Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming stations, a pre-exposure device is at least not provided in a most upstream image forming apparatus at which a toner image formed by the image forming station cannot arrive, and the pre-exposure device is at least provided in a most downstream image forming apparatus at which the toner image formed by the image forming station can arrive.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing portion for fixing a toner image formed on a recording material thereon, the fixing portion including a heating member having a heat source, a pressing member cooperating with the heating member to form a nip while pressing against the heating member, and a frame containing the heating member and the pressing member; a first opening, provided in the frame, for permitting air to flow out of said frame; a second opening, provided in the frame, for permitting air to flow into the frame; and a external duct provided, outside the fixing portion, for guiding the air discharged through the first opening to the second opening. At least a part of an inner wall of the external duct is made of a metal plate, and the air introduced through the second opening is guided to the pressing member.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes determination means for determining the size of an image forming area of a medium, heating means for including an endless rotating body, plural heat-generating members which are formed in a perpendicular direction to a transporting direction, inclined by a predetermined angle, and divided by a predetermined length, and are disposed so as to come into contact with an inner side of the rotating body, and a switching unit which switches individual conduction, and heats the medium, pressing means for forming a nip by performing pressing and contact at a position of the plural heat-generating members, and nipping and carrying the medium in the transporting direction along with the heating means, and heating control means for controlling the switching unit to select and conduct heat-generating members and controlling the heating means to heat the medium.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating unit including an endless belt and a heating plate, a fixing roller to form a nip portion, a frame including a first sidewall and a second sidewall, a first shaft that the fixing roller has, a second shaft disposed upstream of the nip portion, and a third shaft disposed downstream of the nip portion. One end portion of the first shaft, one end portion of the second shaft and one end portion of the third shaft are supported by the first sidewall. The other end portion of the first shaft, the other end portion of the second shaft and the other end portion of the third shaft are supported by the second sidewall. When viewed from the longitudinal direction, the nip portion is positioned in a triangle defined by imaginary lines connecting the first, second and third shafts to each other.

Abstract: When a roller faces a concave portion of an eccentric cam, a pressure roller is brought into press contact with a fixing roller at the spring pressure of a lower compression spring via a lever and an arm member. When the roller faces a maximum radius part, the pressure roller moves in a direction separating from the fixing roller via the lever and the arm member against the spring pressure of the lower compression spring.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing portion for fixing an image formed on a recording material; and a guide member for guiding the recording material. The guide member is provided at an entrance to the fixing portion and at an end portion with respect to a direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material The guide member is moved when the guide member is pushed by the recording material.

Abstract: A positional relationship between a photosensitive drum and an intermediate transfer belt during a period from the start of the driving of the photosensitive drum to the start of image formation, or during a period of the end of the image formation to the stop of the driving of the photosensitive drum enters a separating state in a case where the image formation is executed when the process speed is a first speed, and enters a contacting state in a case where the image formation is executed when the process speed is a second speed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that performs printing on continuous paper includes: an image forming unit that forms a toner image on an image carrier; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the image carrier to the continuous paper; a cleaning unit that removes toner on a surface of the image carrier downstream of a transfer position; and a control unit that performs toner consumption control to form the toner image on the image carrier, wherein the control unit can perform first control to form a first toner image on the image carrier and transfer the toner image to the continuous paper and second control to form a second toner image on the image carrier and remove toner by the cleaning unit without transferring the toner image to the continuous paper, and can select which of the first control and the second control is operated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a casing, a conveyance unit, an intermediate roller unit, and a guide section. The intermediate roller unit includes an intermediate roller at a facing surface thereof that faces a sheet conveyance path. The conveyance unit includes a conveyance roller at a facing surface thereof that faces the sheet conveyance path. The guide section guides movement of the intermediate roller unit relative to the casing such that the conveyance roller pushes the intermediate roller in association with closing movement of the conveyance unit relative to the casing to close the intermediate roller unit relative to the casing.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a casing; a first sheet tray provided in a bottom portion of the casing; an image-forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet supplied from a sheet accommodation portion of the first sheet tray; a sheet supplying path; a first conveying path; and a shutter. The sheet supplying path is configured to provide communication between the sheet accommodation portion and the image-forming unit. The first conveying path is provided in one of the casing and the first sheet tray, and has one end formed with an opening and another end configured to communicate with the sheet supplying path, the opening being open downward. The shutter is movable between a closing position closing the first conveying path and an opening position opening the first conveying path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a removable sheet support tray. The sheet support tray includes a sheet support surface providing a sheet support area above the sheet support surface. The support tray also includes a stopper portion movable between a restraining position and a non-restraining position that is a different position from the restraining position. In a state where the stopper portion is located at the restraining position, the stopper portion includes a surface disposed adjacent to and downstream of the sheet support area in a first direction, the first direction extending along at least a portion of the sheet support surface.

