Abstract: A developing device includes a rotatable developer carrying member, a developer regulating member, and a cylindrical magnetic field generating member provided inside the developer carrying member and including a regulating magnetic pole provided opposed to the developer regulating member. A magnetic flux distribution provided by the regulating magnetic pole includes a first local maximum portion on a side upstream of a closest position between the magnetic field generating member and the developer regulating member, a second local maximum portion on a side downstream of the closest position, and a local minimum portion between the first local maximum portion and the second local maximum portion. A rectilinear line connecting the closest position and a center of the magnetic field generating member is positioned between the first local maximum portion and the second local maximum portion.

Abstract: A self-advancing cleaner and a method of operating the self-advancing cleaner. In an embodiment, a rotatable member can engage a transport belt, wherein the rotatable member includes a cleaning surface comprising a surface sufficiently rough to collect and take away ink debris from the transport belt. During a cleaning operation the cleaning surface remains stationary while the transport belt moves in a sliding relative motion with respect to the cleaning surface, which allows the ink debris to be collected on the cleaning surface. Once an ink contamination level associated with the ink debris attains a threshold and a set friction exceeds the threshold, the self-advancing cleaner advances.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a first casing, a second casing, an auger screw, and a shutter. The first casing has a first internal space. The second casing has: a second internal space smaller than the first internal space; a first opening allowing toner in the second internal space to be discharged; and a second opening allowing air in the second internal space to be sent to an outside. The auger screw is rotatable about a first rotation axis and configured to convey toner in the first internal space to the second internal space. The shutter is rotatable relative to the second casing about a second rotation axis between a first position in which the shutter closes the first opening and a second position in which the shutter opens the first opening. In a state where the shutter is at the second position, the shutter does not close the second opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes the following. An image carrier forms an electrostatic latent image by exposure. A developing apparatus stores a developing agent including toner and which develops the image carrier. A collector collects in the developing apparatus the developing agent scattered from the developing apparatus. An input unit is used by a user to select a screen type relating to a fineness of a halftone image. An adjuster is able to change strength of an electric field between the collector and the image carrier. A hardware processor which controls the adjuster to change the strength of the electric field according to the selected screen type.

Abstract: In a method magnetic resonance apparatus, a pulse sequence is optimized in order to identify a time interval of the pulse sequence during which gradient pulses are modifiable, and subdividing that time interval into two time subintervals wherein, during one of these two time subintervals, no gradient pulse is activated. Such an optimized pulse sequence can be repeated in a number of repetitions, during which magnetic resonance data are acquired, with a contiguous gradient being activated between repetitions, that performs the role of a conventional spoiler occurring directly before an RF excitation the contiguous gradient occurs during a duration that is shorter than a time directly following acquisition of data in one repetition and before excitation in the next repetition.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coil arrays having reduced coupling via hidden transmission lines. One example embodiment comprises a MRI RF coil array comprising: a first RF coil element coupled to a first output transmission cable (e.g., coaxial) that is configured to carry a first signal that is associated with the first RF coil element; a second RF coil element coupled to a second output transmission cable that is configured to carry a second signal that is associated with the second RF coil element, wherein the second RF coil element comprises a first portion of the first output transmission cable; and a first balun configured to reduce coupling associated with the first signal, wherein the first balun is arranged between the first RF coil element and the second RF coil element. Additional coil elements can be similarly combined in embodiments.

Abstract: A local coil for a magnetic resonance tomography system is provided. The local coil has a coil winding and a preamplifier connected electrically thereto. The coil winding has a plurality of coil segments that are coupled capacitively to one another.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for calibrating a center frequency of MR and an MRI system are disclosed herein. An exemplary method comprises applying a first set of gradient fields, receiving data information acquired by an RF coil and generating a first image; applying a second set of gradient fields in directions different than those of the first set of gradient fields, receiving data information acquired by the RF coil and generating a second image; calculating a shift of the center frequency based on the first image and the second image; and correcting the center frequency based on the shift of the center frequency.

Abstract: A supporting unit for supporting a rotatable member to feed a developer includes a frame including a first surface extending in a direction crossing an axis of the rotatable member and a second surface extending in a direction crossing the first surface, and a fixed member. The fixed member includes (i) a first opposing surface opposing and contacting the first surface, (ii) a second opposing surface opposing the second surface, and (iii) a first front side surface opposite from the second opposing surface. The second opposing surface is welded to the second surface by ultrasonic spot welding such that a first recess is formed on the first front side surface.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system and method are provided for improved determination of noise bias effects in calculating fitted parameters for quantitative MRI procedures. The system and method includes selecting a range for the SNR and fitted parameter values, and for each of a plurality of base pairs of these values and for a plurality of b values, adding a random noise term to the real and imaginary components of a plurality of corresponding signal terms, fitting magnitudes of the resulting “noisy” signals to determine a “noisy” fitted parameter value, and compare the “noisy” and base fitted parameter values to determine a noise-based error for each pair of base values. The noise-based errors can be used to generate an error map, modify imaging parameters to reduce such errors, or correct fitted parameters directly.

