Abstract: An image forming apparatus starts a separation operation of separating at least one of a plurality of image bearing members and an intermediate transfer member from each other at a first speed, and when the at least one of a plurality of image bearing members and the intermediate transfer member are not separated from each other within a predetermined period of time from the start of the separation operation, the image forming apparatus performs the separation operation at a second speed lower than the first speed. With such a configuration, even when a sudden load to the separation motor occurs, a load increases due to aging degradation, etc., the occurrence of a separation operation failure of the intermediate transfer belt may be reduced to increase the service life of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: When a memory card is placed in a printer, a service layer requests a file list manager to create an image information list. When the memory card is removed, the service layer requests the file list manager to discard the image information list. When image data is written onto the memory card by a host computer PC or a scanner function of the printer, when a print command is issued, the service layer requests the file list manager to update the list. When the image data is changed by the scanner, the list is updated; when the image data is changed by the host computer PC, the list is maintained.

Abstract: A sheet detecting apparatus provided with a light emitter and a light receiver for receiving light emitted from the light emitter through a sheet conveying path, wherein the light receiver detects any change in a quantity of light from the light emitter caused by a sheet passing on the conveying path intercepting the light emitted from the light emitter, to thereby detect the presence or absence of the sheet is provided with a V/I converting circuit for driving the light emitter, a comparing circuit for effecting negative feedback on the V/I converting circuit by an output signal, and changing the quantity of light of the light emitter, and a limiter circuit for applying a limitation to the negative feedback effected on the V/I converting circuit by the comparing circuit.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus equipped with an illuminating device having little tint variation. A lamp unit illuminates an original with light, and includes a plurality of white LEDs, and a plurality of auxiliary LEDs that emit lights of different colors and arranged in a manner associated with the white LEDs. A CPU causes auxiliary LEDs to be lighted, so as to correct a color of light emitted from each of the white LEDs. An image reading unit reads the original illuminated by the lamp as an image.

Abstract: A communication system that can quickly perform the processing of the data re-transmission when error occurs in the data. The communication system includes an automatic original feeder and an image reader that transmit and receive data simultaneously. A CPU provided in the automatic original feeder determines error of reception data. The CPU adds the result of the determination to transmission data being transmitted to the image reader. One of the automatic original feeder and the image reader acts as a slave, and the other acts as a master.

Abstract: There is provided an original conveying apparatus for conveying an original to an image reading section of an image forming apparatus, which is capable of preventing the number of times of writing to a nonvolatile storage medium that stores a correction value for the light emission amount of an optical sensor from exceeding a limited number of times even when adjustment of the light emission amount of the optical sensor is carried out frequently, reducing as far as possible the number of times of writing data to the storage medium that can store such data a limited number of times, thereby eliminating the occurrence of inconvenient situations such as it being impossible to maintain proper output processing, and lengthening the lifetime of the storage medium.

Abstract: When a memory card is placed in a printer, a service layer requests a file list manager to create an image information list. When the memory card is removed, the service layer requests the file list manager to discard the image information list. When image data is written onto the memory card by a host computer PC or a scanner function of the printer, when a print command is issued, the service layer requests the file list manager to update the list. When the image data is changed by the scanner, the list is updated; when the image data is changed by the host computer PC, the list is maintained.

Abstract: A sheet detecting apparatus provided with a light emitter and a light receiver for receiving light emitted from the light emitter through a sheet conveying path, wherein the light receiver detects any change in a quantity of light from the light emitter caused by a sheet passing on the conveying path intercepting the light emitted from the light emitter, to thereby detect the presence or absence of the sheet is provided with a V/I converting circuit for driving the light emitter, a comparing circuit for effecting negative feedback on the V/I converting circuit by an output signal, and changing the quantity of light of the light emitter, and a limiter circuit for applying a limitation to the negative feedback effected on the V/I converting circuit by the comparing circuit.

Abstract: A communication system that can quickly perform the processing of the data re-transmission when error occurs in the data. The communication system includes an automatic original feeder and an image reader that transmit and receive data simultaneously. A CPU provided in the automatic original feeder determines error of reception data. The CPU adds the result of the determination to transmission data being transmitted to the image reader. One of the automatic original feeder and the image reader acts as a slave, and the other acts as a master.

Abstract: There is provided an original conveying apparatus for conveying an original to an image reading section of an image forming apparatus, which is capable of preventing the number of times of writing to a nonvolatile storage medium that stores a correction value for the light emission amount of an optical sensor from exceeding a limited number of times even when adjustment of the light emission amount of the optical sensor is carried out frequently, reducing as far as possible the number of times of writing data to the storage medium that can store such data a limited number of times, thereby eliminating the occurrence of inconvenient situations such as it being impossible to maintain proper output processing, and lengthening the lifetime of the storage medium.

Abstract: A host computer 104 at a remote administrative site receives a jam code and the number of accumulated copies made from a photocopier 100 at which jamming has occurred, an accumulated jam curve is calculated based on the received data, a certain filtering process is performed, the risk of jamming is estimated based on the filter output and a membership function between the filter value and risk, thus judging whether or not to visit the user.