Having Mode Change Patents (Class 399/85)
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Patent number: 8320004Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a display unit that displays an image; a web browser that causes the display unit to display thereon a web page; and an operation setting unit that receives from a user and stores an input of operation settings relating to the operation of the image forming apparatus, and of web page display settings relating to web page display control by the web browser. Upon launching of the web browser, the operation setting unit outputs the web page display settings to the web browser. The web browser displays the web page on the display unit according to the web page display settings.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Kyocera Mita CorporationInventors: Dai Shigenobu, Yoshifumi Okabayashi, Takanori Miyamoto
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Patent number: 8320783Abstract: A first mode to form a toner image of single color where a pressure contact release section T changes a primary transfer section 7 to be in a pressure contact state, and a second mode to form an overlapped toner image where the pressure contact device T changes a plurality of the primary transfer sections 7 to be in the pressure contact state can be executed, wherein a speed difference D1 between an image carrier 1 and an intermediate transfer belt 6 in the first mode is controlled to be greater than a speed difference D2 between the image carrier 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 6 in the second mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Ogata, Atsushi Takahashi, Jun Onishi
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Patent number: 8300248Abstract: A printing control system includes a host interface, a user interface, a printing unit, and a controller. The host interface communicates with a host device that submits a print job. The user interface communicates with a user. The printing unit executes the print job. The controller suspends operation at the printing unit in response to a suspend request received at one of the host interface and user interface. The controller measures an elapsed time since the suspension, and transmits one of first and second commands upon determining that the elapsed time exceeds a given reference time. The first command causes the printing unit to automatically resume the suspended operation. The second command causes the host interface to send a notification of the suspension.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Hiroya Uruta, Toshio Kitazawa, Tsuyoshi Sakuma, Yuka Saito
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Patent number: 8300240Abstract: An image processing apparatus receives a job, analyzes the received job, generates a saved job that includes an image and output settings information and saves the generated saved job in a storage unit. The saved job that has been saved in the storage unit is output in response to a prescribed output operation. The image processing apparatus acquires a restriction on processing at the time of output and incorporates restriction information, which is indicative of the acquired restriction, in the output settings information. Processing for outputting such a saved job is restricted based upon the restriction information contained in the output settings information.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tetsuya Yokoyama
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Patent number: 8289532Abstract: A printer controlling device capable of operating in a collate mode includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit print data representing the entire document to be printed on printing sheets and a copy command representing only one copy of the entire document is made, and adjudging unit configured to judge whether the number of sheets necessary for printing one copy of the entire document is one or more than one after the transmitting unit transmits the print data representing the entire document to be printed and the copy command representing only one copy of the entire document. The transmitting unit further transmits the print data and the copy command in different manners depending on whether the judging unit judges that the number of sheets necessary for printing one copy of the document is one or more than one.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Daisuke Asai
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Patent number: 8274692Abstract: In order to control printing of at least one of a plurality of digital images, zero or no value is set as a default value for a number of print copy of every one of the digital images. If any, an instruction for setting the number of print copy of at least one of the digital images is received. An instruction for printing the at least one of the digital images is received, under a condition that an identifier associated with one of the digital images is designated in a display. It is judged whether the at least one of the digital images includes at least one digital image to which one or more is set as the number of print copy, upon receipt of the instruction for printing. The at least one of the digital images is printed in accordance with the set number of print copy when it is judged the at least one of the digital images includes at least one digital image to which one or more is set as the number of print copy.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Nobuyuki Fujimori
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Patent number: 8270001Abstract: A printing apparatus that has received a request for canceling a print job determines whether the print job can be canceled, and transmits the determined result to a user of a print service before the print job is canceled. The print job is canceled in a process other than the process that has received the request for canceling the print job. After the print job has been canceled, the printing apparatus notifies a predetermined destination of the completion of canceling the print job.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2004Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinichi Uchikawa
