Abstract: A guide unit holding portion is formed at a position between two struts in a longitudinal direction of a fixing unit. When a main cover portion rotates from an open position to a closed position, a supported portion of a swing guide unit moves from a position where the supported portion is separated from the guide unit holding portion to a position where the supported portion is in contact with the guide unit holding portion. Further, the supported portion slides on the guide unit holding portion. When the supported portion slides on the guide unit holding portion, the swing guide unit is swung upward, and then held at a target position by the guide unit holding portion.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus to form an image on a sheet having a width direction includes a separation and feed roller pair having a feed roller, a conveyance roller pair having a driving roller, and a pair of conveyance guides having inner and outer guides. A part of the inner guide overhangs toward an outer guide side from an external common tangent of the feed roller and the driving roller. Points of intersection with the feed roller on the external common tangent are designated as first intersection points and points of intersection with the driving roller on the external common tangent are designated as second intersection points. When ends of the feed and driving rollers serve as vertexes, a guide surface of the inner guide is linearly continuous in the width direction in an inner region on the guide surface of the inner guide formed by connecting the vertexes.

Abstract: A light-emitting-device head includes a first light-emitting-device arrangement including light emitting devices arranged in lines extending in a first scanning direction; a second light-emitting-device arrangement including light emitting devices arranged in lines extending in a first scanning direction, the second light-emitting-device arrangement overlapping the first light-emitting-device arrangement in a second scanning direction at least in part; an optical device that forms an electrostatic latent image by focusing light emitted from the light emitting devices on a photoconductor and exposing the photoconductor to the light; and a switching unit that switches the light-emitting-device arrangement to be lit up between the first light-emitting-device arrangement and the second light-emitting-device arrangement at a switching position defined at any position in an overlapping portion where the first light-emitting-device arrangement and the second light-emitting-device arrangement overlap each other.

Abstract: A replicator assembly includes reflective, transmissive, and transparent elements. The reflective element receives and reflects a hologram of a HUD system. The transmissive element includes a partially transmissive portion that receives a reflection of the hologram from the reflective element, outputs N replications of the hologram, and reflects N?1 replications of the hologram. The partially transmissive portion is implemented as a continuous transmission neutral density filter across different phase regions. The phase regions of the partially transmissive portion correspond respectively to the N replications. N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The reflective element reflects the N?1 replications of the hologram. The transparent element is disposed between the reflective and transmissive elements and guides the N replications of the hologram between the reflective and transmissive elements.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a casing, an image reading portion, a first controller substrate provided on one of side surfaces of the casing, a second controller substrate provided on the side surface, wherein a component mounting surface of the second controller substrate is in a non-overlapping position with a component mounting surface of the first controller substrate, an electric wire configured to connect the first controller portion and the image reading portion, and a shielding member fixed to the casing so as to be provided between the electric wire and the second controller substrate and configured to shield electromagnetic radiation from the second controller substrate toward the electric wire.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises an image forming section and a specific light source. The image forming section forms an image on an image receiving medium with a specific material which emits visible light through irradiation by specific light. The specific light source emits the specific light to the image receiving medium at a downstream side of the image forming section in a conveyance direction of the image receiving medium.

