Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member, a charging member, a developing member, a cleaning member, an accommodating portion, and a controller capable of executing an image forming operation and a supplying operation for supplying a metal soap, accommodated in the accommodating portion, onto a surface of the image bearing member by the developing member. The controller carries out control so that when the supplying operation is executed, a surface moving speed of the image bearing member is higher than a surface moving speed of the image bearing member when the image forming operation is executed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member, a transfer member, a cleaning blade, a driving portion, and a controller. The controller is capable of executing, at a time of an end of a job, a plurality of operations including a first reverse rotating operation, a first normal rotating operation executed subsequently to the first reverse rotating operation, a second reverse rotating operation executed after the first normal rotating operation, and a second normal rotating operation executed subsequently to the second reverse rotating operation. The controller controls the driving portion so that a movement amount of the image bearing member in the second normal rotating operation is smaller than a movement amount of the image bearing member in the second reverse rotating operation.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a first unit, a second unit, a motor, and a power transmission mechanism. The second unit is configured to be rotated in relation to the first unit and configured to be closed onto, and opened away from, the first unit by being rotated. The motor is provided in the first unit. The power transmission mechanism transmits motive power of the motor from the first unit to the second unit. The power transmission mechanism includes a first gear and a second gear. The first gear has the same axial center of rotation as that of the second unit. The second gear is provided in the second unit and is in mesh with the first gear.

Abstract: An image forming control method is applied to an image forming apparatus. The method includes, after the image forming apparatus is connected to an image processing apparatus, sending information related to a halftone parameter of the image forming apparatus to the image processing apparatus for storage, obtaining halftone-processed intermediate data that is to be printed sent by the image processing apparatus, and outputting the halftone-processed intermediate data that is to be printed to an image generator to perform an image forming operation.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus and system, and a method and a medium storing a program, furnish a server with non-time series data. The image forming apparatus obtains time series data of a predetermined type regarding the information processing apparatus, generates, based on the obtained time series data, the non-time series data, which is smaller in data size than the obtained time series data, and transmits the generated non-time series data directly or indirectly to the server. The server inputs the received non-time series data to a predetermined learning model, which outputs prediction information regarding the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: A drive transmitting device includes a first gear; a second gear in engagement with the first gear; wherein a first tooth which is at least one of teeth of the first gear has a tooth surface contacting a tooth of the second gear, wherein the tooth surface has such a shape that a contact point of the first tooth of the first gear to the tooth of the second gear is in a region of a first gear side with respect to a line of action which is formed by movement of a contact point between a tooth of the second gear and a second tooth of the first gear immediately before the first tooth with respect to a rotational moving direction of the first gear.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a unit group including a specific unit having a specific component that performs an operation necessary for notification of paper remaining on a mounting surface; and a processor configured to control supply of power to the unit group at a return from a sleep state based on a return event, in which the processor is configured to in a case where there is no paper on the mounting surface at a transition to the sleep state, perform first control to supply power to a specified power supply destination corresponding to the return event at the return from the sleep state, and in a case where there is a paper on the mounting surface at the transition to the sleep state, perform second control to supply power to the specific unit at the return from the sleep state even in a case where the specific unit is not included in the specified power supply destination of the unit group.

