Abstract: A recording control apparatus includes a generation unit configured to generate metadata to determine whether a first subdirectory included in a first directory of a recording device includes an image to be restricted from being deleted from the recording device, and a recording control unit configured to cause the first subdirectory to record a plurality of first images and cause the first directory to record first metadata generated by the generation unit.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, there is provided a program managing system for recording programs broadcasted through a plurality of channels over a predetermined term, and providing a designated program in response to a user's request through a network. In this system, a past program table showing program content in display regions of the respective programs is generated, based on program information on the recorded programs corresponding to the plurality of channels. Further, the display region of an already replayed program in the past program table is overlaid with a translucent color indicating a bar graph corresponding to a replay-finish ratio, based on a replay history included in the program information.

Abstract: An optical transmission device including a wavelength selective switch including plural output ports, an optical intensity monitoring device that receives each optical signal output from the plural output ports of the wavelength selective switch and monitors the optical intensity of the optical signals, and a controller that controls optical intensity of the optical signals from the plural output ports of the wavelength selective switch based on the optical intensities monitored by the optical intensity monitoring device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for coupling a plurality of optical signals, such as data signals, between a corresponding plurality of single mode optical fibers (SMFs) and a multi-mode optical fiber (MMF), by optically coupling the optical signals of the SMFs with respective spaced-apart regions at a facet of the MMF, such that at least some of the regions partially overlap with a plurality of different spatial modes supported by the MMF.

Abstract: An automated, robotic patch-panel system in a highly compact form factor implementing Knots and Braids switching algorithms is disclosed. This system incorporates stacked layers of connector ports, each row of connector ports defining an arc with a radius of curvature, wherein the radius of curvature is substantially larger than the total height of the stacked layers. A synchronized gripper pair on a three axis actuation system is used to disconnect, weave and connect fibers arbitrarily across an array of dense connector ports on a curvilinear surface. Each row of connector ports is independently translatable by slight rotation to generate the proper relationship between surrounding fibers and the individual fiber undergoing the multi-step reconfiguration process.

Abstract: An exemplary technique is provided for planning a plurality of optical connections as a function of a plurality of traffic demand. In a routing step, a loopless network path is allocated to each traffic demand. Each traffic demand is allocated to a candidate optical connection or chain of candidate optical connections selected to carry the capacity of the traffic demand along the loopless network path allocated to the traffic demand. In an optimization step, a reduced set of candidate optical connections is defined by withdrawing the candidate optical connection to be withdrawn. A candidate optical connection or a chain of candidate optical connections is determined to be re-used among the reduced set of candidate optical connections. The traffic demand is re-allocated to the candidate optical connection or chain of candidate optical connections to be re-used.

Abstract: A system has a first rack with a first set of servers and a first top of rack switch and a second rack with a second set of servers and a second top of rack switch. A first optical switch is connected to the first top of rack switch. A second optical switch is connected to the second top of rack switch and the first optical switch. The first optical switch and the second optical switch each employ wavelength selective switching.

Abstract: A signal processing element that modulates beam from an input/output unit, an optical substrate mounting the signal processing element, and a temperature controller that controls a temperature of the signal processing element are included, the signal processing element includes an incidence surface on which the beam is incident, a modulation layer that modulates the beam from the incidence surface, and a driving substrate for controlling the modulation of the beam arranged on the opposite side of the incidence surface, the temperature controller is arranged opposite the driving substrate, the incidence surface is connected to the optical substrate by a first connection portion, the driving substrate is connected to the temperature controller by a second connection portion, and an area on the temperature controller side of the second connection portion is more greatly deformed than that on the driving substrate side according to change in volume of the temperature controller.

Abstract: A transmission device that is coupled to a mesh network includes a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory, configured to detect an another transmission device in the mesh network, which receives a first data signal that is same as a second data signal requested to the transmission device, and branch the first data signal to the transmission device from the detected another transmission device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a client signal, and relate to the field of communications technologies. The method includes: mapping the client signal into channels of a parallel transmission frame, where the parallel transmission frame includes at least two channels; adding an overhead for the channels of the parallel transmission frame after the mapping, to form transmission channels of the parallel transmission frame, where bit rates of the transmission channels of the parallel transmission frame are fixed; and modulating the transmission channels of the parallel transmission frame onto one or more optical carriers in a same optical fiber, and transmitting the optical carrier after the modulation.

