Abstract: The current invention discloses methods and devices for duplicating images on image-carrying media of various characteristics using a liquid carrier based developer. The various characteristics of the image-carrying media include absorbency, surface smoothness and coating materials. In order to render an optimal image, these surface characteristics require the adjustments of certain operational parameters related to steps or components of the duplication using the liquid carrier based developer. Among other things, a step of packing toner particles or a toner particle packing means and a step of transferring toner particles or a transfer means were adjusted alone or in combination with other steps or components. The adjustments of these two operational parameters significantly improve the rendered image quality on an image-carrying medium.

Abstract: An image recording and erasing method for recording images and erasing the same repeatedly by use of a reversible thermosensitive recording medium which is capable of reversibly changing the transparency and color tone thereof depending upon the temperature thereof, includes the steps (a) disposing a light-to-heat conversion sheet above the reversible thermosensitive recording medium; (b) applying a laser beam to the light-to-heat conversion sheet to heat the reversible thermosensitive recording medium by the heat generated by the light-to-heat conversion sheet upon the application of the laser beam thereto, thereby forming images on the reversible thermosensitive recording medium and/or erasing images therefrom; and (c) removing the light-to-heat conversion sheet away from the reversible thermosensitive recording medium.

Abstract: A recording method of forming images on a reversible thermosensitive recording material, by bringing a heating element of a thermal head into pressure contact with the reversible thermosensitive recording material, which is capable of assuming a first colored state when heated to a first temperature which is higher than room temperature, and then cooled, and which is capable of assuming a second colored state when heated to a second temperature which is higher than the first temperature, and then cooled, and relatively moving at least one of the heating element or the reversible thermosensitive recording material, wherein the stress exerted on the reversible thermosensitive recording material per unit area thereof, .sigma.(g/cm.sup.2), which is generated by the pressure contact of the heating element with the reversible thermosensitive recording material and the relative movements of the heating material and the reversible thermosensitive recording material, is represented by formula (I):.sigma..ltoreq.

Abstract: A communication system includes: an image forming unit connected to a communication line through a communication control unit; and a management unit for managing data of resources of the image forming unit, the management unit being connected to the communication line, the image forming unit including: at least one component part; a first storage part for storing a control program for the component part, so that the component part is controlled in accordance with the control program; and a first control part for transmitting a first code to the management unit via the communication line in response to an update request signal, the first code indicating a model of the image forming unit and indicating a type of the component part, the management unit including: a second storage part for storing a plurality of control programs for different types of the component part of the image forming unit; and a second control part for reading out a first control program from the second storage part in accordance with the

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a recording medium sheet and for printing an image thereon includes a plurality of sheets each of which is made of an erasable recording medium, a recording unit for recording information on one of the plurality of sheets, a displaying unit for displaying the sheet on which information is recorded by the recording unit, the sheet being set at a display position when it is displayed, a sheet supplying unit for supplying one of the sheets to the recording unit, and for receiving the displayed sheet from the displaying unit, a sheet passage in which one of the sheets is transported from the displaying unit to the sheet supplying unit via the recording unit, and a sheet passage in which the sheet is transported from the sheet supplying unit to the displaying unit via the recording unit.

Abstract: A communication system includes: an image forming unit connected to a communication line through a communication control unit; and a management unit for managing data of resources of the image forming unit, the management unit being connected to the communication line, the image forming unit including: at least one component part; a first storage part for storing a control program for the component part, so that the component part is controlled in accordance with the control program; and a first control part for transmitting a first code to the management unit via the communication line in response to an update request signal, the first code indicating a model of the image forming unit and indicating a type of the component part, the management unit including: a second storage part for storing a plurality of control programs for different types of the component part of the image forming unit; and a second control part for reading out a first control program from the second storage part in accordance with the

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an operating section accessible for entering various information and commands is implemented as a plurality of key units. The key units are each removably connected to the body of the operating section via cooperative connectors. When any one of the key units is damaged or or the life thereof expires, only the defective unit is replaced while the other units are continuously used.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording data in a thermosensitive recording medium. The recording medium has a reversible thermosensitive recording material capable of selectively assuming one of two visible states, e.g., a cloudy state and a transparent state or a colored state and a decolored state when heated. The thermosensitive material is applied to a sheet of resin. The apparatus surely erases data written in the medium with no regard to the time elapsed and the number of times that data has been repetitively written. The cloud density or the color density is prevented from changing with no regard to the storage temperature, the time elapsed, or the number of times of writing, thereby preventing image quality from being degraded. In addition, the medium has a long service life.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording data in a thermosensitive recording medium at a first temperature after erasing data written in the medium at a second temperature. The apparatus desirably erases data stored in a recording medium with no regard to the time elapsed after writing, condition of storage, writing conditions, the number of repetitive writing and erasing operations, etc.

