Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include systems and methods to operate an image forming apparatus including at least one or more images of an image reproduction job to be performed using the image forming apparatus and an image reproduction device having a useful life consumed by the image forming apparatus in performing the jobs. Exemplary embodiments include determining image information regarding one or more images for at least one image reproduction job; determining, for the image reproduction device, a remaining useful life of the image reproduction device; determining, for at least one job, and based on the remaining useful life of the image reproduction device, if that job can be performed based on the remaining useful life; generating, an alert notification if that job can not be completed in view of the remaining useful life; and conveying the alert notification to a user, wherein the image information includes fuser use information for reproducing the images.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms an image having proper density regardless of changes in a charged amount of developer per unit mass is provided. When image data is received in a laser printer, a main motor is driven to rotate a photosensitive drum, etc., and charging bias is applied to a charger to charge the photosensitive drum. Then, paper is fed. Predetermined current detection developing bias is applied to a developing roller for a predetermined period of time. A current value of a developing current during the application is detected. Developing bias applied to the developing roller is calculated so as to keep constant density in the printed image. Particularly, a charged amount of toner per unit mass (Q/M) is calculated from the detected current value. Based on the Q/M, the developing bias is calculated. A print process is performed by applying the developing bias to the developing roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image carrying member, a transfer member, support rollers, a detecting mechanism, and a controller. The image carrying member forms a toner image on its surface facing a surface of the transfer member, supported by the support rollers, which transfers the toner image to a recording medium. The detecting mechanism includes a detection roller, a roller shaft, a moving member, and a sensor, and detects a speed of the transfer member. The detection roller includes one support roller selected from the support rollers, and is provided with the roller shaft. The moving member is directly fixed to the roller shaft and rotates with the detection roller. The sensor detects a moving speed of the detection roller with the moving member. The controller controls a traveling speed of the transfer member to a target speed based on a detection result of the sensor.

Abstract: To prevent jamming with small-sized print materials without disturbing an image located at a trailing end of a print material, an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum that carries a toner image, a transfer device which can apply a transfer bias to the transfer roller to transfer the toner image to a print material passing through the transfer nip portion, and a control device for controlling a transfer bias set value set in order to apply a predetermined transfer bias to the transfer roller. The control device switches a first transfer bias set value to a second bias set value smaller than the first transfer bias set value while the print material is passing through the transfer nip portion, in order to change the transfer bias applied to the transfer roller.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus which can implement on-demand fusing with quick rise in temperature by using the upper current (power) limit of a commercial power supply more effectively. This image forming apparatus includes a rechargeable battery device capable of charging and discharging, and is designed such that a driven load other than a heating element of a fusing device can receive power a commercial power supply and/or the rechargeable battery device. When printing is to be executed, the commercial power supply and rechargeable battery device are controlled as power supply sources for the driven load. The power supplied from the commercial power supply to the fusing device is then limited to a limit level corresponding to the control result.

Abstract: An image generating apparatus is provided which can maximize the throughput without causing thermal damage of the fusing components. It determines a sub-thermistor temperature threshold value for switching small size paper feed intervals in response to a sub-thermistor initial temperature. It supplies a heating body with current for heating, and starts feeding recording mediums at the feed interval determined by a feed interval initial value. It makes a successively conveyed paper count. Every time the successively conveyed paper count reaches a paper count threshold value, it performs the switching control of the sub-thermistor temperature threshold value. If the sub-thermistor temperature exceeds the threshold value while the recording medium is passing through the fusing apparatus, it carries out the switching control of the feed intervals. In another mode, it prevents the extension of the paper feed interval of the paper conveyance during a specified paper count ?.

