Abstract: Content receivers may simultaneously record multiple instances of content for multiple programming channels based on content provider instructions. Systems and methods utilize the content receivers to perform memory jumping operations within files having the simultaneously recorded multiple instance of content stored therein. The memory jumping operation may jump locations within the file corresponding to a predetermined memory jumping operation timeframe, and in order to account for the variability in the recording bit rate and therefore the playing of the instance of content, the jump locations in the memory jumping operation may be dynamically adjusted based on recording bit rates.

Abstract: A fluid warmer (10) for temperature control of a medical fluid (14) guided in a fluid tube (12) and a method for operation thereof have a sensor (38), which determines a leakage current (40) via a functional grounding conductor (FE). Two supply connection conductors (22a; 22b) for a resistance heating element (18) as well as the functional grounding conductor (FE) are each equipped with a switch (30a; 30b; 30c) which can be controlled by a control device (32). The switches (30a; 30b; 30c) can be put into their open switching state jointly within a defined time interval by means of a control device (32) on occurrence of a leakage current (40) that is greater than or equal to a defined maximum threshold current magnitude (ITon, IToff).

Abstract: The present invention provides a heating apparatus of a hot drink machine comprising a conduit pipe extended from a reservoir and connected to an internal heating assembly, a conduit pipe connected between an outlet of the internal heating assembly and a sprinkler outlet on an entrance of a brewing container, a gate for controlling hot water provided on conduit pipe adjacent to sprinkler outlet; characterized in that: said internal heating assembly comprises an electric heating liner surrounding an outer circumference of a stainless steel pipe, and an aluminum material die casted to encompass the electric heating liner on the outer circumference of the stainless steel pipe; whereby heat from said electric heating liner is uniformly distributed on the stainless steel pipe via said aluminum material encompassed said outer circumference thereof such that heat is uniformly transmitted to raw water in said internal heating assembly to increase a heating efficiency thereof.

Abstract: Provided are: a heat medium heating device capable of bringing: flat heat exchange tubes and PTC heaters; and inlet/outlet header parts of the flat heat exchange tubes, into sufficiently close contact with each other, and incorporating these components into a casing; and a vehicular air-conditioning device including the same. In a heat medium heating device, flat heat exchange tubes each including a flat tube part and inlet/outlet header parts and PTC heaters are stacked in layers, and a heat exchange holding member presses the flat heat exchange tubes from one side, whereby the stacked structure is incorporated on an inner bottom surface of a casing. In this configuration, at least uppermost one of the flat heat exchange tubes has one surface pressed by the heat exchange holding member, the one surface being formed into a planar shape in which the flat tube part and the inlet/outlet header parts are flattened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a electric heating device for heating fluids, comprising at least one heating resistor, a screw, which defines a helical flow channel, and a tube housing, which surrounds the screw. In accordance with this disclosure, the screw has a core in which the at least one heating resistor is arranged.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a usable time calculation unit which calculates a usable time of a battery device having a secondary battery, wherein the usable time calculation unit measures an average power level while a component is performed at a predetermined operation mode, wherein the power consumption of the component is unknown in advance before the component is initially connected, and when power is supplied for the second and subsequent times while the component is continuously connected, the usable time calculation unit calculates the usable time of the battery device using the average power level and a current integration value which is an integration value of current flowing during charging and discharging of the battery device.

Abstract: A swivel tether for attaching a camera via a cord to an object, the swivel tether including a side release buckle system having a ball joint connection that allows for 360 degree swivel functionality. This permits the camera to rotate freely without adding tension or twisting of the cord attached thereto and without causing a threaded connection between an end of the cord and the camera to become unthreaded due to rotation of the camera. The ball joint connection may be configured in the plug connection component of the side release buckle system. The side release buckle system also includes a slide lock switch operative to lock plug and socket portions of the buckle system together to prevent unintentional release of the buckle system when fastened.

