Abstract: The invention concerns a reconfigurable, multi-user optical communications network, with low latency time. It comprises at least one transmitter generating from a digital data signal a brightness-modulated light signal, encoded with a pseudo-random code generated from a predetermined software key, optical means to transport said light signals(s) to at least one receiver associated with a user. Each receiver comprises direct optical detection means generating an analog electrical signal characteristic of the sum of the encoded light signals transmitted, a pseudo-random code generator identical to that of the transmitters and means to decode said analog signal using a code transmitted by said code generator with a key identical to that associated with the transmitter with which the user wants to communicate, in order to recreate the data signal intended for the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for higher-order PMD compensation are implemented by developing an effective mathematical model and applying economical design techniques to the model. By assuming a constant precession rate for a narrow band of frequencies in an optical signal, a simplified model of a higher-order PMD compensator can be derived. The model can be used produce an economical compensator by making multiple uses of selected optical components.

Abstract: To resolve problems, with the invention, an optical transmitter comprises an encoder for generating an optical signal obtained by encoding multi-wavelength pulses corresponding to sending data by use of a method of time spread/wavelength hopping in accordance with an encoding pattern of the encoder itself. The encoder concurrently executes time delay for every wavelength component at encoding, and time delay due to pre-compensation processing to pre-compensate for difference in propagation time for every wavelength component, occurring due to chromatic dispersion characteristics of a transmission line by ?%. An optical receiver comprises a decoder for decoding the optical signal transmitted by the optical transmitter in accordance with a decoding pattern of the decoder itself.

Abstract: A steering method and system controls a plurality of infrared units with a plurality of infrared controllers. The infrared controller sets the time interval between the end of a start signal and the start of a steering signal to match a predetermined time interval specific to each infrared unit being controlled.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (and optical transceiver module) includes an optoelectronic thyristor device formed within a resonant cavity on a substrate, and circuitry integrally formed on the substrate that dynamically switches the thyristor between a transmit mode configuration and a receive mode configuration. In the transmit mode configuration, the thyristor is modulated between a non-lasing state and a lasing state in accordance with an input digital electrical signal. In the receive mode configuration, the thyristor device is modulated between a non-lasing OFF state and a non-lasing ON state in accordance with an input digital optical signal that is injected into the resonant cavity to thereby produce an output digital electrical data signal that corresponds to the input digital optical signal. The integrated circuit (and optical transceiver module) can be used in optical fiber applications as well as free-space applications.

Abstract: A receiver for a differentially phase shift keying formatted optical signal, such as an RZ-DPSK formatted optical signal. Dither control loops are provided for controlling path length in a demodulator and/or for controlling the center wavelength of an optical band pass filter. A feedback loop is provided for controlling the gain of a pre-amplifier, and a method of protecting against optical transients by disabling a pre-amplifier is also provided. A preset delay may be provided to compensate for the differential delay in paths associated with the demodulator arms. When the signal is an RZ-DPSK modulated signal, a clock for retiming data from the optical signal may be derived from a signal on the data path.

Abstract: An optoelectronic pulse generator is provided that includes a thyristor detector/emitter device having an input port and an output port. The thyristor detector/emitter device is adapted to detect an input optical pulse supplied to the input port and to produce an output optical pulse (via laser emission) and an output electrical pulse in response to the detected input optical pulse. The output optical pulse is output via the output port. An optical feedback path is operably coupled between the output port and the input port of the thyristor detector/emitter device. The optical feedback path supplies a portion of the output optical pulse produced by the thyristor detector/emitter device to the input port, thereby causing the thyristor detector/emitter device to produce a sequence of output optical pulses and a corresponding sequence of output electrical pulses.

Abstract: A coding scheme of order n for digital communications, in particular optical communication, for obtaining a coded signal x(t) which represents binary data which are constituted by sequences of information bits {uk} with rate T, the scheme having N=2n states, named ?i, for i=1, 2, . . . , N, and comprising predetermined elementary signals si(t) which are combined in the signal x(t). According to the scheme, if, at the time t=kT, the coding is in a state ?m of the N states, the arrival of the information bit uk of the sequence {uk} forces a transition to the state ?q of the N states and the selection of the elementary signal si(t) as x(t), where q and i are given by the following equations: di=m?1 mod 2; d0=d1+ukmod 2; y=2(m?1)+d0; q=(r mod N)+1; and i=r+1 if r<N, or i=r?2N otherwise.

