Abstract: A three-dimensional shape measuring method includes: a first step to: project first and second projection images on a target object, wherein the first projection images include row-direction stripe patterns different from each other, and the second projection images include column-direction stripe patterns different from each other, and obtain first and second captured images of the target object, wherein the first captured images are captured while the first projection images are projected, and the second captured images are captured while the second projection images are projected; a second step to identify a corresponding projection pixel of the first and second projection images, wherein the corresponding projection pixel corresponds to each of captured pixels of the first and second captured images; and a third step to identify a 3D shape of the target object based on a result of the second step.

Abstract: An object is captured in an image taken by the camera. An external shape of the object is recognized from the image. An internal shape of the object is recognized from the image. Parts information of the object is then determined, using a result of the recognition of the external shape and/or a result of recognition of the internal shape.

Abstract: Provided are a sheet position detection apparatus, a sheet conveyance apparatus, and an image formation apparatus. The sheet position detection apparatus has a first and a second conveyance roller which are arranged to oppose across a sheet to be conveyed and to nip the sheet, and a detector configured to detect an end position of the sheet, the detector has a light emitter and a light receptor arranged on the first conveyance roller side, the light emitter and the light receptor are arranged such that a light emitted from the light emitter is reflected on a reflective face of the second conveyance roller and enters the light receptor, and the detector detects passage of an end of the sheet based on a change in the amount of light entering the light receptor when the sheet shields a light emitted from the light emitter.

Abstract: Provided are a sheet position detection apparatus, a sheet conveyance apparatus, and an image formation apparatus. The sheet position detection apparatus has a first and a second conveyance roller which are arranged to oppose across a sheet to be conveyed and to nip the sheet, and a detector configured to detect an end position of the sheet, the detector has a light emitter and a light receptor arranged on the first conveyance roller side, the light emitter and the light receptor are arranged such that a light emitted from the light emitter is reflected on a reflective face of the second conveyance roller and enters the light receptor, and the detector detects passage of an end of the sheet based on a change in the amount of light entering the light receptor when the sheet shields a light emitted from the light emitter.

Abstract: A toner storing container stores toner and is provided attachable to and detachable from an image forming apparatus. The toner storing container includes: a container body that includes an opening, and an inner circumferential surface extending toward the opening around a center line extending in one direction; and a toner conveyer that is attached onto the inner circumferential surface of the container body. The toner conveyer projects inward from the inner circumferential surface as well as spirally extends in the one direction around the center line.

Abstract: A belt conveying apparatus includes: an endless belt member; a belt conveying roller that rotatably stretches the belt member; a pair of regulating members, disposed at both end parts of the belt conveying roller, that regulates movement of the belt member in a width direction thereof; a moving mechanism that moves at least one of the pair of regulating members in the width direction; and a supporting member that supports the belt member in an area extending in the width direction after the regulating member has moved.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a fixing belt with no ends configured to stretch rotatably; a heating unit configured to heat the fixing belt; a fixing member disposed outside the fixing belt and configured to be in contact with the fixing belt by pressurizing; a pressing member disposed inside the fixing belt and configured to press the fixing member with the fixing belt involved; and a lubricant supply unit configured to supply a lubricant to the inner periphery of the fixing belt so as to supply the lubricant between the pressing member and the fixing belt, wherein the lubricant supply unit is disposed inside the fixing belt, configured to hold the lubricant, and includes a holding unit provided with a lubricant ejection port having a longitudinal shape and extending along a width direction of the fixing belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing part that fixes an unfixed toner image transferred to a sheet of paper by a fixing member being heated, a duct having an inner opening facing the fixing member and an outer opening spaced apart from the fixing member, a fan capable of changing a flow direction of air inside the duct, a filter that collects particulates flowing inside the duct, and a hardware processor that controls the fan to rotate in a direction to draw air into the duct from the inner opening to collect the particulates from a vicinity of the fixing member, and that, at a timing at which to cool the fixing member, controls the fan to rotate in a direction to blow air inside the duct toward the fixing member from the inner opening.

Abstract: A toner storing container stores toner and is provided attachable to and detachable from an image forming apparatus. The toner storing container includes: a container body that includes an opening, and an inner circumferential surface extending toward the opening around a center line extending in one direction; and a toner conveyer that is attached onto the inner circumferential surface of the container body. The toner conveyer projects inward from the inner circumferential surface as well as spirally extends in the one direction around the center line.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a fixing belt with no ends configured to stretch rotatably; a heating unit configured to heat the fixing belt; a fixing member disposed outside the fixing belt and configured to be in contact with the fixing belt by pressurizing; a pressing member disposed inside the fixing belt and configured to press the fixing member with the fixing belt involved; and a lubricant supply unit configured to supply a lubricant to the inner periphery of the fixing belt so as to supply the lubricant between the pressing member and the fixing belt, wherein the lubricant supply unit is disposed inside the fixing belt, configured to hold the lubricant, and includes a holding unit provided with a lubricant ejection port having a longitudinal shape and extending along a width direction of the fixing belt.

Abstract: A sheet member supply device (40) of an image forming apparatus (1) includes a sheet member stacking plate (43) in which sheet members (S) are stacked on the upper surface, a pickup roller (51) which makes contact with, from above, the uppermost layer of the sheet members (S) stacked on the sheet member stacking plate (43), a stacking plate displacement mechanism (44) which displaces the sheet member stacking plate (43) upward, a motive power transmission mechanism (60) which transmits motive power obtained from a drive source (45) to the stacking plate displacement mechanism (44) and a paradox planetary gear mechanism (65) which is provided in the motive power transmission mechanism (60). In this way, with a simple configuration, it is possible to reduce the unintentional downward displacement of the stacking plate.

