Abstract: The electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a support and a photosensitive layer on the support, in which a surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a particle, the surface layer has a particle partially exposed from the surface layer among the particle contained in the surface layer, the particle has a volume average particle diameter of 50.0 nm or more and 350.0 nm or less; in a cross-section of the surface layer, the number of the particle partially exposed from the surface layer is 80% by number or more based on a total number of the particle contained in the surface layer; and a total volume of an exposed portion of the particle partially exposed from the surface layer is 30% by volume or more and 80% by volume or less based on an entire volume of the particle contained in the surface layer.

Abstract: Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member that achieves satisfactory transferability. An electrophotographic photosensitive member including a charge generating layer, a charge transporting layer, and a protection layer laminated on a support in the stated order, wherein the protection layer contains a binder resin and particles, and wherein when an average thickness of the protection layer in a site free of the particles is represented by T and a volume-average particle diameter of the particles is represented by Dm in a cross-section of the protection layer, the following formula (a) is satisfied.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a first parallel four-joint link mechanism in which base end portions of a pair of first links are rotatably connected to a first link base and distal end portions of the first links are rotatably connected to an intermediate link base, a second parallel four-joint link mechanism in which base end portions of a pair of second links are rotatably connected to the intermediate link base and distal end portions of the second links are rotatably connected to a second link base, and a belt transmission mechanism including a pair of first pulleys respectively connected to the first links, a second pulley connected to one of the second links, and a belt provided around the first pulleys and the second pulley. The belt transmission mechanism transmits a rotational driving force such that the first links and the second links rotate in opposite directions to each other.

Abstract: Provided is a management system associated with a manufacturing line including one or more facilities. Each of the facilities is configured to process each workpiece according to order information. The management system includes: a collecting means for collecting event information about a process that takes place in each of the facilities; a classifying means for classifying, on the basis of a generation source and content of each piece of event information, the event information collected by the collecting means, into sets of event information generated due to the same workpiece; a generation means for generating data which represents process circumstances for each workpiece on the basis of the event information belonging to each of the sets classified by the classifying means; and a visualizing means for visualizing process progression circumstances for each workpiece processed according to the order information, on the basis of the data generated by the generating means.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a first parallel four-joint link mechanism in which base end portions of a pair of first links are rotatably connected to a first link base and distal end portions of the first links are rotatably connected to an intermediate link base, a second parallel four-joint link mechanism in which base end portions of a pair of second links are rotatably connected to the intermediate link base and distal end portions of the second links are rotatably connected to a second link base, and a belt transmission mechanism including a pair of first pulleys respectively connected to the first links, a second pulley connected to one of the second links, and a belt provided around the first pulleys and the second pulley. The belt transmission mechanism transmits a rotational driving force such that the first links and the second links rotate in opposite directions to each other.

Abstract: Provided is a management system associated with a manufacturing line including one or more facilities. Each of the facilities is configured to process each workpiece according to order information. The management system includes: a collecting means for collecting event information about a process that takes place in each of the facilities; a classifying means for classifying, on the basis of a generation source and content of each piece of event information, the event information collected by the collecting means, into sets of event information generated due to the same workpiece; a generation means for generating data which represents process circumstances for each workpiece on the basis of the event information belonging to each of the sets classified by the classifying means; and a visualizing means for visualizing process progression circumstances for each workpiece processed according to the order information, on the basis of the data generated by the generating means.

Abstract: An image reading device includes: an FB glass; a sensor module having a light source and a plurality of sensors; and an image processor that generates correction data to be used for shading correction and performs the shading correction on image signals by using the correction data. The plurality of sensors is arranged in a main scanning direction and is configured to form an image signal on a single line. The image processor acquires second black data by causing the plurality of sensors to acquire an image signal of a reference sheet placed on the FB glass with the light source turned on, and generates black correction data based on the second black data. By performing the shading correction by using the black correction data, the image processor corrects density unevenness, in an image, caused by interference between image signals from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: An image reading device includes: a sensor module having a light source and a plurality of sensors; a white reference plate; and an image processor that generates correction data to be used for shading correction and performs the shading correction on image signals, using the correction data. The light source is configured to switch between at least a first luminous intensity and a second luminous intensity lower than the first luminous intensity. The image processor acquires intermediate data by causing the plurality of sensors to acquire an image signal of the white reference plate illuminated with the second luminous intensity, generates black correction data, based on the intermediate data, and performs the shading correction, using the black correction data, so that a density unevenness, in an image, caused by interference between image signals from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: An image reading device includes an image processor that generates correction data to be used for shading correction and perform the shading correction using the correction data, and a memory that stores first black correction data to be used for the shading correction in a main scanning direction in a predetermined first position in a predetermined sub-scanning direction. The image processor generates third black data based on an image signal of a second reference plate extending in the sub-scanning direction in a predetermined second position in the main scanning direction, generates black correction data according to the sub-scanning direction based on the first black correction data and the third black data, and performs the shading correction using the black correction data so as to correct density unevenness in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction caused by an interference between image signals from a plurality of sensors.

