Abstract: In an example, an apparatus is described that includes a photosensitive imaging plate, an intermediate transfer member, and a heating unit. The photosensitive imaging plate attracts a layer of printing fluid. The intermediate transfer member contacts the photosensitive imaging plate and receives the layer of printing fluid from the photosensitive imaging plate. The heating unit includes an array of individually addressable heating elements and heats the intermediate transfer member in a manner that is spatially selective along two axes: a first axis in a direction of a width of the intermediate transfer member and a second axis in a direction of a rotation of the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus charges toner on a transfer belt by using a first brush and collects the toner, in which a second brush is provided on the upstream side of the first brush, and the amount of inroad of the second brush into the transfer belt is larger than the amount of inroad of the first brush into the transfer belt.

Abstract: A medium transport apparatus includes a transport section that transports a medium so that a widthwise direction of the medium is directed to a predetermined direction, and a contact roller that contacts the medium transported by the transport section. An axial direction of the contact roller is inclined with respect to the predetermined direction. A flange is disposed at a side of the contact roller in the axial direction. The flange has a surface defining a position of the medium. The surface is perpendicular to the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes: an electrostatic latent image retainer; an intermediate transfer body; a primary transfer member to transfer toner image retained by the electrostatic latent image retainer to an imaging region of the intermediate transfer body; a secondary transfer member to transfer the transferred toner image from the intermediate transfer body to a transfer medium; a toner forcible discharger to forcibly discharge toner into a non-imaging region of the intermediate transfer body; and a controller to control a volume of the toner to be forcibly discharged. The intermediate transfer body is a multi-layer belt including a base layer and an outermost coating layer. The coating layer contains silicon dioxide. The controller reduces the volume of the toner to be forcibly discharged based on use history information of the intermediate transfer body, compared to the volume at an initial stage of use.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit having a photosensitive member on which an image is formed and a developer bearing member, an intermediate transfer member onto which the image is transferred, a transfer member forming a nip portion for transfer of the image on the photosensitive member onto the intermediate transfer member, a transfer unit transferring the image on the intermediate transfer member onto the sheet, a motor rotating the photosensitive member, a motor control unit controlling the motor so the rotation speed of the photosensitive member is a target rotation speed, and a controller that acquires first and second load information of the photosensitive member in a first period where developer bearing member rotates and a second period where developer bearing member is stopped, and controls whether or not to change the target rotation speed based on the first and second load information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer body, a bias applying portion, a current detection unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to change the upper limit voltage based on the current detected by the current detection unit in a state where a test bias is applied to the transfer portion during a non-image forming period, and a voltage of the test bias being applied.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transferring belt, photosensitive drums, primary transferring parts, a transfer voltage applying part, a resistance value measuring part, a cleaning device, a pre-brush, a pre-brush current detecting part and a transfer voltage correcting part. The pre-brush applies a cleaning charge voltage to the remained toner at an upstream side from the cleaning device in the rotation direction of the transferring belt. The transfer voltage correcting part, by a subject resistance value of the primary transferring part measured by the resistance value measuring part, corrects a transfer voltage of the primary transferring part. As a measurement condition, if a change quantity of the pre-brush current from the last transfer voltage correction is equal to or more than a predetermined change threshold, the resistance value measuring part executes measurement of the subject resistance value and the transfer voltage correcting part executes correction of the transfer voltage.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating member that heats a recording medium having an image while transporting the recording medium by rotating; a measuring member that measures a temperature of the heating member and includes a body member, and a cantilever member whose base end is fixed to the body member and whose free end is in contact with the heating member; and a supporting member that supports the measuring member and includes a contact portion, the contact portion being in contact with a base portion of the cantilever member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes first and second rotatable members, a heating portion, a detecting portion configured to detect a temperature of the first rotatable member, a controller configured to control supplied electric power to the heating portion depending on the detected temperature, and a setting portion configured to set a nip pressure at a first pressure when the recording material of a first kind is subjected to a fixing process and configured to set the nip pressure at a second pressure smaller than the first pressure when the recording material of a second kind is subjected to the fixing process. The controller controls the supplied electric power depending on a difference between a target temperature of the first rotatable member and the detected temperature. The supplied electric power is smaller when the nip pressure is the second pressure than when the nip pressure is the first pressure.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit which forms a first image on a first recording medium with a first material that is not thermally decolorizable; a second image forming unit which forms a second image on a second recording medium with a second material that is thermally decolorizable; a fixing device which is on a common carrying path shared by the first recording medium and the second recording medium and fixes the first image to the first recording medium; and a controller which controls the fixing device so that a temperature of the fixing device is lower than a decolorizing temperature of the second material when the second recording medium reaches the fixing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming station for forming a toner image on a sheet; a heating roller and a pressing roller which form a nip for fixing the toner image on the sheet; a heat absorption roller for absorbing heat by contacting the pressing roller; a moving mechanism for moving the heat absorption roller to and away from the pressing roller; a detector for detecting an abnormal state that heat absorption roller remains contacted the pressing roller; and a controller for controlling an interval between adjacent sheets when image forming operation is continuously carried out for a plurality of sheets, wherein when the detector does not detect the abnormal state, the controller supplies the sheets at a first feeding interval, and when the detector detects the abnormal state, the controller supplies of the sheets at a second feeding interval longer than the first interval.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a nip former including a first face to form a fixing nip, a second face being disposed upstream from the first face in a rotation direction of a rotator and defining a predetermined angle relative to the first face, and a bent portion coupling the first face to the second face. An inner circumferential surface of the rotator slides over the first face. A lateral end accumulation portion and a center accumulation portion are defined by the second face and the bent portion of the nip former and the inner circumferential surface of the rotator. The lateral end accumulation portion is accumulated with a lubricant in a first amount. The center accumulation portion is disposed inboard from the lateral end accumulation portion in an axial direction of the rotator and accumulated with the lubricant in a second amount greater than the first amount.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming station configured to form a toner image and a recording material; a fixing portion configured to fix the toner image formed by the image forming station on the recording material; a selector configured to select a correction level for correcting crease of an envelope, by an operator; and a controller configured to control a fixing condition in response to the correction level selected on the selector.