Abstract: Ultrafast directional beam switching, using coupled VCSELs is combined with a light modulator to provide information transfer at bit rates of tens of GHz. This approach is demonstrated to achieve beam switching frequencies of 32-50 GHz in some embodiments and directional beam switching with angular differences of about eight degrees. This switching scheme is likely to be useful for ultrafast optical networks at frequencies much higher than achievable with other approaches. A Mach-Zehnder interferometer, a Fabry-Peror etalon, or a semiconductor-based electro-absorption transmission channel, among others, can be used as a light modulator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling phase alignment in a modulator of a transmitter in an optical communications system utilizes an RF power signature to tune phase alignment. A portion of the optical signal is tapped and converted to an electrical signal. An electrical band-pass filter and RF detector examines a narrow slice of the RF spectrum and utilize the detected RF power to control phase alignment between the data modulator and pulse carver. Another portion of the optical signal is multiplied by the pulse carver clock, filtered and integrated in order to generate a second phase control signal for controlling the relative phase of a dual arm modulator being used as the pulse carver in one embodiment.

Abstract: There is provided an optical receiver in which a time gate can be realized with a simple, low-cost configuration, and which has few aspects that require adjustment. The optical receiver of the present invention comprises a decoding circuit in which optical signals which are spread over time in accordance with a coding pattern are inputted and decoded in accordance with a decoding pattern; and a time gate circuit for generating a time gate signal that represents the interval of time in which a significant optical pulse is present in the decoded optical signal, and controlling the passage of the decoded optical signal.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for storing in a recyclable expendable item used in an electronic apparatus first encrypted information generated by encrypting usable/unusable information pertaining to the expendable item using a first key, and a second key corresponding to the first key, decoding the first encrypted information using the second key; and controlling an operation of the electronic apparatus based on a decoding result of the decoding part and decoded usable/unusable information obtained by the decoding part.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus of a type wherein toner is replenished to a developing unit by turning or rotating a toner bottle, a phenomenon that a toner replenishment amount per turn of the bottle (replenishing rate) is decreased as the toner remaining quantity in the bottle is decreased, is utilized to provide a method and an apparatus for easily and reliably determining a toner near empty state when a number of the turns measured by counting a number of detection of an object to be sensed formed on an outer surface of the toner bottle.

Abstract: An image-formation control apparatus is connected to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a medium with a plurality of color materials. The image-formation control apparatus includes a receiving unit and a first calibration unit. The receiving unit receives an image formation command, which is to be executed by the image forming apparatus. The first calibration unit generates a first formation command to form a first number of color patches for adjusting output characteristics of the color materials in the image forming apparatus and outputs the generated first formation command to the image forming apparatus. The first calibration unit calculates an estimated consumption amount of each color material used in the image forming apparatus on a basis of the received image formation command and determines colors of the color patches formed on a patch sheet on a basis of the estimated consumption amount.

Abstract: An image forming device comprises: charging means for uniformly charging the surface of a photosensitive member; charging control means for controlling the charging output of the charging means; and table storing means for storing a plurality of control tables stipulating controlled variables for controlling the charging output in relation to the passage of time, the charging control means controlling the charging output based on one or more control tables selected from the plurality of control tables stored in the table storing means.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus changes over an electric potential on an image bearing member in response to an attenuation region in which a remaining potential on a developing member is attenuating after a developing bias applied to the developing member has been turned off after completion of an image forming operations. Accordingly, it is possible to mitigate adherence of developer due to a large potential difference between the developing member and the image bearing member.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing an image formed on a recording material includes first and second rotary members having a nip part therebetween, a heating part that heats the first rotary member, a center portion temperature detecting unit that detects a temperature of a center portion of the first rotary member, and an end portion temperature detecting unit that detects a temperature of an end portion of the first rotary member. When recording materials each having a relatively large width consecutively pass through the nip part, a control unit controls a heating amount of a full width heating member based on the temperature detected by the center portion temperature detecting unit, and when recording materials each having a relatively small width consecutively pass through the nip part, the control unit controls the heating amount of the full width heating member based on the temperature detected by the end portion temperature detecting unit.

