Abstract: A computerized two-dimensional illustration system composes an image of a scene with layered synthetic graphics filters or lenses. The scene is defined by an ordered list of shapes. Some of the shapes in the ordered list of shapes are lenses. Each lens is a shape that has a fill color which is an operator rather than a constant. The operator of a selected lens performs a filtering function on the shapes ordered below it in the list of shapes. To compose a selected lens in the scene, the system computes an under-list of shapes for the selected lens. The under-list of shapes identifies shapes in the ordered list of shapes to which the filtering function of the selected lens may apply. After computing the under-list for a selected lens, the system freezes the shapes in the under-list and applies the filtering function of the selected lens to the shapes in the under-list. When a lens is frozen, it is replaced with a list of shapes that are formed independently of other shapes in the list of shapes.

Abstract: A method and system automatically determines proper background values for a document. A histogram of the document is generated and it is determined whether a background characteristic of the document is uniform. If the background is uniform, a white background value is set equal to a first calculated white peak value. If the background is non-uniform, the white background value is set equal to a second calculated white peak value. A foreground value of the document is analyzed for validity when it is determined that a background characteristic of the document is uniform. A black background value is set equal to a black peak value calculated from the histogram when it is determined that a foreground value of the document is valid.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provides a good quality image free from any destaticizing mechanism without toner scattering during transfer and a high quality transfer image invariably. The image forming apparatus also allows fair secondary transfer and prevention of image defects such as hollow character due to a small deformation of a belt material against the stress during driving. An electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier 1 is rendered visible by a developing apparatus 4 to give a toner image. The toner image, which has primarily been transferred to an intermediate transfer belt 7, is then secondarily transferred to a recording medium P by the action of a bias roll 10. the intermediate transfer belt consists of at least two layers, a substrate having a Young's modulus of not less than 35,000 kg/cm.sup.2 and a surface layer having a volume resistivity of from 10.sup.10 to 10.sup.13 .OMEGA.cm.

Abstract: The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a system for pre-warning of impending shutdown due to slippage of sheets within the printing apparatus sheet transport system. The system includes a plurality of sensors positioned along a sheet transport path for sensing sheets moving along the sheet transport path and a controller for determining an amount and location of slip within the sheet transport path by comparing outputs of the plurality of sensors. Once the location of the slip has been determined, automatic correction may be performed by the printing apparatus or manual correction may be performed by a service representative.

Abstract: To prevent the density of a low density part when an output image varies from the low density part to a high density part in a vertical scanning direction from being lowered without expanding an image forming apparatus or an image output device and increasing the cost, an image processing section first extracts an edge picture element of the low density part which is in contact with the high density part when an image output based upon input image data Si varies from the low density part to the high density part in the vertical scanning direction or from the high density part to the low density part in the vertical scanning direction.

Abstract: An ink tank 1 includes a main ink chamber 11 and a intermediate chamber 16. A second meniscus forming member 17 is provided in a joint portion 2 to be coupled with a printhead 3. A filter 22 is provided in an ink introducing portion 4 of the printhead 3, which is to be coupled with the ink tank 1. The open-space diameter of the second meniscus forming member 17 is selected to be equal to that of the filter 22. With such a construction, the number of foreign materials flowing from the ink tank 1 to the filter 22 is reduced. The result is to reduce a frequency of occurrence of the filter clogging and to elongate a normally operable time of the printer. A fluid resistance in the ink passage ranging from the filter 22 to the nozzle is high. Therefore, air that is left in the jointing portion flows through the second meniscus forming member 17 into the intermediate chamber 16 of the ink tank 1.

Abstract: An illuminator apparatus for a scanner device includes a support structure that extends along the longitudinal axis and an array of light emitting elements that are disposed on and supported by the support structure. The array of light emitting elements are arranged on the support structure in at least three longitudinal rows. The at least three rows of light emitting elements are associated with a respective one of blue, green and red colored light emitting elements. A color image sensor apparatus for a scanner device capable of scanning a multi-colored document and a method for illuminating a colored document being scanned in a scanning device are also described.

Abstract: A phase change ink carrier composition is disclosed which includes a Diels-Alder polymerization precursor wherein the composition forms a low viscosity liquid at temperatures in the range from about 90.degree. C. to at least about 160.degree. C., and forms a malleable material at temperatures from about 40.degree. C. to about 80.degree. C., and a solid at temperatures less than about 30.degree. C.

Abstract: A ridge waveguide semiconductor laser structure fabricated by etching and wet oxidation. The upper cladding layer is partially etched forming a ridge and a native oxide layer is wet oxidized from the remaining upper cladding layer and the active region outside the ridge. The deep native oxide layer provides strong optical confinement to the ridge waveguide. Alternately, the active region can be narrower than the ridge waveguide in the laser structure. The ridge waveguide semiconductor laser structures with native oxide layers can also be curved geometry lasers such as ring lasers.

Abstract: A microwave binder is used in conjunction with paper tape which is coated with one or more formulations of encapsulated, fast setting, water soluble adhesives to bind pages of a book. The tape spine adhesive is of sufficient thickness to allow it to penetrate into the edges of the pages of the bound edge. The microwave heating causes the capsules to rupture, releasing the adhesives to flow into the bound edge of the book.

