Abstract: A method and apparatus for overwriting image data in an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image control unit having a central processing unit and an image control unit for receiving image data. The image control unit stores image data on a non-volatile storage apparatus. A memory includes an overwrite application program for generating a string of random numbers and overwriting the image data with patterns from the string of random numbers.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful in printing, printing apparatuses and methods of fixing marking material on media are provided.

Abstract: A commodity-information provision evaluation method for visualizing information contributing to evaluating of commodity information provided by a commodity provider, includes performing, according to an operator's selection operation, process display processing that includes superimposing and displaying at least two of intention information, expectation information and practical information on a screen in a matrix format, to visualize a gap between the commodity information provision media, or image display processing that includes superimposing at least two of target image information, design image information and user image information on an image map screen in which information regarding image is allocated to each of regions into which a display screen is divided so that the at least two are displayed in regions to which the at least two are allocated.

Abstract: A drum assembly in a printing machine comprises a rotating drum having a surface and an applicator assembly for applying oil onto the surface. The applicator assembly includes a liquid supply containing a supply of oil, a distributor connected to the liquid supply for distributing the oil, and an applicator having an area for receiving oil from the distributor and an application edge. The distributor and the applicator are configured so that oil distributed on the area of the applicator forms a meniscus at the application edge. The application edge is positioned closely adjacent but not in contact with the surface of the drum at a distance sufficiently close to the surface so that the surface contacts the meniscus to withdraw oil from the applicator onto the surface.

Abstract: An image carrier includes: a support that circulatively rotates, a plurality of pixel electrodes; a plurality of switches that are placed like a matrix on the support in a one-to-one correspondence with the pixel electrodes; a plurality of scan signal lines that are provided on the support so as to extend along the rotation axis direction of the support for transmitting a scan signal for selecting; a plurality of latent image forming signal lines; a plurality of signal leads that are provided on the support so as to extend in the rotation axis direction of the support; a scan signal supply device that are provided in an end part other than the pixel electrode placement area; and a latent image forming signal supply device that are provided in an end part other than the pixel electrode placement area.

Abstract: A multi-position letterbox media diverter that maximizes productivity includes a gate configured like a tomahawk to allow sufficient space for the diverter to operate immediately after the trail edge of a sheet passes the front edge of the gate and thereby increase gate actuation time. Reversible drives of an inverter are used to direct the sheet to a duplex path while another sheet is simultaneously directed by a lower integrated baffle portion of the gate to an output tray as needed. Thus, reducing the time required for the sheet to be in the inverter path before reversing sheet direction, thereby facilitating a reduction in required transport speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring substrate media thickness including a nip assembly having a first nip for engaging substrate media and transporting the media along a process direction. The first nip has a nip velocity. A sensor is in operative communication with the first nip for sensing the nip velocity. A processor is operably connected to the sensor. The processor determines a media thickness responsive to a change in nip velocity detected by the velocity sensor upon entry of the media in the first nip.

Abstract: A process for making a latex emulsion suitable for use in a toner composition includes contacting at least one crystalline polyester resin with an organic solvent and a stabilizing agent to form a resin mixture, adding a neutralizing agent, and deionized water to the resin mixture, removing the solvent from the formed latex, and continuously recovering latex particles.

Abstract: Fixing belts, fixing devices and methods of making fixing belts are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the fixing belts includes an inner layer comprising a first surface forming an inner surface of the fixing belt and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the inner layer comprising a first polymer; an intermediate layer overlying the second surface of the inner layer, the intermediate layer including a third surface, a first end face and a second end face opposite to the first end face, the intermediate layer comprising silicone rubber; and an outer layer including a fourth surface forming an outer surface of the fixing belt, the outer layer overlying the third surface, the first end face, the second end face and portions of the second surface disposed outward from the first end face and second end face, the outer layer comprising a second polymer. The outer layer seals and protects the intermediate layer from exposure to a liquid release agent applied to the fourth surface.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a data relay system includes: a plurality of server devices which manages data transmitted and received by a client device; and a relay device which relays communication between the client device and each of the plurality of server devices. Each of the plurality of server devices includes: a data storage unit that stores data and a request processing unit that performs processing corresponding to a received request. The relay device includes: a synchronization unit that synchronizes the data in the data storage unit of each of the plurality of server devices; an identification information registration unit that acquires identification information, and a relay processing unit that performs relay processing of receiving a request sent to the server devices by the client device.

