Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a photosensitive sensor, a cover, and a moving mechanism. The photosensitive sensor includes a first lens and a second lens which focus on a photosensitive element. The cover includes a first slit arranged on an optical axis of the first lens and a second slit arranged on an optical axis of the second lens. The moving mechanism is configured to move the photosensitive sensor and the cover relative to each other so that the second slit is arranged on the optical axis of the first lens.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a photosensitive sensor, a cover, and a moving mechanism. The photosensitive sensor includes a first lens and a second lens which focus on a photosensitive element. The cover includes a first slit arranged on an optical axis of the first lens and a second slit arranged on an optical axis of the second lens. The moving mechanism is configured to move the photosensitive sensor and the cover relative to each other so that the second slit is arranged on the optical axis of the first lens.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a photosensitive sensor, a cover, and a moving mechanism. The photosensitive sensor includes a first lens and a second lens which focus on a photosensitive element. The cover includes a first slit arranged on an optical axis of the first lens and a second slit arranged on an optical axis of the second lens. The moving mechanism is configured to move the photosensitive sensor and the cover relative to each other so that the second slit is arranged on the optical axis of the first lens.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a tray on which a sheet is to be placed and including a plurality of first electrodes arranged along a first direction, a sheet guide including a conductor and movable along the first direction to different positions relative to the first electrodes, a detection circuit electrically connected to each of the first electrodes and configured to detect an amount of electric charge in each of the first electrodes, a printer configured to form an image on the sheet supplied from the tray, and a processor configured to determine a size of the sheet placed on the tray based on amounts of electric charge detected by the detection circuit, and control the printer to form an image on the sheet using the determined size.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a scanner, a sensor, and a controller. The sensor is configured to detect an original at a predetermined position. The controller is configured to determine whether or not an immediate execution mode in which no user operation is needed to cause the scanner to start scanning is set, and in case the immediate execution mode is determined to be set, determine whether or not a scan start condition is satisfied. The scan start condition includes the sensor detecting the original at the predetermined position. The controller is configured to control the scanner to start scanning, upon a standby time of a predetermined amount being passed since the scan start condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a photosensitive sensor, a cover, and a moving mechanism. The photosensitive sensor includes a first lens and a second lens which focus on a photosensitive element. The cover includes a first slit arranged on an optical axis of the first lens and a second slit arranged on an optical axis of the second lens. The moving mechanism is configured to move the photosensitive sensor and the cover relative to each other so that the second slit is arranged on the optical axis of the first lens.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a scanner, a sensor, and a controller. The sensor is configured to detect an original at a predetermined position. The controller is configured to determine whether or not an immediate execution mode in which no user operation is needed to cause the scanner to start scanning is set, and in case the immediate execution mode is determined to be set, determine whether or not a scan start condition is satisfied. The scan start condition includes the sensor detecting the original at the predetermined position. The controller is configured to control the scanner to start scanning, upon a standby time of a predetermined amount being passed since the scan start condition is satisfied.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a scanner, a sensor, and a controller. The sensor is configured to detect an original at a predetermined position. The controller is configured to determine whether or not an immediate execution mode in which no user operation is needed to cause the scanner to start scanning is set, and in case the immediate execution mode is determined to be set, determine whether or not a scan start condition is satisfied. The scan start condition includes the sensor detecting the original at the predetermined position. The controller is configured to control the scanner to start scanning, upon a standby time of a predetermined amount being passed since the scan start condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an image forming apparatus including: an image carrier; a latent image forming unit; a developing unit; a fixing unit; a toner cartridge; a battery in the toner cartridge; a temperature sensor in the toner cartridge driven by the battery; a first controller which causes the temperature sensor to measure an ambient temperature periodically in the toner cartridge and be supplied with power from the battery; a recording medium which is provided in the toner cartridge and records a result of measurement by the temperature sensor in timing controlled by the first controller; and a second controller which reads out information recorded in the recording medium, and changes an operating condition of the latent image forming unit, the developing unit and the fixing unit according to a state of preservation of the supply of toner, based on the information.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an image forming apparatus including: an image carrier; a latent image forming unit; a developing unit; a fixing unit; a toner cartridge; a battery in the toner cartridge; a temperature sensor in the toner cartridge driven by the battery; a first controller which causes the temperature sensor to measure an ambient temperature periodically in the toner cartridge and be supplied with power from the battery; a recording medium which is provided in the toner cartridge and records a result of measurement by the temperature sensor in timing controlled by the first controller; and a second controller which reads out information recorded in the recording medium, and changes an operating condition of the latent image forming unit, the developing unit and the fixing unit according to a state of preservation of the supply of toner, based on the information.

