Abstract: An exposure method is provided. The exposure method includes coating a photo-curable material on a substrate, and exposing a portion of the photo-curable material by providing a first light source through an optical fiber to form a first photo-cured material. The optical fiber includes a light output end and a cone portion that tapers toward the light output end. The photo-curable material not exposed by the first light source is removed while leaving the first photo-cured material. Exposure equipment for performing the exposure method and a 3-dimensional structure formed thereby are also described.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus for patterning a beam of radiation and projecting it onto a substrate, comprising at least two spectral purity filters configured to reduce the intensity of radiation in the beam of radiation in at least one undesirable range of radiation wavelength, wherein the two spectral purity filters are provided with different radiation filtering structures from each other.

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

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining focus information relating to a lithographic process. The method includes illuminating a target, the target having alternating first and second structures, wherein the form of the second structures is focus dependent, while the form of the first structures does not have the same focus dependence as that of the second structures, and detecting radiation redirected by the target to obtain for that target an asymmetry measurement representing an overall asymmetry of the target, wherein the asymmetry measurement is indicative of focus of the beam forming the target. An associated mask for forming such a target, and a substrate having such a target.

Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus includes a projection system. The projection system is configured to project a patterned radiation beam through an immersion liquid onto a target portion of a substrate. An external surface of the projection system includes a first surface. The first surface has a non-planar shape. An element is attached to the first surface and positioned so that at least a portion of the element contacts the immersion liquid in use. The element includes a closed loop of continuously integral material in a preformed state and conforms to the non-planar shape of the first surface.

Abstract: A support such as a clamp (310) is configured to releasably hold a patterning device such as a reticle (300) to secure it and prevent heat-induced deformation of it. For example, an electrostatic clamp includes a first substrate (312) having opposing first (313) and second (315) surfaces, a plurality of burls (316) located on the first surface and configured to contact the reticle, a second substrate (314) having opposing first (317) and second (319) surfaces. The first surface of the second substrate is coupled to the second surface of the first substrate. A plurality of cooling elements (318) are located between the first surface of the second substrate and the second surface of the first substrate. The cooling elements are configured to cause electrons to travel from the second surface of the first substrate to the first surface of the second substrate. Each cooling element is substantially aligned with a respective burl.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a conductive base; an organic photosensitive layer disposed on the conductive base, the organic photosensitive layer including a layer that constitutes a surface and contains a charge transport material, a binder resin having a viscosity-average molecular weight less than about 50,000, and silica particles in an amount of about 40% by weight or more; and an inorganic protective layer disposed on the organic photosensitive layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing an organic photosensitive drum for electrophotography, which includes a step of immersing a hollow cylinder into a liquefied photosensitive material after gripping the hollow cylinder, by using a coating device including: a transfer tray in which the hollow cylinder is inserted and loaded into at least one jig vertically provided on a plate type pallet; and a gripping assembly disposed above the transfer tray and including at least one gripping mechanism. The process of gripping the hollow cylinder includes: inserting a portion or the whole of the gripping mechanism into the hollow cylinder; aligning a lower end of the gripping mechanism with a lower end of the hollow cylinder; and gripping the hollow cylinder by using the gripping mechanism.

Abstract: A positively chargeable single-layer electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer contains at least a charge generating material, a hole transport material, an electron transport material, and an electron accepting compound. The hole transport material includes a benzidine derivative. The electron transport material includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulae (1), (2), (3), and (4) shown below. The electron accepting compound includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulae (5) and (6) shown below.

Abstract: An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes a plurality of toner particles each including a composite core and a shell layer covering a surface of the composite core. The composite core is a composite of a toner core and a plurality of organic particles each adhering to a surface of the toner core. The shell layer contains a first resin having a glass transition point of at least 50° C. and no greater than 90° C. The organic particles each contain a releasing agent and a second resin having a glass transition point of at least 90° C. and no greater than 110° C.

