Abstract: An image forming system includes an input unit for input of setting information, an image forming unit, a conveying unit, a control unit, and a jam detecting unit, wherein a set of a plurality of different kinds of special sheets disposed in a predetermined order is used. When occurrence of a jam is detected by the jam detecting unit, the control unit recognizes whether a special sheet having been fed is present in the image forming system, and if it is recognized that a special sheet is present in the image forming system, the control unit controls the conveying unit, after the jam being released, to eject a special sheet or sheets as unnecessary up to one that is disposed preceding a special sheet that is of the same kind as a most front one that was present in the image forming system at the time of the occurrence of the jam.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an input unit for input of setting information, an image forming unit, a conveying unit, a control unit, and a jam detecting unit, wherein a set of a plurality of different kinds of special sheets disposed in a predetermined order is used. When occurrence of a jam is detected by the jam detecting unit, the control unit recognizes whether a special sheet having been fed is present in the image forming system, and if it is recognized that a special sheet is present in the image forming system, the control unit controls the conveying unit, after the jam being released, to eject a special sheet or sheets as unnecessary up to one that is disposed preceding a special sheet that is of the same kind as a most front one that was present in the image forming system at the time of the occurrence of the jam.

Abstract: A multi-sensor system includes a first analog sensor sub-system, a second analog sensor sub-system, and a system for synchronizing the outputs of the first and second analog sub-systems. Each analog sensor sub-system includes a sensor that produces an analog output. Each sensor is coupled to analog circuitry that processes the output from the sensor. The system for synchronizing the outputs of the first and second analog sensor sub-systems simultaneously inserts a marker into the outputs of the first and second analog sensors. Then, the outputs of the analog circuitry of the first and second analog sub-systems are synchronized based upon the marker. The marker signal may be produced using a Barker sequence signal generator.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a fixing rotary body; a rotary body provided with an interval from the fixing rotary body; an endless belt rotating in a condition in which it is wound around the fixing rotary body and the rotary body; a pressure rotary body which makes a pressure contact with the fixing roller across the endless belt; a heater for heating a recording material conveyed by the endless belt; a cooling unit for cooling a recording material conveyed by the endless belt and heated by the heater; and an error detecting member for detecting an error in conveyance of the recording material. When an error is detected in the downstream of the cooling unit by the error detecting member, the recording material is stopped after the recording material on the endless belt is conveyed to a position in which the cooling unit cools the recording material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include an image forming device to form and fix an image on a paper, a paper conveyer to convey the paper from a sheet feeder through the image forming device to a finisher, at least one door configured to uncover and cover a part of the paper conveyer, a jam detector to detect whether a jam occurs in the paper conveyer, at least one door sensor to detect whether each door is open or closed, a display, a memory, and a controller to control the jam detector, the door sensor and the display. The controller may be configured to execute control to display a jam detection result detected by the jam detector and jam removal guidance, corresponding to the jam detector which detects the jam occurring in the paper conveyer, based on the information of preset display orders of the jam removal guidance.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for determining if a media jam has been detected by a print engine, an input device, or an output device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus body having an aperture for the removal of a jammed printing medium, a printing engine installed in the image forming apparatus body to print an image on a printing medium supplied thereto, and a jam-removal device installed to the image forming apparatus body in an upwardly movable manner, so as to remove a jammed printing medium from the image forming apparatus body. As the jam-removal device, capable of opening or closing the aperture for the removal of the printing medium jammed in the body, can be sliding moved in an upward direction of the image forming apparatus body, the image forming apparatus can achieve a reduced installation space thereof.

Abstract: A method of processing an error of an image forming apparatus judges an error occurrence of the image forming apparatus, and if the error occurs, it stops the operation of a conveyer unit. After the operation of the conveyer unit is stopped, the method cleans an image forming unit, and then displays the error occurrence. Thus, the remaining toner on a transfer medium can be removed in advance when the error occurs, and the quality of an image can be secured.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of detecting paper jams in printer, such as in the fuser assembly of an electrophotographic device. A plurality of sensors may detect the leading edge of the sheet of paper as it exits the fuser hot roll nip. The sensors may include a media exit sensor and a narrow media sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the invention includes a scanner for reading an image, a printer for fixing an image formed thereby on paper and discharging the paper, a display for displaying information, and a controller for controlling the scanner, the printer, and the display. The controller is configured to execute control such that jam removal guidance in accordance with an operation of a user is displayed on the display when the operation of the user in an attempt to remove a jam that has occurred in the printer is different from an order displayed on the display. In the image forming apparatus according to the invention, even when the user does not execute the jam removal operation according to the displayed guidance, guidance will be displayed in accordance with the state of the apparatus after the execution of the operation.

