Abstract: An image forming system includes one or more server computers, an image forming apparatus, and a client computer. The one or more server computers obtain state information indicating an operating state of the image forming apparatus, execute a first analysis on the state information, and determine countermeasure content to be applied to the image forming apparatus based on at least an analysis result of the first analysis, and determine the image forming apparatus or the client computer as a notification destination of the countermeasure content. The image forming apparatus or the client computer determined as the notification destination receives the countermeasure content; and applies the countermeasure content.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first detector detecting an operation sound based on a sound wave received by a receiver; a second detector detecting basis weight of recording material based on an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmitter and received by the receiver; a switching unit that switches destination of a reception signal from the receiver between a first path to the first detector and a second path to the second detector; and a controller that controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the first path at a first timing and to the second path at a second timing. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the second path at the first timing or to the first path at the second timing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first detector detecting an operation sound based on a sound wave received by a receiver; a second detector detecting basis weight of recording material based on an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmitter and received by the receiver; a switching unit that switches destination of a reception signal from the receiver between a first path to the first detector and a second path to the second detector; and a controller that controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the first path at a first timing and to the second path at a second timing. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the second path at the first timing or to the first path at the second timing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first detector detecting an operation sound based on a sound wave received by a receiver; a second detector detecting basis weight of recording material based on an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmitter and received by the receiver; a switching unit that switches destination of a reception signal from the receiver between a first path to the first detector and a second path to the second detector; and a controller that controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the first path at a first timing and to the second path at a second timing. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the second path at the first timing or to the first path at the second timing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first detector detecting an operation sound based on a sound wave received by a receiver; a second detector detecting basis weight of recording material based on an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmitter and received by the receiver; a switching unit that switches destination of a reception signal from the receiver between a first path to the first detector and a second path to the second detector; and a controller that controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the first path at a first timing and to the second path at a second timing. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the second path at the first timing or to the first path at the second timing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms images on sheets, includes: a collection unit configured to collect history information relating to operation of the image forming apparatus; a selection unit configured to select, from among a plurality of accomplishment items, an accomplishment item relating to the operation of the image forming apparatus based on the history information; an acquisition unit configured to notify a user of one or more operation options related to the operation of the image forming apparatus that are for accomplishing the accomplishment item selected by the selection unit, and to acquire a selection result of whether or not the one or more operation options are to be used; and an operation control unit configured to control the operation of the image forming apparatus in accordance with the selection result.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first detector detecting an operation sound based on a sound wave received by a receiver; a second detector detecting basis weight of recording material based on an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmitter and received by the receiver; a switching unit that switches destination of a reception signal from the receiver between a first path to the first detector and a second path to the second detector; and a controller that controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the first path at a first timing and to the second path at a second timing. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller controls the switching unit such that the reception signal is output to the second path at the first timing or to the first path at the second timing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms images on sheets, includes: a collection unit configured to collect history information relating to operation of the image forming apparatus; a selection unit configured to select, from among a plurality of accomplishment items, an accomplishment item relating to the operation of the image forming apparatus based on the history information; an acquisition unit configured to notify a user of one or more operation options related to the operation of the image forming apparatus that are for accomplishing the accomplishment item selected by the selection unit, and to acquire a selection result of whether or not the one or more operation options are to be used; and an operation control unit configured to control the operation of the image forming apparatus in accordance with the selection result.

Abstract: A control unit of the invention compares printing setting suitable for a determined type of a recording material and printing setting of the recording material input by a user, and in a case where a difference between the printing setting suitable for the determined type of the recording material and the printing setting of the recording material input by the user falls in a predetermined range, the control unit performs a printing operation in accordance with the printing setting of the recording material input by the user, and in a case where the difference is greater than the predetermined range, the control unit performs the printing operation by changing the printing setting of the recording material input by the user, which is used when the difference is smaller than the predetermined range.

Abstract: A control unit of the invention compares printing setting suitable for a determined type of a recording material and printing setting of the recording material input by a user, and in a case where a difference between the printing setting suitable for the determined type of the recording material and the printing setting of the recording material input by the user falls in a predetermined range, the control unit performs a printing operation in accordance with the printing setting of the recording material input by the user, and in a case where the difference is greater than the predetermined range, the control unit performs the printing operation by changing the printing setting of the recording material input by the user, which is used when the difference is smaller than the predetermined range.