Abstract: A developing device includes a housing, a developing roller, a developer conveyance path, a partition plate, a developer supply port and a developer conveying member. The developer conveying member rotates such that an outer peripheral part thereof moves from top to bottom in a first area between a second shaft portion and the partition plate and moves from bottom to top in a second area between the second shaft portion and the side wall. The developer supply port is obliquely open above the second area. The housing includes a first space formed above the second area of the first conveyance path and a second space formed up to a position higher than the partition plate above the first area of the first conveyance path. The ceiling plate includes a ceiling portion. The ceiling portion restricts a movement of replenishing developer in the first direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an acquisition portion that acquires, based on a current value detected by a detection unit, a discharge start voltage value between a photosensitive body and a charging member, in a voltage value of a voltage applied to the charging member, the discharge start voltage value being acquired from at least one of a plurality of measurement regions set by dividing an image forming region of the photosensitive body, in which an electrostatic image is formed, into a plurality of regions in a longitudinal direction orthogonal to a recording material conveyance direction; and a control portion that performs unevenness suppression control to reduce unevenness, in the longitudinal direction, of density of a developer image transferred onto the recording material based on the discharge start voltage value.

Abstract: An exposure unit includes a light-emitting element array and a lens array. The light-emitting element array includes a plurality of light-emitting elements that are disposed in a first direction and each emit a light beam. The lens array faces the light-emitting element array in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction, and focuses the light beams emitted from the respective light-emitting elements. The following expression [3] is satisfied. A symmetric property, determined from the following expression [1], of a light amount distribution in the first direction of at least one of the light beams focused by the lens array satisfies the following expression [2]. S=|(HL?HR)/(XE/2)|??[1] 0?S?0.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control unit configured to change, to a light quantity different from a plurality of reference light quantities, a light quantity per unit area of a surface of an electrical charge retention layer of a photosensitive member when an exposure unit exposes the surface in correspondence with a plurality of gradation levels, based on a plurality of exposure potentials corresponding to the plurality of gradation levels which is acquired by exposing with the exposure unit the surface with each of the plurality of reference light quantities corresponding to the plurality of gradation levels, and measuring with the measurement unit the plurality of exposure potentials of the photosensitive member which is formed by the exposure with the plurality of reference light quantities.

Abstract: A control device may obtain, at each of a plurality of sets of date-and-time, a current value related to a current remaining amount of a print material used by the print performing unit. The control device may calculate N1 change values by using a plurality of current values obtained at the plurality of sets of date-and-time, each change value being related to a change per unit time of a remaining amount of the print material. The control device may specify a first greatest change value among the N1 change values. The control device may perform a first prediction process that includes calculating a first future value by using the first greatest change value, the first future value being related to a future remaining amount of the print material, and a first output process using the first future value in a case where the first prediction process is performed.

Abstract: A toner case includes a case main body, a cover, and a coil spring. The case main body is rotatable and has a toner containing space in which a toner is contained and an opening through which the toner is discharged from the toner containing space. The cover keeps a rotation stop state when the case main body rotates and has a communication space which communicates with the toner containing space via the opening. The coil spring is fixed to the cover so that at least a part of the coil spring is arranged in the communication space. The coil spring vibrates as the case main body rotates.

Abstract: A toner case includes a case main body, a transmission member, and a cover. The case main body contains a toner and rotates around a rotation axis line. The transmission member is attached to an outer circumferential face of the case main body and configured to transmit rotation driving force to the case main body. The cover is configured to cover an opening part arranged at the case main body. The case main body includes a rotation restricting part and a movement restricting part. The rotation restricting part is configured to restrict a rotation of the transmission member with respect to the case main body. The movement restricting part is configured to restrict a movement in a direction of the rotation axis line of the transmission member with respect to the case main body. The transmission member is positioned between the cover and the movement restricting part.

