35th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 33 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090214192 | Recording and Reproducing Apparatus and Receiving Apparatus - Where a clock frequency based on which encoding is performed has deviated over time, problems such as that an appropriate digital signal can not be outputted occur. To solve the problems, it is arranged such that when a decoder decodes video data and audio data, a control variable for controlling a frequency of a clock recovered by a clock generating portion is recorded as needed in a recording portion, and when the decoder decodes data recorded in the recording portion, the clock generating portion is controlled by using the control variable so that system time information generated by the counter synchronizes with time information extracted upon reception of a digital broadcasting program. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214193 | LIGHT EMISSION TYPE HEATING METHOD AND LIGHT EMISSION TYPE HEATING APPARATUS - A light emission type heating apparatus comprises a first lamp unit which includes two or more lamps, in which at least one of the lamps includes two or more filaments in its light emission bulb, and intensity of light emitted from each filament is independently controlled, and a second lamp unit which is made up of two or more lamps, and wherein the lamps of the first lamp unit are grouped, in each of which a filament of at least one of the lamps and a filament of another one of the lamps are arranged to form groups, wherein a temperature of the workpiece is detected, and electric power to be applied to each of the groups of filaments is controlled based on the detected temperature of the workpiece. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214194 | OUTDOOR HEATER - An electric radiant heater has a proximity sensor capable of detecting the presence of an object proximate the top surface of the heater's housing. The heater also has a temperature sensor capable of sensing ambient temperature proximate the top surface of the heater's housing. A microcontroller is coupled to the proximity and temperature sensors. Upon the detection of an object atop the heater's housing, the microcontroller determines if the temperature sensor's output is indicative of the presence of ice or snow. If so, a heating element of the heater is allowed to remain in operation. Otherwise, the detected object is considered to be potentially combustible material, and the heating element is switched off by the microcontroller. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214195 | PV water heating system - A system for heating water includes a first tank, a solar panel, a control circuit, and a second tank for receiving water from the first tank. There is a first resistive heating element in the first tank and a second resistive heating element in the second tank. The control circuit couples power from the solar panel to the second resistive heating element unless the water in the second tank is at a preset maximum temperature, then the control circuit couples power to the first resistive heating element. If the water in the second tank is below a preset maximum temperature and above a preset minimum temperature, then the control circuit couples power from the solar panel to both the first heater element and the second heater element. If the temperature of the water in the second tank is below a preset minimum temperature, then the control circuit turns on conventional heating means in the second tank. Water is withdrawn from the second tank for use. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214196 | High efficiency direct electric heating system - A direct electric heating system for subsea steel pipeline with a piggyback cable arranged on the pipeline, where at least one shell-type magnetic core encompasses the pipeline with its piggyback cable. The shell-type magnetic core may be continuously or discretely arranged on the pipeline. The shell-type magnetic core may be applied around the pipeline with piggyback cable. This direct electric heating system improves the pipeline current ratio through introduction of magnetic coupling between piggyback cable and pipeline thus significantly reducing power consumption and current in sea water. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214197 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to convert an object image formed by an imaging optical system into an electrical signal, a power supply unit capable of being supplied with power from first and second power supply systems, and a control unit configured to cause the imaging unit to operate in different control modes according to whether power is supplied from the first power supply system or the second power supply system. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214198 | OPTICAL TRANSMITTER - A optical transmitter includes a light device provided a driving current and for emitting light on the bases of the driving current; a light measure for measuring an output light level of the light device; a controller for controlling the driving current to the light device and for changing the measured output light power level into a set output light power level of the light device; a current measure for measuring a level of the driving current to the light device; an abnormality detector for detecting an aged deterioration of the light device on the bases of the current level of the driving current by the current measure and the measured output light power level by the light measure; and an adjuster for reducing the set output light power level in the controller when the abnormality detector detects the aged deterioration of the light device. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214199 | OPTICAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, NODE DEVICE, AND GMPLS CONTROL METHOD - A node device according to the present invention includes an adjustment unit (GMPLS control unit) for, when an anomaly occurs on a route toward another node device, adjusting weighting of the route, and performs routing in Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) control based on the adjusted weighting. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214200 | TUNABLE OPTICAL DISCRIMINATOR - There is provided a method and apparatus for tuning an optical discriminator to the carrier frequency of an optical signal to allow superior reception of said signal. The carrier frequency of the signal is dithered during a test phase in order to provide information that allows a subsequent tuning phase to optimise the reception of the optical signal, as measured by a signal quality metric. The tuning phase may comprise adjustment of one or both of the carrier frequency and the optical discriminator. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214201 | MONITOR CIRCUIT FOR MONITORING PROPERTY OF OPTICAL FIBER TRANSMISSION LINE AND QUALITY OF OPTICAL SIGNAL - An optical reception circuit generates optical electric field data by performing coherent reception of an optical signal transmitted via an optical fiber transmission line. An FIR filter filters the optical electric field data so that the optical signal is equalized. A quality monitor unit calculates the average value and the standard deviation value of the amplitude of the optical signal on the basis of the equalized optical electric field data, and further calculates an optical signal-to-noise ratio on the basis of the calculated values. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214202 | Selecting Wavelengths And Routes In An Optical Network - Selecting a wavelength and a route includes facilitating communication through routes among nodes. Each route is associated with a plurality of wavelengths and comprises one or more segments that couple one node to another node. A polarization mode dispersion value is determined for each wavelength of each route to yield polarization mode dispersion values for each route. A wavelength and a route are selected according to the polarization mode dispersion values. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214203 | Method and System for Automatic Feedback Control for Fine Tuning a Delay Interferometer - A method for receiving an optical signal is included where an ingress signal is split into a first portion and a second portion. A relative delay is induced between the first portion and the second portion, which are optically interfered to generate at least one interfered signal. Quality criteria of a monitored signal at least based on the at least one interfered signal is monitored so that a relative delay based in the quality criteria may be adjusted. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214204 | Optical network monitoring using amplifier modeling - Example embodiments include a method for monitoring an optical network. The method provides received network data to a network model, which determines if there is an inconsistency within the optical network. The network models include a statistical model and a detailed-physical model, both of which model amplifier physics. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214205 | COMMUNICATIONS AND DATA LINK JAMMER INCORPORATING FIBER-OPTIC DELAY LINE TECHNOLOGY - A communications and data link jamming system employs a fiber-optic RF delay line to provide rapid responses to threat signals. A sample of the RF signal threat environment is stored within the delay line, and a jamming video signal is added to the stored sample by modulation as it is being extracted from the delay line. The extracted signal is re-circulated back into the delay line, thereby effectively stretching the sample for highly efficient jamming. The jamming system is effective in countering burst communications and in defeating multiple simultaneous threat signals. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214206 | BANDWIDTH ALLOCATION METHOD, OPTICAL LINE TERMINATOR, SUBSCRIBER STATION, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING PROGRAM OF DEVICE - An exemplary object of the present invention is to accurately reflect allocation requests and increase the bandwidth use efficiency without requiring expensive and fast integrated circuits or CPUs in the control unit even in a large-scale system with a large number of terminal devices. A subscriber station comprises allocating means for determining bandwidth allocation based on a predetermined allocation condition and bandwidth transmitting means for transmitting bandwidth allocation information determined by the allocating means to an optical line terminator. The optical line terminator comprises pipeline transmitting means for transmitting bandwidth allocation information transmitted from the subscriber stations to all subscriber stations to be allocated with bandwidth. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214207 | PACKAGING A RECONFIGURABLE OPTICAL ADD-DROP MODULE - A hermetically packaged, MEMS array-based ROADM module is disclosed. The enclosure sidewalls and a top lid are made of Kovar, and the base is made of alumina ceramic AuSn-soldered to the enclosure sidewalls. The MEMS array is attached to the ceramic base. The optics are passively pre-aligned using a removable template and epoxied to an optical bench. The optical bench is actively aligned as a whole and attached to the ceramic base. A plurality of electrical feedthrough contact pins extend from the bottom of the ceramic base for connecting the MEMS to a connector on a printed circuit board. In one embodiment of the invention, the ceramic base extends beyond the footprint of the sidewalls of the enclosure of the module, for mounting additional electronic components, for example MEMS driver circuitry chips, directly to the ceramic base of the enclosure. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214208 | Balanced Bufferless Switch - A high capacity distributed switching system comprises electronic edge nodes connected to a balanced bufferless switch which may be electronic or optical. The balanced bufferless switch comprises a balanced connector and a switch fabric. The balanced connector comprises an array of temporally cyclic rotator units having graduated rotation shifts and each having a prime number of output ports. The switch fabric may be a mesh interconnection of switch modules. Due to the use of the balanced connector, establishing a path through the switch fabric requires at most a second-order time-slot matching process for a high proportion of connection requests with a much reduced need for a third-order time-slot matching process required in a conventional mesh structure. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214209 | BANDWIDTH ALLOCATION METHOD, OPTICAL LINE TERMINATOR, OPTICAL NETWORK UNIT, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING PROGRAM OF DEVICE - An object of the present invention is to increase the bandwidth use efficiency without requiring costly and fast integrated circuits or CPUs in the control unit even in a large-scale system with a large number of ONUs. An optical network unit includes an allocating unit that determines bandwidth allocation based on a predetermined allocation condition and a bandwidth transmitting unit that transmits bandwidth allocation information determined by the allocating unit to an optical line terminator. The optical line terminator is connected to a plurality of optical network units and includes a pipeline transmitting unit that transmits bandwidth allocation information transmitted from the optical network units to all optical network units to be allocated with bandwidth. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214210 | 100 Gbit/s OFDM Optical Signal Generation - A method includes modulating lightwaves to provide first and second OFDM signal sidebands at a first polarization direction and first and second OFDM signal sidebands at a second polarization direction, and combining sidebands that are oppositely positioned and joined from the first and second OFDM signal sidebands at each polarization direction to provide a polarization multiplexing OFDM signal. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214211 | APPARATUS OF ADJUSTING OPTICAL SIGNAL TRANSMISSION TIMING - In a light reception element such as an APD (Avalanche Photo Diode) used for receiving a high-speed and weak optical signal, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon of distortion of a signal inputted after a large-level light is received. A PON (Passive Optical Network) system includes an OLT (Optical Line Terminal) which can impartially and effectively transmit light reception data to each ONU (Optical Network Unit). According to a light reception amplitude received by each ONU, an inter-frame gap of an appropriate length is assigned for each ONU. The OLT includes a unit for measuring and accumulating the reception light amplitude and data on the inter-frame gap of an appropriate length decided in advance according to the characteristic of the light reception device and generates a grant value for assuring an inter-frame gap of an appropriate length by using the both information. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214212 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CHANNEL-ADAPTED SIGNAL TRANSMISSION IN OPTICAL NETWORKS - A method for optical data transmission in a wavelength multiplexing system having at least two transmission channels of different wavelengths includes determining at least one value which is a measure of a physical property of an optical data transmission path of the wavelength multiplexing system; and automatically adjusting a transmission parameter of at least one of the transmission channels as a function of the determined at least one value. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214213 | MODULATION DEVICE FOR GENERATING OPTICAL SIGNAL WITH QUADRUPLE FREQUENCY AND METHOD THEREOF - The present invention discloses a modulation device for generating an optical signal with quadruple frequency and the modulation method thereof. The modulation device in the present invention utilizes a commercial integrated modulator, a RF signal generator and a phase shifter to generate an optical signal with quadruple frequency. When the RF signal generator generates a first modulation signal, and the phase shifter shifts the first modulation signal by 90 degrees to generate a second modulation signal, the integrated modulator is biased to transmit the optical signal in maximum value and to modulate the first and second modulation signal so as to generate a output optical signal with quadruple frequency. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214214 | Optical Fiber Transmission System with Noise Loading - A system and method for loading unutilized channels of a WDM system with noise to improve system performance. A transmitter amplifier may impart noise to unutilized channels by reducing amplifier input or providing feedback of the amplifier output. Noise signals may also be looped back to the transmitter from received signals. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214215 | Electronic Post-Compensation of Optical Transmission Impairments Using Digital Backward Propagation - Systems and method of compensating for transmission impairment are disclosed. One such method comprises: receiving an optical signal which has been distorted in the physical domain by an optical transmission channel; and propagating the distorted optical signal backward in the electronic domain in a corresponding virtual optical transmission channel. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214216 | SPACE-TIME DIVISION MULTIPLE-ACCESS LASER COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - A space-time division multiple-access (STDMA) laser communications (lasercom) system and related techniques. The STDMA system includes a plurality of remote nodes and an STDMA access node which uses precise electronic beam steering and beacons to provide access to each of a plurality of remote access nodes by means of both space and time-division multiple access. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214217 | Optical Device and a Method for Converting WDM Signals Into an OTDM Signal and Vice Versa - The invention relates to a device and a method for converting WDM signals into an OTDM signal. The device comprises shifting means ( | 2009-08-27 |
