Author: claimsbot

1. A method for message stream rank comprising:
receiving a message stream including a plurality of messages, wherein each of the messages is associated with metadata attributes;
counting the occurrence of the metadata attributes associated with the messages in the message stream;
generating a list of trending topics based on the occurrences of the metadata attributes;
tracking, by using a plurality of ratio counters, ratio progression as the message stream is received, wherein the plurality of ratio counters each records ratio data of the plurality of messages for a corresponding ratio genre based on the metadata attributes; and
correlating, based on the ratio progression, a trending topic to a plurality of ratio genre to identify one or more ratio trends in the list of trending topics,
wherein a ratio genre includes one or more of gender, ethnicity, or geographical region.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
producing a trend database, wherein each record of the trend database includes a count for a specific condition based on the metadata attributes in which a message occurred in a timeframe.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
presenting list of trending metadata attributes based on the counts of the records of the trend database.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the metadata attributes include topics, types, hashtags, mentioned people, author, links, geographic segments, ethnicity, or genders.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein a record of the trend database further include a plurality of relative counters, each representing a percentage of how many messages out of a total volume of messages are with a particular metadata attribute, and
a plurality of acceleration counters, each representing an acceleration rate of a particular metadata attribute over a predetermined time period.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
automatically identifying an audience segment correlated with a trending topic based on the messages from users of the audience segment.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
presenting the trending topics as scatters in quadrant scatter plot, wherein a volume of each scatter indicates a metadata attribute of the topics.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
producing an animation of the quadrant scatter plot over a time period to reflect how users’ attentions changes on the trending topics.
9. A system comprising:
a network component configured to receive a microcontent message from a social networking server;
a processor; and
a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform a process including:
receiving a message stream including a plurality of messages, wherein each of the messages is associated with metadata attributes;
counting the occurrence of the metadata attributes associated with the messages in the message stream;
generating a list of trending topics based on the occurrences of the metadata attributes;
tracking, by using a plurality of ratio counters, ratio progression as the message stream is received, wherein the plurality of ratio counters each records ratio data of the plurality of messages for a corresponding ratio genre based on the metadata attributes; and
correlating, based on the ratio progression, a trending topic to a plurality of ratio genre to identify one or more ratio trends in the list of trending topics,
wherein a ratio genre includes one or more of gender, ethnicity, or geographical region.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the process further comprises:
producing a trend database, wherein each record of the trend database includes a count for a specific condition based on the metadata attributes in which a message occurred in a timeframe.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the process further comprises:
presenting list of trending metadata attributes based on the counts of the records of the trend database.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein the metadata attributes include topics, types, hashtags, mentioned people, author, links, geographic segments, ethnicity, or genders.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein a record of the trend database further include a plurality of relative counters, each representing a percentage of how many messages out of a total volume of messages are with a particular metadata attribute, and
a plurality of acceleration counters, each representing an acceleration rate of a particular metadata attribute over a predetermined time period.
14. The system of claim 9, wherein the process further comprises:
automatically identifying an audience segment correlated with a trending topic based on the messages from users of the audience segment.
15. The system of claim 9, wherein the process further comprises:
presenting the trending topics as scatters in quadrant scatter plot, wherein a volume of each scatter indicates a metadata attribute of the topics.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the process further comprises:
producing an animation of the quadrant scatter plot over a time period to reflect how users’ attentions changes on the trending topics.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:
a detector unit configured to detect an event that a user logged in to the image processing apparatus logs out;
an query unit configured to be operable when said detector unit detects the event, to query the user whether or not to change a setting of a job under execution; and
a control unit configured to be operable when the setting of the job is to be changed as a result of the query made by said query unit, to change the setting of the job and then perform a logout, and, when the setting of the job is not to be changed as a result of the query made by said query unit, to restrict the logout.
2. An image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the job is an interactive job that requires an instruction from the user after a start of execution of the job and before an end of the execution of the job.
3. An image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein when the setting of the job is to be changed, said control unit changes the job into a non-interactive job.
4. An image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a first determination unit configured to be operable when the event is detected by said detector unit, to determine whether or not an interactive job is under execution,
wherein said control unit configured to be operable when said first determination unit determines that no interactive job is under execution, to perform the logout without making the query by said query unit.