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Patent number: 8248623Abstract: A printing apparatus, comprising: a printing unit that prints an image on a recording medium in a color mode or a monochrome mode based on a first job; a switching unit that performs a switching operation to switch between the color mode upon printing a color page and the monochrome mode upon printing a monochrome page; a first computing unit that computes, based on a switching time required for the switching operation, the maximum number of switching actions at which a printing turnaround time from a printing start time to a printing stop time is not more than a first time limit from the printing start time to a predetermined time limit; and a first limiting unit that restricts the switching operation based on a number of switching actions determined by the first computing unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kana Sakamoto
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Patent number: 8243311Abstract: An image output apparatus including: an image processing section for processing an image; a printing section that prints the image; a display section that displays the image; an instruction section that allows a user to instruct execution of a print job, and execution of a display job; and a job control section that controls the jobs to start the execution of the print job or the display job in response to the instruction, wherein when the job control section receives instructions to start print jobs and/or display jobs, the job control section controls the jobs to register the print jobs and/or the display jobs in a queue and start these jobs in the order, and when an instruction for a display job in the queue is again received from the instruction section, the job control section controls the jobs to move the display job to the forefront of the queue.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Sohichi Yoshimura
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Patent number: 8229315Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is capable of avoiding unnecessary switching operation to switch between a one-sided printing and a two-sided printing to improve print productivity. A printing mode is switched between a two-sided printing mode to continuously form images on first sides of a predetermined number of sheets and to alternately form images on second sides of sheets conveyed along a sheet re-feeding conveyance path and on the first sides of sheets fed from a sheet feeding unit, and a one-sided printing mode without using the sheet re-feeding conveyance path. It is determined that, when a one-sided print job is performed between a two-sided print jobs, whether the one-sided print job is performed in the two-sided printing mode as-is or in the one-sided printing mode, depending on whether the number of sheets continuously printed by the one-sided print job is more than a predetermined number.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akihiko Sakai
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Patent number: 8208150Abstract: A printing apparatus is supplied, which receives print job; generates print data from the print job; prints the print data; and has an error eliminating method for easily eliminating error when error occurred. In the printing apparatus, a non-support function detecting section detects instruction for requesting to use non-support function which does not exist in the printing apparatus; a calculating section calculates a time number of detection regarding the instruction detected by the non-support function detecting section; and a print allowance/disallowance judging section judges whether a print of the print data is allowance or is disallowance on the basis of a calculation result of the time number calculated by the calculating section.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Oki Data CorporationInventor: Kazuyuki Yamada
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Patent number: 8194293Abstract: A compact scanner apparatus is provided that is suitable for constituting an information display system by being stored in a pedestal which supports a display apparatus. The scanner apparatus is composed of an upper unit provided with an automatic document feeder and a lower unit provided with an image reading device, wherein a width guide rack mechanism having a function of detecting an original size is independent from a paper feed tray and disposed above the paper feed tray. Thereby, it is possible to store the paper feed tray and the whole of the width guide rack mechanism within the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasuhiro Suto
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Patent number: 8189207Abstract: A color image forming apparatus that automatically switches a printing mode between a single color printing mode and a color printing mode according to requested image data stores, when capturing of image data of a print job is started, the image data in an image memory unit, starts image formation of the image data in the color printing mode as an initial state, and maintains a color printing mode regardless of the image data until the number of printed copies reach a first number of copies for operation switching determination X1. When the number of printed copies reaches X1, the color image forming apparatus compares, in a comparing unit, the number of remaining pages of the print job and a second number of copies for operation switching determination X2 stored in a number-of-pages storing unit 36 and controls the printing mode on the basis of a result of the comparison and information concerning whether the remaining image data is color image data or single color image data.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2007Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kei Kobashigawa
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Patent number: 8184345Abstract: In a first mode, an original is read with a first and a second carriages stopped. In a second mode, the original is read with the first and the second carriages moving in a sub-scanning direction with a distance between the original and an optical reading element kept constant. A control unit causes, if a predetermined condition is satisfied after reading the original in the first mode, the first and the second carriages to standby at a reading position of the first mode while keeping the light source turned on, and if a next read request is issued within a predetermined time, causes the first and the second carriages to move to a next reading operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventor: Osamu Inage
