Abstract: The present invention provides a directionless optical architecture for reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADMs) and wavelength selective switches (WSSs). The directionless architecture utilizes a directionless wavelength switch coupled between client devices and ROADMs/WSSs to eliminate the need to hard-wire client devices to a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) network. Accordingly, client device connections can be automatically routed without manual intervention to provide a highly resilient network design which can recover route diversity during failure scenarios. Additionally, the present invention minimizes deployments of costly optical transceivers while providing superior resiliency. Further, the present invention couples the directionless optical architecture and associated optical protection mechanisms with existing mesh restoration schemes to provide additional resiliency.

Abstract: An exemplary method and apparatus are provided for data transmission in an optical transport network that includes receiving client data from a client, mapping the client data into a frame structure, mapping the frame structure into tributary slots of a data transport structure, and transmitting the data transport structure. The data transport structure contains a fixed number of tributary slots and the size of the frame structure is selectable in granularity of the tributary slots of the data transport structure.

Abstract: A session-based dynamic bandwidth allocation applied to PON includes the steps of A) duplicating, under PON system, packets transmitted to a splitter from every ONU and filtering the packets as per session classification via a snooping agent of the ONU to get specific packets; B) making every ONU transmit the specific packets to a bandwidth analyzer via a tunneling; C) analyzing information of the specific packets or the relativities between every specific packet and the previous and next packets via the bandwidth analyzer to further generate a session state information and save it into a database; and D) making an OLT access the session state information in the database and applying an SDBA to the dynamic bandwidth allocation.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention describe a method for optimizing the capacity of an optical communication network that uses wavelength division multiplexing, wherein the spectral distribution of the signals intended to be transmitted over a plurality of channels is done dynamically through the use of a variable spectrum grid whose spectral spacings between two successive channels are determined based on the spectral width of said signals and in which dynamic filtering of said signals is carried out before their transmission in order to adjust their spectral width based on the available spectral space, and thereby reduce crosstalk between adjacent channels when the signals are transmitted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wavelength-shifted bidirectional WDM optical network including: an optical line terminal including an optical line terminal (OLT) including a first optical transmitter transmitting a downstream WDM optical signal, a first high-density wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer wavelength-multiplexing the downstream WDM optical signal or wavelength-demultiplexing a wavelength-multiplexed upstream WDM optical signal, and a first optical receiver receiving the wavelength-demultiplexed upstream WDM optical signal; a remote node (RN) including a second high-density wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer shifting a center wavelength of the upstream WDM optical signal and wavelength-multiplexing the upstream WDM optical signal with the shifted center wavelength or wavelength-demultiplexing the wavelength-multiplexed downstream WDM optical signal; and multiple optical network units (ONUs) each including a second optical transmitter transmitting the upstream WDM optical signal and second optical receiver receiv

Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, an optical communication system, such as a passive optical network (PON), is provided that includes an optical line terminal (OLT) and a plurality of optical network units (ONUs). The OLT includes a plurality of photonic integrated circuits that have both optical transmitters and receivers provided therein. Accordingly, the OLT may have fewer components and a simpler, more reliable and cost-effective design than a conventional OLT including discrete components. In addition, various ONU configurations are provided that also have a simple design and fewer components. Thus, ONUs consistent with the present disclosure may also have reduced costs.

Abstract: A control device (13) for scheduling the transmission of signals from a plurality of transmitters (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21). The control device (13) comprises an evaluation element (22) arranged to determine the power level of the signals received from each of the transmitters and a scheduling element (23) adapted to determine a transmit schedule comprising the order that the plurality of transmitters should transmit based on the power levels of the signals received from the transmitters (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21). A method of operation and a node incorporating the control device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing content to devices in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, a hybrid fiber/coax network provides optical signals to an amplification and combination node, the signals which are converted to radio frequency (RF) signals and transmitted to a series of cascading amplification and combination apparatus. The converted signals are combined with legacy RF signals at the combination apparatus, and distributed further downstream to serviced premises as well as other portions of the network cascade. Time division techniques are used to mitigate interference between the various amplification and combination nodes within the cascade. The programmable time division devices allow for rapid spectrum reallocation, and for insertion of different content at each different node of the network.

