Abstract: A method for copy protection in which an audiovisual or audio data is divided into a plurality of portions. The plurality of portions is at least partly scrambled and prepared so as to be stored on a record carrier in the scrambled order. This is done so that a physical position on the record carrier, e.g., a sector of the record carrier, where a respective portions of the divided data is stored depends on the scrambled order.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed to generate a media compilation based on content generated from a community of users. In the context of a method, input that visually simulates a desired type of content is received. The method includes identifying content that matches the input and generating a media compilation based on the identified content.

Abstract: A video playback apparatus that processes an obtained video and plays back the processed video, includes: a face recognition unit which detects the size and position of an image of a person in the video, which change over time; a generation unit which generates a playback video for playback, such that the image of the person shown in the playback video is of a predetermined size, by (i) determining a clipping range for a part of the video in response to a change in the detected position, and (ii) enlarging or reducing, in response to a change in the detected size, a partial video which is the part of the video shown in the clipping range; and a video playback unit which plays back the generated playback video. Here, the response time for the clipping range determination is longer than a response time for the partial video enlargement or reduction.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing an image file and outputting audio data related to the image file at the same time is provided. The apparatus includes an audio editor configured to edit audio data having a predetermined time length in order to create edited audio data, and an encoder in configured to encode image data and the audio data edited by the audio editor in order to create a live picture file, wherein the live picture file includes at least one of an image data area including the image data, additional data header area including information related to additional data including the audio data, and an audio data area including the edited audio data.

Abstract: A CPU of an imaging device of the present invention causes an interval moving image to be captured for each interval photographing, selects frames to be stored as still images from among a plurality of frames constituting the interval moving image based on a face image, blurring, and the presence or absence of a change, and causes these selected still images to be stored in association with the interval moving image. When an amount of data exceeding that for a preset storage time length is recorded, the CPU first deletes low-grade interval moving images. Then, if this is not enough, the CPU deletes low-grade still images, and thereby retains an image file (a mixture of moving images and still images) within the desired time length.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an adjusting unit configured to perform a color adjustment process on an input image and generate an output image: a determining unit configured to determine an approximate expression which approximates conversion characteristics of the color adjustment process; and an outputting unit configured to output color adjustment information including information representing the approximate expression determined by the determining unit, wherein when the adjusting unit performs the color adjustment process on a partial region of the input image, the outputting unit outputs, as the color adjustment information, information including the information representing the approximate expression determined by the determining unit and region information representing the partial region.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a digital video recorder (DVR) having a controller to record video content supplied by a media communication system, establish a threshold for utilization of a memory resource of the DVR, detect a utilization of the memory resource that exceeds the threshold, generate a notice describing the utilization of the memory resource at or after the time the threshold was exceeded, identify a communication identifier associated with a portable communication device, transmit the notice to the portable communication device according to the identified communication identifier, and receive a response message from the portable communication device that includes one or more instructions to manage the memory resource of the DVR. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inhaler component for the formation of a vapour-air mixture and/or a condensation aerosol by evaporation of a liquid material and optionally the condensation of the formed vapour, comprising: a housing, an electric heating element for the evaporation of a portion of the liquid material; a wick with a capillary structure, said wick forming a compound structure with the heating element and automatically supplying the heating element with the liquid material; a carrier plate, preferably a printed circuit board, which carries the compound structure and on which the heating element is electrically contacted; and a capillary gap, formed at least in part by the carrier plate, for automatically supplying liquid material to the compound structure in that an end section of the wick protrudes into the capillary gap.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a hydronic heating fluid comprising a casing body having an inlet and an outlet adjacent to the inlet and a fluid flow path between the inlet and outlets. The flow path extends along first and second substantially straight sections with a return bend therebetween. The apparatus further includes a heating element located within one of the first or second sections of the flow path. The second end may include a threaded heater bore aligned with the second section wherein the heating element is threadably insertable into the second section through the heater bore. The first end may include a pump in fluidic communication with the inlet, the pump being operable to draw the heating fluid in through the inlet and to discharge the heating fluid through the first section of the casing body.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; a blade opening or closing the opening; an electromagnet including an iron core and a coil for energizing the iron core; and a drive lever holding an iron piece capable of being adsorbed to the iron core, capable of moving such that iron piece is moved into and away from the iron core, and driving the blade, wherein a plating process is performed on the iron core and the iron piece, a Vickers hardness of a plating of the iron piece is greater than that of a plating of the iron core, and a difference in the Vickers hardness between the plating of the iron piece and the plating of the iron core is 100 HV or more.