Abstract: A developing unit configured for operating with a two-component developer material includes carrier particles to which the toner particles are adhered. The developing unit includes: at least one developer member rotatably mounted in the housing and configured for transferring toner particles to a photoconductor member, and a conveying assembly configured for conveying toner particles to the at least one developer member or away from the at least one developer member. The conveying assembly includes an auger and which includes a bar shaped shaft, a helical screw blade arranged around the shaft, and at least a first elongate element arranged at a distance of the shaft.

Abstract: Provided is a developer container, including: a frame body having an opening; a sealing member configured to seal the opening; an unsealing member configured to unseal the opening by moving the sealing member and accommodated inside the frame body; and a part of the sealing member peelably bonded to an outer peripheral edge of the opening on an opposite side of the unsealing member with respect to the opening.

Abstract: A fixing portion 18c for suppressing movement of a developer bag 16 when the developer bag 16 is unsealed by moving a sealing member 19 is provided. By this, unsealing becomes easy.

Abstract: A developer container of a developing device has a toner collection portion having a collection container, a toner receiving member, a stopping member, and a toner collection passage. The collection container is arranged under a developing roller, extends along the axial direction of the rotary shaft of the developing roller, and has an opening open upward to face the developing roller. The toner receiving member is supported on the collection container, and has a swing portion protruding inward from an inner surface of the collection container and receiving toner that falls from the developing roller. The stopping member is supported on the collection container, and prevents, by the swing portion making contact with the stopping member from below, the swing portion from being displaced upward. The toner collection passage is arranged in a bottom part of the collection container, and communicates with the interior of the developer container.

Abstract: A developing section for a digital printing press includes a controller to control a development unit such that a configuration of the development unit is to be in a first state or a second state based on a determination by the controller comparing a location of a portion of the surface of a photo imaging member presented to the development unit with a location of a transition between an image portion and a portion of the surface of the photo imaging member not in the image portion.

Abstract: An image transfer assembly includes a transfer belt formed as an endless loop around a backup roll and a tension roll. A tensioning arm is movably mounted on a side of a frame and operatively connects to an axial end of the tension roll such that the arm and axial end of the tension roll moves together relative to the frame. A translating member slidably mounted about the axial end of the tension roll is movable in an axial direction. A cam disposed below the translating member has an angled cam surface in contact with a portion of the translating member such that as the translating member moves in the axial direction, the translating member moves along the angled cam surface changing an elevation of the arm and axial end of the tension roll and changing an amount of skew of the tension roll relative to the frame.

Abstract: A composition for seamless belt includes a thermoplastic resin; and a conductive agent. A liquid extracted from the composition with methanol has an intensity not greater than 7×108 in a total ion chromatogram.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the fuser assembly of an electrophotographic imaging device, including determining a resistance of the fuser heater at a predetermined temperature that is less than a fusing temperature for performing a fusing operation; calculating a set point heater resistance based on the determined heater resistance, the set point heater resistance being a resistance of the fuser heater at a predetermined set point temperature; reading a line voltage to the electrophotographic imaging device at a first time; calculating heater power based on the line voltage reading and the calculated set point heater resistance; and controlling a speed of a fusing operation based on the calculated heater power.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a belt, and a belt guide configured to guide movement of the belt. The belt guide includes a base part and a first protrusion protruding from a surface of the base part toward a surface of the belt. The first protrusion has a distal end surface and a side surface, the surface of the belt being configured to contact the distal end surface, the distal end surface having a distal surface roughness, the side surface connecting the distal end surface and the surface of the base part. At least one of the side surface and the surface of the base part includes a rough region having a surface roughness higher than the distal surface roughness.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless, rotatable fixing belt, a pressure rotator, a nip formation pad, a support, and a vibration repressor. The pressure rotator presses an outer surface of the fixing belt. The nip formation pad is disposed at an inner side of the fixing belt, to abut on the pressure rotator with the fixing belt interposed between the nip formation pad and the pressure rotator to form a fixing nip. The support is disposed at the inner side of the fixing belt, to support the nip formation pad. The vibration repressor is disposed between the nip formation pad and the support, to repress vibration of the nip formation pad.

