Abstract: A power estimating apparatus includes a functional unit, at least one converter, a detection unit, and an estimating unit. The functional unit uses an alternating-current power supply. The at least one converter is connected to a branch point between the alternating-current power supply and the functional unit and includes a smoothing capacitor so as to convert an alternating current from the alternating-current power supply into a direct current. The detection unit obtains a total amount of currents supplied to the functional unit and the at least one converter. The estimating unit uses the total amount to estimate an amount of the current supplied to the functional unit. The total amount is obtained by the detection unit in a charge and discharge period during which the smoothing capacitor performs a charge and discharge operation.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a detector that detects a voltage of a power system to which the information processing apparatus itself is connected, from among a plurality of power systems to which are respectively connected a plurality of electrical devices respectively available for communication; a receiver that receives running information expressing running conditions of each of the plurality of electrical devices; and a reporting unit that uses a detection result of the detector and a reception result of the receiver to report whether or not an electrical device corresponding to the running information received by the receiver is connected to the power system to which the information processing apparatus itself is connected.

Abstract: A power estimating apparatus includes a functional unit, at least one converter, a detection unit, and an estimating unit. The functional unit uses an alternating-current power supply. The at least one converter is connected to a branch point between the alternating-current power supply and the functional unit and includes a smoothing capacitor so as to convert an alternating current from the alternating-current power supply into a direct current. The detection unit obtains a total amount of currents supplied to the functional unit and the at least one converter. The estimating unit uses the total amount to estimate an amount of the current supplied to the functional unit. The total amount is obtained by the detection unit in a charge and discharge period during which the smoothing capacitor performs a charge and discharge operation.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a detector that detects a voltage of a power system to which the information processing apparatus itself is connected, from among a plurality of power systems to which are respectively connected a plurality of electrical devices respectively available for communication; a receiver that receives running information expressing running conditions of each of the plurality of electrical devices; and a reporting unit that uses a detection result of the detector and a reception result of the receiver to report whether or not an electrical device corresponding to the running information received by the receiver is connected to the power system to which the information processing apparatus itself is connected.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first controller, a second controller, and a third controller. The first controller controls an output unit that outputs an image. The second controller controls a reading unit that reads an image. The third controller controls, in response to receipt of a power reduction request, the first controller or the second controller to restrict performance of the output unit or the reading unit so as to satisfy the power reduction request.

Abstract: A power detection device includes a first zero-crossing detector, a current detector, and a second zero-crossing detector. The first zero-crossing detector detects zero-crossing timing of an alternating voltage of power supplied from a commercial power supply and outputs a voltage zero-crossing signal. The current detector detects current of the power. The second zero-crossing detector detects zero-crossing timing of the current detected by the current detector and outputs a current zero-crossing signal. A power factor is obtained based on a phase difference between the voltage zero-crossing signal and the current zero-crossing signal, and active power is calculated based on a root-mean-square value of the alternating voltage, a root-mean-square value of the current, and the obtained power factor.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first controller, a second controller, and a third controller. The first controller controls an output unit that outputs an image. The second controller controls a reading unit that reads an image. The third controller controls, in response to receipt of a power reduction request, the first controller or the second controller to restrict performance of the output unit or the reading unit so as to satisfy the power reduction request.

Abstract: A power detection device includes a first zero-crossing detector, a current detector, and a second zero-crossing detector. The first zero-crossing detector detects zero-crossing timing of an alternating voltage of power supplied from a commercial power supply and outputs a voltage zero-crossing signal. The current detector detects current of the power. The second zero-crossing detector detects zero-crossing timing of the current detected by the current detector and outputs a current zero-crossing signal. A power factor is obtained based on a phase difference between the voltage zero-crossing signal and the current zero-crossing signal, and active power is calculated based on a root-mean-square value of the alternating voltage, a root-mean-square value of the current, and the obtained power factor.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a curved member that supports a recording medium on which an image is formed by an image forming material that absorbs light and is fixed, and an irradiating portion that irradiates the curved member with light from the recording medium side, wherein the light axis of the light does not intersect with a center axis of the curved member, and is substantially perpendicular to a tangential line in a middle point in a transporting direction of the recording medium in a region of the curved member supporting the recording medium.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a curved member that supports a recording medium on which an image is formed by an image forming material that absorbs light and is fixed, and an irradiating portion that irradiates the curved member with light from the recording medium side, wherein the light axis of the light does not intersect with a center axis of the curved member, and is substantially perpendicular to a tangential line in a middle point in a transporting direction of the recording medium in a region of the curved member supporting the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing device that causes a toner image to be fixed onto a recording medium; an opposing unit that is disposed opposing the fixing device and forms a conveyance path in between the fixing device, the recording medium being conveyable on the conveyance path; a holding member for the recording medium that is disposed at the opposing unit and positioned between the recording medium conveyed on the conveyance path and the fixing device; and a withdrawal mechanism that causes the opposing unit to be withdrawn in a direction away from the fixing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing device that causes a toner image to be fixed onto a recording medium; an opposing unit that is disposed opposing the fixing device and forms a conveyance path in between the fixing device, the recording medium being conveyable on the conveyance path; a holding member for the recording medium that is disposed at the opposing unit and positioned between the recording medium conveyed on the conveyance path and the fixing device; and a withdrawal mechanism that causes the opposing unit to be withdrawn in a direction away from the fixing device.

