11th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 32 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110064373 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOOK DATA DEFINITION AND TRANSMISSION OVER A HIGH DEFINITION MULTIMEDIA INTERFACE - A method and system are provided for look data definition and transmission over a high definition multi-media interface (HDMI). The method includes generating metadata for video content. The metadata is used for altering the video content before display thereof by accounting for variations between different display devices and variations between different creative intents by a content creator. The method further includes preparing the video content and the metadata for transmission over a high definition multimedia interface. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064374 | RECORDING MEDIUM, REPRODUCTION DEVICE, PROGRAM, REPRODUCTION METHOD - A BD-ROM stores PlayList information. The PlayList information defines a playback section of each of a plurality of AV clips and includes MainPath information and SubPath information. The MainPath information designates one of the AV clips as a Main Clip and defines a portion of the Main Clip as a primary playback section. The SubPath information designates another one of the AV clips as a SubClip and defines a portion of the SubClip as a secondary playback section that is to be played back in synchronism with the primary playback section. The BD-ROM stores, the one of the AV clips designated as the SubClip along with an EP_map. The EP_map shows a plurality of entry points on the SubClip in a one-to-one correspondence with entry times on the SubClip timeline. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064375 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM - An image processing method comprises receiving a sequence of image frames from a video camera. The method includes generating a computer generated object, and combining the computer generated object with the sequence of image frames so as to generate a sequence of augmented reality images. The method further includes dividing each received image frame into a respective array of image motion cells, detecting inter-image motion in successive image frames for each motion cell, and generating a motion object comprising one or more image motion cells. The image motion cells in the motion object correspond to a set of image motion cells detected as comprising inter-image motion over a threshold number of image frames. The method includes detecting a relative distance between the computer generated object and the motion object within the augmented reality images, and generating a point of interest within a current image frame in dependence upon the detected distance between the computer generated object and the motion object so that the computer generated object can be caused to appear to interact with an image region corresponding to an image motion cell at the point of interest. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064376 | APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR RECORDING IMAGE - An image recording apparatus includes an image capturing unit configured to capture an image of a subject, a recording unit configured to record one of still image data and video image data captured by the image capturing unit on a storage medium in the form of an image file, a generating unit configured to generate a management file used for managing the image file recorded on the storage medium, and a registering unit configured to register an identifier of the image file recorded on the storage medium in the management file on a capture date basis in the order of capture time. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064377 | Multifunction Multimedia Device - A method for interpreting messages, user-defined alert conditions, voice commands and performing an action in response is described. A method for annotating media content is described. A method for presenting additional content associated with media content identified based on a fingerprint is described. A method for identifying that an advertisement portion of media content is being played based on a fingerprint derived from the media content is described. A method of one media device recording particular media content automatically in response to another media device recording the particular media content is described. A method of concurrently playing media content on multiple devices is described. A method of publishing information associated with recording of media content is described. A method of deriving fingerprints by media devices that meet an idleness criteria is described. A method of loading, modifying, and displaying a high definition frame from a frame buffer is described. A method of recording or playing media content identified based on fingerprints is described. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064378 | Multifunction Multimedia Device - A method for interpreting messages, user-defined alert conditions, voice commands and performing an action in response is described. A method for annotating media content is described. A method for presenting additional content associated with media content identified based on a fingerprint is described. A method for identifying that an advertisement portion of media content is being played based on a fingerprint derived from the media content is described. A method of one media device recording particular media content automatically in response to another media device recording the particular media content is described. A method of concurrently playing media content on multiple devices is described. A method of publishing information associated with recording of media content is described. A method of deriving fingerprints by media devices that meet an idleness criteria is described. A method of loading, modifying, and displaying a high definition frame from a frame buffer is described. A method of recording or playing media content identified based on fingerprints is described. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064379 | INFORMATION RECORDING/REPRODUCING APPARATUS - The information recording/reproducing apparatus of the present invention comprises: a reproduction period list reader for reading out a reproduction period list from a recording medium; a specific-time skipping device that skips a reading-out position of information from the recording medium over a prescribed time; and a reproduction period list modifier that deletes a skip period from a reproduction period in a reproduction period list using a skip start point and a skip end point in the reproduction period list that is read out by the reproduction period list reader when specific-time skip is carried out by the specific-time skipping device during reproduction of the information from the recording medium. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064380 | CONTENT REPRODUCING APPARATUS, CONTENT EDITING APPARATUS, SERVER APPARATUS, CONTENT REPRODUCING SYSTEM, CONTENT EDITING SYSTEM, CONTENT REPRODUCING METHOD, AND CONTENT EDITING METHOD - The present invention provides a content reproducing/editing system and a content reproducing/editing apparatus for displaying to a user that other users cannot view associated information even if the associated information is added to content data. Further, it provides a content reproducing/editing system and a content reproducing/editing apparatus for displaying to the user that, when performing editing to delete a segment of the content data to which the associated information is added, the associated information is added to the segment to be deleted. It is displayed to a user X that, even if a comment is added, other users Y, Z, and the like cannot view the comment and it is checked whether the comment is added. It is displayed to the user X that, when performing editing to delete a specified segment, the comment is added to the segment and it is checked whether the deletion is executed. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064381 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING VIDEO TRANSITIONS - The disclosure addresses methods and apparatus for evaluating video presentations, particularly those displaying a succession of generally static images to identify the transition from a first image to a second image. The change of images facilitates the insertion of chapter markers which may be later used to index the content of the video and to facilitate navigation to selected content in the video. In one implementation, a difference measurement will be made between selected frames of the video presentation and evaluated with a statistical measure of the magnitude of the difference measurements, such as a Root Mean Square analysis. In preferred implementations, all processing will be done in the digital domain. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064382 | RECORDING MEDIUM, REPRODUCTION DEVICE, PROGRAM, REPRODUCTION METHOD - A BD-ROM stores PlayList information. The PlayList information defines a playback section of each of a plurality of AV clips and includes MainPath information and SubPath information. The MainPath information designates one of the AV clips as a Main Clip and defines a portion of the Main Clip as a primary playback section. The SubPath information designates another one of the AV clips as a SubClip and defines a portion of the SubClip as a secondary playback section that is to be played back in synchronism with the primary playback section. The BD-ROM stores, the one of the AV clips designated as the SubClip along with an EP_map. The EP_map shows a plurality of entry points on the SubClip in a one-to-one correspondence with entry times on the SubClip timeline. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064383 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF CIRCUMVENTING CONTENT FILTERS - A method, computer program, and system for enabling remanence-based advertisement that is not likely to be blocked by adblockers. A method of converting a master image, such as an advertisement or a logo, into a master video, according to an embodiment, includes: dividing the master image into a plurality of sub-images; generating a plurality of video frames defining a master video, the video frames having dimensions of the master image; and inserting the plurality of sub-images into the plurality of video frames, such that a playing of the master video defined by the video frames visually renders the master image. