Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming toner images on an image carrier, a transfer unit for transferring an image on an image carrier onto a transfer medium, a detecting unit for detecting a toner image for detection on the image carrier, and a cleaning unit having a cleaning member that comes in and out of contact with the surface of the image carrier, wherein the cleaning unit is disposed downstream of the detecting unit and upstream of the transfer unit in the traveling direction of the image carrier, and the cleaning member is brought in contact with the image carrier when removing a toner image for detection on the image carrier.

Abstract: A lens apparatus in which setting information for each function related to image-capturing with the lens apparatus can be changed only by special operations. The lens apparatus includes an optical device, memory for storing setting data, and a controller for controlling changing the data in the memory. The function settings defined for each subject of TV shooting cannot be easily changed. As such, the problem of accidentally activating unintended functions during the operation of switches on a drive unit can thus be prevented.

Abstract: In a lens device, when a lens is subjected to speed control and when initialization in which an absolute position of the lens is initialized after a power supply is turned on is completed, the lens is returned to a position before the lens is initialized.

Abstract: An ink container for supplying ink to an ink-jet recording element. The ink container includes a container body, a gas liquid separator, and an exhaust chamber cover. The container body includes an ink chamber and an exhaust chamber through which air is exhausted from the ink chamber. The ink chamber is provided with an ink outlet and an ink inlet. The exhaust chamber is provided with a vent. The gas liquid separator is disposed between the ink chamber and the exhaust chamber. The exhaust chamber cover covers the exhaust chamber. When the outside temperature changes, rate of temperature change of the inner surface of the exhaust chamber cover is slower than that of the inner surface of the container body.

Abstract: A fixation method for fixing an optical member to a holding member using irradiation of a laser beam. The method includes the steps of inserting the optical member into the holding member, providing a fixing member, mounting the fixing member to the holding member having the optical member positioned therebetween, and irradiating laser beams on the holding member through the fixing member.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a light-quantity-adjusting unit, a first lens unit disposed closer to an object than the light-quantity-adjusting unit, a second lens unit disposed closer to an image plane than the light-quantity-adjusting unit, and a drive unit for driving the first lens unit and the second lens unit in an orthogonal-to-optical-axis direction.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus in which the ratio between the brightness just before preliminary light emission and the brightness at preliminary light emission is calculated for each of a plurality of photometric areas. The highest ratio among the ratios in the areas is extracted as a reference value, the extracted reference value is compared with the ratio in each area, and a weighting coefficient in each area is calculated. By using the obtained weighting coefficient, the amount of light to be emitted for obtaining correct exposure is calculated.

Abstract: A unit includes cartridge electrical contacts provided at respective ends of the cartridge in a longitudinal direction and electrically connecting with body electrical contacts when the cartridge is properly mounted to the image forming apparatus. The cartridge electrical contacts are electrically connected to each other. Mounting the cartridge to the image forming apparatus forms a detection circuit via the cartridge.

Abstract: An ink print head reducing ink supply errors caused by air bubbles in order to stably supply ink at larger amounts. The ink print head includes an ink container for holding ink, a recording element for discharging the ink supplied from the ink container, a duct disposed between the ink container and the recording element to transfer the ink to the recording element, and an inductive channel which communicates with the duct. The inductive channel transfers the ink to the recording element from the ink container, and has a capillary force greater than that of the duct.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a zoom lens which includes a first lens group, which can have a positive refracting power; a second lens group, which can have a negative refracting power, and can move during zooming; a third lens group, which can have a positive refracting power; and a fourth lens group, which can have a positive refracting power, and can move during zooming, the lens groups being aligned in order from front to back, where the focal lengths fw and ft of the whole system at a wide-angle end and at a telescopic end, respectively, can satisfy the following conditions: 0.15<fw/f4 <0.26 1.0<f3/(fw·ft)1/2<1.2.

Abstract: A charging device includes magnetic particles, a magnetic particle carrying member that magnetically carries the magnetic particles into contact with a member to be charged, and a magnetic particle adjusting unit for adjusting an amount per unit area of magnetic particles carried on the magnetic particle carrying member so that the amount per unit area of magnetic particles carried is larger in end regions of the magnetic particle carrying member in the longitudinal direction than in a central region of the magnetic particle carrying member in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a load-lock chamber disposed between the vacuum chamber and outside the exposure apparatus, a reticle cassette configured to hold a reticle, a conveying unit configured to convey the reticle cassette between the vacuum chamber and the load-lock chamber, and an opening and closing unit configured to open and close the reticle cassette. The opening and closing unit is disposed within the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first optical element including an incidence plane on which light from an object is incident, the incidence plane being in contact with the surrounding environment; a main body having an inside and housing the first optical element such that the incidence plane and the inside of the main body are hermetically sealed; a second optical element provided in the main body, the second optical element receiving light from the first optical element; and an absorbent member provided in the main body. In the optical device, the absorbent member has a moisture absorptive capacity corresponding to at least an amount of water retention inside the main body.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus that forms an optical image of a document with an image-forming lens onto an image sensor. In order to prevent deterioration in image-forming performance, the image scanning apparatus includes a restricting member for restricting displacement of the image-forming lens in the direction of the optical axis. The restricting member is provided on a supporting member for supporting the image-forming lens and the image sensor.

Abstract: A printer includes a supply member that separates and supplies a recording sheet from a sheet storage means, and a recording-sheet turning member that can turn the recording sheet. A recording sheet supplied from the sheet storage means by the supply member is turned approximately 90 degrees by the recording-sheet turning member, and is then subjected to image formation in an image forming means.

Abstract: In an inkjet recording apparatus in which a single ink supply path for hermetically sealing an ink tank and a recording head from the atmosphere is formed by connecting the ink tank to first and second hollow needles. When the ink tank is detached, the flow path is sealed in association with mounting and dismounting of the ink tank, thereby leakage of ink to the outside of the apparatus is prevented.

Abstract: A vibration-wave drive motor incorporating a multilayer piezoelectric element having reduced vibration damping as well as a design lending itself to reduced manufacturing costs and miniaturization. The multilayer piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric active part formed by a plurality of piezoelectric layers having an internal electrode, and a piezoelectric inactive part formed by an integrated piezoelectric layer with no internal electrodes. The vibration-wave drive motor consists of a vibration body including the multilayer piezoelectric element, and a contact body press contacting the vibration body.

Abstract: In a lens device, when a lens is subjected to speed control and when initialization in which an absolute position of the lens is initialized after a power supply is turned on is completed, the lens is returned to a position before the lens is initialized.

Abstract: A discharge recovery device and an ink-jet recording apparatus incorporating the same. The discharge recovery device includes a wiper reciprocating to wipe a discharging surface of a recording head. The wiper touches a pivotable wiper cleaner while moving in a forward direction, and is thereby cleaned of ink. The wiper cleaner is fixed and rubs against the wiper when the wiper moves forward. A cleaner holder also covers the wiper to prevent ink scatter when the wiper in the forward direction. As the wiper moves in a backward direction, the wiper cleaner is pivoted out of contact with the wiper via a retracting device. This reliably prevents ink from scattering during the backward movement of the wiper without reducing cleaning performance of the wiper cleaner.

Abstract: A capping unit for use with a liquid discharge head. The capping unit includes a cap for covering a discharge surface of the liquid discharge head. The cap includes air-communication openings provided at corners of the cap, and a suction opening. The air-communication openings connect a space in the cap with the atmosphere. A high negative pressure pump provides pressure to the space via the suction opening. The cap minimizes liquid spatter on the discharge surface after a suction process.