Abstract: A consumable management device includes a life determining unit that determines whether a consumable reaching a life end exists in an object apparatus which operates with a plurality of consumables or not, a stop process unit that, when the life determining unit determines that a consumable reaching a life end exists, performs a stop process of stopping the operation of the object apparatus, an additional replacement determining unit that, when the object apparatus is to be stopped, determines whether, in addition to replacement or replenishment of the consumable, a consumable which is to be replaced or replenished exists or not, and a notification process unit that, when the additional replacement determining unit determines that a consumable which is to be additionally replaced or replenished exists, performs a notification process of notifying an operator that the consumable which is to be additionally replaced or replenished is to be replaced or replenished.

Abstract: A plurality of printing jobs associated with a printing environment can be initially evaluated. Such a printing environment can be implemented as a print shop or another lean document production environment. A set of minimal resource capacities can then be calculated as a multi-objective optimization using a linear programming (LP) analysis. Alternatively, in a generalized geometrical algorithm, at least one peak-demand production rate associated with the most critical resource can first be estimated, in response to evaluating the plurality of printing jobs. Thereafter, minimal resource capacities of the plurality of resources of the printing environment can be hierarchically calculated based on estimating the previously determined peak-demand production rate of higher priority.

Abstract: In a printing system, before transmitting print data to a printer, a personal computer transmits a virtual printing start command to the printer. When the data received by the printer is a virtual printing start command, the printer performs a virtual printing operation until the printer receives a virtual printing end command from the personal computer. At the virtual printing operation, procedures are similar to those of an actual printing operation. However, at the virtual printing operation, sheets are not conveyed nor is a developing agent, such as ink and toner, adhered to the sheets by a printing unit. For example, the received print data is developed into a memory as an image data. When an error occurs during the virtual printing operation, the printer provides error information to the personal computer. Then, the personal computer displays the error information via a dialog box to a user.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus main body for forming an image on a recording medium using consumable items removably attached thereto by at least two operation modes. The image forming apparatus main body comprises a communicating unit that communicates with a consumable item which retains switching information to change the operation mode of the image forming apparatus main body and a controller that switches among the operation modes according to the switching information retained in the consumable item when the consumable item is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and restores the previous operation mode before switching when a predetermined validity condition has fulfilled.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, provided with replacement parts each having a storage section therein and adapted to be detachably attached to the image forming apparatus and with an image forming unit arranged to form an image on a printing medium, includes: an information reading section that reads information from the storage section of at least one of the replacement parts; a certified part determining section that determines whether the replacement part is a certified part or not based on the information read from the storage section; and an image forming possibility determining section that determines whether or not image forming is possible using the replacement part determined to be a certified part by the certified part determining section. The image forming unit executes image forming using the replacement part determined to be a certified part if the image forming possibility determining section has determined that image forming is possible.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an apparatus body. An image forming device included in the apparatus is at least partly implemented by a replaceable part. A counter counts prints output by the apparatus with the replaceable part. A memory and a first nonvolatile memory are built in the apparatus body. A second nonvolatile memory is built in the replaceable part. A controller writes a limit number of prints particular to the replaceable part in the first nonvolatile memory, stores, after image forming operation, a cumulative number of prints counted by the counter in the memory and second nonvolatile memory, and reports the time for replacing the replaceable part when the cumulative number stored in the memory exceeds the limit number of prints stored in the first nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus detects whether or not an ink ribbon internally mounted in an ribbon cassette amounted to the facsimile apparatus is a standard ink ribbon. When the apparatus detects a non-standard ink ribbon, the apparatus notifies a user by printing a message informing that the presently-mounted ink ribbon is a non-standard one and that printing function with the presently-mounted ink ribbon will be disabled after elapse of an allowable time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: plural cartridges; a storage unit provided in the respective cartridges; and a writing unit that writes data into the storage unit. The writing unit writes data on usage statuses of one cartridge and the other cartridges into one storage unit provided in the one cartridge.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming system and an image forming apparatus capable of reliably reporting information relating to a remaining amount of consumables to an operator without increasing the number of operations of the operator of the image forming system. The image forming system connects a variety of kinds of managers such as a process control manager, an order receiving/original receiving manager, and a message manager, and post-treatment devices such as MFPs, a cutting machine, and a saddle stitch bookbinding device, via a network.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus reads the amount of use of each unit from a first storage section which stores the amount of use of each unit. The image forming apparatus reads a condition, set to enable each unit to execute an optimal operation, from a second storage section which stores the condition, on the basis of the read amount of use of each unit, thereby operating each unit under the read condition and executing an image forming operation.

