Abstract: The invention provides an optical switch comprising a housing, an input optical fiber, a mirror substrate, an input pivoting mirror, an output optical fiber, a first optical splitter, and a first optical detector. The input optical fiber propagates a light beam and is secured to the housing. The mirror substrate is secured to the housing. The input pivoting mirror is located in a path of the light beam after leaving the input optical fiber. The input pivoting mirror is pivotally secured to the mirror substrate. Pivoting of the mirror relative to the mirror substrate alters an angle with which the light beam is reflected therefrom. The output optical fiber is secured to the housing and has an end through which the light beam enters after being reflected by the input pivoting mirror. The first optical splitter is located in a path of the light beam after leaving the input optical fiber. The first optical splitter splits the light beam into a first propagated portion and a first monitoring portion.

Abstract: An optical header for coupling a light source to an optical fiber is disclosed. The header preferably includes a ceramic substrate that has a recess for a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), or alternatively an edge emitting laser. An optical fiber is preferably attached to a ceramic substrate and terminates at a light source. The end of the fiber is preferably cleaved or polished to an angle such that light entering the fiber from the light source is substantially reflected into the fiber. A reflective coating is placed on the cleaved end of the fiber thereby permitting a small percentage of light to radiate away from the fiber and toward an intensity detector. The light preferably travels to the detector through a transmission medium such as a prism or an optical-grade epoxy. The header is particularly useful when used in conjunction with multiple fibers simultaneously to form an optical fiber array.

Abstract: An optical or optoelectroronic component is mounted to a substrate, and an optical thumbtack is inserted into a through-hole of the substrate. The optical thumbtack is positioned to receive light from or send light to the optical or optoelectronic component and provide a conditioned, for example collimated or focused, beam. The optical thumbtack comprises a lens portion, a spacer portion, and a foot portion. Light may enter the thumbtack from either direction.

Abstract: The optical component includes an array of array waveguides. The optical component also includes a first light distributing component configured to distribute a first light signal to the array waveguide. The first light signal is distributed such that a fraction of the first light signal enters each array waveguide as a light signal fraction. The optical component also includes a second light distribution component configured to received the light signal fractions from the array waveguides. The light signal fractions are received so they combine to from a second light signal with a periodic intensity distribution.

Abstract: A wavelength multiplexing bidirectional optical transmission module includes a transparent plate having first and second reflection surfaces opposing each other, a diffraction grating formed on a part of one of the first and second reflection surfaces and photoelectric transfer elements. The diffraction grating receives a wavelength-multiplexed optical signal composed of at least two light beams of proximate wavelength bands and produces diffracted light beams one for each wavelength at different angles. The photoelectric transfer elements receive the diffracted light beams, respectively, that have been reflected and propagated between the first and second reflection surfaces.

Abstract: An optical echelle grating for use with a switching fabric to provide different wavelength switching assemblies such as an optical cross connect. The single grating receives a plurality of multiplexed input optical signals and provides optical signals corresponding to the individual wavelength channels to a switching fabric. The switching fabric routes the signals corresponding to the wavelength channels appropriately and the signals then propagate to the grating once more and are wavelength multiplexed.

Abstract: Techniques for bonding aligned optical parts to a substrate are disclosed. According to one embodiment, one or more wedges are used to fill in gaps between aligned optical parts and a substrate. Using an appropriate material, the wedges are respectively slid in till respective contacts between the aligned optical parts and the wedges are established, a small amount of a bonding agent is then only applied to the respect contacts. As a result, the shrinkage that may be caused by the bonding agent to destabilize the aligned optical parts is minimized and the alignments among the optical parts are preserved and can sustain under very high environmental stresses.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon having a predetermined separation sequence including a first subunit having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a generally planar configuration being connected by a first primary matrix. The first subunit being a portion of a first ribbon-unit. A second subunit having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a generally planar configuration being connected by a second primary matrix. The second subunit being a portion of a second ribbon-unit that includes a plurality of subunits. A secondary matrix connects the first ribbon-unit and the second ribbon-unit. The secondary matrix has a preferential tear portion disposed adjacent to a ribbon-unit interface defined between the first ribbon-unit and the second ribbon-unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for aligning and maintaining the alignment of the transmitting unit and the receiving unit in an optical wireless communication system. The receiving unit includes an optical bundle positioned at the focal point of an objective optic element. The optical bundle is comprised of an array of optical fibers, arranged surrounding the receiving fiber. The receiving unit also includes a number of detectors that measure the optical signal strength on a corresponding fiber in the optical bundle. The array of fibers is used to detect the location of the received signal relative to the receiving optical fiber and to provide feedback to adjust the orientation of the optical bundle to optimize the received signal strength. When misalignment occurs between the received signal and the receiving fiber, some of the incident received signal will be captured by one or more of the outer optical fibers.

