Abstract: An integrated 2D/3D camera system may include a 2D camera and a 3D camera affixed to the 2D camera. The 2D camera may include a first lens that is lens adjustable to set a 2D focus distance. The 3D camera may include a left camera and a right camera including respective left and right lenses, the left and right lenses synchronously adjustable to set a 3D focus distance. A focus mechanism may automatically set the 2D focus distance and the 3D focus distance to be essentially equal by one of adjusting the first lens based on the 3D focus distance and synchronously adjusting the left and right lenses based on the 2D focus distance.

Abstract: System and method for modifying an optical assembly with another image modifying device by using an adapter assembly to connect or couple three image modifying devices together. The adapter assembly includes two adapters that have collars to hold a night vision monocular between them, and to each connect with a camera and lens, respectively, modifying a camera-lens assembly for use in night time photo surveillance. Attachment members on each adapter may include mechanical and/or electrical connectors to couple or connect the adapters to each other, and/or to electrically connect the camera with the lens.

Abstract: An intermediate adapter includes a first terminal operable to be electrically connected to a lens detecting terminal provided on the camera body when the intermediate adapter is attached to the camera body, a second terminal operable to be electrically connected to a terminal provided on the interchangeable lens for providing a ground potential when the interchangeable lens is attached to the intermediate adapter, and a first switch interposed between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first switch is operable to electrically connect the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is on, and disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is off. While the intermediate adapter is being attached to the interchangeable lens, the first switch is off to disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.

Abstract: An optical transceiver is disclosed in which the optical output thereof is controlled without degrading the signal quality. The optical transceiver of the invention includes a plurality of transmitter units and a controller that adjusts the bias current of respective transmitter units. The controller, receiving information to decrease/increase the output of the optical transceiver, decides a unique unit that has a largest margin to increase/decrease the bias current and provides a control signal only to the unique unit to increase/decrease the bias current.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a plurality of optical transmitters coupled to a fiber, a signal generator coupled to the optical transmitters and configured to provide a single pilot tone to the optical transmitters, and a processor positioned within a feedback loop between the fiber and the optical transmitters, the processor configured to adjust a wavelength for each of the optical transmitters to lock the wavelengths. An apparatus comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising receiving an optical signal comprising a pilot tone, detecting an amplitude and a phase of the pilot tone, calculating a quadrature term using the amplitude and the phase, and wavelength locking the optical signal using the quadrature term.

Abstract: A communication device which communicates with a plurality of subscriber communication devices using optical signals of a plurality of wavelengths, includes: a traffic monitoring section for monitoring a downstream traffic volume of a downstream signal destined for each of the plurality of subscriber communication devices; and a resource allocating section for allocating a different one of a predetermined number of wavelength resources to each of groups which includes at least one downstream signal grouped according to a predetermined wavelength allocation rule based on its downstream traffic volume.

Abstract: An optical communication module includes a laser that emits laser light, and an electro-absorber that absorbs the laser light, which is emitted from the laser, according to a voltage modulated based on a modulating signal and a bias voltage. The optical communication module detects data that varies correlatively with the temperature of the electro-absorber, and sets the bias voltage, which is associated with the detected data, on the basis of relational data specifying at least the relationship between the bias voltage and the data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving an optical signal using cascaded frequency offset estimation. Coherently detecting an optical signal includes compensating for a coarse laser frequency offset between a transmitting laser and a local oscillator laser by determining a maximum phase error (MPE) in the optical signal, compensating for a residual laser frequency offset between the transmitting laser and the local oscillator laser, and decoding data stored in the optical signal.

Abstract: A WDM signal light monitoring device includes a first monitor for monitoring input-side WDM main signal light and output-side WDM main signal light for each wavelength; and a second monitor for monitoring the first monitor by comparing a monitoring result received from an upstream WDM transmission device with a monitoring result of the first monitor, wherein the monitoring result of the first monitor is transmitted to a downstream WDM transmission device in the system.

