Abstract: An actuator includes a frame, a driver portion having one end connected to an inside of the frame, a movable portion connected to another end of the driver portion, and an electrode provided at the movable portion. The driver portion vibrates the movable portion by being driven by a driving signal. The electrode receives a high-frequency signal higher than that of the driving signal. This actuator is driven at a high speed by a large deflection angle, and can prevent dust from adhering to the movable portion.

Abstract: A method of color marking a metal or metal-plated part is described involving setting at least one laser parameter of a laser, such as the power, scan speed, Q-switch, spot size, line separation, and scan repetition, and then energizing a metal containing surface layer of the part using the laser to change the color reflected by the surface layer.

Abstract: A laser light control device includes: a photodiode disposed, along with a semiconductor laser, at a location capable of receiving laser light reflected on a polygon mirror after emitted from the semiconductor laser can be received; a semiconductor laser drive control section; and a comparison circuit configured to compare an output voltage of the photodiode and a reference voltage corresponding to a reference amount of light of the semiconductor laser. The semiconductor laser drive control section uses a timing with which the semiconductor laser drive control section receives from the comparison circuit an output indicating that the voltage output from the photodiode is larger than the reference voltage to generate a light emission start timing with which the semiconductor laser starts to emit laser light based on an image signal.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods of dynamically focusing an LED print bar or printhead using piezoelectric stacks. The stack is mounted on either end of the LED bar to adjust the focus of the bar against the photoreceptor surface. The piezo level could be either controlled through active feedback of some description such as optical or electrical, or as a service or manufacturing input. With electronic control, focus adjustments can be made by the machine, and dynamically, if needed. In one embodiment, a flextensional cell structure is employed to amplify the movement of the piezo stack to move the LED bar in the order of >50 microns closer or away from the photoreceptor surface.

Abstract: A light scanning device that performs rapid scanning synchronization timing detection to thereby enable automatic light amount control to be executed rapidly and with high accuracy. A light amount sensor disposed on a scanning line of the laser light receives the laser light. A controller controls the timing of emission by the laser emitting device and a light amount of the laser light based on image data, according to an output from the light amount sensor. A temperature sensor detects the temperature of the laser emitting device or in the light scanning device. A storage section stores data indicative of a relationship between temperature, current supplied to the laser emitting device, and light amount. A controller controls current to be supplied to the laser emitting device based on temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit and data stored in the storage section.

Abstract: A light scanning apparatus, including: a light source; a deflector configured to deflect the light beam from the light source to scan a photosensitive member; an optical member configured to guide the light beam; a housing including a housing engaging portion and a supporting portion configured to support the optical member; a leaf spring including a pressing portion and a leaf spring engaging portion; and an abutment portion, wherein, in a process in which the housing engaging portion and the leaf spring engaging portion are moved from a second state in which the leaf spring engaging portion is not engaged with the housing engaging portion to a first state in which the leaf spring engaging portion is engaged with the housing engaging portion, the pressing portion is moved from the abutment portion to the optical member.

Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus which prints a protective coat, on the basis of input image data, onto a recording sheet on which an image is printed with a dye ink, the printing apparatus comprising: an area dividing unit configured to divide the input image data into a plurality of areas; a conversion unit configured to convert the input image data into print control data by using conversion information provided to convert the input image data into the print control data; and a printing unit configured to print the protective coat on the basis of the print control data acquired by the conversion unit, wherein the conversion unit is configured to include a plurality of pieces of the conversion information and convert the input image data into the print control data by using a piece of the conversion information different for each area divided by the area dividing unit.

Abstract: An optical scanning device including a controller configured to control a light emitter to emit a first light beam in accordance with a first pattern, control the light emitter to emit a second light beam in accordance with a second pattern, discriminate between a first signal output from a sensor in accordance with the first pattern and a second signal output from the sensor in accordance with the second pattern, identify a first moment at which the discriminated first signal has been output and a second moment at which the discriminated second signal has been output, and determine a moment to start forming on a scanned object a first scanning line by the first light beam, based on the identified first moment, and determine a moment to start forming on the scanned object a second scanning line by the second light beam, based on the identified second moment.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine whether or not a polygon mirror has converged to the number of rotations that allows image formation to be performed, and the determination unit is capable of detecting a first timing and a second timing and determines that the polygon mirror has converged to a number of rotations that allows the image formation to be performed based on an earlier one of the first timing and the second timing.

Abstract: a sheet processing apparatus comprises a main body side guiding module, a first movable module, a second movable module and a connection module. The main body side guiding module guides a sheet. The first movable module moves to a second position to open the conveyance path through motion from a first position opposite to the main body side guiding module, towards a first direction. The second movable module holds a detachable processing module for carrying out a given processing on the sheet, and moves integrally with the first movable module from the first position to the second position. The connection module connects the second movable module with the first movable module in such a manner that the second movable module can move to a third position to expose the processing module through motion from the second position in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A process for forming an image on a substrate, comprises depositing ink compositions of at least two colors onto the substrate to form the image, and fixing the image to the substrate, wherein the ink is deposited using an electrostatic printhead, which ejects chargeable marking particles dispersed in a carrier fluid by using an applied electric field to first concentrate and then eject the marking particles, and wherein all of the ink compositions are deposited onto the substrate before the image is fixed. An ink composition suitable for use in the invention comprises: 45-95% by weight of a carrier liquid; 6-40% by weight of insoluble chargeable marking particles; and 0.4-10% by weight of a soluble dispersant, characterized in that the ink does not contain an agent that can fix the marking particles to a substrate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image density detector, an image forming device, a rotator, an image density controller, and a timing correction data obtainer. The image density detector detects a toner density of an image formed on an image bearing member. An image forming device forms the image using a density adjustable element that adjusts the density of the image. The rotator forms an image pattern while the density adjustable element is changed, and a density thereof is detected by the image density detector. The image density controller controls the image forming device using a density correction data for the density adjustable element corresponding to a rotational period of the rotator. The timing correction data obtainer obtains timing correction data for correction of driving timing of the image forming device based on a change in the density of the image pattern detected by the image density detector.

