Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for producing a binder resin, from which a toner having excellent low-temperature fusing property, roller release properties, and pulverization properties, is obtained, a binder resin, and a toner for development of electrostatic images including the binder resin.

Abstract: A positively chargeable toner includes a plurality of toner particles. The toner particles each include a toner mother particle and an external additive attached to a surface of the toner mother particle. The toner mother particle contains a binder resin and a wax. The external additive includes a plurality of antioxidant particles. Each of the antioxidant particles includes a base particle containing an antioxidant and having a surface treated with a surface treatment agent. The surface treatment agent has a first functional group and a second functional group in a molecule thereof. The first functional group has stronger positive chargeability than the base particle. The second functional group has stronger hydrophobicity than the base particle.

Abstract: The invention provides: an electrostatic image-developing toner external additive including granulated silica which is a granulated material of silica powders each having a primary particle size of 5 to 50 nm and a degree of hydrophobization of 50% or more, the granulated silica having a loose bulk density of 150 g/L or more; and a toner including the electrostatic image-developing toner external additive. These provide an electrostatic image-developing toner external additive excellent in handleability and workability and also capable of improving image quality, and a toner using the external additive.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image carrier, an electrifying member, and a charge eliminating device, and eliminates remaining charge on the surface of the image carrier by the charge eliminating device. The charge eliminating device includes a discharge member. The discharge member includes an electro conductive knit fabric knitted in a cylindrical shape using twisted yarn made of twisted metal fibers and a support member having a cylindrical shape and inserted in the electro conductive knit fabric, and is disposed to face the image carrier in a noncontact manner. A magnet member is disposed inside the image carrier within a charge elimination nip width between two tangential lines of an outer circumference surface of the discharge member, the two tangential lines being parallel to a straight line passing through a rotation center of the image carrier and a center axis of the discharge member.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus that executes exposure for discharging a photoconductive drum by a light emitting unit by which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a duty ratio of a drive signal for a driving unit that exposes the photoconductive drum for performing discharging of the photoconductive drum is set to be 100%, and it is thereby possible to suppress generation of radiation noise resulting from the drive signal for the discharging.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image holding member, a charging device that charges a surface of the image holding member and includes a charging member disposed in contact with the surface of the image holding member, an exposure device that forms a latent image by exposing the charged surface, a developing device that forms a toner image by developing the latent image with toner, and a transfer device that transfers the toner image formed to a recording medium. An amplitude Af with a period Lf (mm) satisfying the formula (F?5)?(V/L)?(F+5) is 0.80 ?m or less where F is the natural frequency (Hz) of the exposure device, V is the rotational peripheral velocity (mm/s) of the charging member, and L is the period (mm) in analysis of the circumferential direction period of the surface shape of the charging member.

Abstract: An exposure device includes an exposure section, a weight, and an elastic portion. The exposure section includes plural light emitting elements arranged along an axial direction of an image holding member that is rotatable, is positioned with respect to the image holding member at both ends in the axial direction, and exposes the image holding member to light by emitting light to the image holding member. The weight is disposed so as to face the exposure section, and has a mass determined in advance. The elastic portion is elastic, and is disposed between the exposure section and the weight to support the weight so as to be vibratable.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a developer-carrying member, a supply member, a developing electrode, a supply electrode, and an insulating member. The casing is configured to accommodate therein developer. The developer-carrying member is configured to rotate about a rotational axis and carry the developer thereon. The supply member is configured to supply the developer to the developer-carrying member. The developing electrode is configured to be electrically connected to the developer-carrying member. The supply electrode is configured to be electrically connected to the supply member. The insulating member insulates the developing electrode and the supply electrode with each other. The developing electrode, the insulating member, and the supply electrode are overlapped in this order in an axial direction of the rotational axis.

Abstract: A developing device includes a rotatable developing member, a resin-made regulating blade, and a resin-made developing device frame including at least a mounting portion. The regulating blade is fixed, in a state that the regulating blade is flexed, in a region of the mounting portion corresponding to a maximum image region of the image bearing member so that a gap between the rotatable developing member and the regulating blade falls within a predetermined range over a rotational axis direction of the rotatable developing member. The mounting portion is provided with a rib which includes a portion projecting from the mounting portion and extending along a direction parallel to the rotational axis direction of the rotatable developing member and which is formed over an entirety of a region of the mounting portion corresponding to the maximum image region of the image bearing member.