Abstract: An operational imaging device and method using a predetermined set of operating parameter determining (OPD) equations forming an OPD equation set for providing one or more operational parameter values for processing of a media sheet. The OPD equation set, stored in the operational imaging device, is solved using values for a set of N variables measured by an operational sensor set in the operational imaging device. Each equation solution determines a value for one of the operating parameters. The OPD equation set is generated by a training system using a continuum training engine. A training data set containing measured variable values of the set of N variables is collected using by a training sensor set. The training data set includes empirical best match data values for the one or more operational parameters based on a comparison of a model image to images produced by a training imaging device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can switch between a color mode, in which an image is formed by sequentially transferring color toner images formed by developing members in an overlapping manner, and a mono mode, in which an image is formed by using one developing member. The developing member used in the mono mode develops the toner image to be transferred secondly or thereafter in the color mode, an exposure device exposes a non-image portion where the toner image is not formed on the surface of an image carrier at an exposure amount smaller than an exposure amount for an image portion where the toner image is formed, and, in the mono mode, the exposure amount at which the exposure device exposes the non-image portion of the image carrier in the case the image is formed in the mono mode is smaller than the color mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an exposure unit, and a main housing. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the image bearing member. The exposure unit includes an optical device that irradiates the image bearing member with light to form the electrostatic latent image, and a housing that defines a storage space in which the optical device is located. The main housing includes a partition wall that divides an inner space of the main housing into a first space in which the image bearing member is located and a second space in which the exposure unit is located. The housing includes a first opening wall having a first opening through which the storage space communicates with the second space. The optical device irradiates the image bearing member with light through the first opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body having an opening; a photoconductor unit including a photoconductor and removably mountable to the main body through the opening by moving the photoconductor unit in a first direction; an exposure member; and a moving mechanism configured to move the exposure member closer to and further from the photoconductor. The moving mechanism includes: a fixed shaft having an axial line thereof fixed relative to the main body; a first arm including one end portion thereof which is supported rotatably around the axial line of the fixed shaft; a movable shaft having an axial line thereof which is movable relative to the main body; and a second arm including: one end portion supporting the exposure member; and another end portion connected to the first arm via the movable shaft, and the second arm being swingable around the axial line of the movable shaft.

Abstract: An image forming device capable of providing precise positional relationship between an exposure unit and a photosensitive body. The exposure unit having an exposure head elongated in a longitudinal direction and having light emitting sections arrayed in the longitudinal direction. The light elements emit light in an optical axis direction. A frame supports the photosensitive body. A positioning protrusion protrudes in the optical axis direction from one of the frame and the exposure unit. A remaining one of the frame and the exposure unit is formed with a positioning part engageable with the positioning protrusion. A biasing unit provides a biasing force that ensures engagement between the positioning protrusion and the positioning part.

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus, the amount of light of an exposure unit for a weak exposure is changed according to a remaining service life of a photosensitive drum when the weak exposure is performed for the background area of a corresponding photosensitive drum by using the exposure unit.

Abstract: An image forming device capable of providing precise positional relationship between an exposure unit and a photosensitive body. The exposure unit having an exposure head elongated in a longitudinal direction and having light emitting sections arrayed in the longitudinal direction. The light elements emit light in an optical axis direction. A frame supports the photosensitive body. A positioning protrusion protrudes in the optical axis direction from one of the frame and the exposure unit. A remaining one of the frame and the exposure unit is formed with a positioning part engageable with the positioning protrusion. A biasing unit provides a biasing force that ensures engagement between the positioning protrusion and the positioning part.

Abstract: An optical device is disclosed, including a surface emitting laser element having a surface emitting laser which emits a light in a direction which is perpendicular to a substrate face; a light receiving element which monitors the light of the surface emitting laser; a package provided with a region on which the surface emitting laser element and the light receiving element are provided; and a lid which has a window through which passes the light of the surface emitting laser, the window being formed with a transparent member, and which covers the surface emitting laser element and the light receiving element.

Abstract: A surface-emitting laser that can prevent delamination at the interface of a selective oxidation layer and a spacer layer, while suppressing any rise of voltage, to improve the reliability of operation.

Abstract: A surface-emitting laser device includes a transparent dielectric layer provided in an emitting region and configured to cause a reflectance at a peripheral part to be different from a reflectance at a central part in the emitting region. In the surface-emitting laser device, the thickness of a contact layer is different between a region having a relatively high reflectance and a region having a relatively low reflectance in the emitting region. The contact layer is provided on the high refractive index layer of an upper multilayer film reflecting mirror, and the total optical thickness of the high refractive index layer and the contact layer in the region having the relatively low reflectance is deviated from an odd number multiple of a one quarter oscillation wavelength of laser light emitted from the emitting region.