Abstract: A conveyance roller is configured to convey a sheet having passed through a fixing device toward a photosensitive drum. A gear train is switchable between a transmission state in which the gear train transmits power from a motor to the conveyance roller and a transmission release state in which the gear train does not transmit the power from the motor to the conveyance roller. A movement member is movable between a first position at which the movement member causes the gear train to be in the transmission state and a second position at which the movement member causes the gear train to be in the transmission release state. A cam is configured to cause a development roller to move between a contact position and a separation position. The movement member is movable between the first position and the second position in conjunction with movement of the cam.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drawer, a drawer-side electrical contact, a cover, a main body-side electrical contact and an elastic member interposed between a base and a panel. The main body-side electrical contact and the panel are held to be movable relative to the base in a third direction as being an extension and contraction direction of the elastic member. The image forming apparatus takes: a first state where the cover is open, the drawer-side electrical contact contacts the main body-side electrical contact, and the elastic member has a first length; and a second state where the cover is closed, the drawer-side electrical contact contacts the main body-side electrical contact, and the elastic member in the third direction has a second length shorter than the first length.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a detector and a change unit. The detector detects a standing-up motion of a person after receipt of a print instruction. The change unit changes from a low-power consumption mode to a printing mode in response to detection of the standing-up motion, the printing mode being a ready-to-print mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a motor; a roller; and a power transmission device for transmitting a driving force of the motor to the roller. The power transmission device includes: a planetary gear mechanism including a first helical gear into which the driving force is inputted, a second helical gear for outputting the driving force to the roller, and a transmission element; and a restriction member. The transmission element can transmit the driving force when the restriction member is in its restricting position and thus rotation of the transmission element is restricted, and interrupts transmission of the driving force when the restricting member is in its non-restricting position and thus rotation of the transmission element is not restricted. A direction of a first thrust force applied to the first helical gear and a direction of a second thrust force applied to the second helical gear are opposite to each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a casing, a cover, a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a photo-interrupter, a moving mechanism to move the developing roller between a contacting position and a separated position, and a controller, is provided. The moving mechanism has a cam including, a first cam portion, a phase-detector wall including a first slit and a second slit, and a cam follower. When the cover moves from the open position to the closed position, the controller conducts a first initializing control to cause the cam to rotate in a reverse direction, and after detecting the first slit based on a time period, in which light in the photo-interrupter passes through one of the first slit and the second slit, cause the cam to stop rotating.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable endless belt; a rotatable member, a plate-like heater, a holding member, a connector, movable in a first direction and a fixing member. The fixing member is mountable to and dismountable from the connector and the holding member by being moved in a second direction different from the first direction. The fixing member is mountable after the connector is mounted to the heater and the holding member, and the connector is dismountable after the fixing member is dismounted from the holding member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a revolving member, a transfer member, a guide member, and a controller. The revolving member revolves and retains a toner image on a peripheral surface thereof. The transfer member nips a transported recording medium and the revolving member at a nipping section and transfers the toner image retained by the revolving member onto the recording medium by receiving a voltage. The guide member is connected to ground, guides the recording medium to the nipping section, and is in contact with the recording medium nipped at the nipping section. The controller performs constant current control to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium if a print resistance is lower than or equal to a system resistance. The print resistance corresponds to when the voltage is applied to the transfer member in a state where the recording medium is nipped at the nipping section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drive unit disposed inside its housing, a support frame, a protrusion, and a support portion. The drive unit is configured to drive a conveyance unit for conveying a sheet toward an image forming unit. The support frame supports the drive unit. The protrusion has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is farther from the support frame than the proximal end is from the support frame. The support portion supports the proximal end of the protrusion. The drive unit further includes a torsion spring including a spiral portion engaged with the protrusion, and a first portion and a second portion each extending from the spiral portion. The first arm is pivotable about a pivot axis and includes a covering portion. The covering portion extends from the first arm and covers the distal end of the protrusion.

Abstract: Power receiving unit, rotating component, process cartridge, and assembly and disassembly methods thereof are provided. The process cartridge is detachably mounted in an image formation apparatus configured with a swingable power output unit, an outer circumference of the power output unit contains a recessed portion, and the power receiving unit is engaged with the power output unit to receive a driving force. The power receiving unit comprises a wheel hub, a power receiving part, and a bias part. The wheel hub is disposed on an end of a rotating component in the process cartridge. The power receiving part includes a fixing protrusion and a notch that are oppositely disposed, the fixing protrusion is inserted into the recessed portion, and the notch provides a swinging space for the power output unit. The bias part provides a bias force toward the fixing protrusion for the power output unit.

