Diagnostics Patents (Class 399/9)
  • Patent number: 9442446
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus that controls a user authentication and a switching action for switching into a specific operation mode (either one of first and second power saving modes, and emergency stop), depending an alarm level of disaster information. A user authentication function circuit is for performing the user authentication. An operation mode switching circuit is for switching a current operation mode into the specific operation mode. A disaster information acquire circuit is for receiving disaster information representing the alarm level. A system control circuit controls, depending on the alarm level, the user authentication operation by the user authentication function circuit and a switching of one of the operation modes by the operation mode switching circuit. The aforementioned specified operation mode is either one of the user authentication mode, the first power saving mode, the second power saving mode, and the emergency stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kawakami, Masaya Okuda, Yoshitaka Matsuki, Yuri Moritani, Tsuyoshi Nitta
  • Patent number: 9298150
    Abstract: Provided is a failure predictive system, including a storage unit that stores a first model, a second model, and a third model, which are models prepared in advance based on data acquired with respect to one or more monitored apparatuses, an acquiring unit that acquires data of the control parameters and the data of the usages with respect to the monitored apparatus which is a failure predictive object, and a calculation unit that calculates a failure occurrence probability of the monitored apparatus which is the failure predictive object based on the data of the control parameters and the data of the usages acquired by the acquiring unit, and the first to the third models stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koki Uwatoko
  • Patent number: 9300823
    Abstract: Provided is a maintenance necessity estimation apparatus including a storage unit that stores in advance an estimation model and estimates first necessity information indicating a degree of necessity of a maintenance work with respect to the drive member in accordance with the output information, an acquisition section that acquires a second transit time and second feature information of an image processing apparatus which is an estimation target of second necessity information, and an estimation section that estimates necessity information of the image processing apparatus which is the estimation target using, as input information, a value corresponding to the second transit time and the second feature information acquired by the acquisition unit, using the estimation model stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koji Adachi
  • Patent number: 9218570
    Abstract: A prediction technique to predict an anomalous state of a processing environment at a future point in time. One or more values of one or more metrics of the processing system are obtained. For the one or more metrics, one or more predicted values are determined for one or more points in time in the future. Based the predicted values, one or more change values for one or more points in time are determined, and based on the one or more change values, a determination is made as to whether an anomalous state exists within the processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alain E. Biem
  • Patent number: 9128655
    Abstract: A reception unit receives, in a case where an error has occurred in an image forming apparatus during execution of a designated job, error information indicating that the error has occurred. An acquisition unit acquires information indicating that it is designated to skip the error and to execute the job in the image forming apparatus. A determination unit determines, in a case where the acquisition unit acquires the information, whether or not to continue to display the error information depending on a type of the error. A control unit continues, in a case where the determination unit determines that the error information is continued to be displayed, to display the error information, and ceases, in a case where the determination unit determines that the error information is not continued to be displayed, to display the error information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ooya
  • Patent number: 9091990
    Abstract: A device failure predictor includes data acquisition unit to acquire internal data of a target device, a peak value calculator to calculate a plurality of peak values of the internal data for a prescribed period of time, and a failure sign identification unit to set individual criteria for the plurality of peak values and determine whether or not the target device shows signs of failure according to the plurality of peak values and the individual criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikiko Imazeki, Yasushi Nakazato, Akira Takehisa, Osamu Satoh
  • Patent number: 9058003
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a toner image forming unit, a detector, and a controller to adjust an image forming condition based on a detection result by the detector. During a non-printing period, multiple toner patterns are formed in an end and center portions of the image bearer in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the image bearer moves, and a smaller number of toner patterns selected from the multiple toner patterns are formed in a non-image area, in the end portion of the image bearer, during a printing period. The controller determines a target density X of the smaller number of toner patterns by X=H (a mean detected density of the multiple toner patterns formed in the end portion)×J (a predetermined reference value)/I (a mean detected density of the multiple toner patterns formed in the end portion and in the center portion).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kayoko Tanaka, Keita Sone
  • Patent number: 9042742
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus receives setting of an object to be adjusted, on an adjustment object selection screen when selecting an adjustment mode. After the object to be adjusted is set, camera(s) photograph(s) the object to be adjusted so that the image forming apparatus obtains photographed data of current object to be adjusted. Next, the apparatus searches photographed data of the object to be adjusted in the ideal state thereof from the database. Name of the object to be adjusted and related information in the photographed data agree with those of the photographed data of current object to be adjusted. The higher ranked related information is preferentially searched and it is determined whether or not pieces of the higher ranked related information thus preferentially searched agree with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Yoshimura, Katsunori Takahashi, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Kenichi Hayashi, Keigo Ogura, Takahiro Yokoya, Kenji Tamaki
  • Patent number: 9036191