5. An image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second determination unit configured to determine whether or not the event detected by said detector unit is a logout event caused by an instruction from the user, and
a cancellation unit configured to be operable when said second determination unit determines that the event is not a logout event caused by the instruction from the user, to cancel the job without making the query by said query unit.
6. An image processing apparatus comprising:
a detector unit configured to detect an event that a user logs in to the image processing apparatus;
a determination unit configured to be operable when the event is detected by said detector unit, to determine whether or not an interactive job that requires an instruction from a user after a start of execution of the job and before an end of the execution of the job is under execution; and
a control unit configured to be operable when said determination unit determines that the interactive job is under execution, to query a user whether or not to cancel the interactive job, and, when said determination unit determines that the interactive job is not under execution, to perform a login to the image processing apparatus without making the query.
7. An image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said control unit is operable when cancellation of the interactive job is designated as a result of the query, to cancel the interactive job, and then perform the login to the image processing apparatus.
8. An image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a display unit configured to be operable when said control unit performs the login, to display an operating screen associated with the logged-in user.
9. A method of controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising:
a detection step of detecting an event that a user logged in to the image processing apparatus logs out;
a query step of querying the user whether or not to change a setting of a job under execution, when the event is detected in said detection step; and
a control step of changing the setting of the job and then performing a logout, when the setting of the job is to be changed as a result of the query made in said query step, and, restricting the logout when the setting of the job is not to be changed as a result of the query made in said query step.
10. A method of controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising:
a detection step of detecting an event that a user logs in to the image processing apparatus;
a determination step of determining whether or not an interactive job that requires an instruction from a user after a start of execution of the job and before an end of the execution of the job is under execution, when the event is detected in said detection step; and
a control step of querying a user whether or not to cancel the interactive job, when it is determined in said determination step that the interactive job is under execution, and, performing a login to the image processing apparatus without making the query, when it is determined in said determination step that the interactive job is not under execution.
11. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute a method of controlling an image processing apparatus,
wherein the program comprises:
a detection module for detecting an event that a user logged in to the image processing apparatus logs out;
a query module for querying the user whether or not to change a setting of a job under execution, when the event is detected by said detection module; and
a control module for changing the setting of the job and then performing a logout, when the setting of the job is to be changed as a result of the query made by said query module, and, restricting the logout when the setting of the job is not to be changed as a result of the query made by said query module.
12. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute a method of controlling an image processing apparatus,
wherein the program comprises:
a detection module for detecting an event that a user logs in to the image processing apparatus;
a determination module for determining whether or not an interactive job that requires an instruction from a user after a start of execution of the job and before an end of the execution of the job is under execution, when the event is detected by said detection module; and
a control module for querying a user whether or not to cancel the interactive job, when it is determined by said determination module that the interactive job is under execution, and, performing a login to the image processing apparatus without making the query, when it is determined by said determination module that the interactive job is not under execution.

1. A fixing apparatus of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a heat generating member having a metal layer;
a first induction current generating device disposed close to the heat generating member;
a belt that is opposite to the heat generating member, is rotatably supported by a plurality of rollers, and comes in contact with the heat generating member; and
a pressing member that presses the belt to the heat generating member and forms a nip between the heat generating member and the belt at a time when the heat generating member and the belt come in contact with each other.
2. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member includes an auxiliary pressure member that is brought into contact with an inner periphery of the belt and a spring member that presses the auxiliary pressure member in a direction toward the heat generating member.
3. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a pressing force of the belt to the heat generating member by the pressing member forms a load distribution in a width of the nip.
4. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pressing member includes an auxiliary pressure member that is brought into contact with an inner periphery of the belt and a spring member that presses the elastic member in a direction toward the heat generating member, and
hardness of the auxiliary pressure member varies in a rotation direction of the belt.
5. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary pressure member is divided into a plurality of blocks in the rotation direction of the belt.
6. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second induction current generating device opposite to a metal roller as one of the plurality of rollers through the belt, wherein the second induction current generating device induction-heats the metal roller.
7. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a movement mechanism to integrally and movably support the belt and the pressing member.
8. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating member includes a metal belt having the metal layer and an elastic roller disposed inside the metal belt and having an elastic layer.
9. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating member includes a plurality of rollers at least one of which has the metal layer and a second belt supported by the plurality of rollers.