Abstract: A test socket (14) for a testing an integrated circuit (12) with controlled impedance while maintaining the structural integrity of the test pins (20). The pin (20) can have a sidewall with a thick portion 32 and a thinner portion (30) along the length of the pin. The pin can have projections (42) which provide a standoff from the slot (40). The sidewalls themselves can have projections or lands (60, 61) which extend into the slot and provide stability for the pin (20).

Abstract: Provided is a ripple current generating circuit, which comprises an indicating circuit based on an existing ripple current generating circuit. The indicating circuit comprises a resistor, a capacitor, a diode, and a light-emitting diode (LED). The indicating circuit is formed by connecting the LED and the diode that are reversely connected in parallel first to the resistor in parallel and then to the capacitor in series. The capacitor is low in capacity and serves to block direct current while allowing high frequency to pass. With increasing ESR of a tested capacitor, a high-frequency ripple voltage generated by a high-frequency exciting current across the ESR may rise accordingly. Since the capacitor is capable of allowing high frequency to pass, the LED will emit light when the high-frequency ripple voltage reaches a particular threshold that can be adjusted by adjusting the resistance of the resistor.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus and method acquire magnetic resonance data with a recording technique in which the Cartesian scanning of k-space is carried out differently, by a rotation of gradient directions around the center of k-space, for different recording sections of a respective part of the magnetic resonance data, and this recording technique is combined with an accelerating imaging technique for which reference data completely describing a reference range around the center of k-space are used for each individual slice to be scanned. At the beginning of the recording, a calibration area of k-space, which includes all the reference ranges required in the course of recording, is determined and a calibration data set of k-space is recorded in a calibration measurement with complete, Cartesian scanning of the calibration area. Reference data for each recording section are determined from this calibration data set.

Abstract: A system and method for magnetic resonance imaging is provided. The method includes acquiring a first set of MR signals and a second set of MR signals by applying a pulse sequence on a subject. The method also includes obtaining a first data line by filling the first set of MR signals into k-space along a first trajectory, and obtaining a second data line by filling the second set of MR signals into k-space along a second trajectory. The method also includes determining a candidate k-space shift based on the first data line and the second data line, and determining a candidate gradient delay based on the candidate k-space shift obtained in each of a plurality of iterations. The method also includes reconstructing an image of the subject based on the candidate gradient delay obtained in the last iteration.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming device, a sensor, and a processor. The image forming device is to form an image on recording medium. The sensor is to irradiate light to the recording medium and detect an amount of light transmitted through the recording medium and an amount of light reflected from the recording medium at each of a plurality of positions. The processor is to determine a thickness of the recording medium based on the amount of light transmitted through the recording medium and the amount of light reflected from the recording medium at each of the plurality of positions. The processor is to then control the image forming device on the basis of the determined thickness.

Abstract: A heating system includes a heater, a current sensor outputting a current monitoring signal indicating a current level of an alternating current power signal, and a switch providing alternating current to the heater. The heating system also includes a controller that controls operation of the switch. The controller activates the switch during a portion of a half cycle of the alternating current power signal having increasing amplitude. Upon the current monitoring signal reaching a predetermined threshold within the half cycle, the controller deactivates the switch. The heating system is useable within an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A drive transmission device includes a drive source, a first drive transmitter and a second drive transmitter. The drive source generates a drive force. The second drive transmitter is coaxially arranged with the first drive transmitter and includes a material different from a material of the first drive transmitter. The drive force of the drive source is transmitted between the first drive transmitter and the second drive transmitter. The first drive transmitter is fastened to the second drive transmitter.

Abstract: Prevention of an image defect due to discharging in a transfer portion and ensured transfer efficiency are both achieved. A control electrode is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of a secondary transfer roller on an upstream side of a position of contact between the secondary transfer roller and a recording medium in a direction of rotation of the secondary transfer roller. The control electrode has a potential set to a repel a toner image with respect to the secondary transfer roller. The control electrode is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the secondary transfer roller under such a condition that discharging occurs in a gap between the secondary transfer roller and the intermediate transfer belt and a discharging current flows through the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit having a first shielding member configured to change an opening width of a first opening with respect to a longitudinal direction, a second shielding member configured to change an opening width of a second opening with respect to the longitudinal direction, and a controller that controls, on the basis of an output of a detector and size information of the recording material, the opening widths of the first opening and the second opening, so as to correspond to widths of non-passing portions of the recording material in the nip, by moving the first shielding member and the second shielding member in the longitudinal direction, respectively, when the recording material, having a size other than the maximum size, is inserted into the fixing unit.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.