Abstract: A transponder among a plurality of transponders that are connected with a client device via a plurality of optical couplers, the transponder includes a protection timer configured to be activated when an alarm indication signal transmitted from the client device is received, and a controller configured to control transmission of an optical signal to one of the plurality of optical couplers when the protection timer times out, wherein a timeout value of the protection timer is set to a value different from a timeout value of a protection timer included in another transponder.

Abstract: A transmission circuit of a transmission device transmits a signal to a reception circuit of a reception device via a plurality of signal paths included in a communication line. A first interface circuit is connected to the transmission circuit and one or more signal paths. A second interface circuit is connected to the transmission circuit and remaining signal paths expect for the one or more signal paths. A third interface circuit is connected to the reception circuit and the one or more signal paths. A fourth interface circuit is connected to the reception circuit and the remaining signal paths. An operation for transmitting and receiving the signal via the plurality of signal paths is changed to an operation for transmitting and receiving the signal via the remaining signal paths when the one or more signal paths enter a disconnected state.

Abstract: An optical transmission apparatus includes a wavelength multiplexing unit that performs wavelength multiplexing with respect to dummy light for each channel of WDM and dummy light for each sub-band including the channels in plural; and a selecting unit that measures for each sub-band and corresponding to intensity of the channel-specific dummy light, transmission characteristics at a reception end, and according to measurement results, selects for each of the sub-bands, any one among the channel-specific dummy light and the sub-band-specific dummy light. The wavelength multiplexing unit wavelength multiplexes any of the channel-specific dummy light selected for each of the sub-bands by the selecting unit.

Abstract: An optical transceiver device has an optical transceiver component, an O/E conversion substrate and a switch control substrate. The optical transceiver component is connected to the first, second optical fiber network equipments for the transmission of optical signal, respectively. The O/E conversion substrate is electrically connected to an in-line equipment at a first location for transmission of electrical signal, and may convert the received optical signal into the electrical signal or convert the received electrical signal into the optical signal. The switch control substrate is electrically connected with an optical switching switch and is connected with the in-line equipment at a second location to receive a control signal for the optical switch from the in-line equipment such that the optical switching switch operates at an normal mode or an bypass mode to guarantee normal network communication of the first, second optical network equipment.

Abstract: Provided is a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical transmission device which is suitable of performing splitting, wavelength multiplexing, switching, and routing on an optical WDM signal in which optical signals having a spectrum close to a rectangle are arranged with a high density, and efficiency of spectral usage is ultimately high in units of wavelengths. A WDM optical transmission device according to the present invention is configured to cause flat portions of adjacent transmission bands on a wavelength spectrum overlap each other.

Abstract: Signal processing means includes carrier compensation means for compensating for a phase difference and a frequency difference between signal light and local light in relation to two polarization signals, so as to generate two carrier compensated signals, symbol determination means for demodulating the two carrier compensated signals on the basis of a signal arrangement of multi-value modulation, symbol rough-determination means for demodulating the two carrier compensated signals on the basis of a signal arrangement in which the number of multi-values of the multi-value modulation is reduced, selection means for selecting either of an output of the symbol determination means and an output of the symbol rough-determination means, and coefficient setting means for updating filter coefficients of polarized wave separation means by using an output selected by the selection means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method: sending a downlink message to an optical network terminal through a first port of an optical line terminal; receiving, from a second port of the optical line terminal, an uplink message returned by the optical network terminal; obtaining a second time of receiving the uplink message, and obtaining a first time when the uplink message reaches the first port; according to the first time and the second time, obtaining an equalized delay from the second port to the optical network terminal; and after the optical line terminal is switched from the first port to the second port, delivering, by the optical line terminal, the equalized delay from the second port, and performing data communication with the optical network terminal through the second port. In the present invention processing time is decreased to a maximum extent, and stability of the system is improved.

