Patents Issued in March 7, 2024
  • Publication number: 20240077789
    Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging optical system with a tunable optical component, which comprises a first optical surface, a second optical surface and a deformable internal space between the first optical surface and the second optical surface, which internal space is filled with a transparent liquid, and wherein an optical property of the tunable optical component is adjustable by altering a shape of the internal space, and with a first folding element which is mechanically coupled to the tunable optical component such that a relative displacement between the first folding element and the tunable optical component causes a change of the optical property of the tunable optical component and with a second folding element that is arranged in series with the tunable optical component and the first folding element within an optical path of the imaging optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Nextlens Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, Ilias Bosdas
  • Publication number: 20240077790
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus system includes a first imaging apparatus, and a second imaging apparatus. The first imaging apparatus includes a first top casing including a casing top surface, and a common rear casing including a casing rear surface. The second imaging apparatus includes a second top casing including a casing top surface, and the common rear casing. The first top casing has a shape in which a vent hole is formed in the second top casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun SAIKI, Takuo TANIGUCHI, Yoshiaki KUDO, Rintaro WADA, Ryousuke TAMAKI
  • Publication number: 20240077791
    Abstract: A photography stand includes a central pipe and a supporting frame. The top of the central pipe is configured to mount photographic equipment. The supporting frame is connected to the central pipe, and provided adjacent to the bottom of the central pipe. The supporting frame moves relative to the central pipe along the axial direction of the central pipe. The supporting frame is unfolded when moving along the axial direction of the central pipe toward the bottom of the central pipe by a preset distance and then moving continuously toward the bottom of the central pipe. The supporting frame is folded when moving along the axial direction of the central pipe toward the top of the central pipe. According to the photography stand, the supporting frame is unfolded automatically after moving along the axial direction of the central pipe toward the bottom of the central pipe by the preset distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Shenzhen Weiji Technology Co.,Ltd.
    Inventors: Qingqing ZOU, Ruoyu PAN, Jianxiong XIA, Shuai QIN, Xinzhi WANG
  • Publication number: 20240077792
    Abstract: An apparatus including a camera optical element and a tactile indicator associated with the camera optical element for indicating a property of the camera optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Haluki Sadahiro, Eddie Ruffel, Graham Merritt, Dominick Aiello
  • Publication number: 20240077793
    Abstract: A reflective diffusion device including a reflecting member and a diffusing member is provided, which are adapted for reflecting and diffusing an excitation light beam emitted from a light source module. The reflecting member has a central axis and includes a reflective surface facing the light source module. The diffusing member is disposed on a portion of the reflective surface of the reflecting member. The excitation light beam is incident on a first position of the reflective diffusion device in an incident direction parallel to the central axis, is reflected by the reflective surface and transmitted to a second position of the reflective diffusion device, and is then reflected by the reflective surface to maintain the excitation light beam or form a diffused light beam. The excitation light beam or the diffused light beam exits from the reflective diffusion device in an exit direction parallel to the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventor: Pi-Tsung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20240077794
    Abstract: The projection optical system that projects an image, which is displayed on an image display surface on a reduction side, to a magnification side, in which at least one intermediate image is formed inside the projection optical system, and the projection optical system includes a first stop, of which an aperture diameter is variable, at a position closer to the reduction side than the intermediate image closest to the reduction side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yukiko NAGATOSHI, Taku FURUBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20240077795
    Abstract: A reflective diffusion device includes a driving element having a rotation shaft, a reflective element including a central axis and disposed on the driving element, and a diffusion element. The central axis and the rotation shaft are collinear. The diffusion element is disposed on at least one portion of the reflective element, and the driving element drives the reflective element and the diffusion element to rotate along the central axis. A laser beam enters the diffusion element along an incident direction, is transmitted to the reflective element and reflected by the reflective element, and exits from the diffusion element along an exit direction to generate a diffusion beam. An incident angle between the incident direction and the central axis is greater than 0 degree, and an emergent angle between the exit direction and the central axis is greater than or equal to 0 degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventor: Pi-Tsung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20240077796
    Abstract: There is provided a reflective photomask blank capable of suppressing or reducing the shadowing effect of a reflective photomask for patterning transfer using a light having a wavelength in the extreme ultraviolet region as a light source and sufficiently having heat resistance in exposure. The reflective photomask blank is configured to have a substrate 1, a reflective layer 2 including a multi-layer film formed on the substrate 1, and an absorption layer 4 formed on the reflective layer 2. The absorption layer 4 contains a total of 50 at % or more of indium (In) and nitrogen (N). The atomic number ratio (N/In) of nitrogen (N) to indium (In) in the absorption layer 4 is set to 0.5 or more and 1.5 or less. The layer thickness of the absorption layer 4 is set to 17 nm or more and 45 nm or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Hideaki NAKANO, Ayumi GODA, Kenjiro ICHIKAWA, Yuto YAMAGATA
