Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
399074000 | Densitometer detail | 49 |
20080253793 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF EFFICIENT TONER CONCENTRATION CONTROL - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a plurality of toner images on an image carrier, an optical detector configured to detect reflection light from the toner image, and dedicated to detect infrared rays and near-infrared rays, and a controller configured to perform a predetermined control using a detection results of the optical detector. Gradation pattern that is comprised of a plurality of toner patches formed in the image forming unit with an image forming condition to have different adhesive amounts, and is formed of at least two colors, and detection values detected by the optical detector are used for the predetermined control. | 10-16-2008 |
20080310873 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is constituted by a dark color image forming station for forming an image with such a toner of recording materials having the same hue and different lightness as has a lower lightness; a light color image forming station for forming an image with such a toner of the recording materials having the same hue and different lightness as has a higher lightness; and a control portion for effecting control so that an image to be emphasized by partly disappearing or by relatively and partly decreasing in density is formable substantially only with the toner having the higher lightness. | 12-18-2008 |
20090010669 | Developing device, image forming apparatus including the same and developing method - The change in an output voltage when a control voltage is changed is calculated, and the change in the control voltage divided by the calculated change in the output voltage is defined as a sensitivity coefficient. The sensitivity coefficient is recalculated for each predetermined time interval or whenever a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the control voltage is corrected based on the recalculated sensitivity coefficient. Example of the predetermined condition include the time of start-up of the apparatus, the time at which the accumulated number of printed sheets reaches a predetermined number, and the time of carrying out process control. | 01-08-2009 |
20090016762 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a toner image forming device configured to form a toner image on an image conveying member, a detector configured to optically detect a density of the toner image on the image conveying member, a controller configured to control an image forming condition of the toner image forming device based on an output of the detector, a shutter configured to open and close an optical window of the detector, wherein the image forming apparatus is operable in a cleaning mode of the shutter in which an opening and closing movement of the shutter is repeatedly executed. | 01-15-2009 |
20090087207 | IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image-forming apparatus sets a DAC output voltage | 04-02-2009 |
20090097874 | Image forming apparatus and control method thereof - It is determined whether a low density area in which pixels having density less than a predetermined density exist in succession is included in an image signal or not, and if the low density area exists, an image is formed by irradiating the laser light in a first condition for a pixel to be interested in each pixel area within the low density area and irradiating the laser light in a second condition being different from the first condition for other pixels in the pixel area. In this way, it is possible to improve reproducibility of a highlight area in a high resolution image and improve reproducibility of characters and line images or the like. | 04-16-2009 |
20090136251 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus capable of setting a criterion individually for respective image forming apparatuses, which is used in determining whether or not a developer is properly supplied to a developing unit, thereby stabilizing a developer toner density. With a shutter member closed, reflection light from a reflection sheet is received by a toner density detection sensor, and an output voltage is stored in a memory. After the shutter member is opened, reflection light from a developing sleeve is received by the sensor, and an output voltage is stored in the memory. If an amount of change in voltage per unit toner density calculated based on the output voltages does not fall within a predetermined range, an operation of a main unit of the image forming apparatus is stopped. If the amount of voltage change falls within the predetermined range, the amount of voltage change is stored in the memory. | 05-28-2009 |
20090142087 | IMAGE FORMING METHOD AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming method includes detecting a toner degradation state by detecting an image density on an electrostatic latent image carrier with high sensitivity and low cost. The degraded toner is processed based on the detected information, so that the waste toner can be reduced and a good image can be obtained. An image density of an image that is transferred with a predetermined reference electric field is detected in a first detecting step. An image density of an image that is transferred with an electric field that is smaller or greater than the reference electric field is detected in a second detecting step. A processing step of processing the degraded toner is performed on the basis of the image density detected by each of the detecting steps. | 06-04-2009 |
