Image forming apparatus with improved efficiency of maintenance control

An image forming apparatus connected to an external device through a communication line, said external device includes means for sending a control signal to the image forming apparatus through the communication line, said image forming apparatus comprising:

• image forming means for performing an image forming operation using a predetermined value which affects image quality;
• receiving means connected with the communication line for receiving the control signal from the external device through said communication line;
• detecting means for detecting a current image forming ability of the image forming means in response to reception of said control signal;
• and
• altering means for altering said predetermined value used in said image forming operation in response to a result of said detection means.

An image forming apparatus connected to an external device through a communication line, said external device includes means for sending a control signal to the image forming apparatus through the communication line, said image forming apparatus comprising:

• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• receiving means connected with the communication line for receiving the control signal from the external device through said communication line;
• control means for detecting an operation condition of said image forming means in response to reception of said control signal and also adjusting image quality formed by said image forming means on the basis of said detected condition;
• and
• transmission means connected with said communication line for transmitting through said communication line an amount of adjustment performed by said control means.

A control system comprising:

• a control unit;
• an image forming apparatus;
• and
• a communication line connecting the image forming apparatus to said control unit;
• said image forming apparatus includes:
• image forming means for performing an image forming operation using a predetermined value which affects image quality;
• means for receiving a predetermined control signal transmitted from said control unit through said communication line;
• detecting means for detecting an operational condition of said image forming means in response to reception of said control signal;
• means for altering said predetermined value used in said image forming operation on the basis of the detected result by said detecting means;
• and
• means for transmitting information indicating the altered value to said control unit through said communication line;
• and
• said control unit includes:
• means for transmitting said control signal to said image forming apparatus;
• means for receiving the information transmitted from said image forming apparatus;
• and
• means for supplying as an output the information received by said receiving means.

An image forming apparatus connected to an external device through a communication line, said image forming apparatus comprising:

• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• key means for receiving key input;
• detecting means, actuated in response to said key input, for detecting a condition of said image forming means;
• and
• transmission means connected with said communication line for transmitting through said communication line a result detected by said detecting means to the external device together with a signal indicating that said key input is received by said key means.

An image forming apparatus connected to an external control unit through a communication line, said image forming apparatus comprising:

• image forming means for performing an image forming operation using a predetermined value for determining image quality;
• key means for receiving key input;
• means for altering said predetermined value used in said image forming operation in response to the key input of said key means;
• and
• transmission means connected with said communication line for transmitting the altered value to said control unit through said communication line together with a signal indicating that said key input is received by said key means.

An image forming apparatus connected to an external device through a communication line, comprising:

• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• detecting means for detecting an operational condition of said image forming means;
• image adjusting means for adjusting an image quality formed by said image forming means on the basis of the operational condition detected by said detecting means;
• transmission means connected with said communication line for transmitting an indication of the adjustment made by said image quality adjusting means to the external device through said communication line;
• key means for receiving key input;
• and
• control means for operating said detecting means, said image quality adjusting means, and said transmitting means in series in response to the key input of said key means.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• detecting means for detecting operation condition of said image forming means;
• image quality adjusting means for adjusting quality of an image formed by said image forming means on the basis of the detected result of said detecting means;
• input means for inputting a signal commanding adjustment of image quality;
• first control means for sequentially operating said detecting means and said image quality adjusting means in response to input of the signal from said input means;
• paper jam detecting means for detecting occurrence of paper jam in said image forming means;
• and
• second control means for forbidding operation of said first control means when a paper jam is occurring, and when the paper jam is removed, releasing the forbidden operation of said first control means and also sequentially operating said detecting means and said image quality adjusting means.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• a casing covering said image forming means and having an openable portion;
• condition detecting means for detecting operation condition of said image forming means;
• image adjusting means for adjusting quality of an image formed by said image forming means on the basis of the detected result of said condition detecting means;
• input means for inputting a signal commanding adjustment of quality of an image;
• first control means for sequentially operating said condition detecting means and said image quality adjusting means in response to input of the signal from said input means;
• open detecting means for detecting open condition of said casing;
• and
• second control means for forbidding operation of said first control means when said signal is supplied from said input means while the portion of said casing is open, and releasing the forbidden operation of said first control means and also sequentially operating said condition detecting means and said image quality adjusting means when said open detecting means detects that the portion of said casing is closed.

A control system comprising:

• a control unit;
• an image forming apparatus;
• and
• a communication line connecting the image forming apparatus to said control unit;
• said image forming apparatus includes:
• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• detecting means for detecting operation condition of said image forming means;
• and
• means for transmitting a result detected by said detecting means to said control unit through said communication line;
• and said control unit includes:
• means for receiving the detected result transmitted from said image forming apparatus;
• and
• means for setting date of a service man visit for maintenance of said image forming apparatus on the basis of the detected result received by said receiving means.

A control system of an image forming apparatus comprising an image forming apparatus and a control unit connected to said image forming apparatus through a communication line, comprising:

• detecting means for detecting operational condition of said image forming apparatus;
• schedule setting means for setting date of a service man visit for maintenance of said image forming apparatus on the basis of the detected result by said detecting means;
• and
• display means provided in said image forming apparatus for displaying the date set by said schedule setting means.

A control system comprising:

• a control unit;
• an image forming apparatus;
• and
• a communication line connecting the image forming apparatus to said control unit;
• said image forming apparatus includes:
• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• detecting means for detecting operational condition of said image forming means;
• and
• means for transmitting a result detected by said detecting means to said control unit through said communication line;
• and
• said control unit includes means for transmitting a date of a service man visit for maintenance of said image forming apparatus through said communication line to said image forming apparatus, and
• said image forming apparatus further includes means for receiving the date transmitted from said control unit and display means for displaying said received date.

An image forming apparatus connectable to an external control unit through a communication line, comprising:

• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• receiving means for receiving a signal indicating a date of a service man visit for maintenance of said image forming apparatus transmitted from said control unit;
• and
• display means for displaying said date on the basis of said received signal.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• detecting means for detecting a condition of the apparatus;
• and
• date setting means for setting a date for a service visit for maintenance of the apparatus on the basis of the condition detected by said detecting means.

A control system comprising:

• a control unit;
• an image forming apparatus;
• a communication line connecting the image forming apparatus to said control unit;
• said image forming apparatus includes:
• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• detecting means for detecting a condition of the apparatus;
• and
• means for transmitting data representing the condition detected by said detecting means to said control unit through said communication line;
• said control unit includes:
• means for receiving the data sent through the communication line;
• and
• date setting means for setting a date for a service visit for maintenance of the apparatus on the basis of the data received by said receiving means.