Detecting a current state of an image processing apparatus and selecting image processing based on the detected current state

• US 20050248801A1
• Filed: 05/09/2005
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Miyahara, Seiji, Ouchi, Satoshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,852,500 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.140
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00002 Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for error detection, error correction or monitoring in digital computers or digital computer components G06F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00007 relating to particular apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00031 Testing, i.e. determining the result of a trial H04N1/00029 takes precedence; using test signals for transmission mode changing H04N2201/33371
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00037 Detecting, i.e. determining the occurrence of a predetermined state H04N1/00031 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00045 using a reference pattern designed for the purpose, e.g. a test chart
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00079 remotely
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00082 Adjusting or controlling interrupting an operation H04N1/00915; inhibiting an operation H04N1/00925
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32496 Changing the task performed, e.g. reading and transmitting, receiving and reproducing, copying facsimile mode changing H04N1/333
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0091 Digital copier; digital 'photocopier' H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

An apparatus, method, system, computer program and product, capable of detecting a current state of an image processing apparatus and selecting image processing based on the detected current state are disclosed. The detected current state may be used to determine whether to generate a service call signal.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a detector configured to obtain current state information;

a storage device configured to store normal state information corresponding to the current state information; and

a controller configured to compare the current state information with the normal state information, to detect a current state of the image forming apparatus based on the comparison result, and based on the detected current state to select either normal state image processing or abnormal state image processing.

2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an image processor configured to apply the selected image processing.

3. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to further generate a service call signal when the abnormal state image processing is selected.

4. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage device is configured to further store history data.

5. The image forming apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to further determine whether to generate a service call signal based on the history data.

6. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the current state information includes a plurality types of information.

7. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an image forming device configured to form a test pattern image, with the current state information being obtained from the test pattern image.

8. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a detector configured to obtain current state information;

a storage device configured to store normal state information corresponding to the current state information; and

a controller configured to compare the current state information with the normal state information, to detect a current state of the image forming apparatus based on the comparison result, and based on the detected current state to select either normal state image processing or abnormal state image processing.

9. The image forming apparatus of claim 8, wherein the service call signal is generated when the abnormal state image processing is selected.

10. The image forming apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

means for storing history data,

wherein the service call signal is generated based on the history data, when the normal state image processing is selected.

11. An image forming apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining current state information;

means for selecting image processing based on at least the current state information;

means for storing history data; and

means for generating a service call signal based on the history data.

12. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a detector configured to obtain current state information;

a storage device configured to store normal state information corresponding to the current state information; and

a controller configured to compare the current state information with the normal state information, to detect a current state of the image forming apparatus based on the comparison result, and based on the detected current state to select either normal state image processing or abnormal state image processing.

13. The image processing selecting method of claim 12, further comprising:

generating a service call signal based on the detected current state.

14. The image processing selecting method of claim 12, further comprising:

storing history data; and

generating a service call signal based on the history data.

15. A computer program, adapted to, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of claim 12.

16. A computer program product, including the computer program of claim 15.

17. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a detector configured to obtain current state information;

a storage device configured to store normal state information corresponding to the current state information; and

a controller configured to compare the current state information with the normal state information, to detect a current state of the image forming apparatus based on the comparison result, and based on the detected current state to select either normal state image processing or abnormal state image processing.