Abstract: A new flash fixing device configured to fix a toner image by a flash light is presented. This flash fixing device includes a plurality of flash lamps arranged parallel to each other, and a reflection board including a plurality of side part reflection surfaces each facing from a side to the respective flash lamps. In a case where a surface including two central axes of the two flash lamps arranged one at each end is defined as a standard surface, an acute angle against the standard surface is set to be decreased as the side part reflection surface is positioned closer to a center of the arrangement of the plurality of the flash lamps.

Abstract: A flash fixing device configured to fix a toner image by a flash light, includes a plurality of flash lamps arranged parallel to each other, and

Abstract: Rotation of a polygon serves to generate a scanning laser beam in a scanning beam generating unit. The polygon is fixed on the drive shaft of a motor drive. The motor drive is located at a position spaced apart from a base frame. The base frame is designed to interrupt heat radiated toward the motor drive. As compared with the case where a motor drive is mounted directly upon a base frame, the motor drive is prevented from receiving heat through the base frame. It is possible to avoid an increase in the temperature of the motor drive to the utmost. In particular, rise in temperature can be prevented in the bearing supporting the drive shaft in the motor drive, so that a deterioration can be avoided in the bearing. At the same time, a deficiency in rotation, such as a jitter, can reliably be avoided in the motor drive.

Abstract: Flash fixing equipment for fixing a toner image onto a medium by means of flashlight is to reduce non-uniformity of halftone image print density. Flash fixing unit has flash energy distribution consisting of a center zone and front/end zones. The flash frequency of the flash lamp is controlled so that the toner fixing start energy being subtracted from the added value of flash energies of front and end zones becomes substantially equal to the flash energy value on the center zone. The energy distribution exceeding the fixing start energy which affects print density (size of toner-overflowed area) is controlled to have a flat characteristic to reduce non-uniformity of print density.

Abstract: Rotation of a polygon serves to generate a scanning laser beam in a scanning beam generating unit. The polygon is fixed on the drive shaft of a motor drive. The motor drive is located at a position spaced apart from a base frame. The base frame is designed to interrupt heat radiated toward the motor drive. As compared with the case where a motor drive is mounted directly upon a base frame, the motor drive is prevented from receiving heat through the base frame. It is possible to avoid an increase in the temperature of the motor drive to the utmost. In particular, rise in temperature can be prevented in the bearing supporting the drive shaft in the motor drive, so that a deterioration can be avoided in the bearing. At the same time, a deficiency in rotation, such as a jitter, can reliably be avoided in the motor drive.

Abstract: A computer controlled printer is capable of printing at different print densities. This makes it possible to automatically determine an optimum print density according to a normal operational mode with serious consideration given to print quality and an economy operational mode with serious consideration given to operating costs, thereby decreasing the print consumables. The printer has a print mechanism section for printing papers according to print data and a print controlling section for controlling the print mechanism section. The print controlling section selects either a print density in a normal mode or a print density in an economy mode according to the normal/economy instructions and controls the print density of the print mechanism section correspondingly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical scanning unit used for exposing a photosensitive drum of an image forming apparatus to light, and an image forming apparatus using this optical scanning unit. This optical scanning unit comprises a light source; an optical scanning mechanism for scanning with light from the light source; a start detecting mechanism for detecting scan light of the optical scanning mechanism at an end portion of a scanning range of the scan light to detect beginning of light scanning; and a frame which has a higher rigidity than that of a frame of an image forming apparatus and to which the light source, the optical scanning mechanism and the start detecting mechanism are attached.

Abstract: A printer capable of operation in an economy mode as well as in a normal mode. The printer includes a print mechanism for printing in accordance with print data. The printer also includes a print controller which controls the print mechanism. The printer is provided with a mode of operation selector for selecting between a normal mode of operation in which the print quality is relatively emphasized and an economy mode of operation in which operating costs are relatively emphasized. The print controller controls the print density at a first level when the normal mode of operation has been selected and at a second reduced level when the economy mode of operation has been selected.