Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first feeding unit and a second feeding unit. In the first feeding unit, a hand-feeding unit having a hand-feeding accommodating portion is mounted. The first feeding unit includes a first mounting portion into which a medium is conveyed from the hand-feeding accommodating portion. And a connection unit for consecutive installation is mounted to the first mounting portion in a state where the hand-feeding unit is removed from the first mounting portion. The connection unit includes an added conveyance path for consecutive installation. The second feeding unit includes a second mounting portion in which the hand-feeding unit is mounted and into which a medium is conveyed from the hand-feeding accommodating portion. And the second feeding unit is connected to the added conveyance path.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for background suppression in the image path. In one example embodiment, an image is scanned and RGB color values generated for each pixel. Each of the pixels is converted into a Lab color space to obtain luminance and chrominance values. A background luminance and a luminance variation are determined for the scanned image. For each pixel, a determination is made whether that pixel is a white pixel or a non-white pixel based. If the pixel is a white pixel, an adjustment chrominance value for that pixel is determined. The value of the chrominance adjustment is modulated as a function of a difference between the white pixel's luminance and the background luminance. The modulated chrominance adjustment is applied to the white pixel. Adjusted and non-adjusted pixels are stored in a memory. A printer controller converts the pixels to an output space.

Abstract: The sheet transport apparatus comprise a sheet supply tray, a separation roll, a support body and a separation roll accommodation portion. The sheet supply tray has a plurality of sheets. The separation roll separates out the sheets one by one by applying a transport resistance to the sheets transported from the sheet supply tray. The support body rotatably supports the separation roll. The separation roll accommodation portion is formed in a transport path along which the sheets are transported, and it accommodates the separation roll and the support body such that they may be detached from a transport surface side of the transport path.

Abstract: Images within an image repository related to a selected image may be located despite cropping, rotating, and/or the application of a variety of other distortions to either the selected image and/or images in the image repository. Described exemplary approaches may use image digests produced using a multi-step process. In a first step, a discrete Fourier transform may be applied to produce an M×N frequency-based image matrix from an M×N image matrix containing elements that represent spatial image pixel values. In subsequent steps, matrix approximations may be applied to reduce the M×N frequency-based image matrix and to produce an image digest that reflects the content of the image. Further, an approach is described for generating a search threshold value that may be used to determine whether images digests associated with images in a repository are sufficiently similar to a search digest to be returned in a search result.

Abstract: The present embodiments are generally directed to an improved imaging member exhibiting various advantages over conventional imaging members. More specifically, the present embodiments are directed to an improved interfacial layer formed from an aqueous-based coating solution which exhibits improved formation and coating properties, such as increased homogeneity and adhesion, and methods for making the same. The aqueous-based coating solution is environment-friendly and avoids the need to use more expensive organic solvents which involve higher safety risks in the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises: an intermediate transfer body; a releasing agent supply device that supplies a releasing agent onto the intermediate transfer body; a particle supply device that supplies hydrophilic ink-recipient particles that receive an ink, onto the releasing agent supplied onto the intermediate transfer body; an ink ejection device that ejects the ink onto the ink-recipient particles supplied onto the intermediate transfer body; and a transfer device that transfers the ink-recipient particles that received the ink, onto a recording medium from the intermediate transfer body, the releasing agent comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a silicone oil, a fluorinated oil and an organic compound having a solubility parameter (SP value) of about 11 or less.

Abstract: Toner particles are provided which may, in embodiments, include a core and a shell. In embodiments, charge control agents may be co-emulsified with a resin utilized to form a shell. The shell may prevent a crystalline resin in the core from migrating to the toner surface. Inclusion of the charge control agent in the shell itself may provide the resulting toner particles with desirable charge characteristics and sensitivity to relative humidity.

Abstract: A recording device includes a first voltage application unit that applies a first voltage to a display layer; a second voltage application unit that applies a second voltage; a first irradiation unit that irradiates to the display layer first light synchronized with the application of the second voltage; a second irradiation unit that irradiates to the display layer a second light after the application of the second voltage is terminated, the second light having a third intensity if the second light is irradiated at an area corresponding to the first tone in the second liquid crystal layer, the second light not being irradiated if the second light is irradiated at an area corresponding to the second tone in the second liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: An optical component bowing device includes a bending moment generating structure. In a particular embodiment, the bending moment generating structure can have extension members that extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of an optical component. The extension members can be positioned adjacent longitudinal end portions of the optical component. The bending moment generating structure can also have loading members that load the extension members in a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the optical component, whereby displacement of the extension members can generate a bending moment in a supported portion of the optical component that reflects or shapes a light beam. The bending moment generating structure can also include a reflective surface. Extension members on at least one end of the optical component can be T-shaped when seen in plan view in a direction orthogonal to the reflective surface.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide interconnects and methods for interconnecting an electrical device array with a flexible circuit by filling a chemically-etched or laser-ablated integral stencil with conductive materials

