Abstract: A multi color image forming apparatus includes a plurality of stations arranged side by side for forming unique mono-color toner images using mono-color developers each having a different mono-color toner. Each of the plurality of stations includes an image bearing member for bearing a latent image, and a developing device for visualizing the latent image into the mono-color toner image. A conveying device is provided to convey a transfer medium. A transfer device is provided to transfer the mono-color toner images from the image bearing members to the transfer medium. Charge ability of prescribed mono-color toner included in the mono-color developer used in the upstream station is smaller than that used in the downstream station.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus of the present invention charges the surface of a photoconductive belt with a charger, exposes the charged surface with an exposing unit to form a latent image, develops the latent image with a developing unit to thereby form a corresponding toner image, repeats such a process a plurality of times to form toner images of different colors on the belt one above the other, and transfers the resulting composite color image to a recording medium with an image transferring unit. At least a second-color and successive developing units each are implemented as an electrostatic developing unit including an electrostatic toner conveying device having a number of electrodes arranged at preselected small intervals in a direction of toner conveyance and each extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the above direction.

Abstract: A multi color image forming apparatus includes a plurality of stations arranged side by side for forming unique mono-color toner images using mono-color developers each having a different mono-color toner. Each of the plurality of stations includes an image bearing member for bearing a latent image, and a developing device for visualizing the latent image into the mono-color toner image. A conveying device is provided to convey a transfer medium. A transfer device is provided to transfer the mono-color toner images from the image bearing members to the transfer medium. Charge ability of prescribed mono-color toner included in the mono-color developer used in the upstream station is smaller than that used in the downstream station.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method of producing a separating agent for an enantiomeric isomer having high optical resolution power together with sufficient solvent resistance. That is, a method of producing a separating agent for an enantiomeric isomer comprising the steps of allowing the porous carrier to carry the optically active polymer compound by bringing the porous carrier into contact with a dope of the optically active polymer compound; and exposing a product to radiation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of color toner development devices, a recycled toner development device, at least one cleaning device, a toner collecting and supplying device, and an image pattern generation device. The plurality of color toner development devices store separate color toners, and the recycled toner development device stores recycled toner. The at least one cleaning device removes toner remaining on at least one image carrying member after a transfer operation. The toner collecting and supplying device stores and supplies the removed toner to the recycled toner development device. The image pattern generation device generates image patterns developed by the plurality of color toner development devices and the recycled toner development device based on a characteristic of developer and a color of the recycled toner stored in the recycled toner development device.

Abstract: An apparatus including and a method using a fixing device including a fixing member, a pressure member, a heater, and a pressure controller. The fixing member and the pressure member face with each other to form a nip. The heater heats a surface of the fixing member when the fixing member rotates. The pressure controller is configured to change a pressure generated at the nip, according to an operation of the fixing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; an exposing unit that exposes the image carrier to light to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier; a developing unit that has at least a toner, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier as a toner image; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image onto a recording medium; a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred on the recording medium; an exposure-energy modulating unit that modulates exposure energy of the exposing unit; and a development-time detecting unit that detects operation time of the developing unit. The exposure-energy modulating unit modulates the exposure energy based on a result of detection by the development-time detecting unit.

Abstract: A coin selecting apparatus is set forth which includes detectors adapted to detect a plurality of parameters of diameter, material and thickness of a deposited coin. A processor compares the detected data to stored data for an authentic coin to determine authenticity. The deposited coins are summed and compared to an amount set by a coding switch to be deposited. A display displays the amounts received and authenticated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a pseudo half tone processing unit that performs a pseudo half tone process on input image data to generate output image data. An exposure unit executes light modulation of a plurality of light emitting sources based on the output image data. The exposure unit performs writing in such a way that different numbers of light emitting sources are used when writing a character/line image and a picture image or a graphics image. The pseudo half tone processing unit performs pseudo half tone processes with different resolutions on a character/line image and a picture image or a graphics image based on the numbers of the light emitting sources to be used for the writing by the exposure unit.

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording medium comprising at least a reversible thermosensitive recording layer provided on a supporting substrate and, a protective layer provided on the recording layer, wherein the recording layer is arranged so as to develop a first color therein when it is heated to a specific temperature level between a second temperature and a third temperature which is higher than the second temperature and then cooled to a first temperature level between normal temperature and the second temperature which is higher than the normal temperature, while so as to develop a second color therein when it is heated to another temperature level more than a fourth temperature which is higher than the third temperature and then cooled to a particular temperature which is lower than the first temperature, and the protective layer contains at least a lubricant showing the melting point ranging from higher than or equal to the first temperature to lower than or equal to the second temperature and has

Abstract: A coin selecting apparatus is set forth which includes detectors adapted to detect a plurality of parameters of diameter, material and thickness of a deposited coin. A processor compares the detected data to stored data for an authentic coin to determine authenticity. The deposited coins are summed and compared to an amount set by a coding switch to be deposited. A display displays the amounts received and authenticated.