Abstract: When the area of a developing frame member corresponding to the maximum image area of an image bearing member is, in a section perpendicular to a rotational axis of a developing rotary member, divided by a straight line passing through the center of rotation of the developing rotary member and the center of rotation of the image bearing member and a perpendicular line passing through the center of rotation of a first conveying screw with respect to the straight line, a gate portion is provided at a bottom portion of the developing frame member in a divided area of the developing frame member not provided with the attachment portion, and a gate portion is not provided at the bottom portion of the developing frame member in a divided area of the developing frame member provided with the attachment portion.

Abstract: A toner cartridge supporting apparatus includes a storage portion, an insertion port, an opening/closing cover, a detecting portion for detecting a toner remaining amount, a control portion for controlling toner supply, a judging portion to judge whether or not a toner in a toner cartridge is exhausted, a message generating portion for generating a replacement message, a display portion for displaying the message, a toner cartridge replacement icon, and a toner cartridge moving portion, wherein a toner cartridge replacement message display function and a toner cartridge movement instruction function are provided as the control portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; a toner cartridge having a toner supply port; and a developing unit including: a developing roller; a developing frame; and a conveyance portion capable of conveying toner contained in the toner cartridge to the developing frame. The conveyance portion including: a coupling tube capable of being coupled to the toner cartridge and having a toner receiving port that faces the toner supply port in a state where the coupling tube is coupled to the toner cartridge; a conveyance tube fixed to the developing frame, the conveyance tube being movable with respect to the coupling tube, in a state where the coupling tube is coupled to the toner cartridge and the toner receiving port faces the toner supply port; and a shutter movable between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a removable-body receivable member and a container member. The removable-body receivable member removably supports a removable body containing a developer. The removable-body receivable member has an opening at a near portion in an insertion/removal direction in which the removable body is inserted into or removed from the removable-body receivable member. The container member is connected to the opening to contain the developer.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer belt includes a base layer that has ionic conductivity and is a thickest layer out of multiple layers making up the intermediate transfer belt with respect to the thickness direction of the intermediate transfer belt, and an inner layer having electronic conductivity and a lower electrical resistance than the base layer.

Abstract: An endless belt includes a polyimide resin layer containing a polyimide resin containing two or more components derived from tetracarboxylic dianhydrides and/or two or more components derived from diamine compounds; and at least one solvent selected from a solvent group A consisting of urea-based solvents, alkoxy-group-containing amide-based solvents, and ester-group-containing amide-based solvents in an amount of from about 50 ppm to about 2,000 ppm.

