Abstract: The invention is an automatic insertion electronic endoscope apparatus that includes: drive systems including motors and motor control unit for automatically inserting an insertion portion of an endoscope; a first control unit for controlling the drive systems; an image pickup unit including an image pickup device provided in a distal end portion of an insertion portion; a second control unit for converting a signal from the image pickup unit into a video signal for display, the second control unit being communicatively connected with the first control unit; and a monitor connected to the second control unit. When trouble occurs in the drive systems, the first control unit controls the drive systems to stop and transmits to the second control unit a notification signal indicating the trouble occurrence, and the second control unit causes the monitor to display a notice indicating the trouble occurrence when receiving the notification signal.

Abstract: In an electrostatic separator or a magnetic separator, prior to electrically charging or magnetization of particles in order to carry out separation of mixed powder of particles having different properties from each other, classification is performed by a classifier so that the content of fine powder having a spherical equivalent diameter of 10 ?m or smaller is 15 mass % or less. After the classification, prior to electrostatic separation or magnetic separation, an operation of dispersing the mixed powder of particles may be carried out.

Abstract: A rotary self-propelled endoscope system includes an insertion section body, an insertion section, a drive unit, a torque detection unit, and a control unit. In a distal end portion of the insertion section body, a rigid distal end portion including an image pickup apparatus is disposed. The insertion section is rotatably fit to the outside of the insertion section body, and includes a rotary tubular member having a helical portion formed by a helical concave-convex portion. The drive unit applies the rotary tubular member with axial and rotational drive force. The torque detection unit detects torque information of the rotary tubular member. On the basis of the torque information detected by the torque detection unit, the control unit compares a present value with a preset limit value for controlling the torque of the rotary tubular member, and controls the drive unit on the basis of the comparison result.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus 1 includes: an elongated insertion section 7 inserted into an object subject to image-pickup; a light source section 3 for emitting laser light; a power supply unit 8 for supplying electric power to the light source section 3; an enclosure section 10 disposed in the power supply unit 8; an intermediate section 11 connecting the enclosure section 10 to the insertion section 7; a light guide 5, disposed in the insertion section 7, for guiding the laser light emitted by the light source section 3; and fluorescent substance 6, disposed to the distal end of the insertion section 7, for illuminating illumination light by being excited by the laser light guided through the light guide 5.

Abstract: Preventing a paper jam as much as possible when actual paper size differs from designated paper size with increasing throughput by starting conveyance of a second sheet before detecting the length of a first sheet. Unless a register sensor has detected the rear edge (step S303), start of feeding the next sheet is checked (step S304). If started, a prescribed value 1 is applied (step S305). If not started, a prescribed value 2 is applied (step S306). Unless the rear edge is detected before a timer measures “estimated time+prescribed value” (step S307), a paper jam decision is made (step S308). If the rear edge is detected before the timer measures the “estimated time+prescribed value” (step S303), the processing is completed without making a paper jam decision. Making the prescribed value 1 less than the prescribed value 2 enables reducing the paper jam caused by incorrect setting.

Abstract: An image-forming device capable of image-forming on both sides of at least one sheet member, the device including an image-forming unit for forming an image on the at least one sheet member, a sheet member supplying unit for supplying the at least one sheet member, an image data processing unit for managing print job information, and an image-forming control unit for controlling, according to the print job information transmitted from the image data processing unit, image-forming operations on the at least one sheet member, wherein, in the event that a defect occurs in the at least one sheet member being supplied from the sheet member supplying unit during image formation on both sides of the at least one sheet member, the image-forming control unit transmits to the image data processing unit the print job information corresponding to the at least one sheet member at which a defect occurred.