Abstract: A sheet member supply device (40) of an image forming apparatus (1) includes a sheet member stacking plate (43) in which sheet members (S) are stacked on the upper surface, a pickup roller (51) which makes contact with, from above, the uppermost layer of the sheet members (S) stacked on the sheet member stacking plate (43), a stacking plate displacement mechanism (44) which displaces the sheet member stacking plate (43) upward, a motive power transmission mechanism (60) which transmits motive power obtained from a drive source (45) to the stacking plate displacement mechanism (44) and a paradox planetary gear mechanism (65) which is provided in the motive power transmission mechanism (60). In this way, with a simple configuration, it is possible to reduce the unintentional downward displacement of the stacking plate.

Abstract: A tension roller which is brought into contact with an inner circumferential surface of an endless belt and is rotated and which can be moved to a first position where the belt is in a relaxed state and a second position where the belt is in a tensioned state, a butting member which butts against the belt, a force application unit which applies, to the butting member, a force acting in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the belt and a movement mechanism which moves the tension roller to the first position and the second position are provided. When the belt is rotated, the butting member is moved in the rotation direction of the belt by a friction force with the belt, and the movement mechanism moves the tension roller from the first position to the second position by the movement of the butting member in the rotation direction of the belt.

Abstract: A tension roller which is brought into contact with an inner circumferential surface of an endless belt and is rotated and which can be moved to a first position where the belt is in a relaxed state and a second position where the belt is in a tensioned state, a butting member which butts against the belt, a force application unit which applies, to the butting member, a force acting in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the belt and a movement mechanism which moves the tension roller to the first position and the second position are provided. When the belt is rotated, the butting member is moved in the rotation direction of the belt by a friction force with the belt, and the movement mechanism moves the tension roller from the first position to the second position by the movement of the butting member in the rotation direction of the belt.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a sensor section includes a sheet path through which the sheet passes in a sheet feeding direction. In the sensor section, a light source unit emits light to an irradiation area set in the sheet path. Here, the light is elongated in a main-scanning direction and has quantities of light varying according to positions in the main-scanning direction and according to positions in a height direction perpendicular to a sheet feed surface. In addition, in the sensor section, a light-receiving section receives light diffused in a predetermined diffusing direction among the light emitted from the light source and then irradiated to the sheet passing in the sheet path and outputs information representing quantities of the received light. In the image forming apparatus, a control section extracts a parameter from the information and derives an amount of curl of the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having: a rotating member adapted to support an image; a first drive source configured to generate a drive force; a transmission mechanism configured to transmit the generated drive force toward the rotating member, the mechanism including an upstream gear and a downstream gear configured to receive the drive force therefrom; a sensor configured to output a signal indicating a rotational status of the rotating member; a control circuit configured to generate a control signal appropriate for non-uniform rotation of the rotating member, on the basis of the signal outputted by the sensor; and an actuator configured to cause a rotation axis of the first drive source or the transmission mechanism to pivot, in accordance with the control signal, thereby changing a force with which the upstream gear pushes the downstream gear into rotation such that the non-uniform rotation is cancelled out.

Abstract: A color correcting system mountable in an image forming apparatus comprises an imaging unit configured to perform image formation and a control unit configured to acquire a control parameter for use in image formation by the imaging unit and a status parameter indicating a status at the time of image formation. If a value for a color in an image formed by the imaging unit does not exceed a first threshold, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of adhering toner amount, gloss, line width, and line position for the image formed by the imaging unit does not exceed a second threshold, the control unit is configured to determine a control parameter on the basis of the acquired control parameter and the acquired status parameter, such that at least a color difference decreases.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a sensor section which the printed sheets fed from an image forming section pass through or by in a first direction one by one, irradiates each of the passing printed sheets with light elongated in a second direction different, thereby sensing densities of the each of passing printed sheets, on a pixel basis. Further, a control section integrates densities of respectively corresponding line portions in respective non-image areas of sheets of the printed sheets, based on the densities obtained by the sensor section, each of the line portion extending substantially in the first direction and including pixels on substantially a same position in the second direction, thereby obtaining integrated density values, and predicts, based on the obtained integrated density values, that a noise will occur on a printed sheet to be made by the image forming section later on.

Abstract: A gloss measuring device that measures a gloss of an image formed on a sheet which is being transported, the gloss measuring device includes a light emission portion that emits light toward the sheet, a light reception portion that receives the light reflected specularly off the image formed on the sheet, and a position adjustment unit that performs adjustment such that the sheet being transported is in a measurement reference position.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating rotating body driven by a motor, a pressing member, a biasing unit, a switching unit that receives rotational power of the motor in order to either separate the pressing member and the heating rotating body or to allow the biasing unit to press the pressing member and the heating rotating body together, a power transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational power of the motor to the switching unit over a first path or a second path, the first path having a larger reduction ratio, and a transmission control unit that establishes and cuts off transmission of rotational power of the motor to the switching unit by the power transmission mechanism and that includes a path selection unit that selects the first path during separation and the second path during pressing by the switching unit.