Abstract: The present application provides a wavelength configuration method for a multi-wavelength passive optical network, which includes: scanning, by an ONU, a downstream receiving wavelength, and receiving, downstream wavelength information of each downstream wavelength channel that is broadcast by an OLT separately through each downstream wavelength channel of a multi-wavelength PON system; establishing, by the ONU, a downstream receiving wavelength mapping table, where an entry of the downstream receiving wavelength mapping table includes downstream receiving wavelength information, drive current information of a downstream optical receiver and receiving optical physical parameter information of the ONU; selecting, by the ONU, one downstream wavelength from the downstream wavelength information broadcast by the OLT, and setting, according to the drive current information of the downstream optical receiver recorded in a related entry of the downstream receiving wavelength mapping table, an operating wavelength of

Abstract: A transmitter includes an ultraviolet (UV) encoder conversion block that receives network data from a network interface to generate a conversion output. The UV conversion block converts the network data to a modulated signal that drives a plurality of multi-spectrum sources to generate the conversion output. A wave front optical component receives the conversion output from the UV conversion block and generates an output beam. The wave front optical component employs refraction compensation to mitigate absorption and scattering of the output beam in a liquid medium. An isotropic transmitter cluster transmits the output beam received from the wave front optical component as photon energy in the liquid medium. The isotropic transmitter cluster includes at least two transmitting nodes to facilitate transmission of the photon energy in a plurality of directions in the liquid medium.

Abstract: An out-of-band (OOB) mechanism is used to communicate a Bluetooth pairing code from a token to a mobile device. The token may include a light source and the mobile device may include a camera to communicate the Bluetooth pairing code using a light sequence. The token may include a speaker and the mobile device may include a microphone to communicate the Bluetooth pairing code.

Abstract: A stabilized ultra-high bandwidth capacity transceiver system that combines an E-band (71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz) millimeter wave RF transceiver with an eye-safe adaptive optics Free Space Optical (FSO) transceiver as a combined apparatus for simultaneous point-to-point commercial communications. The apparatus has a high degree of assured carrier availability under stressing environmental conditions. The apparatus establishes and maintains pointing and stabilization of mmW RF and FSO optical beams between adjacent line of sight apparatuses. The apparatus can rapidly acquire and reacquire the FSO optical carrier link in the event the optical carrier link is impaired due to adverse weather.

Abstract: A visible light communication apparatus includes a constant current circuit and a load circuit including light emitting elements connected to output terminals of the constant current circuit. Further, the visible light communication apparatus includes a load variation circuit configured to change load characteristics of the load circuit by electrically connecting to the load circuit, the load variation circuit including a series circuit of a diode and a resistor connected in series to the load circuit and a switching element configured to electrically connect or disconnect the load variation circuit to the load circuit in response to a binary communication signal.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for emitting position information from luminaires. Luminaire position information may be emitted via a light-based communication (LCom) signal that comprises data including the position information. The data may include relative and/or absolute position information for the luminaire and may indicate the physical location of the luminaire. Relative position information for the luminaire may include coordinates relative to a point of origin within the environment. Absolute position information for the luminaire may include global coordinates for the luminaire. In some cases, the absolute position information for a luminaire may be calculated using position information for the luminaire relative to a point of origin and the absolute position of the point of origin. The data may also include an environment identifier, which may indicate a map to use for the interpretation of position information for the luminaire. The techniques can be used for both stationary and mobile luminaires.

Abstract: A receiver (e.g., for a 10G fiber communications link) includes an interleaved ADC coupled to a multi-channel equalizer that can provide different equalization for different ADC channels within the interleaved ADC. That is, the multi-channel equalizer can compensate for channel-dependent impairments. In one approach, the multi-channel equalizer is a feedforward equalizer (FFE) coupled to a Viterbi decoder, for example a sliding block Viterbi decoder (SBVD); and the FFE and/or the channel estimator for the Viterbi decoder are adapted using the LMS algorithm.