  • Publication number: 20240077797
    Abstract: A reflective mask blank has: a substrate; a multilayer reflective film that is provided on one surface of the substrate and reflects at least EUV light; and a back conductive film that is provided on the other surface of the substrate. The back conductive film has a layer which has a film thickness of 50 nm or more and less than 80 nm, contains tantalum (Ta), silicon (Si) and nitrogen (N), has a nitrogen content of 18 atom % or more and less than 35 atom %, and has a CSi/(CTa+CSi) of 3% or more and less than 50% when a silicon content in atom % is denoted by CSi and a tantalum content in atom % is denoted by CTa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuro KOSAKA, Taiga OGOSE
  • Publication number: 20240077798
    Abstract: A precision extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) component having an average coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in a range from 0 to 50° C. of at most 0±0.1×10?6/K, and a thermal hysteresis of <0.1 ppm at least in the temperature range from 19 to 25° C., and an index F of <1.2. F=TCL (0; 50° C.)/|expansion (0; 50° C)|, where TCL is a total change of length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Schott AG
    Inventors: Florian Kanal, Ralf Jedamzik, Ina Mitra
  • Publication number: 20240077799
    Abstract: Provided is a method for correcting a lithography pattern of a surface plasma, including: forming a plurality of test patterns on a test mask; exposing a photoresist layer by using the test mask containing the test patterns to form a plurality of photoresist patterns; establishing a first data table based on a correspondence between the first test parameter and the second test parameter of the test pattern and the first exposure parameter and the second exposure parameter of the photoresist pattern; processing the first data table according to the first exposure parameter to obtain a second data table; and respectively correcting second test parameters of a plurality of design patterns according to the second data table to obtain corrected design patterns, and manufacturing a mask for exposure by using the corrected design patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Le Ma, Yayi Wei, Libin Zhang, Jianfang He
  • Publication number: 20240077800
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method for removing a particle from a photolithographic mask, including the following steps: (a) positioning a manipulator, which is movable relative to the mask, in the vicinity of the particle to be removed; (b) connecting the manipulator to the particle by depositing a connecting material on the manipulator and/or the particle from the vapor phase; (c) removing the particle by moving the manipulator relative to the photolithographic mask; and (d) separating the removed particle from the manipulator by carrying out a particle-beam-induced etching process which removes at least a portion of the manipulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Christof Baur, Hans Hermann Pieper
  • Publication number: 20240077801
    Abstract: Disclosed are a zinc-based metal organic nanoparticle and a preparation method therefor, and a photoresist. The zinc-based metal organic nanoparticle has a core-shell structure, and the general formula is ZnxOy[A]2x[B]2, wherein x is 2 or 3, and 2x?y?4x, ZnxOy is a kernel of the core-shell structure, A is a first organic ligand, B is a second organic ligand, the first organic ligand A and the second organic ligand B together form an outer shell of the core-shell structure, the first organic ligand A is selected from one or more of a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group and a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, and the second organic ligand B is selected from one or more of an organic amine and a derivative thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Hong XU, Xiangming HE, Hao CUI
  • Publication number: 20240077802
    Abstract: A method of forming a photoresist pattern includes forming a protective layer over a photoresist layer formed on a substrate. The protective layer and the photoresist layer are selectively exposed to actinic radiation. The photoresist layer is developed to form a pattern in the photoresist layer. The protective layer includes a polymer without a nitrogen-containing moiety, and a basic quencher, an organic acid, a photoacid generator, or a thermal acid generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Yu-Chung SU, Tsung-Han KO, Ching-Yu CHANG
  • Publication number: 20240077803
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for heating a plurality of optical components. An example method can include receiving an input radiation beam from a radiation source. The example method can further include generating a plurality of output radiation beams based on the input radiation beam. The example method can further include transmitting the plurality of output radiation beams towards a plurality of heater head optics configured to heat the plurality of optical components. Optionally, the example method can further include controlling a respective power value, and realizing a flat-top far-field profile, of each of the plurality of output radiation beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicants: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V., ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Laurentius Johannes Adrianus VAN BOKHOVEN, Mahesh Upendra AJGAONKAR
  • Publication number: 20240077804