20090162089 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CALCULATING AN AMOUNT OF TONER TRANSFER BY CONVERTING REGULAR REFLECTION OUTPUT INTO A NORMALIZED VALUE - An amount of toner transfer on a reference pattern is calculated by using an optical detecting unit that detects both regular reflection light and diffuse reflection light from a detection target simultaneously, based on a relative ratio between a value obtained by subtracting a result of multiplying a “diffuse reflection output” by a “minimum value of a ratio between a regular reflection output and the diffuse reflection output” from the “regular reflection output” of the density detection reference pattern, and a value obtained by subtracting a result of multiplying the “diffuse reflection output” by a “minimum value of a ratio between the regular reflection output and the diffuse reflection output” from the “regular reflection output” in the background of a transfer belt or an intermediate transfer body. | 06-25-2009 |
20090169233 | Image Formation Device - An electrophotographic image formation device comprises an image transfer unit (including an image transfer member) attached to a main body in a detachable manner, a density detecting unit including a detector unit and thereby detecting density of a developing agent transferred to the image transfer member, a protective cover which protects the density detecting unit not detecting the density by covering the detector unit, first and second reflecting parts (differing in reflectivity) formed in a part of the protective cover facing the detector unit, and a shifting unit which places the protective cover at a first position (with the first reflecting part facing the detector unit) when the image transfer unit has been attached to the main body while placing the protective cover at a second position (with the second reflecting part facing the detector unit) when the image transfer unit has not been attached to the main body. | 07-02-2009 |
20090297200 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a pattern forming unit which forms a light amount adjustment pattern on an image carrier belt, a light amount control unit which controls the amount of light irradiating the image carrier belt and pattern, a detection sensor which detects reflected light amounts from the image carrier belt and pattern with respect to the irradiating light amount and stores the detection results in a storage unit, a calculation unit which calculates the correspondence between the irradiating light amount and the reflected light amounts from the image carrier belt and pattern on the basis of the detection results and stores the calculation results in the storage unit, and a light amount decision unit which decides, on the basis of the calculation results, a light amount at which the difference between the reflected light amounts from the image carrier belt and pattern exhibits a value set in advance. | 12-03-2009 |
20100003044 | AMPLITUDE MODULATION OF ILLUMINATORS IN SENSING APPLICATIONS IN PRINTING SYSTEM - An image printing system includes a print engine and a sensing system. The print engine is configured to print a marking material image on a image bearing surface. The sensing system includes a plurality of illuminators, a modulator, a sensor, and a demodulator. Each illuminator is configured to simultaneously emit a light beam at the marking material image on the image bearing surface, thereby producing reflectance from the marking material image at least in a first direction. The modulator is configured to modulate an intensity characteristic of each of the light beams emitted by the illuminators such that each light beam has a different modulated waveform characteristic, where the waveform characteristic includes at least frequency. The sensor is configured to detect the reflectance from the plurality of light beams in the first direction and output a reflectance signal. The demodulator is configured to demodulate the reflectance signal to isolate a response of the marking material image to each of the individual illuminators. | 01-07-2010 |
20100003045 | ELECTROGRAPHIC DOT GAIN AND OPTICAL DENSITY DECOUPLING METHOD, XEROGRAPHIC IMAGE REPRODUCTION, AND SYSTEMS, METHODS AND SOFTWARE RELATED THERETO - A method is provided for decoupling the control of dot gain and optical density in electrophotographic based printing by varying the exposure level for each dot in an image. | 01-07-2010 |
20100021196 | MEASURING APPARATUS, MEASURING METHOD AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner amount measuring unit irradiates a toner image formed on an image carrying member with light, and an image capturing unit captures an image of a reflected waveform according to light reflected by the toner image. Then, an amount of applied toner is calculated based on the peak position or peak height of the reflected waveform in accordance with information associated with the density of the toner image to be formed. | 01-28-2010 |
20100272462 | Image Forming Apparatus Having an Optical Sensor - An image forming apparatus includes a sensor having a light emitting section for irradiating a detection area and a light receiving section for outputting a light sensitive signal indicative of the amount of the light received from the detection area. A sensor adjustment section adjusts the sensitivity of the sensor by varying the set value of an adjustable characteristic value associated with the sensitivity, based on explorative measurement of the adjustable characteristic value corresponding to a predetermined reference level of the light sensitive signal. If an estimation section estimates that the amount of a leakage current generated on the light receiving section is larger than a reference amount, a mitigation section mitigates the influence of the leakage current on the explorative measurement, by at least one of adjustment of the light receiving section for reduction of the leakage current and modification of the predetermined reference level. | 10-28-2010 |