Abstract: An optoelectronic transceiver includes an optoelectronic transmitter, an optoelectronic receiver, memory, and an interface. The memory is configured to store digital values representative of operating conditions of the optoelectronic transceiver. The interface is configured to receive from a host a request for data associated with a particular memory address, and respond to the host with a specific digital value of the digital values. The specific digital value is associated with the particular memory address received from the host. The optoelectronic transceiver may further include comparison logic configured to compare the digital values with limit values to generate flag values, wherein the flag values are stored as digital values in the memory.

Abstract: An optical imaging system includes a transmitter configured to generate spatially entangled quantum states of light to probe reflective targets, a target configured to reflect the spatially entangled quantum states of light and a receiver configured to receive and detect the spatially entangled quantum states of light, thereby decoding a message encoded in a memory.

Abstract: A system receives traffic that includes four-bit symbols, the four-bit symbols being encoded using a four-bit phase modulation scheme; and processes the traffic to recover a four-bit symbol. The system also decodes the recovered four-bit symbol to obtain a three-bit symbol. The three-bit symbol is associated with a three-quadrature amplitude modulation (3QAM) scheme, and the decoding is performed without creating an error, within the traffic, when cycle slip occurs. The system outputs the traffic based on the three-bit symbol.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include a method and systems for impairment compensation in a communication system. The systems can include an electronic phase conjugation system that receives an incoming optical signal from a first section of a fiber optic link, converts the incoming optical signal to an in-phase electric signal and a quadrature electrical signal, and generates a phase conjugated outgoing optical signal from the in-phase and quadrature electrical signals. The phase conjugated outgoing optical signal compensates for impairment of the fiber in the communication system.

Abstract: Using a general-purpose cost-advantageous blue-light-excited-type white light emitting diode (LED), destruction of devices is prevented and visible light data communication is performed at a sufficient transmission rate. The blue-light-excited-type white LED is driven based on a driving current signal generated based on transmission data. While a visible light signal is outputted to a receiver, a multi-tone driving current signal is generated by a rising pulse and a falling pulse to a rising edge and a falling edge of the transmission data, respectively. Each of pulse widths of the rising pulse and the falling pulse is the same as a unit interval of the transmission data.

Abstract: Light output from a seed light source generation unit that outputs continuous light having a single frequency or a plurality of frequencies is input by a multi-wavelength light source to an optical circulation unit, and light having a plurality of frequencies that is frequency-synchronized with seed light output from the seed light source generation unit is generated. The optical circulation unit is provided with an optical frequency shifter to shift light frequencies, and includes a circulation circuit to return output from the optical frequency shifter to the input side. On a circulation path, an optical spectral shaper capable of adjusting an optical amount of attenuation for each frequency unit is provided so that optical amount of attenuations are adjusted, and thereby the number and the like of optical frequencies output from the optical circulation unit are changed.

Abstract: A DP-QPSK optical transmitter includes an outer MZM comprising a first parent MZM comprising a first child MZM and a second child MZM that modulates a QPSK signal with a first polarization. A second parent MZM includes a first child MZM and a second child MZM that modulates a QPSK signal with a second polarization. The outer Mach-Zehnder modulator multiplexes the first and second polarization embedded into a dual-polarization QPSK signal generation. A first optical detector detects the QPSK signal generated by the first parent MZM with the first polarization. A second optical detector optical detects the QPSK signal generated by the second parent Mach-Zehnder modulator with the second polarization. A bias control circuit generates bias signals on at least one output that stabilize the DP-QPSK signal in response to signals generated by the first and second optical detector using electrical time division multiplexing.

Abstract: One coherent optical receiver includes a 3×3 coupler for receiving a signal and a local oscillator into a first and a third input port respectively, and three detectors for detecting a respective output of the coupler to generate corresponding first, second and third detected signals. A detected signal is filtered by an Alternating Current (AC) coupler to generate a respective first, second or third filtered signal. An adder adds the first, the second and the third filtered signals to determine a directly detected signal term. A first subtractor subtracts the directly detected signal term from the first filtered signal to determine an in-phase signal. A second subtractor subtracts the directly detected signal term from the third filtered signal to determine a quadrature signal. A digital signal processor processes the in-phase signal and the quadrature signal to recover the optical signal.