Abstract: A consumable component sorting system which make it possible to prolong the service life of a consumable component and reduce cost burdened on a user. An image forming apparatus collects information on its own operational environment or operational condition. A data server estimates a change in characteristics of the consumable component used in the image forming apparatus based on the information on the operational environment or the operational condition of the same collected thereby. A component managing server sorts out a consumable component suited to the operational environment or the operational condition of the image forming apparatus, based on the result of the estimation of the data server.

Abstract: A device for and method of managing status information on a consumable for an image forming device by using memory included in the consumable is provided. The image forming device having more than one consumables and transferring an electrostatic image formed on a surface of a photosensitive medium onto paper comprises an image forming unit printing a predetermined image in response to a control of a central controller, and a management memory storing management information related to status information of the consumables. The central controller reads the consumable information including remaining lifetime of the consumable from a consumable memory including in the consumable, reads the management information from the management memory included in the image forming device, calculates an amount of use of the consumables during an operation of the image forming device, and updates the consumable information and the management information using the calculated amount of use.

Abstract: A system for automatically detecting the need to service a machine. The system includes a processor and at least one of a device component and a supply component. The processor determines a time at which the device component will require repair or replacement and when the supply component will need replenishment and sends an electronic message addressed to a communication device accessible by the user or supplier. The electronic message includes data which facilitates ordering services and sending the supplies to the user of the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method are provided for testing a cartridge. The apparatus and/or the system is attached and/or is connected to the printer containing the cartridge via a port of the printer. The apparatus and/or the system communicates with and/or controls the printer. The apparatus and/or the system transmits a signal to the printer. The printer prints one or more pages of paper to test a quality, an effectiveness, a longevity and/or a durability of the toner cartridge. A user inspects and/or reviews one or more pages of paper printed by the cartridge to determine the quality, the effectiveness, the longevity and/or the durability of the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the amount of toner of an electrophotographic printer is provided. The method includes measuring a life span of the development roller in use. The speed of a development roller, which corresponds to the measured life span of the development roller, is calculated from a lookup table. The development roller speed is adjusted according to the calculated development roller speed.

Abstract: A technique is provided that enables reduction in cost related to maintenance services and that also enables reduction in downtime of a product.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of satisfying various demands of a user by enabling the user to determine a grade of consumables in a single image forming apparatus, and the method of employing the same. The printing method of an image forming apparatus which has a recognition device to print according to grades of consumables, comprises the steps of checking a grade of at least one consumable by the recognition device, searching a setup condition of the apparatus, through which the optimum printing can be obtained by combining the mounted consumables, setting up a printing condition which is preset by the combination of the consumables, and printing with the setup condition by a user's printing command.

Abstract: An image-processing device creates a sequential print-processing schedule for inputted print jobs on the basis of supply conditions of required resources, such as printing media and the like, and of attribute information of the print jobs. Before execution of a print job, the image-processing device acquires attribute information for the leading job in a print-waiting queue, and determines whether or not resources requested for that print job are supplied. If not, execution of that printing job is inhibited, and the next print job in line is performed. Thus, productivity of the device can be improved. However, it is also determined whether or not the print job meets a predetermined condition. If so, other jobs are blocked from overtaking the inhibited job and being performed first. The inhibited job waits until resources are supplied, and thus re-prioritization of the print jobs against the will of a user is prevented.

Abstract: A computer network comprises plural computer systems connected to plural printers. Each computer system comprises at least one application program for generating print data for one or more of the printers. One of the computer systems is partially employed as a stock control computer. An application program stored on the stock control computer runs a model of the overall system, including maintaining an up-to-date schedule of all print jobs on the system, and maintains a log of all media resources (i.e., paper) available to each printer. The application program ensures that the printers have suitable media resources and/or that print jobs are allocated to printers where appropriate media resources are available, if possible.

Abstract: A facsimile device includes a printing unit for printing an image by using an expendable component, and a communication circuit connectable to a supplier of the expendable component via a communication network. Particularly, the facsimile device further includes an order controller for confirming that maintenance of the expendable component is required a number of times corresponding to an order-unit quantity, and for controlling the communication circuit such that order information for ordering the expendable component of the order-unit quantity is transmitted to the supplier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a recognizing member configured to read a property stored in a memory member of a consumable item via a communication member, and to recognize if the consumable item can be used. The image forming apparatus also includes a property changing member configured to communicate to the memory member and to change a parameter so that information stored in the memory member cannot be accessed when the recognizing member recognizes the consumable item can be no longer used.

