Abstract: A method for forming an image wherein a latent image is produced on an image retainer and the latent image is developed by a plurality of different color toners. The developing is carried out by non-contact manner while an a.c. electric field is being applied in and after at least the second color development. The developed images of different colors are transferred to a transfer medium at a time.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying machine includes a document mount portion, a document-winding drum, and a selection element. A book-like document can be copied when it is mounted on the document mount portion or a sheet-like copy document can be copied by being wound around the document drum by operation of the selection element. The document mount portion and the document drum are positioned within the range of movement of a common light scanning source so that the copy document provided on either the mount portion or the drum is optically scanned with the common light scanning source.

Abstract: A flat solid discharging device applicable to an electrophotographic copier, facsimile apparatus and other electrostatic recording apparatuses for charging or discharging a photoconductive element. The device includes a dielectric element, a first and a second electrode juxtaposed to each other through the dielectric element, and a power source for applying an ac voltage across the first and second electrode to produce ions in the vicinity of the two electrodes. The first electrode has a hairline configuration and extends along the length of the device. The second electrode is constituted by a plurality of comblike conductive strips each of which extends crosswise relative to the first electrode through the dielectric. By adequately selecting the pitch of the conductive strips and the distance between the second electrode and the photoconductive element, irregularity in charging which corresponds to the pitch of the conductive strips is made negligible.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for minimizing delay in the operation of a safety device in a device for thermally fixing an image to a paper medium. A safety device, such as a thermostat, is set to deactivate a heater unit if the temperature of the heater unit exceeds a first temperature value. If the temperature of the thermal unit exceeds a second temperature value lower than the first temperature value, a heat exhausting device, such as a fan, is turned off. Shutting off the heat exhausting device stops cooling of the heater, thus decreasing the time elapsed before the safety device can detect the first temperature value.

Abstract: An electrostatic reproducing apparatus wherein a color picture image is formed on an image retainer with a color toner, and which has detector means which applies light from a light source to both the image retainer and the color picture image and detects the light reflected thereby. The light source is employed which emits light that does not include a high spectral reflectance region for the toner employed to form the picture image. The color picture image is constituted by a plurality of color picture images of different colors.

Abstract: A copying system comprises a first circuit for selecting a copying mode or a service program mode responsive to a manipulation of one or a plurality of keys, a second circuit for setting an operation mode to the service program mode when enabled by the first circuit, and a control device for automatically resetting one of a plurality of predetermined service program modes when the second circuit is disabled by the first circuit. Adjusting data for use in adjusting parts of the copying system in the service program mode are entered from the keys, and the predetermined service program modes are automatically reset when the operation mode is changed from the service program mode to the copying mode.

Abstract: An image processing system has readers for reading original images, a multi-input/multi-output unit, and printers with or without sorters. Image signals from one or more readers are output by printers selected by the multi-input/multi-output unit in accordance with the number of copies to be produced and the copy mode selected by the operator. High-speed copy operation can be performed by using available printers in the multi/single copy mode and/or sort/non-sort/group mode without requiring complex operation by the operator.

Abstract: A process head for use in an electrophotographic apparatus and adapted for conducting developing process with a developer on an electrophotographic film in a developing section of the electrophotographic apparatus. The developing section is surrounded by a seal section. An air pump is provided for supplying the seal section with a seal gas selectively at a low pressure higher than the pressure in the developing section and, hence, capable of preventing developer from leaking out of the developing section and a high pressure higher than the low pressure and high enough to drive the seal gas into the developing section. In consequence, leaking of developer out of the developing section is avoided and the seal gas under the high pressure comes into the developing section so as to ensure the complete removal of unnecessary portion of the developing agent.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying machine comprises a mouse which is connected to a main unit by a connecting cord and is for inputting positional information for editing. The mouse has a roller whose peripheral side surface is exposed from a case. When the mouse is moved while the peripheral side surface of the roller is brought in contact with a surface of an original, pulses are generated from the mouse attending on rotation of the roller, and these pulses are counted by a counter of a microcomputer. The counted value of the counter is utilized as positional data for editing by the microcomputer. Based on that positional data, the microcomputer partially and selectively lightens of a plurality of LED elements constituting a LED array. Therefore, an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor-drum is partially erased so that "masking or "trimming" of an image in an area defined by the positional data is executed.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a plurality of liquid images are transferred from a photoconductive member to a copy sheet. The liquid images, which include a liquid carrier having toner particles dispersed therein, are attached from the photoconductive member to an intermediate belt by a biased transfer roll. At the same time, the biased transfer roll squeegees the liquid carrier from the intermediate belt and the toner particles are compacted thereon in image configuration. Thereafter, the toner particles are transferred from the intermediate belt to the copy sheet in image configuration with the use of another biased transfer roll. A vacuum source and an infrared heater is employed to remove residual solvent from the intermediate member left after photoconductor to intermediate member transfer takes place.