Abstract: An electrostatic latent image developing toner contains a binder resin, a colorant, europium, and bismuth.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an LED unit capable of being in an exposing position or a retracted position, and a cartridge capable of being inserted into or pulled out with the LED unit in the retracted position.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a cartridge tray movable between an inside position and an outside position of a main body of the apparatus with supporting a cartridge, a light emitting member having a plurality of light emitting elements for emitting light to expose a photosensitive member in accordance with image information, and a support that supports the light emitting member between an exposure position at which the photosensitive member is exposed with the light emitting element and a retracted position retracted from the exposure position. In addition, an interlocking device moves the support between the exposure position and the retracted position in association with movement of the tray toward the outside and inside positions.

Abstract: A light irradiation element includes a cavity through which light passes and a translucent light conduit bordering the cavity, allowing light to pass therethrough and transmitting the light passed through the cavity, the light irradiation element being disposed along a longitudinal direction of an image bearing body on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and directing the light passed through the light conduit to irradiate the image bearing body.

Abstract: There is provided an exposing device which includes an elongated optical head in which a plurality of light emitting portions are arranged, and a supporting member to which the optical head is adhered. The optical head and the supporting member are adhered by a first adhesive, and a second adhesive of which a modulus of elasticity after curing is lower than that of the first adhesive. The second adhesive is applied in a second adhesive area which is located at a boundary between the optical head and the supporting member and which is longer, in a longitudinal direction of the optical head, than a first adhesive area which is located at the boundary and to which the first adhesive is applied.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an acquiring unit that acquires image data expressing an image region included in an image with a first value and a background region included in the image with a second value; a segmenting unit that segments the image region into multiple segments arranged in a fast scanning direction; a converting unit that converts a value of at least one of the segments into the second value; an output unit that generates an image signal on the basis of the image data and outputs the image signal; an exposure unit that exposes a charged image bearing member to light according to the output image signal by scanning the light thereto in the fast scanning direction so as to form a latent image; and a developing unit that forms the image by developing the latent image using an invisible toner that absorbs infrared light or ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming device including: plural image formation sections, a second exposure section, a transfer body, a reading section and an identification section. Each image formation section includes a control section that controls a first exposure section to form an identification image of a color represented by color information in accordance with an image formation instruction. The second exposure section performs exposure onto a charged image-bearing body and forms an electrostatic latent image. An image is formed at the transfer body. The reading section reads an image. The identification section outputs to the plurality of image formation sections an image formation instruction and, on the basis of a duration from the output until the identification image is read by the reading section, identifies a position of the image formation section forming the image of the color instructed by the image formation instruction.

Abstract: A reflective optical sensor includes at least three light-emitting elements; a lighting optical system that guides light emitted from the light-emitting elements to a toner pattern; and at least three light-receiving elements that receive the beams of light reflected by the toner pattern. The lighting optical system has a lateral magnification m that satisfies m?P/S, where S is the size of the light-emitting elements and P is the arrangement pitch of the light-emitting elements.

Abstract: An optical deflector including a rotary member supported by a bearing shaft and rotatively driven by a motor for deflecting a plurality of laser beams separated from each other in a rotational axis direction of the rotary member is disclosed. The optical deflector includes a polygon mirror having four sides arranged about the rotational axis direction. Each of the four sides is a continuous plane having a plurality of effective reflection areas separated from each other in the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes an optical deflector that deflects a light beam at a substantially constant angular velocity and an optical system that condenses the deflected light beam onto a to-be-scanned surface thereby performing optical scanning of the to-be-scanned surface. The to-be-scanned surface is a surface of a latent image carrier having a charge generation layer that generates carriers and a charge transport layer. A driving unit drives the optical deflector at a scanning frequency at which exposure is attained in a state where the carriers generated at the charge generation layer of the latent image carrier substantially stay still.