Abstract: A cartridge capable of preventing careless damage or the like of a memory unit and an image forming apparatus including the cartridge are provided.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus fixes an image onto a recording material. A first fuse and a second fuse are connected in series each other. A power supply line is connected to one end of the first fuse. A signal line is connected to a connection point between another end of the first fuse and one end of the second fuse. A ground line is connected to another end of the second fuse. Information regarding the fixing apparatus is held in accordance with melt states of the first and second fuses.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus in which an electrostatic latent image is developed using developer to which externally added particles have been added. In the image forming apparatus, a cleaning operation in which the developer born by an intermediate transfer member is transferred to an image bearing member and removed from the surface of the image bearing member with a cleaning member can be executed in a non-image-formation period in which the development of the electrostatic latent image is not performed. The image bearing member is in contact with a developer bearing member and the intermediate transfer member at least within a period in which the cleaning operation is executed within the non-image-formation period.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing and a drum unit. The drum unit is out of the housing at a first position, moved in a first direction from the first position to a second position in the housing, and then to a third position away from the first position. The drum unit includes: a photosensitive drum; a cleaning unit for toner; a conveying tube extending in the first direction; a conveying member in the conveying tube and rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction; and a first gear fixed to the conveying member and rotatable about the first axis. The housing has a second gear rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction. The first gear is separated from the second gear at the second position, and engaged with the second gear at the third position. The first axis and the second axis overlap in the third position.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including: an electrophotographic photoreceptor; a charging unit to charge the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor; an exposing unit to perform exposure of the electrophotographic photoreceptor charged by the charging unit; a developing unit to feed a toner to the electrophotographic photoreceptor exposed by the exposing unit to form a toner image; a transfer unit to transfer the toner image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor; a lubricant feeding unit to feed a lubricant onto the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor; and a cleaning unit to remove the residual toner on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, wherein the electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive support, a photoreceptive layer, and a protective layer disposed in sequence, the protective layer includes a resin containing a particulate P-type semiconductor, and the protective layer has a surface roughness Rz of 0.030 ?m or more and 0.075 ?m or less.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member, first and second image forming portions, and a processor. In the first and second image forming portions, first and second blades are respectively in contact with first and second photosensitive members. A distance between the first image forming portion and the fixing member is shorter than a distance between the second image forming portion and the fixing member. The processor controls a first image forming portion to perform a toner supply operation in which a first supply member supplies toner amounting to a first quantity per a prescribed rotation amount of the first photosensitive member, and controls the second image forming portion to perform a toner supply operation in which the second supply member supplies toner amounting to a second quantity per the prescribed rotation amount of the second photosensitive member. The second quantity is smaller than the first quantity.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, comprising: a body casing, a drum unit movable between an inside position and an outside position, and a waste toner storage unit, and wherein the drum unit comprises a photosensitive drum, a cleaning unit to remove toner remaining on a surface of the photosensitive drum, and a conveying unit including a conveying member to convey the toner in a moving direction of the drum unit, and a conveying tube to accommodate the conveying member and to have a discharging outlet through which the toner is discharged to the waste toner storage unit, and wherein the conveying tube comprises: a first conveying tube to extend in the moving direction and to accommodate the conveying member, and a second conveying tube to be connected to the first conveying tube and to extend in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the first conveying tube extends.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drum unit movable between an inside position inside a main body casing and an outside position outside the main body casing. The drum unit includes a photoconductive drum extending in an axial direction intersecting a moving direction of the drum unit from the outside position toward the inside position, and a transporter transporting toner removed by a cleaner toward a waste toner container. The transporter includes a transportation member transporting the toner along the moving direction, a transportation tube accommodating the transportation member and having an outlet, and a shutter movable between a closed position to close the outlet and an open position to open the outlet. The shutter includes a protruding section protruding along the axial direction from a shutter main body when the shutter is in the closed position, the protruding section being upstream of the photoconductive drum in the moving direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body casing, a waste toner container, and a drum unit configured to move between a first position inside the main body casing and a second position outside the main body casing, the drum unit including a photoconductive drum, a cleaner, and a transporter including a first transportation member, and a transportation tube including a first frame including a first half-tubular section and a tubular section, and a second frame including a second half-tubular section. The first half-tubular section and the second half-tubular section define a first space configured to allow toner removed by the cleaner to pass therethrough. The tubular section of the first frame defines a second space configured to allow the toner passed through the first space to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An acoustic device includes an opening; a flange forming the opening; a first member including the opening and the flange; and a second member joined to the first member, thereby forming a cavity. The second member is formed of a material with a density lower than a material of the first member.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce noise which results from vibration of a cleaning member. A cleaning apparatus 23 includes a cleaning member 3 that removes developer on an image bearing member 1, a container 5 in which the developer removed by the cleaning member 3 is contained, and a sheet member 4 that contacts the image bearing member 1. A part of the sheet member 4 that contacts the image bearing member 1 is subjected to surface roughing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a lock mechanism including a toggle mechanism capable of eliminating the problem of abnormal noise before and after a lock member passes a neural point are provided. A lock mechanism includes a toggle spring that rotationally biases a toggle lever toward a standby position when the lever is between a standby position and a neural point, and implements switching in a direction of the rotational biasing toward a locking position after the lever passes the neural point. A projection and a locked portion of an engagement member are sandwiched by a toggle base and the toggle lever to maintain a contact state before and after the toggle lever passes the neural point.

