Abstract: A method of supplying a developing unit with toner and an image forming apparatus using the method are provided. The method may include supplying toner to a developing unit separate from a toner bottle in an image forming apparatus. The method includes: detecting a remaining amount of toner in the developing unit during printing; comparing the remaining amount of toner with a first reference value; if the remaining amount of toner is greater than the first reference value, continuing printing; and if the remaining amount of toner is not greater than the first reference value, determining whether to supply toner based on a preset mode. Deterioration of printing quality in a toner supply mode may be markedly reduced according to a user's settings.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus without bothering a user, even when it is necessary to disconnect and restart the image forming apparatus which has been connected to the information processing apparatus so as to transmit and receive maintenance work data for performing the maintenance work on the image forming apparatus. When the image forming apparatus is required to be disconnected and reconnected after restarting the image forming apparatus during connection with the information processing apparatus, identification information for identifying an information processing apparatus to be reconnected is stored in a storage section. The image forming apparatus is reconnected to the information processing apparatus identified by the identification information stored in the storage section after the image forming apparatus is restarted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes: an image forming portion for forming the image on the recording material; a fixing portion, including a cylindrical rotatable member having a heat generating layer, for fixing the image on the recording material by heat of the rotatable member; and a temperature detecting portion for detecting a temperature of the rotatable member. The temperature detecting portion monitors a temperature change amount during one rotation of the rotatable member. The rotatable member is heated by the heat generating layer generating heat by a flow of a current in a circumferential direction of the rotatable member. Depending on the temperature change amount, a notification of an abnormality of the image forming apparatus is generated.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses which are each equipped with an image forming section and a control section, and which are connected such that each image forming apparatus can form an image on the same recording sheet. The control section has a function to perform a first activation control to in tandem activate the plurality of image forming apparatuses and a second activation control to independently activate each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. With this configuration, activation and stopping are managed appropriately with respect to each operating state, and wasteful power consumption is reduced.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes an authentication unit that authenticates a user and logs in the user when the user is authenticated. An input unit receives an input from the user indicating a setting of a function of the image processing apparatus. A setting management unit causes a storage unit to store setting information corresponding to the setting indicated by the input from the user, while the user is logged in, and to store the setting information when the user logs out. A setting state control unit retrieves the setting information of the user and sets a setting state of the image processing apparatus according to the retrieved setting information when the authentication unit logs in the user.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a display device, an operation device, an information-for-display reception unit, and a display control unit. The display device displays information for display. The operation device is receives input of an operation by a user. The information-for-display reception unit receives the information for display from an external device. The display control unit controls the display device, and causes the display device to display the information for display when the information for display received by the information-for-display reception unit is directed to the user.

Abstract: Electric vehicle (EV) charging apparatus and methods are described which allow the sharing of charge current between multiple vehicles connected to a single source of charging energy. In addition, this charge sharing can be performed in a grid-friendly manner by lowering current supplied to EVs when necessary in order to satisfy the needs of the grid, or building operator. The apparatus and methods can be integrated into charging stations or can be implemented with a middle-man approach in which a multiple EV charging box, which includes an EV emulator and multiple pilot signal generation circuits, is coupled to a single EV charge station.

Abstract: According to one example of the present invention, there is provided a system for providing a service. The service is accessible from a client application and is provided through a service application using a set of service provider resources. The system comprises a mapping module for generating mapping data, the mapping data being generated in part from an enterprise architecture definition, in part from a vocabulary definition; and in part from a client context definition. The system additionally comprises a communication module for receiving a communication request, transforming the communication request using the generated mapping data, and processing the transformed communication request.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, in a case where in a remote control instruction received from an information processing apparatus that controls a maintenance, a screen to be displayed next is a restricted screen, if a predetermined input is not accepted from a user of the image forming apparatus, does not display the restricted screen to the operation unit, and if the predetermined input is accepted, does display the restricted screen to the operation unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that includes a controlling unit for controlling executions of a single color calibration which is for correcting a reproduction characteristic of a single color image, formed by an image forming unit, according to measurement of a single color image formed by the image forming unit with a single color recording material and a multi-color calibration which is for correcting a reproduction characteristic of a multi-color image, formed by the image forming unit, according to measurement of a multi-color image formed by the image forming unit with a plurality of recording materials. It is decided to execute at least one of the single color calibration and the multi-color calibration in accordance with history information of the single color calibration executed by the controlling and then the calibration which has been decided on is executed by the controlling unit.