Abstract: Upon occurrence of jamming in an apparatus, an electrification unit 4 ceases electrification of a surface of a photosensitive drum 3 and, simultaneously, an exposure unit 5 starts to expose the entire surface in a width direction to light. Further, a development unit 6 forms a toner adhesion region T on the photosensitive drum 3 and, also, stops a drum motor and a belt motor in such a manner that the toner adhesion region T stops at a transfer nip section N. Thus, it is possible to alleviate a rub between the photosensitive drum 3 and a conveyance belt 8 at the time when jamming is cleared, and to suppress generation of scratches on the photosensitive drum 3 and a surface of the conveyance belt 8.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same, which control a paper pickup-related time to perform duplex printing, are provided. The apparatus includes a first conveyance path, a second conveyance path, a counter, and a controller. A paper feed unit and a paper exit unit are provided in the first conveyance path where development, transfer, and fusing processes are performed. In the second conveyance path, paper is conveyed separately from the first conveyance path. The counter measures a conveyance period of time, during which a sheet of paper is conveyed along the second conveyance path, based on a sensing signal from a paper feed sensor and a paper exit sensor. The controller controls a paper pickup-related time to perform duplex printing according to the difference between the conveyance period of time measured by the counter and a reference period of time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image formation portion for forming a toner image on a sheet, and a fixation device for fixing the toner image formed by the image formation portion on the sheet. When a sheet jam occurs, it is controlled whether the fixation device should be driven such that the sheet is discharged from the fixation device based on a sheet type.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and image processing method for preventing a paper jam in print output are provided. First, when printing is instructed, it is judged whether paper jam exists. Next, when occurrence of paper jam is recognized based on the judgment, information related to an object is obtained. Next, when a paper jam occurs, the information is added to information of each object. Additionally, when each object is reused, it is judged whether there is a possibility that a paper jam will occur again, based on the information added.

Abstract: A paper jam detector for a gaming machine. A paper jam detector is integrated with a gaming machine printer that produces cash-out paper vouchers, print-on-demand player tracking cards, or tickets. A paper jam detector may be entirely self-contained and include all of the mechanical, electrical, electronic, and software components used to detect a paper jam and communicate with a gaming machine or a host. A paper jam detector may also be distributed throughout a gaming machine printer, thereby utilizing various components of the gaming machine printer's printing mechanism and control module. The paper jam detector detects paper jam conditions by monitoring the movement of the paper through the mechanical portions of the gaming machine printer and signals to the gaming machine printer, gaming machine, or host when a paper jam occurs.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to inhibit resources from being wastefully consumed with the occurrence of a jam is provided. When a jam occurs in a paper feeding section while duplex printing is being performed, stop preparation information is transmitted from an engine control section 206 to a main control section 200 (step S309). Upon receipt of the stop preparation information, the main control section 200 transmits a request to delete a printing request that has already been transmitted (step S310), and re-requests printing for a page corresponding to a sheet of paper that can be recovered by duplex printing (step S312). The engine control section 206 notifies, upon receipt of image data on the page for which the main control section 200 requests printing to complete the duplex printing (step S318), a user of a jam (step S319).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a body; an electronic unit; a replaceable unit that is detachably installed within the body; a power supply that generates and outputs a predetermined operation voltage; a high voltage generating part that receives the operation voltage and generates and outputs a high voltage; an electronic unit driving part that receives the operation voltage and regulates a driving voltage supplied to the electronic unit; and a controller that controls the power supply to cut off the operation voltage if the replaceable unit is not installed within the body. Also taught is a method of operating the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a fixing device having: a first heat generator for generating heat for a fixing processing, the first heat generator using electric power supplied by a commercial power source; and a second heat generator for generating heat for the fixing processing, the second heat generator using electric power supplied by the auxiliary power source device; a heat generation controller for allowing the first heat generator and the second heat generator to generate heat; a sheet jam detector for detecting a sheet jam of a recording sheet which occurs in the image forming section having the fixing device and a conveyance path of a recording sheet; and a charge controller for allowing charging of the auxiliary power source device to start when the sheet jam detector detects a sheet jam, and the charged capacity detector detects no full charge of the auxiliary power source device.

