Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A mode setting portion sets a mode to either one of a normal mode in which a developer amount set value T is set to a base developer amount Tbase and a developer-saving mode in which the value T is set to a value smaller than the base developer amount Tbase based on a saving coefficient S. A parameter obtaining portion obtains both a cumulative number of printed sheets Pttl and a developer remaining amount Rt. A determining portion determines in the developer-saving mode whether a first inequality Rt?Tbase×Sdef×(Pmax?Pttl) is satisfied. A saving-coefficient setting portion sets the saving coefficient S to a default saving coefficient Sdef if the determining portion determines that the first inequality is satisfied, and sets the saving coefficient S to a value satisfying a second inequality Sdef<S?Rt/{Tbase×(Pmax?Pttl)} if the determining portion determines that the first inequality is not satisfied.

Abstract: A method in an information processing apparatus which communicates with a printing apparatus which stores print data and print setting information is disclosed. This method includes: an obtaining step of obtaining the print setting information from the printing apparatus; a discriminating step of, if the print setting information obtained in the obtaining step is edited, discriminating whether or not it is necessary to recreate the print data for the printing based on the edited print setting information; and a transmitting step of, if it is determined in the discriminating step that it is unnecessary to recreate the print data, transmitting the edited print setting information to the printing apparatus in order to allow the printing apparatus to print the print data stored in the printing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention realizes resource saving and energy saving by grasping and managing a usage efficiency of an image forming apparatus. To accomplish this, a method in accordance with the present invention is an information processing method of managing usage information on a job which is issued from an information processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus, which includes: a step of acquiring the usage information from the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus; a step of deriving the number of logical pages and the number of physical sheets from the usage information acquired in the acquisition step; and a step of outputting usage efficiency information of the image forming apparatus using the number of logical pages and the number of physical sheets derived in the derivation step.

Abstract: A printing apparatus receives a plurality of print jobs containing print data from a host computer connected thereto through a network. The printing apparatus temporarily stores the print job in a storage unit to print the print data. The printing apparatus receives a request to pause or restart printing of a print job, and controls execution of the print job in response to the request. Upon receiving a request to restart a print job being paused, the printing apparatus determines a printing order according to a predetermined condition to print the print job.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an operation unit configured to execute a control method of setting an image forming condition, inputting image data, determining to execute trial image forming, and controlling an image forming device to execute the trial image forming. The control method also includes the steps of accepting a change instruction for changing the set image forming condition, and controlling the image forming device, in a case where the change instruction is accepted, based on inputted image data and the changed image forming condition, and in a case where the change instruction is not accepted, based on inputted image data and the set image forming condition. The method also determines, in the case where the change instruction is accepted, whether or not to again execute the trial image forming.

Abstract: A method for printing images on at least one substrate using an apparatus having a plurality of print modes, wherein at least one of the print modes is a monochrome printing mode and another of the print modes is a color printing mode, the method comprising: printing a first portion of the images in a first of the print modes; determining whether the images being printed in the first mode meet a predetermined criteria; switching the apparatus into a second of the print modes when the images then being printed in the first print mode meet the predetermined criteria; and printing a second portion of the images using the apparatus in the second of the print modes after the switching.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, which forms a releasing agent absorption toner image on an in-between printed sides area of a moving surface of an image carrier in the duplex printing mode. When the in-between printed sides area of the moving surface enters a transfer position at which a toner image is transferred from the image carrier to a recording medium, the transferring operation of transferring the toner image from the image carrier to a recording medium is interrupted to keep the releasing agent absorption toner image on the in-between printed sides area of the moving surface of the image carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a first identification section for identifying whether a print target page in a print target document is color or monochrome and its page attribute, a second identification section for identifying a system speed during printing of an immediately preceding page of the print target page, a third identification section for identifying a presence of a subsequent page of the print target page and its page attribute, and a system speed determination section for selecting a print mode in conformity to a monochrome/color discrimination result based on an identification result in the first identification section and determining a system speed of the print target page based on the page attribute identified by the first identification section and identification results in the second and third identification sections.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, in an image forming apparatus that reverses the front and back of recording paper by performing switchback transport of the recording paper to perform duplex printing of the recording paper, the image forming apparatus is provided with a control means that, when performing duplex printing of the recording paper, forms a void area at a leading end and a trailing end of the recording paper, the void area preventing curling of the recording paper around a roller.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for optimized routing of print jobs. The system and method comprise queuing print job data, selectively communicating the print job data to at least one of a plurality of associated printer devices so as to generate a printout therefrom, and receiving status data from at least one of the plurality of associated printer devices, which status data includes data representative of a commitment level of the at least one associated printer device relative to dominant print job requests. The system and method also comprise testing the status data against selected test criteria to determine whether at least one alternative associated printer device is desired for printing and selectively redirecting the print job data from a primary designated associated printer device to a secondary associated printer device in accordance with an output of the test means.