Abstract: A charge apparatus charges by uniformly superimposing an alternate current bias voltage with a fixed frequency over a direct current bias voltage as the charge bias voltage on a photosensitive member. An exposure apparatus exposes the surface of the charged photosensitive member based on image data, and writes a latent image, and a developing apparatus supplies toner to and makes visible the latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member. A transfer apparatus transfers the visible image on the photosensitive member to a transfer medium, and a cleaning apparatus cleans the surface of the photosensitive member after transfer.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a power supply device used with the electronic apparatus is capable of automatically shutting off power from a power supply to the electronic apparatus when an access cover is opened. The electronic apparatus includes a casing that houses a power control unit therein, and having one end open, an access cover disposed at the casing to open and close the open side of the casing, and a power supply device that connects an external power source to the power control unit. The power supply device shuts the power control unit off from the external power source when the open side is open. Accordingly, when the access cover is opened for the operations such as additional installation of the optional item or replacement of inner parts with new ones, the external power supply is automatically shut off. Therefore, accidents such as electrocution or burns, can be prevented, and damage to the electronic apparatus caused by the electrical shock can also be prevented.

Abstract: A developing device is arranged such that Dg<ds<3Dg, and 3Dg<dc<6Dg, where ds is an end gap, Dg is an upstream gap, and dc is a center gap. The gap ds is a gap between a developer tank 4 and either end portion of a developing roller 1 in the downstream of a transportation direction of the developing roller 1. The end portion of the developing roller 1 is an end portion thereof with respect to a rotation direction of the developing roller 1. The gap Dg is a gap between the developing roller 1 and a doctor blade. The gap dc is a smallest gap between the developer tank 4 and the center portion b of the developing roller 1. With this arrangement, it is possible to prevent the toner scattering appropriately in the developing device for use of a two-component developer containing toner and carrier.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use in an imaging cartridge includes a gasket having first and second sides, a removable handle attached to an end of the gasket, a removable seal having a first side adhered to the first side of the gasket by an adhesive, a seal tail attached to an end of the removable seal, a release liner having a first side adhered to the second side of the gasket by an adhesive, and a release liner tail attached to an end of the release liner and adapted to be folded back over the release liner.

Abstract: A recording medium supplying apparatus includes a recording medium holding part that holds recording media, and a recording medium conveying part that conveys a recording medium from the recording medium holding part. Herein, the recording medium holding part is disposed below a housing to which it is to be attached, the recording medium conveying part is disposed at a side of the housing, and the recording medium holding part and the recording medium conveying part are detachably attached to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus using a tandem-drum development, an indirect image-transfer method, and a vertical sheet supply path. An intermediate image-transfer member is angled relative to a horizontal line such that a rear side of the intermediate image-transfer member away from a recording sheet is lifted and a front side of the intermediate image-transfer member closer to the recording sheet is lowered. Further, image creating mechanisms of the tandem-drum development are aligned and arranged in parallel to a moving image transfer bed of the intermediate image-transfer member, such that one of the image creating mechanisms firstly forming an image faces the rear side of the moving image transfer bed and another one of the image creating mechanisms lastly forming an image faces the front side.

Abstract: Techniques for remanufacturing a toner cartridge include providing the toner cartridge including an end plate secured to an end of the toner cartridge, removing the end plate from the toner cartridge, attaching an anchoring fixture to the end of the toner cartridge, and securing the end plate to the anchoring fixture of the toner cartridge.

Abstract: According to the present invention, when inserting and removing EPUs from an image forming unit, a support leg of a casing can swing, is inclined, and avoids easily a structural body on a path. Further, when putting the EPUs outside the main body of the image forming apparatus, the support leg is fixed to the casing. Therefore, the space for the support leg of the casing of the image forming unit to insert through can be reduced.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus is disclosed using an electrophotographic photosensitive member which employs light with a short wavelength (380 nm to 500 nm) as image exposure light and is good in photoelectric conversion efficiency on the whole at that wavelength. The electrophotographic photosensitive member is composed of a reflecting layer, a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer formed on a support. The total reflectance and specular reflectance of the reflecting layer are 30% or more (with respect to a standard white board) and less than 15%, respectively, at that short-wavelength light. The absorbance of the charge generation layer is 1.0 or less at that short-wavelength light.

