Abstract: There is provided a photoreceptor cleanerless image forming apparatus capable of decreasing color mixture or an exposure error due to reverse transfer toner an untransferred toner. An image forming apparatus 100 according to the present invention comprises four image forming units 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d configured to be photoreceptor cleanerless in a 4-drum tandem manner. Each image forming unit includes a photoreceptor 103a, 103b, 103c, or 103d, a charger 105a, 105b, 105c, or 105d, an exposure apparatus 106a, 106b, 106c, or 106d, and a developing apparatus 109a, 109b, 109c, or 109d. When exposure intensities Iy, Ic, Im, and Ik are assumed for exposure sources of the exposure apparatuses in the image forming units which form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images, respectively, the exposure intensities are configured to satisfy conditions of Ik?Ic?Im?Iy and Ik>Iy. This decreases an exposure error (image hysteresis) in an image formed on paper.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for correcting color registration errors in a printing device comprising a plurality of print engines driven by a single pixel frequency clock. In some embodiments, the print engines can include a reference print engine and one or more non-reference print engines. An adjusted resolution may be computed for color data sent to each non-reference engine to offset color registration errors attributable to the non-reference engine. The adjusted resolution is computed using calibration information for the non-reference print engines relative to the reference engine, and resolution information for color data processed by the first reference engine. The resolution of color data processed by each non-reference print engine is adjusted according to the computed adjusted resolution for the non-reference engine and sent to the print engines for printing.

Abstract: A image reading apparatus includes a plurality of point light sources, arranged in a straight line state, configured to output light for lighting a document situated on a contact glass from a lower side of the contact glass, a light leading member, positioned in front in a light outputting direction of the light output from the point light sources, configured to lead the light output from the point light sources so as to irradiate along a main scanning direction toward the document situated on the contact glass, and a photoelectric conversion element configured to receive reflection light from the document. The light leading member includes positioning means configured to make a gap between each of the point light sources arranged in a line state and the light leading member constant and make an arrangement direction of the point light sources be positioned along a longitudinal direction of the light leading member.

Abstract: A method of registering a print between print stages in a printing system is provided. The method comprises: printing a first part of a digital image on a substrate with a first print engine, wherein the first part of the digital image includes a plurality of reference features; scanning image content on the substrate as it is readied for the second print engine; determining the actual positions of the reference features; using the actual positions of the reference features to determine desired adjustments for the second part of the digital image; applying electronic registration according to the desired adjustments to modify image content of the second print to be aligned with content already on the substrate; and printing a second part of the digital image on the substrate.

Abstract: The color printing control device outputs color material reduction processed data generated by applying a color material reduction process to each pixel of bitmaps converted to color material colors to be used in printing, when it is judged that the color material reduction printing mode is specified. The color material reduction process includes chroma conversion that reduces chroma and under-color removal/black generation that replaces at least a portion of achromatic components generated by overlaying of a plurality of color materials.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managing the processing of print data at a printing device based upon available consumable resources. A printing device includes a print process configured to determine consumable resources that are currently available at the printing device. The print process is further configured to determine which print data is to be processed based upon the consumable resources currently available at the printing device and the consumable resources required to completely process each of the print data. Print data that can be completely processed using the currently available consumable resources are selected for processing. The print process may also be configured to cause a notification to be provided to a client device to indicate the consumable resources currently available at a printing device and/or that insufficient consumable resources were available to process particular print data and to recommend other consumable resources to process the particular print data.

Abstract: A method and system for printing documents with one or more embedded security features is provided. Security features are embedded in the document by co-printing magnetic and non-magnetic toner on a receiver before fixation by a fixing station. The combination of magnetic and non-magnetic toners in the image results in image elements that easily show alteration or are undetectable by visual means.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transport part which includes a transport belt to transport a printing medium, an image forming part which transfers a toner to form a color image, and a controller which controls the image forming part to form a test image for color registration of the image forming part on the transport belt while an image is formed for a plurality of printing media. Thus, both a test image and a plurality of printed media are formed during a single printing process.

