Abstract: An information processing system includes one or more information processing apparatuses for determining lifetimes of components, to be replaced by preventive maintenance, of respective electric devices. The information processing system includes a leading variable specifying unit configured to specify, based on variables that represent use states of the electric devices and failure data of the electric devices which have been obtained from the electric devices, a plurality of leading variables relevant to the lifetimes of the components; a lifetime matrix creating unit configured to classify a plurality of values of each of the leading variables into sections to create a lifetime matrix in which the lifetimes of the components are set with respect to combinations of the sections each of which relates to a different leading variable; and a lifetime outputting unit configured to determine the lifetimes of the components with respect to the respective electric devices.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, based on print target image data, obtains a video count of a developer unit that forms an image on a photoconductor for each of regions divided in a scanning direction of a laser that exposes the photoconductor. Also after obtaining the video count, halftone processing is performed on the image data. Based on the obtained video count, patch data for cleaning the photoconductor corresponding to each region is generated. The developer unit is controlled to execute image formation based on image data for which the halftone processing is performed, and to execute image formation based on the generated patch data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer member, a cleaning blade, an information storing member configured to store information on contact pressures of the cleaning blade to the image bearing member, an information input portion, and an executing portion configured to execute a toner supplying operation for supplying toner to the cleaning portion using a toner image formed on the image bearing member, in a period other than a period in which the toner image is formed on the image bearing member, for each predetermined number of image forming operations. On the basis of the information inputted to the input portion, the executing portion sets amounts of the toner supplied to the respective regions in the toner supplying operation.

Abstract: A controller in a control device is configured to perform: acquiring a first value from a printer, the first value being related to a residual quantity of printing material remaining in a first cartridge at a first calendar date; acquiring a second value from the printer, the second value being related to a residual quantity of printing material remaining in a second cartridge at a second calendar date, the second cartridge being attached to the printer later than detachment of the first cartridge; estimating a third calendar date using the first value, the second value, the first calendar date, and the second calendar date, the third calendar date being a calendar date when a third value related to the residual quantity of printing material remaining in the second cartridge is assumed to be smaller than a prescribed quantity; and executing an output process according to the third calendar date.

Abstract: Operational event loggings and operational alarm productions within a running multiserver data processing system are automatically and repeatedly sampled and co-associated with one another so as to build annotated logs that can be used by post-process analytics for filling in mappings thereof into an anomalies versus parameters mapping space and for keeping track of unusual changes in the mappings or their rates where the unusual changes can be indicative of emerging new problems of significance within the system.

Abstract: An imaging device has a drive gear assembly which operatively engages with a backup roll gear of a fuser assembly when the fuser assembly is inserted into the imaging device. Such engagement causes the drive gear assembly to rotate, and in turn rotates a drive motor coupled to the drive gear assembly. The drive motor includes Hall Effect sensors associated with a sensor arrangement that senses rotation of the motor. During rotation of the drive motor, sensor signals are transmitted to a controller of the imaging device, the controller counting rising and falling signal edges of the received sensor signals. Based on the number of rising and falling signal edges, a message is sent to a user of the imaging device whether or not the installation of the fuser assembly was successful.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer member, a measurement instrument, and a controller. The controller is configured to predict a lifetime of the transfer member based on first and second electrical states. The first electrical state is an electrical state of the transfer member when a first image carrier is attached as the image carrier. The second electrical state is an electrical state of the transfer member when a second image carrier different from the first image carrier is attached as the image carrier after formation of an image with the use of the first image carrier.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge includes a CRUM chip. The CRUM chip stores specific information about whether an ejection action by an ejection mechanism for the toner cartridge is permitted. In accordance with an instruction by a control portion of the image forming device, the ejection action is permitted in a case of a permitting cartridge for which the ejection action is permitted, and the ejection action is inhibited in a case of an inhibiting cartridge for which the ejection action is inhibited.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an operation panel having an operation surface for accepting operations from a user; a photovoltaic module for generating electric power upon reception of light; and a support member for supporting the photovoltaic module in such a way that the photovoltaic module is placed above the operation surface of the operation panel. The photovoltaic module is supported so as to be pivotable relative to the support member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member bearing an electrostatic latent image formed based on image information in forming an image, an electrification member being in contact with a surface of the image bearing member to electrify the image bearing member, a service life determining portion determining whether or not a service life of the electrification member has come to its end based on information concerning an electrification time during which voltage is applied to the electrification member obtained by using a detection result of the environment detecting portion and information concerning an image ratio of a formed image obtained by using the detection result of the environment detecting portion, and an alarm portion issuing an alarm in response to a determination made by the service life determining portion that the service life of the electrification member has come to the end.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a fixing device comprising a heater for heating a sheet on which an image is formed and a non-volatile memory in which characteristic information of the heater is stored. The fixing device is replaceable. In a case where the fixing device is replaced, the image forming apparatus starts to supply power to the heater before completing to read the characteristic information from the fixing device replaced. Due to this, the image forming apparatus can promptly heat the heater of the fixing device than before.

