Abstract: A liquid toner for printing conductive traces is provided. The liquid toner includes a carrier liquid and toner particles dispersed in the carrier liquid. The toner particles include a low symmetry electrically conducting material dispersed in a pigment.

Abstract: A resistive film is applied to a conductive substrate. Ductile particles are disposed substantially uniformly throughout the resistive film. Brittleness of the resistive film is thereby reduced.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a light-irradiation unit configured to move a spot of laser light on a surface of a photosensitive member at a non-constant scanning velocity in a main scanning direction to form a latent image on the photosensitive member, an image data correcting unit configured to correct a length in the main scanning direction of image data by inserting one or more image data pieces into the image data, the number of the image data pieces increasing as the scanning velocity increases, and/or extracting one or more image data pieces from the image data, the number of the image data pieces increasing as the scanning velocity decreases, and a brightness correcting unit configured to correct a brightness of the laser light so that an emission brightness increases as the scanning velocity increases and/or the emission brightness decreases as the scanning velocity decreases.

Abstract: A development device includes: a developer carrier including a magnet roller and a sleeve around the magnet roller; and a restriction member provided opposed to the sleeve surface. When a region on the surface opposed to the restriction member is defined as a first region and regions adjacent to the first region are defined as second and third regions, a magnetic flux density is largest in the second region. When a position where the density is largest in the second region is defined as a reference position, a position where the density is a predetermined value in the second region is defined as a downstream position, and a position where the density is the predetermined value in the third region is defined as an upstream position, the width between the reference position and the upstream position is longer than the width between the reference position and the downstream position.

Abstract: Changing of a peripheral speed ratio, resulting in change of the developer amount per unit area, enables the detection unit to detect the developer amount with sufficient accuracy.

Abstract: If a user is not familiar with the operation for the developer supply container, the rotating operation for the developer supply container may be insufficient, so that developer supply container does not reach a predetermined operating position, with the result of abnormal developer supply. by increasing a rotation load of a second gear 6 which is in an operable connection with a drive gear member 12 of the developer receiving apparatus 10 by a function of a locking member 7, the developer supply container 1 mounted to the developer receiving apparatus 10 is rotated toward the supply position. After the developer supply container 1 rotates to the supply position, the locking by the locking member 7 is released, by which the rotation load applied to the second gear 6 is reduced, so that drive transmission, thereafter, to the feeding member 4 for developer supply is smooth.

Abstract: A developer accommodating unit for accommodating a developer for image formation includes a flexible container provided with an opening 35a for permitting discharge of the developer, a frame for accommodating the flexible container and for accommodating the developer to be discharged from the flexible container, and an urging member 21 for urging a developer accommodating bag toward the frame for accommodating the developer accommodating bag 16. By this, it is possible to satisfactorily effect discharge of the developer from the flexible developer accommodating bag 16.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing sleeve; a first chamber for supplying two-component developer; a second chamber for collecting the developer; a first screw for feeding the developer in the first chamber in a first direction; a second screw for feeding the developer in the first chamber in a second direction opposite the first direction; a partition between the first and second chambers and including a first opening for feeding the developer from the second chamber to the first chamber, and a second opening for feeding the developer from the first chamber to the second chamber; and a toner content sensor. The toner sensor detects the developer in a region which is in the first opening with respect to an axis of the sleeve and which is between a rotation axis of the first screw and a rotation axis of the second screw with respect to a perpendicular direction.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid developer supply device including a supply roller that rotates and holds liquid developer in a recessed portion formed in an outer circumferential surface to supply the liquid developer to a receiving member, a liquid developer supply unit that supplies liquid developer between a seal member which is in contact with the supply roller on an upstream side in a rotating direction and a regulation member which is in contact with the supply roller on a downstream side, and that forms a liquid developer reservoir, and a supply unit that supplies a cleaning liquid to a contact portion from an upstream side of the contact portion between the supply roller and the seal member, in the rotating direction of the supply roller, such that the cleaning liquid flows down along the seal member due to gravity.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a transfer portion, an adjustment portion, a detection portion, a reverse and re-conveyance portion, and a controller configured to determine a second image position, on the image bearing member, of an image to be transferred onto a second surface of the sheet re-conveyed by the reverse and re-conveyance portion based on a side edge position, detected by the detection portion, of a trailing part of the sheet being conveyed with the first end as the leading edge, the controller being also configured to determine a shift amount by which the adjustment portion shifts the sheet re-conveyed by the reverse and re-conveyance portion based on the second image position and a side edge position, detected by the detection portion, of the sheet, which has been re-conveyed by the reverse and re-conveyance portion, being conveyed with the second end as the leading edge.