Abstract: A method of ordering a job queue includes providing a marking system that includes a first marking engine and a storage device storing first and second print jobs in queue. The first marking engine includes first and second metrics. The method includes determining a present state value of the first and second metrics for the first marking engine, and estimating an incremental depletion value of the first and second metrics of the first and second print jobs. The method further includes comparing the incremental depletion value of the first and second metrics, respectively, with the present state value of the first and second metrics for the first marking engine. The method also includes ordering the first and second print jobs in the storage device based at least partially on the comparison. A system is also discussed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of ensuring security of discharged printouts and preventing noise made by the operation of the image forming apparatus from becoming obtrusive to a user. The post-processing apparatus switches the operation mode of post processing to one of a normal operation mode and a quiet operation mode, and opens and closes a sealing door. Current limiting circuits switch the operation mode to the quiet operation mode before sealing of the door is released by a sealing drive circuit in response to an instruction from the user.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that performs a plurality of functions includes: a display which displays a menu screen or a function instruction screen, the menu screen being used for selecting one of the plurality of functions, and the function instruction screen corresponding to each of the functions and being used for executing the corresponding function; an operating section which accepts an operation relating the selected function from a user; a detecting section which detects that an operation relating to the selected function has not been performed for a predetermined amount of time; and a controller which controls a screen transition to change the screen of the display to an initial screen of the function instruction screen corresponding to the selected function, when the detecting section detects that the operation has not been performed for the predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: When a plurality of sets of a document with an image formed on one side thereof is read, the plurality of sets (341, 342, and 343) of the document is stacked and arranged in a document tray (33), in a state with front and back sides of each set mutually reversed. By sequentially reading images of the plurality of sets of the document arranged in the document tray (33) and detecting the front and back sides of the document, switching of each set of the document is detected, in response to detection of switching of the front and back sides of the document.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods for determining when to transition between printing color images and printing black-only images in an image forming device. A variety of factors may be evaluated in order to select a trigger value. An examined portion of a print history and an examined portion of a print queue may be evaluated to determine one or more test values. Based on a comparison of the one or more test values with the trigger value, a determination may be made whether to transition between color printing and black-only printing.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a retaining unit to retain one or more print jobs, an input unit configured to input (a) a joining instruction that specifies a plurality of print jobs among the print jobs retained by the retaining unit and that instructs joining of the plurality of specified print jobs into one joint print job, and (b) a joint print attribute for the one joint print job, and an applying unit to apply the joint print attribute to execute printing for the one joint print job based on the plurality of print jobs specified by the joining instruction input by the input unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which an image quality priority mode in which image density adjustment or image gradation control is effected to thereby give priority to the quality of an output image, and a speed priority mode in which gradation control is partly effected or is not effected to thereby output the output image within a short time can be selected by a user. A mode selection screen for selecting an image forming mode is displayed on the operating panel of the image forming apparatus. The image quality priority mode giving priority to the quality of image and the speed priority mode giving priority to speed are selectively displayed. When the user selects the image quality priority mode, and image control parameter is renewed immediately before image forming by image control, and the image forming is effected by the use of the renewed image control parameter, and when the speed priority mode is selected, at least part of the image control is not effected, but the image forming is effected.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a print engine for printing an image on a sheet of media. A sheet feed mechanism is configured to feed the sheet of media through the print engine. A controller is communicatively coupled to the sheet feed mechanism and the print engine to operate the sheet feed mechanism and the print engine in a selected one of a plurality of operation modes. The plurality of operation modes include a continuum representing a plurality of traditional printing modes, the continuum being defined in terms of print quality versus mode throughput rate wherein a decrease in print quality corresponds to an increase in mode throughput rate. A Green Mode is located outside the continuum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which there can be set a writing space mode in which document images in a preset number are printed on a half of a single paper sheet, thus forming a writing space on the other half of the paper sheet. This image forming apparatus is arranged to print document images in a preset number on a half of a single paper sheet when the writing space mode has been set as a copying mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, method, and computer program product, in which image data stored in a file can be printed in two printing modes when a sample printing mode is selected. A first page printing mode is a mode in which only a first page of a selected file is printed. A designated page range printing mode is a mode in which a designated page range of the selected file is printed in order of pages. A mismatch between the number of pages of the selected file and a designated page range is judged. When the mismatch arises, a warning is displayed on a display device of the image forming apparatus to give the warning to an operator.