Abstract: An information processing device includes a resource information acquisition unit and a controller unit. The resource information acquisition unit acquires first resource information and second resource information. The first resource information indicates resources used to execute predetermined image processing. The second resource information indicates resources held by an image processing device selected as a device that executes the image processing. The controller unit performs control to generate a screen on which an operation to execute the image processing is accepted in accordance with a resource corresponding to the second resource information among the resources included in the first resource information.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a hibernation function and a control method of the apparatus. When a transition to hibernation is instructed, it is determined whether or not a job is ongoing, and if it is determined that a job is ongoing, a job suspension request for suspending the ongoing job is issued. As a result, a job execution unit prohibits a new job input in response to the job suspension request, and if the ongoing job involves data reception from an external apparatus, the job execution unit awaits for completion of the data reception and returns the response. In accordance with the response, a pre-processing sequence to be executed at the time of return from the hibernation is generated, and hibernation processing is performed.

Abstract: An electronic device, comprising: an execution unit which executes a predetermined function; a first control unit that has an input terminal and causes the execution unit to execute the predetermined function; a power source unit that supplies power at least to the first control unit; and a second control unit that has an output terminal connected to the input terminal of the first control unit via a signal line, operates to output a signal to the first control unit via the signal line, and causes the power source unit to cut off power supply to the first control unit, and wherein the second control unit keeps a potential of the signal line at a reference level lower than or equal to a predetermined threshold while the second control unit causes the power source unit to cut off power supply to the first control unit.

Abstract: In a job history management system, a printer determines whether the print data includes a job history recorded flag indicating that a PC has recorded a job history of the print data and has transmitted the job history to a job history management server. If the printer determines that the job history recorded flag is not included in the print data, the printer transmits the print data to a multifunction peripheral. Upon receiving the print data from the printer, the multifunction peripheral records the job history of the print data and transmits the job history to the job history management server, without performing a printing process based on the received print data.

Abstract: An image forming system comprises a calling part for calling up customized information which is operation setting information customized for a specific user, a converter for dividing an operation to be executed in a specific function mode which is installed in a first image forming apparatus and not installed in a second image forming apparatus into a plurality of jobs and changing execution information of the specific function mode to converted execution information described by using combination of pieces of execution information on the plurality of jobs when the specific function mode is included in the customized information, and a controller for executing an operation to implement the same function as that of the specific function mode in the second image forming apparatus by using the converted execution information.

Abstract: A network apparatus transmits the completion notice of the start to a start indicating apparatus in a case of completing a start processing to be executed according to a start indication. In a case of monitoring and receiving the receipt of the completion notice of the start transmitted from the network apparatus, the start indicating apparatus transmits the completion notice of the start with respect to a terminal apparatus through a repeating apparatus.

Abstract: A report creating system includes a storage part storing machine type information correlating the machine type codes of apparatuses with corresponding types of the apparatuses, pattern information showing usage patterns based on the presence or absence of usage of the types of the apparatuses, and type information correlating the usage patterns with corresponding report types; an identification part obtaining the machine type code of one or more of the apparatuses remotely managed by a remote management system and identifying the type of the one or more of the apparatuses based on the machine type code and the machine type information; a first determination part determining the usage pattern based on the identified type and the pattern information; a second determination part determining the report type based on the determined usage pattern and the type information; and a creation part creating a report based on the determined report type.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus, including a nonvolatile memory writing unit configured to write into the nonvolatile memory, at every predetermined time period in which change data is written into the volatile memory within that predetermined time period, the change data written into the volatile memory, a temporary area writing unit configured to write new change data into a temporary area while a primary area writing unit is writing any change data into the primary area, and a primary area transfer unit configured to transfer any change data written into the temporary area by the temporary area writing unit to the primary area when the primary area writing unit completes writing the change data into the primary area.

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus includes a transmission suspension time determination unit that determines a transmission suspension time from when an inspection is ended to when inspection end information generated by an inspection end information generation unit is transmitted to a hospital information system based on inspection information; an inspection end information transmission unit transmits the generated inspection end information to the hospital information system after the transmission suspension time has passed after the inspection is ended; and an additional imaging-operation instruction determination unit determines whether an additional imaging-operation instruction is issued from an operator before the transmission suspension time passes.