Abstract: A belt rotating device includes: a meandering correction roller that is rotatably supported within a support frame and is one of a plurality of rollers that stretch an endless belt; a supporting portion that is provided at the support frame and supports a rotating shaft of the meandering correction roller so as to be able to incline the rotating shaft of the meandering correction roller in a one direction; a collar member that is provided on the rotating shaft of the meandering correction roller, contacts the side end of the endless belt in which meandering has occurred, and moves in an axial direction; and an inclination guide portion that is supported by the support frame and has an inclined surface downward and inclined with respect to the shaft of the meandering correction roller, in a position in which the contact portion of the collar member contacts the inclination guide portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer unit, a fixing unit, a sway roller pair constituted of a pair of rollers, a first detector and a hardware processor. The transfer unit transfers an image onto paper. The fixing unit fixes, to the paper, the image transferred onto the paper by the transfer unit. The sway roller pair conveys the paper to the transfer unit, the paper being conveyed to the sway roller pair. The first detector is provided on a downstream side of the transfer unit but on an upstream side of the fixing unit and detects a position of a side edge of the paper. The hardware processor performs sway control of the sway roller pair based on a detection result of the detection by the first detector.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing unit including a pressing device and a heating device and that fixes an image formed on a recording medium by nipping the recording medium with the pressing device and the heating device; a driving device that drives the fixing unit; a load detector that detects a load applied to the driving device; and an abnormality detector that detects abnormality in the fixing unit with reference to the load generated when the recording medium passes through the fixing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an apparatus main body including an image forming device that forms an image on a recording material, a unit detachably mounted in the apparatus main body, a switching member pivotably provided in the apparatus main body, wherein while in a state in which the switching member has entered into the unit mounted in the apparatus main body, the switching member selectively switches a route through which the recoding material is guided, and a retracting member provided in the apparatus main body, wherein in a course of dismounting the unit from the apparatus main body, the retracting member retracts the switching member to an outside of a mount area of the unit.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for use in an image processing apparatus includes a heat roller configured to apply heat to a transported sheet. A heating unit provided in the heat roller heats the heat roller. A controller controls a current applied from an alternating current (AC) power supply to the heating unit. The current is supplied to the heating unit according a predetermined control pattern including a plurality of steps during each of which the current flows or does not flow through the heating unit depending on a duty ratio of the heating unit. The predetermined control pattern is repeated in accordance with a polarity equalization control so that a polarity ratio of a timing in which a current of positive polarity flows through the heating unit and a timing in which a current of negative polarity flows through the heating unit is 1.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including: a fixing device configured to perform heating by a fixing heater to fix an image on a recording material; a driver configured to supply power to the fixing device to control a temperature of the fixing heater; and a controller to be connected to the fixing device via a connector. The fixing device includes a loopback path for supplying a DC voltage to be applied from an outside of the fixing device back to the outside via an inside of the fixing device. With the loopback path, when the connector is brought into a non-connection state, supply of a DC voltage to the controller is interrupted, and thus supply of power to the fixing device is interrupted.

Abstract: A fixing device has a heating member, a pressing member, a pressurizing mechanism pressing the pressing member against the heating member and a pressing force changing mechanism changing the pressing force of the pressing member against the heating member. The pressing force changing mechanism has an electrically conductive rotation shaft arranged opposite the surface of the pressing member across a predetermined interval, and a pressing force changing member provided at an end part of the rotation shaft and rotating about the rotation shaft to change the pressing force of the pressurizing mechanism. The rotation shaft has a static elimination sheet for eliminating electrical charge from the surface of the pressing member.

Abstract: A fixing device has a fixing member, a pressing member, a pressing mechanism, a pressure changing mechanism, and a moving mechanism. The fixing member has a fixing belt. The pressing member forms a fixing nip portion by making contact with the fixing member. The pressing mechanism presses the pressing member against the fixing member to apply a nip pressure to the fixing nip portion. The pressure changing mechanism changes the nip pressure. The moving mechanism moves the fixing member in a sheet width direction which is perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction. The pressing mechanism has a holding member rotatably holding the pressing member and held swingably in such directions as to approach and recede from the fixing member. The moving mechanism moves the fixing member in the sheet width direction in coordination with the nip pressure being applied or removed by the pressure changing mechanism.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first controller having an image processor that performs image processing to image data, the first controller configured to determine a first statistic value based on the image data, and output the first statistic value; an obtaining unit configured to obtain the image data; an image forming unit configured to form, based on the image data, an image by using toner; a supply unit configured to supply toner to the image forming unit; and a second controller configured to control the supply unit based on the first statistic value. In a case where the first statistic value is not outputted by the first controller in a predetermined period, the second controller controls the supply unit based on a second statistic value, the second statistic value being determined based on the image data.

Abstract: A sheet containing system includes a containing member, a feed device, an ascending device, and a powder applying device. The containing member has a wall portion and is to contain a sheet. The feed device feeds the sheet to an outside of the containing member. The ascending device moves up the sheet contained in the containing member toward the feed device. The powder applying device is provided in the wall portion disposed on a downstream side in the containing member in a transport direction of the sheet. The powder applying device applies powder to an end portion of the sheet on the downstream side in the transport direction of the sheet.

