Abstract: There is provided a program generating apparatus including a generating unit and a genetic processing unit. The generating unit is configured to generate tree structures each representing an image classification program. Each of the tree structures has a first level group and a second level group. Elements of nodes in the first level group are selected from amongst image filters each used to apply preprocessing to an input image. An element of a node in the second level group is selected from amongst setting programs each used to set a different value as a control parameter for generating a classifier based on information obtained by execution of the elements selected for the nodes in the first level group. The genetic processing unit is configured to output, using genetic programming, a tree structure with a fitness score exceeding a predetermined threshold based on the tree structures.

Abstract: A developing device includes a casing to contain developer, a developer bearer disposed in the casing and opposite a latent image bearer in a developing range, at least one developer contact face to which the developer adheres in image formation, and a vibrator to give vibration to the developer contact face in a non-image formation period. The developer bearer is to rotate to supply the developer to the latent image bearer in the developing range.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a compound represented by formula (2-b), which is useful as an intermediate for producing agricultural chemicals. The method includes a step for obtaining a compound represented by formula (2-a) by oxidizing the compound represented by formula (1) with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sulfuric acid and/or a C1-6 alkanesulfonic acid that may be halogen-substituted and in the presence of a C2-12 aliphatic carboxylic acid and/or sulfolane. The method also includes a step for obtaining a compound represented by formula (2-b) by nitrating a compound represented by formula (2-a) in the presence of sulfuric acid and/or a C1-6 alkanesulfonic acid that may be halogen-substituted.

Abstract: Provided is a water-soluble composition for optical three-dimensional modeling having little burden on the environment, which enables the production of a three-dimensional model that has both little warping deformation and excellent mechanical characteristics, while exhibiting good adhesion between cured film layers during the production process of the three-dimensional model; and a method for producing a three-dimensional model, which uses this composition for optical three-dimensional modeling. Specifically provided is a water-soluble composition for optical three-dimensional modeling, which contains (A) 10-70% by mass of a water-soluble cationically polymerizable compound that is an ether derivative compound of a sorbitol having a glycidyl ether structure, (B) 1-30% by mass of a water-soluble radically polymerizable compound having a methacryl group and/or an acryl group, (C) 0.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearer, a developer regulator, a casing including an opposing face to oppose the developer bearer upstream from a developing range in a direction of rotation of the developer bearer, and first, second, and third seals. The first seal includes a first end secured to the casing and a second end to contact a latent image bearer upstream from the developing range in a direction of rotation of the latent image bearer. The second seal includes a first end secured to the opposing face of the casing, and a second end to contact the first seal upstream from the developing range. The third seal includes a first end secured to the opposing face of the casing, and a second end to contact developer on the developer bearer between the developer regulator and the developing range in the direction of rotation of the developer bearer.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a compound represented by formula (2-b), which is useful as an intermediate for producing agricultural chemicals. The method includes a step for obtaining a compound represented by formula (2-a) by oxidizing the compound represented by formula (1) with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sulfuric acid and/or a C1-6 alkanesulfonic acid that may be halogen-substituted and in the presence of a C2-12 aliphatic carboxylic acid and/or sulfolane. The method also includes a step for obtaining a compound represented by formula (2-b) by nitrating a compound represented by formula (2-a) in the presence of sulfuric acid and/or a C1-6 alkanesulfonic acid that may be halogen-substituted.

Abstract: Each time evolution processing is performed, an information recording unit records increase-decrease information indicating a type of partial program changed in number between pre- and post-evolution individuals and difference between fitness levels calculated from the pre- and post-evolution individuals in a storage unit. A probability setting unit determines, per partial program, a contribution level indicating how much a partial program contributes to increasing a fitness level, based on the information stored in the storage unit within a predetermined period and sets a selection probability per partial program in such a manner that a partial program having a higher contribution level is given a higher selection probability. When the evolution processing is performed, a generation processing unit selects a partial program to be included in the post-evolution individual in mutation processing according to the set selection probabilities.

Abstract: An visual inspection support apparatus includes a camera configured to obtain a plurality of different images capturing one or more visual inspection target objects; an action information acquisition apparatus configured to obtain action information of a visual inspection worker; and a processing device configured to determine an activity level of the visual inspection worker based on the action information, and change a way of displaying the images based on a determination result of the activity level of the visual inspection worker.

Abstract: A developing device to develop a latent image on a rotatable image bearer includes an upstream developing roller disposed opposite the image bearer at a first developing position, and a downstream developing roller disposed adjacent to and downstream from the upstream developing roller in a direction of rotation of the image bearer, disposed opposite the image bearer at a second developing position. Each of the upstream developing roller and the downstream developing roller has a most approachable surface that approaches closest to the image bearer and a most withdrawn surface that withdraws farthest from the image bearer. In a state in which a reference surface point of the image bearer is disposed opposite the most approachable surface of the upstream developing roller at the first developing position, the reference surface point opposes the most withdrawn surface of the downstream developing roller at the second developing position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a removable unit to be removably installed in the image forming apparatus, having a unit-side opening, a connectable device having an apparatus-side opening to be connected to the unit-side opening to send developer from one of the removable unit and the connectable device to the other, a receptacle disposed below the unit-side opening and the apparatus-side opening to receive and store developer dropping from above, and a drawer unit to be retractably drawn out from the image forming apparatus. The receptacle is united with the drawer unit to be drawn out from the image forming apparatus together with the drawer unit.

