Abstract: A mask blank suitable for fabricating a phase shift mask having a thin film pattern composed of a material enabling dry etching with a fluorine-based gas and a substrate-engraved pattern. The mask blank 100 is used to fabricate a phase shift mask having a thin film pattern and a substrate-engraved pattern. The mask blank 100 has a structure in which an etching stopper film 2, a thin film for pattern formation 3 and an etching mask film 4 are laminated in this order on a transparent substrate 1. The etching stopper film 2 is made of a material that contains chromium and oxygen and the oxygen content thereof is more than 50 at %. The thin film 3 is made of a material that can be dry-etched by a fluorine-based gas. The etching mask film 4 is made of a material that contains chromium, the chromium content thereof is not less than 45 at %, and the oxygen content thereof is not more than 30 at %.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus which performs an imprint process of forming a pattern on a substrate by molding an imprint material on the substrate using a mold, the apparatus including a measurement unit configured to measure relative positions of the mold and the substrate, a light source unit configured to emit light for curing the imprint material, a scanning unit configured to scan light from the light source unit on the substrate, and a control unit configured to control the imprint process, wherein the control unit performs the imprint process by causing the scanning unit to scan the light while partially aligning the mold and the substrate with each other based on a measurement result of the measurement unit.

Abstract: A coloring composition includes colorants, polymerizable compounds, and a resin, in which a ratio P/M of a mass P of the colorants to a mass M of the polymerizable compounds is 0.05 to 0.35, a content of the polymerizable compounds is 25 to 65 mass % with respect to a total solid content of the coloring composition, a ratio A/B of a minimum value A of an absorbance in a wavelength range of 400 nm or longer and shorter than 580 nm to a minimum value B of an absorbance in a wavelength range of 580 nm to 770 nm is 0.3 to 3, and a ratio C/D of a minimum value C of an absorbance in a wavelength range of 400 nm to 750 nm to a maximum value D of an absorbance in a wavelength range of 850 nm to 1300 nm is 5 or higher.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive resin composition comprising a binder resin (A), a radiation-sensitive compound (B), a tetrafunctional or lower functional epoxy-based cross-linking agent (C) having an epoxy equivalent of 450 or less and a softening point of 30° C., or less, and an aralkyl phenol resin (D) is provided. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a radiation-sensitive resin composition able to give a resin film high in adhesion to a metal layer and excellent in developability and low hygroscopicity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photosensitive polysiloxane composition and a thin film formed by the aforementioned photosensitive polysiloxane composition. The thin film is a planarization film of a TFT substrate, an interlayer insulating film or an overcoat of a core material or a protective material in a waveguide. The invention is to provide a photosensitive polysiloxane composition having excellent surface flatness and high tapered angle of a pattern. The photosensitive polysiloxane composition comprises a polysiloxane (A), an o-naphthoquinone diazide sulfonic acid ester (B), an alkali-soluble resin containing a silyl group (C) and a solvent (D).

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide positive photosensitive compositions that have excellent patterning properties and can exhibit excellent electrical insulation reliability when cured (as thin films). The positive photosensitive composition according to a first aspect of the present invention is characterized by including (A) a compound that contains an alkenyl group or a SiH group within a molecule and has a structure that decomposes in the presence of acid to generate an acidic group or a hydroxyl group; (B) a compound that contains a SiH group or an alkenyl group within a molecule; (C) a hydrosilylation catalyst; and (D) a photoacid generator.

