Abstract: A multi-function machine having capabilities of at least scanning documents is presented. The multi-function machine includes a scanning assembly for generating a plurality of electronic images and a re-ordering subsystem, operatively associated with the multi-function machine, for performing an ordering determination procedure with respect to the plurality of electronic images. The ordering determination procedure further includes (1) analyzing the plurality of electronic images to determine whether the plurality of images are in a pre-selected order, and (2) responsive to determining that the plurality of electronic images are not in the pre-selected order, electronically re-ordering at least one of the plurality of electronic images to conform with the pre-selected order.

Abstract: A display medium comprises: a pair of electrodes to which a voltage is applied; a cholesteric liquid crystal layer provided between the pair of electrodes, wherein an alignment state of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer changes depending on a strength of an electric field generated upon application of a voltage to the pair of electrodes; and an intervening layer provided in an area between a part of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer and one of the pair of electrodes such that a strength of an electric field generated in the part of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer upon application of a voltage to the pair of electrodes is different from a strength of an electric field generated in another part of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes: a removing unit that removes a toner on an image holder by coming into contact with the image holder that rotates; a transporting unit provided above the removing unit and adapted to cause the toner removed by the removing unit to be axially transported as the transporting unit rotates; and an accommodating container in which the transporting unit is provided and which accommodates the removed toner, and the transporting unit is movable in a direction in which the transporting unit moves away from the removing unit.

Abstract: System and methods for directing sheet media to one of multiple output paths is described. A multi-path gating system includes a multi-positionable gate including a fixed pivotable input end for receiving sheet media and a movable output end for routing the sheet media to one of multiple output paths. The multi-path gating system also includes an actuator configured to control the position of the output end of the multi-positionable gate, wherein the actuator orients the output end of the gate forming an output path for the sheet media.

Abstract: A light-emitting device includes: an array of light-emitting elements connected to a light-up signal line to supply a current for lighting up; an array of memory elements provided so as to correspond to the respective light-emitting elements, connected through respective resistances to a memory signal line to supply a signal to designate a light-emitting element to be lighted up, and memorizing by getting turned on that a corresponding light-emitting element is to be lighted up; and an array of switch elements provided so as to correspond to the respective memory elements, electrically connected to the respective memory elements, connected to a transfer signal line to supply signals to set so as to allow a sequential shift of an ON state from one side end to the other end side, and causing the respective memory elements to be likely to be set in an ON state by getting turned on.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed generally to a composition that forms a cross-linked protective outer coating or layer able to withstand high temperatures and which maintains integrity in such conditions. The protective coating may be used in imaging apparatus members and components, for use in electrostatographic, including digital, apparatuses. Particular embodiments pertain to a fuser component having an outer coating comprised of a cross-linking composition that improves resistance to thermal degradation and extends the service life of the fuser component.

Abstract: A storage container includes a container body formed with a discharge hole and a filling hole, an opening and closing part opening and closing the discharge hole, a lid member sealing the filling hole, and an operating member having a facing portion facing the filling hole and used to operate the opening and closing part. The operating member moves between a first position where the discharge hole is brought into an opened state, a second position where the discharge hole is brought into a closed state, and where the facing portion is arranged at a position which overlaps the container body, and a third position where the discharge hole is brought into a closed state, and where the facing portion is arranged at a position which does not overlap the container body in the direction of gravity in which the sealing part is attached to the container body.

Abstract: An apparatus for registering a sheet. The apparatus including a sheet registration nip assembly for changing a position and/or timing of the sheet. The apparatus also including a controller communicating a first signal to the sheet registration nip assembly to change a first sheet characteristic to a target characteristic. The first signal generated to impart the target characteristic to the sheet by the time the sheet reaches a preliminary datum. The preliminary datum disposed along the transport path between the sheet registration nip assembly and a delivery datum that is disposed downstream of the sheet registration nip assembly. The controller communicating a second signal to the sheet registration nip assembly to change a second sheet characteristic to the target characteristic. The second signal communicated when at least a portion of the sheet is disposed along the transport path between the preliminary datum and the delivery datum.

Abstract: A computer-based method and a system for indexing, querying, and ranking documents based on layout are provided. The method includes providing a plurality of documents to computer memory, extracting layout blocks from the provided documents, clustering the layout blocks into a plurality of layout block clusters, computing a representative block for each of the layout block clusters, generating a document index for each provided document based on the layout blocks of the document and the computed representatives blocks, clustering the created document indexes into a plurality of document index clusters, and generating a representative cluster index for each of the document index clusters. The indexes generated, together with the representative blocks and document index clusters, can be stored and used for retrieval of documents responsive to a layout query.

Abstract: A method for driving a liquid droplet ejecting head having plural liquid droplet ejectors that eject liquid droplets from nozzles according to respective voltage changes applied to plural piezoelectric elements electrically connected in a matrix, wherein a switching element being provided with respect to each piezoelectric element and capable of grounding one of a pair of terminals of the piezoelectric element, the method including: inputting, per unit of one column of the piezoelectric elements, a column controlling signal for switching on/off the switching element; inputting, per unit of one row of the piezoelectric elements, a row signal for switching the other of the pair of terminals of the piezoelectric element to a predetermined voltage applied state, a grounded state or an opened state; and ejecting the liquid droplet from the liquid droplet ejector by forming a voltage change between the pair of terminals of the piezoelectric element, is provided.

