripheral unit. The lifetime monitoring mechanism is configured with a user-manipulable, threshold-defining mechanism that is configured to receive user input and, responsive to the user input, define a threshold value for the lifetime monitoring mechanism. The peripheral unit's use of the consumable is monitored using the lifetime monitoring mechanism. A determination is made when the peripheral unit's use of the consumable reaches the threshold value and, responsive thereto, a notification is generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that improve the registration between the color separation images. The systems and methods control the output of the image data for one or more of the color separation images and the velocity of an image-carrying member to remove or reduce registration offsets based on determined position and velocity of the image-carrying member. A position-determining sensor on an image-carrying member device module is used to determine the process-direction position of the image-carrying member to provide real time motion information. A position-determining controller determines the process-direction position of the image-carrying member by detecting a pattern of position-determining marks using the position-determining sensor and processing the detected data through averaging or correlation to eliminate detection errors.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes at least one processor which receives data from an input unit. A setting unit sets a time at which data may be input by the input unit, and a determination unit determines if the current time corresponds to the set time. When the current time corresponds to the set time, the input data is stored in a storage unit.

Abstract: A method of cleaning ink remaining on a photoreceptor web when an error occurs in a printer including a development unit for supplying ink to a rotating photoreceptor web to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor web, a transfer roller for transferring a toner image formed on the photoreceptor web to a sheet of paper, and a cleaning roller installed to clean the transfer roller. When an error occurs, a printing operation is stopped so that the printing cannot be performed. Next, the ink adhering to the photoreceptor web is transferred to the transfer roller by rotating the photoreceptor web a predetermined number of times in a state in which the cleaning roller is separated from the transfer roller and the transfer roller contacts the, photoreceptor web. Then, the ink transferred to the transfer roller is removed in a state in which the cleaning roller contacts the transfer roller. Thus, the time required to remove the polluted ink remaining on the photoreceptor web can be reduced.

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

Abstract: In an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a malfunction in a transmission interface of each image forming apparatus can be recognized before a transmission of image data is performed and a malfunctioning position can be easily specified. Each image forming apparatus includes an interface unit transmitting encoded image data and also receiving image data from a remote image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatuses are connected by a transmission path so that the encoded image data is transmitted therebetween. The interface unit is subjected to a diagnosis operation when a power of each image forming apparatus is turned on.

Abstract: A memory is provided in an electrophotographic process cartridge to be mounted on a printer, and an area in the memory is separated into a read-only area and a rewritable area. In this structure, a data error in the memory is checked. If an error in the read-only area is detected, an alarm is displayed and a print operation is prohibited. On the other hand, if an error in the rewritable area is detected, the alarm is displayed and the print operation is permitted.

Abstract: A image forming apparatus with a sensing control system having an optical sensor and a control device. An detected object is recognized by using the difference of an output characteristics correspond to a quantity of reflected light. Thus, one or more detected objects may be precisely detected by the one optical sensor.

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: An invented battery-operating multifunctional apparatus in use for such as office automation provides an adequate threshold level thereby to detect a low energy state of the battery by discriminating whether species of a head loaded on a carriage unit 7 is an ink head 401 for printing the characters or a scanner head 402 for reading the image pictures. To attain the purpose, the threshold value of the low battery state is lowered for the scanning operation compared with for the printing operation.

Abstract: An equipment controlling apparatus is composed of a counter for counting the operational number of the equipment, memories for storing data indicating the state of the equipment, a communication device for communicating on the stored data with a centralized control apparatus, which controls the communicated data intensively, and a controlling device for causing the stored data to be transmitted to the centralized control apparatus when the counter has counted a predetermined value.

Abstract: If an input number exceeds a section remaining number, an image forming apparatus executes a processing of displaying a warning notifying that the input number exceeds the section remaining number. If a rounding off processing is possible, the input number is changed to be within the section remaining number and the set number is automatically reduced. As a result, an image forming apparatus capable of giving an alarm or automatically changing a set number into a possible number of prints if the set number exceeds the possible number of prints upon setting is provided.

Abstract: The transfer voltage supplied to the transfer roller in an electrophotographic printer is determined by feeding current to the transfer roller and reading the voltage produced by passage of the current through the transfer roller. Whether the transfer roller is adequately charged is determined by comparing the voltage reading with a previous voltage reading. The voltage reading is preferably an average reading taken over one revolution of the transfer roller. Alternatively, separate voltage readings are taken for different radial sectors of the transfer roller, and the transfer voltage is determined separately for each radial sector.

Abstract: An output apparatus and method receives first information from an external source, generates second information based on the received first information, and outputs the generated second information. The apparatus includes a selector for discriminating the received first information by comparing a code included in the first information with codes provided in a number of analyzers and for selecting one of the number of analyzers suitable for the first information. The apparatus also includes a controller for skipping the received first information when the selector can select no suitable analyzer, when no data is input for a predetermined time to an input interface via which the first information was received, or until the input interface is switched.

Abstract: A remote diagnosis system including a plurality of image forming apparatus each having a trouble informing device, and a central controller for receiving data including a trouble indicator indicative of a problem which may or has occurred in each of the image forming apparatus and for responding to this data. Also included is a data communication apparatus, connected to each of the plurality of image forming apparatus and the central controller, for receiving the data including the trouble indicator from each of the plurality of image forming apparatus, and for transmitting this data to the central controller. The remote diagnosis system further includes a trouble classifying device for classifying causes of trouble which may occur in each of the image forming apparatus. In addition, the data communication apparatus collects data classified by the classifying device.