Abstract: An electrically conductive roller includes a shaft body, an elastic layer disposed on an external circumferential surface of the shaft body, a tube that covers the elastic layer while being in close contact with the elastic layer and extends beyond two ends of the elastic layer, and projections disposed on internal circumferential surfaces of portions of the tube extending beyond the two ends of the elastic layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium which is unwound from a state of being wound in a roll shape; and a control unit configured to change an image forming condition of the image forming unit such that image quality becomes uniform before and after an unwinding start position of the recording medium at the time of start of an image forming operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer to bear a toner image, a nip forming member contacting the image bearer to form a transfer nip, and a transfer power source. The transfer bias has a transfer peak value to electrostatically move toner from the image bearer to the recording sheet and an opposite-peak value to electrostatically move less toner from the image bearer to the recording sheet than the transfer peak value. An opposite-peak duty of the transfer bias is less than 50%. The opposite-peak duty is tr/T×100% where T is one cycle of the transfer bias and tr is a time period during which the transfer bias is on a side of the opposite-peak value relative to an offset voltage of the transfer bias in the one cycle T.

Abstract: An improved image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a nip forming member, a transfer power source, and a controller. The controller switches a transfer mode between a first mode to transfer the toner image onto a first type sheet having a surface smoothness higher than a surface smoothness of a second type sheet and a second mode to transfer the toner image onto the second type sheet. The controller controls the transfer power source to output the transfer bias having an opposite-peak duty of greater than or equal to 50% that is a duty on the side of the opposite-peak value in the first mode. The controller controls the transfer power source to output the transfer bias having an opposite-peak duty of less than 50%, which is different from the opposite-peak duty of the first mode, in the second mode.

Abstract: A separation device includes a separator that separates a recording medium from a rotator and a plurality of recesses disposed on a conveyance path side face of the separator over which the recording medium is conveyed in a recess span in a recording medium conveyance direction and at least in a conveyance span where the recording medium is conveyed. The plurality of recesses includes a first recess extending in a first extension line that is oblique relative to the recording medium conveyance direction and a second recess being adjacent to the first recess in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction. The second recess extends in a second extension line that is oblique relative to the recording medium conveyance direction and overlaps the first extension line of the first recess in the direction perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction to define an overlap span.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a fixing member; a pressurizing member provided in contact with the fixing member and configured to pressurize a sheet passing through a contact portion between the fixing member and the pressurizing member, against the fixing member; and a heater configured to heat the fixing member to provide heat to the sheet passing through the contact portion. The fixing member includes a heat storage material having a property that changes, by external energy, from a first solid phase to a second solid phase whose internal energy is higher than that of the first solid phase, and a property that changes from the second solid phase to the first solid phase by pressure and radiates heat during the phase change. The external energy includes thermal energy of the fixing member heated with the heater. The pressure includes a contact pressure between the fixing member and the pressurizing member.

Abstract: A control unit is configured to control torque of a fixing motor and torque of a pressing motor such that tangential force at a part holding paper in cooperation with a fixing member in a pressing member is equal to or greater than tangential force at a part holding paper in cooperation with the pressing member in the fixing member, and that the relation between the tangential force at the part of the pressing member and the tangential force at the part of the fixing member changes in accordance with the smoothness of paper.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes determination means for determining the size of a medium, heating means for including plural heat-generating members which are two-dimensionally arranged such that the heat-generating members are lined up along two parallel lines or more which are vertical to a transport direction of the medium and divided at locations on the parallel lines, 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 heating control means for selecting a group of the heat-generating members which are lined up in the two-dimensional arrangement, conducting the selected group of the heat-generating members, and controlling the heating means.

