Abstract: The present invention relates to a binder resin composition for toners for development of electrostatic images capable of giving a toner excellent in fusing properties on PP films, a toner for development of electrostatic images containing the binder resin composition, a printing method using the toner, and a printed material.

Abstract: An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes a styrene-acrylic resin and exhibits a z average molecular weight Mz of 80,000 to 400,000 and a molecular weight distribution curve satisfying Expression (1): 1.3?b/a?2.0, and an electrostatic charge image developing toner includes a styrene-acrylic resin, and exhibits a z average molecular weight Mz of 100,000 to 400,000 and a molecular weight distribution curve satisfying Expression (A): 0.75?(c+d)/(2×d)?0.95, wherein a, b, c and d are defined in the specification.

Abstract: A toner contains at least a crystalline polyester resin and an amorphous linear polyester resin that uses diethylene glycol as an alcohol component, and a monoester wax and a montan ester wax as release agent components, wherein 6???8 and 14?mw/?<30 are satisfied, where ? represents an amount of the crystalline polyester resin added relative to 100 parts by weight of the amorphous linear polyester resin and mw represents an amount of the montan ester wax added.

Abstract: Provided is an electrophotographic image forming method using two or more electrostatic image developing toners including a charging step, an exposing step, a developing step, a transferring step, and a fixing step, wherein, among the two or more toners, at least one is an achromatic color toner or a clear toner, and at least one is a chromatic color toner which contains a crystalline resin and a releasing agent; in the fixing step, a recording material to which is transferred an unfixed image formed with the two or more electrostatic image developing toners is nipped and conveyed to a fixing nip portion provided between a heated fixing rotating body and a pressure member, and thermally fixed; and a residual toner component is cleaned by a cleaning rotating body which is in contact with the fixing rotating body and a cleaning member which is in contact with the cleaning rotating body.

Abstract: A capsule toner includes core toner particles, and a coating layer that coats the core toner particles. The resin fine particles that form the coating layer have a weight-average molecular weight value within a range of Mw=100×1,000 to 450×1,000 measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).

Abstract: An emulsion aggregation (EA) toner particle for use in a xerographic apparatus having an oiled fusing system, the EA toner particle including a core including a resin, a branched ester wax having substantially no solubility in fuser oil, a coagulant, and an optional colorant. Such toners may be part of a toner composition and are useful in printing procedures such as image-on-image printing.

Abstract: A charging roller has a roller main body including a cylindrical inner layer having a porous structure formed of a semiconductive rubber composition constituted by ethylene propylene rubber, paraffin oil, and a carbon black having a DBP oil absorption amount of 400 cm3/100 g or more and an outer layer constituted by a nonporous and seamless semiconductive tube including a polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer having a type A durometer hardness of 93 or less, carbon black, and crosslinked PMMA particles having an average particle size of 5 to 20 ?m. The production method includes a process in which a semiconductive rubber composition forming the inner layer is foamed with OBSH.

Abstract: A data acquiring portion acquires a plurality of pieces of second data having different levels depending on amounts of light incident on the light reception portions upon reception of a specific linear light having a specific amount of light. A level acquiring portion acquires a maximum level and a minimum level from among the levels of the plurality of pieces of second data. A characteristic data storage portion preliminarily stores characteristic data that indicates levels of the plurality of pieces of second data. A light amount deriving portion executes a light amount deriving process to derive a set light amount of the linear light based on a threshold, the maximum level, the minimum level, and the characteristic data. A second light emission control portion causes the light emission portion to emit linear light having the set light amount.