Abstract: In the communication system, a master station is coupled to slave stations by a fiber network comprising a splitter and a reach extender, the master station includes a first bandwidth control section which determines, based on a request from each slave station, a first data amount of a signal transmitted in a first cycle, the reach extender includes: a distance measurement section which measures a distance or a time between the reach extender and each slave station; and a second bandwidth control section which determines a second data amount and transmission timing of a signal based on a request from each slave station and the first data amount, and each slave station transmits a signal with a data amount, which the first bandwidth control section determined based on a data amount and transmission timing determined in second cycles, to the master station in the first cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in an optical receiver are provided for monitoring the received optical power in the optical receiver over wide range of optical power levels with high accuracy. An adjustable resistor circuit of the apparatus has a first resistor and one or more second resistors that may be switched into and out of parallel with the first resistor to vary the resistance of the adjustable resistor circuit. A controller of the optical receiver controls the switching of the one or more second resistors into and out of parallel with the first resistor. Varying the resistance of the adjustable resistor circuit in this manner causes the value of the analog voltage signal representing the received optical power to be varied prior to being input to the ADC of the controller. In this way, the amplitude of the analog voltage signal is reduced when it is at the high end of the received power range so as not to exceed the input range of the ADC of the controller IC.

Abstract: An optical node may include a plurality of optical input components operable to receive a plurality of signals communicated in an optical network and a plurality of optical output components operable to transmit a plurality of signals to be communicated in the optical network.

Abstract: In optical signal transmission, multiple sets of optical signals which contain data and are associated with at least two polarization states are multiplexed using a single arrayed waveguide grating (AWG). The resulting multiplexed signals are then polarization-multiplexed for transmission. In one embodiment, the AWG is provisioned in a unidirectional mode to multiplex the multiple sets of optical signals. In another embodiment, the AWG is provisioned in a bidirectional mode to multiplex the multiple sets of optical signals.

Abstract: ROADM node systems and methods of operation are disclosed. ROADM node systems may include transponder aggregators including transponders to add signals for switching through the ROADM node. The transponder aggregators may be constrained from adding signals on adjacent channels for simultaneous use. Further, the transponder aggregators may include an optical coupler in lieu of an optical multiplexer. The ROADM system may include a set of wavelength selective switches associated with output ports that can provide an additional filtering function for the added signals prior to transmission on a WDM network.

Abstract: An optical transmitting circuit (2) modulates multimode oscillation light using an information signal, subjects at least one oscillation-mode light beam of the multimode oscillation light to a predetermined operation, and outputting the result to an optical transmission channel. An optical receiving circuit (8) receives an optical signal transmitted through the optical transmission channel, subjects the received optical signal to an operation reverse to the predetermined operation to recover an optical signal as it was before being subjected to the predetermined operation, and converting the recovered optical signal into an electrical signal, thereby reproducing the information signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a controller configured to switch the security level between a first state and a second state. The first state allows printing by an image forming section of only first print data provided with verification information among print data a communication unit received. The second state allows printing by the image forming section of print data the communication unit received irrespective of presence or absence of verification information. When, in the first state, the controller receives a permission signal instructing permission of printing of second print data not provided with verification information, the controller switches the security level from the first state to the second state so as to allow printing of the second print data by the image forming section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller on the apparatus body to control supply of developers from developer containers to the development devices. The controller includes a storage that reads and stores identification information pieces of all the development devices attached to the apparatus body. When any of the development devices is removed from the apparatus body, and thereafter attached at a position where the removal took place, the controller reads an identification information piece of the development device attached at the position, and when the read identification information piece disagrees with an identification information piece of the development device at the position stored, and agrees with an identification information piece of another one of the development devices at another position, the controller determines that the development device is mistakenly attached and prohibits the supply of the corresponding developers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed; and a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image by supplying a developer to the image bearing member. The developing device includes a developer container for containing the developer; a rotatable developer carrying member, including a first electrode member, for carrying and supplying the developer to the image bearing member; and a developer supplying member, which is provided in contact with the developer carrying member and includes a surface foam layer and a second electrode member for rotatably supporting the developer supplying member, for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member and a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image. The developing device includes a developer container, a rotatable developer carrying member, including a first electrode member; and a developer supplying member, including a second electrode member. The apparatus further includes a measuring device capable of measuring a remaining developer amount; and a replenishing device for performing a replenishing operation by rotating the developer supplying member while applying a DC bias between the first and second electrode members so that a value obtained by subtracting an electric potential of the second electrode member from an electric potential of the first electrode member has a polarity identical to a normal charge polarity of the developer. When the remaining developer amount measured is not more than a threshold, the replenishing operation is performed and the remaining developer amount is measured again.