Abstract: An image reading device has an image processor that generates correction data to be used for shading correction and performs the shading correction using the correction data. The image processor generates intermediate data with a predetermined density level, generates intermediate data in different positions in the sub-scanning direction based on image signals of a first reference plate and a second reference plate disposed in the different positions, generates first and second black correction data based on the respective intermediate data, generates black correction data according to the sub-scanning direction based on both the black correction data, and performs the shading correction using the black correction data in the respective positions in the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a sensor module which includes a light source and sensors; a reference member for creating black correction data and white correction data; and an image processor. The image processor corrects uneven density of an image resulting from interference of image signals from the sensors, by performing, on the image signals obtained by the sensors, shading correction using black correction data and white correction data. The image processor obtains causes the sensors to obtain image signals of the reference member, and creates the white correction data based on white data, and the black correction data based on intermediate data. At least one of when creating the white correction data and when creating the black correction data, the image processor causes the sensors to obtain image signals of the reference member a plurality of times.

Abstract: An image reading device includes: an FB glass; a sensor module having a light source and a plurality of sensors; and an image processor that generates correction data to be used for shading correction and performs the shading correction on image signals by using the correction data. The plurality of sensors is arranged in a main scanning direction and is configured to form an image signal on a single line. The image processor acquires second black data by causing the plurality of sensors to acquire an image signal of a reference sheet placed on the FB glass with the light source turned on, and generates black correction data based on the second black data. By performing the shading correction by using the black correction data, the image processor corrects density unevenness, in an image, caused by interference between image signals from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: An image reading device includes: a sensor module having a light source and a plurality of sensors; a white reference plate; and an image processor that generates correction data to be used for shading correction and performs the shading correction on image signals, using the correction data. The light source is configured to switch between at least a first luminous intensity and a second luminous intensity lower than the first luminous intensity. The image processor acquires intermediate data by causing the plurality of sensors to acquire an image signal of the white reference plate illuminated with the second luminous intensity, generates black correction data, based on the intermediate data, and performs the shading correction, using the black correction data, so that a density unevenness, in an image, caused by interference between image signals from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a sensor module which includes a light source and sensors; a reference member for creating black correction data and white correction data; and an image processor. The image processor corrects uneven density of an image resulting from interference of image signals from the sensors, by performing, on the image signals obtained by the sensors, shading correction using black correction data and white correction data. The image processor obtains causes the sensors to obtain image signals of the reference member, and creates the white correction data based on white data, and the black correction data based on intermediate data. At least one of when creating the white correction data and when creating the black correction data, the image processor causes the sensors to obtain image signals of the reference member a plurality of times.

Abstract: An image reading device includes an image processor that generates correction data to be used for shading correction and perform the shading correction using the correction data, and a memory that stores first black correction data to be used for the shading correction in a main scanning direction in a predetermined first position in a predetermined sub-scanning direction. The image processor generates third black data based on an image signal of a second reference plate extending in the sub-scanning direction in a predetermined second position in the main scanning direction, generates black correction data according to the sub-scanning direction based on the first black correction data and the third black data, and performs the shading correction using the black correction data so as to correct density unevenness in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction caused by an interference between image signals from a plurality of sensors.

Abstract: An image reading device has an image processor that generates correction data to be used for shading correction and performs the shading correction using the correction data. The image processor generates intermediate data with a predetermined density level, generates intermediate data in different positions in the sub-scanning direction based on image signals of a first reference plate and a second reference plate disposed in the different positions, generates first and second black correction data based on the respective intermediate data, generates black correction data according to the sub-scanning direction based on both the black correction data, and performs the shading correction using the black correction data in the respective positions in the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: A water treating device includes a water container for containing water; an electrolyzing chamber for sterilizing water; a water treatment line which couples the electrolyzing chamber with the water container; a sensor for measuring residual chlorine concentration; and a device for controlling the amount of the water to be electrochemically decomposed in the electrolyzing chamber on the basis of the residual chlorine concentration measured by the sensor to keep the residual chlorine concentration of the water to be fed back into the water container within a predetermined range. A bypass line is provided which is branched from the water treatment line upstream of the electrolyzing chamber for sampling the water, introducing the sampled water into the sensor for the measurement of the residual chlorine concentration thereof, and discharging the sampled water into the electrolyzing chamber after the measurement.

Abstract: The present invention is a laundry machine for reusing detergent components contained in waste wash water. Water stored in an outer tub 5 during washing process and rinsing process is discharged from the outer tub 5 and introduced into a water storage tank 17. By energizing an anode 19 and a cathode 20 to electrolyze the water stored in the water storage tank 17, organic materials are deposited and separated and at the same time detergent components are separated and floated up. The separated detergent components are stored in a detergent container 30, which are supplied into the outer tub 5 and reused during the washing process of the next washing.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus construction which makes it possible to perform a water treatment sequence by automatic control for reducing nitrate (nitrite) ions in water being treated through an electrochemical reaction and substituting nitrogen gas for the resulting ammonia for removal of ammonia from the water; and a detecting method using the apparatus for automatically detecting the progress of reduction or denitrification, or degradation of the treating capability of cathode or anode. The water treatment apparatus comprises a cathode (15) which reduces nitrate (nitrite) ions through an electrochemical reaction, an anode (16), an electrolytic bath (10) containing the cathode and the anode, and a hydrogen gas sensor (30) which measures a hydrogen gas concentration in the electrolytic bath (10). Water to be treated is introduced into the electrolytic bath (10), and an electric current is applied to the water.

Abstract: A printer includes a supply shaft wound with unused film including contrast agent, a winding shaft wound with used film including used contrast agent, rotation-speed detector for detecting a rotation speed of the supply shaft, and remaining-amount detector for determining an amount of unused film from the detected rotation speed detected. In the printer, the remaining amount of unused film such as ink film, roll paper or the like can be determined accurately.