Abstract: An optical scanning lens used in a scanning and imaging optical system in which a beam deflected by a light deflector is condensed on or in the vicinity of a surface to be scanned. The optical scanning lens is formed through plastic mold, and a distribution of the refractive indexes ?n(x) inside of the optical scanning lens has a local maximum within a range through which the beam passes through the lens.

Abstract: All the devices connected to a network are detected and profiles comprising information relating to categories of the detected devices are extracted. Integrated profile comprising information obtained by integrating the profiles of the devices is created. A table containing priority rankings for the use of the devices is created. A user interface enabling necessary categories to be selected from the categories which comprise the integrated profile is created, the execution conditions required by the user are input via this user interface and a device to be used is selected out of all the devices based on the selected categories and the table containing the priority rankings.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed, including: an optical deflecting array including a plurality of optical deflecting devices arranged in a two-dimensional array, each of optical deflecting devices displacing a member having an optical reflection area and deflecting light, so that an incoming light flux entering the optical reflection area is deflected to a reflection direction being changed, a light source illuminating the optical deflecting array, and a projection lens projecting reflected light from the optical deflecting array based on color information. Each of the optical deflecting devices deflects light to two-axis directions, incoming light fluxes having different colors enter each of the optical deflecting devices from two directions respectively corresponding to two deflection axes, and are reflected by each of the optical deflecting devices based on the color information; and each of reflected light fluxes is led to the projection lens for a respective arbitrary time.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus performs a print operation by controlling an ink jet recording head to eject ink drops there from against front and back surfaces of a recording sheet at a print position. The apparatus includes a transporting mechanism for transporting a portion of the recording sheet to a location outside of the apparatus after a completion of the print operation on the front surface of the recording sheet and just before printing of the back surface of the recording sheet.

Abstract: An optical pickup unit includes a light source emitting a light beam, an objective lens focusing the light beam onto an information recording medium, a light detection part receiving the light beam reflected from the information recording medium, and a light blocking part selectively blocking a part of the light beam with respect to a radial direction. The light blocking part is provided in an optical path of the light beam centered on an optical axis.

Abstract: A method of feeding sheets includes the step of conveying the sheets between a feed roller and a separation member. The separation member is pressed against and into contact with the feed roller with a pressure applied between the feed roller and the separation member. The method also includes the steps of separating and conveying the sheets conveyed between the feed roller and the separation member one by one, and providing a cyclic change in the pressure between the feed roller and the separation member.

Abstract: An environmental impact information collection system modifies and analyzes environmental impact information, which is collected and stored in advance, and obtains the environmental impact at each process done in an organization, according to each product. The environmental impact information collection system then obtains a set of environmental impacts in a product's life cycle.

Abstract: In the present invention, first of all, an image in each field is monitored by carrying out monitoring. An evaluation value of an AE is calculated from a result of the monitoring, and if the result of the calculation shows that the image is not in low luminance, data in each of the fields is read out by carrying out an exposure, and a normal process for a still image is performed. If the result of the calculation shows that the image is in the low luminance, the exposure and read out of the field data such as a difference in a luminance in each of the fields are carried out, and first and second field data are compared. Then, whether an object moves or not is determined from a result of the comparison, and if the object is determined to be moved, the normal process for the still image is performed. If the object is determined not to be moved, the entire field data from the first to third field data are added.

Abstract: A developer container storing a developer of the present invention includes a developer outlet formed in the side wall thereof, and a shutter member for selectively opening or closing the developer outlet. The shutter member opens the developer outlet when the developer container is mounted to the body of an image forming apparatus or closes it when the former is dismounted from the latter. The toner container with this configuration surely prevents the developer from leaking when the developer container is dismounted from an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A charge roller that includes a metal core, an elastic member configured wrapped around the metal core, and film members is disclosed. Each of the film members is wrapped around each end of the elastic member in a circumferential direction of the metal core such that at least a part of each of the film members exists at every position around the ends of the elastic member in an axial direction of the metal core. Portions of the film members do not overlap each other in an radial direction of the metal core.

Abstract: A transfer device transfers a visual image from an image carrier to a recording medium. The transfer device includes a first transfer element that moves and receives the visual image from the image carrier on a first surface of the first transfer element, a second transfer element provided opposite to the first surface of the first transfer element to pinch and convey the recording medium through a secondary transfer nip part, a facing roller provided on a second surface of the first transfer element opposite to the first surface thereof, and a constant-current power supply that applies an electric current voltage to a core metal of the facing roller to transfer the visual image from the first transfer element to the recording medium. The electric current voltage applied to the core metal has a polarity equal to a polarity of the visual image and is subjected to a constant-current control.