Abstract: A print control apparatus includes an analyzing unit, an obtaining unit, and a controller. The analyzing unit analyzes a total number of pages of received print data. The obtaining unit obtains number-of-printable-pages information, which is information on a number of pages printable on a bundle of continuous form paper set in a printer that performs printing on continuous form paper. When reference to the number-of-printable-pages information obtained by the obtaining unit and the total number of pages analyzed by the analyzing unit indicates that a print result based on the print data is to be printed on multiple bundles of continuous form paper, the controller controls the printer to print, on at least last two pages of the currently set bundle of continuous form paper, information indicating an order of output of the bundle of continuous form paper.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body accommodating an image forming device, a foreign object detector that detects a foreign object beside the apparatus body, and a detector holding unit that holds the foreign object detector. The foreign object detector and the detector holding unit are movable together into the apparatus body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, an image forming portion, a transfer portion, a moving portion, a re-conveyance portion, a detection portion, a detection portion, and a control portion is provided. The moving portion is configured to move a sheet in a width direction. The re-conveyance portion is configured to invert the sheet bearing a toner image transferred onto a first surface thereof and convey the sheet to the transfer portion again. The control portion is configured to control the image forming portion to form the toner image for the first surface on a first image position and a toner image for a second surface on a second image position and control the moving portion to move the sheet to a position corresponding to the first image position or the second image position. The first and second image positions are displaced from each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a plurality of image forming units, an intermediate transfer member, a detection unit, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the plurality of image forming units to form, on the intermediate transfer member, a pattern image including a first detection image having a reference color among the plurality of detection images and a second detection image having another color among the plurality of detection images. The first detection image and the second detection image are superimposed on a predetermined detection image. The controller is configured to control the detection unit to detect the amount of color misregistration which is related to a relative position of the first detection image and the second detection image, and to determine an adjustment value for adjusting an image write start timing of the other color different from the reference color.

Abstract: A device for detecting a travel distance of a sheet is provided. The device includes a light source for irradiating the sheet surface; an imaging sensor for capturing an image of a pattern of the sheet surface by light reflected from the sheet; a discrete Fourier transformation portion for performing discrete Fourier transformation on two patterns obtained by image capturing at a time interval by the imaging sensor; a high wave number component removal portion for using a threshold determined based on a cycle of concave-convex of the sheet surface to remove a high wave number component from the two patterns having been subjected to the discrete Fourier transformation; and a travel distance calculation portion for determining a travel distance of the sheet based on a phase relationship between the two patterns from which the high wave number component removal portion has removed the high wave number component.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is capable of prompting a user to replace a process cartridge. The process cartridge is comprised of a plurality of components. At least CPU executes instructions to obtain life span information indicating life spans of the components of the process cartridge, determine whether or not the process cartridge is a specific process cartridge for which life span information on a part of the components of the process cartridge is obtained whereas life span information on all the components of the cartridge is not obtained, calculate a life span of the process cartridge, and provide notification of the calculated life span of the process cartridge. When the process cartridge is the specific process cartridge, the life span of the process cartridge is calculated based on only the obtained life span information on the components.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming portion, a moving portion, a re-conveyance portion, a detection portion, and a control portion is provided. The image forming portion is configured to form an image on a sheet that is conveyed. The moving portion is configured to move the sheet in a width direction. The re-conveyance portion is configured to invert the sheet having the image formed on a first surface thereof convey the sheet to the image forming portion again. The control portion is configured to control, based on a detection result of the detection portion, the moving portion to move the sheet in the width direction such that the center of the image formed on the first surface in the width direction and a center of the image to be formed on the second surface in the width direction coincide.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus, including: a movable stack portion on which sheets are to be stacked; a detection portion configured to detect whether or not a topmost sheet of sheets stacked on the stack portion is positioned at a predetermined position; and a control portion configured to position the topmost sheet at the predetermined position based on a detection result of the detection portion, wherein in a case where the control portion moves the stack portion at a first speed so that a topmost sheet on the stack portion deviates from the predetermined position, the control portion moves the stack portion at a second speed lower than the first speed to position the topmost sheet at the predetermined position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a communication unit that receives first mode electric power to perform communication; an image forming unit that receives first mode electric power the to form an image on a medium; a fixing unit that generates heat by receiving first mode electric power corresponding, and performs a fixing process of fixing the image to the medium; a predicting unit that predicts a processing time required for a process of forming the image; and a supply controller that controls supply of electric power according to a first mode or a second mode in which power consumption is smaller than that of the first mode. The supply controller starts the supply of first mode electric power to the fixing unit at a timing based on the predicted processing time when the image forming apparatus transitions from the second mode to the first mode.