10. A fixing apparatus of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a heat generating member having a metal layer;
a first induction current generating device disposed close to the heat generating member;
a belt mechanism including a belt that is opposite to the heat generating member, is rotatably supported by a plurality of rollers, and comes in contact with the heat generating member, and a pressing member that presses the belt to the heat generating member at a time when the heat generating member and the belt comes in contact with each other and forms a nip between the heat generating member and the belt;
a movement mechanism that moves the belt mechanism to release a pressing force of the belt mechanism to the heat generating member; and
a second induction current generating device that is disposed around the belt and heats the belt by induction heating.
11. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of rollers includes an opposite roller disposed to be opposite to the heat generating member and a metal roller spaced from the heat generating member, and the second induction current generating device induction-heats the metal roller.
12. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the movement mechanism moves the belt mechanism while an axis of the metal roller is made a rotation axis, and spaces the belt from the heat generating member.
13. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 12, during a period when the belt is spaced from the heat generating member, the metal roller is induction-heated by the second induction current generating device.
14. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the movement mechanism moves the belt mechanism while an axis of the opposite roller is made a rotation center.
15. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the opposite roller is opposite to the heat generating member through a space.
16. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the heat generating member includes a metal belt having the metal layer and an elastic roller disposed inside the metal belt and including an elastic layer.
17. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the heat generating member includes a plurality of rollers at least one of which has the metal layer and a second belt supported by the plurality of rollers.
18. A fixing apparatus of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a heat generating member having a metal layer;
a first induction current generating device disposed close to the heat generating member;
a belt mechanism including a belt that is opposite to the heat generating member, is rotatably supported by a plurality of rollers, and comes in contact with the heat generating member, and a pressing member that presses the belt to the heat generating member at a time when the heat generating member and the belt come in contact with each other and forms a nip between the heat generating member and the belt; and
a second induction current generating device that is disposed around the belt and heats the belt by induction heating;
wherein the heat generating member and the belt mechanism are unitized, the heat generating member is spaced from the first induction current generating device, and the belt mechanism is spaced from the second induction current generating device.
19. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the heat generating member and the belt mechanism which are unitized are integrally slid and moved in a vertical direction to axes of the plurality of rollers.
20. A fixing apparatus of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a fixing member that nips and transports a fixed medium in a predetermined direction by a heat generating member having a metal layer and an opposite member that comes in pressure contact with the heat generating member, and fixes the fixed medium;
a first induction current generating device that is disposed close to the heat generating member and heats the metal layer;
a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the fixing member; and
a control unit that corrects a detection result of the temperature sensor based on a correction value estimated from a temperature gradient characteristic of the fixing member and controls power supplied to the first induction current generating device.
21. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the correction value is a difference between the temperature gradient characteristic of the fixing member and a reference temperature gradient characteristic.
22. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the control unit further corrects the power supplied to the first induction current generating device based on a characteristic of the fixed medium.
23. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the characteristic of the fixed medium is at least one of a weight of the fixed medium, a thickness of the fixed medium, and a size of the fixed medium.
24. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the correction value is converted into a power value.
25. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the temperature gradient characteristic of the fixing member is a temperature gradient characteristic during a period of a spaced state of the heat generating member and the opposite member.
26. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the period of the spaced state is a period after warming-up is started and before the fixing member reaches a prerun temperature.
27. A fixing apparatus of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a heat generating member having a metal layer;
a first induction current generating device disposed close to the heat generating member;
a belt that is opposite to the heat generating member, is rotatably supported by a plurality of rollers, and cooperates with the heat generating member to nip and transport a fixed member in a predetermined direction;
a second induction current generating device that is disposed around the belt and heats the belt by induction heating;
a pressing member that presses the belt to the heat generating member at a time of contact between the heat generating member and the belt and forms a nip between the heat generating member and the belt;
a heater temperature sensor to detect a surface temperature of the heat generating member;
a belt temperature sensor to detect a surface temperature of the belt; and
a control unit that corrects a detection result of the heater temperature sensor based on a correction value estimated from a temperature gradient characteristic of the heat generating member obtained by the heater temperature sensor in a spaced state of the heat generating member and the belt, and controls power supplied to the first induction current generating device.
28. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the correction value is a difference between the temperature gradient characteristic of the heat generating member and a reference temperature gradient characteristic.
29. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the control unit further corrects a detection result of the belt temperature sensor based on the correction value, and controls power supplied to the second induction current generating device.
30. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the control unit further corrects the power supplied to the first induction current generating device and the power supplied to the second induction current generating device based on a characteristic of the fixed medium.
31. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the characteristic of the fixed medium is at least one of a weight of the fixed medium, a thickness of the fixed medium, and a size of the fixed medium.
32. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the correction value is converted into a power value.
33. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the temperature gradient characteristic of the heat generating member is a temperature gradient characteristic during a period of a spaced state of the heat generating member and the opposite member.
34. The fixing apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the period of the spaced state is a period after warming-up is started and before the fixing member reaches a prerun temperature.
35. A fixing apparatus of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a fixing member that nips and transports a fixed medium in a predetermined direction by a heat generating member having a metal layer and an opposite member that comes in pressure contact with the heat generating member, and fixes the fixed medium;
a first induction current generating device that is disposed close to the heat generating member and heats the metal layer;
a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the fixing member; and
a control unit that corrects a detection result of the temperature sensor based on a correction value estimated from a temperature gradient characteristic of the fixing member when the temperature detection result of the temperature sensor is 100\xb0 C. or lower, and controls power supplied to the first induction current generating device.
36. A control method of a fixing apparatus, comprising:
nipping and transporting a fixed medium in a predetermined direction by a heat generating member having a metal layer heated by a first induction current generating device and an opposite member that comes in pressure contact with the heat generating member, and fixing the fixed medium;
detecting a temperature of the fixing member;
obtaining a correction value for causing a temperature gradient characteristic of the fixing member to coincide with a reference temperature gradient characteristic; and
correcting a detection result of a temperature sensor based on the correction value and controlling power supplied to the first induction current generating device.
37. The control method of the fixing apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the correction value is obtained from a difference between the temperature gradient characteristic of the fixing member and the reference temperature gradient characteristic.
38. The control method of the fixing apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the temperature gradient characteristic of the fixing member is a temperature gradient characteristic in a period of a spaced state of the heat generating member and the opposite member.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A processing apparatus to direct operation of a set of digital-to-analog converters, comprising:
a load detection module connected to said set of digital-to-analog converters said load detection module being configured to detect an output voltage of each of said set of digital-to-analog converters to determine whether said each of said set of digital-to-analog converters is connected to an output device via a coupling capacitor, said output voltage being detected subsequent to a start of transmission of a pulse of electrical energy by said each of said set of digital-to-analog converters and prior to said coupling capacitor being substantially charged up by said pulse of electrical energy; and
a control module connected to said set of digital-to-analog converters and to said load detection module, said control module being configured to direct transmission of a signal to said output device via at least one of said set of digital-to-analog converters that is connected to said output device, said control module being configured to select a format of said signal based on how many of said set of digital-to-analog converters are connected to said output device.
2. The processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said coupling capacitor has a charging time constant, said load detection module is configured to detect said output voltage at a measurement time, and said measurement time is defined with respect to said start of transmission of said pulse of electrical energy and is smaller than said charging time constant of said coupling capacitor.
3. The processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said load detection module is configured to compare said output voltage with a reference voltage to determine whether said each of said set of digital-to-analog converters is connected to said output device.
4. The processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said output device corresponds to a television set, said load detection module is configured to determine that a subset of said set of digital-to-analog converters is connected to said television set, and said control module is configured to direct said subset of said set of digital-to-analog converters to transmit a television signal to said television set.
5. The processing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said control module is configured to select a format of said television signal based on said subset of said set of digital-to-analog converters, and said format of said television signal corresponds to one of composite video format, S-video format, and component video format.
6. The processing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said control module is configured to direct a first digital-to-analog converter to transmit a first component of said television signal to said television set if said first digital-to-analog converter is connected to said television set, and said control module is configured to direct a second digital-to-analog converter to transmit a second component of said television signal to said television set if said second digital-to-analog converter is connected to said television set.
7. The processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a pulse generation module connected to said set of digital-to-analog converters, said pulse generation module being configured to direct said each of said set of digital-to-analog converters to transmit said pulse of electrical energy.