Abstract: A camera module comprises an housing and at least two metal plating layers. The housing comprises a base and two platforms. The base includes a bottom surface, a top surface and an outer wall surface. A receiving hole configured to receive a lens device may be formed in the base, the receiving hole may pass through the base in a direction from the top surface to the bottom surface. The two platforms may be positioned above the top surface of the base and may have different heights. The metal plating layers extends on the outer wall surface of the base. A first end portion of each of the two metal plating layers extends to the top surface of the corresponding platform and the other end portion of the each metal plating layer extends to the bottom surface of the base.

Abstract: There is provided a method for resizing a network connection in an optical transport network that supports protection switching and receives a flexible Optical channel Data (ODUflex(GFP)) signal. In addition, Hitless Adjustment of ODUflex(GFP) (HAO) procedure includes Suppress Bandwidth Resize (SBR) information that prevents a Bandwidth Resize (BWR) protocol from being initiated. Based on the SBR information, only the LCR protocol is executed at nodes located on a protection path for protection switching, except for the BWR protocol. On the other hand, both the LCR protocol and the BWR protocol are executed at nodes located on a working path.

Abstract: A manner of protecting communications in a PON (passive optical network). A switch array is provided in a CO (central office) and placed in communication with a number of primary OLTs, which each can thereby communicate with a respective feeder fiber when the associated switch of the switch array is in a first state. When the switch is placed in a second state, the feeder fiber instead communicates with a protection OLT. In some embodiments each switch communicates with the OLT more or less directly, while in others the protection OLT is in communication with a first switch of the switch array and the others communicate with the OLT via the first switch and possibly other intervening switches. The switches of the switch array may also be connected to redundant feeder fibers for additional protection. A system controller may be used to detect the need for protection and to control switch states accordingly to provide it.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a mobile terminal for servicing a telecommunication system, wherein the telecommunication system comprises a system controller and at least one module and/or at least one interface port (that is externally accessible in the inserted state of the module), wherein the mobile terminal features an identification device in order to identify a module or an interface port. The invention further pertains to a utilization of such a mobile terminal, as well as an arrangement consisting of a telecommunication system and such a mobile terminal.

Abstract: A Sagnac interferometer event sensing device is disclosed herein. The device includes a first light source operable to emit a first light beam. The device also includes a second light source operable to emit a second light beam. The device also includes an optical fiber path including a first portion along which only the first light beam travels, a second portion along which only the second light beam from the second light source travels, and a third portion along which both of the first and second light beams travel. The device also includes a first detector disposed at an end of the first portion of the optical fiber path to receive the first light beam. The device also includes a second detector disposed at an end of the second portion of the optical fiber path to receive the second light beam. The device also includes a first plurality of depolarizers disposed along the first portion of the optical fiber path.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and a device for detecting a signal power, and belongs to the field of communications. The method includes: when a receiver converts a received receive signal and outputs an output signal, separating a direct current signal and an alternating current signal from the output signal; converting the direct current signal into a first analog voltage signal; converting the alternating current signal into a second analog voltage signal through a transimpedance amplifier TIA; and obtaining a power of the receive signal according to the first analog voltage signal and the second analog voltage signal. The device includes: a first separating module, a first converting module, and an obtaining module. The present invention can improve accuracy of detecting a signal power.