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Kikumoto
  • Patent number: 9036173
    Abstract: The present specification discloses systems and methods for enabling users to troubleshoot multifunction devices using handheld devices, such as mobile phones. In one embodiment, software executing on the handheld device receives data indicative of an error state in a multifunction device, causes the handheld device to obtain and display an image representative of an area of the multifunction device which would need to be serviced to address the error state, determines instructions for addressing the error state, and causes the handheld device to display the instructions in relation to the image representative of an area of the multifunction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Andrew Thomas, Martin Richard Walsh
  • Patent number: 9020368
    Abstract: A switch mechanism of the present disclosure includes a first member, a second member, a switch, a pressing-down member and an operation member. The second member can be moved with respect to the first member. The switch is provided in the first member. The pressing-down member is provided in the first member so as to press down the switch, and in the pressing-down member, a regulation portion that restricts the amount of pressing of the switch is formed. The operation member is provided in the second member such that the operation member can be operated by a user and is pressed down by the user so as to press the pressing-down member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Yuki Uohashi
  • Patent number: 8995853
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Sadanori Nakae
  • Patent number: 8989605
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of white reference plates, a plurality of measurement units configured to be arranged in positions opposed to the respective plurality of white reference plates, irradiate the white reference plates with light, and measure reflected light from the white reference plates, and a determination unit configured to determine an abnormality of the plurality of white reference plates by using respective measurement results measured by the plurality of measurement units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichiro Ino
  • Patent number: 8977142
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koki Uwatoko
  • Patent number: 8942575
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a cover member, a cover open/closed detection sensor, a driven unit, a drive detection sensor, and an attitude determination unit. The cover open/closed detection sensor outputs a closed signal corresponding to a closed attitude and an open signal corresponding to an open attitude. The drive detection sensor outputs a state signal corresponding to the drive state of the driven unit. The attitude determination unit determines whether the cover member is in an open attitude or is in a closed attitude based on a closed signal and a state signal input after the open signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Masatomo Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8937741
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhisa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8929758
    Abstract: A method for compensation of banding in a marking platform includes: initiating a calibration stage; marking a test pattern over multiple intervals of a lowest fundamental frequency among marking modules; obtaining image data for the test pattern from a sensor; obtaining 1× signals from sensors associated with the marking modules; and processing the image data in relation to the 1× signals to form banding profiles for multiple marking modules. Alternatively, the method may include: processing image data in relation to 1× signals to form banding profiles for multiple marking modules; determining amplitudes in multiple banding profiles exceeds a threshold to identify dominant banding profiles; and processing dominant banding profiles to form dominant banding signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Palghat S. Ramesh, Peter Paul
  • Patent number: 8922806
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Fumihito Osaki
  • Patent number: 8917408
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to implement an automated scheme by which a vendor can advantageously employ remotely-monitored information on a status of non-managed office devices, gathered as part of the vendor's customer support effort regarding the office devices that the vendor manages for a customer organization under a managed service agreement or the like, to the benefit of the customer organization and the vendor. The vendor remotely monitors a status of non-managed office devices, including a status of consumables in the non-managed devices, at a customer organization's site, and upon being made aware of a change in status on one of the non-managed devices, including pending exhaustion of one or more consumables on a non-managed device, immediately offers assistance in correcting a problem with the non-managed device to include replenishment service of the nearly-exhausted consumable in the non-managed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence J Bovenzi
  • Patent number: 8913256
    Abstract: A method for reducing time in performing an imaging function by an imaging device. The method includes receiving at least one media sheet against an image capture window of the imaging device, detecting whether a lid for covering the image capture window is closed, capturing an image of the at least one media sheet in the image capture window in response to detecting a closed lid, receiving a start signal indicative of a user request to start an image capture operation after capturing the image, and sending a final image based upon the captured image to a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Todd Sellers
  • Patent number: 8908198
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically rendering labeling service prints with print engine parameters. An auto-labeling application can be configured in association with a print engine controller for labeling the service prints with the print engine parameters via a built-in marker integrated with a fault multi-function device. A portable inline marker can also be separately attached to a baffle assembly of the fault device and connected to the print engine controller via a connector in order to receive the print engine parameters from the print engine controller. A setup routine configured with the auto-labeling application can be employed to customize the service print labels in a modular format and the parameters can be appended to each other based on the information required to troubleshoot the fault multi-function device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Eliud Robles Flores, David B. Montfort, John R. Falvo
  • Patent number: 8861985