Abstract: An accumulation removal device includes a cleaning blade, a fluid supply device, and an instruction device. The cleaning blade is disposed so as to be in contact with a surface of an image holding member and cleans the surface of the image holding member after an image forming process has been performed. The fluid supply device supplies a fluid which contains solid particles to a position where the cleaning blade is disposed. The instruction device issues an instruction to cause the fluid supply device to supply the fluid at predetermined timing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an attachment part to which a toner container is detachably attached. The toner container has a main body and a non-compatible shape discriminating piece. In the main body, a toner is contained. The non-compatible shaped piece is capable of being assembled into the main body and has a shape different for each kind of the toner container. The attachment part has a non-compatible shape discriminating member capable of engaging with the non-compatible shaped piece.

Abstract: A method of remanufacturing an imaging cartridge comprising a toner hopper having a toner bag and not having a seal port, the method comprising forming a seal port in the toner hopper; disposing a replacement toner container in the toner hopper, the replacement toner container including a removable seal having a seal tail; inserting a portion of the seal tail through the seal port and repairing a broken doctor blade contact

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a body casing, a plurality of process cartridges, and a moving member. Each process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having a rotation axis extending in a first direction. The plurality of process cartridges is configured to move between an engaging position and a release position in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The photosensitive drum and the positioning member engage with each other in the engaging position, and are disengaged from each other releasing the engagement in the release position. The moving member in a pressing position is configured to exert pressure so that the process cartridges are moved to the engaging position. The moving member in the non-pressing position is configured to release the pressure so that the process cartridges are moved to the release position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a plurality of cartridges; a belt configured to abut against the photosensitive drums of the plurality of cartridges; a frame configured to axially support a plurality of rollers around which the belt is extended; and a movable member configured to be movable while supporting the plurality of cartridges, the movable member being movable between a first position in which the plurality of cartridges are in an main body of the apparatus and a second position in which the plurality of cartridges are drawn out from the main body of the apparatus, wherein the frame is provided with a plurality of positioning portions configured to allow abutment of the plurality of cartridges and determine the positions of the plurality of cartridges in the main body of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a holographic image are disclosed. The apparatus calculates a first calculation result with respect to an image for the left eye and a first calculation result with respect to an image for the right eye and stores the results at different memory addresses of a storage. Thereafter, the apparatus calculates values of a waveform of light to be modulated by a spatial light modulator by performing a second calculation that uses all of the first calculation results stored in the storage. An image window of the image for the left eye and an image window of the image for the right eye are spatially separated from each other by the apparatus in a viewing window of a hologram image reproduced via the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: An indication device is provided which has an electrically conductive fluid driven by an MHD pump. The fluid has an indicator surface driven adjacent indices of an indicator so as to indicate a quantity. A position of the indicator surface is sensed and controlled to ensure accurate indication of the quantity. Optionally, the quantity indicated is time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for synchronizing clocks used in underwater devices is described. All clocks have some drift due to frequency accuracy and this disclosure provides a method for periodically synchronizing clocks to an accurate master clock to remove long term drift. A synchronization device can use an accurate clock and hardware to transmit both a sound wave and light pulse at the same point in time. Remote slave clocks can detect the light first, and later the sound, allowing them to calculate the distance the pulse had to travel. The clocks can then synchronize their time to the master clock canceling out any drift. The synchronization device can be packaged in a waterproof housing and can be moved around on a periodic basis between the clock on an underwater robot or any other means.

