22nd week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 34 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130136420 | STEREOSCOPIC MENU CONTROL - A method and an apparatus for controlling the appearance of a stereoscopic menu during playback of video data are described. The stereoscopic menu comprises at least one graphical elements, which is arranged at a depth When a user input to reduce or increase a depth of the stereoscopic menu is received ( | 2013-05-30 |
20130136421 | Overlay to augment quality of currently playing media - Overlay to augment quality of currently playing media. The overlay operates to enhance the quality format of media so that it is output in a different quality format. As one example, when playing media content encoded in accordance with a standard definition television (SDTV) quality format, an appropriate overlay would operate to upgrade the quality format thereof to enhanced definition television (EDTV) quality format, high definition television (HDTV) quality format (or some other quality format). An appropriate overlay may also operate in accordance with audio content (e.g., upgrading a quality format of the audio content). With the advent of Blu-Ray discs (and other higher quality format discs), many individuals presently have libraries of media that are encoded with legacy/previous quality formats. An appropriate overlay that operates in conjunction with media encoded with a legacy/previous quality format allows the same content to be enjoyed in accordance with a newer/improved quality format. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136422 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND SCHEDULED VIEWING SETTING METHOD USING THE SAME - A method of setting a scheduled viewing of broadcast content is provided. The method includes: receiving a command for setting a scheduled viewing of broadcast content; recording the scheduled broadcast content; during the recording, detecting presence of a user; and determining whether to delete the recorded broadcast content based on a result of the detecting the presence of the user. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136423 | IDENTIFYING SERIES CANDIDATES FOR DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER - Embodiments that relate to defining series for digital video recording are disclosed. One embodiment provides a method including receiving selection of a set of one or more video content series for which to automatically schedule recording updates, wherein each video content series is of a series type selected from a plurality of series types and each series type utilizes a corresponding update module selected from a plurality of update modules. The method further comprises receiving a trigger configured to trigger an updating of one or more series types, and for each video content series to be updated based upon the trigger received, obtaining a list of candidate video items for potential scheduling by executing the corresponding update module. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136424 | ADAPTING DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDING BASED UPON FEEDBACK - Embodiments related to the use of feedback to adapt digital video recording are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides, on a computing device, a method of adapting an identification and scheduling of video items for recording based on usage. The method comprises detecting a trigger to perform a series update, and determining one or more video items to record as a part of a series by providing input to a series update module that returns candidate video items for inclusion in the series. The method further comprises scheduling zero or more of the candidate video items for recording, receiving feedback related to video item playback of one or more video items that were recorded based upon the scheduling, and based upon the feedback, adapting the input provided to the series update module for a later series update. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136425 | GROUP BASED RECORDING SCHEDULE - According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is recognized that a threshold number of members in a trend group intend to view a content item. The content item is automatically added, for each member in the trend group, to a recording schedule of that member of the trend group. The recording schedule of each member of the trend group is maintained at a recording schedule service and indicates content items to be recorded by a content recording device. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136426 | WEB FEED BASED RECORDING SCHEDULE - According to one aspect of this disclosure, a request is received to add content items indicated by a third-party web feed to a recording schedule. One or more of the content items indicated by the third-party web feed may be automatically added to the recording schedule. The recording schedule may indicate content items to be recorded by an electronic content recording device from a content provider. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136427 | WIDE-BAND MULTI-FORMAT AUDIO/VIDEO PRODUCTION SYSTEM WITH FRAME RATE CONVERSION - A multi-format digital video production system enables a user to process an input video program to produce an output version of the program in a final format which may have a different frame rate, pixel dimensions, or both. An internal production format of 24 fps is preferably chosen to provide the greatest compatibility with existing and planned formats associated with HDTV standard 4:3 or widescreen 16:9 high-definition television, and film. Images are re-sized horizontally and vertically by pixel interpolation, thereby producing larger or smaller image dimensions so as to fill the particular needs of individual applications. Frame rates are adapted by inter-frame interpolation or by traditional schemes, including “3:2 pull-down” for 24-to-30 fps conversions. Simple speed-up (for 24-to-25 conversions) or slow-down (for 25-to-24 conversions) for playback, or by manipulating the frame rate itself using a program storage facility with asynchronous reading and writing capabilities. The step of converting the signal to a HDTV format is preferably performed using a modified upconversion process for wideband signals (utilizing a higher sampling clock frequency) and a resizing to HDTV format frame dimensions in pixels. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136428 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VIDEO IMAGE DATA RECORDING AND PLAYBACK - A video data recoding method suitable for recording computer sessions. Each video image frame is divided into multiple blocks. A server processes the video frames and transmits only changed blocks for each frame to a video log server. The video log server stores the changed blocks with block indices in a data file. The video log server also maintains a virtual frame table which stores, for each block of the frame, the data location within the data file where the most recent occurrence of that block is stored. The virtual frame table is continuously updated as changed blocks are stored in the data file. The video log server further stores a snapshot file containing snapshots of the virtual frame table at predetermined time points, along with time stamps and a next changed frame location. The data file and the snapshot file are used to reproduce the video images. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136429 | Constructing Video Frames And Synchronizing Audio Data In A Media Player From Data Received Via A Plurality Of Diverse Protocol Stack Paths - Video frames from a sequence of video frames and corresponding audio are received and processed by a media player. A first portion of the sequence depends on fewer reference frames then a second portion of the sequence. The number of reference frames per frame is limited. The first and second portions of the sequence are treated differently. The first portion is received at a lower data rate, with greater security and processed with a more robust protocol stack than the second portion. The first and second portions may be stored in a single queue and/or separate queues. The first portion of frame data is utilized to compensate for lost frames by repeating and/or interpolating video frames. The media player constructs a local video frame and synchronizes corresponding audio content with it. The received, repeated and/or interpolated video frames are assembled into display order and decoded. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136430 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING BUFFERING HEURISTICS IN MEDIA - An algorithm to analyze previous attempts by the a user of a media player and either presents the media player with all data, a subset of data or even a hint, enabling the boot of the heuristics engine with the ability to custom-target initial startup methods of the media engine. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136431 | ARRANGEMENT FOR HEATING A MEDICAL FLUID, MEDICAL FUNCTIONAL DEVICE, MEDICAL TREATMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD - An arrangement for heating a medical fluid includes at least one electrically operated first heating device including at least one first warm section heating during operation of the first heating device and at least one first cold section cooling during operation of the first heating device; a first area for receiving the medical fluid to be heated, in which the first area is in heat exchange relation with the first warm section of the first heating device; and a second area that is in heat exchange relation with the first cold section of the first heating device. A medical functional device, a medical treatment apparatus as well as methods for setting and/or maintaining the temperature of a medical fluid are also described. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136432 | Fragrance Emitting Apparatus For Use With USB Port - A fragrance emitting apparatus includes a casing having an interior region, a USB connector attached to the casing and configured for connection to a USB port, and a heating element positioned in the interior region of the casing and electrically connected to the USB connector. The heating element generates heat when the USB connector is connected to a USB port. The fragrance emitting apparatus includes a fragrance cartridge slidably and removably attached to the casing. The fragrance cartridge has a fragrance member that provides a fragrance, scent or aroma when the fragrance member is heated. The fragrance member is positioned near the heating element when the fragrance cartridge is slidably attached to the casing. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136433 | Superheated Steam Generators - Modularized, superheated steam generators comprise a steam module ( | 2013-05-30 |
