Abstract: A device and method for automatically adjusting conditioner metering roll liquid film thickness. The device including a transfer roll that mates with a back-up roll to form a nip through which a sheet passes for wetting a side of the sheet. A metering roll mates with the transfer roll and has a portion thereof positioned in a liquid filled sump for liquid to be added to an outside surface thereof. An optical sensor is positioned to detect the type of reflected light from the liquid on the outside surface of the metering roll and gives off a signal that is received by a controller that actuates a stepper motor to move the metering roll in a predetermined direction until the correct liquid thickness is obtained on the surface of the metering roll.

Abstract: A fuser member having a) a substrate; and thereover b) a filled polymeric outer layer with a zinc compound dispersed therein; and thereover c) a fluid release agent with molecules having amino functionality.

Abstract: A system controls the laser-induced discharging of pixel-sized image areas on a photoreceptor in a multi-color xerographic printer where multiple layers of toner are placed on the photoreceptor surface. A light collector, disposed to collect light either reflected from or passing through the photoreceptor, detects conditions in which the laser must pass through one or more layers of previously-placed toner to discharge the photoreceptor. When such a condition is detected, the system increases either the intensity or exposure duration of the laser.

Abstract: A mandrel comprising a surface effective for electroforming an article thereon, wherein a portion of the mandrel has a contoured surface effective for facilitating axial movement away from the mandrel of the article formed thereon when the article experiences circumferential motion relative to the mandrel.

Abstract: A main ink chamber for housing a capillary member and an intermediate ink chamber are provided, between which a first meniscus formation member is disposed. An ink guide member is in contact with the bottom face of the first meniscus formation member for supplying ink to the first meniscus formation member. The ink guide member is held by ink guide member retainers extending toward the ink guide member from a wall of a communication hole and is kept in contact with the first meniscus formation member. A larger number of the ink guide member retainers are placed on a side of the communication hole closer to a joint port than are placed on a side of the communication hole closer to the intermediate ink chamber. The placement of the ink guide member retainers guides bubbles entering the communication hole through the first meniscus formation member to the intermediate ink chamber to prevent bubbles entering the joint port and reaching the print head.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for the color correction of digital images that have been compressed. In a preferred embodiment, aspects of the color correction are carried out on the compressed image data to improve computational efficiency. One of a number of alternative methods is employed to accomplish the color correction on lossy or losslessly compressed images. The color transformation process accomplishes color correction on compressed image data in conjunction with compression or decompression operations. A second, simplified phase of the color correction may be applied subsequently to the decompressed image data in certain embodiments. Accordingly, the technique has application to any number of color imaging systems, including digital printers and copiers where there is a necessity to color correct compressed digital images.

Abstract: A method for matching objects based on spatial layout of regions based on a shape similarity model for detecting similarity between general 2D objects. The method uses the shape similarity model to determine if two objects are similar by logical region generation in which logical regions are automatically derived from information in the objects to be matched, region correspondence, in which a correspondence is established between the regions on the objects, pose computation in which the individual transforms relating corresponding regions are recovered, and pose verification in which the extent of spatial similarity is measured by projecting one document onto the other using the computed pose parameters. The method of the invention can be carried out in a microprocessor-based system capable of being programmed to carry out the method of the invention.

Abstract: There are provided an image transfer apparatus and an image forming apparatus which can form an image of excellent quality by controlling speed variations of an image carrier and an intermediate transfer body generated by an external force. When the front end of a recording medium enters the nip area provided between the intermediate transfer body and a bias transfer roll and the rear end of the recording medium leaves the nip area, an impact force is applied to the intermediate transfer body and the bias transfer roll. The bias transfer roll swings, due to such impact force, in the direction parallel to the traveling direction of the recording medium to enter the nip area. As a result, a transitional load variation to be applied to the intermediate transfer body with such impact force is absorbed by springs to prevent rotating variation of the intermediate transfer body and the image carrier.

Abstract: An electronic tag has a processor, a readable memory for holding an identification number connected to the processor, and an antenna connected to the processor for radiofrequency broadcasting of the identification number. A power supply powers the antenna to broadcast the identification number.A user selectively controls operation or non-operation of the electronic tag by switching an interconnect switch on or off. The interconnect switch permits interconnects the processor, readable memory, antenna, and power supply to selectively allow radiofrequency broadcasting of the identification number. Bitwise communication to a tag reader using only a passive electronic tag is possible.

