Abstract: A fixing device and an image forming apparatus to pass a paper through a nip portion between a fixing roller and a pressure roller and fix a toner image on the paper. The image forming apparatus includes a first spring and a second spring to press the pressure roller against the fixing roller and an operation lever to change a pressing state of the springs. The operation lever has two positions of: a first position in which pressing of the pressure roller by the first spring is made active and pressing by the second spring is made inactive; and a second position in which the pressing by the second spring is made active and the pressing by the first spring is made inactive. A contact pressure of the pressure roller against the fixing roller is differentiated in the first position and in the second position.

Abstract: A method and mobile communications device for retrieving and presenting partial skipped content are provided. A display of a mobile communication device provides content of a first segment and a further segment of an electronic document received at the mobile communication device. Content between the first segment and the further segment is skipped content which has not been received. On the display, an indication of the skipped content is provided, the indication including a selectable client control for retrieving at least a portion of the skipped content.

Abstract: An ink jet imaging system comprises a heated imaging drum that rotates in at least one direction, a print head for ejecting ink onto the heated imaging drum as it rotates past the print head to form an image, a media sheet transport for synchronizing movement of a media sheet with rotation of the heated imaging drum, a transfixing roller that forms a transfixing nip with the heated imaging drum to transfix the image on the rotating heated image drum onto the media sheet synchronized by the media sheet transport, and a media director located between the media sheet transport and the heated imaging drum to direct the media sheet into close proximity with the heated imaging drum at a position sufficiently prior to the transfixing nip that the heated imaging drum heats the media sheet before the media sheet enters the transfixing nip.

Abstract: A plurality of wireless sensors can be placed within a large system in various locations to monitor critical elements of that system. Each wireless sensor can include sensor elements usable to monitor one or more parameters of an element of the system and a wireless signal transmitter, such as, for example, a speaker or an antenna. Each sensor can transmit one or more unique identifying signals to a signal-receiving device, which can be processed by a signal processor. The signal processor can determine each received signal, the sensor corresponding to that identified signal, and the time the wireless signal was generated. Based on this information, the wireless signals can be diagnostically compared against expected values for the system being monitored and evaluated. If a discrepancy is detected, then the components and/or subsystems within the system that are implicated in the discrepant wireless signals can be evaluated for possible errors.

Abstract: An improved method and system for printing electric paper is described. The method utilizes a system for keeping a writing characteristic, such as an electric charge or an electric current, constant with each pixel of an electric paper as the electric paper moves through a system. By keeping the electrical characteristic constant at each pixel, as the electric paper moves, the throughput of an electric paper printing system is significantly enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image-forming device that comprises a roller that includes a plurality of micromembers. The micromembers are preferably hook or loop-like members made of a compliant material such as plastic or rubber. The micromembers on the roller essentially define a compliant surface, which is self-correcting for unintentional media thickness variations within a print area. The roller is rotational such that when the roller contacts the media the rotational or spinning force is converted to a compressional force, which is sufficient to rupture the microcapsules in the media.

Abstract: An image-forming device comprises a rotating belt that includes a plurality of micro-members. The micro-members are preferably spherical members or hook and loop members. The rotating belt having the micro-members thereon is adapted to contact microencapsulated media with a force sufficient to rupture unhardened microcapsules on the media.

Abstract: A printer includes an exposing section for exposing a recording medium, a first feed device for feeding the recording medium while contacting both side edges of the recording medium, a developing section for development of the recording medium, a recording media feed path arranged between the exposing section and the developing section, a second feed device arranged in the recording media feed path for feeding the recording medium to the developing section while contacting the both side edges of the recording medium, and a cutting device for cutting four edges of the recording medium, a third feed device arranged between the developing section and the cutting device for feeding the recording medium to the cutting device while contacting the both side edges of the recording medium. An apparatus housing retains the exposing section, the developing section, the cutting device, and the first, second, and third feed devices therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image-forming device for processing photosensitive media. The photosensitive media is of the type that includes microcapsules that encapsulate imaging material such as coloring material. The image-forming device includes a photobleaching system that is adapted to eliminate or minimize undesired coloration in a final print.

Abstract: An image-recording apparatus including a casing section that encases a light and heat sensitive recording material therein; an optical recording section that exposes to light a light and heat sensitive recording material fed from the casing section, and thereby records a latent image thereon; a thermal developing section that develops the latent image with heat; a moisture content-controlling section that controls moisture content of the light and heat sensitive recording material after exposure and before development; and an optical fixing section that fixes the developed image by irradiating it with light. The image-recording apparatus can be a completely dry system that is capable of forming good print images without producing waste materials such as image transfer sheets. By controlling moisture content of the recording material, problems such as mottling of images can be prevented.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an imaging member for forming a latent image on a photosensitive medium and a pressure assembly for applying pressure to the photosensitive medium and develop images on the medium. The photosensitive medium comprises a plurality of microcapules which encapsulate imaging material such as coloring material. In a feature of the invention, a controller is responsive to sensed ambient conditions to control the amount of pressure applied to the medium and thereby control the amount of crushing force applied to the microcapsules. In a further feature, a flexible pressure strip is provided between a crushing roller of the pressure assembly and the media to prevent a marking of the media.

