Abstract: The image forming apparatus include: a resistance detection section (14) for measuring a volume resistivity of a two component developer (11) on a surface of a developer bearing member (12); a resistance memory section (16) for storing therein a preset volume resistivity; a resistance comparison section (15) for comparing the volume resistivity of the two component developer (11) which has been measured by the resistance detection section (14) with the preset volume resistivity stored in the resistance memory section (16); and a control section (17) for carrying out a process for replacing the two component developer or carrier if the volume resistivity of the two component developer (11) is lower than the preset volume resistivity.

Abstract: The described subject matter provides a convenient way to organize and automate a presentation printing process by defining a presentation print job profile. To accomplish this, a user adds a plurality of files to a presentation profile. The user specifies packaging and printing characteristics with respect to individual ones of the files. Responsive to a single print request, each of the files in the presentation profile is printed based on the specified packaging and printing characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling arbitrary components to transfer current, contextual data between each other without requiring prior knowledge of each other. The contextual data may include executable computer language instructions or a type, operating status, identity, location, administrative domain or environment information of the components or its users. The system includes a set of arbitrary components associated with one or more universal interfaces. The one or more universal interfaces may include mobile code, a contextual interface, a notification interface, a user interface and a data source interface. A first component at least has a universal contextual interface. A second component may invoke the universal contextual interface and execute associated instructions to transfer contextual data between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: There is provided a monitoring apparatus which is capable of efficiently notifying an external host of completion of installation of the monitoring apparatus for image forming apparatuses, and completion of operations carried out for the image forming apparatuses. The monitoring apparatus is connected to a management apparatus for communication therewith. The monitoring apparatus acquires maintenance information from the image forming apparatuses, and sends the acquired maintenance information to the management apparatus. The monitoring apparatus carries out one of management of completion of installation of the monitoring apparatus and central management of completion of operations carried out for the image forming apparatuses.

Abstract: A system, method, and article for sending secured data to an image forming device at a remote location. The secured data is unique to the image forming device or a specific class of image forming devices. The secured data is compared to data stored at the image forming device for verifying the identity of the image forming device. If the identity of the image forming device is verified, a setting adjustment of the image forming device is initiated based on the secured data.

Abstract: An expense recovery system for a digital MFD in the form of a modification to the application program interface of the MFD to allow input of identifiers for the user, the client and the job and to transmit this information and other transaction data to a host computer for billing purposes. Data entry is made faster and more accurate by minimizing keystrokes. The information is transmitted over a network and, optionally, the host computer may be located remote from the MFD.

Abstract: An expense recovery system for a digital MFD in the form of a modification to the application program interface of the MFD to allow input of identifiers for the user, the client and the job and to transmit this information and other transaction data to an host computer for billing purposes. Data entry is made faster and more accurate by minimizing keystrokes. The information is transmitted over a network and, optionally, the host computer may be located remote form the MFD.

Abstract: A method of programming a memory unit in a hard copy output engine includes determining a geographical area or economic region within which the hard copy output engine is to be deployed, determining an electronic address for a consumables supplier appropriate to the geographical area and programming the electronic address into the memory.

Abstract: The printer 10 includes a user interface UI and a PC interface PIF that register specification information that specifies necessary status information, as well as a status management module DSM that, when status information regarding which the specification information is registered is changed, supplies the changed status information to the interface that carried out the registration of such information.

Abstract: An image processing system includes a first image processing apparatus executing a job of processing an image, and a second image processing apparatus connectable to the first image processing apparatus over a network. The second image processing apparatus includes an authentication unit authenticating a user. The first image processing apparatus includes a job storing unit storing the job in a manner linked to information specifying the user, and a job transferring unit transferring to the second image processing apparatus the job linked to the information specifying the user authenticated by the authentication unit in the job storing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a memory for storing first sound information associated with a normal operating sound produced when the image forming apparatus normally operates, and a sensor for detecting an operating sound produced from the image forming apparatus and generating second sound information based on the detected operating sound. The image forming apparatus further includes a locating device for locating a fault in the image forming apparatus on the basis of the first sound information, the second sound information, and operation information associated with the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image-forming-apparatus simulation apparatus includes a storing section, a first acquiring section, a generating section, a display section and a control section. The storing section stores a defective event table. In the defective event table, event specifying information are associated with image correction rules. Each event specifying information represents a defective event relating to an image forming apparatus. Each image correction rule represents a method for simulating an influence of a defective event on an image formed by the image forming apparatus. The generating section selects at least one image correction rule. The generating unit executes image processing on target image data based on the selected image correction rule to generate defect-image data representing a defect image expected to be formed on a recording medium when the defective event occurs.