    Abstract: A method includes forming a test pattern and a reference pattern in an absorption layer of a photomask structure. The test pattern has a first trench and a second trench, the reference pattern has a third trench and a fourth trench, the test pattern and the reference pattern have substantially the same dimension in a top view, and the second trench is deeper than the first trench, the third trench, and the fourth trench. The method further includes emitting a light beam to the test pattern to obtain a first interference pattern reflected from the test pattern, emitting the light beam to the reference pattern to obtain a second interference pattern reflected from the reference pattern; and comparing the first interference pattern with the second interference pattern to obtain a measured complex refractive index of the absorption layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ping-Hsun LIN, Chien-Cheng CHEN, Shih Ju HUANG, Pei-Cheng HSU, Ta-Cheng LIEN, Hsin-Chang LEE
  • Publication number: 20240077805
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods of forming layers using maskless based lithography. In these embodiments, the methods implement ladders of dose change such that a geometric shape can be divided into overlaying sections. The overlaying sections can include a different dose of each section such that taper control can be achieved. The taper can be achieved by manipulating the geometry “mask data” into overlaying sections that are exposed by various doses controlled by pixel blending (PB) exposure techniques. To perform the methods described herein, a maskless lithography tool is used. The maskless lithography tool includes a controller that performs software based “mask data” manipulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Shih-Hsien LEE, Tingwei CHIU, Frederick LIE, Jang Fung CHEN
  • Publication number: 20240077806
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus that exposes a substrate to light by using an original in which a pattern is formed includes an illumination optical system arranged to guide illumination light to the original, the illumination light including first illumination light with a first wavelength and second illumination light with a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and a projection optical system arranged to form a pattern image of the original by using the illumination light at a plurality of positions in an optical axis direction. The illumination optical system is configured to adjust a position deviation in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction between a pattern image formed by the first illumination light and a pattern image formed by the second illumination light by changing an incident angle of the illumination light entering the original.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: Yuhei Sumiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20240077807
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a cup, an exhaust duct, a mist collecting member and a lid portion. The cup surrounds a substrate being processed with use of a processing liquid. The exhaust duct has an opening in a portion not overlapping with the cup in a plan view and forms an exhaust flow path for exhausting a gas in the cup. The mist collecting member is provided at a position overlapping with the opening and collects mist of the processing liquid in the exhaust duct. The lid portion closes the opening of the exhaust duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: Jun KOMORI
  • Publication number: 20240077808
    Abstract: A contact charging type image forming apparatus, to which only a direct current voltage is applied, includes an electrophotographic photoreceptor that includes a conductive base material A and a photosensitive layer provided on the conductive base material A, and a charging member that includes a conductive base material B and an elastic layer provided on the conductive base material B, in which in a case where a dielectric film thickness of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is defined as L, and a resistance component of an impedance of the charging member in a range of 1 Hz or greater and 500 Hz or less, which is measured by an alternating current impedance method, is defined as R, Expression (1) is satisfied. L<?0.75×loge(R)+15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Yukimi KAWABATA, Kenta YAMAKOSHI, Hiroyuki MIURA
  • Publication number: 20240077809
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive substrate, and a lamination type photosensitive layer disposed on the conductive substrate and including a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer, in which the charge transport layer contains a charge transport material, at least one of a polyester resin (PEz) or a polycarbonate resin (PCz) that has at least one of a structure (Z1) represented by Formula (Z1) or a structure (Z2) represented by Formula (Z2) at at least one terminal, and a resin (X) that has at least one of a unit (X1) represented by Formula (X1) or a unit (X2) represented by Formula (X2), a mass proportion of the resin (X) in a total amount of the polyester resin (PEz), the polycarbonate resin (PCz), and the resin (X) in the charge transport layer is 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Tomoya SASAKI, Ryosuke FUJII, Hiroko KOBAYASHI, Yuto OKAZAKI, Kosuke NARITA
  • Publication number: 20240077810
    Abstract: A developer includes a toner containing toner particles and a carrier containing carrier particles. The toner particles each include a toner mother particle and external additive particles attached to a surface of the toner mother particle. The external additive particles include first silica particles and spacer particles. The first silica particles have a number average primary particle diameter of at least 10 nm and no greater than 30 nm. The spacer particles have a number average primary particle diameter of at least 32 nm and no greater than 145 nm. The spacer particles in the toner particles have a coverage ratio of at least 2.0% by area and no greater than 40.0% by area. The carrier particles each include a carrier mother particle and strontium titanate particles attached to a surface of the carrier mother particle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Tamotsu SHIMIZU, Kohei TERASAKI, Akira MATAYOSHI, Yuji TOYOTA
  • Publication number: 20240077811
