Abstract: A nitride-based laser diode structure utilizing a single GaN:Mg waveguide/cladding layer, in place of separate GaN:Mg waveguide and AlGaN:Mg cladding layers used in conventional nitride-based laser diode structures. When formed using an optimal thickness, the GaN:Mg layer produces an optical confinement that is comparable to or better than conventional structures. A thin AlGaN tunnel barrier layer is provided between the multiple quantum well and a lower portion of the GaN:Mg waveguide layer, which suppresses electron leakage without any significant decrease in optical confinement. A split-metal electrode is formed on the GaN:Mg upper waveguide structure to avoid absorption losses in the upper electrode metal. A pair of AlGaN:Si current blocking layer sections are located below the split-metal electrode sections, and separated by a gap located over the active region of the multiple quantum well.

Abstract: A nitride-based laser diode structure utilizing a metal-oxide (e.g., Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO) or Zinc-Oxide (ZnO)) in place of p-doped AlGaN to form the upper cladding layer. An InGaN laser diode structure utilizes ITO upper cladding structure, with an SiO2 isolation structure formed on opposite sides of the ITO upper cladding structure to provide a lateral index step that is large enough to enable lateral single-mode operation. The lateral index step is further increased by slightly etching the GaN:Mg waveguide layer below the SiO2 isolation structure. An optional p-type current barrier layer (e.g., AlGaN:Mg having a thickness of approximately 20 nm) is formed between the InGaN-MQW region and a p-GaN upper waveguide layer to impede electron leakage from the InGaN-MQW region.

Abstract: A device for ion charging airborne toner particles for the development of electrophotographic images is proposed. The ion toner-charging device subjects an airborne stream of toner particles to unipolar gas ions in the presence of an applied alternating electric field. The alternating electric field prevents the charged particles from depositing on the electrodes in the charging zone. The device uniformly charges irregular or spherical shaped toner particles to the Pauthenier charging limit. The device is an interface between various methods for supplying toner to the unit and developing an electrostatic image with ion charged toner.

Abstract: A fuser member having a substrate, an outer silicone rubber layer; and a release agent having a combination of fluorosilicone release agent and a non-functional release agent.

Abstract: A stress-balancing layer formed over portions of a spring metal finger that remain attached to an underlying substrate to counter internal stresses inherently formed in the spring metal finger. The (e.g., positive) internal stress of the spring metal causes the claw (tip) of the spring metal finger to bend away from the substrate when an underlying release material is removed. The stress-balancing pad is formed on an anchor portion of the spring metal finger, and includes an opposite (e.g., negative) internal stress that counters the positive stress of the spring metal finger. A stress-balancing layer is either initially formed over the entire spring metal finger and then partially removed (etched) from the claw portion, or selectively deposited only on the anchor portion of the spring metal finger. An interposing etch stop layer is used when the same material composition is used to form both the spring metal and stress-balancing layers.

Abstract: A display material for use in an electric paper system includes two opposing outer surfaces, between which is disposed a plurality of optically and electrically anisotropic elements suspended in a substance capable of being liquified. A rotatable disposition of each element is achievable while the element is suspended in the substance and the substance is liquified.

Abstract: A compound having the Formula I wherein: R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of a hetero atom containing group and a hydrocarbon group that is optionally substituted at least once with a hetero atom moiety; R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a halogen, a hetero -atom containing group and a hydrocarbon group that is optionally substituted at least once with a hetero atom moiety; and R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 and R11 are independently selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen containing group, a sulfur containing group, a hydroxyl group, a silicon containing group, hydrogen, a halogen, a hetero atom containing group and a hydrocarbon group that is optionally substituted at least once with a hetero atom moiety.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a developing unit for developing latent image, and a reserve tank that temporarily stores developer ejected from a first cartridge and a second cartridge and that discharges the developer to the developing unit. The reserve tank is provided with a storage amount sensor for sensing storage amount of the developer in the first reserve tank. The image formation apparatus further includes a controller for controlling ejection of developer from at least the first cartridge and the second cartridge into the first reserve tank in accordance with output from the storage amount sensor.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for enhancing resolution of compressed image data. All operations in the present invention are performed in the CCITT compressed domain. For the purpose of the present invention, the input image data is compressed which is mapped to the transitions of the input line. A line is interpolated between the input lines and the transitions of the interpolated line are determined according to the positional difference of transitions in input lines. The transitions of each line in resolution enhanced data are encoded into a compressed codes.

Abstract: Circuitry for providing a method (semi-analog) for normalization procedure of the Head Driver ASIC is disclosed. The circuitry utilizes current DAC's (Digital-to-Analog Converts) to adjust the amplitudes of the voltages across piezoelectric elements, based on predetermined normalization (calibration) data which are stored in separate latches (a different normalization data for each individual transducer). The transducers all receive their respective calibrated voltage values all at the same time utilizing a single current slope delivered to each. This method provides more simplicity and more accuracy for normalization procedure and results in better performance then using digital circuitry and digital counters.

