Abstract: A production system such as an inkjet printer system includes a plurality of communication distribution devices connected in a daisy chain arrangement. A plurality of secondary devices, such as printhead electronics boards for inkjet printheads, is connected to each of the communication distribution devices. A first communication distribution device which is connected to a system controller assigns a communication address to itself from a first set of communication address and assigns communication addresses to its connected secondary devices from a second set of communication addresses. It then communicates information to the next communication distribution device specifying the next available communication addresses. This process continues down the chain of communication distribution devices. The assigned communication addresses are then transmitted to the system controller.

Abstract: A valve jet printer includes a solenoid coil and a plunger rod having a magnetically susceptible shank. A first end of the shank and at least a portion of the shank are received within a bore of the solenoid coil. The printer also includes a nozzle including an orifice extending therethrough and a spring biasing a second end of the shank toward the nozzle. The second end of the plunger rod includes a tip formed of perfluoroelastomer (FFKM). The second end of the shank includes a cup-shaped cavity having a convex bottom and a circular side. The tip includes a concave base and an annular flange. In an assembled state, the concave base of the tip contacts the convex bottom of the cup-shaped cavity, and the end of the circular side opposite the convex bottom is rolled over the annular flange thereby securing the tip in the cup-shaped cavity.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid ejection head including: a substrate; an energy-generating element, which is arranged on the substrate, and is used for ejecting a liquid; a flow path forming member, which has an ejection orifice for ejecting the liquid, and is configured to form a flow path of the liquid between the flow path forming member and the substrate; an electrode configured to generate a flow of the liquid; and a wiring, which is arranged so as to be brought into contact with the flow path forming member, and is configured to supply electric power to the electrode, in which the flow path forming member contains an organic material, and in which the electrode and the wiring are each formed of a conductive adhesive layer containing at least one of conductive diamond-like carbon or tin-doped indium oxide.

Abstract: A method of printing onto a surface of a cylinder having radius Rc using a stationary inkjet printhead. The method includes the steps of: rotating the cylinder at an angular velocity ?c of at least ? radians per second; and ejecting ink droplets from the printhead at an ejection velocity in the range of 6 to 20 meters per second. The printhead has a print zone with a width Wp and first and second nozzle rows positioned distances d1 and d2 relative to a centerline of the print zone. The print zone and cylinder fulfil the relationship Wp/Rc?0.2, and the first and second nozzle row ejects ink droplets at times T1 and T2, whereby T1=d1/Rc?; and T2=d2/Rc?c.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head including: a substrate; an energy generating element, which is provided on the substrate and is utilized to eject liquid; a first film provided on the energy generating element; a flow path forming member, which has an ejection orifice from which the liquid is ejected and forms a flow path of the liquid between the substrate and the flow path forming member; and an electrode, which generates a flow of the liquid, wherein the electrode includes the first film.

Abstract: A foil transfer device includes a light emitter that emits light, a driver that causes scanning to be performed with the light by moving one or both of an irradiator and a substrate relative to each other, the irradiator casting the light emitted by the light emitter, and a controller that causes the light emitter to change power of the light according to a velocity indication value during at least one of an acceleration period from a time when at least one of the irradiator and the substrate begins to move to a time when a velocity thereof becomes constant and a deceleration period from a time when the velocity is constant to a time when at least one of the irradiator and the substrate stops.

