Abstract: This invention provides an image reading device capable of precise detection of the optical signal over a wide wavelength range, by forming a photoelectric converting unit for converting the visible light into an electrical signal and a photoelectric converting unit for converting the invisible light into an electrical signal, in monolithic manner on a single semiconductor chip.

Abstract: An organosilicon-modified charge transporting compound having a structure represented by the following Formula (I): wherein A represents a charge transporting group, Q represents a hydrolytic group or a hydroxyl group, R2 represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group or a halogen-substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, n is 1 to 18, m is 1 to 3, and 1 is 1 to 5; and a curable composition containing the organosilicon-modified charge transporting compound and a cure type resin chiefly composed of an organosilicon high polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a substrate and a photosensitive layer thereupon, wherein a surface layer of the photosensitive member contains a resin which is obtained by being subject to polycondensation as a monomer component only an organosilicon-modified positive hole transporting compound; a process cartridge which has, in addition to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, at least one from among a primary charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means placed into a housing; and the image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Abstract: An image processor includes a first reader which obtains a first signal corresponding to visible information read on an original, and a second reader which obtains a second signal corresponding to invisible information on the original. A comparator compares the first and second signals to discriminate a predetermined pattern on the original.

Abstract: A yellow toner suitable for electrophotography is formed by dispersing a yellow colorant mixture in a binder resin.

Abstract: An invisible information detection apparatus includes parts that irradiate a light onto a medium, detect infrared light generated from the medium, and judge a specific pattern consisting of a combination of two areas on the medium in accordance with the detection result. One of the areas represents higher reflectance than the reflectance of the medium in substantially the same infrared wavelength region, and the other area represents lower reflectance than that of the medium. An invisible information detection method comprises an irradiation step, a detection step and a judgment step. The judgment step judges a specific pattern of a combination of two areas on the medium in accordance with the result from the detection step. One of the areas represents higher reflectance, and the other area represents lower reflectance, as compared to the reflectance of the medium, in substantially the same infrared wavelength region.

Abstract: This invention provides an image reading device capable of precise detection of the optical signal over a wide wavelength range, by forming a photoelectric converting unit for converting the visible light into an electrical signal and a photoelectric converting unit for converting the invisible light into an electrical signal, in monolithic manner on a single semiconductor chip.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method both offering a high-precision and general-purpose capability of identifying an image and performing appropriate processing depending on whether identification is effected. In the image processing apparatus and image processing method, image data is detected in visible and invisible light reflected from each of a target pixel and surrounding pixels. Based on the image data detected in visible and invisible light, a specific pattern is identified. The specific pattern appears substantially the same in color as a surrounding area under visible light but different in characteristic therefrom under invisible light, which is identified using the image data of the target pixel and surrounding pixels provided by a detector. The image processing apparatus is controlled depending on whether the identification is effected.