Abstract: A socket section 72 for providing a first light guide 13 is supported movably in an endoscope main body 4, and a plug section 62 for fixing a second light guide 15 is disposed in an endoscope insertion section 5. The socket section 72 is configured to move freely in an insertion direction of the endoscope insertion section 5 and to a direction orthogonal with respect to the insertion direction. Furthermore, an attachment-detachment-detecting switch 33 is disposed in the endoscope main body 4 so as to detect that the endoscope insertion section 5 has been separated from the endoscope main body 4 before the plug section 62 is freely detached from the socket section 72. By this configuration, it is possible to attach the endoscope insertion section from the endoscope main body and detach them easily and reliably, in particular, to reduce loss of light caused by the attachment and the detachment.

Abstract: In a camera head for an endoscope, a camera system for an endoscope, and an endoscope system of the invention, a camera head section has: an adaptor connection section to be connected to an eyepiece section of an endoscope that enables observation of inside of a body cavity of a subject; a CCD which picks up an observation image from the eyepiece section connected by the adaptor connection section; an image signal processing device which processes an image signal of the observation image picked up by the CCD; a cable including a connector as an output device which outputs the image signal from the image signal processing device; and a recording device which records the image signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus operating in a double-sided print mode, includes a charger for charging an image carrier, a charge voltage loader for applying a charge voltage to the charger, an image forming device for forming an image on a recording material, and a controller for controlling the charge voltage applied by the charge voltage loader to the charger. When an image is formed on both sides of a plurality of recording materials, the controller changes the charge voltage applied by the charge voltage loader from a first to a second voltage when an image is formed on first and second sides of the recording material in a period in which an image is formed on the recording sheet, and does not change the charge voltage during an interval between a first recording material and a second recording material to the second charge voltage.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an image formation unit for forming a toner image on a recording material to be carried by the recording material; a fixing apparatus having a heat-fixing rotation member and a pressure member with an elastic layer which rotate while pressed against each other, the heat-fixing rotor providing heat for heat-fixing treatment of the toner image formed on the recording material as the recording material is introduced into a press-fit nip portion of the rotors and held and transported between the rotors; and temperature adjusting means for adjusting a temperature of the pressure rotor by heating the pressure rotor at least during non-printing time. Thus, the image forming apparatus can achieve, even when the pressure rotor is heated, the best balance between the fixing performance and service life of the pressure rotor under actual use conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides an image forming apparatus where the useful life of the image carrier does not become significantly short. This system has a charging unit, a charge voltage loading unit, an exposure unit, a development unit, an image transfer unit and a control unit, wherein, when the transport interval of the plural recording materials is shorter than a predetermined time the AC charge voltage applied to the image carrier during the transport interval being a first AC charge voltage, and when the transport interval is longer than the predetermined time the ac charge voltage applied to the image carrier during the transport interval being a second AC charge voltage, the control unit makes the current running in the charging unit to which the second charge voltage is applied lower than the current running in the charging unit to which the first AC charge voltage is applied.

Abstract: This invention provides an image forming apparatus where the useful life of the image carrier does not become significantly short. This system has a charging unit, a charge voltage loading unit, an exposure unit, a development unit, an image transfer unit and a control unit, wherein, when the transport interval of the plural recording materials is shorter than a predetermined time the AC charge voltage applied to the image carrier during the transport interval being a first AC charge voltage, and when the transport interval is longer than the predetermined time the ac charge voltage applied to the image carrier during the transport interval being a second AC charge voltage, the control unit makes the current running in the charging unit to which the second charge voltage is applied lower than the current running in the charging unit to which the first AC charge voltage is applied.

Abstract: A magnetic fluid detection device includes an exciting unit for generating an exciting magnetic field to excite a magnetic fluid staying in a subject, a coil for detecting a local distortion in magnetic field distribution occurring due to the magnetic fluid excited with the exciting magnetic field generated by the exciting unit, and a control unit for signal-processing an output from the coil and informing the resultant signal magnitude.