Abstract: A transport device includes a powder applying device and a guidance member. The powder applying device is provided in a guide path through which a sheet is guided toward an image holding body holding a toner image to be transferred onto the sheet, and applies powder to end portions of the sheet in a transport direction. The guidance member is provided on a side facing the powder applying device in the guide path, and guides the sheet being transported through the guide path to the powder applying device.

Abstract: A first conveyance member reverses a sheet received from a first conveyance path. Second through fourth conveyance members are disposed on a second conveyance path and convey a sheet from the first conveyance member toward the first conveyance path. A restriction portion is capable of restricting driving force of a first driving source from acting on a sheet through the second conveyance member. A controller executes a first operation and a second operation. In the first operation, a second driving source stops driving the third and fourth conveyance members while a first sheet being nipped at the fourth conveyance member, and a second sheet is conveyed to be abutted with the third conveyance member. In the second operation, the second driving source starts driving the third and fourth conveyance members while the restriction portion restricting driving force of the first driving source from acting on the second sheet.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a resistance component of an inner impedance of an electricity removing member is equal to or lower than a value that is obtained by multiplying a calculated resistance value by a first specific value, the calculated resistance value being calculated based on a predetermined formula as a DC resistance value of the electricity removing member that is required to reduce a pre-electricity-removal potential of a photoconductor to a predetermined post-electricity-removal potential during an electricity removal time, the first specific value being calculated based on a ratio of a linear speed of the electricity removing member to a linear speed of the photoconductor, and a resistance component of the contact impedance of the electricity removing member is equal to or lower than a value that is obtained by multiplying the calculated resistance value by a second specific value that is calculated based on the ratio.

Abstract: A monochrome laser printer including, a main body including a front wall and a rear wall, a feeding tray, a pickup roller being closer to the rear wall than to the front wall, a drum cartridge comprising a photosensitive drum that is closer to the rear wall than to the front wall and is configured to feed recording sheet upward, a developing cartridge comprising a developing roller that is disposed below the photosensitive drum and faces the photosensitive drum, an exposing unit being closer to the front wall than to the rear wall and is disposed above the feeding tray, a pressing member that is disposed below the developing roller, and a compression spring that is disposed below the pressing member and is configured to press the pressing member upward to press the developing roller upward via the pressing member.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes: a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum; and a toner cartridge which is mountable on the drum cartridge and stores toner, wherein the drum cartridge includes: a cleaner configured to collect waste toner on the photosensitive drum; a waste toner conveyance tube configured to convey the waste toner collected by the cleaner; and a developing unit which includes a developing roller configured to supply toner to the photosensitive drum and is swingable about a swing axis with respect to the photosensitive drum, and wherein the toner cartridge has a waste toner storing chamber for storing the waste toner conveyed by the waste toner conveyance tube.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are configured for focusing and imaging of translucent materials with decreased size and complexity and improve resolution. The methods and apparatus provide improved focusing and imaging with decreased size and weight, so as to allow use in many fields.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a digital holography system includes logic configured to receive raw interferograms obtained by illuminating an object field with incoherent light, the raw interferograms comprising multiple phase-shifted raw interferograms for each of multiple different colors, logic configured to combine like-colored raw interferograms to generate a separate complex hologram for each different color, logic configured to combine the separate complex holograms to generate a full-color complex hologram, and logic configured to reconstruct a full-color holographic image of the object field.

Abstract: In the present invention, by providing a 3D holographic display system comprising a modulation apparatus configured to modulate light emitted from a light source into a light wave corresponding to a 3D image, an optical apparatus configured to propagate the light wave into the first plane, and a diffraction apparatus configured to multiplex the propagated light wave to extend viewing angle of the 3D holographic display, a limited viewing zone of the holographic display determined by the SLM pixel pitch, may be extended by optical methods, such as using diffractive optical elements (DOE) for spatial-division multiplexing (SDM).

Abstract: A pointer including a thick section formed on a pointer body in a manner to be thicker than a thickness of the pointer body, an accommodation section provided in the thick section in a manner to penetrate through a front and back of the thick section, and a luminous member provided in the accommodation section.