    Abstract: A photosensitive member unit includes a photosensitive member and a drive receiving portion receiving a driving force for rotating the photosensitive member; a developing unit joined to the photosensitive member unit so as to be movable relative to the photosensitive member unit between a first position in which a developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive member and a second position in which the developing roller is spaced from the photosensitive member; and a transmission member transmitting the driving force to the developing unit, wherein the developing unit has a driven member driven by the transmission member, and the transmission member is configured to engage with the driven member to drive the driven member with the developing unit located in the first position, and to engage with the driven member to drive the driven member with the developing unit located in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Yuichi Fukui, Shinichi Nishida
  • Publication number: 20240077812
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developing member to carry developer stored by a developing frame, and a regulating blade having a support plate fixed to the developing frame, a plate-like member, and a regulating member. One end portion of the plate-like member is opposed to the developing member, and the other end portion is welded to the support plate. The regulating member is fixed to a plate-like member surface, and contacts the developing member to regulate a developer thickness on a developing surface. The regulating member is provided with a recessed portion recessed at a regulating member end portion. The regulating member end portion is lower than a regulating member central portion. A plate-like member region welded to the support plate is located at the plate-like member other end portion and overlaps the regulating member central portion and the regulating member end portion at which the recessed portion is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Yu Fukasawa, Takuya Kawakami, Yuji Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20240077813
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearer rotatable in a rotation direction and forming a developing range, a holder, and an entrance seal. The holder has a facing face facing the developer bearer upstream from the developing range in the rotation direction, a support face defining a part of an outer face of the developing device, and a relay face extending from one end of the support face to one end of the relay face connected to the facing face to form an acute tip portion closer to the developing range than the one end. The entrance seal has a free end projecting from the one end as a cantilever, and a length of the entrance seal from a tip of the free end of the entrance seal to the one end is shorter than a length of the relay face from the acute tip portion to the one end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Kei SAITO, Yoshihiro FUJIWARA, Masaki TAKAHASHI, Yuuki TSUCHIYA
  • Publication number: 20240077814
    Abstract: A developer supply container 1 detachably mountable to a developer supplying apparatus 201 includes a developer accommodating portion 2 capable of accommodating a developer, a discharge opening 4a for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion 2 toward the developer supplying apparatus 201, a pump portion 3a for effecting a discharging operation through the discharge opening 4a, a communicating portion 4d provided at a position contacting the discharge opening 4a and capable of storing a constant amount of the developer, and a regulating portion 7 capable of taking a developer flow regulating state in which the flow of the developer into the communicating portion 4d and a developer flow non-regulating state in which the entering of the developer is not regulated, the regulating portion 7 taking the developer flow regulating state in a discharging operation of the pump portion 3a, wherein the regulating portion 7 is provided with an air flow path 7g for communicating between
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yomoda, Ayatomo Okino, Manabu Jimba, Akihito Kamura, Takashi Enokuchi
  • Publication number: 20240077815
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a detachable replenishment container includes an image bearing member, a developer container, a developing bearing member to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member into a toner image by using toner accommodated in the developer container, and a replenishment port through which the developer container can be replenished with toner from the replenishment container. A restriction member transitions between an allowance state in which the replenishment container and the replenishment port communicate with each and a restriction state in which the replenishment container and the replenishment port are not made to communicate with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Shinichiro Matsumoto, Masayuki Sakai
  • Publication number: 20240077816
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes an endless first rotary member, a heating element, a second rotary member configured to form a nip portion, and a nip member configured to receive radiant heat from the heating element and heat the nip portion. The nip member includes a main-body portion that contains aluminum or aluminum alloy and a protective layer that includes an oxide film formed on a surface of the main-body portion. The main-body portion contains a heat receiving surface that faces the heating element and receives radiant heat from the heating element, and a rubbed surface that is rubbed against the inner circumferential surface of the first rotary member. The protective layer contains coloring agent that causes an emissivity of the heat receiving surface and the rubbed surface to be higher than an emissivity of a natural color oxide film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Isamu Takeda, Takanori Mitani, Satoshi Nishida, Takeshi Shinji
  • Publication number: 20240077817
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device which includes a fixing unit including an endless fixing belt, a heating portion, and a temperature detecting portion and which includes a nip forming member; a first storing portion; and a controller. In a case that a predetermined part of a plurality of parts is exchanged, the controller succeeds information other than information on the predetermined part of information on the fixing device stored in the first storing portion, and determines a target temperature in temperature adjustment control by using the succeeded information and information on the predetermined part used after being exchanged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: SHIGERU HIRANO, TAKAHIRO OHNISHI, KIYONORI SOTOME, HIROTO ITO