Abstract: A network design method that determines a TDM transmission line for accommodating a given demand includes: extracting an available demand from among a plurality of provided demands; calculating a total bandwidth of the extracted available demand; sequentially selecting the plurality of demands; generating candidates for a combination of TDM transmission lines that accommodate the selected demand; and determining a combination of TDM transmission lines that accommodates the selected demand from among the candidates for the combination of TDM transmission lines. The generating process includes: extracting a TDM transmission line with a band utilization efficiency higher than a specified threshold from among TDM transmission lines including the selected demand as an available demand; and generating candidates for a combination of TDM transmission lines that accommodate the selected demand using the extracted TDM transmission line.

Abstract: A code sequence relayed to an infrared blaster is monitored. If the code sequence approaches a violating sequence, the infrared blaster is controlled to emit infrared light with a corrected sequence that does not express the violating sequence. If the code sequence does not approach the violating sequence, the infrared blaster is controlled to emit infrared light with the code sequence.

Abstract: An optical signal (116) is modulated with a transmitted electrical signal comprising an information-bearing component (122) and a pilot tone (120) having a predetermined frequency. Transmission of the signal results in distortion, including nonlinear optical transmission impairments. A method of receiving the signal includes detecting the optical signal to produce a received electrical signal (X) comprising a distorted variant of the transmitted electrical signal. The pilot tone is extracted from the received electrical signal using a filtering operation (308) having a predetermined characteristic, and a compensation signal determined based upon the extracted pilot tone. The compensation signal is applied to the received electrical signal (X) to produce a compensated signal (Y) having reduced distortion.

Abstract: Extremely High Frequency (EHF) distributed antenna systems and related components and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a base unit for distributing EHF modulated data signals to a RAU(s) is provided. The base unit includes a downlink data source input configured to receive downlink electrical data signal(s) from a data source. The base unit also includes an E-O converter configured to convert downlink electrical data signal(s) into downlink optical data signal(s). The base unit also includes an oscillator configured to generate an electrical carrier signal at a center frequency in the EHF band. The base unit also includes a modulator configured to combine the downlink optical data signal(s) with the electrical carrier signal to form downlink modulated optical signal(s) comprising a downlink optical data signal(s) modulated at the center frequency of the electrical carrier signal. The modulator is further configured to send the downlink modulated optical signal to the RAU(s).

Abstract: An information communication method that enables communication between various devices is an information communication method of transmitting a signal using a change in luminance, and includes: determining a pattern of the change in luminance, by modulating the signal to be transmitted; and transmitting the signal, by a plurality of light emitters changing in luminance according to the determined pattern of the change in luminance, wherein the plurality of light emitters are arranged on a surface so that a non-luminance change area does not extend across the surface between the plurality of light emitters along at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction of the surface, the non-luminance change area being an area in the surface outside the plurality of light emitters and not changing in luminance.

Abstract: A lighting fixture is configured to modulate light intensity of a light source (11) comprising a light-emitting device (2) to superpose a communication signal on illumination light of the light source (11). The fixture includes: a main power supply (3) configured to control light output of the light source (11) based on a dimming signal; a switch device (Q1) for modulating an output current supplied from the main power supply (3) to the light source (11); an impedance element (Rx); a communication circuit (7); and a control power supply (8). The communication circuit (7) is configured to control the switch device (Q1) to superpose a modulation signal on illumination light from the light source (11). The control power supply (8) is configured to supply electric power to the communication circuit (7). One end of two input ends of the control power supply (8) is connected to one end of the impedance element.

Abstract: An interconnect system includes a first circuit board, first and second connectors connected to the first circuit board, and a transceiver including an optical engine and arranged to receive and transmit electrical and optical signals through a cable, to convert optical signals received from the cable into electrical signals, and to convert electrical signals received from the first connector into optical signals to be transmitted through the cable. The transceiver is arranged to mate with the first and second connectors so that at least some converted electrical signals are transmitted to the first connector and so that at least some electrical signals received from the cable are transmitted to the second connector.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a low-voltage integrated silicon high-speed modulator may include an optical modulator comprising first and second optical waveguides and two optical phase shifters, where each of the two optical phase shifters may comprise a p-n junction with a horizontal section and a vertical section and an optical signal is communicated to the first optical waveguide. A portion of the optical signal may then be coupled to the second optical waveguide. A phase of at least one optical signal in the waveguides may be modulated utilizing the optical phase shifters. A portion of the phase modulated optical signals may be coupled between the two waveguides, thereby generating two output signals from the modulator. A modulating signal may be applied to the phase shifters which may include a reverse bias.