Abstract: To provide an image forming device that is capable of properly checking removal of a paper that has caused a paper jam, when the paper jam occurs in a fixing part. The image forming device includes: a fixing part 132 including transporting mechanisms 132a and 132b for transporting a paper on which a toner image is formed; a first paper detecting part 133a disposed on an upstream side of the fixing part 132; a second paper detecting part 133b disposed on a downstream side; a paper jam detecting part for detecting a paper jam in the fixing part; and a transportation control part (a fixation control part 132A) which drive-controls the transporting mechanisms 132a and 132b to change a transporting direction of the paper to a reverse direction, when a paper jam in the fixing part is detected and the paper is not detected by the first detecting part 133a.

Abstract: A jam removing method and printer using toner a save mode includes detecting a paper jam on a printing route, confirming whether a dot count value of a corresponding image exceeds a preset boundary value, and converting a printing mode into the toner save mode when the dot count value exceeds the boundary value. The paper jam by an image density is prevented from repeating, and successive paper jam is prevented from occurring, user's convenience may be enhanced, and the toner may not be wasted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is capable of judging whether or not a sheet handling apparatus is connected or faulty without provision of a sheet handling apparatus mechanical connection-detecting section, and reducing the size and manufacturing costs of the apparatus. To an image forming apparatus, a sheet handling apparatus is disconnectably connected. A communicating portion communicates with the sheet handling apparatus. A control sections judges whether or not the image forming apparatus or the sheet handling apparatus is abnormal. The control section provides a display for confirming disconnection of the sheet handling apparatus, if it is judged that the image forming apparatus or the sheet handling apparatus is not abnormal, when the communication with the sheet handling apparatus by the communicating portion is impossible.

Abstract: A device and method for assisting a user to clear a media jam in a printing device that announces pages, picks media responsively to the announced pages and images the picked media using a media transport path, that: detects a media jam at a given location along the media transport path; halts printing device components upstream from the given location in the media path while continuing to image picked media downstream from the given location in the media transport path; and, prompts the user to clear the detected media jam from the given location after all downstream media has been imaged.

Abstract: If, upon an occurrence of a jam, a sheet is detected by a sensor disposed downstream of a fixing portion or the leading end thereof has not reached this sensor and a coverage rate is high, the jam is judged to have occurred in the fixing portion. A number (x) of blank sheets to be passed is determined from a coverage rate of the entire sheet, and a cleaning mode is automatically executed if the automatic execution of the cleaning mode is selected, whereas a notification urging the input of an instruction as to whether or not to execute the cleaning mode is given if the automatic notification is selected. Therefore, toner adhered to the fixing portion can be simply and properly cleaned.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms an image by fixing, on a recording medium, a toner image formed by an image forming unit. The image forming apparatus includes a determination unit which determines whether a delay has occurred during conveyance of a recording medium, based on the detection result of the recording medium discharged from a fixing unit for fixing a toner image on the recording medium, and a control unit which controls the operation of the image forming apparatus based on the determination result of the determination unit and a determination result indicating whether a jam processing operation was executed for the fixing unit.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder (ADF) with a feeding roller used to carry a paper sheet to a reading position is provided. The ADF comprises a feeding path, a paper cartridge, an exit roller set, and a first lever. The feeding path is arranged in the ADF for guiding the paper sheet reaching the reading position and leaving the reading position. The paper cartridge has a fixed front edge aligned with an inlet of the feeding path. The exit roller set is located by the feeding path and at a downstream position with respect to the reading position. The exit roller set includes two exit rollers leaning against each other for carrying the paper sheet leaving the ADF. The first lever is connected between the paper cartridge and one of the exit rollers. As the paper sheet is jammed at the exit roller set, the paper cartridge may be raised to drive the first lever to separate the two exit rollers for removing the jammed paper sheet.