20110002704 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THAT TRANSFERS TONER IMAGE CARRIED BY IMAGE CARRIER ONTO SHEET, DENSITY CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image forming apparatus capable of identifying the amount of reflected light from any portion of an image carrier in a short time. A sensor detects reflected light from an intermediate transfer belt. A CPU performs pattern matching between the amount of reflected light from the belt corresponding to one rotation thereof and the amount of reflected light from a specific portion of the belt to thereby identify a first circumferential location of the specific portion and a second circumferential location of a toner patch formed on the belt. The CPU calculates toner patch density based on the amount of reflected light from the toner patch and the amount of reflected light from the belt in the second circumferential location. The density of a toner image to be formed on the belt is controlled according to the calculated toner patch density. | 01-06-2011 |
20110044713 | REFLECTIVE OPTICAL SENSOR AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A reflective optical sensor includes at least three light-emitting elements; a lighting optical system that guides light emitted from the light-emitting elements to a toner pattern; and at least three light-receiving elements that receive the beams of light reflected by the toner pattern. The lighting optical system has a lateral magnification m that satisfies m≦P/S, where S is the size of the light-emitting elements and P is the arrangement pitch of the light-emitting elements. | 02-24-2011 |
20110052239 | OPTICAL SENSOR AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An optical sensor includes: a light-emitting unit; a light-receiving unit that receives light radiated from the light-emitting unit and reflected from a detection target and that outputs an output value in response to the light received; and a correcting unit that corrects the output value of the light-receiving unit when receiving the light reflected from the detection target based on the output value of the light-receiving unit obtained by irradiating a detection area of the optical sensor with light without any light reflective objects being present in the detection area. | 03-03-2011 |
20110091235 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD TO DETECT TONER THEREOF - An image forming apparatus to detect the toner density of a patch pattern formed on a photosensitive medium or a transfer belt without a deviation in light intensity includes a density sensor including a light emitter to scan light onto at least one patch pattern formed as a toner image and a light receiver to receive light reflected from the at least one patch pattern and convert the received light to an electrical signal, a switch to turn on or off the light emitter, and a controller to maintain light intensity of the light emitter within a reference range by controlling on-time and off-time of the switch. | 04-21-2011 |
20110200349 | Optical sensor and image forming apparatus incorporating optical sensor - An optical sensor attached to an apparatus includes a substrate and a light emitting element mounted on a first surface of the substrate. The light emitting element emits a light to a detection object in parallel to the substrate. A light receiving element is mounted on the first surface of the substrate. The light receiving element receives a regular reflection light reflected by the detection object. The said first surface serves as a positioning reference for positioning the optical sensor on an optical sensor mounting member provided in the apparatus. | 08-18-2011 |
20110222892 | DENSITY SENSOR AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A density sensor detects a density of a subject according to a variation in received light. The density sensor comprises a base plate, a light emitting element irradiating a subject with light, the light receiving element receiving light reflected by the subject, lead terminals connected at one end with bottoms of the light emitting and receiving elements, respectively, and electrically connected at the other end with the base plate, and a package containing the light emitting and receiving elements and supported by the base plate, wherein at least one of the lead terminals is configured to be inclined from a halfway position so as to reflect light from the light emitting element in a direction away from the bottom of the light receiving element. | 09-15-2011 |
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. | 09-22-2011 |
20120099884 | DETECTION DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A detection device includes: an imaging unit that forms an image of an incident beam on an image detection unit; an emission unit that includes a guided portion that is guided to a guiding portion provided at the imaging unit and guiding an attachment-detachment operation of the guided portion, a positioned portion that is positioned in a positioning portion provided at the imaging unit, and an emission member that emits a beam toward a direction of a transportation path such that a beam reflected from the medium is incident to the imaging unit; and a setting unit that includes a positioned portion that is positioned in a positioning portion provided at the emission unit when a drawing unit is pressure-inserted into the image forming apparatus and a setting surface that sets a position on the medium at which the beam is reflected. | 04-26-2012 |