Abstract: Traversing a firewall. A method embodiment includes receiving, from behind the firewall, an electronic mail message with instructions to establish a connection with a device located outside the firewall. A connection is then established through the firewall with the device outside the firewall according to the instructions in the electronic mail message.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a display device, an operation device, an information-for-display reception unit, and a display control unit. The display device displays information for display. The operation device is receives input of an operation by a user. The information-for-display reception unit receives the information for display from an external device. The display control unit controls the display device, and causes the display device to display the information for display when the information for display received by the information-for-display reception unit is directed to the user.

Abstract: A management system which includes an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions, and a management apparatus which manages the image forming apparatus, the management apparatus comprises: a power consumption acquisition unit which acquires information of power consumptions for the respective functions of the image forming apparatus; a supply power acquisition unit which acquires information of a supply power to be supplied to the image forming apparatus; a determination unit which determines a power consumption value to be consumed by the image forming apparatus based on the information of the power consumptions for the acquired respective functions and the information of the acquired supply power; and a setting unit which sets a power consumption of the image forming apparatus to be operated at the determined power consumption value.

Abstract: A mobile device periodically polls a network server via a communications network to obtain new communications addressed to a client account according to a polling schedule. The mobile device receives an indication of a threshold change of one or more of ambient light, temperature, or proximity of an object to the mobile device via an optical sensor of the mobile device, or an indication of motion of the mobile device via a motion sensor of the mobile device. The polling schedule is advanced responsive to the indication of the threshold change of ambient light, temperature, or proximity, or the indication of motion. The mobile device outputs a notification that new communications have been received by the mobile device from the network server.

Abstract: A printing system includes a first unit, a second unit, a third unit, and a display. The first unit stores start and end time of a printed job. The second unit stores start time of an in-progress print job and stores predicted end time calculated from attributes of the in-progress print job. The third unit stores predicted start and end time calculated from attributes of a ready-for-print job. The display indicates a mark representing current time, indicates a figure along a time axis on one side of the mark, representing an existence of the printed job from the start to end time, indicates a figure crossing the mark, representing an existence of the in-progress print job from the start to predicted end time, and indicates a figure on the other side of the mark, representing an existence of the ready-for-print job from the predicted start to end time.

Abstract: A transfer device includes an intermediate transfer belt, a driving roller, an environment sensor, a resistance detecting sensor, and a speed ratio adjusting section. The toner images are transferred from the plurality of image carriers onto a surface of the intermediate transfer belt in a superimposed manner. The driving roller circumferentially and rotationally drives the intermediate transfer belt. The environment sensor detects a temperature or a humidity around the intermediate transfer belt. The resistance detecting section detects a change in a resistance value of the intermediate transfer belt. The speed ratio adjusting section controls a rotation speed of the driving roller according to results of detection by the environment sensor and the resistance detecting section, thereby adjusting a speed ratio Vb/Vd between a circumferential rotating speed Vb of the intermediate transfer belt and a rotation speed Vd of the image carrier.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus, connected to a printing apparatus, that transfers print data to the printing apparatus and performs a status display of the printing apparatus, the data processing apparatus comprising: a first determination unit adapted to determine a processing status of the print data; a second determination unit adapted to determine the presence/absence of a warning status based on a status notified from the print apparatus; and a message display unit adapted to display a warning based on the determination made by the second determination unit, in accordance with the processing status of the print data as determined by the first determination unit.

Abstract: A malfunction inferring apparatus includes an obtaining unit and an inferring unit. The obtaining unit obtains, from a first image forming apparatus and a second image forming apparatus which are used alternatively with each other by plural users, a first usage status of the first image forming apparatus and a second usage status of the second image forming apparatus. If a first change occurs in the first usage status and if a second change corresponding to the first change occurs in the second usage status, the inferring unit infers that a malfunction has occurred in any one of the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus, in accordance with the first usage status and the second usage status obtained by the obtaining unit.

Abstract: Delivery of scan services of a networked scanning device over a device service port interfaced to the network. An extended XML schema is comprised of an extension to a baseline XML schema which defines baseline functions exposed by the scanning device via the device service port together with baseline parameters for such functions. The extension defines an additional parameter for a predesignated one of the plural baseline functions. A scan job is created by transmission of a request to create a scan job over the device service port. A request for scanner functionality defined by the predesignated function is transmitted to the scanning device via the device service port, with a non-null value specifying a device command for the additional parameter. Data responsive to execution of the device command by the scanning device is transmitted to the client via the device service port.