Abstract: A developing device includes an accommodating member, a developer carrying member, a feeding screw provided with a helical blade, a bearing portion, and a guiding portion including an inclined surface. With respect to the developer feeding direction, a position of an edge of a receiving port of the accommodating member on a bearing portion side is closer to the bearing portion than a mostupstream end of the blade with respect to the developer feeding direction is. With respect to the developer feeding direction, a position of a downstream end portion of the inclined surface is remoter from the bearing portion than the mostupstream end of the blade with respect to the developer feeding direction is.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer member that rotates to transfer an image held on an image carrier to a medium; an opposing member opposing the transfer member and forming, between the opposing member and the transfer member, a transfer area for an image to be transferred; a recovery member disposed in contact with the transfer member to electrically attract and recover an adherent adhering to the transfer member; and a bias-voltage applicating device that applies a transfer bias voltage to the transfer area via the recovery member, the transfer member, and the opposing member.

Abstract: A liquid container is configured to be fitted to the carriage of a liquid consumption device including the carriage where a head is provided and that jets, while making the carriage reciprocate, a liquid from the head so as to consume and stores the liquid to be supplied to the head. The liquid container includes: a liquid storage portion configured to store the liquid inside; an undulation reduction portion provided in the liquid storage portion and including a wall surface configured to reduce the undulation of the liquid and be directed in the direction of gravity in a fitting posture where the liquid container is fitted to the carriage; and a support portion configured to support the undulation reduction portion such that the undulation reduction portion is allowed to swing with the liquid and that the movement of the wall surface along the direction of gravity is restricted.

Abstract: Provided is a resin composition having high conductivity without blending a high concentration of carbon fibers. The resin composition includes a thermoplastic resin, carbon black, and carbon fibers coated with a conductive liquid, wherein a content of the thermoplastic resin is 65 mass % or more and 94.9 mass % or less, a content of the carbon black is 5.0 mass % or more and 30 mass % or less, and a content of the carbon fibers coated with a conductive liquid is 0.1 mass % or more and 5.0 mass % or less.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developer container with a discharge port through, a shutter, and a shutter urging member configured to urge the shutter so that the shutter is positioned at the closing position. A fixing member is detachably attached to the developing apparatus and configured to fix the shutter at the closing position so that the shutter is positioned at the closing position and a abutment member disposed on an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus is located, by being pushed by the fixed shutter, at a position moved in an insertion direction of the developing apparatus in a state where the developing apparatus is attached to the apparatus body.

Abstract: A developing device includes a rotatable sleeve for carrying a developer including a magnetic material to develop a latent image on an image bearing member; a developer chamber; and a rotatable stirring member provided inside the chamber to stir the developer while being in contact with at least a part of an inner surface of the chamber; a magnet generating a magnetic field in at lease a part of a contact region between the stirring member and the inner surface, wherein a magnetic flux density of the magnetic field at a first position in the contact region generated by the magnet is different from that in a second position which is adjacent to the first position in a rotational axis direction of the sleeve.

Abstract: A developing device includes a latent image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image is formed on a surface of the latent image carrier, a developing agent carrier to carry a developing agent including toner on a surface of the developing agent carrier, the developing agent carrier facing the latent image carrier, and a roll-shaped member facing the developing agent carrier to form a first gap and facing the latent image carrier to form a second gap, to form a suction air flow through the first gap and the second gap, to suction toner particles scattered to the first gap between the roll-shaped member and the developing agent carrier and the second gap between the roll-shaped member and the latent image carrier.

Abstract: With respect to a width direction of an intermediate transfer belt perpendicular to a movement direction thereof, the width of a blade is larger than the width of an image forming region in which a toner image is able to be primarily transferred from a photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer belt. Moreover, grooves are formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt, and, with respect to the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt, a dynamic friction coefficient in a first region that is in contact with the end portion side of the blade is smaller than a dynamic friction coefficient in a second region that is in contact with the central portion side of the blade.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an intermediate transfer member for use in electrophotographic printing. The intermediate transfer member comprises a release layer comprising fluoropolymer particles dispersed in a silicone polymer matrix.

Abstract: A fixing device of an image forming apparatus includes: a fixing belt, a heat source that heats a portion of the fixing belt; and a pressure roller that forms a nip between the pressure roller and the fixing belt and that transports a sheet. In the heat source, a standby temperature (setting temperature in a suspension standby mode) in a standby state in which rotation of the fixing belt is suspended is set to be higher than a printing temperature in a printing state.

