A number-of-documents calculator calculates a number of original documents on a document placement tray from their weight detected by a weight sensor. A controller sets a resolution to a predetermined first resolution when the number of original documents is less than a predetermined number or sets the resolution to a predetermined second resolution lower than the first resolution when the number of original documents is not less than the predetermined number, and allows a document reader to read images of the original documents at the set first or second resolution. A special document detector determines, based on image data on the original document, whether the original document satisfies a predetermined condition, and detects the original document satisfying the condition as a special original document preferably to be read at a third resolution higher than the first resolution. A notifier notifies a user that the special original document has been detected.

An image processing apparatus capable of suppressing occurrence of an error due to an increase in the amount of data transfer per unit time while suppressing occurrence of an error due to thickness of a conveyed document sheet. A conveying speed of a document sheet is controlled based on the thickness thereof. As a frequency of an image transfer clock for transferring image data of the document sheet from a scanner section to an image processor, a frequency is used which is the lower of a first frequency determined based on whether an image processing process is executed in parallel with any other image processing process different from the image processing process and a second frequency determined based on the thickness of the document sheet.

Embodiment of systems and methods for the sending, delivery or receiving of faxes are disclosed herein. In particular, certain embodiments include a fax connector that may be deployed at users' sites, and a fax registration system that may be deployed remotely from these users' site. The fax connector can be accessed at a user's site over a computer based network in order to perform functions associated with faxing, including sending, receiving and obtaining status on faxes. The fax connector deployed at a sending user's site communicates with the fax registration system to obtain destination data associated with a recipient user's fax connector and transmits the fax to the destination fax connector over the computer based network based on the destination data obtained from the registration system. The fax can then be presented to the recipient at the recipient user's site.

An image forming apparatus includes an operation device that is connected to the image forming apparatus and receives an operation to the image forming apparatus; a processing unit that performs a predetermined processing by a first application in the image forming apparatus or the operation device; an error detecting unit that detects the error in the processing by the first application; a control unit that starts up a second application to resolve the error upon the error is detected; a transmission unit that transmits error data formed based on the contents of the error from the first application to the second application; and a display unit that displays the operation screen of the second application based on the error data.

Embodiment of systems and methods for the sending, delivery or receiving of faxes are disclosed herein. In particular, certain embodiments include a fax connector that may be deployed at users' sites, and a fax registration system that may be deployed remotely from these users' site. The fax connector can be accessed at a user's site over a computer based network in order to perform functions associated with faxing, including sending, receiving and obtaining status on faxes. The fax connector deployed at a sending user's site communicates with the fax registration system to obtain destination data associated with a recipient user's fax connector and transmits the fax to the destination fax connector over the computer based network based on the destination data obtained from the registration system. The fax can then be presented to the recipient at the recipient user's site.

An image processing apparatus capable of suppressing occurrence of an error due to an increase in the amount of data transfer per unit time while suppressing occurrence of an error due to thickness of a conveyed document sheet. A conveying speed of a document sheet is controlled based on the thickness thereof. As a frequency of an image transfer clock for transferring image data of the document sheet from a scanner section to an image processor, a frequency is used which is the lower of a first frequency determined based on whether an image processing process is executed in parallel with any other image processing process different from the image processing process and a second frequency determined based on the thickness of the document sheet.

Systems and methods for detecting the presence of metallic objects in media to be conveyed in a medium transport system are disclosed. One or more induction sensors are included in the medium transport system to detect the presence of metal in the transported media, with detection signals sent from the sensors to a system processing unit. An ultrasonic detector is employed in some embodiments to output another detection signal. One or more microphones may also be included, for detecting the sound created as the medium is being transported. The system processing unit analyzes various detection signals and analyzes computed sound values from the microphones, to determine the presence and location of metal in the media. A position jam detector may assist in determining jams of the media along the medium transport path.

A system and method for paper jam prediction includes a processor, memory and a network interface. Ongoing paper jam data is received from an identified, networked multifunction peripheral. Service call data for the multifunction peripheral indicative of prior service calls is stored in the memory. A sampling window of the paper jam data prior to a service call date is defined and a point in the sampling window when no symptoms of a forthcoming paper jam were present is determined so as to define a prediction window. A relationship between paper jam data in the prediction window of the sampling window and paper jam data outside the prediction window in the sampling window is determined and incoming paper jam data is monitored relative to the relationship data. A paper jam warning is generated when monitored incoming paper jam data indicates a forthcoming paper jam on the multifunction peripheral.

A system and method for paper jam prediction includes a processor, memory and a network interface. Ongoing paper jam data is received from an identified, networked multifunction peripheral. Service call data for the multifunction peripheral indicative of prior service calls is stored in the memory. A sampling window of the paper jam data prior to a service call date is defined and a point in the sampling window when no symptoms of a forthcoming paper jam were present is determined so as to define a prediction window. A relationship between paper jam data in the prediction window of the sampling window and paper jam data outside the prediction window in the sampling window is determined and incoming paper jam data is monitored relative to the relationship data. A paper jam warning is generated when monitored incoming paper jam data indicates a forthcoming paper jam on the multifunction peripheral.

A system and method for multifunction peripheral device failure prediction includes a processor, memory and a network interface. The system receives device status data from each of a plurality of identified multifunction peripherals. Service history data for each of the multifunction peripherals is stored in memory. The processor detects anomalies in received device status data and generates predictive device failure data for at least one identified multifunction peripheral in accordance with detected anomalies and service history data. Predictive device failure data can be used to schedule technician visits or add device maintenance to previously scheduled visits. Such scheduling can include scheduling of service to geographically clustered devices.