Abstract: A fixing device may include an endless fixing member; a heater inside the fixing member; and a nip forming unit configured to form a nip through which a recording sheet is conveyed, the nip forming unit including a supporting member and a contact member supported by the supporting member, the supporting member including at least one contact surface and the contact member including a plurality of protrusions protruding towards the supporting member such that two or more of the plurality of protrusions are configured to contact one of the at least one contact surface of the supporting member, each of the plurality of protrusions having a height associated there with such that the height of the plurality of protrusions increases in a direction from ends of the contact member towards a center of the contact member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring roller pressured to the fixing belt, a heat source heating the fixing belt, a pressing member pressing the fixing belt toward the pressuring roller's side, and a sliding contact sheet interposed between the fixing belt and the pressing member to hold lubricant. The sliding contact sheet includes a sliding contact portion arranged at the center in a sheet conveying direction to come into contact with the fixing belt, a first fixed portion arranged at an upstream side in the conveying direction and wound around the pressing member at the heat source's side, and a second fixed portion arranged at a downstream side in the conveying direction and wound around the pressing member at the heat source's side from the first fixed portion. The sliding contact sheet is configured so that the second fixed portion becomes smaller than the first fixed portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier, a developing section, a transfer roller, a power supply section, a conveyance roller, and an operation control section. The operation control section has a cleaning operation mode and an image formation operation mode where images are formed on recording paper. In the cleaning operation mode, the operation control section causes the developing section to supply a predefined amount of toner to a circumferential surface of the image carrier, causes the power supply section to apply a bias of a polarity opposite to a normal charge polarity to the transfer roller, then causes the conveyance roller to convey a single piece of recording paper, causes the conveyance roller to stop rotating operation when the recording paper is located in a nip area, and causes the image carrier and the transfer roller to rotate while the recording paper is stopped in the nip area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form an image on a sheet while conveying the sheet at an image forming speed, a discharge roller pair to discharge the sheet, a conveyance roller pair to convey the sheet from the image forming unit to the discharge roller pair, and a control unit to control a motor to switch a speed of the conveyance roller pair and the discharge roller pair between a first speed corresponding to the image forming speed and a second speed higher than the first speed. In first control, the speed is switched from the second to the first speed at timing at which a trailing end of the sheet reaches a first position. In second control, the speed is switched from the second to the first speed at timing at which a leading end of a subsequent sheet reaches a second position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a duplex printing function may include a closeable and openable portion. In one example, the portion may correspond to a cover of the image forming apparatus. The cover may include guiding portions configured to define a return path for duplex printing. In another example, the portion may correspond to a document reading unit including an outer casing. A portion of the outer casing may be configured to guide a recording sheet that is conveyed out of a housing of the image forming apparatus by a switchback roller. In one example, the switchback roller may convey a recording sheet to a position above an upper surface of the outer casing.

Abstract: A curl correcting apparatus includes rollers, a motor, and a clutch portion. The rollers are curl correction-use rollers which are arranged in parallel to each other in a pressure-contact state and which are different in hardness. The motor is a motor capable of rotating in forward and reverse directions relative to a correction-amount adjusting portion that changes and adjusts a distance to the rollers as a result of an eccentric cam that integrally rotates in accordance with a rotation amount of a rotation shaft, pressing against the rollers. The clutch portion transmits a rotary driving force of the motor to the rollers during the forward rotation and to a rotation shaft during the reverse rotation.