Abstract: In a method for fracturing or mask data preparation or mask process correction for charged particle beam lithography, a plurality of shots are determined that will form a pattern on a surface, where shots are determined so as to reduce sensitivity of the resulting pattern to changes in beam blur (?f). In some embodiments, the sensitivity to changes in ?f is reduced by varying the charged particle surface dosage for a portion of the pattern. Methods for forming patterns on a surface, and for manufacturing an integrated circuit are also disclosed, in which pattern sensitivity to changes in ?f is reduced.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for achieving size reduction of embedded memory arrays through determining a spare-core layout. In an embodiment, input parameters comprising global process parameters are combined with design characteristics to compute yield values corresponding to potential redundancy configurations for a die. Resulting yields may be compared to determine which redundancy configuration is suitable to maintain a particular yield. A die configured with one or more spare cores (with no redundant memory therein) results in a yield which is equivalent to, or exceeds, the yield of a die with conventional memory redundancies. In some example cases, memory redundancy is eliminated from cores. Another embodiment provides a semiconductor structure having including an array of redundant cores, each including a composition of memory arrays and logic structures, wherein at least one of the memory arrays of each redundant core is implemented without at least one of row redundancy and column redundancy.

Abstract: A method for correcting an exposure pattern on a substrate includes obtaining, based on the exposure pattern, displacement adjustment parameters for adjusting displacements of a worktable supporting the substrate in each of a first direction and a second direction, a rotation angle adjustment parameter for adjusting a rotation angle of the worktable in a rotation direction, and a gap adjustment parameter for adjusting a gap between the worktable and a mask plate. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other in a horizontal plane. The rotation direction is a direction in which the worktable rotates around a central axis of a base table supporting the mask plate. The method further includes moving the worktable based on the displacement adjustment parameters, the rotation angle adjustment parameter and the gap adjustment parameter.

Abstract: A method for aligning a mirror of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, according to one formulation, involves: recording a first partial interferogram between a wave reflected at a first mirror segment (101) and a reference wave reflected at a reference surface (110, 310, 510), recording a second partial interferogram between a wave reflected at a second mirror segment (102) and a reference wave reflected at the reference surface, determining a phase offset between the first partial interferogram and the second partial interferogram, and aligning the first mirror segment and the second mirror segment in relation to one another in accordance with the determined phase offset, so that the distance of the relevant mirror segments (101, 102) from a respective predetermined, hypothetical surface in the direction of the respective surface normal is less than ?/10 at each point on the mirror segments, where ? denotes the operating wavelength of the mirror.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes forming at least one substrate alignment mark and at least one lithography alignment mark in a substrate; forming a seed layer on the substrate; and forming a guide pattern and at least one guide pattern alignment mark in the seed layer, where the at least one guide pattern alignment mark is formed over the at least one substrate alignment mark. The method further includes determining an alignment error of the at least one guide pattern alignment mark relative to the at least one substrate alignment mark; and patterning features on at least one region of the substrate, where the features are positioned on the substrate based on the at least one lithography alignment mark and the alignment error.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of monitoring a lithographic process parameter, such as focus and/or dose, of a lithographic process. The method comprises acquiring a first and a second target measurement using respectively a first measurement configuration and a second measurement configuration, and determining the lithographic process parameter from a first metric derived from said first target measurement and said second target measurement. The first metric may be difference. Also disclosed are corresponding measurement and lithographic apparatuses, a computer program and a method of manufacturing devices.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus that can prevent disadvantages due to a leaked liquid is provided. The exposure apparatus includes a substrate holder that includes a peripheral wall portion and supporting portions located on an inside of the peripheral wall portion and that supports a substrate with the supporting portions by negatively pressurizing a space surrounded by the peripheral wall portion, and a recovery mechanism that includes a collection inlets provided on the inside of the peripheral wall portion and a vacuum system connected to the collection inlets, in which a liquid penetrated from an outer periphery of the substrate is sucked and recovered, in the state with an upper surface of the peripheral wall portion and a back surface of the substrate being spaced at a first distance.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and an arrangement for actuating an element in a system for microlithography. According to an aspect in at least one degree of freedom an actuator force is exerted on the element via at least two actuator components. The actuator components are driven independently of one another for generating the actuator force. Driving is effected so that a thermal power introduced into the system on account of the generation of the actuator force by the actuator components deviates from a predefined constant value by not more than 20%.

Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes a fluid supply system configured to supply a fluid, the fluid supply system having a chamber with a plurality of inlet holes in a first side wall and a plurality of outlet holes in a second side wall, the first side wall facing the second side wall, wherein the inlet holes direct fluid entering the chamber in a direction towards areas of the second side wall between the plurality of outlet holes.

Abstract: A liquid supply system for an immersion lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a space is defined between the projection system, a barrier member and a substrate. The barrier member is not sealed such that, during use, immersion liquid is allowed to flow out the space and between the barrier member and the substrate.

Abstract: An electrostatic latent image-developing toner includes a styrene-acrylic resin, an amorphous polyester resin, and a crystalline polyester resin. The electrostatic latent image-developing toner shows maximum absorption peaks at least in absorption wavenumber ranges of 690 to 710 cm?1, 1190 to 1220 cm?1, and 1230 to 1300 cm?1 in an absorption spectrum measured by attenuated total reflection with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The ratio (P3/P1) of the height (P3) of the maximum absorption peak in the range of 1230 to 1300 cm?1 to the height (P1) of the maximum absorption peak in the range of 690 to 710 cm?1 is 0.02 to 6.00.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toner for electrostatic charge image development containing toner base particles containing a binder resin containing a vinyl resin as a main component and a crystalline resin, and a release agent, comprising a structure body in which the crystalline resin is in contact with the release agent, and the crystalline resin having a lamellar crystal structure that is not in contact with the release agent, in a cross section of the toner base particles. According to the present invention, a toner for electrostatic charge image development having good low-temperature fixability, excellent post-fixing separability, document storability, and high-speed fixability, and small environmental dependence of charge amount can be provided.

Abstract: An image carrier unit of the present disclosure includes an image carrier, a charging device, a unit housing and a drive mechanism. The charging device is fittable to and removable from the unit housing in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, and has a charging member and a cleaning member for cleaning the charging member. The drive mechanism has a biasing member for biasing a rotating shaft of the cleaning member in a first direction extending along its axial direction, and a moving member for moving the rotating shaft of the cleaning member in a second direction opposite to the first direction. An engaging portion to engage with an engaged portion provided on the unit housing side is formed at one longitudinal end portion of the charging device, and an engagement state between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is retained by biasing force of the biasing member.

Abstract: A toner supply roller is provided which has the most uniform and greatest possible foam cell diameters and a lower hardness particularly even in a lower-temperature and lower-humidity environment as compared with the conventional art and is less liable to suffer from imaging failure such as uneven density and white streaks. An image forming apparatus employing the toner supply roller is also provided. The toner supply roller (1) is produced by preparing a rubber composition which contains a rubber component including an epichlorohydrin rubber and an acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, an electrically conductive carbon black, a crosslinking component and a foaming component and, while extruding the rubber composition into a tubular body, continuously foaming and crosslinking the rubber composition of the tubular body by a continuous crosslinking apparatus including a microwave crosslinking device and a hot air crosslinking device. The image forming apparatus incorporates the toner supply roller (1).

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a development roll rubber member that has a uniformly roughened surface on a rubber member surface, that is capable of ensuring a sufficient thickness without contaminating a peripheral portion while maintaining a flexibility in a coating layer and a convex portion without impairing softness of a rubber substrate layer, and that has the coating layer achieving non-tackiness and low friction, and a method of manufacturing the same, and the object is achieved by putting a reactive silicone oil, an isocyanate compound, and a diluent solvent capable of dissolving both the reactive silicone oil and the isocyanate compound into a reaction container, by causing a prepolymerization reaction in which the reactive silicone oil and the isocyanate compound are reacted into a polymerized state in the diluent solvent in the reaction container while dissolution in the solvent is maintained, by subsequently mixing a polyol and an isocyanate compound solution and using silic

Abstract: A developing device includes N number of containers, N number of conveying members, N number of first sensors, stirring portions, a switching unit, and a control unit. The N number of conveying members stir and convey respective developers inside the N number of containers. The N number of first sensors are located at the N number of containers to detect toners remaining amount inside of the N number of containers. The stirring portions are located at the respective N number of conveying members to stir the developers at detecting regions opposed to detecting surfaces of the N number of first sensors by rotations of the N number of conveying members. The switching unit selects any one of outputs of the N number of first sensors to output. The control unit receives the selected output to detect the remaining amounts of the developers inside the N number of containers.

