Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including an image reading part reading an original image; and a printing part printing the read image, it is detected that a down frequency or a number of times when the image forming apparatus enters a down state exceeds a threshold; and when the down frequency exceeds the threshold, this event is reported externally.

Abstract: A printer receives print information from a host apparatus. An image memory stores image data produced from the print information. A total quantity of output detector determines a total quantity of output that should be printed. A reference quantity storing section stores a reference quantity. A comparing section compares the reference quantity with the total quantity of output to determine whether the total quantity of output is larger than the reference quantity. If the total quantity of output is larger than the reference quantity, a controller reads a fraction of the image data from the image memory and sends a first command to a printing section. The first command causes the printing section to perform test printing where the printing section prints the fraction of the image data and then enters a standby state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of specifying the type of an occurring abnormality to a certain extent while avoiding the increasingly complicated control that is caused when a plurality of abnormalities is detected individually according to the presence of their respective causes. A normal group data set, which is a collection of normal value combinations relating to grouped information constituted by a plurality of information of differing types, is stored in RAM or ROM serving as information storage device of a control unit. At least two or more sets of grouped information, including first grouped information constituted by a plurality of different types of information, and second grouped information constituted by a plurality of information in a different combination to that of the first grouped information, are obtained from the RAM, the ROM, various sensors, and an operation display unit.

Abstract: A system for automatically detecting the need to service a machine. The system includes a processor and at least one of a device component and a supply component. The processor determines a time at which the device component will require repair or replacement and when the supply component will need replenishment and sends an electronic message addressed to a communication device accessible by the user or supplier. The electronic message includes data which facilitates ordering services and sending the supplies to the user of the machine.

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 method and apparatus to control power supplied to a paper transfer belt (PTB) unit and a laser scanning unit (LSU) included in an image forming device includes the PTB unit to transfer a developed latent image onto a printing medium, the LSU to scan light onto a photosensitive medium, a first controller to control power supplied to the PTB unit and the LSU, and a connection unit to connect the PTB unit to the first controller, wherein the first controller controls the power supplied to the LSU according to a connection state of the connection unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus operates in a power saving mode or in the normal printing mode. An image forming section forms an image in accordance with print data received from an external apparatus. A state detecting section detects a state of the image forming apparatus. A controller causes the image forming apparatus to enter into a power saving mode where the controller terminates supply of electric power to a section of the image forming apparatus that consumes a large electric power. A data detecting section detects whether the print data exists in the image forming apparatus. When the state detecting section detects a change in the state of the image forming apparatus and the data detecting section fails to detect print data in the image forming section, the controller causes the image forming apparatus to enter the power saving mode.

Abstract: A technique is provided that enables reduction in cost related to maintenance services and that also enables reduction in downtime of a product.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for a method of electronically capturing usage information from a non-networked imaging device. The method includes generating a printed status report, including the usage information, from the non-networked imaging device, and optically scanning the printed status report to thereby produced an electronic copy of the optically scanned printed status report. The method further includes optically recognizing, from the electronic copy of the optically scanned printed status report, the usage information contained therein. The optically recognized usage information is then converted into digital usage information, and the digital usage information is saved to a computer readable memory device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a condition determining device that calculates a deviation amount of image data from a normal condition and determines if the image forming apparatus is in an abnormal condition. An abnormal section specifying device specifies an abnormal section in the image forming apparatus based on a condition of the image forming apparatus. An image processing device executes image processing for abnormal use in accordance with an output of the abnormal section specifying device when the image data condition determining device determines that the image forming apparatus is in an abnormal condition. A service person call output device outputs a service person call signal indicative of calling a service person to a center when the image data condition determining device determines that the image forming apparatus is in an abnormal condition.

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 computer network comprises plural computer systems connected to plural printers. Each computer system comprises at least one application program for generating print data for one or more of the printers. One of the computer systems is partially employed as a stock control computer. An application program stored on the stock control computer runs a model of the overall system, including maintaining an up-to-date schedule of all print jobs on the system, and maintains a log of all media resources (i.e., paper) available to each printer. The application program ensures that the printers have suitable media resources and/or that print jobs are allocated to printers where appropriate media resources are available, if possible.

