Abstract: A connection checking system of the present invention is arranged so as to apply a power supply voltage which is dropped by the resistance to a terminal when the control substrate and the unit are connected. Then, the control section determines that the unit is connected to the control substrate when the dropped voltage is applied to the terminal. On the other hand, when a dropped voltage is not applied to the terminal, the control section determines that the unit is not connected to the control substrate. The connection checking system of the present invention can be realized by using a conventional power supply cable, a signal cable and a terminal, and thus the connection checking system of the present invention can be manufactured at low costs.

Abstract: To provide an operation panel apparatus which can be used without exchanging the whole operation panel, even when input of a part of an input apparatus cannot be performed. In a test mode, a plurality of fixed keys 7 are in sequence checked on whether or not the input of the plurality of fixed keys 7 can be performed. A detecting portion 18 judges the fixed key as an input-enabled fixed key 7a by detecting that the input from the fixed key 7 is sensed, and judges the fixed key as an input-disabled fixed key 7b by detecting that the input from the fixed key 7 is not sensed. When the input-disabled fixed key 7b exists, a substitute control portion 19 displays a touch key 5a substituting for the function of the input-disabled fixed key 7b in a display screen.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a plurality of image data acquisition units for respectively acquiring one or more page(s) of image data; a color or monochrome determining unit for determining whether each of the acquired pages is in color or in monochrome; an image forming unit for performing image formation of each page switchably using a monochrome-only image forming function for a monochrome page or a color and monochrome image forming function for a color page and a monochrome page; an image data switching unit for sequentially selecting and arranging the acquired pages of image data one by one so that the image formation of each page is performed in the order of selection; a function selecting unit for selecting either one of the monochrome-only and color and monochrome image forming functions for each of the arranged pages on the basis of the determination result made by the color or monochrome determining unit; and a control unit for controlling the image forming unit so that image formation of

Abstract: A connection checking system of the present invention is arranged so as to apply a power supply voltage which is dropped by the resistance to a terminal when the control substrate and the unit are connected. Then, the control section determines that the unit is connected to the control substrate when the dropped voltage is applied to the terminal. On the other hand, when a dropped voltage is not applied to the terminal, the control section determines that the unit is not connected to the control substrate. The connection checking system of the present invention can be realized by using a conventional power supply cable, a signal cable and a terminal, and thus the connection checking system of the present invention can be manufactured at low costs.

Abstract: An engine controller controls a plurality of devices in an image forming engine. The engine controller includes a communication interface to perform data communication with the main body controller, and a storage section for storing information. The storage section stores a character string-bit order lookup table, in which the order of arranged data for part of or all of a plurality of bit information items regarding a plurality of devices is associated with a plurality of character strings identifying the bit information items. A character string obtaining section sends out data with the character strings arranged in accordance with the arranged order, via a communication interface to the main body controller.

Abstract: A handwriting input device, despite having a simple structure, achieves correct acquisition of handwritten information. This input device has a pen stem housed inside a pen body formed in the shape of a pen, with the tip of the pen stem left sticking out of an opening formed at one end. This input device further has a pen stem holder having a hemispherical projection formed in its middle portion, an omnidirectional pressure sensor having an actuator and an operation shaft formed integrally, a data processor for processing electric signals outputted from the sensor, and a connector for connecting the tail-end cap portion of the pen stem holder to the operation shaft of the sensor. Thus, this input device detects the force applied to the tip of the pen stem by sensing pressure; in addition, it also detects the up/down movement of the pen stem by sensing pressure.