Abstract: A developing device according to the present disclosure includes a developer container, a duct, a duct coupling portion and a handle portion, and is removable with respect to an image forming apparatus. The duct is formed in the developer container and sucks floating toner together with air within the developer container. The duct coupling portion is formed at an end of the duct and is coupled to a toner suction portion of the image forming apparatus. The handle portion is formed in the shape of a flat plate and is formed to protrude from immediately below the duct coupling portion in a horizontal direction. A hollow portion is formed within the handle portion. A through hole is formed in a portion of an upper surface of the handle portion that is protruded as compared with an opening surface of the duct coupling portion and communicates with the hollow portion.

Abstract: A toner container is attachable to and detachable from a toner supply portion of an image forming apparatus. The toner container includes an attaching portion configured to be engaged with an attached portion of the toner supply portion such that the toner container is selectively attached to the toner supply portion. The attached portion includes an engaged portion around which first interruption keys are disposed. The attaching portion includes an engaging portion and a plurality of key members. The engaging portion is configured to be engaged with the engaged portion. The key members are larger in number than the first interruption keys and include second interruption keys formed in correspondence with the first interruption keys. Among the key members, the second interruption keys that interrupt with the first interruption keys are cut so that the engaging portion and the engaged portion can be engaged with each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a first component, a second component, a first end surface, a second end surface and a sealer. The sealer arranged on the first or second end surface seals the part between the first end surface and the second end surface while keeping the first opening communicated with the second opening when the second component is mounted on the first component.

Abstract: A developing device of the present disclosure includes a developing roller, a toner supply roller, a regulation blade, a casing, a toner receiving support member, a toner receiving member, a vibration generation unit, and a vibration inhibition member. The toner receiving support member is disposed in the casing so as to be opposed to the developing roller or the toner supply roller in an area between the regulation blade and an image carrier. The toner receiving member has a toner receiving surface that receives toner dropping from the developing roller, and is supported so as to be swingable about an end edge thereof on a toner supply roller side as a fulcrum. In a state where the toner receiving member is not vibrating, the vibration inhibition member is in contact with each of both end portions of the toner receiving surface in a longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a toner cartridge comprising: a toner storage case configured to store toner; and an auger screw rotatably supported in the toner storage case and configured to convey the toner stored in the toner storage case, wherein the toner storage case comprises: a first supporting portion that rotatably supports a downstream end along a toner conveyance direction of the auger screw; a second supporting portion that rotatably supports an upstream end along the toner conveyance direction of the auger screw; a discharge port provided at a downstream side along the toner conveyance direction and below the first supporting portion so as to discharge therefrom the toner conveyed by the auger screw; and an inclined portion that is provided above the discharge port and inclines by a predetermined angle from a plane perpendicular to a rotating shaft of the auger screw toward an upstream side along the toner conveyance direction.

Abstract: An auger assembly according to one example embodiment includes an auger having a helical flight extending along a longitudinal axis. The auger has a central opening running along the longitudinal axis. The auger has an end that includes at least a portion of a turn having substantially zero pitch. A retaining member has a body including a groove on an outer surface of the body. The groove has a shape complementary to the helical flight at the end of the auger. At least a portion of the end of the auger is retained within the groove. A rotatable coupling member extends along the longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the rotatable coupling member is positioned within the central opening of the auger and presses the outer surface of the retaining member against an inner diameter of the end of the auger.