Abstract: The exposure apparatus is provided with: an optical member; and a holding member that holds the optical member. Both end portions of the optical member are held by the holding member with a first adhering unit that is cured by light irradiation for first duration and a second adhering unit that is cured by light irradiation for second duration which is longer than the first duration.

Abstract: To provide an image data processing circuit with high productivity and a color image forming apparatus using the same by enabling sharing of the image data processing circuit between a four-rotation machine and a quadruple tandem machine, and reduction of registers for four colors arranged for the four-rotation machine to a single register for one color. There is provided an image forming apparatus in which a first image processing unit out of first and second image processing units provided in an image data processing circuit executes a first image processing for an image read by a scanner unit, stores an image signal in a page memory, the second image processing unit reads the image signal from the page memory according to a synchronous signal generated in an engine unit to execute a second image processing, and the engine unit forms the image on the basis of the results therefrom.

Abstract: A method of pixelized image formation on a photosensitive surface, comprising: providing relative motion of the photosensitive surface relative to a multiplicity of light sources, such that pixels on the surface pass a plurality of said light sources; and exposing a plurality of the pixels of the surface to one or more, but fewer than the plurality, of said light sources, such that the exposure of the exposed pixels is the same.

Abstract: There is provided a photoreceptor cleanerless image forming apparatus capable of decreasing color mixture or an exposure error due to reverse transfer toner or untransferred toner. An image forming apparatus 100 according to the present invention comprises four image forming units 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d configured to be photoreceptor cleanerless in a 4-drum tandem manner. Each image forming unit includes a photoreceptor 103a, 103b, 103c, or 103d, a charger 105a, 105b, 105c, or 105d, an exposure apparatus 106a, 106b, 106c, or 106d, and a developing apparatus 109a, 109b, 109c, or 109d. When exposure intensities Iy, Ic, Im, and Ik are assumed for exposure sources of the exposure apparatuses in the image forming units which form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images, respectively, the exposure intensities are configured to satisfy conditions of Ik?Ic?Im?Iy and Ik >Iy. This decreases an exposure error (image hysteresis) in an image formed on paper.

Abstract: To generate conversion data enabling to appropriately control a colorant amount, a profile for storing correspondence between device color data and a colorimetry value and control information for controlling a colorant amount is acquired, and inverse conversion data for converting device independent data into device dependent data is generated based on the correspondence between the device color data and the colorimetry value and the control information for controlling the colorant amount.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating a multi-color imaging system are provided. Color values are measured for each of the different color patches, and compared to target process-sensitive colors color values, representing a weight-adjusted memory color. An error value is calculated. The error value represents a deviation of the measured color values from the target color values. The input values for each colorant then are independently adjusted to reduce the error value to a predetermined degree.