Abstract: A monitoring device system that includes a user apparatus, including a monitoring device application, and an image forming apparatus. The user apparatus includes an application information sending unit configured to send application information corresponding to the monitoring device application to the image forming apparatus, and a notice information control unit configured to acquire information about the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a display unit configured to display an application information item corresponding to the received application information from the user apparatus, and a communication control unit configured to send the information about the image forming apparatus to the user apparatus in response to a user selecting the displayed application information item at the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-function printer main body has a copy function. A remote terminal conducts various kinds of copy settings or instructions to start copy. An execution button is provided in the multi-function printer main body. When the execution button is operated in normal time, copy is executed with the default settings. When copy is executed by inputting copy settings on the remote terminal side, copy can be executed again with the copy settings used for the last time by operating the execution button until a predetermined period of time passes. Therefore, in a case of executing copy with the default settings or repeatedly executing copy with the same settings as the settings used for the last time, a user's work burden can be reduced because it is sufficient for the user to operate the execution button 38.

Abstract: An administration server is capable of authenticating a user. The administration server includes a communication unit for receiving a user authentication request including user identification information and apparatus identification information from an external device; and a server control unit for authenticating the user according to the user identification information to obtain a first result. The server control unit is provided for determining a usage permitted function according to the user identification information to obtain a second result, and for determining whether an apparatus corresponding to the apparatus identification information can be used according to user identification information and the apparatus identification information to obtain a third result. The communication unit is configured to transmit the first result, the second result, and the third result to the external device.

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: Each user can use an image forming system by performing authentication through an ID card. In a case where a first user does not remove an original even though reading of the original has finished, a user ID of the first user is stored. Next, when a second user removes the original, the user ID of the second user is stored associated with the user ID of the first user. The user ID of the first user who forgot the original and the user ID of the second user who removed this original are outputted, and therefore the first user can more easily discover the original by inquiring to the second user of the whereabouts of the original.

Abstract: Electronic systems, such as printing systems, often use components that have integral memory. The integral memory can be used to store information about the component. In some printing systems this memory includes a portion that stores a value indicative of a print yield. Disclosed is a method and system for allowing the memory to have data indicative of an increased print yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a print control apparatus that is connected to a data processing apparatus through a first communication unit and connected to an image forming apparatus through a second communication unit.

Abstract: A system and method for printing an image on a medium whose dimensions are determined based on the size of the image are disclosed herein. A system includes a processor and a printing software system including an—Active Printing System (“APS”) configured to execute on the processor. The APS receives from an application program invoking the APS a size of an image to be printed and returns to the application program a set of dimensions within which the image is to be printed on a selected print media. The set of dimensions is determined based, at least in part, on the size of the image.

Abstract: A social networking system user may request physical prints of digital photographs stored in connection with the user's user profile on the social networking system. The physical prints are generated by a photograph developer, such as a retail store, and retrieved by the user. The user may request the physical prints from an application executing on a user device that allows the user to identify social context information associated with a digital photograph for inclusion on the physical print. The social networking system may notify users connected to the user and/or to the digital image of the physical print generation.

Abstract: A method of notifying status information and an image forming apparatus using the same. The method of notifying status information includes setting a display attribute of status information of the image forming apparatus, if status information of the image forming apparatus is updated, generating status notification information in a first format or a second format according to whether a display attribute is set for the updated status information, and transmitting the generated status notification information. Accordingly, a user is notified of error occurrence in a manner as he/she wishes.

Abstract: A replacement consumable unit management apparatus is provided with: a receiver which receives consumable unit replacement information indicating that one consumable unit of one color or more than one consumable unit of different colors has been replaced with a new one, from one or more than one image forming apparatus which the replacement consumable unit management apparatus can access via a communication circuit; a consumable unit manager which manages the remaining amount information or the life information of the one or more than one consumable unit, and stock information indicating the states of the stocks of replacement consumable units for the one or more than one consumable unit; a determiner which, if the receiver receives the consumable unit replacement information while a consumable unit which cannot be replaced with a new one because of no stock and a consumable unit whose remaining amount information or life information is smaller than a first predetermined value are both used at the same place

Abstract: Provided is an image forming system wherein an image forming apparatus and another apparatus respectively including operation/display units are connected with each other via a network, and a remote operation of the image forming apparatus is enabled via the operation/display unit of the other apparatus, including a control unit for managing a state of the image forming apparatus, wherein when an alarm event occurs in the image forming apparatus during the remote operation, the control unit changes a display content of the operation/display unit of the image forming apparatus on which the alarm event has occurred to a first display form, and changes a display content of the operation/display unit of the other apparatus to a second display form which is different from the first display form.