Abstract: A developer system for developing an image in an electrophotographic printing machine, including: a developer housing having a toner sump containing developer material; a magnetic development member rotatably mounted in the housing for transferring toner particles to a latent image on the photoreceptive member in a development zone; a transport system for transporting developer material from the toner sump to the magnetic development member, the transport system includes: a mix/pump auger, disposed in a first auger channel, for mixing and circulating developer material along a first path within the first auger channel; a transport auger, adjacent to the mix/pump auger and disposed in a second auger channel, for circulating developer material along a second path within the second auger channel; a wall member disposed in between the mix/pump auger and the transport auger, the wall member having a first opening disposed near an inboard end of the housing and a second opening disposed near an outboard end of the

Abstract: Squeegee rollers are disposed between a primary transferring position and a secondary transferring position on an intermediate transfer roller facing against the intermediate transfer roller. The squeegee rollers are movable between a contacting position to contact with liquid developer on the intermediate transfer roller and a clear-off position to stay out of contact therewith. Being positioned at the contacting position, the squeegee rollers strip off carrier liquid from the intermediate transfer roller. The stripped carrier liquid is returned back to a tank which stores liquid developer.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing unit for attaching developer to a latent image formed on an image bearing body to form a visible image; a developer supply unit for supplying the developer to the developing unit; and a plurality of developer transporting units for transporting the developer in an axial direction. At least one of the developer transporting units transports the developer in a direction different from a direction that another developer transporting unit transports the developer.

Abstract: In a method and system for transport of toner material, a reservoir arrangement containing the toner material is provided with a removal opening for removal of the toner material. The toner material is transported away from the removal opening with aid of a tube-shaped conduit, the toner material being transported in the tube-shaped conduit via an air current. A negative pressure is generated relative to environment pressure at the removal opening via the air current in the tube-shaped conduit. The reservoir arrangement is provided with at least one air-permeable and toner-tight region through which air is sucked into the reservoir arrangement upon application of the negative pressure. At least the air-permeable and toner-tight region is partitioned airtight from the environment, environment air being supplied to the partitioned region via a dosing nozzle.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer support member and a developing blade having a curved portion abutting against the developer support member. When Rc represents a minimum curvature radius of the curved portion of the developing blade and R represents a curvature radius at an abutting point where the curved portion abuts against the developer support member, a ratio of R to Rc (R/Rc) meets the following relation. 1.0?R/Rc?1.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of changing over between black printing and color printing with an intermediate transfer belt being brought into contact with and separated from photoconductors by means of a black transfer member and a three-color-integrated color transfer member. The image forming apparatus has a registration mark former for forming registration marks on the intermediate transfer belt, a registration sensor for reading the registration marks, and a controller for controlling the registration mark former based on the registration marks read by the registration sensor, so as to adjust registration. The controller has an adjustment mode to adjust registration between black and color.

Abstract: A transfer roller drive unit sets an all-separate mode after setting a full-color mode, sets a monochrome mode after setting the all-separate mode, and sets a full-color mode after setting the monochrome mode. Namely, a transfer belt 25 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 24 first, and then the photosensitive drums 21, 22 and 23. This pattern is repeated. The transfer belt 25 does not come into contact with the photosensitive drums 21, 22, 23 and 24 at a time.

Abstract: A fixing device including a magnetic field generating device to generate a magnetic field, a fixing member to heat a recording material by heat generated in a first recording material passing area having a first width on the fixing member by electromagnetic induction heat generation by the magnetic field formed by the magnetic field generating device, a pressing member to form a nip portion where the pressing member and the fixing member press against each other to fix an unfixed image on the recording material, and at least one radiation heating device configured to heat a second recording material passing area having a second width.