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Patent number: 8175468Abstract: A printing apparatus, method and storage medium therefor for executing trial printings. The apparatus includes a printing unit, a setting unit, an inputting unit, and first and second controlling and accepting units. The first controlling unit controls to execute first trial printing according to inputted image data and a set printing condition. The first accepting unit can accept a changing instruction for changing the printing condition. The second accepting unit can accept an execution instruction for executing a second trial printing. The second controlling unit controls to execute the second trial printing according to the inputted image data and the changed printing condition. When the first accepting unit accepts a changing instruction, the second accepting unit can accept an executing instruction. When the first accepting unit does not accept a changing instruction, the second accepting unit cannot accept an executing instruction.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Keiju Kuboki
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Patent number: 8134755Abstract: An image reading apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes a first reading unit which reads a surface of a document and a second reading unit which reads the other surface of the document. The first and second reading units include off-axial imaging units respectively. The off-axial imaging unit includes plural imaging mirrors in which off-axial reflecting surfaces having curvatures are formed. In the off-axial imaging unit, an incident direction and an outgoing direction of a reference axis light beam are different from each other. The off-axial imaging units are provided such that vertical directions of the first and second reading units become identical while an incident side of the light beam is located below an outgoing side with respect to the imaging unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takayuki Suga
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Publication number: 20120045242Abstract: A printing device is provided with a printing unit configured to print images on sheets, a plurality of discharge trays configured to receive printed sheets, a detection unit configured to detect a switching instruction to switch among the plurality of discharge trays, and a discharge control unit. The discharge control unit stops a currently executed print job, selects one of following print jobs which does not designate a currently used discharge tray, and switches the discharge trays such that a discharge tray other than the currently used discharge tray as a selected discharge tray to be used, starts the selected one of following print job using the selected discharge tray, when the detection unit detects the switching instruction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akihiro YAMADA
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Patent number: 8120792Abstract: When a user enters control information for controlling a printing device, the information is stored in a user information storage unit. All combinations of items of the control information capable of being set by the user and values of items incapable of being set by the user, these having been selected so as to be the optimum values for the combinations, are stored as preset values in a combined information storage unit. An information storage unit compares a value in the user information storage unit with a value in the combined information storage unit. If a combination for which agreement is achieved is found in the combined information storage unit, this value is stored in a printing information storage unit and transmitted to the printing device. Thus, an optimum value can be selected and sent to the printing device even with regard to an item incapable of being selected by the user.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takahiro Moro, Koji Yamada
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Patent number: 8090303Abstract: An image forming apparatus, forming a color image by successively superposing color images, formed on image carriers of corresponding image forming parts arranged along a rotational direction of an endless moving member, onto the endless moving member or a recording medium conveyed thereby, includes a first part causing a color registration pattern to be created on the endless moving member or the recording medium; a second part obtaining a color registration pattern signal by detecting the color registration pattern; a third part changing image formation timing in the image forming parts based on the color registration pattern signal; and a fourth part causing the endless moving member to rotate in forward and reverse directions after the creation of the color registration pattern. The second part obtains the color registration pattern signal by detecting the color registration pattern during each of the forward and reverse rotations of the endless moving member.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Masayuki Hayashi, Toshikane Nishii, Kohta Sakaya, Makoto Matsushita, Yoshitaka Sekiguchi, Shunsuke Hamahashi
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Patent number: 8078077Abstract: Toners of the same color but with different characteristics are stored in the toner cartridges. For example, toners for high image quality (High Grade) with small particle diameter are stored in some toner cartridges and toners for low image quality (Low Grade) are stored in other toner cartridges. In this case, case, the mode of forming images using small particle diameter toner for high image quality using an image forming engine and the mode of forming images using a toner for low image quality using another image forming engine are executed by the image forming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2007Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ken Ohmura, Akihiro Nakamura, Makoto Furuichi, Hayato Konishi