Abstract: An additional image is formed on a recording medium by filling a predetermined area including a punched portion or a stapled portion, in addition to an image which is to be formed originally, such as a text document. The additional image is formed with white developer or transparent developer. Since the thickness of the recording medium is increased by the white developer or transparent developer forming the additional image portion, the region around the punched portion or the stapled portion is reinforced and the recording medium is kept from being broken easily. When the image and the additional image are superposed, the superposition of the image and the additional image is avoided by either reducing the image or changing the position of the image to be formed.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for use in a wet type electrophotographic image forming apparatus has a duct which guides a fluid to the outside, the fluid containing an ozone and a carrier vapor which are respectively generated from a fusing part and a printing engine having a developing unit and a transfer unit, a fan for forcibly discharging the fluid through the duct, a carrier vapor combustion unit which burns a high concentration of carrier vapor of the fusing part inside the duct and accordingly lowers the concentration and increases the temperature of the carrier vapor of the fluid which is circulated by the fan, and an oxidation catalyst body for increasing a rate of the oxidation of the fluid which is heated by the combustion unit.

Abstract: A fusing roller regenerating apparatus of a fusing device in an image forming apparatus includes a coating unit coating a fusing roller using a dip coating method to form a regenerated coating layer to a predetermined thickness, and a heating unit including a heating body spaced apart from a surface of the fusing roller by a predetermined distance to harden the regenerated coating layer formed on the fusing roller by the coating unit. A method of regenerating the fusing roller includes injecting a coating liquid into the coating liquid tub through a coating liquid injection portion to form the regenerated coating layer to the predetermined thickness by rotating the fusing roller after the injection of the coating liquid, hardening the regenerated coating layer using the heating body, and discharging a remaining portion of the coating liquid through the coating liquid discharging portion after the hardening of the regenerated coating layer.

Abstract: A developer containing device is provided with a housing that includes a first housing section and a second housing section and that is configured to contain a developer. A protrusion provided on the first housing section and a recess provided in the second housing section are welded together through vibration welding in a state where the protrusion is fitted into the recess. An outer wall of the recess is thicker than an inner wall of the recess.

Abstract: The body member of a powder container of the present invention includes a bag-like powder storing body storing powder and formed with an opening at one end, and a base member affixed to the opening of the powder storing body. The base member allows an outlet member, which is formed with a passage configured to deliver the powder from the powder storing body to an outlet and has a shutter function for selectively blocking or unblocking the passage, to be connected to or disconnected from the base member.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for forming an electrostatic image, a developing apparatus for developing the electrostatic image on the image bearing member with a developer, a developer container for containing a replenishing developer, and dismountably mounted on a main body of the apparatus, and a developer replenishing apparatus for replenishing the replenishing developer in the developer container to the developing apparatus, wherein at least the image bearing member and the developing apparatus are provided in a cartridge which is dismountably mountable on the main body of the apparatus and the developer container is provided in a position not overlapping with a moving area of the cartridge in a dismounting or mounting operation of the cartridge.

Abstract: A two-station type color image forming apparatus of the present invention includes intermediate members configured to support only a developing device or the developing device and image forming means other than an image carrier. The intermediate members are selectively locked to or unlocked from the body of the image forming apparatus. Members constituting the image forming means each can be simply replaced alone in accordance with its life.

Abstract: Providing a simply-arranged detaching/attaching mechanism and image forming device which allow a transfer supporter device to be detached/attached through a space formed by opening an outer covering, the device includes photosensitive drums, detachable/attachable transfer belt unit, and rail members supporting a transfer belt unit. Each of the rail members includes a rail groove guiding the transfer belt unit, notch and positioning hole determining the position of the transfer belt unit when the belt is in contact with the photosensitive drums, and notch and convex section determining the position of the transfer belt unit when the belt is detached from the photosensitive drums. The transfer belt unit support with respect to the main body of the image forming device, performed by the rail members, is released in response to the action of opening the side cover, so that the transfer belt unit is in a free state.

Abstract: An image forming device for adequately forming an image in which images overlap one another. The priority order (display order) of the images overlapping with one another is judged for the area where images of different attributes overlap with one another. When the priority rank of a three-dimensional image is high, a planar image in the overlapping area is deleted, or a three-dimensional image is formed on a planar image. When the rank of a planar image is high, only the color image of a three-dimensional image in the overlapping area is deleted, and a planar image is formed using foaming toner.