Abstract: A belt type fixing apparatus includes a fixing belt, a fixing roller disposed to face the fixing belt, a nip forming member that is disposed inside the fixing belt and presses the fixing belt to the fixing roller to form a fixing nip, first and second regulating surfaces that are provided at opposite ends of the nip forming member and restrict an axial movement of the fixing belt, and first and second guide surfaces that are provided inside the fixing belt and guide rotation of the fixing belt. The first regulating surface and the second regulating surface include at least one regulating step portion which is not in contact with one end of the fixing belt, respectively. The first guide surface and the second guide surface include at least one guide step portion which is not in contact with an inner surface of the fixing belt, and the at least one regulating step portion and the guide step portion are formed to be staggered from each other.

Abstract: This image forming apparatus is equipped with: a conveyance cover which forms a reverse conveyance path; and a double-sided conveyance unit. The conveyance cover is turnably mounted to a body housing, and the double-sided conveyance unit is turnably mounted to the conveyance cover. A side surface of the body housing is equipped with a first abutment surface. The double-sided conveyance unit is equipped with a second abutment surface that abuts on the first abutment surface. The first abutment surface and the second abutment surface are the surfaces against which the double-sided conveyance unit and the surface abut first when the conveyance cover is closed, if in a state where the conveyance cover is opened and the double-sided conveyance unit is separated from the conveyance cover. The abutment presses the double-sided conveyance unit toward a position to cause the conveyance cover to house the double-sided conveyance unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a printing unit for making printing on a print medium; a communicating unit for communicating with an external apparatus; a controlling unit for controlling the image forming apparatus; a storing unit for storing print data which is used by the printing unit; and a power controlling unit for transferring the image forming apparatus to a power saving state in which power supply to the controlling unit and the storing unit is stopped. The communicating unit outputs a first signal to the power controlling unit in a case where a destination port number of data received from the external apparatus in the power saving state is a predetermined port number, and the power controlling unit supplies power at least to the storing unit in response to input of the first signal.