Abstract: Polarization scattering compensation device and method are disclosed. In the device, a time sequence alignment unit aligns time sequences of signals in the first and second polarization state transmitted simultaneously; a polarization scattering estimation unit estimates a scattering coefficient of a scattering by the signal in the first polarization state on the signal in the second polarization state, and a scattering coefficient of a scattering by the signal in the second polarization state on the signal in the first polarization state; and a polarization scattering removal unit removes the scattering by the signal in the first polarization state on the signal in the second polarization state, and the scattering by the signal in the second polarization state on the signal in the first polarization state, in accordance with the scattering coefficients.

Abstract: A method is provided of compensating for periodic non-uniformity in an electrophotographic printer with a rotatable imaging component, and a runout sensor for measuring the distance between a first reference point and the surface of the rotatable imaging component along a first reference axis. An image signal representing an image to be produced on a receiving member by the printer is received. The rotatable imaging component is rotated. While the rotatable imaging component is rotating, the distance for the rotatable component is measured using the runout sensor. A correction value corresponding to the measured distance is automatically determined using a processor. The image data corresponding to the measured distance are automatically adjusted with the correction value using the processor. Toner corresponding to the adjusted image data is deposited on the receiver using the rotatable imaging component.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a cartridge to be used therein. The image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a CPU, and a main electrode. The cartridge accommodating therein toner is attachable to and detachable from the main casing, and has a cartridge electrode electrically connectable to the main electrode, a moving member and a pressure member. The CPU is configured to judge assembly or non-assembly of the cartridge with respect to the main casing and to judge whether or not the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. The moving member is movable by a predetermined moving amount to permit the pressure member to be movable. The cartridge electrode is movable in accordance with the movement of the pressure member. As a result of a movement of the main electrode in accordance with the movement of the cartridge electrode, the CPU determines that the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a CPU that performs control to form an inspection image for determining whether or not banding is suppressed to be smaller than a predetermined threshold value; and a density sensor that detects an intensity of banding periodically occurring in a sub-scanning direction of the formed inspection image. If based the detected banding intensity, the CPU has determined that the banding is not suppressed to be smaller than the predetermined threshold value, the CPU performs control to not perform banding correction or performs control to re-set a relationship between a phase of a rotary member and correction information.

Abstract: A method for producing a raised print using a three-component printer includes receiving image data and height data for an image to be printed, the height data specifying that raised printing should be produced in a non-yellow region of the image data. Separation data are determined for a yellow toner and two additional colored toners. The yellow separation data is determined based on the image data and the height data. The yellow separation and at least one of the colored separations specify that respective toners be deposited one atop the other in the non-yellow region. The two additional colored toners include respective amounts of black colorant. Using the printer with exactly three printing modules, respective toner images are deposited on the receiver, each corresponding to respective separation data. The deposited toner is fixed to the receiver.

Abstract: In a method to determine an electrical potential at a predetermined point on a surface of a photoconductor rotating with process speed in an electrophotografic printer, a charge reversal station is arranged at the photoconductor to reverse a charge of the photoconductor. A potential measurement probe is provided adjacent to the photoconductor to measure a potential at the photoconductor. The photoconductor is operated with a speed reduced from the process speed in a ratio of a distance between the charge reversal station and the potential measurement probe and the distance between the charge reversal station and the predetermined point. The potential at the photoconductor is measured via the potential measurement probe which creates a measurement value at the reduced speed. The photoconductor is accelerated to the process speed. The measurement value of the potential measurement probe is used as the electrical potential at the predetermined point.

Abstract: A controller includes a pattern forming unit that forms patterns multiple times on a first image holding member which is driven such that a surface thereof is circulated, a first detection unit that optically detects the patterns formed on the first image holding member by the pattern forming unit, a second detection unit that optically detects the patterns transferred from the first image holding member to a recording medium which is transported in a set transport direction, and an adjustment unit that adjusts a length in the transport direction of an image transferred to the recording medium on the basis of a time interval when the patterns are detected by the first detection unit and a time interval when the patterns are detected by the second detection unit.