Abstract: In a maintenance system according to the invention, in the management terminal, an input receiving unit receives an input of management information related to a condition of the managed machine, a second transmitting unit transmits the management information related to the condition of the managed machine to the server, in the server, a receiving unit receives the information related to the result of self-diagnosis transmitted and the management information transmitted, a memory unit stores the information related to the result of self-diagnosis and the management information on a database, a control unit analyzes a trouble-coping history of the managed machine which has a same type, and controls so as to output a analysis result of the trouble-coping history to one of the managed machine and the management terminal. With the maintenance system according to the invention, accurate maintenance information can be obtained.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus of the invention, a punching unit bores a first hole and a second hole, which are parted from each other by a predetermined distance, in a sheet conveyed from a main body having an image forming unit which forms an image on the sheet; a wire guide feeding/rewinding unit inserts a hollow wire guide into the first hole and the second hole punched in the sheet; a wire feeding unit inserts a wire into the wire guide which is inserted into the first hole and the second hole; a wire holding unit holds the wire inserted into the wire guide; a wire cutting unit cuts the wire; and a wire bending unit bends the wire. Therefore, it is possible to preferably bind a sheet bundle regardless of the thickness of the sheet bundle or the number of sheets in the sheet bundle.

Abstract: A toner cartridge is attachable/detachable to/from a main body of an image forming apparatus. A code pattern is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the toner container and can be read by a photosensor or a mechanical switch. The code pattern includes a first pattern string which is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner container along an insertion direction and in which a first and a second patterns respectively indicating different binary levels are alternately arranged at a specified period, and a second pattern string which is provided to be shifted from the first pattern string in the insertion direction by almost a half period and in which the plural first patterns and the plural second patterns are combined and are arranged.

Abstract: In a maintenance system according to the invention, in the management terminal, an input receiving unit receives an input of management information related to a condition of the managed machine, a second transmitting unit transmits the management information related to the condition of the managed machine to the server, in the server, a receiving unit receives the information related to the result of self-diagnosis transmitted and the management information transmitted, a memory unit stores the information related to the result of self-diagnosis and the management information on a database, a control unit analyzes a trouble-coping history of the managed machine which has a same type, and controls so as to output a analysis result of the trouble-coping history to one of the managed machine and the management terminal. With the maintenance system according to the invention, accurate maintenance information can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toner cartridge attachable/detachable to/from a main body of an image forming apparatus, which includes a toner container that is inserted in a housing unit of the image forming apparatus and can be mounted, and a code pattern that is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the toner container and can be read by a photosensor or a mechanical switch. The code pattern includes a first pattern string which is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner container along an insertion direction and in which a first and a second patterns respectively indicating different binary levels are alternately arranged at a specified period, and a second pattern string which is provided to be shifted from the first pattern string in the insertion direction by almost a half period and in which the plural first patterns and the plural second patterns are combined and are arranged. Besides, the invention relates to an image forming apparatus using the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A printing device is capable of externally detecting: (a) a toner concentration in a developing unit; and (b) a reduction in the usable amount of toner. This eliminates the conventional need of disposing the toner concentration sensor in a narrow developing unit or the need of disposing the toner remaining amount detection sensor in the toner supply unit. Further, it is possible to detect reduction in the amount of toner every time the toner in the developing unit is out, thereby detecting reduction in the usable amount of toner stepwise and issuing an adequate warning whose level is changed depending on the detection result. Thus, the printing device meets the need for miniaturization and is capable of favorably performing printing operation and maintenance work.

Abstract: There is provided a printing device capable of detecting a toner concentration in the developing unit from outside, and according to the detection result, capable of detecting reduction in the usable amount of toner stepwise and issuing an warning. In a printing device 100 of the present invention, the print controller 70 can detect a toner concentration in the developing unit 20 through the toner concentration sensor 30 provided at the outside of the developing unit 20 and can determine whether the toner in the developing unit 20 is out or not using the detection result. This eliminates the conventional need of disposing the toner concentration sensor in a narrow developing unit or the need of disposing the toner remaining amount detection sensor in the toner supply unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has an operation section for performing a predetermined display and a predetermined input. The image processing apparatus includes a first display device provided in the operation section and including a plurality of display sections to which a plurality of functions for performing image processing are respectively allocated, a second display device provided in the operation section and configured to display different indications with respect to a plurality of setting items set for each of the plurality of functions, a key which selects the functions, a key which selects the setting items, and a print section, in which indications of the functions respectively allocated to the display sections, indications of setting items that can be set by the functions and different indications for the respective setting items are printed near the plurality of display sections of the first display device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has an operation section for performing a predetermined display and a predetermined input. The image processing apparatus includes a first display device provided in the operation section and including a plurality of display sections to which a plurality of functions for performing image processing are respectively allocated, a second display device provided in the operation section and configured to display different indications with respect to a plurality of setting items set for each of the plurality of functions, a key which selects the functions, a key which selects the setting items, and a print section, in which indications of the functions respectively allocated to the display sections, indications of setting items that can be set by the functions and different indications for the respective setting items are printed near the plurality of display sections of the first display device.