Abstract: A developer for developing an electrostatic latent image, including a carrier which includes core particles, and a surface layer surrounding each of the core particles and containing an acrylic resin binder; and a toner which includes toner particles and an external additive of inorganic or organic fine particles present on each of the toner particles. Each of the toner particles comprises a colorant, a matrix of a first resin, and a plurality of domains of a second resin dispersed in the matrix and containing a wax. The first resin is substantially free of tetrahydrofuran insoluble matters and has a weight average molecular weight of 3,000 to 90,000.

Abstract: A belt member of the present invention includes ribs that prevent the belt member from being shifted to either side. A plurality of cuts are formed in each rib at preselected intervals in the circumferential direction of the belt member, and each extends from the top toward the bottom of the rib. The cuts may be replaced with projections and recesses alternating with each other in the cicumferential direction of the belt member or bores formed at preselected intervals in the above direction. Such ribs allow, without being subject to a heavy load, the belt member to be wrapped around a support roller with a large curvature or bent in the inverse direction. This reduces deterioration and slippage ascribable to the position of the belt member desirable for the size reduction of an apparatus on which the belt member is mounted.

Abstract: A mark forming method for a moving body is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming a second material layer, which scatters second wavelength light by being dispersed a first material that has a light absorbing property for first wavelength light therein, on a moving body; irradiating the first wavelength light on a part of the second material layer, making the first material at the part absorb the first wavelength light, and changing a scattering property of the part of the second material layer; and forming a mark whose scattering property for the second wavelength light is different in the part.

Abstract: A work management apparatus generates a temporary shift table in which scheduled work times of employees are temporarily set, based on an employee information file and work management file stored in a file memory. The work management apparatus sends the generated temporary shift table to a plurality of portable terminals over a network. When receiving, over the network, response information sent from the plurality of portable terminals in response to the sent temporary shift table, the work management apparatus generates a settled shift table in which scheduled work times of employees are settled, based on the received response information. The work management apparatus automatically sends the generated settled shift table to the plurality of portable terminals over the network.

Abstract: In a system for remotely monitoring networked devices and appliances, email messages are sent across networks, the email messages containing configuration, status or other information. For flexibility, it is desirable to quickly and easily change the message type designation, and to easily determine a data structure definition based on the received message type. To achieve this goal, the message type designation of a given message's information may be defined within the message itself, and extracted at the receiving end before the information is analyzed or stored according to the data structure definition. Thus, a large number of devices is allowed to communicate configuration, status and/or other types of information in a variety of message types. A method is provided for receiving information concerning a remotely monitored device, the information being contained in a message that also includes a message type designation.

Abstract: An image reading device for reading a document while conveying it of the present invention includes a reading member for reading the document, a path positioned downstream of the reading member in a direction of document conveyance such that the document moving away from the reading member is conveyed along the path, and a pair of rollers positioned on the path for conveying the document and having a nip positioned above the top of the reading member. An auxiliary sheet member is positioned on the path between the reading member and the pair of rollers for helping the document be conveyed. One end of the auxiliary sheet member is affixed to the path adjacent to the reading member at a position lower than the top of the reading member while the other end is held in contact with part of the pair of rollers around the nip.

Abstract: Method of deflecting light includes the steps of providing a substrate and forming a supporting member on the substrate. Next forming step forms electrodes at predetermined positions on the substrate. Next forming step forms a plate-like-shaped thin film member including light reflecting means. Placing step places the plate-like-shaped thin film member on the supporting member so that an opposite surface thereof faces the electrodes. Forming step forms space regulating members on edges of the substrate for regulating a space formed above the substrate in which the plate-like-shaped thin film member is freely movable. Applying step applies predetermined voltages to the electrodes to change a tilt direction of the plate-like-shaped thin film member in accordance with the voltages applied to deflect the input light in an arbitrary direction.

Abstract: A rotational speed of a first roller and a time required for a second roller to make one rotation are measured. A controller calculates an amplitude and a phase of fluctuation in a rotational speed in one rotation period of the first roller while the first roller is rotated by a predefined angle based on the speed and the time. The controller corrects measured speed of the first roller based on the amplitude and the phase, and controls a driving roller based on corrected speed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image support body; and a lubricant applying part configured to apply lubricant to a surface of the image support body, and including a lubricant containing member configured to seal the lubricant in the lubricant applying part.