Abstract: In an image forming device wherein printing is accomplished such that passing of charged toners fed from a developer roller 2 through a plurality of openings 14 is controlled by control electrodes 16 of an aperture electrode 12 in accordance with image signals, toners held on the developer roller 2 are caused to reach the vicinity of the openings 14, by inputting a predetermined signal to the control electrodes 16 of the aperture electrode 12, at least once during the period when no image forming action in accordance with the prescribed image signals is performed.

Abstract: An enhanced image conditioning process for liquid ink development assists in achieving better developability and metering capability, especially for the cases where highly viscous developer fluids are used. By selectively heating the developer fluid in the vicinity of the development zone and/or the metering zone, the viscosity of the liquid is reduced, and hence better developability and a thinner film with higher solid content for the developed image can be obtained. Another benefit of lowering the viscosity of the developer fluid is that the developer fluid can be applied and metered at a faster rate than higher viscosity fluids. Liquid ink developability control by controlling ink temperature is advantageous over conventional methods of xerography.

Abstract: A method for controlling concentration of a developer in a developing reservoir of a wet printer includes the steps of counting image data output from a system controller to a laser scanning unit to form an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive medium, calculating the amount of a consumed toner supplied from the developing reservoir to the photosensitive belt according to a value counted in the counting step of formation of the electrostatic latent image, and supplying toner from a toner supplying unit into the developing reservoir to refill the amount of the consumed toner calculated in the calculation step. The developer also includes a liquid carrier element. Thus, the ratio of the toner to liquid carrier element in the developing reservoir may be maintained within a predetermined range, without having an additional apparatus for measuring the concentration of the developer.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling a transfer voltage based on a paper specific resistance in a laser beam printer is provided. In the transfer voltage controlling method, the resistance of the feed rollers is detected as a first resistance before a paper sheet passes between the feed rollers. The resistance of the paper sheet and the feed rollers is detected as a second resistance when the paper sheet passes between the feed rollers. The specific resistance of the paper sheet is obtained as a third resistance by determining the difference between the first resistance and the second resistance. The resistance between a transfer roller and a photosensitive drum is detected as a fourth resistance before the paper sheet passes through the transfer roller. A composite resistance is detected as a fifth resistance by adding the third resistance to the fourth resistance, and the paper sheet is printed by applying a transfer voltage to the transfer roller based on the fifth resistance.

Abstract: A method for making documents, in particular identifying documents, such as passports and identifying cards, comprises the steps of providing a set of signals, particularly digital signals, defining an image to be printed on the document; providing a temporary substrate; depositing on the temporary substrate coloring matters, whereby to produce thereon the image, by the conventional laser printing method; provisionally setting the image; juxtaposing the temporary substrate with its face carrying the image in contact with the rear face of a transparent substrate; transferring the image from the temporary substrate to the transparent substrate, whereby the image is applied to the transparent substrate rear face and is visible through the transparent substrate from the front face thereof; removing the temporary substrate; and binding the transparent substrate, by lamination, to other components of the document to be produced.

Abstract: A tandem type multi-color image forming apparatus capable of outputting a multi-color image can improve output speed of a monochrome or limited color image output. The image forming apparatus includes a single laser beam source, a plurality of image forming units, and a single polygon body. The polygon body is provided with the plurality of reflector surfaces respectively corresponded to the plurality of image forming units. The apparatus also includes an optical path selecting optical system movable into optical paths of the laser beam reflected from the rotary polygon body for deflecting the laser beam reflected from the rotary polygon body toward selected limited number of image forming units and a control portion for varying operation speed of the selected limited number of image forming units.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recording apparatus comprising a recording member having a recording surface with a variably conductive surface. The recording member may also have a conductive layer under a dielectric layer. Print heads for recording electronic images on dielectric surfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: A potential estimation apparatus estimates a potential of a photosensitive body of an image forming apparatus that carries out an electro-photography process using the photosensitive body. The potential estimation apparatus includes a sensor group for sensing and outputting data related to information which affects the electro-photography process, a storage unit for at least storing the data output from the sensor group and information related to charge of the photosensitive body, and an estimation circuit including a neural network for estimating a charged portion potential of the photosensitive body based on a charge retentivity of the photosensitive body learned by the neural network.

