Abstract: A body frame has a main frame portion in which a process unit for sequentially performing electrophotographic processes from charging a photosensitive member to developing an image, a fixing device, a paper supply device, and a paper transport device are fixed being positioned in their places. The body frame also has an optical frame portion in which an exposure device for throwing light in accordance with printing data on the photosensitive member charged through a charging process is fixed being positioned in its place. Namely, the body frame incorporates both the main frame portion and the optical frame portion therein and, hence, the photosensitive member of the process unit and the exposure device are mounted on one main body accurately positioned with respect to each other. Therefore, images of improved quality can be obtained. Further, since it is not necessary to provide the main frame and the optical frame separately, downsizing of the entire apparatus can be attained.

Abstract: According to a two-dimensional code recognition method of the present invention, first, a two-dimensional image is input in step S1, and an edge is detected in step S2. This edge detection is performed by scanning pixels on a scanning line every several dots. A straight line is extracted in accordance with the Hough transform and the least square approximation in step S3, and a combination of straight lines is selected in step S4. Then, the size of a figure is detected in step S5. In step S6, two remaining straight lines are extracted, and the figure is extracted. In step S7, matrix information is extracted from the extracted figure, and codes are recognized. The flow returns to the selection of a combination of straight lines in step S4 until the straight line detection and the figure recognition can be accurately performed in steps S5, S6, and S7.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus including an electrically conductive brush roller for recovering and discharging a residual toner which is located in contact with a photoreceptor drum. A positive voltage is applied to a transfer roller, whereupon the toner is charged positively. As a recording region on the photoreceptor drum with an electrostatic latent image formed thereon passes the brush roller, a voltage of a potential lower than the potential of the recording region is applied to the brush roller, and the brush roller recovers the residual toner. As a non-recording region on the photoreceptor drum without the latent image thereon passes the brush roller, on the other hand, a voltage of a potential higher than the potential of the non-recording region is applied to the brush roller, and the recovered toner is discharged onto the non-recording region. The discharged toner is returned to a developing roller after a charging process.

Abstract: A checkout system has a checkout lane which includes a belt conveyor for carrying articles in one direction a video camera for imaging an article which is being carried by the belt conveyor, and a bar code scanner for reading out a bar code of the article which is being carried by the belt conveyor. A CPU recognizes and registers the article on the basis of at least one of the bar code read out by the bar code scanner and the physical features of the article which are included in an image obtained by the video camera.

Abstract: A developing unit having a pair of semicircular first sealing members longitudinally formed on a cylindrical portion of both ends of a toner conveying roller along an outer peripheral surface of a toner conveying roller such that a gap is set between the sealing members and a toner layer thickness determining plate in a frictional state. A pair of second sealing members are provided close to a position where the toner layer thickness determining plate faces the roller and at a position, opposite to a side facing the toner conveying roller. Each of the first and second sealing members applies predetermined pressure to the toner conveying roller, and each of the sealing members includes lubricating fine grains.

Abstract: An optical code reader which is held in a hand of an operator and is brought near an article having a 2-dimensional code affixed thereto at the time of reading, includes an illumination light source for illuminating the 2-dimensional code on the article, a reading unit for reading the 2-dimensional code from a light reflected by the article, and a frame for housing the light source and the reading unit, the frame having a read window through which the reflected light passes. The reading unit has an area CCD for sensing an image corresponding to the reflected light and for converting the image to an electrical signal, and a lens block for focusing the reflected light to the area CCD to form the image. The reading unit further has an optical path length adjusting cap for adjusting the length of an optical path between the read window and the lens block upon a change in the magnification of the lens block.

Abstract: A color printer includes an electrophotographic process unit for selectively exposing the photosensitive image carriers to form identical latent images thereon, developing the latent images as toner images by supplying toners of different colors, and transferring the toner images onto paper, and a control circuit for controlling amounts of exposure of the latent images to be formed by the electrophotographic process unit. Particularly, the control circuit includes a toner-save key for selecting a toner-save mode, and processing circuit for lowering the exposure amounts of the latent images in the toner-save mode, while changing a rate of the exposure amounts to compensate for a difference between development properties of the toners.

Abstract: In a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member in an electrophotographic apparatus, a developing roller and a developing blade are formed such that the hardness of the surface of the developing blade is higher than the hardness of the surface of the developing roller by 30 degrees or more in JIS-A hardness. The developing blade deforms and bites into the developing roller. Accordingly, the developing roller can be brought into tight contact with the developing blade, and a great frictional force is applied to the toner passing between the developing roller and blade to fully charge the toner.

