Abstract: According to one embodiment, a free blocks included in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory are classified into a plurality of free block management lists. When a free block is acquired at normal priority, the free block is acquired from the free block management list in which a number of free blocks is larger than a first threshold. When a free block is acquired at high priority, the free block is acquired from the free block management list irrespective of the first threshold.

Abstract: A first log indicating that a system is running is recorded in a second storage unit before a first difference log is recorded in the second storage unit after system startup, and a second log indicating that the system halts is recorded in the second storage unit following the difference log, at the time of normal system halt, and it is judged whether normal system halt has been performed or an incorrect power-off sequence has been performed last time, based on a recorded state of the first and second logs in the second storage unit, at the time of system startup, thereby detecting an incorrect power-off easily and reliably.

Abstract: A fuser roller surface is cleaned immediately before and or after the fusing operation. The separate cleaning sequence assures that the fuser roller surface is substantially free from residual toner that has accumulated from previous fusing operation. A number of image-transfer sheets is counted, and the cleaning sequence is also optionally activated after a number of detected image-transfer sheets has reached a predetermined number.

Abstract: A memory system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a log overflow control unit that, when a third condition in which a second log accumulated in a log storage area exceeds a set value is satisfied, stops a recording operation of the second log in the log storage area by a log recording unit and causes a log recording unit to perform an update operation of a second management table in a master table and a recording operation of a first log in the log storage area, and that, when a first condition is satisfied next time, prohibits a commit operation by a log reflecting unit and causes a snapshot storing unit to perform a snapshot storing operation.

Abstract: A memory system comprising a volatile memory unit, a nonvolatile memory unit, and a controller that performs data transfer between a host system and the nonvolatile memory unit via the volatile memory unit stores management information including a storage position of the data stored in the nonvolatile memory unit during a startup operation into the volatile memory unit, and performs, while updating stored management information, data management in the volatile and nonvolatile memory units based on the stored management information. The nonvolatile memory unit includes a snapshot storing area storing a snapshot which is the management information stored in the volatile memory unit at a certain point, a main log storing area storing a main log which is an update information of the management information stored in the volatile memory unit, and a backup log storing area storing a backup log having contents same as contents of the main log.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device in which a cleaning mechanism for collecting toner left on a heat roller is arranged. When a preselected number of prints are output after the end of a printing job, a cleaning operation for cleaning the heat roller is executed. When a power-supply OFF request arrives while the cleaning operation is under way, a power-supply OFF operation is postponed until the cleaning operation ends.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer includes a B/F separator including a reaction vessel holding unit provided with magnets disposed around a reaction vessel held on the reaction vessel holding unit, a rotating device for rotating the reaction vessel holding unit holding the reaction vessel about an axis of rotation aligned with the center axis of the reaction vessel or an axis of rotation parallel to and separated by a distance from the center axis of the reaction vessel. Both magnetic force and centrifugal force are exerted simultaneously on a specimen contained in a reaction vessel to capture magnetic particles contained in the liquid contained in the reaction vessel at a high capturing efficiency.

Abstract: An analyzer which collects magnetic particles for immunological analysis includes a magnetic separator adapted to efficiently separate within a short time a reaction product formed by bonding substances such as an object to be measured and the magnetic particles, and a nonmagnetic component other than the reaction product, from a liquid mixture in a vessel of the magnetic separator To perform the separation, a magnet complex having multiple magnets and magnetic materials stacked in alternate form so that magnetic pole pieces on opposed sides of each magnet are homopolar, is disposed outside the vessel that holds a liquid in which the magnetic particles are suspended.

Abstract: A fuser roller surface is cleaned immediately before and or after the fusing operation. The separate cleaning sequence assures that the fuser roller surface is substantially free from residual toner that has accumulated from previous fusing operation. A number of image-transfer sheets is counted, and the cleaning sequence is also optionally activated after a number of detected image-transfer sheets has reached a predetermined number.

Abstract: A fuser roller surface is cleaned immediately before and or after the fusing operation. The separate cleaning sequence assures that the fuser roller surface is substantially free from residual toner that has accumulated from previous fusing operation. A number of image-transfer sheets is counted, and the cleaning sequence is also optionally activated after a number of detected image-transfer sheets has reached a predetermined number.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a fixing device in which a cleaning mechanism for collecting toner left on a heat roller is arranged. When a preselected number of prints are output after the end of a printing job, a cleaning operation for cleaning the heat roller is executed. When a power-supply OFF request arrives while the cleaning operation is under way, a power-supply OFF operation is postponed until the cleaning operation ends.

Abstract: When a new process cartridge is detected, that new process cartridge is initialized. A flag that indicates initialization status of the new process cartridge is set and stored. When a new process cartridge is detected, the flag is set to indicate non-initialization, the flag is maintained in that status during the initialization of the new process cartridge is being performed by the initialization unit, and the flag is set to indicate initialization completion when the initialization of the process cartridge is completed normally.

Abstract: When a new process cartridge is detected, that new process cartridge is initialized. A flag that indicates initialization status of the new process cartridge is set and stored. When a new process cartridge is detected, the flag is set to indicate non-initialization, the flag is maintained in that status during the initialization of the new process cartridge is being performed by the initialization unit, and the flag is set to indicate initialization completion when the initialization of the process cartridge is completed normally.

Abstract: A fuser roller surface is cleaned immediately before and or after the fusing operation. The separate cleaning sequence assures that the fuser roller surface is substantially free from residual toner that has accumulated from previous fusing operation. A number of image-transfer sheets is counted, and the cleaning sequence is also optionally activated after a number of detected image-transfer sheets has reached a predetermined number.

Abstract: When a new process cartridge is detected, that new process cartridge is initialized. A flag that indicates initialization status of the new process cartridge is set and stored. When a new process cartridge is detected, the flag is set to indicate non-initialization, the flag is maintained in that status during the initialization of the new process cartridge is being performed by the initialization unit, and the flag is set to indicate initialization completion when the initialization of the process cartridge is completed normally.

Abstract: A diluting solution moving unit moves a diluting solution in forward and reverse directions in a flow path. A probe is connected to the flow path through a T-junction and sucks a sample. A sample syringe is connected to the flow path through a T-junction. A control unit performs controlling so that the diluting solution moving unit is driven to move the diluting solution in the flow path and the sample syringe is driven to make the probe suck the sample into the flow path to thereby dilute the sucked sample with the diluting solution and further driven so that the sample solution diluted with the diluting solution is delivered from the probe into any one of reaction containers. There can be provided a dispensing apparatus in which dilution of the sample is made in a short time and in which the accuracy of the diluting rate is improved.

Abstract: When a new process cartridge is detected, that new process cartridge is initialized. A flag that indicates initialization status of the new process cartridge is set and stored. When a new process cartridge is detected, the flag is set to indicate non-initialization, the flag is maintained in that status during the initialization of the new process cartridge is being performed by the initialization unit, and the flag is set to indicate initialization completion when the initialization of the process cartridge is completed normally.

Abstract: A diluting solution moving unit moves a diluting solution in forward and reverse directions in a flow path. A probe is connected to the flow path through a T-junction and sucks a sample. A sample syringe is connected to the flow path through a T-junction. A control unit performs controlling so that the diluting solution moving unit is driven to move the diluting solution in the flow path and the sample syringe is driven to make the probe suck the sample into the flow path to thereby dilute the sucked sample with the diluting solution and further driven so that the sample solution diluted with the diluting solution is delivered from the probe into any one of reaction containers. There can be provided a dispensing apparatus in which dilution of the sample is made in a short time and in which the accuracy of the diluting rate is improved.