Abstract: Computing bus devices that enable quantum information to be coherently transferred between topological and conventional qubits are disclosed. A concrete realization of such a topological quantum bus acting between a topological qubit in a Majorana wire network and a conventional semiconductor double quantum dot qubit is described. The disclosed device measures the joint (fermion) parity of the two different qubits by using the Aharonov-Casher effect in conjunction with an ancillary superconducting flux qubit that facilitates the measurement. Such a parity measurement, together with the ability to apply Hadamard gates to the two qubits, allows for the production of states in which the topological and conventional qubits are maximally entangled, and for teleporting quantum states between the topological and conventional quantum systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for the compensation of signal distortion in fiber optic communication systems and the like. More specifically, the present disclosure provides an orthogonal polarization detection and broadband pilot (OPDBP) technique for the compensation of nonlinear cross polarization (i.e. nonlinear cross polarization modulation) (XPolM) induced noise and nonlinear nonlinear cross phase modulation (XPM) induced noise in a high data rate polarization multiplexed (PM) multilevel-quadrature amplitude modulated (M-QAM) channel due to neighboring channels. This approach allows for the compensation of both XPolM and XPM simultaneously, providing several dBs of optical reach extension. The approach uses a pilot tone based orthogonal polarization detection scheme with broadband (i.e. a few GHz wide) filtering of the pilot tones.

Abstract: Proposed is a method of optical data transmission. The method comprises different steps. A first optical signal and a second optical signal are generated, such that the optical signals possess a same wavelength, respective phases, which are modulated in dependence on respective data values, and respective polarization states, which are essentially orthogonal to each other. A combined optical signal is generated, by combining the optical signals, such that the combined optical signal possesses a polarization state with a predetermined variation. The combined optical signal is transmitter over an optical transmission line and received. Two time-discrete sampled signals are generated, by sampling the received optical signal along two orthogonal polarization planes. Two filtered signals are generated, by filtering the time-discrete sampled signals in the time-discrete domain, using a function that is indicative of the respective predetermined variation.

Abstract: A system for transporting a plurality of analog and/or digital signals over an optical fiber can include one or more master modems for modulating digital signals and/or RF inserters modulating video signals. The RF signals from the modem(s)/RF inserters are up-converted resulting in frequency bands that are non-overlapping and are spaced apart within a single sub-octave. The sub-octave signal is then converted into an optical signal and directed onto an end of an optical fiber. At the downstream end of the optical fiber, the received optical signal is converted to an RF signal at an optical receiver. The RF signal is then filtered, down-converted and directed to a selected coaxial distribution unit. From the coaxial distribution unit, the RF signal is demodulated, e.g. at a slave modem, to recover the initial analog and/or digital signal.

Abstract: A system comprising a first optical line terminal (OLT) comprising a first integrated optical network unit (ONU), and a first OLT transceiver, and a second OLT coupled to the first OLT, wherein the second OLT comprises a second integrated ONU, and a second OLT transceiver. Included is a first OLT comprising an optical transceiver, at least one processor coupled to the optical transceiver, wherein the processor working in conjunction with the optical transceiver is configured to determine an upstream wavelength corresponding to a second OLT, join, via a first ONU in the first OLT, the second OLT using the upstream wavelength corresponding to the second OLT, and transmit data to the second OLT by the first OLT via the first ONU, wherein the second OLT comprises a second ONU.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes at least one tone generator, a first transmitter, and a second transmitter. The at least one tone generator is operable to generate a plurality of modulation tones comprising at least a first modulation tone having a first tone frequency and a second modulation tone having a second tone frequency that is different from the first tone frequency. The first transmitter is operable to apply the first modulation tone to a first optical signal such that at least a portion of the first optical signal is divided into one or more sidebands. The second transmitter is operable to apply the second modulation tone to a second optical signal such that at least a portion of the second optical signal is divided into one or more sidebands.

Abstract: An undersea long-haul transmission system includes an optical fiber transmission span and a coherent detection and digital signal processing module for providing dispersion compensation. The transmission span includes at least one fiber pair comprising substantially equal lengths of a positive-dispersion first fiber and a negative-dispersion second fiber that are configured to provide a signal output at transmission distances greater than 10,000 km, in which the combined accumulated dispersion across the operating bandwidth does not exceed the dispersion-compensating capacity of the coherent detection and digital signal processing module. Further described is a fiber for use in an undersea long-haul transmission span. At a transmission wavelength of 1550 nm, the fiber has a dispersion coefficient in the range of ?16 to ?25 ps/nm·km, and a dispersion slope in the range of 0.04 to 0.02 ps/nm2·km.

Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for determining propagation delay of communications in distributed antenna systems are disclosed. The propagation delay of communications signals distributed in the distributed antenna systems is determined. If desired, the propagation delay(s) can be determined on a per remote antenna unit basis for the distributed antenna systems. The propagation delay(s) can provided by the distributed antenna systems to a network or other system to be taken into consideration for communications services or operations that are based on communications signal delay. As another non-limiting example, propagation delay can be determined and controlled for each remote antenna unit to be uniquely distinguish the remote antenna units. In this manner, the location of a client device communicating with a remote antenna unit can be determined within the communication range of the remote antenna unit.

Abstract: A system, and related methods and devices, is disclosed for increasing an output power of a frequency band in a distributed antenna system that includes at least one RXU module that is operatively coupled to at least one RAU module. A first group of the plurality of channels within a first frequency band may be allocated to the RAU module, and a second group of the plurality of the channels within the first frequency band may be allocated to the RXU module. The at least one RAU module may be configured to receive RF signals from the first group of the plurality of channels being used in the first frequency band, and the at least one RXU module may be configured to receive RF signals from the second group of the plurality of channels being used in the first frequency band. In this manner, the amount of composite power per channel is increased.

Abstract: A system for transporting a plurality of digital signals (i.e. “n” digital signals) over an optical fiber includes a plurality of modems for modulating each digital signal on a respective analog signal. Each resulting RF signal is processed by a corresponding up-convertor, which includes a mixer and local oscillator, to produce a frequency band which can be a double sideband or single sideband of the modulated signal. The resulting frequency bands output by the up-convertors are non-overlapping and are spaced apart within a single sub-octave. An RF combiner combines the frequency bands and the combined RF signal is converted into an optical signal by an optical transmitter that outputs to an optical fiber. An optical receiver converts the optical signal from the fiber to an RF signal that is directed to an RF splitter. Signal fractions from the splitter are filtered, down-converted and demodulated to recover the initial digital signals.

Abstract: Some embodiments are provided for performing wireless maintenance procedures on personal equipment systems. Personal equipment systems can include wireless communication systems that allow external systems, users, or both to maintain the systems and/or run diagnostic procedures. Personal equipment systems are provided having one or more local devices coupled thereto and in wired communication with one another. Personal equipment systems can include a wireless system and local devices attached to a headgear system, the local devices being in wired communication with one another and in wireless communication with external systems. The wireless communication system is configured to establish a wireless connection with external systems for maintenance of local devices that are in wired communication with each other. Methods for performing wireless maintenance of personal equipment systems are described.

Abstract: An optical device includes a near field transducer; and a dielectric resonant structure coupled to the near field transducer; wherein the dielectric resonant structure comprises a dielectric material that decreases a dissipation of energy in the dielectric resonant structure, relative to other dissipations of energy associated with other materials; and wherein the decrease in the dissipation of energy increases an efficiency of energy transfer from the near field transducer to a target structure, relative to other efficiencies of energy transfer from the near field transducer to the target structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless communication method, base station and system. The base station includes several LED lights and/or several VLC/IR receivers. The several LED lights are configured to send downlink signals in an OFDMA standard to a user terminal, and the several VLC/IR receivers are configured to receive uplink signals that are of an SC-FDMA standard and sent by the user terminal. The base station further includes a baseband signal processing unit configured to equate the several LED lights and/or the several VLC/IR receivers with radio remote units of an LTE mode to perform processing and resource management. The embodiments of the present invention are capable of reusing baseband signal processing and resource management manners in an existing LTE system, thereby simplifying resource management and baseband signal processing operations performed by the base station, and saving the base station resources.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a communication system for a power electronic converter with a plurality of converter modules includes controllable power semiconductor switches and individually mountable onto a converter cabinet or frame. The communication system includes unguided transmission of optical signals between optical elements arranged on a converter module and on the converter cabinet, respectively. The communication system provides a free-space optical signal transmission between two distinct parts of the converter that combines the flexibility offered by radio transmission and the data rate and reliability of optical communication, while at the same time avoiding the complex and expensive cabling of optical fiber solutions.

