38th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 35 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110229098 | FIBER OPTIC CABLES AND ASSEMBLIES FOR FIBER TOWARD THE SUBSCRIBER APPLICATIONS - Fiber optic cables and assemblies for routing optical networks closer to the subscriber. The fiber optic cables have a small-cross section yet robust design that is versatile by allowing use in aerial application with a pressure clamp along with use in buried and/or duct applications. Additionally, the fiber optic cables and assemblies have a relatively large slack storage capacity for excess length. Assemblies include hardened connectors such as plugs and/or receptacles suitable for outdoor plant applications attached to one or more ends of the fiber optic cables for plug and play connectivity. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229099 | FIBER OPTIC CABLE - A fiber optic cable includes a strain element including a first optical fiber and an optical element including a second optical fiber. The optical element is compliantly coupled with the strain element to transfer a portion of strain experienced by the strain element to the optical element. A fiber optic cable includes a strain transfer member, a central optical fiber disposed through the strain transfer member, and a tight jacket mechanically coupling the central optical fiber and the strain transfer member. The fiber optic cable further includes a compliant layer disposed about and affixed to the strain transfer member; a peripheral optical fiber disposed in the compliant layer, such that a portion of the strain experienced by the strain transfer member is transferred to the peripheral optical fiber via the compliant layer; and a protective cover disposed about the compliant layer. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229100 | OPTICAL FIBER RIBBON HOLDING MEMBER, METHOD FOR HOLDING OPTICAL FIBER RIBBON, AND BUNDLE OF OPTICAL FIBER RIBBON - Provided with a holding member main body having an upward U-shaped cross section and having a space to which a plurality of optical fiber ribbons can be accommodated in a laminated state; and a lid body having a downward U-shaped cross section, wherein latch structures that engage to each other when lid body covers holding member main body are provided at wall portions of lid body and holding member main body, the lid body includes an optical fiber ribbon pressing portion that presses the laminated optical fiber ribbons accommodated in holding member main body. Heating operation is not required unlike a heat shrinkable tube, and the optical fiber ribbons are held by only a simple operation of covering the lid body, so that the operation of holding the optical fiber ribbons in a laminated state is easily performed and readjustment of the position of the optical fiber ribbons in a longitudinal direction can be performed. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229101 | Single-Mode Optical Fiber - The present invention embraces a single-mode optical fiber typically having reduced bending losses. The optical fiber includes a central core, an intermediate cladding, a buried trench, and an outer cladding. The optical fiber typically has (i), at a wavelength of 1310 nanometers, a mode field diameter with a nominal value of between about 8.6 microns and 9.5 microns (and a tolerance of ±0.4 micron), (ii) a cable cut-off wavelength of no more than 1260 nanometers, and (iii), for a bending radius of 15 millimeters at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, bending losses of no more than 0.03 dB/turn. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229102 | RELEASE LATCH FOR PRE-TERMINATED CASSETTE - A release latch for a pre-terminated cassette is described. The pre-terminated cassette includes a release latch to allow removal of the pre-terminated cassette from a patch panel, where the patch panel includes a retaining feature for retaining the pre-terminated cassette. The release latch includes a cantilever beam located on the sidewall of the pre-terminated cassette. The cantilever beam has a hinge point that allows the beam to deflect with respect to the sidewall. The release latch further includes a depressing tab provided at the distal end of the cantilever beam and a latch tab protruding from the surface of the cantilever beam between the hinge point and the depressing tab. The latch tab is capable of engagement with the retaining feature of the patch panel when the cassette is installed in the patch panel. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229103 | OPTICAL CABLE EXIT TROUGH - A cable exit trough is mountable to a lateral trough section either during initial assembly of the cable routing system, or at a later date. The exit trough includes a bracket portion mountable to the top edge of one of the sides of the lateral trough section. Two lead-ins are provided to lead the cable in an upward direction from the lateral trough section to the exit trough. The exit trough includes an exit trough portion extending from the bracket portion upwardly away from the lateral trough section. The exit trough portion includes a convexly curved bottom trough surface, and two convexly curved upstanding sides. The exit trough portion and the lead-ins define a cable pathway from the lateral trough section to an exit point of the exit trough portion which can either lead downwardly relative to the lateral trough section, or horizontally. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229104 | System And Method For Recording and Playback Of Multimedia Content - A system and method employing an array of economical disk drives, each containing identical copies of the same multimedia content, for on-demand delivery to newsroom clients assigned to groups over respective communication channels. A Greeter Process parcels the multimedia content into data blocks having a size that is equal to the data field size of the drive's sectors. The Greeter Process then writes the parceled data block at least contemporaneously if not simultaneously to each of the disk drives, thereby optimizing the writing of the parceled content into the sectors of the disk drive and the subsequent reading of the parceled content from its sectors. Alternatively, the Greeter Process may parcel the multimedia content based upon inherent natural breaks such as anticipated periods of intensive computation. Upon demand, each newsroom client may read the desired multimedia content from its respective disk drive over its respective communication channel. Inasmuch as the multimedia content is identical on each disk drive, when any of the newsroom clients desires a particular multimedia file of, for example, a news event, each client receives an identical copy of that file of that news event over their respective communication channel from their respective disk drive. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229105 | DECENTRALIZED SYMMETRIC NETWORK OF AUTONOMOUS DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDERS AND ITS METHOD OF USE - The present invention describes a decentralized symmetric configuration of digital video recorders (DVCRs) for monitoring, controlling, analyzing, recording, playback and streaming of audio/visual (A/V) media over a network. Each DVCR is an autonomous device able to operate in its local environment as well as access and operate another DVCR available on the network to facilitate the overall working of the disclosed system. Each DVCR also exhibits storage fail-safe feature whereby it recovers data automatically if storage media gets corrupted such as due to sudden power failure. A DVCR can be configured to scan the network for other DVCR units. A list of discovered DVCRs is displayed. Each DVCR can access, after authentication, any of the listed DVCR for configuration, monitoring, controlling, recording, playback and other available functionality over the network. The same controls used for operating a local DVCR, including use of buttons, can be employed to operate the remote DVCR, giving a virtual presence at the remote location. The functionality exhibited by each of the DVCR, can be identical. A plurality of the DVCR can thus form a decentralized, symmetric network in which there is no master or central controller. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229106 | SYSTEM FOR PLAYBACK OF ULTRA HIGH RESOLUTION VIDEO USING MULTIPLE DISPLAYS - Provided is a system for playback of ultra high resolution video using multiple displays. The system comprises multiple image decoders for decoding each of multiple image files to provide the decoded images to each of multiple displays; management server to provide multiple image files; and relay transmitter to receive the multiple image files from the management server and then distribute the multiple image files to corresponding multiple decoders, wherein the relay transmitter receives display delay time and decoding order for the image files from the management server, and broadcasts the relay time and decoding start order to the multiple image decoders, and each of multiple image decoders decodes corresponding image file in accordance with the decoding start order, respectively, and provides the decoded image to each of multiple displays after delay time. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229107 | System, method and apparatus for controlling the dissemination of digital works - A system, business methodology and apparatus for facilitating controlled dissemination of digital works is disclosed. An audio and video organizer, entertainment, and communication unit that plays back audio and video media content received from a central storage server. The unit relies on a smartcard, which has a personalized key that unlocks encrypted content. Using the unit, a user can purchase music or other types of media using a appropriate ordering method. The central storage server then transmits a double-encrypted, compressed audio file to the unit, where it is decrypted based on the smartcard key, and available for listening. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229108 | Method And Apparatus To Conduct A Contest Via Remote Booth By Providing Contestant With Ownership Of And Control Of Confidentiality Of Recorded Performance - Apparatus to conduct a contest in which recorded performances of different individuals are reviewed to select a winner. The apparatus comprises at least one recording booth. The booth includes recording equipment comprising at least one camera for photographing the video portion of at least one individual's performance and generating video signals, at least one microphone for sensing the audio portion of the individual's performance and generating audio signals, lighting; performance apparatus to record video and audio signals generated by the camera and microphone and generate a recorded performance by the individual, and, a display viewable by the individual indicating the individual's ownership of the recorded performance and the control by the individual of the confidentiality of the performance. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229109 | CHAPTER INFORMATION CREATION APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - A chapter information creation apparatus calculates, from field-of-view information, a position of a video image having a narrow field of view whose ratio to the size of a field of view of a video image having the widest field of view, among a plurality of hierarchically-encoded video images, is less than or equal to a threshold value. Chapter information is then created if a moved distance over a fixed period is greater than or equal to a threshold value. Chapter information is created for other video images if, based on a result of analyzing the video image having widest field of view, a change in that video image is detected. Chapter information for the video image of each layer included in video image data obtained by hierarchically encoding video images having different fields of view can thereby be created using a simple method. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229110 | MOTION PICTURE EDITING APPARATUS AND METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A moving image editing device ( | 2011-09-22 |
20110229111 | MERGING OF A VIDEO AND STILL PICTURES OF THE SAME EVENT, BASED ON GLOBAL MOTION VECTORS OF THIS VIDEO - It is quite common for users to have both video and photo material that refer to the same event. Adding photos to home videos enriches the content. However, just adding still photos to a video sequence has a disturbing effect. The invention relates to a method to seamlessly integrate photos into the video by creating a virtual camera motion in the photo that is aligned with the estimated camera motion in the video. A synthesized video sequence is created by estimating a video camera motion in the video sequence at an insertion position in the video sequence at which the still photo is to be included, creating a virtual video sequence of sub frames of the still photo where the virtual video sequence has a virtual camera motion correlated to the video camera motion at the insertion position. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229112 | Heating apparatus - A heating apparatus contains a chamber that has a space for placing a work piece, a filament lamp that has an arc tube, and a sealing portion provided at an end of the arc tube. The heating apparatus further contains a glass tube extending through the chamber. A cooling fluid is introduced into the glass tube. An end of the glass tube extends to an outside of the chamber. A sealing member seals the glass tube and the chamber. The filament lamp is arranged inside the glass tube. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229113 | HEATING DEVICE FOR A THERMOPLASTIC PROSTHESIS SHAFT BLANK - Heating arrangement for a thermoplastic prosthesis socket blank, said heating arrangement comprising a holder ( | 2011-09-22 |
20110229114 | CAMERA BODY, ACCESSORY, CAMERA SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION REWRITING METHOD - A camera system including a camera body, an interchangeable lens, and an accessory mounted between the camera body and the interchangeable lens, wherein the accessory has a signal processing unit configured to process a signal input into the accessory and a storage unit configured to store information to be used when performing the signal processing, the camera system further including a pseudo interchangeable lens which can be mounted on the accessory instead of the interchangeable lens and which is configured to supply power from the camera body to the accessory when mounted on the camera body via the accessory, and a control unit configured to, while the camera body, the accessory, and the pseudo interchangeable lens are connected, when the accessory receives within a predetermined duration predetermined information, enable communication between the camera body and the accessory even after the predetermined duration has elapsed, and rewrite the information stored in the storage unit. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229115 | CAMERA BODY, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS, ACCESSORY, CAMERA SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR REWRITING INFORMATION - A camera system includes a camera body, an interchangeable lens, and an accessory to be mounted between the camera body and the interchangeable lens, wherein the accessory includes a signal processing unit configured to process a signal input into the accessory, a storage unit configured to store information used for performing the signal processing, and a blocking unit configured to prevent direct communication from the camera body to the interchangeable lens when the information stored in the storage unit is rewritten via the camera body. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229116 | Method And System For Providing Background Blurring When Capturing An Image Using An Image Capture Device - Background blurring is provided when capturing an image using an image capture device. Input is received for initiating an image capture process for capturing an image at an image capture device. A background is automatically blurred based on a depth of field automatically adjusted towards the image capture device for capturing the image with background blurring in response to receiving the input for initiating the image capture process. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229117 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS AND CAMERA LENS SYSTEM - An interchangeable lens includes a diaphragm, a driving unit for driving thereof, an operation member for setting an aperture value thereof, a switching unit for switching the operation member between permission and inhibition, and a control unit for operating, when the interchangeable lens is mounted on a camera main body including no recognition unit to recognize information on the aperture value set by the operation member, the driving unit according to a diaphragm driving command from the camera main body if the switching unit is in a state of inhibiting the operation of the operation member, and operate the driving unit according to the aperture value set by the operation member if the switching unit is in a state of permitting the operation of the operation member, and giving a response to the camera main body in a form of operating the driving unit according to the diaphragm driving command. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229118 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS - An interchangeable lens to be removably attached to a camera body, includes: a receiving device that receives predetermined control data from the camera body through a first transmission path; a control device that executes predetermined control processing based upon the control data upon reception of the control data by the receiving device; a generation device that executes at predetermined intervals generation processing for generating predetermined lens data which indicates an operating state of the interchangeable lens; a transmission device that transmits the lens data to the camera body through a second transmission path, which is different from the first transmission path, upon generation of the lens data by the generation device; and a prioritizing device that gives priority to the generation processing by the generation device over the control processing by the control device. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229119 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH CAMERA ASSEMBLY - An exemplary portable electronic device includes a housing, a camera assembly, and a deformable protective member. The camera assembly includes a circuit board and a camera unit. The protective member defines a through cavity. The through cavity receives the camera unit. The housing resists against and deforms the protective member and the circuit board resists against the protective member, sealing the through cavity. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229120 | RINSING METHOD AND DEVELOPING METHOD - A rinsing method for performing a rinsing process on a substrate, after a developing process is performed on a light-exposed pattern disposed thereon, includes a step (STEP | 2011-09-22 |
20110229121 | CAMERA LENS HOLDER - A camera lens holder configured to hold a camera lens when the lens is not attached to a camera body. The camera lens holder includes a back plate and an adapter plate associated with the back plate. The back plate and adapter plate may be movably connected with a hinge. The lens holder also includes a lens mount configured to engage with a camera lens associated with the adapter plate. The camera lens holder may include a lens release mechanism to selectively prohibit or allow the removal of a camera lens which has been engaged with the lens mount. Also disclosed is a lens holding system and a method of holding a spare camera lens. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229122 | RESTORATION SCHEME FOR AN OPTICAL NETWORK AND METHOD OF USING SUCH A SCHEME - A method of restoration for an optical network, the network comprising a plurality of nodes ( | 2011-09-22 |
