Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image former and a hardware processor. The image former includes, an image carrier; a developer; a conductive rotating member; and a voltage applier which applies voltage to the rotating member. The hardware processor executes an attached material detection mode which detects material attached to a surface of the rotating member. In such mode, the hardware processor controls the voltage so that the developing bias is a value between a surface potential in a region of the image carrier in contact with a portion in which attached material exists on a surface of the rotating member if a reference voltage is applied by the voltage applier, and a surface potential in a region of the image carrier in contact with a portion in which the attached material does not exist on the surface of the rotating member if the reference voltage is applied.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first integrated chip; a second integrated chip; a plurality of reference through-chip vias formed through the first and second integrated circuit chips; and at least a normal through-chip via formed through the first and second integrated circuit chips, wherein the first integrated circuit chip comprises: a plurality of reference sourcing circuits suitable for sourcing a reference current to the respective reference through-chip vias; and at least a sourcing circuit suitable for sourcing the reference current to the normal through-chip via, and wherein the second integrated circuit chip comprises: a plurality of reference sinking circuits suitable for sinking currents flowing through the respective reference through-chip vias; a line suitable for electrically coupling the plurality of reference through-chip vias; a comparison voltage generation circuit suitable for generating a plurality of comparison voltages based on a voltage of the line; at least a sinking circuit suitab

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including a body side connector and a removable unit removably inserted in the apparatus body. The removable unit includes a unit side connector configured to engage with the body side connector in conjunction with insertion of the removable unit into and from the apparatus body in an insertion direction and disengage from the body side connector in conjunction with removal of the removable unit from the apparatus body in a removal direction. The apparatus further includes a first holder and a second holder. The first holder holds the body side connector and restrict the body side connector from moving in the insertion direction and the removal direction relative to the first holder. The second holder holds the first holder and restrict the first holder from moving in a direction different from the insertion direction and the removal direction.

Abstract: An information processing system includes a first communication interface, an information processing apparatus which obtains job data through the first communication interface, and an image processing apparatus which executes a print job defined by the job data. The job data includes print data which defines an image and setting data which defines setting for the print job. The information processing apparatus includes a processor which performs specific processing in accordance with the setting and modifies contents of setting for the setting data of the job data so as to cancel the setting corresponding to the performed specific processing and a second communication interface which transfers the modified job data to the image processing apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mapping the transmit sensitivity of one or more radio frequency (“RF”) coils for use in magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) are described. The transmit RF field (“B1+”) for an RF coil, or an array of RF coils, is mapped using a robust, motion-insensitive technique that implements Bloch-Siegert shifts performed with interleaved positive and negative off-resonance shifts. The motion insensitivity of this technique makes it particularly useful for applications where there is significant motion, such as cardiac imaging, in which previous B1+ mapping techniques are not as accurate or effective.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a supporting member arranged inside the fixing belt, a nip forming member, a cap supporting an end of the fixing belt and a pivot supporting member. The nip forming member attached to the supporting member sandwiches the fixing belt with the pressuring member. The pivot supporting member attached at an end of the supporting member pivotally supports the cap. The pivot supporting member includes a positioning member fitted on the supporting member from an end side and locked to the supporting member at a center side, and a fastening member fitted on the supporting member and the positioning member and fastened to the supporting member. The positioning member and the fastening member fitted to each other constitute the outer face of the pivot supporting member along an inner face of the cap.

Abstract: In a case where a total value of the number of images to be formed specified by an input job and a count value of a counter before the number of images to be formed according to the job is counted is included in a predetermined range including a predetermined number of images, a cleaning mechanism is caused to operate after formation of images according to the job is completed, and a cleaning process is executed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an opening and closing unit that is openable and closable with respect to an apparatus main body; a transfer unit that is provided in the apparatus main body and transfers an image from an image holding unit to a recording medium at a transfer position; an attaching unit that attaches the transfer unit to the opening and closing unit so as to be movable between the transfer position and a temporary holding position when the opening and closing unit is opened and closed; and a rotating unit that is provided in the apparatus main body, has a cutout portion that rotates while being in contact with the attaching unit when the opening and closing unit is closed, and moves the transfer unit toward the transfer position.

