Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier and a detection unit. The image carrier is stretched around a plurality of rolls. The detection unit detects a density of a toner image formed on the image carrier, based on an amount of regularly reflected light from a surface of the image carrier. A detection length where the detection unit performs the detection in a movement direction of the image carrier is longer than a length, in the movement direction of the image carrier, of a deformation area where a deformation of the image carrier is caused.

Abstract: A drive roll/idler roll nip release mechanism utilizes the motor used for the drive nip, coupled with one-way clutches, to power the nip release as a sheet is handed off to a downstream nip. A drive shaft is coupled to a first one-way clutch in one direction and an idler cam shaft is coupled to a second one-way clutch in the opposite direction. This allows the idler cam shaft to be driven only when the motor is reversed, and the drive shaft to be driven only when the motor is moving forward. The one-way clutch on the drive shaft allows the drive wheels to freewheel when the motor is reversed in order to engage the nip release. Thus, the nip release is activated while the drive nip continues to rotate in the direction of sheet motion.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing variations in components or subsystems in an image printing system is provided. The method includes identifying a plurality of image quality defects printed by the image printing system by a controller, said image quality defects each occurring with an associated frequency and each being associated with a component or subsystem of the image printing system; determining a phase difference of the image quality defects by the controller; and adjusting operation of each component or subsystem associated with the image quality defects, such that image quality defects are in phase.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a two-dimensional code generating apparatus includes a two-dimensional code generating unit. The two-dimensional code generating unit that generates a two-dimensional code including a plurality of region symbols, a plurality of first pattern symbols, a plurality of second pattern symbols, and an information pattern. The region symbols represent a rectangular region in which one unit of the two-dimensional code is disposed, the rectangular region having a first side and a second side opposed to the first side.

Abstract: There is described a bias charging member that includes a conductive core and an outer surface layer on the conductive core. The outer surface layer includes a resin of aminoplast and one of polyol or nylon, a conductive additive and p-toluene sulfonic acid. There is also described a method of refurbishing bias charging members.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a curable solution layer forming device that forms a curable solution layer by supplying a curable solution to a recording member or an intermediate member, the curable solution including at least a curable material to be cured by an external stimulus, and a water-absorbing component; an ink applying device that applies an ink to the curable solution layer; a stimulus supplying device that supplies the stimulus for curing the curable solution layer, to the curable solution layer; and a water-absorption controlling component-contact device that brings a liquid, including a component that controls water-absorption by the water-absorbing component, into contact with the curable solution layer, before or after the ink is applied to the curable solution layer by the ink applying device.

Abstract: When closing a front cover opened in a case where a fixing lever is placed in a fixing position, a guide plate portion formed on the front cover raises the fixing lever together with a support shaft. When a connection pin of the fixing lever enters a cam groove provided in the front cover, the fixing lever obtains a closed state in which the fixing lever is connected to the cam groove.

Abstract: A managing device includes a request receiver that receives a request for use of an image forming apparatus, the request containing information concerning a user; an upper limit value determining unit that, upon receiving the request for use by the request receiver, determines an upper limit value for image formation processing on the basis of limiting information of a user group to which the user belongs; and a transmitter that transmits information providing an instruction to inhibit the image formation processing to an image forming apparatus whose image formation processing cannot be limited based on the upper limit value determined by the upper limit value determining unit when the processing upper limit value is less than a threshold value.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating member disposed with an internal heating source and a pressuring member that presses against the heating member. The fixing device is configured to be attachable to and detachable from an image forming apparatus body, and includes: brackets that retain the heating member; pressuring levers that retain the pressuring member and are movably supported in the brackets; urging means that push the pressuring levers in a direction where the pressuring member presses against the heating member; and cams that are rotatably supported in the brackets, contact the pressuring levers, and adjust the pressuring force of the pressuring member.

Abstract: A method and system for compensating for an image quality defect in an image printing system comprising at least one marking station, the at least one marking station comprising a charging device for charging the image bearing surface, an exposing device for irradiating and discharging the image bearing surface to form a latent image, a developer unit for developing toner to the image bearing surface, and a transfer unit for transferring toner from the image bearing surface to an image accumulation surface is provided. The method includes sensing the image quality defect on an image bearing surface by an electrostatic voltmeter (ESV) in the image printing system and determining the frequency, amplitude, and/or phase of the image quality defect by a processor. In one embodiment, the method includes compensating for the image quality defect by modulating the power of an exposing device during an expose process.