Abstract: When a mechanism enters a first state, an intermediate transfer member separates from a second photosensitive member. When the mechanism enters a second state, the intermediate transfer member contacts the second photosensitive member. When a first monochrome image is formed on a sheet of a first type by using toner of a first color, the mechanism enters the first state. When a second monochrome image is formed on a sheet of a second type by using toner of the first color, the mechanism enters the second state. A rotation speed of the second photosensitive member for forming the second monochrome image on the sheet of the second type is controlled to a predetermined rotation speed. The predetermined rotation speed is slower than a rotation speed of the second photosensitive member for forming the second image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms an image designated by a job on a sheet fed from one of paper feed sources. Detection unit for detecting paper types of sheets respectively fed from the paper feed sources is provided on a conveyance path used in common for the fed sheets, and the detected paper types are held in one-to-one correspondence with the paper feed sources. The apparatus also hold a job-designated paper size and a job-designated paper type or a condition related to setting of a paper type. If the job includes the condition, a paper feed source that satisfies the condition is selected with reference to the paper sizes and the paper types set by the user and/or the paper types detected by the detection unit in one-to-one correspondence with the paper feed sources.

Abstract: In a displacement sensor, an illumination optical system, which converts laser light emitted from an emission unit into first converging light, and irradiates with the first converging light a detection space through which a target moves. An imaging optical system converts laser light reflected from the target into second converging light, and irradiates with the second converging light a light-receiving surface of a detection unit. The image of the emission unit into which the illumination optical system focuses the first converging light is displaced along the optical axis of the imaging optical system by a temperature change of the illumination optical system. The range in which the image is displaced is limited to be located either anterior to the front principal point of the imaging optical system, or posterior to the rear principal point of the imaging optical system.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing roller, a voltage applying part, a direct current correcting part and a correction switching part. The developing roller supplies a toner to an image carrier. The voltage applying part applies a superimposed voltage of an alternating current voltage and a direct current voltage to the developing roller. The direct current correcting part corrects the direct current voltage on the basis of variation of an alternating current flowing between the voltage applying part and the developing roller. The correction switching part switches the direct current voltage correcting part between an operating state and a non-operating state.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus, which is capable of detecting a color misregistration amount with high accuracy even when a density characteristic thereof is changed. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units configured to form toner images of different colors on a predetermined intermediate transfer belt, and a density sensor configured to measure densities of the toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt. The image forming apparatus determines a density target depending on a measurement result of a density correction image, which is formed by the plurality of image forming units, from the density sensor. The image forming apparatus causes the plurality of image forming units to form position detection images so that the position detection images have densities corresponding to the density target.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing apparatus, a toner supply portion, a toner density detection portion, an intermediate transfer body, a secondary transfer body, an image density detection unit, and a control unit. The control unit sets a transfer condition of at least either a primary transfer portion or a secondary transfer portion based on an image density being detected by the image density detection unit in a state where a target toner density set based on the image density being detected reaches a limit value of a predetermined setting range.

Abstract: A media path moves media sheets from a media supply, a print engine receives the media sheets from the media path, and a sensor detects a characteristic related to the media sheets. A drive nip continuously moves the media sheets, and a stall nip receives the media sheets from the drive nip. The stall nip is positioned less than the length of one of the media sheets from the drive nip. The stall nip alternately stops or moves the media sheets while the drive nip continuously moves the media sheets, as controlled by a controller, to cause the media sheets to buckle between the drive nip and the stall nip. The controller controls when to stop or move the media sheets to constantly vary the size of the buckle, and thereby make the buckle relatively larger for a first characteristic and make the buckle relatively smaller for a different characteristic.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus determines a toner density erroneous detection state based on a patch image density in patch detection auto toner replenishing and, when the toner density erroneous detection state is determined, offsets a target toner density by the amount of erroneous detection so that the actual toner density becomes a desired toner density.