Abstract: The liquid ejecting head includes a first individual flow path and a second individual flow path for supplying liquid to a pressure chamber, a first common flow path for supplying liquid in common to the plurality of first individual flow paths, and a second common flow path for supplying liquid in common to the plurality of second individual flow paths. A first circulation for causing liquid to flow in the order of the first individual flow path, the pressure chamber, and the second individual flow path and second circulation for causing liquid to flow in the reverse order of the first circulation are switched. A flow path resistance of the first common flow path is designed to be less than a flow path resistance of the second common flow path and a flow path resistance of the first individual flow path is designed to be less than a flow path resistance of the second individual flow path.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head including a substrate, an energy generating element which is provided on the substrate and is used for ejecting a liquid, a flow passage forming member which includes an ejection orifice, which ejects the liquid, and which forms a flow passage of the liquid between the flow passage forming member and the substrate, and an electrode which is provided on a surface of the flow passage forming member which adjoins the flow passage and which generates a flow of the liquid, in which at least a portion of the electrode is covered within the flow passage forming member.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a channel substrate; a first substrate; a piezoelectric element; a spacer, which is provided on a surface of the first substrate on which the piezoelectric element is disposed; a second substrate; and a bump electrode, wherein the spacer is provided between the bump electrode and the piezoelectric element and attached to at least one of the first and second substrates by an adhesive, and wherein both a space on a side of the piezoelectric element with respect to the spacer and a space on a side of the bump electrode with respect to the spacer are opened by at least one of a portion other than a portion of the spacer positioned between the piezoelectric element and the bump electrode and an opening provided in at least one of the first and second substrates.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes: channel rows each including individual channels; piezoelectric elements each constituted by an individual electrode, a common electrode, and a piezoelectric layer; and individual wires respectively extending from the individual electrodes to an outside connecting region, connectable to an external circuit board, and each having a contact connectable to an individual terminal of the external circuit board. A portion of each of the channel rows has an intra-row void between adjacent two of the individual channels. Each of the individual wires extends to a portion of the outside connecting region which corresponds to one of the individual channels. A first common wire extending from the common electrode and connectable to a common terminal of the external circuit board is provided at a portion of the outside connecting region which corresponds to the intra-row void.

Abstract: A liquid ejection device is disclosed. One device includes a plurality of contacts aligned along a first direction. The plurality of contacts are positioned between two piezoelectric-element rows of four piezoelectric-element rows in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Each of the two piezoelectric-element rows is closer to a center line of a first substrate with respect to the second direction than each of another two piezoelectric-element rows of the four piezoelectric-element rows in the second direction. Each of a plurality of piezoelectric elements of a four piezoelectric-element rows is individually connected with a corresponding one of the plurality of contacts, respectively. One of the plurality of piezoelectric elements of the another two piezoelectric-element rows connect with a corresponding one of the plurality of contacts.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid ejecting head including a pressure chamber to accommodate a liquid, a vibration plate, a nozzle to eject the liquid, and a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric body layer, a first electrode disposed on one surface of the piezoelectric body layer, and a second electrode disposed on the other surface of the piezoelectric body layer. The liquid ejecting head further includes wiring connected to the second electrode and extended along a surface direction of the piezoelectric body layer, and does not include a metal layer having the same potential as the first electrode in a first area which is an area positioned between the wiring and the vibration plate and in which the wiring overlaps with none of the second electrode and the piezoelectric body layer in a direction perpendicular to a surface direction of the second electrode.

Abstract: A head device includes a liquid discharge head, a liquid supply channel, a second temperature-control-liquid channel, and a thermal connector. The liquid discharge head includes a heat generation member and a first temperature-control-liquid channel. The first temperature-control-liquid channel is disposed at a vicinity of the heat generation member. A temperature control liquid flows through the first temperature-control-liquid channel. The liquid supply channel supplies a liquid to the liquid discharge head. The temperature control liquid flows through the second temperature-control-liquid channel. The thermal connector thermally connects the liquid supply channel and the second temperature-control-liquid channel.

Abstract: In one example of the disclosure, a system includes a chamber having an inlet to receive a print agent, an actuator operatively connected to the chamber, and a set of nozzles fluidly coupled to the chamber. The nozzles are orientated such that each nozzle of the set has a same boundary condition.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head is manufactured by forming on a substrate an energy generating element for ejecting a liquid, an integrated circuit for driving the energy generating element, a supply port for the liquid so as to penetrate through the substrate, an electrode for generating a liquid flow, and a flow path forming member having an ejection orifice for ejecting the liquid such that a flow path for the liquid is formed between the substrate and the flow path forming member. The electrode is formed over high and low of a stepped shape formed on the substrate in at least one step selected from the steps of forming the energy generating element, forming the integrated circuit and forming the supply port.

Abstract: A print engine includes: a media support chassis having a plurality of guide rollers mounted between opposite sidewalls thereof, the plurality of guide rollers defining a curved media feed path; a plurality of spittoons, each spittoon being positioned between a neighboring pair of guide rollers and each spittoon having an upper guide portion; and a plurality of printheads, each printhead opposing a respective spittoon. The upper guide portion at least partially intersects a common tangential plane defined between a neighboring pair of rollers, such that print media fed along the curved media path contact the rollers and upper guide portions of the spittoons.

