Abstract: A system and method for tracking belts disposed on rollers in a photoreceptor apparatus. The system includes a movable, belt edge guide that operates in combination with an encoder, a belt edge sensor, a belt hole sensor for detecting a hole in the belt surface, wherein the profile of the edge of the belt is learned as a function of the belt position on the rollers. The encoder and belt hole sensor are used to actuate the edge guide system to compensate for the contours of the belt edge and to maintain a constant lateral position of the belt at any given point on the belt.

Abstract: A process for producing an acrylic polymer capable of providing a polymer controlled in molecular weight and free of colorization, and a heterogeneous polymerization catalyst used in the process for producing an acrylic polymer are provided. The heterogeneous polymerization catalyst contains (A) a radical generating substance, (B) a metallic halide containing a metallic element selected from the group consisting of the Group 4 to Group 12 elements and a halogen element selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine and iodine, and (C) a carrier carrying a ligand capable of forming a coordination bond with the metallic halide (B). The process for producing an acrylic polymer contains a step of polymerizing a monomer containing at least an acrylate and/or a methacrylate in the presence of the heterogeneous polymerization catalyst.

Abstract: A process that provides a status report following a request for the destruction of data files a user wishes to completely erase from a storage medium, such as a hard drive or removable disk. A system administrator can select a quantity of and pattern to be used in overwrites of the data file so that no one can recover the data from the storage medium. In embodiments, a graphical user interface (GUI) can be provided to allow user triggering of and parameter setting for the process. The GUI can be implemented at a device in which the storage medium is a component or can be implemented in a device driver GUI on a personal computer in communication with the device.

Abstract: An image inspection device to automate and simplify inspection of an output image. A paper discharge tray of a printer is a different color from paper. A CCD camera is disposed above a paper discharge portion of the printer, at which paper is discharged, and can capture the whole upper face of the paper discharge tray. When, directly after a state in which there is no paper on the paper discharge tray, a print job is received and a first print-processed sheet is outputted to the paper discharge tray, a CPU controls the CCD camera to capture the paper discharge tray in this state. Captured image data including the paper is acquired, corrections are applied to the captured image data and to original image data by image processing, and image characteristics thereof are made substantially the same. Thereafter, the outputted image is inspected by comparison of the two data sets.

Abstract: In a client-server-document repository system, a secure method of print-by-reference includes sending, from the client to the printer, user credentials to release a document, a delegation credential for permitting the printer to print the document and the address of the document; verifying, at the printer, the user's credentials and the delegation credential; sending, from the printer to the document repository, printer credentials, the delegation credential and the address of the document; verifying, at the document repository, the printer's credentials and the delegation credential; providing the document to the server; and printing the document. The client may be a wireless device such as a cell phone or personal digital assistant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved cutting of an object is provided. The object can take the form of many different structures including thin formations that require cutting precision, support, and dimensional control. In accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention, the method of cutting a member uses a laser and begins with the step of providing a template removably adhered to the member. The laser then projects through the template, without intersecting with the template, to cut the member and manufacture the desired formation. The laser does not intersect with, and therefore does not cut, the template structure and cause excess laser cutting dust.

Abstract: An image-processing device creates a sequential print-processing schedule for inputted print jobs on the basis of supply conditions of required resources, such as printing media and the like, and of attribute information of the print jobs. Before execution of a print job, the image-processing device acquires attribute information for the leading job in a print-waiting queue, and determines whether or not resources requested for that print job are supplied. If not, execution of that printing job is inhibited, and the next print job in line is performed. Thus, productivity of the device can be improved. However, it is also determined whether or not the print job meets a predetermined condition. If so, other jobs are blocked from overtaking the inhibited job and being performed first. The inhibited job waits until resources are supplied, and thus re-prioritization of the print jobs against the will of a user is prevented.

Abstract: A device supporting a user interface includes a feedback module for presenting information related to a data structure and a processor for controlling the feedback module and the data structure. The device also has a detector for determining handedness of a user, allowing modification of the displayed data structure based on handedness of a user.

Abstract: A CMOS-based voltage signal amplifier is particularly useful for amplifying signals from a single photodiode, or a small set of photodiodes, within a large photosensitive imaging device. When the imaging device reads out image signals from a large number of photodiodes, each amplifier is selected for operation only within a very brief time window when the particular photodiode associated therewith is reading out. The amplifier of the present design is suitable for rapid power-up and power-down when it is selected and deselected.

Abstract: A noise-free silencer assembly is provided that is suitable for reducing self-vibration noises and screeching noises between a cleaning blade and the imaging member of an electrostatographic reproduction machine. The noise-free silencer assembly comprises a C-shaped cross-section elongate member having (a) a longitudinal axis, a wall defining an interior cavity for containing at least a partially compressed high density polymeric open cell foam, (b) a slot formed in the wall extending generally longitudinally and at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the C-shaped cross-section member, and (c) a hinge recess also formed in the wall extending generally longitudinally, for reducing self-vibration noises and screeching noises between a cleaning blade and an imaging member of an electrostatographic reproduction machine.