Abstract: The multifunction machine includes a first CPU core that performs an operation in a normal mode and suspends an operation in an energy saving mode, a second CPU core that performs an operation in the energy saving mode, and a storage unit that stores time information for determining a timing of performing a keep-alive process, wherein the first CPU core causes the operation mode to transition to the normal mode when acquiring a normal mode transition instruction from the second CPU core in the energy saving mode, and then, performs a keep-alive process for the remote operation server, and wherein the second CPU core gives the normal mode transition instruction to the first CPU core based on the time information in the energy saving mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drawer and a main body. The drawer includes a drawer-side electrical contact part and a socket. The main body includes a main body-side connector including: a main body-side electrical contact part; and a holder including a base, a panel, and an elastic member interposed between the base and the panel. The holder holds the main body-side electrical contact part to be movable in an intersection direction intersecting with an extension and contraction direction of the elastic member. When the holder contacts the socket, the panel moves relative to the base in the intersection direction together with the main body side-electrical contact part, and the main body side-electrical contact part and drawer-side electrical contact part are in contact with each other.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a paper re-feeding path, a switching member, a reversing roller, a paper discharge roller, a motor, and a revolution control mechanism. The switching member can be switched between a first position and a second position. The reversing roller can reverse a revolving direction thereof between a first revolving direction and a second revolving direction. The paper discharge roller revolves in a third revolving direction for conveying the sheet in a third conveying direction. The motor reverses the revolving direction of the reversing roller and switches the position of switching member by reversing the revolving direction thereof. The revolution control mechanism revolves the paper discharge roller in the third revolving direction with the revolution of the motor, regardless of the reversing of the revolving direction of the motor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, endless belt, photosensitive drums, setting unit, contacting/separating mechanism, transmitting mechanism, and coupling members. The photosensitive drums are disposed in confrontation with the endless belt and are arranged in a first direction. Each photosensitive drum has an axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The setting unit sets the image forming apparatus to a monochrome mode or color mode. The contacting/separating mechanism controls at least one photosensitive drum to contact or separate from the endless in accordance with the set mode. The transmitting mechanism selectively transmits drive power to photosensitive drums. Each coupling member is selectively coupled to the corresponding photosensitive drum and has a coupling axis extending in the second direction.

Abstract: A monochrome image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms a black image, a motor that drives the image forming unit, a control circuit that controls the motor, a first connector to which the motor is connected via a control line, a second connector to which a control target is not connected, and a substrate on which the control circuit, the first connector, and the second connector are arranged. A predetermined mark is formed on the substrate through silk screen printing. A distance between the predetermined mark and the second connector is shorter than a distance between the predetermined mark and the first connector. If the substrate is disposed in a multi-color image forming apparatus configured to form a color image, a control target for the multi-color image forming apparatus is connected to the second connector.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes a first processor, a second processor, a first power source which performs electric power supply to the first processor, a second power source which preforms electric power supply to the second processor, a detector which detects an abnormality of the second power source, and a switcher which is capable of switching a power supply target of the first power source between the first processor and the second processor. When an abnormality of the second power source is detected, the first processor stops an operation of the first processor, and the switcher switches the power supply target of the first power source from the first processor to the second processor after the operation of the first processor is stopped.

Abstract: A mobile device is provided. The mobile device includes multiple cameras and a processor configured to perform image processing on image data output from the cameras.