Abstract: In a full-frame flash electrophotographic printing machine, an imaging system is provided which incorporates a flash lamp directly coupled to an ac line input to enable document exposure. The imaging system also includes a lens whose movement is synchronized with a moving photoreceptor so that an exposure occurs registered at the same image area of the photoreceptor. The invention further includes circuit means for detecting zero crossing points of the line voltage and for generating signals which are used to trigger the lamp into operation at some point during an 8 msec, half cycle of line operation. Further circuit means are provided for controlling exposure levels to conform to detected density of the document being copied. In a second embodiment, the control circuitry is used to couple the ac line into a flash fuser assembly to fuse a transferred image on an output record medium.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for electrophotographically producing high quality reproductions which contain different content types. Photoconductor image sectors are subjected to separate optical exposures selected for (1) good tone-scale reproduction of continuous-tone image portions and (2) high-contrast reproduction of line-type image portions. Photoconductor background area, which border continuous-tone image portions, are discharged to a level below the system's development level. Color line-art from a black and white original is also provided for in a color-copier by exposing a separate original containing a swatch of the color to be reproduced on the same image frames exposed to the image of the line-art. A digitizing tablet is used in combination with a selective erase means to provide selective screening and/or spot color effects. The digitizing tablet may be incorporated to use the exposure platen and may be of the sonic type or other types not employing grid lines visible to the photoconductor.

Abstract: In a mirror scan type copying machine in which a light source and part of mirrors are movable, the optical system employs an asymmetrical lens construction for image formation. The optical system is mounted on an inverting drive mechansim for switching the optical system from a position where its principal point is located on the side of the original mount into a position where its principal point is located on the side of the sensitive material surface or vice versa.

Abstract: A copying apparatus includes an automatic document feeder, a document size detecting part provided on the automatic document feeder for detecting a size of a document, a contact glass on which the document is set automatically by the automatic document feeder, a stopping position control device for controlling a stopping position of the document on the contact glass depending on the size of the document detected in the document size detecting part, an optical scanning device for scanning the document on the contact glass, and a scanning range control part for controlling a scanning range of the optical scanning device depending on the stopping position of the document.

Abstract: A copier includes a device for automatically correcting the magnification according to the change in size of the copy paper caused by the preceding copying process effected thereon such that, when the copier is used in a composite mode of operation, images transferred on the paper from different processes have the same size and aligned correctly.

Abstract: Two or more copies of a document are made with complementary portions missing for separate secure transporting or storing. The copies may be made on an electrostatic copies having an image erase feature or on a printer which can impress an erase signal on the printing signal.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to liquid electrophotographic copying equipment and more particularly to an apparatus to dispense a liquid charge director composition to a reservoir that contains a liquid developer composition. Generally, the apparatus comprises a charge director reservoir including a pressure cell arranged below the liquid level of the charge director reservoir. The pressure cell has a volume to contain a predetermined amount of liquid charge director composition. The pressure cell is provided with an opening to permit a flow of liquid charge director composition from the charge director reservoir and into the interior of the pressure cell and vice versa. A tubular conduit extends from the interior of the pressure cell to the reservoir that contains the liquid developer composition to provide fluid communication therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrophotographic copying machine which is provided with an original-setting table and copying-paper delivery devices featuring provision of a original-setting plate that allows a plurality of originals to be mounted on the original-setting table, circuits for generating timing signals matching the positions of a plurality of originals mounted together with the original-setting plate on the original-setting table, and a copying-paper feeding device for delivering copying papers in response to the timing signals thus generated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a copy paper delivery-timing control device which includes the following: a home position sensor that detects the home position of the original scanner; a pulse-generator for generating a specific number of pulses corresponding to the travelling distance of the scanner; a counter that activates counting of a specific number of pulses when the scanner passes through its home position; a timer for activating counting as soon as the value of the counter exactly matches a specific value denoting the tip position of the original; a device for starting transfer of copy paper to the transference position as soon as the timer fully counts up the predetermined time; and a control device for activating the timer when the "1-set/2-copy" mode is entered for continuously copying both the left half and the right half of the original on individual copying papers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a toner layer adapted for electrophotographic developing apparatuses for developing using magnetic toner. Toner carried on a toner carrier and flowing toward the developing position is regulated in thickness by a toner layer thickness regulating member contacting the surface of the toner carrier. Lines of magnetic force are applied to the toner layer having a regulated thickness so as to stir the toner conveyed toward the developing position, thereby forming a uniform toner layer at the downstream side. The toner layer thickness regulating member can be a thin plate member of a nonmagnetic material having elasticity, or a rigid blade having a pivotal proximal end. The toner is stirred in a repulsive magnetic field forming region formed between a magnetic blade and the toner carrier.