Abstract: A time validation indicator is disclosed comprising at least a receiving layer and an activating layer. The receiving layer comprises at least one or more masking colorants and one or more deactivators that cause and maintain the one or more masking colorants in an initial colored state. The activating layer comprises at least one or more migratory activators that migrate into the receiving layer upon at least a portion of the receiving layer being placed in contact with at least a portion of the activating layer to initiate a predetermined time period. The migration of the one or more migratory activators into the receiving layer causes at least a portion of the one or more masking colorants to advance to a final colorless state resulting in a visual color change of the receiving layer that indicates the predetermined time period has elapsed. Also disclosed are methods for creating and using the inventive time validation indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus for notifying a user. The apparatus includes an adhesive, an input module, an alarm module, a power source, and a processing unit. The adhesive removably attaches the apparatus to a container. The input module receives a user input from the user. The alarm module delivers a notification to the user. The processing unit initiates a timer to track a duration of time after receiving the user input at the input module. The processing unit then compares the duration of time and the user input to determine whether to deliver the notification to the user, and operates the alarm module to deliver the notification to the user when the duration of time is greater than or equal to the user input.

Abstract: Provided is a control system including controller configured to manage ID information comprising a unique number of a carrier on which a goods is mounted from among a plurality of carriers provided to tilt in a second direction or a third direction, such that each of the carriers moves along the first direction on a goods sorter and sorts the goods to at least one of a plurality of sorting openings, a recognizer configured to sense a material of the goods and a falling point at which the goods falls in a sorting opening, and an analyzer configured to generate result data obtained by analyzing a tilting speed and a tilting strength of the carrier, wherein the controller outputs a controls signal such that the at least one of the tilting speed and the tilting strength of the carrier is controlled based on the result data.

Abstract: A simulation apparatus includes: a memory to store information on the shape of a workpiece, information on a cross section of a portion of the workpiece, and information on definition points indicating the shape of an edge surface of tool edges of a machining tool; a first calculator to perform a calculation to obtain passage points in a three-dimensional coordinate system; a second calculator to cause the cross section in the three-dimensional coordinate system to be disposed parallel to a plane defined by predetermined two of the axes of the three-dimensional coordinate system, thus converting the passage points in the three-dimensional coordinate system into passage points in a two-dimensional coordinate system; and a third calculator to decide, in accordance with the passage points in the two-dimensional coordinate system, the shape of a tooth profile to be formed on the workpiece in the two-dimensional coordinate system.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a process such as an oil production process is disclosed. The system comprises multiple intelligent agents for processing data received from a plurality sensors deployed in a job site of an oil well, and applies a probabilistic model for evaluating risk and recommending appropriate control action to the process.

Abstract: A predicted value shaping system is provided for calculating a highly accurate control value by shaping of a predicted value. A prediction governor for calculating a control value (v) for controlling a controlled object includes: a result value acquisition unit (22) that acquires a previous target value of the controlled object, that is, a result value (r(t?1)); a predicted value acquisition unit (21) that acquires a predicted value (r (t)) obtained by predicting the target value of the controlled object (12); and a control value calculation unit (23) that calculates a control value (v(t)) for controlling the controlled object (12) by applying the result value (r(t?1)) and the predicted value (r (t)) to a predicted value shaping algorithm (G) to correct the predicted value (r?(t). The predicted value shaping algorithm (G) uses parameters of a control model (P) of the controlled object (12).