Abstract: A system for reproducing guidance on a task including a plurality of steps is provided. The system includes a hardware processor; and an output device configured to output an image or audio; wherein the hardware processor determines a completed step of the steps based on a change in state of a target on which the task is to be performed, the completed step being a step which has been completed, and the hardware processor causes the output device to reproduce an unfinished part in a first form where a predetermined condition is not satisfied, and causes the output device to reproduce the unfinished part in a second form different from the first form where the predetermined condition is satisfied, the unfinished part being a part corresponding to an unfinished step which is not determined to have been completed among the steps.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a storage unit, a first processor, a second processor, and an arbitration unit. The storage unit stores control information related to at least one parameter of light emission of each of a plurality of light emitting elements that irradiate a photoconductor with light. The first processor accesses the storage unit. The second processor accesses the storage unit and accesses faster than the first processor. The arbitration unit controls the second processor to access the storage unit in a first period during which predetermined processing is performed. In a second period other than the first period, the arbitration unit controls the first processor to access the storage unit.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including: an apparatus main body; a plurality of units arranged adjacent to each other in the apparatus main body, and configured to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body in the same insertion and removal direction; and a switching member 36 configured to be capable of taking any one of a first position in which attachment and detachment of one unit 4 of adjacent units among the plurality of units to and from the apparatus main body is allowed and attachment and detachment of another unit 5 of the adjacent units is restricted, and a second position in which the attachment and detachment of the one unit 4 is restricted and the attachment and detachment of the other unit 5 is allowed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, endless belt, photosensitive drums, setting unit, contacting/separating mechanism, transmitting mechanism, and coupling members. The photosensitive drums are disposed in confrontation with the endless belt and are arranged in a first direction. Each photosensitive drum has an axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The setting unit sets the image forming apparatus to a monochrome mode or color mode. The contacting/separating mechanism controls at least one photosensitive drum to contact or separate from the endless in accordance with the set mode. The transmitting mechanism selectively transmits drive power to photosensitive drums. Each coupling member is selectively coupled to the corresponding photosensitive drum and has a coupling axis extending in the second direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure, for the prevention of a possible degradation of an induction coil in insulating performance by preventing condensate formation on an induction coil, provides a device that is configured to include a roller main body, an induction heat generator provided in the roller main body and having the induction coil for heating the roller main body inductively, a cooling mechanism configured to introduce a coolant mist into a clearance portion between the roller main body and the induction heat generator for cooling the roller main body, an AC voltage application part configured to apply AC voltage to the induction coil, and a DC voltage application part configured to apply DC voltage to the induction coil.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a printer configured to perform a printing process including transporting a recording medium and printing an image on the transported recording medium, and a hardware processor which determines whether the recording medium is only one sheet to be printed, and, depending on a result thereof, changes a time at which the printing process is started. Changing the time includes causing the printer to start the printing process when a first start print time is reached in a case in which the hardware processor determines that there is only one sheet to be printed, and causing the printer to start the printing process when a second start print time later than the first start print time is reached in a case in which the hardware processor determines that there is not only one sheet to be printed.

Abstract: In general, a determination as to whether image data generated by reading an image of a document is read from a first storing unit or a second storing unit may not be made in accordance with a result of a determination as to whether printing is performed on a first set or a second set onward among sets to be printed. Accordingly, a control method in a printing apparatus includes reading a document, storing image data of the document in a first storing unit, storing the image data read from the first storing unit in a second storing unit, and performing printing based on the image data read from the first storing unit when the printing is performed on a first set and performing printing based on the image data read from the second storing unit when the printing is performed on a second set onward.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a communication unit that receives first mode electric power to perform communication; an image forming unit that receives first mode electric power to form an image on a medium; a fixing unit that generates heat by receiving first mode electric power, and performs a fixing process of fixing the image to the medium; a predicting unit that predicts a processing time required for a process of forming the image; and a supply controller that controls supply of electric power according to a first mode or a second mode in which power consumption is smaller than that of the first mode. The supply controller starts the supply of first mode electric power to the fixing unit at a timing based on the predicted processing time when the image forming apparatus transitions from the second mode to the first mode.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a read size determination circuit. The read size determination circuit has a plurality of operation mode including a first mode and a second mode. The first mode determines the size of the document detected by the first document reading unit as a first read size and determines a read size of the document set in advance as a second read size. The first read size is the read size of the document when the first document reading unit reads the document. The second mode determines the size of the document detected by the first document reading unit as the first read size. If the second document reading unit reads the document, the second mode determines the read size of the document set in the setting screen as the second read size when a start instruction of a reading job is entered using the operation circuit.