Abstract: An inkjet head maintenance mechanism includes: an inkjet head including a nozzle plate with ejection ports arranged in the nozzle plate and configured to eject droplets of ink, and a protection plate stacked on the nozzle plate and having an opening formed at a position corresponding to the ejection ports and exposing the ejection ports to an outside; a cap configured to come into contact with the protection plate and surround the opening of the protection plate; and a controller configured to detect an on-off state of a power supply of an inkjet printer to which the inkjet head is attached and adjust a contact pressure of the cap onto the protection plate depending on the detected on-off state of the power supply.

Abstract: A print engine includes: a media support chassis having a plurality of guide rollers mounted between opposite sidewalls thereof, the plurality of guide rollers defining a media feed path; a maintenance chassis pivotally mounted on the media support chassis, the maintenance chassis including a plurality of maintenance modules fixedly mounted thereto and aligned along the media feed path; and a print bar chassis movably mounted on the maintenance chassis, the print bar chassis including a plurality of print modules, each print module having a printhead; a pivot actuation mechanism for pivoting the maintenance chassis between an open and closed position; and a lift mechanism for raising and lowering the print bar chassis relative to the maintenance chassis between a maintenance position a printing position.

Abstract: A print module includes a printhead cartridge releasably engaged with a supply module. The supply module has an ink inlet module and an ink outlet module positioned on opposite external sidewalls of the body and flanking the body, each of the ink inlet and ink outlet modules having a respective ink coupling engaged with complementary inlet and outlet couplings of the printhead cartridge. The ink inlet and outlet modules each include a respective lever mechanism for slidably moving the ink inlet and outlet modules relative to the opposite external sidewalls of the body between a coupled position in which the supply module is fluidically coupled to the printhead cartridge and a decoupled position in which the supply module is fluidically decoupled from the printhead cartridge.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes an ink ejection surface, a washing liquid storage portion, a washing liquid nozzle, a mesh sheet, and a sponge member. The washing liquid storage portion includes a supply surface adjacent to the ink ejection surface. The washing liquid nozzle includes a communicating hole that is communicated from a supply port formed in the supply surface to an inside of the washing liquid storage portion, and forms a concave meniscus by a surface of the washing liquid in the communicating hole. The mesh sheet is provided in close contact with an opposite rear surface of the supply surface, and has an opening that is smaller in size than an inner diameter of the communicating hole. The sponge member is provided in a compressed state in the inside of the washing liquid storage portion, presses the mesh sheet toward the opposite rear surface of the supply surface.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a printing processing program for executing steps. In a line specification step, it is determined whether or not an on-dot ratio or the number of on-dots is equal to or greater than a threshold value and at least one print lines equal to or greater than a threshold value is specified. In a labeling step, a plurality of dot groups is identified such that on-dots adjacent to each other form one dot group. In a dot group specification step, at least one first dot groups including the at least one print lines is specified. In a density reduction process step, a density at the time of print formation of the on-dots included in the first dot groups is made lower than a density at the time of print formation of the on-dots included in at least one second dot groups.

Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus includes: a case including a bottom which supports, from below, a liquid tank containing a liquid, and side parts which stand upright from the bottom and face side surfaces of the liquid tank; a first absorbing member disposed outside the case to extend along the bottom of the case and configured to absorb the liquid; and a second absorbing member disposed outside the case to extend along one of the side parts of the case while being brought into contact with the first absorbing member, and having an absorption ratio of the liquid which is higher than that of the first absorbing member under a non-pressurization state. The first absorbing member includes a groove which extends to the second absorbing member to guide the liquid leaking downward from the liquid tank to the second absorbing member.

