Abstract: There are provided an instruction form retrieval apparatus for retrieving an instruction form accessible to a user based on information on the user, an instruction form execution apparatus, an instruction form management system having the instruction form retrieval apparatus and the instruction form execution apparatus, and an instruction form retrieval method for retrieval of the instruction form accessible to the user based on information on the user. An instruction form retrieval apparatus of an instruction form management system retrieves information on an instruction form management apparatus holding an instruction form accessible to a user, based on information on the user, and transmits information on the instruction form management apparatus to an instruction form execution apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is a device for removing coating on an optical fiber. The device has a cutting depth limiting surface disposed on a receiver body and a cutting blade attached between a pusher body and a fixing block. The cutting blade is made from plastics and has a specified bending elasticity. An optical fiber is inserted between the cutting blade and the limiting surface. During operation, the cutting blade cuts into a covering on the optical fiber.

Abstract: A toner including a binder resin including a crystalline polyester and a non-crystalline resin; a release agent; and a black metal-containing material having a saturation magnetization not greater than 50 emu/g. A toner container containing the toner. A fixing method including passing a support with the toner image thereon through a nip between two cylindrical rollers while applying a pressure not greater than 1×105 Pa to the two cylindrical rollers, wherein one of the cylindrical rollers which contacts the toner image has a thickness not greater than 1.0 mm. An image forming method including developing an electrostatic image with the toner to form a toner image; transferring the toner image onto a receiving material; and fixing the toner image by the fixing method mentioned above. A process cartridge including an image bearing member and a developing device using the toner.

Abstract: Provided is a device for removing coating on an optical fiber. The device has a cutting depth limiting surface disposed on a receiver body and a cutting blade attached between a pusher body and a fixing block. The cutting blade is made from plastics and has a specified bending elasticity. An optical fiber is inserted between the cutting blade and the limiting surface. During operation, the cutting blade cuts into a covering on the optical fiber. A high precision in arranging the cutting blade is not required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a sustained-release preparation comprising removing a solvent from an organic solvent solution containing a poorly water-soluble nonpeptidic physiologically active compound, a polyvalent metal compound and a biodegradable polymer, said physiologically active compound dissolved in an amount exceeding the solubility thereof in the organic solvent solution of biodegradable polymer in the absence of the polyvalent metal compound; a sustained-release preparation obtained by the process; a sustained-release solid pharmaceutical composition comprising a nonpeptidic physiologically active substance and a biodegradable polymer, wherein about 0.05% by weight or more, based on the weight of the composition, of a polyvalent metal is present on the surface of the composition; etc.

Abstract: An image removing method including bringing an outermost layer of a removing member into contact with an image fixed on an image support without applying a liquid to the image while heating the image and the outermost layer; and separating the removing member from the image support to remove the image from the image support, wherein the removing member includes a substrate and the outermost layer which is located overlying the substrate and which includes a thermoplastic resin, and wherein the image includes a removing agent which can decrease adhesion force of the image to the image support when heated.

Abstract: A carrier is composed of carrier particles, each carrier particle having a core particle containing at least a magnetic material and a surface coating layer provided on the core particle containing at least a resin, the surface coating layer being constituted of a plurality of regions, the regions being separately formed and joined together to form a complex configuration, and having different phase lags when the surface coating layer is subjected to scanning by phase imaging measurement using a scanning probe microscope in a tapping mode, wherein a region having a phase lag over the average phase lag obtained from Eavg=&Sgr;(E(i)·S(i))/&Sgr;S(i) has an area SO, and SO and &Sgr;S(i) are in a relationship of 10%≦SO/&Sgr;S(i)×100≦90% when each region comprises a component A(i) having an area S(i) and a phase lag E(i), in which i represents the number of regions with different phase lags. A two-component developer employs the above-mentioned carrier.

Abstract: The present invention updates only necessary information alone, while decreasing the user's load of operation, without executing complex processing. A service-retrieving server searches for a FAX service that is currently available. A concentrated-management section displays on a GUI the searched result of the service-retrieving server. And the management section collectively updates a FAX number table that is commonly used by a respective one of the service-processing devices that appear in a FAX service list.

Abstract: An instruction sheet making section of an instruction sheet editor displays on a GUI icons of services capable of being executed by using a service list sent from a service search server. Further, the instruction sheet making section also displays logic icons of linking processing patterns of the respective services. An instruction sheet making section combines the services provided by one or more service processing sections and makes an instruction sheet, by using service icons and logic icons selected by a user, while referring to and utilizing I/F information sent by the service processing section. Therefore, it is possible to easily combine the services capable of being executed on a network and produce a workflow.