  • Publication number: 20240077818
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a fixing portion, and a control portion. The fixing portion forms a nip portion to nip a recording material and includes heat-generating elements along a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of the recording material. The fixing portion fixes the image on the recording material using heat. The image forming apparatus changes a control target temperature for each heating area heated by each of the heat-generating elements in accordance with the image to be formed on the recording material. When forming the image after a jam clearing process in which the recording material nipped in the nip portion is removed, the control portion changes a distribution of a control target temperature of the whole heater in the direction in which the heat-generating elements are aligned to a second distribution different from a first distribution corresponding to the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: Noriaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20240077819
    Abstract: Provided is a heater including: a substrate that has electrical conductivity; a first insulation portion that is provided on a first surface of the substrate, has an insulation property; at least one heat generation body that is provided on the first insulation portion; a second insulation portion that is provided on a second surface of the substrate which is opposite to the first surface, has an insulation property; at least one detection unit that is provided on at least one of the first insulation portion and the second insulation portion; and a first wiring which is provided on at least one of the first insulation portion and the second insulation portion, and in which one end is electrically connected to one terminal of the detection unit and the other end is electrically connected to the substrate having the electrical conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Kousuke Ueno, Masahiko Tamai, Shinjiro Aono, Akio Tsubouchi, Tsuyoshi Ohashi, Satoko Kato, Masahiro Doi, Makoto Sakai
  • Publication number: 20240077820
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a first rotary member, a second rotary member, a pressing mechanism, and a heat-levelling member. The second rotary member is formed in a reverse-camber shape. The pressing mechanism can form a fixing nip and can reduce the pressing force between the first and second rotary members. The heat-levelling member, in a reduced-pressure state where the pressing force is lower than the fixing nip pressure, stays in contact with a part of the outer circumferential surface of the second rotary member elsewhere than the fixing nip, over the entire range in the rotation axis direction, to equalize the surface temperature of the second rotary member and, in a state where the pressing force is equal to or higher than the fixing nip pressure, stays away from the outer circumferential surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Eiji NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20240077821
    Abstract: A device to supply power to a heater of a fixing device with a heater power supply circuit configured to supply power to the heater; a temperature sensor to measure a detected temperature from the temperature control target; a temperature estimation circuit to estimate an estimated temperature value of the temperature control target by the detected temperature; a control signal generation circuit to output a control signal for controlling the power supplied by the heater power supply circuit based on the estimated temperature value of the temperature control target estimated by the temperature estimation circuit and the target temperature; and a temperature abnormality detection circuit to determine whether an abnormality exists in the temperature sensor or on a circuit side based on a comparison result of the detected temperature acquired by the temperature sensor and the estimated temperature value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: Takeshi Kojima
  • Publication number: 20240077822
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus which communicates with an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, the information processing apparatus includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire error information about an error that has occurred in the image forming apparatus, and maintenance information about maintenance work performed on the image forming apparatus; a memory configured to store a plurality of pieces of error information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a controller. The controller is configured to: determine, from the plurality of pieces of error information stored in the memory, based on the maintenance information, first error information about an error that has occurred during the maintenance work; and determine an error part of the image forming apparatus based on second error information obtained by excluding the first error information from the plurality of pieces of error information stored in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: SHINYA SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20240077823
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus to and from which a replenishment container accommodating toner is attachable and detachable includes a replenishment port to allow replenishment of toner from the replenishment container, an opening/closing portion to open the replenishment port in an open position and close the replenishment port in a closed position, a locking member to move between a restricting position in which the locking member restricts movement of the opening/closing portion from the closed position to the open position, and an allowing position in which the movement of the opening/closing portion from the closed position to the open position is allowed. A developer container accepts more toner for replenishment in a case where a second display is in a second state than in a first state, and a first display more accurately displays information related to the toner accommodated in the developer container than the second display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Kensuke Umeda, Shinsuke Kobayashi, Kazuhiro Funatani, Takanori Watanabe, Ai Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20240077824