Abstract: An opening/closing detection mechanism has a multifunctional peripheral body portion, a front cover, a side cover, and an interlock mechanism. The interlock mechanism contains a switch, a plate-like portion, a bulged portion, and a rocking mechanism. The bulged portion is provided on the side cover. When the side cover is in the closed state, the bulged portion abuts on a rear region located on the side opposite to the front cover with respect to a region where a projection portion is provided of the switch. The rocking mechanism rocks the switch in the opening/closing direction of the front cover according to the opened/closed state of the side cover.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a front cover and a maintenance cover. The front cover has a support section, an interference section, and a projection. The support section is supported by a housing of the image forming apparatus so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis. The interference section extends rearward from an edge of the front cover. The projection is located on a contact surface that comes in or out of contact with a specific section of the maintenance cover as the front cover is closed or opened with the maintenance cover in a closed state. The specific section of the maintenance cover has a hole. The projection fits in the hole.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, comprising: a body casing; a drum unit; a belt unit; and a waste toner storage unit, the drum unit comprising: a photosensitive drum; a cleaning unit; and a conveying unit configured to convey toner removed by the cleaning unit, the belt unit comprising: a belt and a unit electric contact, the conveying unit comprises: a conveying member to convey the toner removed by the cleaning unit in a moving direction of the drum unit; and a conveying tube having a discharging outlet configured to let toner carried by the conveying member be discharged to the waste toner storage unit, wherein the discharging outlet is disposed on a downstream side with respect to a body electric contact in a direction pointing from an inside position to an outside position of the drum unit in a state where the drum unit is disposed at the inside position.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes: a first unit including a first side plate, a second side plate and a photosensitive drum; and a second unit including a developing member and an electrical terminal for supplying power to the developing member. The second unit is pivotally movable relative to the first unit about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position. The electrical terminal is rotatably supported by the first side plate and is positioned on the pivot axis.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a main body; a toner cartridge having a first opening; a process cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a second opening; a positioning part; a transfer unit; and an urging member. The toner cartridge and process cartridge are attachable to and detachable from the main body in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The positioning part and transfer unit are positioned above the process cartridge attached to the main body. The positioning part fixes the attached process cartridge in position relative to the main body. The urging member urges the attached process cartridge toward the positioning part and urges the process cartridge such that such that the toner can be supplied from the toner cartridge to the process cartridge through the first opening and the second opening when the toner cartridge and the process cartridge are attached to the main body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing including a cover; a process cartridge including a second toner conveying part; a transfer belt; a toner cartridge including a first toner conveying part; a secondary transfer member; and a fixing unit. The cover opens and closes an opening of the main casing by pivotally moving about a pivot axis. The transfer belt and toner cartridge are positioned upward of the process cartridge. The secondary transfer member contacts the one end of the transfer belt. The pivot axis and fixing unit are closer to the one end than to the other end of the transfer belt in the orthogonal direction. The second toner conveying part has a second opening in communication with a first opening of the first toner conveying part. The second opening is opposite the developing roller with respect to the photosensitive drum in the orthogonal direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a cartridge; a belt unit; and a fixing unit. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum. The main casing includes a first side plate and a second side plate, interposing the fixing unit therebetween. The belt unit includes: an endless belt; a first pivot shaft supported at the first side plate; a first arm; a second pivot shaft supported at the second side plate; and a second arm. The belt unit is movable between an internal position where the belt contacts the photosensitive drum and an external position where the belt separates from the photosensitive drum. The first arm is positioned outward of the first side plate and connects the first pivot shaft to the belt unit. The second arm is positioned outward of the second side plate and connects the second pivot shaft to the belt unit.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes (i) a rotatable developing roller for developing a latent image formed on a photosensitive member; (ii) a first drive transmission member capable of receiving a rotational force originated by the main assembly; (iii) a second drive transmission member capable of coupling with the first drive transmission member and capable of transmitting the rotational force received by the first drive transmission member to the developing roller; and (iv) a coupling disconnection member including a force receiving portion capable of receiving the force originated by the main assembly, and an urging portion capable of urging at least one of the first drive transmission member and the second drive transmission member by the force received by the force receiving portion to separate one of the first drive transmission member and the second drive transmission member from the other, thereby disconnecting t