Abstract: The present invention aims to effectively perform image data transfer between an image generation controller and an image processing controller in either of color image printing and black-and-white image printing. Respective signal lines of Y, M, C and K are provided in a video interface formed between a PDL controller and the image processing controller. When the color image is printed by a printer of one-drum structure, data of a one color for four lines are simultaneously transferred by using the four signal lines, and this transfer operation is repeated for one page and for the four colors. When the black-and-white image is printed, black data for the four lines are simultaneously transferred by using the four signal lines, and this transfer operation is repeated for one page.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus in which an input module, an output module, a process module, and a memory have a plurality of ports and are connected by a packet switch having independent paths for data transmission, a path controlling part determines a process path based on data information from the input module and data transmission ability of paths within the image forming apparatus, and conducts a selection control to select a data transmission path in response to data transmission delay time for each process path and a data type of data to be transmitted.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing digital multi-color images for the reproduction thereof on a color printing and/or copying system provided with a plurality of process colors defining a gamut. According to this method the gamut is divided into multiple non-overlapping sub-gamuts, each defined by three chromatic process colors. For each pixel of the digital multi-color image, a single corresponding sub-gamut is selected based on lightness differences between the respective chromatic process colors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a light scanning device configured: to store in advance a predetermined base correction time; initiate optical image writing for a first round of rotation of an endless intermediate transfer member onto a latent image bearing member included in a first visible image forming unit based on a standard angle detection signal detected after a time Te determined as a time elapsed by a base correction time t1 from a time Ta; to correct a phase, during a period between a time Tc and a time including a time Tc and the base correction time t1, based on a time lag dt2 and a time lag dt1; and to initiate optical image writing for a second round of rotation of the endless intermediate transfer member onto the latent image bearing member included in the first visible image forming unit.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus, including point light sources, arranged in a straight line state, configured to output light to light a document, and a light leading member, positioned in front in a light outputting direction of the light output from the point light sources, configured to receive the light incident on a surface of the light leading member, and to lead the received light so as to irradiate along a main scanning direction toward the document. The light leading member includes a positioning unit configured to make a gap between one of the point light sources arranged in a line state and the light leading member the same as a gap between another of the point light sources and the light leading member, and to make an arrangement direction of the point light sources be positioned along a longitudinal direction of the light leading member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes image-forming process cartridges arranged in tandem; a color-information acquiring unit configured to acquire color information representing a color of an image to be formed by each of the image-forming process cartridges; an image-information distributing unit configured to distribute print information for the color to an image-forming process cartridge that forms an image of the color; a designating unit configured to designate a print mode that includes a monochromatic mode and a full-color mode; a control unit configured to control image forming operation by the image-forming process cartridges to perform a print operation in designated print mode; and an alarming unit configured to generate an alarm for designation for the full-color mode when the color is identical in two or more image-forming process cartridges.

Abstract: A color printing apparatus having pulse-width modulation means which performs pulse-width modulation for tone control, and a control method thereof are provided. Based on determination of a printing mode of printing data supplied and determination of whether or not the printing data is to be processed as single-color data, a pulse-width modulation pattern to be used by the pulse-width modulation means is decided.

Abstract: A visual display system and a method for displaying information. The information displayed on the visual display system may be substantially or entirely immune to stray electric fields.

Abstract: In an implementation of a printing system, an electrophotographic imaging plate electrostatically attracts a first concentration of an ink having a particular color. A developer unit is biased with a developer voltage and the first concentration of the ink is transferred onto the electrophotographic imaging plate from the developer unit according to the developer voltage. The electrophotographic imaging plate then electrostatically attracts a second concentration of the ink. The developer unit is biased with an adjusted developer voltage and the second concentration of the ink is transferred onto the electrophotographic imaging plate from the developer unit according to the adjusted developer voltage.

Abstract: A method for printing a halftone digital image on both a printing press and a color proofer using the same binary digital data which comprises making a printing plate from the binary digital data; making a press sheet using a press with the printing plate; sending the binary digital data to a dot-gain processor for conditioning the binary digital data to introduce a predetermined level of dot-gain; transmitting the conditioned binary digital data to the color proofer; and printing a halftone color proof on the color proofer.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus having full-color and monochrome print processes and a method therefor, whether a page to be printed is color or monochrome is checked. The presence of an immediately preceding page which is successively printed before a page to be printed that is determined to be monochrome, and the attribute of the immediately preceding page are determined. The presence of a succeeding page which is successively printed after the page to be printed, and the attribute of the succeeding page are determined. The number of pages corresponding to the determination results is set. The print process of the page to be printed is decided on the basis of the presence of succeeding pages corresponding to the number of pages and their attributes.

Abstract: A photoreceptor cleanerless image forming apparatus and method for overlappingly forming yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toner images and decreasing color mixture or an exposure error due to reverse transfer toner or untransferred toner are provided. The image forming apparatus 100 comprises four image forming units 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d configured to be photoreceptor cleanerless in a 4-drum tandem manner. Each image forming unit includes a photoreceptor 103a, 103b, 103c, or 103d, a charger 105a, 105b, 105c, or 105d, an exposure apparatus 106a, 106b, 106c, or 106d, and a developing apparatus 109a, 109b, 109c, or 109d. When exposure resolutions Ry, Rc, Rm, and Rk are assumed for exposure sources of the exposure apparatuses in the image forming units which form yellow, cyan, magenta, and black images, respectively, the exposure resolutions are configured to satisfy the conditions of Rk?Rc?Rm and Rm>Rk. This decreases an exposure error (image hysteresis) in an image formed on paper.