Abstract: An optical microphone for detecting an acoustic wave propagating through an environmental fluid by using a light wave, includes: an acoustic wave receiving section having a propagation medium portion through which an acoustic wave propagate and a first support portion for supporting the propagation medium portion; a light source for outputting a light wave so that the light wave passes through the propagation medium portion across the acoustic wave propagating through the propagation medium portion; a light-blocking portion having an edge line for splitting the light wave having passed through the propagation medium portion into a blocked portion and a non-blocked portion; and a photoelectric conversion section for receiving a portion of the light wave having passed through the propagation medium portion which has not been blocked by the light-blocking portion to output an electric signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optoelectronic transceiver which has the following: an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, coupling means consisting of a first and second optical lens made with optically active interfaces for changing/deflecting optical paths of on the one hand optical output signals A of the optical transmitter to a connectable optical light guide and on the other hand of input signals E of the same light guide to the receiver, characterized in that the first lens has a concave reflection surface which lies inside in the coupling means for signals of the optical transmitter and the second lens has a convex transmission surface which lies outside for outgoing signals of the optical transmitter and a concave reflection surface which lies inside for incoming signals.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for improving bandwidth of a transceiver system e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) micro-B connector. The apparatus comprises a first pair of lens units, each lens unit of the pair positioned on either side of an input-output (I/O) bus interface, the pair of lens units to send and receive optical signals respectively; a first housing to shield the first pair of lens units and for physically coupling the I/O bus interface and the first pair of lens units to a receptacle; and a key to grasp the first housing and to lock the first housing with the receptacle.

Abstract: A high-speed photodiode may include a photodiode structure having a substrate, a light-absorbing layer and a light-directing layer that is deposited on a top surface of the photodiode structure and patterned to form a textured surface used to change the angle of incident light to increase a light path of the incident light when entering the photodiode structure. In one embodiment, the light-directing layer may include a plurality of polygon such as triangular projections to refract the incident light to increase the light path thereof when entering the photodiode structure. In another embodiment, a plurality of nanoscaled sub-triangular projections can patterned on both sides of each triangular projection to more effectively increase the light paths. In a further embodiment, porous materials can be used to form the light-directing layer.

Abstract: A receiver that includes a carrier recovery module that includes a reference signal generator that is arranged to generate a reference signal that estimates a carrier signal; a decision module that is arranged to demodulate a receiver input signal by the reference signal to provide a demodulated signal and to evaluate the demodulated signal to provide an decision module output signal that estimates the carrier signal; the reference signal generator includes a delay and rotation module that is arranged to delay receiver input signals to provide delayed receiver input signals and to align the delayed receiver input signals by a rotation that is responsive to the decision module output signal thereby providing aligned signals; and a multiplication and summation module that is arranged to generate the reference signal by calculating a weighted sum of the aligned signals.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a first deviation detection portion detects an amount of deviation of a sheet of paper in relation to a reference position of an edge of the sheet of paper. A control portion, determines whether or not an amount of deviation detected by the first deviation detection portion exists within a moving adjustment range of a pair of registration rollers in the second control and performs a first control to correct the reference position of the edge of the sheet of gaper before the image is formed when the amount of deviation exceeds, the moving adjustment range of the pair of registration rollers. A second deviation detection portion detects an amount of deviation of the sheet of paper just before the image is formed in relation to a reference position of the edge of the corrected sheet of paper.

