Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with hardware resources used by an image forming process, a storage section which stores one or more programs for carrying out processes of user services and control services related to the image forming process, a network control service which controls a network communication as an arbitrary control service and receives via a network an updating data group including an updating data for at least one of a plurality of programs, and a program starting section which starts the arbitrary control service when the network control service receives the updating data group. In addition, an updating data selection section selects an updating data from the updating data group received by the network control service, based on a program of the control service started by or is startable by the program starting section, and an updating section updates at least one arbitrary program stored in the storage section based on the selected updating data.

Abstract: A distribution server made up of an image forming apparatus manager and a host computer is provided to be capable of communicating with an image forming apparatus via a network. The distribution server comprises a receiving unit for receiving identifying information of a consumable unit, which is detachably loaded in the image forming apparatus, and a software distributing unit for transmitting image formation control software to the image forming apparatus depending on the received identifying information of the consumable unit.

Abstract: Machine discrimination data stored in an information storage area of a memory in a body of an image formation apparatus is read, and data stored in a machine information storage area of a memory in a cartridge mounted in the image formation apparatus is read. If the data in the cartridge is not “0”, it is judged whether or not the data in the body is identical with the data in the cartridge. If not identical, an error flag is set into “1”, and it is considered that a mounting error occurs, and controlling to prohibit image formation is performed. On the other hand, if the data in the cartridge is “0”, the mounted cartridge is considered as an unused cartridge, and the machine discrimination data of the body is stored in the mounted cartridge.

Abstract: A quotient (rounding up at one decimal place) obtained by dividing a user-designated number UNum of copies by a limit number PNum of copies unique to a printer is set as a number J of print jobs. PNum copies of print data obtained by one despool operation are printed. After printing of the PNum copies is performed (J−1) times, the number of copies for the final job (Jth job) is calculated. Since PNum×(J−1) copies have already been output at that time, N copies as the remainder of division of UNum by PNum suffice to be printed by the final job. Hence, the N copies are printed as the number of copies for the Jth print job, and printing is complete. This makes it possible to print the user-designated number of copies regardless of the printer limitation.

Abstract: The printing machine has at least one central unit with a memory or other data carrier for data processing, a controlled electronic machine controller, and at least one machine element connected to the machine controller. The system allows, upon installation, setup and adjustment of the printing machine rapid recognition of errors, so that options for correction are automatically offered. At least one file for playback of optical and/or acoustical help instructions is stored in the memory and associated with at least one machine element, machine function, and/or functional or setting error. The file is activatable via the central unit, which is connected to optical and/or acoustical output devices. Upon activation, the help instructions are played back. For each machine element or each machine function needed at that precise time, or for each functional or setting error which is displayed just at that time, the associated file with the appropriate help instruction is called up.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the operational status of and initiating image processing device control commands on one or more image processing devices from a remote location, said image processing devices each having a control computer for controlling operation of the device, including displaying a screen representing one of said image processing devices at the remote location; posting operational status indications relating to the one of said image processing devices and/or device set-up parameters on said screen; adjusting the device set-up parameters by generating an image processing device control command from the remote location; and transmitting said command to the image processing device control computer. This method includes the ability to adjust such things as contrast, enlargement/reduction, network configuration and passwords from the remote location.

Abstract: A print medium is fed through a printer along a print path that can include one or more devices and a print engine. A plurality of path identifiers are used to identify the different print paths through the printer. According to one embodiment of the invention, a path identifier defines a print path from an input device through the print engine and possibly through an output device. According to another embodiment of the invention, path identifiers are separated into input paths and output paths. An input path identifier defines a print path from an input device to the print engine, while an output path identifier defines a print path from the print engine to an output device.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus is provided with a timer for starting a shutdown procedure at a time programmable by an operator. If the external power supply is switched off thereafter, as is the case if the apparatus is connected to an external timer, the apparatus will be switched off in a state suitable for the purpose, so that no data is lost and a hard disk present in the apparatus will not be damaged. A message is generated relating to the time still available until switch-off time. A print job is inhibited depending on the time still available.

Abstract: A multi-color image forming apparatus, method and computer program product storing computer instructions, wherein color information latent images corresponding to respective colors and color patch latent images corresponding to respective colors are formed on a first image bearing member, the color information and patch latent images formed on the first image being member are developed with respectively colored toners so as to form respective color toner images and color toner patches, and the color toner images and color toner patches are transferred from the first image bearing member onto a second image bearing member. The density of toner used in developing the color information and patch latent images is controlled in relation to the color toner patches.