Abstract: Graphic matter, such as words and images, is printed on a document in bound form, such as passport, by forming the graphic matter by laser printing steps on a temporary substrate and provisionally setting the graphic matter thus formed on the temporary substrate. Thereafter, the temporary substrate is juxtaposed with its face carrying the image in contact with the rear face of a transparent substrate, and the image is transferred to the rear face of this latter. Then the transparent substrate is juxtaposed to the final substrate that is intended to carry the image, with its rear face in contact with the front face of the final substrate, and the two substrates are laminated together, so that the image remains enclosed in the laminate and is visible from the front face of the transparent substrate as if it were printed on the final substrate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for reproducing an image corresponding to a digitized image signal includes; an imaging member; a halftone image forming device for reproducing a latent image composed of a plurality of pixels on the imaging member, and for developing the latent image so that coloring particles are adhered in each pixel being put together as an island, the halftone image including a relatively low density halftone image; and a transfixing device for simultaneously transferring the halftone image and fixing the halftone image onto a recording sheet. The image forming apparatus may further includes an intermediate transfer medium. The island-like toner image reproduces the halftone image clearly.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes control power source section for controlling a potential to be supplied to a control electrode so that the potential becomes closer to a potential of the holder than a potential on center portions of gates caused by a potential difference across the holder and a counter electrode formed by a high voltage power source section when the charged toner is allowed to pass the gates. In accordance with the above arrangement, the toner receives electric force directing towards the center portions of the gates, and thus a prescribed-shaped dot having a smaller diameter than of the gates is formed on a recording medium. Moreover, since toner does not scatter, a dot to be formed on a recording medium has a clear outline and obtains sufficient density. Therefore, a clear image with high contrast can be obtained. Quality of an image formed on a recording medium can be improved only by controlling the potential to be supplied to the control electrode.

Abstract: A printer, with printing width (PW) of at least 30 cm printing a toner image on a large substrate, having a width (WS) and a length (LS), including a latent image bearing member having a width (WLI) equal to or larger than the printing width and at least two means for delivering toner are arranged in a staggered configuration around the latent image bearing member and each having a width (WTD) smaller than the width (WLI) of the latent image bearing member.Preferably the latent image bearing member is a photoconductive member.A printer with a shuttle having a swath width of at least 30 cm is also disclosed.

Abstract: A convex-concave member with a plurality of protruding portions is provided on the inner surface of a toner holding body. A hitting member for hitting the protruding portions with rotation of the toner holding body is provided inside the toner holding body. As the toner holding body rotates, the hitting member hits an adjacent protruding portion on the upstream side of the protruding portion with which the hitting member have been in contact with respect to the rotation direction of the toner holding body. This vibrates the surface of the toner holding body, and weakens adhesive forces of the toner to the toner holding body. If the hitting member is disposed so as to hit the protruding portion opposing an opposite electrode, the adhesive forces of the toner are weakened only in a toner projection area, while an enough toner transport amount is ensured outside the toner projection area.

Abstract: A print head having a plurality of voltage delivery points for recording electronic images on a dielectric recording surface is also disclosed, along with the recording member. The print head may write using alternating current sources.