Abstract: A processor places a printer apparatus in a reduced activity mode after printing requests have not been received for an “inactivity” time period. A belt support device rotates a photoreceptor belt at a reduced speed when the printer apparatus enters the reduced activity mode and for a “delay” time period after the printer apparatus enters the reduced activity mode. The belt support device returns the rotational speed of the photoreceptor belt to the original speed if a new printing request is received during the delay time period. However, the belt support device stops rotation of the photoreceptor belt and reduces the belt tension if the delay time period expires without receiving a new printing request.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a measurement image on a sheet, a measurement unit configured to radiate light on the measurement image via a transparent window, and measure the light reflected from the measurement image, a white reference plate of which a white level is measured by the measurement unit, a black member of which a black level is measured by the measurement unit, and a determination unit configured to determine, based on a change in a measurement result of the white reference plate and a change in a measurement result of the black member measured by the measurement unit, whether the white reference plate, the black member, or the window is soiled.

Abstract: Methods and systems feed sheets of media on a media path within a printer device and place marking material on the sheets of media to produce printed sheets using a marking station. The methods and systems press the sheets of media using a pressure roller to join the marking material to the sheets of media and control heating elements to heat different portions of the pressure roller differently based upon the gloss level of the printed sheets using the processor.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt including a metal layer, a pressing member to form a nip between the pressing member and the fixing belt, an induction current generating coil that faces an outer periphery of the fixing belt, and heats the fixing belt located at a nip position through a hollow inside of the fixing belt, and a coil controller supplies a high frequency to the induction current generating coil.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which executes, after an image forming operation is stopped, a cleaning operation in which toner that remains on an intermediate transfer belt is transferred to a photosensitive drum and is removed by a cleaning blade while the image forming apparatus causes the intermediate transfer belt to move for circulation, causes a charging roller or a laser scanner to change the surface potential of the photosensitive drum such that the toner to be transferred from the intermediate transfer belt to the photosensitive drum is part of the toner that is to remain on the intermediate transfer belt, when the cleaning operation is executed.

Abstract: A display control device includes an operation-display unit and a controller. The operation-display unit hierarchically displays multiple functions using multiple screens and accepts an operation performed through an approach or touch of an object. The controller performs control so that, when the object approaches a function displayed on an original screen, a next screen associated with the function selected as a result of the approach of the object is temporarily displayed using a display mode corresponding to a relationship between the original screen and the next screen.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a power supply unit to generate DC power, a plurality of function units to perform the functions of the image forming apparatus, a control unit to control the operation of a plurality of function units, a switching unit to receive DC power of the power supply unit and switch power provided to the control unit and each of a plurality of function units, and a power management unit to receive DC power of the power supply unit and to control a switching operation of the switching unit according to an operation mode of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, an apparatus-side terminal provided to a first inner side wall of the apparatus body, a developer container to contain developer and to be removably installable in the apparatus body, a container-side terminal electrically connectable to the apparatus-side terminal and disposed in a first end portion of the developer container in a longitudinal direction thereof, and an apparatus-side protrusion projecting inward from the first inner side wall of the apparatus body. In removal of the developer container from the apparatus body, a second end portion of the developer container in the longitudinal direction is disengaged from the apparatus body before the first end portion is disengaged from the apparatus body, and the apparatus-side protrusion contacts the first end portion of the developer container immediately after removal of the developer container from the apparatus body is started.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes a first unit provided with an image bearing member and a second unit that is provided with a developer carrying member for carrying a developer, with the second unit being connected with the first unit so as to be movable between a contact position in which the developer carrying member is contacted with that image bearing member and a spacing position in which the developer carrying member is spaced from the image bearing member. The second unit includes a recess or opening into which a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly of the apparatus to apply a voltage to the process cartridge when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus and second unit is positioned in the spacing position.