Abstract: A digital printer is operable in an inactive mode, such as a sleep mode or a cycle-in mode, and an active mode. In response to receiving a first print request, the digital printer delays beginning switching from the inactive mode to the active mode, for a delay period of predetermined duration. In response to receiving a second print request during the delay period, the digital printer begins switching from the inactive mode to the active mode substantially immediately. The delay increases opportunities for processing multiple print requests within one switching to the active mode.

Abstract: A sub-CPU copes with a status obtaining request from a network in a sleep mode. Further, necessary least power control for updating a status in an image forming apparatus in the sleep mode is realized by the sub-CPU.

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 integrated printing system is provided comprising a first image marking engine and a second image marking engine. The first and second image marking engines can be serially arranged with one another in a first operating mode. The first operating mode includes marking and passing of media to and from the first and second marking engines. A control system is provided for detecting a failure within one of the first and second image marking engines. A second operating mode is provided wherein the control system detects the failure and enables passing of the media through one of the first and second marking engines and marking of the media in another of the first and second marking engines when the failure is of a specified type.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus has an image supporting body, a developing device on which developing units storing developers of the same color are detachably mounted, and control unit for controlling a printing operation in response to a print request. Further, in the case where the total number of print pages of a first developing unit, which is in use, exceeds the number of calibration pages if executing a print request, when a second developing unit which does not exceed the number of calibration pages exists, the control unit executes the printing operation using the second developing unit, and when the second developing unit does not exist, the control unit executes the printing operation using the first developing unit if the requested print page number does not exceed a predetermined threshold, or executes a calibration operation if the requested print page number exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Described herein is a printing platform having one or more marking modules for reproducing an image on a substrate; a print media source processing unit that supplies the substrate; a finisher that provides finishing capabilities for the substrate; and a platform manager that automatically removes electrical power from at least one component of the printing platform while other components continue to process print jobs.

Abstract: A printer detects a roll radius of a recording paper roll once a day and measures the remaining amount of recording paper. Then the printer calculates the number of photo prints in the previous day as an actual consumption value from a difference in remaining amount of paper between the day and the previous day. The printer stores the actual consumption values in the form of a calendar cumulatively and creates a consumption record of the recording paper. Next, the printer estimates predicted consumption of the recording paper in a coming week based on the consumption record. And the printer predicts the time of occurrence of a paper-out condition based on the remaining amount of the recording paper and the predicted consumption. When it is predicted that the printer will be out of paper within a coming week, the printer displays a warning message on a LCD and urges a supervisor of the printer to prepare a new recording paper roll.

Abstract: A failure diagnosis method diagnoses failure occurring in an image forming apparatus. The failure causes defect in an image output from the image forming apparatus. The failure diagnosis method includes acquiring operation state signals indicating operation states during the image forming apparatus operating in different operation conditions, respectively; and analyzing the acquired operation state signals based on a failure probability model, which is obtained by modeling a cause of the failure occurring in the image forming apparatus with using probabilities, to execute failure diagnosis with respect to each of constituent members constituting the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for remotely managing and accessing print jobs stored in job retention of a printing device, including displaying, printing, canceling, prioritizing, and otherwise controlling various aspects of the print jobs and/or the print queue. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention makes use of a Java-enabled Web browser on a workstation, a java applet accessible by the Web browser, and an embedded Web server incorporated in a printing device to provide the management and access functions. Rasterized images of the print jobs may also be viewed by using the applet file viewer.

Abstract: A printing system and method includes at least two modules, at least one of which is a marking engine module. In the method, one or more sheets to be printed are submitted. Available paths are determined for one of the one or more sheets and a preferred available path is determined and submitted to one or more of the plurality of modules. A reservation matrix representative of the one of the one or more sheets being scheduled on the preferred available path is updated. The steps of determining the available paths, determining a preferred available path, submitted the preferred available path and updating the reservation matrix are repeated for each subsequent sheet of the one or more sheets of the print job.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus which is capable of securing a time period for measuring the base reflected light quantity required for the base correction, and at the same time, reducing a time period required for the entire image density control. An image forming unit includes an image carrier disposed to be exposed to light to have a latent image formed thereon, an electrostatic charger that charges the image carrier to a predetermined polarity, a developing device that visualizes the latent image formed on the image carrier to form a visible image, and an endless belt onto which the visible image is transferred. A CPU controls the image forming unit to form predetermined detection patterns on the endless belt. The detection patterns and the quantity of reflection light from the endless belt are detected. The CPU corrects the detected detection patterns based on the detected quantity of reflection light.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of specifying the type of an occurring abnormality to a certain extent while avoiding the increasingly complicated control that is cause when a plurality of abnormalities is detected individually according to the presence of their respective causes. A normal group data set, which is a collection of normal value combination relating to grouped information constituted by a plurality of information of differing types, is stored in RAM or ROM serving as information storage device of a control unit. At least two or more sets of grouped information, including first grouped information constituted by a plurality of different types of information, and second grouped information constituted by a plurality of information in a different combination to that of the first grouped information, are obtained from the RAM, the ROM, various sensors, and an operation display unit.