Abstract: A method of compensating for printing quality of an image forming apparatus includes determining a pattern to be printed as a first pattern which is a default pattern and a second pattern obtained by changing the first pattern according to a toner stress index that represents a deteriorated degree of remaining toner, and printing the determined pattern with the remaining toner.

Abstract: According to a method and apparatus for controlling a voltage of an image forming apparatus, a transferring roll resistance, which indicates the resistance between a transferring roller and a photoconductor drum, is detected by applying a first voltage to the transferring roller. A transferring voltage, which corresponds to the detected transferring roll resistance, is applied to the transferring roller with reference to a transferring table which corresponds to the paper resistance, and a transferring is performed on a printing paper by using a transferring roller to which a transferring voltage is applied.

Abstract: An image-forming device can include an image acquiring unit that acquires image data, an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data, a determining unit that determines whether the image data includes a part having density greater than or equal to a prescribed density, and a controller. The image forming unit can include a developing roller, a supply roller for supplying developer to the developing roller, and a bias applying unit that applies first and second voltages between the developing roller and the supply roller in first and second modes, respectively. The controller can control the bias applying unit to apply one of the first and second voltages when the determining unit determines whether the image data includes the part having density greater than or equal to a prescribed density.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit configured to form an image on an image carrier, a transfer unit configured to transfer the image formed on the image carrier onto a transfer medium, a voltage applying unit configured to apply a voltage to the transfer unit, a current detection unit configured to detect a current that flows through the transfer unit when the voltage applying unit applies the voltage, and a control unit configured to control the voltage applying unit based on a detection result of the current detection unit.

Abstract: A switching mode power supply apparatus includes an alternating current (AC) power input unit to receive an AC voltage from an AC power supply source, a first rectifier to output a direct current (DC) voltage by rectifying the received AC voltage, a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator to output a PWM signal, a transformer to transform the DC voltage output from the first rectifier into an AC voltage according to a turn ratio and outputting the AC voltage according to the PWM signal, a second rectifier to output a DC voltage by rectifying the AC voltage output from the transformer, a feedback unit to provide as feedback a change of the DC voltage output from the second rectifier to the PWM signal generator, a DC power input unit to receive a DC voltage from a DC power supply source, a DC voltage input detector to detect whether a DC voltage is input to the DC power input unit based on connectivity with the DC power input unit, and an AC power input controller to stop input of the AC voltage from the

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of rapidly cooling a fixing device is provided. A fixing unit of an image forming apparatus (MFP) includes a fixing device for fixing a developer image transferred onto a sheet based on image data, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the fixing device, a heater for raising the temperature thereof, and a cooling device for cooling thereof. A control unit of the MFP acquires sheet information in which information for adjusting the temperature of the fixing device is described, selects a suitable cooling sheet to be used for cooling the fixing device based on the acquired sheet information and the temperature of the fixing device measured by the temperature sensor, and passes the selected cooling sheet through the fixing device to cool the fixing device when the temperature of the fixing device measured by the temperature sensor is higher than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A heater is operable with a main power supply unit and a chargeable auxiliary power supplying unit. The heater includes a heater part having one or a plurality of heater elements to receive power from the main and auxiliary power supplying units, a detecting part to detect information related to the heater part, and a controller to vary an amount of power supplied from the auxiliary power supply unit to the heater part per unit time based on the information detected by the detecting part.