Abstract: An image formation device simulation apparatus performs a simulation of processing performed by an image formation device. The simulation apparatus includes: an image formation command acquisition unit that acquires an image formation command including information of a target image to be formed by the image formation device; a simulation unit that performs a simulation of image formation processing performed by the image formation device for forming the target image on a recording medium, and generates output image data that corresponds to the target image to be formed on the recording medium, based on the image formation command; and a consumption amount calculation unit that calculates and outputs an amount of consumption of a consumable item that the image formation device predictably consumes by the image formation processing, based on the output image data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store actual use information of the image forming apparatus and actual use information of a consumable part, and an information transmitting unit configured to transmit the actual use information of the image forming apparatus and the actual use information of the consumable part to a maintenance scheduling system for creating a maintenance schedule for the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A failure prevention diagnosis support system includes: an acquiring portion that acquires internal information about an internal state of an image forming apparatus; a storage portion that stores one or a plurality of logistic regression models that define an estimate value of a regression coefficient through a logistic regression analysis using the internal information obtained when the image forming apparatus is in a failed state and in a normal state; and a controller that performs a control operation to select a logistic regression model from the one or the plurality of the logistic regression models stored in the storage portion in accordance with the image forming apparatus, and to calculate risk degrees as objective variables that are indicators of failure degrees in the image forming apparatus by assigning the internal information acquired by the acquiring portion or the value obtained from the internal information to the selected logistic regression model.

Abstract: A system for enabling ordering of printer supplies directly via a printer. The system provides an option for a user to request value bundled information before placing a printer supply order. By providing the option of requesting value bundled information, a customer can obtain information about printer supply promotions directly via the printer without the need for an information handling system to be coupled to the printer. Additionally, the system provides an encouragement to a customer to purchase a plurality of printer suppliers by providing the customer with incentives for the purchase.

Abstract: A connection apparatus is disclosed which includes a connection source and a connection destination. The connection source includes information about a predetermined connection destination; and a connecting element for making a connection request to the predetermined connection destination based on the information about the connection destination and, given a permission, for automatically connecting to the connection destination. The predetermined connection destination includes a receiving element for receiving the connection request from the connection source, a judging element which, upon interpreting the connection request, judges whether the connection source is a predetermined connection source or not, and a permission granting element which, if the judging element judges the connection source to be a predetermined connection source, then grants connection permission to the connection source.

Abstract: A host apparatus which is connected to an image forming apparatus, the host apparatus includes an image processor to process an image with respect to a printing data, and a controller to check a preset common printing property for two or more printing data, to set a common printing property to be applied for the two or more selected printing data and to control the image processor to process the image with respect to the selected printing data and to transmit the set common printing property with the selected printing data to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided a monitoring apparatus which is capable of efficiently notifying an external host of completion of installation of the monitoring apparatus for image forming apparatuses, and completion of operations carried out for the image forming apparatuses. The monitoring apparatus is connected to a management apparatus for communication therewith. The monitoring apparatus acquires maintenance information from the image forming apparatuses, and sends the acquired maintenance information to the management apparatus. The monitoring apparatus carries out one of management of completion of installation of the monitoring apparatus and central management of completion of operations carried out for the image forming apparatuses.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a cradle device which inhibits driving of a pan/tile driving unit in the event of an imaging device being detached from the cradle device, and also receiving a control command of the imaging device from a camera. The cradle device can lock the imaging device in the event that the imaging device is mounted on the cradle device. The cradle device can have a configuration enabling detaching the imaging device, thus facilitating the most appropriate environment for a surveillance system.

Abstract: There is disclosed an invention for generating contract information for an image forming apparatus for which the user is going to conclude a contract. The history information of an image forming apparatus used by the user and having a contract history is stored and managed in correlation with the user. Such management is executed in a center server capable communication with the image forming apparatus through a predetermined communication channel. The above-mentioned information includes contract term, machine type, number of print outputs etc. of the image forming apparatus. Also the image forming apparatus to be managed includes that currently contracted and that contracted in the past. In case the user wishes to conclude a new contract for an image forming apparatus, new contract information is generated according to the history information managed by the center server in correlation with the user. This invention provides a system capable of realizing the foregoing.