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Patent number: 8035827Abstract: In an application management system for managing a plurality of applications that are installed in an image processing device, in the case where an instruction of execution start is received, if an application execution unit has already executed an incompatible application that would cause an unintended operation of the application whose execution is to be started if concurrently executed with another application, and a warning screen about the application execution start is output.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Katsuya Sakai
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Publication number: 20110229183Abstract: An image processing device processes jobs to be executed by an image forming device incorporating a fixing unit. The image processing device receives a plurality of jobs. Based on an attribute of each of the plurality of jobs, the image processing device determines, out of the plurality of jobs, at least one job for which fixing can be performed after heating of the fixing unit is stopped and for which fixing is performed after fixing for another job is finished. The image processing device reorders the processing of the plurality of jobs so that fixing is performed for the at least one job after the fixing for the other job is finished. In this way, an image processing device and a method of controlling an image processing device can be provided where power consumption can be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hirotada SEKI, Yoshiki KATAYAMA, Satoru SASAKI, Natsuyo HIGASHI, Hiroaki TAKATSU
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Publication number: 20110222893Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus and a control method for the same, with which an adjustment for satisfying an image quality is performed without fail while an execution frequency of the adjustment can be changed, for example, an unnecessary adjustment can be skipped. The image forming apparatus includes: a controller for issuing a plurality of commands; an engine for executing image formation according to the command; a control portion for holding a condition status indicating an internal condition of the engine and a factor status indicating a factor of the condition status, or the factor status and notifying, in response to the command, the condition status and the factor status, or the factor status; and a judgement unit for judging whether to adjust an image formation condition of the engine or not according to the condition status and the factor status, or the factor status.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takuro MITA
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Patent number: 8018606Abstract: There is provided a color page printer including a print engine operable by a color mode for executing color printing and a monochrome mode for executing monochrome printing, and a control unit for controlling the print engine to generate a printed paper having a content corresponding to received print data.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Osamu Azami
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Patent number: 8006198Abstract: A technique is provided, which can help the user to know well that process modes have been switched among them, thereby enabling the user to work more efficiently. A display control device is provided, which comprises: a selection information acquisition unit 201 that acquires selection information representing which process mode has been selected from a plurality of process modes in which different processes are performed; and a control unit 202 that displays display objects corresponding to set items related to the process mode selected, in a first display region on a screen, and display objects corresponding to any process mode not selected, in a second display region narrower than the first display region on the screen, on the basis of the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition unit 201.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yumiko Okuma, Mahina Nakamura, Maki Sato, Tsunehiro Motegi, Yasutsugu Sasaki
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Patent number: 7995932Abstract: A printing apparatus, printing method and storage medium therefor for executing a plurality of trial printings. The apparatus includes a printing unit, a setting unit to set a printing condition, an inputting unit to input image data, first and second controlling units, and first and second accepting units. The first controlling unit controls the printing unit to execute first trial printing according to the inputted image data and the set printing condition. The first accepting unit accepts a changing instruction for changing the printing condition. The second accepting unit accepts an execution instruction for executing a second trial printing, and the second controlling unit controls the printing unit to execute the second trial printing according to the inputted image data and the changed printing condition. In a case where the first accepting unit does not accept the changing instruction, the second accepting unit cannot accept the executing instruction.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Keiju Kuboki
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Publication number: 20110164894Abstract: A method of increasing productivity in a reproduction apparatus includes providing a first print engine and a second print engine. The engines are coupled by an inverter so that each sheet of a plurality of receiver sheets is selectively printed in an invert mode or a non-invert mode. A difference of a travel time of a first receiver sheet in an invert path through the inverter in the invert mode as compared to a travel time of a second receiver sheet in a non-invert path through the inverter in the non-invert mode is adjusted so that the difference is an integral multiple of a period between the receiver sheets.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Inventors: Michael T. Dobbertin, Timothy J. Young
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Patent number: 7961336Abstract: Recording of time information and function information of each image forming process for which processing has been completed in a recording portion 64 (S1), judgment (S6) of whether or not a switching time that has been set is 0 for processing in which the elapsed time from completion to the present time is within a predetermined time for processing among the information in the recording portion (64), calculation (S7) of a time (T) in which the switching time is added to the completion time of each image forming process, comparison (S8) of the time (T) and a time information (Tmax), and update (S9) of the time information (Tmax) by the time (T) when the calculated time (T) is later than the time information (Tmax) are repeatedly executed, and the latest time is set to the time information (Tmax). Switching is made to a power-saving mode when a counter (66) has timed the time information (Tmax).Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2004Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuya Iwabayashi, Yusuke Nagano
