| 19th week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 37 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120114317 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING SEALANT OF AN INSULATING GLASS UNIT - A method and apparatus for heating and/or pressing sealant of an insulating glass unit. The apparatus may include an oven and a press. The oven includes a detector that detects an optical property of the insulating glass unit. The detected optical property is used to regulate the amount of energy applied to the insulating glass unit to adjust the amount of energy applied to the sealant. The press may include a displacement transducer that detects a pre-pressed thickness of the insulating glass unit. The measured pre-pressed thickness is used to automatically select a press thickness from a set of pressed IGU thicknesses. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114318 | LIGHT EMISSION CONTROL OF EXTERNAL FLASH FOR DIGITAL CAMERA - A digital camera containing an internal flash also has an externally attached flash which is adapted to emit light by using as trigger a signal received from the internal flash. A control system for the flash includes circuits for starting and stopping preliminary and main emission of light from the external flash by using as trigger the starting and stopping of light emission from the internal flash and may also be adapted to vary the quantity of light from the external flash for the preliminary emission by changing its waveform. A light screen may be provided to prevent light from the internal flash from illuminating the target object to be photographed by the camera and a light conductor such as an optical cable may connect the internal flash with the external flash. A single knob is operated to switch between two or more different modes of operation such as automatic and manual modes. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114319 | CAMERA BODY, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS, AND INTERMEDIATE LENS - A camera body is mountable with an intermediate lens which is mountable to an interchangeable lens. The intermediate lens has a first lens and a first drive controller operable to control drive of the first lens. The interchangeable lens has a second lens and a second drive controller operable to control drive of the second lens. The camera body includes an operation unit operable to receive an operation performed by a user, and a body controller operable to control the first drive controller and the second drive controller. The body controller sends a signal for driving the first lens to the first drive controller and/or sends a signal for driving the second lens to the second drive controller, according to the user operation performed on the operation unit. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114320 | Image apparatus, imaging method and program - An imaging apparatus includes: a supplying section configured to supply a driving command for driving at least a portion of a lens in a specific direction to a focal-point adjustment device for changing or adjusting a focal-point distance in accordance with power supplied to the focal-point adjustment device; and an inference section configured to infer a position, at which the lens is located after being driven in accordance with the driving command in the specific direction, on the basis of the driving command supplied to the focal-point adjustment device and on the basis of error information serving as information on an error of a driving quantity by which the lens driven by the focal-point adjustment device is moved. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114321 | OPTICAL LIGHTING DEVICE AND OPTICAL RECORDING DEVICE - An optical lighting device includes a radiation detector, a first light source and a second light source. The radiation detector includes a semiconductor chip and an optical filter, and has a spectral sensitivity distribution. The first light source generates white radiation. The second light source generates monochrome radiation in the visible spectral range, wherein radiation emitted by the first light source and radiation emitted by the second light source are superimposed to yield mixed radiation which includes a wavelength spectrum. The wavelength spectrum of the mixed radiation is adapted to the spectral sensitivity distribution of the radiation detector. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114322 | LENS CONTROLLING DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A lens controlling device disclosed herein includes: a servo calculation section which calculates a motor current setting value such that a lens position detection signal which is inputted from a photo reflector agrees with a predetermined target lens position setting signal; a motor driver which generates a motor current in accordance with the motor current setting value, and supplies the motor current to a lens drive motor; and a temperature correction calculation section which monitors the motor current setting value to generate the temperature correction signal, and corrects either one of the target lens position setting signal and the lens position detection signal. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114323 | FLASH LENS AND FLASH MODULE EMPLOYING THE SAME - A flash lens and a flash module employing the same. The flash lens includes a lens unit including an incident surface, a reflecting surface, and a light-emitting surface; and a lens seating portion disposed at a lower portion of an edge of the light-emitting surface, extending and protruding from the reflecting surface, and including a pattern formed in a lower surface thereof. In addition, the flash module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the flash lens and a light emitting diode (LED) chip integrally formed with the flash lens. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114324 | SPHERICAL MOUNTING AND POSITIONING SYSTEM - Disclosed herein is an enhanced magnetic directional mount for mounting, positioning, and orienting an electronic device such as a camera. In this enhanced mount, the base mounting surface is configured to maximize the extent of adjustment and ease of adjustability of the electronic device, and the base mounting surface and housing mounting surface are designed to provide smooth and secure movement in the electronic device position. Additionally, the enhanced magnetic mount includes attachments designed to affix the magnetic mount to a horizontal or vertical flat surface such as a desk or a wall, and an attachment designed to effectively mount and use the electronic device from a window. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114325 | CAMERA SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING INTERCHANGEABLE LENS - A camera system having a predetermined image circle, comprises: an interchangeable lens having a lens mount portion; and a camera body having an image sensor that is disposed within that image circle, and a body mount portion, wherein, when a radius of circular portion at a maximum internal diameter part of an opening portion of the lens mount portion is termed rM, a flange back that is a distance from the lens mount portion to a light reception surface of an image sensor in a state that the interchangeable lens and the camera body are mutually engaged is termed da, and the diameter of the image circle is termed D, the following equations are satisfied: | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114326 | AUTOMATIC RECOVERING METHOD AND DEVICE FOR NODE RESOURCE STATE IN DENSE WAVELENGHT DIVESION MULTIPLEXING BASED AUTOMATIC SWITHCHED OPTICAL NETWORK SYSTEM - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically restoring node resource state in the Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing Based Automatic Switched Optical Network (WSON) system. This method comprises the following steps: using each node in the WSON system as an initiation node and notifying the resource state of the initiation node to a neighboring node; the neighboring node comparing the received resource state of the initiation node with the resource state of the present end; and under the condition that the resource state of the initiation node and that of the neighboring node are inconsistent, according to the actual resource state, determining one of the initiation node and the neighboring node to be the node whose resource is occupied, and automatically releasing the resource of the node. The present invention also provides an apparatus for automatically restoring node resource state in the WSON system. The present invention can effectively detect the problem of inconsistent wavelength resource in the WSON system caused by abnormal status, and can automatically correct the resource state information, release the link bandwidth resource occupied incorrectly, at the same time enhance the fault-tolerant capability and the stability of the WSON system. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114327 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADAPTIVE OPTICAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATION - An optical wireless communication device having a PhotoDiode (PD) for photosensitive detection means, receives a guide message from a specific optical wireless communication device, determines any one optical wireless communication scheme among different optical wireless communication schemes which are included in the guide message and supportable by the specific optical wireless communication device, as a content delivery scheme to be used during content reception, sends a response message including the content delivery scheme, and receives the content that is delivered based on the content delivery scheme. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114328 | Method and System for Tracking Signaling in Automatically Switched Optical Network - The present invention discloses a method and system for tracking signaling in an automatically switched optical network (ASON), wherein the method comprises a step of setting a signaling tracking filtering condition for a corresponding signaling tracking task, and the following steps that: an ASON node collects and reports a received or sent signaling message when there exists a task tracking request; and when the reported signaling message is determined meeting the signaling tracking filtering condition of the current signaling tracking task, the reported signaling message is resolved to obtain the signaling message of the signaling tracking task. The invention realizes a signaling tracking scheme in an ASON and can establish multiple signaling tracking tasks at the same time, as each signaling tracking task can set its own signaling tracking filtering condition; a flexible signaling tracking is achieved. The invention provides a means for resolving a signaling process and locating a fault in a field debugging and a subsequent operation and maintenance, thus improving the efficiency of fault location. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114329 | Optical Impairment Aware Path Computation Architecture in PCE Based Network - An apparatus comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising receiving a path computation request comprising at least one path computation constraint, and determining whether there is a path through an optical network that satisfies the path computation constraints. Also disclosed is an apparatus configured to process a data structure comprising a flags field comprising at least one flag having one of an active state or an inactive state, wherein each flag is representative of an optical quality constraint. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114330 | MONITORING OPTICAL PARAMETERS OF A MODULATED OPTICAL SIGNAL - A method of monitoring optical parameters of a modulated optical signal comprises receiving a first optical power, X | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114331 | PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK SYSTEM AND SLEEP TIME DETERMINATION METHOD - The longest possible sleep time is selected while data missing is prevented in a PON system by referring to the link speeds and the queue buffer capacities of an OLT and ONUs. The OLT calculates a first sleep time candidate based on a first link speed at which the OLT communicates with an upper network and the capacity of an unused area of a first queue buffer where downstream data is held for each of the destination ONUs. Each of the ONUs calculates a second sleep time candidate based on a second link speed at which each of the ONUs communicates with a communication terminal and the capacity of an unused area of a second queue buffer where upstream data bound for the OLT is held. The smaller sleep time is determined and used to change one of the ONUs to a sleep mode. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114332 | RECONFIGURABLE OPTICAL ADD/DROP MULTIPLEXING DEVICE FOR ENABLING TOTALLY INRESISTANT COLORLESS - The present invention provides a reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexing device for enabling a totally inresistant colorless, wherein a dropping unit is configured to separate multi-wavelength optical signals which are among direction | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114333 | Method and System for Quickly Updating Ranging Results of Optical Network Unit by Optical Line Terminal - The disclosure provides a method for quickly updating ranging results of optical network units by an optical line terminal. The method comprises the following steps: an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) distributes an acquired ranging difference to all the Optical Network Units (ONUs); and the current ONU implements quick updating of the ranging result of the current ONU itself according to the acquired ranging difference. The disclosure also provides a system for quickly updating ranging results of ONUs by an OLT, wherein a distributing unit in the OLT is used for distributing an acquired ranging difference to all the ONUs; an updating unit in the ONU is used for implementing quick updating of ranging result of the current ONU itself according to the acquired ranging difference. the method and system of the disclosure can save the quantity of messages, enable quick switching in protection status, thus implementing protection switching efficiently. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114334 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED UPSTREAM FRAME SYNCHRONIZATION IN A PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK - In a passive optical network, upstream transmission frames from an ONU to an OLT can include additional delimiters that assist in overcoming high signal distortion at the beginning of the frame that can obscure an initial frame delimiter. The second delimiter can be inserted into the frame at various locations within the frame known to the OLT such that the OLT can active a delimiter detector at the beginning of a timing window for delimiter detection. The ONU can assist the OLT in synchronizing the frame by ensuring that a frame header immediately follows a second delimiter or appears at the start of a first FEC code block following the second delimiter. Depending on where the ONU inserts the second delimiter in the frame generation process, the second delimiter may be scrambled and/or may form part of the FEC. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114335 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING OPTICAL SIGNALS - A method of transmitting optical signals in a submarine optical network and an optical unit for performing the method, the optical unit is configured for receiving an optical signal comprising a plurality of wavelengths where at least some of the wavelengths comprise traffic data. The optical unit includes a processor unit which is configured for scrambling the shape of at least one wavelength comprising traffic data of the optical signal so as to make said traffic data of said at least one wavelength undetectable for a receiver station. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114336 | NETWORK DIGITAL SIGNAGE SOLUTION - The present invention relates to a network based digital signage apparatus and a method for causing the digital signage apparatus to retrieve content from a remote server, for use in displaying content thereon. By utilizing a computer network to cause a digital signage device to remotely retrieve and store and/or display content, the instant invention potentially offers significant cost savings over the use of traditional digital signage systems that require separate media player and controller hardware. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114337 | CAPTURING DEVICE, CAPTURING METHOD, AND CAPTURING PROGRAM - There have been problems that a capturing device requires an optical source having a large power output, and a scanning operation and a capturing operation must be alternately performed by the respective devices. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114338 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A VARIETY OF RESOURCE CONSUMPTION METERS - An apparatus is disclosed for attachment to a resource consumption meter emitting and detecting a signal having a first frequency relative to the rate of metered resource consumption. The apparatus comprises at least one signal detection means adapted to detect said signal from said resource consumption meter; and, a circuit operatively connected to the signal detection means and adapted for interpreting the signal for a human. A method for multi-mode operation of the apparatus is disclosed so that it is possible for the apparatus to automatically detect the type of resource consumption meter it is attached to and operate accordingly. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114339 | DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM USING OPTICAL FIBER - A data transmission system using an optical fiber includes an optical fiber, a first light-emitting device, a second light-emitting device, a first photo-detecting device and a second photo-detecting device. Each of the first light-emitting device and the second light-emitting device is optically coupled to the input facet of the optical fiber, respectively. Each of the first photo-detecting device and the second photo-detecting device is optically coupled to the output facet of the optical fiber, respectively. In particular, the first light-emitting device and the second light-emitting device are packaged into a first optical subassembly, and the first photo-detecting device and the second photo-detecting device are packaged into a second optical subassembly. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114340 | OPTICAL TRANSMITTER AND INTERCONNECTING CIRCUIT BOARD - An optical transmitter including: an optical module; an interconnecting circuit board configured to be electrically coupled to the optical module; and a printed circuit board configured to be electrically coupled to the interconnecting circuit board; wherein the interconnecting circuit board includes: a coplanar waveguide; and a microstrip line including a signal wiring line extended from an end of the coplanar waveguide and a ground wiring line, wherein the width of the signal wiring line is narrower than the width of a signal wiring line of the coplanar waveguide, and the spacing between the signal wiring line extended from the end of the coplanar waveguide and the ground wiring line is smaller than the spacing between the signal wiring line of the coplanar waveguide and the ground wiring line. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114341 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FREQUENCY-DOMAIN CHROMATIC DISPERSION AND POLARIZATION MODE DISPERSION COMPENSATION WITH TIME-DOMAIN CHANNEL ESTIMATION - A system and method are disclosed which compensate for chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion in a digital signal. The signal is adjusted for chromatic dispersion in the frequency-domain. The signal is then converted to the time-domain and at least a portion of the signal is estimated to produce channel parameters. The channel parameters are converted to the frequency domain and used to compensate for polarization mode dispersion in the signal. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114342 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a transporting section including a transport path for transporting a recording medium; an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium that is transported at the transporting section; a fixing device that fixes the image formed on the recording medium at the image forming unit while heating the image; and a controller that performs control so that Pw| 2012-05-10 | |