Abstract: A light fiber comprising (a) a tubular clad having a predetermined length and (b) a solid core formed by reacting a filler material with which the clad is filled, the clad and the core being closely contacted with each other by shrinkage of the clad, characterized in that: the clad is expandable under pressure, shrinkage of the clad is initiated before the completion of the reaction of the filler material and is carried out in conformity with volume reduction of the core, which accompanies the reaction of the filler material, and the number of air gap between the clad and the core, which is measured per length of 10 m, is 3 or less.

Abstract: Glasses in the Ca—Al—Si system are useful in forming optical components for use in telecommunication systems. The glasses include, in mole percent: SiO2 present in an amount of about 6 to about 60 percent, Ga2O3, Al2O3, or a combination thereof present in an amount of about 12 to about 31 percent, and CaO present in an amount of about 20 to about 65 percent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical fibers and especially to optical fibers having microstructures in core and/or cladding region(s). The fibers may be utilized for dispersion compensation and non-linear applications.

Abstract: An optical waveguide capable of having various characteristics and a method of manufacture thereof as well as a method of manufacturing a crystal film are provided. An optical functional material KTaxNb1-xO3 is used as an optical waveguide. The input optical signal is transmitted to the KTaxNb1-xO3 film. The KTaxNb1-xO3 film undergoes changes in optical property when an external voltage signal is applied to the electrode. Therefore, as it passes through the KTaxNb1-xO3 film, the input optical signal is modulated by the characteristic change. The modulated optical signal is taken out as an output optical signal.

Abstract: A fiber optic splitter tray system with a tray framework with a front end, a rear end, a first side and a second side; a plurality of fiber optic splitters mounted generally transverse to the tray framework, toward the rear end of the tray framework; a plurality of fiber optic adapters mounted generally longitudinally to the framework, the adapters being recessed from the front end of the framework such that fiber optic cables operatively attached to the adapters may be housed within the front end while maintaining a predetermined minimum bend radius in the cables. This may further include a front cable guard movably attached to the tray framework proximate the front end such that the guard is movable vertically downward from a guarding position to a downward position when the tray framework is in an outward position, and further wherein the guard is slidable rearward from the downward position to a downward retracted position.

Abstract: An outdoor cabinet interconnects an optical fiber of a feeder cable with at least two optical fibers of a distribution cable at a local convergence point in an optical network. The cabinet defines an interior compartment comprising a feeder cable side having a feeder cable entry port and a feeder cable slack storage area, a distribution cable side having a distribution cable entry port and a distribution cable slack storage area, at least one splice tray and at least one coupler module. A feeder pigtail is routed from the splice tray and connected to an adapter provided on the coupler module. At least two distribution pigtails are routed from the splice tray and connected to adapters provided on the coupler module. The coupler module splits an optical signal carried on the optical fiber of the feeder cable into optical signals carried on the optical fibers of the distribution cable.

Abstract: An optical variable attenuator is provided including polarizers for extracting a predetermined polarized wave component from an input optical signal, an array of Faraday rotators formed of a ferromagnetic material and arranged in series for rotating the plane of polarization of the input signal, electromagnetic coils for supplying magnetic fields to the Faraday rotators, and current supply control circuits for setting the polarization-rotating angle of the array by controlling the intensity of the magnetic fields supplied to the Faraday rotators. The polarization-rotation angle of the array can be finely adjusted and maintained, even when the magnetic fields are not continuously supplied to the Faraday rotators.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device comprising an emitting source and a partly-reflective element which is adapted for receiving an emitted light beam. This element is tilted in a small angle with respect to the emitted light beam. A portion of the emitted light beam is reflected by the partly-reflective element towards a transmittive element which is arranged in close proximity to the emitting source and adapted to receive and transmit the reflect portion. The transmittive element is arranged for at least partly fixing or positioning an optical fiber, which is emitting the input light beam, and provided for transmitting the laterally offset reflected portion of the input light beam away from the input fiber.