Abstract: A developing apparatus develops a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus The device includes a developer accommodating portion and a developer stirring member stirring the developer in the developer accommodating portion. The developer stirring member includes a rotatable member rotatably provided in the developer accommodating portion, first and second stirring rotatable portions provided on the rotatable member, and first and second movable stirring portions movably provided on the first and second stirring rotatable portions, respectively.

Abstract: In order to replace out-of date flowing medium (16) in a system, comprising a component which ages, a defined amount of out-of-date flowing medium (16) is removed and the same amount of fresh flowing medium or fresh components (14) added and a given level (17?) of the flowing medium maintained.

Abstract: A toner supply device is disclosed that supplies toner contained in a toner container to a developing device in an image forming device. The toner supply device includes a conveyance pipe for conveying the toner from the toner container to the developing device downward, and at least one supply pipe for supplying the toner from the conveyance pipe to the developing device downward. The conveyance pipe is connected to the toner container for conveying the toner from the toner container to the developing device. The supply pipe has an upper portion connected to the conveyance pipe and a lower end capable of advancing into the developing device. In addition, a conveyance member is rotatably located in the supply pipe for conveying the toner downward. The supply pipe is located such that a center axis of the supply pipe is slanted relative to the horizontal line at a repose angle of the toner or more.

Abstract: A toner cartridge with a handle formed centrally in a trailing end of the cartridge. The handle is dished to comfortably accept a hand and is adapted such that a user will recognize that said handle is dedicated to receiving the user's hand. The cartridge is therefore installed and removed without binding since the user's hand is centered as a result of the placement of the user's hand in said handle.

Abstract: Embodiments herein comprise a charging station adjacent a photoreceptor. The charging station is adapted to charge the document zone of the photoreceptor with a first negative voltage and to charge the inter-document zone of the photoreceptor with a second negative voltage that is more negative than the first negative voltage. The second more negative voltage reduces the amount of positive charges trapped within layers of the inter-document zone of the photoreceptor. Thus, when the charging station increases the size of the document zone from a smaller size associated with a smaller printing medium to a larger size associated with a larger printing medium, by reducing the positive charges from being trapped within layers of the inter-document zone of the photoreceptor, ghosting is reduced on the larger printing medium.

Abstract: A method of forming a registration pattern to enable detection of registration errors in an image forming device includes forming a first registration mark on a substrate at a first image forming station, and partially erasing the first registration mark formed on the substrate at a second image forming station to form the registration pattern. A method of automatically detecting the registration errors further comprises sensing the registration pattern, and detecting registration errors based on the registration pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in the transfer of an image from an image bearing member onto a copy substrate, comprises an image bearing member carrying an image to be transferred, a feed mechanism for feeding a copy substrate to the image bearing member, and a transfer assist mechanism movable to an activated position bearing on the substrate to maintain the substrate in contact with the image bearing member to assist in transferring the image thereto, and to a de-activated position. A sensor generates a signal in response to passage of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the substrate to ascertain an actual length of the substrate as it moves to the image bearing member. A controller is operable to direct the transfer assist mechanism to move to the activated position and then to direct the transfer assist mechanism to move to the de-activated position after a de-activation dwell time.

Abstract: A fusing station (100) for fusing toner to an image receiving medium (102) includes: a fuser roller (120) configured as a heat pipe including a sealed hollow cavity (124) containing a working fluid; a pressure roller (140) that forms a nip with the fuser roller (120) through which the image receiving medium (102) passes; and, an electrical coil (128) inductively coupled to the fuser roller (120) to inductively heat the fuser roller (120) upon energizing the electrical coil (128) with electrical power.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus according to the present invention ensures a nip width larger than a certain value by a heating roller which has a thin film metal conductive layer, and a foamed rubber layer which is bonded to the end part of the metal conductive layer, formed with a gap in a center part, and not bonded to the metal conductive layer.

Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning an imaging surface moving in a process direction, including: an abrading brush for uniformly abrading the imaging surface to remove laterally conductive deposits that lead to lateral charge migration therefrom, the abrading brush includes a core defining a core length and having fibers extending outwardly therefrom, the fibers include abrasive particles attached thereto.