Abstract: A line width controlling method for controlling a line width of a toner image includes adjusting pulse width signals for controlling light beam emission of a laser beam generator; forming a latent patch image, comprised of plural latent line images, on a photoreceptor by irradiating a light beam from the laser beam generator; and developing the latent patch image with toner so as to form a toner patch image comprised of toner line images. The steps of forming the latent patch image and of developing the latent patch image to form the toner patch image are both repeated for a plurality of times. The toner patch image at each time of forming has a different gradation from that at other times of forming, so that a series of toner patch images is formed on the photoreceptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image recording apparatus and an excess liquid developer removing device used in the apparatus. In the image recording apparatus, the recording medium wound around the rotary drum is developed by liquid developer supplied from a developing device. A dish provided on the developing device is displaced in the vicinity of the recording medium wound around the rotary drum by being declined in a predetermined angle to prevent the bubbles from generating. The excess liquid developer attached on the recording medium is removed by the air from a nozzle of a blower. The nozzle is displaced by a nozzle displacing device in the vicinity of a developing electrode for supplying the liquid developer only in the midst of developing to prevent the nozzle from being chocked up with toner contained in the liquid developer.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents an apparatus for pattern generation on a dielectric substrate comprising an imaging drum including a dielectric pattern receiving and retaining substrate, a plurality of electrodes underlying the pattern receiving and retaining dielectric substrate, imaging circuitry for application of voltage signals to the plurality of electrodes, an elongate charge source operative to apply a flow of charges to the dielectric substrate, thereby creating a latent image thereon, a developing unit operative to apply toner to the dielectric substrate, thereby producing a toned image according to the latent image, and a transfer unit operative to transfer the toned image to a substrate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a main body whose upper section is split into first and second split lid sections. The first and second split lid sections are arranged to be freely opened and closed. A transfer body and a fixing device are detachably installed in the first split lid section, while a developing device and an image carrying body are installed in the second split lid section. The image carrying body and the transfer body are brought out of contact with each other by opening at least one of the first and second split lid sections. The transfer body and a fixing member are caused to be rotatable by opening the first lid section. With this structure, it is possible to easily repair a paper jam and perform maintenance of the respective sections without increasing the installation space.

Abstract: A master electric charge retaining medium 2 having electrostatic charge information recorded thereon is disposed face-to-face with a reproductive electric charge retaining medium 3, and a voltage is applied between the respective electrodes of the two electric charge retaining media to induce an electric discharge, thereby inversely reproducing the electrostatic charge information on the reproductive electric charge retaining medium, as shown in FIG. 2(b). It is possible to effect the reproduction any number of times while preventing the lowering in the contrast of the master electric charge retaining medium by making the electrostatic capacity of the master electric charge retaining medium adequately larger than the electrostatic capacity of the reproductive electric charge retaining medium.

Abstract: An electrophotography recording method is adapted to a recording apparatus having a carriage which includes processing means for forming a latent image on an image bearing member that is rotatable about an axis parallel to a transport direction of a recording sheet by charging the image bearing member and for developing the latent image, where the carriage is successively moved for each 1 line region having a width corresponding to a width of the image bearing member in a main scanning direction which is perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording sheet so that a developed image on the image bearing member is transferred and thermally fixed on the recording sheet.

Abstract: Toner is conserved in printer (1) under operator control by changing the final modulation for each bit in a bit map depending on whether the bit is an edge bit or an internal bit in the character being printed. Since only the final modulation is affected, processing speed and efficiency are not degraded. The operator can select various degrees of internal gray and internal white. Some levels of gray may be satisfactory for some final correspondence.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a charging rotary brush in contact with a photosensitive member, a laser beam irradiator to form an electrostatic latent image, a developing unit for developing the latent image into a visible image and collecting residual developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive member after the visual image is transferred to a transfer material, and a power source unit for applying to the charging rotary brush an oscillating voltage fulfilling the requirement of:.DELTA.t<L/Vpc or .DELTA.t>3.times.L/Vpcwherein .DELTA.t is the time taken for the oscillating voltage to vary between .+-.300 V above and below the central oscillating voltage value between the peaks of the voltage, L is the printing pitch, and Vpc is the speed of movement of the surface of the photosensitive member.

Abstract: A moving body moves in reciprocation in directions perpendicular to a feeding direction of a chart. An image carrier is mounted on the moving body and rotates in synchronism with a movement of the moving body. A charging unit is mounted on the moving body and changes the image carrier. A developing unit is mounted on the moving body and develops an electrostatic latent image formed by irradiating the image carrier charged by the charging unit with the light. A voltage dividing unit moving in synchronism with the moving body divides a predetermined voltage and supplies the divided voltages to at least the charging unit and the developing unit. An electric charge supplying unit may be used to supply electric charges to a holding unit for holding the electric charges under various conditions of the moving body.