Abstract: A continuous stream of formatted digital data, such as a video segment, audio segment, or information stream, appears to be a fixed length segment under certain circumstances, defining a virtual segment within the continuous stream which moves forward in time in synchrony with the continuous stream. The virtual segment thus defined can be explored in a non-linear fashion at arbitrary playback rates. For instance, concepts such as rewind, pause, frame advance, and fast forward become meaningful even though the continuous stream never ceases.

Abstract: A reproduction method and a reproduction apparatus store past coded data streams previous to a frame displayed at present, or past decoded image data, to use the stored data in displaying past images, thereby considerably reducing a time for displaying the past images. The reproduction apparatus has a reproduction circuit for reproducing a coded data stream which is obtained by reading out a video signal by a reproduction head, a first memory for temporarily storing the coded data stream, a decoder circuits for decoding the coded data stream read out from the first memory, a second memory for temporarily storing decoded image data from the decoder circuits, an output circuits for outputting the decoded image data from the second memory or the decoder circuits as a video signal, and a third memory for storing past data, the third memory being provided at an output of the first memory.

Abstract: Electronic Guide products give the user the ability to videotape selected programs. Once a program has successfully been taped a message is displayed, reminding the viewer that they have taped it. (E.g. “You taped Xxxxx; have you watched it yet?”) Information comprising information that shows are taped, the particular shows taped and viewer profiles allow advertisements targeted to the viewer who typically records a given type of programming to be presented. In an embodiment the display of the reminders is made conditional upon acceptance of advertising (for example, based on a piece of data transmitted along with other data related to that show), and can be sold to the broadcasters who transmitted the show. This information is marketed as a peculiarly well-targeted ad for the show, causing it to continue to produce value for the broadcaster after the broadcast is complete.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recording digital data transport stream units such as application packets in sectors of a disk type recording medium such as a digital versatile disk and create and record management information for the recorded transport stream units. In case that a single transport stream unit is divided and then recorded across two sectors, header information of the preceding sector including management information which is created corresponding to each transport stream unit is generated, and the size of the header information and transport stream units to be recorded in the preceding sector is compared with the size of a sector. If the size difference is 1 byte, an invalid header data distinguishable from normal application header extension information is inserted to maintain the correspondence between each transport stream unit to be recorded in the preceding sector and its management information.

Abstract: The present invention suitably provides a method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a liquid vaporizer heating element, and thereby the rate of evaporation and level of fragrance delivery from the same. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device may include a switch that suitably allows the temperature of various types of heating elements to be controlled for different levels of fragrance output. For example, an exemplary embodiment may include a two-pronged plug adaptable to typical outlets that might be found in residential homes or businesses. In accordance With another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electrical switch generally provides varying resistance values to the electric circuitry of the vaporizer such that, by changing the switch setting, the operating temperature of the wick is controlled and thus the rate of fragrance evaporation from the vaporizer.

Abstract: A flexible heat traced pipe is uniquely pre-fabricated to expedite the installation and repair process. The flexible heat traced pipe includes an inner structure, an outer structure, a heat trace, and a connector which are all cured into a unitary fluid carrying device. The flexible heat traced pipe includes a flexible rubber header.

Abstract: A water heating device is arranged between a water tank and a water faucet located below the water tank. Water from the water tank flows along a pipeline through the water heating device to the faucet. The water heating device includes a hydroelectric generation system including a turbine mounted in the pipeline and a generator coupled to the turbine by a shaft. Water flowing through the pipeline drives the turbine and thus causes the generator to generate electricity. The electricity is supplied to an electrical heater that heats the water flowing through the pipeline. A control unit controls the electricity supplied to the electrical heater thereby controlling the thermal energy transferred to the water. Thus, no external and independent energy source is required for heating the water.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is provided with a stop blade that is switched over between a small aperture position and a large aperture position depending upon a subject brightness measured through a photometric circuit that is activated when a shutter button is pressed. The film unit has an f-number of not more than f/8.0 when the stop blade is in the large aperture position, or an f-number of not less than f/14 when the stop blade is in the small aperture position. The film unit is also provided with a flash light control circuit in connection to a flash device. The flash light control circuit measures a light amount reflected from a subject while a flash light is projected from the flash device toward the subject, to stop the flash device from projecting the flash light when the measured light amount reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: In a camera a pickup element images an object image. An A/D converter A/D converts an output of the pickup element. A processing section includes a night scene judging section for judging whether or not the scene to be photographed is the night scene on the basis of a digital image signal output from the A/D converter. In a distance measuring apparatus of the camera. An area sensor is used for an auto-focus. A first judging section judges that the scene to be photographed is a night scene on the basis of an output of the area sensor. In the case where the first judging section judges that the photography scene is not the night scene, a second judging section judges whether or not the scene to be photographed is the reverse light scene. A main object specifying section specifies the main object in the case where either the first judging section or the second judging section judges the scene to be photographed is either the night scene or the reverse light scene.