Abstract: Method and system for converting a toner cartridge printer to a white, clear, metallic or light toner printer. The method may comprise the steps: providing a printer having one or more toner cartridges; removing at least one of the one or more toner cartridges; disassembling the one or more removed toner cartridges; cleaning the one or more removed toner cartridges; filling the one or more removed toner cartridges with a white, clear, metallic or light toner; and installing the one or more removed white, clear, metallic or light toner cartridges into the printer.

Abstract: A method of converting a CMYK printer to print with a non-standard toner, comprising the steps: providing a CMYK toner printer; wherein the CMYK toner printer may have four toner printing cartridges, wherein three of the four toner printing cartridges may be color printing cartridges comprising a cyan toner printing cartridge, a magenta toner printing cartridge, and a yellow toner printing cartridge; removing one or more of the color toner printing cartridges from the toner printer, such that there may be one or more empty toner printing cartridge positions; providing one or more non-standard toner printing cartridges; and installing the one or more non-standard toner printing cartridges into the one or more empty toner printing cartridges.

Abstract: A method of converting a printer to print with white toner comprises the steps: providing a color toner printer; wherein the color toner printer may comprise a plurality of drum cartridges and a plurality of toner cartridges; wherein the plurality of toner cartridges may comprise a cyan toner cartridge, a yellow toner cartridge, a magenta toner cartridge, and a black toner cartridge; wherein the plurality of drum cartridges may comprise a cyan drum cartridge, a yellow drum cartridge, a magenta drum cartridge, and a black drum cartridge; removing the cyan toner cartridge, the magenta toner cartridge, the cyan drum cartridge, and the magenta drum cartridge; disassembling the cyan drum cartridge and the magenta drum cartridge; emptying and cleaning the cyan toner cartridge, the magenta toner cartridge, the cyan drum cartridge, and the magenta drum cartridge; priming the cyan drum cartridge and the magenta drum cartridge with a white toner; filling the cyan toner cartridge and the magenta toner cartridge with the

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer belt, a driving roller, a driven roller, a belt cleaning device, and a counter roller. Toner images formed on image carriers are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt. The driving and driven rollers rotatably stretch the intermediate transfer belt. The belt cleaning device has a cleaning blade that removes residual toner adhered to the intermediate transfer belt. The counter roller is disposed facing the cleaning blade with the intermediate transfer belt interposed therebetween. The belt cleaning device is disposed at a position that is downstream of the driving roller in a rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt but is upstream of the driven roller in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt. A leading end edge portion of the cleaning blade is disposed upstream of a top of the counter roller in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes: image formation units mounted in series in a conveyance direction of a transfer object and that form images and correction patterns of different color developers on the transfer object; a sensor that detects a color misregistration, by the emission of a detection light to the correction pattern on the transfer object and the reception of a reflection light from the transfer object; an identification unit that identifies, out of the image formation units, a first image formation unit using a first developer which is the developer with the lowest reflectance, based on reflectance information indicating reflectances of the developers for the image formation units, or based on color information indicating the colors of the developers for the image formation units; and a corrector that corrects the color misregistration with respect to the first image formation unit identified by the identification unit.

Abstract: A belt tension adjustment mechanism provided on an inner side of an endless intermediate transfer belt and applying a tension to the intermediate transfer belt being rotated when a toner image is transferred on the intermediate transfer belt, said belt tension adjustment mechanism includes a holder having an opening section at one surface thereof; and an elastic member contained to be fixed in the holder while being compressed in a running direction of the intermediate transfer belt and having a convex section, wherein the convex section protrudes from the opening section of the holder toward a direction orthogonal to an image transfer surface of the intermediate transfer belt and is in direct contact with the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming part having a transfer part including a transfer member and a rotation member to face the transfer member, and the transfer part to transfer a developer with a transfer voltage to a recording medium of which a front surface is with a transfer region and a non-transfer region, in the transfer target region where the developer is to be disposed and in the non-transfer region where the developer is not to be disposed; a measuring part that measures a first electric resistance value and a second electric resistance value, the first electric resistance value being defined as in a state in which the transfer region is not present between the transfer member and the rotation member, and the second electric resistance value being defined as in another state in which the transfer region is present therebetween; and a control part that determines the transfer voltage value in the transfer part based on the first electric resistance value and the second electric resis

