Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes an optical disc apparatus which reproduces data from an optical disc with one of first type content and second type content recorded thereon, a first content playback unit which plays the first type content, a second content playback unit which reads a playlist indicating a procedure of playback the second type content, and playing the second type content, and judgment/playback unit which determines whether the optical disc stores a file unique to the second type content, causing the first content playback unit to play the first content when it is determined that the file is not stored, and causing the second content playback unit to play the second content when it is determined that the file is stored.

Abstract: There is described a method for controlling a quenching device for a converter bridge with line regeneration, whereby the converter bridge controlled by a network-timed control circuit by ignition pulses is connected with its at least three inputs to the phases of a three-phase network and the at least two outputs of the bridge are connected to a direct-current motor which feeds, when operated as a generator, current back to the three-phase network via the bridge. The quenching device is controlled by a trigger unit which emits trigger pulses depending on the monitoring of electrical and temporary variables. The device has measuring values “direct output current” and/or “supply voltages” used to determine characteristic values which are compared with theoretical characteristic values. Depending on the result of said comparison, the quenching device is optionally activated.

Abstract: A system and method of switching the control modes of spindle motor are described. The switch system comprises a first control module, a second control module and a switch controller. The first control module electrically coupled to the spindle motor and the OPU controls the spindle motor to be operated in a present mode. The second control module is electrically coupled to the spindle motor to control the spindle motor to be operated in the transition mode between the present mode and the target mode. The switch controller electrically coupled to the first control module, the second control module and the spindle motor receives a present feedback signal associated with the rotation of spindle motor to generate a first switch signal. Furthermore, the switch controller receives a target indicative signal associated with the information on the optical storage medium to generate a second switch signal.

Abstract: The invention teaches a speed control system for a brushless DC motor for a ceiling fan, comprising a power circuit 1, a microprocessor circuit 2, a power drive circuit 3, a speed regulation circuit, and a brushless DC permanent magnetic motor 5, wherein the input terminal of the power circuit 1 is connected to the output terminal 101 of an AC power source, the output terminal of the power circuit 1 serves to power the various circuits, the output terminal of the microprocessor circuit 2 is connected to the input terminal of the power drive circuit 3, the output terminal of the power drive circuit 3 is connected to the coil windings 501 of the brushless DC permanent magnetic motor, and the output terminal of the speed regulation circuit is connected to the input terminal of the microprocessor circuit 2. The speed control system of the invention provides the advantages of low energy consumption, low noise during the operation of the motor, and a stable operation at low speeds.

Abstract: A heater for an electrical fireplace comprises a heating element (1) and a blower fan (2), the blower fan (2) being releasably attached to the heating element (1). Interacting members (9a1-3, 9a2?, 9b1-3, 9b1?, 9b3?, 14a1-3, 14b1) are provided on the heating element (1) and on the blower fan (2), which members (9a1-3, 9a2?, 9b1-3, 9b1?, 9b3?, 14a1-3, 14b1) are designed to be, engaged with one another to hold the heating element (1) in position relative the blower fan (2).

Abstract: A susceptor for holding a semiconductor wafer to be flash-heated by a flash of light emitted from flash lamps is formed of transparent quartz. The susceptor has a backside surface only which is roughened by shot blasting to provide a ground-glass-like surface. When a flash of light is emitted, part of the flash of light emitted from the flash lamps and passing by a peripheral portion of the semiconductor wafer held by the susceptor into the susceptor reaches the ground-glass-like backside surface and is diffusely reflected therefrom. Part of the diffusely reflected light impinges on the peripheral portion of the semiconductor wafer held by the susceptor to thereby heat the low temperature regions which have appeared in the peripheral portion of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: An oven is configured with a cooking cavity for receiving a cooking load, a circuit for current supplied by one or more stored energy devices such as rechargeable batteries, and a heater comprising one or more radiant lamps to be driven by the current, the one or more radiant lamps being sized and positioned for heating the cooking load. The lamps are driven by current discharged from the batteries to radiantly heat a cooking load. An application of this stove configuration is in a toaster which is capable of toasting slices of bread in a matter of seconds.