Abstract: A method of ordering replacement items used by a reproduction device at least includes: providing coupled to said reproduction device, a replacement item information button; and in response to a user activating said replacement item button, producing via said reproduction device, at least one replacement item information document; wherein said replacement item information comprises specific information needed to facilitate the ordering of the exact replacement items which are used by said reproduction device.

Abstract: A logo data generating system and logo data generating method indicate the amount of ink required to print a logo during the logo editing and creation process. The system includes a source image capture controller for capturing a source image that is the foundation for logo data creation; an image processor image that processes the captured source image to generate the logo data; an ink consumption calculator that generates user-readable attribute data indicating the amount of ink required to print the logo data from the number of color pixels in the logo data image processed by the image processor; and a display controller that displays the attribute data on a display device so that the user can recognize from the displayed attribute data how much ink is required to print the logo data being edited.

Abstract: A method for detecting whether a cartridge installed in an imaging apparatus is potentially counterfeit includes determining whether a usage threshold has been reached by the cartridge; determining whether the cartridge was previously installed in the imaging apparatus; and determining that the cartridge is potentially counterfeit if the usage threshold has been reached and the cartridge was not previously installed in the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: The invention seeks to improve the accuracy of management of remaining amount of ink in a printer in which remaining amount of ink is managed based upon amount of ink consumed. If a print job is sent to a printer, first the printer is requested for status information that includes a warning concerning remaining amount of ink. When the status information is received from the printer, it is determined whether the status information indicates the possibility that ink has been replaced. If the information indicates such possibility, then the user is prompted to enter the nature of the ink replacement. If the user makes an entry to the effect that the ink replacement was performed, then the current status information of the printer is acquired again and discriminated. If possibility that ink has been replaced is indicated in this status information as well, then the printer is sent a command for initializing the information relating to remaining amount of ink.

Abstract: A system of printers uses replicable toner boxes, which each has a unique serial number. Each printer determines once the toner box is empty. At this time, the printer registers the serial number of the used toner box in used toner box list in a memory. Each time a toner box is mounted in the printer, the printer reads and compares the serial number of the freshly inserted toner box with the serial numbers in the list in the memory. If the serial number of the presently mounted toner box matches any in the list, this means that the toner box has previously been judged to reach life end, so the printer displays a message that the toner box is not suitable for use in the printer and prevents further printing operations until the toner box is replaced with a new one.

Abstract: A printer detects a roll radius of a recording paper roll once a day and measures the remaining amount of recording paper. Then the printer calculates the number of photo prints in the previous day as an actual consumption value from a difference in remaining amount of paper between the day and the previous day. The printer stores the actual consumption values in the form of a calendar cumulatively and creates a consumption record of the recording paper. Next, the printer estimates predicted consumption of the recording paper in a coming week based on the consumption record. And the printer predicts the time of occurrence of a paper-out condition based on the remaining amount of the recording paper and the predicted consumption. When it is predicted that the printer will be out of paper within a coming week, the printer displays a warning message on a LCD and urges a supervisor of the printer to prepare a new recording paper roll.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image, formed on an image-bearing member, with toner; a developer supply container which contains developer containing toner and a carrier and is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus; developer supply means for supplying the developer contained in the developer supply container to the developing-device; and developer discharge means for permitting discharge of the developer in the developing device to the outside of the developing device. To the image forming apparatus, one of plural kinds of developer supply containers containing developers having different carrier ratios in the developers is selectively mountable. The image forming apparatus further comprises notification means for providing notification of the kind of the developer supply container to be selected on the basis of information on deterioration of the carrier when the developer supply container is replaced.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has at least one replaceable unit replaceably mounted to an image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus outputs a message purporting that a reservation of an operation mode can be received, at the timing that a replacement timing of the replaceable unit which is currently mounted is close in time. If so, prior to the replacement of the replaceable unit which is current mounted, a reservation of an operation mode for a replaceable unit which is to be mounted next time may be received. Further, if the replacement of the replaceable unit is detected, the image forming apparatus starts the control according to the reserved operation mode.