Abstract: A developing unit includes a developer bearer to bear developer on a surface thereof, first and second developer conveyors each having a spiral blade mounted on a rotary shaft thereof parallel to a rotary axis of the developer bearer to convey developer in opposite directions to each other. A developer drain hole is provided at a given height in a side wall of a second developer conveyance channel to face a communication opening across the second developer conveyor. The first developer conveyor rotates in a direction with its spiral blade rising between the rotary shaft of the first developer conveyor and the communication opening. Rotational phases of the first developer conveyor and the second developer conveyor are fixed and synchronized with each other to weaken momentum of developer flow generated by the first developer conveyor toward the developer drain hole via the second developer conveyor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a removable unit to be removably installed in the image forming apparatus, having a unit-side opening, a connectable device having an apparatus-side opening to be connected to the unit-side opening to send developer from one of the removable unit and the connectable device to the other, a receptacle disposed below the unit-side opening and the apparatus-side opening to receive and store developer dropping from above, and a drawer unit to be retractably drawn out from the image forming apparatus. The receptacle is united with the drawer unit to be drawn out from the image forming apparatus together with the drawer unit.

Abstract: A developing device to develop a latent image on a rotatable image bearer includes an upstream developing roller disposed opposite the image bearer at a first developing position, and a downstream developing roller disposed adjacent to and downstream from the upstream developing roller in a direction of rotation of the image bearer, disposed opposite the image bearer at a second developing position. Each of the upstream developing roller and the downstream developing roller has a most approachable surface that approaches closest to the image bearer and a most withdrawn surface that withdraws farthest from the image bearer. In a state in which a reference surface point of the image bearer is disposed opposite the most approachable surface of the upstream developing roller at the first developing position, the reference surface point opposes the most withdrawn surface of the downstream developing roller at the second developing position.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearer, a developer regulator, a casing including an opposing face to oppose the developer bearer upstream from a developing range in a direction of rotation of the developer bearer, and first, second, and third seals. The first seal includes a first end secured to the casing and a second end to contact a latent image bearer upstream from the developing range in a direction of rotation of the latent image bearer. The second seal includes a first end secured to the opposing face of the casing, and a second end to contact the first seal upstream from the developing range. The third seal includes a first end secured to the opposing face of the casing, and a second end to contact developer on the developer bearer between the developer regulator and the developing range in the direction of rotation of the developer bearer.

Abstract: A toner bottle driving device control method includes driving one of multiple toner bottle driving devices connected to a single toner container at a time, detecting abnormality of a toner bottle driving device being driven, determining a first abnormality phase of the toner bottle driving device being driven when a number of times the abnormality is detected exceeds a threshold, inhibiting the toner bottle driving device being in the first abnormality phase from driving until the first abnormality phase is resolved, driving a drivable toner bottle driving device containing a non-empty toner bottle when the toner bottle contained in the toner bottle driving device being driven is determined as empty, determining that the multiple toner bottle driving devices are in a second abnormality phase when each of the multiple toner bottle driving devices is determined as being in the first abnormality phase, and inhibiting image formation.

Abstract: A toner bottle driving device control method includes driving one of multiple toner bottle driving devices connected to a single toner container at a time, detecting abnormality of a toner bottle driving device being driven, determining a first abnormality phase of the toner bottle driving device being driven when a number of times the abnormality is detected exceeds a threshold, inhibiting the toner bottle driving device being in the first abnormality phase from driving until the first abnormality phase is resolved, driving a drivable toner bottle driving device containing a non-empty toner bottle when the toner bottle contained in the toner bottle driving device being driven is determined as empty, determining that the multiple toner bottle driving devices are in a second abnormality phase when each of the multiple toner bottle driving devices is determined as being in the first abnormality phase, and inhibiting image formation.

Abstract: A powder supply device to supply powder to a supply destination includes a body, a single holder including multiple mounts on which multiple powder containers are removably mounted respectively, and a reservoir disposed in the body and below the single holder to store powder discharged from the multiple powder containers; and the single holder is removably attachable to the body of the powder supply device including the reservoir.

Abstract: A developing unit includes a developer bearer to bear developer on a surface thereof, first and second developer conveyors each having a spiral blade mounted on a rotary shaft thereof parallel to a rotary axis of the developer bearer to convey developer in opposite directions to each other. A developer drain hole is provided at a given height in a side wall of a second developer conveyance channel to face a communication opening across the second developer conveyor. The first developer conveyor rotates in a direction with its spiral blade rising between the rotary shaft of the first developer conveyor and the communication opening. Rotational phases of the first developer conveyor and the second developer conveyor are fixed and synchronized with each other to weaken momentum of developer flow generated by the first developer conveyor toward the developer drain hole via the second developer conveyor.

Abstract: A powder supply device to supply powder to a supply destination includes a body, a single holder including multiple mounts on which multiple powder containers are removably mounted respectively, and a reservoir disposed in the body and below the single holder to store powder discharged from the multiple powder containers; and the single holder is removably attachable to the body of the powder supply device including the reservoir.

Abstract: A developing device to develop with two-component developer an electrostatic latent image includes a developer bearer to carry thereon developer supplied to the latent image bearer, a first conveyance channel disposed adjacent to the developer bearer, a second conveyance channel disposed adjacent to the first conveyance channel and farther from the developer bearer than the first conveyance channel, a first conveying member disposed in the first conveyance channel to agitate and transport developer supplied to the developer bearer, a second conveying member including a spiral blade winding around a shaft to transport developer in the second conveyance channel in a predetermined developer conveyance direction, and a collected-developer guide to guide a part of developer that leaves the developer bearer to the second conveyance channel beyond the first conveyance channel.