Abstract: An image processing apparatus is connected to an image reading apparatus which reads a read area set on a scanner platen in accordance with a size of a document placed on the scanner platen so as to create image data in which an image of the document is shown. The image processing apparatus includes a document detection section and an instruction section. The document detection section creates, based on the image data supplied from the image reading apparatus, document area information indicative of an area where the document is placed on the scanner platen. In a case where the area indicated by the document area information is not completely encompassed by the read area, the instruction section sets a reread area which completely encompasses the area indicated by the document area information and causes the image reading apparatus to read the reread area.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is connected to an image reading apparatus which reads a read area set on a scanner platen in accordance with a size of a document placed on the scanner platen so as to create image data in which an image of the document is shown. The image processing apparatus includes a document detection section and an instruction section. The document detection section creates, based on the image data supplied from the image reading apparatus, document area information indicative of an area where the document is placed on the scanner platen. In a case where the area indicated by the document area information is not completely encompassed by the read area, the instruction section sets a reread area which completely encompasses the area indicated by the document area information and causes the image reading apparatus to read the reread area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention predicts the occurrence of an image elongation, in other words, predicts that an image transferred is lengthened on a sheet due to slipping of the sheet with respect to a photoreceptor at a transfer nip portion. If the occurrence of the image elongation is predicted, the amount of a rear edge portion to be deleted from an electrostatic latent image is obtained on the basis of a sheet rear edge void setting change table, the amount of the rear edge portion to be deleted is added to the default amount of a rear edge void, a portion corresponding to the rear edge portion of an image of image information is deleted, and a printing process is carried out. In this way, even if a slip phenomenon occurs, in other words, the sheet slips with respect to the photoreceptor, it is possible to surely secure a blank space at a rear edge portion of the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention predicts the occurrence of an image elongation, in other words, predicts that an image transferred is lengthened on a sheet due to slipping of the sheet with respect to a photoreceptor at a transfer nip portion. If the occurrence of the image elongation is predicted, the amount of a rear edge portion to be deleted from an electrostatic latent image is obtained on the basis of a sheet rear edge void setting change table, the amount of the rear edge portion to be deleted is added to the default amount of a rear edge void, a portion corresponding to the rear edge portion of an image of image information is deleted, and a printing process is carried out. In this way, even if a slip phenomenon occurs, in other words, the sheet slips with respect to the photoreceptor, it is possible to surely secure a blank space at a rear edge portion of the sheet.

Abstract: A particle surface-modifying method has the steps of suspending particles in a liquid containing a modifier so as to prepare a suspension, and heating the suspension while it is being transported so that the surface of the particles is modified by the modifier. This method makes it possible to provide surface-modified particles having a comparatively small particle size at low costs for a short time by using simple operations, without causing the particles to be charged.

Abstract: A device main body is formed portable, which includes (i) an information writing/erasing section which erases information recorded in a liquid crystal paper and returns the liquid crystal paper into an initialized state in which information recording is possible, and records information previously stored in the device main body into the initialized liquid crystal paper as required, and (ii) a sheet holding section which holds the liquid crystal paper in such a manner that the liquid crystal paper can be transported to an information erasure position and an information recording position in the information writing/erasing section and that the liquid crystal paper is curved at portions thereof other than those at which information recording and erasing is carried out. With this, it is possible to provide an information recording device with improved operability, such as improved portability and capability of easily reading out information at any place.

Abstract: A particle surface-modifying method has the steps of suspending particles in a liquid containing a modifier so as to prepare a suspension, and heating the suspension while it is being transported so that the surface of the particles is modified by the modifier. This method makes it possible to provide surface-modified particles having a comparatively small particle size at low costs for a short time by using simple operations, without causing the particles to be charged.

Abstract: A device main body is formed portable, which includes (i) an information writing/erasing section which erases information recorded in a liquid crystal paper and returns the liquid crystal paper into an initialized state in which information recording is possible, and records information previously stored in the device main body into the initialized liquid crystal paper as required, and (ii) a sheet holding section which holds the liquid crystal paper in such a manner that the liquid crystal paper can be transported to an information erasure position and an information recording position in the information writing/erasing section and that the liquid crystal paper is curved at portions thereof other than those at which information recording and erasing is carried out. With this, it is possible to provide an information recording device with improved operability, such as improved portability and capability of easily reading out information at any place.

Abstract: A device main body is formed portable, which includes (i) an information writing/erasing section which erases information recorded in a liquid crystal paper and returns the liquid crystal paper into an initialized state in which information recording is possible, and records information previously stored in the device main body into the initialized liquid crystal paper as required, and (ii) a sheet holding section which holds the liquid crystal paper in such a manner that the liquid crystal paper can be transported to an information erasure position and an information recording position in the information writing/erasing section and that the liquid crystal paper is curved at portions thereof other than those at which information recording and erasing is carried out. With this, it is possible to provide an information recording device with improved operability, such as improved portability and capability of easily reading out information at any place.