Abstract: An image forming device is disclosed that can control image blurring, image contraction, and the like when resilient transfer media such as cardboard is to be transported upward from a pair of resist rollers and guided to a transfer position, and obtain a suitable transfer image. Transfer media is transported upward by resist rollers, and guided toward a transfer position by a pair of guide plates. Because tip of a resilient transfer medium such as cardboard may spring back to its original shape after it separates from the resist rollers, one guide plate is urged toward the transfer position by spring members, and can absorb the springing of the transfer media back to its original shape by pivoting away from the transfer position, and thus can reduce the occurrences of image blurring or the like.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus transports a recording medium carrying a developer image on it and heats the developer image to fix into the recording medium. A heat roller extends in a direction of its rotational axis and generates heat. An endless belt is loosely entrained on a belt guide. A pressurizing mechanism engages the endless belt from inside and urges the endless belt against the first rotating body. When the rotating body rotates, the endless belt and the second rotating body are driven in rotation in such a way that the recording medium is pulled in between the first rotating body and the endless belt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a developer collecting apparatus capable of preventing a developer collected from a photoconductive medium from clotting while being supplied to a developing unit. The developer collecting apparatus includes a developer collecting container including an inlet for inflow of a developer removed from a photoconductive medium by a cleaning member, and an outlet for discharge of the developer. The developer collecting apparatus also includes a developer storing container connected to the developer collecting container through a transport pipe and a vibration unit for preventing the developer from clotting and accumulating at the outlet of the developer collecting container and in the transport pipe.

Abstract: A paper guide which does not make stripes on an image on a printing paper. The paper guide of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a guiding member for guiding the printing paper into a fusing unit, a plurality of guiding ribs formed on the guiding member to prevent direct contact of the printing paper with the guiding member, and a blocking bar formed on a leading end near the fusing unit of the guiding member in order that the spaces between the plurality of guiding ribs are blocked from the fusing unit. The blocking bar is formed at the same height as the guiding ribs and has a triangular section with a slope steeper than the section of the guiding ribs.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a discharge port for discharging a sheet after forming an image on the sheet by an image forming portion, and a discharge tray disposed on a downstream side of the discharge port for laminating the sheet discharged from the discharge port, which is formed with a plurality of partition regions in a square shape respectively adapted to a plurality of kinds of sheet modes discharged to the discharge tray.

Abstract: A large format printer using web fed material is able to cope with roll fed material and sheets having residual curl. An anti-curl guidance device counteracts curl when feeding the medium to a second transport system. The medium is held flat by a vacuum system and during re-feeding of the medium, the height of the position of the medium exhibiting residual curl is adjusted by a moving pivot roller to smoothly pass over a cutting bar. Also, the entrance of a re-feeding chamber is enlarged by lifting a retractor pivot plate by a retractor pivot to allow curled media to enter the re-feeding chamber. Curl can also be avoided by keeping the web roll of media in a relatively humid condition by restricting air flow or by using an extra humidifier.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for punching a hole in a paper with a punching unit in a paper post-processing apparatus. The paper is nipped and transported with a transporting roller system arranged downstream of the punching unit in a paper transport direction to make at least a leading edge of the paper pass through an aligning unit. An actuator is activated to end the nipping of the paper by the transporting roller system, and the aligning unit aligns the paper in a width direction thereof that is perpendicular to the paper transport direction. The activation of the actuator is ended to resume the nipping of the paper, and a stopper member is inserted into a paper transport path upstream of a punch of the punching unit. A trailing edge of the paper is then caused to hit the stopper member, and the paper is punched by the punching unit.

Abstract: A system for the storage and retrieval of audio files includes an audio storage and retrieval device and a label with an encoded memory storage address. The audio storage and retrieval device includes a memory for storing a plurality of audio files where each stored audio file corresponds to a unique memory storage address, a decoder for reading an encoded memory storage address from the label, and a control module: i) in communication with the decoder for deriving the memory storage address corresponding to the encoded memory storage address and ii) in communication with the memory for retrieving an audio file corresponding to the memory storage address.