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064384 | REPRODUCTION CONTROL APPARATUS, REPRODUCTION CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A computer-implemented method for slow-motion reproduction of video data including a plurality of frames stored on a storage device. The method includes receiving a frame from the plurality of frames stored on the storage device. The method further includes extracting at least one feature from the received frame. Additionally, the method includes comparing the at least one extracted feature with a plurality of pre-determined features. The method also includes reproducing the received frame at a slow-motion reproduction rate upon determination that the at least one extracted feature corresponds to at least one pre-determined feature from the plurality of pre-determined features. Further, the slow-motion reproduction rate is lower than a normal reproduction rate used for viewing the plurality of frames during normal playback. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064385 | Multifunction Multimedia Device - A method for interpreting messages, user-defined alert conditions, voice commands and performing an action in response is described. A method for annotating media content is described. A method for presenting additional content associated with media content identified based on a fingerprint is described. A method for identifying that an advertisement portion of media content is being played based on a fingerprint derived from the media content is described. A method of one media device recording particular media content automatically in response to another media device recording the particular media content is described. A method of concurrently playing media content on multiple devices is described. A method of publishing information associated with recording of media content is described. A method of deriving fingerprints by media devices that meet an idleness criteria is described. A method of loading, modifying, and displaying a high definition frame from a frame buffer is described. A method of recording or playing media content identified based on fingerprints is described. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064386 | Multifunction Multimedia Device - A method for interpreting messages, user-defined alert conditions, voice commands and performing an action in response is described. A method for annotating media content is described. A method for presenting additional content associated with media content identified based on a fingerprint is described. A method for identifying that an advertisement portion of media content is being played based on a fingerprint derived from the media content is described. A method of one media device recording particular media content automatically in response to another media device recording the particular media content is described. A method of concurrently playing media content on multiple devices is described. A method of publishing information associated with recording of media content is described. A method of deriving fingerprints by media devices that meet an idleness criteria is described. A method of loading, modifying, and displaying a high definition frame from a frame buffer is described. A method of recording or playing media content identified based on fingerprints is described. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064387 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED NETWORK SEARCH AND COMPANION DISPLAY OF RESULTS RELATING TO AUDIO-VIDEO METADATA - Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods which allow consumers of audio-visual content (such as movies and television programs) to obtain dynamic additional content about programs and movies being watched, and customize that additional content to their personal preferences and behaviors. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064388 | User Customized Animated Video and Method For Making the Same - A customized animation video system and method generate a customized or personalized animated video using user input where the customized animated video is rendered in a near immediate timeframe (for example, in less than 10 minutes). The customized animation video system and method of the present invention enable seamless integration of an animated representation of a subject or other custom object into the animated video. That is, the system and method of the present invention enable the generation of an animated representation of a subject that can be viewed from any desired perspective in the animated video without the use of multiple photographs or other 2D depictions of the subject. Furthermore, the system and method of the present invention enables the generation of an animated representation of a subject that is in the same graphic style as the rest of the animated video. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064389 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING MOVING IMAGE & APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REPRODUCING MOVING IMAGE - An apparatus and a method for generating a moving image, and an apparatus and a method for reproducing a moving image are provided. The present moving image generating apparatus includes a script parsing unit which analyzes script information, a composer which generates a script to define a moving image, and a storage management unit which includes and stores setting information regarding the moving image in the script. Accordingly, a user may prevent the consumption of unnecessary resources as a moving image defined in a script is generated. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064390 | METHOD OF SCHEDULED AND NON-SCHEDULED ACQUISITION OF MEDIA SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA SERVICE PROVIDER COMMANDS - A first media service is acquired in response to a scheduled acquisition command, where the acquiring operation is performed by a user receiver. The time the acquiring operation takes place depends on information in the command, which indicates when the acquiring operation is supposed to take place and when operation terminates. The receipt of a non-scheduled command by the user receiver causes the acquisition of a second media service, where upon the expiration of the non-scheduled command, the first media service is re-acquired. Upon the expiration of the scheduled command, a third media service is automatically acquired, where the third media service was previously selected by a user. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064391 | VIDEO-AUDIO PLAYBACK APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a video-audio playback apparatus includes: a compressed-audio-data decoding portion configured to decode compressed audio data of a program and thereby to generate audio data; an audio data processing portion configured to compare a sound volume of the audio data for an arbitrarily-determined period with a threshold; and a compressed-video-data decoding portion configured to perform first decoding processing on compressed video data for the arbitrarily-determined period synchronized with the audio data for the arbitrarily-determined period when the sound volume of the audio data for the arbitrarily-determined period is equal to or lower than the threshold, the first decoding processing being according to the compressed video data. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064392 | ELECTRIC STORAGE WATER HEATER WITH DOUBLE CATHODIC PROTECTION - An electric storage water heater with double cathodic protection includes a sacrificial anode ( | 2011-03-17 |
20110064393 | OVEN - An oven is provided for re-baking welding consumables in an efficient and improved heat distribution manner. The oven includes a first chamber having a plurality of first chamber vents positioned on at least one sidewall of the first chamber and a heating source in a second chamber, the second chamber being in fluid communication with the first chamber, and one or more third chambers situated on a sidewall of the first chamber, wherein heat energy from the heating source flows through the third chamber into the first chamber, and wherein the heat energy from the heating source is substantially and evenly distributed inside the first chamber. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064394 | HEATABLE LIQUID CONTAINER MADE FROM PLASTIC MATERIAL AND PRODUCTION METHOD THEREFOR - A heatable liquid container made from plastic material, particularly for holding water/urea mixtures and having an internal cavity and a heating element arranged essentially in the internal cavity of the container, and with at least one connection end, the heating element is braced by a bracing element in at least one bearing area in the internal cavity of the liquid container. The heating element is supported in a horizontally floating manner by the bracing element. The bracing element is an insert part that is at least partially encased in the plastic material by sintering and is made from the same material as the inner wall of the liquid container. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064395 | Combined Structure of Waterproof Lens and Camera for Monitoring Purpose - A combined structure of waterproof lens and waterproof camera for rapid and simple assembly and disassembly; it comprising: waterproof lens and waterproof camera; in particular: the locking portions, such as internal thread and groove, are arranged onto the hollow wall of a socket end of the waterproof lens, while snapping portions, such as external thread and retaining clip, are arranged around an embedding end of the waterproof camera; based on this structural design, the waterproof lens and waterproof camera can be combined easily by the matched locking portions and snapping portions, thus realizing rapid separation for subsequent efficient repair, maintenance and replacement. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064396 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image capturing apparatus including an image capturing unit configured to obtain an image by image capturing includes a first storage unit configured to store face information of an owner of the image capturing apparatus, an estimation unit configured to estimate a photographer of the image capturing apparatus based on a relationship between an object included in the image obtained by the image capturing unit and the face information of the owner stored in the first storage unit, and a change unit configured to change a photographing mode to a simple photographing mode according to the estimated photographer. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064397 | CAMERA SYSTEM - A camera system ( | 2011-03-17 |