Abstract: A multifunction peripheral 1 includes a communication portion 102, a control portion 101, a certified reference time storage portion 103, and a determining portion 104. A communication portion 102 receives a total maintenance time stored in a communication terminal unit 31 from the communication terminal unit 31. A control portion 101 switches its operation mode between a maintenance mode and a normal operation mode to activate the multifunction peripheral 1. A certified reference time storage portion 103 stores a certified reference time that permits switching to the maintenance mode. A determining portion 104 determines whether the total maintenance time has reached the certified reference time. When it is determined that the total maintenance time has reached the certified reference time by the determining portion 104, the control portion 101 switches the multifunction peripheral 1 to the maintenance mode to activate the multifunction peripheral 1.

Abstract: A method starts when a print job is received from a workstation. The print job includes user printing options and an identification of an initial printer. The method ranks the abilities of the available printers to process the print job to identify the best printer for the print job according to, among other items, printer proximity. If the initial printer identification creates a print policy violation, the method presents a question/statement to the workstation (to the user through the workstation) regarding whether the print job should be redirected to the best printer and provides an automated resubmit option at the workstation. If the resubmit option is activated, the method automatically submits the print job to a different available printer, without requiring the user to manually input the printing options.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a search unit which broadcasts a search message for searching for a connectable host device, a communication interface unit which receives a response message for notifying that a print job is executable from host devices in response to the search message, a user interface unit which displays host devices corresponding to the received response message and receives a selection from a user regarding a host device to be connected from among the displayed host devices, and a controller which controls the communication interface unit to transmit a connection message for requesting connection with the image forming apparatus to the selected host device.

Abstract: A printing system includes, for example, a printing apparatus which forms an image on a sheet, and a plurality of dollies which are assigned different dolly identification information and used to stack the sheet discharged from the discharging port of the printing apparatus. The printing system also includes a designation unit which designates a dolly to be used for a print job, and an output unit which outputs alert information when the dolly designated by the designation unit is not allocated at the discharging port.

Abstract: Many devices, such as printers, work with one or more removable unit. Often, the removable units have an electronic circuit that used to communicate with the device. It may be desirable to provide a replacement unit in these devices. The replacement unit must include an electronic circuit that is able to communicate with the original device. Disclosed is a method and apparatus where a replacement unit is provided with a new electronic circuit and a used electronic circuit. The new electronic circuit is electrically connected to the used electronic circuit and uses the used electronic circuit to facilitate communication with the host device.

Abstract: An image processing system configured to perform image processing with a plurality of apparatuses operating in cooperation with one another includes a setting unit configured to set a cooperation destination apparatus in a cooperation wait state, a searching unit configured to search for the cooperation destination apparatus set to the cooperation wait state by the setting unit, a display unit configured to display a result of the search on a display device, and a control unit configured, using the apparatus included in the displayed search result as the cooperation destination apparatus, to perform image processing with a cooperation source apparatus and the cooperation destination apparatus operating in cooperation with each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming system are provided. An image forming apparatus or system includes a reception unit configured to receive a print job; a print unit configured to execute the print job received by the reception unit to print an image; an adjustment unit configured to execute an image quality adjustment for the printing; a determination unit configured to determine whether an adjustment execution condition is to be met during the execution of the print job; and a control unit configured to execute a priority process which, when the determination unit determines that the adjustment execution condition is to be met, causes the adjustment unit to execute the image quality adjustment before a start of the execution of a condition meeting print job, for which the determination unit determines that the adjustment execution condition is to be met.

Abstract: A display operation device has a display-integrated operation panel with a display screen, on which a monochrome copy start key and a color copy start key are displayed. When black-toner-out or color-toner-out occurs, on the monochrome copy start key and the color copy start key, another UI component such as black-toner-out key and color-toner-out key is displayed. Such a UI component is displayed at the display position of the monochrome copy start key and the color copy start key, being superposed on these keys.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing sales or customer support using a telephone having a camera to capture at least a partial image of a product or service; wherein the at least partial image is used to select a database updated by one or more knowledgeable persons on the product or service.

Abstract: A system for monitoring consumable supply levels in one or more printers includes a printer server for periodically polling the one or more printers for an indication of a supply level of one or more consumables in each printer. The printer server comprises a polling algorithm that dynamically adjusts a polling rate at which the one or more printers are polled. A method of monitoring consumable supply levels in one or more printers includes periodically polling the one or more printers for an indication of a supply level of one or more consumables in each printer; and automatically adjusting a polling rate at which the one or more printers are polled.