Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming method in which an electrophotographic cartridge is disposed in at least four-color tandem with respect to a transfer material transporting body, in which, in a case where a fixing step side of the transfer material transporting body is set as a downstream side, and a cleaning step side of the transfer material transporting body is set as an upstream side, a total amount of use amount of specific external additives contained in the toner for each of the color electrophotographic cartridges is adjusted to a specific amount, and a specific amount of a specific external additive is used for toner provided in the electrophotographic cartridge on the most downstream side.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a voltage adjustment portion having a voltage adjustment member connected to a contact member contacting an endless belt, the voltage adjustment portion changing a current flowing from a current supply member contacting the belt at a position different from a position, at which an image bearing member contacts the belt in a rotating direction of the belt, to the voltage adjustment member via the belt according to a control signal input from a control portion outputting a control signal, thereby changing a size of a transfer potential—a surface potential—to transfer a toner image borne by the image bearing member onto the belt at a part at which the belt contacts the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer member, a cleaning blade, an information storing member configured to store information on contact pressures of the cleaning blade to the image bearing member, an information input portion, and an executing portion configured to execute a toner supplying operation for supplying toner to the cleaning portion using a toner image formed on the image bearing member, in a period other than a period in which the toner image is formed on the image bearing member, for each predetermined number of image forming operations. On the basis of the information inputted to the input portion, the executing portion sets amounts of the toner supplied to the respective regions in the toner supplying operation.

Abstract: Provided an electrophotographic member that contributes to the formation of a higher grade of an electrophotograph than ever for use in an ultralow-temperature environment. The electrophotographic member has an electro-conductive resin layer, and the resin layer comprises a resin having a specific structure and an anion.

Abstract: Provided is such a conductive member that a change in its electrical resistance value caused by its long-term use is reduced to the extent possible. The conductive member has a conductive support and a conductive layer, the conductive layer contains a rubber composition formed of a modified epichlorohydrin rubber, and the modified epichlorohydrin rubber has a unit represented by the following formula (1). In the formula (1), R1, R2, and R3 each independently represent hydrogen or a saturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a toner cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus includes a body that contains toner and includes an opening through which the toner is supplied the image forming apparatus. A supplying mechanism is provided with the body that discharges the toner from the opening of the body to the image forming apparatus. The body is removably mounted on an mounting unit of the image forming apparatus through a port.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for an image forming device includes a body for holding toner and a flight. The flight contains magnetic particles and is configured to guide movement of a magnetic field sensor. The magnetic particles generate a magnetic field that the sensor reads. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A developer container includes a conveyance member having at least a first sheet member and a second sheet member and configured to convey the developer, a deformation portion provided to contact the first sheet member and configured to elastically deform the first sheet member, and a release portion configured to release elastic deformation of the first sheet member to cause the developer on the first sheet member to fly toward an opening, wherein a containing chamber includes a recessed portion as viewed in a lengthwise direction of the containing chamber and wherein the second sheet member is in contact with a wall inside the recessed portion when the developer on the first sheet member is positioned at the release portion.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing container, a rotatable member including a first screw portion and a second screw portion, a first feeding path configured to accommodate the first screw portion, a second feeding path provided in communication with the first feeding path at a position downstream of the second screw portion with respect to a develop feeding direction, and a developer discharging opening provided in the second feeding path. In a state in which the developing device is mounted to the image forming apparatus, in a cross section of the second feeding path perpendicular to a rotational axis of the rotatable member, the second feeding path includes a region where a distance between side surfaces of the second feeding path in a side above a center of a rotation shaft of the rotatable member with respect to a vertical direction increases upwardly.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a cartridge frame formed of a resin material; a plurality of resin members molded on the cartridge frame by injection molding of a resin material different from that of the cartridge frame; a plurality of contact surfaces, provided on the cartridge frame, to which metal molds corresponding to the resin members are to be contacted from the same side when the resin members are molded; and a plurality of resin material inlet ports, provided in an opposite side of said cartridge frame from a side where the contact surfaces are provided. The resin material has been flowed into the cartridge frame when the resin members are molded.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a method of coating a web with a release formulation. The method comprising: providing a coating station comprising a rotatable applicator roller to apply a release formulation coating to a web; applying a release formulation coating to a surface of the applicator roller, the release formulation comprising at least one silicone oil; feeding the web through the coating station such that the web engages with the applicator roller; and applying the release formulation coating to the web under a shearing force by rotating the applicator roller such that, at a location at which the web and the applicator roller engage, the surface of the applicator roller moves in the opposite direction to the direction the web is fed through the coating station.