Abstract: An electric power relaying unit of an image forming apparatus which includes an electric power blocking unit which selectively blocks the alternating current electric power output from the electric power input unit to be input to the electric power output unit, the electric power blocking unit including: a switching unit which switches an input of the alternating current electric power with respect to the electric power output unit; an electric power detecting unit which detects an electric power property; a memory unit in which a predetermined electric power property information is stored; and a control unit which controls a switching operation of the switching unit if determining that the detected electric power property corresponds to a predetermined electric power property in a failure of the image forming apparatus main body from a comparison result.

Abstract: A power supply includes a transformer to transform an input voltage into an output driving voltage for one of a plurality of components of an image forming apparatus, and an output converter to detect the driving voltage being output from the transformer, to amplify the detected driving voltage according to a power control signal, and to output the amplified driving voltage to at least one remaining component in the plurality of components of the image forming apparatus. The power supply can not only control high voltage outputs individually, but also reduces the number of switching transformers being used, as it uses at least one shared switching transformer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a placement tray on which a recording medium is placed and which is attachably and detachably assembled into a housing. The placement tray includes a holding portion having an upwardly concave configuration at one end of the placement tray in an attaching and detaching direction of the placement tray. The holding portion includes at least one air vent for taking air into the housing in a vicinity of at least one of both end portions of the holding portion in a width direction perpendicular to the attaching and detaching direction.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, exhaust fans of a ventilation device and an intake port of an air purifier are provided on side wall portions respectively that are opposite each other in a main casing of the image forming apparatus, and the exhaust fans of the ventilation device are provided in a location higher than the intake port of the air purifier. With this configuration, silicone that is discharged from the exhaust fans of the ventilation device is almost never suctioned into the intake port of the air purifier, such that almost none of this silicone adheres to a discharging electrode of the ion generator, and an ion generating efficiency of the ion generator can be maintained over a long period without dropping.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a developing device. The developing device includes a housing having a toner containing unit and a developing unit, a partition member, having a toner supply window, coupled to the housing to partition the toner containing unit and the developing unit, a barrier film attached to the partition member to close the toner supply window, the barrier film having one end exposed out of the housing through a discharge port provided at a side wall of the housing, and a sheet member to guide and discharge the barrier film out of the housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developing device that forms a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier onto a transfer material such as paper, a neutralizing unit that neutralizes an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier by light radiation, a cleaning unit that cleans toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier after the toner image is transferred. The image carrier, the developing device, the transfer unit, the neutralizing unit, and the cleaning unit are provided to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus further includes a withdrawal mechanism that withdraws at least the image carrier, the cleaning unit, and the neutralizing unit integrally from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can include a body casing and a photosensitive member unit configured to be inserted into and withdrawn from the body casing. The photosensitive member unit can be moved between a first position where the photosensitive member unit is stored in the body casing and a second position where the photosensitive member unit is withdrawn from the body casing, and between the second position and a third position where the photosensitive member unit is withdrawn from the body casing. The image forming apparatus may further include a control member disposed in the body casing, The control member can be configured to move between a holding position in which the photosensitive member unit is prevented from moving between the second position and the third position and a release position where the photosensitive member unit is allowed to move between the second position and the third position.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising: a conductive support, a photosensitive layer and an intermediate layer interposed between the conductive support and the photosensitive layer, wherein the intermediate layer contains metal oxide microparticles surface-treated with silicon dioxide anhydride and a binder resin; and the binder resin contains a polyamide resin containing a piperazine-based compound.

Abstract: An image bearing member including an electroconductive substrate, a photosensitive layer provided overlying the electroconductive substrate, an optional layer overlying the photosensitive layer, and boron nitride attached to at least part of the surface of an outermost layer.