Abstract: A controller of an image forming apparatus calculates a density difference between a measurement result of a toner image having the highest density formed on a photosensitive drum, which is obtained by an image density sensor, and the highest density of a density target. When the density difference falls within a predetermined range, the controller generates a tone correction table based on a density value of a first toner image formed with a plurality of densities including the highest density, and sets, based on the density difference, an exposure amount of laser light to be applied to the photosensitive drum by an exposure device. When the density difference falls out of the predetermined range, the controller generates the tone correction table based on a density value of a second toner image having a larger number of tone levels than that of the first toner image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing device, a toner content detecting portion, a toner supplying device, an image ratio calculating portion, a toner image density detecting portion, an adjusting portion, and a controller configured to control an execution frequency of the adjusting portion so that the adjusting portion is carried out after a number of times of image formation after occurrence of a larger change rate of the image ratio than a predetermined change rate reaches a first value, and the adjusting portion is carried out after the number of times of image formation after occurrence of a smaller change rate of the image ratio than the predetermined change rate reaches a second value larger than the first value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first medium supply unit, a second medium supply unit, and an image forming unit. The image forming unit forms, upon receiving an instruction to print document data for a plural number of sets, an image of the document data on a medium supplied from the first medium supply unit up to a preset number of the plural number of sets and forms an image of the document data on a medium supplied from the second medium supply unit for a remaining number of the plural number of sets.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a drive transmission apparatus including a swing gear mechanism and capable of reducing the workload during assembly and improving efficiency of the assembly operation. A first swing gear, which transmits rotation of a first input gear that is driven by a driving force, is held by a first swing member. The first swing member includes a first engagement potion engaging with a supporting portion, and swings around an axis of the first input gear. The first engagement portion is formed so as to be attached to and detached from the supporting portion if the first swing member is moved in a radial direction with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A sheet processing device includes a first pressing unit that presses sheets with a first force, and a second pressing unit that presses the sheets with a second force larger than the first force after the sheets are pressed with the first force. The sheets are bound by the second force.

Abstract: A developer cartridge attachable to a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum is provided. The developer cartridge includes a casing configured to store toner therein, a developer roller rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction, and a developer electrode electrically connectable with the developer roller. The developer electrode is configured to be in contact with a first electrode of an image forming apparatus along the axial direction. In a state where the developer cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, a portion of the developer electrode faces a surface of a lateral wall of the drum cartridge on an opposite side to a surface facing the casing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a belt, an image bearing member, a developing portion, a belt transfer portion, a steering roller, a detection portion, a cleaning blade, a control portion, and an instruction input portion. In a case where the input has been performed through the instruction input portion, the control portion executes, before starting image formation for the first time after replacement of the belt, an adjustment mode including a series of processes in which a relationship between the position in the width direction and the amount of tilting of the steering roller is adjusted, and also performs a toner supplying operation of supplying toner by transferring a toner image for supplying toner onto the belt.

Abstract: A cleaning blade including an elastic member configured to be in contact with a surface of a cleaning-target member to remove deposited matter deposited on the surface of the cleaning-target in member, wherein the elastic member includes a base and a surface layer formed of a cured product of a curable composition, the surface layer is formed on at least part of a bottom surface of the base including a contact part to be in contact with the cleaning-target member, where the bottom surface of the base is a surface of the base facing a downstream side along a traveling direction of the cleaning-target member relative to the contact part, and an average film thickness of the surface layer at the contact part is 10 ?m or greater but 100 ?m or less.

