Abstract: The present disclosure discloses methods and systems for identifying blank spaces in a document for embedding an Infrared (IR) mark in the document. The method includes receiving the document for printing from the user. A user interface is provided to the user that allows the user to select a pre-defined option. Upon selection of the pre-defined option, inputs from the user on the IR mark is received. Based on the inputs from the user, a specified portion of the document is extracted for processing. Then, blank spaces are checked in the extracted portion based on a size of the IR mark to be embedded in the document. Based on the check, the IR mark is embedded in the identified blank space. An output document is outputted/printed including the IR mark in the specified portion of the document. The IR mark is embedded such that there is no content loss.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a controller performs processes in accordance with an operation mode settable to one of a first subscription mode and a second subscription mode. The first subscription mode corresponds to a first subscription in which a specific-color cartridge is a subscription subject and a non-specific-color cartridge is not the subscription subject. The second subscription mode corresponds to a second subscription in which both the specific-color cartridge and the non-specific-color cartridge are the subscription subject. The controller performs restricting usage of the non-specific-color cartridge in a case where the first subscription mode is set as the operation mode and the type information of the non-specific-color cartridge indicates the subscription type, compared to a case where the second subscription mode is set as the operation mode and the type information of the non-specific-color cartridge indicates the subscription type.

Abstract: A method, including obtaining information indicative of a phenomenon sensed at a read electrode of a cochlear implant electrode array relative to a reference and/or at a read electrode remote from the electrode array relative to a reference, where one of the electrodes of the cochlear implant electrode array was energized executing a first analysis of the information to identify one or more first meanings from among a first group of meanings of the sensed phenomenon, conditioning the obtained information based on the identified one or more first meanings, and executing a second analysis of the conditioned information to identify one or more second meanings from among a second group of meanings of the sensed phenomenon.

Abstract: An operating method of an image forming apparatus including estimating an accumulative usage of toner in a toner cartridge, determining initial remaining life information of the toner cartridge and indicating a remaining amount of the toner based on the estimated accumulative usage of the toner, obtaining weight information indicating a first weight of the toner cartridge at a first time point at which the remaining amount of the toner is within a predetermined range, determining a correction factor indicating an error factor between the estimated accumulative usage of the toner and an actual accumulative usage of the toner, based on the obtained weight information and the estimated accumulative usage, and correcting an amount of toner to be used in an image forming operation to be performed after the first time point based on the correction factor, and determining adjusted remaining life information based on the correction factor.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to an imaging device. The imaging device to include a discharge member to discharge a first pattern on a photoconductor; and a writing engine to control the discharge member to discharge a second pattern to the photoconductor to obscure any latent pattern formed from the first pattern remaining on the photoconductor.