Abstract: Example embodiments include a driving device having: a plurality of vibrating members that may vibrate when the vibrating members are driven; and a holding part that may hold the vibrating members. The holding part may include a first member with which one or more of the vibrating members may be brought into contact, and a second member with which one or more of the vibrating members may be brought into contact. The first member and the second member may be partially coupled to each other. A grounding member for electrically grounding a member held by the holding part may be brought into contact with one of the first member and the second member that is more difficult to vibrate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt, a photoconductor drum, and a transmission member. The transfer belt includes a transfer surface. The photoconductor drum faces the transfer surface of the transfer belt in an attachment state where the photoconductor drum is attached to an apparatus main body. The transmission member is attached to a drum end of the photoconductor drum on the insertion direction side and transmits an input rotational driving force to the photoconductor drum. The transmission member includes a flange and a gear. The flange is larger than the photoconductor drum in outer diameter. The gear projects from the flange in the insertion direction with teeth being formed on an outer circumferential surface of the gear, the teeth receiving the rotational driving force. The gear is larger than the photoconductor drum and smaller than the flange in outer diameter.

Abstract: A powder collection device includes a transport pipe, a powder collection container supported turnably on a pivot center provided in an attachment part of an apparatus body and removably attached to a position to cover an attachment part of the apparatus body, a pipe-side opening/closing mechanism that opens a discharging port by moving an opening/closing lid in cooperation with an operating member of the powder collection container when the powder collection container is turned to the position to cover the attachment part, and a container-side opening/closing mechanism that opens a collection port by moving a container opening/closing lid in cooperation with an operating member of the transport pipe when the powder collection container is turned to the position to cover the attachment part. The discharging port is disposed on a side of a vertical line including the pivot center different from the apparatus body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a casing, an image forming unit, a plurality of covers, a shutter, and a linkage mechanism. The image forming unit includes a light source and is disposed in an interior of the casing. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium. The covers are openable and closable relative to the casing. The shutter is openable and closable relative to the light source. The linkage mechanism links the respective covers to the shutter. The linkage mechanism sets the shutter in a closed state in a situation in which at least one of the covers is in an open state and sets the shutter in an open state in a situation in which all the covers are in a closed state.

Abstract: In a developing cartridge, a tubular member is rotatable about an axis. The tubular member includes a protrusion extending along a portion of a peripheral surface of a shaft. The relay member is positioned between a gear and the tubular member. The relay member is movable in an axial direction of the shaft during rotation of the gear from a first rotational position to a second rotational position. In a case where the gear is at the first rotational position, the gear and the relay member engage with each other and the relay member and the tubular member engage with each other to rotate the tubular member. In a case where the gear is at the second rotational position, the engagement between the gear and the relay member or the engagement between the relay member and the tubular member is released.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a frame including a first side plate and a second side plate, a cylindrical rotatable member, a heater, a holder having a length longer than a distance between the first and second side plates, a first preventing member, and a second preventing member. An image formed on a recording material is heated by heat of the heater while moving in a state in which the recording material contacts the rotatable member. The holder is unintegral with the first and second preventing members. The holder includes a positioning portion, contacting the first side plate, for positioning a position of the holder with respect to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fusing unit that heats a toner image and fixes the toner image on a recording medium; an exhaust passage that allows air heated by the fusing unit to flow and discharges the air to an outside of the apparatus; a delivery unit that moves the air in the exhaust passage in a discharge direction; a target structural component to which the air is to be delivered; a ventilation passage that connects a portion on a downstream side of the delivery unit of the exhaust passage in the discharge direction and the target structural component, and that allows the air to flow; and an adjuster that adjusts a passage through which the air flows, at a branch point between the exhaust passage and the ventilation passage.

Abstract: A holography reproducing apparatus and a holography reproducing method are provided. The holography reproducing apparatus includes: a backlight configured to emit light, and a spatial light modulator configured to modulate light input from the backlight and transmit the modulated light to generate a transmissive hologram image, wherein at least one of a wave front of light emitted from the backlight and the spatial light modulator has a curved surface.