Abstract: A human-body detecting device includes a first sensor and a control unit. The first sensor outputs a first signal according to a distance between the human-body detecting device and a user. The control unit finds a first weighted average of first signals weighted with a first weight and a second weighted average of the first signals weighted with a second weight different from the first weight, and detects, when a difference between the first weighted average and the second weighted average has exceeded a predetermined value, that the user is located within a predetermined range from the human-body detecting device.

Abstract: Illustration image data drawn correspondingly to reading of an adjustment chart are memorized in a memory section, an adjustment chart is formed in a image mode in an image forming section, adjustment image data produced by reading the adjustment chart in an image reading section are analyzed, illustration image data corresponding to an analysis result of the adjustment image data are selected at the time of adjusting the image forming section based on the analysis result, and display data of the illustration image data are produced.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printing section, an acceptance section configured to accept an instruction for the printing section to change a printing speed, and an operation control section configured to control an operation of the printing section. When the acceptance section accepts the instruction, the operation control section calculates a first amount of time for the printing section to start and complete printing at an unchanged printing speed, a second amount of time for the printing section to start and complete printing at a changed printing speed, and a third amount of time for the printing section to change the printing speed and start printing at the changed printing speed, compares a total of the second and third amounts of time with the first amount of time, and determines whether to allow the printing section to change the printing speed based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: An intermittent driving device includes a shaft, an input gear, an output gear, a connecting member that rotates in a state of being connected to the input gear, a state of the connecting member being switched between a state of being connected to the output gear and a state of being disconnected from the output gear, a moving member, a cam member that has a cam surface having a shape that causes the moving member to move in the axial direction and guides the connecting member into the state of being connected to the output gear or the state of being disconnected from the output gear, a rotation-applying member that applies a rotational driving force to the cam member, and a switching member that switches between a state where a rotational operation of the cam member is hindered and a state where the rotational operation is allowed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an electric power supply, a plurality of modules, a startup time calculator, and a fastest startup pattern determiner. The plurality of modules include a plurality of direct current (DC) modules and at least one alternating current (AC) module, and the modules are to be driven by an electric power supplied from the electric power supply. The startup time calculator calculates a startup time of each of the modules. The fastest startup pattern determiner determines a fastest startup pattern based on the startup time of each of the modules calculated by the startup time calculator, and starts up the modules in accordance with the determined fastest startup pattern. The fastest startup pattern is determined based on a longest startup time among the startup times of the DC and AC modules.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, and a method of controlling it. The apparatus performs, in a case where at least one function out of a plurality of functions of the apparatus ceases to be usable, degeneracy control for operating to provide functions other than the at least one function, and stores information indicating a degeneracy control state is entered. The apparatus controls so as to activate without initialization operation of an image forming mechanism in a case where it is determined that the activation is due to the return from a power saving mode and the information is stored and so as to activate with the initialization operation when the activation is due to a power of the apparatus being turned on.