Abstract: In a heater including a plurality of first temperature detection elements that are arranged at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction of a substrate and respectively output temperature signals individually, and a plurality of second temperature detection elements that are arranged at predetermined intervals in positions that differ from the positions of the first temperature detection elements in a lateral direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction but correspond to the positions of at least some of the plurality of first temperature detection elements in the longitudinal direction, and that output a single temperature signal obtained by adding individual temperature signals together, the individual temperature signals included in the single temperature signal are acquired on the basis of the plurality of temperature signals output by the plurality of first temperature detection elements and the single temperature signal.

Abstract: When an image forming portion continuously forms a toner image on a plurality of recording materials, an acquiring portion, which acquires information on the toner on the recording materials from the image information, acquires a coverage ratio, which is a ratio of an image portion, that is, a toner laid-on portion in a predetermined region of the recording material, with respect to the predetermined region, for a plurality of recording materials, and an power control portion controls the power supplied to a heating element of a heater in a fixing portion for each of the plurality of recording materials based on a control target temperature, which is determined by correcting a reference target temperature in the predetermined region by a correction amount reflecting the history of the coverage ratio in the plurality of recording materials.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes an endless rotating body; a plurality of heat-generating members that heats a medium, each heat-generating member being inclined from the transporting direction to a direction of a predetermined angle, and divided by a predetermined length, the plurality of heat-generating members being disposed on an inner side of the endless rotating body; a plurality of driving circuits, each of the plurality of driving circuits being connected to a corresponding heat-generating member of the plurality of heat-generating members, each of the plurality of driving circuits configured to control individual conduction thereof, each of the plurality of heat-generating members configured to selectively generate a discrete amount of heat corresponding to a position through which the medium passes; and a pressing roller that forms a nip with the plurality of heat-generating members, and configured to nip the medium therebetween and carry the medium in the transporting direction

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotatable endless fixing belt, a heat source, a heat radiation plate, and a power supply. The fixing belt is operable between a non-expanded state and a thermally expanded state. The heat source is disposed adjacent the fixing belt, to heat the fixing belt. The heat radiation plate is adjacent the fixing belt to contact the fixing belt when the fixing belt is in the thermally expanded state as a result of being heated by the heat source. The power supply shutoff member adjacent the fixing belt to shut off the supply of power to the heat source based on a state of the fixing belt.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a release fluid, a fuser member and an image forming apparatus. The release fluid is a blend an amino functional silicone fluid and a non-functional silicone fluid. The amount of the amino functional silicone fluid is from about 10 weight percent to about 90 weight percent of the release fluid. The amount of the non-functional silicone fluid is from about 10 weight percent to about 90 weight percent of the release fluid. The amount of silanol (Si—OH) is less than 200 ppm in the release fluid.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus on which a developer container is replaceably mounted and which is improved in usability. An image forming unit of the apparatus forms an image using developer contained in a container which is mounted on a mount section. A replenishment mechanism replenishes the developer in the container to the image forming unit, and a cover is opened to mount the container on the mount section and is closed to protect the container mounted on the mount section. If the cover is opened after it is closed in a state in which the container has been removed from the mount section while a predetermined condition related to a remaining amount of the developer in the container is not satisfied, a remount screen is displayed for prompting a user to remount the removed container.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which may include: an image forming part that may form an image on a sheet; a sheet conveying part that may convey the sheet to the image forming part; a sheet length measuring part that may measure a length of the sheet on the basis of a passing timing of a tip end and a rear end of the sheet conveyed to a sheet conveying path; and a hardware processor that may perform control of aligning a formation position in a sheet conveying direction of the image between a first surface and a second surface of the sheet on the basis of a measurement result by the sheet length measuring part.