Abstract: An inductively power heating system includes an inductive power source for supplying power to an inductive heater. The inductive heater may include a resistive heater and a multiple coil secondary. A heater control within the inductive heater may control the power supplied to the resistive heater, and thereby control the temperature of the resistive heater. The inductive heater may encapsulate the resistive heater, the multiple coil secondary and the heater control, thereby providing a sealed, inductive heater.

Abstract: A heating device for fuel comprising an electric heating element (5), which is mounted on a carrier body (4). The carrier body (4) surrounds the heating element (5), and an insulating protective layer coating (7) is applied to the carrier body.

Abstract: Devices for heating liquids have been known for a long time. The applications of these devices can also be of very diverse nature. Such heating devices are thus for instance already applied on a large scale as, or applied as component in, water kettles, dishwashers, washing machines, coffee-making machines, shower water heaters and the like. The invention relates to a device for heating liquids. The invention also relates to a base structure for use in such a device. The invention further relates to a method for heating liquids.

Abstract: A heating module is provided for integrating into an electrical appliance, for example in a household appliance such as a coffee machine, or in a laboratory apparatus. Said module includes at least one heating surface formed from a body, at least one heating element that comprises at least one PTC element and is fixed in the body, and a flow heater that is integrated into the heating module. The heating module is configured to be easy to mount and have a wide range of applications. In one embodiment, the body is embodied as an extruded shape having at least one tube receiving element and a tube through which a fluid flows arranged on or in the tube receiving element.

Abstract: A camera body including image-blur correcting units capable of effectively correcting blur in captured images and a camera system including the camera body are provided. The camera body includes a vibration detecting unit configured to detect vibration of the camera body; a first image-blur correcting unit configured to correct blur in captured images, and a second image-blur correcting unit that is different from the first image-blur correcting unit; and a control unit configured to control the first image-blur correcting unit and the second image-blur correcting unit on the basis of detection results produced by the vibration detecting unit.

Abstract: A remote-control device, according to the present invention, is for a camera having a light signal receiver that receives a light signal. The remote-control device includes a light signal transmitter, a position adjuster, and a switch member. The light signal transmitter transmits the light signal. The position adjuster adjusts the relative position of the light signal transmitter with respect to the camera. The switch member is connected to the light signal transmitter and commands the light signal transmitter to transmit the light signal. The switch member is movable with respect to the light signal transmitter, and the position adjuster adjusts the relative position of the light signal transmitter so that the light signal is received by the light signal receiver.

Abstract: A photographing lens position control device comprises an image signal capturing unit for capturing an image signal, a focus lens moving unit for moving a focus lens while the image signal capturing unit is capturing an image signal, a retaining unit for retaining a position-dependent image signal, and a photographing lens position determining unit for determining a photographing lens position based on a position-dependent image signal. Since a focus lens is moved while an image signal is being captured as mentioned above, time required for capturing an image signal for determining a photographing lens position is shorter than before.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid-lens assembly using an electrowetting method. The liquid-lens assembly includes a liquid-lens module, a barrel supporting the liquid-lens module, and a housing coupled to the barrel and having an image sensor. Electrodes are provided on the barrel and the housing, so that current is applied to the liquid-lens module through the electrodes.

Abstract: Provided are a discrete AF control method and an error correcting method of a camera module using a diffraction device. In the method, a focus is moved to a (the number of all positions/m)-th position, and a focusing value at a start position is compared with that at the (the number of all positions/m)-th position. A focus is moved by two positions in a first direction according to the comparison result. If a position having a maximum focusing value is passed, a focus is moved by one position in a direction opposite to the first direction and a location (corresponding to an n-th position) is stored. Focusing values of the n-th position, an (n-1)-th position, and an (n-2)-th position are compared with one another to determine a maximum focus location, m being an integer equal to or greater than 2.

Abstract: In an imaging device, a photographic scene is automatically determined with high accuracy. Distance information is acquired, through a TTL-AF, from an image signal produced by a CCD. Further, a face recognition circuit detects the face of a person in a subject. An AE-AF-AWB value computing section evaluates the reliability of the distance information acquired through the TTL-AF operation, on the basis of a focal length of a lens, an aperture, and a distance to the subject computed from a distance between eyes included in the detected face. A mode-recognition-and-determination-and mode-selection section automatically determines the photographic scene from the distance information acquired through the TTL-AF operation, the reliability of the distance, and an estimated white balance value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera with AF auxiliary illumination in which the focus position of an image taking lens is AF controlled to bring an object into focus, based on contrast information of an image acquired from an image pickup device, and if the photometric value of the object is less than a predetermined value, an AF auxiliary illumination is directed to the object, wherein the AF auxiliary illumination reflected from the object is measured, in which if the photometric value is greater than or equal to a specified value, the AF auxiliary illumination is dimmed out, and the emission amount of the AF auxiliary illumination is controlled based on the focus position of the image taking lens.

