Abstract: A method of controlling a printing system includes displaying, in a mobile terminal, a setting region for inputting a print setting for print data, and a search region for inputting a search condition for image forming apparatus candidates, of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, for executing printing, and searching, in a management system, for one or more image forming apparatuses, out of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, in accordance with the search condition input in the search region of the screen, and displaying display content that associates information of the image forming apparatuses with charge information for when the print data is printed by the image forming apparatuses, respectively, on a screen that includes a selection region by which it is possible to select the printing target, out of the one or more image forming apparatuses found in the searching.

Abstract: A printing system includes an image forming apparatus that accepts a printing instruction from a mobile terminal, sends an inquiry to a server as to whether a printing reservation corresponding to the accepted printing instruction is managed by the server, and transmits connection information to the mobile terminal if the printing reservation is managed by the server. The image forming apparatus obtains printing data corresponding to the printing instruction from the mobile terminal set in the connected state, executes printing processing using the obtained printing data, and sets communication with the mobile terminal to an unconnected state after execution of the printing processing is complete. If the printing reservation corresponding to the accepted printing instruction is not managed by the server, the printing instruction accepted from the mobile terminal is rejected and the connection information is not transmitted to the mobile terminal.

Abstract: In the image forming apparatus, accepting a printing instruction from the mobile terminal, inquiring whether the management server manages a printing reservation corresponding to a printing instruction when the printing instruction is accepted, transmitting connection information to the mobile terminal when the printing reservation corresponding to the printing instruction is managed as a result of an inquiry, setting communication with the mobile terminal as a connected state when a connection request from the mobile terminal using the connection information, obtaining printing data corresponding to the printing instruction from the mobile terminal set in the connected state, and executing printing processing using the printing data. Communication with the mobile terminal is set to an unconnected state after execution of the printing processing is complete.

Abstract: A printing system and a method of controlling a printing system capable of making it easier for service providers that provide print services via a network to spread more easily are provided. Also, a printing system and a method of controlling a printing system by which a service user can use print services easily are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recording system in which an operation performed on the side of a printer unit in order to change over recording density is delayed while a recording operation is in progress. When a recording density changeover command is received during a recording operation, the density changeover is performed after the recording operation ends. A control unit which controls the printer unit is informed of the fact that the measures for changing over the recording density have been completed on the printer unit side.

Abstract: The invention provides an interunit communication system which comprises a main unit and a plurality of subunits and executes a communication between the units by a microcomputer of each unit. The system comprises: power producing means, provided for each subunit, for producing a driving power for the microcomputer of the subunit by a power which is supplied from the main unit through a power line; resetting means, provided for each subunit, for resetting the microcomputer of the subunit in the case where the power supply was restarted after the power supply from the main unit had been shut off; detecting means, provided for the main unit, for detecting a runaway of the microcomputer of the subunit on the basis of a reception state from a signal line for communication; power shut-off means, provided for the main unit, for shutting off the power supply to the subunit when the detecting means detects the runaway of the microcomputer; and power restarting means for restarting the power supply to the subunit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier for carrying an electrostatic image, a developer unit having a plurality of developers each for developing the electrostatic image on the image carrier, a drive circuit for driving the developer unit to stop a selected developer at a predetermined position facing the image carrier, a detection circuit for detecting the stop position of the developer, and an adjustment circuit for adjusting drive control of the developer unit by the drive circuit in accordance with a detection output from the detection circuit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a movable image bearing member; an image forming device for forming an image on the image bearing member; a transfer device for transferring an image from the image bearing member onto a recording material at a transfer position; a detector for detecting a recording material conveying passage from a recording material feeding station to the image transfer position; and a controller responsive to the detector to form blanks at a leading and trailing edges of the recording material by controlling image forming operation of the image forming device.

Abstract: A temperature control device for controlling a surface temperature of a member to be heated at a predetermined temperature includes a detector for detecting the surface temperature, and a control unit for controlling current supply for a heating source for heating the member to be heated so that a result of detection by the detector is maintained at a predetermined value. The control unit controls a time of current supply for the heating source during a constant temperature control according to data relating to peak temperatures of the surface temperature during the constant temperature control.

Abstract: A heater activating apparatus includes a power source, a heater heated to which is applied to voltage from the power source, and a current regulating element. The voltage from the power source is applied to the heater through the current regulating element when the heater is initially to energized, and thereafter, the voltage is applied to the heater without passing through the current regulating element.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device for forming an image on a recording material, the image forming device including an image bearing member, a movable charging member for charging the image bearing member and a power source for supplying electric power to the charging member; a constant current controller for supplying the charging member with a predetermined constant level of electric current; and a second controller for controlling an image forming condition by the image forming device on the basis of plural voltage provided at different points of time during a constant current control operation with the same constant current level by the constant current controller.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus for positioning a reciprocally movable member, such as a guide member for a sheet of recording paper, between a reference position and a predetermined position. The apparatus includes a detector for detecting that the movable member is in the proximity of the reference position, and a counter for counting the amount by which the movable member is shifted while the detector is detecting that the movable member is in the proximity of the reference position. A controller stores the value counted by the counter, and controls drive of the movable member when the movable member is being returned to the reference position based on the count in the counter and the stored count value. A second counter may be provided to count the amount by which the movable member is shifted from the reference position to the predetermined position.

Abstract: A light quantity control device suitable for use in a laser beam printer includes a beam generator, a monitor for monitoring the quantity of light of a beam generated by the beam generator, and a controller. The controller controls the light quantity of the beam generated by the beam generator in response to the output of the monitor. The controller includes a digital value output circuit and a light quantity control circuit. The digital value output circuit outputs a digital value representing the quantity of light of the beam, and the light quantity control circuit controls the quantity of light in response to the digital value. The digital value output circuit varies the timing of output of the digital value in accordance with the output of the monitor.

Abstract: A driver for a light emitting device comprises first and second switching means associated with the light emitting device and application means for applying voltages to the first and second switching means to perform the switching operation in accordance with an input signal. The application means applies voltages of essentially same level to the first and second switching means.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a convey path comprising lateral movement apparatus for controlling a widthwise position of a sheet member to be conveyed, wherein the lateral movement apparatus is curved in a convey direction.