Abstract: A plurality of registration data includes control parameter data related to control of an image forming apparatus capable of executing a printing process. A processor, according to input designation information, selects target registration data from the plurality of registration data. Moreover, the processor derives estimated performance according to derivation rules. Furthermore, the processor outputs information about the estimated performance. The estimated performance is performance related to the printing process in a case where it is presumed that the printing process is executed according target parameters. The target parameters are the control parameters of the target registration data.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes, among a plurality of branch conveyance passages, ones with different conveyance distances for a recording medium. Based on the timing of the sensing of the recording medium by a recording medium sensor, a controller controls a switching portion to make it switch the destination of the conveyance of the recording medium to one of the branch conveyance passages.

Abstract: A plurality of registration data includes control parameter data related to control of an image forming apparatus capable of executing a printing process. A processor, according to input designation information, selects target registration data from the plurality of registration data. Moreover, the processor derives estimated performance according to derivation rules. Furthermore, the processor outputs information about the estimated performance. The estimated performance is performance related to the printing process in a case where it is presumed that the printing process is executed according target parameters. The target parameters are the control parameters of the target registration data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes first and second light emitting units, a light receiving unit for receiving light of the first light emitting unit when it is reflected, and receiving light of the second light emitting unit when it is not reflected, to output a signal of a predetermined level, and a control unit for starting light emission of the first light emitting unit before a front end of a paper sheet reaches an area, stopping light emission of the first light emitting unit while starting light emission of the second light emitting unit before a rear end of the paper sheet passes the area, and detecting a length of the paper sheet based on time after the output signal becomes a predetermined level during light emission of the first light emitting unit until the output signal becomes the predetermined level during light emission of the second light emitting unit.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes, among a plurality of branch conveyance passages, ones with different conveyance distances for a recording medium. Based on the timing of the sensing of the recording medium by a recording medium sensor, a controller controls a switching portion to make it switch the destination of the conveyance of the recording medium to one of the branch conveyance passages.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes first and second light emitting units, a light receiving unit for receiving light of the first light emitting unit when it is reflected, and receiving light of the second light emitting unit when it is not reflected, to output a signal of a predetermined level, and a control unit for starting light emission of the first light emitting unit before a front end of a paper sheet reaches an area, stopping light emission of the first light emitting unit while starting light emission of the second light emitting unit before a rear end of the paper sheet passes the area, and detecting a length of the paper sheet based on time after the output signal becomes a predetermined level during light emission of the first light emitting unit until the output signal becomes the predetermined level during light emission of the second light emitting unit.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a line head, a purging mechanism, a wiper blade, a blade moving mechanism, a waste liquid passage forming portion, and a maintenance control portion. The maintenance control portion performs a first maintenance process of allowing a cleaning liquid ejection nozzle to eject cleaning liquid without allowing ink ejection nozzles to eject ink, and then allowing the wiper blade to move from a first end edge to a second end edge on a liquid ejection surface, and a second maintenance process of allowing the ink ejection nozzles to eject ink while allowing the cleaning liquid ejection nozzle to eject the cleaning liquid, and then allowing the wiper blade to move from the first end edge to the second end edge on the liquid ejection surface, after the first maintenance process.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a line head, a purging mechanism, a wiper blade, a blade moving mechanism, a waste liquid passage forming portion, and a maintenance control portion. The maintenance control portion performs a first maintenance process of allowing a cleaning liquid ejection nozzle to eject cleaning liquid without allowing ink ejection nozzles to eject ink, and then allowing the wiper blade to move from a first end edge to a second end edge on a liquid ejection surface, and a second maintenance process of allowing the ink ejection nozzles to eject ink while allowing the cleaning liquid ejection nozzle to eject the cleaning liquid, and then allowing the wiper blade to move from the first end edge to the second end edge on the liquid ejection surface, after the first maintenance process.

Abstract: A control section of an inkjet recording apparatus forms a test chart between both ends of a recording medium in a recording-medium width direction by drawing a plurality of line sets, in each of which there are arranged a predetermined number of lines each extending in a recording-medium conveyance direction and each drawn with ink ejected from a single one of the plurality of ink ejection nozzles, by sequentially shifting the plurality of line sets by one line in the recording-medium width direction, each time the recording medium proceeds a predetermined distance in the recording-medium conveyance direction. Further, the control section detects, by using the detection section, presence/absence of ink on each of the plurality of lines drawn in the test chart, and determines presence/absence of a defective pixel, and a position of the defective pixel.

Abstract: In an inkjet recording apparatus, a control section forms a test chart in which a plurality of lines, each extending along the recording-medium width direction, are drawn arranged along the recording-medium conveyance direction by making the ink ejection nozzles eject ink, while gradually changing either ink ejection timing with respect to each of the ink ejection nozzles or a recording-medium conveyance speed. Furthermore, the control section checks for, and corrects, pixel deviation in the recording-medium conveyance direction based on the test chart.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a conveyance section, a conveyance belt, a recording section, a suction fan, a current detection section, a recording-medium detection section, and a control section. After passage of a predetermined time since detection of presence of a recording medium performed by the recording-medium detection section, the control section makes a judgment on whether a drive current applied to the suction fan detected by the current detection section exceeds a first threshold value determined in advance, and in a case where the drive current applied to the suction fan does not exceed the first threshold value, the control section prohibits the recording section from ejecting ink.