Abstract: Into a current-voltage conversion unit, a single-end current signal which is a photoelectrically converted optical signal is input. The current-voltage conversion unit converts the single-end current signal into a single-end voltage signal and outputs the converted signal from an output terminal. An input terminal of an amplifier unit is connected to the output terminal of the current-voltage conversion unit. The amplifier unit amplifies the single-end voltage signal to predetermined amplitude set in advance and outputs the amplified signal from an output terminal. Then, an input terminal of a differential conversion unit is connected to the output terminal of the amplifier unit. The differential conversion unit outputs a differential voltage signal which is a differentiated single-end voltage signal amplified in the amplifier unit. The present technique can be applied, for example, to an optical transmission system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a signal transmission method, transmitter, and signal transmission system. The method includes: obtaining, by a sending end, information about a power fading point of a fiber channel between the sending end and a receiving end; determining, by the sending end and according to the information about the power fading point, a subcarrier that is used to send a service signal to the receiving end on the fiber channel, where a frequency of the determined subcarrier is different from that of the power fading point; and sending, by the sending end, a service signal to the receiving end by using the determined subcarrier. According to the embodiments of the present invention, validity of a signal spectrum is ensured, and therefore it is ensured that transmitted data can be effectively recovered at a receiving end.

Abstract: In a coherent optical receiver, sufficient demodulation becomes impossible and consequently receiving performance deteriorates if an inter-channel skew arises, therefore, a coherent optical receiver according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes a local light source, a 90° hybrid circuit, an optoelectronic converter, an analog to digital converter, and a digital signal processing unit; wherein the 90° hybrid circuit makes multiplexed signal light interfere with local light from the local light source, and outputs a plurality of optical signals separated into a plurality of signal components; the optoelectronic converter detects the optical signals and outputs detected electrical signals; the analog to digital converter quantizes the detected electrical signals and outputs quantized signals; the digital signal processing unit includes a skew compensation unit for compensating a difference in propagation delay between the plurality of signal components, and an FFT operation unit for performing a fas

Abstract: A receiving device that converts, to a digital signal, a signal in which signal light from an optical transmission path and local oscillation light are mixed, so as to perform digital signal processing, the optical communication receiving device comprising: a frequency offset compensation unit configured to calculate a frequency offset of the digital signal and to, based on the frequency offset, compensate for a phase of the digital signal; a carrier phase recovery unit configured to calculate a carrier phase of the digital signal whose phase is compensated for in the frequency offset compensation unit; and a residual frequency offset detection unit configured to calculate an average of differences in the carrier phase, and to output the average as a residual frequency offset, wherein the frequency offset compensation unit is configured to correct the frequency offset using the residual frequency offset output by the residual frequency offset detection unit.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a feed section, a transport section, a toner-image forming section, a fixing section, a problem detecting section, and an additional feed section. The feed section feeds a sheet. The transport section transports the sheet fed from the feed section. The toner-image forming section forms a toner image onto the sheet transported by the transport section. The fixing section fixes the toner image formed by the toner-image forming section onto the sheet. The problem detecting section detects a problem in a sheet transport operation. The additional feed section feeds an additional sheet from the feed section toward the fixing section if the number of sheets stopped by the transport section in accordance with detection of the problem by the problem detecting section and subsequently transported toward the fixing section after the sheet transport operation is resumed is smaller than a predetermined number.

Abstract: Provided is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including: a toner buffer unit arranged between a toner cartridge and a developing unit to receive toner from the toner cartridge and supply the toner to the developing unit; and a toner level detection unit. The toner buffer unit includes a first buffer unit connected to the toner cartridge. A first conveyance member including a rotation shaft and a conveyance wing provided in the rotation shaft and transporting the toner in a radial direction is provided in the first buffer unit. The toner buffer unit includes an elevation plate provided in the first buffer unit and elevated according to a toner level, and a sensor unit detecting a location of the elevation of the elevation plate. The elevation plate is located to be spaced apart from the conveyance wing in an axial direction of the rotation shaft.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a photoreceptor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing roller for forming a visual toner image by supplying toner onto the electrostatic latent image, a transfer unit for transferring the visual toner image onto a recording medium, and a cleaning member for removing residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor after the transfer of the visual toner image from the photoreceptor is described. The image forming apparatus operates in a printing mode, and a collecting mode in which the residual toner on the cleaning member is collected on the developing roller via the photoreceptor. A linear velocity of the developing roller in the collecting mode is faster than in the printing mode.