Abstract: An electronic shutter for a camera includes a first driving force generating mechanism for generating driving force for moving a lens barrel in a direction of an optical axis, a lens barrel moving mechanism for moving the lens barrel by use of driving force from the first driving force generating mechanism, an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a focus adjusting to an initial position when electric power is applied or a shutter release operation is applied, a second driving force generating mechanism for generating driving force for driving three sectors, a sector opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the sectors by use of driving force from the second driving force generating mechanism, and an exposure position detecting mechanism for detecting an exposure position by cooperating with the sector opening/closing mechanism.

Abstract: A method generates a textured range image by first acquiring a first image of a scene illuminated with ambient light, and acquiring a second image of the scene illuminated with direct light. The first and second images are combined to determine the textured range image.

Abstract: A telescopic firearm scope/sight which is fully integrated with a compact digital camera, and which has size, shape and weight characteristics that are substantially the same as those of a conventional, camera-less telescopic scope, is used to photograph a target proximate the instant at which the target is fired upon. To configure the weapon for photography and firing, the scope is simply placed on the firearm in the same manner as a conventional scope, and the firearm is then fired in the conventional manner. Photographs are recorded, alternatively, in response to the sound of, or the recoil from, the firearm firing. An alternative embodiment eliminates the telescopic sight, but maintains all of the digital photography components, and is particularly useful for smaller-scale firearms such as pistols.

Abstract: An optical wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) network has at least one transit node, where a majority of received channels are destined for a remote node, and at least one hub node, where a majority of received channels are switched to a local destination. The network follows a channel-level protection scheme, and at least one of the nodes has a cross-connect switch of a tandem design with a wavelength switch portion optically positioned in a feedback path of a space switch portion. Alternatively, the transit node has a tandem switch design, where the space switch interfaces with the network fibers, and the hub node has at least a wavelength switch that interfaces with the network fibers. The capacities of the respective wavelength and space switch portions of the tandem cross-connect are configured according to the expected ratio of local traffic to passthrough traffic.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates optical switching. The system starts by receiving a plurality of optical input signals. The system then divides each of the plurality of optical input signals into a plurality of wavebands that can be carried on a single optical fiber, wherein each waveband includes a predetermined subset of the wavelengths in the optical signal. Once the optical input signals have been divided into wavebands, the wavebands are then routed through a waveband switch. After being routed through the waveband switch, the wavebands are combined to form a plurality of optical output signals, where each optical output signal can possible include wavebands from different optical input signals. Additionally, some of the wavebands can be divided into wavelengths, and the wavelengths can be routed through a wavelength switch or a traffic grooming switch.

Abstract: A method and system for channel-by-channel dispersion compensation mitigate inter-channel interference. Inter-channel cross-talk is reduced by introducing a walk-off between the transmission channels after each amplified transmission span. A compensator assemblage comprises a first compensator that is an ODC dispersion compensator and a second compensator that is a channel-by-channel dispersion compensator. While the dispersion introduced into each channel by the first compensator is annihilated by the second compensator, the walk-off between the channels, introduced by the first compensator remains. As a result, the effects of non-linear inter-channel interference are mitigated.

Abstract: An optical component array that has essentially equal path loss for each channel routed through a switching node in a re-insertion configuration and the bypass channels. An array input carrying a plurality of optical channels is coupled to a first node input. Consistent, low transmission loss through a switching node is achieved by a single fiber-beam-fiber transition. The low transmission loss is summed with other array losses to be within 3 dB of the insertion loss of a bypass path. In a particular configuration, a routing array with three switching nodes is loss-balanced to the bypass path. In another embodiment, a multi-channel filter stub in the bypass path improves residual signal suppression when a node is switched to an add/drop configuration.