Abstract: A fixing tool includes a pair of arms, a holding portion, and a claw portion. The arms are capable of being inserted into and pulled out from through holes formed respectively in a sheet support plate, which supports a sheet stored in a sheet feeder of an image forming apparatus such that the sheet can be lifted and lowered, and in a bottom portion of the sheet feeder. The holding portion is provided so as to project from a predetermined position on each of the arms and capable of holding the sheet support plate and the bottom portion. The claw portion is provided so as to project inward from a distal end of each of the arms and capable of being inserted between an integrated circuit mounted in the image forming apparatus and a mounting target portion which the integrated circuit is mountable to and detachable from.

Abstract: A control section of an inkjet recording apparatus forms a test chart between both ends of a recording medium in a recording-medium width direction by drawing a plurality of line sets, in each of which there are arranged a predetermined number of lines each extending in a recording-medium conveyance direction and each drawn with ink ejected from a single one of the plurality of ink ejection nozzles, by sequentially shifting the plurality of line sets by one line in the recording-medium width direction, each time the recording medium proceeds a predetermined distance in the recording-medium conveyance direction. Further, the control section detects, by using the detection section, presence/absence of ink on each of the plurality of lines drawn in the test chart, and determines presence/absence of a defective pixel, and a position of the defective pixel.

Abstract: In an inkjet recording apparatus, a control section forms a test chart in which a plurality of lines, each extending along the recording-medium width direction, are drawn arranged along the recording-medium conveyance direction by making the ink ejection nozzles eject ink, while gradually changing either ink ejection timing with respect to each of the ink ejection nozzles or a recording-medium conveyance speed. Furthermore, the control section checks for, and corrects, pixel deviation in the recording-medium conveyance direction based on the test chart.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a conveyance section, a conveyance belt, a recording section, a suction fan, a current detection section, a recording-medium detection section, and a control section. After passage of a predetermined time since detection of presence of a recording medium performed by the recording-medium detection section, the control section makes a judgment on whether a drive current applied to the suction fan detected by the current detection section exceeds a first threshold value determined in advance, and in a case where the drive current applied to the suction fan does not exceed the first threshold value, the control section prohibits the recording section from ejecting ink.

Abstract: A first class image forming apparatuses includes a specific sensor that measures a specific device status, and automatically edits setting data on the basis of a measurement value of the specific sensor. A second class image forming apparatuses does not include such a specific sensor. In a management server, a machine group managing unit sets a machine group that includes (a) at least one first class image forming apparatus and (b) at least one second class image forming apparatus, a sensor value collecting unit collects a measurement value of the specific sensor from the first class image forming apparatus that belongs to the machine group, and a setting data applying unit generates setting data for the second class image forming apparatus that belongs to the machine group on the basis of the collected measurement value, and applies the generated setting data to the second class image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a motor, a cleaning portion, a measurement processing portion, and a cleaning control portion. The image carrier is configured to carry an electrostatic latent image. The motor is configured to rotate the image carrier. The cleaning portion is configured to clean the image carrier. The measurement processing portion is configured to measure a transition time that is a time required for the motor to transition from a stationary state to a driving state in which the motor rotates at a predetermined speed. The cleaning control portion is configured to control a cleaning time of the cleaning portion or whether or not to cause the cleaning portion to clean the image carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container, a development device, a developer replenishment device and a control part. The control part obtains a replenishment amount (X) of the developer replenished by the developer replenishment device from a last-time replenishment until a this-time replenishment and a predicted consumption (Y) of the developer, calculated based on the image data output from the last-time replenishment until the this-time replenishment, and informs abnormality when an absolute value of a difference of the replenishment amount (X) and the predicted consumption (Y) is larger than a threshold value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container, a development device, a developer replenishment device and a control part. The control part obtains a replenishment amount (X) of the developer replenished by the developer replenishment device from a last-time replenishment until a this-time replenishment and a predicted consumption (Y) of the developer, calculated based on the image data output from the last-time replenishment until the this-time replenishment, and informs abnormality when an absolute value of a difference of the replenishment amount (X) and the predicted consumption (Y) is larger than a threshold value.

Abstract: A fixing tool includes a pair of arms, a holding portion, and a claw portion. The arms are capable of being inserted into and pulled out from through holes formed respectively in a sheet support plate, which supports a sheet stored in a sheet feeder of an image forming apparatus such that the sheet can be lifted and lowered, and in a bottom portion of the sheet feeder. The holding portion is provided so as to project from a predetermined position on each of the arms and capable of holding the sheet support plate and the bottom portion. The claw portion is provided so as to project inward from a distal end of each of the arms and capable of being inserted between an integrated circuit mounted in the image forming apparatus and a mounting target portion which the integrated circuit is mountable to and detachable from.