Abstract: The on-line help or support system responds to a user help request in a responsive manner. In advance of the user help request, the on-line help system determines if the user is possibly in need of help information based upon the sequence of operational key inputs. The on-line help system monitors and analyzes the user key inputs according to a predetermined set of rules. In case of a possible confusion state for a certain operation for an image-forming device, the on-line help system obtains the corresponding relevant help information from a predetermined help server on the network even though the user has not yet requested for the help. The down loaded help information is stored in a cache memory.

Abstract: An image recording sheet used in electrophotographic imaging which comprises a paper sheet substrate coated with an image recording layer that takes on a probe penetration depth of 0.33 ?m or greater for a change in prove temperature from 50° to 150° C. when measuring the probe penetration depth on a scanning type thermal microscope having a thermal probe operative as both heater and position sensor that is made of a Pt alloy containing 10% of Rh and has a cantilever spring constant of 1 N/m, a diameter of 6 ?m and a curvature radius of 5 ?m at an extreme end thereof under a condition that the thermal prove is changed in temperature at a programming rate of 15° C./sec within a programmed range of from a room temperature to 200° C. under a load (weight)+20 nA in 4-split T-B (Top-Bottom) value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus writes job information associated with an image forming process to a contactless integrated chip attached to recording paper and reads out the job information from the contactless integrated chip attached to recording paper remaining uncollected after completion of the image forming process. Thereafter, the image forming apparatus notifies, based on the read out job information, the user that initiated the job that the recording paper is uncollected after completion of the image forming process.

Abstract: An image formation device changes the rotational rate of a polygon motor, i.e. the main-scanning rate, and selects one of pulse width conversion tables when an image formation is performed multiple times on a single sheet of transfer paper. The changing of the main-scanning rate is for preventing inconsistent sizes between a first recorded image and a second recorded image caused by shrinkage of transfer paper. The pulse width conversion tables allow the pulse widths to be modulated.

Abstract: An image forming device is disclosed which includes a problem detection unit for detecting problem, and problem alert unit for alerting a user to the detection of a problem. Until an initially detected problem A has been resolved, the problem alert unit will not issue a problem alert based upon a subsequently detected problem B. Consequently, when working to resolve a problem, if a subsequent problem B is detected, the detection of the problem B will be disregarded, and a problem alert will not be issued (by a buzzer or the like), and thus the user can devote themselves to resolving problem A without being disturbed by the buzzer or the like.

Abstract: A control system and method of predicting how a machine will respond to occasional or periodic service, and adjusting the machine accordingly to account for the change in machine behavior due to the service, mitigates transients in machine performance. A prediction of the service effect is fed forward to the existing control system just prior to the occurrence of service in order to compensate for the service effect. This prediction is continually updated and refined using subsequent measurements of the effect of service on machine performance. More specifically, a controller monitors the process output variables indicative of the machine performance and adjusts machine inputs to achieve a desired level of machine performance. The controller monitors the process output variables indicative of the machine performance prior to, during, and immediately after the service and adjusts the machine inputs to compensate for the transients.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus having an automatic self-test reporting function and a method thereof. The image-forming apparatus has a function of preparing and printing a separate result report as to a result of the self test performed at the time when the image-forming apparatus is powered on for the first time. Thus, the image-forming apparatus purchased by a user can notify the user whether errors exist, countermeasures to the errors, and initial setting options of the image-forming apparatus at the same time when the image-forming apparatus is powered on for the first time, enabling the user to be able to rely on the image-forming apparatus. Further, extra manipulations by a user to obtain the initial setting options of the image-forming apparatus are not required.