    Abstract: A cooling device for an image forming apparatus includes a heat receiver disposed to contact a heated member; a heat releaser to release heat; a coolant circulation passage connecting the heat receiver and the heat releaser in which a coolant circulates between the heat receiver and the heat releaser; a pump configured to convey and circulate the coolant in the coolant circulation passage; a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of a part of the heated portion of the heated member at which a temperature rises; a cooling fan, included in the heat releaser, configured to change a thermal capacity released from the heat releaser based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor; and a controller to determine presence or absence of a leakage of the liquid or a pump failure by monitoring a control performed by the cooling fan and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuaki Iijima
  • Patent number: 8849132
    Abstract: A method is provided of compensating for periodic non-uniformity in an electrophotographic printer with a rotatable imaging component, and a runout sensor for measuring the distance between a first reference point and the surface of the rotatable imaging component along a first reference axis. An image signal representing an image to be produced on a receiving member by the printer is received. The rotatable imaging component is rotated. While the rotatable imaging component is rotating, the distance for the rotatable component is measured using the runout sensor. A correction value corresponding to the measured distance is automatically determined using a processor. The image data corresponding to the measured distance are automatically adjusted with the correction value using the processor. Toner corresponding to the adjusted image data is deposited on the receiver using the rotatable imaging component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Henderson, Richard G. Allen
  • Patent number: 8836967
    Abstract: An image forming device includes an image forming section, a CPU and memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the CPU, cause the image forming device to provide functions including a data acquisition section, a mismatch correction section and a control section. The data acquisition section is configured to acquire a variation in factor that causes a mismatch of a parameter. The control section is configured to estimate an amount of mismatch of the parameter based on the variation and to send a request for measuring the amount of mismatch to the mismatch correction section when the estimated amount is equal to or larger than a reference value. The control section is also configured to alter at least one of calculation factors used for estimating the amount of mismatch and the reference value according to the measured amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kentaro Murayama
  • Patent number: 8817341
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: a detecting unit, a storing unit, a threshold determining unit, and a control unit. The detecting unit detects an ambient brightness level at an arbitrary time zone. The storing unit stores information indicating the brightness level detected by the detecting unit. The threshold determining unit determines a threshold serving as a criterion for switching into a low-power-consumption mode according to the information indicating the brightness level stored in the storing unit. The control unit controls switching into the low-power-consumption mode using the threshold determined by the threshold determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Taichi Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 8817293
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for controlling power supply is provided. An image forming apparatus includes at least one cover unit to be mounted in the image forming apparatus, at least one replaceable unit to participate in an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus, a sensing unit to sense whether the at least one cover unit is opened or closed, and a main board unit to cut off the power supply to the at least one replaceable unit for a predetermined period of time when the at least one cover unit is opened or closed. Accordingly, stable operation is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jai-yeol Lee, In-gu Kwak
  • Patent number: 8801308
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a media path within a body of the printing apparatus. The media path moves sheets of media through the body of the printing apparatus. A marking engine is also within the body of the printing apparatus. The media path supplies the printing media to the marking engine. A processor is within the body of the printing apparatus. The processor is operatively connected to the marking engine, and the processor controls actions of the marking engine. Sensors are within the body of the printing apparatus. The sensors are operatively connected to the processor, and the sensors are positioned along the media path. The sensors detect locations and conditions of the sheets of media as the sheets of media travel along the media path. The sensors have a first clip shape. Further, clip connectors are located within the body of the printing apparatus. The clip connectors are connected to the sensors. Additionally, light structures are connected to the clip connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Cole, Richard G. Hubbard, David K. Halden, Kenneth G. Dixon, Anthony J. Peters
  • Patent number: 8798485
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Seong-il Park
  • Patent number: 8773689
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Harpreet S. Kohli, Matthew J. Lombardo
  • Patent number: 8761616
    Abstract: A controller determines a state of a switch unit based on a potential difference between a power supply side and a load side of the switch unit. Alternatively, when an electronic device is in a first operating state, the controller determines a state of the switch based on a result of a first detection unit. When the electronic device is in a second operating state that a power consumption of the device is lower than that in the first operating state, the controller determines the state of the switch based on a result of a second detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuya Hotogi
  • Patent number: 8744280
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising loading a medium onto an input tray of a imaging device; staging the medium within the imaging device, wherein staging the medium includes moving the medium from the input tray to a staging area within the imaging device; during the staging of the medium, determining an average load current of a motor that is associated with an automatic document feeder of the imaging device; and based on the average load current, determining a threshold load current of the motor, wherein the threshold load current corresponds to the panel of the imaging device having been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Burt Poppenga
  • Publication number: 20140147132