Abstract: A transfer unit includes a transfer roller, a guide, a holder and a lever. The transfer roller is configured to be pressed against an image carrier to form a transferring nip and to transfer a toner image from the image carrier to a sheet at the transferring nip. The guide is configured to guide the sheet to the transferring nip. The holder is configured to support a rotating shaft of the transfer roller in a rotatable manner and to support the guide. The lever is configured to support the holder in a turnable manner around the rotating shaft so as to press the transfer roller against the image carrier. The guide has an engaged part. The lever has an engagement part which is engaged with the engaged part. An engagement of the engagement part with the engaged part prevents a turning of the guide with respect to the lever.

Abstract: A voltage applying portion applies voltage to a current supply member, the current supply member being provided with primary transfer voltage to pass current through a contact portion contacting with a belt, thereby bringing the potential of the belt a primary transfer potential, and being provided with secondary transfer voltage so that a potential difference for secondary transfer is formed between the current supplying member and a support member while a recording material is nipped by the contact portion. The voltage applying portion changes the second transfer voltage so that the potential difference for the secondary transfer between the current supply member and the support member becomes smaller as a potential adjusting portion that maintains the potential of the support member at a prescribed sustaining potential in a variable manner in order to change a primary transfer potential reduces gradually the sustaining potential.

Abstract: A voltage maintenance element is connected to a contact member that contacts a primary transfer surface area of an intermediate transfer belt to which toner images are transferred from a plurality of image carriers between stretch members, in such a way as to prevent the electric potential of the intermediate transfer belt from varying between respective stations.

Abstract: A fuser member comprising a boron nitride nanotube component and a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an image forming apparatus arranged to be able to reduce sticking of toner on an image bearing member in a configuration in which a part of image bearing members can be separated from an intermediate transfer member. A control portion of the image forming apparatus is configured to execute a first mode to form an image on a recording medium with the first and second image bearing members and a second mode to form an image on a recording medium with the first image bearing member while the second image bearing member being separate from the intermediate transfer member. The control portion execute a rotation process of rotating the second image bearing member temporarily in a duration of the second mode in a case where a detection result of a temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature in the duration of the second mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a member for use in forming an image, an acquiring unit, a scanning unit, and a control unit. The acquiring unit is configured to acquire first image information on the image formed on a recording material. The scanning unit is configured to scan the image formed on the recording material to acquire second image information. The control unit is configured to compare the first image information acquired by the acquiring unit with the second image information acquired by the scanning unit to determine a state of the member based on a comparison result.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming part that forms an image on a sheet; a conveyor that conveys the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming part; a corrector including a swing member that moves the sheet conveyed by the conveyor in a main scanning direction of the image; and a hardware processor that rotates the image formed on the sheet after timing at which the swing member loses contact with the sheet when the swing member separates from the sheet or the sheet is conveyed to pass through the swing member in accordance with a bending amount of the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mirror position adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting a position of a return mirror. The return mirror is used in a state in which its position is adjusted such that a gravity center position of the return mirror is separated from a rotational axis of the return mirror by the mirror position adjustment mechanism in a sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body of the image forming apparatus with an opening portion, an image forming unit, an accommodation portion, a stack portion, a sheet moving unit, and a control unit that controls switching between a first mode that moves, with the sheet moving unit, a sheet accommodated in the accommodation portion and stops the sheet when a part of the sheet is exposed external to the main body of the image forming apparatus from the opening portion, and a second mode that moves the sheet, with the sheet moving unit, accommodated in the accommodation portion and that discharges the sheet to the stack portion.

Abstract: A sheet processing device that bonds sheets to one another and then folds a resultant sheet bundle. The sheet processing device includes a stacker section that sequentially stores sheets moved thereto, an adhesive-binding unit that applies an adhesive onto sheets sequentially stored in the stacker section one by one in a sheet moving direction to bond the sheets to one another, a moving member that moves the sheets to an application position of the adhesive-binding unit, and a folding processing section that folds a sheet bundle formed by the bonded sheets at a predetermined folding position. When the number of sheets to be bonded by the adhesive-binding unit applying the adhesive onto the sheets exceeds a predetermined number, the adhesive is applied at two positions separated from each other across the folding position.

Abstract: An MFP that accepts instructions to execute jobs includes, and takes holding units that hold sheets that can be subjected to binding processing specified by a job, where the holding units are considered search targets in an automatic selection process. The MFP performs auto paper selection on the holding units as the search targets, and if there is a candidate holding unit, feeds sheets to be used for printing from the holding unit and performs printing.