Abstract: A high speed heat and pressure belt fuser apparatus or structure for fixing toner images including an endless belt and a pair of pressure members between which the endless belt is sandwiched for forming a fusing nip through which substrates carrying toner images pass with the toner images contacting an outer surface of the endless belt. Efficient uniform heat transfer to a fusing belt, especially belts with macro non-uniformities and/or a rough surface, for enabling better toner fusing uniformity, preventing localized cold offset and extending belt life is effected by the addition of a spring loaded mechanism inside a belt module within the region of contact with the External Heat Roll (EHR). Such an arrangement produces superior contact and therefore better heat transfer to the belt. A positive and consistent heating contact is essential for uniform and high image gloss.

Abstract: A universal and precise stapling assembly is provided and includes (a) a moveable stapling head for driving staples at precise locations through an aligned set of sheets on any one of plural types of alignment apparatus; (b) a drive device coupled to the stapling head for moving the stapling head relative to the any one of plural types of alignment apparatus and the aligned set of aligned sheets on the any one of the plural types of alignment apparatus; (c) sensors for sensing a position of the aligned set of sheets; and (d) a programmable controller connected to the drive device, to the sensors, and to the stapling head, and including calculating capability for precisely calculating a precise staple location responsively to a type of any one of the plural types of alignment apparatus and to the secured position of the aligned set of sheets, thereby reducing staple mislocation due to a tolerance stack up from components of the stapling head and components of any one of the plural types of alignment apparatus.

Abstract: In a high speed color printer wherein color images are produced by superposing a developed image atop another developed image, the improvement including a charging system for charging a surface, including: at least two coronodes; a housing with the at least two coronodes spaced from each other; a grid interposed between the surface and the at least two coronodes; a shield, interposed between the housing and the at least two coronodes; a first power supply for biasing the grid and shield; a second power supply for energizing each of the at least two coronodes; and a phase controller connected to the second power supply and adapted to control energizing of the at least two coronodes such that each of the at least two coronodes is charged at a phase difference.

Abstract: A hybrid structure or device is provided wherein carried on a single substrate is at least one micro-spring interconnect having an elastic material that is initially fixed to a surface of the substrate, an anchor portion which is fixed to the substrate surface and a free portion. The spring contact is self-assembling in that as the free portion is released it moves out of the plane of the substrate. Also integrated on the substrate is a sensor having an active layer and contacts. The substrate and sensor may be formed of materials which are somewhat partially transparent to light at certain infrared wavelengths. The integrated sensor/spring contact configuration may be used in an imaging system to sense output from a light source which is used for image formation. The light source may be a laser array, LED array or other appropriate light source. The sensor is appropriately sized to sense all or some part of light from the light source.

Abstract: A method of forming a photo-catalytic film made of titanium oxide on a base material based on a simple process at low temperatures, particularly a method of forming a laminated material comprising photo-catalytic film of titanium oxide formed on a base material is provided. A method of forming a photo-catalytic film made of titanium oxide on a base material includes a treating process, in which photo-catalytic film of titanium oxide is formed on a base material and irradiated with UV light in vacuum or in an atmosphere of reducing gas at a temperature maintained between 25° C. and below 300° C.

Abstract: An airtight sampling apparatus for effectively and accurately sampling a waste solution including volatile organic compounds (VOC's) from a main waste solution conduit having a first pressure P1, is provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming an unfixed toner image on a recording sheet, a first fixing unit for fixing the unfixed toner image on the recording sheet, a second fixing unit for further fixing the toner image on the recording sheet fixed by the first fixing unit, and a control unit for selecting a first fixing mode in which only the first fixing unit is used for fixing the toner image on the recording sheet or a second fixing mode in which the first and second fixing unit are used for the fixing. The width of the recording sheet, which the second fixing unit can fix is narrower than of the recording sheet 16, which the first fixing unit can fix.

Abstract: A method of recycling a molded resin consisting mainly of a thermoplastic resin which comprising adding as a recycle aid agent a rubber-like material (material) which is compatible with the thermoplastic resin as the main component of the molded resin, is moldable after having been mixed with the resin, and has the property of improving impact strength. By this method, impact strength and flame retardancy are recovered or improved.

Abstract: A Ta—Si—O ternary alloy thin film resistive element having a self-oxide film that is good in energy transfer efficiency to an ink and is good in erosion resistance is used as a heating element, and deterioration in service life of the Ta—Si—O ternary alloy thin film resistive element due to cavitation is prevented. A heater ejects an ink filled in the individual flow channel in the vicinity of the nozzle from the nozzle as an ink droplet through expansion of a bubble formed in the ink with heat energy from the Ta—Si—O ternary alloy thin film resistive element, and the bubble formed in the individual flow channel is connected to the atmospheric air through the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transfer member containing a polyimide resin and carbon black. The carbon black has a pH value of no more than 5 and a volatile component of at least 3.5%, and the content of carbon black is 22 to 30 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the polyimide resin. The invention also provides a method for manufacturing a transfer member comprising the steps of: dividing a poly(amic acid) resin solution containing carbon black into plural portions, and mixing the divided solutions by allowed the solutions to collide with each other at a pressure of at least 150 MPa; and forming a transfer member containing the polyimide resin using the poly(amic acid) resin solution, which has the carbon black mixed therein. The invention further provides an image forming apparatus using the transfer member above.