Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment includes a maintenance management prediction device that predicts and determines the necessity of maintenance for a fixing unit, the type of the required maintenance, and the like by obtaining the difference between initial data (an initial detected temperature and an initial temperature estimation value) and latest data (a latest detected temperature and a latest temperature estimation value) of the fixing unit and comparing the difference to a predetermined range. Based on the comparison of the difference to the predetermined range the prediction device issues or not warning information.

Abstract: A commodity sales data processing apparatus includes an image processor and a controller. The image processor captures an image including a symbol. The symbol includes discount information relating to a discount on a price of a commodity. The controller acquires commodity information that uniquely specifies the commodity. The controller extracts a region from the image captured by the camera. The region includes the symbol. The controller transmits, to a server, an image of the region extracted by the controller. The controller acquires, from the server, the discount information based on the image transmitted to the server. The controller registers the commodity information acquired by the controller and a discounted price of the commodity based on the discount information acquired by the controller in association with each other.

Abstract: A method for page management for use with an image forming apparatus includes receiving a request from a user for processing one or more pages of one or more documents. Further, the method includes displaying on a display (a) a thumbnail image generated for each page and (b) a plurality of options for processing the one or more pages. Furthermore, the method includes receiving a selection by the user of at least one option of the plurality of options. Thereafter, the method includes processing the one or more pages, according to the at least one option of the selection received from the user.

Abstract: A heating device includes a cylindrical body with a hollow interior and a heater inside the hollow interior. A first surface of the heater faces the inner surface of the cylindrical body. A heat transfer member is on a second surface of the heater. A grease is between the heater and the heat transfer member. A support member is provided including a first portion fixed to the second surface of the heater and a second portion contacting a surface of the heat transfer member. The support member includes a third portion between the first and second portions. The third portion does not contact the second surface of the heater between the first and second portions and provides a space for grease from between the heater and the heat transfer member to accumulate.

Abstract: A self-service checkout terminal includes an optical code reader, a platform on which items to be purchased are placed, a weight sensor configured to detect a weight of objects placed on the platform, and a processor configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode. The processor carries out a registration process based on a merchandise code corresponding to a code symbol read from an item by the optical code reader while enabling a confirmation process to confirm proper item placement based on the weight detected by the weight sensor in the first mode, and carries out the registration process while disabling the confirmation process in the second mode.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on paper, a conveying unit configured to convey the paper through the image forming unit, and a housing configured to accommodate the image forming unit and the conveying unit. The conveying unit is arranged on one side surface side of the housing. The housing has an opening on a side wall on a conveying unit side. The opening is open only downward.

Abstract: A receipt data processing device includes a data generating section, an output section, and a converting section. The data generating section is configured to generate receipt data of a first data format including information about an item purchased by a customer. The output section is configured to output the receipt data to at least one of a printing device and an external device that is different from the printing device. The converting section is configured to convert a data format of the receipt data from the first data format to a second data format that is different from the first data format when the receipt data is output to the external device.

Abstract: A wireless tag communication device includes a directional antenna, a communication control circuit configured to communicate with a wireless tag through the directional antenna, a camera positioned such that a direction along which a signal strength of the directional antenna is maximized and a shooting direction of the camera coincide with each other, and a controller. The controller is configured to estimate a tag direction where the wireless tag exists, estimate a position of the wireless tag communication device, estimate a position of the wireless tag based on the estimated tag direction and the estimated position of the wireless tag communication device, and control a display to display a first image captured by the camera and a second image showing an explicit area containing the estimated position of the wireless tag.

Abstract: Provided is s technique capable of easily changing display information of an application for each destination is. An installation processing device installs an application in a device in which a destination indicating a country or a region is set. An application package of the application includes the application and replacement display information that includes second display information associated with first display information included in the application and in which the destination is set. The installation processing device includes a replacement processing unit configured to replace the first display information corresponding to the second display information by the second display information included in the replacement display information in which the same destination as the destination set in the device is set.

Abstract: A technique suitable for a work-from-home employee to request work to an office employee includes an image forming apparatus The image forming apparatus includes a receiver for receiving request information for requesting the work from the work-from-home employee to the office employee working in a business office, a display controller configured to display work indicated by the request information received by the receiver, and a selector that receives a selection of work to be performed by the office employee among the work indicated by the request information received by the receiver.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a fixer, first and second temperature sensors, and storage and control units. The fixer fixes an image formed on the sheet by pressing. The first temperature sensor is disposed away from the image forming unit and the fixer, and measures an ambient temperature. The second temperature sensor is disposed closer to the image forming unit than the first temperature sensor, and measures an ambient temperature. The storage unit stores one or more difference values between first and second temperatures measured by the first and second temperature sensors when a switching condition is satisfied. When a difference between the one or more difference values in the storage unit and a latest difference value is equal to or larger than a threshold, the control unit stores information indicating that a reference value for determining an abnormality is exceeded.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a position determination unit of a printing system determines a printing position of printing information printed on an object to be printed conveyed by a conveyance machine. An erasing unit erases the printing information printed using thermochromic ink by emitting heat from a heat source, a height position of which is adjusted according to the printing position, from a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction according to a timing at which the printing position, determined based on the printing position, passes. A printing unit includes a printer using the thermochromic ink, disposed behind the heat source along the conveyance direction, and prints information on the object to be printed from the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction by the printer, a height position of which is adjusted according to the printing position, according to the timing at which the printing position passes.