Abstract: An assembly including a channel track for engagement with the surface of a desk, having a generally flat bottom surface, a hollow interior portion and a slot extending the entire length of the channel track; at least two hubs, having a coupling with a bushing for receiving an office accessory; at least two plate nuts disposed in the hollow interior portion of the channel track, and wherein each hub is secured to a corresponding plate nut by a bolt which extends through the hub, through the slot in the channel track and into engagement with the corresponding plate nut; wherein when the plate nuts and hubs are loosely connected, the plate nuts and hubs are free to slide in the slot in the direction of the length of the channel track and when the plate nuts and hubs are tightly connected, the plate nuts and hubs are retained in their position in the slot without any sliding movement; and either a bolt or clamp member for securing the channel track to the desk.

Abstract: An unidirectional clutch including: a first rotating member including an accommodation portion; a second rotating member provided on a same axis as the first rotating member and including a latch portion; and a latch member including a latch arm and accommodated in the accommodation portion so as to pivot to a locking position, wherein the latch arm is caught at the latch portion, or to a releasing position, wherein the latch arm is released from the latch portion, according to a rotation direction of the first rotating member, wherein the latch member does not rotate in the accommodation portion, and a location of a pivot center of the latch member changes when pivoting to the locking position or to the releasing position.

Abstract: A contact-and-separation system includes a first roller, a second roller, and a contact-and-separation device. The first roller contacts a belt. The second roller is opposed to the first roller. The contact-and-separation device contacts or separates the belt to or from the second roller via a sheet conveyed. The contact-and-separation device includes an eccentric cam, a motor, and a circuitry. The eccentric cam is mounted on an end of a rotation shaft of the first roller. The motor rotates the eccentric cam. The circuitry controls the motor to rotate the eccentric cam to contact or separate the belt to or from the second roller via the sheet conveyed. The circuitry controls the motor to decelerate a rotation speed of the motor on contact or separation of the belt to or from the second roller between the first roller and the second roller.

Abstract: A transmission device includes a gear member, an intermediate member removably attached to the gear member and including a guiding groove, and a transmitter including a shaft, the shaft having at least one protrusion extending radially outward from the shaft, and the guiding groove is shaped such that the protrusion is movable along the guiding groove in an axial direction and rotatable relative to the guiding groove.

Abstract: To provide a composition for a cleaning blade for an electrophotographic apparatus, and a cleaning blade for an electrophotographic apparatus that are capable of suppressing wear, chipping, curling, and contamination. A urethane composition contains (a) a polyester polyol, (b) a polyisocyanate, and (c) a modified silicone oil, wherein the (c) modified silicone oil contains a polysiloxane block and an alkylene oxide block, the alkylene oxide block having a hydroxyl group protected by a protecting group, and the (c) modified silicone oil has no hydroxyl group. A cleaning blade is made of a molding of the urethane composition and contains a polyurethane elastomer and the (c) modified silicone oil.

Abstract: A waste toner detection mechanism includes a transmission member and a flag member. The transmission member transmits the rotation of a rotation transmission member to a stirring shaft. The transmission member can move between the farthest position and the closest position to the rotation transmission member in the axial direction of the stirring shaft and moves from the farthest position to the closest position with an increase in difference in rotation between the rotation transmission member and the stirring shaft. The transmission member has a locking portion elastically engaged with the rotation transmission member in the closest position and restricts movement of the transmission member to the farthest position. The flag member moves from a retracting position of being stored in the waste toner container to an exposing position of being exposed from the waste toner container with the transmission member moving from the farthest position to the closest position.

Abstract: A removable unit has a first unit removably attached to an image forming apparatus, a second unit held by being removably attached to the first unit, and a cover member. The cover member is supported pivotably on the first unit, and can be located selectively either in a first position overlapping, or a second position not overlapping, the attachment/removal path of the second unit. When the cover member pivots from the first position to a third position pivoted through a predetermined angle from the first position toward the second position, from the first unit a reaction force acts on the cover member to restrict its pivoting toward the second position and, when the cover member pivots from the second position to the third position, from the first unit a reaction force acts on the cover member to restrict its pivoting toward the first position.

Abstract: A technique enabling downsizing of an image forming apparatus is provided. A cleaning unit 13 attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a recording material 12 is provided, with this cleaning unit 13 including: a photosensitive drum 1; and a cleaning frame body 14 that supports the photosensitive drum 1 and that includes an opening 14c through which laser light 3c for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 can pass, wherein the opening 14c is configured such that a width of the opening 14c in a scanning direction in an irradiation range of the light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 becomes greater toward a side of the photosensitive drum 1 from a side of a light source of light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.