Abstract: The invention concerns an image recording apparatus suitable for forming a medical image that is used for a medical diagnosis, and a test pattern for evaluating a quality of the medical image. The image recording apparatus includes a printing section to either the medical image or the test pattern on the recording medium, based on image date; a printing-condition setting section to set a printing condition for printing the test pattern; and a printing-condition displaying section to display the printing condition set by the printing-condition setting section. The printing section prints at least one of a sharpness-evaluating pattern and a granularity-evaluating pattern.

Abstract: A light-heat conversion in a light-stimulated writing method and associated apparatus include an image recording body having an element, which absorbs an (electromagnetic wave) provided in a surface of a recording body, or in a recording layer formed on an uppermost layer of the recording body having a material exhibiting a thermal changeable character of wettabilty, or in a substrate or an intermediate layer of the recording body. After a liquid is disposed on the recording body by a liquid forming device, light-stimulated writing is carried out, resulting on an enhanced efficiency of light-heat conversion by a light absorbing element.

Abstract: An object is to provide an image forming process, an image forming apparatus, and a color electrophotographic print that can provide a color electrophotograph that has a sufficient density in its dark area, has gloss, has a high glossiness over the entire densities covering bright areas (a white area and a highlight area), areas at intermediate densities, and dark areas (a black area and a shadow area) and can achieve high image quality equivalent to silver halide photographs. An image forming process produces an electrophotographic print which has a black density of 2.0 or more, a black color satisfying the following condition in the CIE 1976 (L*a*b*) color space: (a*)2+(b*)2?9, and a 20-degree minimum glossiness of 60 or more.

Abstract: There is provided a photoreceptor cleanerless image forming apparatus capable of decreasing color mixture or an exposure error due to reverse transfer toner or untransferred toner. An image forming apparatus 100 according to the present invention comprises four image forming units 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d configured to be photoreceptor cleanerless in a 4-drum tandem manner. Each image forming unit includes a photoreceptor 103a, 103b, 103c, or 103d, a charger 105a, 105b, 105c, or 105d, an exposure apparatus 106a, 106b, 106c, or 106d, and a developing apparatus 109a, 109b, 109c, or 109d. When exposure intensities Iy, Ic, Im, and Ik are assumed for exposure sources of the exposure apparatuses in the image forming units which form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images, respectively, the exposure intensities are configured to satisfy conditions of Ik?Ic?Im?Iy and Ik>Iy. This decreases an exposure error (image hysteresis) in an image formed on paper.

Abstract: To provide an image recording method and apparatus that can record and display an image of free pattern without forming the complex wirings in an electrochromic material, and to reduce the manufacturing costs of the image recording apparatus employing the EC material. A recording sheet 7 having a coloring layer made of an electrochromic material and an electrolytic layer with an increasing electrical conductivity in a specific temperature range is employed, and a recording head 13 with a plurality of heating elements arranged in a linear direction is moved relative to the surface of the recording sheet 7 in the direction orthogonal to the linear direction while at the same time a voltage is applied to the front and back faces of the recording sheet 7, thereby selectively heating the heating elements 11. Thereby, a coloring reaction is caused only in a part where heat is applied by the heating elements of the recording sheet 7 and voltage is applied to form an image on the recording sheet 7.

Abstract: A tandem type color image forming device having a plurality of process cartridges each being detachable from a frame. An intermediate image transfer belt extends vertically, and the process cartridges are arrayed in the vertical direction and supported by the frame. Each process cartridge installs therein a developing unit and a photosensitive drum, and each photosensitive drum is in confrontation with the belt. A front cover is provided in front of the process cartridges. If viewing from the front, when the front cover is opened, the process cartridges are accessible without any interference with ambient components, and the belt is positioned behind the process cartridges.