Abstract: A focusing method for an image capturing device is disclosed. In the focusing method, a focus lens shifts step by step from the current position toward a selected direction, and generates a corresponding contrast value for each position. If the generated contrast values show an increasing trend, the focus lens continually shifts toward the selected direction; if a decreasing trend, then turns toward an opposite direction. In this way, an optimal position with the maximum contrast value can be found. An advantage of the focusing method is that the optimal position can be found quickly when it is not far away from the current position of the focus lens, thereby saving the focusing time.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a single-lens reflex camera configured such that, upon viewing a subject image through a finder optical system, a movable reflecting mirror reflects the optical axis of a light beam from a shooting optical system at an obtuse angle to guide the light beam to an optical element such as a pentamirror or a pentaprism. According to the present invention, since the light beam from the shooting optical system is reflected at the obtuse angle by the movable reflecting mirror, the overall pentagonal section as a reflective member, for example, for guiding a viewing image to an eyepiece optical system is arranged on a more rear side than that in such a structure that the light beam is reflected at right angles. This configuration of the invention can result in a reduction in camera size in the direction of the shooting optical path.

Abstract: An electronic device and method for power management in an electronic device is provided. In an embodiment, the electronic device includes the functionality of a personal digita assistant, wireless email paging and a camera with a flash that is operated via self-contained power supply in the form of a battery. The device also includes a supervisor circuit which causes the device to enter sleep mode, or disables the device, or certain features of the device, if tile battery level falls below a certain threshold. A method in accordance with an embodiment performs, in response to a request to fire the flash, a pre-flash test which is selected so as to not trip the supervisor circuit. The battery level is examined as a consequence of performing the pre-flash test and, if the battery level as so examined meets certain criteria, then the full flash is either permitted to proceed. If the battery level does not meet the criteria, the full flash is not permitted to proceed.

Abstract: In order to efficiently remove dust, an image pick up apparatus is provided with an image sensor for acquiring subject images via a photographing lens, a shift mechanism, holding the image sensor, capable of moving the image sensor in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the photographing lens, and in a second direction that is different from the first direction, a sensor arranged in front of the image sensor, for detecting vibration applied to the optical element that is displaced by the shift mechanism together with the image sensor, and a controller for driving the shift mechanism according to output of the sensor for detecting vibration when operation is carried out to prevent image shake due to vibration applied to the image pickup apparatus, and moving the shift mechanism in accordance with a specified pattern regardless of sensor output when carrying out a dust removal operation for removing dust that has become attached to the surface of the optical element.

Abstract: An optical communication system has two or more active interfaces, each controlling the transmission and reception of optical signals between a communication network and one or more subscriber terminals according to control information pertaining to the individual subscriber terminals. The control information used by all the active interfaces is stored in a memory. The optical communication system also has a standby interface that is functionally equivalent to the active interfaces, and an optical switching apparatus that switches data transmission paths among the network, the active and standby interfaces, and the subscriber terminals. If a fault is detected in an active interface, the standby interface extracts the control information of the faulty interface from the memory, and the optical switching apparatus switches the data transmission paths so that the standby interface replaces the faulty interface.

Abstract: A method of establishing a path through an optical communications network is disclosed. Previously known method for establishing a path through an optical communications network include checking the viability of an end-to-end path once the complete end-to-end path has been selected. However, additional (and hence wasted) processing may be expended in selecting an end-to-end path that turns out not to be viable this increasing the network operating costs. In the proposed method one or more partial paths are evaluated according to a first criterion, candidate end-to-end paths are then evaluated according to a second criterion, wherein the end-to-end path evaluation disregards candidate end-to-end paths that include partial paths not meeting the first criterion.

Abstract: An iterative method for power pre-emphasis of N optical channels in a Wavelength Division Multiplex (WDM) signal in an optical communication systems in accordance with which representative Xi characteristics are defined for the channels with among the characteristics there being included at least one characteristic that is a function of the Bit Error Rate (BER).