Abstract: A waste liquid tank includes a case. The case includes a first accommodating portion having an inlet and a first communication opening, a second accommodating portion having a second communication opening and a connecting portion connecting the first communication opening and the second communication opening, wherein a cross-sectional area of the connecting portion is less than a cross-sectional area of the first accommodating portion and is less than a cross-sectional of the second accommodating portion. The waste liquid tank includes a first absorber accommodated in the first accommodating portion, a second absorber accommodated in the second accommodating portion and a third absorber accommodated in the connecting portion. The connecting portion includes a passage defined between the third absorber and a peripheral portion of the connecting portion, the passage allowing the first accommodating portion to communicate with the second accommodating portion and for air to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A printing subassembly is disclosed. The printing subassembly includes a printbar. A frame is coupled to the printbar such that the printbar dos not move with respect to the frame. A fluid supply system is coupled to the printbar.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid tank, a liquid ejection head, and a tank holder. The liquid tank includes a displacement unit and a tank body part. The displacement unit has a liquid injection port. The tank body part has a liquid containing portion containing liquid introduced from the liquid injection port, and having a supply port supplying the liquid. The liquid ejection head ejects the liquid supplied from the supply port. The tank holder holds the liquid tank. The displacement unit is movable so as to displace the liquid injection port relative to the tank body part and the tank holder so that the liquid injection port is exposed to an exterior of the tank holder to inject the liquid into the liquid tank, while the tank body part is held in the tank holder and is not displaced relative to the tank holder.

Abstract: There is provided a tank including a case provided with a pair of lateral walls separated in a first direction with the tank in a usable posture, a first chamber and a second chamber retaining a liquid, a liquid channel rendering communication between the second chamber and the outside of the case, a liquid inlet port for filling the first chamber with the liquid, a first communicating port rendering communication between the first chamber and the second chamber, and a second communicating port rendering communication between the second chamber and the liquid channel. If the first chamber and the second chamber retain the liquid at the maximum amount retainable in the tank in the usable posture, then with the tank in such a rotated posture that one of the pair of lateral walls becomes the upper end of the tank along a vertical direction, the first communicating port is positioned above the level of the liquid at the maximum amount.

Abstract: A liquid container includes a liquid supply portion, a liquid container body, and a container-side electrical connection structure provided to have a contact portion that is configured to come into contact with an apparatus-side electrical connection structure provided in a liquid consuming apparatus. The container-side electrical connection structure includes a placement portion configured to place the contact portion to be located above the liquid container body in the direction of gravity in a process of connecting the liquid container with the liquid consuming apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid container includes a liquid container body, a liquid supply port, an operation member, and a container-side electrical connection structure provided integrally with the operation member and configured to have a contact portion that is configured to come into contact with an apparatus-side electrical connection structure provided in a liquid consuming apparatus. The operation member has an opening having a receiving space to receive a user's hand.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first determination section, a calculation section, a second determination section, and a billing section. The first determination section determines whether a toner container attached to a toner supply section is a first container or a second container. The calculation section calculates a consumption amount of a toner in the toner container determined as the second container. The second determination section determines whether the consumption amount is a threshold value or larger. When the consumption amount is less than the threshold value, the billing section changes a billing price from a first price to a second price. When the toner container is determined to be the first container, the billing section changes the billing price from the first price to a third price. The second price is lower than the first price. The third price is equal to or lower than the second price.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fluid circulation apparatus includes a first tank to store fluid to be supplied to a fluid ejection head, a circulation path including a first flow path portion to provide fluid from the first tank to a supply port of the fluid ejection head, and a second flow path portion to return fluid from a collection port of the fluid ejection head to the first tank, a bypass flow path to connect the supply port to the collection port outside of the fluid ejection head, and a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure of the bypass flow path.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fluid circulation apparatus includes a first tank to store fluid to be supplied to a fluid ejection head, a circulation path including a first flow path portion to provide fluid from the first tank to a supply port of the fluid ejection head, and a second flow path portion to return fluid from a collection port of the fluid ejection head to the first tank, a bypass flow path that connects the supply port to the collection port outside of the fluid ejection head, and a buffer tank in the bypass flow path.

Abstract: Ink is supplied to a print head through a pressure compensation mechanism and a common collection flow path in a case where a predetermined differential pressure or higher between a pressure in a common supply flow path of the print head and a pressure in a common collection flow path of the print head is generated. As a result, liquid refillability for the liquid ejection head is improved while retaining a liquid circulating function in the liquid ejection head so as to stabilize a liquid ejecting state in the liquid ejection head.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus, including: a liquid tank; an image recorder; a liquid bottle attachable to and removable from the liquid; a remaining-amount detecting sensor; a notifying device; a storage; and a controller configured to: determine a liquid remaining amount in the liquid bottle based on a detection signal from the remaining-amount detecting sensor, in a state in which the liquid bottle is attached to the liquid tank; store, in the storage, the determined liquid remaining amount in the liquid bottle; and control the notifying device based on the liquid remaining amount in the liquid bottle stored in the storage to notify a user of remaining-amount information relating to the liquid remaining amount in the liquid bottle.