Abstract: A replaceable component is installable in and removable from a printing device and contains one or more supplies used in printing by the printing device. A memory and a port are in the replaceable component. Data that characterizes usage of the one or more supplies in printing by the printing device is stored in the memory. The data can be transferred through a cable from the port to a host computer using a data transfer protocol of the port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a consumable goods management tag, comprising: a rewritable memory for storing remaining quantity data representing a remaining quantity of consumable goods, and a rewrite controlling unit for controlling a rewrite of the remaining quantity data stored in the memory on the basis of a remaining quantity data writing request inputted from outside, carrying out the rewrite of the remaining quantity data responding to increase of the remaining quantity only when a predetermined rewrite condition is fulfilled, and carrying out the rewrite of the remaining quantity data responding to decrease of the remaining quantity even when the rewrite condition is not fulfilled.

Abstract: A printing control device, method, system and program with a consumable product detachably mounted thereon, including a state storing unit that stores a usage state of the consumable product, a detachment detecting unit that detects that the consumable product has been detached a usage state checking unit that checks the usage state of the consumable product whose detachment has been detected by the detachment detecting unit based on data stored in the state storing unit a determination unit that determines whether the consumable product is still usable or not based on the usage state checked by the usage state checking unit and a notification unit that notifies that the consumable product is still usable if the determination unit determines that the consumable product is still usable.

Abstract: A driver management method for managing a driver that is used when an output apparatus is used from a terminal apparatus, includes monitoring a state of the output apparatus, and restricting availability of the driver according to the state of the output apparatus.

Abstract: A first code is programmed into a memory of an image-formation device consumable item, outside of an image-formation device. Upon insertion of the image-formation device consumable item into the image-formation device, it is detected that the memory of the consumable item has programmed therein the first code. The image-formation device determines whether the first code is identical to a second code programmed into a memory of the image-formation device. Where the first code is identical to the second code, the consumable item is allowed to be used by the image-formation device to form images on media.

Abstract: There is provided a printing system which allows efficient printing at a low cost. In a printing system, unprocessed order information is arranged so as to be sequentially processed from order information which can be processed by a printer without changing paper during an unattended operation, and order information which can be processed by paper set in the printer is preferentially printed. As a result, unprocessed image information is processed in an unmanned state at the maximum. Further, before switched to an unattended operation, a paper size in which the greatest number of prints are to be prepared is selected and the selected result is notified to an operator to instruct him or her to set the paper indicated by the result in the printer, thereby allowing order information to be processed by an unattended operation at the maximum.

Abstract: An image forming device determines the replacement time of components depending on environment. The image forming device includes an engine part performing the printing job using a certain component upon receiving the print command, a printout counter counting the actual number of the printed sheets, an environment detector detecting a certain environmental information by checking status of each component, a memory containing the maximum number of the printable sheets of the component, and a controller driving the component by reading out the operating condition from the memory corresponding to the received environmental information and determining the replacement time of the component by determining the total number of the printed sheets by differentially compensating and accumulating the counted number of the printed sheets depending on the environmental information, and comparing with the maximum number of the printable sheets. Accordingly, accurate replacement time of the component can be estimated.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a developer container sectioned into a plurality of chambers, an image forming unit which forms an image by using a developer supplied from the developer container, sensors which are respectively provided in at least two of the chambers of the developer container and detect the remaining amount of the developer in the chambers, and a determining unit which determines a status of the developer in the developer container in accordance with the remaining amount of the developer detected by the sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for managing consumables of an image forming apparatus widely used in printers, multi-function printers, and so on. The apparatus of the present invention includes memory devices provided in the consumables for writing and reading data related to the consumables and for managing the consumables. As such the present invention uses less signal lines for a development cartridge, informs a user to refill the consumables, and is less sensitive to noise due to the digital management of consumables.

Abstract: A part determination device used in an apparatus having a replacement part, including an identification information acquisition section that acquires individual identification information for identifying a replacement part from the replacement part, an information acquisition section that acquires information indicating whether or not the replacement part is an approved part from the replacement part, a determination section that determines whether or not a replacement part is an approved part based on information acquired by the information acquisition section, and a first registration section that, when it is determined by the determination section that a replacement part is not an approved part, registers individual identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition section in a predetermined first storage region.

Abstract: An encoder of a process unit encodes an identification code output by the CPU of a main unit, thereby obtaining a response code. The response code is returned to the main unit. The logic of the encoder is changeable. At shipment, a first logic is set in the encoder. After use, a second logic determined on the basis of a predetermined rule is set to the encoder under control of the CPU. The main unit stores the second logic set in the encoder of the process unit. The identification code is encoded by the encoder of the main unit individually with the first logic and the stored second logic, with the result that normal codes are obtained. The normal codes are collated with the response code by a collator. The CPU identifies the status of the process unit based on the result of the collation by the collator.