20120114360 | SENSOR MEMBER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a sensor member having first and second ends opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction of the sensor member and supported by support structures consisting of the first and second ends, and first and second support portions supporting the first and second ends; a first support structure including a first protruding portion fitted on a first recess portion supporting the first protruding portion; and a second support structure including a second protruding portion fitted on a second recess portion supporting the second protruding portion. The second protruding portion has first and second cylinder portions extending in a longitudinal direction of the second protruding portion. The second recess portion has an insertion portion allowing the second protruding portion to be inserted, a pass portion allowing the first cylinder portion to pass therethrough, and a positioning portion fitted on the second cylinder portion. | 05-10-2012 |
20120201559 | CALIBRATED REFLECTION DENSITOMETER - A printer apparatus | 08-09-2012 |
20120237246 | TONER DENSITY SENSOR AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner density sensor has a light emitting unit that emits light to detect toner density, a light receiving unit that receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected from a detection target, and a board on which the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are surface-mounted. A penetration space that penetrates the board in a thickness direction is formed in at least one of portions in which the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are attached to the board. | 09-20-2012 |
20120243897 | MEASURING APPARATUS, MEASURING METHOD AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner amount measuring unit irradiates a toner image formed on an image carrying member with light, and an image capturing unit captures an image of a reflected waveform according to light reflected by the toner image. Then, an amount of applied toner is calculated based on the peak position or peak height of the reflected waveform in accordance with information associated with the density of the toner image to be formed. | 09-27-2012 |
20130034366 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a detector that detects a density of developer on the image bearing member, a support member supported in the image forming apparatus and removably supporting the detector, a separator disposed with a space from the detector, a first connected unit disposed on the support member between the separator and detector, a second connected unit disposed on the support member on an opposite side of the detector from the first connected unit, a fixing member including a first connecting unit that passes through the space and is supported by the first connected unit and a second connecting unit supported by the second connected unit, where the fixing member fixes the detector to the support member, and a disengagement restricting unit disposed on an opposite side of the detector from the separator so as to be adjacent to the second connecting unit. | 02-07-2013 |
20130094875 | REFLECTION SENSOR AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A reflection sensor includes the following elements. A light emitting unit emits light to an area of an image forming apparatus where first detection images of plural colors used for detecting amounts of their misregistration are formed. A first light restricting member/configuration restricts light emitted from the light emitting unit. A light receiver is disposed in an optical path of regular reflection light, and receives reflected light and outputs a signal representing an amount of received light. A second light restricting member/configuration is disposed in the optical path of the regular reflection light and restricts light to be received by the light receiver. The value obtained by dividing a diameter of the first light restricting member/configuration by that of the second light restricting member/configuration ranges from substantially 0.5 to 1.9, and the diameters of the first and second light restricting members/configurations are each 1.5 mm or smaller. | 04-18-2013 |
20130243466 | TONER DENSITY SENSOR AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner density sensor comprising: a light emitting element that emits light; a light receiving element that receives reflected light emitted from the light emitting part and reflected at a detection target; a light path for passage of emitted and reflected light formed along the front surface of a printed substrate on which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are surface-mounted; and a diaphragm unit that is formed at and partially narrows this light path, wherein the diaphragm unit is divided into two portions, a diaphragm unit upper-portion and a diaphragm unit lower-portion, and these are disposed in an upper case covering the front surface of the printed substrate and in a lower case covering the rear surface of the printed substrate. In the printed substrate, a through hole is formed for protrusion of the diaphragm unit lower portion from the rear surface to the front surface. | 09-19-2013 |
20130259510 | TONER SENSOR MODULE - Toner sensor modules are provided. In one aspect, a toner sensor module has a first light source emitting a first light, a first light sensor that generates a sensed light signal that is indicative of a sensed light, and a frame. The frame positions the light source to illuminate a target area from a first side a plane that is normal to the target area so that illuminated portions of any toner particles at the target area direct a reflected a portion of the first light into the first side and positioning the first light sensor on the first side of the plane to which toner particles at the target area direct the reflected portion of the first light. | 10-03-2013 |
