An apparatus outputs a first number of printed materials, reads the first number of printed materials output to acquire the first number of pieces of scanned image data, the first number being two or more, and controls a density of output printed materials by calculating variations in lightness values in the respective pieces of scanned image data included in scanned image data groups for each scanned image data group having as a unit a second number of pieces of scanned image data consecutive in order of being read among the first number of pieces of scanned image data, the second number being two or more, so that the printed materials are further output until all the variations in the lightness values are less than a first threshold value.

In an information processing apparatus according to this invention, a plurality of pieces of batch setting information each configured by a plurality of pieces of print setting information are registered in advance. A setting of print setting information, use of which is inhibited, of the plurality of pieces of print setting information is accepted. Batch setting information including the print setting information, use of which is inhibited, is specified from the plurality of pieces of batch setting information. Then, a setting screen which allows the user to select pieces of non-specified batch setting information, and does not allow the user to select the specified batch setting information is displayed.

A printer for printing on histology-laboratory consumable articles (16) includes an optical reading device (13), which reads an image pattern of a histology-laboratory consumable article (16) to be printed on by means of the printing device (4), generates analog or digital image-pattern image signals with regard to the read image pattern and transfers the image-pattern image signals to a control device (8) of the printer, and/or which reads an overprint (18) printed onto a histology-laboratory consumable article (16) by the printing device (4), generates analog or digital overprint image signals with regard to the read overprint (18) and transfers the overprint image signals to a control device (8) of the printer, which control device determines at least one quality parameter with regard to the overprint (18).

An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device having a fixing belt assembly including a heater, a fixing belt, a heater temperature sensor, and a belt temperature sensor, and a pressure roller; a drive current sensor; and a life information acquisition portion. The heater temperature sensor detects the temperature of the heater. The belt temperature sensor detects the temperature of the fixing belt. The pressure roller presses against the fixing belt. The drive current sensor detects a drive current of a drive motor that drives the pressure roller. The life information acquisition portion acquires life information of the fixing belt assembly. A controller selects a failure prediction processing mode based on the detection result of the drive current sensor and selects a driving method based on the detection results of the temperature sensors and the acquisition result of the life information acquisition portion in each mode.

A method of scanning an object may include determining that an object is proximately positioned relative to a scanning volume of a presentation scanner in response to receiving at least one object presence signal prior to scanning a code indicia positioned on the object. At least one object sensory indicator device may be activated in response to determining that the object is proximately positioned relative to the scanning volume so as to indicate that the object is proximate to the scanning volume to a user. A second level of detection and location feedback may be provided for code indicia within the scanning volume.

An image forming apparatus enables utilizing an output of proof printing as an output of final printing, wherein the image forming apparatus includes an image former forming an image on a sheet, an image reader reading an image formed on the sheet, and a controller, wherein the controller acquires a determination result of whether or not a sheet, on which an image read by the image reader is formed before the final printing by the image former in order to create a reference image to be used for inspecting an output matter of a printing job, can be used for an output matter of the final printing and controls the number of sheets or copies on which the images are to be formed using the image former at the final printing.

An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet, a plurality of accessory apparatuses arranged side by side along a conveyance direction of the sheet, and a base station configured to wirelessly communicate with the image forming apparatus and the plurality of accessory apparatuses. The image forming apparatus includes one or more controllers configured to function as (i) a unit configured to acquire, from the base station, information that the base station acquires by wirelessly communicating with the plurality of accessory apparatuses, and (ii) a unit configured to output screen information for registering information about an arrangement order of the plurality of accessory apparatuses, based on the information acquired from the base station.

A label issuing system includes a label issuing apparatus and a label printer. The label issuing apparatus includes a printer interface and a processor. The processor is configured to generate print data for an image including a first region with first information and a second region with a first code symbol and a second code symbol each representing the first information but being of different sizes. The processor controls the printer interface to transmit the print data to the label printer. The label printer is connectable to the printer interface and configured to print the image on a label based on the print data received through the printer interface symbol.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program is provided. The program is executed in a personal digital assistant to operate a recording apparatus including a recording unit that performs recording on a medium from the personal digital assistant. The program causes the personal digital assistant to display, on a display of the personal digital assistant, information on a user operation method based on an event that occurred when a medium is to be fed from back of the recording apparatus, the method being to be performed after the event occurred.

An image forming apparatus that suppresses print position displacement. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of sheet storage sections configured to store sheets. A sheet storage section to be used is selected out of the plurality of sheet storage sections. An image is formed on a sheet supplied from the selected sheet storage section and the image position is adjusted using adjustment values associated with the selected sheet storage section. When an update action performed by sheet replenishment or sheet replacement is detected for a sheet storage section, the sheet storage section for which the update action has been detected is controlled so as not to be selected by the selection unit until a predetermined time period elapses after detection of the update action.