Abstract: A light source drive device includes a first current source which provides a predetermined current to a light source corresponding to a predetermined light output, and a second current source which provides an overshoot current to the light source synchronized with the predetermined current. A processor is configured to set an overshoot time during which the overshoot current is provided to the light source. Further, an overshoot current is set which is applied to the light source. The overshoot time is set so that the overshoot time based on the rising of the predetermined current to when a light emission of the light source is detected.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a mirror adjusting mechanism which includes an abutting surface and a mirror holding member. The abutting surface is provided with one or more first support protrusions making point contact or line contact with a reflecting surface of a planar mirror on the same straight line. The mirror holding member includes a mirror receiving part provided with one second support protrusion making point contact with the reflecting surface of the planar mirror. The mirror holding member is rotated while maintaining a contact state between the planar mirror and the first support protrusions and a contact state between the mirror receiving part and the abutting surface, so that an angle of the planar mirror is adjustable only in one direction by employing a straight line, which connects contact points between the plurality of first support protrusions and the planar mirror to each other, as a swing axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are for printing a fluid material by a continuous jet printing technique. The apparatus includes a flow restricting structure arranged near an outflow opening for restricting a flow of the material between a reservoir and the outflow opening by a restricted passage through the flow restricting structure. Furthermore, the flow restricting structure, an actuating surface, and a nozzle are arranged to bind a micro volume directly adjacent an inside of the outflow opening for the purpose of guiding or reflecting pressure variations generated by the pressure regulating mechanism towards the outflow opening.

Abstract: Provided is an optical scanning apparatus, including: an optical deflector having a polygon mirror reflecting a light flux emitted from a light source to carry out scanning, a drive unit rotating the polygon mirror about a rotation shaft, and a board supporting the drive unit; an optical box to which the board is fixed; two holes provided in the optical box, through which two screws fixing the board are inserted, respectively; two bearing surfaces provided on the optical box at positions around the two holes, respectively, the two bearing surfaces supporting the board; and an abutment portion provided on the optical box and abutting against a portion that is prevented from being pressed by the two screws in the board which is sandwiched between the two screws and the two bearing surfaces so as to be fixed to the optical box.

Abstract: Provided is a printer capable of enhancing the cutting efficiency of printing paper. A printer, includes a printing unit; a fixed blade; a movable blade provided to be movable relative to the fixed blade, and cut the printing medium with the fixed blade; and a tension mechanism applying a tensional force to the printing medium. The tension mechanism includes a receiving member disposed on the discharge side of the fixed blade; and a pressing member extending from the movable blade toward the discharge side, moving with the movable blade. The pressing member includes a pressing part configured to press the printing medium against the receiving member and move toward the discharge side while holding the printing medium between the pressing part and the receiving member, as the movable blade moves toward the fixed blade.

Abstract: A polygonal rotating mirror, a light scanning unit employing the polygonal rotating mirror, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus are shown. The polygonal rotating mirror is employed in the light scanning unit for scanning a light beam and includes a plurality of reflective surfaces enclosing outer side surfaces thereof. One of the plurality of reflective surfaces is a reference surface, a region of the reference surface where a light beam for a synchronization signal is to be incident is formed as a non-reflective region, and regions of the remaining reflective surfaces of the plurality of reflective surfaces where a light beam for a synchronization signal is to be incident, are formed as reflective regions.

Abstract: A tape drive for transferring tape between a first spool and a second spool, the tape comprising at least one marker indicative of a property of the tape, the tape drive having: two spool supports, each of which is suitable for supporting a spool of tape, and a tape control system which includes: two motors and a controller for controlling the operation of the motors, each motor driving a respective one of the spool supports, and a detector that is operable, in use, to detect the presence of one or more markers on a portion of a tape, the tape control system being operable to identify a property of the tape according to the detected marker or markers.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having an adhesive applying function is provided with a transporting mechanism for transporting an elongated print member, a transferring mechanism for transporting a transferring member having adhesive, contained in a cartridge installed on the apparatus, and for selectively bringing the transferring member into contact with the print member transported by the transporting mechanism, thereby transferring the adhesive of the transferring member onto the surface of the print member which no data is to be printed on, a controlling unit for controlling whether the transferring mechanism transfers the adhesive of the transferring member onto the surface of the print member which no data is to be printed on, and a printing mechanism provided on the downstream side of the transferring mechanism, for processing print data including rotation of the data in unit of 90 degrees, and for printing the data on the surface of the print member.