20130272740 | OPTICAL SENSOR AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The optical sensor includes a light-emitting element configured to emit light to a light emitted surface, a light-receiving element configured to receive reflection light from the light emitted surface, the reflection light including light emitted from the light-emitting element and reflected at the light emitted surface, a circuit board including a mounting surface on which the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are mounted, and a housing fixed to the circuit board. The housing includes a light shielding portion provided between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, and the light shielding portion is engaged with a hole formed in the circuit board at a position between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element. | 10-17-2013 |
20130322909 | POSITIONING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A positioning device to position a first member relative to a second member includes two convex parts disposed on a side of the first member and apart from each other; and positioning portions disposed on a side of the second member so as to contact the convex parts, each of which is disposed apart from each other and opposed to the two convex parts. The positioning portions includes two planar portions disposed substantially perpendicularly relative to a direction to allow the first member to approach the second member; and a slanted portion disposed in the vicinity of one of the two planar portions and angled with respect to a direction to allow the first member to approach the second member. The second member is an endless belt, on which an image pattern for detection is formed, and the first member is a sensor to detect the image pattern formed on the endless belt. | 12-05-2013 |
20130322910 | MOVING DEVICE ASSEMBLY AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE MOVING DEVICE ASSEMBLY - A moving device assembly includes a moving device and a shield. The moving device is movable between a first position and a second position, to move a detector including a detection surface relative to an opposing member disposed opposite the detector. The shield shields the detection surface of the detector. As the moving device is at the first position, the detector is at a proximal position at which the detector is near the opposing member, and as the moving device is at the second position, the detector is at a shield position at which the detector is separated from the opposing member and the detection surface of the detector is shielded by the shield. | 12-05-2013 |
20140023391 | TONER-DENSITY CALCULATING METHOD, REFLECTIVE OPTICAL SENSOR, REFLECTIVE OPTICAL SENSOR DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner density is calculated from outputs of light-receiving elements based on a difference between a reflection property of a supporting member and a reflection property of a toner pattern. Light-emitting elements aligned in one direction that is inclined to a sub-direction emit a detection light in such a manner that a distance between adjacent spots falling on the supporting member in a second direction is equal to or smaller than a width of the toner pattern in the second direction. The light-receiving elements receive a reflected light reflected from the supporting member and/or the toner pattern. The light-receiving elements are aligned, opposed to the supporting member, in a one direction corresponding to the light-emitting elements. | 01-23-2014 |
20140064770 | OPTICAL SENSOR UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - An optical sensor, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes a detecting portion disposed facing a detection target and configured to detect the detection target by emitting light to the detection target, a dust-proofing member having a surface disposed facing the detection target and configured to cover the detecting portion, a vibration member configured to vibrate the surface of the dust-proofing member, and a collecting member configured to collect dust in the vicinity of the dust-proofing member. On the surface of the dust-proofing member facing the detection target, at least a portion that intersects a pathway of light emitted from the detection portion is formed as a thru-beam part by a material through which the light transmits. | 03-06-2014 |
20140147152 | DETECTION DEVICE FOR DETECTING STATE OF TONER IMAGE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF REMOVING FOREIGN SUBSTANCE FROM THE DETECTION DEVICE - A detection device detecting a state of a toner image, an image forming apparatus including a detection device and method of detection are provided. The detection device includes a detector having a light window where light passes through and detecting a state of a toner image formed on an image bearing member via the light window, and a cleaner removing a pollutant attached to a surface of the light window. The cleaner includes an adsorption unit formed of a conductive material and reciprocating while being in contact with the surface of the light window and a voltage applying unit applying a voltage for adsorbing the pollutant to the adsorption unit. | 05-29-2014 |
20140147153 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image formation unit configured to form an image on a sheet; a sensor unit having a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device; a frame to which the sensor unit is attached; at least one projection provided on one of the sensor unit and the frame, the at least one projection being formed to have a contacting part which projects to contact an other of the sensor unit and the frame; and at least one engagement part provided on one of the sensor unit and the frame, the at least one engagement part being formed to engage with at least one catching part provided on an other of the sensor unit and the frame and to press the at least one projection in a direction of increasing a contact surface pressure of the contacting part by causing elastic deformation. | 05-29-2014 |
20140219675 | BELT UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus | 08-07-2014 |