Abstract: A method for altering web service access through a replaceable component comprising the steps of: inserting a replaceable component into a printing device; and reading the replaceable component to determine if the component includes a setting that is used to alter web service access.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method where a first terminal group comprises one or more host terminals, a second terminal group is connected to the first terminal group via a network and comprises one or more host terminals, and an image forming apparatus is connected to the first and second terminal groups via the network, and forms an image using a predetermined expendable material in response to a drive command issued by one of the host terminals belonging to the first or second terminal group. An expendable element has a memory that stores information regarding a remaining amount of expendable material for each of the first and second terminal groups. Accordingly, it is possible for host terminals to obtain the benefits of being connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses from a single image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image recording system is provided which includes two image recording apparatuses that can independently record images and can sequentially start up the two image recording apparatuses one by one rather than starting up at the same time. A bypass transporting path apparatus is disposed on a color image recording apparatus and a transporting path connecting apparatus is disposed between a front portion of a monochrome image recording apparatus and a rear portion of the color image recording apparatus. This system includes a start-up controlling portion that performs control such that after any one image recording apparatus is started up and put into a recordable state, the other image recording apparatus is started up and put into a recordable state.

Abstract: This is a method for permitting an employee (user) authority to use his employer's marking apparatus for personal reasons. The supplier (provider) of the marking apparatus for example, Xerox Corporation, makes arrangements with the employee (with employer's approval) to use the marking apparatus for an agreed upon price; the marking apparatus having provisions for recording the employee's usage and conveying this to the provider. The provider administers the entire process and pays the employer a portion of the amount remitted by the employee user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining data regarding toner refilled in an image forming apparatus, to achieve the highest printing quality using the refilled toner. The method includes checking whether the image forming apparatus has been refilled with toner; checking whether toner identification information is present, when the image forming apparatus has been refilled with toner; obtaining toner data using the toner identification information from outside the image forming apparatus, when the toner identification information is present; and determining the toner data in the image forming apparatus, when no toner identification information is present. Accordingly, when the image forming apparatus is refilled with better toner than the original, it is possible to improve the quality of printing by setting data regarding the refilled toner in the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: In a diagnostic method for use in a diagnostic system capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus, information is obtained about print volume of an image forming apparatus for a certain period, the information being entered in the information processing apparatus by a user, a determination is made as to which of several image forming apparatus is to be recommended, based on the obtained information, and information is sent to the information processing apparatus via a communication line such that the recommendable image forming apparatus that has been determined is displayed in the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with a monitoring device for monitoring the operating states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the operating amount of a part is detected, information about the operating amount is stored in relation to the part, and the stored information is sent to the monitoring device, the first consumed level of the part, which is calculated by the monitoring device based on the sent information, is acquired, and the acquired first consumed level is output in relation to the part. The second consumed level is calculated based on the stored information. When the first consumed level is acquired from the monitoring device, the first consumed level is output. When the first consumed level cannot be acquired from the monitoring device, the calculated second consumed level is output.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus such as a copier and an air conditioner communicate with one another in a network. The air conditioner provides information regarding ambient temperature and/or humidity to the image forming apparatus. Based upon this information, the image forming apparatus selectively activates systems within the apparatus that regulate its internal temperature and humidity levels, to thereby achieve power savings. The image forming apparatus provides information regarding its operation state to the air conditioner. The air conditioner uses this information to adjust its heating or cooling operations to compensate for the heat generated by the image forming apparatus when it is operating.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which includes an image forming section for forming an image based on image data, a user-interface for accepting inputs from an operator and for displaying a display screen to the operator, a memory for storing the display screen, a communication section for sending information to an external device, and a controller for sending information concerning the display screen to the external device through the communication section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print-request information inputting unit, an image reading unit, a plurality of image forming units, a plurality of sheet feeding units, a memory unit and a control unit wherein the control unit reading out, when print-request information is inputted, ID information and device information from a memory unit and selects, based on the plural ID information, the device information and the print-request information, an optimum image forming unit that satisfies the print-request information. The control unit further causes the selected image forming unit to execute print processing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a dispersed input and output system adapted to instruct the execution of a dispersed divided input operation at a document input and output device, perform control to cause a plurality of document input and output devices other than the document input and output device to cooperatively carry out dispersed divided input operations, and register the operations as one job in a document handling function at the end.

