Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a processor that: receives, from a user terminal, a request for first update regarding a first vehicle, notifies the user terminal that the first update is to be performed at a shop, when the first update is update of hardware, and notifies the user terminal that the first update is to be performed through wireless communication, when the first update is update of software.

Abstract: A powder conveying device includes a drop conveyance passage, an intersecting conveyance passage, a conveying screw, and a floating member. Powder entering from an inflow port drops in the drop conveyance passage. The intersecting conveyance passage communicates with a lower end of the drop conveyance passage and extends in an intersecting direction that intersects the drop conveyance passage. The conveying screw is disposed in the intersecting conveyance passage and rotates in a specified direction to convey the powder in the intersecting direction. The floating member is movably installed in the drop conveyance passage and floats in the drop conveyance passage to move by contact with the conveying screw. The inflow port and the floating member interfere with each other to prevent the floating member from coming out of the inflow port of the drop conveyance passage.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer; a nip forming member configured to form a transfer nip between the image bearer and the nip forming member; a nip pressure changer configured to change a nip pressure of the transfer nip; a transfer bias applier configured to apply, to the transfer nip, a transfer bias in which an AC component is superimposed on a DC component; and a DC component adjuster configured to adjust the DC component in the transfer bias, according to the nip pressure that is changed by the nip pressure changer.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer roller and a transfer counter roller. The transfer roller has an elastic layer, contacts with and separates from an image bearer including a belt-shaped elastic body, and nips a recording medium with the image bearer. The transfer counter roller has an elastic layer, is disposed facing the transfer roller, and nips the image bearer with the transfer roller. The transfer counter roller or the transfer roller is applied with a bias to transfer the toner image. Each of the elastic layers of the transfer roller and the transfer counter roller has an Asker C hardness of 75 or less. A difference in thickness between the elastic layers of the transfer roller and the transfer counter roller is ±3% or less.

Abstract: A biasing force adjusting device includes a roller, a roller holder, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The roller faces a mover. The roller holder holds the roller and is displaceable with respect to the mover. The first biasing member applies a first biasing force to the roller holder to press the roller against the mover. The second biasing member applies a second biasing force greater than the first biasing force to the roller holder to press the roller against the mover.

Abstract: A cleaning device cleans a discharge wire that discharges electric charge onto a discharge target. The cleaning device moves in a longitudinal direction oldie discharge wire. The cleaning device includes a first contact portion that contacts and cleans the discharge wire and a second contact portion that contacts and cleans the discharge wire. When the first contact portion and the second contact portion clean the discharge wire, the first contact portion and the second contact portion sandwich the discharge wire in a discharge direction in which the discharge wire discharges the electric charge onto the discharge target. The discharge direction is parallel to a radial direction of the discharge wire.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer; a nip forming member configured to form a transfer nip between the image bearer and the nip forming member; a nip pressure changer configured to change a nip pressure of the transfer nip; a transfer bias applier configured to apply, to the transfer nip, a transfer bias in which an AC component is superimposed on a DC component; and a DC component adjuster configured to adjust the DC component in the transfer bias, according to the nip pressure that is changed by the nip pressure changer.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearer, a developer regulator, a developer supply passage, and a stopper. The developer bearer includes a magnetic field generator and is configured to bear a developer containing toner and magnetic carriers and conveys the developer to a developing area by rotation. A stopper prevents the developer blocked by the developer regulator from moving to a surface of the developer bearer, while securing a supply path for passing the developer in the developer supply passage to the developer bearer between the stopper and an upper end of a side wall of the developer supply passage that is opposite to the developing bearer. A width of the supply path in a direction perpendicular to a direction of a rotation axis of the developer bearer is in a range of 7%-10% of a circumference of an outer diameter of the developing bearer.

Abstract: A cleaning device cleans a discharge wire that discharges electric charge onto a discharge target. The cleaning device moves in a longitudinal direction oldie discharge wire. The cleaning device includes a first contact portion that contacts and cleans the discharge wire and a second contact portion that contacts and cleans the discharge wire. When the first contact portion and the second contact portion clean the discharge wire, the first contact portion and the second contact portion sandwich the discharge wire in a discharge direction in which the discharge wire discharges the electric charge onto the discharge target. The discharge direction is parallel to a radial direction of the discharge wire.

Abstract: A developer conveyance device includes a downward conveyance path in which a developer falls under gravity, a transverse conveyance path communicating with a lower end of the downward conveyance path and extending in a transverse direction intersecting with the downward conveyance path, a transport screw disposed in the transverse conveyance path, and a floating member. The transport screw is configured to rotate in a predetermined direction to transport the developer in the transverse direction. The floating member is configured to contact the transport screw rotating in the predetermined direction to float in the downward conveyance path.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearer, a developer regulator, a developer supply passage, and a stopper. The developer bearer includes a magnetic field generator and is configured to bear a developer containing toner and magnetic carriers and conveys the developer to a developing area by rotation. A stopper is configured to prevent the developer blocked by the developer regulator from moving to a surface of the developer bearer, while securing a supply path for passing the developer in the developer supply passage to the developer bearer between the stopper and an upper end of a side wall of the developer supply passage that is opposite to the developing bearer. A width of the supply path in a direction perpendicular to a direction of a rotation axis of the developer bearer is in a range of 7% or more and less than 10% of a circumference of an outer diameter of the developing bearer.