Abstract: An image transfer apparatus that records an image through selective heat and pressure application has an ink ribbon and a film disposed between a driving head and a flat platen. Color dyes of the ink ribbon are transferred to the film as the image. The image on the film is thus conveyed to a position for transferring the image to a recording sheet. The film and the recording sheet are pressed between a transfer roller and a conveyor roller with a pressure that sufficiently smooths unevenness in the surface of the recording sheet. A high quality image is thus recorded on the recording sheet regardless of the surface condition of the recording sheet.

Abstract: In an image-forming system, an image-forming substrate is used, which has a sheet of paper, and a layer of microcapsules coated over the sheet of paper. The layer of microcapsules includes at least one type of microcapsules filled with an ink. A shell wall of each microcapsule is formed of resin, which exhibits a temperature/pressure characteristic such that each of the microcapsules is squashed under a predetermined pressure when being heated to a predetermined temperature, thereby discharging the dye out of the shell wall. A printer, having a roller platen and a thermal head, forms an image on the substrate. The platen locally exerts the pressure on the microcapsule layer. The thermal head selectively heats a localized area of the microcapsule layer, on which the pressure is exerted by the platen, to a temperature in accordance with an image-information data, such that the microcapsules in the microcapsule layer are selectively squashed and an image on the microcapsule layer.

Abstract: A recording sheet includes a micro-capsule layer which includes a plurality types of micro-capsules colored with different colors, for example, primary or complimentary colors of a subtractive mixture. The micro-capsules are filled with core materials which are discharged when the micro-capsules are broken. Each type of micro-capsule is selectively broken by a selective temperature and pressure application. When a micro-capsule is broken, the core material blends out the color of the micro-capsule. Additionally, an image forming system includes a heating unit for selectively heating the micro-capsules by an output of a Joule heat or light irradiation. Different wavelengths of light are radiated by the light irradiation heating unit, which are absorbed depending upon an absorption band exhibited by the different colored micro-capsules.

Abstract: An imaging assembly includes a media cartridge for holding a stack of media therein. The media cartridge includes a linkage assembly at least a portion of which is made of a material that is responsive to ambient conditions within the cartridge. An image forming device of the imaging assembly is adapted to control a development of images on the photosensitive media based on the sensed ambient conditions.

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge.

Abstract: A scanning exposure apparatus which promptly analyzes a cause for a variation in exposure line width. The scanning exposure apparatus includes a mask stage on which a mask is placed, a wafer stage on which a wafer is placed, a focusing mechanism which detects surface position information of the wafer and adjustment means which adjusts the surface position of the wafer. Control means acquires pose information of the wafer adjusted by the adjustment means at the time of exposure and stores the pose information in a memory in association with preacquired surface shape information of an exposure area. A state in which the exposed surface of the wafer has been exposed with respect to exposure light is known from the pose information and the surface shape information.

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus forms an image by applying a control electric field having a polarity corresponding to recording information, to a recording medium having microcapsules including chargeable particles dispersed in a dispersion medium. The image-forming apparatus includes an alternating electric field-applying unit for applying an alternating electric field to the microcapsules. The alternating electric field is applied to the microcapsules of the recording medium before the image formed on the recording medium is rewritten. Accordingly, the chargeable particles are separated from the wall surfaces of the microcapsules and from the other chargeable particles, making it possible for the chargeable particles to perform free electrophoresis. The recording medium is initialized to improve the response performance with respect to the control electric field for forming a new image. The recording density is increased, and the blur is reduced.

Abstract: An image transfer apparatus that records an image through selective heat and pressure application has an ink ribbon and a film disposed between a driving head and a flat platen. Color dyes of the ink ribbon are transferred to the film as the image. The image on the film is thus conveyed to a position for transferring the image to a recording sheet. The film and the recording sheet are pressed between a transfer roller and a conveyor roller with a pressure that sufficiently smooths unevenness in the surface of the recording sheet. A high quality image is thus recorded on the recording sheet regardless of the surface condition of the recording sheet.

Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus is able to monitor changes in transmissivity of the projection optical system so as to provide a high degree of control over the exposure illuminance to produce precision printing of circuit patterns on a substrate. A referencing member, having reference marks and a window section for determining the illuminance of the transmitting exposure beam, is provided on the sample stage for the substrate. During scanning/exposure process, any positional deviation of projection optical system is checked by the alignment system by comparing reticle marks on the reticle with reference marks on the sample stage illuminated with alignment beams. Simultaneously, illuminance of exposure light passing through the projection optical system is checked to determine if there is any change in the transmission coefficient of the optical system, and illumination power is adjusted to provide near real-time compensation for any change in transmissivity in the optical system.