Abstract: In a case of executing a marginless print mode on an image forming apparatus, a control portion controls a position changing portion configured to change a position of a toner image and a position of a recording material for image formation. Then, the position changing portion is controlled to move the position of the toner image and the position of the recording material for subsequent image formation by the same change amount toward a smaller of image data amounts corresponding to both end portions of the recording material of the toner image formed before the subsequent image formation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fusing apparatus including a fusing member; a heating unit heating the fusing member; temperature detecting units detecting temperatures of the fusing member and a pressing member; and the pressing member forming a fusing nip with the fusing member for fusing an un-fused image on a recording medium onto a recording medium. The image forming apparatus further includes a heating power determining unit determining heating power of the fusing apparatus by measuring a time or a gradient of time versus temperature before the temperature of the fusing member reaches a reload temperature after power is turned on. The image forming apparatus includes a control unit performing a feed permission control or a CPM down control depending on the heating power of the fusing apparatus and the number of sheets of the recording medium to be passed through the fusing apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device, a temperature sensor and a controller. The fixing device includes a heat source, a heat member heated by the heat source, and a back-up member. The temperature sensor detects a temperature of the heat member. The controller controls the heat source and includes an output determination unit determining an output at which the heat source is operated to generate a target temperature; a first setting unit setting a first target temperature; a second setting unit setting a second target temperature lower than the first target temperature; a switching unit switching the target temperature from the first target temperature to the second target temperature; a determination unit determining whether a recording sheet is conveyed; and a supplemental output control unit generating a supplemental output greater than the output if the recording sheet is conveyed when the target temperature is switched.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming device including a fixing unit that fixes a first image to be fixed onto a sheet, the first image to be fixed being supported on the sheet, a target fixing temperature varying unit that varies a target fixing temperature during a time period in which a fixing process is performed, and a gradation processing unit that applies a gradation process to first image information. The target fixing temperature varying unit varies the target fixing temperature for the sheet of the recording medium to which the fixing process is applied, depending on presence or absence of a halftone process, and depending on a type of the gradation process to be utilized.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a memory unit to store various pieces of information; and a control unit to execute backup control to store information stored in the memory unit into an external memory device and to make the image forming apparatus shift from an operating state to a predetermined standby state, wherein with the backup control, the control unit makes the image forming apparatus shift from the operating state to the standby state.

Abstract: In a case where a display unit displays a setting screen having a first display area to display a draft graphical image in accordance with draft setting and a second display area to display a finished graphical image in accordance with sheet setting, and a user designates a position to be stapled, a staple region mark is superimposed and displayed on a region corresponding to the position to be stapled in the draft graphical image in accordance with the draft setting, and a staple position mark is superimposed and displayed on a position corresponding to the position to be stapled in the finished graphical image in accordance with the sheet setting.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stack surface on which recording materials having images are stacked, the stack surface being provided on an upper surface of an apparatus body, and a movable unit shaped like a flat plate and provided on the upper surface of the apparatus body, the movable unit having a display portion configured to display information. At least a portion of the movable unit overlaps with the stack surface, as viewed in a vertical direction. A flat portion of the movable unit is movable between a first position along the upper surface of the apparatus body and a second position where a distance between the movable unit and the stack surface in the vertical direction is longer than at the first position.

Abstract: An imaging device, including one or more imaging units for use in transferring toner to media sheets, one of the imaging units being a black imaging unit for transferring black toner; a media transport path having a duplex path, the duplex path having at least one set of rollers for independently moving media sheets through the duplex path; and a controller operatively coupled to the one or more imaging units and the media transport path, for staging one or more media sheets in the duplex path for a period of time. The period of time results in an increase in the interpage gap which may be utilized while the imaging device interrupts a printing operation to perform any of a number of operations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having; image supporting members provided for a plurality of colors; chargers to be impressed with charging biases to charge the respective image supporting members; developing devices to be impressed with developing biases to develop latent images formed on the image supporting members; a charging bias power supply, including high-voltage DC power supply circuits and an AC power supply circuit, for applying the charging biases, which are generated by superposition of direct-current voltages and an alternate-current voltage, to the chargers; and a control circuit that performs stop processing to stop applications of the charging biases and the developing biases.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a functional unit, an electric circuit board, a pivotable support member, an outer cover, and wiring. The functional unit is disposed inside the electronic apparatus. The electric circuit board is configured to control the functional unit. The pivotable support member is shaped rectangular having a vertical length that is shorter than a horizontal length thereof and is pivotally movable about a pivoting axis defined to extend along one horizontally extending side of the pivotable support member between a closed position in which the pivotable support member covers the functional unit and an open position in which the functional unit is exposed. The outer cover is disposed more outwardly than the pivotable support member. The wiring passes through a pivoting axis side of the pivotable support member to connect the functional unit to the electric circuit board.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes temperature sensors that measure temperatures at different locations in the longitudinal direction of a photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus also includes an image processing circuit configured to change an exposure condition in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum based on measured values obtained by the temperature sensors. A related image forming method includes calculating a temperature at a third location between the first and second location based on the measured temperatures at the first location and the second location, and controlling an exposure condition for exposure at the third location in accordance with image information, including changing the exposure condition for the exposure at the third location based on the calculated temperature at the third location.

