Abstract: A method for printing on a metal item includes the step of successively forming a plurality of electrostatic latent images based on print information color-separated into yellow, magenta, cyan and black, on a photosensitive drum. The electrostatic latent images are successively developed by toners of different colors corresponding to the color-separated print information. A multicolor toner image is formed on an intermediate transfer medium having a cushion layer thereon by successively repeating a process in which the toner images are transferred to the intermediate transfer medium in layers. The multicolor toner image is transferred onto a surface of a metal item. Thereafter, the multicolor toner image is fixed on the surface of the metal item.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for and a method of producing devices, in which an original pattern such as a reticle is projected onto an object such as a wafer to be exposed, through a projection optical system. The projection optical system includes at least one optical element, optical characteristics thereof having been tested using a measuring beam having a first wavelength region. An exposure light source emits a light beam having a second wavelength region, selected independently from the first wavelength region, to irradiate the original pattern with the beam from the exposure light source, so that an image of the pattern is projected onto the object through the projection optical system, thereby exposing the object to produce the device.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus and method wherein a mask is illuminated with light and light one of transmitted through and reflected from the illuminated mask is imaged onto a substrate. At least during imaging transmission of light one of transmitted and reflected from the illuminated mask is partially inhibited. More particularly, a spatial filter is utilized for inhibiting at least a portion of O-order diffraction light.

Abstract: An improvement of microfilm camera with a marking device in which an image of a document is photographed on a roll film mounted in a cassette using a slit exposure system and a two-dimensional digital image of a mark is recorded on the roll film. The microfilm camera comprises: an image taking lens for forming the image of the document on the roll film; a mark taking lens having an optical axis inclined in the length side direction of the roll film with respect to that of the image taking lens; and a digital image generator for generating a one-dimensional digital image extending in the width side direction of the roll film and formed by said mark taking lens at or in close vicinity of the image forming position of the image taking lens. The two-dimensional image of the mark is recorded on the film by changing the one-dimensional digital image synchronously with traveling of the film.

Abstract: A photographic printing apparatus includes a light source for exposure, an optical unit for projecting an image carried on a negative film onto a photosensitive material at a predetermined magnification, a first shutter for exposure time control disposed between the light source and the negative film, and a second shutter for light shielding disposed between the optical unit and the photosensitive material. The first and second shutters are controlled such that their opening operations end simultaneously and their closing operations start simultaneously. Alternatively, the first and second shutters are controlled such that the second shutter is closed when the first shutter continues its closed state for 60 seconds or longer.

Abstract: A lithographic device includes a machine frame which supports a substrate holder, a focusing system and a mask holder in a vertical direction. The substrate holder is displaceable parallel to a horizontal X-direction and a horizontal Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction by a first positioning device, and the mask holder is displaceable parallel to the X-direction by a second positioning device. The substrate holder and the mask holder are displaced synchronously parallel to the X-direction during exposure of a semiconductor substrate. The second positioning device is capable of positioning the mask holder also parallel to the Y-direction and of rotating it about a vertical axis of rotation. Therefore, a displacement of the mask holder has a parallelism to the X-direction which is determined by a positioning accuracy of the second positioning device and which is not adversely affected by a deviation from parallelism and straightness of a guide of the second positioning device.

Abstract: A method of making more visible some characteristic to be included in a hard copy of a recorded image includes reading a variable visible characteristic within a predefined area of the recorded image to determine the visible composition of the variable characteristic. At least one stored variation of the variable characteristic is selected, based on the visible composition of the read variable characteristic, from a plurality of stored variations of the variable characteristic. The selected stored variation of the variable characteristic will have greater visibility within a predefined area of the hard copy, which corresponds to the predefined area of the recorded image, than the variable characteristic within the predefined area of the recorded image. The selected one or more characteristics are included in the predefined area of the hard copy.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process cartridge to be detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus body capable of selecting an image forming condition. The process cartridge includes a cartridge frame, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a processing device operative on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a grip member. This grip member is disposed on the cartridge frame and is capable of being gripped to select an image forming condition when the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus contains a heater and a sheet movable with a recording material in sliding contact with the heater, wherein the image is heated by heat from the heater through the sheet. The heater has an electrically insulative member, a heat generating resistor arranged on the electrically insulative member in a direction crossing with a movement direction of the sheet, an electrode for supplying electric power to the resistor and a protection layer covering the heat generating resistors, and in sliding contact with the sheet.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus comprises an image carrier (1); a latent image forming means (2); a plurality of developing means (3: 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d); a transfer drum (5) having a sheet holding surface (A); a transfer means (6); a sheet feed means (11); a sheet type discriminating means (12) for discriminating whether or not the surface rigidity of the recording sheet (4) stacked on the sheet feed means (11) is higher than the reference surface rigidity; a curl deforming means (14) arranged in a conveyance passage of the recording sheet (4) from the sheet feed means (11) to the transfer drum (5), for forcibly curling the recording sheet (4) in accordance with a radius of curvature of the transfer drum (5) when it is discriminated by the sheet type discriminating means (12) that the recording sheet (4) is highly rigid; a sheet holding control means (19) for holding the recording sheet (4) on the same sheet holding surface (A) of the transfer drum (5) irrespective of the result of discrimination conducted by th

Abstract: An improved fusing apparatus for fixing or fusing images on print media is disclosed wherein a relatively small pressure applying surface, such as the surface of a rotatable pressure wheel, is lubricated with a lubricating medium such as silicone oil, and engages the printed image to apply pressure and fuse the image to the image receiving substrate. The fusing apparatus is mounted for reciprocal back and forth movement across the printed image on the image receiving substrate or medium to fuse the image into the substrate and flatten or smooth the upper exposed surface of the ink image. The pressure wheel is passed in multiple overlapping passes over the printed image to uniformly fuse the image into the media.