20110064398 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, a display unit configured to display an image acquired from the image sensor, and a control unit configured to perform a live view display of an image of an object on the display unit for a user to observe the object and to perform photographing after a self-timer setting time elapses from when a photographing start operation is performed, wherein the control unit compares, when performing the live view display, time required for charging a flash and the self-timer setting time, and if the self-timer setting time is longer than the time required for charging the flash, the control unit does not cause a charging operation of the flash to be performed before starting to count the self-timer setting time and causes the charging operation of the flash to be performed after starting to count the self-timer setting time. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064399 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS CAPABLE OF DISPLAYING A IMAGE REPRESENTING AN OBJECT BRIGHTNESS THAT CAN BE SET AS A TARGET EXPOSURE BY EXPOSURE CONTROL, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image pickup apparatus which is capable of shooting a still image and a moving image and displaying an exposure parameter interlocking range. A light metering unit meters an object brightness. A camera microcomputer performs exposure control such that an exposure becomes equal to a target exposure determined based on a result of metering by the light metering unit. The camera microcomputer causes the image display section to display a first image representing the object brightness metered by the light metering unit and a second image representing an object brightness that can be set as the target exposure by the exposure control. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064400 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes: optical finder means for introducing subject light having passed through an image capturing optical system onto a predetermined mirror at a first angle and guiding light reflected off the predetermined mirror to a finder window; a liquid crystal display disposed in an optical path of the subject light in the optical finder means; and illumination means for illuminating the liquid crystal display with light having a predetermined wavelength, wherein scattered light produced in the liquid crystal display illuminated with the light from the illumination means is incident on the predetermined mirror at a second angle, the finder window is disposed in a path of the scattered light reflected off the predetermined mirror, and the predetermined mirror has reflection characteristics in which spectral reflectance associated with the predetermined wavelength of the light incident at the second angle is lower than the spectral reflectance associated with the predetermined wavelength of the light incident at the first angle. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064401 | COUPLING AND ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES - A coupling and accessory system for an electronic device includes an enclosure configured to encompass at least a portion of the electronic device. The enclosure includes a land area having a magnetically active region or a magnetically attractive region. A coupling device also has a magnetically active region or a magnetically attractive region, such that the enclosure and the coupling device are magnetically attracted and attached to one another when the enclosure is brought into close association with the coupling device. The coupling device may further include at least one enhanced engagement feature for inhibiting mutual sliding or rotation between the coupling device and the enclosure during magnetic attachment of the one to the other. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064402 | SEPARATION OF ELECTRICAL AND OPTICAL COMPONENTS - Embodiments related to establishing and maintaining precision alignment in an optical system are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides an optical device comprising an outer casing and a rigid optical support disposed within an interior of the outer casing and to which a plurality of optical components are mounted. The embodiment further comprises a printed circuit board spatially separated from the optical support and the plurality of optical components, wherein one or more electrical components are mounted to the printed circuit board. The embodiment also comprises one or more electrical conductors electrically connecting the one or more electrical components to the one or more optical components. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064403 | Domed-shaped camera - A dome-shaped camera includes a casing having an axis. A camera unit is supported on the casing. A dome-shaped cover is at least partly transparent, and covers the camera unit. A flange portion has a first contact portion and a second contact portion. The first contact portion is in contact with an end of the dome-shaped cover. The second contact portion is in contact with the casing. A position of the first contact portion in a radial direction with respect to the axis of the casing differs from that of the second contact portion. The flange portion is fixed to the casing. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064404 | Network Restoration Under Dual Failures Using Path Protecting Preconfigured Cycles - The design of optical telecommunication networks is such that there is provision of end-to-end path restoration to specified demands under up to two links or nodes failures. Restoration routes are provided on Path Protecting Preconfigured Cycles (PP-PCs), where each demand is assigned one or two restoration routes and restoration wavelengths on a segment of one cycle. Splitting of demand across multiple restoration routes is not allowed. All restoration routes and restoration wavelengths are predetermined where multiple demands may share restoration wavelengths without resorting to intermediate switching or wavelength conversions along restoration routes. First, numerous candidate PP-PCs are generated. Assignment of demands with common failure scenarios are allowed, under certain conditions, to the same PP-PC. Next, a set of PP-PCs is selected from among the candidates, while minimizing total reserved restoration wavelengths cost and ensuring that all demands are protected as required. Finally, conflicts of wavelength assignments are resolved. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064405 | FLEXIBLE AND INTEGRATED FRAME STRUCTURE DESIGN FOR SUPPORTING MULTIPLE TOPOLOGIES WITH VISIBLE LIGHT COMMUNICATION - For use in a visible light communication (VLC) network, a system and method for communicating a plurality of medium access control (MAC) frames. The method includes providing a single frame structure to support a plurality of topologies, the plurality of topologies including peer-to-peer, broadcast, star and visibility topologies. The method also includes transmitting a plurality of frames comprising a plurality of frame types, the plurality of frame types comprising data, beacon, command, acknowledgement, and color-visibility-dimming (CVD) frames. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064406 | ASYMMETRICAL INTERLEAVER AND DEINTERLEAVER - Asymmetrical interleavers and deinterleavers. In one example embodiment, an asymmetrical deinterleaver includes first, second, third, fourth, and fifth filter cells interleaved with first, second, third, and fourth waveplates and followed by a fifth waveplate. The filter cells are configured to filter optical signals propagating on first and second legs of an optical loop. The asymmetrical deinterleaver also includes a retro reflector optically coupled with the filter cells and waveplates. The retro reflector is configured to reflect the optical signals between the first leg and the second leg to form the optical loop. The asymmetrical deinterleaver further includes a single-fiber collimator optically coupled to the first leg of the optical loop and a dual-fiber collimator optically coupled to the second leg of the optical loop. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064407 | Power save mode for lightpaths - A method for communicating optically between nodes of an optical network, including forming, between a first node and a second node of the network, a set of lightpaths, each of the set of lightpaths having a respective configuration, and transferring communication traffic between the first and second nodes via the set of lightpaths. The method also includes forming a determination for the set of lightpaths that a communication traffic level associated therewith is less than a predetermined threshold, and in response to the determination, removing a lightpath having a given configuration from the set of lightpaths to form a reduced set of lightpaths. The method further includes transferring the communication traffic between the first and second nodes via the reduced set of lightpaths, while reducing a level of power consumption in the removed lightpath and while maintaining the given configuration of the removed lightpath. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064408 | OPTICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING - A central terminal for an optical communications network, comprises a light source, an optical splitter for separating light from said source into first and second signals, each being of the same wavelength, a modulator for encoding said first signal received from said splitter, a first output port coupled to said modulator for outputting said encoded first signal, and a second output port coupled to said splitter for outputting said second signal as an unencoded second signal. An endpoint terminal and method of communication are also disclosed. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064409 | Optical Network Element, Optical Network, and Method of Operating an Optical Network - The invention relates to an optical network element ( | 2011-03-17 |