Abstract: A module including a hand driving mechanism section which drives a hand shaft to which hands are attached so as to move the hands, and a display section which is arranged in parallel with the hand driving mechanism section and displays information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a screw-down orientable crown comprising a cover integral with a tube and receiving a distinctive sign, a fixed body pressed into a watch case middle and intended to receive the tube, and means for adjusting the angular orientation of the cover with respect to the case middle. According to the invention, the means for adjusting the angular orientation of the cover comprise a ring arranged to be screwed onto the tube, said ring comprising first indexing means arranged to cooperate with second indexing means formed in the body, the ring being pressed in and positioned on the body via the first and second indexing means.

Abstract: Apparatus for telling time by aligning a plurality of partial images from time to time to form a composite image, including a motor having two or more concentric rotating output shafts rotating at different speeds. Each of the partial images is supported by one of the shafts. As a function of the relative rates of rotation of the shafts, all of the partial images become aligned from time to identifiable time to form the composite image. Each and every rotating disc in these examples is attached to a power driven shaft. This is a common concentric shaft with three differing powered rotations, one at sixty rotations per hour, another at two rotations per twenty-four hours, and the remaining one at 3600 rotations per hour. These rotating discs are identified respectively as the minute disc, the hour disc, and the secondhand disc and are attached to their respective individual shafts.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for unlocking a function of a device using a timepiece, the timepiece including: a display device including display elements; control means able to drive the display elements in a predefined animation sequence; the method including the following steps: the timepiece is placed in front of detection means; the control means are actuated so that they drive the display elements in the predefined animation sequence; the predefined animation sequence is detected by the detection means; the detected animation sequence is compared to a reference animation sequence; if the detected animation sequence is identical to the reference animation sequence, then the function is unlocked.

Abstract: A hybrid wearable device comprising (A) a smart watch with at least a digital display, a general-purpose processor, an instruction and data memory, and a communications component, and (B) an alternate (mechanical, quartz, kinetic, or other) watch movement, that has these two components interact with each other and with the user.

Abstract: A watch type terminal is presented, which includes a main body; a band connected to the main body and formed to be worn on a user's wrist; an electrode unit formed in one area of the main body or the band and performing a predetermined function; an electromagnetic wave sensor module connected with the electrode unit and sensing a capacitance change; and a controller sensing whether the user wears the watch type terminal based on the capacitance change and generating a control command based on whether the user wears the watch type terminal.

Abstract: A system to interrupt the line or supply side power or charged system of any building, appliance, process, and the like, so as to render the system without charge or current output outside of the junction box/enclosure or equipment load supply connection so that emergency first responders or solar/any technician, authorized personnel in any field, system maintenance crew may avoid electrocution, chemical or machine/appliance hazard in the presence of fire, explosion, structural failure/compromise, moisture, flammables, caustics, hazmat, water stream, mist, fogging, physical damage or servicing of the system. The system can be engaged for any anticipated disaster such as fire, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, flood, and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer storage media directed at adaptive representation of a control/volume relationship. In embodiments, a method may include receiving, from a control system, a request for control/volume relationship information of a target event for a tactic group. In response, a representation of a control/volume curve can be generated. The representation of the control/volume curve can include a number of control segments. In embodiments, the control segments included within the representation of the control/volume curve are determined based, at least in part, on one or more configuration parameters. The resulting representation of the control/volume curve can then be transmitted to a control system. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed herein.

Abstract: A method and system for co-ordinating control of a plurality of sensorless devices. Each device includes a communication subsystem and configured to self-detect one or more device properties, the device properties resulting in output having one or more output properties. The method includes: detecting inputs including the one or more device properties of each device, correlating, for each device, the detected one or more device properties to the one or more output properties, and co-ordinating control of each of the devices to operate at least one of their respective device properties to co-ordinate one or more output properties for the combined output to achieve a setpoint. In some example embodiments, the setpoint can be fixed, calculated or externally determined.

Abstract: A control system for an operable system such as a flow control system or temperature control system. The system operates in a control loop to regularly update a model with respect at least one optimizable input variable based on the detected variables. The model provides prediction of use of the input variables in all possible operation points or paths of the system variables which achieve an output setpoint. In some example embodiments, the control loop is performed during initial setup and subsequent operation of the one or more operable elements in the operable system. The control system is self-learning in that at least some of the initial and subsequent parameters of the system are determined automatically during runtime.