Abstract: A charging device includes a charging member that includes a rotating shaft and charges a surface of a charging object while rotating in contact with the charging object, a cleaning member that includes a rotating shaft and removes unwanted matter from a surface of the charging member while rotating in contact with the charging member, and a bearing member that includes first and second receiving portions each having an open part on one side thereof and a substantially concave-shaped bottom on another side thereof. The first and second receiving portions receive circumferences of the rotating shafts of the charging member and the cleaning member, respectively, at the bottoms thereof. The open parts of the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion face respectively different directions. A part of an inner surface of the second receiving portion forms a part of an outer surface of the first receiving portion.

Abstract: A photosensitive member unit includes: a first image forming unit including a first photosensitive member rotatable on a first axis line; and a second image forming unit including a second photosensitive member rotatable on a second axis line parallel with the first axis line and disposed in parallel with the first image forming unit at a first side in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first and second axis lines. The first image forming unit includes a charger and a cartridge containing portion. The charger includes: a charging member; a cleaning member for cleaning the charging member; and an operating member for operating the cleaning member. The operating member is inoperable when the developing cartridge is installed in the cartridge containing portion, and is exposed to be operable in the cartridge containing portion when the developing cartridge is removed from the cartridge containing portion.

Abstract: A charging device includes a corona charger including a grid electrode, a cleaning member configured to clean the grid electrode, a sheet-type shutter configured to open/close an opening of the corona charger, a drive source configured to drive both the cleaning member and the shutter in a longitudinal direction of the corona charger, and a control unit configured to control drive of the drive source such that, when the shutter is moved in a closing direction of the opening of the corona charger after image formation is finished, the cleaning member and the shutter are driven at a first speed, and when the shutter is moved in an opening direction of the opening of the corona charger at least from when power is turned on until image formation is started, the cleaning member and the shutter are driven at a second speed higher than the first speed.

Abstract: A development device includes a regulation member partially defining a developer room and configured to regulate the thickness of a developer layer on a developer carrier, the regulation member including a regulation edge facing the developer carrier to control the thickness of the developer layer on the developer carrier, and an end facing an inner wall surface of the developer room; a first seal member attached to the inner wall surface of the developer room at a position facing the end of the regulation member; and a second seal member attached to the regulation member at a portion in the vicinity of the end of the regulation member and being in contact with the first seal member to seal between the first seal member and the end of the regulation member. The second seal member is lower in hardness than the first seal member.

Abstract: A developing device for an image forming apparatus may include a seal and a casing to prevent leakage of developer. In some examples, the seal member may include multiple side surfaces while the casing may include projections that may abut and contact various surfaces of the seal member. According to one arrangement, the casing may include first, second and third protrusions, where each protrusion is configured to abut and contact a corresponding surface of the seal member. Additionally, the second projection may protrude in a position inside of the first projection while the third projection may protrude in a position between the first and second projections.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a photosensitive unit, a developer cartridge, and a developing device. The photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive body. The developer cartridge accommodates developer therein and has a supported portion supported by the photosensitive unit. The developing device is disposed between the photosensitive unit and the developer cartridge and is supported by the photosensitive unit and is pivotally movable about the supported portion. The developing device includes a developer carrying member carrying the developer thereon. The developer carrying member is movable, in accordance with the pivotal movement of the developing device, between a contact position at which the developer carrying member is in contact with the photosensitive body and a separate position at which the developer carrying member is separated from the photosensitive body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material. A process cartridge, including a photosensitive drum and a process device actable on the drum, is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus in a direction of an axis of the drum. The image forming apparatus includes a first positioning portion, provided above the cartridge, for positioning, with respect to a direction crossing with the axis of the drum, the drum at an upstream position with respect to a mounting direction in which the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, and a second positioning portion, provided above the cartridge at a downstream position with respect to the mounting direction, for positioning the drum with respect to a direction crossing with the axis of the drum.