Abstract: Method and system for selectively adding and dropping selected wavelength components &lgr;=&lgr;k1 and &lgr;=&lgr;k2 (1≦k1≦k2≦K) in a light signal having a sequence of wavelengths &lgr;k (k=1, 2, . . . , K), using a dual fiber collimator at each end of an OADM device that contains an optical filter that transmits a selected wavelength &lgr;k1 and reflects the other wavelengths &lgr;k. Connecting two optical communication terminals in a network allows addition and dropping of a selected wavelength. Estimated total optical insertion losses, between the common port and the express port, for 2×2 and 3×3 add/drop combinations are 0.4 dB and 0.8 dB, respectively.

Abstract: A spacecraft data acquisition system comprises a telemetry and command controller, a payload unit, and a bi-directional interface that couples the telemetry and command controller to the payload unit. The interface is a single bi-directional interface that is used to reduce the complexity of the spacecraft. The transmission of information over the interface has a predetermined protocol so that the telemetry and command controller and payload unit may effectively use the single interface.

Abstract: The utilization efficiency of light is to be enhanced. Optical signals are brought to incidence on incidence/emission portions provided on the end face of a light transmitting medium where a reflective optical diffusion layer is arranged. The incident optical signals, upon reaching the reflective optical diffusion layer, are diffusively reflected in both vertical and lateral directions. Of the diffused light, not only the part of it coming directly incident on each of the plural incidence/emission portions formed on the end face of the light transmitting medium but also the rest propagates while being reflected by sides of the light transmitting medium and is emitted from the plural incidence/emission portions.

Abstract: An optical transmission system designed for gigabit pulse rates and Raman pumping in which there is essentially no pre-dispersion compensation and the in-line dispersion compensation at the start of each span is overcompensation of between 110 and 120 of the compensation needed to neutralize the dispersion of its immediately preceding span.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength light source apparatus includes a tunable light source, optical intensity modulator, optical coupler, annular optical delay circuit, and optical gate device. The tunable light source successively changes and outputs a plurality of output lights different in wavelength from one another. The optical intensity modulator outputs a modulated signal light obtained by modulating an amplitude of the output light outputted from the tunable light source over a predetermined time. The optical coupler is optically connected to the optical intensity modulator, and receives the light outputted from the optical intensity modulator. The annular optical delay circuit is optically connected to the optical coupler, and delays a part of the output light outputted from the optical intensity modulator over a time longer than the predetermined time.

Abstract: A printing system is described. The printing system includes a printer capable of utilizing print material contained by a cartridge. The printer is capable of detecting when the level of the print material is at a different one of a plurality of pre-determined levels. The printer is also capable of counting pixels. The printer can periodically estimate the remaining life of the cartridge using a reference print material level and the change in pixel count since the print material was at the reference material level.

Abstract: A use status detecting mechanism includes a cover having an edge portion, in a portion of which a notch is formed, a moving member having a rod member, a spring portion, protrusions and grooves, and a shaft having a driving gear and ribs. In the unused state of a developing unit, the rod member is maintained to be exposed by the contact of the protrusions with the edge portion from the outside. When the developing unit is started to be used and rotation is transmitted to the driving gear, the moving member is rotated by the engagement of the ribs and the grooves, and the moving member is moved to the shaft side by the elastic force of the spring portion when the protrusions are opposed to the notches. Thus, the rod member is retreated from the exposed position.

Abstract: Artificial toner consumption is triggered to minimize the incidence of “conditioned” toner when a comparison of the rate of toner consumption to the mechanical activity of the electrophotographic printing device indicates that the toner consumption rate is too low. The artificial toner consumption operation may be achieved through a dummy print operation where an intentionally un-printed image is formed on a photoconductive drum, but the corresponding toner is routed to appropriate waste toner reservoir(s) and the image is not printed on the recording medium. The dummy print toner may be cleaned from the photoconductive drum without being transferred to an intermediate transfer medium and/or may be cleaned from the intermediate transfer medium, both without transferring the toner to the recording medium. The dummy print operation may correspond to a next normally occurring interdocument gap or a dedicated dummy print period inserted between print jobs.