20130136434 | Automated Super Heated Steam Generators - Modularized, superheated steam generators comprise a steam module ( | 2013-05-30 |
20130136435 | Methods for Super Heated Steam Generation - Modularized, superheated steam generators comprise a steam module ( | 2013-05-30 |
20130136436 | CAMERA COVER AND CAMERA - A camera cover and camera capable of mitigating water drop and dirt adhesion and of ensuring image clarity are provided. A dome section of the camera cover includes, on its outer surface, a hydrophilic coating made of an inorganic material whose main component is a silicon compound. The thickness of the hydrophilic coating is 0.01 to 1 μm. Surface roughness Ra of the hydrophilic coating is 0.06 μm or less. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136437 | OPTICAL UNIT WITH SHAKE CORRECTING FUNCTION - An optical unit with a shake correcting function may include a fixed body, a movable body holding an optical element, a swing support point which supports the movable body so that the movable body is capable of swinging, a spring member formed in a plate shape for urging the movable body toward the swing support point, a shake correction drive mechanism structured to swing the movable body with the swing support point as a swing center, a first stopper part which is protruded in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction on a front side in the optical axis direction of the movable body with respect to the spring member for determining a moving range of the movable body, and a second stopper part which is structured to face the first stopper part in the optical axis direction through the spring member on the rear side in the optical axis direction of the fixed body with respect to the spring member for determining a moving range of the movable body in the optical axis direction by restricting movement of the first stopper part. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136438 | VOICE COIL MOTOR AND DRIVING MEHOD THEREOF - A VCM is disclosed, the VCM including a stator including a first driving unit fixed to a base to generate a first magnetic field, a rotor including a bobbin mounted with a lens to vertically move relative to the base and a second driving unit generating a second magnetic field reacting to the first magnetic field, an elastic member connected to the stator and the rotor to elastically support the rotor, and a position sensor arranged to any one of the first and second driving units to sense a position of the rotor relative to the stator. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136439 | FOCUSING MECHANISM AND IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE USING THE SAME - This invention discloses a focusing mechanism and an image pickup device using the same. The focusing mechanism comprises a driving barrel and a focusing lens-barrel. The driving barrel is a hollow barrel structure having at least three direction convex dots formed in an opening at an end of the driving barrel and extending towards the axial center of the driving barrel. The focusing lens-barrel is a hollow barrel structure disposed in the driving barrel and having at least three barrel grooves formed on an external wall of the focusing lens-barrel and corresponding to the at least three direction convex dots respectively. Each direction convex dot is inserted into its respective barrel groove. When the driving barrel is rotated, the at least three barrel grooves of the focusing lens-barrel are towed by the at least direction convex dots to axially move the focusing lens-barrel in the driving barrel. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136440 | TRIPODHEAD - In the tripod head, the resilient force adjusting mechanism includes a rotating operation part, a cam coupled to the rotating operation part and slides with the rotation of the rotating operation part, and a cam follower coming into contact with the cam surfaces of the cam, and the cam follower is supported by a counterbalancing mechanism, and the counterbalancing mechanism is configured in such a manner that the magnitude of the resilient force to be imparted on the spring is variable in accordance with the position where the cam follower comes into contact with the cam. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136441 | SHOCK-ABSORBING MECHANISM FOR MOVABLE MIRROR OF CAMERA - A movable mirror shock-absorbing mechanism of a camera includes a movable mirror which is rotatable between a viewfinder light-guiding position and a retracted position, a pressing portion which moves with the rotation of the movable mirror, a first shock-absorbing member which is pressed and moved by the pressing portion to absorb shock of the movable mirror when the movable mirror rotates from the retracted position to the viewfinder light-guiding position, and a second shock-absorbing member which is pressed and moved by the pressing portion to absorb shock of the movable mirror when the movable mirror rotates from the viewfinder light-guiding position to the retracted position. The first and second shock-absorbing members are mutually identical in specifications. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136442 | SHUTTER ASSEMBLY WITH DRIVE RING-MOUNTED MAGNET - A shutter assembly includes a drive ring having a permanent magnet disposed thereon. The shutter assembly also includes a solenoid defining a gap between first and second magnetic poles thereof, the drive ring being disposed coplanar with the solenoid and being rotatable in response to a magnetic field created between the first and second magnetic poles. The shutter assembly also includes a plurality of shutter blades configured to transition between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of the drive ring. The shutter assembly further includes a base plate separating the plurality of shutter blades from at least one of the drive ring and the solenoid. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136443 | FOCAL PLANE SHUTTER FOR CAMERAS - In a focal plane shutter according to the present invention, a support plate is placed while a plate plane of the support plate is parallel to a shutter base plate, a second blade-driving member is fitted to a shaft erectly provided on the shutter base plate, the second blade-driving member being rotated by the biasing force of a second blade-driving spring, an electromagnet for second blade is fitted to the support plate, the electromagnet attracting and holding an iron piece member fitted to the second blade-driving member, a printed wiring board on which a wiring pattern for supplying electric current to the electromagnet is formed is placed in a hole formed in the support plate, and terminal pins of the electromagnet are soldered to the both ends of a coil. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136444 | Lens Barrier Device and Image Pickup Apparatus Thereof - A lens barrier device and an image pickup apparatus, comprising a moving barrel, a fixed barrel, a base plate, two vanes and a rotating plate. The base plate has a central window. Two vanes are inserted into the base plate and have a pivot and a control protrusion respectively. The rotating plate has a hollow part and two first grooves. A linking-up body is axially extended from the rotating plate, and has a first guiding protrusion. The moving barrel has a second guiding convex dot. The fixed barrel has a second groove and a third groove. The first guiding protrusion, the second guiding protrusion and the control convex dot are inserted into the first groove, the second groove and the third groove respectively. After the first guiding protrusion is driven, the rotating plate is linked to rotate to open or close the two vanes. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136445 | OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND ALARMING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Performance monitoring (PM); optical layer operations, administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAM&P); and alarming are provided in optical transceivers, such as multi-source agreement (MSA)-defined modules. The present disclosure provides an optical transceiver defined by an MSA agreement with integrated PM and alarming for carrier-grade operation. The integration preserves the existing MSA specifications allowing the optical transceiver to operate with any compliant MSA host device. Further, the host device can be configured through software to retrieve the PM and alarming from the optical transceiver. The optical transceiver can include XFP, XPAK, XENPAK, X2, XFP-E, SFP, SFP+, 300-pin, and the like. The optical transceiver is configured to frame incoming signals to provide overhead and FEC. The transceiver provides access to all alarms in ITU-T G.709, all Tandem Connection Monitoring (TCM) bytes in G.709, far end monitoring as specified in G.709, loopbacks, historical and real-time PM values, and the like. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136446 | VIRTUALIZED OPTICAL TRANSPORT NETWORK SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present disclosure provides an optical transceiver, method of mapping, and method of management utilizing a plurality of Optical Channel Transport Unit layer k (OTUk) links to form an aggregate signal, such as, for example, 10 OTU2s to provide a single 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100 GbE) signal. Specifically, the present invention enables use of existing circuitry and methods at lower speed signals, e.g. 10 G, to support higher speed aggregate signals, e.g. 100 G. The present invention may be utilized to support carrier-grade OTN applications with optical transceivers such as, for example, pluggable optical transceivers. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes a method which receives a plurality of signals, frames each of the plurality of signals into an OTUk frame, and manages/monitors each of the plurality of signals in an OTUk frame in the aggregate. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136447 | OPTICAL ACCESS NETWORK - An optical access network comprises L wavelength division multiplexed access sub-networks. Each of the wavelength division multiplexed access sub-networks is arranged to use a set of wavelength channels. M optical line termination apparatus, each receive traffic from a respective operator network and output traffic on the wavelength channels. A wavelength routing apparatus comprises M sets of first ports and L second ports. Each set of first ports connects to a respective one of the optical line termination apparatus and each second port connects to an optical link of a respective one of the wavelength division multiplexed access sub-networks. The wavelength routing apparatus is arranged to route the set of wavelength channels between the sets of first ports and the second ports and to route different wavelength channels of the same wavelength to different ones of the second ports. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136448 | MESHED PROTECTED PASSIVE OPTICAL ACCESS NETWORK STRUCTURE AND OPTICAL NETWORK UNIT STRUCTURE THEREFORE - Provided is an optical network system and optical network unit (ONU) structure enabling a passive optical access network having a meshed structure with at least two central nodes and plurality of ONUs. One embodiment employs a partially or fully meshed structure of optical fibers between customer locations and multiple optical line terminal (OLT) locations creating a passive optical access network. The ONUs can communicate with a neighboring OLT or ONU using a symmetrical or asymmetrical TDM scheme, and convert between the different TDM schemes. For this purpose, the ONU structure includes two transceiver units, one connected to the western network port and the other to the eastern. The ONU can establish communication between either network port and a further ONU or an OLT, with the ONU controller adapted for passing through data, and converting TDM schemes. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136449 | COMMUNICATION THROUGH MULTIPLEXED ONE-DIMENSIONAL OPTICAL SIGNALS - An example apparatus comprises an optical transmitter which includes a first processor and at least two optical modulators. The first processor is configured to generate a first electronic representation for each of at least two optical signals for carrying payload data modulated according to a one-dimensional (1-D) modulation format, and to induce on respective ones of the first electronic representations an amount of dispersion that depends on a power-weighted accumulated dispersion (AD | 2013-05-30 |
20130136450 | SIGNAL EQUALIZER IN A COHERENT OPTICAL RECEIVER - A signal equaliser for compensating impairments of an optical signal received through a link of a high speed optical communications network. At least one set of compensation vectors are computed for compensating at least two distinct types of impairments. A frequency domain processor is coupled to receive respective raw multi-bit in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) sample streams of each received polarization of the optical signal. The frequency domain processor operates to digitally process the multi-bit sample streams, using the compensation vectors, to generate multi-bit estimates of symbols modulated onto each transmitted polarization of the optical signal. The frequency domain processor exhibits respective different responses to each one of the at least two distinct types of impairments. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136451 | OPTICAL TRANSFER SYSTEM, OPTICAL TRANSMISSION DEVICE, AND OPTICAL RECEPTION DEVICE - In an optical transfer system, an optical transmission unit generates an optical signal in which respective polarization components are alternately present on a time axis, a time period during which the respective polarization components are simultaneously present on the time axis is substantially zero, and a symbol repetition cycle of optical signals of the respective polarization components becomes Ts, an optical reception unit causes an interference between local oscillation light and a received optical signal and converts an interfered optical signal to an electric signal, and a received electric-signal processing unit performs analog-digital conversion of an electric signal, elimination of a delay difference of Ts/2 between the respective polarized signal components, and adaptive equalization of a distortion other than the delay difference. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136452 | Time-Domain Based Composite Modulation for Spectrally Efficient Optical Networks - Methods, systems, and apparatuses for time-based composite modulation of an optical carrier signal are provided. Time-based composite modulation includes determining a plurality of fixed time slots for the optical carrier signal, wherein the plurality of fixed time slots comprise a time-division-multiplexing frame. Determining a modulation format for each fixed time slot of the time-division-multiplexing frame, wherein a transport spectral efficiency of the modulation format determined for a first fixed time slot is different from a transport spectral efficiency of the modulation format determined for a second fixed time slot, and determining a number of binary bits for each fixed time slot of the time-division-multiplexing frame, wherein the number of binary bits for a fixed time slot is based on the modulation format determined for the fixed time slot. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136453 | VISIBLE LIGHT COMMUNICATION METHOD AND VISIBLE LIGHT COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A simple visible light communication method and system that, underwater in an ordinary water-quality in which a diver is allowed to go under the water, are able to reliably communicate with a ship, or the like, above water while the diver is stopping at a safety stop position at a depth of 5 m in order to prevent occurrence of dysbarism. The visible light communication method and system us the visible light communication system that includes a transmitter and a receiver and that is usable underwater, and include at a transmitting side, modulating information to be transmitted to pseudo-white light that is adjusted to have a color temperature of 4000 to 10000K and a luminous flux of 550 to 1500 lumens and that is emitted from an LED, and transmitting the pseudo-white light; and, at a receiving side, extracting the information by demodulating the received pseudo-white light. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136454 | LIGHT EMITTING DIODE LIGHT SOURCE - An LED light source comprises a light source plate, a supporting frame, a transceiver module, a driving element and a secondary optical element. The light source plate comprises a first circuit board and a plurality of light emitting elements. The supporting frame comprises a pillar portion. The transceiver module comprises an antenna unit and a radio frequency unit. The antenna unit is disposed on the pillar portion for receiving a radio frequency signal and transmitting it to the radio frequency unit. The radio frequency unit outputs a driving signal to the driving element according to the radio frequency signal. The driving element drives each of the light emitting elements according to the driving signal. The light beams supplied by the light emitting elements are emitted from the secondary optical element. Therefore, users can remotely control the light source through wireless manners. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136455 | PROGRAMMING A UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL - A method of programming a Universal Remote Control is described. A user is requested to execute a command sequence comprising more than one command from an original Remote Control for controlling a device ( | 2013-05-30 |
20130136456 | MOBILE TERMINAL CAPABLE OF LOCALIZATION, LOCALIZATION SERVER AND METHOD FOR LOCALIZING THE MOBILE TERMINAL USING THE LOCALIZATION SERVER - A mobile terminal capable of localization, a localization server, and a method for localizing the mobile terminal using the localization server are disclosed. The disclosed localization server includes a control unit configured to control transmissions of visible-light signals from a multiple number of visible-light transmitting devices; and a position computing unit configured to compute a position of a mobile terminal based on time information regarding when the visible-light signals transmitted respectively from the plurality of visible-light transmitting devices were received at the mobile terminal, where the control unit controls the transmissions such that each of the plurality of visible-light transmitting devices sequentially transmits the visible-light signal for a particular first time period with no overlapping of transmission times of the visible-light signals transmitted respectively from the plurality of visible-light transmitting devices. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136457 | WIRELESS LIGHT COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND WIRELESS LIGHT COMMUNICATION METHOD USING THE SAME - A wireless light communication system and method using a plurality of light transmitting units driven by a same alternating current (AC) power, and a light receiving unit for receiving optical signals transmitted by the plurality of light transmitting units are provided. The wireless light communication method includes setting a channel for each of the plurality of light transmitting units such that light transmitting units having an overlapping area that is reachable by optical signals use different channels, detecting zero crossing of the AC power, synchronizing channels by using the detected zero crossing, and transmitting an optical signal through the set channel by using the plurality of light transmitting units, and receiving the optical signal transmitted by each of the plurality of light transmitting units by using the light receiving unit, and analyzing information included in the received optical signal. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136458 | OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER HAVING ENHANCED EMI TOLERANCE - An optical transceiver that attenuates the EMI radiation leaked therefrom is disclosed. The optical transceiver includes a top cover and the bottom base to form a cavity into which a TOSA, a ROSA, and a circuit are set. At least one of the top cover and the bottom base provides a combed structure in a rear portion of the optical transceiver, where the combed structure has a plurality of T-shaped fins to attenuate the EMI radiation. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136459 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND CONTROL PROGRAM - An information processing apparatus includes a maintenance staff information store part that stores maintenance staff identification information, a maintenance staff authentication part that determines an authentication success when identification information, which is input from an operation panel, is identical to the maintenance staff identification information, a maintenance history store part that, when a replacement of a consumable item is performed, stores the maintenance staff identification information as well as information of the consumable item that was used before the replacement, and an output part that outputs the maintenance staff identification information that was authenticated at the time of the replacement of the consumable item as well as the information of the consumable item that is stored in the maintenance history store part, the consumable item being used before the replacement. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136460 | Cartridge Provided With Pivotable Member for New Product Detection - A cartridge includes: a casing for accommodating developer; a rotatable body rotatably provided at the casing; a pivot member; and a biasing member. The rotatable body is rotatable about a rotational axis, the rotatable body having an outer circumference defining a rotational path during rotation. The pivot member is disposed at the rotatable body at a position offset from the rotational axis and is pivotable about a pivot fulcrum extending in a direction parallel to a tangential direction of the rotational path. The pivot member being pivotably movable between an erect position in which the pivot member erects to form a first angle relative to the rotatable body and a collapsed position in which the pivot member pivots toward the rotatable body to form a second angle smaller than the first angle relative to the rotational body. The biasing member biases the pivot member toward the erect position. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136461 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING BELT INCLUDING RESISTANCE HEATER LAYER - Fixing device including: belt formed in endless shape and including resistance heater layer and annular electrodes provided on circumferential surface of resistance heater layer; pressing member pressed against belt to form nip through which sheet passes; electricity supplying members that, when in contact with electrodes, supply electricity to resistance heater layer; supporting member provided on opposite side of belt from electricity supplying members and supporting belt from inner circumferential side; displacement mechanism displacing electricity supplying members between first position in contact with electrodes, and second position separated away from electrodes; driving unit driving belt to rotate; driving controlling unit controlling rotation of belt and displacement of electricity supplying members; and trouble detecting unit detecting trouble while sheet is passing through nip. When trouble is detected, driving controlling unit controls driving unit to stop belt from rotating, and displacement mechanism to displace electricity supplying members to second position. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136462 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, CONTROLLING METHOD OF IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - Information indicating a paper and information indicating a substitute paper to be used instead of the paper when paper out occurs with the paper are registered such that the information indicating the paper and the information indicating the substitute paper are associated with each other. Thus, when paper out occurs with a certain paper while printing is being performed, then the printing is restarted using the substitute paper registered corresponding to the certain paper. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136463 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND OUTPUT SETTING METHOD OF CONSUMED STATUS OF CONSUMABLE ITEMS OF THE IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An apparatus in which a plurality of consumable items are loadable to the apparatus. The apparatus includes a consumption status detecting unit to detect a respective consumption status of each of the consumable items, a consumption information output setting unit to set whether an exchange message for each of the consumable items is to be output, and a consumable item information output unit to output the exchange message, which is indicative of an exchange time of the respective consumable item, based on the respective consumption statuses detected by the consumption status detecting unit and the setting of the consumption information output setting unit. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136464 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is an image forming apparatus including: photosensitive drums; electrostatic latent image forming units; developing sleeves; patch detection sensors which detect image densities of the toner images formed by the electrostatic latent image forming units; and toner replenishment units which replenish the developing sleeves with the toner based on the detection results of the patch detection sensors. Further, controllers are provided to make a control such that the rotation speeds of the developing sleeves at the time of forming the reference toner image is higher than the rotation speeds of the developing sleeves at the time of forming a normal image. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136465 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, PROCESS UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing device includes a developing chamber; a toner carrier disposed in the developing chamber; a toner supply part configured to supply toner to the toner carrier; a toner amount detecting part configured to change its rotational position according to the amount of toner near the toner supply part to detect the amount of toner remaining in the developing chamber; and a toner flow restricting part configured to block movement of the toner around the toner amount detecting part which is caused by a flow of the toner in the developing chamber generated by the rotation of the toner supply part and the toner carrier. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136466 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus, including: an image bearing member; a transfer member to which a transfer voltage is applied to transfer the toner image on the image bearing member to a recording medium; a transfer voltage applying unit configured to apply the transfer voltage to the transfer member to make a value of a current flowing through the transfer member into a set current value; and a control unit configured to control the transfer voltage applying unit by changing stepwise the set current value according to a resistance of the transfer member, wherein the control unit sets a set current value smaller than a target current value when a target voltage value is larger than a preset threshold voltage value, the target current value being set according to the resistance of the transfer member, the target voltage value being applied to flow a current of the target current value. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136467 | HEATING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A heating device including: a heat generating unit configured to receive an AC voltage from a power supply; a zero-crossing signal generating unit configured to generate a zero-crossing signal which is a square pulse signal synchronizing with a zero-crossing timing of the AC voltage, the zero-crossing signal being a first level at the zero-crossing timing and being a second level at other timings; and a control device configured to perform a detecting process in which an abnormality in a frequency or an output wave of the power supply or is detected, and an error processing, in a case where the abnormality in the frequency of the power supply or the abnormality in the output waveform of the power supply is detected and the level of a zero-crossing signal at a detection timing of detecting the abnormality is the second level. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136468 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member to bear a toner image on a surface thereof, a transfer device to transfer the toner image onto a recording medium, and a transfer bias power source to apply to the transfer device a superimposed transfer bias in which an alternating current (AC) component is superimposed on a direct current (DC) component in a superimposed transfer mode to transfer the toner image. The superimposed transfer bias has a waveform in which a first polarity in a direction of transferring the toner image onto the recording medium and a second polarity opposite the first polarity switch alternately. The superimposed transfer bias is output such that a standard value of each of the DC component and the AC component is multiplied by a respective correction ratio, and the correction ratio of the DC component is different from that of the AC component. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136469 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes photoconductor drums, a plurality of development apparatuses, temperature-humidity sensors that detects at least temperatures or humidity of the development apparatuses, image density adjusting units that adjusts an image density of the toner image, and a control unit that adjusts the image density of the toner image by the image density adjusting units based on detection results of the temperature-humidity sensors. The control unit controls the adjusting unit based on information about color differences of detection values of the temperature-humidity sensors so that the adjusting unit adjusts an image density of the toner image or not. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136470 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section attached on an apparatus main body, having a forming and writing section that forms and writes an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier based on image information, and a transfer section which transfers a developed image after the electrostatic latent image has been developed, onto a sheet; a sheet conveyance section detachably attached on the apparatus main body, which conveys the sheet to the image forming section; a sheet detection section attached on the apparatus main body, which detects a sheet position conveyed to the image forming section by the sheet conveyance section; and a position correction section which corrects an image writing position for an image in the image forming section based on information of the detected sheet position. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136471 | PRINTER MAINTENANCE - This disclosure relates to instructing deposition of a service patch for different toners, and determining the respective different toner amounts as a function of toner coverages on at least one previous media unit. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136472 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMATION CORRECTING METHOD - An image forming apparatus including: a photosensitive member; a conveying member; an exposure head; a developing unit; an image forming unit; a concentration sensor having a first detection width in a conveyance direction and a second detection width in an axial direction of the photosensitive member; and a control unit, wherein the control unit controls the exposure head and the image forming unit to form a first image for correction, which includes a straight line part extending in the axial direction of the photosensitive member and having a length equal to or larger than the second detection width of the concentration sensor, on the conveying member, and wherein the control unit corrects a developing bias to be applied to the developing unit based on a detection result of the first image for correction by the concentration sensor. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136473 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an intermediary transfer member for carrying an image; a transferring device for transferring the image from the intermediary transfer member onto a sheet; a device for forming a toner patch for a density adjustment between adjacent sheets, in an area corresponding to between adjacent ones of sheets on the intermediary transfer member; a detector for detecting density of the patch; and a sheet interval density adjusting device for adjusting in real time a density/tone-gradation property of the image on the basis of a detection result of the density detector. The patch includes a density detection area, and an outer marginal portion having a density lower than that of the density detection area. The patch forming device changes at least one of a patch image density of the density detection area, a size of the marginal portion and a density of the marginal portion. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136474 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a measurement image on a recording paper, a fixing unit configured to fix the measurement image onto the recording paper by heating, a measurement unit configured to measure the measurement image fixed on the recording paper downstream of the fixing unit in a conveyance direction of the recording paper, and a correction unit configured to correct a measurement value output from the measurement unit such that an effect of temperature of the recording paper is decreased when the measurement unit measures the measurement image. The correction unit is configured not to correct the measurement value in a case where density of the measurement image is measured by the measurement unit, and the correction unit is configured to correct the measurement value in a case where chromaticity of the measurement image is measured by the measurement unit. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136475 | TRANSFER UNIT WITH COMPENSATION FOR VARIATION - A transfer unit includes a rotatable static-dissipative member with a time-varying electrical property. A second member selectively transfers toner to or from the static-dissipative member. A power source selectively produces an electrostatic transfer field between the static-dissipative member and the second member, so that toner is transferred between the static-dissipative member and the second member. A charger spaced apart from the static-dissipative member selectively deposits charge thereon. A control system successively drives a plurality of different selected voltages or currents through the charger and measures a plurality of respective resulting charger currents or voltages. It uses the selected voltages or currents and the respective charger currents or voltages to automatically estimate a variation in the electrical property. It then causes the power source to produce an electric transfer field that transfers toner and compensates for the estimated variation. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136476 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In a case of executing a marginless print mode on an image forming apparatus, a control portion controls a position changing portion configured to change a position of a toner image and a position of a recording material for image formation. Then, the position changing portion is controlled to move the position of the toner image and the position of the recording material for subsequent image formation by the same change amount toward a smaller of image data amounts corresponding to both end portions of the recording material of the toner image formed before the subsequent image formation. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136477 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a controller and a transfer device including a power source to output a superimposed bias in which an AC voltage is superimposed on a DC voltage, a first electrode, a second electrode disposed opposite the first electrode with an image bearing member interposed therebetween to form a transfer electric field to transfer a toner image on the image bearing member to a recording medium. The controller including a CPU adjusts the transfer electric field and a transfer speed. One of the first electrode and the second electrode is connected to the power source, and the other is grounded. The controller adjusts the transfer speed such that in a case in which an oscillating electric field of the transfer electric field is strong, a maximum transfer speed is slower than the maximum transfer speed in a case in which the oscillating electric field is weak. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136478 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS FOR SWITCHING A PRINTING METHOD BASED ON STATE OF DRAWING OBJECT - An image forming apparatus including a feeding unit configured to feed a paper sheet, a fixing unit configured to fix a toner image onto the paper sheet fed by the feeding unit based on an image to be printed, and a determination unit configured to determine, for each page, whether to execute, by the fixing unit, fingerprint trace removal processing for removing a fingerprint trace adhering to the paper sheet fed by the feeding unit, wherein if it is determined to execute the fingerprint trace removal processing, the fixing unit is configured to perform the fixing of the toner image after performing the fingerprint trace removal processing. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136479 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF REDUCING JAM IN FIXING UNIT - An image forming device forms a toner image on a recording medium. The recording medium goes through a fixing nip N between a fixing member and a pressure member in a fixing unit where the toner image is fixed on the recording medium. A fixing temperature detector detects the temperature of the fixing member. A fixing temperature control unit controls a heater that heats the fixing member so that the detected temperature becomes a target temperature. A size control unit of white space sets a white space at a tip of the recording medium in a direction of the recording medium movement. When a paper counter counts more than a predetermined paper count, the size control unit increases the size of the white space. The fixing temperature control unit decreases the target fixing temperature when the white space goes through the fixing nip. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136480 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - In an image heating apparatus in which a heating rotating body heats a recording material bearing an image and a rubbing member rubs the heating rotating body to eliminate gloss streaks, an image failure such as gloss unevenness does not occur in a normal plain paper and a coated paper, and a toner gloss on the coated paper can be enhanced. A longitudinal temperature difference of a heating rotating body | 2013-05-30 |
20130136481 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming station for forming an unfixed image on a recording material; a fixing portion for heating and fixing an unfixed image formed on the recording material, the fixing portion including a fixing rotatable member, and a pressing roller cooperative with the fixing rotatable member to form a nip for nipping and feeding the recording material; an ambient condition sensor for detecting an ambient temperature and an ambient humidity; and a controller for controlling the fixing portion; wherein the controller sets such a warming-up time for warming up the fixing portion that a temperature of the pressing roller at the time when the recording material enters the nip is a temperature calculated on the basis of the ambient temperature and the ambient humidity. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136482 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WHICH FORMS IMAGES ON ONE SIDE OR BOTH SIDES OF A SHEET - An image forming apparatus capable of selectively discharging a sheet having an image formed with toner on one surface thereof and a sheet having images formed with toner on both surfaces thereof includes a fixing unit configured to fix a toner image on a sheet, a sheet stacking portion configured to stack sheets each having the toner image fixed thereon, and a control portion configured to control a maximum sheet stacking amount of sheets stacked in the sheet stacking portion. The control portion controls the maximum sheet stacking amount set when sheets, at least one of which has the toner images formed on both surfaces thereof, are stacked to be smaller than the maximum sheet stacking amount set when sheets each having the toner image formed on one surface thereof are stacked. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136483 | IMAGE CARRIER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, where the image carrier may include an image carrier body having a hollowness and image carrier flanges, which are installed at both ends of the image carrier body. Each image carrier flange may include a blower fan integrally formed therewith, so that air outside of the image carrier body is moved from one end of the image carrier body, at which a drive gear is positioned, to the other end of the image carrier body as the image carrier rotates. Waste developer which may accumulate on the drive gear is reduced, thereby preventing the operational error of the image carrier and thus avoiding the degradation of the image quality. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136484 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus has a chassis, an image forming section, a shield metal plate, and a plurality of substrates. The chassis has a first surface and a second surface on an opposite side to the first surface. The image forming section is disposed in an internal space formed between the first and second surfaces of the chassis and performs an image forming process on a sheet. The shield metal plate is provided vertically between the second surface and the image forming section and has a third surface facing a side of the first surface and a fourth surface facing a side of the second surface. The plurality of substrates are provided vertically on the third surface of the shield metal plate and have electrical components protruding toward the first surface. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136485 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a chassis, an image forming section, a fan, a circuit board, and a first cooling air channel. The chassis includes a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface. The image forming section is arranged in an internal space formed between the first surface and the second surface of the chassis and performs an image forming process on a sheet. The fan is arranged between the first surface and the image forming section and is rotationally driven to cause an airflow to flow into the internal space. The circuit board is vertically arranged between the second surface and the image forming section. The first cooling air channel is arranged in the internal space and sends the airflow toward the circuit board. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136486 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CLEANING CONTROL METHOD - In an image forming apparatus for forming an image by electrophotography, a charging device is comprised of a needle electrode in which a plurality of saw teeth are arrayed in one direction; a cleaning rubber roller that cleans the needle electrode; a cleaning member supporter; a moving portion that moves the cleaning member supporter; and a control portion that controls the charging device, and the control portion includes a function to increase a saw-tooth current value by increasing print cumulative count; and a function to decrease the saw-tooth current value at the time of performing cleaning. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136487 | CLEANING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND TRANSFER UNIT - A cleaning device includes a first cleaning member, a first opposing member, a second cleaning member, a second opposing member, and a pressing member. The first and second cleaning members clean an outer surface of a belt member by coming into contact with the outer surface. The first and second opposing members are in contact with an inner face of the belt member at positions that are opposite the first and second cleaning members. The pressing member is disposed between the first and second opposing members and is in contact with the outer surface of the belt member. The pressing member presses a portion of the belt member that is located between the first and second opposing members from an outer surface side of the belt member toward an inner face side of the belt member. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136488 | Image Forming Apparatus - There is provided an image forming apparatus configured to form an image by using photosensitive drums, the image forming apparatus including an apparatus main body, an endless belt, a drawing member which rotatably supports cartridges, and is movable to a mounting position at which the photosensitive drums oppose the endless belt and to a separation position at which the photosensitive drums are more spaced from the endless belt than at the mounting position, and a cleaning unit including a first housing having a collecting member which is configured to contact the endless belt to collect developer on the endless belt, and a second housing having an accommodating part which is configured to accommodate therein the developer collected by the collecting member. The first housing is provided to the apparatus main body and the second housing is provided to the drawing member. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136489 | DEVELOPER ACCOMMODATING UNIT, PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer accommodating unit includes a flexible developer accommodating container sealed with a sealing member at its developer discharging opening; a rotatable unsealing member for removing the sealing member from the opening; a drive transmission member for transmitting a rotational force to the unsealing member, wherein the drive transmission member is mounted at one longitudinal end portion of the unsealing member and is rotatably assembled with a frame; and a supporting member for supporting the unsealing member when the unsealing member is assembled. The supporting member includes a preventing portion for preventing the unsealing member from dropping from the supporting member. In a state in which the drive transmission member is assembled with the frame, a gap between the unsealing member and the supporting member is larger than a gap between the drive transmission member and the frame. The unsealing member is spaced from the supporting member. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136490 | Cap for Developer Container and Developer Container Having the Same - In a cap for sealing a filling port formed in a developer container, a base is in the shape of a circular plate. A first cylindrical portion is in the shape of a cylinder extending from a peripheral portion of the base in a first direction. A second cylindrical portion is in the shape of a cylinder extending from the peripheral portion of the base in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. A first projecting portion projects radially outwardly from an outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion with a predetermined projecting amount. A second projecting portion projects radially outwardly from an outer circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion with a projecting amount equal to the predetermined projecting amount of the first projecting portion. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136491 | DRAWING-IN DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A drawing-in device configured to draw and position a sheet feeding cassette functioning as a unit into a predetermined position of an apparatus main body includes an engage-target tip. The engage-target tip is pressed in the mounting direction of the unit, thus the engage-target tip retreats from a locking position, where a latching pin is locked so as not to disengage, to a retreat position, where the latching pin can engage with the engage-target portion. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136492 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE FOR AN IMAGING DEVICE - A cartridge that can be detachably installed within an imaging device, which includes a cartridge casing, a photosensitive drum driving assembly located on the casing, and a control mechanism for controlling extension and retraction of a force receiving head in the photosensitive drum driving assembly. The control mechanism includes a control rod, which can rotate around a pivot on the cartridge casing, and a elastic means mounted on the control rod. The cartridge of the invention uses a control mechanism to control extension and retraction of the force receiving head in the photosensitive drum driving assembly, and as a result when the cartridge is removed of the imaging device, the force receiving head does not become stuck by a driving head of the imaging device. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136493 | Image Forming Device - An image forming device including a casing having a front wall formed with a first opening and an upper wall continuous to the front wall and formed with a second opening. The first and second openings together form a single opening. The device further includes a door for covering the single opening, a belt unit, and a guide member. The belt unit includes first and second rollers, and a conveyer belt. The drawer is configured to accommodate a plurality of cartridges. The guide member is configured to movably guide the drawer. The first roller is disposed nearer to the single opening than the second roller to the single opening. In a state where the door is opened and the drawer is inside the casing, one of the plurality of cartridges closest to the door is detachably attachable to the drawer through the single opening. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136494 | Process Unit Having Drum Cartridge and Developer Cartridge - A process unit includes a photosensitive unit, a developer unit, a first urging member, and a second urging member. The first urging member urges the developer unit with a first urging force when the developer unit is in a contact position where a developing member contacts a photosensitive drum. The first urging member urges the developer unit with a second urging force greater than the first urging force when the developer unit is in a separated position where the developing member is separated from the photosensitive drum. The second urging member urges the developer unit with a third urging force smaller than the first urging force when the developer unit is in the contact position. The second urging member urges the developer unit with a fourth urging force smaller than the third urging force when the developer unit is moved from the separated position to the contact position. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136495 | Process Cartridge Having Cover for Protecting Photosensitive Drum - A process cartridge includes: a photosensitive member unit having a photosensitive member; a developing unit detachably mountable on the photosensitive member unit and having a developing roller; a movable member configured to move between a first position and a second position when the developing unit is mounted on the photosensitive member unit, the movable member at the first position permitting the photosensitive member and the developing roller to be in contact with each other and the movable member at the second position permitting the photosensitive member and the developing roller to be in separation from each other; and a covering member configured to cover the photosensitive member, the movable member being at the second position in a state where the covering member covers the photosensitive member. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136496 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE PROVIDING ACCURATE POSITIONING BETWEEN EXPOSURE UNIT AND PHOTOSENSITIVE BODY - An image forming device capable of providing precise positional relationship between an exposure unit and a photosensitive body. The exposure unit having an exposure head elongated in a longitudinal direction and having light emitting sections arrayed in the longitudinal direction. The light elements emit light in an optical axis direction. A frame supports the photosensitive body. A positioning protrusion protrudes in the optical axis direction from one of the frame and the exposure unit. A remaining one of the frame and the exposure unit is formed with a positioning part engageable with the positioning protrusion. A biasing unit provides a biasing force that ensures engagement between the positioning protrusion and the positioning part. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136497 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH MECHANISM FOR RESTRICTING REMOVAL OF DEVELOPING DEVICE - An image forming apparatus includes a main body housing, an image carrier, a developing device, a developer container, and an interference mechanism. The image carrier is stored in the main body housing and has a circumferential surface on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing device is stored detachably in the main body housing and supplies a developer to the electrostatic latent image to develop the electrostatic latent image. The developer container is stored detachably in the main body housing and supplies the developer to the developing device. The interference mechanism disables the developing device from being removed from the main body housing, in a state in which the developer container is mounted to the main body housing. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136498 | TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A transfer device and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. Shapes of cam profiles of first cam members and second cam members controlling movement of first slider members moving a first transfer roller corresponding to a black developer, and second slider members moving a second transfer roller corresponding to a color developer. Times are different as when movement of the first slider members is completed and when movement of the second slider members is completed in mode conversion among a ready mode, a mono mode and a color mode, and thus a driving load generated when the first and second cam members are rotated is reduced, non-uniformity of the rotating speeds of the first and second cam members is reduced, and problems generated due to non-uniform rotating speeds of the cam members are reduced. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136499 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The neutralization units | 2013-05-30 |
20130136500 | Multi-Pass Type Image Forming Apparatus - A multi-pass type image forming apparatus allows driving-couplings to couple with and separate from an image-carrier and developing units simultaneously. The apparatus includes a main body, a cover to open or close the main body, an image-carrier unit including an image-carrier and first driven-coupling connected to the image-carrier, developing units including a developing roller and a second driven-coupling connected to the developing roller, first and second driving-couplings to transmit drive power to the first and second driven-couplings, a link unit to move in a first direction in linkage with opening/closing operations of the cover, and a guide unit to be rotatable about the first driving-coupling in linkage with the link unit, the guide unit being moved when rotated about the first driving-coupling so as to couple or separate the first and second driving-couplings to or from the first and second driven-couplings. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136501 | DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developing cartridge includes a photoconductive body, a charging unit which charges a surface of the photoconductive body and a developing unit which forms a toner image. The charging unit includes a shaft which applies a charging voltage and which has a central axis parallel to a rotating axis of the photoconductive body, a tubular member of a conductive material which surrounds the shaft, a current carrying member which applies an electric current to the shaft and the tubular member, and a damping member which is disposed between the shaft and the current carrying member. The shaft has a middle portion which is thicker than opposite end portions in a longitudinal direction along the central axis. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136502 | DEVELOPMENT DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A development device includes a developer introduction port, a developer conveyance portion, a first conveyance ability suppressing portion, and a connecting conveyance portion. The conveyance ability suppressing portion is disposed on a downstream side of the developer introduction port in a first direction in which the developer is conveyed in order to partially suppress a developer conveyance ability of the developer conveyance portion such that a developer accumulation portion is formed in a position opposing the developer introduction port. A first direction downstream side of the first conveyance ability suppressing portion opposes a first connecting passage in a third direction that intersects the first direction. The connecting conveyance portion is joined to the first direction downstream side of the conveyance ability suppressing portion and opposes the first connecting passage in the third direction in order to pass the developer from a first conveyance passage to a second conveyance passage. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136503 | DEVELOPING MECHANISM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The present application discloses a developing mechanism including a developing device for developing electrostatic latent images and a container containing developer. The developing device includes a carrier carrying and supplying the developer to the electrostatic latent images; a first housing having a feed port through which the developer is fed; a first conveyance member conveying the developer along a first direction away from the feed port; and a first shutter mechanism selectively opening and closing the feed port. The container includes a second housing having a supply port from which the developer is supplied through the feed port to the developing device; a second shutter mechanism selectively opening and closing the supply port; and a second conveyance member conveying the developer along a second direction across the first direction for developer discharge through the supply port. The feed port is opened earlier than the supply port is opened. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136504 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a developing device, a support frame, a developer case, and an intermediate hopper. The support frame selectively positions the developing device to a detachment position and a developing position. The intermediate hopper includes a first hopper, a second hopper, and a third hopper. The first hopper receives developer from the developer case through a developer inlet port. The second hopper has a developer outlet port, through which the developer is supplied to the developing device. The upper and lower end portions of the third hopper are respectively connected to the first and second hoppers. Parts where the first to third hoppers are connected one another are rotatable in directions that allow the support frame to move. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136505 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER SUPPLYING SYSTEM - A developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus and settable in a developer receiving apparatus by a setting operation including at least a rotation toward a setting position, includes a containing portion for containing the developer; a rotatable discharging member for discharging the developer out of said containing portion; drive transmitting means, engageable with a driving gear provided in said developer receiving apparatus and rotatable in a direction opposite the setting direction, for transmitting a rotating force from said driving gear to said discharging member. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136506 | DEVELOPING DEVICE - A developing device includes first and second developer carrying members for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member. The first developer carrying member has a surface provided with grooves and feeds a developer carried thereon to a first developing region which is an opposing portion where the first developer carrying member opposes the image bearing member. The second developer carrying member carries the developer delivered from the first developer carrying member and feeds the developer to a second developing region which is an opposing portion where the second developer carrying member opposes the image bearing member. The second developer carrying member has a surface provided with grooves different in angle from those of the surface of the first developer carrying member. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136507 | Developing Device Having Conveyer for Conveying Toner From Toner Chamber to Developing Chamber - A developing device can be supply sufficient amount of developing agent into a developing chamber regardless of residual amount of developing agent in a developing agent chamber. The developing chamber has a developing roller and a supply roller. The developing agent chamber is positioned below the developing chamber. A wall portion is positioned below and extending along a lower portion of the supply roller. A vertical conveyer is configured to convey the developing agent from the lower portion of the developing agent chamber to a position above the supply roller. The developing chamber has a reservoir positioned above the supply roller and configured to accumulate the developing agent conveyed by the vertical conveyer. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136508 | DEVELOPING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - To provide a developing apparatus, including: a developer bearing member which carries a one-component developer; a charge imparting member disposed in contact with the developer bearing member and charges the one-component developer on the developer bearing member; and a bias supplying member which supplies a bias voltage to the charge imparting member, wherein the one-component developer has a volume resistivity of 8.0 logΩ·cm to 10.9 logΩ·cm, and the developing apparatus satisfies: | 2013-05-30 |