Abstract: An optical transmission network is inherently asynchronous due to the utilization of a variable overhead ratio (V-OHR). The network architecture makes extensive use of OEO regeneration, i.e., deals with any electronic reconditioning to correct for transmission impairments, such as, for example, FEC encoding, decoding and re-encoding, signal reshaping, retiming as well as signal regeneration. The optical transmission network includes a plesiochronous clocking system with intermediate nodes designed to operate asynchronously with a single local frequency clock without complicated network synchronization schemes employing high cost clocking devices such as phase locked loop (PLL) control with crystal oscillators and other expensive system components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for managing and transmitting fine granularity services. The method includes: increasing the bandwidth of an existing LSP which controls a fine granularity service with the same granularity as that of a new fine granularity service to be established, upon determining that the new fine granularity service shares the same source node and destination node with the existing LSP; and transmitting the new fine granularity service with the increased bandwidth of the existing LSP. The bandwidth utilization rate of optical networks can be obviously increased when transmitting fine granularity services in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention; furthermore, the storage space of each node through which the LSP passes is saved and the recovery performance of fine granularity services is guaranteed.

Abstract: A network component is disclosed that includes a memory comprising a data structure comprising an optical network terminal management and control interface (OMCI) comprising a plurality of managed entities (MEs), wherein one of the MEs is a description of the OMCI. Also disclosed is a network component comprising a processor configured to implement a method comprising promoting the sending of an OMCI Description to an optical line terminal (OLT), wherein the OMCI Description comprises an OMCI Object, whose instance describes the types of MEs supported by an OMCI, a plurality of Managed Entity Objects, whose instances describe each ME supported by the OMCI, and a plurality of Attribute Objects, whose instances describe each attribute supported by the OMCI.

Abstract: The systems and methods provide an out-of-band time and control signal distribution network that may be employed in conjunction with a large scale area network. The network is capable of installation on the seafloor and comprises a plurality of network nodes being interconnected by fiber optic cable, and each having optical transceivers for coupling to an optical fiber cable having data channels carrying data packets among the plurality of network nodes and having one or more control and time channels for carrying control and time signals, and an out-of-band communications module for coupling to the optical fiber cable to utilize the control and time data signals transmitted separately from the data packets, to provide the distribution of in-band data packets among network nodes and the distribution of out-of-band timing and control signals to said plural network nodes.

Abstract: A symmetrical capacity network may be adapted to accommodate asymmetrical network traffic patterns by deploying Protected Dedicated Wavelengths (PDWs) between one or more head-end nodes and the access nodes on a ring-based topology network. The PDWs include pairs of wavelengths extending in opposite directions around the fibers forming the original ring and terminating at the intended access node. The pairs of wavelengths form unidirectional working and protection paths from the head-end node to the intended access nodes. By deploying the symmetric capacity and asymmetric capacity on the same platform within the head-end node, it is possible to apply policy across the network resources to allow traffic flows to be selectively placed on the most appropriate network resource.

Abstract: These teachings present triple data transport redundancy in the form of three data bus interfaces that are each designed and manufactured independently from one another and compatible with a common data handling protocol. This protocol can be one that includes no error correction. These interfaces can each couple to a corresponding first, second, and third data bus that may comprise optical data busses. Information gauges can be realized through use a memory that stores a plurality of images comprising views of an information gauge (or gauges) of interest showing a variety of different readings. Upon receiving information regarding a monitored parameter of interest (via, for example, the aforementioned data busses and data bus interfaces), this information can be used to address the stored information gauge view that corresponds to the present parameter value. That particular view can be recalled and displayed to thereby provide the corresponding information to a viewer.