Abstract: A device management apparatus including a receiving unit configured to receive state information indicating a change in a state of a device and store the state information in a state information storage unit; a sending unit configured to send report information relating to the state information to a predetermined destination, when the state information received by the receiving unit corresponds to a report target; and a changing unit configured to expand the report targets when an operation state of the device does not fulfill a scheduled state of a present time point, the operation state being identified based on history of the state information stored in the state information storage unit.

Abstract: A method of converting a CMYK printer to print with a non-standard toner, comprising the steps: providing a CMYK toner printer; wherein the CMYK toner printer may have four toner printing cartridges, wherein three of the four toner printing cartridges may be color printing cartridges comprising a cyan toner printing cartridge, a magenta toner printing cartridge, and a yellow toner printing cartridge; removing one or more of the color toner printing cartridges from the toner printer, such that there may be one or more empty toner printing cartridge positions; providing one or more non-standard toner printing cartridges; and installing the one or more non-standard toner printing cartridges into the one or more empty toner printing cartridges.

Abstract: A method of converting a printer to print with white toner comprises the steps: providing a color toner printer; wherein the color toner printer may comprise a plurality of drum cartridges and a plurality of toner cartridges; wherein the plurality of toner cartridges may comprise a cyan toner cartridge, a yellow toner cartridge, a magenta toner cartridge, and a black toner cartridge; wherein the plurality of drum cartridges may comprise a cyan drum cartridge, a yellow drum cartridge, a magenta drum cartridge, and a black drum cartridge; removing the cyan toner cartridge, the magenta toner cartridge, the cyan drum cartridge, and the magenta drum cartridge; disassembling the cyan drum cartridge and the magenta drum cartridge; emptying and cleaning the cyan toner cartridge, the magenta toner cartridge, the cyan drum cartridge, and the magenta drum cartridge; priming the cyan drum cartridge and the magenta drum cartridge with a white toner; filling the cyan toner cartridge and the magenta toner cartridge with the

Abstract: An information mediation system includes a printer and an information mediation device which accumulates operation information that is modified according to an operation of the printer from the printer, in which the information mediation device has an operation information accumulating section which accumulates operation information of a type according to specifications of the printer from the printer, and a specification sensing section which senses a modification in the specifications of the printer, and the operation information accumulating section queries the type of operation information that is to be accumulated in a printer in which a modification of the specifications is sensed by the specification sensing section to an external management apparatus and accumulates the operation information of the type that is indicated by the query result from the printer in which the modification of the specifications is sensed.

Abstract: An image forming device provided in a management system manages remaining amount information of consumable contained in a loaded consumable container, detects identification information of a new consumable container to be loaded upon replacing the consumable container, and transmits a replacement notification including identification information, counter information indicating the operation status of the image forming device upon replacement, and remaining amount information of consumable contained in the previously loaded consumable container which has been removed by the replacement to a management device. The management device receives a replacement notification, associates identification information of a consumable container, counter information relating to the replacement of the consumable container, and the remaining amount information with each other based on the replacement notification, and stores the same as management information.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus fixes an image onto a recording material. A first fuse and a second fuse are connected in series each other. A power supply line is connected to one end of the first fuse. A signal line is connected to a connection point between another end of the first fuse and one end of the second fuse. A ground line is connected to another end of the second fuse. Information regarding the fixing apparatus is held in accordance with melt states of the first and second fuses.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; an intermediary transfer belt rotatable in a predetermined direction, a rubbing rotatable member provided between the secondary transfer portion and a cleaning blade with respect to the predetermined direction and configured to rub the belt; and a controller for controlling the belt such that after start of a both-side-printing mode operation in which the toner images are formed on respective sides of the recording material, the rotation of the belt is stopped at an end or interruption of the both-side-printing mode operation, and the belt is rotated in a direction opposite from the predetermined direction at least until a portion of the belt contacting the cleaning blade at the time of the stop of the rotation of the belt reaches a position opposing the rubbing rotatable member.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to providing cloud-based printing fluid subscription messages. in example embodiments, the system may then calculate a fulfillment trigger value based on a printing fluid fill level of a printing fluid storage unit and a printing fluid usage history of a remote printing device, where the fulfillment trigger value describes a printing fluid used level of the printing fluid storage unit that triggers an order request for as replacement supply of printing fluid. Next, system may update a subscription fulfillment status for the remote printing device to an order triggered state and send the subscription fulfillment status to the remote printing device, where the remote printing device determines whether to display a printing fluid subscription message based on the subscription fulfillment status.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a housing having a first wall and a second wall opposing each other, a drive-transmission member and a detected body rotatable about a first axis and a second axis respectively parallel to a first direction from the second wall toward the first wall. The detected body having a detected portion is movable first in the first direction and then in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the first wall while irreversibly moving from a first position to a second position, a distance between the detected portion and the first wall in the first direction being longer at the second position than at the first position. The drive-transmission member includes a first engaging portion engageable with the detected body at the first position and positioned upstream of an abutment portion abuttable with a receiving portion of the detected body in the first direction.