Abstract: A method for printing images on at least one substrate using an apparatus having a plurality of print modes, wherein at least one of the print modes is a monochrome printing mode and another of the print modes is a color printing mode, the method comprising: printing a first portion of the images in a first of the print modes; determining whether the images being printed in the first mode meet a predetermined criteria; switching the apparatus into a second of the print modes when the images then being printed in the first print mode meet the predetermined criteria; and printing a second portion of the images using the apparatus in the second of the print modes after the switching.

Abstract: Disclosed are, as an embodiment, an information processing apparatus connectable to an image processing apparatus, including a first setting unit for setting the first limitation condition for limiting the use of the image processing apparatus, a second setting unit for setting whether to inhibit the use upon reception of a use request exceeding the second limitation condition, a decision unit for deciding whether the second setting unit sets to inhibit the use upon reception of a use request exceeding the first limitation condition set by the first setting unit, and an inhibit unit for inhibiting the use of the image processing apparatus in accordance with the decision result of the decision unit, wherein the second setting unit can set to inhibit the use of the image processing apparatus so as to perform different operations between a case wherein the use request exceeds the first limitation condition but does not exceed the second limitation condition and a case wherein the use request exceeds the first an

Abstract: A system and method for determining an optimal use of printing devices and printing device options in a network computer system or enterprise environment based upon typically usage characteristics of the printing devices and the options available to the printing devices.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method comprises querying, with a querying component, a print engine to ascertain one or more printmodes that are supported by the print engine, and, receiving, responsive to the querying, a list that describes printmodes supported by the print engine.

Abstract: The present invention operates in a printing apparatus capable of carrying out printing by switching between a mode using a set of toners for four colors Y, M, C, and K and a mode using a set of toners for six colors including the four primary colors, light cyan, and light magenta. Specifically, when a page layout included in “Page Layout” set items is set for N (N>1) sheet/page, printing is determined to be carried out in the 4 color mode to set a print specification in a job ticket for the 4 color mode. If a plurality of page units are printed within one page, each page unit is contracted when printed. Accordingly, it is often difficult to perceive printed image quality when observing the image. Thus, even if the 6 color mode is set, printing is controlled to be carried out in the 4 color mode.

Abstract: When “store” of intermediate data is designated in a print process, a spooler stores intermediate data and an output job setup file in a spool file. When the stored job is selected, a previewer displays a list of jobs, and displays a print preview image. In this case, if “Same side on” is designated, pages of successive jobs are laid out without any gaps. If “new sheet” is designated, pages of the trailing job are laid out on a new sheet. If “Other side on” is designated, pages of the trailing job are laid out on a new surface.

Abstract: A method for automatically selecting a print job parameter including the steps of ascertaining a first print job parameter and automatically selecting a second print job parameter based upon the first print job parameter. In one embodiment the method includes the steps of automatically ascertaining a pre-selected toner density setting and automatically selecting a print media based upon the pre-selected toner density setting. Alternately, the method for automatically selecting a print job parameter may include the steps of ascertaining a pre-selected print media and automatically selecting a toner density setting based upon the pre-selected print media.

Abstract: To provide a color image forming device that is capable of reducing the power consumption and unnecessary consumption of toners without deteriorating the productivity of a printing job. Provided is a color image forming device which includes a power control part 150 which controls switching of a mode from a normal power supply mode to a power saving mode when a power-saving shift time T1 or T2 has passed during a standby state; a printing mode switching part 101f for switching a single-color printing mode and a full-color printing mode; and an initial printing mode setting part 101g for setting an initial printing mode at the time of supplying a power source to one of the printing modes, wherein a different power-saving shift time T1 or T2 is set depending on the printing mode that is initially set by the initial printing mode setting part 101g.

Abstract: The present invention realizes resource saving and energy saving by grasping and managing a usage efficiency of an image forming apparatus. To accomplish this, a method in accordance with the present invention is an information processing method of managing usage information on a job which is issued from an information processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus, which includes: a step of acquiring the usage information from the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus; a step of deriving the number of logical pages and the number of physical sheets from the usage information acquired in the acquisition step; and a step of outputting usage efficiency information of the image forming apparatus using the number of logical pages and the number of physical sheets derived in the derivation step.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section that forms a composite image on a sheet, based on image data and a cut guide; an operation section to input an image forming condition; and a control unit that controls operation of each section of the apparatus. Herein, the operation section includes a cutting times number setting unit to set a number of times of cutting a sheet and cut end designating units to designate sheet ends to be cut. The control unit performs control to change each display by replacing a respective cut end designating unit, according to the number of times of cutting having been set by the cutting times number setting unit, and controls the image forming section to form the composite image on the sheet, corresponding to the ends having been designated to be cut via the cut end designating unit.