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a duct portion provided on a side surface of a partition wall member on a first space side includes first and second internal passages. The first internal passage allows air that has flowed in from a first air passage to flow and guides the air to a second air passage. The second internal passage allows air that has flowed in from a second air passage to flow and guides the air to a second space via a communication port formed in a partition wall member. A first blower provided in the first space sucks air from the first air passage and blows out the air to the first internal passage. A second blower provided in the second space sucks air from the second air passage and blows out the air to the second space through the second internal passage and the communication port.

Abstract: A system and method may utilize holography to facilitate fabrication techniques such as 3D printing and lithography. The system may include a light source, a hologram of an original object or lithographic pattern recorded in a holographic medium, and a target such as a reservoir of photosensitive material or a photosensitive material attached to a substrate. Illuminating the hologram with the appropriate light source may cause a holographic image of the original object or lithographic pattern to form on the photosensitive material within the reservoir or on the substrate. Formation of the holographic image may result in the formation of a new object from the photosensitive material, or may facilitate removal or retention of photosensitive material as part of a lithographic process.

Abstract: In a process of manufacturing the volume holographic element, a holographic material layer is irradiated with reference light from the side of a second substrate in the oblique direction, and the holographic material layer is vertically irradiated with object light from the side of a first substrate in an interference exposure process. Since a first translucent anti-reflective layer is formed on the first surface of the first substrate, it is difficult that a situation in which the reference light is reflected in the first surface in the oblique direction occurs. In addition, since a second translucent anti-reflective layer is formed on the second surface of the second substrate, it is difficult that a situation in which the object light is reflected in the second surface occurs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a holographic display including a spatial light modulator (SLM) with pixels, the SLM pixels being on a substrate, the SLM including circuitry which is on the same substrate as the SLM pixels, the circuitry operable to perform calculations which provide an encoding of the SLM.

Abstract: A holographic three-dimensional display system and a holographic three-dimensional display method are disclosed. Plane pixel information (J*K*M*N) of the flat panel display is reasonably used to convert the discrete spatial spectrum image information Imn into the discrete spatial spectrum image Sjk by using holographic coding conversion, the discrete spatial spectrum thereof is restored by using corresponding lens arrays, and the discrete spectrum widening of the sampling angle ?mn is realized by the holographic function screen so as to realize complete spatial spectrum restoring of an original three-dimensional space. By using the lens arrays and the holographic function screen, an inherent conflict between the imaging quality of a microlens array and the resolution of a displayed three-dimensional image in integration photography is effectively overcome, and eye visible perfect true three-dimensional display is realized, thereby obtaining eye visible prefect true three-dimensional display.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an apparatus for creating a scene comprising: a plurality of micro-mirrors configured to rotate between an off position and at least two on positions to generate a plurality of holograms, and a processor configured to select positions for the micro-mirrors based on an input specification of the scene.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a wristband adapted to position a watch face substantially over at least one of a lateral radial portion of a wrist of a user or an anatomical snuffbox of the user. In an example, this watch face may be part of a smartwatch or other personal electronic device.

Abstract: A shock-absorber and/or vibration-absorber device is proposed, comprising at least one flexible element able to deform under the effect of a stress; said device being remarkable in that it includes at least one so-called dissipative layer made from a material having a shear modulus lower than the shear modulus of the flexible element, a shock-absorbing factor greater than the shock-absorbing factor of said flexible element, and at least partially secured to said flexible element such that a flexion of the flexible element, under the effect of a stress, provides shearing of the dissipative layer making it possible to dissipate at least part of the energy from said stress. A method for manufacturing said shock-absorber device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Described examples include a millimeter wave atomic clock apparatus, chip scale vapor cell, and fabrication method in which a low pressure dipolar molecule gas is provided in a sealed cavity with a conductive interior surface forming a waveguide. Non-conductive apertures provide electromagnetic entrance to, and exit from, the cavity. Conductive coupling structures formed on an outer surface of the vapor cell near the respective non-conductive apertures couple an electromagnetic field to the interior of the cavity for interrogating the vapor cell using a transceiver circuit at a frequency that maximizes the rotational transition absorption of the dipolar molecule gas in the cavity to provide a reference clock signal for atomic clock or other applications.