Abstract: A transfer bias applying power supply 81 applies a transfer bias current of a fixed amount to a transfer roller 31 by executing a constant current control operation. A voltmeter 78 measures the amount of voltage generated by the transfer roller 31. The generated voltage amount indicates the resistance of the transfer roller 31. A sheet type detecting program is executed to detect the size and thickness of a sheet 3. An amount of transfer bias current is selected dependently on: the detected size and thickness of the sheet 3; and the measured generated voltage amount. The transfer bias applying power supply 81 is controlled to apply the transfer roller 31 with the transfer bias current of the selected amount.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to calibrate a xerographic print engine toner concentration sensor to accurately control the toner concentration to a specified operating target. At least two control patches are imaged onto a photoreceptor. Each patch has a different voltage level where the voltage levels are the difference between the exposure discharge voltage and the developmental roll voltage. The relative reflectivity of each patches is obtained. The latent patches are repeatedly developed at different toner concentrations. The reflectivities of the patches formed at the same toner concentration are combined to obtain a combined reflectivity for that toner concentration. As a result, a toner concentration curve is obtained that has an improved response relative to the toner concentration curves that correspond to each of the individual voltage levels.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus employing a two-component developing system, there are provided print-sheet number counting means; developing-device drive time integrating means for integrating time during which a developing device drives; and a toner replenishing motor drive time integrated drive time integrating means for integrating time during which a toner replenishing motor drives. Integrated drive time of the developing device and integrated drive time of the motor toner replenishing motor every fixed printed-sheet number, and the toner consuming quantity per drive time of the developing device is calculated from the extracted data. The toner charge quantity in a developer is predicted on the basis of the calculated data, and a developing bias voltage applied to the developing device is changed to thereby revised an image density.

Abstract: A potential difference between a surface potential of a photo sensor and a surface potential of an intermediate transfer belt is set such that a discharging occurs at an image section and no discharging occurs at a non-image section. Once a discharging has occurred at the non-image section on the photo sensor, the potential of the non-image section of the photo sensor is attenuated. Further, the polarity of the toner that slightly remains on the photo sensor at a developing time is inverted by the discharging.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can reduce a system return time by reducing a time required for initialization of peripheral control integrated circuits according to a control program and achieves a low-power consumption so as to improve convenience for a user. A CPU performs a control of the image forming apparatus. A control bus for address and data is controlled by the CPU. A memory is connected to the control bus and is configured to store a control program of the CPU. A reset IC initializes the CPU when a power is turned on. A peripheral control ASIC controls each part of the image forming apparatus in accordance with an instruction of the CPU. An exclusive control bus is connected to the peripheral control ASIC. An operation of the exclusive control bus is started according to an input from the reset IC so as to perform an initializing process of the peripheral control ASIC.

Abstract: For performing double-side printing, an image forming apparatus forms an image on one side of a sheet and then reverses the sheet if the sheet has not been reversed, forms an image on the other side of the sheet and then reverses the sheet if the sheet has been reversed once, and performs idle conveyance in which an image is not formed on a sheet and then discharges the sheet if the sheet has been reversed twice. According to the image forming apparatus and a method of forming an image by this apparatus, procedures of image formation by a user can be prevented from becoming troublesome and the sheets can be discharged in order of the originals.

Abstract: A switch of the present invention is featured as one employing: a contact to make and break an electrical circuit, and an electromagnet, both of which are installed in a case, and a handle to make and break the contact by operation from outside of the case, wherein a permanent magnet is installed with one of its poles facing the electromagnet inside of the handle, and wherein the direction of the current passing through the electromagnet is changed so that the permanent magnets are attracted to or released from the electromagnet, and thereby the contact is opened or closed.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a cooling device that efficiently cools an inside of a main body of the image forming apparatus, the cooling device has an airflow path in which air taken in the main body of the image forming apparatus flows through a drum-shaped image carrier from a first end side of the image carrier, flows through the image carrier, and is discharged from a second end side of the image carrier, then makes a U-turn on the second end side of the image carrier, and flows through space between a toner storing device and a fixing device, and returns to a position on the first end side of the image carrier in the main body of the image forming apparatus. A fan may be provided at a position where the air makes a U-turn in the airflow path.

Abstract: A side seal is doubly provided to prevent toner from leaking outside each end of a housing that accommodates a developing roller in position, with respect to an axial direction of the developing roller. The side seal comprises an inner seal and an outer seal with a specified distance from each other. If toner leaks outside the inner seal, the toner enters a space between the inner seal and the outer seal, so that the toner can be reliably sealed between the developing roller and the outer seal.