Abstract: A management system includes a printing apparatus replaceably holding a first and a second replaceable item, and a management server. The printing apparatus includes a transmission unit that transmits identification data indicating identification information on the printing apparatus and data including a value related to a usage amount of the second replaceable item. The management server includes an acquisition unit that acquires a value related to a previous usage amount of the second replaceable item from a memory based on the identification data from the printing apparatus. The management server includes a determination unit that makes a determination about a delivery instruction of the first replaceable item based on the value related to the usage amount of the second replaceable item, which is transmitted from the printing apparatus, and the value related to the previous usage amount of the second replaceable item, which is acquired from the memory.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a speech input device, a display device, an image forming device, and a control device. The display device displays an image expressed in a preset language for display. The control device functions as a controller that operates in either one of a normal operating mode and an emergency operating mode and recognizes, based on a speech input to the speech input device, a language of the input speech. During operation in the normal operating mode, the controller recognizes a language of the speech input to the speech input device and sets the recognized language as the language for display. During operation in the emergency operating mode, the controller recognizes a language of the speech input to the speech input device and allows the image forming device to form an image representing evacuation information expressed in the recognized language.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including a charge processing section and an operation section that are brought closer in height to each other, thus improving the operability of a user. The image forming apparatus (100) includes a coin insertion processing section (110), an operation panel (120) and an electrophotography printer (130). The coin insertion processing section (110) is configured to accept money and then execute charge processing so as to permit image formation by the image forming apparatus (100). The operation panel (120) is configured to, when the coin insertion processing section (110) executes the charge processing, accept setting of image formation by the image forming apparatus (100). The electrophotography printer (130) is configured to form an image of the read image data based on setting at the operation panel (120). The coin insertion processing section (110) is disposed at a height equal to a height of the operation panel (120).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a document scanning apparatus which is composed of an automatic document feeding device and an image capturing device. The document scanning apparatus establishes a private area network between the automatic document feeding device and the image capturing device, and causes the automatic document feeding device to send a message to the image capturing device. When the message is received, said image capturing device performs corresponding operations in response to the message. Said operations may comprise, for example adjusting the relative position between the image capturing device and the automatic document feeding device or doing multi-documents scan.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of setting a plurality of limiting conditions for each user. The image forming apparatus includes a hard disk drive (HDD) that stores a limiting condition set for each user, a touch panel that accepts input of an instruction from a user, a central processing unit (CPU) that determines whether a limiting condition is stored in the HDD in association with the user in response to the instruction from the user, and a display panel that displays limit information indicating details about limitation corresponding to the limiting condition in response to the CPU determining that the limiting condition is stored in the HDD.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image processing system includes an image forming unit, a decoloring unit, a storage device, an operation panel and a processor. The storage device stores image data of a plurality of printed materials. The processor forms on a sheet an image based on image data in a page range of the printed material received by the operation panel. The processor determines whether or not images of all pages in the page range have been decolored in a predetermined range after the image formation is executed when the formed image is decolored by the decoloring unit.

Abstract: An information processor includes a first input unit configured to accept designation of an enlargement/reduction rate, an extraction unit configured to extract a first output setting for printout at the designated enlargement/reduction rate and a second output setting different from the first output setting for printout at the designated enlargement/reduction rate, a calculation unit configured to calculate a first fee for the first output setting and a second fee for the second output setting, a display configured to display the first output setting and the first fee in association with each other, and the second output setting and the second fee in association with each other, a second input unit configured to receive a selection of one of the first output setting and the second output setting, and a controller configured to cause the execution of image formation onto a medium with the selected output setting.

Abstract: Print jobs call for printing multiple logical pages on the same sheet, using base colorants and an extension colorant, and call for a different number of printing passes of the extension colorant for different logical pages. A first bitmap is created, and a first printing pass prints the first bitmap. The first bitmap is then modified to leave only the extension colorant plane, to create a modified bitmap; and a second printing pass prints the modified bitmap on the same sheet. The modified bitmap is additionally modified by removing printing pixels for the logical pages that do not contain an instruction to perform an additional printing pass of the extension colorant; and an additional printing pass prints the modified bitmap. These printing passes are repeated until no more of the logical pages contain the instruction to perform an additional printing pass of the extension colorant.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of counting a number of prints with high accuracy and a recording medium. An MFP that includes a monochrome counter for monochrome printing and a color counter for color printing sets the monochrome counter as a target counter for reflecting the number of prints in a printing process when only monochrome toner of monochrome toner and color toner is consumed in the printing process. Moreover, the MFP sets the color counter as a target counter when color toner is consumed in a printing process. Then, the MFP reflects the number of prints in a printing process on the set target counter.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a capacitive human body sensor that detects an operation to return to a normal mode from a power saving mode consuming less power than the normal mode, wherein an antenna of the human body sensor is wired along a periphery of a predetermined detection target area which can receive the operation to return from a user, and a difference in sensitivity between a corner portion and a part other than the corner portion of the antenna is reduced by shaping the antenna at least to be wired in a curve without forming a corner in the corner portion, to be thinner in the corner portion than in the part other than the corner portion, or to be wired without meandering in the corner portion and wired while meandering in the part other than the corner portion.

