Abstract: In the present invention, an administration server stores therein: a user ID and an academic conference book-classification which are associated with each other; and a book ID and a library book-classification which are associated with each other. Further, a copy device includes: a user ID acquiring section for acquiring the user ID; a book ID acquiring section for acquiring the book ID; a first acquiring section for acquiring from the administration server the academic conference book-classification associated with the user ID; a second acquiring section for acquiring, from the administration server, a library book-classification associated with the book ID; and a copy control section for controlling a copying operation to be performed with respect to a book, based on the academic conference book-classification, and the library book-classification.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: an image data input section for reading a document as image data; a target value memory section for storing a target value of an input/output characteristic value when a reference document is read; a comparator for comparing the image data of the reference document and the target value so as to create a new input/output characteristic value; a fixed value memory section for storing a difference in input/output characteristic values as a fixed value between an original document and a copy document; and an adder for adding the fixed value to the image data of the reference document so as to output a resultant value to the comparator. By the provision of the fixed value memory section and the adder, the image forming apparatus can set a plurality of input/output characteristic values by reading the reference document once, thus reducing time for the procedure of setting the respective input/output characteristic values.

Abstract: A relay apparatus (relay unit) is provided between a PC, from which image data is transmitted, and an image recording apparatus (image recording unit). The relay apparatus executes a process for correcting a color on the image data transmitted from the PC to the image recording apparatus. In addition, a storage unit of the relay apparatus stores unique information of the image recording apparatus, such as a production number. The relay apparatus executes processes for correcting the image data and for adding the unique information to the image data transmitted from the PC, and then transmits the processed image data to the image recording apparatus. Thus, realized is an image recording system and the relay apparatus, in which it is not necessary to provide a circuit which executes a process for embedding unique information in the image data in the image recording apparatus, so that deterioration in quality of the image caused by the unique information can be prevented as much as possible.

Abstract: A power supply device 3 including: a current source 31 for supplying current to a load circuit 4 which operates on the supplied current, and a power switch unit 32 between the current source 31 and the load circuit 4 to control passage of current, wherein: the power switch unit 32 includes a switching element 323 connected in parallel with the open-close element 321, a power supply controller 33 including an open-close element controller 31 which controls operation of the open-close element 321 and a switching element controller 332 which controls operation of the switching element 323, and a voltage detector 34 which detects terminal voltage of the load circuit 4; and the power switch unit 32 turns on the switching element before supplying current to the load circuit and closes the open-close element when the terminal voltage of the load circuit becomes almost equal to supply voltage.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a communications interface operative to receive a first image information item transmitted from terminal equipment connected thereto via a network; a storage section operative to store the first image information item therein; and an image reading section operative to obtain a second image information item by scanning an image of a document. The image forming apparatus further includes: a control section operative to compare the second image information item to the first image information item and then select the first image information item to be served for image forming if the second image information item is judged to be same as the first image information item, or the second image information item to be served for image forming if the second image information item is judged to be different from the first image information item.

Abstract: A power supply device 3 including: a current source 31 for supplying current to a load circuit 4 which operates on the supplied current, and a power switch unit 32 between the current source 31 and the load circuit 4 to control passage of current, wherein: the power switch unit 32 includes a switching element 323 connected in parallel with the open-close element 321, a power supply controller 33 including an open-close element controller 31 which controls operation of the open-close element 321 and a switching element controller 332 which controls operation of the switching element 323, and a voltage detector 34 which detects terminal voltage of the load circuit 4; and the power switch unit 32 turns on the switching element before supplying current to the load circuit and closes the open-close element when the terminal voltage of the load circuit becomes almost equal to supply voltage.

Abstract: A document-image reading device that can analyze a speed fluctuation state of a scanner when scanning an image in the feed direction by separately extracting speed fluctuation components by reading a change in density of reference scale lines and, on the basis of the analysis result, prevents the occurrence of an image blur that may be resulting from unstable factors of a driving mechanism.

Abstract: The invention is directed to provide a document-image reading device that can analyze a speed fluctuation state of a scanner when scanning an image in the feed direction by separately extracting speed fluctuation components by reading a change in density of reference scale lines and, on the basis of the analysis result, prevents the occurrence of an image blur that may be resulting from unstable factors of a driving mechanism.

Abstract: The invention produces a document-image reading device that can analyze a speed fluctuation state of a scanner when scanning an image in the feed direction by separately extracting speed fluctuation components by determining a change in density of references scale lines; and, on the basis of the analysis result, prevents the occurrence of an image blur that can result from unstable factors of a driving mechanism of the device. The document-image reading device, which reads document image data at a specified time interval given by a reference clock signal, comprises an image sensor that can read a document image while the document-image reading device or the document moves in the feed direction. Additionally, the document-image reading device includes a chart reader for reading a reference chart portion having alternations of high-density and low-density divisions that are arranged one after another at a distance interval equal to the least pitch readable by the document-image reading device.

