Abstract: The image forming apparatus is capable of preventing contamination of the rear surface of paper while minimizing the deterioration of the surface of the transfer roll. The image forming apparatus has an intermediate transfer belt for carrying a toner image visualized by a toner, a transfer roll pressed against the intermediate transfer belt, and a cleaning brush that is rotatable in contact with the transfer roll. This transfer roll acts to transfer the toner image carried on the belt to paper. The cleaning brush makes contact with the transfer roll to stir the toner adhering to the transfer roll.

Abstract: Tangible computing is the manipulation of real, physical objects to instruct and control computers. Computer programs can be created by manipulating physical objects that represent program language elements of a program or programming language. A tangible computing system calls for observation by a computer of a real, three-dimensional work space, where each physical object can be assigned a program language element. Assignment of attributes to, and/or movement of each real physical object results in the creation of a new program component. In this manner, a user can manipulate real, physical objects to create programs. Thus, the real world itself becomes a human-computer interface that allows a user to create programs and control digital processes.

Abstract: Pixel blocks of an input image are type classified based on an analysis of the secord differences between the values of neighboring pixels in the rows and columns of each pixel block.

Abstract: The present invention has achieved an object of obtaining a magnetic bearing in which a drive motor can be made compact and the number of components can be reduced.

Abstract: A filter interface allows a filter to send extracted attribute information extracted from the master document data to a server. The server then stores the received attribute information into an attribute database.

Abstract: A liquid ink printer in which liquid ink is deposited on a recording medium in swaths in response to image data received thereby including a power supply, having a maximum power rating determined as a function of a number of passes per swath necessary to compete a swath having maximum ink coverage. The printer includes a print power regulation circuit, including a regulation circuit input, for receiving the image data, and a regulation circuit output, for transmitting image data in a number of passes per swath, the number of passes per swath being determined as a function of the maximum power rating, and a liquid ink printhead, coupled to the power supply and to the print power regulation circuit, for ejecting the liquid ink according to the transmitted image data.

Abstract: A digital image reproducing apparatus, such as a copier, facsimile machine, or a scanner includes a code detector which analyzes a digital representation of an input document, either directly or in memory for visually apparent machine readable code embedded in the background of the document. A decoder operatively connected with the detector analyzes the machine readable code and determines a security code associated with the original document. A control unit compares the security code from the document with a user authorization or security code and, based on the comparison determines whether to allow or disallow the digitized document to be reproduced. If the document is allowed to be reproduced, an image reproducing system, under the control of the control unit, reproduces the document including any image on the document and the low density tinted background containing the machine readable code.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing or copying machine includes a functional module which can be readily removed and replaced. The module includes a monitor in the form of an electronically-readable memory, which includes information about how the particular module is to be operated. In a remanufacturing process, certain combinations of codes in the memory are noted to determine whether individual parts in the module should be replaced.

Abstract: Image deterioration (so-called oil ghost) due to local transfer of a release agent from a fuser to an intermediate transfer body is effectively prevented. The fuser has a pair of fixing members, a release supply mechanism, an interlocking mechanism, and an interlocking control mechanism. The fixing members are in contact with each other and roll over each other, thus nipping a sheet. The fixing members fix unfixed images on the sheet. The release agent supply mechanism is mounted to at least the fixing member located on the surface of the sheet carrying an unfixed image. The release agent supply mechanism supplies a release agent to this fixing member at a constant rate. The interlocking mechanism interlocks the fixing members and release agent supply mechanism with each other such that the fixing members are kept in contact with each other and roll over each other and that a release agent is supplied to the fixing members.

Abstract: A coated xerographic substrate comprised of a substrate with four coating layers, two coating layers on the front side of the substrate and two coating layers on the reverse side of the substrate, wherein said front side coatings are comprised of a antistatic hydrophilic layer in contact with the substrate comprised of a blend of (1) a hydrophilic binder, (2) a water soluble filler, (3) a water insoluble filler, (4) an antistatic cationic component (5) an optional filler dispersant, and (6) an optional biocide, and the second coating situated on top of the first coating comprised of (1) an ester binder,(2) a toner wetting agent, (3) a lightfast UV absorber, (4) a lightfast antioxidant/antiozonant compound, and (5) a filler; and wherein said two coatings in contact with the reverse side of the substrate are comprised of a third hydrophilic antistatic coating comprised of (1) a binder polymer, (2) a water soluble filler, (3) a water insoluble filler, (4) an antistatic agent, (5) a filler dispersant and (6) an o