Abstract: A passive optical network (PON) system comprising a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) having one downstream receiver and one upstream transmitter, an optical line terminal (OLT) having a downstream transmitter and a plurality of upstream receivers, wherein each upstream receiver is associated with a subset of the ONUs, and an optical distribution network (ODN) that connects the OLT to the ONUs is disclosed. An OLT for a PON, comprising a downstream transmitter, and a plurality of upstream receivers, wherein a downstream transmitter bandwidth is greater than each upstream receiver bandwidth is also disclosed. A network component comprising a processor configured to implement a method comprising determining a downstream bandwidth and an upstream bandwidth for a PON, and increasing a number of upstream channels per downstream channel for the PON when asymmetry between the downstream bandwidth and the upstream bandwidth is greater than a threshold amount is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical wavelength multiplex transmission apparatus includes a demultiplexer (12) that divides a wavelength-multiplexed optical signal into optical signals of individual wavelengths, an optical attenuation control portion (13) that performs an optical attenuation control so that levels of the optical signals of individual wavelengths become constant, a multiplexer (16) that combines the optical signals of individual wavelengths after the optical attenuation control and multiplexes them, an optical signal level storing portion (15) that stores a first level range of optical signal levels, and an optical attenuation control stopping portion (22) that decides whether or not a level of each of the optical signals of individual wavelengths is within the first level range obtained from the optical signal level storing portion (15), and if its level is within the first level range, stops the optical attenuation control for an optical signal of a wavelength having the level.

Abstract: A system for deriving benefits from the reception and processing of composite video signals by a hand-held device, such as a smart card. Video signals are modulated with auxiliary data creating composite video signals. The composite video signals are then transmitted to and received by a hand-held device. The auxiliary data is then detected in the modulated video signal by circuitry of the hand-held device. The user receives benefits resulting from the reception of the auxiliary data.

Abstract: An RF device includes a signal layer disposed over a ground plane having radio frequency (RF) transmission lines configured and dimensioned to provide impedance matching along the RF lines. A shield is formed as a part of the RF lines and disposed below the RF choke of a DC current supply to form an intermediate capacitance between the choke and the shield to control parasitic effects.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for implementing optical interconnects between high speed electrical interconnects by determining if an optical link exists between two optical transceivers, and if so, connecting input termination on the transmit input portion of each optical transceiver.

Abstract: An optical transceiver for converting and coupling an information-containing electrical signal with an optical fiber including a housing, an electro-optical subassembly in the housing for converting between an information-containing electrical signal and a modulated optical signal corresponding to the electrical signal from which at least two optical fibers extends; and a flexible substrate for securing each of the optical fibers to prevent tangling in the housing interior and to enable said fibers to bend from a first orientation to a second orientation. An optical fiber receptacle or connector is provided on the housing to couple to an external optical fiber.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to compact systems for generating polarization-entangled photons. In one embodiment of the present invention, a non-degenerate, polarization-entangled photon source comprises a half-wave plate that outputs both a first pump beam and a second pump beam, and a first beam displacer that directs the first pump beam into a first transmission channel and the second pump beam into a second transmission channel. A down-conversion device converts the first pump beam into first signal and idler photons and converts the second pump beam into second signal and idler photons. A second beam displacer directs both the first signal and idler photons and the second signal and idler photons into a single transmission channel. A dichroic mirror directs the first and second signal photons to a first fiber optic coupler and the first and second idler photons to a second fiber optic coupler.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical sending apparatus which improves the characteristics near zero dispersion without sacrificing the characteristics at high dispersion in an optical duo binary scheme. The apparatus comprises an optical modulation sending unit, a driving signal processing unit, and a modulation operation switch-over unit for switching over the modulation operation so as to switch over the modulation waveform modulated in intensity in the optical modulation sending unit, in either a first modulation waveform in which the intensity of modulated light to the median value of the duo binary signal is minimum and the intensity of modulated light to other two values of the duo binary signal is maximum, and a second modulation waveform in which the intensity of modulated light to the median value of the duo binary signal is maximum and the intensity of modulated light to other two values of the duo binary signal is minimum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polarization-controlled encoding method, encoder and quantum key distribution system, which is characterized in that polarization maintaining light path or 90 degree rotation Faraday mirror are used inside the encoder to keep the polarization of the output pulses same, and that in the quantum key distribution system employing the polarization-controlled encoder the pulse emitted from transmitter is unidirectional-transmitted to receiver and then quantum key distribution is implemented using interference in the pulses according to the quantum key distribution protocol. The quantum key distribution system using the polarization-controlled encoder of the invention has the ability of avoiding the wiretapping to transmitter, receiver and quantum channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wideband modulated signal generating device capable of realizing an always stable operation and obtaining an intended wideband modulated signal in spite of a shift in the optimal bias voltage due to DC drift occurring in an optical intensity modulation section. In the wideband modulated signal generating device, a DC power supply control section 50 controls a first DC power supply 51 and a second DC power supply 52 for applying first and second bias voltages to an optical intensity modulation section 30 based on a signal level detected by a level detecting section 70, and controls a third DC power supply 53 for applying a third bias voltage to an optical intensity modulation section 30 based on a distortion level detected by a distortion level detecting section 81, thus compensating for a shift in the optimal bias voltage occurring due to DC drift.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength optical signal copropagates through a fiber-optic communication link with a continuous-wave ancillary wavelength having an unknown state of polarization (SOP), which is scrambled periodically in time. The instantaneous value of polarization dependent loss (PDL) in the ancillary wavelength is monitored in real time, and is used as an error signal to adjust at least one polarization controller. Polarization scrambling is performed by periodically changing the SOP with time, such that the polarization-scrambled optical signal covers approximately an entire Poincaré sphere surface, preferably uniformly, during each time period. At an optical node between fibers, an adjustable PDL compensator contains two ordered pairs each consisting of one polarization controller and one optical element introducing fixed PDL.