Abstract: Image forming equipment for applying heat to a charged image carrier to attenuate part of the potential of the image carrier in order to form a latent image on the image carrier. The surface of a dielectric image carrier is charged by a charger and a thermal print head is driven in response to image information in order to form a latent image on the charged surface of the image carrier. A developing roller applies a liquid developer to the latent image and presses it against the portion where the potential has been lowered. The resulting toner image formed on the image carrier is fixed on a paper sheet fed from a paper feeding device or is directly fixed on the image carrier. The image carrier is formed of polyethylene terephthalate or a mixture of polybutylene terephthalate and silicon dioxide.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having various process units at least one of which is removable for replacement. The apparatus has a mode selecting a device accessible for selecting desired one of a plurality of image modes. A photoconductive element, developing unit, image transferring unit and other replaceable process units each is provided with a storage for storing image forming conditions which match an image mode selected on the mode selecting device. A copy process and other conditions are set up on the basis of the conditions stored in the storage. Another storage is loaded with data associated with the service life of a replaceable process unit.

Abstract: A copier, printer, facsimile apparatus or similar image forming apparatus made up of components each being constructed into a unit and connected to the others by external arrangements. The apparatus has a base unit accommodating an electric control device, a paper feeding unit removably mounted on the base unit, and an image forming unit for forming an image and recording it on a paper sheet. The base unit, paper feeding unit, and image forming unit may be combined in any desired configuration to construct an image recording apparatus capable of performing any desired kind of image forming procedure.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image directly on a recording medium by transferring a toner to the medium. The toner is caused to fly toward the medium by small energy to form a high resolution image. A developing roller transports the toner in a predetermined direction. A flat electrode is located in the vicinity of the developing roller. A control electrode is provided on the flat electrode at a position where the flat electrode is remotest from the developing roller, while being electrically insulated from the flat electrode. The control electrode is made up of a number of recording electrodes and has an opening through which the toner may fly toward the medium.

Abstract: A developing device employing a non-magnetic one-component toner is provided and it includes a developing sleeve, which is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction past a developing region where toner carried on the sleeve is supplied to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member, a tank for storing therein a quantity of non-magnetic one-component toner and a flexible supply roller generally disposed between the tank and the developing sleeve for supplying the toner from the tank to the developing sleeve. The flexible supply roller rotates so as to be in sliding contact with the developing sleeve. With the provision of such a supply roller, even non-magnetic one-component toner can be suitably supplied to the developing sleeve to form thereon a thin film of charged toner for use in developing an electrostatic latent image.

Abstract: A device for developing an electrostatic latent image includes a developing sleeve and a sponge roller which is in scrubbing contact with the sleeve. Thus, even if non-magnetic, single component toner is used, it is electrically charged due to the scrubbing action and thus electrically attracted to the developing sleeve. A doctor blade is pressed against the developing sleeve and thus the toner is formed into a thin film having sufficient charge and a predetermined thickness. As the developing sleeve further rotates, thus formed thin film is brought to a developing region where the latent image is developed by the thin film of toner. Preferably, the blade is arranged in a particular orientation with respect to the sleeve. The blade may be movably provided so as to be pressed against the sleeve by an appropriate biasing element. The sleeve and the sponge roller may be driven to rotate same or opposite in direction, as desired. The sleeve may be formed to be elastically deformable.

Abstract: In a developing apparatus for a copying machine in which a latent image on a latent image carrying member is developed by supplying a thin layer of a developer to the latent image carrying member, an electrically insulating layer having a number of electrically conduction spots dispersed therein is provided on a developer carrier member for supplying a developer from a developer storage to a latent image carrying member.

Abstract: A light transmission control apparatus of the present invention relies on the principle of light transmission when an air bubble is produced in opaque liquid. In one form of the present invention, an optical switching device includes a container for containing therein opaque liquid, which is provided with transparent inlet and outlet sections. Transmission of light from the inlet section to the outlet section through the container is controlled by production or disappearance of air bubbles in the opaque liquid present between the inlet and outlet sections. In another form of the present invention, a display device includes a container for containing therein opaque liquid, which is provided with a transparent section defining an observation window or screen. A plurality of picture elements are provided in the form of an array, either one or two dimensional, as normally hidden by the opaque liquid. Air bubbles are produced in the opaque liquid to expose selected picture elements which define a reproduced image.