Abstract: The image forming method uses reverse development to form an image from a toner applied to a latent image on a photoreceptor. The dots that form the latent image have an exposure diameter A (in &mgr;m) while the dots of the toner that form on the latent image have a development diameter B (in &mgr;m). The relationship between the exposure diameter A (in &mgr;m) in the primary scanning direction and the development diameter B (in &mgr;m) in the primary scanning direction of the developed image is: 1.1≦B/A≦1.5. The toner is prepared by fusing at the resin particles in a water based medium.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which includes an openable closing member, a first main assembly guide movable in interrelation with opening and closing action of the closing member, and a second main assembly guide, the process cartridge include a photosensitive drum; a first cartridge frame portion extending in a cartridge mounting direction to the main assembly, at one axial end portion of the drum; a first cartridge guide projected from the first cartridge frame portion, the first cartridge guide moving the cartridge toward a cartridge mounting position by movement of the first main assembly guide with the cartridge being supported on first main assembly guide, upon mounting of the cartridge to the main assembly; a second cartridge frame portion extended in the mounting direction at the other axial end portion of the drum; a second cartridge guide projected from the second cartridge frame portion, the second cartridge guide movi

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable on an image forming apparatus, including a frame and a blade member held by the frame, wherein a double-sided adhesive tape is stuck between the frame and the blade member along the lengthwise direction of the blade member.

Abstract: A second print device prints images on a rear surface of a web with no sprockets after a first print device prints images on a front surface of the web. A CPF-OFF signal is generated at a time of when an irradiating unit of the second print device completes irradiating for a last page. The second print device calculates, based on a web transport speed at the generation timing of the CPF-OFF signal, a time duration required for the web to reach a predetermined waiting position after the CPF-OFF signal was generated, and starts counting a clock when the time duration elapses from when the CPF-OFF signal was generated. After a last-page image is completely transferred from a photosensitive drum onto the web, the web is transported in a reverse direction by a distance corresponding to the count value, thereby positioning the web at a predetermined waiting position.

Abstract: A double-sided image forming device comprises a double-side operation unit. The double-side operation unit includes a sheet reversing unit including a switchback conveying path for reversing a front side and a back side of a sheet conveyed from an image forming unit, and a reconveying path for reconveying the sheet to the image forming unit so as to form an image on the back side. The switchback conveying path has a length smaller than a length of a conveyable maximum-size sheet. The double-side operation unit can slide from/toward a body of the double-sided image forming device in a direction perpendicular to a direction of conveying the sheet. A rear end guide is further provided in the switchback conveying path so as to guide a rear end of a large-size sheet.

Abstract: Compensation patterns are formed on a conveyer belt. Sensors detect the compensation patterns and output a signal. A frequency component that is above the frequency that corresponds to the compensation patters is cut off by a filter. The positions of the compensation patters are determined based on the output of the filter. The filter is, for example, an IIR type digital filter. A correction value is calculated based on the determined positions of the compensation patters. A driver is controlled based on the correction value. As a result, images of different colors can be matched accurately.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a belt for transferring an image from the image bearing member onto a recording material; transferring means for transferring the image from the image bearing member toward the belt; wherein the transferring means presses against the image bearing member through the belt; a tension member for applying tension the belt; wherein the belt is extended around the transferring means and the tension member; releasing means for releasing a tension applied to the belt by the tension member; separating means for separating the transferring means from the belt.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of printing on an electrically writable medium are disclosed. In one aspect, a printer for printing on an electrically writable medium includes a print head and a biasing system. The print head has multiple solenoid-actuated print wires that are operable to reciprocate toward and away from the medium. The biasing system is coupled to the print head and is operable to apply through print wires extended toward the medium an electric field greater than a threshold electric field needed to reorient switchable display elements in a localized region of the medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for controlling a toner supply includes a density detecting component for detecting a density of toner in a developer when forming an image, a toner supply component for supplying toner during image formation in an amount determined by a first toner density detected by the density detecting component, an image forming component for forming an image with toner supplied from the toner supply component in accordance with the toner density detected by the density detecting component, and a storage component for storing a second toner density detected by the density detecting component in preparation for forming a second image after forming a first image, the toner supply component shutting off power to the image forming apparatus after supply of toner to the image forming apparatus using the second toner density stored in the memory is completed when power to the image forming apparatus is switched OFF.