Abstract: An electrographic printing machine including: a first photoconductive member; an imaging device for recording a first latent image on the first photoconductive member to form a first developed image; a first developer unit for developing the first latent image; a second photoconductive member, closely adjacent to the first photoconductive member in a transfer region; a second imaging device for recording a second latent image on the second photoconductive member; a second developer unit for developing the second latent image to form a second developed image; a first transfer station for transferring the second developed image on the second photoconductive member to the first photoconductive member; and a second transfer station for transferring developed images on the first photoconductive member to a recording substrate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising an accumulator drum for receiving toner images from a plurality of imaging units and transferring the toner images to a receiving media. The basic components of the image forming apparatus comprise an accumulator drum having a plurality of imaging units with photoconductive drums positioned about the accumulator drum, and a laser assembly. In one embodiment, a laser emits light beams for forming a latent image on each of the photoconductive drums with each light beam having a different external optical path length. In one embodiment, a drive mechanism operatively connected to the imaging units drives the accumulator drum. In one embodiment, the imaging units are positioned about the accumulator drum is a specific angular placement. In one embodiment, the imaging units are at least partially positioned within the interior of the accumulator drum.

Abstract: A public presentation system is presented comprising a display system that can be remotely changed, so that multiple different images are successively displayed with minimal interruption. The system utilizes ionography techniques for non-contact printing and imaging for display. Thus by exploiting electrostatic imaging techniques, an advertisement can be displayed promptly by transferring a toner image onto an imaging belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a control method for the apparatus are disclosed. In this image forming apparatus which has a printing unit selectively using a desired one of a plurality of types of ink cartridges and can receive monochromatic and color facsimile images, appropriate ink remaining amount detection or appropriate received facsimile image printing control can be performed in accordance with the type of received image and the type of loaded cartridge. In receiving/printing monochromatic and color images, a received image is discriminated as a color or monochromatic image, and the type of cartridge currently loaded into an ink-jet printing unit capable of performing printing operation by selecting one of a plurality of printing capabilities is discriminated. In accordance with these discrimination results, control is performed to automatically print the received image using the printing unit or stored it in an image memory or the like.

Abstract: A tandem color laser printer 1 is provided with a photosensitive drum unit 15, a developing unit 14, and a scanning unit 13 for each color. The developing units 14, each including a main developer unit 25 and a toner hopper 24, and the scanning units 13, which irradiate laser beam, are alternately stacked vertically to overlap with each other in the vertical direction. This arrangement eliminates space required when arranging the developing units 14 and scanning units 13 side by side, thereby reducing the footprint of the color laser printer 1.

Abstract: An optical scanning device for scanning plural surfaces including a plurality of laser light units each configured to emit a laser beam, a deflecting device configured to deflect the laser beams from the plurality laser light units to sweep a plurality of predetermined planes, respectively, and a scanning image forming optical unit configured to project the laser beams deflected by the deflecting device on the plural surfaces, respectively, to scan the plural surfaces with the laser beams. The scanning image forming optical unit includes a plurality of optical detecting devices configured to detect the laser beams and a first plurality of reflecting devices positioned to reflect at least two laser beams of the laser beams toward one of the plurality of optical detecting devices.

Abstract: A laser scanning unit and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus adopting the same include a plurality of photogenerators emitting parallel lights, a plurality of rotatable polygonal mirrors which deflect the lights emitted from the photogenerators in a main scanning direction having a range of a predetermined angle to scan the lights onto photosensitive media proceeding in a sub scanning direction, the rotatable polygonal mirrors stacked on a driving unit to match corresponding ones of the photogenerators and coupled with a rotation shaft of the driving unit to rotate therewith, a plurality of first lenses which are installed in light paths between the photogenerators and the rotatable polygonal mirrors, respectively, and collect the lights in the sub scanning direction, and a plurality of second lenses which collect the lights deflected by the rotatable polygonal mirrors on corresponding ones of the photosensitive media.