Abstract: An optical device for forming a latent image on the surface of a photosensitive member by an optical head, developing the latent image and transferring the developed toner image onto a transfer sheet at a transferring section. The transfer sheet is transported at least at the transfer section in a direction inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photosensitive member at an angle of distortion of the latent image which occurs when the optical head forms the latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member, thereby toner particles in the transfer section receive twisting force and the distortion of the latent image is corrected when the latent image is transferred to the transfer sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming apparatus based on the electrophotographic process, more particularly to the image forming apparatus having an exposure member inside of a photoreceptor member, which develops upon receiving light exposed with the exposure member. The image forming apparatus features to include the exposure member having a plurality of LED elements arrayed along a main scanning line of the photoreceptor member which is exposed with the LED elements in a time sharing manner by n bits unit, and the photoreceptor means having the photoconductive layer formed of amorphous silicon compounds for receiving the light. The photoreceptor member is electrified through brushing contact of the developer carried by the toner support member, and wherein the exposure portion of the exposure means is located in the developer brushing contact region.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable photosensitive member including a conductive base and a photosensitive layer located on a surface of the base; a charging device located in the vicinity of the photosensitive member for charging the photosensitive layer; a charge removing device located upstream with respect to the charging device in a rotation direction of the photosensitive member for radiating light toward the photosensitive layer prior to charging performed by the charging device to uniformize a surface potential of the photosensitive layer; a light radiation device for radiating light to a charging area of the photosensitive layer in the state of being charged by the charging device and for adjusting the amount of the light to be radiated; an exposing device for radiating light corresponding to an image toward the photosensitive layer in the state of being charged; a developing device located downstream with respect to the exposing device in the rotation direction of the photosensitive memb

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus has a plurality of developing rollers arranged in a row in the direction of rotation of a photosensitive member so as to face the surface of the photosensitive member. Each developing roller retains on the surface thereof a developer consisting essentially of an electrically insulating magnetic toner and an electrically conductive magnetic carrier. At least the surface portion of each developing roller is driven to rotate in order to transport the developer to the surface of the photosensitive member. A developing bias voltage is applied to each of the developing rollers. Exposure is carried out by applying image light from the reverse side of the photosensitive member toward the most downstream developing roller as viewed in the direction of rotation of the photosensitive member.

Abstract: A color electrophtographic printer has: a photosensitive drum on which electrostatic latent images are formed according to print data separated by colors; a plurality of developing units each including a developing powder container accommodating a two component developing powder formed by mixing carriers and toners, an apparatus for agitating the developing powder, and a unit for supplying the toners in the developing powder container; a unit for selecting one of the plurality of developing units according to color to be developed and for activating the same to develope the corresponding electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum; and a control unit for controlling the respective operations.

Abstract: If it is desired to display the number of copies which can be outputted corresponding to the defined capacity of a developer which is determined by an image forming apparatus, a document which is thought to have a substantially average black ratio of the respective black ratios of images actually recorded by the image forming apparatus is prepared. The prepared document is set in reading means. An image of the set document is read by reading means. The black ratio of the image of the document is calculated on the basis of an output of the reading means. The number of copies which can be outputted corresponding to the defined capacity of the developer which is determined by the image forming apparatus is calculated on the basis of the calculated black ratio. The calculated number of copies which can be outputted is displayed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed, in which a photo-sensitive member is exposed by exposure means accommodated therein, and development is done substantially simultaneously with the exposure.Three time elements, that is, charging time constant C, i.e., time until reaching of a predetermined charging potential on of the photo-sensitive member in a brushing contact region between the photo-sensitive member and a toner holder after the start of charging, exposure time constant R, i.e., time until the charging potential is attenuated by the exposure to a latent image potential, and development time or time T, during which the photo-sensitive member passes by the brushing contact region, are appropriately determined.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a potential measurement device for measuring the surface potential of the electrostatic latent image and a reflective density measurement device for measuring the density of a visible image developed from the latent image are made movable, in mutually synchronized manner, along the axial direction of the rotating photosensitive member. In this manner the image forming ability can be measured over the entire surface of the photosensitive member, and the process conditions can be suitably regulated according to the results of measurements.

