Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an information obtainer, a memory, a candidate determining unit, and an image forming device. The information obtainer obtains feature information from the target recording medium. The memory stores at least one set of recording medium information regarding the target recording medium associated with the feature information and at least one set of image forming condition information corresponding to the recording medium information. The recording medium information is identification information. The candidate determining unit determines a candidate recording medium information from the recording medium information stored in the memory based on the feature information of the target recording medium obtained by the information obtainer. The image forming device forms an image on the target recording medium based on the image forming condition information in the memory according to the candidate recording medium information determined by the candidate determining unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described that use a cylindrical drum type vacuum drum and allows accurately registered, high resolution laser patterning of thin films on discrete lengths or flexible substrate material that are unwound from an unwind reel and after processing are rewound onto a rewind reel. Length compensator units are provided either side of the drum to accommodate variations in the length of the substrate due to differential rotation of the drum and the unwind and rewind reels.

Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus configured to appropriately determine that an abnormality has occurred in a component. The image forming apparatus includes: a charging device configured to charge a photosensitive drum; an exposure device configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum charged by the charging device; a developing device including a carrying member configured to carry a toner and being configured to develop the electrostatic latent image using the toner to form a toner image; and a transfer portion configured to transfer the toner image onto a sheet. The image forming apparatus is configured to form a measurement image on the sheet, and to determine a unit that needs to be replaced based on a result of measuring the measurement image formed on the sheet. The measurement image includes a first measurement image and a second measurement image.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressuring member, a fixing device main body, a guide member and a detecting mechanism. The guide member is rotatable between a closing position where the guide member covers a sheet conveying path and an opening position where the guide member exposes the sheet conveying path. The detecting mechanism includes a sensor and an actuator. The sensor includes a light emitting part and a light receiving part. The actuator is swingable between a non-blocking position where the actuator does not block a light and a blocking position where the actuator blocks the light. When the actuator rotates integrally with the guide member according to a rotation of the guide member between the closing position and the opening position, the actuator passes between the light emitting part and the light receiving part.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an image forming apparatus, including: a detector that detects a user who is positioned within a certain range from the apparatus; a verification unit that identifies the detected user by verification; a determination unit that determines whether there is print data which is not output yet on the basis of user identifiable information which is identified by the verification unit; and a notification unit that notifies the user that the print data is not printed yet on the basis of a result which indicates the presence of the print data from the determination unit.

Abstract: A method to provide a user interface, the method may be controlled by one or more controllers and may include one or more acts of obtaining image information from a sequence of images of a user; analyzing the image information to recognize the user; recognizing first and second reference objects at least one of which corresponding with respective body parts of the user from the image information; determining whether a first reference object has been placed over or is within a threshold scaled distance of a second reference object; calculating an interaction time between the first reference object and the second reference object when it is determined that the first reference object has been placed over or is within the threshold scaled distance of the second reference object; comparing the interaction time with a threshold reference time; and performing an action in accordance with results of the comparison.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method of calculating end-of-life (EOL) predictions for a physical asset is provided. A state-space model for the physical asset is obtained, the state-space model being a physics-based model describing a state of the physical asset at a particular time given measurements or observations for the physical asset. Then a current state of the physical asset is inferred. Then a long-term prediction is derived for the physical asset based on the inferred current state of the physical asset and the state-space model for the physical asset. Then an EOL probability distribution function is generated for the physical asset based on the long-term prediction, the EOL probability distribution function describing a range of estimates of EOL for the physical asset and their corresponding confidence intervals.

Abstract: A system for remote analysis, remote training and/or remote maintenance on a mobile machine comprises a first display unit (10), command input means and a communication device which can be connected as required to the first display unit (10) and to a data network (15).

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for detecting a fatal error condition in a printing device having an intermediate transfer member for facilitating toner transfer, including sensing a reflectance value of the intermediate transfer member at a first predetermined time; comparing the sensed reflectance value at the first period of time to a predetermined threshold; sensing a reflectance value of the intermediate transfer member at a second predetermined time after the predetermined first time; and comparing the sensed reflectance value of the intermediate transfer member at the second period of time to the predetermined threshold. If each of the sensed reflectance value at the first predetermined time and the sensed reflectance value at the second predetermined time is greater than the predetermined threshold, the method includes selectively suspending further printing operations until the imaging device is serviced.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

Abstract: A 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.

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

Abstract: 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.

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

Abstract: 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.

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

Abstract: 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.

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

Abstract: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Abstract: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.