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an operating state and a non-operating state with power consumption smaller than in the operating state. The image forming apparatus includes: a fixing device for thermally fixing a toner image on a print material; an execution unit for executing warm-up to heat the fixing device up to a printable temperature for fixing the toner image on the print material, upon power-on or in shifting from the non-operating state to the operating state; and a temperature control unit for maintaining a waiting state to keep the fixing device at the printable temperature or higher, after completion of warm-up or printing. The temperature control unit increases the temperature of the fixing device higher in a waiting state after printing a predetermined number of times since power-on or in a waiting state after the non-operating state for a predetermined time or longer, than in any other waiting state.

Abstract: A fuser comprises a substrate and a composite layer formed on the substrate. The composite layer comprises a fluoropolymer and at least one of (a) per-fluorosulfonated polymer-treated, carbon nanotube-comprising particles, and (b) perfluorosulfonated polymer-treated, graphene-comprising particles. Methods of making a fuser and methods of fusing toner particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a fixing device configured to enable an image to be fixed on an image receiving medium passing through a nip between a heating section and a pressurizing section through heat of the heating section and pressurization of the pressurizing section; and a conveyance roller arranged at the downstream side of the fixing section in a conveyance direction of the image receiving medium and initially convey the fixed image receiving medium. The conveyance roller comprises an axis part; a plurality of large-diameter parts each configured to have an outer diameter larger than that of the axis part; and a plurality of small-diameter parts each configured to have an outer diameter which is larger than that of the axis part and smaller than that of the large-diameter part.

Abstract: A fusing apparatus includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being opposite the first surface on the substrate, a first resistive trace and a second resistive trace, the first and second resistive traces being disposed adjacent each other along the first surface of the substrate in a length-wise direction thereof. A resistance of the first resistive trace is less than a resistance of the second resistive trace.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to convey a recording material having an unfixed image on a surface includes a fixing device configured to fix the unfixed image on the recording material and a control device configured to perform image forming process control of the image forming apparatus, the fixing device including: a heating member heated by a heating device and a pressure member that binds the recording material on the surface of which the unfixed image is formed, and while letting the recording material pass between the pressure member oneself and the heating member, fixes the unfixed image onto the recording material, the control device calculating integrated energy consumption per unit time based on power consumption of the heating device and time needed for a print mode, and performing control of changing the image forming process.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an operating state and a non-operating state with power consumption smaller than in the operating state. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device for fixing a toner image on a print material by heat, a fan for discharging heat from the image forming apparatus, and a control unit for controlling operation of the fan. When a non-operating time from shifting to the non-operating state to shifting to the operating state is shorter than a predetermined time, the control unit allows the fan to operate with predetermined power in the operating state. When the non-operating time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the control unit stops the fan or allows the fan to operate with power smaller than the predetermined power in the operating state.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heater and a presser. The heater includes an endless heating belt that rotates while heating a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image. The presser presses against the recording medium in cooperation with the heater to fix the unfixed toner image onto the recording medium. The heater further includes a first plate body extending to form a contact region in contact with an inner surface of the belt, a heat source nipping the first plate body in cooperation with the belt in the contact region, and a second plate body disposed opposite the first plate body with the heat source interposed therebetween and extending at a distance from the heat source. The first plate body has relatively higher heat absorptivity than the second plate body. The second plate body has relatively higher heat reflectivity than the first plate body and is in contact therewith.