Abstract: A technique is provided for an optical multiple input multiple output (MIMO) processing system.

Abstract: A signal level detect circuit configured to assess an input signal with varying amplitude signal levels and to generate an indicator signal includes an input circuit configured to receive the input signal and to process the input signal, the input circuit including a first node on which the input signal is sampled; a comparator configured to compare the processed input signal to a signal level threshold and generate a comparator output signal; and an active discharge circuit configured to provide a first discharge current to the first node in response to the comparator output signal. The comparator output signal changes from a low output state to a high output state in response to the comparator input signal, and the active discharge circuit generates the first discharge current to discharge the sampled input signal on the first node after the comparator output signal changes to the high output state.

Abstract: An optical receiver includes: a frontend circuit configured to generate a baseband signal representing a received optical signal by using local oscillator light; a frequency offset estimator configured to estimate a frequency offset of the baseband signal; a frequency offset corrector configured to correct the frequency offset of the baseband signal according to an estimation result by the frequency offset estimator; a phase recovery configured to recover a modulated phase from the baseband signal for which the frequency offset is corrected; a data recovery configured to recover transmission data according to the modulated phase recovered by the phase recovery; and a controller configured to control an operation of the frequency offset estimator according to a phase error of the baseband signal for which the frequency offset is corrected.

Abstract: An optical receiver for coherent optical communication, includes: a splitting element that splits a signal light into two optical axes; optical hybrids each of which is coupled with the two split optical axes; a skew adjustment element that is arranged on one of the optical axes, and adjusts a difference between optical path lengths of the two optical axes between the splitting element and the optical hybrids; a carrier; an adhesive that is filled between the skew adjustment element and the carrier; and a void that is located at an end portion of an optical axis direction of the skew adjustment element in a region where the skew adjustment element and the carrier are opposed to each other, the void being not filled up with the adhesive.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a belt unit detachable from a main body, a sensor unit, a blocking member, a moving mechanism, and a determination portion. The sensor unit includes a light emitting element configured to emit an outgoing light toward the belt, a first light receiving element configured to output a first signal, and a second light receiving element. The blocking member includes a first window and a second window. The moving mechanism is configured to move the blocking member between a first position in which the outgoing light passes the first window and a second position in which the outgoing light passes through the second window. The determination portion is configured to, when the blocking member is in the second position, determine whether the belt unit is attached to the main body based on the first signal output from the first light receiving element.

Abstract: A method applicable to an image forming apparatus with a lubricant to be applied to a surface of a photoreceptor for measuring surface roughness of the surface of the photoreceptor after lubricant application, the method including: a first step of measuring a surface profile of the photoreceptor and obtaining first data indicating the surface profile; a second step of generating second data on the basis of the first data, the second data indicating arithmetic mean roughness Ra within a predetermined range; and a third step of calculating a difference value ?Ra between second data before lubricant application and second data after lubricant application obtained by performing the first and second steps both before and after the lubricant is applied to the photoreceptor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing roller to fix a toner on a recording medium; a heater to heat the fixing roller; an alternating current (AC) power source to generate an AC electric power such that the heater heats the fixing roller according to the AC electric power; a unit interposed between the heater and the AC power source to selectively supply the AC electric power from the AC power source to the heater so as to control the heater to heat the fixing roller; a relay including a first relay contact point disposed on a first AC power supply line between the AC power source and the unit and a relay coil to open and close the first relay contact point; the relay selectively supplying the AC electric power from AC power source to the heater and the power control switch; a direct current (DC) power supplier to supply a DC power to the relay coil; and a thermoswitch interposed on a DC power supply line between the DC power supplier and the relay coil to control the supply of the AC electric power fr

Abstract: An image heating device includes a belt, a wire stretched from one widthwise end to the other widthwise end of the belt near a peripheral surface of the belt, a moving member movably fixed to one end of the wire, a biasing member, a detection unit, and a control unit. The belt heats an image on a sheet. The biasing member biases the moving member. The detection unit detects, from a biasing force of the biasing member provided when the wire is cut, that the moving member is moved. The control unit controls, according to an output of the detection unit with regard to detecting that the moving member is moved, whether or not to prohibit an image heating process.

