An apparatus memory stores first type information indicating whether an apparatus main body is a contract apparatus or a normal apparatus. The contract apparatus is usable in a case where an apparatus contract for an image forming apparatus is set. A consumable memory stores second type information indicating whether a consumable is a contract consumable or a normal consumable. The contract consumable is usable in a case where a consumable contract for an image forming apparatus is set. A controller is configured to: determine whether the first type information indicates that the apparatus main body is the contract apparatus; determine whether the second type information indicates that the consumable attached to the apparatus main body is the contract consumable; and switch a function usable in the image forming apparatus based on a combination of the first type information and the second type information.

An image processing apparatus includes a memory, an auxiliary storage used as a virtual memory together with the memory, and a hardware processor. The hardware processor determines whether or not a predetermined region set in the memory has a free space corresponding to a size of a necessary region to be reserved for execution of a specific application. When determining that the predetermined region does not have the free space, the hardware processor applies a first power-saving mode as a power-saving mode of the auxiliary storage. When determining that the predetermined region has the free space, the hardware processor applies, as the power-saving mode of the auxiliary storage, a second power-saving mode in which less power is consumed than in the first power-saving mode.

A virtual execution device includes a hardware processor, the hardware processor forming a virtual device by simulating an image forming apparatus in operation, in the case where a predetermined allowing condition is unsatisfied by an operation state of the image forming apparatus, acquiring a plurality of respective jobs that have been externally received by the image forming apparatus before the allowing condition becomes unsatisfied by the operation state of the image forming apparatus as reference jobs, selecting one or more reference jobs as exclusion jobs from among the plurality of acquired reference jobs, causing the virtual device to process subject jobs that are not the one or more selected exclusion jobs among the plurality of acquired reference jobs, and in the case where the allowing condition is satisfied by an operation state of the virtual device, specifying the exclusion jobs as cause jobs that have caused errors in the image forming apparatus.

A multifunction peripheral that is capable of performing, in parallel, a plurality of processes including a scanning process on an original using a scanner section. A RAM holds image data generated by the scanner section. A scanner transfer section transfers data from the scanner section to the RAM. A transfer rate of data from the scanner section to the RAM is set by switching at least between a first transfer rate and a second transfer rate lower than the first transfer rate. In a case where a plurality of processes including the scanning process are executed in parallel, a data transfer rate is switched by switching the data transfer rate based on a user's operation performed on a console section.

In a consuming device, a controller is configured to perform, when an operating mode is set to a non-billing mode: executing. The executing executes, in response to receiving an execution instruction, a prescribed operation consuming a consumable. The prescribed operation is executed while consuming the consumable irrespective of a permitted consumption quantity without decreasing the permitted consumption quantity. The controller is configured to perform: when the operating mode is set to a billing mode: acquiring; and executing. The acquiring acquires the permitted consumption quantity including a newly purchased consumption quantity paid for by a user. The executing executes, in response to receiving the execution instruction, the prescribed operation. The prescribed operation is executed while consuming the consumable and decreasing the permitted consumption quantity acquired in the acquiring until the decreased permitted consumption quantity reaches a predetermined quantity.

An information output system includes a main memory, a first processing circuit, a second processing circuit, an output device, and notifying circuitry. The main memory is configured to store information. The first processing circuit is configured to read the information from the main memory. The second processing circuit is configured to transfer the information read. The output device is configured to output the information transferred. The notifying circuitry is configured to notify the second processing circuit of an activation timing of the first processing circuit. The second processing circuit is configured to start to transfer the information after being notified of the activation timing of the first processing circuit or request the first processing circuit to cancel reading of the information, according to a time by which the activation timing notified is delayed from an activation timing of the second processing circuit.

This image forming device is provided with: an image reading unit; a control unit which generates distribution data indicating the distribution of an angle of inclination of documents (D) read during a pre-determined time period, performs a test to determine whether there is a significant difference between the distribution data and standard distribution data, and on the basis of the test result determines whether maintenance of the image forming device is required; and a communication unit which, if it has been determined that maintenance is required, transmits a maintenance request notification to a service system.

Examples to facilitate facsimile communication are described herein. In an example, on receiving a communication error for a call session, values of communication parameters to be used for another call session, which is subsequent to the call session for which the communication error is received, may be determined. The communication parameter may be, for instance, a transmission rate and an error correction mode (ECM). The values of the communication parameters in the subsequent call session may be determined, based on values of these parameters in a previous call session(s), i.e., the call session for which the communication error is received. Further, a communication channel may be established using the determined values of the communication parameters.

An information processing apparatus includes, a reception unit configured to receive an instruction to transfer the information processing apparatus to the second power state, an analysis unit configured, when the reception unit receives the instruction, to analyze a factor limiting the transfer of the information processing apparatus to the second power state, and a control unit configured, when the analysis unit analyzes the factor and as a result the factor is a first factor, to control the information processing apparatus to transfer to the third power state without waiting until the factor is resolved, and configured, when the factor is a second factor, to control the information processing apparatus to wait until the factor is resolved, and to transfer to the second power state.

The automatic document feeder includes a multi-feed detection sensor unit, a sensor control unit, and a control board on which the sensor control unit is mounted. The multi-feed detection sensor unit includes a transmission board on which a transmission sensor and a detection circuit of a drive current of the transmission sensor are mounted, a reception board on which a reception sensor and an amplifier circuit of a reception signal of the reception sensor are mounted, and a relay board on which a drive circuit of the transmission sensor is mounted. The sensor control unit stores first fault information indicating that the relay board is disconnected if the relay board is disconnected, stores second fault information indicating that the reception board is at fault if an output value of the amplifier circuit is equal to or less than a first threshold, stores third fault information indicating that the transmission board is at fault if the detection circuit does not detect the drive current, and stores fourth fault information indicating that the transmission sensor or the reception sensor is damaged if the output value of the amplifier circuit is equal to or less than a second threshold. If the fault information is stored, the sensor control unit transmits, to an image forming apparatus, an instruction signal for causing the fault information to be displayed.