Abstract: There is provided a cleaning device in which both sidewalls of a scraper holding unit are formed so that a center line between both the sidewalls of the scraper holding unit is directed substantially toward the center of a fur brush.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an image forming apparatus capable of preventing members from colliding from each other upon an openable member being closed. An openable member opened and closed with respect to the apparatus body is locked in a closed state by a lock portion located at a lock position, and permitted to open upon the lock portion being moved to a release position. The apparatus body is provided with a movable portion that is moved to a first position if the openable member is opened and to a second position if the openable member is closed. The movable portion includes a block portion that is configured to block a movement of the lock portion from the release position to the lock position if the movable portion is located at the first position.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a driving assembly. The driving assembly is configured to be arranged on one end of a developing cartridge, the driving assembly comprises a connector configured to engage with a driving head of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The connector comprises a sleeve, a guide rod, and at least one engaging claw. The sleeve has a protrusion portion at its distal end relative to the developing cartridge, the protrusion portion axially projects outwards and has a limiting groove with an outwards opening; the engaging claw is hinged at the second end of the guide rod; when the driving assembly rotates upon receiving driving forces, a side surface of the limiting groove contacts a side surface of the engaging claw. A developing cartridge comprising the driving assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A drum cartridge, comprising: a photosensitive drum; and a drum frame having a first state where a developing device is attached to the drum frame, the developing device including a developing roller, and a second state where a developing cartridge is detachably attachable to the drum frame, the developing cartridge including a developing roller and a developing frame which stores toner, wherein, in the first state, a toner cartridge is detachably attachable to the developing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a movable unit relatively movable between a first position and a second position, a lock portion configured to lock the movable unit to the apparatus body and an urging portion. The lock portion includes a locked member provided on one of the movable unit and the apparatus body, and a locking member provided on the other of the movable unit and the apparatus body and configured to move between a lock position and a retracting position. The urging portion is configured to urge the movable unit located at a position between the first position and the second position, toward the first position. The position between the first position and the second position is a position at which the locking member in the lock position and the locked member contact each other.

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: Description of patent comprising an architecture with digital resources associated with a holographic content store and network with visual interactive holographic interface and system integrated into the holographic content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a three-dimensional image are provided. The method includes receiving original color data and original depth data of a plurality of layers of an original holographic image, selecting reference layers from among the plurality of layers, mapping adjustment color data of a non-selected layer, which is determined based on using the original depth data of the non-selected layer and the reference layers, to each of the reference layers, and generating a computer generated hologram image by using the original color data of the reference layers and the adjustment color data that has been mapped to the reference layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for observing a sample, including: a light source able to emit an incident light wave that propagates towards a holder able to receive the sample; and an image sensor able to detect a light wave transmitted by the sample when the latter is placed between the light source and the image sensor. The device is characterized in that the light source includes a light-emitting diode that is what is called micron-sized, a light-emission surface of which has a diameter or a largest diagonal smaller than 500 ?m. The invention also relates to a method for observing a sample using such a device.

Abstract: A system for displaying, to viewers who do not need to wear special eyewear, static three dimensional (3D) images that are dynamically augmented with two dimensional (2D) images. The system includes a holographic print with a front surface and a back opaque layer. The system includes a projector projecting light onto the front surface. The projected light includes first light reconstructing a hologram from the front surface of the holographic print and second light displaying 2D content on the front surface. The projector is positioned to cause the first light to strike the front surface within a range of hologram reconstruction angles. The projector is a video projector, and the first light is even illumination in the form of white light while the second light includes the displayed 2D content. The displayed 2D content includes animation or video content.

Abstract: A mechanism for a timepiece, comprising a an oscillating regulator mechanism, a rotary energy distribution toothed wheel, a blocking mechanism controlled by the regulator mechanism to alternatively hold and release the energy distribution wheel, and a monostable elastic member linked to the regulator mechanism and bearing on the teeth of the energy distribution wheel. The teeth of the energy distribution wheel are adapted to elastically deform the monostable elastic member by cam effect during rotation of the wheel, and the monostable elastic member is adapted to elastically return to its rest position, thus releasing mechanical energy to the regulator mechanism.