Abstract: A printing apparatus capable of shifting a power state to a second power state where power consumption is lower than a first power state includes detecting a heat source approaching the printing apparatus, calculating an average temperature of respective areas near the printing apparatus, specifying a current position of the heat source based on the calculated average temperature, calculating a distance between the current position and a predetermined reference point, determining whether the heat source is moving to pass by the printing apparatus, determining whether the heat source is approaching the printing apparatus, and shifting, when it is determined that the heat source is approaching the printing apparatus, the power state of the printing apparatus from the second power state to the first power state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect an object and a power-supply control unit. The power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to a second power state, in response to a lapse of a predetermined time following no detection of the object, when a job has not been executed until the detection unit detects no object, after the power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to the first power state. The power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to the second power state before a lapse of the predetermined time, when a job has been executed until the detection unit detects no object, after the power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to the first power state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same capable of preventing an unnecessary repetitive performance of a scan task by sensing in advance a succeeding scan command generated with respect to a document which has already been scanned and using a previous scan result without an additional scan task are provided. The method includes generating and storing a first image through a first scan task according to a first scan command, determining whether a document at the first scan task is replaced by a new document using document sensors if a second scan command is generated, and using the first image as a result of the second scan command without performing a second scan task according to the second scan command upon determining that the document at the first scan task is not replaced by the new document.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an applying device configured to generate an output signal and apply the output signal to an image forming device; and a controller configured to generate a control signal to supply to the applying device so as to control a value of the output signal so that the value of the output signal is within a predetermined target range and control the applying device using the control signal in a start-up mode and in a normal mode, the normal mode being subsequent to the start-up mode. In the start-up mode, the controller sets a start control signal value larger than a value of the control signal immediately after a first predetermined time, the start control signal value being the value of the control signal during the first predetermined time, the first predetermined time being from a start timing of the start-up mode.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes: a processor; and a memory storing computer readable instructions causing the communication apparatus to: store a condition information in the at least one memory, the condition information representing a condition to transmit data and including a data identification information, and time information representing a target time; perform a determining process corresponding to the condition information, the determining process being performed every time the target time represented by the time information elapses and determining whether a value of the target data represented by the data identification information changes between the previous target time and the current target time; transmit the value of the target data to the management system when the value of the target data changes; and not transmit the value of the target data to the management system when the value of the target data does not change.

Abstract: A print control apparatus which is capable of performing continued processing of a job upon power restoration of the print control apparatus, according to the status of the job before power-off of the apparatus. A job management section cancels jobs in progress according to a power-off instruction. A job analysis section determines the status of each cancelled job. The job management section sets discrimination information for a job to be processed after power restoration of the print control apparatus, according to the determined status of the job. The job analysis section 206 determines discrimination information of each job stored in a storage section upon power restoration of the print control apparatus. The print control apparatus executes continued processing of the job according to a result of determination by the job analysis section.

Abstract: An image fixing apparatus includes a heater including a substrate, a first electrode provided on one side of the substrate and a second electrode provided on the other side of the substrate; and a connector, connected with the heater, for receiving electric power, the connector including an electrically insulative housing, and a contact terminal provided inside the housing and having first spring contact contacted to the first electrode and a second spring contact contacted to the second electrode, wherein the first spring contact and the second spring contact are disposed at positions different as seen in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first electric power state and a second electric power state in which power consumption is smaller than that in the first electric power state. It is determined whether or not to display a screen for setting information of a sheet held in a sheet holding unit on a display unit, in accordance with whether a factor in a transition is a first factor that is detection of the sheet being held in the sheet holding unit or a second factor that is different from the first factor, after the image forming apparatus is caused to transition from the second electric power state to the first electric power state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus controls entry to a power save mode based on an operation state of an external interface device when an operation state of a removable user interface unit satisfies a condition for entering the power save mode.

Abstract: A terminal apparatus includes a driver. The driver includes a switching unit and has a dedicated mode and a standard mode, the dedicated mode making it possible to use all functions of a predetermined image forming apparatus, the standard mode making it possible to use a function common for plural image forming apparatuses. The switching unit performs switching from the dedicated mode to the standard mode in a case where it is determined that the dedicated mode is inapplicable after the dedicated mode has been started up.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect an object and a power-supply control unit. The power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to a second power state, in response to a lapse of a predetermined time following no detection of the object, when a job has not been executed until the detection unit detects no object, after the power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to the first power state. The power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to the second power state before a lapse of the predetermined time, when a job has been executed until the detection unit detects no object, after the power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to the first power state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a communication part that performs communication with an external device; an image processing part that processes image data that is received by the communication part and that is for forming an image; an image forming part that forms an image of the image data processed in the image processing part; and a power supply controller that controls power supplied to the communication part, the image processing part, or the image forming part. The communication part includes a memory part that stores status information of the image forming apparatus, and a server part that performs communication with the external device, and the power supply controller supplies power to only the communication part in a power saving mode during a standby period, and the server part responds to a status information reference request and a status information update request from the external device.