Abstract: A method and system for managing field convertible operator replaceable components associated with a rendering device. A file that defines a set of operator replaceable components can be created and remotely installed on the device. The replaceable components associated with the device can be easily changed from a designation as a customer service engineer replacement component to an operator replacement component and vice versa. A determination that an operator is allowed to replace the component can be made based on a training level provided to the operator, the component availability, a usage pattern, and/or a security level. Such an approach enables the operator to perform the majority of maintenance on the device without requiring the services of a field engineer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit that fixes an image, an obtaining unit that obtains information regarding conveying time taken to convey a recording material, a detection unit that detects information regarding an environment, and a control unit configured to determine, based on the information regarding the conveying time and the information regarding the environment, a timing at which the fixing unit is replaced.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a detector for detecting at least one characteristic associated with a toner container installed in the image processing device. A counter is provided for selectively incrementing count data indicative of a number of pages having toner applied thereto that have been output by the image processing device. One or more processors and one or more computer-readable media coupled to the one or more processors are provided. The one or more computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to use the at least one characteristic detected by the detector and the count data to calculate a usage ratio representing an expected number of used toner bottles and an actual number of used toner bottles to determine whether the usage ratio exceeds a usage threshold, and communicating a result of the determination when the usage ratio exceeds the usage threshold.

Abstract: Many devices, such as printers, work with one or more removable unit. Often, the removable units have an electronic circuit that used to communicate with the device. It may be desirable to provide a replacement unit in these devices. The replacement unit must include an electronic circuit that is able to communicate with the original device. Disclosed is a method and apparatus where a replacement unit is provided with a new electronic circuit and a used electronic circuit. The new electronic circuit is electrically connected to the used electronic circuit and uses the used electronic circuit to facilitate communication with the host device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of monitoring computer devices operating on a network is disclosed. Computer devices are all different and require monitoring settings that are tailored to their specific requirements. One example method of automatically configuring a set of monitoring requirements may include creating initial monitor counter values at a computing device and monitoring at least one computer based on the initial monitor counter values. Additional operations may include calculating override monitor counter values based on the monitoring of the at least one computer, and monitoring the at least one computer based on the override monitor counter values. The override values may be better suited for the device(s) being monitored and may replace the previously used monitoring settings.

Abstract: A method for providing a page countdown for a replaceable unit of an image forming device according to one embodiment includes calculating a number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of its life. The calculated number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of life is displayed on a display screen. After the calculated number of pages remaining is displayed, the displayed number of pages remaining is decreased in response to printing of pages by the image forming device, the number of pages remaining is recalculated and a discrepancy between the displayed number of pages remaining and the recalculated number of pages remaining is tracked. If the discrepancy exceeds a predetermined error threshold, the recalculated number of pages remaining is displayed and the displayed number of pages remaining continues to be decreased from the displayed recalculated number of pages remaining.