Abstract: An office information system having a device which provides a user with an operational message of the system is disclosed. In an embodiment of the office information system, a path record storage device stores a plurality of path records related to components of the system, each path record indicating a locating path needed to reach a location of a specific one of the components in the system when a failure related to the specific one of the components occurs. A failure location detecting device detects a location of a component in the system when a failure related to the component occurs. A reached location determining device reads a path record from the path record storage device when the location of the failure is detected, and determines a currently reached location in the system based on the path indicated by the path record.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments are directed to a control system and method of predicting how a machine will respond to occasional or periodic maintenance or service, and adjusting the machine accordingly to account for the change in machine behavior due to the maintenance or service action. More specifically, in a machine under closed-loop control subject to occasional maintenance or service, the maintenance or service results in transient in machine performance. To mitigate transients in machine performance due to maintenance or service, a prediction of the maintenance or service effect is fed forward the existing control system just prior to the occurrence of maintenance or service in order to compensate for the maintenance or service effect. This prediction is continually updated and refined using subsequent measurements of the effect of maintenance or service on machine performance.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus of the present invention, an image storage device stores a plurality of image data. A status holding unit holds a status table having respective status descriptors, corresponding to the plurality of image data stored in the image storage device, each status descriptor indicating a status of execution of a series of image processing steps of the image data related to the status descriptor, and being updated every time one of the image processing steps of the related image data is performed.

Abstract: A diagnostic system that effectively presents optimum products to the users by effectively using information about the use history of an image forming apparatus used by the users and other information specific to the image forming apparatus that may be stored in advance. The diagnostic system includes a management device that receives and manages management information including at least information of print volume of an image forming apparatus for a predetermined period, a determination device that determines an optimum image forming apparatus based on the information of print volume in the predetermined period managed by the management device, and a notification device that notifies information indicative of the optimum image forming apparatus determined by the determination device to an information processing apparatus that is capable of communication via a communication line.

Abstract: An abnormality determining apparatus includes an information storage unit for storing normal index information serving as an index of a normal state of the detection subject, an information obtaining unit for obtaining a plurality of types of information, and an abnormality determining unit for determining the presence of an abnormality in the detection subject on the basis of the normal index information stored in the information storage unit, and the information obtained by the information obtaining unit. The information storage unit stores a plurality of normal index information having different values. The abnormality determining unit selects, at a predetermined timing, normal index information to be used to determine the presence of an abnormality in the detection subject from the plurality of normal index information.

Abstract: An original reading apparatus with an original feeding apparatus pivotally connected thereto, including a detecting device for detecting the opened state and the closed state of the original feeding apparatus, and a controller for rendering a part or the whole of the original feeding apparatus operable, on the basis of the result of the detection by the detecting device.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a voice data storage unit which stores voice guidances by designating attributes for each of the voice guidances, a voice output unit which outputs the voice guidances and a control unit which extracts a necessary voice guidance from the voice storage unit when it is necessary to output the voice guidance and outputs the voice guidance from the voice output unit according to the attributes of the voice guidance.

Abstract: In a digital copier having an input scanner and a printer, image placement or magnification errors which relate to the input scanner can be corrected in copies made at the printer. A person feeds into the input scanner a special test pattern sheet. The copy of the test pattern may exhibit readily-detectable image defects, manifest as “readings” which the user can communicate to the computer, such as through a user interface. A control system in the computer can take the readings and use them to correct attributes of prints made in subsequent copying operations.