Abstract: An image forming system capable of changing a print speed includes an execution unit that executes a print job in accordance with a set print speed, and an output unit that displays or prints history information of the print job including information representing the print speed set when the print job was executed.

Abstract: When a user logs into an image forming apparatus, a setting by the user is registered as an operation history in an individual setting of the user if a setting mode is an “individual setting” and an operation history is registered in a device setting if the setting mode is a “device setting”. If a user does not log into the image forming apparatus, an operation history is registered in the device setting. If the setting mode is the “device setting”, an operation history is deleted from the device setting when the user logs out from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A control device includes a prohibition unit that prohibits a user from using an electronic apparatus in a case where a sum of a cumulative used amount of the electronic apparatus by the user for a predetermined time period and a new used amount which is newly instructed by the user exceeds a permitted amount for the predetermined time period; an acquiring unit that acquires charging destination information for the user in a case where the prohibition unit prohibits the user from using the electronic apparatus; an output unit that outputs charging information for excess over the permitted amount of the user, using the charging destination information in a case where the charging destination information is acquired by the acquiring unit; and a permission unit that permits the user to use the electronic apparatus after the charging information is output.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus, in which a purpose of a password can be selected from a plurality of purposes, and a print job, in which the password is used for the selected purpose, is generated.

Abstract: A method for operating an apparatus, such as a video signal receiver, having first and second stand-by modes when the apparatus is in an off state, wherein the first stand-by mode provides a different start-up time and consumes a different amount of power than the second stand-by mode, is capable of saving power without requiring a user to wait a long time for a start-up sequence.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus recognizes a requesting user who has requested execution of a printing job stored in a memory portion, and in a case where a distance between a mobile terminal owned by the requesting user and the image forming apparatus has become not more than a first threshold value, the image forming apparatus performs control so that interrupt printing is performed in which the printing job of the requesting user is started, and so that another printing job is not resumed until a prescribed time length has elapsed after completion of the printing job of the requesting user.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an exit tray, an image forming section, a user identification section, a printed sheet receipt managing section, and a fetch sensor. The image forming section performs a printing operation based on a print instruction issued from a user. The fetch sensor is capable of detecting that a printed sheet has been fetched from the exit tray. The user identification section identifies a print requester corresponding to a user having issued a print instruction, and a fetcher corresponding to a user fetching the printed sheet from the exit tray. If the printed sheet is fetched from the exit tray and the fetcher is different from the print requester, the printed sheet receipt managing section sends, to a computer of the user, a notice of printed sheet taken away notifying that the printed sheet has been taken away.

Abstract: In a case where one of setting information relating to image adjustment and setting information relating to stepwise charging is changed, an influence that is exerted on the other is immediately checked. A corresponding information processing apparatus includes a first reception unit configured to receive an image adjustment setting value that specifies a degree of adjustment processing for image data, and a second reception unit configured to receive a setting value in stepwise charging in which a charging amount increases stepwise as a toner consumption amount increases, and in the information processing apparatus, in the case where one of the received image adjustment setting value and the received setting value in stepwise charging is changed, the other is changed in accordance with the changed value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an exit tray, an image forming section, a print controller, a user identification section, a fetch sensor, and a notification managing section. The image forming section performs printing on a sheet and ejects the printed sheet onto the exit tray. The print controller causes the image forming section to perform printing. The user identification section identifies the user and manages log-in and log-out status of the user. The fetch sensor detects whether or not the ejected printed sheet is fetched. The notification managing section changes, based on the user log-in or log-out status at completion of printed sheet ejection onto the exit tray and based on whether or not the printed sheet ejected onto the exit tray is fetched, a content of a notification that is to be issued to the user after completion of printed sheet ejection.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image reading apparatus including: a reading unit configured to optically read an original and to output image data; an image conversion unit configured to convert the image data into data having a predetermined format; a storing unit configured to store the data having the predetermined format; a transfer unit configured to transfer the data to a designated destination; a judgment unit configured to judge whether the data can be transferred to the designated destination; and an executing unit configured to instruct the image reading apparatus to execute a process for reading the original and for converting the image data to store the data in the storing unit regardless of whether the judgment unit judges that the data can be transmitted, and to instruct the image reading apparatus to transfer the data after the judgment unit judges that the data can be transmitted.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a detector, a selection unit, and a presentation unit. The detector detects that a user has a document from an image of the user. The selection unit selects, in a case where it is detected by the detector that the user has a document, an image processing apparatus with an image reading function. The presentation unit presents the image processing apparatus selected by the selection unit to the user.