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a rotary member pair, a movement portion, a detection portion, an abutment member, an oblique conveyance portion, and a controller configured to, on a basis of a detection result of the detection portion, move the rotary member pair in a width direction by the movement portion such that a position, in the width direction, of the downstream end of the sheet is a set position in a state in which the rotary member pair is nipping the sheet and before the sheet reaches the oblique conveyance portion. The controller is configured to execute, after the sheet has reached the oblique conveyance portion, a correction mode of correcting the set position on a basis of the position of the downstream end, abutting the abutment surface, detected by the detection portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: SO MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20240077825
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a rotary member pair, a movement portion, a detection portion, an abutment member, an oblique conveyance portion, and a controller configured to, on a basis of a detection result of the detection portion, move the rotary member pair in a width direction by the movement portion such that a position, in the width direction, of the downstream end of the sheet is a set position in a state in which the rotary member pair is nipping the sheet and before the sheet reaches the oblique conveyance portion. The controller is configured to execute a correction mode of correcting the set position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: SO MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20240077826
    Abstract: A chute is located between a transfer roller and a fuser in a direction crossing both a first direction along a drum axis direction and a second direction crossing the first direction. The chute causes a sheet having passed through a transfer nip to be directed toward a fixing nip. The chute is movable in the second direction between a first position and a second position shifted from the first position toward one side in the second direction. The chute located at the second position is farther away from an imaginary plane passing through the nips than the chute located at the first position. A reciprocating mechanism is located on an other side of the chute in the second direction. The reciprocating mechanism reciprocates by drive force from the drive source and presses the chute to move between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Saya MINOSHIMA, Tomonori WATANABE, Ayaka OHIRA, Tetsuya MORITA
  • Publication number: 20240077827
    Abstract: A coupling structure is provided in an imager forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material and configured to couple a first member and a second member. The second member includes a sheet metal having an insulative layer on a surface of a metal layer. A first conductive portion is formed in the first member. A second conductive portion includes a projection formed by press working in the second member. A coupling portion couples the first member and the second member in a state in which at least a part of the first conductive portion and at least a part of the second conductive portion are contacted with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: TOSHIRO USUI, TAKAHIRO KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20240077828
    Abstract: A cleaning blade includes a contact layer that is in contact with a toner image carrier, and a support layer that joins to a support member, wherein the contact layer does not contain an inorganic filler, the support layer contains an inorganic filler having a thermal conductivity (?) of 30 W/mK or more, and the average particle diameter of the inorganic filler is in a range of 0.1 to 5.0 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Kunihiro OGURA, Yuya SATO, Shinichi YABUKI
  • Publication number: 20240077829
    Abstract: A foreign substance collection apparatus includes: a frame body; a photosensitive drum; a cleaning roller which collects foreign substances from a surface of the photosensitive drum; a collecting roller which further collects the foreign substances having been collected by the cleaning roller from the cleaning roller; and a scraping member which scrapes off the foreign substances from the collecting roller. A foreign substance collecting portion included in the frame body has, in a posture during use: a first inner bottom surface which is positioned below the scraping member in a gravity direction; an outer bottom surface which is positioned further below the first inner bottom surface; and a connecting surface which intersects the first inner bottom surface and the outer bottom surface and which connects the first inner bottom surface and the outer bottom surface with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Noriyuki Komatsu, Tomonori Mori, Teruhiko Sasaki, Makoto Hayashida, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuuki Nakamura, Satoru Motohashi
  • Publication number: 20240077830
    Abstract: A unit accommodation apparatus includes a first unit and a second unit that are to be installed into and removed from an apparatus body through an opening in an installation-removal direction and are held by a unit holder. The unit holder includes a first positioner that is disposed opposite one lateral end of the first unit and the second unit and is detachably attached to the first unit and the second unit. A second positioner is disposed opposite another lateral end of the first unit and the second unit and holds the first unit and the second unit in a state in which the first unit and the second unit are detachably attached to the second positioner. The first positioner and the second positioner secure a relative position of the first unit relative to the second unit in a direction parallel to a hypothetical orthogonal plane perpendicular to the installation-removal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: Tomoaki SUGA
  • Publication number: 20240077831