Abstract: An opening/closing member is movable between an open position in which a passage opening through which developer passes is open and a closed position in which the passage opening is closed. The opening/closing member includes a protrusion that protrudes toward an edge of the passage opening with respect to a scrape limiting portion, the protrusion being disposed on each of two sides with respect to a direction that is perpendicular to directions of movement between the open position and the closed position. A front end of the opening/closing member in a closing direction from the open position to the closed position is disposed so as to be separated from a surface of the edge of the passage opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of optical scanning units to scan light modulated according to an image signal, a plurality of photoconductive drums to form a plurality of electrostatic latent images by the light scanned from the plurality of optical scanning units, a plurality of developing units to develop the plurality of electrostatic latent images formed on the plurality of photoconductive drums into a plurality of toner images, an intermediate transfer unit to transfer the plurality of toner images developed by the plurality of developing units, a plurality of first transfer rollers installed in the intermediate transfer unit to correspond to the plurality of photoconductive drums, respectively, and to apply transfer voltages that is used to transfer the plurality of toner images onto the intermediate transfer unit, a second transfer roller to transfer the plurality of toner images formed on the intermediate transfer unit onto a paper, and a fixing unit to fix the plurality of toner imag

Abstract: This invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of effectively suppressing an AC color registration error, and a control method thereof. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus according to this invention controls driving of a transfer belt so that the speed of surface of the transfer belt at the transfer position comes close to a constant speed. The image forming apparatus also controls driving of a photosensitive drum so that the error between the speed of surface of the photosensitive drum and that of the transfer belt at the transfer position becomes almost 0. Further, the image forming apparatus controls the exposure timing in accordance with fluctuations of the speed of surface at the exposure position so that the exposure interval in the sub-scanning direction on the photosensitive drum comes close to a constant interval.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer-sheet conveying member that rotates to convey a transfer sheet; a first image forming unit that directly transfers a color image onto the transfer sheet; an intermediate transfer member that rotates while an image is transferred thereon; a second image forming unit that transfers images onto the intermediate transfer member; a secondary transfer unit that transfers the images on the intermediate transfer member onto the transfer sheet; a measuring unit that measures a surface velocity of the transfer-sheet conveying member and the intermediate transfer member; and a control unit that performs phase matching control by accelerating or decelerating the transfer-sheet conveying member or the intermediate transfer member so as to match a phase of fluctuation of the measured surface velocity of the transfer-sheet conveying member and a phase of fluctuation of the measured surface velocity of the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a first photoconductive member used during monochrome printing; a plurality of second photoconductive members used together with the first photoconductive member during full-color printing and arranged in parallel to the first photoconductive member; a transfer belt that forms a loop-like moving path; a first transfer roller and a plurality of second transfer rollers provided on an inner peripheral side of the transfer belt; and a link member that shifts, during the full-color printing, the second transfer rollers to positions where the second transfer rollers are brought into press contact with the respective second photoconductive members via the transfer belt and shifts, during the monochrome printing, the second transfer rollers to positions where respective separations between an inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt and the respective second transfer rollers are substantially identical.

Abstract: Disclosed in an image forming apparatus including a conveyance section to convey a paper, a first fixing device to fix a toner on the paper by heat fixing, a first cooling device to cool the paper in which the toner is fixed, a second fixing device to fix the toner on the paper by heat fixing, a second cooling device to cool the paper in which the toner is fixed, a conveyance path switching section to switch a conveyance path of the paper between a first conveyance path and a second conveyance path and a control section to control so as to carry out cooling by operating the second cooling device and not operating the first cooling device when the paper is to be conveyed to the first conveyance path and so as to carry out cooling by operating the first cooling device when the paper is to be conveyed to the second conveyance path.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes a belt-based fuser for fixing an image to a media substrate. The fuser includes a belt disposed about a heating element to facilitate the media handling and to transfer the heat of the heater to the passing media. A lubricant layer lubricates the movement of the belt about the heating element. The lubricant layer includes fluorinated oil having a number average molecular weight greater than 10,000 amu.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a stationary at least partially tubular thermal member, a flexible fuser belt, a fuser pad, and a rotatable pressure member. The thermal member has a tubular portion thereof extending in an axial direction and defining a closed axial cross-section. A circumference of the thermal member is subjected to heating. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the thermal member. An inner circumference of the fuser belt at least partially faces the thermal member. The fuser pad is held stationary inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member extends opposite the thermal member in the axial direction with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The fuser pad is pressed against the pressure member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The thermal member is spaced apart from the fuser pad.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixing device including: a heating section; a pressure contact section to form a nip section with the heating device and to pressure a sheet so that the sheet contacts with the heating section; and a pressurizing section to add a pressurizing force to the sheet through the pressure contact section and to make the nip section be formed between the heating section and the pressure contact section; wherein the pressurizing section adds the higher pressurizing force to an upstream portion and a downstream portion of the nip section than the pressurizing force added to a central portion of the nip section in a sheet conveying direction, and adds the higher pressurizing force to the downstream portion than the pressurizing force added to the upstream portion.