Abstract: An image forming material which comprises fine resin particles and a recording component held inside the fine resin particles. The recording component comprises a colorant and water, and the fine resin particles can, when supplied with an electric energy, release the recording component held inside. The image forming material is brought into contact with a latent image holding body on which a latent image has been formed. Then an image is produced by applying an electric energy on the image forming material for the liquefaction thereof to wet and develop the latent image on the latent image holding body with the recording component contained in the image forming material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing metal structures in which minute drops of a liquid metal are emitted from an acoustic device through an inert gas. The presence of the inert gas at the surface of the liquid metal prevent the formation of an oxide skin which would absorb acoustic energy and hinder droplet formation and emission. The droplets are then emitted towards a substrate, which may form as a carrier, where they may be used to form solder bumps, circuit traces, or accreted to form a three dimensional device.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to obtain a multicolor image formation device wherein the defect of an image caused in switching developing machines and others can be prevented. A yellow latent image is formed by scanning a light beam on a photoconductor drum and developing is started by a developing machine for yellow. A developed yellow toner image is transferred on an intermediate transfer belt. Even if the transfer of the yellow toner image is finished, the developing machine for yellow is held a state opposite to the photoconductor drum. The developing machine for yellow is switched to a developing machine for magenta immediately before the scanning of a light beam corresponding to next magenta is started. Therefore, the defect of an image due to the effect of oscillation in switching the developing machines can be prevented.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition which comprises a polymer containing at least some monomer repeat units with water-solubility- or water-dispersability-imparting substituents and at least some monomer repeat units with photosensitivity-imparting substituents which enable crosslinking or chain extension of the polymer upon exposure to actinic radiation, said polymer being of the formula ##STR1## wherein x is an integer of 0 or 1, A is one of several specified groups, such as ##STR2## B is one of several specified groups, such as ##STR3## or mixtures thereof, and n is an integer representing the number of repeating monomer units. In one embodiment, a single functional group imparts both photosensitivity and water solubility or dispersability to the polymer. In another embodiment, a first functional group imparts photosensitivity to the polymer and a second functional group imparts water solubility or dispersability to the polymer.

Abstract: A conducting polymer thin film which comprises a conducting polymer capable of undergoing a physicochemical state change between at least two of an oxidized state, a neutral state, and a reduced state, said conducting polymer in at least one of these states retaining ionic dye molecules incorporated among the molecules thereof. The conducting polymer thin film of the present invention is reduced in power consumption, does not generate any harmful substance, and is capable of being used for continuous image formation. The process for producing the conducting polymer thin film, a method of working the conducting polymer thin film, a method of image formation with the conducting polymer thin film, and an apparatus for image formation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for increasing the thermal conductivity of a fuser member for use in electrostatographic, including digital, apparatuses, by orienting anisotropic fillers in an elastomer layer in a manner wherein heat transfer is maximized in a radial or tangential direction of the fuser member. The fuser member may also contain other optional fillers and optional fluorocarbon powder fillers.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for analyzing image data, and more particularly for analyzing of image data representing images containing text to partition the image into running and non-running text regions and to further classify the non-running text regions therein. The present invention utilizes characteristics of running text regions to identify such regions and to subsequently group all non-running text regions into related groups prior to the classification of the non-running text regions. Classification of the non-running text regions is accomplished by analyzing whether the non-running text regions exhibit pronounced horizontal and/or vertical alignment of the text blocks therein. Once the analysis is complete, alignment information is used to determine the number of "rows" and "columns" so as to classify the non-running text region as text, a horizontal sequence, a vertical sequence, or a table.

Abstract: A contact electrostatic printing (CEP) apparatus and method provide custom color capabilities. Custom colors can be provided by combining two or more toner layers of different color. Correction of custom color toner patches can also be performed by combining toner layers. Controllable toner applicators apply toner patches in any desired size, shape or density on a support.

Abstract: A contactless process for detecting surface potential charge patterns in an electrophotographic imaging member including at least one photoconductive imaging layer having an imaging surface, providing a scanner including a capacitive probe having an outer shield electrode, maintaining the probe adjacent to and spaced from the imaging surface to form a parallel plate capacitor with a gas between the probe and the imaging surface, providing a probe amplifier optically coupled to the probe, establishing relative movement between the probe and the imaging surface, maintaining a substantially constant distance between the probe and the imaging surface, applying a constant voltage charge to the imaging surface prior to relative movement of the probe and the imaging surface past each other, synchronously biasing the probe to within about .+-.