Abstract: A roll-paper printing apparatus includes a paper feeder that feeds roll paper, a printer that forms an image based on a job on the roll paper, an image scanner that scans the image formed on the roll paper, and a reeler that reels the roll paper, and the roll-paper printing apparatus includes a hardware processor that acquires the image scanned by the image scanner and detects an abnormal output in comparison between the image based on the job and the scanned image, and determines whether output of the job continues or stops, in accordance with a previously set condition, wherein, when the roll paper is cut in a passage direction of the roll paper into a plurality of lanes arrayed in a width direction of the roll paper, the hardware processor continues, in a case where the abnormal output is detected on a lane, the output of the job.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image former that forms a toner image on a recording material; a fixing device that pressurizes and heats the toner image formed on the recording material by the image former to be fixed on the recording material; and a hardware processor that estimates a remaining life of a predetermined fixing member on the basis of a temperature history in a temperature control period including a non-sheet passage time of the fixing member that forms a fixing nip in the fixing device and is raised in temperature and rotated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of performing appropriate display when a container containing remaining developer is removed from a mount section. A controller of the image forming apparatus determines whether the amount of developer remaining in the container mounted on the mount section is larger than a predetermined amount. If a predetermined condition related to the amount of remaining developer in a developing device is satisfied, in a state where the container is mounted on the mount section, a first screen is displayed for prompting a user to replace the mounted container is displayed. If the predetermined condition is satisfied in a state where the container containing remaining developer in an amount larger than the predetermined amount has been removed from the mount section, a second screen is displayed for prompting the user to remount the removed container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: an image forming unit; a replenishment mechanism; and a controller configured to control the replenishment mechanism, the controller controls, after a container that fails to satisfy a predetermined condition relating to a remaining amount of the developer is removed from an attaching portion, the image forming unit based on a mode of prohibiting an image from being formed based on a print job in a case where another container different from the removed container is attached to the attaching portion, and controls, after the container is removed from the attaching portion, a display to display a first screen for prompting reattachment of the container in the case where the another container is attached to the attaching portion, the first screen including a button that allows the mode to be canceled.

Abstract: A process unit includes a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed, a charger that charges an outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum to a predetermined polarity and a predetermined potential, a cleaner that removes residual toner from the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, a process frame that holds the photosensitive drum and is provided with the cleaner, and a charger cover that holds the charger and is rotatably supported on the process frame so as to move the charger away from or closer to the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: The charging device includes a charging roller, a bush and a case. The charging roller is configured to come into contact with or be close to a surface of an image carrier and configured to charge the surface of the image carrier. The bush is configured to support an end portion of the charging roller in a rotatable manner. To the case, the end portion of the charging roller is attached along a predetermined attachment direction by the bush. The case includes a pair of guide walls standing along the attachment direction so as to guide the bush. The bush includes a bearing part and a restriction part. The end portion of the charging roller is inserted into the bearing part. The pair of guide walls is put between the bearing part and the restriction part.

Abstract: A toner case includes a case main body, a rotator, a transmitter and a lock member. The case main body is configured to store a toner. The rotator is stored in the case main body and configured to rotate around a rotation axis. The transmitter is configured to transmit rotation to the rotator. The lock member is attached to the transmitter and configured to rotate integrally with the transmitter. The lock member is movable between a lock position where rotation of the lock member with respect to the case main body is restricted and a lock release position where the rotation of the lock member with respect to the case main body is allowed.