Abstract: An electronic diagnostic device for testing electronic monitoring tags for devices such as replaceable modules for a printing apparatus includes a tag reader with a reader wireless communication element. The tag reader is adapted to read tag diagnostic information from an electronic monitoring tag. The electronic diagnostic device further includes a data processor in communication with the tag reader. The data processor is adapted to determine from the tag diagnostic data whether the electronic monitoring tag is operating within predetermined parameters, to identify one of a predetermined set of error categories if the electronic monitoring tag is operating outside the predetermined parameters, and to generate error category information. The electronic diagnostic device further includes a results communication element adapted to communicate the error category information generated by the data processor. The diagnostic device may also communicate correction information to the electronic monitoring tag.

Abstract: A replaceable unit monitor reader system includes a host processor and a coupler board. The coupler board has a detection circuitry that provides an auto-detect, auto-initiate and/or auto-select ability. After receiving command from the host processor, the coupler board enables communication with a CRUM without requiring a further command from the host processor.

Abstract: A printer system comprises a communication interface and printer components. The communication interface receives a humidity value from a toner cartridge. The printer components control printing operation based on the humidity value. To control printing operation, the printer components may configure a dither matrix based on the humidity value. The toner cartridge comprises a humidity sensor and a communication interface. The humidity sensor detects a humidity level and generates the humidity value to correspond to the humidity level. The communication interface transfers the humidity value from the humidity sensor to the printer system.

Abstract: Determining an end-of-life prediction of a replaceable cartridge may be accomplished by analyzing input parameters independent of the cartridge, in addition to parameters of the cartridge. An event count denoting a consumption event is read from a memory in the replaceable cartridge. A current consumption status of the replaceable cartridge is determined based on an initial load and the event count of the replaceable cartridge. An input parameter is received from an input device regarding a next pending process that involves a pending consumption increment of the replaceable cartridge. A subsequent consumption status of the replaceable cartridge is determined corresponding to the current consumption status altered by the pending consumption increment. The subsequent consumption status is compared to a replacement condition to decide whether a replacement condition is satisfied. An alert indicator is signaled to an operator upon satisfaction of the replacement condition.

Abstract: A cartridge is set in a printer main unit, and has a remaining toner measurer which measures toner in a toner chamber upon setting of the cartridge. A cartridge memory stores information of a remaining toner amount measured previously. CPU compares the remaining toner amount measured newly with the remaining toner amount measured previously and read from the cartridge memory. If there is an increase in the toner, the cartridge is determined as improper cartridge reloaded with the toner. An alarm signal is generated. Also, printing is inhibited. In another preferred embodiment, shortage information is assigned to the cartridge upon using up the toner. The cartridge, if it has the shortage information, is determined as improper. If a characteristic of the toner is not within a reference range, the cartridge is determined improper. In another preferred embodiment, an upper limit of the number of times of toner reloading is predetermined.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus reads the amount of use of each unit from a first storage section which stores the amount of use of each unit. The image forming apparatus reads a condition, set to enable each unit to execute an optimal operation, from a second storage section which stores the condition, on the basis of the read amount of use of each unit, thereby operating each unit under the read condition and executing an image forming operation.

Abstract: A recycling system for managing reusable units to be used in an image-forming apparatus (e.g., MFP device including units, the system comprising inputting kind information of the units), storing use information corresponding to the image-forming apparatus, and determining a reuse level of a reusable unit to be provided based on the kind information and the use information.

Abstract: A method and system, for component replacement, which use a combination of replaceable component life tracking and error condition occurrence history to identify the need for component replacement.

Abstract: Aspects for managing print jobs for a printer are described. The aspects include an examination of a print queue of print jobs based on a level of consumable resources available in the printer. Further, an order of the print jobs in the printer is adjusted to prioritize printing of the print jobs that can be completely printed with the consumable resources available, wherein the printer realizes increased throughput and minimized downtime.

Abstract: A toner cartridge prevents piggybacking of an unauthorized circuit board over an authorized circuit board. The body of the cartridge includes a flat mounting surface adapted to receive a first circuit board formed in a vertical wall of the waste bin. An upper blocking member extends from a point just above the flat mounting surface to a lower surface of the planar wing. An optional lower blocking member extends from a point just below the flat mounting surface to a preselected point at a still further lower elevation. The upper and lower blocking members obstruct the placing of an unauthorized circuit board over an authorized circuit board.