Abstract: A dry-type toner is temporarily put on a printing paper with electrification by an electrifying unit and a toner supplying unit. A laser diode is driven on the basis of a video signal to emit a laser beam by which the dry-type toner put on the printing paper is melted and fixed thereon. A remaining toner that was not melted on the printing paper is eliminated by a cleaning unit. A printing by the laser beam can be realized most easily without using expensive parts such as a photosensitive material or the like and without increasing its mechanism and circuit scale.

Abstract: In order to prevent the eccentricity of a rotary shaft for rotatably supporting an image bearing member used with an image forming apparatus when the image bearing member is rotated, a projection is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft fitted into a fitting hole formed in a casing for securing the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A single pass color xerographic printing system with a single polygon, single optical system Raster Output Scanning (ROS) system has a dual wavelength laser diode source for the ROS which images the dual beams at a single station as closely spaced spots on a dual layer photoreceptor with each photoreceptor layer sensitive to or accessible by only one of the two wavelengths.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a latent image forming device for forming on the image bearing member a dot distribution electrostatic latent image in accordance with image signals corresponding to an object image; a developing device for developing the latent image formed on the image bearing member by the latent image forming device, in a developing station and by a developer containing toner and magnetic carrier; wherein the developing device includes a developer carrying member for carrying and conveying the developer to the developing station, and a magnetic field generating device provided within the developer carrying member, for forming a magnetic brush of the developer and contacting the magnetic brush to the image bearing member; and wherein a degree .sigma.d (emu/cm.sup.

Abstract: An imagewise exposure device exposes the inner surface of a rotating photoreceptor. A developer layer is provided around the surface of a first developing roller to which a DC voltage, the polarity of which is the same as that of charge given to the insulating toner of the developer, is applied. The developer layer on the first developing roller contacts the outer surface of the photoreceptor, corresponding to the inner surface exposed, so that a toner layer is formed on the outer surface of the photoreceptor. A toner image is formed when a developer layer provided around a second developing roller contacts the outer surface of the photoreceptor on which the toner layer is formed, wherein a DC voltage having polarity reverse to that of the first developing roller is applied to the second developing roller.

Abstract: A developing unit incorporated in an image forming apparatus and capable of transporting a developer or a toner deposited on a developing roller in a predetermined direction without rotating the developing roller, or developer carrier. The developing roller has an unrotatable base roller, a stationary body provided on the base roller and made of an insulating material, and a plurality of drive electrodes buried in the stationary body. The drive electrodes are divided into three electrode groups. Voltages whose polarities change at predetermined intervals are applied to the three electrode groups, causing the toner to be transported by the coaction of the charge of the toner and the charges of the drive electrodes. The drive electrodes are arranged at a pitch which is substantially one-third of the particle size of the toner, so that the toner may be deposited on the developing roller substantially without any clearance.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for heat development of a migration imaging member containing migration marking material and a softenable material capable of softening upon exposure to heat at a development temperature, which apparatus comprises a heating source, a conveyance means for conveying the migration imaging member past the heating source, a first pinch roller in contact with the conveyance means, and a second pinch roller in contact with the conveyance means, wherein the imaging member passes through a nip between the conveyance means and the first pinch roller subsequent to entering the apparatus and prior to exposure to the heating source and passes through a nip between the conveyance means and the second pinch roller subsequent to exposure to the heating source and prior to exiting the apparatus, wherein the surface temperature of the first pinch roller is maintained at a temperature at least 20.degree. C.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises includes a feeder means and recorder. The feeder feeds a sheet of recording paper to a predetermined position in response to a spare paper feed signal instructing the feeding of the sheet of recording paper to the predetermined position preliminarily, and then feeds the sheet of recording paper being stopped at the predetermined position again in response to a record request signal. The recorder records an image on the sheet of recording paper fed by the feeder means through an electrophotographic process. The recorder means starts preparation to execute the electrophotographic process upon receiving the spare paper feed signal. As a result, throughput is increased without causing other problems.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which feeds a predetermined bias current smaller than a threshold current to a semiconductor included in digital optics at least during image formation so as to enhance response. During image formation, the apparatus maintains the bias current at an adequate value.