Abstract: An optical coherent receiver in one embodiment has a heterodyne configuration, and in another embodiment has a homodyne configuration, in each configuration employs multiple feedback signaling and analog/digital processing to optimize response to a modulated optical input signal, the provision of both individual RF I and RF Q channel outputs.

Abstract: An image formation device receives formation information having a predetermined structure and formed based on document information which is an object for image formation, executes a process of image formation based on the formation information, and sends the formation information to a transmission destination via a communication medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of supplying driving signals to an image sensor are provided. The apparatus includes a driving signal generator generating two driving signals at one of a plurality of rates, a filtering unit filtering the driving signals in response to the plurality of rates, and a selector selecting the filtering result corresponding to the rate of the driving signals from the plurality of filtering results. Accordingly, the image sensor can stable operate even when the driving signals are applied to the image sensor at various rates.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a position detection sensor arranged so as to detect the leading end of a sheet and a toner image formed on an intermediate transfer belt. The position detection sensor is constructed as a single component configured to detect the position of a sheet and that of a position indication pattern on the transfer belt. The positional discrepancy between the sheet and the image is corrected based on the detection by the position detection sensor.

Abstract: An abnormality detecting method and an image processing method for an image processor is provided. The image processor can easily detect an abnormal rotation of a photosensitive drum without having a special detecting means but using an existing sensor, and keeps image data until a normal toner image is transferred and fine printing is carried out. The image processor forms a toner image corresponding to image data on a plurality of photosensitive drums, and detects the position of the toner image at a given part on a transfer object, to which given part the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred, to detect a rotation failure of the photosensitive drum. When a rotation failure is detected, the image processor keeps input image data without deleting even after the end of image formation.

Abstract: A method for transfer voltage adjustment includes the steps of: forming first and second halftone reference patterns on the toner image support under first and second toner image forming conditions; transferring the first and second halftone reference patterns to the transfer element at the saturated density with application of first and second saturated transfer voltages thereto; calculating first and second amounts of adhering toner of the first and second halftone reference patterns on the transfer elements; acquiring a saturated amount of adhering toner when a density-saturated reference pattern is transferred to the transfer element at the saturated density, from previously stored data; and setting up a saturated transfer voltage for realizing the saturated amount of adhering toner, based on the first and second saturated transfer voltages, the first and second amounts of adhering toner, and the saturated amount of adhering toner.

Abstract: A diagnostic system that effectively presents optimum products to the users by effectively using information about the use history of an image forming apparatus used by the users and other information specific to the image forming apparatus that may be stored in advance. The diagnostic system includes a management device that receives and manages management information including at least information of print volume of an image forming apparatus for a predetermined period, a determination device that determines an optimum image forming apparatus based on the information of print volume in the predetermined period managed by the management device, and a notification device that notifies information indicative of the optimum image forming apparatus determined by the determination device to an information processing apparatus that is capable of communication via a communication line.

Abstract: To remove also VOC gas generated from the discharged sheets, an image forming apparatus comprises an image forming unit which forms an image on a sheet; a tray on which sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit are stacked; a suction device which sucks air from the surrounding space of sheets stacked up on the tray; and a VOC removing unit which removes VOC contained in the air sucked by the sucking device.