Abstract: In a color reproducing system an image to be reproduced is analyzed to identify which color toner cartridges are required to print the image. Based on the identification, the color reproducing system selectively enables only those toner cartridges which are required to reproduce the image. In a host-based system the identification can be performed by a computer which provides the identification to a reproducing apparatus. In a controller-based system the identification is performed by a controller in the reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing a color image includes a printer driver which processes input image data to generate printable image data, and further includes one or more color profiles which are used by the printer driver to perform color matching on the input image data in a normal mode, wherein the printer driver uses one or more toner-saving-purpose profiles to perform color matching on the input image data in a toner saving mode, the one or more toner-saving-purpose profiles being specifically designed to reduce a toner amount on a printed color image.

Abstract: A printing machine with an electrophotographic device, having a photoconductor, a photoconductor drive and an illumination device. The electrophotographic unit can be provided with the substrate by a feed device. The photoconductor drive motor is adjusted by a controller and the feed device can be linearly adjusted by a feed device drive motor. In order to produce high-definition prints, especially images or lettering on plate-shaped substrates, the feed device drive motor is adjusted by a controller that is controlled by a master-slave controller via a setpoint feed. The controller for the photoconductor drive motor is also controlled by the master-slave controller via a setpoint feed and the master slave controller synchronizes the feeding speed of the feed device and the speed of movement of the photoconductor.

Abstract: A tandem type color image forming device having a plurality of process cartridges each being detachable from a frame. An intermediate image transfer belt extends vertically, and the process cartridges are arrayed in the vertical direction and supported by the frame. Each process cartridge installs therein a developing unit and a photosensitive drum, and each photosensitive drum is in confrontation with the belt. A front cover is provided in front of the process cartridges. If viewing from the front, when the front cover is opened, the process cartridges are accessible without any interference with ambient components, and the belt is positioned behind the process cartridges.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising an accumulator drum for receiving toner images from a plurality of imaging units and transferring the toner images to a receiving media. The basic components of the image forming apparatus comprise an accumulator drum having a plurality of imaging units with photoconductive drums positioned about the accumulator drum, and a laser assembly. In one embodiment, a laser emits light beams for forming a latent image on each of the photoconductive drums with each light beam having a different external optical path length. In one embodiment, a drive mechanism operatively connected to the imaging units drives the accumulator drum. In one embodiment, the imaging units are positioned about the accumulator drum is a specific angular placement. In one embodiment, the imaging units are at least partially positioned within the interior of the accumulator drum.

Abstract: There is provided a photoreceptor cleanerless image forming apparatus capable of decreasing color mixture or an exposure error due to reverse transfer toner or untransferred toner.

Abstract: An image formation method for forming an image containing an embossed portion of an expandable material on a recording medium, comprising converting height information about an embossed image which is the image of the embossed portion to the same density information as one used to indicate a density of a non-embossed image which is not raised, and controlling an amount of the expandable material formed on the recording medium according to the converted density information.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for toner recycling in a printed image display system. The display system, in conjunction with the printing apparatus, according to some embodiments of the present invention, may enable printing a color image using a plurality of toner colors, erasing the image from the substrate, collecting the erased mixture of toner colors, separating the toner colors, and recycling the toner colors for use in further printing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a recycle toner conveying device for returning toner collected in a cleaning step to a developing device as recycled toner. A waste toner conveying device conveys the collected toner to a waste toner container as waste toner. A switching device selects either one of the recycle toner conveying device and waste toner conveying device. Toner can therefore be efficiently recycled in accordance with the degree of color mixture of the collected toner. In addition, It is possible to estimate the amount of toner to enter due to reverse transfer and therefore to increase the proportion of toner recycling while reducing the influence of color mixture on the toner to be recycled.

Abstract: A printer CPU controls rotations of a photosensitive drum for black and photosensitive drums for other colors such that a phase angle difference between the photosensitive drum for black and the photosensitive drums for the other colors during image formation in a color mode is unchanged before and after execution of a black mode.

Abstract: A public presentation system is presented comprising a display system that can be remotely changed, so that multiple different images are successively displayed with minimal interruption. The system utilizes ionography techniques for non-contact printing and imaging for display. Thus by exploiting electrostatic imaging techniques, an advertisement can be displayed promptly by transferring a toner image onto an imaging belt.