Abstract: A plurality of types of engine units which have nonvolatile storage units and which have different performances, respectively, can be attached to an image formation apparatus main body in a replaceable manner. A control unit which controls the performance of an overall apparatus based on information stored in the storage units provided in the engine units, respectively, which are attached to the image formation apparatus main body, is provided in the image formation apparatus main body. Therefore, even if the image formation apparatus main body is common, the performance of the overall apparatus related to recording speed or resolution can be changed only by replacing the engine units different in performance. It is also possible to easily deal with various types of apparatuses.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording material includes a heating member having a heat-generating layer, and magnetic field-generating means for generating a magnetic field to induce an eddy current in the heat-generating layer. The magnetic field-generating means includes a core and a coil disposed around the core in a longitudinal direction of the core. When the coil has a minimum length L1 and a maximum length L2 respectively in a longitudinal direction thereof; the core has a maximum length Lc in the longitudinal direction thereof; the core and the heating layer form a gap d therebetween; and the recording material has a prescribed maximum size giving a passing width Lp; these values satisfying the following relationship: Lp+2(2d+1)≦Lc≦L1<L2.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus for forming a color image on a storage medium using a laser beam generated from a laser generating means includes a plurality of image data interfaces provided between the color image forming apparatus and a peripheral device, image data interface conversion means for converting each of the image data interfaces into an image data interface for the laser generating means, and a single control means for controlling a drive timing of the laser generating means, the control means controlling the drive timing of the laser generating means for each one of a plurality of colors based on image data input from the image interface conversion means.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a developing device including a rotatable, nonmagnetic developer carrier and a magnetic field forming device. In a developing region where the developer carrier faces an image carrier, the magnetic field forming device causes a developer made up of toner and magnetic grains to rise on the developer carrier in the form of a magnet brush. In the developing region, the magnet brush on the developer carrier is caused to move at a higher speed than the surface of the image carrier in the same direction as and in contact with the surface of the image carrier, thereby developing the latent image. The toner of the developer is magnetic toner. Flux density set up in the developing region outside of the surface of the developer carrier in a normal direction has an attenuation ratio of 50% or above.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source, a deflector with a deflecting/reflecting surface which deflects an incident light beam from the light source, an imaging optical system including at least one scanning optical element for leading the light beam deflected by the deflector onto a surface to be scanned and forming an image as a spot on the surface to be scanned and, a synchronization detector for obtaining a scanning start position signal with respect to a main scanning direction on the surface to be scanned. The scanning optical element is provided with a light-beam passage for allowing a light beam traveling toward the synchronization detector to pass through. The light-beam passage is provided in an inner portion of the scanning optical element located outside an effective portion of the scanning optical element.

Abstract: In the image formation apparatus, an active filter converts an AC power supply supplied from an AC power supply to a DC voltage, and first and second DC—DC converters convert the DC voltage converted by the active filter to voltages at predetermined levels and respectively supplies the voltages to an image forming engine and an engine control unit. A power supply control unit stops the operation of the first DC—DC converter in order to allow the second DC—DC converter to continue supply of the voltage to the engine control unit when disconnection of the AC power supply is detected.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic apparatus includes a photosensitive member, an exposing device for forming an image on the photosensitive member, developing devices for different colors, and a transfer member. The developing devices include a toner storing chamber, a toner carrying member for forming a toner layer, a regulating member for regulating an amount of toner attached to the toner carrying member, a toner supply chamber having a supply member therein, a toner recovery chamber having an rotating member therein, and a separating member for separating the toner supply chamber from the toner recovery chamber so that the toner supply chamber is disposable above the toner recovery chamber.

Abstract: An image forming system including multiple photoconductors arranged in a line extending in a vertical direction and forming one body as one unit, and multiple development devices and multiple exposure devices arranged on one side of the line of the multiple photoconductors. An image is transferred to a recording medium on an other side of the line of the multiple photoconductors.

Abstract: A discomfort index of sound is obtained by an equation using the loudness value, sharpness value, tonality value and impulsiveness value of psychoacoustic parameters obtained from sounds at a position away from the end face of an image formation apparatus by 1 m. The discomfort index is decreased by reducing the high frequency component, charging noise, metallic impulsive sound and the like of the image formation apparatus, to thereby contribute to the improvement of the use environment.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a deflector for deflecting a laser beam in order to form images of different colors. Pattern images for measurement are formed on sheet conveying means in the different colors. A sensor senses the positions of the pattern images. A counter and a computing circuit cooperate to determine the amount of shift of each pattern image from a particular reference position. To correct the shift of each pattern image, a write timing generator adjusts a write start timing while a beam shift driving circuit adjusts a writing position.

Abstract: A color image formation apparatus of this invention includes a density adjustment sensor which detects a density adjustment mark arranged at a position at which a detection area of the density adjustment sensor does not overlap with detection areas of alignment sensors in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of an endless belt and transferred onto the endless belt. Detection of the alignment mark by the alignment sensors and detection of the density adjustment mark by the density adjustment sensor can be performed in parallel.