Abstract: An image forming device provided in a management system manages remaining amount information of consumable contained in a loaded consumable container, detects identification information of a new consumable container to be loaded upon replacing the consumable container, and transmits a replacement notification including identification information, counter information indicating the operation status of the image forming device upon replacement, and remaining amount information of consumable contained in the previously loaded consumable container which has been removed by the replacement to a management device. The management device receives a replacement notification, associates identification information of a consumable container, counter information relating to the replacement of the consumable container, and the remaining amount information with each other based on the replacement notification, and stores the same as management information.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a calculation unit configured to calculate, based on attribute information of a print job, a supply time point at which supply of consumables becomes necessary due to execution of the print job; and a notification unit configured to notify a user of necessity of the supply of the consumables at a time point obtained by subtracting a transit time it takes for the user to move to the image forming device and a supply time necessary for supplying the consumables from the supply time point.

Abstract: One digital copying machine is set as a parent machine and other copying machines are set as child machines. When documents are set both on an ADF of the parent machine and on an ADF of at least one child machine, a CPU of the parent machine performs two types of controls in parallel. In the first control, the ADF of the parent machine automatically feeds each of the original documents, the scanner of the parent machine reads images, and MEM-C or HDD of the parent machine stores the images. In the second control, the ADF of the child machine automatically feeds each of the original documents, the scanner of the child machine reads images, IEEE1394 1/F of the child machine transfers the images to the parent machine, and the MEM-C or the HDD of the parent machine stores the images.

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: A data centric, cloud architecture for managing image forming device information through interactive communication with customer replaceable unit monitors (CRUMs) associated with customer replaceable units (CRUs) installed in image forming devices is provided. CRUM identifiers and a cloud data objects containing the same unique identifiers are used to aid a supplier or manufacturer in keying individual CRUs to particular installations in printers and/or other image forming devices. This association strengthens the ability to logistically control the CRUs. A cloud administration system is used to track an identifier for a CRU installed in a particular image forming device such as, for example, a printer, to determine whether the CRU identifier matches an associated cloud object identifier for that printer.

Abstract: A conversion unit converts a command part of an image inclusion command into an internal command. A first memory unit stores an image non-inclusion command and the internal command converted by the conversion unit. A second memory unit stores an image data part of the image inclusion command. A restart page number memory unit stores restart page number information when a print process being executed is interrupted in order to execute an interruption print process. When restarting the interrupted print process, a control unit executes control to read out the internal command and the image non-inclusion command stored in the first memory unit up to the page indicated by the restart page number information, and from the page indicated by the restart page number, further executes control to read out from the second memory unit the image data part following the internal command read out from the first memory unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a remote management system including: a first image forming device; a second image forming device which is communicable with the first image forming device by using a first communication system; and a remote management server which is communicable with the second image forming device by using a second communication system, wherein the remote management server transmits setting information for the first image forming device to the second image forming device communicable with the first image forming device by using the first communication system, by using the second communication system, the second image forming device transmits the setting information received from the remote management server, to the first image forming device by using the first communication system, and the first image forming device carries out a setting operation in accordance with the setting information received from the second image forming device.

Abstract: Provided is an inventory management device, connected over a network to groups of image processing devices, for managing inventory, by device group, of consumable supplies used in the image processing devices. The inventory management device includes an inventory information storage unit that stores inventory information by device group and an inventory supplement selection unit that selects supplies to supplement the inventory. The inventory information includes, in association for each supply, an inventory amount, an image processing device identifier, a device group identifier, a maximum inventory amount for the device group, and a projected replacement timing.

Abstract: An image processing system to perform image processing. The image processing system includes an image processing device and a data processing device communicably connected to the image processing device. The data processing device includes a setting screen display unit to display a setting screen to input setting data for the image processing device, and a transfer unit to send the setting data input through the setting screen to the image processing device. The image processing device includes a production unit to create a data management table in which the setting data received from the data processing device and management data for specifying the setting data are associated with each other, a storage unit to store the data management table in a storage medium, and a reading unit to read out the setting data stored in the storage medium based on the data management table.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that reduces a time period during which no image is formed due to a margin in leading end portion, by calculating the margin in leading end portion from position information of an image and moving forward output timing of a /TOP signal according to the margin in leading end portion.