Abstract: An electrostatic image developing toner including: toner base particles each including a binder resin and a colorant; and an external additive, wherein the toner base particles each have protrusions on a surface thereof, an average of lengths of long sides of the protrusions is 0.1 ?m or more but less than 0.5 ?m, a standard deviation of the lengths of the long sides of the protrusions is 0.2 or less, a coverage rate of the protrusions on the surface of each toner base particle is 10% to 90%, and the external additive includes an external additive (A) which is fine inorganic particles each containing silicone oil.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include a casing, and a plurality of image carriers arranged in parallel along one direction in the casing and formed with an electrostatic latent image. The apparatus can further include a plurality of developing agent carriers opposed to the image carriers, for visualizing the electrostatic latent image by feeding a developing agent to the image carriers, and a plurality of developing agent cartridges, arranged in parallel in the one direction to be opposed to the developing agent carriers in the longitudinal direction of the developing agent carriers, and configured to be together attachable/detachable to/from the casing along the one direction, for accommodating the developing agent fed to the developing agent carriers.

Abstract: There is provided an exposing device which includes an elongated optical head in which a plurality of light emitting portions are arranged, and a supporting member to which the optical head is adhered. The optical head and the supporting member are adhered by a first adhesive, and a second adhesive of which a modulus of elasticity after curing is lower than that of the first adhesive. The second adhesive is applied in a second adhesive area which is located at a boundary between the optical head and the supporting member and which is longer, in a longitudinal direction of the optical head, than a first adhesive area which is located at the boundary and to which the first adhesive is applied.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes an internal shutter and an external shutter. The internal shutter including a contact member is movable between a first position at which the internal shutter closes the outlet, a third position at which the internal shutter opens the outlet, and a second position between the first position and the third position. The internal shutter at the second position is movable to the third position while closing the outlet. The external shutter is movable between a closed position at which the external shutter closes the outlet and an open position at which the external shutter opens the outlet, and includes an interlocking member to contact the contact member to move the internal shutter. As the external shutter is moved from the closed position to the open position, the internal shutter is moved from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the external shutter.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a case having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and a developing roller disposed between the first sidewall and second sidewall. The developing roller can include a developing roller shaft and a developing roller member configured to carry a developing agent thereon, the developing roller member disposed around the developing roller shaft. Also, the developing cartridge can include an electrode disposed on the first sidewall adjacent to the developing roller shaft, the electrode electrically connected to the developing roller member, and a driven coupling disposed on the second sidewall. The electrode can include, an extending portion extending in a direction away from the first sidewall. An outermost periphery of the driven coupling defines a projection plane projecting in a direction towards the electrode, wherein at least a part of the extending portion is disposed within the projection plane.

Abstract: A toner container and an image forming apparatus are disclosed. The toner container includes a guiding member formed at a part surrounding a toner outlet to be protruded from a circumferential surface of the toner container for guiding an opening or closing operation of a shutter member in a circumferential direction of the toner container. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus main body includes a main body side shutter for opening or closing a toner supplying opening to be connected to the toner outlet. When the shutter member is opened, an end surface of the guiding member pushes the main body side shutter together with the opening operation of the shutter member, and the toner supplying opening is opened and is connected to the toner outlet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a movable belt; a transfer member opposed to the image bearing member with the belt therebetween; wherein the transfer member has a contact surface substantially parallel with a surface of the belt and contacted to the belt, and wherein when the belt is moving, the belt rubs the contact surface, and a toner image is transferred from such a part of image bearing member as is opposed to the contact surface; and a supporting member for supporting the transfer member, the supporting member being swingable.

Abstract: A separation device includes at least one separator disposed opposite one of a first rotary body and a second rotary body. Each separator includes a front aligned in an axial direction of the one of the first rotary body and the second rotary body and including a recording medium conveyance face over which a recording medium slides. The recording medium conveyance face includes a front edge produced with a burr having a height not greater than about 25 micrometers. A recess produced on the recording medium conveyance face extends in a direction perpendicular to a recording medium conveyance direction. The recording medium conveyance face has a surface roughness defined by one of an arithmetic average roughness not greater than about 1.5 micrometers, a maximum height not greater than about 10.0 micrometers, and a ten point average roughness not greater than about 7.2 micrometers.