Abstract: Distributed static synchronous series compensators (DSSSCs) which may also be designated tower routers capable of injecting series inductive or capacitive impedances to enable distributed power-flow control. When a large number of these (a fleet of) DSSSCs are distributed over the grid for power-flow control, it is necessary to ensure that coordinated communication and control capabilities are also established, enabling fast reaction to changes that can exist across the grid. A system architecture and method for enabling localized high-speed low-latency intelligent control with communications between subsections (local network) of the grid along with communication to the central Grid operations center at the utility for supervisory control is disclosed herein.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus controlling a motor driving a machine tool includes, an abnormal load detecting unit that detects an abnormal load by monitoring a load of the motor, a retract amount storing unit that stores a plurality of retract amounts used when the machine tool performs a retract operation in response to detection of an abnormal load by the abnormal load detecting unit, a retract amount switching unit that switches a retract amount selected from the plurality of retract amounts in accordance with a result of determination of whether the machine tool is processing or not, and a retract amount adding unit that adds a retract amount selected by switching of the retract amount switching unit to an instruction value indicative of a movement amount of the machine tool.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing therein a process control program that causes a computer to execute a process includes: receiving a connection start instruction from a process request device that transmits a process request to the computer; and determining, in a case where a plurality of connection start instructions to be processed are present, a first connection start instruction that is preferentially processed from among the plurality of connection start instructions based on an allocation amount of a resource to each of a plurality of information processing systems corresponding to each of the plurality of connection start instructions and a usage amount of the resource in each of the plurality of information processing systems.

Abstract: A program generation device generates a program for controlling machining of a groove which is performed by machining a plurality of holes on a workpiece. The program generation device receives specified values including a tool radius, a groove shape (a length of the groove), and a cusp height and calculates positions of the plurality of holes based on the specified values which are received. Then, the program generation device calculates a machining order of the plurality of holes based on the specified values and respective values calculated by a hole machining set value calculation unit so that a bias is not generated in a removal stock for a tool in machining.

Abstract: An electrical management system for managing a smart home. A plurality of end units such as electrical outlets and electrical switches sample the electricity going through the end-unit at least 1,000 times per second. The information is communicated to a server, which analyzes the data across many installations and can alert the user for any abnormal electrical situation in the home.

Abstract: A system and approach for diagnostic visualizations of, for example, building control systems data. A focus may be on a similarity metric for comparing operations among sites relative to energy consumption. Normalizing factors may be used across sites with varying equipment consumption levels to be compared automatically. There may also be a high level overview of an enterprise of sites. For instance, consumption totals of the sites may be normalized by site size and length of time of a billing period to identify such things as outlier sites. One may use a main view of geographic distribution dynamically linked to subviews showing distribution by size, by aggregated climate, and so on. With these views, one may quickly drill through the enterprise and identify sites of interest for further investigation. A key metric may be intensity which invokes viewing virtually all sites by normalized consumption for a unit amount of time.

Abstract: An industrial system and method for monitoring and analyzing industrial operations such that data is obtained from one or more sensors of one or more industrial components and transmitted to a master controller as a data stream through a communication network, the transmitted data is captured, copied, and stored for analysis without interfering with the data stream.

Abstract: A moveable head of a computer numerically controlled machine may deliver electromagnetic energy sufficient to cause a first change in a material at least partially contained within an interior space of the CNC machine. A feature of the material may be imaged using at least one camera present inside the interior space to update a position of the material, and the moveable head may be aligned to deliver electromagnetic energy sufficient to cause a second change in the material such that the second change is positioned on the material consistent with the first change and with an intended final appearance of the material. Methods, systems, and article of manufacture are described.

Abstract: An execution plan segment of an execution plan can be received at a control unit of a computer numerically controlled machine from a general purpose computer. The execution plan segment can define operations for causing movement of a movable head of the computer numerically controlled machine to deliver electromagnetic energy to effect a change in a material within an interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine. The execution plan segment can include a predefined safe pausing point from which the execution plan can be restarted while minimizing a difference in appearance of a finished work-product relative to if a pause and restart are not necessary. Operations of the computer numerically controlled machine can be commenced only after determining that the execution plan segment has been received up to and including the predefined safe pausing point by the computer numerically controlled machine.