Abstract: A compensating balance spring for a thermally compensated sprung balance resonator including a core formed from at least one non-metallic material. The core is entirely coated with a layer which is moisture proof to render the balance spring less sensitive to climatic variations. The compensating balance spring can be applied to timepieces.

Abstract: A compensating balance spring for a thermally compensated sprung balance resonator including a core formed from at least one non-metallic material. The core is partially coated with at least one layer which is moisture proof to render the balance spring less sensitive to climatic variations.

Abstract: Various example embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electronic device including: a housing including a substantially circular opening and a first surface facing in a first direction; a wearing structure configured to enable the electronic device to be removably worn on a part of a human body and connected to the housing; a display disposed in the opening; an annulus installed on the first surface and configured to be rotatable along a periphery of the opining, the annulus including a second surface facing a second direction opposite the first direction; at least one spacer interposed between a part of the first surface and the second surface of the annulus; and a circuit configured to detect a rotation of the annular member and to change the display at least in part based on the rotation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide an extended band is described. The method comprises pairing a watch and a host device. The method further comprises monitoring a user's status with a plurality of sensors on the host device and/or the watch, and using the extended band to do one or more of: provide alerts to the user, based on the sensor data, control the extended band from one of the devices, and share data with third parties using the extended band.

Abstract: A device regulating motion of a mechanical horological movement includes: a frame; a resonator attached to the frame and including a first annular magnetic structure including N1 magnets arranged regularly in a circle and a resilient structure; a second annular magnetic structure including N2 magnets defining a central axis about which the structure rotates, N2 being different than N1. The resonator is configured so that a resonant mode in which the first magnetic structure is subject to curvilinear, or substantially circular, translation about the central axis may be excited by rotation of the second magnetic structure. The two magnetic structures define a magnetic cycloid gear such that the regulating device incorporates a reducer of frequency between the resonance frequency and the rotational frequency of the second magnetic structure which is rigidly connected to an escapement wheel.

Abstract: A support for cleaning and/or galvanic deposition including a carrier structure including attachment points for watch hands each provided with a hole. The attachment points include at least one rigid pin, if necessary a conductive pin, onto which the hands are threaded via their hole and held apart from each other by a spacer.

Abstract: A chronograph having a second wheel with an entraining spring, a pulse-receiving wheel, wherein the entraining spring is constructed to engage with the pulse-receiving wheel, a pulse-transferring wheel, a minute wheel, wherein the minute wheel is in constant engagement with the pulse-transferring wheel, a second shaft, wherein the second wheel is rigidly connected to the second shaft, a multifunction shaft is orientated parallel to the second shaft, wherein the pulse-receiving wheel and the pulse-transferring wheel is rigidly connected to the multifunction shaft, and, a two-part constructed zeroing lever having a zeroing lever arm and a zeroing lever interlock, wherein the zeroing lever arm is supported in a rotatable manner around a pivotal point of a zeroing lever arm and the zeroing lever interlock is supported in a rotatable manner around a pivotal point of zeroing lever interlock.

Abstract: A watch including a dial pad, a circular movement disposed adjacent to the dial pad, a circular printed circuit board (PCB) having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, the PCB including a hole defined as the inner diameter and a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs) disposed in a region between the inner diameter and the outer diameter, in which the movement having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter is shaped and sized to fit into the hole, a first battery disposed adjacent to the PCB and supplies a first operating voltage only to the PCB, and a case dimensioned and shaped to receive the dial pad, the movement, the PCB, and the first battery.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a display section, a display control section, a reception section, a clock section, a timing section, a leap second acquisition section, a time correction section that corrects internal time information by using time information acquired by the timing section, and a leap second correction section that corrects the internal time information by using leap second information acquired by the leap second acquisition section. In a case where the operation of the timing section is followed by the operation of the leap second acquisition section, the time correction section corrects the internal time information by using the time information acquired by the timing section, and the display control section causes the display section to display, before the leap second acquisition section acquires the leap second information, time based on the internal time information corrected by the time correction section.