Abstract: A production line includes an inspection step for acquiring inspection information representing positions of defects on each of substrates after an end of specified steps. With respect to m substrates subjected to the inspection step, a surface of each of the substrates is segmented into n regions, and defect density information having (m×n) components, which represent densities of defects contained in the regions, respectively, is acquired based on the inspection information. From the defect density information having (m×n) components, statistically mutually independent p (where p<m) features are extracted. Similarities between the p features and the defect density information as to the individual substrates are determined, respectively, and the substrates are classified for each one of the p features according to the similarities.

Abstract: The increasing ratio of development density to increase in potential difference between a photoreceptor and a development roller differs between the region where the potential difference is small and the region where the potential difference is large. The increasing ratio of development density at the region where the potential difference is small is smaller than the increasing ratio of development density at the region where the potential difference is large. Development is conducted under the developing characteristics in which the upper limit of the development density at the region where the increasing ratio of development density is small is at least 0.3.

Abstract: The increasing ratio of development density to increase in potential difference between a photoreceptor and a development roller differs between the region where the potential difference is small and the region where the potential difference is large. The increasing ratio of development density at the region where the potential difference is small is smaller than the increasing ratio of development density at the region where the potential difference is large. Development is conducted under the developing characteristics in which the upper limit of the development density at the region where the increasing ratio of development density is small is at least 0.3.

Abstract: When a halftone image region that is below a predetermined density is to be reproduced, a processing unit controlling an exposure unit selects an exposure pattern that can represent a record dot diameter within a range based on a predetermined rule from exposure patterns prepared in advance. Accordingly, graininess is suppressed. When there are a plurality of exposure patterns that can be applied, the exposure pattern with the lowest number of dots present per 1 inch is employed. Accordingly, a halftone image is formed with the image reproducibility improved.

Abstract: The increasing ratio of development density to increase in potential difference between a photoreceptor and a development roller differs between the region where the potential difference is small and the region where the potential difference is large. The increasing ratio of development density at the region where the potential difference is small is smaller than the increasing ratio of development density at the region where the potential difference is large. Development is conducted under the developing characteristics in which the upper limit of the development density at the region where the increasing ratio of development density is small is at least 0.3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic resin composition comprising 20 to 60 parts by weight of a rubber-reinforced resin (A) and 80 to 40 parts by weight of an aromatic polycarbonate (B) having an average molecular weight of 16,000 to 30,000 ((A)+(B)=100 parts by weight), said rubber-reinforced resin (A) containing a grafted rubber-like polymer (A1) obtained by polymerizing at least one compound (b) selected from the group consisting of aromatic vinyl compounds, vinyl cyanide compounds, (meth)acrylic ester compounds, acid anhydride monomeric compounds and maleimide-based compounds in the presence of a rubber-like polymer (a) having a glass transition temperature of not more than −40° C.

Abstract: When a halftone image region that is below a predetermined density is to be reproduced, a processing unit controlling an exposure unit selects an exposure pattern that can represent a record dot diameter within a range based on a predetermined rule from exposure patterns prepared in advance. Accordingly, graininess is suppressed. When there are a plurality of exposure patterns that can be applied, the exposure pattern with the lowest number of dots present per 1 inch is employed. Accordingly, a halftone image is formed with the image reproducibility improved.

Abstract: The increasing ratio of development density to increase in potential difference between a photoreceptor and a development roller differs between the region where the potential difference is small and the region where the potential difference is large. The increasing ratio of development density at the region where the potential difference is small is smaller than the increasing ratio of development density at the region where the potential difference is large. Development is conducted under the developing characteristics in which the upper limit of the development density at the region where the increasing ratio of development density is small is at least 0.3.

Abstract: In a digital electrophotographic imaging process in which a latent electrostatic image is written to a charged photoreceptor using an exposure beam diameter Ds larger than pixel pitch Dp and the image is visualized by development, an unsaturated region of photo-induced discharge characteristics of the photoreceptor is used for an image portion of isolated 1 line, and a saturated region of the photo-induced discharge characteristics of the photoreceptor or gamma characteristics of development is used for an image portion for n lines (n≧2).

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for image formation uses power control means provided to a laser driver for controlling exposure energy and accordingly forming an image. Specifically, exposure energy is varied depending on an isolated-dot pattern and an isolated-line pattern by changing the pulse height (drive power) of a drive pulse for each dot. Both of the isolated-line and isolated-dot patterns of a high resolution can thus be reproduced with a high image quality without increase of cost due to requirements for accuracy in processing and positioning of a lens and without decrease of life of a photoreceptor due to a decreased thickness of its photosensitive layer.

Abstract: A control unit of an image forming apparatus for controlling exposure energy includes a reference image storage unit storing a plurality of reference images, an image recognition unit comparing image information consisting of a plurality of pieces of pixel information with data stored in the reference image storage unit, an exposure energy density storage unit storing an exposure energy density for each reference image stored in the reference image storage unit, an exposure energy density determination unit based on data from the image recognition unit and data in the exposure energy density storage unit an exposure energy density to be applied to a dot position corresponding to each piece of the pixel information, and a laser drive driving a laser of an exposure unit based on data from the exposure energy density determination uni. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can be provided which exhibits an excellent image reproducibility for images with various dot densities.