Abstract: A watch strap for an electronic watch. The watch strap includes a strap for extending over the wrist of a user, the strap including a first section and a second section, the first section having an end and the second section having an end. The watch strap includes a power connector extending from the end of the first section and a cavity positioned at the end of the second section and configured to receive the power connector. The watch strap includes a power source coupled to the strap and configured to be charged by power received from the power connector. The watch strap includes a wireless charging terminal configured to transmit power from the power source to the electronic watch.

Abstract: A parameter setting apparatus includes a calculator calculating a first resonance frequency ?r1 of a structure composed of a table, a rotor of a drive motor, and an object and a second resonance frequency ?r2 of a structure composed of a stator of the drive motor and a base using equations given below, and a setter setting a frequency band to be removed for a first damping filter based on the calculated first resonance frequency ?r1 and setting a frequency band to be removed for a second damping filter based on the second resonance frequency ?r2.

Abstract: A system for rule management, predictive maintenance and quality assurance of a process using automatic rule formation comprising a plurality of sensors capable of being attached to at least one machine for measuring at least one information about the process and machine operation. The system comprises a server connected to the sensors over a wireless communication network and running a reconfigurable rule management program for identifying and processing the particular process and machine information related to at least one process received from the plurality of sensors. A controller in communication with the server capable of controlling the process based on a rule set by the rule engine. The rule engine automatically detects the normal process data, classifies the received data based on the dynamic rule formed by the rule engine and finds anomalies in the process or machine operation for predictive maintenance and process quality assurance.

Abstract: A smart control apparatus linking to at least one smart electronic apparatus includes an identifying module, a learning recording module and a control module. The identifying module identifies an identity of at least one user. The learning recording module electrically connected to the identifying module records and learns an operation of the user on the at least one smart electronic apparatus and generates a learning result. The control module linking to the learning recording module generates and transmits a control signal according to the learning result to control the smart electronic apparatus. The smart control apparatus makes the smart electronic apparatus (IOT management apparatus) have corresponding different operations according to a work and rest mode of the user, and enhances the identity identifying security when the user operates the smart electronic apparatus.

Abstract: A method and a system for managing power are provided. The method for managing power includes: calculating in-facility DERs based on price data; and modeling a task of a production process in an industrial facility so as to minimize an energy cost by reflecting the calculated in-facility DERs, and controls charging/discharging of an energy storage system and production electricity of an energy generation system, and selects an operating point of a schedulable task of the production process so as to minimize the energy cost according to a change in the price data.

Abstract: A controlling system includes a server, a first controlling device and at least one second controlling device. The first controlling device is connected with the server. The first controlling device receives an information coming from the server and sets a first value of the first controlling device according to the information. The second controlling device is connected with the server. The information represents a second value of the second controlling device. The second controlling device is disposed within a predefined geographical area.

Abstract: A controller allows easy synchronization between a plurality of control programs executed in parallel to control a plurality of motors. The control programs are executed cyclically in parallel in predetermined execution cycles. Timing data for synchronizing the execution timing of the control programs is transmitted and received between the control programs. After control program 1 is executed, an axis variable to be referred to by the control program 2 is copied from an execution area of the memory for the control program 1 into a buffer area for the control program 2.

Abstract: A time range setting unit (110) sets an operation startable time point at which an operation can be started and a target operation end time point which is the latest time point among time points at which the operation is to be ended, with respect to each of plural power demanding objects (20). A necessary operation time setting unit (120) sets a necessary operation time with respect to each of the plural power demanding objects (20). A shape information acquisition unit (130) acquires shape information from a schedule management device (40). The shape information indicates an assumed shape of a transition line that represents transition in the amount of supplied power in a target period.

Abstract: A passenger conveyance system includes a processing module in communication with one or more sensors to receive the depth map data, and one or more security sensors to receive the security data, the processing module uses the depth map data and the security data to calculate passenger data that is operable to recognize a particular passenger. An elevator controller to receive the passenger data from the processing module, wherein the elevator controller controls an elevator dispatch control function in response to the particular passenger.

Abstract: An autonomous system for managing power distribution to an electrically-powered device that includes a power controller module that includes power input and power output abilities and operably connected power switching abilities, wherein the power switching is configured for actuation by an integral power management module operably connected thereto, the integral power management module including integral actuation signal detection and actuation abilities configured for, in accordance with commands and operational parameters, upon detection of an actuation signal, actuation the integral power switching to alter power output through the power output from a first output level to a second output level.