Abstract: To enable the content of a printed material to be easily checked and inconvenience when a user collects the printed material to be avoided. An image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming part (14) and a display panel 48, and the display panel 48 displays a preview image 110 corresponding to image data for printing an image on a sheet. For example, the preview image 110 is displayed on the display panel 48 from when a print job is started and the first sheet in the print job is fed until the last sheet in the print job is discharged into a sheet discharge part 16.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first electrical contact and a second electrical contact are positioned on a first longitudinal end of the housing. The first electrical contact is electrically connected to processing circuitry positioned on the housing. The second electrical contact is electrically connected to an imaging component positioned on the housing. The first electrical contact is positioned higher than the second electrical contact. A first drive coupler and a second drive coupler are positioned on a second longitudinal end of the housing. The first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are positioned higher than a first rotational axis of the first drive coupler. The first electrical contact is positioned higher than a second rotational axis of the second drive coupler and the second electrical contact is positioned lower than the second rotational axis.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a power storage device includes at least [a] to [f] below. [a] A power storage device is prepared. [b] A charge level of the power storage device is adjusted to produce a first potential difference between a positive electrode and a negative electrode. [c] The positive electrode or the negative electrode is selected as a reference electrode. [d] After the charge level is adjusted, an operation to insert a conductive rod-shaped member into a stack portion along a direction of stack of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is performed while a second potential difference between the reference electrode and the rod-shaped member is measured. [e] The rod-shaped member is stopped. [f] The power storage device is evaluated based on a state of the power storage device after the rod-shaped member is stopped.

Abstract: (a) A power storage device is prepared. (b) An evaluation jig is prepared. The evaluation jig includes an insulating tubular member and a conductive needle-shaped member. (c) A charge level of the power storage device is adjusted. (d) A positive electrode or a negative electrode is selected as a reference electrode. (e) An operation to insert the evaluation jig into the power storage device is performed. (f) The insertion operation is controlled to stop the tubular member when a tip end of the needle-shaped member comes in contact with an electrode different from the reference electrode. (g) Short-circuiting through the needle-shaped member is caused. (h) The power storage device is evaluated based on a state of the short-circuiting power storage device.

Abstract: In an image forming operation of transferring one developer image to a recording material, when a plurality of image forming portions include a non-image forming portion that is an image forming portion which does not form a developer image on an image bearing member, applying means for applying a charging bias to a charging member which comes into contact with and charges the image bearing member applies a second charging bias to the charging member in the non-image forming portion, the second charging bias having a same polarity as a first charging bias for forming a developer image and being a voltage equal to or lower than a discharge start voltage.

Abstract: A powder accommodating device includes: an accommodating portion that has an opening at one end, is installed horizontally to accommodate powder, and transports the powder toward the opening by rotation; a lid portion that has a cylindrical inner wall surface, covers the opening and is held in a non-rotational state; and an agitation portion including: a cylindrical portion that is disposed in the lid portion, communicates with the opening, and rotates integrally with the accommodating portion; and plural agitation rods that each have a rod shape protruding from the cylindrical portion in a rotation axis direction in a direction away from the cylindrical portion and circulate along the inner wall surface to agitate the powder in the hollow portion, wherein at least some of the plural agitation rods are connected to each other via a beam provided at a position out of the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an information processing section that is provided with a housing and an image forming section that is disposed above the housing in a gravitational direction. In the image forming apparatus, a gap exists between the housing and the image forming section, and a ventilation hole is formed in an upper surface of the housing.

Abstract: An idler roller as at least one of a plurality of support rollers for stretching an intermediate transfer belt is a metal roller having a groove formed on a metal surface. A primary transfer roller is a metal roller having a metal surface with a smaller maximum surface height than the idler roller.

Abstract: An angle sensor includes a plurality of composite magnetic field information generation units and an angle computing unit. The plurality of composite magnetic field information generation units detect, at a plurality of detection positions, a composite magnetic field of a magnetic field to be detected and a noise magnetic field other than the magnetic field to be detected, and thereby generate a plurality of pieces of composite magnetic field information including information on the direction of the composite magnetic field. The angle computing unit generates a detected angle value by performing an operation using the plurality of pieces of composite magnetic field information so that an error of the detected angle value caused by the noise magnetic field is made smaller than in the case where the detected angle value is generated on the basis of any and only one of the plurality of pieces of composite magnetic field information.

Abstract: A developer replenishment container attachable to and detachable from a container receiver of a developer supply device is provided. The developer replenishment container includes a containing cover portion, a containing portion, and a discharge mechanism configured to deliver a developer to a discharge port while loosening the developer. The containing portion has a circumferential wall and a rotational force input portion. The circumferential wall is provided with a spiral protrusion. The discharge mechanism has a cam member and a biasing member including a bellows portion. A discharge channel is formed between the cam member and the bellows portion. The bellows portion extends and contracts in accordance with reciprocating movement of the cam member along an axial direction of the circumferential wall.

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: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge including a developing member mountable in and dismountable from a main assembly in a direction crossing a rotational axis direction of the developing member. A grip portion of the cartridge extends in a direction along a dismounting direction of the cartridge from the main assembly in a state in which the cartridge is mounted in the main assembly. An openable member in the main assembly includes a guiding portion to support the cartridge from below and guide the cartridge while the cartridge is being dismounted from the main assembly, with the guiding portion including a guiding surface having a downwardly recessed shape on a cross-section perpendicular to the rotational axis direction and guiding the cartridge so that an extending direction of the grip portion approaches a vertical direction as the cartridge is moved in the dismounting direction.