Abstract: A printing apparatus applies liquids so that a reaction liquid and a clear emulsion liquid are mainly applied in a first scanning stage; a coloring material liquid is mainly applied in an intermediate scanning stage; and the clear emulsion liquid is mainly applied in a last scanning stage

Abstract: First, shading charts are printed on a surface of a recording medium. Then, a plurality of captured images is acquired for a region of the same density of the shading charts printed on the recording medium. At this time, the amounts of displacement in the position of the recording medium in the main scanning direction, which is the direction of arrangement of nozzles, are also detected. Then, one super-resolution image with a higher resolution than the captured images is generated on the basis of the captured images and the amounts of displacement in the position of the recording medium in the main scanning direction. Thereafter, a variable-density correction amount is calculated for each of the nozzles on the basis of the generated super-resolution image.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer medium having a first transfer layer releasably provided on a support, a thermal transfer sheet in which a first colorant layer, a second transfer layer, and a second colorant layer are provided on one surface of a substrate so as being frame sequentially, and the second transfer layer is releasably provided from the substrate, and a transfer receiving article. The first colorant layer is used to form a first image on the first transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium. The second transfer layer is transferred onto the first transfer layer on which the first image is formed, and then, the second colorant layer is used to form a second image on the second transfer layer. The first transfer layer is transferred together with the second transfer layer transferred on the first transfer layer onto the transfer receiving article to obtain a print having a stereoscopic image.

Abstract: A thermal transfer device includes a fixture that holds a transfer object, a foil transfer tool that presses a thermal transfer foil placed on the transfer object and a light absorbing film placed on the thermal transfer foil and emits light onto the light absorbing film, a carriage moving mechanism that moves the foil transfer tool relative to the fixture, and a temperature detector that measures a temperature of a portion of the light absorbing film pressed and irradiated with light by the foil transfer tool.

Abstract: A system for printing images on an object, the system including, a housing, a rod driven by a first motor, an object rotating subsystem positioned about the rod and arranged for reciprocal movement, an object rotating subsystem that includes a spindle and a second motor connected to the spindle and configured to rotate the object in a first rotational direction or a second rotational direction. The system further including a vacuum source connected to the spindle, a plurality of printheads, a curing lamp, and a controller connected to the plurality of printheads, the first motor, the second motor, the curing lamp, the controller configured to operate the first motor, the second motor, the plurality of printheads, and the curing lamp, wherein the plurality of printheads are configured to eject a first marking material onto the object and the second motor rotates the object in the first or second rotational direction.

Abstract: A method for digitally printing on three-dimensional objects comprising bottles, cans or other hollow bodies, by at least one printing head, includes breaking down a printing template into a multiplicity of printing dots. The printing dots are stored in a printing raster consisting of image columns and image rows. The printing raster is used for activating the at least one printing head during a printing process in which one of the objects to be printed moves relative to the at least one printing bead in order to apply a print image onto the object to be printed. The printing raster Is curved and the image rows and the image columns extend obliquely to one another. The printing template is read into the curved printing raster.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for chokes for microwave radiation. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a choke assembly. The assembly includes a first choke plate, and a second choke plate. The assembly also includes a first layer disposed at a surface of the first choke plate. The first layer includes a material that attenuates microwave radiation via dielectric heating by converting the microwave radiation into heat, and a substance, disposed between the material of the first layer and the gap, that is transparent to the microwave radiation. The assembly further includes a second layer disposed at a surface of the second choke plate that faces the first layer. The second layer comprises the material that attenuates the microwave radiation via dielectric heating by converting the microwave radiation into heat, and the substance, disposed between the material of the second layer and the gap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for applying an image onto a recording medium. The method involves applying an undercoat liquid onto the recording medium and semi-curing the undercoat liquid. Further, the method involves applying an image onto the semi-cured undercoat liquid and curing said image. The invention further relates to a printer apparatus configured for performing such method.

Abstract: The ink is discharged to the printing medium F located in the first range R1 from the upstream end Wuu of the upstream winding part Wu where the support roller 26a and the printing medium F are in contact to the downstream end Wdd of the downstream winding part Wd where the support roller 26e and the printing medium F are in contact. The support rollers 26a, 26e located on both ends of the first range R1 are in contact with the printing medium F on the peripheral surfaces 261 having such a concave shape to increase the diameter from the center toward the ends in the width direction Y (axial direction). This causes these support rollers 26a, 26e to suppress the formation of wrinkles in the first range R1 where the ink is discharged.