Abstract: The print media processing apparatus has a function for detecting paper jams, and uses a validation detector and a discharge detector as a plurality of jam detection means that operate at different detection levels and independently of each other.

Abstract: A driving apparatus with a power disconnecting part for disconnecting power transmitted to an image fixing unit while an image formed on an image transfer belt is cleaned when a paper jam occurs, and an image forming apparatus and method for performing the same. The image forming apparatus includes a driving motor, a belt unit driving part having a belt driving gear connected to the driving motor to drive an image belt, an image fixing unit driving part having an image fixing gear for driving an image fixing roller for fixing a toner image onto a recording medium, a power disconnecting part for transmitting the power of the driving motor of the belt unit driving part to the image fixing unit driving part or for disconnecting the power transmission of the driving motor from the image fixing unit driving part, and a power disconnection actuating part for actuating the power disconnecting part.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for determining if a media jam has been detected by a print engine, an input device, or an output device.

Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus including: a discharge tray which can moves between a first position capable of loading a discharged sheet and a second position that is separated from the first position; and a sheet loading amount detection sensor which has a sheet detection flag abutting against the upper surface of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray and capable of moving in accordance with a loading amount of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray, and detects the sheet loading amount by detecting a position of the sheet detection flag, wherein when the discharge tray means is located at the second position, the sheet detection flag is removed from a position capable of detecting the sheet loading amount.

Abstract: A document processing system where system software interfaces with transport hardware is provided. A medium stores the system software which includes an API for application software. The system software further includes instructions for a track control module and an exception handler. The track control module creates an object for each read document. The object reports document completion to the application software. The application software requires that document completions be reported in the same order in which the objects were created. When a document jam occurs, the track control module identifies all documents involved in the jam, and for each document involved in the jam the track control module checks if all operations are complete and if the document entered the correct pocket, and sets a flag if both events are true. The exception handler hides the documents involved in the jam that have a set flag, but displays the others.

Abstract: An image forming device and control method thereof. The image forming device includes a printer engine control unit capable of detecting failure in transport of a sheet on which image data of a page is to be printed, a printer controller controlling output of image data from an output unit to a printer engine according to a first control mode wherein the image data of the page is re-outputted, and a second control mode wherein the image data of the page is not re-outputted, based upon settings in a job management table corresponding to the sheet. This enables suitable determination regarding whether or not the image data of the page corresponding to the jammed sheet should be re-outputted.

Abstract: An office information system having a device which provides a user with an operational message of the system is disclosed. In an embodiment of the office information system, a path record storage device stores a plurality of path records related to components of the system, each path record indicating a locating path needed to reach a location of a specific one of the components in the system when a failure related to the specific one of the components occurs. A failure location detecting device detects a location of a component in the system when a failure related to the component occurs. A reached location determining device reads a path record from the path record storage device when the location of the failure is detected, and determines a currently reached location in the system based on the path indicated by the path record.

Abstract: A method and device for removing media sheet jams within an image forming device. The position of the media sheets is monitored as the media sheets move through the image forming process. The occurrence of a media jam is detected, and the position of each media sheet within the device at the time of the jam is also detected. A message is displayed to an operator indicating the number of sheets within the device that should be removed to clear the jam. The order of media sheet removal may also be displayed to the operator.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a rotatable first rotary member, a rotatable second rotary member brought into pressure contact with the first rotary member, and forming a nip part for nipping and conveying a recording material, first recording material detector located at the vicinity of the nip part downstream of the nip part with respect tot he conveying direction of the recording material for detecting the passage of the recording material, a drive unit for rotatively driving the first rotary member, a brake for applying the brakes to the rotation of the first rotary member, and a controller for controlling the brake, and during jam near the first rotary member, the driving of the drive unit is stopped. Thereby, the amount of wrapping during the wrapping jam of the recording material around the fixing rotary member can be made small.