Abstract: Various methods and devices transfer test patches of marking material from a marking device of a printing apparatus to a transfer surface of the printing apparatus, optically measure the density of the test patches on the transfer surface using an optical sensor of the printing apparatus, and measure the electrostatic differences in charge of the transfer surface as the test patches on the transfer surface move by an electrostatic sensor of the printing apparatus. Such methods and devices adjust settings of the marking device based on output from the electrostatic sensor alone, or based on a combination of the output from the optical sensor and converted output from the electrostatic sensor.

Abstract: A Zener diode contacts an inner periphery surface of an intermediate transfer belt, and an opposing roller which opposes a detecting member is electrically insulated, in a configuration where transfer is performed at multiple photosensitive drums while an electrical current is applied in a peripheral direction of the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including: a rotatable photosensitive member; a rotatable charging brush for electrically charging the photosensitive member by injecting electric charges into a surface of the photosensitive member in contact with the surface of the photosensitive member; a power source for applying a voltage to the charging brush; a potential sensor for detecting a surface potential of the photosensitive member; an executing portion for causing the potential sensor to execute detection in such a manner that after a first potential which is the potential of the photosensitive member charged by applying a first voltage to the charging brush is detected by the potential sensor, the electric charges are removed from the photosensitive member by applying a second voltage smaller in absolute value than the first potential to the charging brush, and then a second potential which is the potential of the photosensitive member after removal of the electric charges is detected by the potent

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a front, rear, first side, second side, top and bottom forming a toner reservoir. An outlet port is positioned on the front of the housing proximate the first side for transferring toner out of the reservoir. A drive gear is positioned on the front of the housing and has a center proximate the second side for receiving rotational power. A cavity is formed in the bottom of the housing. A latch catch is positioned in the cavity on an inner side of the front of the housing for receiving a latch for securing the toner cartridge in an image forming device. The latch catch is positioned closer to the bottom of the housing than the outlet port and the drive gear and between the center of the drive gear and the outlet port in the side-to-side direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body part and a sheet feed unit installed below the apparatus main body part, which include connector parts electrically connecting the apparatus main body part and sheet feed unit. The connector part at a side of the apparatus main body part includes a window; a first connector main body visible through the window and having an electrical connection port facing to the sheet feed unit; a connector cover covering openably/closably the electrical connection port of the first connector main body; and a biasing member biasing the first connector main body downwardly. The connector part at a side of the sheet feed unit includes a second connector main body positioned below the first connector main body. The first connector main body is pressured downwardly with respect to the connector cover by the biasing member, when the connector cover is closed.

Abstract: A drawer member that is capable of being drawn out from an image forming apparatus body and that includes a fixing unit that heats and fixes an image onto a recording medium, a first flow path that is formed around the fixing unit and that causes air that is heated by heat, which is discharged from the fixing unit, to circulate, and a second flow path that is formed adjacent to the first flow path on a side opposite to the fixing unit and in which air having a temperature lower than a temperature of air, which circulates in the first flow path, circulates.

Abstract: A removal mechanism includes a removing member, an accommodation section, a receiver, and a cooling path. The removing member rubs against an extraneous-matter-adhered member, to which extraneous matter is adhered, so as to remove the extraneous matter therefrom. The accommodation section accommodates therein the extraneous matter removed by the removing member. The receiver receives, at a lower side of the accommodation section, the extraneous matter spilling out and dropping from the accommodation section. The cooling path allows gas so flow therethrough so as to cool the accommodation section from outside thereof. The cooling path is spatially isolated from a passage chamber through which the extraneous matter dropping from the accommodation section toward the receiver passes, an accommodation chamber for the extraneous matter in the accommodation section, and a chamber above the receiver that receives the extraneous matter.

Abstract: Provided is a charging unit including a charging member that is provided and comes in contact with a surface of an image holding member holding an image to charge the image holding member, a cleaning member that is provided and comes in contact with a surface of the charging member to clean the charging member, and a support member that includes a first support portion which is provided with an opening portion that opens in a direction intersecting rotating shafts of the charging member and the cleaning member, and which supports one end of the charging member is inserted through the opening portion to support the one end of the charging member, and a second support portion which is formed by being connected to the first support portion and which supports one end of the cleaning member which is inserted from the opening portion through the first support portion.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a housing, a cleaning member, a cleaning blade, a collection member, a seal member, and a protection member. The housing is disposed above an image carrier, and an opening is formed in a face thereof facing the image carrier. The cleaning member rotates contacting a surface of the image carrier and the image carrier contact each other, and thereby, residual toner adhered to the image carrier is removed downstream of the image carrier in the rotation direction of the image carrier. The seal member is disposed at an upstream-side edge of the opening of the housing with respect to the rotation direction of the image carrier, and the seal member prevents leakage of waste toner through a gap between the housing and the image carrier. The protection member is disposed above the seal member with an interval therebetween, and the protection member contacts the cleaning member.