Abstract: An image heating device includes a belt, a light emitting portion, a light receiving portion, and a control portion. The belt heats an image on a sheet in an image heating operation. The light emitting portion emits light from one widthwise end of the belt to the other widthwise end of the belt such that the light passes near a peripheral surface of the belt. The light receiving portion receives the light from the light emitting portion. The control portion controls, according to an output of the light receiving portion, whether or not to prohibit the image heating operation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image forming apparatus including: an image bearing member; an image forming section that forms a toner image on the image bearing member; a cleaning blade that makes contact with the image bearing member to remove toner on the image bearing member; and a control section that controls the image forming section to form a toner band on the image bearing member during a non-image formation period, the toner band being composed of toner to be provided to the cleaning blade, wherein the control section controls the image forming section to form the toner band on the image bearing member in such a manner that a toner concentration of the toner band on a downstream side in a rotational direction of the image bearing member is lower than an average concentration of the toner band.

Abstract: An image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses each of which is equipped with an image forming section and a control section are connected and which is configured such that each image forming apparatus can form an image on the same recording sheet, wherein the control section has a function to perform a first activation control to in tendem activate the plurality of image forming apparatuses and a second activation control to independently actuate each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. With this configuration, activation and stop are managed appropriately to each operating state, whereby wasteful power consumption is reduced.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming unit configured to form a toner image on the image bearing member, a conveyance member configured to transfer the toner image formed on the image bearing member onto a recording material and to convey the recording material, a detection member configured to detect the toner image on the conveyance member, and a control portion configured to set a position of a toner image, to be formed by the image forming unit, relative to the recording material based on a result obtained by forming a test toner image so as to extend over the conveyance member and an end portion of the recording material, transferring the formed test toner image onto the conveyance member and the recording material, and causing the detection member to detect the test toner image transferred onto the conveyance member.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus and methods are disclosed which include an intermediate transfer member to transfer images to media, an impression roller including a gripping device to receive the media, and a determination module to determine the length of the media held by the at least one gripper unit based on respective detections by first and second set of sensors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, which includes photoconductive drums arranged along a sheet conveyance direction, transfer bodies each disposed to face a corresponding one of the photoconductive drums, a fuser unit disposed downstream relative to a most downstream photoconductive drum in the sheet conveyance direction and configured to feed a sheet at a feeding speed lower than a feeding speed of the most downstream photoconductive drum, and a controller configured to, when the sheet is not in contact with any photoconductive drum but the most downstream photoconductive drum, perform a specific voltage applying mode to apply, to a most downstream transfer body in the sheet conveyance direction, a higher voltage than when the sheet is in contact with two or more photoconductive drums.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a rotatable image bearing member; a transferring member that forms a transfer nip portion with the image bearing member; a voltage application section that applies a voltage to the transferring member in such a manner that a certain amount of current flows through the transferring member; and a control section that sets a front-end current to a current that flows through the transferring member when a voltage having a polarity opposite to a transfer polarity and an absolute value substantially the same as or greater than an absolute value of a surface potential of the image bearing member is applied to the transferring member, the control section controlling the voltage application section in such a manner that the set front-end current flows through the transferring member when a front-end portion of a recording sheet in a conveyance direction passes through the transfer nip portion.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable heating member of magnetism-adjusted alloy configured to heat a toner image on a sheet; an excitation coil configured to generate a magnetic flux for electromagnetic induction heating of the rotatable heating member; a voltage source configured to supply an AC current to the excitation coil; a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the rotatable heating member at a first peripheral speed in an operation in a first image heating mode and configured to rotate the rotatable heating member at a second peripheral speed lower than the first peripheral speed in an operation in a second image heating mode; and a controller configured to control the voltage source in which a maximum current supplied to the excitation coil in the second image heating mode is smaller than a maximum current supplied to the excitation coil in the first image heating mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer image forming portion configured to form a developer image on a recording medium; a fixing portion configured to fix the developer image to the recording medium; a transportation portion configured to