Abstract: A printing device is provided that includes a housing having a media path therethrough. The printing device includes at least one sensor for detecting when a media jam occurs in the media path. At least one indicator is operatively associated with a processor to provide a series of indications that can be used to locate the media jam. The indicators can comprise lights, audible indicators or graphical indicators.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus transfers a toner image formed on a photoconductor drum onto a sheet-like recording member while the sheet-like recording member is transported and attracted to a transfer belt, and comprises a jam handling control unit for detecting a transport fault of the sheet-like recording member, and for stopping the transport operation when the transport fault is detected. When the transport fault is detected in a section other than a fixing section, the jam handling control unit first causes the transport operation of the fixing section, and thereafter causes the transfer belt and the transport operation on the upstream side thereof to stop, and any sheet-like recording member remaining on the transfer belt so that the transport mechanism on the upstream side thereof is transported and stopped at the position spanning between the area of the fixing section and the area of the transfer belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet ejection sensor 4 disposed immediately downstream of a fixing device 3 that detects the passage of a sheet P, time measurement means 61 that measure a time T4 from when a print start signal is transmitted during an margin adjustment to when the sheet is detected by the sheet ejection sensor, time storage means 62 that store a proper setting time T5 that is considered as an appropriate time from when the print start signal is transmitted to when the sheet is detected by the sheet ejection sensor so as to set predetermined end margins, and control means 63 that automatically corrects an signal transmission timing of the print start signal so as to achieve a match between the measured time measured by the time measurement means and the proper setting time stored by the time storage means.

Abstract: A reference time ts, which corresponds to a period of time a sheet S needs to move passed a detection position P1 where a sheet detection sensor 841 is disposed, is set in advance in accordance with the length of the sheet S. After a time t1 from the start of driving of a gate roller, as the leading edge of the sheet S transported to a nip area N which is between the heater roller 91 and a pressurizing roller 92 arrives at the detection position P1, an output from the sheet detection sensor 841 changes to an L-level. When the transportation of the sheet has been normal, the sensor output returns to an H-level after a reference time ts or a longer time. On the contrary, upon occurrence of a jam J2 that the sheet S has got wrapped around the heater roller 91, the leading edge of the sheet S moves backward, and therefore, a duration tm in which the sensor output is kept at the L-level becomes shorter than the reference time ts.

Abstract: At the detection of an occurrence of a sheet feeder jam, in a case where media in the course of being printed on one face exist, printing this one face is continued, and this medium is inserted into the duplex printing unit. After this, relief of the sheet feeder jam is requested, and change in the duplex printing unit is monitored. In the case where there is no change in the duplex printing unit, after the printing process is re-started, re-use of the medium is allowed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a cleaning blade for cleaning a conveying belt or an intermediate transfer body, and a lubricating agent coating mechanism for coating a lubricating agent on the surface of the conveying belt or the intermediate transfer, body, wherein detection is made whether a conveying belt, an intermediate transfer body belt or a cleaning blade is a new article, and the lubricating agent coating mechanism is operated to coat the lubricating agent on the surface of the conveying belt or the intermediate transfer body. Further, detection is made of installation temperature and humidity of the image forming apparatus, and in case of under-prescribed environments, the lubricating agent coating mechanism is operated to coat the lubricating agent on the surface of the conveying belt or the intermediate transfer body. Thereby, the cleaning performance is improved, and the blade burring is prevented.

Abstract: A system and method for judging a paper jam condition in a device, such as an image forming apparatus, including the steps of checking a feed sensor unit, operating a timer, and if it is judged that the feed sensor unit is switched to an “ON” state, calculating a value T1 for a fuse lamp drive unit of the apparatus to be in an “ON” state. The system and method then directs a comparison of the value T1 with a reference value T2, and judges a paper jam condition exists and aborts a printing operation if the value T1 is out of an error range of the T2. The paper jam condition is detected through the use of a feed sensor unit and monitoring of the fuser control, therefore a discharge sensor unit is not required at a discharging side of the image forming apparatus for sensing the paper jam condition.