Abstract: A connection mechanism includes a protrusion, a plate section, and a movable section. The protrusion has a distal end, which has a spherical surface and a tapered surface, and a support that supports the distal end. The plate section is provided with a hole for positioning the protrusion when the support is inserted thereto. The movable section faces a side of the hole where the tapered surface of the distal end exists, and moves along the plate section by being pressed by the tapered surface of the distal end as the distal end is inserted through the hole.

Abstract: A drive switching device includes a driving source and a switching unit. The driving source is rotationally driven in one direction. The switching unit is linked with the driving source such that a driving force therefrom is intermittently transmittable to the switching unit, and switches a transmission direction of the driving force from the driving source between a first direction and a second direction every time the switching unit is linked with the driving source.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a housing; a conveying belt, and a retaining member. The retaining member retains image bearing members that juxtaposed with and spaced apart from one another. The retaining member is slidingly movable relative to the housing in a direction that the image bearing members are juxtaposed. The retaining member retains the image bearing members to confront the conveying belt. The image bearing members and the conveying belt are arranged in a reference direction. The retaining member includes a cleaning member that removes residual developing agent from the conveying belt, and a guide unit that guides the recording medium to the conveying belt. The guide unit is located on the image bearing member side and the cleaning member is located on the conveying belt side. At least part of the guide unit overlaps at least part of the cleaning member when projected in the reference direction.

Abstract: A carriage assembly for an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a plurality of cradles mounted on a base. Each cradle has a cartridge storage area sized to receive and hold a corresponding toner cartridge. Each of the cradles is independently pivotable between a loading position for loading and unloading the toner cartridge into and out of the cradle and an operating position for operating the toner cartridge in the image forming device. Each of the cradles is biased toward the loading position. A latch assembly is configured to retain the cradles holding the corresponding toner cartridges in the operating position. The latch assembly has user-actuated engagement features for individually releasing the cradles from the operating position to the loading position for unloading the corresponding toner cartridge.

Abstract: A carriage assembly according to one example embodiment includes a cradle pivotably mounted on a base. The cradle has a cartridge storage area sized to receive and hold a toner cartridge. The cradle is pivotable between a loading position for loading and unloading the toner cartridge and an operating position for operating the toner cartridge. A hold-down feature is mounted on the base adjacent to the cradle in a substantially stationary position relative to the cradle movement. When the cradle is in the loading position, the hold-down feature is positioned clear of an insertion and removal path of the toner cartridge into and out of the cradle and, as the cradle moves toward the operating position and when the cradle is in the operating position, the hold-down feature is positioned to engage a stop on the toner cartridge to prevent the toner cartridge from separating from the cradle.

Abstract: A developer container includes a casing having a developer accommodating chamber and a waste-developer accommodating chamber, conveying member, a conveying-member accommodating unit, and a supporting member. The conveying member conveys waste developer in a longitudinal direction of the waste-developer accommodating chamber. The conveying-member accommodating unit accommodates the conveying member therein and has a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is provided in an upstream end portion and allows the waste developer to move from outside of the conveying-member accommodating unit to the inside of the conveying-member accommodating unit. The second opening allows the waste-developer to move from the inside of the conveying-member accommodating unit to the waste-developer accommodating chamber. The supporting member is provided on the casing.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir. A shutter is positioned at the exit port that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The shutter is biased toward the closed position. A linkage is operatively connected to the shutter to open the shutter upon being actuated by a first engagement feature in the image forming device. An interlock is operatively engaged with the linkage and biased toward a locked position preventing the linkage from opening the shutter. The interlock is movable to an unlocked position that is disengaged with the linkage when the interlock is actuated by a second engagement feature in the image forming device permitting the linkage to open the shutter.

Abstract: Provided is a developing device including an accommodating unit that contains a developer, a transport member that holds the developer on an outer surface and transports the developer outside from the accommodating unit, a layer regulating member that faces the outer surface of the transport member with a gap, extends in a direction intersecting a direction in which the developer is transported, and regulates a layer thickness of the developer, and a removal member that is inserted into the gap, moves along the direction in which the layer regulating member extends, and removes the developer from the gap.