Abstract: A lubricant supplying device includes: lubricant; a supplying member that supplies the lubricant to a lubricant supply target; and a remaining amount detecting unit that detects that a remaining amount of the lubricant is equal to or smaller than a certain amount. The remaining amount detecting unit includes a first electrode member and a second electrode member. The lubricant supplying device includes a member that causes at least a part of the second electrode member to move and causes the second electrode member to abut the first electrode member with an increase in consumption of the lubricant.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: at least one container, a recorder, a communication unit, an input device, a memory, a display, and a controller. The controller performs: receiving a recording command via the communication unit; storing the recording command in the memory; and detecting a remaining amount of the consumables in the container. And the controller further performs: calculating a consumption amount of the consumables in accordance with the stored recording command; receiving authentication information; authenticating the stored recording command and comparing the detected remaining amount of the consumables with the calculated consumption amount to be consumed for the image of the authenticated recording command; and displaying information of a first authenticated recording command with a first indication indicating the first authenticated recording command is executed, when the calculated consumption amount is equal to or less than the detected remaining amount.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to update a supported-supplies database (110) of an image forming apparatus (105) are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes detecting insertion of an imaging supply (120) into an image forming apparatus (105), interacting with the inserted imaging supply (120) to obtain a supply identifier, the supply identifier representing an additional supported imaging supply for the image forming apparatus (105), and adding the obtained supply identifier to a supported-supplies database (110) of the image forming apparatus (105).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to form a color image by having at least one consumable product, the image forming apparatus including a main board, a first memory unit detachably coupled to the main body, a consumable product memory unit installed at the consumable product, and configured to store information on a lifespan of the consumable product, and a control unit configured to read the information on the lifespan of the consumable product from the consumable product memory unit, and to store the information on the lifespan of the consumable product at the first memory unit in the form of a backup.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cassette chamber, a paper feed cassette, a sheet size sensor, a lift-up sensor, and an arithmetic control unit. The paper feed cassette can be mounted in the cassette chamber, and lifts up a recording sheet placed in the paper feed cassette upon being mounted in the cassette chamber. The arithmetic control unit is configured to decide that the paper feed cassette is mounted when the lift-up sensor detects that the recording sheet is lifted up, despite the sheet size sensor having detected that the paper feed cassette is not mounted.

Abstract: A printing apparatus 100 is capable of mounting a multi-color printing material container having a storage device that stores identification information of the printing material container and ink consumption information of each color. The printing apparatus includes a first nonvolatile memory 120 that stores the identification information of printing material containers and first usage information that is based on the ink consumption information of each color, and a printing apparatus controller 110 that performs control of print processing.

Abstract: A solid lubricant supply system includes a solid lubricant supplier to receive and supply solid lubricant to a solid lubricant supplying target. A pair of first and second moveable planar electrodes is opposed to each other. The second moveable planar electrode is partially moved toward the first moveable planar electrode as the solid lubricant is consumed. A residual solid lubricant quantity detecting unit is provide to detect a quantity of the residual solid lubricant at a first stage, in which the residual solid lubricant quantity is below a given level, by detecting electric conduction between the pair of first and second moveable planar electrodes when the pair of first and second moveable planar electrodes contacts each other. The first moveable planar electrode is enabled to further move together with the second moveable planar electrode when it is contacted and pressed by the second moveable planar electrode.

Abstract: A device failure predictor includes data acquisition unit to acquire internal data of a target device, a peak value calculator to calculate a plurality of peak values of the internal data for a prescribed period of time, and a failure sign identification unit to set individual criteria for the plurality of peak values and determine whether or not the target device shows signs of failure according to the plurality of peak values and the individual criteria.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; a transfer belt configured to be charged to an opposite polarity to the surface of the photosensitive drum to electrostatically attract a recording paper sheet and convey the sheet while pressing the sheet against the photosensitive drum, thereby transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum to the sheet; a fixing section configured to apply heat to the recording paper sheet having the toner image transferred thereto and thus fix the toner image on the sheet; a toner collecting member disposed to face a separating position where the recording paper sheet is separated from the transfer belt and extending in a width direction of the sheet being conveyed, the toner collecting member being electrically grounded; and a thermally conductive member configured to collect heat near the fixing section and conduct the collected heat to the toner collecting member.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking consumables associated with an image forming device is described. An RFID reader is positioned to read RFID tags associated with the consumables when the consumables are inserted into, stationary in, or removed from the image forming device.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a print data transmitting device that can teach an operator a recommended print condition corresponding to a size of recording paper in a printing apparatus.

Abstract: A management server capable of communicating with a providing apparatus via a network and using a function provided by the providing apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive failure information from the image forming apparatus, and a notification unit configured to perform notification for arranging maintenance of the image forming apparatus according to the failure information received from the image forming apparatus, wherein the management server does not arrange the maintenance of the image forming apparatus if it can be identified that the failure is caused by the providing apparatus based on the received failure information.

Abstract: An image forming unit includes an image forming part forming an image, and a developer containing part containing a developer, removably installed to the image forming part, and supplying the developer to the image forming part. The image forming part includes a first memory part storing first usage information indicating usage information of the image forming part and second usage information indicating usage information of the developer in the image forming part.