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Patent number: 7962058Abstract: A sheet-size decision table indicative of a correspondence of a plurality of sheet sizes and an image size printable on each sheet size is prepared in advance. An acquiring unit acquires image data, and an extracting unit extracts an image size of the image data. A searching unit searches the sheet-size decision table for a sheet size corresponding to the image size. If the searching unit cannot find a sheet size corresponding to the image size, a selecting unit selects a sheet size that can accommodate the image data when printed. Finally, a printing unit prints the image data on a print sheet corresponding to the sheet size selected by the selecting unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventor: Tomoaki Okamura
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Patent number: 7952731Abstract: A printing system includes a receive controller that enables by using a user interface unit an input of an instruction during performing of first print processing with a print apparatus, and an operation controller that enables the print apparatus to perform check processing before completion of the first print processing in the case where the instruction is input, the check processing being second print processing by using print data which is used in the first print processing, the operation controller enabling the print apparatus to continue the first print processing after the second print processing.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Utsunomiya, Kazuhiko Ushiyama, Takeshi Tarumi
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Patent number: 7933032Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a printing unit that performs a printing operation; a printing possibility determination unit that determines whether printing is possible, at the time of starting the printing operation; a printing stop unit that stops the printing operation, when the printing possibility determination unit determines that printing is impossible; a notification unit that notifies an error, when the printing operation is stopped; a notification time counting unit that counts a period in which an error is notified; a notification release unit that releases error notification, when the period in which an error is notified by the notification unit is counted for a predetermined time; and a stopped state reset unit that returns a stopped state of the printing unit whose printing operation is stopped, to a standby state before the printing unit performs the printing operation, when notification of an error is released.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroyuki Funahashi
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Patent number: 7922288Abstract: A printing system includes a first image applying component configured for applying one or more primary colorants to print media for rendering an image. A second image applying component is configured for applying a second colorant, such as black colorant, to print media for rendering an image. A first pathway conveys print media between the first image applying component and the second image applying component. A second pathway bypasses the first image applying component for conveying print media which is printed by the second image applying component. Where an image is to be rendered with the primary colorants and optionally also black, the print media is directed on the first pathway to both the first and second image applying components. Where an image is to be rendered only with black colorant, the print media may be directed to the second image applying component via the bypass pathway. In this way, during black printing, the first image applying component can be placed in a standby mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: David A. Mueller
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Patent number: 7920290Abstract: When a user enters control information for controlling a printing device, the information is stored in a user information storage unit. All combinations of items of the control information capable of being set by the user and values of items incapable of being set by the user, these having been selected so as to be the optimum values for the combinations, are stored as preset values in a combined information storage unit. An information storage unit compares a value in the user information storage unit with a value in the combined information storage unit. If a combination for which agreement is achieved is found in the combined information storage unit, this value is stored in a printing information storage unit and transmitted to the printing device. Thus, an optimum value can be selected and sent to the printing device even with regard to an item incapable of being selected by the user.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takahiro Moro, Koiji Yamada
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Patent number: 7912396Abstract: A printer, including a printing unit to print print data on print medium.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2006Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Young-kook Park
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Patent number: 7898676Abstract: An image forming device comprises a tray parameter table in which tray IDs for identifying one or trays of the image forming device and tray parameters for the respective tray IDs are stored in a mutually associated manner. A replacing unit receives an input tray ID and an input tray change parameter specified by an externally supplied printer control protocol, and replaces a tray parameter contained in the tray parameter table and corresponding to a tray ID which is the same as the input tray ID, by the input tray change parameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Masaaki Igarashi, Akira Ogawa
