Abstract: Before replacement of constituent parts of an image density sensor or of other image forming units, the image density of a formed test toner patch image is detected by the image density sensor and conditions for image formation are controlled. After replacement of the constituent parts, the image density sensor detects the image density of a test toner patch image which is formed based on the controlled conditions for image formation. The optical output and/or the optical sensitivity is adjusted so that a detected value becomes a predetermined reference value, to calibrate the image density sensor. With this image formation controlling method, the image density sensor can be calibrated easily and precisely, the image density of a toner pattern image can be held proper and a stable high-quality image can be obtained.

Abstract: Before replacement of constituent parts of an image density sensor or of other image forming units, the image density of a formed test toner patch image is detected by the image density sensor and conditions for image formation are controlled. After replacement of the constituent parts, the image density sensor detects the image density of a test toner patch image which is formed based on the controlled conditions for image formation. The optical output and/or the optical sensitivity is adjusted so that a detected value becomes a predetermined reference value, to calibrate the image density sensor. With this image formation controlling method, the image density sensor can be calibrated easily and precisely, the image density of a toner pattern image can be held proper and a stable high-quality image can be obtained.

Abstract: An optical electric charge removal device mountable on an image formation apparatus of an electrophotographic system for removing residual charges on a photosensitive member by light irradiation is provided. The optical electric charge removal device includes a point light source provided in the image formation apparatus; and an optical conductor, mountable on a process cartridge which is detachable from the image formation apparatus, for guiding light incident from the point light source to the photosensitive member.

Abstract: An information processor is provided to facilitate electronic business transactions, which includes an input unit (1), a display unit (2), a radio unit (4), a voice processor (5), a CODEC (6), a data memory (9), a processing control unit (10), a two-dimensional code reader (11), a personal information memory (12) and a temporary memory (13). Image data such as an URL printed on an advertising medium is read by the two-dimensional code reader, and subjected to decoding and converting by the processing control unit (10). Based on the converted information, access is made to a designated URL, and an electronic business transaction is carried out by using personal information stored in the personal information memory (12). A code reading attachment may be provided detachably.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing decrease in image density at a rear end part of an image. A change in waveform in sensor outputs which is produced when a toner patch image is read by an optical sensor used for the process control is detected. The difference (Vg−Vd) between grid voltage Vg and development bias voltage Vd is changed only between a target value of 300 V corresponding to low-output side threshold value Va and a target value of 100 V corresponding to high-output side threshold value Vb according to the sensor output deflection &Dgr;V so that the difference (Vg−Vd) decreases as the image loss level increases. The difference between the grid voltage Vg and the development bias voltage Vd is set so as to prevent the image loss in the rear end part of an image.

Abstract: An optical electric charge removal device mountable on an image formation apparatus of an electrophotographic system for removing residual charges on a photosensitive member by light irradiation is provided. The optical electric charge removal device includes a point light source provided in the image formation apparatus; and an optical conductor, mountable on a process cartridge which is detachable from the image formation apparatus, for guiding light incident from the point light source to the photosensitive member.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of computer systems, an input interpreter separates an input character string from a user into commands and parameters, and a first degree of similarity calculating unit calculates the degree of similarity between context information representing the parameters and metadata of the computer systems. A second degree of similarity calculating unit revises the degree of similarity based upon the processing cost of a command. A command execution unit selects the computer system for which the revised degree of similarity is greatest, converts the input character string to language employed by the selected computer system, outputs the converted character string to the selected computer system and transmits the results obtained to a user terminal. Thus, a computer best suited to execution of processing can be selected from a plurality of computers connected by a network without requiring that the user make any designations.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus for extracting, from a set of data having a vector format stored in a database, a first prescribed number of items of data having a high degree of similarity with a query vector includes a list creation unit and a candidate output unit. The list creation unit creates lists of data in each of which data of the database is sorted in order of decreasing strength of respective one component of a vector. The candidate output unit decides the priority of each list, successively selects, from the lists based upon the list priority and ranking in each list, a second prescribed number of items of data not yet output, and outputs one item of data, from the second prescribed number of items of data selected, based upon degree of similarity between each item of the above-mentioned data and the query data.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing decrease in image density at a rear end part of an image. A change in waveform in sensor outputs which is produced when a toner patch image is read by an optical sensor used for the process control is detected. The difference (Vg-Vd) between grid voltage Vg and development bias voltage Vd is changed only between a target value of 300 V corresponding to low-output side threshold value Va and a target value of 100 V corresponding to high-output side threshold value Vb according to the sensor output deflection &Dgr;V so that the difference (Vg-Vd) decreases as the image loss level increases. The difference between the grid voltage Vg and the development bias voltage Vd is set so as to prevent the image loss in the rear end part of an image.

Abstract: An integrated database system for performing data processing utilizing plural types of databases. A Meta level system 15 includes a script interpreter 8 which interprets an inquiry represented by a script form which has been addressed to a database to issue a primitive corresponding to the inquiry and combines replies represented by a primitive form received from plural types of databases 11. A local database system 14 includes a primitive processor 9 which transforms the primitive into a control command corresponding to the type of the database 11, outputs the transformed command to the plural types of databases 11, and replies to the Meta level system 15 with the process result represented by the primitive form.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to obtain, in an accurate and stable manner, an image density at a tone rise point in a low-density region in order to form a stable image.

Abstract: A high density detecting toner pattern is formed on a photosensitive body and a high density correction is effected by comparing a value detected by a reflection sensor with a high density reference value so as to maintain an image density at a specific level. An image density correcting section adopts a result of the preceding high density correction as the high density reference value, and compares the same with a result of a current high density correction. The image density correcting section effects the half-tone density correction only when a difference reaches or exceeds a preset difference reference value by forming a half-tone density detecting toner pattern on the photosensitive body and comparing a value detected by the reflection sensor with a half-tone reference value. Consequently, it has become possible to provide an image forming apparatus which can maintain a density output of an entire image at a specific level for any kind of images including solid, line, and half-tone, etc.

Abstract: A semantic data processing apparatus for retrieving one or a plurality of words, having a close meaning to that of an inputted word, in consideration of context or condition, comprises: a communication apparatus 101 for inputting a keyword and context word group; a projective transformation generating module 104 for transforming the inputted keyword and context word group into a keyword vector and a context word vector group indicative of respective meanings, and generating a projector which projects the keyword and a comparison-subjected vector group into a subspace corresponding to the context word group, in a semantic space which is generated in correspondence with a predetermined space generation word, on the basis of the obtained context word vector group; an input/output apparatus 102 for inputting a comparison-subjected word group; a comparison-subjected word group mapping module 107 for transforming the inputted comparison-subjected word group into a comparison-subjected vector group indicative of mea

Abstract: A color imaging apparatus which produces a luminance signal and a plurality of chrominance signals in order to generate a composite color video signal which is capable of compensating a color reproduction characteristic in response to a variation of the color temperature of the incident light. A signal representative of the color temperature of the light is used to control the gain of the color difference signals and/or control the phase difference between a plurality of color subcarriers on which the chrominance signals are modulated. The color temperature signal can be produced from a white-balancing circuit or by a separate color temperature detector.

Abstract: An electrostatic-recording gas discharge device for use in an electronic printing device, a facsimile receiver, and the like, is provided with auxiliary discharge electrodes connected to respective voltage inducing electrodes for preventing a detrimental discharge from being caused at the voltage inducing electrodes.