Abstract: A doctor blade is provided in contact with frictionally charged toner in a toner tank, which regulates the amount of toner held on a toner holder. A charge control unit supplies to the doctor blade a voltage for selectively charging the toner. As a result, the amount of toner held on the toner holder is regulated, and simultaneously, the toner is charged to a specific polarity with a potential of the frictional charge or more. An electrostatic latent image is formed by the selectively charged toner. The toner is moved and transferred onto a papersheet which is sequentially transported, under the influence of an electric field generated by application of a voltage to an opposite electrode disposed opposing the toner holder. An image by the toner is thus formed on the papersheet.

Abstract: A photoconductor coupled liquid crystal light valve comprising at least a pair of transparent electrode, a liquid crystal layer and a photoconductive layer showing blocking properties both sandwiched between said transparent electrodes, wherein said photoconductive layer includes a light absorbing layer and a blocking layer having a band gap wider than said light absorbing layer, both said light absorbing layer and said blocking layer being formed of non-alloy a-Si; and a method for manufacturing said photoconductor coupled light valve wherein said photoconductive layer is prepared with electron cyclotron resonance method.

Abstract: A charging device for use in an image forming apparatus is disclosed which charges an object to be charged by contacting a conductive charging member with the surface of the object and then applying a voltage across the charging member and the object,wherein at least a contact portion of the charging member comprises a conductive material having a hygroscopic degree of 0.2% or less.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is arranged so as to include an optical head unit constituted of exposing device and information reading device, one cylindrical white light source which is commonly used as a light source for the above both devices, liquid crystal shutter arrays for individually opening and closing optical paths of the light source in direction of a photoreceptor, and to control open/close operation of an exposure shutter array according to an image signal and to control the shutter arrays such that when the exposing device operates, the information reading shutter array closes and that when the information reading device operates, the exposure shutter array closes. As a result, in an arrangement which is carried out a simultaneous charge-expose-development process and has exposing function and information reading function, it is possible to sufficiently miniaturize an apparatus.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a photoconductor coupled liquid crystal valve comprising the step of; deposing a transparent electrode on a transparent substrate; forming on said transparent electrode a photoconductive layer formed of amorphous silicon by the ECR; forming on said photoconductive layer an optical shielding layer formed of amorphous silicon by the ECR; forming on said optical shielding layer an optical reflection layer; forming an orientation film on said optical reflection layer; laminating on said orientation film a transparent substrate having a transparent electrode and another orientation film stoked thereon by the above method in such a manner that the two orientation films face each other with a spacer interposed therebetween; and disposing liquid crystals into said spacer.

Abstract: A photoconductor coupled liquid crystal light valve comprising a photoconductor layer, a liquid crystal layer and electrodes for applying voltage to the layers. The photoconductive layer is made of amorphous silicon containing hydrogen and/or halogen at more than 40 at%. The photoconductive layer preferably has a resistivity of between 10.sup.11 and 10.sup.12 ohm-cm and a photonconductivity of 10.sup.-8 and 10.sup.-6 cm.sup.2 /V. The photoconductive layer is preferably formed by electron cyclotron resonance.

Abstract: An improved photosensitive member for electrophotography which comprises an intermediate layer, a photoconductive layer and a surface protecting layer each formed upwardly in this order on a conductive substrate, the photoconductive layer comprising a non-doped a-Si layer made of a amorphous silicon containing hydrogen and/or halogen of 40 at. % or more.

Abstract: A photosensitive member for electrophotography which comprises a conductive substrate and a photoconductive layer which is composed of an amorphous silicon layer and an amorphous silicon germanium layer containing a specific amount of hydrogen and/or halogen respectively, and being prepared by electron cyclotron resonance method respectively, which is useful for xerographic systems.

Abstract: A photosensitive member for electrophotography comprising a photoconductive layer formed on an electro- conductive support, in which the photoconductive layer is composed of an amorphous silicon germanium layer formed by electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) method and containing hydrogen and/or halogen in an amount of more than 40 at. % to 65 at. % and an amorphous silicon nitride layer formed by ECR method and containing hydrogen and/or halogen in an amount of more than 40 at. % to 60 at. %, the amorphous silicon nitride layer being laminated on the amorphous silicon germanium layer; said member exhibiting an increased sensitivity to laser rays having a long wavelength and an improved charge retention capacity.

Abstract: A photosensitive member for electrophotographic photoreceptor, composed of an amorphous silicon containing carbon; nitrogen or oxygen and a specific amount of hydrogen and/or halogen, prepared by electron cyclotron resonance method, which is useful for xerographic systems.

Abstract: A photoreceptor for an image formation apparatus has a photosensitive layer of a multi-layer structure each having the characteristic of increasing its electrical resistance at a different rate upon expose to light. An image-carrying beam of reflected light from an original to be copied is made incident on the photoreceptor to form a resistance image. An electrostatic latent image is formed therefrom either on the photoreceptor itself or on a transfer medium placed in contact therewith and a visible toner image is formed by applying toner on such an electrostatic image but the resistance image on the photoreceptor remains undisturbed during such image transfer processes. Thus, a plurality of copies of a single original can be produced without exposing the photoreceptor to reflected light therefrom for each copy to be printed.