Abstract: A control unit of the invention compares printing setting suitable for a determined type of a recording material and printing setting of the recording material input by a user, and in a case where a difference between the printing setting suitable for the determined type of the recording material and the printing setting of the recording material input by the user falls in a predetermined range, the control unit performs a printing operation in accordance with the printing setting of the recording material input by the user, and in a case where the difference is greater than the predetermined range, the control unit performs the printing operation by changing the printing setting of the recording material input by the user, which is used when the difference is smaller than the predetermined range.

Abstract: In a warm-up period of a fixing apparatus of the present disclosure, a control unit supplies first electric power to a heater and thereafter supplies second electric power larger than the first electric power to the heater. The timing of starting to supply the second electric power is determined according to the degree of an increase in temperature sensed by a temperature sensing member after a driving signal is transmitted to a driving source.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a position deviation detection unit configured to detect a position deviation of a recording medium in a width direction of the recording medium in a current job on a basis of (a) an amount of change over time in a difference between temperature detected by a first temperature detection element and temperature detected by a second temperature detection element and (b) information on temperature distribution on a fixing unit that occurred before the current job.

Abstract: In a warm-up period of a fixing apparatus of the present disclosure, a control unit supplies first electric power to a heater and thereafter supplies second electric power larger than the first electric power to the heater. The timing of starting to supply the second electric power is determined according to the degree of an increase in temperature sensed by a temperature sensing member after a driving signal is transmitted to a driving source.

Abstract: A control unit of the invention compares printing setting suitable for a determined type of a recording material and printing setting of the recording material input by a user, and in a case where a difference between the printing setting suitable for the determined type of the recording material and the printing setting of the recording material input by the user falls in a predetermined range, the control unit performs a printing operation in accordance with the printing setting of the recording material input by the user, and in a case where the difference is greater than the predetermined range, the control unit performs the printing operation by changing the printing setting of the recording material input by the user, which is used when the difference is smaller than the predetermined range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a position deviation detection unit configured to detect a position deviation of a recording medium in a width direction of the recording medium in a current job on a basis of (a) an amount of change over time in a difference between temperature detected by a first temperature detection element and temperature detected by a second temperature detection element and (b) information on temperature distribution on a fixing unit that occurred before the current job.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a scanning unit configured to scan a photosensitive member with light; a developing unit configured to develop a latent image; a driving unit configured to cause the developing unit to come into contact with the photosensitive member or to be separated from the photosensitive member; and a control unit configured to let the scanning unit perform a preparation operation, in order for the scanning unit to form the latent image. The developing unit is separated from the photosensitive member while the preparation operation of the scanning unit is performed, and the control unit is configured to start, before the preparation operation of the scanning unit is completed, controlling the driving unit to bring the separated developing unit into contact with the photosensitive member.

Abstract: A ceramic metal-halide lamp is provided that can improve both lamp efficacy and color characteristics, and in which light color shift from the white region can be prevented when the lamp is dimmed. The lamp includes a luminous material, which contains sodium iodide (NaI), cerium iodide (CeI3), thallium iodide (TIl), dysprosium iodide (DyI3) and indium iodide (InI). The amount D[DyI3] of dysprosium iodide DyI3 is selected so as to fall within a range of 0.07 mg/cm3?D[DyI3]?1.53 mg/cm3 and a weight ratio R[InI/TIl] of indium iodide InI relative to thallium iodide TIl contained in the luminous material is selected to so as to fall within a range of 0<R[InI/TIl]?0.23.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a scanning unit configured to scan a photosensitive member with light; a developing unit configured to develop a latent image; a driving unit configured to cause the developing unit to come into contact with the photosensitive member or to be separated from the photosensitive member; and a control unit configured to let the scanning unit perform a preparation operation, in order for the scanning unit to form the latent image. The developing unit is separated from the photosensitive member while the preparation operation of the scanning unit is performed, and the control unit is configured to start, before the preparation operation of the scanning unit is completed, controlling the driving unit to bring the separated developing unit into contact with the photosensitive member.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus detects a color deviation amount in a timing when a developing roller separates from or contacts a photosensitive drum to set a difference in peripheral velocities between the photosensitive drum and an intermediate transfer belt or a transfer material conveying belt based on the color deviation amount and information about the use degree of the intermediate transfer belt.