Abstract: An image forming apparatus has image forming portions for forming images of different colors based on image information, a transferring portion for transferring images formed by the image forming portions sequentially in a superimposing manner, an image discriminator for automatically discriminating whether the image information is monochrome or multicolor, an image discriminating operation selector for selecting whether the image discriminator is to be operated, and a mode selector for selecting between a monochrome mode and a multicolor mode when the image discriminating operation selector is not selected. When the image discriminator is selected, the image forming speed in the monochrome and multicolor image formations is set to a first speed, irrespective of the result of the image discriminator. When the monochrome image forming mode is selected, the image forming speed in the monochrome image formation is set to a second speed higher than the first speed.

Abstract: There is disclosed vibration wave motor comprising: a movable member; a molded elastic member having a surface for urging the movable member; and a piezoelectric member arranged in contact with the elastic member to apply vibration to the elastic member and produce a travelling vibration wave in the surface of the elastic member.

Abstract: There is disclosed vibration wave motor comprising: a movable member; a molded elastic member having a surface for urging the movable member; and a piezoelectric member arranged in contact with the elastic member to apply vibration to the elastic member and produce a travelling vibration wave in the surface of the elastic member.

Abstract: A recording apparatus records an image by scanning a first recording head relative to a recording medium of a particular type. The apparatus includes the first recording head, a pattern recording controller, a reader, a restoring device, a second recording head, a discriminator and a control unit. The pattern recording controller controls recording of a predetermined pattern with the first recording head at a predetermined timing either on the recording medium or on a pattern recording medium different from the recording medium. The reader reads the predetermined pattern and the restoring device performs a discharge restoring operation of the recording head. The discriminator discriminates a recording state of the first recording head, based on the predetermined pattern read by the reader.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a plurality of different image forming units for recording with different methods. An ink jet recording unit is arranged on the upstream side of an electrophotography recording unit in a transporting path of a recording medium. Recording of the ink jet recording unit is performed prior to that of the electrophotography recording unit.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording an image, by a recording device, on a recording medium having been conveyed to a position opposite to the recording device. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for conveying the recording medium to a recording region where a platen is disposed, a detector for detecting a floating amount and/or a floating angle of the recording medium with respect to the platen, and a selector for selecting either a first mode to continue the recording operation by varying the distance between the recording device and the recording medium in accordance with the detected result of the detector or a second mode to stop the recording operation. According to such a recording apparatus, it is possible to perform a high-quality recording operation since the distance between the recording head and the recording medium can be kept optimum.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor has a movable member; a molded elastic member having a surface with projections formed thereon for urging the movable member; and a piezoelectric member arranged in contact with the elastic member to apply vibration to the elastic member and produce a travelling vibration wave in the surface of the elastic member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a plurality of different image forming units for recording with different methods. An ink jet recording unit is arranged on the upstream side of an electrophotography recording unit in a transporting path of a recording medium. Recording of the ink jet recording unit is performed prior to that of the electrophotography recording unit.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus of the type which reads an original image by dividing it into a plurality of stripe-like areas each having a fixed width, wherein image reading is performed by reading an original image a plurality of times in a reading width which corresponds to an integral multiple of the fixed width, and wherein image signals, having a fixed width and corresponding to different respective areas, are sequentially selected in synchronism with the image reading performed a plurality of times, from among the totality of the image signals obtained by the reading.

Abstract: A film image reading apparatus has a conveying section for sequentially conveying a plurality of film originals to a reading position, a reading section for reading an image of a film original conveyed to the reading position by the conveying section, a detecting section for detecting a direction of the image of the film original conveyed to the reading position, and a controlling section for controlling outputting of an image signal from the reading section in accordance with the direction of the image detected by the detecting section.

Abstract: There is a film image information reading apparatus called a film scanner. This apparatus comprises: a lighting optical system to illuminate a film document; a photoelectric conversion element, such as a CCD to convert the image information of the film document into the electric signal; and an adjusting circuit to adjust the output of the photoelectrical conversion element such that a predetermined density of the film document is output as an output of almost the saturation level of that element. The predetermined density is the color density of the base color of a negative film. The adjusting circuit may control the charge storage period, gain, or output level of the photoelectric conversion element. With this apparatus, the positive image can be easily derived by reversing the negative image without considering the base color of the negative film and the image signal of a high quality can be obtained.

Abstract: An image data reading apparatus includes a photoelectric conversion device for converting image data on an original into electric signals, a light source for illuminating the original, a detector for detecting the shading correction values for the light source and the photoelectric conversion device, and an image processor for effecting shading correction on the video data output from the photoelectric conversion device with the shading correction value detected by the correction value detector.

Abstract: A focus detection system for detecting a focus state of an object lens, includes an optical device for forming first and second light distributions corresponding to first and second images having light fluxes passing through the different parts of a pupila of the object lens. The positional relationship between the two light distributions varies in accordance with the focus state of the object lens. First and second sensors sense the first and second light distributions. A signal processor for processing output signals from the first and second sensors detect the focus state of the object lens in accordance with the positional relationships between the two light distributions. The signal processor processes the signals from the first and second sensors in accordance with a predetermined formula to obtain the positional relationship between the two images to determine a degree of coincidence of the two light distributions.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is capable of reading an original image with an arbitrary image magnification, by projecting an original image onto a linear image sensor through an optical system of a variable image magnification, and moving the original image with respect to the image sensor with a speed corresponding to the selected image magnification of the optical system.

Abstract: A movable member of a vibration wave motor is driven by a twist component of an off-plane travelling vibration wave generated by a vibration member in a resonance vibration mode.

Abstract: A color scanner for converting color data of a color original (e.g., a photographic film) into an electrical signal, includes a level comparator for discriminating the type of film (e.g., color negative vs. color positive, color vs. monochrome, type of color negative) in accordance with output signals, e.g., color component signals, from a sensor (i.e., based on a light transmittance of an unexposed portion of the film). The output from the level comparator is supplied to an accumulation time control block through a register, a selector, and the like. The accumulation time control block corrects the electrical signal based on the discrimination result from the level comparator irrespective of the type of film, so that an accumulation time of the sensor is changed by changing a bias voltage applied thereto.

Abstract: A camera having an assembling adjusting device comprises a casing for a camera body, a photo-sensor disposed in the casing to receive an object image, a relay optical system for relaying a light beam from the object, a holder arranged in the casing to hold the relay optical system, a photo-sensor array for producing a focus detection signal in response to a focusing light from the relay optical system, a package for accommodating the photo-sensor array, a coupler for coupling the package to the holder, and compensation means for adjusting an attitude of the package to the holder to compensate for an inclination of the photo-sensor array plane to the focusing light.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor for driving a moving member contacting a vibration member, to which an electro-mechanical energy transducer element is bonded, by a travelling vibration wave generated in the vibration member, wherein the moving and vibration members contact each other through a plurality of contact points.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor generates a travelling torsional vibration wave in a vibration member to drive a movable member.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the shake of an image of an object, having first and second photosensor arrays for detecting an image of an object in two different directions, a signal processor for processing output signals from the first and second photosensor arrays and for producing a focusing control signal of an objective lens, a memory circuit for storing an output signal from the first photosensor array, and a discrimination circuit for discriminating the shake of the object in accordance with the signal stored in the memory circuit and a signal from the first photosensor array produced subsequent to this signal.