Abstract: Visible information of the document sheet and information other the visible information are efficiently read by an image sensing apparatus including a first line sensor for reading the visible information of the document sheet and a second line sensor for reading the information other than the visible information.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member is disclosed which has a photosensitive layer and a protection layer. The protection layer contains a particulate colloidal silica and a siloxane resin to have a contact angle of water of not less than 90.degree.. The photosensitive member has a lowered surface energy and excellent mechanical and electrical durability.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member has a photosensitive layer formed on a support. A surface layer (or the outermost layer) of the photosensitive layer contains a fluorine-modified organic silicone resin represented by the following average unit formula:{F(CF.sub.2).sub.a1 -Q.sub.1 -R.sub.1.m1 SiO.sub.(3-m1)/2 }.sub.X1 {F(CF.sub.2).sub.a2 -Q.sub.2 -R.sub.2.m2 SiO.sub.(3-m2)/2 }.sub.X2 . . . {F(CF.sub.2).sub.ap -Q.sub.p -R.sub.p.mp SiO.sub.(3-mp)/2 }.sub.Xp {R.sub.1 '.sub.n1 SiO.sub.(4-n1)/2)}.sub.y1 {R.sub.2 '.sub.n2 SiO.sub.4-n2)/2 }.sub.y2 . . . {R.sub.q '.sub.nq SiO.sub.(4-nq)/2 }.sub.yqwhere R.sub.1 -R.sub.p and R.sub.1 '-R.sub.q ' are each an alkyl or aryl group; Q.sub.1 -Q.sub.p are each an alkylene group; m1-mp are each an integer of 0 to 2; n1-nq are each an integer of 0 to 3; a1-aq are each an integer; x1-y1 are each a number larger than 0; and X2-Xp and Y2 are each respectively a number of 0 or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a substrate and a photosensitive layer thereupon, wherein a surface protecting layer of the photosensitive member contains a resin which is obtained by curing a curable organosilicon polymer and an organosilicon-modified positive hole transporting compound; a process-cartridge which has, in addition to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, at least one from among a primary charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means placed into a housing, and which can be reversibly mounted to an image forming apparatus; and the image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a substrate and a photosensitive layer thereupon, wherein a surface protecting layer of the photosensitive member contains a resin which is obtained by curing a curable organosilicon polymer and an organosilicon-modified positive hole transporting compound; a process-cartridge which has, in addition to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, at least one from among a primary charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means placed into a housing, and which can be reversibly mounted to an image forming apparatus; and the image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member is constituted by disposing a photosensitive layer including a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer on an electroconductive support. The charge transport layer has a thickness of at most 12 .mu.m and is formed by dispersing therein particles having a particle size of 1-3 .mu.m at a density of 1.times.10.sup.4 -2.times.10.sup.5 particles/mm.sup.2. The charge transport layer and the particles described above provides a difference in refractive index of at least 0.10.The photosensitive member is effective in providing good images free from black spots and interference fringes and with a good gradation-reproducing characteristic when used as a structural member of a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an electrophotographic photosensitive member with a support, a photosensitive layer with a thickness (T), a charging subunit, an exposure subunit, a developing subunit, and a transfer subunit. The exposure subunit illuminates the charged photosensitive member with a light beam having a spot area (S), such that the product S.times.T is 5,000-12,000 .mu.m.sup.3.

Abstract: The liquid crystal device is constituted by disposing a display layer between a pair of electrode plates. The display layer comprises a porous polymer material having open pores partially filled and a low-molecular weight mesomorphic compound impregnating the porous polymer material. The display layer is free from an unfilled portion of the low-molecular weight mesomorphic compound to be effective for providing a liquid crystal device showing a high transmittance and a good contrast. The display layer also comprises a three dimensional network structure coated with a polymer layer, and a low-molecular weight mesomorphic compound impregnating the three-dimensional network structure. The display layer is free from a fibrous part which is unstable against an applied voltage to be effective for providing a liquid crystal device showing no hysteresis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a medium on which an identification mark is formed using a plurality of recording materials having fluorescent characteristics in wavelength regions almost overlapping with each other and having maximum absorbing characteristics at different wavelengths. The method and apparatus include the features of detecting, on the medium, the identification mark which is comprised of the plurality of recording materials and controlling an operation of a processing apparatus in accordance with a result of the detecting of the identification mark.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by (a) a pair of base plates each having an orientation control film thereon, and (b) a liquid crystal composition interposed between the base plates. The liquid crystal composition comprises a mixture including at least one liquid crystal compound which has a temperature range in which it shows chiral smectic phase and at least one optically active substance which does not have a temperature range in which it shows chiral smectic phase. The liquid crystal composition has a temperature range in which it shows cholesteric phase and is placed in chiral smectic phase which has been formed through cholesteric phase on temperature decrease. The liquid crystal composition comprises liquid crystal molecules having long axes forming a pre-tilt in the chiral smectic phase.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by (a) a pair of base plates each having an orientation control film thereon, and (b) a liquid crystal composition interposed between the base plates. The liquid crystal composition comprises a mixture including at least one liquid crystal compound which has a temperature range in which it shows chiral smectic phase and at least one optically active substance which does not have a temperature range in which it shows chiral smectic phase. The liquid crystal composition has a temperature range in which it shows cholesteric phase and is placed in chiral smectic phase which has been formed through cholesteric phase on temperature decrease. The liquid crystal composition comprises liquid crystal molecules having long axes forming a pre-tilt in the chiral smectic phase.

Abstract: To properly cut light except for visible light and improve read precision, there is provided an image reading apparatus having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements. The image reading apparatus includes an image information detecting unit in which the photoelectric conversion elements are arranged on a single chip, a first light-shielding unit, arranged near the photoelectric conversion elements, for transmitting specific visible light, and a second light-shielding unit, arranged near the photoelectric conversion elements at a position different from that of the first light-shielding unit, for partially shielding light except for the visible light.