Abstract: A printing system obtains a print job, analyzes the obtained print job, and imposes print pages to a total of four surfaces of a print target sheet including two surfaces on each of front and back in accordance with a bookbinding format of the analyzed print job. As for an imposition method, if the bookbinding format of the print job is particular two fold bookbinding for which processing of two-folding a sheet and bonding a plurality of two-folded sheets is performed, imposition is performed while reserving a glue surface not to print out of the four surfaces of the print target sheet.

Abstract: An embodiment of an image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit including a photosensitive drum and a fur brush for cleaning toner on the photosensitive drum and a second image forming unit including a photosensitive drum and a fur brush for cleaning toner on the photosensitive drum. In at least one embodiment for image formation, the fur brush in the first image forming unit and the fur brush in the second image forming unit start at different timings.

Abstract: The present invention improves productivity and usability by reducing the possibility of a conveying failure when regulation plates in a storage unit for a recording material are incorrectly set. An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store a recording material, a feeding unit configured to feed the recording material from the storage unit, a regulation member configured to control a downstream edge of the recording material in a feeding direction in the storage unit, a detection unit configured to detect time until the recording material reaches a position along the conveying path after the feeding unit begins to feed the recording material, and a control unit configured to determine a state of the regulation member on the basis of the time detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus which conveys sheets fed from a first sheet feeding unit and sheets fed from a second sheet feeding unit to a merging point, inserts the sheets fed from the first sheet feeding unit into the sheets fed from the second sheet feeding unit in a predetermined order at the merging point, and discharges the sheets fed from the first sheet feeding unit and the sheets fed from the second sheet feeding unit to a downstream side includes: a jam detecting unit configured to detect a jam of a sheet in the first sheet feeding unit; and a control unit configured to newly feed sheets which are before the predetermined order, in which a sheet causing the jam is supposed to be inserted, and have not been fed from the second sheet feeding unit, and convey the newly fed sheets to the downstream side.

Abstract: A power line retaining member that houses, in a groove, a power line for connecting two separate components of an image forming device, the power line being a bare metal wire that has elasticity. The power line retaining member includes a guide and a restricting portion. The guide includes two side walls, internal wall surfaces of the two side walls and a bottom surface between the internal wall surfaces being electrically insulative and defining the groove, the guide holding the power line in an elastically deformed shape. The restricting portion is disposed on an internal wall surface that the power line exerts a restoring force against, the restricting portion restricting movement of the power line in a direction away from the bottom surface.

Abstract: A high-voltage power supply that outputs high voltages having a predetermined polarity and a reverse polarity performs control in a manner that, during a transition period in which switching of a target voltage of the high voltage having the reverse polarity from the predetermined polarity is performed, a setting value in accordance with a voltage higher than a target voltage is set as the voltage having the reverse polarity, and then a setting value in accordance with the target voltage is set as the voltage having the reverse polarity.

Abstract: A power supply controlling device includes: a direct-current power supply configured to output a direct-current voltage; an alternating-current power supply configured to output one selected from between a superimposed voltage obtained by superimposing an alternating-current voltage onto the direct-current voltage and the direct-current voltage; a bypass capacitor configured to partially store therein an output from the alternating-current power supply and configured to, when the direct-current voltage is output from the direct-current power supply while no electric charge is stored therein, store therein a second direct current being a part of a first direct current output from the direct-current power supply in conjunction with the output of the direct-current voltage; and a power supply controlling unit configured to cause the direct-current power supply to control a level of the direct-current voltage based on a target value for the first direct current and a value indicating the second direct current.

Abstract: A power supply device includes: a DC-DC converter that includes a switching element, a coil, a capacitor and a controller which controls the turning on and off of the switching element; a detection circuit to which an output voltage of the DC-DC converter is input and which outputs a detection signal whose level is changed depending on whether or not the output voltage is less than a reference voltage; and a power supply control circuit which stops the DC-DC converter when the number of times the level of the detection signal is changed within a predetermined detection period is equal to or more than a specified number of times.