Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge having an image bearing member and a developer bearing member that bears a developer, and a detection unit configured to detect if the cartridge is new. A lubricant of a polarity opposite to a polarity of the developer is coated on the developer bearing member, and if the cartridge is detected to be new, prior to start of an image forming operation, a discharging operation of discharging the lubricant from a surface of the developer bearing member onto the image bearing member is performed. When a predetermined time elapses from a start of the discharging operation and before an end of the discharging operation, a potential difference between a surface potential of the image bearing member and a surface potential of the developer bearing member is set smaller than when the discharging operation is started.

Abstract: A method for producing an arc detection signal on the basis of a plurality of observation signals comprises producing an arc detection part-signal for each of at least two observation signals. Producing each of the part-signals includes correlating the respective observation signal with a correlation signal by influencing the correlation signal with the respective observation, thereby producing a correlation result; producing or modifying a coefficient on the basis of the correlation result; and weighting the respective observation signal with the coefficient. The arc detection part-signals are added to form the arc detection signal.

Abstract: Magnetic keys having a plurality of magnetic plates are disclosed. The location and orientation of the magnetic plates are controlled to generate magnetic fields that are of sufficient strength to be reliably read and sufficient complexity to be difficult to counterfeit. The magnetic keys are located on imaging-device supply items along with non-volatile memory devices containing measurements of the magnetic fields that are digitally signed. These supply items are difficult to counterfeit. Other devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A fixation device includes: an endless belt member; a first roller arranged inside the belt member; a second roller arranged outside the belt member and biased toward the first roller via the belt member; and a pressure member is biased toward the second roller via the belt member. A facing surface of the pressure member that faces the second roller includes a first flat section and a second flat section that intersect at an intersecting portion. A first end portion of the first flat section on the opposite side to the intersecting portion, a second end portion of the second flat section on the opposite side to the intersecting portion, and the intersecting portion are on an imaginary arc in a cross-section. A radius R of the imaginary arc satisfies, with respect a radius Rp of the second roller, an inequality of “(1/2)×Rp?R?(19/20)×Rp”.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical sensor (MEMS) package includes a gyroscope and an accelerometer. The gyroscope is located within a low-pressure cavity that is sealed from an external pressure. The accelerometer is located within a cavity, and the seal for the accelerometer cavity is entirely within the gyroscope cavity. Under normal operating conditions, the accelerometer seal holds the accelerometer cavity at a higher pressure than the pressure of the enclosing gyroscope cavity. In the event that one of the gyroscope seal or the accelerometer seal is broken, the gyroscope senses the change in pressure.

Abstract: A controller for controlling the operations of an autosampler, a sample push unit, and a make-up unit includes a pump stop timing setting unit for setting a first timing T1 of completion of dilution of a sample, and a subsequent second timing T2 of completion of trapping of a sample in the trap column, a dilution control unit for causing a solvent delivery pump for make-up of the make-up unit to operate, and for stopping operation of the solvent delivery pump for make-up at the first timing T1 set by the pump stop timing setting unit, and a sample push control unit for causing a solvent delivery pump for sample push of the sample push unit to operate, and for stopping operation of the solvent delivery pump for sample push at the second timing T2 set by the pump stop timing setting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing, a cover a process cartridge, an LED array, and a link member. The cover is pivotally movable about an axis extending in a first direction between an open position and a closed position. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a developing unit, and is attachable to and detachable from the housing in an open state where the cover is at the open position. The link member is movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in interlocking relation to movement of the cover. The link member is configured to: move the developing unit away from the axis in the second direction during movement of the cover from the closed position to the open position; and move the developing unit toward the axis in the second direction during movement of the cover from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A process unit includes an image bearing body, a flange provided on an end portion of the image bearing body, and a supporting portion that rotatably supports a rotational axis portion provided on the flange. A seal is provided that to seal at least a part of a space formed between the supporting portion and the flange.