Abstract: Method and system is provided for detecting faults and/or providing optimization measures to enhance the performance of one or more buildings, especially building automation equipment of the one or more buildings. The system may include a database for storing a data model comprising asset and performance data of the one or more buildings. The data model may be represented in one or more hierarchical tree-structures, in which the nodes of the tree-structures represent asset data and the leaves of the tree-structures represent performance data of the one or more buildings. The performance data may be represented in each case by data points. The data points may include time series of measured or derived field values and meta information.

Abstract: A method includes using a computational network to learn and predict time-series data. The computational network includes one or more layers, each having an encoder and a decoder. The encoder of each layer multiplicatively combines (i) current feed-forward information from a lower layer or a computational network input and (ii) past feedback information from a higher layer or that layer. The encoder of each layer generates current feed-forward information for the higher layer or that layer. The decoder of each layer multiplicatively combines (i) current feedback information from the higher layer or that layer and (ii) at least one of the current feed-forward information from the lower layer or the computational network input or past feed-forward information from the lower layer or the computational network input. The decoder of each layer generates current feedback information for the lower layer or a computational network output.

Abstract: A mannequin pose control computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product, includes reading clothing data of an article of clothing on a mannequin, determining a pose for the mannequin by associating the clothing data with a record in a database that includes the pose for the mannequin, and changing a current pose of the mannequin to match the pose for the mannequin based on the record in the database.

Abstract: A fusion sensor wireless decision device and network system for using the same is provided. The fusion sensor wireless decision device and network may utilize a plurality of independent sensors for monitoring equipment and systems and, therein, allowing a user to monitor and/or control the equipment and systems in an optimal manner. The present system allows a user to drop or plug a self-calibrating sensor into an electrical connector box unit which automatically registers the sensors for use, and calibrates the sensor signal as opposed to calibrating the sensors.

Abstract: An HIL simulation system includes: an arithmetic device executing an input process of receiving input data transferred from software to a memory and an output process of transferring output data to the memory; an operation state designating unit designating an operation state indicating the number of times of the output process to the number of times of the input process of the arithmetic device based on an input time unit as an interval in which the software transfers input data to the memory and an output time unit as an interval in which the software receives output data transferred from the arithmetic device to the memory; and a plurality-of-times execution control unit controlling the number of times of the input process and the output process of the arithmetic device and controlling stop of the arithmetic device based on the operation state designated by the operation state designating unit.

Abstract: An irrigation system is contained at a particular site, where the site may be a commercial address or a residential address. The system includes a weather station that generates temperature data, precipitation data, and any other useful data that might be used by other components of the system. The system also includes an irrigation controller that uses electrical signals to open and close valves, thereby turning sprinklers on and off, whether zone-by-zone or sprinkler-by-sprinkler. The system further includes a host device which communicates with the weather station and with the irrigation controller. The host device includes a computer processor and one or more wireless interfaces. The host device receives the weather data from the weather station and calculates an amount of desired irrigation, generating an irrigation schedule. The host device then controls the irrigation controller according to the generated irrigation schedule.

Abstract: Provided is a control device of a home energy management system (HEMS). The control device includes a communication unit configured to connect to a HEMS gateway, a storage unit configured to store power usage information for a predetermined period in a home in which the HEMS gateway is installed, and a control unit configured to predict power consumption amount on the basis of the power usage information for the predetermined period, predict a power generation amount of a photovoltaic (PV) module connected to the HEMS gateway, calculate a PV power amount to be sold on the basis of the predicted power generation amount and power consumption amount, set sales price with respect to the calculated power amount on the basis of purchase information of purchasers, and control the HEMS so that sale power corresponding to the calculated power amount is provided on the basis of the set sales price.

Abstract: A user carried remote control interrupt transmitter that communicates with an interrupt receiver configured with a stop line circuit of a manufacturing process, such as a conveyor interrupt circuit. The remote control interrupt transmitter permits a user performing tasks associated with the manufacturing process to activate the stop line circuit from any location in the vicinity of the manufacturing process.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention provides a system for generating a visualization a home or building, including a fieldbus commissioning tool with a template library and a graphical commissioning engine for implementing physical devices of the home or building. The template library includes: a set of device templates and device object templates, which contains information how the devices are used; a set of zone templates, which specify the use of the devices which are available within a zone; a set of automation templates and a set of web templates. The fieldbus commissioning tool is connected with a configuration data input unit and an automation studio, the automation studio being receiving building topology information, which are supplied by the fieldbus commissioning tool. Based on the building topology, the automation studio generates a navigation structure of the building to allow access to different areas of the building.