Abstract: Attributes of an original (image density and discrimination between a color image and a black-and-white image) stopped on a platen glass is read by a reading unit in which light is irradiated upward from a lamp and reflection light is finally read by an image sensor. Next, while carriages of the reading unit are moved rightward, an image of the original is read by the reading unit. After completion of the reading operation, the carriages are held at a position near an image reading end position. Then, the readout original is ejected from above the platen glass, and the next original is transported by an automatic document feeder so as to be stopped on the platen glass. Thereafter, while the carriages are moved leftward, attributes of the next original stopped on the platen glass are read.

Abstract: A color values processing description which represents a procedure of color values processing is analyzed by use of a partial reservation table and a total reservation table. The color values processing description is changed based on results of the analysis. For example, two consecutive operations of the same type, such as normalizing operations, gamma correcting operations or look-up table referencing operations, are unified into a single operation.

Abstract: An efficient image processing technique automatically analyzes an image scanned at 300 or greater dpi and measures an image characteristic of the input image from which it is possible to determine whether the image has ever been previously scanned or printed at low resolution at some time in its history. The technique is effective in classifying an image that was at one time embodied in paper form and scanned at a vertical resolution of 100 dpi or less, such as a facsimile document scanned in standard mode, or at 200 pixels/inch (referred to as "fine fax mode".) The technique performs measurements on the pixels included in the vertical or horizontal edges of symbols contained in the input image, and produces a distribution of the measurements. A numerical interpretation of the measurement distribution data is used to classify the image. The invention is computationally efficient because it may be applied to only a small percentage (e.g.

Abstract: In an optical detecting device, used for an image forming apparatus, for detecting an object to be detected, such as a paper, by an optical means including a light emitting means 20c, a photo sensing means 20d, a reflecting means 20b, and the like, there is provided at least one of a paper detecting devices in which conductive attracting means connected to a predetermined potential is disposed close to the optical means, the optical means is attached to a periodical replacing component of the image forming apparatus, a reflecting means 20b and a paper transporting path are oriented in different directions with respect to a photo sensing means 20d and a distance from the light emitting means 20c and the like to the reflecting means 20b is different from a distance from the light emitting means 20c and the like to the paper transporting path.

Abstract: REaD(Recharge Expose and Develop) electrophotographic printing using additive color toners and inhibited image on image development. Inhibited image on image development is achieved by setting the exposure set points such that exposure losses incurred when imaging through previously developed toner reduces the electrostatic potential for developing over the developed toner, by using a DC corona system during recharging so as to enhance the voltage drop across the previously developed toner(s), and/or by increasing the developed toner mass to increase the thickness of the dielectric properties of the developed toner.

Abstract: A tape containing a supporting substrate and a magnetic layer coated thereover. This tape can be selected for thermal fusing processes where the coating, after heating of the tape which is in contact with a nonmagnetic image, transfers into the image and renders it magnetic. The corrected image can then be selected for MICR processes and devices.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser source using a strained active layer of an indium gallium aluminum nitride (In.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x-y Al.sub.y N) quaternary alloy to obtain semiconductor laser sources that emit TE or TM polarized light in the wavelength range of 200 to 600 nm.

Abstract: A color printing machine with a plurality of toner dispensers has a fewer number of toner dispenser members and control mechanisms than toner dispensers. This is accomplished by locating the toner dispensers in close proximity to one another so that a single toner dispenser member can extend between the plurality of toner dispensers. Various toner dispenser members such as a toner moving member, a toner mixing member and a gating member can be used alone or in combination to aid in dispensing the toner from the toner dispenser. When the toner dispenser member extends through the walls of the toner dispensers, seals must be formed between the toner dispenser member and the toner dispenser walls in order to contain the toner therein.

Abstract: A font substitution printer serving as a character output device includes a substitute font generation section, a storage section and other sections. The storage section includes a font attribute data base consisting of the font names, typeface names, encoding names and metrics names of loaded fonts and usable fonts, a typeface attribute base, and a substitute encoding data base storing therein information as to a relationship between encodings and other encodings which substitute for the former encodings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonlinear optical element having a sufficient thickness that can be used as a thin film insusceptible to crack and a process for the preparation thereof. A novel nonlinear optical element which gives a nonlinear response to incident light is provided, comprising finely divided grains of a semiconductor or metal, which grains have been separated out with the reaction of a functional group in a matrix-forming substance containing said functional group, dispersed in a matrix. A process for the preparation of a nonlinear optical element which gives a nonlinear response to incident light is also provided, which comprises mixing a solution of a matrix-forming substance containing a functional group with a metal, a semiconductor or a precursor thereof to form a uniform solution, and then allowing said functional group to undergo reaction to form a matrix while allowing finely divided grains of said metal or semiconductor to be separated out in said matrix.

