Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a failure prediction unit, an image identification unit, a simulated-image generating unit, and an output unit. The failure prediction unit prepares an index value indicating a condition of the image forming apparatus based on multidimensional signal, obtained by monitoring the image forming apparatus, and compares the index value with a first threshold value to predict a failure mode of the image forming apparatus. The image identification unit identifies types of abnormal images based on the failure mode predicted by the failure prediction unit. An identified abnormal image is predicted to be appear a given time later. The simulated-image generating unit generates a simulated image of the identified abnormal image. The output unit outputs the identified abnormal image as the simulated image.

Abstract: A surface-condition-information obtaining unit obtains information on a surface condition of a rewritable display medium on which information is reversely displayed visually. A write-laser output unit outputs a write laser to irradiate the rewritable display medium with the write laser, to perform a drawing on the rewritable display medium. A control unit performs a write process for displaying an image on the rewritable display medium by adjusting a laser output condition based on the information obtained by the surface-condition-information obtaining unit and controlling the write-laser output unit based on an adjustment of the laser output condition.

Abstract: A surface-condition-information obtaining unit obtains information on a surface condition of a rewritable display medium on which information is reversely displayed visually. A write-laser output unit outputs a write laser to irradiate the rewritable display medium with the write laser, to perform a drawing on the rewritable display medium. A control unit performs a write process for displaying an image on the rewritable display medium by adjusting a laser output condition based on the information obtained by the surface-condition-information obtaining unit and controlling the write-laser output unit based on an adjustment of the laser output condition.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a failure prediction unit, an image identification unit, a simulated-image generating unit, and an output unit. The failure prediction unit prepares an index value indicating a condition of the image forming apparatus based on multidimensional signal, obtained by monitoring the image forming apparatus, and compares the index value with a first threshold value to predict a failure mode of the image forming apparatus. The image identification unit identifies types of abnormal images based on the failure mode predicted by the failure prediction unit. An identified abnormal image is predicted to be appear a given time later. The simulated-image generating unit generates a simulated image of the identified abnormal image. The output unit outputs the identified abnormal image as the simulated image.

Abstract: In a transaction support method and a transaction support apparatus for simply executing inquiries for a plurality of raw materials used to produce a finished product therefrom, when a predetermined finished product composed of a plurality of raw materials is designated by a client of a buyer, a finished product designating unit receives the designated finished product. A raw material referring unit obtains information as to raw materials constituting the designated finished product. A raw material classifying unit classifies the raw materials to respective sellers concerned. An inquiry unit makes inquiries to clients of buyers concerned based on a result of the classification executed by the raw material classifying unit. An auction unit determines conditions through an auction when a plurality of sellers are available for the same raw material.