Abstract: A device for fluid display comprising a fluid, wherein the fluid is displaced by an electrowetting process. The device is filled with at least 2 immiscible fluids, whereas one fluid is located within the electrical field generated by a reference electrode and a control electrode and partially within the electrical field generated by the same reference electrode and at least one second control electrode so that the electric activation of the second control electrode generates a deformation or movement of the fluid in the direction of the second control electrode. Also provided is a method of switching the control electrodes of the device above-mentioned device in a sequence so that a portion of the fluid is displaced within the device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosure includes an input module. The input module includes a switch, a rotatable and translatable input member operably connected to the switch and configured to actuate the switch, and an electrical contact operably connected to the switch and in electrical communication with the input member. During operation, the electrical connection between the input member and the electrical contact is maintained during translation and rotation of the input member. The input module may be used with a variety of electronic devices and can be used by a user to provide input to those devices.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed including a housing including an outer wall, an inner, and a first through hole formed in the inner space, an audio module located in the inner space, a support structure located in the inner space between the audio module and the first through hole and including a second through hole; and a waterproof structure located in the inner space between the support structure and the outer wall including a flexible gasket. The gasket may include an outer rim, a recess portion moveable between the first through hole and the second through hole, and a connection portion between the rim and the recess portion, including at least one opening around the recess portion, such that the opening and the second through-hole form a sound path between the audio module and the first through-hole in the absence of pressure from an external liquid.

Abstract: An orientable valve including a device for adjusting the angular orientation of the valve head with respect to the watch case, wherein the device for adjusting the angular orientation of the valve head includes a friction ring disposed between the valve head and the upper step, the friction ring rotates integrally with the shaft and is free in translation with respect to the shaft, the friction ring has a cylindrical external friction surface in friction contact with an internal wall of the tube, and wherein the shaft includes, in its distal portion, a device for actuating the latter in rotation making it possible to pivot the valve to adjust the angular orientation of the valve head.

Abstract: A push button device including a device for adjusting the angular orientation of the push button head with respect to the watch case, wherein the angular orientation adjustment device includes a friction ring disposed concentrically around the central shaft inside the tube, the friction ring rotates integrally with the central shaft and is free in translation with respect to the central shaft, the friction ring includes an external friction surface in friction contact with an internal wall of the tube, and wherein the central shaft includes a device for actuating the latter in rotation, making it possible to pivot the push button against the frictional forces generated by the friction ring, in order to adjust the angular orientation of the push button head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool for actuating a push-button corrector equipping a portable object of small dimensions, said actuating tool comprising a body that extends between a rear end defining an area for grasping the actuating tool and a front end defining an area for actuating the actuating tool, the actuating tool further comprising an actuating rod arranged such that it slides in a coaxial manner inside the body, the actuating rod being capable of moving from back to front and from front to back between a retracted rest position wherein it is retracted in a stable manner inside the body of the actuating tool, and a protruding working position wherein it protrudes outside of the cap, the actuating rod remaining in the protruding working position thereof as long as an axial pushing force is exerted thereon, and returns to the retracted rest position thereof as soon as the axial pushing force is released.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating tool for actuating a push-button corrector equipping a portable object of small dimensions, wherein said actuating tool comprises a body that extends between a rear end that defines an area for grasping the actuating tool and a front end that defines an area for actuating the actuating tool, wherein the actuating tool further comprises an actuating rod that extends inwards relative to the body and that ends, towards the front end of the body, in an actuating portion, and the actuating tool finally comprises a guide sleeve that surrounds the actuating portion of the actuating tool and that is capable of moving between a first protruding position wherein the actuating portion is at most flush with the guide sleeve, and a second position wherein it is at least partially retracted inside the body, in which position the actuating portion is capable of actuating the push-button corrector.

Abstract: A smart watch comprises a case, a display device configured to present a user interface disposed in substantially all of a face of the case, a bezel around the display device configured to be rotated to select a mode of operation of the smart watch, and an analog first watch arm and an analog second watch arm disposed over the display, the second watch arm coaxial with the first watch arm. In a first mode of operation, the user interface presents a watch dial and control the first and second watch arms indicate a time of day first and second watch arms to indicate a time of day. In a second mode of operation, the user interface presents a dial and control the first and second watch arms form a pointer, the pointer configured to indicate a reading on the dial.