Abstract: In a digital electrophotographic imaging process in which a latent electrostatic image is written to a charged photoreceptor using an exposure beam diameter Ds larger than pixel pitch Dp and the image is visualized by development, an unsaturated region of photo-induced discharge characteristics of the photoreceptor is used for an image portion of isolated 1 line, and a saturated region of the photo-induced discharge characteristics of the photoreceptor or gamma characteristics of development is used for an image portion for n lines (n≧2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic resin composition comprising 20 to 60 parts by weight of a rubber-reinforced resin (A) and 80 to 40 parts by weight of an aromatic polycarbonate (B) having an average molecular weight of 16,000 to 30,000 ((A)+(B)=100 parts by weight),

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has the following characteristics: the diameter of an exposure beam for exposing a latent image is not more than twice a minimum dot recording period p in peak intensity 1/e2, and the value of a spatial frequency characteristic function of a latent image defined by the thickness of a photoreceptor layer, the dielectric constant of the photoreceptor layer, the thickness of a developer layer, the dielectric constant of the developer layer and a spatial frequency &ohgr; defined as &ohgr;=&pgr;/p is at least 0.3. The image forming apparatus having such characteristics can reproduce an image of high resolution exceeding 600 to 1200 DPI with high fidelity.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for image formation uses power control means provided to a laser driver for controlling exposure energy and accordingly forming an image. Specifically, exposure energy is varied depending on an isolated-dot pattern and an isolated-line pattern by changing the pulse height (drive power) of a drive pulse for each dot. Both of the isolated-line and isolated-dot patterns of a high resolution can thus be reproduced with a high image quality without increase of cost due to requirements for accuracy in processing and positioning of a lens and without decrease of life of a photoreceptor due to a decreased thickness of its photosensitive layer.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention that development quality is improved by increasing the amount of charge during the transportation of toner by a toner holding member and decreasing the amount of charge during development for rendering an electrostatic latent image visible. A one-component non-magnetic toner is supplied from a toner supplying unit to the toner holding member such that the toner is electrostatically attracted to adhere to the toner holding member with a large amount of charge. The charge of the toner under transportation is reduced by charge adjusting means such as a conductive roller supplied with a potential from a frictional charging member or a voltage source, whereby the amount of development or the amount of toner adhering to an electrostatic latent image is increased and development quality is improved.

Abstract: An exposure energy control unit of an image forming apparatus controls exposure energy density Edot (&mgr;J/cm2) to be applied to an isolated one-dot pattern of image information to satisfy a relation −0.11P+6.4≦Edot/Eline≦−0.2P+10.7 where Eline (&mgr;J/cm2) represents exposure energy density applied to a line pattern of the image information having lines on every second lines and P (&mgr;m) represents dot pitch. Accordingly, image reproducibility of both of a periodic line pattern and an isolated dot pattern can be enhanced without decreasing the film thickness of a photoreceptor even if the resolution is high.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes: a first rotary member; a second rotary member having an elastic surface and adapted to be rotated in contact with the first rotary member. A contact depth controlling roller is kept in rotative free engagement with each end of a shaft of the second rotary member and having an outer circumferential surface abutting against the first rotary member and an inner circumferential surface abutting against the shaft of the second rotary member for keeping a contact depth of the second rotary member abutting against the first rotary member at a predetermined level. A controller is provided so as to rotate the second rotary. This structure, for example, eliminates the need for bearings.

Abstract: A toner which can exhibit 5 nN or less of inter-particle force calculated by the following equation (1) when the toner is laminated and carried on a toner carrier:Fv=q.multidot.E-Fi (1)where Fv is an inter-particle force, q.multidot.E is a Coulomb force calculated by the following equation:q.multidot.E=q.multidot.{Vb+(Q/M).multidot..delta..multidot.P.multidot.dt.s ub.1.sup.2 /(2.epsilon.o.epsilon..sub.T)}/(.epsilon..sub.T .multidot.g+dt.sub.1) (2)where Fi is an image-force calculated by the following equation (3):Fi={(W.sub.1 .multidot..pi.d.sup.3 .multidot..delta.)/(6 .epsilon.o .epsilon..sub.T)}.multidot.(Q/M).sup.2 (3)where q is a quantity of charge [C] of the toner particle to be developed, E is an electric field strength [V/m] acting on the toner layer, Q/M is a toner charge-to-mass ratio [mC/g], W.sub.1 is an amount of toner separated by development among the toner laminated and carried on the toner carrier, .epsilon.o is a vacuum dielectric constant [C/(V.multidot.m)], .epsilon..sub.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a toner carrier for transferring toner to a development position, a layer-thickness regulating member for forming a toner layer having a predetermined thickness on the toner carrier by making contact in a leading edge or a surface of a vicinity of the leading edge with the toner carrier, and a supplier for supplying a one-component toner to the toner carrier. Also combined with the layer-thickness layer is a vibration absorbing device allowing the toner to be applied in a uniform thickness. The vibration absorbing device can also be a sealing member located on the toner carrier. Each sealing member can be two different materials effective to absorb vibration.