Abstract: Provided is a fixing device including a fixing member that fixes toner to a recording material, a pressurizing member that forms a nip portion through which the recording material passes between the fixing member and the pressurizing member, a contacting and separating mechanism that contacts and separates the pressurizing member with and from the fixing member, and a pressure adjusting mechanism that is provided capable of advancing to and retreating from a region that moves along with contacting and separating of the pressurizing member with and from the fixing member by the contacting and separating mechanism while moving along a straight line direction, and adjusts a pressure in the nip portion by contacting the contacting and separating mechanism in the region.

Abstract: Provided is a fixing device including a heating rotating body that heats a toner image formed on a recording medium, a pressurizing rotating body including an endless belt that is placed in such a manner that an outer circumferential surface thereof faces the heating rotating body, a first pressurizing member that is placed on a side of an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt and forms a fixing nip portion between the endless belt and the heating rotating body, and a second pressurizing member that guides the recording medium so that the recording medium comes into contact with the heating rotating body on an upstream side of the fixing nip portion in a transportation direction of the recording medium, and a releasing unit that releases pressure contact of the pressurizing rotating body that is in pressure contact with heating rotating body.

Abstract: Provided is a fixing device including a fixing member that fixes a toner image onto a recording material, a pressurizing member that forms a pressurizing portion, in cooperation with the fixing member, through which the recording material holding a non-fixed toner image passes, a heating member that includes a heat generating portion having a predetermined pattern shape and being energized to generate heat, and heats the fixing member, a supporting member that supports the heating member along an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, and a thermal diffusion member that faces the supporting member with interposing the heating member, and diffuses heat from the heating member and conducts the heat to the fixing member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a pressure rotator pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. A heater is disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator. A reflector is disposed opposite the heater to reflect light radiated from the heater onto the inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. A support mounts the reflector. A heater holder is mounted on the support to hold the heater.

Abstract: An electrophotographic fixing member includes a substrate, a cured silicone rubber layer and a fluorine resin layer bonded onto the cured silicone rubber layer, wherein a micro hardness of a cured silicone rubber constituting the cured silicone rubber layer is designated as H?0, and a micro hardness of a rubber obtained by soaking the cured silicone rubber in a methyl hydrogen silicone oil for 24 hours and then further curing the cured silicone rubber, is designated as H?1, H?1/H?0 is 1.5 or more and 5.0 or less, and the cured silicone rubber layer comprises a titanium oxide crystal having an anatase type structure.

Abstract: A print control device includes an image data generating unit that generates image data based on gloss-control plane data for specifying a type of a surface effect to be applied to a recording medium and an area in the recording medium to which the surface effect is applied. The image data generating unit generates image data used to fix only a clear toner at a first fixing in response to an instruction to perform a plurality of fixings.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a duplex conveyance path through which the sheet having the image formed by the image forming unit on a first side passes when an image is formed on a second side that is a back side of the first side, a guiding member provided along the duplex conveyance path, a reversing roller pair capable of rotating in a forward direction and in a reverse direction, h, and a conveyance roller pair provided on the duplex conveyance path, wherein at least one of the reversing roller pair is inclined to the width direction so that, in the width direction, the side end of the sheet being conveyed by the reversing roller pair rotating in the reverse direction moves closer to the contact portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first conveying path guiding a sheet such that the sheet passes through the image forming portion, a second conveying path guiding the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming portion to the first conveying path. A document is fed to the second conveying path and the image forming apparatus includes a first drive transmission portion transmitting a drive force to the image forming portion and a second drive transmission portion transmitting the drive force to a document feeding portion, a conveyance portion and a document discharge portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner-image carrying member, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the toner-image carrying member onto a recording medium at a transfer portion, a transport roller disposed along a transport direction to transport the recording medium to the transfer portion while being in contact with the recording medium, and a release unit that releases the contact of the transport roller with the recording medium. The release unit does not release the contact of the transport roller when it is detected that the recording medium passing through the transport roller is a thick recording medium or a recording medium having a high bending strength, and releases the contact when the recording medium is different from the thick recording medium and the recording medium. The release unit releases the contact before a leading edge of the recording medium reaches the transfer portion.