Abstract: Embodiments of a device to move waste toner within an image forming device. In one embodiment, waste toner is formed during the image formation process. The waste toner is captured and moved through a first conduit. The conduit includes an outlet for passing the waste toner to a second conduit. The door is positionable between an open orientation to allow the waste toner to discharge into the second conduit, and a closed orientation. The second conduit includes an inlet for receiving the waste toner. The interface between the first and second conduits allows for the door to move between the open and closed orientations. The interface also greatly reduces or prevents the waste toner from leaking as it passes from the first conduit into the second conduit.

Abstract: A paper feeding mechanism for a printer includes a discharging unit located on a downstream side of a paper feed path, a feeding unit located on an upstream side with respect to the image transfer station, a tension applying unit that operates to apply tension to the continuous form paper at a position between the image transfer station and the discharging unit. Further provided is a displacement preventing system that prevents a displacement of the continuous form paper in a feeding direction of the continuous form paper when the tension applying unit operates to apply the tension to the continuous form paper.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting the presence of altered serum proteins in an Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-infected patient with liver inflammation, comprising: obtaining a sample of serum from the patient; subjecting the sample to protein gel electrophoresis to separate proteins contained therein; staining proteins separated on the electrophoresis gel with silver nitrate solution; scanning the images of stained proteins into an image analysis scanner to obtain gel images; comparing the gel images to control samples of electrophoresis gels prepared from serum of normal patient and serum of HBV-infected patient with liver inflammation to determine whether the sample of serum from the patient contains specific serum proteins. This invention also provides serum protein biomarkers for the diagnosis of patients with HBV infection and liver inflammation.

Abstract: A first and a second language are presented in audiovisual and printed format with equal emphasis, so that either language can be learned. Moreover, the audiovisual and the printed format are presented in consistent format to reinforce the learning experience. The printed material may include a slider with a picture consistent with the image shown on the audiovisual format, and the slider can be moved to selectively reveal the spelling of the word in either the first or the second language. Other items, such as electronic books, toys and apparel can be used to present consistent images to reinforce the bilingual training.

Abstract: A system and method for rewarding educational accomplishment is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes providing rewards to a user, such as a child, for achievement of one or more goals within an educational activity. The rewards are preferably credit in a form that is widely accepted by merchants and other entities for items, such as goods and services, that they offer. Preferably, information associating the user and items the user purchases with the credit is used to create a purchase history file for each user.

Abstract: In a content distribution system, when distributing content to a plurality of user equipment, a multicasting channel is assigned between the user equipment and the distribution system, content being multicasted using this multicasting channel. If a user equipment fails to receive distributed content, the radio network controller allocates an individual channel between the user equipment and the distribution system to perform re-distribution of the content in response to the user's request.

Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) repeater, including a first repeating section which is adapted to receive and amplify forward-signals from a first transceiver so as to generate amplified-forward-signals and to radiate the amplified-forward-signals to a second transceiver. The first section also receives and amplifies reverse-main-signals from the second transceiver so as to generate amplified-reverse-main-signals and transmits the amplified-reverse-main-signals to the first transceiver. The repeater includes a second repeating section which is adapted to receive and amplify reverse-diversity-signals from the second transceiver so as to generate amplified-reverse-diversity-signals and transmits the amplified-reverse-diversity-signals to the first transceiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously receiving a first signal from a non-terrestrial source and a second signal from a terrestrial source on the same or overlapping channels using a receive antenna with posteriorly-directed sidelobes is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one terrestrial transmitter transmitting information on at least one frequency simultaneously usable by at least one satellite transmitting to a satellite receive antenna having a sensitivity characterizable by a primary sensitive axis directed substantially at satellite. The terrestrial transmitter includes a azimuthal gain characteristic directed substantially away from the Earth's Equator. In an alternative embodiment, the terrestrial transmitter is disposed at a location defining a vector angularly displaced from the primary sensitive axis by an angle of less than 90 degrees. A method of transmitting information is also disclosed.

