A maintenance apparatus includes a controller including a processor. The processor has programmed instructions to acquire maintenance operation information indicating (i) a failure that occurred with an image forming apparatus and (ii) content of a maintenance operation performed on the image forming apparatus to fix the failure, determine whether predetermined information included with the maintenance operation information exceeds a threshold value, and generate support information based on the maintenance operation information that indicates the content of the maintenance operation in response to the predetermined information exceeding the threshold value. The support information is accessible by a maintenance person when performing future maintenance on the image forming apparatus.

There is provided an image forming system that includes an image forming apparatus including, a first variable mechanism that varies from a first state to a second state or from the second state to the first state when physically operated by a user, a first detection unit configured to detect the variation of a state of the first variable mechanism, and a sound collection unit. The image forming system further includes a generation unit configured to generate, when the variation is detected by the first detection unit, first statistical information regarding at least one sound wave obtained by the sound collection unit in a period based on a timing when the variation is detected.

An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer member, a power source, a detecting portion, a controller, an environment detecting portion, and a contact member. In a case that an absolute water content acquired on the basis of environmental information is a predetermined threshold or more, the controller sets a limit voltage on the basis of a detection result of the detecting portion in a state in which the recording material is absent in a transfer portion, and the controller controls the power source so that an absolute value of a voltage applied from the power source to the transfer member during contact of the recording material with the transfer member and the contact member is an absolute value of the limit voltage or less.

An image forming apparatus which prevents a user from being confused when print data comprised of a plurality of sections is printed by the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus is able to perform test printing of print data for which a plurality of copies are to be printed. Whether or not a plurality of sections are included in selected print data is determined, and when it is determined that a plurality of sections are included in the selected print data, execution of the test printing is restricted.

A printer includes a print engine, a processor, and a memory. The print engine is configured to print an image on a print medium. The memory stores instructions, the instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the printer to perform: in a case where a plurality of layers is included in a document file that is acquired from one of a storage medium connected to the printer and an apparatus configured to communicate with the printer, determining whether the plurality of layers includes a selection target layer that is a layer corresponding to a same language as a language indicated by language information acquired from an information source; in response to determining that the plurality of layers includes the selection target layer, determining a layer including the selection target layer as a print target layer; and controlling the print engine to print the print target layer.

An information processing method performs steps for an information processing apparatus to communicate with an image forming apparatus having first and second sheet output sections. The second sheet output section can be switched between a close position to serve to guide a sheet to the first sheet output section, and an open position not to guide the sheet to the first sheet output section but to stack the sheet. The method inputs a type of sheet, acquires information indicating whether the second sheet output section is in an open or closed state, and transmits image information to the image forming apparatus. When the sheet type recommends the sheet be output to the second sheet output section and the second sheet output section is in the closed state, a message is output to prompt to switch the second sheet output section into the open position before the image information is transmitted.

A method, user device, and a printing device for manufacturing one or more customized products are provided. The method comprises capturing one or more three-dimensional (3-D) images of one or more objects, transmitting the captured one or more 3D images to a printing device, converting the transmitted one or more 3D images into a predefined format; wherein the predefined format is a format read by the printing device. The method further comprises printing the converted one or more 3D images using the printing device to create one or more 3D objects, wherein the one or more 3D objects are a replica of the one or more objects in the one or more captured 3D images, and manufacturing one or more customized products using the created one or more 3D images.

An apparatus and method for detecting replacement of a consumable to be used for image formation is provided. The replacement detection mechanism, in response to detecting replacement of the consumable is needed, counter data including a number of printed sheets using the consumable is initialized, without initialization of learning data for determining a remaining use period from a use amount in a predetermined period of the consumable.

An information processing system includes a first display control unit and a second display control unit. The first display control unit displays, on a display unit, a button on which a setting value of a program is displayed. The second display control unit starts up the program when the button is pressed and, in accordance with the started program, displays, on the display unit, a setting screen that corresponds to the button being pressed.

A weighing device is a device with which a visitor or a salesclerk performs weighing. The weighing device includes a display unit displaying information for the visitor or the salesclerk, a label issuing unit capable of issuing a label on which an accounting identification code of a product based on a weighing result of the product placed on a weighing tray is printed, and an output control unit controlling the label issuing unit and the display unit, the output control unit being configured to execute first processing in which the label issuing unit issues the label in response to a first input operation of the visitor and second processing in which the display unit displays the accounting identification code in response to a second input operation of the salesclerk without causing the label issuing unit to issue the label.