Abstract: In high speed reproduction apparatus in which closely spaced printed sheets are sequentially fed downstream in a sheet path at a process velocity, a dual inverter system of two independent but cooperative sheet inverters is sheet control gated to receive alternate sheets from the sheet path for inversion in the alternate independent sheet inverters. These dual alternate sheet inverters may advantageously operate at substantially the same sheet velocity as the connecting sheet path, instead of the much higher speed and acceleration/deceleration typical of conventional single inverter systems. This enables less critical higher speed cut sheet handling and thus more reliable faster printing. Yet collated sequential sheet order is maintained. This dual inverter system may be an integral part of a duplex path to provide inversion of sheets for duplex printing of their other sides.

Abstract: An inkjet recording head allowing a high driving efficiency and preventing a variation in the driving efficiency is disclosed. An piezoelectric actuator is provided for each ink nozzle and has a driving section disposed in an area of an ink pressure chamber, an electrode pad section, and at least one bridge section connecting the driving section and the electrode pad section. The pressure chamber has a plane shape having an aspect ratio approximately equal to 1, and the bridge section has a width of a connection area to the driving section set smaller than a width of a connection side of the driving section.

Abstract: A microsensor including a VCSEL for use in a MEMS. By coupling the top mirror of the VCSEL to the micromechanical structure, either directly or indirectly, the motion of the micromechanical structure in response to a physical phenomenon can directly modulate the wavelength of the light emitted from the VCSEL. Also, a method for sensing and transmitting information about the configuration or motion of a mechanical structure. The method includes coupling the top mirror of a VCSEL to the mechanical structure that directly encodes information about the motion into the frequency of light emitted by the VCSEL.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for wiping print heads is provided in the form of a plate with respect to which one or more wiping blades are mounted. The plate and blades are rotated past the print heads to wipe and clean the print heads. The mechanism fits in a relatively small amount of space.

Abstract: An intelligent assembly system for a manufacturing process using one or more sensors that provide information for controlling, monitoring and/or evaluating the process. One or more sensors may be mounted on a module assembly and/or on a powered tool device. The one or more sensors may sense a vibratory signature and/or electrical current during the process and supply information, such as a data signal, to a software program or other processor for processing. For example, using a database of stored data regarding vibratory signatures and/or electrical currents for one or more power tool devices used in the manufacturing process, the information may be compared and analyzed to determine if it is within a specified range. Results of such analysis may be transmitted to an operator and/or graphically displayed. The results and/or display may instruct the operator to continue with the manufacturing process or inspect the process step just completed for possible error.

Abstract: A toner cleaning system for cleaning a toner from a supporting surface, including a movable member having a carrier permeable segment that features a porous structure. The movable member is actuated to engage the supporting surface so as to receive therefrom the toner at an exterior surface of the carrier permeable segment. A quantity of carrier fluid is provided at an interior surface of the carrier permeable segment. The carrier permeable segment supports carrier fluid flow from the interior surface to a portion of the received toner so as to disengage the portion of the received toner from the carrier permeable segment. The disengaged toner portion is then susceptible to collection and re-use.

Abstract: A regulated black colorant amount calculating section calculates a corresponding regulated black colorant amount from the L*a*b* of a plurality of typical color signals in a partial color gamut, which can be represented by three colors excluding black. An optimum black colorant amount modeling section performs color prediction modeling to predict an optimum black colorant amount in a whole color gamut from plural sets of the typical color signal and the regulated black colorant amount. At this time, an extrapolation prediction from a color in a partial color gamut to a whole color gamut is performed to predict the optimum black colorant amount in which a natural color reproduction. By using the color prediction modeling, the optimum black colorant amount determining section determines a corresponding optimum black colorant amount from the L*a*b* of an input lattice point. a YMCK signal calculating section determines residual YMC and outputs a YMCK signal.

Abstract: An optical head and a disk unit are provided, in which the height and the weight of the optical head are reduced to enable a disk unit of small size and high recording density. The optical head has 2-group lenses containing a first lens arranged on a side of a semiconductor laser and a second lens arranged to face a recording layer of an optical disk, and an optical axis of the objective lens is arranged in parallel to the recording layer. The optical head can be reduced in height and the weight according to the constitution.

Abstract: A layered cleaning blade includes a first surface forming a wiper surface comprised of a relatively low-hardness material for wiping fluid nozzle openings of a fluid ejecting head as the fluid ejecting head moves in a direction toward the wiper surface and a second surface forming a scraper edge comprised of a relatively high-hardness material for scraping the fluid nozzle openings as the fluid ejecting head moves in the opposite direction. The layered cleaning blade thereby optimizes the fluid ejecting head cleaning process by combining both the fluid nozzle opening wiping function and the fluid nozzle opening scraping function in a single cleaning blade.

Abstract: A method for segmenting an image using a background-based segmentation process is provided. A document image (102) is low-pass filtered and decimated. The decimated image is processed at low resolution by a low-resolution segmentation (104) stage. Segmentation results include identification of a main background and one or more objects. Objects that cannot be classified in text or picture classes are further segmented into a local background and smaller objects. This process is reiterated until all objects are classified in text or picture classes. The results are overlaid on the image (102) during an original-resolution refinement (106) stage to refine the segmentation.