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus, component color images formed by respective image forming stations are sometimes displaced as they are transferred onto recording paper. Therefore, a set pattern image (Q0) with no displacement at all is recorded onto recording paper as a set pattern image (Q1). In this set pattern image, the centers of auxiliary patterns (Y1, C1, M1) are displaced in an auxiliary scan direction off a referential straight line (H) passing through the centers of primary patterns (K1, K1′). The image forming apparatus causes the set pattern image to be read, measures the displacements (&Dgr;Y1, &Dgr;C1, &Dgr;M1) of the auxiliary patterns in the auxiliary scan direction off the referential straight line, and adjusts writing timings in the auxiliary scan direction so that the displacements become 0. As a result, the color image recorded on the recording paper shows improved quality.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: an image data input section for reading a document as image data; a target value memory section for storing a target value of an input/output characteristic value when a reference document is read; a comparator for comparing the image data of the reference document and the target value so as to create a new input/output characteristic value; a fixed value memory section for storing a difference in input/output characteristic values as a fixed value between an original document and a copy document; and an adder for adding the fixed value to the image data of the reference document so as to output a resultant value to the comparator. By the provision of the fixed value memory section and the adder, the image forming apparatus can set a plurality of input/output characteristic values by reading the reference document once, thus reducing time for the procedure of setting the respective input/output characteristic values.

Abstract: Featured is a sheet feed unit including a first transport path in which is transported a first sheet, a second transport path and a protrusion. A second sheet is transported in the second transport path and guided at a prescribed angle relative to the first transport path. The protrusion is located or fixed at a confluence of the first transport path and the second transport path. The protrusion also has a guide surface that is placed to allow the second sheet to be guided along the first transport path.

Abstract: To maintain an image eraser used for erasing a toner image printed on a sheet operable wastes power, and additionally, a manual operation is required for loading a sheet feed portion with sheets from which the printed image is removed for reuse. The main body of an image forming apparatus is provided with a tray for image erasure and a feed roller for feeding sheets from the tray. Disposed in a passage for transporting the sheets from the tray is an image eraser comprising a nozzle for applying a treatment for removal of toner, a toner removal roller and a pressure roller and the likes. By means of a transport roller, sheets are transferred from the image eraser to an intermediate tray or a registration roller for feeding sheets to an image forming position. The image eraser is actuated for image erasure while the image forming apparatus is not performing an image forming operation.

Abstract: An etching method comprises the steps of setting a substrate to be processed above the surface of a first electrode opposed to a second electrode within a vacuum container, with a clearance formed between the surface of the first electrode and the substrate, supplying a cooling gas to the electrodes with a predetermined flow rate and a pressure, supplying a process gas into the vacuum container, changing the process gas to a plasma, by applying a predetermined electric power across the electrodes, and etching the substrate by means of the plasma of the process gas.

Abstract: An etching apparatus has a method for stopping the generation of plasma responsive to the detection of poor cooling of a block electrode, which is provided with an electrode, to prevent the electrode from being cracked because of the thermal expansion of both electrodes so as to reduce the times of electrode exchange. The present invention also provides an etching method including a process of controlling the flow rate and pressure of a cooling gas supplied to a clearance between a substrate to be processed and a block electrode on which the substrate is mounted, so as to enable uniform etching to be applied to the substrate.

Abstract: A mounting surface of an electrode for mounting an object to be processed thereon is projected to be a curved surface identical to a curved surface obtained by deforming the object to be processed by a uniform load, and etching of the object to be processed is performed. Etching of the object to be processed can be easily and stably performed, thereby improving yield and productivity.

Abstract: In a device of the type of an Inchworm Translator as called by Burleigh Instruments, Inc., N.Y., an electromechanical driver for a shaft of the device comprises a plurality of electrostrictive layers stacked longitudinally of the driver with internal electrodes interposed. Preferably, each gripper or clamper for the shaft is of a like structure and comprises a pair of external electrodes on an outer peripheral surface thereof. More preferably, the gripper comprises either an electrically insulating and abrasion resistive or an electrically insulating and vibration damping film which defines a cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the gripper. The film is preferably divided into a plurality of film portions. The electrostrictive layers are preferably of a composition of a formula of (1-x)Pb(Mg.sub.1/3 Nb.sub.2/3)O.sub.3.xPbTiO.sub.3 where x is about 0.35. The electrically insulating and abrasion resistive film may be of either a plastic or a ceramic material.