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording material including: a substrate; a recording layer located overlying the substrate and including a crosslinked resin, an electron donating coloring agent and an electron accepting coloring developer; and a protective layer located overlying the recording layer and including a filler and a crosslinked resin, wherein the recording layer achieves a colored state or a non-colored state when appropriately heating and cooling the recording layer, and wherein the reversible thermosensitive recording material has a surface having at least one of a ten-point mean roughness (Rz) not less than 1.5 &mgr;m or a ratio Sm/Rz not greater than 120, wherein Sm represents an average peak-to-peak length of the surface of the recording material.

Abstract: A toner composition including toner particles; and an external additive located on the surface of the toner particles and including Si, wherein the toner composition satisfies the following relationship, (PSi2p (1 min)−PSi2p (30 min))≦0.8 eV, wherein PSi2p (1 min) and PSi2p (30 min) represent positions of the Si2p peaks of the Si element of the toner composition when the toner composition is subjected to an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis after the toner composition is mixed with a carrier for 1 minute or 30 minutes using a TURBULA mixer at a revolution of 20 rpm, respectively.

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording medium has a support, a reversible thermosensitive recording layer of which color tone is reversibly changeable with the application of heat thereto, and a printing layer bearing a printed image A. When an image B is formed in the reversible thermosensitive recording layer by heating the recording layer, the image B completes a single composite image in combination with the printed image A. The method of using the above-mentioned recording medium includes the step of forming an image B in the reversible thermosensitive recording layer by heating the recording layer to an image formation temperature to complete a single composite image in combination with the printed image A.

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording medium comprising at least a reversible thermosensitive recording layer provided on a supporting substrate and, a protective layer provided on the recording layer, wherein the recording layer is arranged so as to develop a first color therein when it is heated to a specific temperature level between a second temperature and a third temperature which is higher than the second temperature and then cooled to a first temperature level between normal temperature and the second temperature which is higher than the normal temperature, while so as to develop a second color therein when it is heated to another temperature level more than a fourth temperature which is higher than the third temperature and then cooled to a particular temperature which is lower than the first temperature, and the protective layer contains at least a lubricant showing the melting point ranging from higher than or equal to the first temperature to lower than or equal to the second temperature and has

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording medium comprising an concealing layer provided between a reversible thermosensitive recording layer which is reversibly changed in its color by heat and a photo-thermal conversion layer which absorbs light with generating heat, wherein the concealing layer has an optical characteristic that the ratio of a light absorptivity of light having 555 nm wavelength, in comparison with a light absorptivity of laser light wavelength, is 80% or less. This reversible thermosensitive recording medium has a concealing layer to conceal the color of the photo-thermal conversion layer, thereby the visibility and the contrast of the obtained images are significantly improved, further more, durability in repeated used is also significantly improved.

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording material including: a substrate; a recording layer located overlying the substrate and including a crosslinked resin, an electron donating coloring agent and an electron accepting coloring developer; and a protective layer located overlying the recording layer and including a filler and a crosslinked resin, wherein the recording layer achieves a colored state or a non-colored state when appropriately heating and cooling the recording layer, and wherein the reversible thermosensitive recording material has a surface having at least one of a ten-point mean roughness (Rz) not less than 1.5 &mgr;m or a ratio Sm/Rz not greater than 120, wherein Sm represents an average peak-to-peak length of the surface of the recording material.

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording medium has a support, a reversible thermosensitive recording layer of which color tone is reversibly changeable with the application of heat thereto, and a printing layer bearing a printed image A. When an image B is formed in the reversible thermosensitive recording layer by heating the recording layer, the image B completes a single composite image in combination with the printed image A. The method of using the above-mentioned recording medium includes the step of forming an image B in the reversible thermosensitive recording layer by heating the recording layer to an image formation temperature to complete a single composite image in combination with the printed image A.

Abstract: A coin selecting apparatus is set forth which includes detectors adapted to detect a plurality of parameters of diameter, material and thickness of a deposited coin. A processor compares the detected data to stored data for an authentic coin to determine authenticity. The deposited coins are summed and compared to an amount set by a coding switch to be deposited. A display displays the amounts received and authenticated.

Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus having a storage member for holding bulk coins that are introduced through an opening of the top of a storage member as provided with a detector assembly to determine any intrusion into the storage member. Detector assembly can create a grid pattern of radiation, such as light or infrared light that can be monitored by a computer system to determine if the object intruding into the storage base warrants the activation of an alarm.