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Patent number: 7865105Abstract: A duplex printing instruction is accepted. When duplex printing is performed in accordance with the single-side printing and duplex printing is performed for a job of one page is decided in accordance with a condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichi Abe
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Patent number: 7865089Abstract: In a method for monitoring hardware devices of the hardware devices network to detect failures, past logged jobs are analyzed to determine a pattern of past usage of hardware devices by users of the hardware devices network. A failure of a hardware device is inferred based on a deviation in usage of the hardware devices from the pattern of past usage. In some embodiments, a state model is constructed that assigns one of two or more available operational states to each hardware device of the hardware devices network based on a recent load of jobs logged to the hardware device and a stored history of logged jobs indicative of typical loading of the hardware devices. One or more failing hardware devices are identified based on the assigned operational states.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Jean-Marc Andreoli, Guillaume Bouchard, Victor Ciriza
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Patent number: 7856202Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that can improve the interest of the user in the ecology. The apparatus includes an image input portion that inputs image data, a printing portion that prints onto a recording sheet an image indicated by the image data inputted by the image input portion, a condition setting portion that sets printing conditions for executing printing by the printing portion, a displaying portion that displays the printing conditions that the condition setting portion has set, a used amount calculating portion that calculates the used amount of paper from the size of and the number of recording sheets used by executing printing by the printing portion based on the printing conditions set by the condition setting portion, and a display controlling portion that controls the displaying portion to display the used amount calculated by the used amount calculating portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2007Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuki Mizobuchi, Takao Fukuda
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Patent number: 7855471Abstract: A voltage converting unit converts a first voltage of an auxiliary power supply unit into a second voltage. A voltage determining unit determines whether the second voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold. A first switch, which is arranged between the voltage converting unit and a load, switches on and off a supply of an electric power of the second voltage to the load. When it is determined that the second voltage exceeds the predetermined threshold, a voltage-conversion control unit controls the voltage converting unit to stop converting the voltage, and then a switching control unit controls the first switch to supply the electric power of the second voltage to the load.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2008Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Masae Sugawara
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Publication number: 20100310268Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an information acquisition section configured to acquire the number of pages of sheets to be printed and information indicating whether printing in a color mode is performed or printing in a monocolor mode is performed for each page, a printing order creation section configured to create a plurality of sets of page printing orders, in which printed sheets are outputted in a job reception order, based on the acquired number of pages and the number of sheets which can be simultaneously conveyed, a switching number calculation section configured to calculate the number of times of switching between the color mode and the monocolor mode for each of the plurality of created sets of page printing orders, and a printing order selection section configured to select one set of page printing order having the smallest calculated number of times of switching.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Satoshi Obata
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Publication number: 20100296831Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is capable of avoiding unnecessary switching operation to switch between a one-sided printing and a two-sided printing to improve print productivity. A printing mode is switched between a two-sided printing mode to continuously form images on first sides of a predetermined number of sheets and to alternately form images on second sides of sheets conveyed along a sheet re-feeding conveyance path and on the first sides of sheets fed from a sheet feeding unit, and a one-sided printing mode without using the sheet re-feeding conveyance path. It is determined that, when a one-sided print job is performed between a two-sided print jobs, whether the one-sided print job is performed in the two-sided printing mode as-is or in the one-sided printing mode, depending on whether the number of sheets continuously printed by the one-sided print job is more than a predetermined number.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akihiko Sakai
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Patent number: 7839544Abstract: A facsimile apparatus is provided with a receiver that receives facsimile data, a storage unit including a data memory region that stores therein the facsimile data, a printing unit that prints an image based on the facsimile data, and a printing controller that controls the printing unit, during receipt of the facsimile data, to alternately operate in a standby mode in which a printing action is suspended and allowing the facsimile data corresponding to a plurality of pages to be stored in the storage unit, and in a continuous mode in which the facsimile data corresponding to the plurality of pages stored in the storage unit is continuously printed out by the printing unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Motonobu Ando