Abstract: A management apparatus communicates, via a communication network, with image forming apparatuses, and includes an information reception device that receives, from each of the image forming apparatuses via the network, prediction-use information useful for predicting a latent image carrier surface contamination level due to discharge products generated during charging, a contamination level prediction device that, on the basis of the received prediction-use information, predicts the latent image carrier surface contamination level of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the prediction-use information, and an instruction transmission device that, if the predicted latent image carrier surface contamination level exceeds a predetermined allowable range, transmits an execution instruction to execute a contamination reduction operation of reducing the contamination of the surface of the latent image carrier due to the discharge products to the image forming apparatus corresponding to the latent image carrie

Abstract: An augmented reality system and method for diagnosing and fixing a fault in a device. A mobile communication device can be operatively connected with a networked rendering device by reading a two-dimensional bar code associated with the rendering device. An image with respect to the rendering device can be captured by an image-capturing unit associated with the mobile communication device. The image can be augmented with additional information and a target area can be highlighted in order to indicate a fault component. An action to be taken with respect to the target area can be displayed on the mobile communication device. Such an approach permits an end user to address the device issue with increased quality of information and accuracy.

Abstract: A replacement toner cartridge management apparatus is provided with: a receiver which receives toner cartridge replacement information indicating a toner cartridge loaded on an image forming apparatus which the replacement toner cartridge management apparatus can access via a communication circuit, has been replaced with a new one; an information obtainer which obtains remaining toner information of the toner cartridge removed from the image forming apparatus, when the toner cartridge replacement information is received by the receiver; a time determiner which, if the remaining toner information obtained by the information obtainer indicates a value smaller than a predetermined value, determines that an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge should be outputted when the toner cartridge replacement information is received, or if the remaining toner information indicates a value larger than or equal to a predetermined value, determines that an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge s

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with: an obtainer which obtains first information indicating a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one and second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming; a determiner which determines the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the first information obtained by the obtainer, based on the second information also obtained by the obtainer; an output portion which outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the type determined by the determiner; a detector which detects a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon; and a fusing processor which performs a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the detector's detected new toner cartridge which is a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery i

Abstract: An image processing server in charge of a first image processing operation determines a reference value for a reference item; generates first reference information; calculates its charge; generates first charge information indicating its calculated amount of charge; and transmits the first reference information and the first charge information to the next location, separately from image data obtained by the first image processing operation.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of printers connected to a network, the method comprising the following steps: scanning the network to obtain printer usage data from the plurality of printers wherein scanning is performed by at least one scan module wherein the at least one scan module gathers printer usage data from a plurality of printers and transmits the gathered printer usage data to a patrol application; receiving the scanned data at the patrol application and compiling the scanned data into a single form; dispatching the single form from the patrol application to a server; and removing the single form from the patrol application if the single form was successfully dispatched to the server.

Abstract: A management apparatus capable of setting a suitable schedule for transmitting operation information to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, in which a management load and an operation status of a user are fully considered, identifies a plurality of image forming apparatuses which include overlapping department ID and manages the plurality of identified image forming apparatuses in a group when the plurality of identified image forming apparatuses is less than a predetermined maximum value. The management apparatus determines a transmission schedule for each of a plurality of the managed groups so that department counter information is transmitted from the image forming apparatuses belonging to each group at intervals of at least a first time period.

Abstract: A control method of a host device that avoids an error part through a user interface unit to use an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming apparatus and a host device employing the same, the control method including: requesting error information from the image forming apparatus in the host device; and displaying the error information of the image forming apparatus received from the image forming apparatus on a user interface unit of the host device.

Abstract: The subject application is directed to coordinating document processing operations among devices having differing functionality. A document is received into a first document processing device that has a first set of processing functions. A display is generated on the first device that includes indicia of an available document processing operation having a function of a first set and a secondary function of a second device, with any secondary function outside the first set. Selection data is received of an operation having functions from the first set and one or more secondary functions. Operation of the first device is controlled by a controller operable to control the functions of the first set by the first device on the document. The document is communicated to the second device following completion of any first set functions. The document processing operation is completed by the second device via completion of any secondary functions.