Abstract: An information processor includes a first input unit configured to accept designation of an enlargement/reduction rate, an extraction unit configured to extract a first output setting for printout at the designated enlargement/reduction rate and a second output setting different from the first output setting for printout at the designated enlargement/reduction rate, a calculation unit configured to calculate a first fee for the first output setting and a second fee for the second output setting, a display configured to display the first output setting and the first fee in association with each other, and the second output setting and the second fee in association with each other, a second input unit configured to receive a selection of one of the first output setting and the second output setting, and a controller configured to cause the execution of image formation onto a medium with the selected output setting.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a sensor that detects discontinuation of printing or a decrease in print speed; and an electric circuit configured to set an available time to print according to an amount of advance payment; count a usage time during which the image forming apparatus is used; determine permission or prohibition of printing based on the available time to print and the usage time; determine whether to count the usage time based on a factor for the discontinuation of printing or the decrease in print speed when the sensor detects the discontinuation of printing or the decrease in print speed; and prohibit printing when the counted usage time reaches the available time to print.

Abstract: A communication apparatus that reduces electric power consumption. A communication apparatus includes a storage section for storing an image received by fax. Power rate information indicative of a time period during which a power rate is high is acquired. A forced memory reception time period during which an image received by fax is not immediately printed but stored in the storage section is set based on the acquired power rate information. When an image is received by fax during the forced memory reception time period, the image received by fax is stored in the storage section. The image stored in the storage section is printed at a time other than the forced memory reception time period.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit to form an image, a user switch unit to output a user operation signal to switch between a power-on state and a power-off state of the image forming apparatus, a main controller to control the image forming unit and to output a power control signal based on the user operation signal, a power switching unit to selectively supply operation power to the main controller based on the user operation signal and the power control signal, and an auxiliary controller to control the power switching unit such that the operation power is not supplied to the main controller when the power control signal is changed in a power-off state.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions to control a processor to execute: acquiring status information related to a status of at least one image processing apparatus; and displaying a status image, which is an image representing the status of the image processing apparatus associated with the acquired status information, wherein an executing combination status is a status where at least one apparatus of the one set of the image processing apparatuses is executing the partial image processing of the specific image processing, wherein a requested combination status is a status where a communication for the specific image processing has been requested and all the image processing apparatuses of the one set have not yet started, and wherein the displaying displays an executing image representing the executing combination status, the executing image being displayed in a distinguishable form from a requested image representing the requested combination status.

Abstract: In one embodiment, enablement data, indicative of an enablement state of a functionality at a network-connected printer, is received from the printer. Fulfillment data, indicative of a fulfillment state of a condition to the enablement of the functionality at the printer, is received. It is determined whether the enablement data is consistent with the fulfillment data. Responsive to determining that the enablement data is inconsistent with the fulfillment data, a change instruction is sent to the printer over a network to cause a change in the enablement state to another state that is consistent with the fulfillment data.