Abstract: A communication network control method for a communication network including a hub and a plurality of user nodes includes adjusting system parameters to maximize communication data rate and minimize bit error rate given current conditions of the wireless channel, current loading of the network, and user constraints. In particular, the method includes transmitting a first and second frame with first and second control information from the hub to each user node, and transmitting a first and second respective data burst from each of the user nodes to the hub according to the first and second control information. The first data burst from each user node arrives simultaneously at the hub, and the second data burst from each user node arrives simultaneously at the hub. Further, the second data burst from each user node arrives immediately following the arrival of the first data burst from each user node.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving interference suppression processing and control in hearing aids communicating with a mobile station over a short-range wireless network. The hearing aid includes an acoustic echo canceller to suppress acoustic echo from the input audio signals. The mobile station also includes an echo canceller, and may include one or more switching circuits to bypass the echo canceller when the mobile station communicates with the hearing aid via the short-range wireless network. Typically, when the short-range wireless network between the hearing aid and the mobile station is established, the hearing aid and the mobile station negotiate one or more short-range wireless network profiles to determine the properties of the echo cancellers.

Abstract: One or more stationary wireless readers are used to determine the relative strength of calibration signals sent from fixed locations adjacent to POS terminals. Then, the signal strength of signals being transmitted by wireless devices within range of the one or more wireless readers is evaluated to determine the relative position of each wireless device to the POS terminals. This allows an operator of the POS system to determine the proximity of each wireless device relative to the POS terminals.

Abstract: A security system for wireless devices such as mobile phones includes a wireless signal transmitter, and a signal strength detector and microprocessor associated with the wireless device being safeguarded. The microprocessor disables or locks the wireless device if the measurement by the detector of the strength of the signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter is less than a predetermined value, thereby indicating that there is more than a predetermined separation distance between the protected device and the transmitter, i.e., that, e.g., someone has taken the device. The disabled wireless device stays disabled until the measured signal strength is again greater than the predetermined value. Once this value is reached the device is automatically unlocked or enabled.

Abstract: A receiver for eliminating D.C. noise from a signal received from a communication channel includes an input circuit configured to receive an input signal. The receiver includes an error circuit configured to generate an error signal in accordance with the input signal from the input circuit. The receiver includes a first noise canceler responsive to the error circuit. The first noise canceler is configured to generate a first noise cancellation signal in response to the error signal from the error circuit. The receiver includes a second noise canceler responsive to the error circuit and the first noise canceler. The second noise canceler is configured to generate a second noise cancellation signal from the error signal from the error circuit and the first noise cancellation signal from the first noise canceler. The input circuit is responsive to the second noise cancellation signal from the second noise canceler.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for improving wireless system capacity by reducing collisions where the Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR) is high in systems having a channel reuse of 1. By ordering the channel assignment in each of the interfering cells according to a pattern, for example, according to the distance from a base station (determined by power levels), the mobile stations will become paired on the same channel in a manner to reduce interference between them. In one embodiment, this intelligent assignment is accomplished by assigning mobile stations in one cell such that the mobile station having the strongest signal is assigned channel A while in the interfering cell the mobile station with the weakest signal is assigned to channel A. In another embodiment, certain preferred mobile stations are assigned either interference-free channels or channels paired with weak interference mobile stations.

Abstract: A method for improving channel estimation in a wireless communication system is disclosed. A wireless signal that includes a plurality of multipath components is received. N channel estimates are then obtained, where N is any positive integer greater than one. Each channel estimate of the N channel estimates corresponds to a different multipath component of the plurality of multipath components. The effects of interference between the plurality of multipath components on the N channel estimates is then reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a testing device and a software. The cellular radio system comprises a testing device which is a fixed part of the cellular radio system and operationally connected to a data network. The testing device has a connection over radio path to one or more base stations, and the operational condition of the cellular radio system is examined by means of the testing device by utilising the radio connection of the testing device to at least one base station. In addition, the data network is utilized.