20110229123 | CROSS-DOMAIN PARALLEL RECOVERING METHOD AND SYSTEM IN MULTI-LAYER AND MULTI-DOMAIN DISTRIBUTED OPTICAL NETWORK - Provided is a cross-domain parallel recovering method and system in multi-layer and multi-domain distributed optical network (MMDON). Based on inter-domain LRA (Link Recovery Algorithm), the routing devices establish inter-domain WP (Work Path) and then build inter-domain RP (Recovery Path) based on WP. Inter-domain RPs will be established by using PSM (Parallel Signaling Mechanism) when link failure occurs on inter-domain WPs. That realizes the establishments and of inter-domain RP, and improves the survivability of inter-domain services. Inter-domain RPs are established or engaged before the establishing of WPs, while the intra-domain paths are established after the failure testing. This mechanism ensures the availability of inter-domain resources during recovery and avoids resource waste caused by pre-establishing intra-domain RPs. Moreover, parallel signaling mechanism can decrease the recovery time, and can handle inter-domain link failures simultaneously to avoid queue-waiting. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229124 | SERIAL OPTICAL DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH DISPLACEABLE OPTICAL PATHWAY - A serial optical data transmission system is provided. The serial optical data transmission system includes a displaceable optical pathway disposed adjacent to a slot configured to receive a first monitoring and/or control module. The optical pathway is biased towards a serial optical data bus position for transmission of optical data to or from at least one second monitoring and/or control module when the first monitoring and/or control module is removed from the slot. Further, the optical pathway is displaced from the serial optical data bus position when the first monitoring and/or control module is in the slot. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229125 | I2C communication device and I2C communication method - An inter-integrated circuit (I2C) communication device, includes an I2C command transmission unit that transmits an expanded command to an optical module with which the I2C command transmission unit communicates together with software data, the expanded command including a command for transmitting the software data to the optical module and a command for collecting alarm monitor information from the optical module for monitoring the occurrence of an abnormality in the optical module, and an I2C command processing unit that, when the expanded command transmitted from the I2C command transmission unit is received, stores the software data transmitted together with the expanded command in a storage unit of the optical module, reads out the alarm monitor information stored in the storage unit, and transmits the read alarm monitor information to the I2C command transmission unit. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229126 | Automatic Adjustment of Optical Bandwidth Based on Client Layer Needs - At a cross-connect device coupled to a router, utilization of a logical interface of the router is monitored using generally available mechanisms on the router without requiring purpose-built mechanisms. Capacity of interface resources to the logical interface used at the router is adjusted depending on the utilization. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229127 | DIGITAL COHERENT RECEIVER AND DIGITAL COHERENT RECEPTION METHOD - A digital coherent receiver converts signals and local light respectively detected, as detection results, in signal light from an optical transmission line, into digital signals and that further applies digital processing to the digital signals. The receiver includes a skew detecting unit that detects skew between the digital signals; a skew control unit controls the skew of each of the signals so that the skew to be detected by the skew detecting unit will be reduced; and a demodulating unit that demodulates each signal controlled for skew by the skew control unit. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229128 | OPTICAL NODE, OPTICAL NETWORK SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR MEASURING POLARIZATION MODE DISPERSION - An optical node disposed along a transmission line that uses optical fiber. The optical node includes a first signal generator and a monitor. The first signal generator generates a first measurement signal for measuring polarization mode dispersion values and transmits the first measurement signal along the transmission line. The monitor detects a second measurement signal from the transmission line and measures polarization mode dispersion values by performing signal processing with respect to the second measurement signal. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229129 | Tunable Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing Transceiver, Circuits and Devices Therefor, and Methods for Making and Using Such Transceivers, Circuits and Devices - The disclosure relates to a tunable 50 GHz and 100 GHz channel spacing DWDM transceiver, and methods of making and using the same. The transceiver comprises an electro-absorption modulation laser (EML), a system board configured to compare a preset wavelength with an actual emission wavelength of the EML, a microcontroller and one or more associated registers configured to communicate with the system board, a temperature controlling circuit configured to stabilize the actual emission wavelength of the EML; and a wavelength meter connected to the output of the EML and having an output connected to the system board. The system board may be configured to provide a feedback loop from the EML to the microcontroller. The transceiver, suitable for 50 GHz channel spacing standards, can be made from existing standard transceivers and can switch between 50 GHz and 100 GHz channel spacing modes. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229130 | VISIBLE RAY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION APPARATUS, AND SIGNAL TRANSMISSION METHOD - Disclosed is a visible ray communication system including a transmission apparatus and a reception apparatus, wherein the transmission apparatus includes: a plurality of light emitting devices; an S/P converter for serial-to-parallel converting transmission data, thereby generating N data streams; a modulator for modulating the generated N data streams for respective carriers with a predetermined number of dimensions, thereby generating N modulated signals; a carrier signal multiplier for multiplying the generated N modulated signals by orthogonal N carrier signals, respectively, thereby generating N transmission signals; and a light emitting control unit for illuminating the plurality of light emitting devices according to the generated N transmission signals. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229131 | VERSATILE OPTICAL NETWORK INTERFACE METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Methods and systems for implementing versatile optical terminals that detect optical transmission protocols and subsequently adapt to the correct protocol are disclosed. In an embodiment, an interface device for providing an interface for a first network with a passive optical network (PON) is disclosed. The interface device includes a protocol detection circuit for determining whether optical communication signals received from the PON conform to a first optical communication protocol, and a switchover control circuit that reconfigures the interface device to work with a second optical communication protocol when the received optical communication signals do not conform to the first optical communication protocol. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229132 | WAVELENGTH SELECTIVE SWITCH - A wavelength selective switch includes a light input/output unit that includes an input unit and an output unit of a wavelength multiplexed light arranged in a form of an array in a first direction, a light dispersing unit that receives the wavelength multiplexed light from the input unit and disperses the wavelength multiplexed light into signal wavelengths, a light condensing element that condenses the light dispersed into the signal wavelengths, and a light deflecting element array that deflects a signal light in the first direction and a second direction, that is orthogonal to the first direction, so as to switch the light of the signal wavelengths condensed by the light condensing element to a desired output unit. In the wavelength selective switch, the light condensing element and the light deflecting element array are arranged such that a light launched from the input unit is incident on a surface orthogonal to a passing direction at an angle that is not orthogonal within a deflection range of the light deflecting element array. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229133 | TRANSMISSION APPARATUS AND SIGNAL TRANSMISSION METHOD - A transmission apparatus stores frame data of a first frame in a second frame having a bit rate different from that of the first frame through regulation of the amount of stuffs to be stored in the second frame. The transmission apparatus includes: a storage unit storing the first-frame frame data; a first control unit controlling a timing of writing the first-frame frame data in the storage unit based on first stuff information indicating the amount of stuffs contained in the first frame; an arithmetic and logic unit obtaining second stuff information indicating the amount of stuffs to be contained in the second frame based on a bit rate ratio between the first frame and the second frame; and a second control unit controlling a timing of reading out the first-frame frame data stored in the storage unit based on the second stuff information. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229134 | OPTICAL NETWORK DESIGNING DEVICE, METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An optical network designing device that designs a path of an optical network that includes an asymmetric optical hub site, comprising: a path calculating unit that calculates a requested traffic path without a limit to a number of connections of the asymmetric optical hub site; a violation determining unit that determines whether a limit to the number of connections is violated in the asymmetric optical hub site through which the traffic path calculated by the path calculating unit passes; a removal selecting unit that selects a removal connection to be removed from the determined asymmetric optical hub site when the violation determining unit determines that the limit to the number of connections is violated; and a path recalculating unit that recalculates a traffic path that passes through the asymmetric optical hub site from which the removal connection selected by the removal selecting unit has been removed. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229135 | OPTICAL COMPONENT AND METHOD FOR DATA PROCESSING - An optical component contains a tunable laser. The tunable laser provides an optical local oscillator signal, and the tunable laser is directly modulated to provide a modulated optical data signal. In this manner we have optimization of the channel wavelength and obtain an optimized electrical and optical bandwidth utilization. Furthermore, a method for data processing is suggested. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229136 | LONG REACH OPTICAL NETWORK - An optical network includes a first optical network for carrying a plurality of optical channels in an optical fiber, wherein each of the plurality of optical channels comprise a discrete wavelength in a first range of wavelengths. A second optical network coupled to the first optical network by a first tunable filter. A first customer location coupled to the second optical network by a second tunable filter. The first tunable filter is configured to pass a first set of optical channels from the first optical network to the second optical network. The first set of optical channels includes a subset of the plurality optical channels within a second range of wavelengths less than the first range of wavelengths. The second tunable filter is configured to pass a particular channel within the first set of optical channels from the second optical network to the first customer location. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229137 | Tunable Receiver - Embodiments for optical communication are provided in which tunable receiver selects and demodulates a first channel of a WDM signal. An example receiver includes a tunable local oscillator for generating a local oscillator signal approximately centered at a first channel wavelength. An optical hybrid of the receiver receives at a first input a wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) signal with a M-ary modulation scheme, wherein M is an integer greater than 2, and at a second input the local oscillator signal. A plurality of detectors detect in-phase and quadrature components of the first channel wavelength output of the optical hybrid, which are digitizing by a plurality of analog-to-digital converters. A digital signal processor processes the digitized in-phase and quadrature components in order to recover data carried by the first channel of the WDM signal. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229138 | Optical-signal processing apparatus, optical transmission method, receiver, and optical network system - In an optical network system: control light is generated by optical modulation based on a modulated data signal which is generated by modulation of a carrier signal with a data signal; and the control light is optically combined with an optical carrier which is to propagate through a nonlinear optical medium, so as to cause cross phase modulation of the optical carrier with the control light in the nonlinear optical medium. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229139 | TRANSPARENT FIBER CHANNEL LINK MANAGEMENT FOR PROTOCOL TRANSPORT - Methods and apparatus for providing distance extension and other transport functions such as error monitoring, provisioning, and link/service management in a fiber channel path are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a transport node includes a processing arrangement and an output interface. The processing arrangement creates a first ordered set that includes information associated with an ability for the transport node to receive a first fiber channel frame, and inserts the first ordered set between a second ordered set and a third ordered set of a fiber channel stream. The output interface transmits the fiber channel stream, which includes the information regarding whether the transport node is capable of receiving the first fiber channel frame. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229140 | WDM-PON SYSTEM, ONT, OLT AND METHOD FOR INITIALIZATION OF TUNABLE LASER - A wavelength-multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) and a method are described herein for setting-up (e.g., wavelength tuning, power tuning) an ONT laser by establishing a communications channel on an optical layer between an optical line terminal (OLT) and an optical network termination (ONT). The communications channel is established by utilizing the OLT's laser shutdown function and the ONT's signal detection function. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229141 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UNDERWATER OPTICAL COMMUNICATION - The systems and methods of the invention provide for improved underwater communication systems. In particular, the systems and methods of the invention provide for improved underwater optical modems including optical transmitters and optical receivers that allow omni-directional transmission and reception of optical signals underwater and having a range of about 100 m and allowing data rates greater than 1 Mbit/s. The systems and methods of the invention also provide for underwater communication networks having a plurality of optical modems communicating with each other. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229142 | DATA PROCESSING NETWORK HAVING AN OPTICAL NETWORK INTERFACE - An optical data processing network having an optical network interface is disclosed. The optical data processing network includes a first multi-processor system and a second multi-processor system. The first multi-processor system includes a first set of processors and a first set of optical network interfaces electrically coupled to the first set of processors. Similarly, the second multi-processor system includes a second set of processors and a second set of optical network interfaces electrically coupled to the second set of processors. An optical cable is connected between the first set and the second set of optical network interfaces. The first multi-processor system communicates with the second multi-processor system via the optical cable. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229143 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMPENSATING POLARIZATION MODE DISPERSION - An apparatus (PMDC) for compensating polarization mode dispersion for an optical transmission fiber (TF) for transmission of optical signals, said optical signals having a first polarization component (x pol) and a orthogonal second polarization component (y pol) comprises tuneable means (PC | 2011-09-22 |
20110229144 | WIRELESS REMOTE - Various embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods including an apparatus comprising a remote operable to receive a non-radio frequency beacon signal, the non-radio frequency beacon signal transmitted within and contained substantially within an approximate line-of-sight transmission space, the non-radio frequency beacon signal including at least one channel information portion, wherein the channel information portion includes information indicating a radio frequency, the remote operable to establish bi-directional communications using the radio frequency designated by the at least one channel information portion. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229145 | OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS IN AMPLIFIED RECIPROCAL NETWORKS - Techniques, apparatus and systems to provide carrier signal transmission in reciprocal transmission architecture networks for optical communications. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229146 | PHASE MODULATION APPARATUS, TRANSMITTING APPARATUS, RECEIVING APPARATUS, AND PHASE MODULATION METHOD - It is aimed to provide a phase modulation apparatus that realizes high-precision phase modulation in high-speed phase modulation of dual optical pulses. A phase modulator | 2011-09-22 |
20110229147 | VISIBLE RAY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING SIGNAL - A visible ray communication system and method that improve transmission rate and remove an influence of inter-color interference to improve the communication quality. A transmission apparatus included in the visible ray communication system allocates each carrier signal component of an OFDM signal, which is modulated into transmission information, to a plurality of LEDs of different colors. The information is added to a combination of a carrier frequency and an LED wavelength, when a carrier signal is allocated to an, in addition to each carrier signal being modulated into the information. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229148 | OPTICAL MODULATION APPARATUS AND OPTICAL MODULATION METHOD - An optical modulation apparatus includes a first modulator, a second modulator, a multiplexer, a detector and an adjustor. The first modulator modulates light emitted by a light source using a first input signal and outputs a first modulated signal. The second modulator modulates the light using a second input signal and outputs a second modulated signal. The multiplexer multiplexes the first and second modulated signals and outputs a multiplexed signal. The detector is configured to detect a dip where power in a waveform of the multiplexed signal is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value. The adjustor is configured to adjust a delay of the first and second input signals based on power at the dip. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229149 | OPTICAL TRANSMITTER SUPPLYING OPTICAL SIGNALS HAVING MULTIPLE MODULATION FORMATS - Consistent with the present disclosure, a compact transmitter is provided that can generate optical signals having different modulation formats depending on optical link requirements. Preferably, the transmitter includes a photonic integrated circuit having multiple lasers and modulators. A control circuit adjusts the drive signals supplied to the modulators such that optical signals having a desired modulation format may be output from the modulators. Thus, for example, the transmitter may be used to output optical signals having a modulation format suitable for long haul or submarine links, as well as for links having a shorter distance. Moreover, the same photonic integrated circuit may supply optical signals with different modulation formats, such that, for example, those optical signals that are dropped along a link, and thus travel a shorter distance, may have a first modulation format, while other optical signals that travel the entire length of the link may have a second modulation format that is more suited for longer distances. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229150 | OPTICAL MODULATION APPARATUS AND OPTICAL MODULATION METHOD - An optical modulation apparatus includes a first modulator, a second modulator, a multiplexer, a calculator and an adjustor. The first modulator configured to modulate light emitted by a light source using a first input signal and output a first modulated signal. The second modulator configured to modulate the light using a second input signal and output a second modulated signal. The multiplexer configured to multiplex the first and second modulated signals and output a multiplexed signal. The calculator configured to calculate a power difference between a higher-side frequency component having a frequency higher than a center frequency of the multiplexed signal and a lower-side frequency component having a frequency lower than the center frequency. The adjustor configured to adjust delays of the first and second input signals based on the power. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229151 | PHOTOELECTRIC ENCODER - A photoelectric encoder includes a scale; a detector; alight application section; a pair of origin signal reception sections; and a signal processing section adapted to provide the maximum value of the signal level output from the origin signal reception sections by side lobe light occurring as reflected on the origin mark as a stipulated value, provide an effective area of origin detection between the first position at which output of one of the origin signal reception sections for outputting a larger signal level than the stipulated value earlier than the relative displacement becomes a larger signal level than the stipulated value and the first position at which output of the other origin signal reception section exceeds the stipulated value and then becomes a smaller signal level than the stipulated value, and configured to generate the origin detection signal in the effective area. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229152 | Bit-Rate Discrimination Method and Its Apparatus - In the present invention, unlike a conventional circuit, discrimination is not made by integrating a logical code that includes “0” and “1” to some extent and produced from a random code, but repetition of an identical pattern of a well-known preamble signal added to a head portion of a signal is discriminated when a bit-rate of the signal is changed. More specifically, the repetition of the identical pattern is converted into a consecutive identical signal to generate the consecutive identical signal (having a length of tens bits to thousands bits). Although the consecutive identical signal is longer than a same-code continuation length included in the signal, and is shorter than a time constant necessary to the conventional circuit by about one to three digits. Therefore, an integration time can be shortened to the same degree as the generated consecutive identical signal length, and the bit-rate can be discriminated at high speed within a preamble signal receiving time. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229153 | OPTICAL RECEIVER - In an optical receiver of a long-haul high-speed WDM/OADM system, a control technique is provided that can accurately control a variable dispersion compensator with an inexpensive configuration even under strict SNR conditions. Signal reception characteristic data (a bit error rate, a clock extraction result, and a frame synchronization result) is obtained and an optimum dispersion compensation amount of the dispersion compensator is calculated. The signal reception characteristic data is saturated by a high SNR. In the case where desired dispersion control accuracy cannot be obtained, an input level of a photodiode is reduced by controlling an output level of an amplifier or a variable optical attenuator. Further, in a state in which a received SNR is deteriorated, the signal reception characteristic data is obtained and the optimum dispersion compensation amount of the dispersion compensator is calculated again. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229154 | Consumable unit and image forming apparatus for controlling the same - A consumable unit and an image forming apparatus for controlling a consumable include a first memory that stores consumable item information regarding the consumable and provides the consumable item information through password authentication, and a second memory that rewrites recycling prevention information, which indicates that recycling is impossible, a limited number of times. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229155 | TONER-REMAINING-AMOUNT DETECTION SENSOR AND TONER STORAGE CONTAINER PROVIDED THEREWITH - A toner-remaining-amount detection sensor includes a rubber member, an actuator, a transmission sensor, and a holder member which integrally holds the rubber member, the actuator, and the transmission sensor. The actuator is supported by the holder member so as to move to a first position at which the transmission sensor detects that a toner remaining amount in a toner storage container is a predetermined amount or more when a toner pressure in the toner storage container acts on the rubber member, and to move to a second position at which the transmission sensor detects that the toner remaining amount in the toner storage container falls below the predetermined amount when the toner pressure in the toner storage container does not act on the rubber member. When the actuator is at the second position, the actuator partially comes into contact with the holder member so that a gap is formed between the actuator and the rubber member. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229156 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a developing device; a toner supply device; and a toner supply detecting sensor; and a toner concentration controller that directs toner supply. The toner concentration controller includes: a memory that stores the difference between the outputs from toner supply detecting sensor before and after toner supply; a toner supply quantity determinater that determines that the amount of toner remaining in the toner supply device is low and the amount of toner supply is low when the output difference or output ratio of the sensor is lower than a supply reference value; and an image quality adjustment controller that shortens the interval of time between adjustment of electrical potential on toner concentration correction in the above case. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229157 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A controlling system comprising an image forming device and a controlling device for the image forming device, the image forming device having an indicating device which can indicate that a toner cartridge is in a toner near empty state and a communication part for communicating with the controlling device via a communication network, and when the toner near empty state of the toner cartridge is detected, the communication part transmits the information to the controlling device. The controlling device has a controlling condition table in which a controlling condition set for each image forming device to be controlled is recorded, and when a toner near empty signal is received from the image forming device to be controlled, the controlling device refers to the controlling condition of the image forming device recorded in the table, and outputs or does not output a toner near empty indication instruction signal depending on the controlling condition. When the image forming device receives the toner near empty indication instruction signal, it displays so on the indicating device. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229158 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE WHICH INCLUDES AT LEAST ONE MOTOR THAT GENERATES MOTIVE POWER BY CURRENT - An image forming device includes a motor which generates motive power by current, a component driven by the motive power of the motor, and a motor current waveform determining unit which determines a condition of the image forming device on the basis of a current waveform of the current flowing through the motor while the motor is being driven. Accordingly, the image forming device which is capable of determining the condition of the device while suppressing an increase in the number of components and preventing reduction of productivity can be provided. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229159 | BELT DRIVE APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING BELT POSITION IN DIRECTION OF WIDTH - A belt drive apparatus is equipped with an endless belt rotationally movable by being supported by a plurality of rollers. A moving speed signal output part outputs a signal based on a rotational movement of the endless belt. A width direction position signal output part outputs a position signal for which its value changes in response to a position of the endless belt in a direction of width of the endless belt. A width direction position control part controls a position of the endless belt in the direction of width of the endless belt. A process execution part performs a predetermined process using the signal output from the moving speed output part based on the position signal output from the width direction position signal output part. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229160 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries a toner image, an image forming device that forms the toner image on the image carrier, a sensing device that senses a toner concentration of the image carrier and a control device that makes the image forming device form a test toner image on the image carrier, and determines necessity to execute each adjustment operation for adjusting a plurality of kinds of driving conditions for the image forming device at the time of forming the toner images, based upon a toner concentration of the test toner image. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229161 | THERMAL FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A thermal fixing device includes a fixing member, a flexible endless belt, a flexible endless belt, a rotary pressure member, a heating unit, and a rotation detector. The flexible endless belt is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member. The rotary pressure member is disposed parallel to and pressing against the fixing member via the endless belt. The heating unit heats the endless belt. The rotation detector detects a rotation speed of the endless belt. The heating unit is powered off when the rotation speed of the endless belt detected by the rotation detector is at or below a predetermined threshold value. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229162 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus - A fixing device includes a fixing member, an induction heating unit, a pressing member, and a damage detection unit. The fixing member heats a toner image on a recording medium to fix the toner image onto the recording medium. The induction heating unit heats the fixing member by electromagnetic induction. The pressing member presses the fixing member to form a fixing nip portion. The fixing member includes a heat insulating elastic layer and a sleeve layer. The sleeve layer is located outside the heat insulating elastic layer and is provided with an outer conductive layer that generates heat from a magnetic flux generated by the induction heating unit. The damage detection unit is connected to the outer, conductive layer. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229163 | LOAD ABNORMALITY DETECTION APPARATUS PERFORMING ACCURATE JUDGMENT OF CAUSE OF ABNORMALITY - A load abnormality detection apparatus detects a load abnormality in at least one of a first rotational member and a second rotational member. An element acquisition part acquires a first control element and a second control element. A first comparison part compares the first control element with a first threshold value and also compares the first control element with a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value. A second comparison part compares the second control element with a third threshold value and also compares the second control element with a fourth threshold value larger than the third threshold value. An abnormality detection part detects a load abnormality in a load applied to at least one of the first and second rotational members based on results of comparison by the first comparison part and the second comparison part and identifies a cause of the detected load abnormality. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229164 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE, MALFUNCTION DETERMINING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - An electronic device including a first motor, the electronic device including: a first movable body that is driven to move by the first motor; a detecting unit that detects a signal according to rotation of the first motor or movement of the first movable body; an analyzing unit that performs frequency analysis of the signal and generates an analysis result with respect to each frequency; and a determining unit that determines presence or absence of malfunction of the first motor or the first movable body based on an analysis result of a first frequency preset with respect to the first motor or the first movable body out of frequencies, and determines presence or absence of malfunction of a part other than the first motor and the first movable body on the basis of an analysis result of a second frequency preset with respect to the part out of the frequencies. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229165 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus has a job-content recognition device for judging whether a number inputted as the number of print copies to be made is larger or smaller than a predetermined reference value; a print-data recognition device for judging whether or not inputted print data include image data and/or graphic data; and a control device for controlling executions of image stabilization control in a printing section. The control device sets a predetermined period as intervals among executions of the image stabilization control, and sets a period shorter than the predetermined period as the intervals among executions of the image stabilization control when the number inputted as the number of print copies to be made is larger than the predetermined reference value and also the inputted print data include image data and/or graphic data. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229166 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a heating device that heats images that have been formed on a sheet-like recording medium to thereby fix the images to the recording medium; an ejection member that rotates in a forward direction and ejects to the outside the recording medium that has been conveyed from the heating device; a blower member that blows air onto the recording medium conveyed between the heating device and the ejection member; and a controller that controls the blower member such that the blower member operates when a recording page count where images are continuously formed on the recording medium is equal to or greater than a predetermined recording page count. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229167 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a sheet supply unit for supplying a printing medium; and a sheet discharge unit for discharging the printing medium after an image is transferred to the printing medium. Further, the image forming apparatus includes a transport path medium number storage unit for storing a transport path medium number; a discharge number storage unit for storing a discharge number; an upper limit print number storage unit for storing an upper limit print number; an addition unit for calculating an addition sum of the discharge number and the transport path medium number; a number comparison unit for comparing the addition sum with the upper limit print number; and a sheet supply stop unit for stopping the sheet supply unit when the addition sum exceeds the upper limit print number. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229168 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CAUSING A COMPUTER TO EXECUTE THE METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the image carrier; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the image carrier to a transfer target having ridges and valleys on a surface thereof; an adjusting unit that adjusts a ratio of A/B, where A is a transfer ratio [%] from the image carrier to a valley portion of the transfer target while B is a transfer ratio [%] from the image carrier to a ridge portion of the transfer target, based on an adjustment input by a user; and a control unit that controls a transfer condition of the transfer unit based on the ratio of A/B adjusted by the adjusting unit. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229169 | IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - An image forming system including: a fixing device for fixing a toner image on the recording sheet; a curl flattening section for flattening a curl formed on the recording sheet, and conveying the recording sheet in a downstream direction against the fixing device; a first conveying route for conveying the recording sheet having been processed by the fixing device to the curl flattening section; a second conveying route, being longer than the first conveying route, for conveying the processed recording sheet to the curl flattening section; a switching section for switching the conveying route, to guide to the first conveying route or the second conveying route; and a control section for controlling the switching section to guide the recording sheet to the first conveying route or the second conveying route, based on a type of the recording sheet, having been processed by the fixing device. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229170 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An excitation coil positioned along an axial direction of a fixing rotational body having a heat generating layer causes the heat generating layer to generate heat by electromagnetic induction. Magnetic flux shielding members positioned outside the excitation coil in a radial direction of the fixing rotational body cover at least one end of a maximum sheet passing region. A controller moves the magnetic flux shielding members along the excitation coil, and when a fed sheet has a width smaller than a width of the maximum sheet passing region, a center hole of the excitation coil is more widely covered. In a plan view, a circumference of each of the magnetic flux shielding members partially and obliquely crosses with the center hole in the axial direction of the fixing rotational body. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229171 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF STABLY CONTROLLING IMAGE DENSITY - An image forming apparatus includes plural toner adhered amount detectors that detect an amount of toner particles adhered to the toner image on the image bearer and an image density controller to form a gradation pattern by sequentially arranging plural toner patches in the sub-scanning direction on the image bearer from the least toner adhered amount patch. These toner patches bear a different amount of toner particles from each other. The plural toner patches are detected by the plural toner adhered amount detectors, and the image density controller adjusts an image formation condition for the image formation device based on detection values thereof. These toner adhered amount detectors are symmetrically aligned in a main scanning direction above the image bearer. The image density controller forms the plural toner patches being staggered at different positions on the image bearer, facing these toner adhered amount detectors, respectively. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229172 | APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO FORM PLURAL IMAGES ON AN IMAGE CONVEYOR AND METHOD CONFIGURED TO FORM PLURAL IMAGES ON AN IMAGE CONVEYOR USING THE APPARATUS - An apparatus to form plural images on an image conveyor includes plural photoconductor bodies, a light exposure device, a development device, a transfer device, and a pattern detection device, wherein the light exposure device includes an optical scanning part, a first light detection part having a first light receiving face, a second light detection part having a second light receiving face being non-parallel to the first light receiving face, a third light detection part having a third light receiving face being non-parallel to the first light receiving face, the optical scanning part, the first light detection part, and the second light detection part being provided inside a housing of the light exposure device, the third light detection part being provided outside the housing, and a light exposure timing control device. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229173 | Image forming apparatus and image forming method - An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that includes a developing unit with a developing roller to form an image using toner; a controller; and a detection unit that detects a plurality of toner patches formed at different densities on an image carrier by the image forming unit. The controller controls the image forming unit to form the toner patches on the image carrier so that each interval between the toner patches is equal to or greater than a length corresponding to a circumference length of the developing roller. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229174 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus, which has a plurality of image forming units, comprises a plurality of cartridges adapted to supply developer; a plurality of supply members adapted to supply developer to the image forming units from a plurality of the cartridges; a drive unit adapted to drive a plurality of the supply members; and a control unit adapted to supply developer from a plurality of the cartridges by selectively operating a plurality of the supply members based on the amount of developer accommodated in the cartridges. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229175 | DEVELOPING APPARATUS - A developing apparatus including a developing container for containing developer, the developing container having an opening portion, a developer carrying member for carrying the developer at the opening portion, a detecting member for detecting a developer amount, the detecting member detecting a capacitance between the developer carrying member and the detecting member, and a force receiving portion for receiving a force and moving the developing container between a first position in which a developing operation is performed by the developer carrying member and a second position in which the developing operation is not performed, wherein the capacitance can be detected in the second position, and the detecting member is a rotatable developer supplying member for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member, the developer supplying member including a foam layer in which the developer can enter. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229176 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus has an image carrier that carries a toner image; a transfer member that is opposed to the image carrier, a transfer voltage being applied to the transfer member so that the toner image is transferred from the image carrier to a print medium passing between the transfer member and the image carrier; a first voltage application device that applies the transfer voltage to the transfer member; a separation member to which a separation voltage is applied so that the print medium is separated from the image carrier; a second voltage application device that applies the separation voltage to the separation member; a sensing device that senses an image density of the toner image; and a control section that controls a magnitude of the separation voltage based upon the image density of the toner image. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229177 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An endless belt circularly moves to convey a recording medium placed thereon in a conveying direction. A plurality of photosensitive bodies is juxtaposed in the conveying direction with confronting the endless belt. A plurality of process units supplies developer to the plurality of photosensitive bodies to form a developer image thereon, respectively. A first collecting member contacts the endless belt to collect the developer on the endless belt. A second collecting member is capable of collecting from the first collecting member the developer collected on the first collecting member. A control unit applies a bias between the first collecting member and the second collecting member to inhibit the developer collected on the first collecting member from being transferred to the second collecting member when the first collecting member rubs the endless belt with the toner collected on the first collecting member. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229178 | FIXING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing unit includes a fixing member to fuse a toner image on a recording medium on the recording medium; a pressure member to press against the fixing member to define a first nip between the fixing member and the pressure member through which the recording medium is transported; a shifting unit to move the pressure member relative to the fixing member to increase or decrease a pressure of the first nip; a curling correction unit disposed downstream from the first nip in a transport direction of the recording medium that imparts a second curling direction to the recording medium; and a variable setting unit operatively connected to the curling correction unit to variably set an amount of the second curling direction to the recording medium by the curling correction unit depending on the first nip pressure increased or decreased by the shifting unit. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229179 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including a fixing liquid applicator to apply a fixing liquid to a recording medium, a transfer device to transfer a toner image from a toner image bearing member onto the recording medium to which the fixing liquid is applied while the toner image is in contact with the fixing liquid, and a fixing device to fix the toner image on the recording medium by heating the toner image and the fixing liquid. The fixing liquid comprises a plasticizer having a function to swell and soften a toner. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229180 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a fusing apparatus including a fusing member; a heating unit heating the fusing member; temperature detecting units detecting temperatures of the fusing member and a pressing member; and the pressing member forming a fusing nip with the fusing member for fusing an un-fused image on a recording medium onto a recording medium. The image forming apparatus further includes a heating power determining unit determining heating power of the fusing apparatus by measuring a time or a gradient of time versus temperature before the temperature of the fusing member reaches a reload temperature after power is turned on. The image forming apparatus includes a control unit performing a feed permission control or a CPM down control depending on the heating power of the fusing apparatus and the number of sheets of the recording medium to be passed through the fusing apparatus. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229181 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording medium includes a pressing member provided outside a loop formed by a fixing member to press the fixing member against a nip formation member provided inside the loop formed by the fixing member. A heat generator support is provided inside the loop formed by the fixing member to support a heat generator that generates heat to be transmitted to the fixing member. A temperature detector is provided downstream from the heat generator and upstream from the nip formation member in a direction of rotation of the fixing member to detect a temperature of the fixing member. A controller is connected to the temperature detector and the heat generator to control heat generation of the heat generator based on the temperature of the fixing member detected by the temperature detector. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229182 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing a toner image; toner image forming means for forming a toner image on the image bearing member; a detecting member for directing light to an object and for detecting the light reflected by the object; a controller for controlling a toner image forming condition of the toner image forming means in accordance with an output of the detecting member with respect to the toner image formed on the image bearing member and an output of the detecting member with respect to the image bearing member; a cleaning member, in contact to the image bearing member, for cleaning the image bearing member; an executing portion for executing, when the output with respect to the image bearing member reaches a reference level, an operation in a cleaning mode in which the cleaning member cleans the image bearing member; and a change portion for changing the reference level in accordance with a use amount of the image bearing member. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229183 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE FOR PROCESSING JOBS TO BE EXECUTED BY IMAGE FORMING DEVICE INCLUDING FIXING UNIT - An image processing device processes jobs to be executed by an image forming device incorporating a fixing unit. The image processing device receives a plurality of jobs. Based on an attribute of each of the plurality of jobs, the image processing device determines, out of the plurality of jobs, at least one job for which fixing can be performed after heating of the fixing unit is stopped and for which fixing is performed after fixing for another job is finished. The image processing device reorders the processing of the plurality of jobs so that fixing is performed for the at least one job after the fixing for the other job is finished. In this way, an image processing device and a method of controlling an image processing device can be provided where power consumption can be reduced. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229184 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A developing device includes: a developer carrying member for supplying a developer to an image bearing member at an opposing region opposing to the image bearing member, the developer carrying member being arranged so as to be opposed to the image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed; a blade for regulating an amount of the developer carried on the developer carrying member; a casing for housing the developer carrying member and the blade, the casing including a wall portion opposed to the developer carrying member between the blade and the opposing region; a sheet member that is flexible, provided on the wall portion, has a free end, forms a part of an inner wall surface of the wall portion, and is movable in a direction perpendicular to the inner wall surface; and a moving portion provided on the wall portion, for moving the sheet member. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229185 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus having an image carrier that carries a toner image; an opposed member that is provided so as to be opposed to the image carrier; an application device that applies a bias to the opposed member; and a control device that controls the application device to apply a first bias and thereafter a second bias to the opposed member so as to remove toner from the opposed member. The first bias has an absolute value that is large enough to cause discharge from the opposed member into air. The second bias has an absolute value that is too small to cause discharge from the opposed member into the air, and has a reverse polarity to the first bias. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229186 | Cleaning device, and image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and intermediate transfer unit each including the cleaning device - A cleaning device cleaning a moving surface of a cleaning target includes a laminate-structured blade member including multiple layers made of materials different in permanent set value, a holding member to hold a proximal end of the laminate-structured blade member, and a plurality of slits. An edge layer of the multiple layers is formed of a material higher in permanent set value than any other one of the materials of the multiple layers and includes a distal-end edge portion corresponding to a leading end ridgeline portion contacting the cleaning target. The plurality of slits are formed over an area of a surface of the edge layer ranging from the proximal end of the blade member where the holding member holds the blade member toward the distal-end edge portion and extend in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the surface of the cleaning target. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229187 | CLEANING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cleaning device includes a normally charged toner cleaning unit, a reversely charged toner cleaning unit, and a pre-cleaning unit. The normally charged toner cleaning unit has a normally charged toner cleaning member, a normally charged toner recovery member, and a normally charged toner scraping member. The reversely charged toner cleaning unit has a reversely charged toner cleaning member, a reversely charged toner recovery member, and a reversely charged toner scraping member. The pre-cleaning unit has a pre-cleaning member, a pre-recovery member, and a pre-scraping member. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229188 | Cleaning device, and image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and intermediate transfer unit each including the cleaning device - A cleaning device for cleaning a moving surface of a cleaning target includes a laminated blade member including multiple layers including a proximal edge layer, each of the multiple layers made of materials different in permanent set value and a holding member to hold a distal end of the blade member. A proximal edge portion of the blade member at a free, leading end opposite the distal end of the blade member held by the holding member brought into contact with the surface of the cleaning target to clean the surface undergoes a linear pressure reduction rate of approximately 90% or higher. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229189 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, IMAGING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing device that develops a latent image on an image carrier with use of developer, comprising: a developer carrier provided to face the image carrier, and configured to rotate while magnetically holding the developer on an outer circumferential surface thereof; and a magnetic member elongated along a rotational direction of the developer carrier to surround the outer circumferential surface with a gap therebetween, wherein when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of the developer carrier, the magnetic member overlaps an end of a developing region in a direction of the rotational axis, and when a side of the magnetic member close to a center of the developer carrier is divided into first and second sides respectively located downstream and upstream in the rotational direction, the first side is set back further from the center than a position where the first and second sides meet each other. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229190 | Processing Cartridge - The present invention relates to a processing cartridge, comprising a developing unit and a photosensitive unit, of which the latter consists of a photosensitive member and a developer chamber and has a developer outlet connecting the chamber and a sealing cap matching the developer outlet and used to seal the said outlet. Based on the said technical proposal, the photosensitive unit is designed with a developer outlet connecting the chamber and with a sealing cap matching the developer outlet and used to seal the said outlet, so, when the photosensitive unit becomes full with developer, the sealing cap can be opened to remove the developer in the photosensitive unit, which facilitates the cleaning without affecting the normal operation of the processing cartridge. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229191 | COVER OPENING/CLOSING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cover opening/closing unit includes a cover body, a plurality of first hinge portions, a handle portion, and a second hinge portion. The cover body is attached to a side surface of an apparatus body. The first hinge portions are provided on both ends of a lower end portion of the cover body so as to rotatably support the cover body. The handle portion is provided between the first hinge portions. The second hinge portion is provided on a back of the cover body and between the first hinge portions so as to rotatably support the cover body. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229192 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image-forming apparatus comprises: a body having a mount/remove opening; a removable component that can be mounted on or removed from the body via the mount/remove opening, the removable component being operable when mounted on the body; a door attached to the mount/remove opening; a mounting unit, on which the removable component is mounted, attached to the body; a connecting member that connects the door and the mounting unit, a position or attitude of the mounting unit in accordance with an opening/closing operation of the door, causes the removable component to move to a first position in which the removable component is operable when the door is closed, and causes the removable component mounted on the mounting unit to move to a second position, which is more easily accessible when the door is opened. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229193 | Image Forming Device - A plurality of photosensitive drums is positioned between a first side plate and a second side plate of a holder unit. The first side plate is formed with a plurality of openings. Each of a plurality of toner cases supports each developing roller and is positioned between the first side plate and the second side plate. Each toner case has a confronting surface confronting the first side plate. Each of a plurality of developer couplings is provided at the confronting surface at a position in alignment with each opening and receives an input force to rotate each developing roller. A fixing member has a plurality of intervenient portions and a connecting portion integrally linking neighboring intervenient portion together. Each intervenient portion is interposed between each opening and each developer coupling to fix a position of each toner case relative to the holder unit. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229194 | Image Forming Device - A holder unit is configured to hold a plurality of photosensitive drums such that the plurality of photosensitive drums are arrayed in a predetermined direction and juxtaposed with each other with a space between neighboring photosensitive drums. A plurality of developing units is held by the holder unit, each is provided in association with each photosensitive drum, and each includes a developing roller displaceable between a contact position where the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and a spaced position where the developing roller is spaced away from the photosensitive drum. A spacer member has a plurality of retaining portions each in association with each developing unit and configured to retain each developing unit at the spaced position, and a linking portion integral with the retaining portions and configured to connect neighboring retaining portions therethrough in the predetermined direction. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229195 | Lubricant supply device, and process cartridge and image forming apparatus including the same - A pressing mechanism that presses a solid lubricant against a brush roller includes two movable members that receive the biasing force of a single biasing unit, rotate around a fulcrum, and press places of the solid lubricant at the symmetric positions with respect to the center of a contact portion of the solid lubricant. The curvature of a portion of a curve shape of the movable member that contacts a casing inner wall is set such that the pressing force in a pressing direction of the solid lubricant in the last stage becomes greater than the pressing force in an intermediate stage, from the initial stage to the last stage after the solid lubricant of the predetermined amount or more is scraped off via the intermediate stage. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229196 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A process cartridge includes a drum; a rotatable roller including a first shaft end portion and a second shaft end portion; a bearing member for rotatably supporting ends of a shaft of the rotatable roller; an urging member for urging the rotatable roller via the bearing member in a drum contact direction; a cartridge frame for rotatably supporting the drum and for movably holding the rotatable roller via the bearing member; a movable guide member movable in an axial direction of the shaft of the rotatable roller and including a first contact portion; and a fixed guide member including a second contact portion. At least one of the first contact portion and the first shaft end portion has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the axial direction of the rotatable roller, and at least one of the second contact portion and the second shaft end portion has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the axial direction of the rotatable roller. | 2011-09-22 |
20110229197 | Process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus - A process cartridge includes an image carrier unit which is equipped with an image carrier, on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a developer supply unit which supplies developer to the image carrier unit | 2011-09-22 |