Abstract: In the case where charging by grade in accordance with a plurality of image attributes is performed, it is not possible for a user to identify the image attribute with which printing is performed from the appearance of printed matter that is output. In accordance with a color pixel ratio in image data, an image attribute of the image data is determined and a display unit is controlled to display the determined image attribute and the color pixel ratio.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, including: a job input unit; a job execution unit; a job storing unit; a start-up cost calculation unit to calculate a start-up cost which is a cost for start-up of the image forming apparatus, when the job is input from the job input unit; a total sum calculation unit to calculate a total sum of investable amount of the input job and the stored jobs; a job control unit to instruct the job storing unit to store the input job in case that the total sum is less than the start-up cost, and instruct the job execution unit to collectively execute the input job and the stored jobs in case that the total sum is not less than the start-up cost; and a charging unit configured to allocate the start-up cost to the jobs, and charge the allocated start-up cost for each executed job.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus having a frequency-of-use measuring unit, a power cutoff period identifying unit, a document data processing unit, and a power management unit. The frequency-of-use measuring unit measures a frequency of use of a predetermined function. The power cutoff period identifying unit identifies a power cutoff period for turning off the power on the basis of the frequency of use. The document data processing unit prints document data accumulated in a document box prior to the power cutoff period. The power management unit turns off the power when the power cutoff period is reached.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus determines whether a limit to prohibit printing using a spot color printing material is imposed on, out of a plurality of objects included in document data, an object set to be printed using the spot color printing material. Upon determining that the limit to prohibit the printing using the spot color printing material is imposed on the object set to be printed using the spot color printing material, control is performed to prohibit issuance of a rendering command to print the object using the spot color printing material.

Abstract: A management apparatus receives an allocation request from a printer in accordance with a designation of a user, and reads a page count upper limit and an already-allocated page count for the user. The management apparatus calculates an allocable page count by subtracting an already-allocated page count from the page count upper limit, and if the allocable page count is greater than 0, calculates a page count allocation that is based on the printing speed of the printer and is lower the lower the allocable page count is. The printing management apparatus prints the obtained allocable page count to the printer.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for managing and exchanging printer data.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus determines whether or not supplementation of a consumable product is required, and whether or not an image corresponding to the consumable product procurement information including information related to the procurement of the consumable product is recorded by linkage with the consumable product. Then when the image forming apparatus determines that that supplementation of a consumable product is required, and that an image corresponding to the consumable product procurement information is recorded by linkage with the consumable product, a printing instruction screen for the image is displayed, and the printing of the image is performed in accordance with the printing instructions input through the printing instruction screen.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus monitors a job processing status of an image forming apparatus. If it is determined that the image forming apparatus is not processing a job, creation of a snapshot of a sub-set (minimum required charging counter values for charging) is requested from the image forming apparatus. When charging information is transmitted to a management server, if it is determined that a usual full-set (department counter values and charging counter values) of data has not been acquired, the created sub-set is transmitted.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and an image processing apparatus implementing the method for color pixel counting in documents by integrating color detection and counting. The method determines if pixels are neutral (e.g., gray) or non-neutral (i.e., color). Windows are used to analyze the pixels. For each window, a number of pixels with at least one color plane ON are counted, as well as a number of ON pixels in each color plane. The windows are determined to be neutral or color. A billable count of color pixels is determined based on the neutrality of the windows. Based on the billable count of color pixels, a bill for outputting the document is determined.

Abstract: A printing apparatus prints on a printing medium based on print data from at least one host apparatus; stores print information associated with a printing operation except for print data in a first storage unit; performs, by a power supply unit, first control to supply power to the first storage unit and second control to stop power supply to the first storage unit; stores, in a second storage unit which receives power supply from the power supply unit regardless of the first control or the second control, the print information stored in the first storage unit when the printing apparatus changes from the first control to the second control; and when the printing apparatus receives a request from the host apparatus to obtain the print information after changing to the second control, transmits the print information stored in the second storage unit to the host apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a living body detection unit configured to detect approaching of a living body based on a detection output depending on a distance to the living body, an operation unit configured to receive an operation command from a user, a history recording unit configured to record a history of a detection output of the living body detection unit and a history of an operation performed on the operation unit, and a determination unit configured to determine a threshold value of the detection output, the threshold value being used by the living body detection unit as a determination reference value in determining whether a living body is detected, the determination of the threshold value being made based on the history recorded in the history recording unit as to the detection output of the living body detection unit and as to the operation performed on the operation unit.