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which can execute an image stabilization operation and which includes: a determination portion that determines whether or not the image stabilization operation can be executed when a constituent member of the apparatus is replaced or when a consumable item is supplied; and an image stabilization control portion that executes the image stabilization operation when the determination portion determines that the image stabilization operation can he executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Konica Minolta , Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiro KOUZAKI, Mitsuru OBARA, Soh HIROTA, Yoshinori TSUTSUMI
  • Publication number: 20140140710
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus receives setting of an object to be adjusted, on an adjustment object selection screen when selecting an adjustment mode. After the object to be adjusted is set, camera(s) photograph(s) the object to be adjusted so that the image forming apparatus obtains photographed data of current object to be adjusted. Next, the apparatus searches photographed data of the object to be adjusted in the ideal state thereof from the database. Name of the object to be adjusted and related information in the photographed data agree with those of the photographed data of current object to be adjusted. The higher ranked related information is preferentially searched and it is determined whether or not pieces of the higher ranked related information thus preferentially searched agree with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi YOSHIMURA, Katsunori TAKAHASHI, Hiroyuki WATANABE, Kenichi HAYASHI, Keigo OGURA, Takahiro YOKOYA, Kenji TAMAKI
  • Patent number: 8725008
    Abstract: Methods and systems receive printing symptoms from a user into a graphic user interface and receive system information from a printing device exhibiting the printing symptoms. The method analyzes the printing symptoms using a diagnostic inference system operating on a computerized device operatively connected to the graphic user interface to produce candidate component defects. The method outputs diagnostic recommendations containing the candidate component defects to the user. The diagnostic recommendations include at least one representative image of a printing defect corresponding to each candidate component defect, and probabilities of correctness of the candidate component defects displayed alongside the representative image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kott, Jorge Antonio Alvarez
  • Patent number: 8712260
    Abstract: A printing apparatus for performing a printing operation includes an image forming portion for forming an image on a surface of a sheet according to image data; a discharge portion for discharging the sheet with the image formed thereon with the image forming portion; a reverse transportation unit for returning the sheet discharged with the discharge portion into the printing apparatus to reverse the sheet, so that another image is formed on another surface of the sheet according to image data; a detection unit for detecting the sheet discharged with the discharge portion when the sheet is pulled out before the reverse transportation unit returns the sheet; and a control unit for controlling the image forming portion to form the image on another sheet according to the image data when the detection unit detects that the sheet is pulled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Noritaka Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8712257
    Abstract: An image forming system includes first and second generation units, a setting unit, and a prognosis unit. For a monitoring item whose detection values, being detected during an image forming operation in an image forming apparatus in which a trouble occurred within a predetermined time period after an operating condition was changed, were changed to an abnormal state, the first generation unit generates characteristic information indicating a variation state of the detection values. The setting unit sets criterion information to predict occurrence of a trouble, based on the generated characteristic information. The second generation unit generates, for the monitoring item corresponding to the set criterion information, characteristic information indicating a variation state of detection values in a target image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koki Uwatoko
  • Patent number: 8699082
    Abstract: An apparatus to control a printing density in an image forming device and a method thereof, capable of controlling the printing density of a printed matter according to an amount of pages for a single page and a print rate. The apparatus and method solve a problem wherein the printing density is recognized as being degraded due to an increase of pages for a single paper or a reduced print rate. The printing density is set automatically or manually, and a bias voltage applied to a developing roller is controlled according to set-up information so that the printing density is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Ju Kim, Bong Gi Lee
  • Publication number: 20140093256
    Abstract: A light source is provided in the casing and emits a light beam for forming an image. A first sensor receives the light beam emitted by the light source and outputs a light reception signal. A cover opens and closes relative to the casing. A shutter prevents the first sensor from receiving the light beam when the cover is at an open position, and allows the first sensor to receive the light beam when the cover is at a closed position. A controller is configured to: execute a lighting process of lighting the light source; execute a first determining process of determining whether the light reception signal is outputted from the first sensor, in response to the lighting process; and determine that the cover is at the open position upon determination in the first determining process that no light reception signal is outputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hironori HIRATA, Koyo YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140064745
    Abstract: A packaged image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus, and a packaging member for packaging the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a power supply connection unit to which one end of a power cable, the other end of which is connected to an external power source, is detachably connected, a power supply voltage generation unit receiving a voltage via the power cable and generating a power supply voltage, a load circuit operating based on the power supply voltage, a status determination unit determining whether a connection status of the load circuit is normal, and a communication interface unit sending a determination result to the external device. The packaging member includes an access part enabling the one end of the power cable to be connected to the power supply connection unit in a state where the image forming apparatus is packaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masami Mashiki
  • Publication number: 20140056598