Abstract: There is provided a facsimile machine including an image data source to create image data, and a transmitting subsystem to transmit the created image data to a first remote receiving station. The facsimile machine further includes a receiving subsystem to receive job status information, relating to the transmission of the created image data to the first remote receiving station, from the first remote receiving station, and a control subsystem to cause the transmitting subsystem to transmit the received job status information to a second remote receiving station.

Abstract: A raster output scanner is disclosed which utilizes a replaceable laser diode and a replaceable microchip which contains characteristics information of the laser diode in use by the raster output scanner. Once, the laser diode is replaced, the microchip has to be also replaced by a microchip which contains the characteristics information of the new laser diode.

Abstract: A developer unit for developing a latent image with marking particles is provided. The developer unit includes a housing defining a chamber for storing a supply of marking particles therein. The developer unit also includes an advancing member for advancing the marking particles on a surface thereof from the chamber of the housing in a first direction toward the latent image. The developer unit also includes a first regulating member for charging the marking particles and for regulating the thickness of the layer of marking particles on the surface of the advancing member. The developer unit also includes a second regulating member spaced from the first regulating member. The second regulating member serves to at least one of charge the layer of marking particles on the surface of the advancing member and regulate the thickness of the layer of marking particles on the surface of the advancing member.

Abstract: A slide mechanism for mounting a sliding member to a housing is provided. The mechanism includes a body having first and second opposed surfaces. The sliding member is mountable to the body. The mechanism also includes a plurality of journals extending from the body. Each of the plurality of journals has a central axis thereof. The mechanism also includes a plurality of rollers. Each of the plurality of rollers is rotatably fitted to one of the plurality of journals. The plurality of rollers is operably connectable to the housing. At least one of the body and the plurality of journals are molded from a moldable material.

Abstract: The present invention provides toner for an electrostatic latent image developer, said toner being excellent in fluidity, chargeability, developability, transferability, and freedom from fogging on a photoreceptor and contamination of the interior of a developing device. The toner for an electrostatic latent image developer comprises spherical toner particles characterized by a shape index ML.sup.2 /A of less than 125 and has a correlation coefficient between X.sup.2/3 and Y, obtained by linear regression with respect to a straight line which passes through the origin of coordinate axes, of more than 0.6 where X is the light emitting voltage due to the carbon derived from the binder resin of the toner particles and Y is the light emitting voltage due to the element derived from the external additive.

Abstract: A method for seriatim feeding and aligning of a plurality of fluid seals spaced apart on a carrier member to a fixed location in a punch mechanism. After each fluid seal is aligned at the fixed location, the carrier member is gripped on opposing sides of the aligned fluid seal by a pair of clamps and, in one embodiment, the clamps lowered with the gripped portion of the carrier member therebetween. A set of parallel needles mounted in a plate located directly beneath the gripped portion of the carrier member penetrate the lowered portion of the carrier member and lift the fluid seal from the carrier member. The removed fluid seal is held atop the needle points for ease of access by a robotic installation mechanism which will pickup and place the fluid seal onto a device, such as an ink jet cartridge.

Abstract: A document data processor system includes means for evaluating a user's impression of a layout of a document, and means for storing the evaluation information. The system also includes means for storing document design knowledge regarding the layout of multiple standard documents. The system allows a user to create a new document based on the stored document design knowledge and the stored evaluation information so that new documents are created in accordance with user's desires, as reflected by previous document evaluations. In addition, a draft document that is being created may be re-formatted based on a user's evaluation of the draft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process which comprises contacting a sulfur-containing solvent with an oxidizing agent, said sulfur-containing solvent containing odor-causing impurities, thereby reducing odor. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a process for preparing an ink composition which comprises: (a) contacting a sulfur-containing solvent with an oxidizing agent, said sulfur-containing solvent containing odor-causing impurities, thereby reducing odor; and (b) admixing the sulfur-containing solvent with water and a colorant, thereby forming an ink composition.

Abstract: An electrophotographic toner containing a binding resin and a coloring agent, wherein as the binding resin, a resin is included in which the minimum value of tan .delta. of the binding resin exists between the glass transition temperature (Tg) and a temperature at which the loss modulus (G") is 1.times.10.sup.4 Pa, the minimum value of tan .delta. is less than 1.2, the storage modulus (G') at a temperature wherein tan .delta. is minimum is 5.times.10.sup.5 Pa or more, and the value of tan .delta. is 3.0 or more at a temperature wherein G"=1.times.10.sup.4 Pa. Further, a vinyl-based resin can be added in a small amount to the polyester resin having these features to provide a mixture to be used. Further, image formation is conducted using a transfer material in which the same resin is also used in an image-receiving layer.

Abstract: An image output device such as display or a light valve, has cells, each with an electrooptical element and a switching element. During a duty interval of a scan signal on a scan line, the switching element electrically connects the electrooptical element to receive a data signal from a data line. Scan drive circuitry can provide the scan signal with a scanning frequency that is at least K times the lesser of the maximum response frequency of the electrooptical element and a normal human viewer's maximum perceptual frequency, where K is eight or more. Data drive circuitry can receive digital input signals and respond by providing, during each duty interval of the scan signal, a signal segment with either a maximum or a minimum voltage magnitude.