Abstract: A photosensitive member unit includes a photosensitive member, a transfer roller, a mounting portion capable of mounting a development unit including a development roller, a first gear and a second gear each provided at one end of the photosensitive member in an axial direction of the photosensitive member, and a third gear provided at one end of the transfer roller in an axial direction of the photosensitive member and configured to engage with the second gear. The first gear, the second gear, and the third gear are helical gears. A direction in which helical teeth of the first gear are inclined is opposite to a direction in which helical teeth of the second gear are inclined, and the direction in which the helical teeth of the first gear are inclined matches a direction in which helical teeth of the third gear are inclined.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes an image heating member, an air blowing portion, a duct, a shutter, a detecting portion, a plurality of projections, and a controller. The recessed portions includes a smallest recessed portion having a width smallest among widths of the recessed portions with respect to a movement direction of the projections. The controller stops the drive of the shutter at a time when the smallest recessed portion passes a detecting position of the detecting portion during closing of the shutter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of creation of three-dimensional alignment patterns that includes providing a layer of optically recordable and polarization sensitive material having a thickness that is greater than, or equal to, a predefined thickness, and concurrently illuminating the optically recordable medium with two coherent beam of same or different polarization with predetermined angle between the beams such that the said beams impinge from the same side or from the opposite sides upon the layer of the recordable material. The invention further relates to polarization volume holograms based on the said alignment patterns and polarization holographic element including a single layer or a stack of several layers of optically recordable materials containing single or multiple polarization volume holograms.

Abstract: Techniques related to generating holographic images are discussed. Such techniques include application of a hybrid system including a pre-trained deep neural network and a subsequent iterative process using a sui table propagation model to generate diffraction pattern image data for a target holographic image such that the diffraction pattern image data is to generate a holographic image when implemented via a holographic display.

Abstract: An electronic tourbillion clock including a clock case having a plurality of high-resolution digital displays that extend around an outer circumference of the clock case as an indicator of hours. A seven segment display is located within the clock case as an indicator of minutes elapsed within an hour. A microcontroller determines the current time and other chronological indications depending on the output signals generated by a position of a tourbillon mechanism disposed in the clock case. A sub-circuit is disposed within the clock case and interconnected with the microcontroller for creating a plurality of distinctive sound patterns directed through one or more speakers in response to the output signals generated by the position of the tourbillon mechanism.

Abstract: The invention concerns a box including a device for retaining in position a timepiece component. The device includes: —a base (2); —a support (3, 4) comprising a first part (3) and a second part (4), the first part being mounted to be mobile relative to the second part; —a first contact element (3a, 3b) intended to come to bear against the timepiece component, the first contact element (3a, 3b) being mounted on the first part, and a second contact element (4a) intended to come to bear against the timepiece component (5), the second contact element (4a) being mounted on the second part (4); and —a control member (1) mounted to pivot on the base (2) about a first axis (1a) on the one hand and pivoting the first part about a second axis (1b) on the other hand.

Abstract: An electronic watch includes a housing, a user-operable watch crown mounted to the housing, an electromagnetic radiation source emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation toward a watch crown surface, and a sensor. The beam of electromagnetic radiation depends on a coherent mixing of electromagnetic radiation within a resonant cavity of the electromagnetic radiation source. The coherent mixing includes a mixing of a first amount of electromagnetic radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation source and a second amount of electromagnetic radiation redirected into the resonant cavity by the watch crown surface. The sensor measures a first parameter of the beam of electromagnetic radiation and determines, using the measurement of the first parameter, a value of a second parameter characterizing movement of the watch crown. The second parameter may include a direction of rotation or speed of rotation of the watch crown, or other parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, articles of manufacture, and methods to generate acceptability criteria for autonomous systems plans are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a data compiler to compile data generated by the autonomous system into an autonomous system task dataset, a data encoder to encode the dataset for input into a rule distillation neural network architecture, a model trainer to train the rule distillation neural network architecture, an adaptor to adapt the trained rule distillation neural network architecture to a new input data domain using the autonomous system task dataset, a verifier to generate formally verified acceptability criteria, and an inferer to evaluate a control command, the evaluation resulting in an acceptance or rejection of the command.

Abstract: To provide an adjusting device and an adjusting method for appropriately controlling the machine learning reduced in cost with respect to calculation load and learning period of time in the case where an evaluation program for machine learning is used separately from a machining program and the like.