Abstract: Device independent color signals in color coordinates of the calorimetric system are computed using the color signals Ci, Mi, Yi, Ki in first CMYK coordinates. A maximum quantity of black maxKi of the color signals Ci, Mi, Yi, Ki is computed by using the color signals Ci, Mi, Yi, Ki and the device independent color signals. A black ratio g of the color signals Ci, Mi, Yi, Ki is computed using the maximum black quantity maxKi and the color signal Ki. A maximum quantity of black that can be obtained without changing the device independent color signals is computed using the device independent color signals. The color signal Ko in second CMYK coordinates is determined by the maximum black quantity and the black ratio, and the color signals Co, Mo, Yo, Ko in the CMYK coordinates are determined by using the device independent color signals and the color signal Ko.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an imaging system, and more specifically, a method and apparatus for accurately predicting toner usage and hence toner dispensing requirements in an imaging system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a toner concentration control system for maintaining toner concentration in a developer structure, which is connected to a dispenser containing toner. The toner concentration control system comprises: a sensor, reading the toner concentration; means for determining a toner age correction of toner concentration read by the sensor based on toner age of the toner in the developer structure; means for adjusting a toner concentration target based on the correction; and means for generating a feedback dispense command based on the adjusted toner concentration target to dispense toner into the developer structure to maintain the toner concentration in the developer structure.

Abstract: A light scanning device deflects a plurality of light beams by a deflecting means performs divided scanning on a single scanning line on a photoconductor with the plurality of deflected light beams. When the scanning line is scanned, a detecting means detects a light beam passing through a predetermined position in front of a position where the light beam first strikes an image forming range on the photoconductor. An oscillating means oscillates a specified number of clocks in a time interval from when the light beam is detected by the detecting means until it is detected thereby again. An adjusting means makes adjustments so as to irradiate a plurality of light beams based on clocks oscillated by the oscillating means. In a time interval after the light beam is detected by the detecting means until it is detected thereby again, a plurality of light beams are irradiated based on the specified number of clocks.

Abstract: An apparatus which cleans particles from a tracking region on a photoconductive drum. A spacer maintains the spacing between the photoconductive drum and a developer roller substantially constant. The spacer contacts the photoconductive drum in the tracking region. The cleaning member, mounted on a transfer roller, removes particles adhering to the tracking region so as to ensure that there is no build up of particles in the tracking region changing the spacing between the photoconductive drum and the developer roller.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming method including at least a latent image-forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on a latent image support, a developer layer-forming step of forming a developer layer on a surface of a developer support disposed opposite the latent image support, a developing step of developing the electrostatic latent image on the latent image support with the toner in the developer layer to form a toner image, and a transferring step of transferring the toner image onto a transfer material, characterized in that the latent image support is obtained by forming at least an organic photoconductive layer on a surface of an electroconductive support, the toner is composed of color particles containing at least a binder resin and a coloring agent, a volume average particle diameter of the color particles is between 2.0 and 5.0 &mgr;m, the ratio of the color particles of 1.

Abstract: An optical bus for propagating signal light comprises a beam dividing portion consisting of a plurality of diffraction surfaces for diffracting signal light input from a signal light input portion and directing it toward a plurality of signal light output portions, which are arranged in a mosaic manner. A signal processor uses the above optical bus to carry out signal processing including the transmission and reception of a signal to improve optical energy use efficiency, thereby reducing power consumption and constructing a system having extendability.

Abstract: A method and system for processing color space data to be rendered by display device for selective overloading of the color space data when the overloaded data, or the overloading of the data, is compatible with a satisfactory output of display device. If the color space data is compatible, overload processing occurs. If the original color space data is incompatible for overload rendering, the original color space data is passed through without overload processing. The compatibility generally is determined when possible remapping of the color space or the general form and the allowable ranges of values for each channel are the same for the original color space and the overloading color space. If incompatibility is determined, the original color space data is passed through the rendering processes without overloading.

Abstract: Multiple layer fuser belts having a rigid or semi-rigid substrate layer and a high conformability, low surface energy elastic layer. The substrate layer is formed from long-life material such as polyimide. Apertures, beneficially elongated diamonds, are cut into the substrate layer such that the substrate layer can stretch slightly along the circumference of the fuser belt. The elastic layer is bonded to the substrate layer and is made from a highly conformable, low durometer material having a low surface energy. When the fuser belt is partially wrapped around a driven roller so as to form a nip with a pressure roller the fuser belt stretches in the direction of belt motion. As the fuser belt passes through the nip the fuser belt contracts, releasing surface strain, and thus reduces sticking between the fuser belt and fused toner.

Abstract: Provided are a toner for electrophotography, a method for producing it, and a method of image formation with it. The toner fuses little in the apparatus where it is produced, and its productivity is high. The toner has good characteristics including charging characteristics and coloring characteristics, and the amount of coarse grains in the toner is small. The method for producing the toner includes a step of kneading at least a toner-forming material to prepare a kneaded mixture, a step of grinding and classifying at least the kneaded mixture to prepare toner grains, and a step of mixing at least an external additive in the toner grains. In the method, an inorganic oxide containing the same metal element at least for its core is added to the system in all of the kneading step, the grinding and classifying step and the external additive-mixing step.