Abstract: A seal for sealing a toner filling aperture of a housing of a refilled toner cartridge is provided. The cartridge includes a ruptured closure positioned on the housing adjacent the aperture. The housing and the closure cooperate to define a non-planar surface adjacent the periphery of the aperture. The seal includes a body having a first surface thereof conforming to the periphery of the aperture. The body has an opening therein. The seal also includes a member secured to a second surface of the body. The second surface is opposed to the first surface. The seal also includes an adhesive secured to the first surface of the body. The adhesive conforms to the non-planar surface and seals the body to the closure and the housing so as to permit the cartridge to be sealed without removal of the closure.

Abstract: In a sheet stacking system with an array of plural sheet stacking bins with sheet entrances for stacking plural flimsy print substrate sheets from a printed sheets output path into selected bins, with a sheet feeding input path system for feeding selected sheets into a selected bin to be stacked therein, with a bin fullness indicator system for indicating that the estimated height of the stack has reached a preset allowable maximum, and a stacking control system controlled by the bin fullness indicator system to control the sheet feeding input path; there is a single stack height sensing system including a stack height sensor for respective measurements of the actual stack height of the stack of sheets in respective bins for the bin fullness indicator system, a movable carriage system for moving this single stack height sensing system from adjacent to one bin to adjacent another bin for respective measurements, the stack height sensor including a movable sensing element extendable by an intermittent actuator

Abstract: A novel image development method and apparatus, wherein an imaging member having an imaging surface is provided with a layer of marking material thereon, and an electrostatic latent image is created in the layer of marking material. Image-wise charging of the layer of marking material is accomplished by a wide beam ion source such that free mobile ions are introduced in the vicinity of an electrostatic latent image associated with the imaging member having the layer of marking material coated thereon. The latent image associated with the imaging member causes the free mobile ions to flow in an image-wise ion stream corresponding to the latent image, which, in turn, leads to image-wise charging of the toner layer, such that the toner layer itself becomes the latent image carrier. The latent image carrying toner layer is subsequently developed and transferred to a copy substrate to produce an output document.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for diagnosing a selected print job transmitted to a printing system, the selected print job causing the printing system to malfunction when the selected print job is processed by the printing system. The diagnosing apparatus includes an apparatus for capturing the selected print job as it is transmitted to the printing system, and a storage section, communicating with the capturing arrangement, for holding the selected print job. A medium receives the selected print job from the storage section to transfer the selected print job to a diagnostic device for ascertaining the cause of the printing system malfunction with the selected print job.

Abstract: A development system is disclosed including a developer transport adapted for depositing developer material on an imaging surface having an electrostatic latent image thereon, said developer transport including a core; a magnetic transport member rotating about said core wherein said magnetic transport member has a static magnetic field pattern for transporting developer material to a development zone; and a magnetic system for generating a superimposed alternating magnetic field to agitate developer material in said development zone.

Abstract: A method for tracking the position of a sheet through a paper path being translated by a plurality of feed mechanisms within a printing machine is provided.

Abstract: A system and method to enable and facilitate networked, automated, brokered auctioning of document services. A plurality of processes are executed, including a customer process representing a customer, a supplier process representing a supplier, and a broker process capable of serving as an intermediary between the customer and supplier processes. The broker process is provided with a description of a document service.

Abstract: An image formation system for forming a plurality of images different in color on a transfer material supported on an endless support rotated or directly on the endless support, thereby forming an image, and for forming color shift detection patterns on the endless support rotated, sampling the color shift detection patterns, and performing predetermined control operation, characterized in that color shift detection patterns for detecting cyclic rotation change occurring in the image formation system are provided.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus wherein the life of the photosensitive member is not extremely limited by scratches, abrasion, or the like. Also, there is provided an image forming apparatus free from such problems as image blurring due to products formed by electric discharge or foreign matters like paper powder (talc) transferred from the paper. Further, in an image forming apparatus for forming an image using an electrophotographic photosensitive member through the cycle of charging, latent image formation, development, and transfer, abrasion of the surface layer of said electrophotographic photosensitive member is in the range of 0.1 to 2.0 nm by the use of 1 kilocycle. An example of the preferred embodiments includes a charging device, exposing device, toner developing device, and transfer device disposed in the order of process sequence, and at least the charging device and the transfer device spaced from the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reproducing high quality images using an electrophotographic printing machine is disclosed.More specifically, the present invention is used to change the location, shape and size of a process control patch. Process control patches may be used to improve the quality of an image prior to printing. The intensity of light reflected from the control patch is measured, and the measurements are used to change parameters such as magnitude of electrostatic charge, and toner concentration, before the latent image developed. Adjusting these parameters at this time will allow the printing apparatus to reproduce images having superior quality than previously available.