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.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, the controller of a commodity pickup apparatus obtains information related to a commodity to be picked up and the number of pieces thereof. Further, the controller detects a fact that a commodity picked up is put in the accommodation portion and commodity information of the commodity put in the accommodation portion, on the basis of an image obtained by imaging the accommodation portion. The display device of the commodity pickup apparatus identifies the commodity to be picked up as a commodity picked up, a commodity to be picked up next, or a commodity not yet picked up and displays the commodity.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a sheet tray on which one or more sheets are placed, a pickup roller by which a sheet is picked up from the sheet tray, and an elevating mechanism. The elevating mechanism includes a shaft rotated by a motor, and a cam attached to the shaft and rotated together with the shaft to raise and lower the sheet tray with respect to the pickup roller. The sheet conveying device further includes a load applying mechanism contacting the shaft to apply a load thereto.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in an embodiment includes an image carrying body, a transfer body, a first mechanism, a sensor, and a second mechanism. The image carrying body carries an image of a developer. The image of the developer is transferred onto the transfer body from the image carrying body. The first mechanism separates the transfer body from the image carrying body. The sensor detects a state of the surface of the transfer body. The second mechanism separates the sensor from the transfer body in association with the first mechanism.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a communication interface configured to communicate with a plurality of communication devices on a network, a memory that stores setting data in which a plurality of different types of communication conditions are associated with each other, a display, and a processor configured to search the network for connectable communication devices, control the display to display a first screen indicating one or more of the communication devices that satisfy the communication conditions, and upon selection of a communication device through the first screen, determine the selected communication device as a communication target of the communication apparatus.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a temperature control device includes a temperature estimation unit and a frequency generation unit. The temperature estimation unit is configured to estimate a temperature of an object being heated by an induction heating coil, the temperature being estimated based on a frequency of a drive signal supplied to an inverter connected to the induction heating coil. The frequency generation unit is configured to set the frequency of the drive signal based on the temperature estimated by the temperature estimation unit, a detected temperature of the object from a temperature sensor, and a target temperature for the object.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a sheet conveying device detects double feeding of sheets by an ultrasonic wave oscillator and an ultrasonic waves receiver provided across a conveying path of the sheets. The sheet conveying device calibrates a threshold voltage on the basis of an offset voltage of an amplifier circuit when the receiver has not received ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: A system and method for addressing distracting ambient noise during online collaborative meetings monitors when an online meeting is entered by a user at their computer. Smart devices are automatically powered down, paused or otherwise controlled during the online meeting. Devices are returned to their former state once the user leaves the meeting.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a wireless tag reading apparatus includes a first communication interface configured to communicate with a first external device, a second communication interface configured to communicate with a second external device, an antenna configured to emit a radio wave to read a wireless tag, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify either (a) the first communication interface as being in communication with the first external device or (b) the second communication interface as being in communication with the second external device. The controller is configured to change a power level of the radio wave emitted by the antenna based on which of the first communication interface or the second communication interface is identified. The controller is configured to read the wireless tag by controlling the antenna to emit the radio wave with the changed power level.

Abstract: A hold down finger for a finisher process tray contacts the top sheet of paper on a paper tray to prevent subsequently printed pages from disturbing pages disposed on the paper tray. The hold down finger includes gears that move a portion of the hold down finger that contacts the top sheet of paper from a retracted position to a forward hold down position along a substantially elliptical path. After each sheet is printed and placed on top of other pages in the paper tray, the paper tray lowers and the hold down finger continues along the substantially elliptical path back to the retracted position. A rack gear associated with the paper tray engages a cylindrical gear of the hold down finger to return the hold down finger to the retracted position if the paper tray is forced upwards while the hold down finger is in the forward position.

Abstract: A printing device for printing on a label sheet includes a first print head to perform printing on a first side of a label sheet being conveyed along a conveyance path. The label sheet is interposed between the first print head and a first roller. A second print head is upstream of the first print head and performs printing on a second side of the label sheet. A second roller is adjacent the second print head across the conveyance path. A cutter is downstream of the first print head to cut off a first portion of the label sheet. A processor is configured to cause the label sheet to be conveyed in a second direction after the first portion is cut off from the sheet so that the cut end of the sheet reaches the first print head.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second chips in a package. A first pad is on the first chip and electrically connected to a node between a power supply pad and a ground pad on the first chip. Second and third pads are on the second chip. An internal wiring connects the first pad to the second pad within the package. A power circuit on the semiconductor chip configured to supply a current to the second pad. A switch is on the second chip between the second pad and the power supply circuit to connect or disconnect the second pad from the power circuit. A control circuit is on the second chip and configured to output a first signal for the switch in response to a test signal supplied to the third pad and a second signal to the power circuit to cause the power circuit to output current.

Abstract: An article management apparatus includes a processor configured to repeatedly acquire, at a predetermined interval, identification information from a radio tag attached to an article. The identification information is capable of identifying the article. The processor is also configured to track an elapsed reading time during which the identification information is repeatedly acquired. The processor is also configured to manage the elapsed reading time in association with the identification information.

Abstract: A merchandise sales processing system includes one or more processors configured to receive indications to register items of merchandise for purchase, generate a registration list in which the items of merchandise are set as merchandise to be purchased, settle prices relating to the merchandise to be purchased that are included in the registration list in response to receiving a settlement request, and set a respective item of merchandise as a reserved merchandise in response to the respective item of merchandise being out of stock.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveyor configured to convey a sheet along a conveyance path, a communication interface, and a controller. The wireless tag communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless tag of the sheet. The controller is configured to read, by the communication interface, first data from the wireless tag of the sheet on the conveyance path. The controller is configured to compare the first data with second data.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a storage unit and a control unit. The storage unit stores user information according to a specific device connected to an external network in advance. The control unit receives an execution instruction as an execution instruction of a job by a user indicated by the user information according to the specific device, if the execution instruction of the job is received from the specific device via the external network, and executes the job according to the execution instruction.

Abstract: Provided are an image forming apparatus and a wireless tag communication apparatus capable of wirelessly communicating with an external wireless tag. According to a first aspect of an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a conveyance path, an antenna, and a shielding member. On the conveyance path, a sheet is conveyed. The antenna can wirelessly communicate with a first wireless tag of the sheet on the conveyance path. The shielding member shields, at a shielding position, wireless communication between the antenna and a second wireless tag located on a side opposite to the conveyance path with the antenna interposed therebetween. The shielding member moves from the shielding position to an open position to enable wireless communication between the antenna and the second wireless tag.