Abstract: A print controlling method, an image forming method and a print controlling terminal apparatus are provided. The print controlling method includes receiving a job command to execute a printing job, determining whether accumulative printing is needed based on a ratio of a number of accumulated organic photo conductor (OPC) revolutions to a number of accumulated output pages of the image forming apparatus, if it is determined that the accumulative printing is needed, accumulating and storing data of the printing job, and, if a number of printing pages of entire data accumulated and stored is greater than or equal to a pre-set threshold number of pages, transmitting all the data to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a calculation unit configured to calculate, based on attribute information of a print job, a supply time point at which supply of consumables becomes necessary due to execution of the print job; and a notification unit configured to notify a user of necessity of the supply of the consumables at a time point obtained by subtracting a transit time it takes for the user to move to the image forming device and a supply time necessary for supplying the consumables from the supply time point.

Abstract: A printing consumables chip comprises a base plate which is provided with a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, and an electronic module which connects with two electrical contacts. The electronic module comprises a microcontroller, and a clock circuit which provides a clock signal to the microcontroller. The modulation circuit comprises a switch device. A control terminal of the switch device is connected with a first pin of the microcontroller and two output terminals of the switch device are connected with the first electrical contact and the ground, respectively. The clock circuit comprises a comparison unit. A first input terminal of the comparison unit is connected with an external clock signal and a second input terminal. The first pin receives the control signal from the output terminal of the comparison unit, and the control terminal of the switch device is connected with a second pin of the microcontroller.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to implement an automated scheme by which a vendor can advantageously employ remotely-monitored information on a status of non-managed office devices, gathered as part of the vendor's customer support effort regarding the office devices that the vendor manages for a customer organization under a managed service agreement or the like, to the benefit of the customer organization and the vendor. The vendor remotely monitors a status of non-managed office devices, including a status of consumables in the non-managed devices, at a customer organization's site, and upon being made aware of a change in status on one of the non-managed devices, including pending exhaustion of one or more consumables on a non-managed device, immediately offers assistance in correcting a problem with the non-managed device to include replenishment service of the nearly-exhausted consumable in the non-managed device.

Abstract: A solid lubricant supply system includes a solid lubricant supplier to receive and supply solid lubricant to a solid lubricant supplying target. A pair of first and second moveable planar electrodes is opposed to each other. The second moveable planar electrode is partially moved toward the first moveable planar electrode as the solid lubricant is consumed. A residual solid lubricant quantity detecting unit is provide to detect a quantity of the residual solid lubricant at a first stage, in which the residual solid lubricant quantity is below a given level, by detecting electric conduction between the pair of first and second moveable planar electrodes when the pair of first and second moveable planar electrodes contacts each other. The first moveable planar electrode is enabled to further move together with the second moveable planar electrode when it is contacted and pressed by the second moveable planar electrode.

Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.

Abstract: In the present invention, a lubricant supplying device includes a lubricant end determining unit that determines that a solid lubricant is in an end state when the amount of a lubricant supplying operation reaches a threshold after a residual amount detecting unit detects that the residual amount of the solid lubricant is equal to or smaller than a predetermined amount. The lubricant end determining unit makes a threshold of the amount of the lubricant supplying operation at temperature or humidity of equal to or lower than a predetermined value lower than a threshold of the amount of the lubricant supplying operation at temperature or humidity of higher than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of setting an address of a component that includes determining a characterization value associated with a consumable, calculating a number of address change operations based upon the characterization value, and setting a last address generated from the number of address change operations as the new address of the component, wherein the characterization value is determined based upon a usage of the consumable.

Abstract: A communication system includes an apparatus transmitting management information about management of consumable supplies and a mobile communication device that receives the management information. The communication device includes a detection part configured to detect a position of the communication device; a memory part configured to store a supplier's name of the consumable supplies and a position of the supplier; a setting part configured to set an area specified by a circle with a radius of predetermined length, which is centered on the position of the supplier stored in the memory part, as a control area; a display part; and a display control part configured to allow the display part to display the management information, the name of the supplier, and/or the position of the supplier when the display control part receives the management information from the apparatus and the position detected by the detection part falls within the control area.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: a storage medium which stores manufacture information to a consumable supply; a reading unit which reads information in the storage medium; a communication control unit which receives failure information of the consumable supply; a display unit which displays information; and a control unit which receives the failure information of the consumable supply by the communication control unit, then determines whether a consumable supply in use is equivalent to a failed consumable supply or not, and performs control to display the failure information on the display unit when the consumable supply is determined as equivalent to the failed consumable supply.

Abstract: A method for monitoring development parameters of a liquid toner electrophotographic (LEP) printer, the method comprising defining an operational window for a current utilized by the printer and monitoring the current to determine a deviation of the current outside the operational window.