Abstract: A system having an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus includes setting whether the status of the image forming apparatus is immediately confirmed by a user, transmitting a file containing a status log based on the status change of the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus to an external file server, and displaying a list of the image forming apparatus to be contained in the system on a screen in the information processing apparatus, wherein with respect to the image forming apparatus as to which a setting is made to immediately confirm the status, a button to instruct confirmation of the status of the apparatus is displayed in the list, and wherein when an instruction to confirm the status is executed from the list, status of the image forming apparatus is displayed based on the status log to be contained in the file transmitted from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A processor is provided, the processor including: an obtaining unit that obtains abnormality information related to an abnormality from an image forming device in which the abnormality occurs; an abnormality information storing unit that stores the abnormality information obtained by the obtaining unit as history information; a failure position information storing unit that stores failure position information for each phenomenon related to the abnormality; an extracting unit that extracts the failure position information corresponding to the latest abnormality information and abnormality information similar to the latest abnormality information among the abnormality information stored in the abnormality information storing unit from the failure position information storing unit; and an output unit that outputs an extracted result extracted by the extracting unit as specific deciding information of a cause related to the occurring abnormality.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing device includes an input unit for inputting a search condition for searching for a desired printing device, a display unit for displaying at least one printing device that satisfies the search condition, a selection unit for selecting a printing device from the at least one printing device displayed by the display unit, and a setting unit for setting the search condition input by the input unit as a printing setting for the printing device selected by the selection unit in accordance with selection of the printing device by the selection unit.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus obtains an amount of sheets remaining in its accommodation unit and from that amount determines whether a print job of interest can successfully be processed for printing. If so, then the print job of interest is processed for printing. If not, a print notification dialog box is output to provide notification that the print job cannot successfully be processed for printing and that it is necessary to resupply sheets required to process the print job for printing.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus includes a connection unit configured to be connectable to a plurality of networks, a storage unit configured to store a power supply control status corresponding to each of the plurality of networks and indicating either an on or off state, a change unit configured to change the power supply control status for each network, and a control unit configured to control a power supply of an image forming apparatus based on the power supply control status of the plurality of networks.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus receives, according to an occurrence of an event (e.g., error or jam) at an image forming apparatus, a notification of information regarding the event that has occurred. The notification is sent with use of address information of the monitoring apparatus registered in the image forming apparatus. The monitoring apparatus stores the received information in a memory unit thereof. Then, the monitoring apparatus acquires the information regarding the event that has occurred at the image forming apparatus by periodically inquiring to the image forming apparatus, and determines whether the acquired information is stored in the memory unit. According to determination that the acquired information is not stored in the memory unit, the monitoring apparatus re-registers the address information of the monitoring apparatus into the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and printing devices herein establish a current physical position of a printing device and then receive current physical position readings from different portable computing devices (when the portable computing devices or its users are physically interacting with the printing device). The portable computing devices each have a physical position locator. The method then processes the current physical position readings to refine the current physical position of the printing device.

Abstract: A terminal apparatus that can identify contents of work conducted to repair an image forming apparatus with its power supply turned off. A terminal apparatus can communicate with the image forming apparatus. An obtaining unit obtains information related to an error occurred in the image forming apparatus. A display unit displays work required to cancel the error. An input unit causes a user to selectively input contents of work. A control unit stores the contents of work selectively inputted through the input unit in a storage unit when the terminal apparatus stops communicating with the image forming apparatus and transmits the contents of work stored in the storage unit to the image forming apparatus when the terminal apparatus starts communicating with the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus and an image processing system which facilitate management against unauthorized use by creating a job log according to a usage status of a user. A creation section creates a different job log for each individual user. The job log has storage conditions of image data included in the job log set according to a storage level. The storage conditions are a color of an image, a resolution of the image data and whether or not necessary to create OCR data of the image data. To increase efficiency of a follow-up research by using such a job log, the storage level of the image data relating to the user having performed unauthorized use is raised.

Abstract: A system and method for managing production printing workflow is disclosed. The system includes workflow management software which manages and facilitates the procedural stages of the workflow including job origination, job preparation, job submission and job fulfillment. The workflow management software provides an integrated object oriented interface which visually reflects and interacts with the workflow. The software further provides functionality to create, manage and manipulate compound documents as ordered collections of documents.