Abstract: A client machine receives Web data including a learning material part from a learning server in an e-Learning center to display it as an Web page. The Web page includes a circle graph that represents the intelligibility of all learners who studied the learning material and a pair of bar graphs that represent the ratio of the achievers in the finishers who could not understand the learning material. A learner can make use of the status information represented by the graphs to his or her learning. After attending the learning material part, a learner clicks an “Understood” button or a “Not Understood” button to inform one's intelligibility to the learning server.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for data broadcasting in an access network consisting of several interconnected nodes for transporting fluxes of information elements between content providers and reception terminals. The invention is characterised in that said device is implanted at least at one node of the network, and it comprises a circuit managing the profile of the node (8) configured by an operator of the network or of the node (4) on the basis of objective or even subjective criteria and a mechanism filtering (6) broadcast information elements which controls a switch (5) so as to filter said information elements.

Abstract: A relatively low cost, easy to install and aesthetically pleasing cellular signal enhancer, also known as a wireless repeater, suitable for use in a home or business. The device includes a removable mounting pedestal that can be plugged into both an upper and a lower receptacle on a signal enhancer unit. This allows the signal enhancer unit to be installed with the same upright orientation when installed on an upper or a lower support surface, for example the bottom or top casing of a window frame. The mounting pedestal includes a power plug so that the mounting pedestal is removable and can be plugged into the upper or lower receptacles on the signal enhancer unit. Alternatively, the unit may include an orientation detector and an invertible display that inverts the symbols shown on the display in response to the detected orientation of the signal enhancer unit.

Abstract: In order to have an electronic apparatus in which user's feeling of operation upon making a connection to a desired slave apparatus through wireless communication is improved, the present invention provides an electronic apparatus in which a control microcomputer lowers a transmission power of a Bluetooth module than a normal condition and determines the number of apparatuses to be searched to transmit an interrogation signal on a wireless communication line. Information of a service class of an apparatus responded to the interrogation signal is obtained from received information and a connection link is established to the apparatus if the apparatus is capable of handling an application to use. If the apparatus is not capable of handling the application or if no apparatus responded, the transmission power is set higher to increase the number of the apparatuses to be searched and to retransmit the interrogation signal.

Abstract: A comprehensive method for coordinating cellular phones in a residential area to obviate the need for wired residential service. The present invention includes coordinating a set of wireless devices in a residential area to be able to receive a call directed to a user's cellular telephone. Said wireless devices can have different numbers and be serviced by different providers than the user's cellular telephone. Peer-to-peer relationships are formed between associated wireless communications devices, similar to IEEE 802.11 peer-to-peer relationships. A call could also be answered by another cellular telephone, or other device, such as a computer. All communicating handsets of associated wireless communications devices could join the call. The present invention would prevent a user from missing any incoming calls while at the user's residence.

Abstract: Techniques for location-assisted wireless communication use real-time location(s) of wireless transceiver(s) together with stored location-indexed channel information to improve communication over a wireless channel between the transceiver(s). The stored channel information includes channel characteristics (e.g., average power, angle-of-arrival, and time delay of multipath components) that are substantially constant in time but vary gradually as a function of location. Current transceiver location(s) are obtained and used to retrieve stored channel characteristics corresponding to the location(s). The channel information may be used at either or both transceiver(s) to improve reception and/or transmission of signals propagating over the wireless channel. For example, reception may be improved by using path angle information to perform spatially structured reception, or using path delay information to perform temporally structured reception, e.g.

Abstract: A method detects which radio communication terminals use interference suppression procedures, in a radio communication system. Here radio communication terminals periodically return measurement signals which represent radio field characteristics and/or reception situations determined at the radio terminal to a base station and compare these signals with one another and also with threshold values determined on the base station side. The comparisons conducted are used for assigning radio communication terminals to groups, with a first group being assigned those radio communication terminals which display a good reception situation during the threshold value comparison, whereas a second group is assigned all further radio communication terminals.

Abstract: A type of cellular phone notification apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus would combine both a transmitter attached to a cellular phone and a receiver that would be attached to an individual's clothing. If the cellular phone and the receiver would become disassociated more than a specified number of feet, the receiver would notify the individual of this fact so that the cellular phone could be retrieved, if necessary.