20110064410 | COLOR FREE WDM PON BASED ON BROADBAND OPTICAL TRANSMITTERS - A Wavelength Division Multiplexed Passive Optical Network (WDM-PON) includes a plurality of broadband light sources, each broadband light source being connected to receive a respective data signal and generating a corresponding modulated broadband optical signal. An Array Waveguide Grating (AWG) is connected for receiving each modulated broadband optical signal through a respective branch port and for generating a filtered broadband signal. The AWG implements a filter function comprising a respective pass-band associated with each branch port such that the filtered broadband signal exhibits a respective intensity peak associated with each pass-band. Each intensity peak is modulated with data from a respective one of the broadband light sources. A bandwidth of the respective modulated broadband optical signal generated by each broadband light source is at least equal to the width of a channel-band of the AWG. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064411 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE CENTER WAVELENGTH OF AT LEAST ONE NARROW BAND OPTICAL CHANNEL WDM TRANSMITTING DEVICE IN A WDM NETWORK AND CORRESPONDING WDM TRANSMITTING DEVICE - The invention relates to a method for controlling the center wavelength of at least one narrow band WDM optical channel transmitting device in a WDM network. A reflected signal portion of a WDM channel signal is evaluated at the location of a WDM transmitting device. In order to generate the reflected signal portion, the optical multiplexing device or an additional reflective filter may be used, the additional filter revealing a low reflectivity at the desired channel center wavelength and a sharply increasing reflectivity adjacent thereto. The center wavelength of the WDM transmitting device is tuned to this target center wavelength by wavelength-modulating the center wavelength with a predetermined (low) modulation frequency and predetermined wavelength amplitude. The center wavelength of the WDM transmitting device is tuned such that the first order modulation frequency component of the reflected signal portion is minimized. In order to safeguard that the tuned center wavelength of the channel signal is actually within the passband of the respective WDM channel, the second order modulation frequency component may be monitored. Further, the invention relates to a WDM transmitting device and a WDM transmission network realizing this method. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064412 | NOISE REDUCTION IN OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS - An optical network node for an n-channel dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) optical communications network, includes an add path for adding an n-channel wavelength multiplex onto the network. The add path has an n-channel signal combiner for combining the n signal channels. An optical amplifier amplifies an output of the signal combiner. A multichannel wavelength selective filter with variable-per-channel attenuation filters out noise from the amplifier on a channel which carries no content to be added to the network, and controls amplitude of signals in channels to be added to the network. An add coupler couples the add path to the network. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064413 | Method and Apparatus for Optical Wireless Communication - Methods and apparatus for optical wireless communication. In one embodiment, a wireless optical video system in which video content (e.g., DVI or HDMI) is transmitted wirelessly between a digital video source and a display device. This wireless optical communication is accomplished using a laser, encoded with the digital video data, directed from an optical transmitter to an optical receiver. In another embodiment, the data to be communicated includes high-definition video content. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064414 | OVERMODED DISTRIBUTED INTERACTION NETWORK - An overmoded distributed interaction network is provided that generates high peak and average RF power amplification at high frequencies. A series of overmoded cavities are bounded by parallel or concentric grids that may be separated by metallic spacers adapted to function as a photonic bandgap circuit to suppress competing electromagnetic modes. The selected electromagnetic modes have wavelengths much shorter than the lateral dimension of the grids, allowing the beam-wave interaction to be distributed transversely for improved interaction efficiency. The grids may optionally be slotted and arranged to provide a serpentine traveling wave tube configuration. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064415 | RADIO FREQUENCY PHOTONIC TRANSCEIVER - In a first aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency photonic transceiver, comprising: a radio frequency receiver; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and a switch between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a second aspect, the invention includes an apparatus, comprising: a radio frequency photonic receiver; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and a switch between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a third aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency, photonic transceiver, comprising: means for generating a radio frequency modulated optical signal; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and means for switching between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a fourth aspect, the invention includes a method, comprising: generating a first optical signal; electro-optically generating a first radio frequency signal from the first optical signal; transmitting the first radio frequency signal; receiving a second radio frequency signal; and electro-optically modulating a second optical signal with the frequency of the second radio frequency signal. In a fifth aspect, the invention includes a zero-intermediate frequency radio frequency photonic transmitter-receiver unit. In a sixth aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency photonic transmitter-receiver unit including a direct conversion receiver with receiver output. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064416 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING HIGH RESOLUTION FRAMES FOR DIMMING AND VISIBILITY SUPPORT IN VISIBLE LIGHT COMMUNICATION - For use in a visible light communication (VLC) network, a method for generating high resolution visibility frames for visibility or dimming support. The method includes determining a required visibility for the high resolution frames. The method also includes generating a pattern that meets the determined required visibility, the pattern having a first quantity of first low resolution frames and a second quantity of second low resolution frames. The method further includes transmitting the pattern to achieve the required high resolution frames. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064417 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - In a communication system, a signal processor of a communication apparatus transmits, when causing a communication module to perform a predetermined operation, a control signal at a predetermined level. Further, when authenticating the communication module, the signal processor changes a level of the control signal into a previously set authentication pattern and transmits the control signal. An operation controller of the communication module receives the control signal transmitted from the signal processor. When a level of the received control signal is a predetermined level, the operation controller performs a predetermined operation corresponding to the predetermined level. Further, when a level of the received control signal is an authentication pattern, the operation controller performs authentication control by matching or comparing the authentication pattern with a previously recognized pattern. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064418 | TRANSCEIVER AND BI-DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM THEREOF - A transceiver includes a lead-frame, a signal emitter, a signal receiver, and a coupling lens. The signal emitter and the signal receiver are attached on a same pad of the lead-frame. The coupling lens covers the signal emitter and the signal receiver. Since the positions of the signal emitter and the signal receiver are adjacent to each other, the coupling lens can be used to couple the signal emitter and the signal receiver for transmitting and receiving signals. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064419 | OPTICAL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPTICAL FREQUENCY MODULATION TO OPTICAL AMPLITUDE MODULATION CONVERSION - An optical device comprising an optical device comprising a Mach-Zehnder interferometer having a first 2×2 optical coupler, a second 2×2 optical coupler, a first optical arm, and a second optical arm. The first and second arms connecting corresponding pairs of optical ports of the first and second 2×2 optical couplers. The second optical arm has a longer optical path than the first arm. The device also comprises one or more optical resonators optically coupled to the first optical arm and an optical splitter. The optical splitter is coupled to deliver a portion of an input optical signal to one port of the first 2×2 optical coupler and to deliver a remaining portion of the input optical signal to one port of the second optical coupler. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064420 | PREAMBLE DESIGN FOR SUPPORTING MULTIPLE TOPOLOGIES WITH VISIBLE LIGHT COMMUNICATION - For use in visible light communication (VLC), methods for synchronization with multiple topology support and for transmitting an extended preamble. The method for synchronization includes transmitting a two-part preamble sequence. The preamble sequence includes one or more repetitions of a fast locking pattern (FLP) configured to be used for clock synchronization, and one or more repetitions of a topology dependent pattern (TDP) configured to be used to distinguish a plurality of VLC topologies. The method for transmitting an extended preamble includes generating an extended preamble and transmitting the extended preamble during a receive or idle mode for maintaining visibility support and for better synchronization performance. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064421 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EQUALIZING CHROMATIC DISPERSION AND DIGITAL COHERENT OPTICAL RECEIVER - This application relates to an apparatus and a method for equalizing chromatic dispersion and a digital coherent optical receiver. The apparatus for equalizing chromatic dispersion comprising: a chromatic dispersion equalizing unit, for compensating chromatic dispersion of an input signal; and an additional time delay removing unit, for removing, in accordance with frequency offset of the input signal, chromatic dispersion equalization time delay generated by the chromatic dispersion equalizing unit. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064422 | POLARIZATION SPLITTER, OPTICAL HYBRID AND OPTICAL RECEIVER INCLUDING THE SAME - Provided is an optical receiver used for an optical communication system, more particularly, a polarization split-phase shift demodulation coherent optical receiver. An optical hybrid includes a first optical splitter, a phase shift waveguide, a second optical splitter, and an optical coupler. The first optical splitter splits a first input optical signal to output first output optical signals. The phase shift waveguide receives the first output optical signals and controls and outputs the first output optical signals such that the first output optical signals have different phases. The second optical splitter splits a second input optical signal to output a plurality of second output optical signals. The optical coupler couples the first output optical signals one-to-one with the second output optical signals, respectively. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064423 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTACT-CORROSION PREVENTION METHOD PERFORMED BY SAME - A main body of an image forming apparatus includes a switching circuit provided for switching between a normal current which should be applied at a time of normal operation and a contact-corrosion preventing current which is set larger than the normal current. Each of the currents is to be applied to an imaging unit through the contacts between the main body and the imaging unit. A control section controls the switching circuit so as to temporarily switch from the normal current to the contact-corrosion preventing current at specified timing. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064424 | DYNAMIC MEDIA THICKNESS, CURL SENSING SYSTEM - A method and system move a media sheet in a processing direction of a media path from a first nip to a second nip and move the media sheet in the processing direction of the media path from the second nip to a third nip. The method senses, using a sensor positioned between the second nip and the third nip, the position of the media sheet relative to the sensor. The method automatically calculates the amount of curl the media sheet contains based on the difference between the predetermined position and the position of the leading edge of the media sheet (relative to the sensor) as the leading edge of the media sheet passes between the second nip and the third nip, using the processor. Further, the method automatically calculates the thickness of the media sheet based on the difference between the predetermined position and the position of the media sheet (relative to the sensor) as the media sheet passes between the second nip and the third nip, using the processor. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064425 | DEVICE FOR MEASURING LENGTH OF RECORDING MATERIAL, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - A device for measuring a length of a recoding material, includes: a rotating body that rotates in contact with a recording material which is transported; a length measuring unit that measures a length of the recording material based on a rotation of the rotating unit; a detecting unit that detects at least one of a rotation and an oblique advance of the recording material; and a correcting unit that corrects a value measured by the length measuring unit based on an output of the detecting unit. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064426 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit to thermally fix an image transferred onto a sheet thereto, an endless belt to carry the sheet in a feeding path toward the fixing unit, a pattern forming unit to form an image pattern on the belt, a sensor to detect presence of the sheet being carried by the belt, and a judging unit to judge as to whether the sheet is in one-sided alignment, in which the sheet is aligned to one of the widthwise sides in the feeding path based on a result detected by the sensor. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064427 | Sheet processing device, image forming system, and sheet conveying method - When a sheet processing device is in operation, if any of a paper jam, a motor error, and an open door occur, a sheet-processing-device control unit stops all the loads of the sheet processing device other than the entrance motor. After that, the sheet-processing-device control unit determines whether an entrance sensor detects a sheet remaining in a sheet discharging path. If no sheet is detected, the entrance motor stops in the same manner as the other loads stop. If the entrance sensor detects a sheet, the entrance motor continues driving. When the number of steps of the entrance motor that continues driving increases to a number equal to or more than a predetermined number that corresponds to a sheet position that is accessible by a user from a discharge tray, the entrance motor stops. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064428 | PRINTER - A printer includes a printing unit configured to print on a print medium while transferring the print medium by a first transfer section, a transfer unit located downstream the printing unit in a transfer route and configured to transfer the print medium by a second transfer section, and a controller configured to control the printing unit and the transfer unit. The controller is configured to stop the first transfer section prior to the second transfer section upon detection of a jam of the print medium. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064429 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a developing unit configured to store a developer includes a toner and a carrier and to form a developer image, a toner attachment amount detection portion configured to detect an attachment amount of a toner formed on a photoconductor or an intermediate transfer body, a developing bias voltage change portion configured to change a plurality of developing bias voltages including a developing contrast voltage in a manner that the detected attachment amount of the toner becomes a value in a predetermined range, a carrier supply time correction portion configured to correct a carrier supply time in response to the value of the changed developing contrast voltage, and a carrier supply portion configured to supply a carrier in a corrected carrier supply time at a predetermined timing. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064430 | IMAGE FORMING METHOD AND DETERMINATION METHOD OF CONTRAST POTENTIAL - In an image forming method, an execution condition of forcible toner consumption is obtained based on an environmental value at a time of final image formation and a present environmental value, the forcible toner consumption is executed under the execution condition, and image formation is performed after calibration. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064431 | Image forming apparatus and method of monitoring image forming apparatus power consumption - An image forming apparatus and a method of monitoring power consumption of the image forming apparatus are provided. For each one of parts of the image forming apparatus selected for monitoring, part-specific power consumption information is obtained based on accumulated operation amount information. The obtained part-specific power consumption information is used to generate power consumption information indicating an amount of electric power consumed by at least a portion of the image forming apparatus. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064432 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A disclosed developing device includes a toner carrying member having electrodes, a toner supply unit supplying the toner to the toner carrying member, and a hopping electric field generator unit generating electric field to cause the toner hopping on the toner carrying member by applying a pulse voltage to the electrodes. The hopping electric field generator unit includes a pulse voltage generator circuit generating the pulse voltage, a first direct-current power source supplying bias to the pulse voltage generator circuit for regulating a peak value of the pulse voltage, and a second direct-current power source having a same polarity with a toner charging polarity, and outputting a variable voltage level. The hopping electric field generator unit controls the peak value of the pulse voltage by changing an output of the first power source and a mean thereof by changing an output of the second power source. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064433 | Imaging device and image forming apparatus - An imaging device includes an image carrying member; a developing unit for forming a toner image by developing an electrostatic latent image that has been formed on the image carrying member in a charged state; a cleaning unit for cleaning a toner that remains on the image carrying member after the toner image has been transferred from the image carrying member onto a transfer material; a lubricant applying unit for applying a lubricant on the image carrying member; and a control unit for performing drive control of the image carrying member, the developing unit, the cleaning unit, and the lubricant applying unit. Before the imaging device starts an imaging operation, the control unit controls the image carrying member, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit to perform respective operations; while controls the lubricant applying unit to repeat performing and suspending the operation in an intermittent manner. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064434 | Image forming apparatus - Disclosed herein is an image forming apparatus capable of avoiding positional interference between an electrical potential sensor and a developing device during the installation or separation of the developing device. The positional interference is prevented by moving the electrical potential sensor out of the movement path of the developing device in association with the opening/closing movement a cover for an access opening in the body of the image forming apparatus for the installation/separation of the developing device. A link device connects the cover and the electrical potential sensor to each other so as to cause the movement of the electrical potential sensor in linkage with the opening/closing of the cover. The link device serves as an anti-interference device that prevents the positional interference between the developing device and the electrical potential sensor. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064435 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a supply device that supplies developer includes toner and carrier, a developing device configured to accommodate the developer includes toner and carrier in a manner that the developer is stirred and transported therein, and configured to discharge the developer in an overflow manner through a discharge opening, a screw that stirs and transports the developer in the developing device, and a control unit configured to change the rotation speed of the screw based on a predetermined index which varies in accordance with supply and consumption of the developer or an environmental condition when development is performed. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064436 | IMAGE GLOSS CONTROL APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM - An image gloss control apparatus that includes a first control component and a second control component is provided. The first control component controls an image forming/fixing component, which forms an image on a recording medium using a colored image formation material and fixes the image, so that a first image is formed in a high gloss area having a high gloss level on the recording medium or an area including the high gloss area on the recording medium and is fixed. The second control component that controls the image forming/fixing component, so that a second image having a density lower than a density of the first image is formed in a low gloss area having a gloss level lower than the gloss level of the high gloss area on the recording medium where the first image is formed or the low gloss area on the first image and is fixed. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064437 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device for fixing an image on a recording medium includes an endless flexible fixing member formed into a loop, a heat conductive member disposed within the loop formed by the fixing member, a heater disposed near the heat conductive member to heat the heat conductive member, a pressing member pressing the fixing member against the heat conductive member to form a fixing nip, a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the fixing member, and a lubricant disposed between the fixing member and the heat conductive member. The heater heats the heat conductive member to heat the lubricant with the fixing member stopped. The fixing member rotates after heating of the heat conductive member by the heater. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064438 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a fixing roll that is rotatable; a belt member that is stretched over the fixing roll; a pressurizing roll that pressurizes the fixing roll via the belt member; a belt pressing member that presses an outer surface of the belt member to the pressurizing roll from inside of the belt member on a downstream side at a pressure-contact position between the fixing roll and the pressurizing roll; and a controller that decrease a time difference between a passage time per unit area of a tip region of a recording medium and a passage time per unit area of a succeeding region of the recording medium to pass a pressure-contact portion between the fixing roll and belt pressing member and the pressurizing roll. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064439 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit to thermally fix an image transferred onto a sheet, a discharge unit to discharge the sheet carried from the fixing unit outside the image forming apparatus through a discharge path, a swingable member to be swung by the sheet being discharged, a swing-detectable sensor to detect swing movement of the swingable member being swung by the sheet, and a judging unit to judge as to whether the sheet is in one-sided alignment, in which the sheet is aligned to one of the widthwise sides in the discharge path based on result detected by the swing-detectable sensor. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064440 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING SAME - The fixing device includes first and second heat sources, a rotatable fixing member heated by the first heat source, a rotatable pressing member heated by the second heat source and contacting the fixing member to form a fixing nip therebetween at which a toner image on a sheet is fixed thereto, and at least first and second temperature detectors determining temperatures of different surface portions of the pressing member. The pressing member has a width greater than that of the fixing member greater than the maximum width of the sheet accommodated by the fixing device. The first temperature detector determines the temperature of a surface portion of the pressing member, which is to be contacted with the sheet, and the second temperature detector determines the temperature of a second surface portion of the pressing member, which is not contacted with the fixing member even when the pressing member is rotated. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064441 | Temperature Control Method for Fixing Device - A fixing device includes: a fixing member configured to cause a recording medium to pass therethrough and subject the recording medium to fixing processing; a heating member configured to heat the fixing member; and a control member configured to control the heating member at two fixing set temperatures during a printing mode for the recording medium fed last. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064442 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - To enhance the fixing quality of a fixing device to continuously fix sheets of a plurality of sizes, a carbon nanotube sheet | 2011-03-17 |
20110064443 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a hollow, stationary metal roller, a flexible fuser belt, a rotatable pressure member, a fuser pad, a reinforcing member, and a heating assembly. The metal roller has an outer circumference thereof subjected to heating. The flexible fuser belt is looped for rotation around the metal roller to transfer heat radially outward from the heated metal roller. The fuser pad is held stationary inside the loop of the fuser belt to press against the pressure member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The reinforcing member is disposed stationary within the roller interior. The heating assembly is disposed stationary within the roller interior to heat the metal roller from inside, and includes a first heater and a second heater. The first and second heaters are arranged in juxtaposition with each other along the inner circumference of the metal roller. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064444 | HEATER CONTROL DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A heater control device includes a temperature detector that detects a temperature of a heated object heated by a heater; an alternating-current power supply for applying an alternating current voltage to the heater; a turn-on ratio decision unit that determines a turn-on ratio of the heater based on the temperature and a target temperature; a turn-on pattern decision unit that determines a partial turn-on pattern, as the turn-on pattern of the heater, which is a pattern of a turn-on ratio higher than the determined turn-on ratio in terms of a control-period, and to which a partial turn-on instead of a full turn-on is allocated on a half-wavelength basis of the alternating current voltage within the control period based on the turn-on ratio of the heater; and a turn-on controller that controls turn-on of the heater based on the determined turn-on pattern. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064445 | POWER SOURCE UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A power source unit includes an AC/DC converter to convert alternating current to direct current output, an auxiliary power source storing electric power, a load detector to detect a high/low level of direct current output to a DC-using load device from the AC/DC converter, and a power supply controller. When load to be required exceeds alternating current power source limits, the power supply controller shuts down output of direct current from the AC/DC converter, and instead uses the auxiliary power source to supply power to the DC-using load device. When the load to be required is within alternating current power source limits, the power supply controller uses the AC/DC converter to supply power to the DC-using load device while the load detector detects high voltage for the DC-using load device, and the power supply controller uses the auxiliary power source to supply power to the DC-using load device and shuts down the AC/DC converter while the load detector detects low voltage for the DC-using load device. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064446 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming apparatus main body, a driven member removably disposed in the image forming apparatus main body, a rotary driver that rotates by current flowing, and after the blockage of the current flowing, continuously rotates due to an inertial force, a coupling part that has a driving-side member and a driven-side member, wherein when the driven-side member is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body, the driving-side member and a driven-side member are facing each other, and when the driving-side member and the driven-side member engage each other in the rotating direction, the rotary driver and the driven-side member are coupled to transmit the rotation of the rotary driver to the driven-side member, and a controller that controls so that, when the driven-side member is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body, the current flows to the rotary driver, and after the elapse of a certain period of time the current flow to the rotary driver is blocked. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064447 | OBTAINING PRESSURE OF AN OPERATING ENVIRONMENT OF A BI-DIRECTIONALLY SCANNING ELECTROGRAPHIC DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING CORRECTIONS PER PRESSURE - Methods and apparatus include improving print quality of a bi-directionally scanning electrophotographic (EP) device, such as a laser printer or copy machine, according to ambient pressure in which operated. A moving galvanometer or oscillator reflects a laser beam to create scan lines of a latent image in opposite directions. A damping of the motion occurs per air density implicated by temperature and pressure, where the pressure changes occurring especially from altitude changes. During use, a drive signal, such as a pulse train, moves the galvanometer or oscillator at or near its resonant frequency. Based on a parameter of the drive signal, such as pulse width, the ambient pressure can be made known. In general, a high-pressure environment requires a relatively longer pulse width to resonate the galvanometer or oscillator in comparison to a shorter pulse width for a low-pressure environment. Corrections to print quality stem from the determined ambient pressure. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064448 | LASER FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - According to an aspect of the invention, a laser fixing device includes a laser beam generating device and an airflow generating unit. The laser beam generating device generates laser beams and irradiates a recording medium transported with the laser beams. The airflow generating unit generates airflow flowing between the laser beam generating device and the recording medium. A flow speed of the airflow in a transport direction of the recording medium in an irradiation position of the laser beams is higher than a transport speed of the recording medium. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064449 | Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus such as a color printer including a fixing device and air supply and exhaust members, capable of effectively exhausting hot, moist air and preventing condensation from forming in and around a sheet conveyance path. The image forming apparatus includes an exhaust fan mounted at a predetermined angle to the sheet conveyance path above the fixing device, with an exhaust airflow path of the exhaust fan narrowing toward a downstream side in the air exhaust direction. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064450 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus using same - A fixing device includes a heating source; a heating member heated by the heating source; a pressing member contacting the heating member to form a fixing nip therebetween, at which an unfixed image of toner on a recording sheet is fixed to the recording sheet; a first charging member located at an entrance of the fixing device, from which the recording sheet bearing the unfixed toner image enters the fixing device, so as to face the unfixed toner image. The first charging member is not contacted with the heating member and pressing member, and has a charge with a polarity opposite to a polarity of a charge of the toner to collect floating particles of the toner. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064451 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device to fix a toner image on a sheet of recording media, the fixing device includes a fixing rotary member to heat the toner image on the sheet of the recording media, a pressure rotary member pressed against the fixing rotary member, a conveyance guide member arranged to a fixing nip at the upstream side of a conveyance direction of the sheet to support the sheet going to the fixing nip, a scraper arranged to the conveyance guide member at the opposite side on the basis of the conveyance direction. The end of the conveyance guide member contacts with the scraper, when the conveyance guide member turns on a rotary axis of the guide member. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064452 | Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and process cartridge - An image forming apparatus including multiple image bearing members that bear respective electrostatic latent images, provided in tandem; multiple developing devices that develop the respective electrostatic latent images with toner to form respective toner images; an intermediate transfer member onto which the multiple toner images are transferred to form a composite toner image; multiple first lubricant applicators that apply a lubricant to the respective image bearing members; and a second lubricant applicator that applies a lubricant to the intermediate transfer member, provided upstream from the extreme upstream image bearing member. In this image forming apparatus, the amount of lubricant applied from the extreme upstream first lubricant applicator to the extreme upstream image bearing member is smaller than that applied from each of the other lubricant applicators to the respective image bearing members. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064453 | DEVELOPMENT DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE HAVING THE SAME - A development device includes a casing storing development agent, a developing member that is rotatably supported in an opening of the casing and configured to hold development agent thereon, a first seal member that extends in a first direction parallel to a rotational axis of the developing member and has a base end at a side of the casing and a free end contacting an entire length, in the first direction, of the developing member, and an elastic member disposed between the casing and the free end so as to face the entire length, in the first direction, of the developing member. The elastic member presses the free end against the entire length, in the first direction, of the developing member. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064454 | DEVELOPMENT DEVICE AND PRINTER HAVING THE SAME - A development device has a casing configured with a first frame and a second frame. The first frame includes attachment surfaces to which a regulating member is attached. A facing surface of the second frame is disposed between the attachment surfaces, in a predetermined plane including the attachment surfaces, and configured to face a portion of the regulating member between the attachment surfaces. A seal member is disposed between the regulating member and opposite surfaces including the attachment surfaces and the facing surface, and configured to seal first gaps each of which is formed between the facing surface and one of the attachment surfaces, in a first direction parallel to a rotational axis of a developing member rotatably supported by the casing. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064455 | HOUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS - A housing device includes: a housing that has an opening and defines a containment space for containing an object inserted through the opening; a guide member that has a longitudinal direction aligned with a direction of insertion of the object with respect to the housing and guides the object when the object is inserted into the containment space; a support structure that supports the guide member to be moveable with respect to the housing in the longitudinal direction; and a cover that opens and closes the opening, wherein when the cover closes the opening, the cover supports the object such that the object is spaced apart from the guide member. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064456 | Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a handle member that is held by an operator when an orientation of the image forming apparatus is changed from a predetermined use orientation to a different orientation; and a blocking unit that is caused to block a path between the inside and an opening of a toner container, without being powered, in association with an operator operation performed to the handle member upon changing the orientation of the image forming apparatus from the use orientation to the different orientation. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064457 | Image Forming Apparatus and Tandem Type Photosensitive Unit - An image forming apparatus is described. An image forming apparatus may include an image forming apparatus body and a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable with respect to the body, wherein the unit includes: a frame; a plurality of photosensitive bodies; a plurality of developer cartridges, including developer carriers, detachably mountable on the frame; and a pressing portion provided on the frame for pressing each of the cartridges so that the developer carrier thereof is directed toward the corresponding photosensitive body, each of the cartridges is pivoted to be movable to an imaging position pressed by the pressing portion and a detached position released from the pressing by the pressing portion, and the body is provided with an abutting portion abutting the cartridge located on the detached position thereby pivoting the cartridge and moving the same to the imaging position when the unit is mounted on the body. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064458 | Image-Forming Apparatus - An image-forming apparatus includes: a housing; a first cover attached to the housing; a belt-shaped intermediate transfer body; a rotating member; a support member that contacts an inner surface of the intermediate transfer body at a position opposed to the rotating member to form an image transfer portion where an image is transferred from the intermediate transfer body onto a recording medium; a first supporting unit provided to the housing to support a first end of the support member, a positioning mechanism that determines a position of the first cover relative to the housing when the first cover is closed; and a second supporting unit provided to the first cover to support a second end of the support member, such that a pressure generated between the support member and the rotating member is increased when the first cover is closed than when the first cover is opened. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064459 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; drum frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing frame supporting the developing roller, the developing frame is movable relative to the drum frame and is capable of taking a contacting position in which the developing roller is in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a force receiving device including a first force receiving portion for receiving a first external force and a second force receiving portion for receiving a second external force, wherein the second force receiving portion is movable relative to the developing frame, wherein the second force receiving portion is placed in a stand-by position retracted from an operating position by the first force receiving portion receiving the first external force, and is movable from the stand-by position to the operating position for moving the developing frame from the contacting position to the spacing position, wherein a distance through which the second force receiving portion moves from the stand-by position to the operating position is larger than a distance through which the first force receiving portion is moved by the first external force. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064460 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charging member which charges the image carrier and is arranged to provide an interval between itself and the image carrier, a power source to apply a voltage to the charging member, a measuring section to measure a voltage or a current between the image carrier and the charging member, and a gap adjustment section to adjust a gap between the image carrier and the charging member based on a measurement result of the voltage or the current. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064461 | PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER CARTRIDGE, DEVELOPER CARTRIDGE AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - A process cartridge includes a developer frame portion and a photosensitive member frame portion, wherein when the photosensitive member frame portion is attached to the developer frame portion, a first extension portion and a second extension portion are positioned in a substantially overlapping configuration and the first extension portion engages the second extension portion so as to urge a developer carrying member toward a photosensitive member. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064462 | BEARING DEVICE, DRUM UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A bearing device to hold a rotor in an opening formed in a frame is provided. Circumference of the opening is formed to have a first edge and a second edge, which linearly extend along different directions from each other. The bearing device includes a flange member to be attached to an axial end portion of the rotor, a bearing member to be externally attached to the flange member and inserted in the opening, and a presser member to press the flange member toward a section between the first edge and the second edge. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064463 | Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge is described. The developer cartridge detachably mountable on a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable to a drawn-out position and a mounted position with respect to an image forming apparatus body may include a casing; a developer carrier rotatably supported on one end portion of the casing for carrying a developer; a pair of upright portions arranged on another end portion of the casing at an interval from each other in the axial direction of the developer carrier to extend from another end portion of the casing in a detaching direction for the developer cartridge; and an elastically deformable coupling portion extending in the axial direction of the developer carrier for coupling the upright portions with each other. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064464 | TRANSFER UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - Disclosed are a transfer unit and an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a main body frame on which one or more image carrying bodies are is supported and a transfer unit coupled to the main body frame. The transfer unit receives one or more images respectively from the one or more image carrying bodies, and may include, for example, an intermediate transfer belt for receiving thereon the one or more images, a transfer roller corresponding to an image carrying body and movable between a first position at which the transfer roller contacts the image carrying body and a second position at which the transfer roller is spaced apart from the image carrying body, an elastic member elastically biasing the transfer roller toward the first position and a guide structure that guides the movement of the transfer roller in a manner opposing the elastic force of the elastic member so as to reduce the speed at which the transfer roller moves from the second position to the first position and to thereby reduce the force of impact with which the transfer roller makes contact with the image carrying body. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064465 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image-forming unit, an intermediate transfer member, a backup member and a medium transfer member. The image-forming unit is configured to form a developed image, which is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. The intermediate transfer member is entrained about the backup member. The medium transfer member is opposed to the backup member and is configured to transfer the developed image on the intermediate transfer member to a medium. The medium transfer member is also at a first position where a rotational axis of the medium transfer member lies downstream of a rotational axis of the backup member in a medium transport direction. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064466 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In an image forming apparatus comprising an intermediate transfer belt ( | 2011-03-17 |
20110064467 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording sheet is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a main body, a belt unit, and a pressing member configured to press the belt unit in a pressing direction crossing both a belt extending direction and an axial direction of a belt roller. A first positioning portion is disposed in the main body and a second positioning portion is disposed in the belt unit. A second positioning portion is disposed in the belt unit and configured to contact the first positioning portion to allow the belt unit to be positioned in the main body, and the pressing member is configured to press the belt unit such that the second positioning portion maintains contact with the first positioning portion. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064468 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a transporting path; a heating unit on the transporting path that is movably provided in a direction coming in contact with and departing from a continuous recording medium and that heats the continuous recording medium; a braking unit that has a first braking member and a second braking member and that brakes transportation of the continuous recording medium by sandwiching in the continuous recording medium between the first and second braking members, wherein the first and second braking members are provided on upstream and downstream sides on the transporting path of the heating unit, respectively; and a control unit that controls that the heating unit is brought into contact with the continuous recording medium and the braking of the continuous recording medium is released by the braking unit. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064469 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus has a holding member having a plurality of photosensitive drums and configured to hold a plurality of toner cartridges in a detachable manner. The holding member is coupled to an apparatus body in a tiltable manner between a first position where the holding member is disposed in the apparatus body and a second position where the holding member is raised from the apparatus body. A top cover is coupled to the apparatus body in a tiltable manner between a closed position and an open position. The top cover tilts in a different direction from a direction that the holding member tilts. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064470 | LIGHT DEFLECTOR DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A light deflector device includes a light deflector having an oscillation system, a driving unit for driving the oscillation system and a drive controlling unit for supplying a drive signal. The oscillation system simultaneously generates a first oscillating motion of a first frequency and a second oscillating motion of a second frequency. The drive controlling unit supplies a drive signal formed by synthetically combining a first signal having the first frequency and a second signal having the second frequency to the driving unit and, at the same time, another drive signal for changing at least the amplitude of the first oscillating motion, the amplitude of second oscillating motion or the relative phase difference of the first oscillating motion and the second oscillating motion to the driving unit in order to correct an offset of scanning light deflected by the light deflector. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064471 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND POWER TRANSMISSION UNIT USABLE WITH THE SAME - An image forming apparatus with color registration improved by correcting an eccentricity error of a power transmitting gear, and a power transmission unit usable with the same includes a driving source, at least one image receptor which is rotatably driven by the driving source and on which a latent image is formed by exposure, a power transmission unit which transmits power from the driving source to the image receptor, a developing unit which develops a toner image for the latent image formed on the image receptor, and a transferring unit which transfers the toner image developed on the image receptor onto a printing medium, wherein the power transmission unit includes an image receptor axial gear formed on the same axis as the image receptor, and a plurality of intermediate gears which transmits the power from the driving source to the image receptor axial gear, and wherein the number Tn of teeth of an n-th one of the plurality of intermediate gears with respect to the image receptor axial gear satisfies the following Inequality: I/Rn−0.2≦Tn≦I/Rn+0.2, where, Rn is a reduction ratio from the n-th intermediate gear to the image receptor axial gear and I and n are a natural number. | 2011-03-17 |
20110064472 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - There is provided a developing device capable of preventing a carrier from abrading a shaft section of an agitating conveyance member facing a sealing member and preventing toner leakage resulting from the abrasion. A sealing member | 2011-03-17 |