Abstract: According to an instruction by a manager, information about the image forming apparatus to be monitored is set with the management server. A communication test is conducted between the management server and the image forming apparatus. The management server confirms an ID of the image forming apparatus. Subsequently, upon receiving a setting information request from the image forming apparatus, the management server responds with generated UI button information and access-destination information which can be extended by the UI button information to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming system includes image forming apparatuses that communicate with each other via a network. Each of the image forming apparatuses includes a network computer, a power saving controller for applying a power saving control in a first power saving mode in which a supply of power to a printing function portion that forms an image on a sheet is stopped and a power is fed to the network controller when the apparatus acts as a main apparatus, and applying a power saving control in a second power saving mode in which a supply of power to the printing function portion and the network controller is stopped when the apparatus acts as subordinate apparatus, and a main apparatus deciding unit for deciding the image forming apparatus out of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on a calculation of power consumption of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus, which includes: a detector unit that detects a status of consumables; a prediction unit that predicts a run-out timing of the consumables on the basis of the status detected by the detector unit; a transmission unit that transmits the status detected by the detector unit to a management apparatus as consumables information; a reception unit that receives run-out timing information indicating a run-out timing predicted by the management apparatus on the basis of the consumables information transmitted by the transmission unit; and a notification unit that notifies the run-out timing of the consumables on the basis of the run-out timing information received by the reception unit if communication with the management apparatus is possible, or notifies the run-out timing of the consumables on the basis of the run-out timing predicted by the prediction unit if communication with the management apparatus is not possible.

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: In an image forming system, a server includes (a) a transmitting/receiving unit that receives consumable-goods shortage information and consumable-goods stock information via a network and transmits the consumable-goods stock information and stock retrieval information for retrieving the consumable goods via a network, the consumable-goods shortage information indicating a shortage of consumable goods in an image forming apparatus, the consumable-goods stock information indicating an available stock in an image forming apparatus, and (b) a management control unit that causes the transmitting/receiving unit to transmit the stock retrieval information to the other image forming apparatuses than one of the image forming apparatuses that transmits the consumable-goods shortage information to the server, and causes the transmitting/receiving unit to transmit the consumable-goods stock information obtained from the other image forming apparatuses as a result of retrieving the consumable goods via the network.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an apparatus main unit control software storage unit configured to store new apparatus main unit control software used to control a main unit of the image processing apparatus on a non-volatile storage device, a combination appropriateness determination unit configured to determine whether a combination of the new apparatus main unit control software and post-processing apparatus control software that currently operates on a post-processing apparatus is appropriate based on version information about the post-processing apparatus control software used to control the post-processing apparatus, which is operable in combination with the new apparatus main unit control software, and version information about the post-processing apparatus control software that currently operates on the post-processing apparatus, a determination result storage unit configured to store a result of the determination by the combination appropriateness determination unit, and an activation unit con

Abstract: A management server stores stock information on a toner collection box in an image forming apparatus and updates, if a notification received from the image forming apparatus indicates that the toner collection box is full or close to full, the stored stock information of the toner collection box.

Abstract: A multi-functional multi-engine print platform engines schedules and processes job in order to minimize visibility of image defects. The print platform includes at least two marking engines that process jobs, a marking engine analyzer that determines image quality defects of the at least two marking engines, and a scheduler that creates a plan to process a job with the at least two marking engines based at least on the image quality defects each of the at least two marking engines in order to minimize visibility of the defects in images reproduced by the at least two marking engine.

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: 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: Density-correction-table lists showing an amount of density changes in respective density levels of images that exist after an image having a predetermined density has been printed on a predetermined number of sheets are maintained. The amount of density changes in the respective density levels for an image ratio that exists after the predetermined number of sheets have been printed on and for the predetermined number of sheets that have been printed on are obtained with reference to values in the maintained density-correction-table lists. A density correction characteristic is determined using the obtained amount of density changes.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storing section, an interface an abnormality-detecting section, and an information-outputting section. The storing section stores a first item of information on a print job that has been processed in accordance with data received in the image forming apparatus. The interface provides the first item of information stored in the storing section to an external apparatus. The abnormality-detecting section determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the external apparatus. The abnormality is detected based on a manner in which communication is performed between the image forming section and the external apparatus. The information-outputting section outputs a second item of information based on detection of abnormality performed by the abnormality-detecting section.