Abstract: The invention concerns a running equation of time mechanism including a hand arrangement whose purpose is to indicate civil time by means of an hour hand and a minute hand, and a true minute hand concentric with the civil minute hand, and which indicates the true solar minute, wherein the running equation of time mechanism also includes an equation of time cam having a profile which is determined by the difference, on each day of the year, between civil time, and true time, wherein this equation of time cam is driven in rotation by a calendar mechanism, wherein the position of the true minute hand is determined by the position of the equation of time cam, wherein the running equation of time mechanism also includes a differential gear device, a first input of which is formed by a civil minute pipe on which a civil minute hand is pressed, and a second input of which is formed by the equation of time cam, wherein the differential gear device includes a planetary reducer wheel set via which the civil minute pipe

Abstract: A wearable device made by amorphous alloy with antibacterial function includes a functional part adapted for implementing using functions of the wearable device; and an amorphous alloy housing configured out of the functional part and adapted for cladding the functional part to prevent the functional part from directly contacting with a user. Since the wearable device has the amorphous alloy housing covering on the functional part, thus the amorphous alloy housing rather than the functional part will contact with the user skin directly. As the amorphous alloy has excellent bactericidal capability, thus user wearing such a wearable device will get a good user experience.

Abstract: A delay line-based time to digital converter includes: a coarse counter for counting a pulse of a timing clock and measuring a time when an edge of an input signal is detected; a fine time interpolator including a plurality of first delay elements and a plurality of second delay elements, a delay line with the input signal as an input, and a flip-flop unit with outputs of the first delay element or outputs of the second delay elements as inputs and the timing clock as an operation frequency; and a timestamp generator for receiving a digital value on a time measured by the coarse counter and the fine time interpolator, and generating a timestamp on the input signal by using the received digital value.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, patient support surface, clock, transceiver, and controller. The transceiver communicates with a headwall and/or a local area network. The controller detects the occurrence of an event and sends a message to a server in communication with the local area network in response to the event. The controller updates its estimate of the local time based upon time data received from the server. The controller may also and/or additionally receive first and second time updates from two different sources. When received, the controller updates its estimate of local time based upon at least one of the following: (a) a comparison of its estimate of local time with the time data from the first source; and (b) a comparison of its estimate of local time with the time data received from the second source.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a device capable of wireless communication includes a counter configured to count time, and a processor configured to perform control to send a notification signal for notification of existence of the device when the time of the counter reaches a predetermined first time, and correct the time of the counter to a predetermined second time upon receiving a connection request transmitted from other device in response to the notification signal.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that facilitates optimizing building system control of patient rooms to enhance patient outcomes. A processor may be configured to determine a customized environmental condition for a medical condition that contributes to a positive medical outcome for the medical condition based on environmental conditions associated with each of a plurality of patient rooms and patient data for patients in each of the plurality of rooms. Such patient data includes at least one medical condition associated with each patient and at least one medical outcome associated with the at least one medical condition. The processor may cause a building system to control an environment of a patient room to have the customized environmental condition based on a determination that the medical condition for the customized environmental condition corresponds to the same medical condition that is associated with a patient in the patient room.

Abstract: This disclosure provides adaptive control techniques for pH control or control of other industrial processes. For example, in one method, a robust stability condition (RSC) value is determined during operation of a process controller, and a characteristic of the process controller is adaptively modified based on the RSC value. The RSC value provides an estimate of performance of the process controller in controlling the industrial process. In another method, one of multiple process controllers is selected based on RSC values associated with the process controllers, and one or more control signals are output from the selected process controller to an industrial process in order to control the industrial process. The RSC values provide estimates of performances of the multiple process controllers in controlling the industrial process.