Abstract: A toner for developing electrostatic latent images, including a matrix of a first resin selected from polyester resins, polyol resins and mixtures thereof, a plurality of domains of a second resin dispersed in the matrix and containing a wax. The amount of the wax is 2-15% by weight based on the weight of the toner The matrix is substantially free of domains of the second resin having a maximum diameter of greater than 2.0 &mgr;m. A part of the domains containing the wax having a maximum diameter of at least 0.2 &mgr;m constitutes a part of an outer surface of the toner.

Abstract: A linking information making device including a service list acquisition unit which acquires a service list expressing services which execute predetermined processing of document data; an interface information acquisition unit which individually acquires pieces of interface information from service processing devices respectively providing the services expressed in the service list which has been acquired by the service list acquisition unit; and a linking information making unit which makes linking information to link services provided by the respective service processing devices, based on the interface information which has been acquired by the interface information acquisition unit.

Abstract: A linking processing device includes a receiver and a controller. The receiver receives instruction information including a control content for linking and performing processing, on a network, of a plurality of services that each perform predetermined process of document data. The controller issues a request to each of the services for processing a document as a processing object, on the basis of the control content contained in the instruction information received by the receiver.

Abstract: When a user selects a job order, a job-order analysis section analyzes the job order and supplies required information to a UI generation section and a parameter management section. Data of a scanning operation screen which has been stored beforehand is read out in the UI generation section for a “scan” operation described in the job order, as a type is “scan” indicating a function which has been provided in a multiple function device beforehand. Moreover, the parameter value of “color” on the scanning operation screen is set as “true” in the UI generation section, as the default value of “color” in the job order is “true”. A control panel displays the scanning operation screen generated in the UI generation section.

Abstract: A color toner including toner particles including a colorant, a binder resin, and a wax; and an external additive including at least one of an inorganic particulate material and a particulate resin, wherein the binder resin includes a polyester resin (A) having a crystallinity and a formula (—O—CO—CR1═CR2—CO—O—(CH2)n—)m, wherein R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrocarbon, and n and m are repeating numbers; a resin (B); and a resin (C), wherein the resins (B) and (C) and the wax have an island-sea structure such that the resin (C) is present like islands in a sea of the resin (B) and the wax is substantially included in the resin (C). A toner container, an image forming method, an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge including the color toner are also provided.

Abstract: A toner for developing latent electrostatic images is provided which contains, in a binder resin, at least a coloring agent formed from a metal material. A saturation magnetization of the toner is 0.01 to 10 emu/g, and a true specific gravity thereof is 1.33 to 1.62 g/m3. Also provided are an electrostatic charge image developer containing the toner for developing latent electrostatic images, an image forming device, and an image forming method using the toner for developing latent electrostatic images.

Abstract: A carrier is composed of carrier particles, each carrier particle having a core particle containing at least a magnetic material and a surface coating layer provided on the core particle containing at least a resin, the surface coating layer being constituted of a plurality of regions, the regions being separately formed and joined together to form a complex configuration, and having different phase lags when the surface coating layer is subjected to scanning by phase imaging measurement using a scanning probe microscope in a tapping mode, wherein a region having a phase lag over the average phase lag obtained from Eavg=&Sgr;(E(i)·S(i))/&Sgr;S(i) has an area SO, and SO and &Sgr;S(i) are in a relationship of 10%≦SO/&Sgr;S(i)×100≦90% when each region comprises a component A(i) having an area S(i) and a phase lag E(i), in which i represents the number of regions with different phase lags. A two-component developer employs the above-mentioned carrier.

Abstract: An image-forming color toner contains at least a colorant, a resin (A), a modified resin (B) and a wax (a) as a mold releasing agent, the image-forming color toner having a phase separated structure comprising the modified resin (B) as a domain in the resin (A) as a continuous phase, and wax (a) being effectively contained the modified resin (B). The modified resin (B) has a wax part containing a wax component (b), and a modified part formed of a vinyl monomer unit and an average ester group concentration of 8% by weight to 30% by weight.

Abstract: A charge control agent containing a calcium salt of a sulfoisophthalic acid compound. A toner for developing an electrostatic latent image including the above charge control agent, a binder resin and a colorant.

Abstract: A user registration processor unit registers the user registration information to the database, which includes the public key certification acquired from the certification authority that has jurisdiction over each party by the request from the transaction party including seller, buyer, and transportation company. A transfer registration processor unit changes the access right holder and the cargo owner of the shipment information registered to the database at the start of transaction in compliance with the request for request for changing registration of the party with the digital signature and public key certification attached. A verification processor unit achieves the transfer registration with legal binding power by verifying that the digital signature attached to the request for request for changing registration has been prepared by the private key which makes a pair with the public key certificate registered to the database and receiving the approval of the other party.

Abstract: A toner for developing electrostatic latent images, including a colorant, a releasing agent and a binder resin, wherein the binder resin comprises a first, crystalline polyester resin, and a second, amorphous polyester resin having a softening point higher than that of the first polyester resin and being incompatible with the first polyester resin.