Abstract: A multilayered task supporting apparatus includes: a display area that is divided into three or more; an input unit that is provided with a group of control buttons for assigning a display object; and a control unit that controls a content to be displayed on the display area on the basis of an input from the input unit.

Abstract: A thin film transistor has a semiconducting layer comprising a semiconductor and a mixture enriched in metallic carbon nanotubes. The semiconducting layer has improved charge carrier mobility.

Abstract: A photoreceptor with a substrate, a charge generating layer, a charge transport layer including N,N,N?N?-tetra(4-methylphenyl)-(1,1?-biphenyl)-4,4?-diamine, having a purity of from about 95 percent to about 100 percent, and a protective overcoating layer, optionally including a hole transport material other than N,N,N?N?-tetra(4-methylphenyl)-(1,1?-biphenyl)-4,4?-diamine, that will discharge from about 85% to about 100% of its surface potential in from 0 to about 40 milliseconds upon being subjected to xerographic charging and exposure to radiant energy of from about 1 erg/cm2 to about 5 ergs/cm2.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device is provided. The ink stick comprises a three dimensional ink stick body having an exterior surface. The ink stick includes one or more coded markers formed in the exterior surface from a leading end to a trailing end of the ink stick body parallel to a feed direction of the ink loader, each coded marker including a coded pattern of indicia for being optically read as the coded marker passes a sensor in the feed channel. The coded pattern of indicia may include areas of varying widths and/or varying reflective properties for generating a coded signal pattern indicating variable control/attribute information to a control system of an imaging device.

Abstract: Methods form a multi-color electrophoretic display. The methods include providing microcapsules, wherein the microcapsules have an electrostatic charge, and wherein the microcapsules comprise, a shell that is transparent and a display medium within the shell, wherein the display medium is comprised of either (a) at least two sets of differently colored particles in a substantially clear fluid, or (b) at least one set of colored particles in a differently colored fluid. The methods include transferring the microcapsules to a substrate, wherein the electrostatic charge of the microcapsules attracts the microcapsules to the substrate, wherein a display layer of microcapsules is formed on the substrate. The methods include positioning a conductive substrate adjacent to the substrate, wherein the substrate is located between the display layer and the conductive substrate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a sheet tray; an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet; a sheet transporting path that allows a transportation of the recording sheet fed from the sheet tray to the image forming unit; and a sheet detecting unit that detects a passage of a rear end, with respect to a direction in which the recording sheet is transported, of the recording sheet along the sheet transporting path. The transportation of the recording sheet is temporarily stopped at the time of, or after a predetermined time from when the rear end is detected by the sheet detecting unit. The transportation of the recording sheet is resumed on the basis of data on a size of the transported recording sheet and a timing of image formation by the image forming unit.

Abstract: A system for printing a multi-layer document includes no less than two continuous feed simplex printing devices that each print on no more than one of a plurality of media webs. An in-line post-processing device merges the media webs into a multi-layer document. The system also may have a controller that controls the printing devices and the post-processing device from a single synchronized dataflow. A method prints a multi-layer document, including the steps of simultaneously printing on no less than two media webs by a plurality of roll fed printers that each print on only one of the media webs; and merging the media webs from the plurality of roll fed printers in an inline post-processing device.

Abstract: An improved flag-actuator (actuator) is provided for use in an electrophotographic marking system. This actuator is reversible providing sides 1 and 2, thereby about doubling the useful life of the actuator. Each side 1 and 2 is mounted at different positions on a shaft and permits a much wider range of actuator adjustment than prior art units. Depending upon a tolerance stack-up within the marking system, the user can determine whether to use either side 1 or side 2. The use of this reversible asymmetrical and eccentric actuator allows for the setting of start actuation for nearly double the tolerance stack-up.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an adaptive blade lubrication apparatus that includes a lubricant unit to place a lubrication stripe of lubricating material on a portion of a main surface; a cleaning blade that engages the main surface to remove excess toner thereon; and a controller configured to control the location of each lubrication stripe of lubricating material, wherein the controller places the lubricating material based on at least one of application frequency, blade lubrication state, blade engagement with the main surface. By varying the location of the lubrication stripe, the cleaning blade is better lubricated over the entire surface of the photoreceptor with the same or less lubricant than used in single location lubrication. Blade life and reliability are improved with more effective lubrication of the blade.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ink stick for use in a phase change ink jet imaging device comprises heating phase change ink material to an extrusion temperature at which the phase change ink material is in a malleable state. The ink material is then extruded through an extrusion orifice to form an extruded rail of ink. The extruded rail of ink is then roll formed to partially form a portion of a shape transverse to the extrusion direction as the rail of ink moves in the extrusion direction. A swaging process is then carried out to further form and divide the extruded rail of ink into ink sticks.