Abstract: A scanning exposure system to expose an objective wafer has a light source; a slit-shaped window having a length in a first direction greater than a width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a photomask having an exposure opening therein, the exposure opening having a length along a longer direction greater than a width along a narrower direction perpendicular to the longer direction, the longer direction being aligned parallel to a projection of the first direction on the photomask, the objective wafer being exposed to the light source through the slit-shaped window and the exposure opening during a scanning operation by a relative motion of the photomask with respect to the slit-shaped window in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A printer for intermittely feeding printing sheets to which a photoconductive microcapsule is applied in a sheet feeding direction and printing images on the printing sheets, includes a frame, an exposure head which is supported by the frame and irradiates light to the sheets to form a latent image thereon; and a pressing and developing head which is supported by the frame so as to reciprocate in a scanning direction intersecting the sheet feeding direction on the downstream side of the exposure head with respect to the sheet feeding direction and applies pressure to the latent image forming part of the sheet in cooperation with a sheet supporting means disposed on the rear surface side of the sheet to develop a latent image.

Abstract: An image transfer apparatus that records an image through selective heat and pressure application has an ink ribbon and a film disposed between a driving head and a flat platen. Color dyes of the ink ribbon are transferred to the film as the image. The image on the film is thus conveyed to a position for transferring the image to a recording sheet. The film and the recording sheet are pressed between a transfer roller and a conveyer roller with a pressure that sufficiently smoothes unevenness in the surface of the recording sheet. A high quality image is thus recorded on the recording sheet regardless of the surface condition of the recording sheet.

Abstract: An image-forming liquid medium comprised of a solution containing a surface-active agent, and at least two types of microcapsule mixed with the solution. A first type of microcapsule is filled with a first dye, and a second type of microcapsule is filled with a second dye. A first shell of the first type microcapsule is formed of a first resin that exhibits a first characteristic such that, when the first type microcapsule is squashed and broken under simultaneous application of a first pressure at a first temperature, the first dye seeps from the squashed and broken microcapsule. A second shell of the second type of microcapsule is formed of a second resin that exhibits a second characteristic such that, when the second type microcapsule is squashed and broken under simultaneous application of a second pressure at a second temperature, the second dye seeps from the squashed and broken microcapsule.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a thermally processed, imaging material which has been heated to a first temperature by a thermal processor is disclosed. The cooling apparatus includes a cooling article, on which the imaging material rides after the imaging material exits the thermal processor, and an imaging material transport mechanism. The cooling article is at a lower temperature than the first temperature to cool the imaging material. The transport mechanism conveys the imaging material over the cooling article. The imaging material transport mechanism includes a first roller, a second roller and a displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism effects relative movement between the first and second rollers between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first and second rollers engage the imaging material to convey the imaging material over the cooling article.

Abstract: An encapsulated liquid toner apparatus and method for printing. The encapsulated liquid toner apparatus and method for printing operates by selectively depositing ink filled microcapsules to a print medium. The microcapsules have a mixture of pigment particles, drying agents, and an ester oil contained within a hard brittle outer shell. The outer shell formed from a urea resoricnol formaldehyde material is crushed which releases ink within the microcapsule onto the print medium. One embodiment of the invention deposits the microcapsules on the print medium through an electrophotographic process. Another embodiment deposits the microcapsules through a toner ejection process.

Abstract: Image-recording technology records images displayed on a screen onto an image sheet. An image-recording assembly has an image sheet and an associated opaque shield. The shield is slidable to expose the image sheet to the image displayed on the screen. The image sheet may be of the type which has microcapsules containing photo-hardenable chemicals coated onto a base sheet. The image-recording assembly is positioned in front of a screen displaying an image with a user exposing the image sheet by shiffing the position of the shield. The exposure time may be controlled manually by the user or automatically by software displaying the image on the screen. To develop the image sheet, unexposed microcapsules are ruptured by either applying pressure to the image sheet or forcefully sliding the image sheet across a sharp edge. The image-recording assembly may be flexible and is preferably less than 15 mils thick.

Abstract: The platemaking system is a system that produces a printing plate by using an exposure device 8 to print on original film that has imposition data consisting of multiple page data imposed on photosensitive film. The system is equipped with page data layout device 2 and exposure device 8. Page data layout device 2 indicates page layout data that contains positioning information and size information of each page data for the purpose of impositioning multiple page data on photosensitive film. Based on that page layout data, each page data is laid out at the imposition position of the photosensitive film, imposition data is created and the indicated page layout data is output to exposure device 8. Exposure device 8 receives the page layout data via network line NL and moves the original film to the corresponding position in accordance with the received page layout data after which the exposure process is carried out.