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Publication number: 20100290801Abstract: The present invention includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network, and a server which controls the operation state of the image forming apparatuses via the network. The image forming apparatuses are operable in a normal operation mode and in one of plural power-saving modes with different power consumption. The server individually sets the operation mode of the image forming apparatuses in accordance with a preset power-saving operation policy, and controls the image forming apparatuses so that each of the image forming apparatuses operates in the preset operation mode in each predetermined time band.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takefumi Nosaki
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Patent number: 7826091Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a printing function. A preview original-image creation part creates an original image for preview based on print data. A preview parts-image creation part creates a parts image for preview peculiar to each equipment. A preview image synthesis part synthesizes a preview image from the original image for preview and the parts image for preview. A preview image retaining part retains the preview image.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Yoshimine Horiuchi
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Patent number: 7809299Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus which, when switching operation from color image forming operation to monochromatic image forming operation, forms a monochromatic image on each of a prescribed number of sheets by stopping a part of the functions of yellow, magenta and cyan image forming sections of the color image forming operation, and thereafter, forms a monochromatic image only with a black-only image forming section, thereby permitting extension of service life of the image forming sections, while improving the productivity.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoru Yamamoto, Eiichi Motoyama, Shokyo Koh, Mitsuhiko Sato, Takashi Fujimori, Hidenori Sunada
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Patent number: 7809571Abstract: In order to prevent or reduce setting errors, a speech output of information concerning the contents of settings is produced so that important setting information can be output as speech to users. The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for outputting setting information via speech, the apparatus and method including changing a plurality of preset setting values based on user input, detecting changes in the setting values, determining a priority according to which setting information is to be output as speech according to the detected changes, and producing a speech output of the setting information according to the priority.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2006Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshiaki Fukada, Michio Aizawa
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Patent number: 7808684Abstract: An image reading apparatus including: a circulating transport path for transporting an original document to circulate; plural reading sections for reading a single image plane on a same single face of the original document at plural times at plural positions in the circulating transport path, and for generating plural image data sets for the single image plane; and an image processing section for processing the plural image data sets generated by the plural reading sections, and creating one image data set for the single image plane.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tsuyoshi Shiokawa, Mitsuru Nagoshi
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Patent number: 7792455Abstract: An image forming system is given, in advance, unique setting as a behavior to be performed when an error occurs regarding postprocessing. In a case where the postprocessing becomes inexecutable during the operation of the system, the system either cancels the postprocessing to continue printing (Steps S20, S22) or stops printing to generate an error (Step S18), based on the unique setting. A user arbitrarily decides the unique setting, which enables optimum control of the operation that the system should perform when the postprocessing becomes inexecutable.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Kyocera Mita CorporationInventors: Kozo Tao, Kyoichiro Hayashi, Naoki Takeuchi
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Patent number: 7783222Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearing member and a developing portion having a plurality of developing devices provided facing the latent image bearing member, as well as an inputting portion for inputting an image signal, an auto-discriminating portion for automatically discriminating the kind of image input, and a control portion for changing between a first mode for executing monochrome image formation, a second mode for executing color image formation, and an auto-selecting mode for changing over between the first mode and the second-mode according to the discrimination of the auto-discriminating portion. In the auto-selecting mode, movement of a predetermined developing device to a predetermined position is started before the auto-discriminating portion makes the discrimination.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toru Ono
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Patent number: 7751099Abstract: An image reading apparatus including: a paper supply section; a transporting path for transporting a document supplied from the paper supply section; a first sensor which reads an image on a first surface of the document from one side of the transporting path; a second sensor which reads an image on a second surface of the document from the other side of the transporting path; and an image processing section which is constituted so as to correspond to a first reading mode in which two sides of the document are read using the first sensor plural times, and a second reading mode in which two sides of the document are read using the first sensor and the second sensor, and which makes a registration position and direction of an output image in both the first and second reading mode the same.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2004Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Mizuhashi, Yasuhisa Mizuta, Yoshitake Matsubara, Ayumi Onishi, Minoru Sodeura, Sadao Furuoya, Masato Saito