Abstract: A time display device includes a display; an operation receiving unit that receives a selection operation of a city by a user; a memory that stores a time piece image and a map image including a plurality of city locations; and a processor, wherein said processor performs: reading out the time piece image and said map image from the memory; identifying one of the city locations in the map image read from the memory as corresponding to a location of the selected city; generating a display image by overlapping the map image including said identified one of the city locations and the timepiece image that is adjusted to indicate a local time of the selected city such that a center of the timepiece image coincides with said identified one of the city locations in the map image; and causing said display image to be displayed on the display.

Abstract: A system for transforming a regular smartwatch into a luxury item, comprising, a smartwatch unit including at least the display unit of the smartwatch; and a box including a housing to accommodate said smartwatch, said box having a cover being openable and closeable to cover said display unit, wherein said cover has at least one hole so that a corresponding portion of said display unit is visible to a user when said cover is in closed position, wherein when said cover is in closed position, the smartwatch unit displays the output of the smartwatch in on said corresponding portion of the display.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device includes an enclosure having a sidewall with a button aperture defined therethrough, a display connected to the enclosure, and a processing element in communication with the display. The device also includes a sensing element in communication with the processing element and an input button at least partially received within the button aperture and in communication with the sensing element, the input button configured to receive two types of user inputs. During operation, the sensing element tracks movement of the input button to determine the two types of user inputs.

Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has a housing to which a carrier is attached. The carrier has a first surface interior to the electronic device, and a second surface exterior to the electronic device. A set of electrodes is deposited on the exterior surface of the carrier. An additional electrode is operable to be contacted by a finger of a user of the electronic device while the first electrode is positioned against skin of the user. The additional electrode may be positioned on a user-rotatable crown of the electronic device, on a button of the electronic device, or on another surface of the housing of the electronic device. A processor of the electronic device is operable to determine a biological parameter of the user based on voltages at the electrodes. The biological parameter may be an electrocardiogram.

Abstract: A communication system (1) comprises a central (100) and a peripheral (200). The central (100) receives location information and time information from NTP servers (10) and a location server (30). The central (100) creates first offset information of the time measured by its own device and the time information received from the NTP servers (10). The central (100) acquires from map information a time difference corresponding to a location presented by the location information received from the location server (30). The central (100) creates first updated time information based on the time measured by its own device, first offset information, and time difference corresponding to the location presented by the location information received from location server (30) and transmits the first updated time information to the peripheral (200). The peripheral (200) changes the time displayed by its own device based on the received first updated time information.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a timer that clocks a current time, a receiver that receives radio waves, a switch that receives an operation from a user, and a processor. The processor acquires, in accordance with the operation received by the switch, a determination result indicating whether the radio waves are receivable by the receiver, and selects and executes one of a first processing and at least one second processing that differs from the first processing. The first processing is processing to correct the current time clocked by the timer on the basis of the radio waves received by the receiver. The processor does not select the first processing when the determination results indicate that the radio waves are not receivable by the receiver.

Abstract: A control device which predicts the timing of disconnection of a power supply is provided with a machine learning device configured to learn the disconnection timing of the power supply. The machine learning device is provided with a state observation unit configured to observe an operation content for the control device for each user as one of state variables representative of a present state of an environment, a determination data acquisition unit configured to acquire determination data which indicates that power disconnection of the control device is commanded by the user, and a learning unit configured to learn the operation content for each user and a command for the power disconnection in association with each other by using the state variable and the determination data.

Abstract: A learning control system is provided in each of a plurality of subsystems of a system and includes a plurality of agents that performs learning to control of the subsystem using a control model and a learning management agent that manages and controls learning of each of the plurality of agents. The learning management agent is operated with a plurality of experiment systems including the plurality of control model sets of the plurality of agents and determines a plurality of updating control model sets in the plurality of experiment systems of a next generation from an evaluation result of the plurality of experiment systems of the current generation. The agent transmits control model information of a current generation to the learning management agent and receives control model information of the next generation from the learning management agent.