| 20120114343 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressing member, a heating member, a movement mechanism, and a control unit. The fixing member fixes a toner image onto a recording material. The pressing member is pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a fixing pressure part between the pressing member and the fixing member. The heating member heats the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member. The movement mechanism moves the heating member to contact with and be apart from the fixing member. The control unit controls the movement mechanism to move the heating member relatively apart from the fixing member after a predetermined time elapses after a trailing end of a recording material in a transport direction thereof passes through the fixing pressure part each time when a recording material passes through the fixing pressure part. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114344 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive member that is configured to carry a developer image; a developing roller that is configured to supply developer to the photosensitive member; a transfer member that is configured to transfer the developer image carried on the photosensitive member to a transfer medium; and a control unit that is configured to execute a collection mode upon receiving a printing instruction for executing a printing operation but before initiating the printing operation, wherein the control unit in the collection mode is configured to: discharge the developer of one or more circumferences of the developing which has been carried on the developing roller, to the photosensitive member; and collect the discharged developer by the developing oiler. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114345 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing belt; a pressing rotary body disposed outside a loop formed by the fixing belt; a nip formation pad disposed inside the loop formed by the fixing belt and pressed against the pressing rotary body via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the pressing rotary body and the fixing belt through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. The nip formation pad includes a protrusion disposed downstream from the fixing nip in a conveyance direction of the recording medium and protruding toward the pressing rotary body without contacting the pressing rotary body. The fixing device further includes a pressing rotary body mover to contact and move the pressing rotary body bidirectionally in the conveyance direction of the recording medium to move the fixing nip toward and away from the protrusion. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114346 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device that has: a fixing roller heated by induction and a pressing roller brought into press-contact with the fixing roller to fix a toner image borne on a paper sheet conveyed toward the fixing device by a conveyor unit. When a paper sheet having a width smaller than a width of a maximum-width recording medium that can be passed through the fixing device is passed through the fixing device, a non-paper passing region is formed at each end portion of each of the fixing and pressing rollers. Sirocco fans cool the non-paper passing region at a part of an outer peripheral surface of the pressing roller. The pressing roller is disposed opposed to the outer side of the main body of the image forming apparatus. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114347 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member that rotates and is subjected to exposure so that a latent image is formed thereon, a driver that rotates the photosensitive member, an exposure section that exposes the photosensitive member by irradiating the photosensitive member with light, a light intensity adjustment section that receives a part of the light from the exposure section and adjusts intensity of the light irradiated by the exposure section, and an adjustment controller that causes the driver to start rotating the photosensitive member and causes the light intensity adjustment section to start adjusting the intensity of the light after a rotation speed of the photosensitive member exceeds a predetermined threshold value. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114348 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A control unit decreases the potential difference according to an increase in the drive amounts of the image bearing member and the developer bearing member, based on a first information about a drive amount of the image bearing member and second information about a drive amount of the developer bearing member, in a case that an integrated value of the first information and the second information from initial installation or replacement of the developing device is greater than a predetermined value. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114349 | Developing Device And Image Forming Apparatus - In a disclosed developing device, a developing part includes a developer carrier for circulating a developer inside the developing part and for supplying the developer to an image carrier, a developer supply member for supplying the developer to the developer carrier, and a developer collection member for collecting the developer which is not used. A developer stirring part is arranged at a different position from a position of the developing part. A developer conveyance part carries the developer by an air conveyance in a developer conveyance path from the developer stirring part to the developing part. A developer detection part includes an opening which communicates between the developer supply member and the developer collection member, is arranged at a downstream side in a flow direction of the developer below and near the developer supply member, and detects whether the developer exists in a vicinity of the developer supply member. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114350 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a first rotating unit, an image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming unit, a third rotating unit, an intermediate transfer body, first and second transfer units, and the following elements. A developing device includes a rotating body, a second rotating unit, plural developing units. A supply unit supplies a bias to a developer carrying member of each developing unit. A setting unit sets the bias to a first condition to develop the latent image of a first color at least while the latent image is being located at the developing position, and sets the bias to a second condition to suppress transferring of the toner in the subsequent developing unit to the image carrier after the second rotating unit starts rotating the rotating body from a waiting position and before stopping rotating the rotating body and locates the subsequent developing unit at the developing position. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114351 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer belt unit and a transfer belt unit each of which has a deviation control mechanism and which are held in contact with each other at a transfer portion, wherein at least a steering roller on which a secondary transfer belt is suspended is situated such that a traction surface thereof does not constitute a transfer surface including a transfer roller. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114352 | HEATING AND PRESSURIZING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A heating and pressurizing device includes a heating and pressurizing unit that includes a pair of members in contact with each other, at least one of the pair of members being to be heated, and that heats and pressurizes a medium between the pair of members, a change unit that changes a contact pressure between the pair of members by changing a relative position of the pair of members according to a control signal, and a controller that sends the control signal to the change unit and includes a detecting unit that detects a difference between a target distance and an actual distance. The target distance corresponds to a predetermined distance, and the actual distance corresponds to a distance of which the pair of members are positioned after the controller sends a predetermined control signal set as corresponding to the predetermined distance as the control signal to the change unit. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114353 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM STORED WITH IMAGE FORMING PROGRAM - There is provided an image forming apparatus including: a forming section that, based on image forming data including image data of an image to be formed on paper and paper data relating to the paper, forms a toner image according to the image data on paper; a fixing section that fixes the toner image formed on the paper; a switching section that on operation switches a fixing pressure of the fixing section; a control section that, when the fixing pressure is switched by the switching section from a first fixing pressure to a second fixing pressure prior to a predetermined condition being satisfied after the fixing pressure has been switched to the first fixing pressure by the switching section, controls to prohibit image forming on paper corresponding to the second fixing pressure different from the first fixing pressure. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114354 | Fixing Device, Image Forming Apparatus Incorporating Same, And Method For Fixing Toner Image On Recording Medium - A fixing device includes a pressing rotary body pressed against a fixing rotary body to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed; a heater to heat the fixing rotary body, disposed opposite a circumferential surface of the fixing rotary body and upstream from the fixing nip a predetermined circumferential distance along the circumferential surface of the fixing rotary body in a direction of rotation of the fixing rotary body; a heater driver to turn on and off the heater; a timing calculator to calculate a reference time at which a trailing end portion of the recording medium in a conveyance direction of the recording medium reaches the fixing nip; and a heater driver controller to cause the heater driver to turn off the heater at a turn-off time earlier than the reference time. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114355 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a fixing roller, a heating section, a pressurizing roller, an oil roller, a first cleaning roller, and a control section. The pressurizing roller is pressed against the fixing roller. The oil roller abuts against the fixing roller and is capable of being rotated by rotation of the fixing roller to apply oil onto a surface of the fixing roller. The first cleaning roller abuts against the oil roller and is capable of being rotated by rotation of the oil roller to clean a surface of the oil roller. When the control section determines that the fixing roller and the pressurizing roller have performed fixing on a predetermined number and more of consecutive sheet surfaces, the control section carries out a first control process which causes the heating section to stop and the fixing roller to rotate for a first predetermined time period after the fixing. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114356 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a fixing device that fixes the image formed on the recording medium at the image forming unit while nipping and transporting the image formed on the recording medium at the image forming unit; a transporting section provided downstream from the fixing device in a direction of transportation of the recording medium, the transporting section nipping and transporting the recording medium; and a controller that performs control for changing a transporting velocity of the fixing device and a transporting velocity of the transporting section on the basis of information used for triggering a change in the transporting velocity of the fixing device when the recording medium is held by the fixing device and the transporting section. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114357 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a fixing device that nips the recording medium and that rotates at a first peripheral velocity, to transport the recording medium, and to fix the image to the recording medium; a transport path; a first transporting section that rotates at a second peripheral velocity, and nips and transports the recording medium to which the image is fixed; a second transporting section that rotates at a third peripheral velocity, and nips and transports the recording medium to which the image is fixed; a detecting unit that detects a move-out timing; and a controller that controls a peripheral velocity of the second transporting section so as to be greater than the third peripheral velocity and less than the second peripheral velocity in accordance with the timing detected by the detecting unit. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114358 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including a fixing unit configured to fix a not-yet-fixed image on a recording medium, includes a fixing target temperature changing part configured to change a fixing target temperature at a time of a fixing process; and a gradation processing part configured to carry out gradation processing on image information. For each sheet of a recording medium on which the fixing process is carried out, the fixing target temperature is changed based on whether halftone processing is carried out and a type of gradation processing to be used. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114359 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF OBTAINING GOOD FIXED CONDITION REGARDLESS OF TYPE OF GRADATION SEQUENCE PROCESSING - An image forming apparatus comprises an image information obtainer that obtains image information, a gradation sequence processor that applies multiple types of gradation sequence processing to the image information, and a toner image formation device that forms a toner image based on the image information. A fixing device is provided to fix the toner image onto a recording medium in a fixing process. A temperature controller is also provided to change a start-up temperature of the fixing device before the fixing process. The start-up temperature is changed in accordance with inclusion of a halftone process and a type of the gradation sequence processing applied to the image information. | 2012-05-10 |
| 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. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114361 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image forming apparatus having a development unit which develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier to form a visible image, the apparatus has an input unit adapted to accept input of a print job; an analysis unit adapted to analyze contents of image data included in the print job and contents of a print setting for controlling printout based on the image data; a prediction unit adapted to predict, based on an analysis result by the analysis unit, a consumption amount of a developing material necessary to develop an electrostatic latent image by the development unit when an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed; and a supply control unit adapted to control, based on the consumption amount of the developing material that is predicted by the prediction unit, a supply unit which supplies the developing material to the development unit. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114362 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHICALLY PRINTING JOB HAVING JOB TYPE - A method of printing a job having a type using an electrophotographic (EP) printer includes receiving the job and its type. A processor is used to automatically select a first or a second job mode based on the job type; the first job mode indicates aggressive gray component replacement (aGCR) is used but not clear toner, and the second job mode indicates clear toner is used but not aGCR. The data of the job are processed using the processor according to the selected job mode to provide six separations corresponding to respective colorants. Toner corresponding to the six separations is then applied to the receiver using at least one EP printing module in the EP printer to produce a print image of the job. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114363 | POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A power supply system includes: a switching power supply and a rectifying/smoothing circuit, the switching power supply configured to output a first output voltage in a normal output mode; a step-down circuit; a control device that controls the switching of the switching power supply between the normal output mode, a low output mode, and an off mode; and an electric storage unit charged by the output of the step-down circuit in the normal output mode and supplies power to the control device in the off mode, wherein, when charging is needed in the mode other than the normal output mode and the low output mode, the control device controls the switching power supply to output the third output voltage, thereby charging the electric storage unit. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114364 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND OPERATION SYSTEM FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The present invention includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network, and a server which controls the operation state of the image forming apparatuses via the network. The image forming apparatuses are operable in a normal operation mode and in one of plural power-saving modes with different power consumption. The server individually sets the operation mode of the image forming apparatuses in accordance with a preset power-saving operation policy, and controls the image forming apparatuses so that each of the image forming apparatuses operates in the preset operation mode in each predetermined time band. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114365 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTION STRUCTURE, ELECTRICAL CONNECTION METHOD, ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEMBER, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An electrical connection structure includes a holder that holds an electric terminal provided with an electrical contact portion having elasticity and held such that the electrical contact portion is elastically deformable; a guiding member fitted to the holder and capable of guiding the holder in first and second directions, which are substantially orthogonal to each other, to move the electrical contact portion to a predetermined contact position on a conductive member, the first direction being a direction in which the electrical contact portion is elastically deformed by being pressed against the conductive member; and a restraining member that comes into contact with the holder that has been guided by the guiding member to move the electrical contact portion to the contact position, the restraining member restraining the holder from being moved in a direction opposite to the first direction by an elastic reaction force applied to the holder. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114366 | DEVELOPER COLLECTING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer collecting device includes a housing provided with an opening opposed to a developer carrying member; a collecting member provided along an edge of the opening at a downstream end thereof in a transporting direction of the developer carrying member, the collecting member removing developer from the developer carrying member and collecting the developer into the housing when the collecting member is in contact with the developing carrying member; a suction unit that sucks air from the opening; a flow rate regulating member provided in a suction path between the suction unit and the housing, the flow rate regulating member changing a flow rate of the air; and an operation device that moves the collecting member and operates the flow rate regulating member such that the flow rate regulating member raises the flow rate before the separation of the collecting member from the developer carrying member. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114367 | DEVELOPER COLLECTING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer collecting device includes a housing provided with an opening opposed to a developer carrying member, a collecting member provided along an edge of the opening at a downstream end of the opening in a transporting direction in which the developer carrying member transports the developer, a sealing member provided along an edge of the opening at an upstream end of the opening in the transporting direction, a suction path that extends along a longitudinal direction of the housing and that is connected to a suction unit for sucking the developer into the housing, a developer transporting unit that is provided between the opening and the suction path and that transports the developer collected in the housing, a filter member disposed between the developer transporting unit and the suction path, and a hood member disposed between the opening and the filter member and separated from the filter member. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114368 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes a housing provided with an opening opposed to a developer carrying member that carries developer; a collecting member provided along a downstream edge of the opening in a transporting direction of the developer and capable of coming into contact with and separating from the developer carrying member; a sealing member provided along an upstream edge of the opening in the transporting direction; a suction member that sucks air from the opening; a suction path provided between the opening and the suction member; an opening-closing unit that opens or closes the suction path; and a controller that controls the opening-closing unit so as to open the suction path at a time that is before separation of the collecting member from the developer carrying member and a predetermined time period after the time of contact between the collecting member and the developer carrying member. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114369 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a transfer member that retains developer; a housing provided with a removing member that removes the developer and having an intake opening that is opposed to the transfer member, the developer removed by the removing member being taken into the housing through the intake opening; a guiding pipe connected to the housing and having a suction hole through which the developer is sucked and an outlet through which the developer is discharged; and a suction member that applies a suction force to an inner space of the housing through the guiding pipe. A capturing area for capturing the developer that flows through a flow channel from the suction hole to the outlet is provided in the flow channel. A cross section of the capturing area in a radial direction of the flow channel is larger than that of other areas. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114370 | DEVELOPER COLLECTING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer collecting device includes a housing provided with an opening opposed to a developer carrying member, a collecting member provided on a support member and capable of coming into contact with and separating from the developer carrying member, a suction path provided between the opening and a suction member for sucking developer removed from the developer carrying member, an opening-closing plate that opens or closes the suction path, an urging member that urges the opening-closing plate, a retaining member that retains the opening-closing plate, and an opening-closing unit including a rotating member and an elastic member whose ends are connected to the rotating member and the support member. The elastic member is pulled so as to rotate the rotating member in association with a movement of the collecting member, thereby rotating the opening-closing plate so as to open or close the suction path. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114371 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A transfer unit has a belt unit having a belt and a cleaning unit for cleaning the belt. The belt unit and the cleaning unit are integratedly provided. The cleaning unit is movable for the belt unit. The transfer unit is detachable for an apparatus main body. A position of the cleaning unit for the belt unit before the transfer unit is attached to the apparatus main body is different from a position of the cleaning unit for the belt unit after the transfer unit is attached to the apparatus main body. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114372 | DETACHABLE UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A detachable unit to be attached to a unit-receiving apparatus includes a unit body, a rotary member, an urging member urging the rotary member toward a downstream side in a detachable-unit-attaching direction, a contact-receiving portion provided on the rotary member, first and second support-receiving portions provided at respective ends of the rotary member, first and second supports provided at respective positions of the unit body corresponding to the positions of the first and second support-receiving portions, and first and second rotary support members provided between the first support-receiving portion and the first support and between the second support-receiving portion and the second support, respectively, and supporting the respective ends of the rotary member such that the rotary member is rotatable. The first and second rotary support members are supported in such a manner as to be movable in a detachable-unit-attaching-and-detaching direction. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114373 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF EFFECTIVELY UTILIZING INTERIOR SPACE - An image forming apparatus comprises a exposure device as a light source, a developer container storing developer and attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the photoconductor, a developing unit and a photoconductor unit having a photoconductor for bearing a latent image thereon each detachably attached to the main body substantially in the same direction as the developer container. An exposure device displacing mechanism displaces the exposure device between a first position enabling the exposure device to function as the light source and a second position disabling the exposure device to function as the light source. The photoconductor unit is detached when the developer container is either displaced from an initially attached position or is removed from the main body and the exposure device displacing device has displaced the exposure device to the second position. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114374 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An electrophotographic image forming apparatus ( | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114375 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS - An electrophotographic photosensitive member that can not easily cause charging lines even where it is an electrophotographic photosensitive member employing as a conductive layer a layer containing metal oxide particles is disclosed. Also disclosed are a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus which have such an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The electrophotographic photosensitive member has a conductive layer which contains titanium oxide particles coated with tin oxide doped with phosphorus or tungsten. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114376 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus for forming a color image on a recording material includes mounting means for detachably mounting a plurality of process cartridges each including a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. Movable members are provided that are actable on first and second clutches for switching between an operation state for transmitting the driving force to the developing rollers and a non-operation state not transmitting the driving force thereto. Also provided is a switching member for switching among a first mode for transmitting the driving force to the developing rollers of all of the process cartridges, a second mode for not transmitting the driving force to any one of the developing rollers, and a third mode for transmitting the driving force only to the developing roller of a black process cartridge. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114377 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND DEVELOPING DEVICE - A developing device is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus and includes a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The developing roller includes an elastic roller portion and a core metal portion for supporting the roller portion; a developing device frame for rotatably supporting the developing roller; a developer layer thickness regulating member, for regulating a layer thickness of a developer carried on the developing roller; and a movement preventing portion for preventing movement of the developing roller in an axial direction, wherein the movement preventing portion is detachably mounted in the developing device and is inserted into a spacing between an end portion of the core metal portion and an opposing portion of the developing device frame. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114378 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC INK, LIQUID TONER PRODUCING METHODS, AND DIGITAL PRINTING METHODS - An ink contains dispersed particles, individually including at least one thermoplastic first resin exhibiting a MFI less than or equal to 100, at least one thermoplastic second resin exhibiting a MFI greater than 100, and a white pigment. A liquid toner producing method includes forming a paste containing the resins, combining the paste with a white pigment, and after corn-biasing the paste and pigment, applying a shear force, encapsulating the pigment, and dispersing the encapsulated pigment. A digital printing method includes providing a liquid marking agent containing charged particles dispersed in a carrier liquid, individual particles including at least one thermoplastic first resin and at least one thermoplastic second resin encapsulating a white pigment, and printing a hard image on a substrate. At least a portion of the image has a white color. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114379 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTORECEPTOR, PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes: an electrophotographic photoreceptor body containing a cylindrical electroconductive substrate having openings at both ends in an axial direction, the cylindrical electroconductive substrate having a thickness of approximately 2 mm or more at a center portion in an axial direction and having a socket joint portion on each of inner surfaces of both end portions in an axial direction; and a photosensitive layer provided on an outer surface of the electroconductive substrate; and a support member fit in the openings of the electroconductive substrate, having an fitting portion which has an outer diameter that is larger than a diameter of the opening by a range of from approximately 0.01 mm to approximately 0.1 mm, the fitting portion being press-fit into the opening. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114380 | PREEMPTIVE PHOTORECEPTOR VELOCITY MODULATION TO MINIMIZE TRANSIENT BANDING - Described herein is an exemplary method wherein the photoreceptor surface velocity is nominally set at a speed fractionally different than the intermediate belt (ITB) nominal surface speed. The photoreceptor speed can be preemptively altered through a velocity ramp profile whenever an event is scheduled to occur that will result in ITB transient vibration. As a result, the photoreceptor speed is not allowed to cross over or equal the belt speed at any instant during the transient event. This allows the photoreceptor to remain dynamically decoupled from the ITB, since the apparent disturbance torque imposed by the belt remains constant and does not reverse sign. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114381 | ROTARY DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A rotary developing device that rotates about a rotational axis includes plural developing units, an energized member, a hollow cylindrical unit, a first energizing member, a rotatable unit, a second energizing member, a first conductive member, and a second conductive member. Each developing unit develops a latent image formed on an image holding member into a visible image, and is rotatable about the rotational axis so as to be sequentially movable to a developing position facing the image holding member. The hollow cylindrical unit is arranged along the rotational axis. The rotatable unit is supported rotatably with respect to the hollow cylindrical unit. One end of the first conductive member is connected to the first energizing member supported on an outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical unit. The second conductive member connects the second energizing member supported by the rotatable unit to the energized member supported in a developing unit. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114382 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing device includes developing units each including a first gear and a development roller; a rotation supporting member; a cam member having a cam surface surrounding the rotation axis, and being secured to and rotating together with the rotation supporting member; and a driving force transmission member including a cam receiving roller and a second gear. The cam surface includes a curved surface whose curvature is less than a curvature of the cam receiving roller so that, as the first gear approaches a driving position where the first gear receives the driving force from the second gear by the rotation of the cam member, the cam receiving roller is moved away from the rotation axis once, after which the cam receiving roller is moved towards the rotation axis, thereby starting engagement of the first gear with the second gear before the first gear reaches the driving position. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114383 | ROTATING-BODY RESTRAINING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - A rotating-body restraining device includes a first gear provided on a rotational shaft of a rotating body and rotated together with the rotating body, a second gear that meshes with the first gear, a third gear provided on a rotational shaft of the second gear and rotated together with the second gear, and a restraining member that is movable toward the third gear and that restrains the third gear from rotating by moving to a position where the restraining member meshes with the third gear. The numbers of teeth included in the first, second, and third gears are Za, Zb, and Zc, respectively. Zb is not equal to the product of Za and an integer n. Zc is an integral multiple of a value obtained by dividing the least common multiple of Za and Zb by Za. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114384 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; a toner cartridge; and a developing unit that forms a toner image by visualizing a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum. The developing unit includes a feed opening through which toner is supplied from the toner cartridge, and a paddle that agitates toner supplied through the feed opening and feeds the toner in a direction of the photosensitive drum. The feed opening has an opening length shorter than a length in a direction of a rotary axis of the paddle, and the paddle includes a toner guide that diffuses the toner in the direction of the rotary axis of the paddle. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114385 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND DEVELOPER CONTAINER CONTROLLING METHOD - A developer container includes a containing portion that is capable of containing a developer therein, the containing portion having an opening through which the developer passes; a first opening/closing member that is movable between a first open position at which the opening is open and a first closed position at which the first opening/closing member closes the opening; and a second opening/closing member that is movable between a second closed position at which the second opening/closing member doubly closes the opening by covering an outside of the first opening/closing member and a second open position at which the first opening/closing member is exposed to the outside, wherein a direction in which the second opening/closing member moves between the second open position and the second closed position is different from a direction in which the first opening/closing member moves between the first open position and the first closed position. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114386 | DEVELOPER TRANSPORTING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer transporting device includes a transporting device body including a transporting portion in which developer is transported and which has an opening; a developer container that is detachably supported on the transporting device body and includes a containing portion for that contains the developer and has a connection hole connected to the opening, an opening-closing member that opens or closes the connection hole, and an opening-closing-member support unit that includes a guide portion that guides the opening-closing member; a movement restraining member supported on the transporting device body and restraining the opening-closing member from moving relative to the transporting device body when the developer container is attached to the transporting device body; and a releasing portion provided on the opening-closing-member support unit and releasing the opening-closing member when the opening-closing member is moved a position for closing the connection hole. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114387 | POWDER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container includes a containing portion having an opening; an opening/closing member that is movable between an open position and a closed position and supported with play; an opening restraining portion provided on the containing portion; an opening restrained portion provided on the opening/closing member; an urging member that urges the opening/closing member; and an opening/closing contact portion provided on the opening/closing member and contactable with an opening/closing contacted portion of an apparatus into which the containing portion is installed, wherein the opening restrained portion is disposed such that a direction of force generated when the containing portion is installed into the apparatus is inclined with respect to the direction in which the opening/closing member moves, and the opening restrained portion is disposed downstream of an imaginary line extending from a contact position at which the opening/closing contact portion contacts the opening/closing contacted portion. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114388 | POWDER CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND COVER MOVING METHOD - A powder container includes a container section that contains powder, an opening that is formed in the container section so as to pass the powder therethrough, a first covering member that is supported by the container section, a second covering member that is supported by the container section, a disengagement restricting portion that is disposed in an area where the second covering member moves between the second uncovered position and the second covered position, and a restricted portion that is disposed in the second covering member so as to restrict the disengagement of the second covering member by coming in contact with the disengagement restricting portion when the second covering member having moved to the second covered position moves to disengage from the container section. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114389 | POWDER CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND POWDER CONTAINER CONTROLLING METHOD - A powder container includes a containing portion that is capable of containing powder therein, the containing portion having an opening through which the powder passes; an opening/closing member that is supported by the containing portion so as to be movable between an open position at which the opening is open and a closed position at which the opening/closing member closes the opening; and an engaged portion disposed on a side surface of the opening/closing member with respect to an installation direction, the installation direction being a direction in which the containing portion is removably installed into an apparatus, the engaged portion restraining a movement of the opening/closing member by being engaged with an engaging portion of the apparatus when the containing portion is installed in the apparatus. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114390 | POWDER CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND POWDER CONTAINER CONTROLLING METHOD - A powder container includes a containing portion that has an opening; a first opening/closing member that is movable between a first open position at which the opening is open and a first closed position at which the opening is closed; and a second opening/closing member that is movable between a second closed position at which the second opening/closing member covers an outside of the first opening/closing member and a second open position at which the first opening/closing member is exposed, wherein a direction in which the second opening/closing member moves from the second open position to the second closed position is different from a direction in which the first opening/closing member moves from the first open position to the first closed position, and wherein the second opening/closing member contacts the first opening/closing member and pushes the first opening/closing member into the first closing position when the second/closing member moves. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114391 | POWDER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container includes a containing portion having an opening; an opening/closing member movable between an open position and a closed position; an opening restrained portion on one of the opening/closing member and the containing portion; an opening restraining portion on the other of the opening/closing member and the containing portion at a position corresponding to the opening restrained portion when the opening/closing member is at the closed position, the opening restraining portion restraining movement of the opening/closing member toward the open position by contacting the opening restrained portion; an urged portion on one of the containing portion and the opening/closing member; and an urging portion on the other of the containing portion and the opening/closing member at a position corresponding to the urged portion when the opening/closing member is at the closed position, the urging portion making the opening restraining portion contact the opening restrained portion. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114392 | DEVELOPER STORAGE BODY, IMAGE FORMING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer storage body includes a housing in which a developer is stored, a shutter portion mounted to the housing and having a hole portion through which the developer is replenished into the housing, and a cap portion covering the hole portion. The cap portion includes a structural portion that constitutes an enclosure body enclosing a hollow portion. The structural portion is formed of a first material. The cap portion further includes a seal portion that covers the structural portion to seal the hollow portion. The seal portion is formed of a second material having a lower flexural modulus than the first material. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114393 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER - If a user is not familiar with the operation for the developer supply container, the rotating operation for the developer supply container may be insufficient, so that developer supply container does not reach a predetermined operating position, with the result of abnormal developer supply. by increasing a rotation load of a second gear | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114394 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing device includes a developer transport body that transports developer to develop an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, a housing that holds the developer transport body and defines an exposed portion and an unexposed portion, the housing including a storage portion storing the developer, and a layer-thickness regulation member that regulates a layer thickness of the developer transported to the exposed portion and includes one side close to a surface of the developer transport body, a first portion, and a second portion. The housing includes first faces that define both ends of the storage portion in the rotation axis direction of the developer transport body, a second face, and a third face. The developing device further includes a closing member that closes a gap between the layer-thickness regulation member and the second and third faces, and a magnet provided between the second and third faces. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114395 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM - An image forming apparatus includes a transfer member onto a front side of which an image is transferred, a rotary member around which the transfer member is wrapped, a guide member provided at an end portion of an axial direction of the rotary member, a regulating member, a first reference mark, a second reference mark, a first detector, a second detector, and a controller. The regulating member is located on a reverse side of the transfer member, and restricts skew of the transfer member by contacting the guide member. The first and second reference marks are on edge sides of the transfer member in the axial direction of the rotary member. The first and second detectors detect the first and second reference marks, respectively. The controller controls alignment of the image on the transfer member in accordance with a detection result of the first and second detectors. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114396 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus which includes comprises: a detection unit configured to detect a position where a toner image of a color component other than the color component of the misregistration prevention pattern and the toner image of the misregistration prevention pattern overlap each other on a surface of an image carrier; and a control unit configured to control to form the misregistration prevention pattern on the surface of the image carrier except for the overlapping position detected by the detection unit, and not to form the misregistration prevention pattern at the overlapping position on the surface of the image carrier. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114397 | BELT DRIVING APPARATUS, BELT UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A belt driving apparatus includes an endless belt stretched around a driving roller that drives the belt, a receiving roller that receives an external force through the belt, driven rollers arranged upstream of the receiving roller and downstream of the driving roller in a rotational direction of the belt, at least one of the driven rollers being supported to be movable in radially inward and outward directions of the belt in accordance with a tension in the belt. A braking unit performs braking by pressing a frictional member against a rotational shaft of one of the driven rollers and generating a frictional force, and converts a displacement of the movably supported driven roller in the radially outward direction into a relative displacement between the rotational shaft and the frictional member, the displacement being caused when the external force is applied to the receiving roller so as to decelerate rotation thereof. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114398 | Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive body on which a visible image is developed by developer, an intermediate transfer belt to which developer of the photosensitive body is transferred, and a first transfer roller to transfer the developer from the photosensitive body to the intermediate transfer belt, wherein since a developing unit housing at which the photosensitive body is mounted is provided with position regulating guides to support a shaft of the first transfer roller, the intermediate transfer belt comes into contact with the photosensitive body at a uniform angle. As a result, uniform print quality may be obtained. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114399 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CHARGE ELIMINATING DEVICE - An image forming apparatus includes a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image onto a recording material, a fixing unit that fixes the toner image to the recording material, a transport unit that includes a rotary member that transports the recording material from the transfer unit to the fixing unit and a recording material guiding portion that has first protruding portions extending along a recording material transport direction, and a charge eliminating unit that is disposed between the transfer unit and transport unit and eliminates charge on the recording material. The charge eliminating unit includes a first charge eliminating portion having pointed projections, and a second charge eliminating portion that is disposed on a downstream side of the first charge eliminating portion in the recording material transport direction and is disposed to be out of contact with the recording material. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114400 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device to fix a toner image on a recording medium in a nip portion formed by a treated fixing member and a pressure member, the fixing device including; an air ejection section to eject and blow air against the recording medium to separate the recording medium from the fixing member, a first guide member provided on a fixing face side of the recording medium discharged from the nip portion to guide the recording medium, a second guide member provided on a non-fixing face side of the recording medium discharged from the nip portion to guide the recording medium, also having a predetermined clearance with respect to the pressure member, and an air suction section provided on a opposite side position with respect to the first guide member in the second guide member to suction air of the clearance and attract the recording medium to the second guide member. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114401 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a rotating fixing body including a resistance heating layer disposed throughout an entire periphery; and a pressure-applying member pressed against an outer peripheral surface of the rotating fixing body to form a fixing nip. The rotating fixing body further includes: a pair of electrodes each of which is a layer disposed along a different one of edges of the resistance heating layer throughout an entire periphery; and a pair of resistor layers each of which is disposed between the resistance heating layer and a different one of the electrodes. An inner edge of each resistor layer is positioned at a location corresponding to or axially more inwardly of an inner edge of the electrode. The resistor layers are higher in volume resistivity than the electrodes. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114402 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a ripple or curling of the sheet and stabilizing feedability or loadability of the sheet. The image forming apparatus includes an aqueous solution applying portion that applies the aqueous solution containing the deliquescent material for hindering evaporation of moisture to the sheet where the toner image has been thermally fixed by the fixing portion, and a controller that controls so that a concentration of the deliquescent material of the aqueous solution applied to the sheet using the aqueous solution applying portion is changed depending on the basis weight of the sheet. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114403 | CLEANING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cleaning device includes a scrape-off member provided so as to contact an image carrying member, the scrape-off member scraping off powder adhered to a surface of the image carrying member; a net-like member provided between the contact portion of the scrape-off member and a duct, the net-like member trapping the scraped off powder by a flow of air; and the duct provided downstream from the net-like member in a direction of the flow of air, the duct sucking the air so as to guide the scraped off powder to the net-like member. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114404 | CLEANER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CLEANING APPARATUS - A cleaner includes a cleaning member that includes a tip portion that comes into contact with an image carrier that carries an image, and that removes and cleans developer adhered to the image carrier, a cleaning container which stores the developer removed by the cleaning member, a cleaning support that includes a cleaning supporting portion that supports a proximal end of the cleaning member, and a damped portion, a damping body that includes a first and a second damping bodies arranged in contact with the damped portion and that regulates vibration of the cleaning support, and a fixing member of the damping body that includes a first fixing portion arranged to face the damped portion with the first damping body, and a second fixing portion arranged to face the damped portion with the second damping body, and that is supported by the cleaning container. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114405 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND SHEET FEED CONTROL METHOD - An intra discharge type image forming apparatus that uses an ADU to form an image onto both sides of a sheet and discharges the sheet on which an image has been formed to the vicinity of the center of the apparatus has: a sheet type information acquisition section | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114406 | Smart Phone Cenky Keyboards and Touch Screen and Other Devices - Disclosed is an arrangement of keypads, entitled Cenky Keyboards, which are uniquely-designed keyboard layouts that utilize data entry keypads having the letters of the English language arranged in natural alphabetical order. This arrangement, or layout, is applicable to electronic hand-held or desktop computing, typing, and calculating devices, and assists users in locating letters and typing more efficiently. Letters A through Z are arranged alphabetically on the keyboard, either horizontally in rows or vertically in columns, thus facilitating quick typing. This product may be used in conjunction with any i-pad, smart phone, computer, or other devices, including those with fixed keyboards, touch screens, and slider keyboards. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114407 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus is provided that includes an image forming unit disposed in a main body and configured to form an image on a recording medium, an output tray provided in the main body and configured to receive the recording medium having an image formed thereon, and an ejection device provided in the main body and configured to eject the recording medium to the output tray. The apparatus may further include a movable sheet guiding member movably attached to the main body and a stationary sheet guiding member disposed downstream of the movable sheet guiding member in a recording medium ejection direction and above the output tray. The movable sheet guiding member can press a recording medium ejected from the ejection device downward, and the stationary sheet guiding member can protrude from the main body. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114408 | A COSMETIC APPLICATOR - An applicator ( | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114409 | STORAGE STRUCTURE FOR MAKE-UP POWDER APPLICATOR - A storage structure for a make-up powder applicator includes a hollow handle, a make-up powder applicator, and an elastic structure. The hollow handle has an accommodation space, and has an opening at one end thereof. The make-up powder applicator and the elastic structure are configured in the accommodation space. The elastic structure is located between a bottom of the make-up powder applicator and the hollow handle. With the accommodation space of the hollow handle and the elastic structure, the make-up powder applicator can be received in the hollow handle. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114410 | ORAL CARE SYSTEM, KIT AND METHOD - A portable oral care system comprising a toothbrush having a detachable handle portion forming a dispenser containing an oral care product. The dispenser is configured as a dispensing pen having a dispensing orifice or applicator at one end. The dispenser includes a ratchet-type fluid dispensing system for delivering the oral care product. The dispenser includes a self-biasing push button actuator formed of a deformable elastomeric material with an elastic memory. A user may detach the dispenser from the toothbrush, apply the product to an oral surface by depressing the actuator, and re-mount the dispenser in the toothbrush for storage. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114411 | DISPENSING PACKAGE WITH APPLICATOR - A package for dispensing a substance is described, where the package includes a stiff sheet that has a score formed on and traversing the first surface. The package also includes a flexible sheet defining a cavity for receiving the substance between the stiff sheet and the flexible sheet. The package also includes an applicator having a porous material pad, where the applicator is attached to the stiff sheet over the score by two hinges. The stiff sheet is configured to be folded about the score to cause the substance to be expelled from the cavity through a metering hole into the porous material pad and the two hinges allow the porous material pad to remain generally flat as the stiff sheet is folded. | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114412 | BALL JOINT - A ball joint for a motor vehicle having a housing and a ball pin ( | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114413 | QUICK-FASTENING SAFETY DEVICE FOR ATTACHING A TOOL TO THE END OF THE ARM OF A HYDRAULIC POWER SHOVEL OR THE LIKE - The invention relates to a safety device for quick-fastening, comprising two portions ( | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114414 | MANHOLE COVER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME - Provided are a manhole cover and a method for manufacturing same, wherein the manhole cover maintains a strength and weight the same as those of conventional manhole covers made of cast iron, eliminates the risk of theft, and achieves improved corrosion resistance and sealing properties. The manhole cover comprises: a base unit made of composite materials having compositions containing 12 to 18 wt % of glass fiber, 17 to 23 wt % of a polyester resin, with the remainder being calcium carbonate (CaCO | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114415 | LUMINESCENT PAVING STONE IN THE FORM OF AN ARTIFICIAL STONE OR NATURAL STONE - The invention relates to a luminescent paving stone in the form of an artificial stone or a natural stone, having at least one self-sufficient luminescent element ( | 2012-05-10 |
| 20120114416 | VIBRATORY COMPACTOR - A vibratory compactor machine includes a machine frame and a roller drum rotatably coupled to the frame and rotatable about a drum axis oriented generally traverse to the direction of travel of the machine. A vibration assembly is disposed inside the roller drum. The vibration assembly includes a first eccentric member and a second eccentric member rotatably disposed in the roller drum and rotatable about a respective first and second eccentric axes orientated perpendicularly to the drum axis. The roller drum rotates about the drum axis independently of the vibration assembly and the first and second eccentric members. | 2012-05-10 |