Abstract: According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method, a system, and a printmaking device for calibrating sensors. The method begins by transporting a media sheet along a media path, the sheet having a lead edge, a trail edge and a measurement edge. Next, the method halts the forward motion of the sheet after the lead edge of the sheet passes a fixed reference. After that, the method moves the sheet laterally relative to the media path across the at least one edge sensor using a sheet actuator. Then, the method records an actual position of the sheet actuator and an output of at least one edge sensor. Finally, the method calculates a calibration factor based on the actual position of the sheet actuator and the output of the at least one edge sensor.

Abstract: Described herein are printheads for inkjet printing and, more specifically, printheads modified with a self-assembly monolayer (SAM). Also described are processes for making and using the printheads as well as processes for forming patterns and images on a substrate including jetting inkjet inks or jettable materials using a printhead for inkjet printing that has been modified with a self-assembly monolayer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting substrate media including a nip assembly having a drive wheel operably connected to a drive mechanism for rotating the drive wheel, and an idler member disposed adjacent the drive wheel. The idler wheel and drive wheel forming a nip. The drive wheel and idler wheel are displaceable from each other to form a nip gap therebetween. A nip force generator is operably connected to the nip assembly. The nip force generator develops a first nip force upon entry of the substrate media into the nip and formation of the nip gap and develops a second nip force subsequent to the first nip force. The second nip force is greater than the first nip force.

Abstract: An image-reading system includes an image-reading device that includes: a first creating unit that creates, if a control device requests creation of a content of a settings screen, a content of a first settings screen for setting a scan condition supported by the available function of an image-reading unit expressed by stored function information; a generating unit that generates, when a scan condition is set on the first settings screen whose content is created by the first creating unit, first instruction data to read an image in accordance with the set scan condition; and a reading controller that controls the image-reading unit based on the generated first instruction data, so that the image-reading unit reads an image in accordance with the set scan condition.

Abstract: A photoconductor that includes a first layer, a supporting substrate thereover, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer of at least one charge transport component, and wherein the first layer is in contact with the supporting substrate on the reverse side thereof, and which first layer is comprised of a crosslinked mixture of a glycoluril resin and a self crosslinking acrylic resin.

Abstract: Pressure rolls for apparatuses useful in printing, apparatuses useful in printing and methods of making pressure rolls are provided. An exemplary embodiment of a pressure roll for an apparatus useful in printing includes a first layer including silicone rubber, the first layer including a first outer surface, a first end face and an opposite second end face; a second layer including a polymer overlying the first layer, the second layer including a second outer surface, a third end face and an opposite fourth end face; and a sealing material bonded to and covering the first, second, third and fourth end faces. The sealing material includes a polymer that is impervious to, and chemically resistant to, a release agent comprising silicone oil.

Abstract: A dual layered intermediate transfer member, such as a belt, that includes a substrate that is coated with a layer of a mixture of a glycoluril resin, and a self crosslinking acrylic resin.

Abstract: A circuit board holding member includes a body portion, holding portions and first attachment portions. The body portion is made of resin, and is provided to hold a circuit board. The holding portions are made of resin. The holding portions are formed integrally with the body portion, and are provided to hold connection lines to be connected from electric modules of an apparatus to the circuit board. The first attachment portions are provided in the body portion and serve for removably attaching the circuit board to the apparatus.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an image processing apparatus includes a first calculating unit, a second calculating unit, and a control unit. The first calculating unit calculates, for each print subject image, consumptions of recording materials when the print subject image is printed based on image data of the print subject image, a first value of a first element and a second value of a second element. The second calculating unit calculates a first consumption variation range of the recording materials that corresponds to a first adjustment range of the first element and a second consumption variation range of the recording materials that corresponds to a first adjustment range of the second element. The control unit controls a display device so that the display device displays the first adjustment range and the first variation range and displays the second adjustment range and the second variation range.

Abstract: A developing device includes: plural developing units; a rotary body, where the plural developing units are attached, that rotates so as to place one of the plural developing units in a developing position to develop a subject of development; a first driving unit that drives the rotary body; a second driving unit that drives at least one of the plural developing units; and a regulatory mechanism that regulates a position of the rotary body using a rotational force caused in the rotary body in accordance with driving by the second driving unit.