Abstract: When an image processing apparatus performs a transmission function of transmitting image data generated by reading a document with a scanner, to a cost management apparatus, the image processing apparatus registers cost information and the image data in the cost management apparatus, the cost information corresponding to user's operation time incurred to perform the transmission function.

Abstract: In order to properly count the number of sheets printed which serves as the basis on which a charge is calculated, an MFP that acts as a designated printer includes a job accepting portion to accept a print job, a job executing portion to carry out printing based on the print job, a requesting portion to, when the job executing portion is not available for executing the print job, transmit an alternative instruction including the print job to an alternative printer, and an adding portion to add the number of alternative sheets printed by the alternative printer based on the print job included in the alternative instruction to the number of sheets printed by the job executing portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store therein a plurality of function setting items; a display unit configured to display the function setting items stored in the storage unit; a selecting unit configured to select one or more function setting items to be displayed on the display unit from the function setting items stored in the storage unit based on a selecting condition for selecting the function setting items to be displayed on the display unit; and a control unit configured to select, when a single function setting item is selected by the selecting unit, the single function setting item as a function setting item to be executed by the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A printing system includes an image forming apparatus and a host terminal apparatus. The image forming apparatus is operated by a first user who picks up a printed output of the image forming apparatus. A second user sends print data from the host terminal apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an input section, a receiving buffer, and a watermark embedding section. The first user inputs a first item of information indicative of the first user through the input section. The receiving buffer stores the print data therein. The watermark embedding section produces a watermark pattern in which information representative of the first item of information is embedded, and combines the print data with the watermark pattern. The image forming apparatus prints out the received print data with the watermark pattern embedded therein. The watermark pattern includes the first item of information therein.

Abstract: The execution of an image processing job is limited using a printing amount by an image processing job that has already been executed and a printing amount that is scheduled to be printed by an image processing job that has already been transmitted but not yet executed. To accomplish this, a multi-function peripheral manages a first printing amount that has already been printed by a executed print job and a second printing amount that is scheduled to be printed by a print job that has been transmitted from the multi-function peripheral to a printer and that has not yet been executed in association with a user ID, and determines, before transmitting the print job, whether or not the total of a third printing amount that is scheduled to be printed by the print job, the first printing amount and the second printing amount exceeds an upper limit amount.

Abstract: A control method of an image forming apparatus which is connected to an external apparatus, supports a resource saving mode, and outputs document data is provided. The control method includes: selecting the document data to be output, selecting an output option to be applied to the selected document data, comparing a resource saving value corresponding to the output option to be applied to the document data and a resource saving set value which is pre-set in the image forming apparatus, displaying at least one suggestion option to save resources of the document data according to a result of comparison, and selecting one of the displayed suggestion option and outputting the document data.

Abstract: There are provided a printing device, a printing system, a program, and a printing method capable of improving security and user-friendliness. The printing system (1) includes a PC (10-1) and printer devices (20-1 to 20-N) connected via a LAN (50). The PC (10-1) has a printing data forming unit (111) for forming print data according to a user instruction, a print data transmission unit (113) for transmitting the formed print data to the printer devices (20-1 to 20-N), a communication unit (17), and the like. The printer devices (20-1 to 20-N) have an external storage device (23) for storing received print data, an input unit (26) for inputting a user print instruction and a user identifier, a card reader (24), a print data management unit (212) for reading out print data corresponding to the user identifier from the external storage device (23), a printer engine (28) for performing printing according to the print data which has been read out, and the like.