Abstract: An image forming device capable of providing precise positional relationship between an exposure unit and a photosensitive body. The exposure unit having an exposure head elongated in a longitudinal direction and having light emitting sections arrayed in the longitudinal direction. The light elements emit light in an optical axis direction. A frame supports the photosensitive body. A positioning protrusion protrudes in the optical axis direction from one of the frame and the exposure unit. A remaining one of the frame and the exposure unit is formed with a positioning part engageable with the positioning protrusion. A biasing unit provides a biasing force that ensures engagement between the positioning protrusion and the positioning part.

Abstract: A surface emitting laser diode comprises a substrate, a lower reflector formed over the substrate, an active layer formed over the lower reflector, an upper reflector formed over the active layer, a current restrict structure including a current confinement region surrounded by insulation region. The current restrict structure is disposed in an upper reflector or between an active layer and the upper reflector, and an upper electrode formed over the upper reflector includes an aperture which corresponds to an emission region from which light is emitted in a first direction perpendicular to a surface of a substrate. The emission region and the current restrict structure including the current confinement region are selectively configured to obtain high single transverse mode, stabilized polarization direction, isotropic beam cross section and small divergence angle, while allowing the device to he manufactured with high yield rate.

Abstract: A lens plate includes at least one lens row including a plurality of lenses aligned in a first direction, each lens including a lens surface that includes perimeter portions extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction such that two adjacent lenses are contiguous with each other at the perimeter portions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a photosensitive member; an exposure device including light emitting elements arrayed along a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive member to expose with light different positions of the photosensitive member; first positioning members configured to position the exposure device relative to the photosensitive member at both longitudinal end portions of the exposure device; a first elastic member which urges the exposure device toward the photosensitive member to maintain a positioned state of the first positioning members; a holding member which holds the exposure device at a mounting portion between the first positioning members; a second positioning member configured to position the holding member relative to the photosensitive member to position the exposure device relative to the photosensitive member at the mounting portion; and a second elastic member which urges the holding member toward the photosensitive member to maintain a positioned state of the second p

Abstract: At the time of forming an image, a rise in a temperature of a drive motor generates distortion in a bottom of a optical box of an optical scanning apparatus. If an opening is formed on the optical box to release heat, the optical box becomes easily distorted. To solve such a problem, according to the present invention, the optical scanning apparatus includes a rib which crosses over the opening formed at the bottom of the optical box.

Abstract: A housing immobilizing mechanism has a drive source that drives at a predetermined speed; a housing for holding the drive source; a number of fasteners greater than a number of predetermined fastening sites on the housing; and an immobilizing member attached to a plurality of the fasteners, the immobilizing member adapted to immobilize the housing. The immobilizing member is attached to a combination of fasteners to which the immobilizing member is attached that is not a combination in which an amplitude of vibration relative to a drive speed of the drive source is greatest, there being at least one fastener to which an immobilizing member is not attached.

Abstract: In order to provide a device that can suppress speed fluctuations of an image carrier and prevent image disturbance caused thereby, tension rollers elastically supported by springs are disposed either side of a secondary transfer position where an intermediate transfer belt and a secondary transfer roller oppose one another, the secondary transfer roller having a recess part for accommodating a gripping part for gripping a recording material. The intermediate transfer belt is rotatably driven by a belt drive motor around which the intermediate transfer belt is wound in a position that is different from the secondary transfer backup roller. The speed fluctuations of the intermediate transfer belt that are generated in the secondary transfer position due to the rotation of the secondary transfer roller are absorbed by the two tension rollers and have no effect on image formation.

Abstract: A driver apparatus drives aligned light emitting thyristors. Each thyristor includes an anode, a cathode, and a gate. The driver apparatus includes a common terminal, a first resistor, a second resistor, and a switch. Each thyristor is disposed at a first position where the anode is connected to the first potential and the cathode is connected to the common terminal, or a second position where the anode is connected to the common terminal and the cathode is connected to the second potential. The first resistor is connected between the first potential and the common terminal. The second resistor is connected between the common terminal and the second potential. The switch is connected at a third position where the switch is connected between the between the first potential and the common terminal, or a fourth position where the switch is connected between the common terminal and the second potential.