Abstract: A unified bus system is used for communication in a printer or copier apparatus. Each functional unit of the printer or copier apparatus is connected to the bus by an interface. The interface includes a duel-port RAM memory unit in which data messages associated with the specific functional unit or sensors in the printer or copier apparatus are stored. The functional units are notified of the presence of new data or messages on demand so that each functional unit has an overall picture of the functional status of the printer or copier.

Abstract: A method for modeling a steady-state network in the absence of steady-state historical data. A steady-state neural network can be tied by impressing the dynamics of the system onto the input data during the training operation by first determining the dynamics in a local region of the input space, this providing a set of dynamic training data. This dynamic training data is then utilized to train a dynamic model, gain thereof then set equal to unity such that the dynamic model is now valid over the entire input space. This is a linear model, and the historical data over the entire input space is then processed through this model prior to input to the neural network during training thereof to remove the dynamic component from the data, leaving the steady-state component for the purpose of training. This provides a valid model in the presence of historical data that has a large content of dynamic behavior.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling image processing devices from a remote location, including means for selectively monitoring the operational status of a device on a real time basis and means for generating control commands from the remote location to perform operational commands at the image processing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus administration system includes an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet of paper. A service terminal is connected to the image forming apparatus through a communication line and administers conditions of the image forming apparatus. An operation panel has operation keys and a screen. A changing device can be operated to change an indication of the operation panel from an indication for inputting an operation command for image formation to an indication for inputting a request command for transmitting data from the image forming apparatus to the service terminal. A transmitting device can transmit the data in response to the request command and the changing device changes the indication of the operation panel from the indication for inputting a request command for transmitting data from the image forming apparatus to the service terminal to the indication for inputting an operation command for image formation before the transmission of the data is completed.

Abstract: A host computer does not instruct to initiate calibration immediately when calibration is requested by a printer. The host computer instructs to initiate calibration at time which is designated by an operator. As for the execution time of calibration to be designated, time right after calibration is requested, and time when a printing job is completed are included. Further, when automatic determination for determining execution time of calibration is designated, the execution time is determined on the basis of state of a printing job to be executed, or state of a printing job in progress. As for the state of a printing job, there are the number of remaining pages of the printing job, color printing or monochromatic printing, whether image data is included or not, for example. Accordingly, depending upon the state of the printing job, an optimized execution time of calibration is determined.

Abstract: A consumable having a memory device for storing information such as usage information to be used by a the original manufacturer or re-manufacturer. The memory device can also be used to provided software updates or patches for the microcomputers within an image forming or other office automation device.

Abstract: A network system for copiers includes a plurality of copiers each provided with a communication device for communicating with external equipment and a power-on device for powering on the copier in a hold state in response to an external signal received by the communication device and a main controller including an operation controller for controlling operation of the copiers and a time setter for setting time to power on a copier, the main controller being connected to the copiers by a network. The operation controller executes control such that only predetermined one of the copiers is powered on at the power-on time set by the time setter.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a status detecting unit for detecting a status of each portion of the apparatus, a driving unit for driving each portion of the apparatus, an input unit having an input data storing unit for storing input data detected by the status detecting unit, an output unit having an output data storing unit for storing data to be output for driving the driving unit, a controlling unit connected to the input data storing unit and the output data storing unit for controlling the whole image forming operation of the apparatus including a control of the driving unit, in accordance with a status detected with the status detecting unit or a predetermined rule, a network for transferring data between the controlling unit and a plurality of the input or output units, and a timing control unit for controlling the timing of data transfer over the network, wherein the timing control unit includes a plurality of timing control modes and selects one of the timing control modes in accordance with

Abstract: A machine control device capable of accurately rewriting a control program of a memory for controlling a mechanical device. The machine control device includes a first memory in which a control program is stored, a controller which controls operation of the mechanical device in accordance with the control program stored in the first memory, and a removable second memory in which a control program and a rewrite program are stored. The controller replaces the control program in the first memory with the control program in the second memory in accordance with the rewrite program stored in the second memory when the second memory is installed.

