| 40th week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 50 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20080240747 | IMAGE SCANNING APPARATUS AND IMAGE SCANNING METHOD - An image scanning apparatus has an organic CMOS image sensor mounted in a base, and a photoreceptive surface of the image sensor is exposed on a top side of the base. A subject is placed directly on the photoreceptive surface, and the subject and the photoreceptive surface are covered up with a cover light-tightly. Thus the image sensor detects only chemiluminescent light from the subject. As for a fluorochrome-labeled subject, the subject placed directly on the photoreceptive surface is irradiated with excitation light from a light source mounted in the cover. The image sensor is provided with a filter for blocking the excitation light from its photoelectric conversion layers, so the image sensor detects only fluorescent rays generated from the excited fluorochrome-labeled subject. The image scanning apparatus needs no redundant space in perpendicular direction to the photoreceptive surface. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240748 | FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device of the invention detects a temperature of plural positions of a heat roller by a multiple non-contact temperature sensor at the same time and controls the temperature of plural heat source members The non-contact temperature sensor and a contact temperature sensor detect the temperature of the same position. According to the detection result, maintenance is performed or a temperature conversion table is corrected, the non-contact temperature sensor is maintained with high precision, and the heat roller is controlled the temperature with high precision. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240749 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a calculating device, a waiting time calculating device, and a print controlling device. The calculating device divides print data to be printed onto a recording medium into a plurality of zones along a conveyance direction of the recording medium. The calculating device calculates printing time and drying time per each divided zone based on a data amount in each zone. The waiting time calculating device calculates waiting time from completion of printing onto the recording medium until the recording medium has been dried, based on the printing time and the drying time per each zone in consideration of elapse of the drying time of the previously printed zone(s) during printing. The print controlling device configures settings for printing of the recording medium based on the waiting time and performs printing according to the settings. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240750 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND UNIT REMOVABLY INSTALLED IN AN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a controller which sets fixing conditions in a fixing unit in accordance with the type of printing medium sensed by a sensor. An intermediate transfer member and sensor are configured as an intermediate transfer member unit. The intermediate transfer member unit is removably installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus. The intermediate transfer member unit has a storage unit which stores information used to determine the type printing medium by the sensor. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240751 | Image Forming System and Computer Readable Medium Therefor - An image forming system includes an information terminal device configured to edit image formation data with application software, an image forming device configured to form an image on a recording medium based on the image formation data edited by the information terminal device, a first detecting unit configured to detect size information of the recording medium, a registration unit configured to register the size information detected by the first detecting unit as setting information, and a reflecting unit configured to reflect desired one of setting information registered by the registration unit on the application software with which the information terminal device can edit the image formation data so as to conform to the size information. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240752 | Image-Forming Device - An image-forming device includes an image bearing member, a data providing unit, an image-forming unit, a detecting unit, a first calculating unit, a determining unit, and a second calculating unit. The image bearing member has a surface moving at a surface speed. The data providing unit provides pattern data indicative of a target test pattern to be formed on a target position of the surface in response to a test instruction. The image-forming unit forms an actual test pattern on an actual position of the surface in accordance with the pattern data provided from the data providing unit, and configure to form an image in response to an image-forming instruction. The detecting unit detects the actual position. The first calculating unit calculates a deviation of the actual position from the target position. The determining unit performs a first determination of whether the surface speed when the data providing unit receives the test instruction is stable or unstable. The second calculating unit calculates a correction amount based on the deviation and the first determination. The image-forming unit forms, in response to the image-forming instruction, an image on a position of the surface. The position is corrected based on the correction amount. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240753 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE AND IMAGE RECORDING METHOD - An image recording device includes a first detecting unit, a recording unit, and a control unit. The first detecting unit detects a position of a perforation pre-formed in a recording sheet. The recording unit records an image on the recording sheet based on printing data. The control unit is configured to imaginarily divide the recording sheet into a first region including a portion where the perforation is pre-formed, and a second region excluding the first region based on the position of the perforation detected by the first detecting unit. The control unit prohibits the recording unit from recording the image on the first region and controls the recording unit to record the image at least partially on the second region. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240754 | IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETECTING COLOR MISREGISTRATION - An image forming system, in which a method of detecting a misregistration of a color image is performed, includes multiple image carriers, an optical writing unit, a transfer member extended by a drive roller and at least one driven roller, a rotation detector, a roller driving unit, a belt controller, an image detector configured to detect the images formed on the surface of the transfer member and obtain detection data, and a controller configured to calculate an amount of misregistration and correct relative misregistration of a scanning line between the image carriers based on a result of the calculation. In the image forming system, a distance from a transfer position to a detection position is an integer multiple of a travel distance of the transfer member during one revolution of the at least one driven roller. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240755 | Developing method in imaging-forming device - A developing method in an image-forming device is provided. The developing method includes the steps of charging a photoreceptor; exposing the photoreceptor to form a first latent image on the photoreceptor; developing the first latent image by a first developing unit having a first potential to form a first toner image; and discharging the photoreceptor having the first toner image, such that when the photoreceptor is charged again, the first toner image on the photoreceptor has a second potential, and the second potential is approximately the same as the first potential of the first developing unit. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240756 | Exposure Head Controller, Exposure Head and Image Formation Device - Provided is an exposure head controller that controls, via pulse width modulation control, the emission quantity of each light emitting element in an exposure head having a light emitting element array formed by arranging a plurality of light emitting elements in a main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction orthogonal thereto, comprising: a data retention unit that retains dot gathering control data showing whether to emit each light emitting element at the starting point side, terminal point side or in the middle of an emission period corresponding to a 1 pixel pitch in the sub scanning direction, or to divide and emit each light emitting element at the starting point side and terminal point side, emission time data showing the emission time of each light emitting element, and skew data showing the skew quantity of each light emitting element; a dot gathering operation circuit provided to each light emitting element and which operates the time in which the light emitting element is to be retained in a non-emission state from the starting point of the emission based on the dot gathering control data input from the data retention unit; a delay time measurement circuit that acquires the skew data from the data retention unit and acquires the non-emission time data showing the retention time in the non-emission state from the dot gathering operation circuit, adding these to seek the delay time to be set before starting the emission of the light emitting element, measuring the delay time, and outputting a prescribed signal after the lapse of the delay time; and an emission instruction circuit that outputs to a light emitting element drive circuit an emission instruction signal for instructing the emission of the light emitting element from the point in time the emission time data is acquired from the data retention unit and a prescribed signal is output from the delay time measurement circuit up to the elapse of the emission time indicated by the emission time data. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240757 | IMAGING FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a development container, a developer bearing member, first and second carrying members that carry developer, a supply device that supplies developer for replenishment, a discharge opening that discharges the developer contained in the development container, a controller that selectively performs one of a first mode and a second mode, a drive device that changes speeds for driving the first and second carrying members, and a counter that measures the number of sheets in the second mode. The controller sets the speed of the drive device in the second mode to be slower than in the first mode, and suspends the second mode and executes a mode for changing the speed of the drive device to a speed faster than in the second mode and driving the first and second carrying members for a predetermined time if a measurement result reaches a reference value. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240758 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MOMENTUM CONTROLLED SCAVENGELESS JUMPING DEVELOPMENT IN ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC MARKING DEVICES - To generate a toner cloud in a development system, a first potential is applied to a donor roll for a first pulse time to project toner from the donor roll toward a photoreceptor, a second potential is applied to the donor roll for a second pulse time to slow the speed at which the toner is projected toward the photoreceptor; a third potential is applied to the donor roll for a third pulse time to hold toner between the donor roll and the photoreceptor; and a fourth potential is applied to the donor roll for a fourth pulse time to urge undeveloped toner to the surface of the donor roll. Voltages may also be applied for selectivity removing toner from a donor roll. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240759 | Developing device, image forming device, and image forming method - A developer device applies bias voltage including an alternating-current component equal to or larger than a value corresponding to a developing electric field of 9 V/μm to a developing roller. The bias voltage is set to apply developer to a latent image on a photosensitive element to develop the image in an image forming mode. The bias voltage is set so that a difference between an area central potential and a surface potential of the photosensitive element is shifted to a direction attracting the normally charged developer to a developer carrier, in relation to a difference between an area central potential and a surface potential of the image carrier in the latent image section in the image forming mode, and a supply amount of the developer to the photosensitive element is smaller than that in the latent image section in the image forming mode. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240760 | Image forming apparatus and toner replenishment control method - An image forming apparatus and a toner replenishment control method according to the present invention are configured such that a concentration of toner in a developer detected by a toner concentration detection sensor is measured and the measured toner concentration value is stored. These are configured such that regions of image data corresponding to an electrostatic latent image on an image bearing member to be developed by the developer are specified and an amount of toner to be consumed in the developer is predicted based on the image data of the specified regions, then a post-development concentration value of toner in the developer is estimated based on the measured toner concentration value and the predicted toner consumption amount, and control of replenishment of toner to the developer is carried out based on the estimated post-development toner concentration value and a toner setting concentration value that has been set in advance. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240761 | Preconditioning Media Sheets To Reduce Transfer Voltage - Image transfer quality in an electrophotographic image forming device is improved by preconditioning a media sheet prior to transferring a toner image thereto at an image transfer station. The media sheet is preconditioned by applying a static charge to it. In a color DTM type device, the charge reduces the transfer voltages required at downstream image transfer stations to account for charge accumulated on the media sheet as a result of the image transfer process at upstream image transfer stations. The charge may be applied to the media sheet at a media sheet preconditioning element positioned upstream of an image transfer station. Alternatively, an initial charge may be applied to the media sheet at an image transfer station, without transferring a toner image to the sheet, and returning the sheet via a duplex path to positioned upstream of an image transfer station prior to an image transfer operation. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240762 | NONDESTRUCTIVE METHODS FOR TESTING THE DEGREE OF HARDENING OR DRYING OF INKS AND COATINGS - In a method for determining the degree of hardening or drying of one or more printed ink and/or coating film(s) on a substrate, for instance, paper, cardboard, plastic film or composite materials, a faster and more efficient measuring method can be found that furthermore supplies secure and easily interpreted results. The method is to be used in the mass production printing processes comprising intaglio printing, flexographic printing, screen printing or offset printing. The degree of hardening or drying is determined indirectly by way of the change in the mechanical and/or viscoelastic properties of the ink and/or coating films on the substrate that result from the hardening or drying process. The detection of acoustic waves by means of a piezoelectric sensor is used as the measuring method. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240763 | Method for Noncontact Testing of the Degree of Hardening of Ink and Coating Films - For more efficient and energy-saving drying of ink and/or coating films in printing machines, the drying or hardening process must be better monitored. Therefore a method is proposed for determining the degree of hardening of one or more printed ink and/or coating films on a substrate that was coated in an intaglio, flexographic or offset printing process. The degree of hardening or drying due to the hardening or drying process is determined indirectly via the change of mechanical and/or viscoelastic properties of the ink and/or coating films on the substrate. An ultrasound measurement is used for this purpose. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240764 | Image forming apparatus - A developing roller supplies the toner to an image on an image bearing body, the image being formed in accordance with image data. A toner supplying member supplies the developer material to the developer bearing member. A computing section computes a dot population density in corresponding one of a plurality of sub data areas. The plurality of sub data areas is obtained by dividing the image data such that the plurality of sub data areas are aligned in a printable area of a print medium in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the print medium. A controller performs a developer material removing process based on the dot population density. The developer material removing process is such that the toner deposited on the developing roller is removed from the developing roller in an area corresponding to a low dot population density of image data. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240765 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, MARKET SUPPORT SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM - An image forming apparatus for reducing time required for adjusting the image forming conditions and transport conditions and minimizing the number of recording material used for the adjustment. Image forming conditions and transport conditions for the recording material are adjusted according to the characteristic properties of the recording material. Associated data including an adjustment value obtained from the adjustment of the image forming conditions and transport conditions made by the adjustment unit and the characteristic properties of the recording material associated with the adjustment value is generated. The associated data stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the data collection/delivery apparatus. Delivery data regarding the adjustment of the image forming conditions and transport conditions is received from the data collection/delivery apparatus. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240766 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A method of controlling a job interruptible image forming device in which job interrupting is enabled, includes a step of storing contents of respective job settings of an interrupted first job and an interrupting second job respectively, a step of causing a display to indicate that the respective job settings of the first job and the second job coexist, and a step of activating job setting windows for respective job settings selectively on the display in response to a selection entry of a user. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240767 | COOLING SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL COMPONENT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cooling system for an electrical component, comprises: a substrate having a mounting surface on which an electrical component is mounted; an air sucking section that takes in air for cooling the electrical component; a first guide member comprising a first guide surface that leads the air taken into the air sucking section in such a direction as to be separated from the mounting surface of the substrate; and a second guide member comprising a second guide surface that leads, to the mounting surface of the substrate, the air led to the first guide surface. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240768 | Image Forming Apparatus and Image Forming Method - An image forming apparatus, includes: an image forming section that forms a toner image and transfers the toner image to a recording material at a predetermined transfer position; a fixing unit that heats the toner image on the recording material at a predetermined fixing position and fixes the toner image to the recording material; a transporter that transports the recording material along a transportation path including a path extending from the transfer position to the fixing position; a heat absorber that is located on the transportation path at a place downstream of the fixing position and absorbs a heat from the recording material; a pre-heater that is located on the transportation path at a pre-heating position upstream of the transfer position and pre-heats the recording material passing through the pre-heating position; and a heat transfer unit that transfers a heat energy obtained by the heat absorber absorbing the heat to the pre-heater. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240769 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is provided with an image forming unit for applying an image transferring process to a sheet-like recording material, a fixing unit for applying a heat fixing process to the recording material after the image transferring process by the image forming unit, a first conveyance path for conveying the recording material via the image forming unit and the fixing unit, a second conveyance path for returning the recording material after the fixing process by the fixing unit to an upstream side of the image forming unit from a side of the first conveyance path downstream of the fixing unit in the case of applying the image transferring process to both sides of the recording material, and a fan disposed between the first and second conveyance paths for taking air across the first conveyance path and exhausting air across the second conveyance path to form an air stream. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240770 | SEALING MEMBER, SEALING STRUCTURE INCORPORATED IN AN IMAGE FORMING UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THAT INCORPORATES THE IMAGE FORMING UNIT - A sealing structure is incorporated in an image forming unit. A rotatable body is supported in a housing body. A sealing member extends in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the rotatable body, providing a seal against the surface of the rotatable body. The sealing member includes a first widthwise end portion fixed to the housing body and a second widthwise end portion in contact with rotatable body, having a larger width at a longitudinally middle portion than at longitudinally end portions. The second widthwise end portion includes a widthwise free edge describing an arc such that the width is larger nearer the longitudinally middle portion. The sealing member may include longitudinally end portions and a longitudinally middle portion between the longitudinally end portions, the longitudinally middle portion having a constant width and the longitudinally end portions having a width smaller nearer the longitudinal ends. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240771 | Powder Container and Image Forming Apparatus - A powder container that is detachably installed in a container housing unit of an image forming apparatus includes a container body including an opening located at a head of the container body, and an engaging part located at a bottom of the container body, the engaging part being engaged with an engagement receiving part of the container housing unit; a drive transferring member that rotates integrally with the container body; and a lid including a discharge outlet that further discharges powder discharged from the opening of the container body, and a shutter that opens and closes the discharge outlet. A position of the powder container in the container housing unit is determined by engaging the engaging part with the engagement receiving part, and operating the lid such that the shutter opens the discharge outlet. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240772 | TONER CARTRIDGE, TONER REFILLING METHOD AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge ( | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240773 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, the apparatus, includes (a) a plurality of mounting portions for detachably mounting process cartridges, respectively, the process cartridges each including, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer for use by the developing roller to develop the electrostatic latent image, a developer supply opening for supplying the developer to the developing roller from the developer accommodating portion, a sealing member for unsealably sealing the developer supply opening, and unsealing means for unsealing the developer supply opening by removing the sealing member from the developer supply opening; (b) a motor; and (c) driving force transmitting means for selectively transmitting a driving force from the motor to the unsealing means to unseal the developer supply openings of the process cartridges mounted to the mounting portions. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240774 | Image Forming Device and Cartridge - An image forming device according to an aspect of the invention comprises: a main body; and a first cartridge capable of accommodating a developer and detachably attached to the main body. The first cartridge comprises: a rotation body rotatably provided in the first cartridge; a memory device configured to store information concerning the first cartridge; and a first terminal electrically connected to the memory device. The main body comprises: a driver configured to rotate the rotation body; and a second terminal connected to the first terminal. The first terminal is provided at a position where a rotation moment produced by rotation of the rotation body acts in the first cartridge. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240775 | Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A cartridge, an auger, and an image forming apparatus are provided. The cartridge includes a housing including supporting members and a conveying member, at least a portion of the conveying member rotating in an eccentric manner, the conveying member including a main body portion; a pair of supported portions provided at both ends of the main body portion and rotatably supported by the supporting members; and a spiral blade portion that conveys developer. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body including the cartridge. The auger includes a cylindrical main body comprising a spiral blade portion that conveys developer and shaft portions having rotational centers that coincide with each other, one of the shaft portions provided at each end of the main body, a center of gravity of the main body being displaced from the rotational centers of the shaft portions. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240776 | Cartridge and Image Forming Device - A cartridge according to one aspect of the invention is detachably attachable to a main body including a first terminal. The cartridge comprises: a case; a memory device configured to store information concerning the cartridge; a cover member configured to cover a part of the case and movably supported on the case to allow a relative movement to the case; and a second terminal provided at the cover member and electrically connected to the memory device. In a state where the cartridge is attached to the main body, the second terminal contacts with the first terminal of the main body. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240777 | PHOTOSENSITIVE MEDIUM SUPPORTING APPARATUS, DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME AND METHOD TO ASSEMBLE AND DISASSEMBLE A DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE - A photosensitive medium supporting apparatus includes a supporting shaft to rotatably support a photosensitive medium and to have a fixing groove or a fixing projection formed at one portion of the supporting shaft that projects from one end of the photosensitive medium, a first shaft supporting member to support the one portion of the supporting shaft that projects from one end of the photosensitive medium and to have a fixing projection or a fixing groove that is inserted into the fixing groove or the fixing projection of the supporting shaft, and a second shaft supporting member to support an other portion of the supporting shaft that projects from the other end of the photosensitive medium. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240778 | Image Forming Apparatus and Developer Cartridge - An image forming apparatus of one aspect of the invention comprises: an image carrier; a developing device configured to hold a developer carrier to supply developer to the image carrier, the developing device movable to a contacting position where the developer carrier contacts the image carrier and to a spaced position where the developer carrier is spaced from the image carrier; and a memory element disposed in the developing device. The developing device comprises: a pressing force input portion configured to receive pressing force to make the developer carrier contact the image carrier; and a spacing force input portion configured to receive spacing force to make the developing device move from the contacting position to the spaced position. At least one of the pressing force input portion and the spacing force input portion comprises a terminal electrically connected to the memory element. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240779 | Developer storage unit and image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a developer storage portion for storing developer. The image forming apparatus further includes a developer supply portion for supplying developer through an opening portion of the developer storage portion. When a closing member is attached to the developer storage portion for closing the opening portion, the developer supply portion is separated from the developer storage portion. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240780 | Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes: a main body; an opening and closing unit disposed so as to be openable and closable for the main body; a fixing unit fixing the opening and closing unit to the main body; a structure including a component for realizing an image forming function and/or a transfer medium-conveying function, the structure being supported movably for the main body; a bias unit disposed between the opening and closing unit and the structure, the bias unit biasing the structure so as to be pushed to a member mounted within the main body; a constraining unit constraining the opening and closing unit and the structure against a bias force of the biasing unit when the fixing unit does not fix the opening and closing unit; and a releasing unit releasing the opening and closing unit and the structure from being constrained when the fixing unit fixes the opening and closing unit. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240781 | Image forming apparatus including fixing unit, and fixing unit support method and fixing unit position adjustment method therefor - An image forming apparatus and methods of supporting and adjusting a position of a fixing unit thereof. The apparatus includes a frame having a first side plate and a second side plate opposing the first side plate, a first unit holding member engaged with the first side plate by a combination of a guide groove and a guide protrusion, a second unit holding member attached to the second side plate, a detachable unit located between the first and second side plates and held by the first and second unit holding members, and a position adjustment member to move the first unit holding member in a longitudinal direction of the guide groove to adjust a position of the detachable unit. The position adjustment member engages the first unit holding member at a position vertically aligned with a center of gravity G of the detachable unit. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240782 | Image forming device - Provided is an image forming device including: a sheet number control part for controlling a maximum processable sheet number set on a paper attribute basis for a finisher for finishing a printed sheet; an automatic tray switching part for switching an initially selected tray part to another tray part when paper runs out in the midst of print processing on sheets fed from the initially selected tray part to continue the print processing, the initially selected tray part being initially selected from a plurality of tray parts holding sheets of different paper attributes; and a tray switch determining part for, when a feeding tray part runs out of paper in the midst of print processing set to execute finishing, determining whether to actuate the automatic tray switching part on the basis of maximum processable sheet numbers and a paper attribute of paper of a selectable tray part candidate. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240783 | Methods and Devices for Selectively Driving Developer Members Within An Image Forming Device - A method and device for controlling toner transfer during the formation of a toner image within an image forming device is described herein. One exemplary image forming device includes a toner reservoir that stores toner of a first color, a developer member that receives toner from the toner reservoir, a photoconductive member proximate the developer member that receives toner from the developer member, and a driver. While rotating the photoconductive member, the driver selectively rotates the developer member based on a color content of the image. For example, the driver does not rotate the developer member while rotating the photoconductive member when the toner image being formed lacks the first color. Alternatively, the driver lows the rotational speed of the developer member while rotating the photoconductive member when the toner image being formed lacks the first color. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240784 | COLOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING UNIT THEREOF - A color image forming apparatus and an image forming unit thereof, the color image forming apparatus including: photosensitive bodies; a transfer drum to rotate while contacting the photosensitive bodies; a transfer device to transfer visible images overlapped on the transfer drum from the photosensitive bodies onto a printing medium; a photosensitive body driving gear to rotate with the transfer drum, and having a radius smaller than the transfer drum and having a same rotational center as the transfer drum; and photosensitive body gears coupled to the respective photosensitive bodies to be engaged with the photosensitive body driving gear, each of the photosensitive body gears having a radius larger than that of the photosensitive bodies. Accordingly, a size of each of the photosensitive body gears can be larger than that of each of the photosensitive bodies, and thus the photosensitive bodies can rotate stably. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240785 | Exposure apparatus and image forming apparatus - An exposure apparatus comprises: a plurality of light sources; a first condensing unit, arranged to contact a light emitting surface of each of the light sources, that condenses the lights emitted from the plurality of light sources; and a second condensing unit that condenses the lights from each of the light sources, which are emitted from the first condensing unit, wherein the first condensing unit is configured so that a center of curvature of an output surface, to emit the light from the light source, of the first condensing unit is positioned near the side of the second condensing unit rather than an arrangement position of the light source. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240786 | OPTICAL UNIT, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME AND OPTICAL ELEMENT THEREOF - An optical unit includes an optical element having a first combining surface and a second combining surface that applied an adhesive that is cured when exposed to a curing light respectively and that have different transmittance of the curing light; and a mount member combined with the optical element by the adhesive. The adhesive is cured when exposed to the curing light. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240787 | Image Forming Method and Recorded Matter - An image forming method is provided to attain a higher security for preventing forgery and falsification of information by using an optical diffraction structure. In a body ( | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240788 | FOUR DRUM, EIGHT COLOR TANDEM XEROGRAPHIC ARCHITECTURE - A xerographic system and method use a tri-level development process in which at least one xerographic imaging unit includes a photoreceptor and a pair of developer units. A first developer unit includes a full strength toner of a given color and a second developer unit includes a reduced strength toner of the same or substantially the same color. By use of the tri-level process, excellent color-to-color registration can be achieved for each processed color separation. Moreover, by use of two strengths of the same colorant, a tighter control of the tone reproduction curve can be achieved. Additional xerographic imaging units can include a developer unit that provides spot color, custom color or specialty color capabilities. Additional benefits and gamut expansion can be achieved through use of a tandem architecture. A preferred implementation uses a four drum, eight color tandem architecture with full strength and reduced strength toners formulations of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CYMK) colorant. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240789 | ROTATOR FOR POWDER CONVEYANCE AND TONER CARTRIDGE - A rotator for powder conveyance includes a substantially linear rotary supporting shaft and plural stirring/conveying pieces. The plural stirring/conveying pieces are separated from each other and arranged in a longitudinal direction along the rotary supporting shaft, are placed at positions separated from a central axis of the rotary supporting shaft in a radial direction of the rotary supporting shaft, have a spiral configuration along an outer peripheral surface of the rotary supporting shaft, and are respectively connected to the rotary supporting shaft via a connecting piece at plural points. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240790 | Developing Device and Developer Cartridge - A developing device and a developer cartridge are provided. The developing device includes a first housing that receives a developing roller; a second housing that is disposed adjacent to and detachable from the first housing and stores developer; first and second communication paths that allow an inside of the first housing to communicate with an inside of the second housing and an agitator that is provided within the second housing and conveys the developer from the first communication path toward the second communication path. The developing cartridge includes a housing that stores developer and an agitator including a rotational shaft that is disposed in one direction and a first blade that is provided at a midpoint in the axial direction of the rotational shaft and conveys the developer from the midpoint in the axial direction of the rotational shaft to both end portions of the rotational shaft. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240791 | ELECTROGRAPHIC DEVELOPER MIXING APPARATUS AND PROCESS - A developer mixing apparatus, comprising: a housing including a chamber that holds developer, a first ribbon blender disposed within the chamber and elongate along a first longitudinal axis; and, a second ribbon blender disposed within the chamber and elongate along a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second ribbon blenders move developer in different directions. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240792 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME - A developing device capable of preventing deterioration of the image quality, which is caused when a developer recovered by a developing roller re-adheres thereto, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the developing device. The developer conveyance amount on the upstream side of an agitation conveyance path in a developer conveyance direction becomes larger than the amount of developer to be transported from a recovery conveyance path to the agitation conveyance path, by making the developer conveyance amount on the upstream side of an agitating screw in the developer conveyance direction equal to or larger than the developer conveyance amount on the downstream side of a recovery screw in the developer conveyance direction. Accordingly, the amount of developer existing on the upstream side of the agitation conveyance path in the developer conveyance direction becomes small, whereby the developer can be delivered smoothly from the recovery conveyance path to the agitation conveyance path. Therefore, the bulk of the developer existing on the downstream side of the recovery conveyance path in the developer conveyance direction can be prevented from reaching the level where the recovered developer re-adheres to a developing roller, and further the developer existing on the downstream side of the recovery conveyance path in the developer conveyance direction can be prevented from re-adhering to the developing roller. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240793 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus having an image carrier for forming an electrostatic latent image and a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image with a two-component developing agent, the developing unit includes: a developing agent carrier for developing the electrostatic latent image to form a visible image, having inside thereof a development main magnetic pole for forming a bristle of a magnetic brush; and a plurality of magnetic poles for conveying the developing agent, wherein the developing unit performs a counter type contact developing method, and wherein, the development area is formed so that, a contact width of the bristle of the magnetic brush is 70% or less with respect to a development width, and a center position of the contact width is positioned on an upstream side with respect to a center position of the development width in a rotation direction of said image carrier. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240794 | Printing machine incorporating plastic metering roller - A metering roller for a printing machine utilising a high viscosity ink. The metering roller has an axle, a cylindrical roller body formed on the axle and an annular surface layer. The annular surface layer has a surface of a low surface energy and a pattern of a plurality of ink receiving recesses formed in the annular surface layer. The annular surface layer can be integral with the cylindrical roller body or separate from it and can be a plastic material. The annular surface layer has a surface energy in the range of from 18 to 46 dynes/cm. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240795 | Developing Device Used In An Image Forming Apparatus - The developing device | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240796 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, DEVELOPING APPARATUS, AND COUPLING MEMBER - A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a driving shaft having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member. The developing device is mounted to the moving member and includes a developing roller, and a coupling member that includes a rotating force receiving portion and a rotating force applying portion. The coupling member is capable of taking (i) a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force to the developing roller, (ii) a pre-engagement angular position taken before the coupling member is engaged with the rotating force applying portion, in which the coupling member is inclined away from the rotational force transmitting angular position, and (iii) a disengaging angular position, which enables the coupling member to disengage from the driving shaft, and inclines the coupling member away from the rotational force transmitting angular position, in a direction opposite to the pre-engagement angular position. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240797 | Image Forming Apparatus - During a first operation, at least one of a first pattern and a second pattern is formed on a first area of an image carrier, and at least the other pattern is formed on a second area of the image carrier. The first area corresponds to a half of the image carrier, while the second area corresponds to the remaining half of the image carrier. During a second operation, a second pattern is formed on an area of the image carrier where a first pattern is formed during the first operation, and a first pattern is formed on an area of the image carrier where a second pattern is formed during the first operation. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240798 | Image-Forming Device - An image-forming device includes 1st to Mth photosensitive drums, a forming unit, an image-carrying member, a detecting unit, and a calibrating unit. The 1st to Mth photosensitive drums are arrayed in numeric order in a first direction. Each of the photosensitive drums is rotatable and has a circumferential length D. M is an integer no less than 1. The forming unit forms a registration mark on each of the photosensitive drums. Each of the registration marks formed on each of the photosensitive drums has a color different from one another. The image-carrying member extends in the first direction. The registration marks formed on the photosensitive drums are transferred onto the image-carrying member in the numeric order. The registration marks transferred onto the image-carrying member are arrayed in the first direction. Neighboring registration marks are spaced by a distance L in the first direction. The detecting unit detects positions of the registration marks transferred onto the image-carrying member. The calibrating unit calibrates positions of the photosensitive drums at which the forming unit forms the registration marks, based on the positions detected by the detecting unit. D=N×M×L+(M−1)×L, N being an integer no less than 0. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240799 | DESKTOP COLOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - The present invention relates to an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus using a tandem-drum development, an indirect image-transfer method, and a vertical sheet supply path. An intermediate image-transfer member is angled relative to a horizontal line such that a rear side of the intermediate image-transfer member away from a recording sheet is lifted and a front side of the intermediate image-transfer member closer to the recording sheet is lowered. Further, image creating mechanisms of the tandem-drum development are aligned and arranged in parallel to a moving image transfer bed of the intermediate image-transfer member, such that one of the image creating mechanisms firstly forming an image faces the rear side of the moving image transfer bed and another one of the image creating mechanisms lastly forming an image faces the front side. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240800 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH SELECTIVELY MOVABLE TRANSFER ROLLERS - Rotation of photosensitive drums | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240801 | Transfer Apparatus, Image Forming Apparatus Having the Same and Image Forming Method - A transfer apparatus can uniformize the charged amount of toner on the intermediate transfer member and ensure a uniform transfer performance over the entire printing surface by means of a simple arrangement. The transfer apparatus has a primary transfer means arranged corresponding to a plurality of image carriers in order to primarily transfer the toner images on the image carriers, an intermediate transfer member adapted to operate for color superposition by the primary transfer means, a secondary transfer means adapted to operate for secondary transfer of the toner image on the intermediate transfer member onto a transfer medium and a pre-secondary transfer charging means for electrically charging the pre-secondary transfer toner on the secondary transfer means with the opposite polarity, the secondary transfer means being adapted to apply a secondary transfer bias to the toner on the intermediate transfer member with the polarity opposite to that of the primary transfer bias applied at the time of primary transfer. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240802 | Belt device, belt deviation detecting device, and image forming apparatus - A belt device includes a belt member, a detecting unit, and a preventing member. The belt member is stretched over a plurality of rollers and moves in a predetermined moving direction. The detecting unit detects deviation of the belt member in a belt width direction of the belt member. The preventing member is arranged near the detecting unit and prevents deviation of the belt member in a direction other than the moving direction and the belt width direction. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240803 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The image forming apparatus has a heat member for heating an unfixed image and is configured so that a longitudinal center of the heat member becomes a conveyance center of the recording material, the image forming apparatus including a central portion temperature detection part adjacent to the conveyance center, an end portion temperature detection part for detecting an end portion temperature of the heat member, and a width detection part for detecting a lateral width of the recording material, wherein the width detection part is disposed at a side opposite to a side at which the end portion temperature detection part is disposed with respect to the conveyance center position of the recording material. The image forming apparatus achieves the control for error setting of the recording material based on the width detection part and the end portion temperature detection part. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240804 | SELF ACTUATED INTERMITENT FUSER SKIVE - An apparatus to intermittently skive the paper and/or toner from a roller to prevent the paper and/or toner sticking to the roller and thus keep the paper moving along the transport path. The self-actuated skive intermittently touches the roller to minimize contact with the roller as the receiver moves along the transport path past the fuser by automatically optimizing the timing and force that the self-actuated skive touches the roller. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240805 | INDUCTION HEATING FIXING DEVICE - In an induction heating fixing device according to the invention, a first induction heating coil that generates an induced current across the total length of a heat roller is provided on the outer circumference of the heat roller having a metal conductive layer. A second induction heating coil that generates an induced current at a central part of the heat roller is provided, which crosses the first induction heating coil and is arranged on the outer side than the first induction heating coil. With the first induction heating coil, the heat roller is heated across the total length without generating any uneven temperature. On-off control of the first induction heating coil and the second induction heating coil is carried out, and the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction of the heat roller is kept constant irrespective of the size of a sheet paper P. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240806 | FIXING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fixing unit which enables high-speed operation and miniaturization, and an image forming apparatus having the fixing unit, includes a heating member which is heated by a heat source, the heating member having a predetermined width; a rotating member to rotate in contact with the heating member; a driving member to rotate the rotating member; and a pressing member to press both sides of the heating member towards the driving member and to form a predetermined fixing nip between the rotating member and the driving member, wherein the heating member has a second moment of inertia which is set to maintain a fixing efficiency of 90% or more in a central portion of the heating member. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240807 | BELT MEANDER PREVENTING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing roller, a fixing belt which is made to rotate by a rotation force transferred from the fixing roller, a heat source which is mounted inside the fixing belt, a guide member, which is mounted inside the fixing belt, to guide the rotation of the fixing belt, and a belt meander preventing unit, which is mounted on the guide member, to elastically support both sides of the fixing belt and to prevent the fixing belt from meandering. Therefore, the sides of the fixing belt are elastically supported to gently absorb a reaction force acting on the end portion of the fixing belt, and accordingly it is possible to prevent the fixing belt from being damaged and meandering. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240808 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus - A fixing device includes: a magnetic field generating component that generates a magnetic field; a fixing member including a heat generating layer that is electromagnetically induced by the magnetic field to generate heat; a support disposed at an inner side of the fixing member; a pressure rotating body that applies pressure to the fixing member in the direction of the support; and a pair of magnetic circuit forming members that are disposed with the fixing member and the magnetic field generating component being placed therebetween and can be used while having either elastic deformation or plastic deformation applied thereto. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240809 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device forms, with use of an endless belt and a fixing roller that are positioned facing each other, a fixing nip by placing the endless belt in contact with the fixing roller while causing a pressing member to press the endless belt from an inner side thereof against the fixing roller, and fixes an unfixed image onto a recording medium when the recording medium passes through the fixing nip. The fixing device includes (i) a sheet member that is provided between the endless belt and the pressing member and thus reduces friction therebetween, (ii) a supporting mechanism that movably supports the sheet member, and (iii) a sheet member moving part that, when a predetermined condition is not satisfied, keeps the sheet member at rest, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, moves the sheet member in a certain direction by a predetermined amount. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240810 | Image Forming Apparatus Component With Triboelectric Properties - The present disclosure relates to an image forming device component that includes an elastomeric material having a surface and a triboelectric charging material that may be exposed on the elastomeric material surface. The triboelectric material may be exposed by a finishing process that results in removal of a portion of the material leaving voids in the surface. The surface may have a surface roughness in the range of about 0.1 to 5.0 Ra. The component may include a developer roller in an electrophotograhic printer and may provide contact electrification to a given toner during a printing operation. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240811 | CLEANING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A cleaning apparatus include a cleaning member to remove a waste toner remaining in a photoconductive medium and a housing to support the cleaning member, including a waste toner admission portion to provide a transfer path of the waste toner removed by the cleaning member, and a waste toner collecting portion to store the waste toner. The housing has a first thickness corresponding to the waste toner admission portion and a second thickness corresponding to the waste toner collecting portion so that the first thickness is smaller than the second thickness. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240812 | Cleaning apparatus, image holding apparatus, and image forming apparatus - There is provided a cleaning apparatus having a cleaning member that makes contact with a surface of an image holder and vibrates due to friction arising when the surface of the image holder moves, the image holder bearing an electrostatic latent image developed using a developer having toner containing a crystalline resin, and a cleaning member support unit that supports the cleaning member and increases the amplitude of the vibration of the cleaning member. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240813 | DEVELOPER CONVEYING MEMBER, DEVELOPER CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A DEVELOPER CONVEYING MEMBER - A developer conveying member includes: a conveying member body; an end-portion supporting member; and a supported member including: a first radiation direction extending portion; and a second radiation direction extending portion, the end-portion supporting member including: a cylindrical portion, and the supporting portion defining: a through hole; and a groove. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240814 | DEVELOPING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developing unit includes a waste toner housing having an upper housing and a lower housing which face each other, at least one support unit to allow connection between the upper and lower housings, and to support facing surfaces of the upper and lower housings, and a toner housing which is disposed on a lower part of the waste toner housing and is spaced apart from the waste toner housing at a predetermined distance. Accordingly, the waste toner housing is prevented from being deformed by heat and pressure, and thus white lines on images, flowback of waste toner and insufficient cleaning, which are caused by interference with the light path due to deformation of the waste toner housing, can be reduced. Additionally, tolerance can be greatly reduced as a result of resolving the problem of deformation of the waste toner housing, so a developing unit having a smaller size can be provided. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240815 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - An information processing apparatus that generates print data sent to a printing device acquires variable information from a plurality of devices, the variable information being finalized when the printing device carries out printing. The apparatus selects variable information from the plural pieces of variable information acquired from the plurality of devices in accordance with its own operation environment and operating location. The apparatus then adds the selected variable information to the print data and outputs the resultant. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240816 | Pre-Scanning Printer with Paper Fingerprinting - Techniques for scanning and generating fingerprints for articles prior to the use of the articles. The fingerprinting of the articles is performed such that it is decoupled from the process of using the articles. As a result, the fingerprinting process does not act as a bottleneck to the use of the articles. In one embodiment, a printer is provided that is configured to generate fingerprints for paper sheets loaded into the printer prior to the paper sheets being available for printing. The pre-fingerprinted sheets are then made available for printing. In this manner, the process of fingerprinting of the paper sheets is decoupled from the printing operations performed by the printer. As a result, the fingerprinting process does not act as a bottleneck to the printing process. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240817 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a recording sheet storage unit for storing recording sheets substantially in an upright position, an image forming unit which forms an image on a recording sheet conveyed from the recording sheet storage unit, and a recording sheet receiving unit for storing the recording sheet conveyed from the image forming unit substantially in an upright position. In this image forming apparatus, a paper conveyance passage extends upward from a lower portion of the recording sheet storage unit toward the recording sheet receiving unit. The image forming unit positioned on the paper conveyance passage comprises a fixing device and a developer unit at least including a developer carrier, and the fixing device is arranged above the developer unit. Further, a developer receptacle for storing developer that is supplied to the image forming unit is arranged adjacent to one longitudinal end of the developer carrier. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240818 | FEED TRAY EXTENSION FOR AN ELECTION BALLOT PRINTING SYSTEM - An election ballot printing system includes a printer support structure which carries a printer. The printer and printer support structure are coupled together so that movement between them is restricted. A printer feed tray extension is carried by the printer support structure, wherein the printer feed tray extension includes a ramp and opposed guide rails which extend along the ramp. The opposed guide rails are positioned to guide a ballot into an input port of the printer. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240819 | Architecture for A Media Feeding Option for An Image Forming Device - The present application is directed to image forming devices with option trays to introduce media into a media path. One embodiment include the image forming device having a body with a front, back, top, and bottom sides. The sides may form an interior space to contain an imaging unit. The imaging unit may include elements for producing toner images. A media path may extend in a substantially vertical orientation within the interior space. An integrated tray may be positioned at the bottom side of the body and include a first input tray and a manual feed inlet on the front side of the body. Each of first input tray and manual feed inlet form sections of the media path. An option tray may he operatively connected to the bottom side of the body, and may include a second input tray and a multi-purpose feeder. The option tray further lengthens the media path and provides additional avenues to introduce media sheets into the media path. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240820 | Moving sensor for sheet edge position measurement - A method and apparatus for determining the lateral position of a moving sheet in a sheet registration system. A side edge sensor is moved from a known location until the side edge of the moving sheet is detected. A signal is generated indicative of the position of the side edge when it is detected. The position of the side edge as indicated by the signal is used along with skew of the sheet to determine the lateral position of the sheet. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240821 | Conveying device and image forming apparatus - A conveying device that conveys a recording medium includes an aligning member into which the leading edge of a recording medium bumps and a control unit that changes conveyance speed of the recording medium moving on a conveying path to bump into the aligning member. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240822 | DUPLEX IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A duplex image forming apparatus includes a driving unit which has driving rollers and driven rollers to reversely feed the paper printed on the first surface to a duplex printing part or discharge the paper printed on the first and second surfaces, and a separation unit which separates the driven rollers from the driving rollers while the paper printed on the first surface is reversely fed and registered by duplex rollers of the duplex printing part. Accordingly, when the paper is registered by the duplex rollers, because the paper is not caught in the driving rollers and the driven rollers, the paper can be easily registered. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240823 | Sheet Conveying Devices And Duplex Recording Devices - The invention describes a sheet conveying device having a feed tray for storing sheets, a first conveying path for conveying a first sheet in a first direction, a feed roller that feeds the sheets in the feed tray to the first conveying path, a second conveying path that connects the first conveying path and the feed tray, and conveys the first sheet in a direction opposite the first direction, and a multiple feed guide in the second conveying path, which has a guide for guiding the first sheet between the feed roller and the feed tray, and an overlying portion which overlies the feed tray on one side of the feed roller. The feed roller feeds the first sheet that was fed to the first conveying path, and was guided by the multiple feed guide, back to the first conveying path. A duplex printer incorporates this sheet conveying device. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240824 | Recording Devices - A recording device includes a feed tray for storing sheets, a first conveying path, an arm having one end attached to a pivot, and a roller attached to the other end of the arm. The roller feeds the sheet to the first conveying path. A recording unit is positioned in the first conveying path, and records an image onto the sheet. The recording device also includes a second conveying path between the pivot and the feed tray, and a path changing unit. The path changing unit moves between a first position, where it discharges the sheet, and a second position, where it conveys the sheet to the second conveying path. The arm moves between a third position where the roller contacts the sheets in the feed tray, and a fourth position where the roller is above the second conveying path. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240825 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - The present invention supplied an excellent printer which can print on a thick print medium without deformation of character. In the printer, a tension spring is respectively furnished on both ends of a carriage shaft which slidably supports a carriage carrying a print head, and pulls the carriage shaft upward; a carriage shaft gear is respectively fixed the both ends of the carriage shaft and engages with rack furnished on a side frame; the carriage shaft only moves up and down; and when a print medium P whose thickness is a predetermined thickness or over is fed, the carriage does not incline, but evenly moves upward through rotation of the carriage shaft gear. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240826 | Systems and methods for extending printer availability - Embodiments of systems and methods for extending printing device availability detect a level of printing consumable, compare the detected level of printing consumable to a threshold level, provide a selection of printing modes if the detected level of printing consumable is less than the threshold level, and control the printing device to print in the selected printing mode. Printing device availability-extending modes include printing in a lower resolution, simulating black with a composite of colors, and/or printing in a substitute color when the level of one or more colors is low. The methods disclosed are applicable to a variety of printing devices including laser printers, ink-jet printers, LED printers, plotters, facsimile machines, digital copiers and multi-function printing devices. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240827 | Printing apparatus - A printing apparatus is provided that can display information necessary for recovery during operation of the printing apparatus to a user at low cost. The printing apparatus of the present invention performs printing upon receiving print information generated by a print information generation apparatus, and the printing apparatus can communicate with an external processing apparatus such as a portable telephone held by the user. The printing apparatus further has a short-range data communication unit performing wireless personal area network communication such as infrared communication, and transmits printing apparatus information showing the status of the printing apparatus such as error messages about the printing apparatus to the external processing apparatus via the short-range data communication unit. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240828 | APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RFID LABELS, CARTRIDGE FOR INCLUDING AT LEAST A RFID TAG, AND RFID LABEL MANUFACTURING SYSTEM - An apparatus for producing RFID labels includes a feeding roller drive shaft configured to feed a base tape provided with a plurality of types of RFID circuit elements having an IC circuit part storing information and a tag antenna and corresponding to each of a plurality of types of communication frequency, and an antenna configured to perform information transmission and reception using the plurality of types of communication frequencies with respect to the plurality of types of the RFID circuit elements of a tag label tape with print being fed, and when a RFID label production command for producing a RFID label is input from an operation terminal, a central control part control in coordination so that the plurality of types of RFID labels using the plurality of types of RFID circuit elements, respectively, corresponding to the command is produced in a lump sum. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240829 | PRINTING COLORIMETRIC INSTRUCTION METHOD AND PRINTER - A printing calorimetric control device of the present invention is configured to comprise a reception section which receives a designation for a colorimetry position on a predetermined image; a printing control section which prints an image on a print medium on the basis of image data which represent the predetermined image; a determination section which determines a position when a colorimetry section is caused to perform colorimetry on the predetermined image printed on the print medium on the basis of the designation; a conveyance section which conveys the print medium for which printing has been completed on the basis of the position thus determined; and a colorimetric control section which acquires a colorimetry value of the colorimetry position of the designation by causing the colorimetry section to execute colorimetry on the basis of the position thus determined. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240830 | TAPE DRIVE - A tape drive comprising two motors, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of the motors, and a controller. The controller controls the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is configured to store a plurality of motor control data items, each data item being associated with a respective tension value. The controller is operative to monitor tension in a tape being transported between spools mounted on the spool supports; read a motor control data item based upon the monitored tension; generate a motor control signal based upon the read motor control data item; and apply the motor control signal to at least one of the motors. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240831 | KEYBOARD WITH ENHANCED IRRADIATION BRIGHTNESS - A keyboard. A membrane circuit assembly is disposed on a base plate. A key base is disposed on the membrane circuit assembly and comprises a first metal conducting portion and a second metal conducting portion. The first and second metal conducting portions are connected to a power source. An activating body is movably connected to the key base and comprises a third metal conducting portion and a fourth metal conducting portion. The third and fourth metal conducting portions are detachably connected to the first and second metal conducting portions, respectively. A light-emitting element is disposed on the activating body and connected to the third and fourth metal conducting portions. A keycap is disposed on the light-emitting element and connected to the activating body. The keycap drives the activating body to move, enabling the third and fourth metal conducting portions to respectively connect to the first and second metal conducting portions. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240832 | Printing device and method of controlling image printing device - An image printing device comprising a load unit that loads a plurality of overlapped printing media; a printing unit that performs a printing process for the printing media transported from the load unit; a moving unit that is movable in a predetermined main scanning direction; a printing medium detecting unit that is mounted to the moving unit and detects a signal relating to a presence of a printing medium; a position detecting unit that detects a position of the moving unit; and a control unit that determines a change in the presence of the printing medium based on the detected signal from the printing medium detecting unit at a time when the moving unit is moved at a predetermined timing in the printing process, sets one or more measured position based on the position of the moving unit at a time when the presence of the printing medium changes, determines that duplicate transport with a horizontal discrepancy occurs when a width calculated based on the measured position is approximately the same as a theoretical width and a second width calculated based on a second measured position exceeds the theoretical width by a significant value, and performs a process corresponding to the duplicate transport with a horizontal discrepancy. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240833 | Image forming system and image forming apparatus - An image forming system includes a sheet accommodating section, an image forming section, a term management section, a detecting section, and a display section. The sheet accommodating section has a plurality of sheet trays each accommodating therein printing sheets with advertisement. The term management section has stored therein information on a term of validity of the advertisement as advertisement term information connected with a sheet tray. The detecting section detects whether or not the advertisement is currently valid, based on the advertisement term information. Also, the detecting section determines during printing whether or not the term of validity of the advertisement on the printing sheets accommodated in a sheet tray being used in printing has expired. The display section displays information that a sheet tray other than the sheet tray being used is present which accommodates therein printing sheets each carrying an advertisement which is currently valid, if any. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240834 | MEDIUM TRANSPORT APPARATUS, PRINTER, PLOTTER AND COMBINATION OF PRINTER AND PLOTTER - A medium transport apparatus includes a feeding roller configured to rotate around a rotational axis. A guide rail extends along the rotational axis. A slider is supported by the guide rail and movable along the rotational axis. A rotatable pinch roller is configured to clamp medium between the feeding roller and the pinch roller to move the medium. A lever is connected to the pinch roller and movable to change a clamping state with respect to the medium between the feeding roller and the pinch roller. An arm is connected to the slider and configured to take an engaging position where the arm moves the lever to change the clamping state when the slider moves along the rotational axis and a standby position where the arm is not engaged with the lever when the slider moves along the rotational axis. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240835 | Input Tray Cover For An Image Forming Device - The present application is directed to devices and methods of protecting an input tray of an image forming apparatus. One embodiment of a device may include a mounting bracket that is attached to and positioned within an interior of the image forming apparatus. A cover may be movably attached to the mounting bracket. The cover may be positionable between a first retracted orientation positioned within the interior of the image forming apparatus and a second extended orientation positioned over a portion of the input tray that extends outward from the interior of the image forming apparatus. A biasing member may be operatively connected to the cover to bias the cover towards the first retracted orientation. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240836 | DOUBLE SIDED PRINTER MODULE WITH A PAIR OF ENDLESS DRYING BELTS - A stackable printer module includes a housing surrounding a frame. The housing defines footing holes and print head assemblies are housed within the housing. The print head assemblies are configured to engage with print media and effect double-sided printing on the print media. A print media loading mechanism is housed within the housing and includes a pair of opposed endless drying belts between which the printed print media can be loaded. Feet extend from the housing and are spaced apart to engage in respective footing holes defined in the housing of another printer module so that the printer modules can be stacked together. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240837 | MOBILE WORKSTATION - A case for use with a stenotype machine, portable computer, and cables, power supply equipment, memory devices, as well as paper, writing utensils, and the like to form a mobile workstation. The case includes a top, a bottom, and a circumscribing sidewall, the top removably or hingedly attached to the side wall to cover an interior that is divided into multiple compartments, including at least a first compartment to store the portable computer, a second compartment to store the stenotype machine, and a third compartment to store cables for data and power that are connected to the computer and stenotype machine, the sidewall having an access opening for the stenotype machine to deploy for use while remaining attached to the case, and the case further including a bottom wall to which a stand is removably attached. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240838 | Procedure and System for Dispensing Depilatory Wax in a Regulated Manner for its Immediate Application - Procedure for dispensing depilatory wax in a regulated manner, comprising the steps of positioning, in an inverted position, a container ( | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240839 | PRESS-TYPE COSMETIC CONTAINER WITH ANTI-PRESS MEANS - The present invention is related to a press-type cosmetic container with an anti-press means. That is, a cosmetic container adopts the way of pressing to output the material therein. More particularly, the press cover of the cosmetic container is stopped by a block to prevent discharging or leaking the material in the cosmetic container. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240840 | Magnetic cap for writing instrument - A cap for a writing instrument includes a cap body having a peripheral wall formed with an elongated mounting recess, a retaining cover removably mounted in the mounting recess of the cap body, and a magnet mounted between the cap body and the retaining cover. Thus, the cap and the writing instrument are attached to the surface of a whiteboard or other metal by the magnetic force of the magnet, so that a user can use the writing instrument easily and conveniently, thereby facilitating the user using the writing instrument, and thereby preventing the writing instrument from being lost. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240841 | Fluid dispensing apparatus - An apparatus for dispensing fluid, such as soap for washing items such as dishes and the like, is disclosed having a piston mechanism with a seal between a piston head and cylinder. The apparatus may include a one-way valve to prevent fluid from entering a soap storage reservoir. The apparatus may include a sponge head portion for scrubbing the items, for instance, and for receiving soap dispensed by the apparatus. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240842 | GLASS SEALANT APPLICATOR NOZZLE AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - An applicator nozzle for applying a bead of sealant or a similar material to an object, and a method of use thereof. An applicator nozzle of the present invention includes a nozzle body having a first end for connection to a supply of sealant or another flowable material, and a second end adapted to dispense said material. A trailing orifice is located at a trailing side of the applicator nozzle to dispense a trailing bead of material behind the applicator nozzle as it is moved along the object. A leading orifice is located at a leading side of the applicator nozzle to dispense a leading bead of material ahead of the applicator nozzle at least upon connection of the end of the material bead with its starting point. A continuous material bead with no gaps can thus be formed. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240843 | Spreader Apparatus, For Use With Dispensers - An apparatus for use with an edible food dispenser has a nozzle, a spreader surface associated with the nozzle, and a cap for entirely covering the nozzle. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240844 | Document tray - The present invention generally provides a document tray to retain a writing surface and provide for annotation over a majority of the writing surface. The document tray generally combines a generally planar rigid backer member and a frame holder connected to the backer member. The frame holder has a plurality of side components positioned in a plane generally parallel to and spaced from the backer member to define a document recess. The document is thus retained in the document recess. | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240845 | JOINING DEVICE FOR JOINING TWO ASSEMBLIES, FOR EXAMPLE FOR A STATOR OF A TURBOMACHINE - The present invention relates to a joining device ( | 2008-10-02 |
| 20080240846 | Fence panel mounting system - A mounting system is used to connect panels to upright supports in a barrier system. The barrier has at least one panel and upright supports extending along at least one edge of the panel to support it. The mounting system includes at least two mutually interlocking clamp pieces. These fit together their connection to the same upright support. The clamps also attached to different adjacent panels so that the entirety is held together as one integrated structure. | 2008-10-02 |