Abstract: Process for preparing film strips for subsequent orders, the film strips belonging to a customer order. Each film strip includes a number of numbered masters which are fed into a preparation station. There, they are glued to a carrier belt and coiled into a film roll, which can be used at subsequent processing stations. Customer-specific order data regarding the desired number of copies of specific masters and, where applicable, the desired copy format, are entered via an input unit in the preparation station and stored onto a carrier medium which is compatible with the subsequent processing stations. In the process, the customer-specific order data are entered before the film strips are fed in.

Abstract: A method of detecting coma of a projection optical system includes receiving an image of a pattern projected by the projection optical system, at at least one position along an optical axis of the projection optical system, detecting a position of at least one received pattern image, with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the projection optical system, and determining coma of the projection optical system on the basis of the detection.

Abstract: A developing device includes a toner container for supplying toner; and a container receptacle for receiving the toner container therein. The container receptacle includes a positioning plate for positioning the toner container with respect thereto by making contact with a frontal end of the toner container in an insertion direction, and engaging means provided on the positioning plate. The engaging means has a first engaging member, and a second engaging member partially surrounding the contour of the first engaging member when viewed from a rear end of the toner container in the insertion direction.

Abstract: A discrimination apparatus and method usable in an exposure apparatus for transferring a pattern of an original onto a substrate includes a device and step for producing information related to the relative positional deviation between the original and the substrate, and a device and step for discriminating an error shot on the basis of the information. The condition for positioning discrimination is changed in accordance with a layer or shot.

Abstract: Time data required for an exposing lamp to reach to a standby temperature value from the starting of the exposing lamp heater with a rated current, and time data required for a heat roller to reach to the standby temperature from the starting of the heater lamp of the fixing apparatus with a rated current are retained in a ROM. The temperature of the heat roller and of the exposing lamp is detected when the power-save mode releasing has been instructed by the key. The start beginning timing of the exposing lamp heater and of the heater lamp is controlled so that the temperature of the exposing lamp and of the heat roller may become a standby state at substantially the same time from the time data retained based on the detected temperature value.

Abstract: A fixing device (20) for heating and then fixing an unfused toner image onto a sheet substrate includes a first roller (24) and a second roller (28) spaced apart from the first roller. A third roller (26) is arranged between the first and second rollers. A portion of the third roller is protruded across an imaginary line (38) which contacts with outer peripheries of the first and second rollers on the same side thereof into a region (40) in which the first and second rollers are located. A fourth roller (30) is spaced apart from the third roller beyond the first or second roller. A portion of the fourth roller is also protruded across the imaginary line into the region. A heater (36) is mounted for heating the rollers. The sheet (22) is transported with one surface thereof contacted with the first and second rollers while the other surface thereof is contacted with the third and fourth rollers along a sheet path (42) defined by peripheral portions of the four rollers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotary image forming body; a charger provided around the image forming body for charging the image forming body; a plurality of imagewise exposure devices for imagewise exposing the charged image forming body to form respective latent images thereon; and a plurality of developing devices for developing the respective latent images formed on the image forming body to form respective toner images. A plurality of different color toner images thus formed by the respective chargers, the respective imagewise exposure devices and the respective developing devices are superimposed on the image forming body, thereby a color toner image is formed. The image forming apparatus further includes a transfer device for transferring the color toner image on the image forming body onto a transfer member; a cleaning device for removing a residual toner on the image forming body; a support member for supporting the plurality of exposure devices.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for printing sound code icons on photographic prints produced from filmstrips having images with varying orientation, size and or format. A sound-on-print print gate includes a pair of selectable LED icon printers for printing a binary coded sound icon on either edge of the photographic print depending on normal or inverted image orientation. The icon printers are mounted for translational movement lengthwise of the print paper, the positioning being determined by the format of the print: panoramic, normal or HDTV aspect ratios. A computer controlled system is disclosed which determines the orientation, size and format and positions the icon printers in response thereto at the print gate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying body on which a toner image is created. A sheet carrying/transporting rotational body adsorbs a recording sheet to which the toner image on the image carrying body is transferred, and transports the sheet. The recording sheet is detached after transfer from the sheet carrying/transporting rotating body, and an assisting device thrusts against the non-image area of the recording sheet to limit its detachment from the sheet carrying/transporting rotating body. The image forming device can prevent transportation failure and image smudging that is otherwise generated when a thick sheet provided with a curl before it is adsorbed to a sheet carrying/transporting rotational body is detached in the curved state from the rotational body and transported to a fusing means.