Abstract: A portable speedometer calibration stand is disclosed. The stand includes a forward frame and two separate rear frame portions. Rollers rotatably mounted on each of the forward frame and the two separate rear frame portions engage tires of the test vehicle and allow the tires to rotate. Measurements of the speed of rotation of least one of the rollers allow the user to calculate speed of rotation of the tires and, from that calculation, calibrate the speedometer on the test vehicle.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an openable member rotatable relative to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus; and a supporting member connected between the main assembly of the image forming apparatus and the openable member configured to support the openable member when the openable member is opened. The supporting member includes a first arm member and a second arm member which are slidable relative to each other, a pinion provided on the first arm member, a viscous damper mounted on a rotation shaft of the pinion, a rack provided on the second arm member and engaged with the pinion. By opening the openable member, relative slide movement is caused between the first arm member and the second arm member so that the pinion engaged with the rack rotates and a braking force is produced by the viscous damper.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for reducing power consumption of a sensor. The method includes determining if a predetermined condition has been met to change at least one of a sensing rate or a sensor resolution, and changing at least one of the sensing rate or sensor resolution if it is determined that the predetermined condition has been met.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a first rotatable member configured to heat, in a fixing nip, an unfixed toner image formed on a sheet with a toner having a parting material. A second rotatable member cooperates with the first rotatable member to form the fixing nip. A cleaner is configured to clean the first rotatable member, and a covering member is configured to cover the first rotatable member over a range from the cleaner to an entrance of the fixing nip along a rotational direction of the first rotatable member with a gap D of not less than 0.5 mm and not more than 3.5 mm. In addition, the gap D (mm) between the covering member and the first rotatable member and the peripheral speed V of the first rotatable member (mm/s) satisfy 0.5?D?0.0059×V+0.72.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining a first hydraulic variable (Q) of a pump assembly (1) operated at a predefinable rotation speed (n0) from a mechanical or electrical variable (Mactual, Pel, nactual) by evaluating a correlation between the hydraulic variable (Q) with the mechanical or electrical variable (Mactual, Pel, nactual). A control parameter (Msetpoint, nsetpoint) of the pump assembly (1) is acted on by a periodic excitation signal (fA,n (t), fA,H(t)) having a predetermined frequency (f) such that a second hydraulic variable (H, ?p) is modulated. The instantaneous value of the first hydraulic variable (Q) is determined from the mechanical or electrical variable (Mactual (t), Pel (t), nactual (t)) as a system response (X(t)) to the excitation signal (fA,n (t), fA,H(t)), using the correlation. The invention further relates to a pump control system and a pump assembly that are configured for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photoreceptor, a charging device, an electrostatic latent image forming device, a developing device, a transfer device, and a cleaning device, and further includes an intercepting device that includes an intercepting member separated from the electrophotographic photoreceptor by a gap so that a distance from the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor to the intercepting member is about 0.3 to 0.9 (inclusive) times a volume-average particle size of toner particles. The intercepting member is used to intercept residual toner particles at a position downstream of the transfer device and upstream of the cleaning device in a rotation direction of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, the residual toner particles remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control portion configured to perform a cleaning operation including: a first step of causing a developer, which has a reversed polarity and is attracted to a surface of a charging roller, to have a normal polarity under a state in which the developer bearing member is separated from the image bearing member with the contact/separation unit; and a second step of collecting the developer, which has the normal polarity and is attracted to the surface of the image bearing member, to the developer bearing member, by rotating the image bearing member and the developer bearing member under a state in which the developer bearing member is brought into contact with the image bearing member with the contact/separation unit after performing the first step.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, system, and method for detecting a metal contaminant in a sensor-enabled dose form. According to the method, a sensor-enabled dose form is oriented in a predetermined orientation. The sensor-enabled dose form is received through an aperture of a metal detector. A detection signal is generated by the metal detector in response to receiving the sensor-enabled dose form through the aperture of the metal detector. The detection signal is compared to a predetermined threshold. The presence of a metal contaminant in the sensor-enabled dose form is determined based on the comparison of the detection signal and the predetermined threshold. In another method, the sensor-enabled dose form is first oriented in a first orientation and then in a second orientation. The apparatus includes a guide, a metal detector, and a comparator circuit. The system further includes a controller to reject contaminated sensor-enabled dose forms.

Abstract: A third contact portion contacts a first contact portion when a drum cartridge moves from first to second guide position. A fourth contact portion contacts a second contact portion when the drum cartridge moves from second to third guide position. When the drum cartridge moves from the first guide position to the second guide position, due to contact of the first contact portion with the third contact portion, the first cover located at the first position rotationally moves in a same rotational direction as the particular rotational direction to be located at the second position. When the drum cartridge moves from the second guide position to the third guide position, due to contact of the second contact portion with the fourth contact portion, the drum cartridge moves from the second guide position to the third guide position in a state where the first cover is kept at the second position.

Abstract: A gas analysis system includes a fluidic channel for flow of a gas to be analyzed, a detector in the channel and adapted for measuring interactions of the gas with the detector, the detector including a resonator of the electromechanical nanosystem (NEMS) type and a heating system for heating a part of the detector, an actuation device for vibrationally actuating the resonator according to an excitation signal applied to an input of the detector, a detection device adapted for providing an output electric signal representative of the vibrations of the resonator, a read-out device connected to an input of the detector and configured for simultaneously measuring, from the output signal of the detector, the change in resonance frequency and the change in amplitude of the vibrations at the resonance frequency of the resonator, and a processing device configured for determining from the changes a fluidic characteristic of the gas.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form an image on a recording media and including a developer bearing member configured to bear developer and carry the developer, a regulating portion disposed opposite to the developer bearing member and configured to regulate an amount of the developer on the developer bearing member, a first chamber configured to supply the developer to the developer bearing member, and a second chamber configured to communicate with the first chamber to form a circulating route of the developer. In addition, a first feeding member feeds the developer in the first chamber, and a second feeding member feeds the developer in the second chamber. A control portion executes, in a non-image forming state, a mode of driving the developer bearing member in a condition in which the first feeding member is stopped.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a tray on which a plurality of developing units are mounted, and a position adjustment unit that is disposed on at least one side of the tray, is movable with respect to the tray, and rotatably supports the plurality of developing units. As the position adjustment unit is moved with respect to the tray, the plurality of developing units are rotated and positions of the plurality of developing units are adjusted by the position adjustment unit.