20130136509 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In an image forming apparatus, one of a plurality of support members supporting an intermediate transfer belt is a guide member configured to regulate the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer belt while being held in sliding contact with the intermediate transfer belt at a position opposite the secondary transfer member across the intermediate transfer belt. This guide member is equipped with a first resistor portion in sliding contact with the intermediate transfer belt and a second resistor portion of a higher electrical resistance than the first resistor portion, with the second resistor portion provided upstream of the first resistor portion in the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer belt. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136510 | Fixing Unit, Image Forming Apparatus Including the Same, and Method for Separating Recording Medium - A fixing unit includes a heating member, a pressing member, a casing, a separating member, and an urging member. The separating member has a separation claw and a rotating unit. The urging member urges the separation claw toward the surface of the heating member. The rotating unit has an engaging portion and guide surfaces opposing at an interval smaller than that of the engaging portion. The supporting portion includes an engagement supporting portion that rotatably engages the engaging portion and an insertion opening. The separating member rotates to retract guide surfaces from a position facing the inner wall surfaces of the insertion opening. The guide surfaces oppose the inner wall surfaces of the insertion opening to bring the engaging portion to the engagement supporting portion and thereafter mounting the heating member on the casing. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136511 | FUSER UNIT - A fuser unit includes: a cylindrical member; a heat generation member; a nip plate; a backup member that forms a nip portion; a temperature detection member that detects a temperature of the nip plate, wherein the nip plate has: a plate-shaped part that forms the nip portion; a lubricant restraint part that is formed on at least a part of a downstream side end of the plate-shaped part in a predetermined direction and that extends toward an inner side in a diametrical direction of the cylindrical member, and a detected part that extends from an end of the lubricant restraint part toward the predetermined direction, and wherein the detected part is formed to be shorter than the plate-shaped part in an axial direction of the cylindrical member, and both ends of the detected part in the axial direction are adjacent to a space. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136512 | FUSER UNIT - A fuser unit, which heat-fixes a developer image on a recording sheet, the fuser unit comprising: a cylindrical member having flexibility; a heat generation member; a nip member; a stay; a first frame; a second frame, and a wiring, wherein the first frame is provided with a pair of openings through which both axial end sides of the stay are exposed, wherein the second frame is configured to cover a central portion of the wiring, which is positioned at an inward side more than the pair of openings in the axial direction, wherein both axial sides of the second frame are provided with pressing protrusions that directly press the stay through the openings, and wherein both axial sides of the second frame are provided with third frames that cover a part of the wiring arranged at both axial end sides of the first frame. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136513 | Fuser Unit - A fuser unit, which heat-fixes a developer image transferred on a recording sheet while moving the recording sheet in a predetermined direction, the fuser unit comprising: a cylindrical member having flexibility; a heat generation member that is arranged at an inside of the cylindrical member and generates radiation heat; a nip member that slidingly contacts an inner periphery of the cylindrical member; a reflection plate that contacts the nip member, is configured to cover the heat generation member and reflects the radiation heat toward the nip member, and a backup member that forms a nip region by nipping the cylindrical member between the nip member and the backup member, wherein the nip member and the reflection plate intermittently contact each other in an axial direction of the cylindrical member within an image forming width. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136514 | FUSER UNIT - A fuser unit, which heat-fixes a developer image transferred on a recording sheet, the fuser unit includes: a cylindrical member having flexibility; a heat generation member that is arranged at an inside of the cylindrical member and generates radiation heat; a nip member that slidingly contacts an inner periphery of the cylindrical member; a first reflection member that extends along the heat generation member to corresponds with at least a range of a heat generation part of the heat generation member; a second reflection member that is arranged, at an outside of the heat generation member, to at least one of end sides of the first reflection member in the longitudinal direction, and a backup member that forms a nip region by nipping the cylindrical member between the nip member and the backup member, wherein the second reflection member is separated from the first reflection member. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136515 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a sheet includes an endless belt; a roller contactable with the endless belt to form a nip for nipping and feeding the sheet; a heater provided inside the endless belt; a guiding member, provided inside the endless belt, for guiding rotation of the endless belt; a reinforcing member, provided between the endless belt and the heater in a radial direction of the heater, for reinforcing the guiding member, the reinforcing member being provided with an opening to permit radiant light from the heater to reach the endless belt; a protecting member, provided between the heater and the reinforcing member in the radial direction so as to oppose the endless belt through the opening, thus preventing contact between the endless belt and the heater. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136516 | TONER CONVEYOR, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner conveyor includes a noncircular conveyance member rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation to convey toner to a toner container and a plate-shaped metal scraper slidably contacting the conveyance member with predetermined pressure therebetween to scrape the toner off the conveyance member. The scraper includes a contact end contacting the conveyance member, at least one through-hole spaced apart from the contact end, and a toner carrying face contacting the toner accumulated in the toner container. A lid is attached to the toner carrying face of the scraper to cover the at least one through-hole of the scraper and includes a separation region extending from an upper edge thereof to at least a position disposed opposite a lower edge of the at least one through-hole in a short direction of the scraper. The separation region is separatable from the scraper. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136517 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a roller, a driving shaft, a support shaft, a bearing portion, a contact member and a pivot shaft. The driving shaft is removably connected to one end of the roller and the support shaft is disposed at the other end of the roller in an axial direction. The pivot shaft is configured to pivotably support the contact member, and includes a rotating shaft disposed coaxially with an axis line of the roller and an eccentric portion extending toward the roller at a position on the other end side of the roller and eccentric from an axis line of the rotating shaft. The contact member is disposed in the eccentric portion. Distance from the axis line of the rotating shaft to the eccentric portion in a radial direction is larger than dimension of the support shaft in a radial direction. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136518 | PRINTING CONTROL METHOD AND PRINTER - The disclosure provides a printing control method and a printer. The printing control method comprises: detecting the state of paper, and performing a mark process on printed receipt paper when the state of the paper is abnormal. With the disclosure, one or more problems caused by the abnormality of paper can be avoided. | 2013-05-30 |
20130136519 | ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR PRINTING APPARATUS - An adjusting device includes a positioning member, a driving member attached to the positioning member and including an indicating block, a moveable member, and a resilient member. The moveable member is slidably attached to the positioning member and includes a receiving portion. The receiving portion includes a plurality of graduations. | 2013-05-30 |