Abstract: In a reproduction apparatus embodying a marking engine including a logic and control unit for controlling the operation of the reproduction apparatus and at least one accessory, such as a sorter, binder, stacker, folder, or the like, associated with the marking engine, a communication system for automatic identification of accessories associated with the marking engine. The communication system discloses a processor associated respectively with each accessory. The processor includes an identification of the associated accessory. A communication bus is interconnected between the logic and control unit of the marking engine and the processors of each respective accessory. A timing circuit, responsive to power up of the marking engine and associated accessories, automatically enables the processors of each respective accessory, in sequential order, to relay accessory identification provided by the respective processors, in such sequential order to the logic and control unit of the marking engine.

Abstract: When an optional unit (40, 50) is mounted, a video controller (27) serving as main control unit sends various control commands to a supervising controller (101) through an interface (114). The supervising controller (101) controls an engine controller (26) through an interface (29) while controlling the optional unit (40, 50) in accordance with the received control commands, thereby recording an image. When no optional unit is mounted (when the optional units 32, 40, 50 are absent), the video controller (27) directly controls the engine controller (26) through an interface (28), thereby recording an image. With the above arrangement, the supervising controller (101) serving as a control unit associated with optional units can be attached/detached.

Abstract: An electronic image processing apparatus including a controller and a plurality of modules having an arbitrary configuration and being interconnected by input and output ports. The interconnection or port pairings of the modules is determined by the controller by defining ports into input and output sets and defining a given set by logic signals. The logic signals are set to the same level and a logic level change in the logic signals is systematically prompted. The responses from associated ports are identified to map all input and output ports for the image processing apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises: an inserting unit to insert a memory medium such as IC card or floppy disc which can be freely attached or detached and in which programs to control the image processing apparatus have been stored; a memory to store the program which has been read out from the memory medium and kind data indicative of the kind of program; a loading circuit to load the program stored in the memory medium into the memory; and a control unit to control the image processing apparatus in accordance with the program stored in the memory.

Abstract: In a scheduling system which optimizes a sequence of operations for carrying out, for example, digital printing of simplex and duplex documents, a "schedule tree" is created and updated in real time. The schedule tree is a running list of all possible schedules or sequences of operations within a future time frame, given a desired output of documents. Various techniques are used to manage the size of the tree and select schedules from the schedule tree to be proposed to the printing apparatus over time.

Abstract: A freely configurable image processing apparatus comprises a plurality of processing sections each executing a specified processing to a digital image signal; namely a scanner section, a shading section, a filter section, an image size changing section, a .gamma.-conversion section, a tone processing section, an editorial section, a storage section, an external interface section, a printing section, and a plot section, wherein a sequence of processing by these processing section can freely be changed by a selector control section according to an instruction from a main control section by switching a mains elector and an out selector connected to each processing section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sequence memory to store a sequence of an initialization processing to be conducted only at an installation of the apparatus, an adjuster to adjust the apparatus in accordance with the initialization, an apparatus status indicator to indicate whether the apparatus is new or not. The apparatus further includes a controller so that the adjuster adjusts the apparatus on the basis of the status of the indicator. A judging device judges whether to continue or stop the initialization process on the basis of a predetermined state of the apparatus such as whether a process unit is new or old or whether a cover is attached to a photoreceptor or not.

Abstract: An electronic image processing apparatus includes a controller and a plurality of resources in an arbitrary configuration. Each of the resources provides an associated processor storing data related to operational capabilities of the associated resource. The controller is adapted to dynamically configure the image processing apparatus to operate in accordance with the the operational capabilities of each of the processors by defining job requirements as a combination of images defining a set of sheets and specifying compilations of sheets. The job requirement is converted into an assembly tree relationship for merging into additional assembly trees for formulating the job requirement.

Abstract: An electronic image processing apparatus has a controller and a plurality of resources in an arbitrary configuration. Each of the resources includes an associated processor storing data related to operational constraints of the associated resource and a bus interconnects the processors to the controller for directing the operation of the resources. The controller is adapted to operate independent of a particular configuration of the plurality of resources by receiving from each of the processors the data related to the operational constraints of each associated resource and interrogating each of the processors to determine the geometrical relationship of the interconnection of the resources.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for a multiplex copying system in which indefinite peripherals having various additional functions may be connected to the body of the apparatus. The version of the apparatus body is adjusted surely and adequately in matching relation to the versions of the peripherals. The apparatus body is, therefore, capable of cooperating with the peripherals newly connected thereto.