transport the recording medium to form a second image on the recording medium; and a transportation speed setting portion configured to set a transportation speed of the recording medium when the fixing portion fixes the developer image to the recording medium. The transportation speed setting portion sets a first transportation speed when the first image is fixed to the recording medium and a second transportation speed when the second image is fixed to the recording medium according to first developer used for forming the first image and second developer used for forming the second image. The first transportation speed is different from the second transportation speed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording medium includes an image forming unit that forms an unfixed toner image on a recording medium; a fixing unit that heats the recording medium bearing the unfixed toner image and fixes the unfixed toner image onto the recording medium at a nip portion; a heating member and a pressurizing member that touches the heating member and forms the nip portion therebetween; a first blower that blows air to a non-sheet-passing area of a small-size recording medium in the heating member; and a second blower that blows air to a non-sheet-passing area of a small-size recording medium in the pressurizing member. Upon the temperature of the non-sheet-passing area of the heating member exceeding a threshold temperature, the first blower blows without the second blower blowing, then the two blowers start blowing together.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having: an endless fixing belt; a heating member heating the fixing belt; a support member maintaining the fixing belt substantially circular; a pressing member in contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip portion; a temperature sensor; a position detector; a storage storing temperatures and positions of the fixing belt detected by the temperature sensor and the position detector; and a control unit. The control unit is operable in a characteristic storing mode and in a fixing mode. In the characteristic storing mode, temperatures of the fixing belt associated with positions are detected, and the detected temperatures and positions are stored in the storage. In the fixing mode, temperatures of the fixing nip portion are predicted with reference to the temperatures and positions stored in the storage, and the heating member is controlled such that the predicted temperatures become a target temperature.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control unit that performs two types of stop operations in which an image bearing member is rotated or is not rotated after forming an image. The control unit selects the stop operation according to operation time of the image bearing member.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a memory unit that stores procedure information that associates a function with a first procedure in accordance with which the electronic apparatus performs a process corresponding to the function in a standalone fashion, and a second procedure in accordance with which the electronic apparatus performs a process corresponding to the function in cooperation with an external apparatus and a display unit that displays one of an operation screen of the electronic apparatus having at least one operation button and an operation screen of the external apparatus having at least one operation button. The display unit displays the button associated with information related to the first procedure corresponding to the function if the operation screen of the electronic apparatus is displayed, and displays the button associated with information related to the second procedure corresponding to the function if the operation screen of the external apparatus is displayed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printing device to print images on sheets using a printing operation and to initiate a discharge of printed sheets from a sheet discharge port onto the discharge tray disposed for the image forming apparatus; a counter operatively connected to the printing device to count the number of printed sheets based on content of a print job; a controller to determine whether the number of printed sheets counted by the counter reaches a maximum sheet stacking capacity of the discharge tray, the maximum sheet stacking capacity being determined by a distance between the sheet discharge port and the discharge tray; and a reporting device to report that the discharge tray is full when the controller determines that the number of printed sheets counted by the counter reaches the maximum sheet stacking capacity.

Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a main duct forming an airflow path of air blew by an air blower such that the air flows through the main duct from a first side to a second side in an extending direction of the airflow path, the main duct including a plurality of air outlets opening in a direction intersecting the extending direction and discretely disposed along the extending direction, and an image forming unit including a plurality of air inlets disposed apart from the plurality of air outlets such that the air flowing out from the plurality of air outlets is introduced into the plurality of air inlets, each air inlet formed such that a second-side end thereof in the extending direction is positionally shifted toward the second side in the extending direction, relative to a second-side end of a corresponding air outlet in the extending direction.

Abstract: A cleaning member includes a ridgeline part provided at one end of the cleaning member in a lateral direction of the cleaning member, the ridgeline part including a first ridgeline that extends in an axial direction of a member to be cleaned that rotates and second ridgelines provided at respective ends of the first ridgeline, each second ridgeline extending in a direction away from the member to be cleaned. The ridgeline part is pressed against an outer peripheral surface of the member to be cleaned so that the ridgeline part and a corner portion on which the ridgeline part is formed press into the outer peripheral surface of the member to be cleaned and deform the member to be cleaned.