Abstract: A method for controlling a mobile shop includes: determining a selling situation of a plurality of items using information about an inventory status of the plurality of items and information about a well-selling time of the plurality of items; setting a charging schedule for a battery (secondary battery) based on the selling situation; and causing the mobile shop to move to EVSE (charging facility) according to the charging schedule.

Abstract: A taxi vehicle management method includes: evaluating, based on DR contribution history information, a degree of contribution to demand response for energy management by a driver of a taxi vehicle, the DR contribution history information indicating a history of contribution to the DR by the driver using a power storage device of the taxi vehicle; and determining a calculation formula of a fare of the taxi vehicle driven by the driver, using a result of evaluation of the degree of contribution by the driver. The determining the calculation formula of the fare includes determining the calculation formula of the fare such that the fare becomes lower as the degree of contribution to the DR by the driver becomes higher.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a first member, a second member, and a stopper mechanism. The stopper mechanism has a path and a moving member. The moving member is provided in the path. The path includes a first path part and a second path part. The first path part is located in the first member. The second path part is located in the second member. The first member and the second member are changeable between a first communication state, a non-communication state, and a second communication state depending on a turning angle of the second member relative to the first member.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a first member, a second member, and a stopper mechanism. The stopper mechanism has a path and a moving member. The moving member is provided in the path. The path includes a first path part and a second path part. The first path part is located in the first member. The second path part is located in the second member. The first member and the second member are changeable between a first communication state, a non-communication state, and a second communication state depending on a turning angle of the second member relative to the first member.

Abstract: A lock structure locks a document reader in a closed state relative to a main unit of an apparatus. The document reader is openable and closable relative to the main unit. The lock structure includes two engagement members, two hook members, and two restricting members. The two engagement members are disposed on the main unit. The two hook members are disposed on the document reader and engage with the two respective engagement members to secure the document reader in the closed state to the main unit. The two restricting members are disposed on the document reader and restrict move or pivot of the two respective hook members in a direction for the hook members to engage with the two respective engagement members when at least a portion of the document reader is open relative to the main unit. The two hook members are fixed to one another.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a housing, a transparent cover, a cleaning member, a holding member, and a movement mechanism. The cleaning member slidably contacts with the surface of the transparent cover to clean the surface. The holding member holds the cleaning member. The movement mechanism allows the holding member to reciprocally move along the transparent cover in the aforementioned predetermined direction. The aforementioned holding member has an inside/outside double structure including an inner boss member and an outer boss member. The inner boss member receives power from the movement mechanism. The outer boss member internally receives the inner boss member. The outer boss member is longer than the inner boss member. The outer boss member reaches a moving end and stops earlier than the inner boss member, and the aforementioned inner boss member moves in the outer boss member reaches the moving end and stops.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a holding member. The holding member has a boss part and an arm part that extends from the boss part in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the holding member and holds the cleaning member. The boss part is mounted with a posture correction member relatively movable in the movement direction of the holding member. The posture correction member is movably inserted into a groove between two second rail parts, and when the holding member moves, the posture correction member moves later than movement of the holding member, so that an inclined posture of the holding member is corrected by the delay operation in a direction perpendicular to the second rail part.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a step of forming a mesa portion including an active layer above a substrate, and an n-type layer above the active layer, a step of forming a current confinement portion on left and right of the mesa portion, the current confinement portion including a p-type current blocking layer, an n-type current blocking layer above the p-type current blocking layer, and an i-type or p-type current blocking layer above the n-type current blocking layer, and a p-type doping step of diffusing p-type impurities into the i-type or p-type current blocking layer, an upper portion of the n-type current blocking layer, and left and right portions of the n-type layer to change the upper portion of the n-type current blocking layer and the left and right portions of the n-type layer to p-type semiconductors.

Abstract: A charging device (51) includes a charging roller (65), a supporting section (71), a guide (73), a first biasing section (75), and a second biasing section (90). The charging roller (65) charges an image bearing member (50). The supporting section (71) supports the charging roller (65) such that the charging roller (65) is rotatable. The guide (73) guides the supporting section (71) in a first direction (D1). The first biasing section (75) biases the supporting section (71) in the first direction (D1) to press the charging roller (65) against the image bearing member (50). The second biasing section (90) biases the supporting section (71 toward the guide (73).