Abstract: A plurality of photosensitive drums are disposed in a sheet transport direction so as to be in contact with a transfer belt and a transfer voltage for transferring toner images on the photosensitive drums onto a sheet transported by the transfer belt is applied thereto. A sensor for sensing a temperature or humidity in the working atmosphere of the image forming apparatus is provided; when a jam occurs, sheet transportation is ceased at a first stage to thereby enable the sheet in the jam to be removed; at a second stage subsequent thereto, transportation of the sheet is restarted; and the transfer voltage applied onto the transfer belt is controlled based on a measurement result of the sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transferring-and-feeding unit (103) including a transfer belt (110). The transferring-and-feeding unit (103) is supported by a support frame (115) swingable in the direction away from image forming portions (100) including photosensitive bodies (107). The fixing unit (104) includes release members (121) that bring a heat roller (117) and the pressure roller (118) to stop pressing the recording medium. As the support frame (115) swings, the transfer belt (110) separates from the photosensitive bodies (107), and the heat roller (117) and the pressure roller (118) stop pressing the recording medium, with the result that the recording medium can easily removed from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A manual paper feeding apparatus comprises a tray for manual paper feeding, a paper feed roller to feed the paper fed manually from the tray, a separation roller which is pressed to contact the paper feed roller, rotated at the pressed contact position in the direction reverse to the paper feed roller, and separates the sheets of paper one by one, a power transmission device to transmit power to the paper feed roller and separation roller, and a reversing device which is provided in the power transmission device, and rotates the paper feed roller in the direction reverse to the paper feeding direction, based on that the paper fed between the paper feed roller and separation roller is pulled in the direction reverse to the manual feeding direction.

Abstract: A control system for an image forming device includes a sensor mounted on an optical path unobstructed by elements that are subject to wear for detecting a time varying signal representing reflected light from both a photoconductive element and a transfer sheet internal to the image forming device, a memory storing reference values, and a controller to control an image forming operation based on the reference values stored in the memory and the time-varying signal received from the sensor. The controller reads the time-varying signal from the sensor and compares the time-varying signal read to the reference values to determine a condition of the image forming device.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus is provided which primarily transfers a toner image onto an intermediate transfer member, and then secondarily transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer member onto a transfer material, wherein a controller controls the process so that when the image forming apparatus stops, a toner image pattern ? formed on a non-image area of a photoconductive member is prevented from causing image problems.

Abstract: A sheet feeder capable of immediately detecting a paper jam includes a housing, a motor attached to the housing, a driving roller, a driven roller, a rotation speed detector and a control circuit. The motor drives the driving roller to rotate, and the driving roller drives the driven roller to rotate. The driven roller cooperates with the driving roller to feed a sheet therethrough. The rotation speed detector detects the rotation speed of the driven roller and outputs a rotation speed signal. The control circuit receives the rotation speed signal to judge whether or not a paper jam occurs according to the rotation speed signal.

Abstract: A plurality of photosensitive drums are disposed in a sheet transport direction so as to be in contact with a transfer belt and a transfer voltage for transferring toner images on the photosensitive drums onto a sheet transported by the transfer belt is applied thereto. A sensor for sensing a temperature or humidity in the working atmosphere of the image forming apparatus is provided; when a jam occurs, sheet transportation is ceased at a first stage to thereby enable the sheet in the jam to be removed; at a second stage subsequent thereto, transportation of the sheet is restarted; and a transport distance of the sheet is controlled based on a printing ratio of an image formed on the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus transfers a toner image formed on a photoconductor drum onto a sheet-like recording member while the sheet-like recording member is transported and attracted to a transfer belt, and comprises a jam handling control unit for detecting a transport fault of the sheet-like recording member, and for stopping the transport operation when the transport fault is detected. When the transport fault is detected in a section other than a fixing section, the jam handling control unit first causes the transport operation of the fixing section, and thereafter causes the transfer belt and the transport operation on the upstream side thereof to stop, and any sheet-like recording member remaining on the transfer belt so that the transport mechanism on the upstream side thereof is transported and stopped at the position spanning between the area of the fixing section and the area of the transfer belt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the cause of degradation in a product or device. A reference time is established and recorded, then a process or function of the device or product is enabled. As anomalous events occur, a user actuates an actuator that causes the recordation of an event time with respect to the reference time. Events may be repetitive or non-repetitive. At completion of the function, the recorded times are compared to a table of known product or device cycle function times, and a correlation is made to determine the most likely cycle function related to the events recorded. This information can then be correlated to parts previously known to operate at such times thereby providing a diagnostic tool useful in maintenance or repair of the device or product.