Abstract: An management system of an image forming device, which is structured by the image forming device and a management device for managing the image forming device through a communication network; the management device comprising a communication unit for sending a data of a computing parameter for conducting an image processing and a data of a set value indicating a computing procedure of the image processing, to the image forming device; the image forming device comprising: an image processing circuit for conducting the predetermined image processing for an image data; and an operating frequency measurement unit for measuring an operating frequency of the image processing circuit; wherein the image forming device conducts an operating test of the image processing circuit by the operating frequency measurement unit on the basis of the sent data, and sends a test result of the operating test to the management device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for prioritizing service or maintenance of networked printers based on affinities between printers and users determined from job tracking data so that printers shared by large numbers of users or high volume printers used by only one or a few users can be serviced or maintained before other printers to provide overall printer support while mitigating user disruption due to unavailable printers.

Abstract: A machine comprises a processor and at least one other component. The processor determines if the other component needs service, and sends an electronic message addressed to a remote communication device accessible by a user of the machine. The service includes at least one of: repair, replacement and replenishment of the component, and the electronic message indicates the need for the service and includes information to facilitate ordering at least one of: the repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component. The electronic message may include at least one of: an e-mail message, a text message, an instant message, and an SMS message, and may be forwarded to a supplier to place an order for the repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component.

Abstract: A driver system of image forming apparatuses whose structure is improved to receive a necessary service without additional confirmation by automatically requesting a management service and to improve the efficiency of use of the image forming apparatuses and a method of controlling the same. The driver system of the image forming apparatuses that is provided in a host computer to connect the host computer to the image forming apparatuses in order to perform a management service includes an input unit to receive state information on the image forming apparatuses from the image forming apparatuses and a transmitting unit to transmit a management service requesting signal to a management service supplying unit using the input state information.

Abstract: A management computer communicates with devices and an apparatus connected to a LAN through a LAN communication unit. A counter information obtaining unit obtains counter information of the devices through the LAN communication unit. A network information obtaining unit obtains network information from a DHCP server through the LAN communication unit. A Simple Object Access Protocol message generator generates a Simple Object Access Protocol message and a Simple Object Access Protocol communication unit transmits the Simple Object Access Protocol message to a service center through the Internet. A Simple Object Access Protocol message analyzer analyzes the Simple Object Access Protocol message received by the Simple Object Access Protocol communication unit from the service center through the Internet.

Abstract: A centralized monitoring system for managing maintenance information of an image forming apparatus has a database for registering a device identifier, to identify a device including an image forming apparatus or a local monitoring apparatus that goes between said image forming apparatus and a server system, as master information. The centralized monitoring system obtains the device identifier communicated from the device. In response to the obtaining of the device identifier, the centralized monitoring system responds to the notifying device to communicate the maintenance information indicating an operating status of the image forming apparatus, even if the obtained device identifier is not registered in the database. Then, if it is determined that the obtained device identifier is not registered in the database, the centralized monitoring system determines whether the device identifier is registered in the database or not.

Abstract: A terminal apparatus, a consumables residual quantity display program, and a recording medium are disclosed. The terminal apparatus, which is connected to a printing apparatus through a network, includes an acquisition unit for acquiring information about consumables of the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus; and a display controller for displaying the information about the consumables, which information is acquired by the acquisition unit, if the information of at least one item of the consumables fulfills a predetermined condition. The display controller may display a no-display specifying screen that prompts a user to specify whether a “no-display” mode should be activated, in which “no-display” mode, displaying the information about the consumables is stopped even if the predetermined condition is fulfilled when the information is to be acquired by the acquisition unit at a next time.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the operational status of and initiating image processing device control commands on one or more image processing devices from a remote location, said image processing devices each having a control computer for controlling operation of the device, including representing one of said image processing devices at the remote location; posting operational status indications relating to the one of said image processing devices and/or device set-up parameters at said remote location; adjusting the device set-up parameters by generating an image processing device control command from the remote location; and transmitting said command to the image processing device control computer. This method includes the ability to adjust such things as contrast, enlargement/reduction, network configuration and passwords from the remote location.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus and a monitoring system monitor a person who removed an output sheet for a print job or a copy job from an image forming apparatus that can be used by a plurality of users. With the use of a job-start notification, a job-end notification, and a sheet-removal notification received from the image forming apparatus, a video image during a period including the time at which the sheet output from the image forming apparatus was removed by a person can be recorded, and the video image can be managed in association with job information.