Abstract: A cleaning device for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a primary cleaning brush, a collecting roller, and a blade. The primary cleaning brush is configured to remove post-transfer residual toner remaining on an image carrying member. The collecting roller is configured to cause the post-transfer residual toner adhering to the first cleaning brush to electrostatically adhere thereto, is made of metal, and has a surface roughness Ra of at least approximately 0.08 micrometers. The blade is configured to come into contact with the collecting roller and mechanically remove the post-transfer residual toner adhering to the collecting roller.

Abstract: A powder collecting container includes: a first chamber that is configured to store collected powder; a conveying unit that has a rotary shaft, and a powder conveying blade formed to be wound around the rotary shaft, the conveying unit being arranged along an upper-limit zone for accommodating powder in the first chamber and configured to convey powder which is contained in the first chamber and located at a position exceeding the upper-limit zone. A hollow member has an opening portion formed in a peripheral wall so that a powder conveying end of the conveying unit is located in the opening portion, and that the conveying unit passes through the hollow member. A second chamber has an inlet provided to face the opening portion so that powder conveyed by the conveying unit enters the second chamber from the inlet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which includes an input unit to receive an input image; an area determination unit to divide the input image into a plurality of areas, to compute a weight for at least one of a position, a density and a color of each of the plurality of divided areas and to determine an area on which a copy prevention pattern is to be superimposed among the plurality of divided areas; a generation unit to superimpose the copy prevention pattern on the determined area of the input image and to generate a copy prevention image; and an output unit to output the generated copy prevention image. Therefore, it is possible to select a position of a document into which the copy prevention pattern is to be inserted.

Abstract: A conveying device includes: a main body; a holding unit that holds media that is attached and detached to and from the main body; a third conveying member that conveys a single medium among the media held in the holding unit; a first conveying member that conveys the single media; a second conveying member that faces the first conveying member to pinch the media so as to conveys the single media with the first conveying member; a feed unit that feeds the single medium to the main body; an attaching part that is provided at the feed unit and enables the feed unit to attach to the holding unit; a positioning mechanism that positions the main body and the feed unit so that the second conveying member is located at a predetermined position relative to the first conveying member when the holding unit is loaded on the main body.

Abstract: A duplex-printable image forming apparatus which is capable of increasing a speed of duplex printing. The image forming apparatus includes: a developing unit which forms a visible image, which is formed of a developer, on a printing medium; a fixing unit which fixes the visible image formed on the printing medium onto the printing medium; a discharging roller unit which can be regularly/reversely rotated such that the printing medium passed through the fixing unit is conveyed to the developing unit along a duplex printing path or is discharged out of the apparatus; and an intermediate conveying unit which is interposed between the fixing unit and the discharging roller unit and selectively holds the printing medium.

Abstract: An image forming system comprises a selection unit for selecting a post-processing apparatus that executes post-processing to a recording medium on which an image is formed from among a plurality of post-processing apparatuses, and a selection limitation unit for determining an insertion apparatus whose supply of the insertion medium to be limited for a selected post-processing apparatus and limiting selection of the insertion apparatus.