Abstract: Provided is a machine learning device configured to perform machine learning related to optimization of a compensation value of a compensation generation unit with respect to a servo control device configured to control a servo motor configured to drive an axis of a machine tool, a robot, or an industrial machine, and that includes at least one feedback loop, a compensation generation unit configured to generate a compensation value to be applied to the feedback loop, and an abnormality detection unit configured to detect an abnormal operation of the servo motor, wherein, during a machine learning operation, when the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality, the compensation from the compensation generation unit is stopped and the machine learning device continues optimization of the compensation value generated by the compensation generation unit.

Abstract: Optically controllable windows and an associated window control system provide a building security platform. A window controller or other processing device can monitor for window breakage, cameras associated with windows can monitor for intruders, and transparent displays can provide alerts regarding detected activity within a building. A window control system can detect deviations from expected UV characteristics of an optically controllable window during normal operation of the window (tint transitions, steady state conditions, etc.) and/or during application of a security-related perturbing event, and provide alerts upon their occurrence.

Abstract: A method of increasing reliability for a reactor effluent air cooler (REAC). The method includes providing a process facility computer communicatively coupled to at least one REAC including an air condenser with a plurality of field devices coupled thereto. The process facility computer includes a processor connected to a memory device storing a REAC predictive maintenance model. The REAC predictive maintenance model implements retrieving history data including at least one historical REAC value from the memory and receiving real-time data from the field devices including at least one real-time REAC value. A digital twin calculates a current reliability value for the REAC using the historical REAC data and the real-time REAC value. The method further includes comparing the current reliability value to a predetermined reliability value and generating an alert indicating that the REAC needs current maintenance whenever the current reliability value is less than the predetermined reliability value.

Abstract: It is disclosed a weather-predictive apparatus for controlling a climatization plant, comprising a weather-climate data sensor associated with a building, a processing unit and a signal transceiver. The signal transceiver is configured to transmit a current measured value of the weather-climate data associated with the building to a weather forecast device and it is configured to receive from the weather forecast device a plurality of weather forecast data associated with the building in a forecast time interval. The processing unit is configured to: calculate a change in a nominal activation instant of the climatization plant of the building, calculate a modified activation instant; check whether the current instant is equal to the modified activation instant. In case wherein the current instant is equal to the modified activation instant, the processing unit is configured to generate a command signal having a value representative of the activation of the climatization plant.

Abstract: A processing unit includes a plurality of subsystem control modules. Each subsystem control module includes a set of one or more inputs that receives a set of one or more external signals and a set of one or more monitored outputs from a hardware subsystem corresponding to the subsystem control module, and a set of configuration outputs for controlling one or more configuration settings of the hardware subsystem. The subsystem control module determines the one or more configuration settings based on the set of monitored outputs and on one or more targets derived from the set of external signals.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for controlling access to a home based on user occupancy. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling access to a home based on user occupancy includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory which are executable by a processor to determine a location of a user of a home automation system relative to a barrier of a home being monitored by the home automation system. The instructions are executable to determine whether to permit a change in a locking mechanism of the barrier based in part on the determined location of the user, and maintain a current state of the home automation system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an adaptive energy storage operating system that is programmed or otherwise configured to operate and optimize various types of energy storage devices.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include a method for managing service requests comprising: receiving a report at a reporting center from a first mobile communication terminal associated with a user, including a detected fault, a location, and a photograph taken with the mobile communication terminal; creating a corresponding service ticket in the reporting center; sending the service ticket from the reporting center to a second mobile communication terminal associated with a service representative; and, after the fault has been cleared, returning the service ticket from the mobile communication terminal to the reporting center, wherein the returned service ticket comprises a photograph of the cleared fault and a location of the cleared fault.

Abstract: A system for virtual patching of security vulnerabilities in an industrial production environment includes an industrial automation device (e.g., a PLC). The industrial automation device comprises an instance of a distributed database spanning a plurality of industrial automation devices and storing one or more virtual patches and an app container comprising a virtual patching engine security application. The app container is configured to collect system information generated by the industrial automation device during operation, and apply the one or more virtual patches to the system information to identify one or more security attacks.