Abstract: A lock structure locks a document reader in a closed state relative to a main unit of an apparatus. The document reader is openable and closable relative to the main unit. The lock structure includes two engagement members, two hook members, and two restricting members. The two engagement members are disposed on the main unit. The two hook members are disposed on the document reader and engage with the two respective engagement members to secure the document reader in the closed state to the main unit. The two restricting members are disposed on the document reader and restrict move or pivot of the two respective hook members in a direction for the hook members to engage with the two respective engagement members when at least a portion of the document reader is open relative to the main unit. The two hook members are fixed to one another.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a holding member. The holding member has a boss part and an arm part that extends from the boss part in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the holding member and holds the cleaning member. The boss part is mounted with a posture correction member relatively movable in the movement direction of the holding member. The posture correction member is movably inserted into a groove between two second rail parts, and when the holding member moves, the posture correction member moves later than movement of the holding member, so that an inclined posture of the holding member is corrected by the delay operation in a direction perpendicular to the second rail part.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a housing, a transparent cover, a cleaning member, a holding member, and a movement mechanism. The cleaning member slidably contacts with the surface of the transparent cover to clean the surface. The holding member holds the cleaning member. The movement mechanism allows the holding member to reciprocally move along the transparent cover in the aforementioned predetermined direction. The aforementioned holding member has an inside/outside double structure including an inner boss member and an outer boss member. The inner boss member receives power from the movement mechanism. The outer boss member internally receives the inner boss member. The outer boss member is longer than the inner boss member. The outer boss member reaches a moving end and stops earlier than the inner boss member, and the aforementioned inner boss member moves in the outer boss member reaches the moving end and stops.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a step of forming a mesa portion including an active layer above a substrate, and an n-type layer above the active layer, a step of forming a current confinement portion on left and right of the mesa portion, the current confinement portion including a p-type current blocking layer, an n-type current blocking layer above the p-type current blocking layer, and an i-type or p-type current blocking layer above the n-type current blocking layer, and a p-type doping step of diffusing p-type impurities into the i-type or p-type current blocking layer, an upper portion of the n-type current blocking layer, and left and right portions of the n-type layer to change the upper portion of the n-type current blocking layer and the left and right portions of the n-type layer to p-type semiconductors.

Abstract: A charging device (51) includes a charging roller (65), a supporting section (71), a guide (73), a first biasing section (75), and a second biasing section (90). The charging roller (65) charges an image bearing member (50). The supporting section (71) supports the charging roller (65) such that the charging roller (65) is rotatable. The guide (73) guides the supporting section (71) in a first direction (D1). The first biasing section (75) biases the supporting section (71) in the first direction (D1) to press the charging roller (65) against the image bearing member (50). The second biasing section (90) biases the supporting section (71 toward the guide (73).

Abstract: A toner container includes a body housing, the body housing being provided with a toner containing portion, an air flowing portion, an air inlet, and an air outlet. The toner containing portion is configured to contain toner for use in image formation. The air flowing portion adjoins the toner containing portion. The air inlet is configured so that air is taken into the air flowing portion therethrough. The air outlet is configured so that the air is discharged from the air flowing portion therethrough. The toner containing portion is separated from the air flowing portion by a partition wall and the toner container is configured to bring the air flowing through the air flowing portion comes into contact with the partition wall.

Abstract: A toner container includes a body housing, the body housing being provided with a toner containing portion, an air flowing portion, an air inlet, and an air outlet. The toner containing portion is configured to contain toner for use in image formation. The air flowing portion adjoins the toner containing portion. The air inlet is configured so that air is taken into the air flowing portion therethrough. The air outlet is configured so that the air is discharged from the air flowing portion therethrough. The toner containing portion is separated from the air flowing portion by a partition wall and the toner container is configured to bring the air flowing through the air flowing portion comes into contact with the partition wall.

Abstract: A printer (100) includes a casing (200), an operation section (6), a light emitting section (61), a cover (60), and a pressing member (62). The operation section (6) includes a reference surface (201B), an LCD panel (204) disposed along the reference surface (201B) and displaying predetermined information, and operation keys (202) disposed to protrude though the reference surface (201B). The light emitting section (61) is disposed adjacent to the operation section (6) and emits light based on predetermined notification information. The cover (60) covers the LCD panel (204) and the operation keys (202). The pressing member (62) presses the cover (60) and supports the light emitting section (61).

Abstract: A printer (100) includes a casing (200), an operation section (6), a light emitting section (61), a cover (60), and a pressing member (62). The operation section (6) includes a reference surface (201B), an LCD panel (204) disposed along the reference surface (201B) and displaying predetermined information, and operation keys (202) disposed to protrude though the reference surface (201B). The light emitting section (61) is disposed adjacent to the operation section (6) and emits light based on predetermined notification information. The cover (60) covers the LCD panel (204) and the operation keys (202). The pressing member (62) presses the cover (60) and supports the light emitting section (61).

Abstract: In a cable fastener, a fixing portion is a projection projecting from a second surface of a base portion that is opposite to a first surface for supporting a cable, and when the fixing portion is inserted into a hole of a plate-like support portion and then the base portion is rotated, fixes the base portion to the plate-like support portion. Two cable holding portions extend from the base portion toward opposite sides of the base portion, and are configured to be bendingly deformed toward the first surface of the base portion. Two engaging portions are configured to be engaged with each other such that the base portion and the two cable holding portions are kept to be in an annular state.

Abstract: An apparatus body of an image forming apparatus is provided with a drive transmission mechanism including a first rotation portion and a second rotation portion. An operation portion of a toner container includes a first connection portion to be connected to the first rotation portion. An opening and closing mechanism of the toner container includes a second connection portion to be connected to the second rotation portion. The opening and closing mechanism opens and closes a toner outlet by the second connection portion being rotated.