Abstract: In a cap for sealing a filling port formed in a developer container, a base is in the shape of a circular plate. A first cylindrical portion is in the shape of a cylinder extending from a peripheral portion of the base in a first direction. A second cylindrical portion is in the shape of a cylinder extending from the peripheral portion of the base in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. A first projecting portion projects radially outwardly from an outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion with a predetermined projecting amount. A second projecting portion projects radially outwardly from an outer circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion with a projecting amount equal to the predetermined projecting amount of the first projecting portion.

Abstract: The transfer device transfers a toner image to a recording medium. The recording medium passes through a nip portion formed by a belt roller which is disposed on a main body of an apparatus and a transfer roller which is disposed on an opening and closing cover. The opening and closing cover opens and closes an opening of a main body of the apparatus. The main body includes a positioning member which positions the transfer roller which moves according to a closing operation of the opening and closing cover, to a predetermined distance with respect to the belt roller. The main body also includes an engaging member which engages with the transfer roller and pushes the transfer roller toward a positioning position of the positioning member, by being urged by a pressurizing spring.

Abstract: A method for forming a tactile printed image on a receiver medium using an electrographic printer, comprising forming a sequence of toner particle images on one or more primary imaging members, the sequence of toner particle images including a plurality of annular shapes having associated inner and outer sizes. The inner and outer sizes of the annular shapes varying in a monotonic sequence, such that when the sequence of toner particle images are transferred in register onto the receiver medium the annular shapes are substantially concentric and overlapping, thereby forming a tactile image feature having a hollow core; which is then fixed to permanently attach the transferred toner particle images to the receiver medium.

Abstract: A bias charge roller includes an electrically conductive core. An outer layer is axially supported on the core. The outer layer is either conductive or semi-conductive. The bias charge roller further includes a continuous raised pattern on the outer surface of the outer layer. The continuous raised pattern is configured to contact a charge-retentive surface of an electrophotographic imaging member so as to charge the charge-retentive surface. The bias charge roller can be employed in an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to selectively form a toner image on an image bearing member using a developing device including a decolorizable toner or a developing device including an undecolorizable toner, a transfer portion configured to transfer the toner image, which is formed on the image bearing member, onto a transfer material, and a fixing portion configured to fix the toner image, which is transferred by the transfer portion, on the transfer material. The undecolorizable toner has at least a fixing temperature range in a range equal to or higher than a fixing temperature lower limit of the decolorizable toner and lower than decoloring temperature of the decolorizable toner.

Abstract: A toner cartridge having a pressure equalization system for equalizing a pressure differential between a toner reservoir in the toner cartridge and a toner sump developer unit containing ingested air utilizing a ducted shutter that opens and closes an exit port on the housing of the toner cartridge in combination with a passageway in fluid communication with the ducted shutter and the toner reservoir wherein, when the toner cartridge is mated with a developer unit of the imaging apparatus and the shutter is in the open position, exiting toner leaves the cartridge through the exit port and enters the developer unit while air entrained within the developer unit enters the toner reservoir via the exit port, the duct and the passageway equalizing pressure between the toner cartridge and the to developer unit.

Abstract: A powder conveying apparatus includes a powder containing unit that contains powder and at least a portion of which is deformable; a discharging unit that discharges the powder from the powder housing unit to an outside; a delivery member that moves toward the discharging unit side while pushing the deformable portion of the powder containing unit inward to thereby convey the powder to the discharging unit; and an oscillation applying unit that applies oscillation to the discharging unit. Driving of the oscillation applying unit is controlled in response to an operation of the delivery member.

Abstract: A developer storage body includes a developer storage portion storing a developer and having an elongated shape, an outlet opening provided at a substantially center portion of the developer storage portion in a longitudinal direction of the developer storage portion, inclined portions provided on both end portions of the developer storage portion in the longitudinal direction, a rotation member rotatably provided in the developer storage portion, and a film member provided on the rotation member. The film member is brought into contact with the inclined portions when the rotation member rotates.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing in a development zone a latent image recorded on a surface, including a housing defining a chamber storing at least a supply of toner therein; a donor member disposed at least partially in the chamber of the housing and spaced from the surface, the donor member being adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis to transport toner to the development zone in a region opposed from the surface; and a wire assembly module mounted in the development zone and extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the wire assembly module including a wire and a drive/cleaning system for translating and cleaning portions of the wire in the development zone, and a power supply for electrically biasing the wire to form a toner powder cloud in the development zone for developing the latent image.