Abstract: In order to compensate for performance degradation caused by inferior low-cost analog radio component tolerances of an analog radio, a future system architecture (FSA) wireless communication transceiver employs numerous digital signal processing (DSP) techniques to compensate for deficiencies of such analog components so that modern specifications may be relaxed. Automatic gain control (AGC) functions are provided in the digital domain, so as to provide enhanced phase and amplitude compensation, as well as many other radio frequency (RF) parameters.

Abstract: An integrated multimode radio includes a multimode receiver and a multimode transmitter. The multimode receiver includes a shared receiver front-end, a receiver multiplexor, and a plurality of receiver IF stages. The multimode transmitter includes a shared transmitter front-end, a transmitter multiplexor, and a plurality of transmitter IF stages.

Abstract: A self-tuned millimeter wave transceiver module includes a microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) having at least one amplifier. A controller is operatively connected to the MMIC for sensing amplifier operating conditions and tuning the at least one amplifier to an optimum operating condition. The controller includes a surface mounted microcontroller chip operatively connected to the MMIC.

Abstract: The present invention is an amplifier circuit that permits variable gain control, comprising an input terminal to which a high frequency input signal is supplied; an amplifier transistor to the gate of which the high frequency input signal supplied to the input terminal is supplied and which generates an amplified signal at the drain side; and a variable attenuator provided in a signal transmission line between the input terminal and the gate of the amplifier transistor, in which a plurality of attenuation units in which an attenuation capacitor and a switch transistor are serially connected are provided in parallel between the signal transmission line and a power supply, and the attenuation ratio of which is variably controlled by controlling the conduction of the switch transistor.

Abstract: The receiver is provided which comprises a mixer, a low pass filter coupled to the mixer and a plurality of gain controllers serially coupled to an output of the low pass filter (LPF). A plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) is coupled so that an input of a first of the ADCs is coupled to the output of the LPF. An input of each of a remaining portion of the ADCs is individually coupled to a corresponding output of each of the serially coupled gain blocks. An output path traced from the output of the LPF to an output of each of the analog-to-digital converters may be referred to as a processing path. Each processing path may comprise a gain controller and an ADC, except for the first processing path, which may have an ADC coupled directly to the output of the LPF.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the envelope of an RF signal that comprises an RF transistor operating essentially at a non-linear operating point at the RF frequency range; a DC power supply for feeding the RF transistor; a dummy load for terminating the output of the RF transistor; and at lease one impedance, through which the DC power supply feeds the RF transistor, for obtaining an indication signal developed across the impedance. The indication signal represents the envelope, from the fluctuating current drawn by the RF transistor from the DC power supply during the time period when the RF signal is applied to the feeding input.

Abstract: A receiving circuit of a direct conversion system is provided which includes a differential amplifier circuit which amplifies a received signal, a mixer which combines the amplified received signal and an oscillation signal having a predetermined frequency to thereby perform frequency conversion, and a high gain amplifier circuit in which a plurality of programmable gain amplifiers and a plurality of filters which eliminate noise of the received signal and an unnecessary wave, are connected in a multistage and which is configured such that an amplification factor is varied according to the level of the received signal. In the receiving circuit, the low noise amplifier is brought to a non-operating state to thereby allow execution of a DC offset cancel operation of the corresponding programmable gain amplifier on the pre-stage side of the high gain amplifier circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data transfer system and a method of data transfer. The invention aims to provide a high bandwidth channel between a mobile device, such as a mobile telephone and a network storing data, such as the Internet. A standard public land mobile network (PLMN) is used to notify the mobile device that there is data on the network awaiting download. The mobile device user then moves to within range of a high bandwidth short range (HBSR) base station to download the data more quickly than is possible over the PLMN.

Abstract: Emergency remote control communications systems and methods provide remote access to, activation of, deactivation of, monitoring of, communications with, and/or otherwise management of a Voice-Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications device (and/or another peripheral communications device) in response to an emergency communication originating from the VoIP communications device. An emergency remote control communications software product detects an emergency communications signal, and, in response, generates an emergency remote control communications signal for communication to the VoIP communications device via a communications network.