Abstract: An image having a quality superior to that of the prior art is obtained even if there are multiple causes of image degradation. In a color image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of rotating bodies for forming a color image by rotating in cooperation, amounts of fluctuation in the rotational speeds of the rotating bodies that cause a decline in the image quality of the color image are detected for every rotating body (i.e., for every cause) and the detected amounts of fluctuation are corrected appropriately.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for saving power in a printing system, by prioritizing printer jobs. Using a graphical user interface an end-user assigns a print time to a first job. The print time designation is attached to the first job and the first job is transmitted from the end-user station to a printer. Based on whether the printer is in ready state or in power save mode the first job is printed immediately or stored in memory. When the first job is stored in memory, computations are made to determine a printing time to initiate printing of the first job. The first job is then printed at the printing time or at an earlier printing time if a second job with an earlier printing time is stored in the memory.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with an image forming part and a fixing part for fixing images on a recording medium measures, downstream of the fixing part in a transport path, speckles on a recording medium, and generates measured speckle data representing the measured speckles; stores measured speckle data with standard speckle data representing speckles on a recording medium that has not undergone a fixing process; further measures, upstream of the image forming part, measures speckles on a recording medium; and when the stored standard speckle data is the most analogous to speckles measured for the second time, applies corrections in order to compensate for the lengthening of the recording medium by a fixing process to document images formed thereon, and when the stored measured speckle data is the most analogous to speckles measured for the second time, does not perform the corrections in order to compensate for the lengthening.

Abstract: A diagnostic system that effectively presents optimum products to the users by effectively using information about the use history of an image forming apparatus used by the users and other information specific to the image forming apparatus that may be stored in advance. The diagnostic system includes a management device that receives and manages management information including at least information of print volume of an image forming apparatus for a predetermined period, a determination device that determines an optimum image forming apparatus based on the information of print volume in the predetermined period managed by the management device, and a notification device that notifies information indicative of the optimum image forming apparatus determined by the determination device to an information processing apparatus that is capable of communication via a communication line.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a communication unit connecting the device to a support center via a communication line and receiving and transmitting information by a communication with the support center. An error detecting unit detects an error of the device. A first warning unit controls, when the error is detected, an operation/display unit to display a repair call activation menu that indicates a defective condition of the device and enables a user to decide whether activation of a repair call transmitting function is allowed. A second warning unit controls a warning device to produce at least a warning sound indicating the defective condition of the device. When the defective condition of the device continues for a time, exceeding a predetermined period, without taking any repairing action, a warning executing unit executes either one of the warning controls of the first and second warning units or both.

Abstract: A facsimile device includes a printing unit for printing an image by using an expendable component, and a communication circuit connectable to a supplier of the expendable component via a communication network. Particularly, the facsimile device further includes an order controller for confirming that maintenance of the expendable component is required a number of times corresponding to an order-unit quantity, and for controlling the communication circuit such that order information for ordering the expendable component of the order-unit quantity is transmitted to the supplier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a power supply that is not turned off even in power saving mode. The power supply continues to supply electric power to one or more sensors detecting the status of the apparatus and to an interface with a network. Thus, while power supply to such loads as a scanner unit, an image processing unit and a printing unit is turned off, respective sensor values in the image forming apparatus can be reported to an external communication terminal.

Abstract: There is provided an original conveying apparatus for conveying an original to an image reading section of an image forming apparatus, which is capable of preventing the number of times of writing to a nonvolatile storage medium that stores a correction value for the light emission amount of an optical sensor from exceeding a limited number of times even when adjustment of the light emission amount of the optical sensor is carried out frequently, reducing as far as possible the number of times of writing data to the storage medium that can store such data a limited number of times, thereby eliminating the occurrence of inconvenient situations such as it being impossible to maintain proper output processing, and lengthening the lifetime of the storage medium.

Abstract: An image forming device, an image forming system, and a method of facilitating ordering of an imaging consumable are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the cause of degradation in a product or device. A reference time is established and recorded, then a process or function of the device or product is enabled. As anomalous events occur, a user actuates an actuator that causes the recordation of an event time with respect to the reference time. Events may be repetitive or non-repetitive. At completion of the function, the recorded times are compared to a table of known product or device cycle function times, and a correlation is made to determine the most likely cycle function related to the events recorded. This information can then be correlated to parts previously known to operate at such times thereby providing a diagnostic tool useful in maintenance or repair of the device or product.

Abstract: An image-forming system is composed of an image-forming apparatus body, a folding device, a bookbinding device, and a finisher, which are connected to the image-forming apparatus body. In the image-forming system, in order to support maintenance, an available period of time for maintenance for each processing module (a unit or a device sectionalized in a processing functional unit) is calculated based on contents of a job presently in execution and contents of registered jobs so as to display the available period of time for maintenance of the calculated processing module on an operation display.