    Abstract: A developing cartridge may include a developing roller and a casing capable of containing a developer material, a member having a first end portion and a second end portion, the member being movable together with the casing and the developing roller, and the member having a first hole extending in a direction between the first end portion and the second end portion; and a first lever movable relative to the casing between a first position and a second position, the first lever including one end portion that functions as the point of effort, an other end portion that functions as the point of application, and a cam surface that is located between the one end portion and the other end portion and that functions as a pivot point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Publication number: 20240077832
    Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Kazunari Murayama, Susumu Nittani, Atsushi Numagami
  • Publication number: 20240077833
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device and corresponding method to display a hologram is described. A grey level value for each pixel of a hologram is received and a pixel voltage based on grey level for each pixel of the hologram is determined. The pixels of the display device are driven in accordance with a first representation of the pixel voltages during at least one first drive event. The pixels of the display device are driven in accordance a second representation of the pixel voltages during at least one second drive event after the at least one first drive event. The first representation may be an n-bit representation and the second representation may be a m-bit representation and n<m. The at least one first drive event may be shorter in duration than the at least one second drive event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Jamieson CHRISTMAS, Mark NEWSAM, Ian BLEDOWSKI, Roderick OLDFIELD
  • Publication number: 20240077834
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanical movement including an information display device including at least one indicator member for the information, mounted pivoting about a pivot axis A. The movement encloses a cavity receiving at least the indicator member, the cavity being arranged so that the indicator member is housed entirely inside the movement. The movement includes at least one mobile arranged pivoting coaxially with the pivot axis A and including an outer peripheral toothing, the mobile being housed in the cavity and arranged to carry the indicator member. The mobile includes a felloe including the outer peripheral toothing and defining an inner opening, the felloe carrying an arm passing radially through the inner opening in order to be mounted pivoting on the pivot axis A, the indicator member being represented on the arm. Also disclosed is a timepiece including such a mechanical movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Giulio PAPI, José-Manuel FERNANDEZ
  • Publication number: 20240077835
    Abstract: Disclosed is a light source device including: a light emitter; an electrode including a support that supports the light emitter and a terminal that extends from the support in an opposite direction of a light emitting direction of the light emitter; a second restrictor that restricts a movement of the electrode in a second direction perpendicular to the light emitting direction; and a third restrictor that restricts a movement of the electrode in a third direction perpendicular to both of the light emitting direction and the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masashi SAWAI
  • Publication number: 20240077836
    Abstract: An inlaid timepiece component (1) including a body (10) made of a metallic and/or ceramic material including at least one hollow (11) forming the impression of a decoration (12). The at least one hollow is completely filled with successive strata (13, 14, 15) formed by an agglomeration of particles (16) via a cold metallisation in order to form a timepiece component (1) inlaid with at least one decoration (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicants: Université de Limoges, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Alberto Puiu ION, Fabrice ROSSIGNOL, Olivia De Los Cobos, Alexandre Netuschill
  • Publication number: 20240077837
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods which can be used to indicate the period of time elapsed since the occurrence of a triggering event. More particularly, this application relates to systems and methods which can be used to visually indicate the time period elapsed since an article has been removed from its packaging. The system can include an indicator disposed on or within the article and a trigger disposed within the receptacle and in contact with the indicator. The article may be enclosed within a sealable receptacle of the package. The indicator is responsive to a change in a concentration of the trigger in contact with the indicator. The removal of the article from the receptacle can induce a change in concentration of the trigger in contact with the indicator. The change in the concentration of the trigger can induce a change in color in the indicator. The color change indicates a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the article has been removed from the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Frank Gu, Paul Chen
  • Publication number: 20240077838
    Abstract: A system and method for dynamic nest and routing adjustment in an automation system. The method includes: operating the automation system; receiving operational data related to the automation system from a conveyor system and at least one automation station; analyzing the operational data to determine if adjustment of nest offsets or routing of parts is required; determining an adjusted nest offset or part routing; implementing the adjusted nest offset or part routing; and return to operating the automation system. The system includes: a controller to operate the automation system; an input for receiving the operational data; a machine learning (ML) module to analyze the operational data to determine if adjustment of nest offsets or routing of parts is required; a processor to determine an adjusted nest offset or part routing; and a configuration module to implement the adjusted nest offset or part routing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: Anton DOLGOVYKH