Abstract: A medium transport device includes a first transport route for discharging a medium processed by a processing unit to an outer side of a housing in which the processing unit is provided, and a second transport route for discharging a medium processed by the processing unit to the outer side of the housing. The housing has an openable/closeable or detachable cover, and at least one of the first transport route and a route forming member constituting the first transport route and at least one of the second transport route and a route forming member constituting the second transport route to be exposed by opening or detaching of the cover.

Abstract: A medium transport device includes a first transport route for discharging a medium processed by a processing unit, a second transport route for discharging the medium processed by the processing unit, and a medium receiving tray that is capable of switching a state between a medium receiving state of receiving the medium that is discharged through the first transport route and a medium unreceivable state achieved by performing state switching from the medium receiving state. The first transport route comes into a non-formed state and at least a part of the medium receiving tray forms the second transport route when the medium receiving tray is in the medium unreceivable state, and the second transport route comes into the non-formed state and the first transport route is formed when the medium receiving tray comes into the medium receiving state.

Abstract: In one example, a device for partially dried inkjet media output management includes a starwheel positioned on a first side between a number of rollers positioned on a second side to corrugate partially dried inkjet media between the starwheel and the number of rollers.

Abstract: A print engine includes: a media support chassis defining a curved media feed path; a maintenance chassis mounted on the media support chassis; a plurality of maintenance modules fixedly mounted between sidewalls of the maintenance chassis; a plurality of guide rails extending radially upwards from the maintenance chassis; a plurality of print module carriers, each print module carrier being slidingly received on respective parallel guide rails; a plurality of print modules releasably engaged with a respective one of the print module carriers; and a lift mechanism for radially raising and lowering the plurality of print module carriers relative to the maintenance chassis between a maintenance position a printing position.

Abstract: In a support member that is disposed to face a liquid emitting head and supports a medium, in a first region through which an edge of a first medium in a medium width direction passes, a liquid receiving portion is provided which receives a liquid emitted on a region deviated from the edge of the first medium in the medium width direction, and in a second region as a region through which an edge of a second medium in which a size thereof in the medium width direction is larger than that of the first medium passes, an absorbing material disposing portion at which a liquid absorbing material which absorbs the liquid guided from the liquid receiving portion is disposed to be capable of being exposed from an upper side of the support member is provided.

Abstract: A base material processing apparatus includes a first edge sensor, a second edge sensor, and a displacement amount calculation part. The first edge sensor acquires a first detection result (R1) by detecting the position of an edge of a base material in the width direction at a first detection position. The second edge sensor acquires a second detection result (R2) by detecting the position of the edge of the base material in the width direction at a second detection position. The displacement amount calculation part calculates the amount of displacement in the position of the base material in the transport direction on the basis of the first detection result (R1) and the second detection result (R2). Accordingly, the amount of displacement in the position of the base material in the transport direction can be detected without depending on images such as register marks.

Abstract: A recording material cartridge is attached to an image recording apparatus. A main body stores the recording material to be used in an image recordation process on a recording sheet by the image recording apparatus. A storage stores residual amount information indicating a current residual amount of the recording material. An interface receives consumption amount information. A reduction counter circuit subtracts a consumption amount based on the consumption amount information from the current residual amount to acquire the updated residual amount, and updates the residual amount information in the storage so that the residual amount information indicates the updated residual amount in a case where the consumption amount is larger than zero. The reduction counter maintains the residual amount information in the storage so that the residual amount information keeps on indicating the current residual amount in a case where the consumption amount is smaller than or equal to zero.

Abstract: An image forming system has a transmission assembly, standard and auxiliary sheet feeders, standard and auxiliary trays, an image forming device and a controller. The transmission assembly is for switching transmission of a drive force of a motor selectively to the one of the standard and auxiliary sheet feeders. The controller determines whether sheet is absent in the standard tray. The controller, based on determining the sheet is absent in the standard tray and receipt of preceding data, control the transmission assembly to initiate to switch the transmission of the drive force to the auxiliary sheet feeder. Also the controller, based on receipt of control data received after preceding data, control the image forming device to form an image based on the control data.