Abstract: This invention provides an image forming apparatus where the useful life of the image carrier does not become significantly short. This system has a charging unit, a charge voltage loading unit, an exposure unit, a development unit, an image transfer unit and a control unit, wherein, when the transport interval of plural recording materials is shorter than a predetermined time the AC charge voltage applied to the image carrier during the transport interval is a first AC charge voltage, and when the transport interval is longer than the predetermined time the AC charge voltage applied to the image carrier during the transport interval being a second AC charge voltage, the control unit makes the current running in the charging unit when the second AC charge voltage is applied lower than the current running in the charging unit when the first AC charge voltage is applied.

Abstract: A printing apparatus can reduce wasted power consumption, and prolong the life of an image forming section and fixing pressurizing rollers. It includes a printer control unit including a video controller and engine controller. According to a print reservation from the video controller, the engine controller controls a paper transport mechanism such as feed rollers, transport rollers and lifters, thereby feeding paper from a paper inlet designated by a printing condition. The engine controller controls a laser scanner unit to transfer a formed image to a sheet with a high voltage unit, and fixes it by a fixing assembly. It controls the paper transport mechanism to output the paper to the paper outlet designated by the printing condition. The image forming section and fixing pressurizing rollers are individually rotatable. Their rotation is stoppable individually without interference in a time from printing the first side to reversing and refeeding the paper.

Abstract: In a case for housing an electronic circuit board, the opening edge of the case body is formed with a prescribed distance below the board mounting surface. The board is fastened on the mount of the case body with the fastening means. The case body is then inverted and is placed over a rising coating bath, and then the coating bath is raised close to the opening edge such that the board is dipped in the coating liquid and is coated. By this, application of the coating liquid to prescribed regions constituting coating-prohibited regions of the case body can be prevented. Cost can therefore be kept down and complication of the processing steps prevented because no masking of the case body is necessary. Moreover, the reliability of the electronic circuit unit can be enhanced and the need for a jib is eliminated. This helps to avoid complication of the fabrication process and makes another contribution to cost control.

Abstract: This invention provides an image forming apparatus where the useful life of the image carrier does not become significantly short. This system has a charging unit, a charge voltage loading unit, an exposure unit, a development unit, an image transfer unit and a control unit, wherein, when the transport interval of the plural recording materials is shorter than a predetermined time the AC charge voltage applied to the image carrier during the transport interval being a first AC charge voltage, and when the transport interval is longer than the predetermined time the ac charge voltage applied to the image carrier during the transport interval being a second AC charge voltage, the control unit makes the current running in the charging unit to which the second charge voltage is applied lower than the current running in the charging unit to which the first AC charge voltage is applied.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant member has a chemical conversion treatment film with a two-layer structure formed atop a metal substrate plated with zinc or zinc alloy plating. The two-layer structure comprises a lower layer containing Cr formed on the surface of the plating and an upper layer containing SiO2.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an image formation unit for forming a toner image on a recording material to be carried by the recording material; a fixing apparatus having a heat-fixing rotation member and a pressure member with an elastic layer which rotate while pressed against each other, the heat-fixing rotor providing heat for heat-fixing treatment of the toner image formed on the recording material as the recording material is introduced into a press-fit nip portion of the rotors and held and transported between the rotors; and temperature adjusting means for adjusting a temperature of the pressure rotor by heating the pressure rotor at least during non-printing time. Thus, the image forming apparatus can achieve, even when the pressure rotor is heated, the best balance between the fixing performance and service life of the pressure rotor under actual use conditions.

Abstract: A fastening member for an electronic circuit board having an elastically deformable leg formed in a case for housing the electronic circuit board and a projection formed continuous with the leg to be engaged with the electronic circuit board so as to fasten the electronic circuit board on a prescribed mounting surface in the case. In the member, the projection is engaged with the electronic circuit board such that a prescribed angle is formed between a surface of the projection contacting the electronic circuit board, when the electronic circuit board is fastened on the mounting surface in the case. With this, since the tangent between the board contact surface and the electronic circuit board is variable within the range of the board contact surface, molding error can be tolerated (absorbed) and volumetric variation produced by temperature change can be readily coped with.