Abstract: A printing system includes a plurality of terminal devices and a printing apparatus. The terminal devices and the printing apparatus are connected with each other via a network line. When an input panel is operated to start print job description processing, it is determined whether the print job is being executed. When it is determined that the print job is under execution and job description data for print data, which is being printed by the currently-executed print job, is stored in a RAM, the printing apparatus displays content of the job description data for the print data, which is being printed by the currently-executed print job, on a display unit. The job description data shows detailed information for print data, which is created by a user using the terminal device and sent from the terminal device to the printing apparatus with the print data.

Abstract: To provide an image forming system capable of displaying appropriately a plurality of apparatus statuses at low cost, the image forming system is structured upon connection of an independently operable printing apparatus with an independently operable scanning apparatus. The scanning apparatus stores in an NVRAM a status message of the printing apparatus corresponding to operable level information of the printing apparatus and displays the appropriate status message on a display unit upon selection among the plurality of status messages for indicating status of the printing apparatus based on the operable level information retrieved from the printing apparatus based on control by a main controller.

Abstract: In an image-forming apparatus being selectable between a four-color mode forming images using only cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner and a six-color mode forming images using light cyan and light magenta toner in addition to the four-color toner, by automatically selecting the correction between density correction and gradation correction in the four-color mode and density correction and gradation correction in the six-color mode in accordance with an operation mode of the image-forming apparatus, variations in image density and gradation reproducibility can be effectively corrected for short and long periods in four-color and six-color modes.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling image processing comprises means for receiving printing jobs, means for spooling the jobs received, means for joining jobs to make a plurality of the printing jobs retained in the spooling means one printing job by joining them, and means for transferring the joined printing job to a printer side. With a structure thus arranged, the various processes, which have been applied per job in a conventional art, can be applied to a plurality of printing jobs as a whole by joining and regarding them as one job.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus of this invention has a printing time specifying function, and includes: a printer unit configured to print an image on paper, which is transferred from a paper feed unit, in either a normal print mode or a high speed print mode; a time specifying processing unit configured to receive print data in which a printing time is specified, and schedule a printing time on the basis of the print data of the printing time; and a control unit configured to check the process schedule of the other print data in advance of starting the print process of the print data relating to the time specified printing, and perform the print process of the print data relating to the time specified printing and the print process of the other print data in the high speed print mode if it is estimated that the print process of the print data as time specified cannot be finished by the printing time as desired.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a print engine operable in a plurality of print modes. An interface device is communicatively coupled to the print engine. The interface device includes a control lever having a plurality of positions. The plurality of positions corresponds to the plurality of print modes, wherein the control lever is manually manipulated to select a desired print mode of the plurality of print modes.

Abstract: In a duplex printer with automatic duplex printing by recirculating the sheets printed on their first sides through a duplex path for printing their second sides before feeding them to the output path, electronic information corresponding to a pre-set maximum level of acceptable sheet weight for that printer is compared to a remote user job input with electronic information corresponding to the desired sheets to be printed. If exceeded, the printer automatically switches to a different duplex printing mode in which the heavyweight sheets are printed on only one side and fed to the output path, and a GUI at the printer automatically displays instructions to unload these simplex printed sheets and properly reload them in an input in the correct orientation to print their opposite sides with locally stored page images for those opposite sides, and printing is restarted at the printer rather than the remote job input site.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus reduces the wait time before completion of an image stabilization process executed for preparation for image formation while ensuring image quality. In the image forming apparatus, image formation is performed using developers having four colors respectively (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black). The image forming apparatus has a monochrome mode in which only black color is used, a full color mode in which four colors are used and an automatic color selection (ACS) mode in which one of the monochrome mode and the full color mode is selected by automatically recognizing image data and image formation is carried out in the selected mode. One of the monochrome mode, the full color mode, and the ACS mode is set to a default mode upon turning on the image forming apparatus. The image stabilization process is then executed based on the default mode.