Abstract: A developer conveyance device includes a downward conveyance path in which a developer falls under gravity, a transverse conveyance path communicating with a lower end of the downward conveyance path and extending in a transverse direction intersecting with the downward conveyance path, a transport screw disposed in the transverse conveyance path, and a floating member. The transport screw is configured to rotate in a predetermined direction to transport the developer in the transverse direction. The floating member is configured to contact the transport screw rotating in the predetermined direction to float in the downward conveyance path.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a brush roller configured to contact an image bearer while rotating to remove toner adhering to an image bearer, a bias applying device configured to apply a bias to the brush roller, and control circuitry configured to causes the bias applying device to apply a first bias in a first period from when the brush roller is new to when a cumulative travel distance or a cumulative rotation time of the brush roller reaches a predetermined value, and to apply a second bias in a second period after the first period. The first bias sends a first current through the brush roller, and the second bias sends a second current through the brush roller. The absolute value of the first current is smaller than the absolute value of the second current.

Abstract: A method for producing a fermented beverage, characterized in that the method includes adding a hop processed product to a raw material liquid from the tightly closed vessel, the hop processed product being prepared by treating a hop-containing water under conditions of a temperature of 100° C. or higher and 130° C. or lower, and preferably 105° C. or higher and 125° C. or lower, and a pressure of 0.01 MPa or more and 0.36 MPa or less in a tightly closed vessel; and adding an yeast to allow fermentation. According to the present invention, the bitterness ingredients and the aroma ingredients can be more conveniently extracted from the hops, so that a new taste can be provided as a luxury product.

Abstract: A toner conveyance device includes a downward passage, a reciprocating member disposed in the downward passage, to move in a vertical direction in which the downward passage extends, a conveyance passage communicating with a lower end of the downward passage and extending in a direction crossing the vertical direction, a conveyor to rotate in the conveyance passage around an axis extending along the conveyance passage to transport the toner, and a flexible member projecting from a bottom of the reciprocating member toward the conveyance passage. The flexible member extends in the axial direction of the conveyor and moves together with the reciprocating member. When the reciprocating member is at a lowest position, a lower end of the flexible member opposes a portion of the conveyor downstream from an upper end thereof in a rotation direction thereof.

Abstract: A device disposed opposing an image bearer includes a roller to rotate while contacting a surface of the image bearer, a rolling bearing fitted around a shaft located at an end of the roller in an axial direction of the roller, a frame to house the roller, and a bearing support removably attached to the frame. The rolling bearing includes an outer ring, an inner ring, and a rolling element disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring. The bearing support holds, from an outer-ring side, the rolling bearing interposed between the bearing support and the frame. The bearing support includes a receiving portion to contact the outer ring of the rolling bearing and bias the rolling bearing toward the frame in a direction in which the rolling bearing is interposed between the bearing support and the frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer to bear a toner image, a lubricant supply roller to supply lubricant to a surface of the image bearer, a rotation speed changer to change a rotation speed of the lubricant supply roller, and a controller to control the rotation speed changer to change the rotation speed of the lubricant supply roller to a target speed based on a predetermined condition. The controller is configured to control the rotation speed changer to avoid a predetermined speed range.

Abstract: A method for producing a saccharified mash comprising drawing out a part of a mash to be saccharified into a tank, heating the part, and returning the part and mixing with the remainder part, characterized in that the method comprises heating the drawn-out mash to be saccharified in a copper tube. A beer using a saccharified mash obtained by the production method of the present invention allows to control the generation of factors that would be regarded as negative in sensory aspect such as “burnt taste,” and shows overall excellent flavor such as being excellent in body, aroma and taste, so that a new taste can be provided as a luxurious product.

Abstract: A toner conveyance device includes a downward passage, a reciprocating member disposed in the downward passage, to move in a vertical direction in which the downward passage extends, a conveyance passage communicating with a lower end of the downward passage and extending in a direction crossing the vertical direction, a conveyor to rotate in the conveyance passage around an axis extending along the conveyance passage to transport the toner, and a flexible member projecting from a bottom of the reciprocating member toward the conveyance passage. The flexible member extends in the axial direction of the conveyor and moves together with the reciprocating member. When the reciprocating member is at a lowest position, a lower end of the flexible member opposes a portion of the conveyor downstream from an upper end thereof in a rotation direction thereof.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge that includes an image bearer including a rotary shaft and rotates about the rotary shaft; a charger to charge a surface of the image bearer; and a developing device to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearer into a visible toner image. The charger includes a charging roller that rotates about a shaft together with the image bearer during image formation and electrically charges a surface of the image bearer. A surface linear speed of the charging roller is made slower than a surface linear speed of the image bearer. The image forming apparatus includes a charging roller controller that switches the rotational speed of the charging roller to a first rotational speed slower than the linear speed of the image bearer and a second rotational speed identical to the linear speed of the image bearer.