Abstract: A fluid dispensing subassembly has a diaphragm arranged to be operated on by a transducer, a body pressure chamber arranged to be operated on by the diaphragm, and an adhesive attachment layer arranged between the diaphragm and the body pressure chamber. A fluid dispensing subassembly has a body pressure chamber formed of either a single plate or set of plates, a diaphragm arranged to operate on the body pressure chamber, and an adhesive layer arranged between the body pressure chamber and the diaphragm. A method of manufacturing a fluid dispensing subassembly includes forming a body pressure chamber from a body plate or a set of plates including a body plate, and adhesively bonding a diaphragm plate to at least the body plate of the fluid dispensing subassembly.

Abstract: A method of producing a packaged uses an electronic user interface to receive a first image of an object to be packaged, along with information relating to one or more properties of the object. A three dimensional size for the object is determined, and a package is automatically selected. Based on the object properties, a packing material type is automatically determined. Based upon the size and the selected package, a packing material amount is determined.

Abstract: A large format stacking tray in an image production device is disclosed. The large format stacking tray may include a tray body of a first length that may be attachable to a stacker device in a finishing module of the image production device, and a tray top surface located on top of the tray body on which a media stack containing one or more media sheets rests upon after being output by the image production device. The tray top surface has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The tray top surface may be sloped between the first end and the second end in a manner that permits media sheets that are longer than the first length to be output and stacked onto the stacker device.

Abstract: A medium transporting device includes: a transporting path; a contacted member that is provided on the transporting path to be movable in a medium width direction orthogonal to a medium transporting direction; a line-up member on the transporting path that lines up a position of the medium by sending the medium transported on the transporting path to the contacted member to bring the end of the medium in the medium width direction into contact with the contacted member; a displacement amount calculation unit that sets on a downstream side of the line-up member in the medium transporting direction, and calculates a misregistration amount of the medium in the medium width direction; and a contacted position control unit that controls a position of the contacted member by moving the contacted member in a direction of reducing the misregistration amount.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate in general to electrophotographic imaging members, such as layered photoreceptor structural simplification, and material reformulation for making and using the same. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to the incorporation of a plasticizer into the charge transport layer such that an anticurl back coating is no longer needed for reduction or elimination of the layered photoreceptor curling.

Abstract: In a tonerless imaging process, an inked image layer jetted on an image receptor is simultaneously transferred and fused to a recording medium. A radiation-curable material is incorporated in the image layer such that irradiation of the image layer cures the radiation-curable material therein. An ink jet printing apparatus for performing the above process is also disclosed.

Abstract: An image output device includes: an image output unit that prints inputted printing data; an acquiring unit that acquires printing data that is not normally printed by the image output unit; a processing condition storage unit that stores processing conditions for each of predetermined data types; an alternative printing data generating unit that identifies portions corresponding to the data types within the printing data acquired by the acquiring unit, generates alternative printing data obtained by processing the printing data of the identified portions according to the processing conditions of the identified portions, which are stored in the processing condition storage unit, and inputs the generated alternative printing data to the image output unit; and a fault data output control unit that outputs, as fault data, the alternative printing data that is not normally printed by the image output unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding sheets of media from a media stack in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include fluffing a stack of media with a predetermined amount of air flow, sensing a number of fluffed media sheets in the media stack, determining if the number of fluffed media sheets equals or exceeds a predetermined value, wherein if it is determined that the number of fluffed media sheets equals or exceeds the predetermined value, feeding the fluffed media sheets to an image production section of the image production device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image pickup unit that images an image of a face; a first extraction unit that extracts a first image pattern as a correct solution pattern based on a sample image of the race; a second extraction unit that extracts a second image pattern as a counterexample pattern based on the sample image; a learning unit that learns a pattern recognition of the target part based on the first image pattern and the second image pattern; an identification unit that identifies a face area from the image of the face, the face area being an area where the face is shown; and a detection unit that detects a position of the target part from the face area based on the pattern recognition of the target part.

Abstract: An encryption device includes a first unit that acquires value information denoting a value of information to be encrypted, and a second unit that calculates a strength parameter denoting an encryption strength, based on the value information. It is thus possible to determine the strength parameter reasonably according to the information to be encrypted.