Abstract: A first image processing apparatus detects pressing of a call button, and issues call-button pressing identifying information serving as request identifying information. The first image processing apparatus searches for another image processing apparatus, and when detecting a second image processing apparatus, the first image processing apparatus transmits the issued call-button pressing identifying information to the detected second image processing apparatus. Furthermore, the first image processing apparatus transmits the call-button pressing identifying information serving as the request identifying information and image processing apparatus identifying information of the first image processing apparatus to a management apparatus.

Abstract: A management device configured to communicate with at least one second management device and at least one terminal device via a network includes an acquiring system configured to acquire first management information managed by the management device, a receiving system configured to receive second management information managed by each of the at least one second management device from each of the at least one second management device, a management information request receiving system configured to receive a management information request for the first management information and the second management information from the at least one terminal device, and a sending system configured to send, to the at least one terminal device, the first management information acquired by the acquiring system and the second management information received by the receiving system in response to the management information request being received by the management information request receiving system.

Abstract: A system, a control apparatus, a control method and a computer program are provided which are configured to control a printing output in response to characteristics of a printing apparatus when a plurality of printing apparatuses has different characteristics. A host computer acquires apparatus information including characteristics information indicating the characteristics of a printer and thereby determines a priority order of printers in relation to the print data based on the characteristics information. The host computer then determines a printer to output the print data based on the determined priority order and outputs the print data to the determined printer.

Abstract: A method of managing errors of at least one image forming apparatus, the method involving collecting information regarding the errors disrupting normal operation of the at least one image forming apparatus, analyzing the severity of each of the errors based on the collected information, and outputting a severity analysis result for each of the errors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a remote management system including: a first image forming device; a second image forming device which is communicable with the first image forming device by using a first communication system; and a remote management server which is communicable with the second image forming device by using a second communication system, wherein the remote management server transmits setting information for the first image forming device to the second image forming device communicable with the first image forming device by using the first communication system, by using the second communication system, the second image forming device transmits the setting information received from the remote management server, to the first image forming device by using the first communication system, and the first image forming device carries out a setting operation in accordance with the setting information received from the second image forming device.

Abstract: The present invention enables connections of electronic components of an electronic apparatus to be inspected easily and reliably. To accomplish this, an electronic apparatus including a plurality of electronic components, includes a control circuit which controls input and output of an electric signal to and from the plurality of electronic components and a plurality of inspection circuits which inspect connections of the plurality of electronic components. The plurality of inspection circuits are connected in series, the control circuit is connected to an end of the series, inspection signals output from the plurality of inspection circuits are superimposed on one another in sequence into an signal and the signal is input into the control circuit, and determination is made at the control circuit as to whether each of the plurality of electronic components is connected properly or not.

Abstract: An electrostatic latent image is formed when the print controller of a print engine wirelessly transmits digital printing signals. Driving electronics receives the wirelessly transmitted digital printing signals and transmits digital signals to address plurality of thin-film transistors (TFTs) individually in a TFT array. Driving electronics also transmit pixel voltages to bias individual TFTs in the TFT array which in turn drives the hole injecting pixels overcoated with a charge transport layer to generate the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charge transport layer in response to the received digital printing signals.

Abstract: A maintenance system of an image forming apparatus is composed of an image forming apparatus and a central management apparatus connected to it via a communication line. The image forming apparatus is composed of an image forming unit for forming an image, an information output unit for outputting intra-machine information of the image forming unit, a voice information input unit for inputting voice information of a user of the image forming unit, and a first communication controller for outputting the intra-machine information and voice information via the communication line.

Abstract: Displays are provided for a graphical user interface including a device capacity mimic in a job manager in a system, such as a xerographic machine. The displays include a visual representation of the available capacity of each of a number of devices for the system, such as each output destination for a printer with multiple output destinations. The device capacity mimic shows the effect of jobs in progress on the available capacity, each job consuming a portion of the available capacity. Using this mimic, the user may, for example, revise the destination of jobs that have been planned but not yet started (e.g., by dragging the job). A mimic view of this information with a graphical user interface for managing the device assignments is provided. Thus, a user may not only view information about the device assignments for jobs, but also control or manage the device assignments for jobs.