Abstract: An apparatus for a media feeding system having a trail edge guide, a frame, an elevator, a feed head and a stack of media including a plurality of sheets of media disposed on the elevator, wherein the plurality of sheets of media include an uppermost set of sheets of media located at a top portion of the stack of media. The apparatus includes a trail edge deflector having a body including an angularly disposed lower surface, at least one opening, and at least one stopping surface. The angularly disposed lower surface being shaped to contact and thereby shingle the uppermost set of sheets of media, the at least one opening being shaped for complimentary sliding engagement with the trail edge guide thereby permitting the trail edge deflector to slide along a portion of the trail edge guide and the at least one stopping surface being shaped to limit downward sliding movement of the trail edge deflector along the trail edge guide.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for forming images on substrates in printing are provided.

Abstract: A method to schedule color print jobs to one or more configurable color printers is described. The method monitors the state of any printers in use and maintains a queue of print jobs. The print jobs are assigned priorities based on a set of system policies.

Abstract: A printer includes an output unit, a management unit, and a transmission unit. The output unit outputs an image onto print paper. The management unit monitors an operating state of the output unit, and manages operating state information. The transmission unit transmits managed operating state information in response to an operating state acquisition request from a host device. Upon receipt of a request for obtaining operating state information from the host device, if the printer is set as a first device in tandem operation, the transmission unit does not transmit the operating state information to the host device. If the printer is set as a second device in tandem operation, the transmission unit transmits the managed operating state information including operating state information on the printer and operating state information on the first device to the host device.

Abstract: A screen control device includes: a storage unit storing a content of a function used in a process executed in a information processing apparatus in association with setting information set to a setting item of the function; a function selection unit configured to calculate a usage frequency of each function stored in the storage unit, and select at least one function based on the usage frequency; a setting item determination unit configured to determine a setting item for receiving an input from a user from setting items relating to a function selected by the function selection unit based on setting information stored in the storage unit; a display controller configured to display a screen enabling to receive an instruction to execute the function selected by the function selection unit and a screen receiving an input to a setting item determined by the setting item determination unit from a user.

Abstract: An enzymatic polymerization method of covalently linking a colorant to a polyester to produce a colorant-polyester compound, the method including the steps of: (a) providing a reaction solution comprised of an ester monomer, a colorant having or functionalized to have a hydroxyl group, and an enzymatic catalyst; (b) reacting the ester monomer and the colorant using the enzymatic catalyst to produce a polymeric product, wherein the polymeric product includes a colorant-polyester compound; and (c) separating the polymeric product from the reaction solution. A colorant-polyester compound includes a colorant covalently linked to a polyester and the polyester is obtained by polymerizing a lactone.

Abstract: A computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute a process for collection of information, includes receiving a division condition of a value range of an attribute from a user; dividing the value range of the attribute into a plurality of ranges under the received division condition; selecting writers who have an attribute value corresponding to the respective divided ranges of the attribute by referencing a writer information storage unit that stores values of the attribute of the writers; collecting information that is posted by the selected writers from a posted information storage device that stores information posted by the writers; and providing the collected information to the user.

Abstract: A carrier for developing an electrostatic charge image comprising a core material and a coating resin layer that covers the core material,wherein the core material is a ferrite particle having a Brunauer-Emmitt-Teller (BET) specific surface area of from about 0.12 m2/g to about 0.20 m2/g, and having a fluidity of from about 26 sec/50 g to about 30 sec/50 g.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor is provided, which includes: a substrate; a photosensitive layer; and a surface protective layer, in this order, in which the protective layer contains a crosslinked product of a curable charge transporting material in a content of from about 90 to 98% by weight, and fluorinated resin particles in a content of from about 2 to 10% by weight, and the protective layer satisfies Formula (1): 0.5?b/a?1, wherein, “a” represents a ratio of fluorine atoms to the sum of carbon atoms, oxygen atoms, and fluorine atoms present in a region of the protective layer ranging from the photosensitive layer side surface thereof to a point corresponding to about ? of the thickness thereof, and “b” represents the ratio in a region of the protective layer ranging from the outer surface thereof to a point corresponding to about ? of the thickness thereof.

Abstract: A screen control device includes: a history storage unit that stores history information associating information on a process executed in an image forming apparatus with user information that identifies a user who executed the process; a periodic process determination unit that determines whether a process executed by the user is a periodic process executed periodically based on the history information; an execution schedule calculation unit that calculates, in a case where the process executed by the user is a periodic process, an execution scheduled date when the periodic process is executed next time; a periodic process management unit that manages the periodic process in association with the user and the calculated execution scheduled date; and a display controller that displays a screen that allows an execution of the periodic process on a display when the user uses the image forming apparatus during a given term including the execution scheduled date.