Abstract: A network image forming apparatus and a printing method thereof in an image forming system automatically change print concentration according to a type of print data and printing the print data so as to provide convenience to a user. The printing method of the network image forming apparatus connected to at least one terminal device via a network includes receiving print data from the at least one terminal device, obtaining print output information using the type of the received print data, and changing a print concentration of the print data according to the obtained print output information and printing the print data.

Abstract: An MPF (Multi Function Peripheral) obtains a BD address and a device name from a communication partner search response when it receives the communication partner search response from a cellular phone. When the MFP successfully obtains the BD address and the BD address is stored in a device management database in a RAM of the MFP, the MFP obtains a user name corresponding to the BD address from the device management database. The MFP obtains settings associated with the user name from an environment database in the RAM of the MFP and stores the same in an environment storage area in the RAM. A display process, etc. in the MFP are performed according to the settings stored in the environment storage area.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a management apparatus for an image forming apparatus that can automatically determine an installation location of the image forming apparatus on the basis of individual authentication information according to an access to the image forming apparatus by a regular user even if the image forming apparatus is moved. The management apparatus for the image forming apparatus of the invention acquires user information of a user authenticated by an image forming apparatus, acquires apparatus information of the image forming apparatus that have authenticated the user information, and specifies an installation location of the image forming apparatus on the basis of the user information acquired and the apparatus information.

Abstract: An image processing system including an image processing device, a service supply unit and an information supply unit is provided. The image processing device includes a service search data transmission unit, a service determination unit, and a service requesting unit. The information supply unit including a service search data reception unit; a presumption unit that presumes a probability of each service based on the service search data received by the service search data reception unit and according to prescribed presumption rules; and a list supply unit that supplies a list generated by extracting services likely to be requested from the service supply unit from all the services executable by the service supply unit and a list generated by sorting the services executable by the service supply unit.

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: An image forming apparatus to which a developer container is detachably mountable includes a receiving unit configured to receive, via wireless communication, temperature information detected by a temperature detecting unit, which is disposed in a developer container, from the developer container in a state not mounted to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus further includes a determining unit configured to determine, based on the temperature information received by the receiving unit, whether an oscillating unit disposed in the developer container is to be oscillated, and a transmitting unit configured to transmit a signal for oscillating the oscillating unit to the developer container via wireless communication based on a determination result of the determining unit indicating that the oscillating unit is to be oscillated.

Abstract: A system remotely monitors at least one image forming apparatus. The system receives first operation information and second operation information concerning the image forming apparatus. The system is capable of detecting a frequent occurrence of failures in the image forming apparatus based on the first operation information. The system is further capable of detecting a resolution of the frequent occurrence of failures based on the second operation information. In response to the detection of the resolution of the frequent occurrence of failures, the system outputs information that explicitly indicates the resolution of the frequent occurrence of failures.

Abstract: Each agent unit gets status information indicating the state of each of network printers connected by a LAN from the network printers every first time period. Whenever each agent unit gets the status information from the network printer, it overwrites a status log data file with the gotten status information. Each agent unit converts all status information stored in the status log data file into status mail of electronic mail and transmits the status mail to a mail server every second time period longer than the first time period. On the other hand, a console unit accesses the mail server and reads the status mail in a proper time period to the console unit.

Abstract: A transmission job originating station for controlling transmission of job information, based on the processing of a print job in a printing system, is provided. The control system includes a document generating subsystem for providing at least a portion of the print job to be delivered to a print machine and a user interface for programming a set of information including one or more confirmation destinations with each confirmation destination being disposed remotely of the transmission job originating station. The transmission job originating station further includes a control subsystem which, in response to the processing of at least a portion of the print job at the printing machine, reads the set of information and determines each confirmation destination, programmed with the user interface, to which the job information is to be transmitted.