Abstract: A wireless tag communication device includes an antenna configured to transmit a carrier wave and receive a response wave output from a wireless tag with respect to the carrier wave and to specify a position of the wireless tag to be searched based on a radio wave intensity of the response wave received by the antenna. The device includes: a radio wave controller configured to switch the carrier wave between a first and second carrier wave to be transmitted in a first and second polarization direction respectively; and a comparator configured to compare a first and second radio wave intensity of a first and second response wave respectively output from the wireless tag with respect to the first and second carrier waves respectively, and the radio wave controller switches the carrier wave between the first carrier wave and the second carrier wave based on a comparison result of the comparator.

Abstract: A tag communication device includes a communication device and one or more control processors configured to cause the communication device to transmit a first command for notifying selection of a wireless tag including an identification code including a mask pattern that is a part of the common portion of identification codes. The one or more control processors are configured to cause the communication device to transmit a second command for requesting a response to the selected wireless tag and to cause the communication device to transmit a third command for requesting rewriting to the wireless tag that transmits data in response to receiving the data transmitted from one wireless tag. The one or more control processors are configured to cause a repeat of transmission of the second command if a third command is transmitted until the third commands are transmitted to each of a predetermined number of the wireless tags.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a portable terminal provides maintenance information to a maintenance server that manages the maintenance information. The portable terminal acquires the maintenance information from an external recording medium. The portable terminal acquires, from the maintenance server, rank information indicating a transmission priority defined for the maintenance information. The portable terminal determines, in accordance with a type of a communication line that can be used by a communication device and the rank information, whether to transmit the maintenance information.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular member extending in an axial direction, a heater, and a support. The heater has a first surface in contact with an inner surface of the tubular member. The first surface faces in a first thickness direction. The heater includes a substrate. The substrate includes a cut section at which the substrate is disconnected from a base material. The cut section is positioned at an end portion of the substrate in a first lateral direction. The substrate extends longitudinally along the axial direction. The support is in contact with the inner surface of the tubular member. The support includes a projection longitudinally overlapping at least a portion of the cut section and a low section longitudinally offset from the projection. The projection extends further in the first thickness direction than the low section and the first surface.

Abstract: A commodity-data processing apparatus includes a housing, a printer unit mounted in the housing and movable between a housed position at which the printer unit fits in a printer housing space and a drawn-out position, and a controller. The printer unit includes a cover that is movable between a closed position and an open position when the printer unit is at the drawn-out position and not movable between the closed position and the open position when the printer unit is at the housed position. The controller is configured to determine whether the cover is moved from the open position to the closed position, determine whether or not the printer unit is ready for printing, upon determining that the cover is moved from the open position to the closed position, and enable receipt printing by the printing unit, upon determining that the printer unit is ready for printing.

Abstract: An inkjet head includes a pressure chamber in which ink is stored, a nozzle plate including a nozzle which connects with the pressure chamber, an actuator configured to change a volume of the pressure chamber, and a drive circuit. The drive circuit, before a printing is performed, outputs, to the actuator for a first time period, a first signal for changing the volume of the pressure chamber without ejecting ink from the nozzle. A second signal for changing the volume of the pressure chamber is then output to the actuator for a second time period such that ink is ejected from the nozzle. A third signal for changing the volume of the pressure chamber to the extent that the ink is not ejected from the nozzle is then output to the actuator for a third time period.

Abstract: A sales data processing system includes a first reader that reads a code symbol as a visible image included in image information output by an imaging unit, a second reader that reads a code symbol as an invisible image in the image information, and a third reader that recognizes a service image in the image information. The system includes a registrar that registers information as sales data on a commodity identified by the code symbol read by the first or second reader, and a standby processor that suspends reading by the second reader and waits for recognition of a service image by the third reader in response to a commodity being identified by the code symbol read by the second reader. The system includes a service processor that reflects a service in the sales data registered by the registrar in response to the third reader recognizing the service image.

Abstract: A server device includes communication means, information storage means, and output means. The communication means communicates with an information processing device that includes a display unit for displaying a symbol and a sending unit for sending information relating to the failure of the own device. The information storage means stores the information relating to the failure sent from the information process device. The output means outputs information relating to the failure stored in an access destination specified by the symbol to a user terminal that reads the symbol.