20140294420 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a sensing unit configured to check a transfer belt, which serves to transfer a visible image to a printing medium, the image forming apparatus capable of reducing contamination of sensors since a lighting window of a sensor provided in the sensing unit is open and closed by a shutter and a shutter driving device. | 10-02-2014 |
20140341601 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND DISPLAY METHOD - An information processing apparatus includes: a total amount control unit that applies a total amount controlling process to perform correction such that a sum of density values of all pixels composing the color plane data and clear plane data becomes not larger than a certain value; a clear toner plane generating unit that generates clear toner plane data based on gloss control plane data, the clear plane data and the color plane data; a difference calculating unit that calculates a difference between the density value of a pixel of the clear toner plane data and the density value of the pixel of the clear toner plane data to which the total amount controlling process is applied, for each pixel; and a display unit that displays an inconsistent region composed of a pixel in which the difference is not smaller than a predetermined threshold. | 11-20-2014 |
20150037057 | TONER-DENSITY CALCULATING METHOD, REFLECTIVE OPTICAL SENSOR, REFLECTIVE OPTICAL SENSOR DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner density is calculated from outputs of light-receiving elements based on a difference between a reflection property of a supporting member and a reflection property of a toner pattern. Light-emitting elements aligned in one direction that is inclined to a sub-direction emit a detection light in such a manner that a distance between adjacent spots falling on the supporting member in a second direction is equal to or smaller than a width of the toner pattern in the second direction. The light-receiving elements receive a reflected light reflected from the supporting member and/or the toner pattern. The light-receiving elements are aligned, opposed to the supporting member, in a one direction corresponding to the light-emitting elements. | 02-05-2015 |
20150043936 | REFLECTIVE OPTICAL SENSOR AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A reflective optical sensor includes at least three light-emitting elements; a lighting optical system that guides light emitted from the light-emitting elements to a toner pattern; and at least three light-receiving elements that receive the beams of light reflected by the toner pattern. The lighting optical system has a lateral magnification m that satisfies m≦P/S, where S is the size of the light-emitting elements and P is the arrangement pitch of the light-emitting elements. | 02-12-2015 |
20150110514 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, an optical scanner, a development device, a movable density sensor, a density sensor driver, and a processor. The optical scanner includes a light source to emit light, and irradiates a surface of the photoconductor in a main scanning direction with the light to form a latent image on the surface of the photoconductor. The development device develops the latent image into a toner image. The density sensor detects unevenness in density of the toner image in the main scanning direction. The density sensor driver moves the density sensor in the main scanning direction. The processor corrects a driving signal for the light source according to image data to reduce the unevenness in density in the main scanning direction, according to positional data of the density sensor in the main scanning direction and an output value of the density sensor. | 04-23-2015 |
20150323882 | REFLECTION DETECTION APPARATUS AND APPARATUS USING THE SAME - The reflection detection apparatus includes multiple light-receiving elements configured to detect a pattern formed on an object by receiving a reflected light from the object, and a selector configured to select a first light-receiving element group from the multiple light-receiving elements. The selector is configured to select the first light-receiving element group that includes one or more light-receiving elements each mainly receiving a specularly reflected light from an area of the object where no pattern is formed among the multiple light-receiving elements, on a basis of outputs from the multiple light-receiving elements. The detection of the pattern is made on a basis of an output from the first light-receiving element group. | 11-12-2015 |
20160033915 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a detector, an image bearer support, and a fulcrum. The image bearer bears an image on a surface thereof. The detector detects a condition of the image bearer. The image bearer support supports the image bearer and includes a stopper to regulate movement of the detector. The fulcrum pivotally supports the image bearer and the detector. | 02-04-2016 |
20160147177 | TONER DETECTION SENSOR AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner-amount detection sensor includes a light-emitting element, a first light-receiving element, and a toner-amount calculating unit. The light-emitting element emits light toward the surface of the transfer body at a predetermined incident angle. The first light-receiving element is disposed on a side opposite to the light-emitting element with respect to a plane normal to the surface of the transfer body. The first light-receiving element receives light reflected from the surface of the transfer body. The toner-amount calculating unit calculates the amount of toner from the quantity of the reflected light received by the first light-receiving element. The sensor has a relationship of A | 05-26-2016 |
20160170325 | OPTICAL APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE OPTICAL APPARATUS | 06-16-2016 |
20160179047 | Systems for Configuring Settings of an Electronic Device for Customization Thereof | 06-23-2016 |