Abstract: An ink jet print head includes pressure chambers divided by side walls formed at least partially of a piezoelectric member, voltage is applied to electrodes formed on surface of side walls, and jets ink in the pressure chambers through ink jets by causing deformation of shearing strain mode to the side walls. Each one of the side walls disposed on both sides of the pressure chambers has different operating characteristics. The volume of the ink to be jetted can be changed in three ways by selectively deforming either of the side walls of the pressure chamber from which the ink is to be jetted or by deforming both of the side walls of the pressure chamber simultaneously. Accordingly, gradation can be acquired by a simply constructed print head.

Abstract: The thermal head supporting device of the invention comprises a pair of positioning members disposed at both sides of a platen, a head press/release mechanism movable toward and away from the platen, and a head unit coupled with the head press/release mechanism. The positioning members are disposed coaxially with the platen. The head unit is formed of a head supporting member removably coupled to the head press/release mechanism with a predetermined play, a thermal head supported on the head supporting member and having a plurality of heating elements arranged in a straight line thereon and in confronting relationship with the platen, and a pair of engagement members attached to both sides of the thermal head adjustably for position, and each of the engagement members has a cutting formed therein allowing each positioning member to be removably fitted therein.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an ink jet printer head, includes the steps of cutting a plurality of channels for forming a plurality of ink chambers, on the upper surface of a substrate including at least one piezoelectric member polarized across its thickness; adsorbing Sn on the upper surface of the substrate including the inner surfaces of the channels; forming a pattern resist film on the upper surface of the substrate on which the Sn has been absorbed adsorbing Pd as a catalyst core for electroless plating on the electrode forming portions and the wiring pattern forming portions; separating the pattern resist film; immersing the substrate from which the pattern resist film has been separated into a plating liquid to deposit plating on the electrode forming portions and the wiring pattern forming portions; and mounting on the substrate a top plate for covering upper openings of the channels and a nozzle plate for covering front openings of the channels to form the above ink chambers.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for driving an edge emission type line head having a plurality of edge emission type EL elements grouped in blocks. Each group of the edge emission type EL elements has a channel electrode connected to a channel driver and has a common electrode connected via a matrix circuit to common terminals of a common driver. The channel driver outputs voltages while the common driver outputs alternately a positive and a negative high voltage. If something happens to stop the function of the line head in operation, the output of the common driver is stopped after a pair of a positive and a negative high voltage is output by one common terminal, or after one-line output is effected by the common driver. This helps prolong the service life of the edge emission type EL elements constituting the line head.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a contact charging device for uniformly charging a moving subject surface to a given potential by bringing a charging member to which a voltage is applied into contact with the moving subject surface. The charging member has a brush structure formed by closely setting a plurality of conductive bristle members into a conductive base member. The charging member is positioned so that the amount of engagement of the conductive bristle members with the subject surface is large on the upstream side of a surface moving direction of the subject surface and small on the downstream side of the surface moving direction. Accordingly, the adhesion of all the conductive bristle members to the subject surface can be enhanced and the deformation of all the conductive bristle members can be prevented. Further, the springing phenomenon of the conductive bristle members on the upstream side having a high charging efficiency can be eliminated.

Abstract: A paper sheet feeder device for a printer apparatus includes a plate on which a stack of paper sheets is mounted, a paper feeder roller arranged above the front end of the paper feeder plate and rotated to pick up the paper sheets from the paper feeder plate, a cover for supporting the paper feeder plate to cause the paper sheets to be in contact with the paper feeder roller, and a paper sheet separator pad arranged adjacent to the front end of the paper feeder plate to introduce the paper sheets from the paper feeder plate to a certain position on the outer circumference of the roller and cooperate with the roller to separate the top one from the other paper sheets on the paper feeder plate. In particular, the cover includes a projecting section for freely swingably supporting the rear end of the paper feeder plate when it is projected outside through an opening formed in a side of the printer apparatus, and a spring for urging the paper feeder plate to the roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving edge-emission type electroluminescent elements to emit light to expose an image carrier and to form image data clearly on the image carrier. The edge-emission type electroluminescent elements have electrodes and emit light when a potential difference across the electrodes exceeds a preset threshold value. Electric pulses are supplied to the electrodes of the edge-emission type electroluminescent elements to cause the potential difference across the electrodes to exceed the preset threshold value so that the edge-emission type electroluminescent elements emit light. A series of pulses are supplied for each pixel of image data.

Abstract: A checkout apparatus comprises a reading section for reading article codes of articles, and a first feeding section for feeding the articles whose article code are read by the reading section.