Abstract: In response to light reflected by a manuscript, a latent photo-image corresponding to the manuscript is formed on a photosensitive member comprising photocurable microcapsules containing therein dye precursor reactable to a color developing agent to develop a visible image. The photosensitive member is conveyed from a supply source, via a light exposure platform, to a developing section in an imaging device, while effectively protected from ambient light. When a transfer member is used to pass through the developing section, together with the photosensitive member, a separator lug is provided for separating the transfer member from the photosensitive member immediately after passing through the developing section. The exposure platform has a surface of an excellent light-absorptive material to prevent the recording sheet from being exposed again to light reflected from the platform surface.

Abstract: An electronic typewriter having a single detector switch for detecting whether a lid over a printing mechanism is open or closed and whether a carriage is in the original position or not. The detector switch is stimulated by two stimulators; one being provided on the lid for stimulating the detector switch when the lid is closed, and the other being provided on the carriage for stimulating the detector switch when the carriage is at the original position.

Abstract: An overhead projector in which a light from a light source is transmitted through an original, and a resulting original image is projected on a screen by means of a projection optical system including a projection lens and a half-mirror. At the same time, the original image is transmitted through the half-mirror, and delivered to a record medium by means of an exposure optical system. The exposure optical system includes a shutter member which can be shifted between a shielding mode and a copying mode. In the shielding mode, the optical path of the exposure optical system is closed to permit projection on the screen. In the copying mode, the optical path is opened so that the original image, to which the record medium is exposed, is visualized on the record medium by a developing process. At the end of the copying mode, the record medium is discharged into a tray.

Abstract: A printer, including a first and a second feed mechanism supported by a carriage for feeding a print ribbon and an erase ribbon, respectively, at least one rotatable shaft supported by the reciprocating carriage rotatably in opposite directions, a one-way clutch for transmitting the shaft rotation in one of the opposite directions to the first feed mechanism, and inhibiting transmission of the rotation in the other direction, and a control mechanism for inhibiting transmission of the shaft rotation to the second feed mechanism when the printer is in a printing mode, and transmitting the shaft rotation to the second ribbon mechanism when the printer is in a correction mode, whereby the carriage reciprocation activates the first and second feed mechanisms. A converter may be provided for converting the shaft rotation into movements of a ribbon lift to shift the erase ribbon between an erasing and an inoperative position.

Abstract: An optical reading head is an optical reader for photoelectric reading of images on a medium, comprising a plural light-emitting optical fibers for transmitting beams of light from light emitting elements to the surface of the medium, and plural light-receiving optical fibers for transmitting beams of reflected light from the medium surface to light-sensitive elements. The ends of the light-emitting and light-receiving optical fibers opposite to the medium surface are positioned in first and second rows, respectively, at a predetermined pitch. The ends of the light-receiving optical fibers are displaced relative to the ends of the light-emitting optical fibers along the first and second rows by a distance equal to a half of the predetermined pitch. Also disclosed is an optical reader comprising the above-described optical reading head, and a control device for controlling the operations of the light emitting elements, so that the resolution of the reading head is variable in two steps.

Abstract: In a printing device according to the present invention, a housing assembly comprises a pair of housings which are rockably supported, with their respective open end portions abutting against each other. A platen is disposed in an abutment region where the open end portions abut. A keyboard is provided on the one housing, while a printing element is disposed inside the other housing. When the printing device is in a nonusable position, the two housings extend along one plane, thus defining a flat, rectangular outline of the housing assembly. When the device is in a usable position, the housings are rocked relatively, thus defining a substantially L-shaped outline of the housing assembly. As the housings rock in this manner, the printing element is brought to a printing position, where the element faces the platen.

Abstract: An imaging device wherein a latent image is formed on a photo and pressure sensitive recording sheet by exposing a light thereon and the latent image is then developed by applying a pressure thereon. The degree of pressing is automatically and/or manually controlled so as to obtain a visible image of stable color deepness and of good quality.

Abstract: An optical reader comprises a plurality of light emitting elements which illuminate a plurality of points through a plurality of optical fibers, a plurality of light receiving elements which receive reflected light from the plurality of reading points through a plurality of optical fibers, and read means for reading an image on a paper on the basis of outputs from the light receiving elements. Amounts of light emitted by the individual light emitting elements are established at a plurality of halftones for illumination, thus eliminating the need for a compensation of a reference value to be used with the individual light emitting elements, thus enabling an image to be read in multiple halftones.

Abstract: An image reader for reading images on a surface of a medium, having a feeding device for feeding the medium, carriage movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of feed of the medium, a driving device for moving the carriage, and a reading head mounted on the carriage for reading the images on the medium surface. The image reader comprises an area setter for setting a reading area on the medium surface within which the images are read by the reading head. The reading area is set while the reading head is moved relative to the medium by the feeding and driving devices. The image reader further comprises a controller for controlling the feeding and driving devices and the reading head, to cause the reading head to read the images within the set reading area while the reading area is scanned by the reading head.

Abstract: A stepping motor having a plurality of phase windings and a rotor which is driven toward a desired position with selective variations of the lead interval between the energized phase windings and the current rotational position of the rotor. Two of the phase windings are alternately selected in a predetermined sequence for strongly accelerating or decelerating the rotor, and only one of the phase windings is energized while the rotor is rotated at a constant speed or is held at any rest position. Thus, the rotor is driven to the desired position in a short time and a substantial amount of power which is supplied to the phase windings for driving the rotor is saved.

Abstract: An improved welding torch which includes a contact member constituted by a power feeding member having a through-opening for passing a consumable electrode wire and a support member for supporting the power feeding member, an electrode wire guide member covered, at least at its forward end portion, by the contact member, with at least the forward end portion of the guide member and the contact member being arranged to be movable with respect to each other in direction intersecting generally at right angles with an axis of the electrode wire, and a pressure member for relatively urging the contact member and the guide member for holding the electrode wire.

Abstract: A serial printer comprising a print wheel having numerous type bearing spokes, each of which extends radially and which is provided with a type element on the tip of the spoke, a stepping motor for rotating the print wheel, a print hammer for striking the desired spoke behind the type element during printing operation, a positioning means for guiding a selected type element to a printing point during the striking operation of the print hammer, and a control circuit for regulating the driving of the stepping motor and the print hammer. The control circuit causes the stepping motor to move the selected type element to a position whereat the type element is struck by the print hammer. The control circuit suspends the energize-hold operation of the stepping motor at the moment that the type element is struck by the print hammer. This invention accurately positions the type element for substantially aligned printing operation, and greatly reduces damage to the spokes due to material fatigue.