Abstract: An image forming device has a setting means for setting the copy mode for a document, a detection means for detecting whether or not a document has been placed on a document holder, an assessment means for assessing, when it is detected that a document has been placed on the document holder, whether or not the set copy mode is identical to the default mode, and a warning means for issuing a warning if the assessed mode is not the default. If the set copy mode is not identical to the default mode, by issuing a warning without automatically reverting to the default mode, the copy mode does not revert to the initial state against the user's intent.

Abstract: An inspection device having a reading portion for reading an image on a sheet having an image formed thereon, a storage portion for storing therein image data read by the reading portion, and a selecting portion for selecting one of a first mode for storing the image data read by the reading portion in the storage portion, and a second mode for judging whether the image data read by the reading portion is similar to the image data stored in the storage portion.

Abstract: An image reader has an original tray for feeding an original from a bundle of originals, a first transport passage for transporting the original fed by the original tray, a scanner for reading an image on one side of the original from one side of the transported original, and a CIS for reading an image on the other side of the original from the opposed side to the one side of the transport passage. To read both sides of an original, the image reader is provided with a mode of reading both sides simultaneously using the scanner and the CIS and a mode of reading both sides of the original only by the scanner with the original reversed using a third transport passage, a fourth transport passage, and a fifth transport passage without using the CIS.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising a main body having a copy function of printing an image read from a document on a paper sheet, a printer function of printing an externally input image on a paper sheet, and a paper ejection port to eject a printed paper sheet. The apparatus also includes a paper ejection unit which has a first tray and a second tray for receiving a paper sheet ejected form the paper ejection port, and moves the trays selectively to the positions corresponding to the paper ejection port. The apparatus also includes a control panel for setting an operating condition of the apparatus, and a state key provided on the control panel and configured to operate when holding the trays at current positions.

Abstract: A color laser printer of the invention identifies each object image to be printed as a color image or a monochromatic image. When the object image to be printed is identified as a color image, the control procedure of the invention rotates a developer unit with multiple color toner cartridges to sequentially move positions of the respective color toner cartridges to a development position and forms respective color toner images on a photoreceptor. When the object image to be printed is identified as a monochromatic image, on the other hand, the control procedure fixes a specific toner cartridge filled with black toner to the development position and forms a black toner image on the photoreceptor. A counter counts up consecutive monochromatic printing operations.

Abstract: It is determined in S202 whether or not a mismatch between the paper information for the job A and the paper information existing in the printer (the printer 1A, for example) has occurred, and if there is a mismatch between the two types of paper information, it is determined in S205 whether or not another job B exists in the queue. Where another job B exists in the queue, it is determined in S206 whether or not the job B is a job that uses the multi-purpose cassette 19. If the job B is a job that uses the multi-purpose cassette 19, it is determined in S208 whether or not paper that matches the paper information for the job B exists in the fixed-size paper supply cassette 18.

Abstract: A method for a finishing module coordinator controller used in a finishing system comprised of finishing devices controlled separately from production equipment. The method comprises receiving finishing job description information, including identification of job segments of the job; and using such information for programming at least one finishing device. The method further comprises tracking performance of the job and adjusting the job model and device performance in response to conditions during performance of the finishing job.

Abstract: A system of producing digital portraits and associated methods are provided. One method includes capturing a plurality of images with a digital recording device and displaying the images in the predetermined groups, such as in groups of two or three images. The customer selects desired images, which can be digitally modified in a variety of ways, and the selected images are electronically transmitted to a digital printer. The digital printer is maintained by an unrelated and distinct third-party host.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In a web-based imaging environment, a user accesses a destination service (e.g.,representing a printer), which retrieves user's imaging data production options for a processing job. The user selects desired production options, after which the destination service estimates the time duration required to process the user's job based on the selected options. If the estimated time required is greater than a predetermined threshold, the option of processing is disabled and a message is normally displayed to the user. If not, the option to process is enabled. In variations, the user's ability to process is reevaluated as the user selects differing options. In other variations, an administrator specifies the threshold, or specifies multiple user-specific thresholds, and/or thresholds specific to time of day and/or day of week and/or month. In another variation, if the user cannot process to this production device, a link to an alternative device is provided.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and storage medium, if an image forming stop factor occurs in a cartridge of a certain color, image forming using a cartridge of another color is enabled to increase the utilization efficiency and operability of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus has a plurality of detachable process cartridges including image carriers (photosensitive drums) on which latent images are to be formed and developing units which develop the latent images. When a replacement timing for at least one of the process cartridges has arrived, only the developing unit of the process cartridge whose replacement timing has not arrived is driven in accordance with the state of the cartridge whose replacement timing has arrived to perform image forming.