Abstract: An optical device includes a surface-emitting laser array having a plurality of light-emitting portions; a package member on which the surface-emitting laser array is disposed; and a transparent member retained on the package member and disposed on an optical path of a light beam emitted by the surface-emitting laser array. The transparent member includes an incident plane on which the light beam emitted by the surface-emitting laser array is incident. The incident plane is inclined with respect to an emitting surface of the surface-emitting laser array at a first inclination angle which is smaller than a second inclination angle at which the light emitted by one of the light-emitting portions is incident on another, most-distant one, of the light-emitting portions via reflection by the transparent member.

Abstract: A heat radiating device includes a base on which a heat generating member is mounted and a plurality of heat radiating members that integrally extend from a bottom face of the base. In this heat radiating device, the heat radiating members are each formed to have a circular transverse section, and are arranged such that any one of the heat radiating members is positioned on a straight line in any direction orthogonal to a direction in which the heat radiating members extend.

Abstract: A surface emitting laser includes a stepped structure having a step between a first region and a second region, the stepped structure provided in an emission area located in an upper portion of the upper mirror. The surface emitting laser includes a light shielding member provided in a third region between the first region and the second region. The light shielding member is not provided in a portion of the first region and a portion of the second region.

Abstract: A light irradiation element includes a cavity through which light passes and a translucent light conduit bordering the cavity, allowing light to pass therethrough and transmitting the light passed through the cavity, the light irradiation element being disposed along a longitudinal direction of an image bearing body on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and directing the light passed through the light conduit to irradiate the image bearing body.

Abstract: Each scanning optical system includes a first scanning lens and a second scanning lens through which a light beam is incident onto the first scanning lens. The second scanning lens of each scanning optical system is disposed at the optically most downstream side in the scanning optical system and has an optical plane that has the strongest power in a sub-scanning corresponding direction. In addition, the optical plane of each second scanning lens, which has the strongest power in the sub-scanning corresponding direction, is located under the shaft bearings of neighboring polygon mirrors in the vertical direction.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus that includes an image carrier, a charging unit, a latent-image forming unit that forms a latent image for each color by exposing the surface of the image carrier charged by the charging unit, and a plurality of developing units that sequentially develops latent images formed on the image carrier with toners of different colors including at least cyan, yellow, and magenta, to form a color toner image on a single unit of the image carrier, the developing units further develops the latent images with toners of blue, green, and red, such that the toner images of different colors are not superimposed on a same position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that holds counter information obtained by integrating a consumption of a consumable that depends on usage of service provided by the image forming apparatus. A log corresponding to the usage of the service is set in job log information with a synchronization flag set off. The log in the job log information, for which the synchronization flag is set off, is set on. The counter information and the job log information are output after the synchronization flag for the log having the synchronization flag set off has been set on.

Abstract: A method of printing an image that diffracts radiation is disclosed. The method includes assembling an ordered periodic array of particles on a substrate, wherein the array of particles diffracts radiation in a wavelength band dependent on viewing angle; printing an imaging composition onto a portion of the array in a configuration of an image; shifting the wavelength band of radiation diffracted and changing the refractive index by the printed portion of the array so that the printed portion diffracts radiation at a different wavelength band and reflectivity intensity from a remaining portion of the array; and fixing the printed portion of the array, such that the printed portion of the array diffracts radiation and exhibits the image.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus including a deflection unit configured to deflect a light beam emitted from a light source so that the light beam scans on a photosensitive member, a casing which is configured to house the light source and the deflection unit inside the casing and which is provided with an aperture that transmits the light beam deflected by the deflection unit out from the casing, a first light transmission member provided on the aperture for dust-proofing an interior of the casing, which is configured to transmit the light beam incident on the aperture, and a support member configured to support a second light transmission member for transmitting a light beam that has been transmitted through the first light transmission member and dust-proofing the first light transmission member, wherein the second light transmission member is detachable from the support member.