    Abstract: A switch mechanism of the present disclosure includes a first member, a second member, a switch, a pressing-down member and an operation member. The second member can be moved with respect to the first member. The switch is provided in the first member. The pressing-down member is provided in the first member so as to press down the switch, and in the pressing-down member, a regulation portion that restricts the amount of pressing of the switch is formed. The operation member is provided in the second member such that the operation member can be operated by a user and is pressed down by the user so as to press the pressing-down member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Yuki UOHASHI
  • Patent number: 8649033
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Karen Agnetta, Brennen W. Stollfus, James E. Clough
  • Patent number: 8643865
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a management apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, a storage unit, a selection unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires any one of simple data or detailed data including the simple data from a plurality of image processing apparatuses. If the detailed data is acquired, the determination unit determines maintenance data to be applied to the image processing apparatus which is an output source of the detailed data. The storage unit stores the maintenance data in association with related data included in the detailed data. If the acquisition unit acquires the simple data, the selection unit selects the maintenance data associated with the related data similar to the acquired simple data. The output unit outputs the maintenance data as the data for update with respect to the image processing apparatus which is an output source of the simple data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyo Katou, Yoshikatsu Kamisuwa
  • Patent number: 8626003
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes non-transparent doors and/or drawers on a body of the printing apparatus. The non-transparent doors and drawers allow access to internal areas of the body of the printing apparatus. A processor is within the body of the printing apparatus, and the processor controls actions of the printing apparatus. Also, at least one internal graphic user interface display is within the body of the printing apparatus. The internal graphic user interface display is operatively connected to the processor, and the internal graphic user interface display is positioned to be observable only when the non-transparent doors and drawers are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth Andrew Dobinson, Nicholas Baxter, Alexandria Jayne Dobinson, Lewis Williams
  • Publication number: 20140003825
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit configured to form an image, a power supply unit configured to supply electric power to the image forming unit via a power supply line, a door configured to be opened for accessing the image forming unit, an output unit configured to output a signal indicating whether the door is open or closed, an interruption unit configured to interrupt electric power supplied by the power supply unit via the power supply line while the door is open, and a storage unit configured to store information indicating that the interruption unit interrupts electric power supplied by the power supply unit, wherein the signal comprises a first signal indicating that the door is open, and a second signal indicating that the door is closed, and wherein the storage unit clears the information after the second signal is output from the output unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Takashi Yamaguchi, Takeshi Sekiya
  • Publication number: 20130330091
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of white reference plates, a plurality of measurement units configured to be arranged in positions opposed to the respective plurality of white reference plates, irradiate the white reference plates with light, and measure reflected light from the white reference plates, and a determination unit configured to determine an abnormality of the plurality of white reference plates by using respective measurement results measured by the plurality of measurement units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Koichiro Ino
  • Patent number: 8606121
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakata
  • Patent number: 8605303
    Abstract: A method has been developed for detecting defects in printed images. The method includes operating a printer to print a first printed image and a second image, where the second image is a duplicate of the first printed image. The method further includes generating image data that correspond to the first printed image and the second printed image, and identifying image defects using differences between the image data generated for the first image and the image data generated for the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Wencheng Wu, Beilei Xu
  • Patent number: 8570545
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body storage part, a determination part, and an initial adjustment part. The first image forming unit includes a first storage part storing first information indicative of whether or not an initial adjustment of the first image forming unit has been completed. The determination part determines whether or not the first information stored in the first storage part and the second information stored in the main body storage part satisfy respective prescribed conditions. The initial adjustment part causes the first and second image forming units to perform the initial adjustment when the first information indicates that the initial adjustment of the first image forming unit has not been completed and the second information indicates that the second image forming unit corresponds to an unused state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Okunishi, Hideo Mae, Junichi Taniguchi, Koichi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8559030
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Tsongas, Matthew Scrafford
  • Patent number: 8553280
    Abstract: An image transfer assembly and method capable of adjusting the registration of an image printed on paper. A first image location being determined on at least one first sheet by measuring for each of at least three corners of a first sheet the distance between the two adjoining edges of the respective corners to a portion of at least one first fiducial mark. For each of the measured first sheet corners the measured portion of the at least one first fiducial mark is closer to that respective corner than any other of the first sheet corners. Then a second image to be transferred is adjusted by changing, relative to at least one second sheet, at least one of a size, shear, position and orientation of the second image based on the determined first image location. The adjusted second image being then printed on the second sheet(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Edward Hoover, Jack Gaynor Elliot, Vladimir Kozitsky