Abstract: In an optical scanning apparatus, the shape of a sub-scanning section of a transmissive imaging optical element on which a light beam subjected to scanning and deflected by a deflecting surface of an optical deflector is incident twice, the tilt angle of a reflective optical element disposed in an optical path between the optical deflector and a surface to be scanned, and the relationship between the transmissive imaging optical element and the reflective optical element are provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus disclosed includes a body, a cover to open and close an opening of the body, a plurality of photosensitive members provided in the body, a light scanning device to irradiate a light beam to the plurality of photosensitive members, the light scanning device including a plurality of passage windows corresponding to the plurality of photosensitive members, and a shutter device to open and close the respective passage windows in accordance with opening and closing movements of the cover.

Abstract: A resin casting mold includes a mold member forming a cavity that includes first and second surfaces facing each other in a first direction. The mold member further includes an insert member which forms a part of a third surface and which is slidable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. At least one cross-sectional shape of the cavity satisfies h<A<H, where “A” is the length of the insert member in the first direction, “h” is a spacing in the first direction between a portion of the first surface closest to the insert member and a portion of the second surface closet to the insert member, and “H” is the length in the first direction on the third surface. The insert member is disposed to include a region having the spacing “h”.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a support frame configured to support a plurality of cartridges each including a photoconductor is allowed to be pulled out from a casing of the apparatus. A plurality of light-emitting parts configured to expose a corresponding photoconductor to light is arranged in each exposure unit which is movable between an exposure position proximate to the corresponding photoconductor and a retreating position away from the photoconductor. A pair of side plates of the support frame, which extends in a direction perpendicular to a main direction in which the light-emitting parts are arranged, has guide slots formed therein, each of which is configured to guide movement of a corresponding exposure unit between its exposure and retreating positions. Each guide slot includes a positioning portion configured to position the exposure unit in position in a subordinate direction perpendicular to the main direction and to an exposure direction.

Abstract: A driver apparatus drives a plurality of light emitting thyristors. Each thyristor includes a cathode connected to the ground, an anode, and a gate. A gate driver circuit outputs a drive signal that electrically drives the gate. A level shifter circuit includes an input terminal connected to the driver circuit and an output terminal connected to the gate of the thyristor. The level shifter circuit operates such that the drive signal is shifted down in signal level and is outputted to the output terminal and a signal at the gate inputted to the output terminal is shifted down in signal level and is outputted to the input terminal. In response to the drive signal outputted from the driver circuit, a current supplying circuit supplies drive current to the anode of the thyristor such that the drive current flows from the anode to the cathode.

Abstract: An image forming device that includes a plurality of exposure components and a conductive covering member is provided. Pluralities of light emitting elements are disposed on substrates at the plurality of exposure components. The exposure components expose a plurality of exposure objects, respectively. The conductive covering member includes at least a floor plate that covers the exposure components from below. Wiring is connected to the substrates being disposed along the floor plate. Earthing portions of the substrates are electrically connected to the floor plate. The covering member includes a side plate that covers an axial direction side of the exposure objects and is joined to the floor plate. The earthing portions of the substrates are electrically connected to the side plate via conductive members.

Abstract: An optical scanner used for an image-forming device to form a color image includes a plurality of photosensitive drums for superimposing a developer image formed on each of the plurality of photosensitive drums. The optical scanner includes a casing, a plurality of light sources, a deflector, an optical system, and a storage device. The plurality of light sources is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of photosensitive drums. Each of the plurality of light source emits a laser beam. The deflector is provided in the casing for deflecting the laser beam. The optical system is provided in the casing for guiding the deflected laser beam to a corresponding one of the plurality of photosensitive drums to make the laser beam scan the corresponding one of the plurality of photosensitive drums. The storage device stores a characteristic related to the laser beam scanning the corresponding one of the photosensitive drums.