20090214218 | Optical buffer device - An optical buffer device includes plural optical memory elements that are capable of holding light and an optical delay element. The plural optical memory elements are arranged on an optical path through which signal light and control light propagate in mutually opposite directions. Further, the optical delay element is disposed between the optical memory elements that are adjacent to each other. The optical delay element imparts different delays to the signal light and the control light. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment of this optical buffer device, each of the optical memory elements includes an optical waveguide through which the signal light and the control light propagate and an optical resonator that is disposed in proximity to this optical waveguide, and a coupling between the optical waveguide and the optical resonator is generated or cancelled depending on whether or not the control light is inputted. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214219 | Electronic apparatus - An electronic apparatus includes a housing that has a first concave section, a first emission unit that emits a laser beam into the first concave section, and a first modulator that modulates the laser beam emitted from the first emission unit in accordance with transmission information. The first emission unit is disposed so as not to emit at least a direct beam of the emitted laser beam to the outside of the first concave section. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214220 | Electronic device - The main power source unit of an image read-out device supplies power to an laser diode (LD) power supply unit of an electronic cassette through a contact. The LD power supply unit supplies the supplied power to a laser diode (LD), as power used for emitting laser light, and also supplies a portion of the supplied power to an LD power supply unit of the image read-out device through a contact. The power supplied to the LD power supply unit of the image read-out device is supplied as power for emitting laser light to an LD of the image read-out device. When there is a change in the relative position of the casings of the electronic cassette and the image read-out device, the contact and electrical continuation of the contacts breaks and laser light stops being emitted from the LDs. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214221 | INTELLIGENT OPTICAL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTICAL-LAYER MANAGEMENT - An integrated optical transceiver includes an optical receiver that produces a first electrical signal at a reception electrical interface in response to a first optical signal, an optical transmitter that emits a second optical signal in response to a second electrical signal received at a transmission electrical interface, a first optical branching device that receives the first optical signal at an reception optical interface and to direct at least a portion of the first optical signal to the optical receiver, and a second optical branching device that directs the second optical signal to an transmission optical interface. The first optical branching device directs at least a portion of the first optical signal to the second optical branching device. The second optical branching device directs the portion of the first optical signal received from the first optical branching device to the transmission optical interface. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214222 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING AN EXTENDED PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK - Extender apparatus for an optical network includes first and second extender units having an network-facing port for connection to a backhaul fiber and a subscriber-facing port for connection to a feeder fiber. Each extender unit includes a gain assembly and is operable selectively either in an enabled state, in which the gain assembly amplifies a signal received at either port of the extender unit and couples it to the other port of the extender unit, or in a disabled state, in which the gain assembly blocks coupling of a signal from either port of the extender unit to the other port of the extender unit. A failover unit is operable when the first extender unit is in the enabled state and the second extender unit is in the disabled state to detect occurrence of at least one fault condition in the first extender unit. The failover unit is responsive to the fault condition in the first extender unit to switch the first extender unit to the disabled state and the second extender unit to the enabled state. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214223 | CMOS-COMPATIBLE TUNABLE MICROWAVE PHOTONIC BAND-STOP FILTER - According to one embodiment, a microwave photonic band-stop (MPBS) filter uses an electrical input signal to drive an optical Mach-Zehnder modulator. A modulated optical carrier produced by the modulator is applied to an optical filter having at least two tunable spectral attenuation bands that are located substantially symmetrically on either side of the carrier frequency. The resulting filtered optical signal is applied to an optical-to-electrical (O/E) converter to produce an electrical output signal. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214224 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COHERENT ANALOG RF PHOTONIC TRANSMISSION - A system for high fidelity analog RF photonic communications is disclosed wherein linear phase modulation and linear coherent demodulation is included. A single optical beam with a phase-modulated signal optical carrier combined with an orthogonally polarized reference unmodulated optical carrier is transmitted simultaneously. At the receiver, the polarization of the reference carrier is transform to match that of the signal followed by coherent detection. An in-phase and quadrature-phase component of the homodyne signal is generated where they are digitized and processed to recover the original RF signal. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214225 | Data Transmission Apparatus and Data Reception Apparatus - A data communication system capable of controlling the brightness of light sensed by the human eye and quality communication using an illuminative light is provided. A PWM circuit | 2009-08-27 |
20090214226 | OPTICAL DQPSK RECEIVER AND OPTICAL PHASE MONITOR APPARATUS FOR USE IN OPTICAL DQPSK RECEIVER - First and second delay interferometers respectively have a phase-shift element. First and second photo detectors respectively detect optical signals output from the first and second delay interferometers. First and second data recovery circuits recover data from signals detected by the first and second photo detectors, respectively. A common adjustment unit adjusts the phase-shift elements of both first and second delay interferometers in accordance with an output signal from the first photo detector and an output signal from the second data recovery circuit. An individual adjustment unit adjusts the phase-shift element of the second delay interferometer in accordance with the output signal from the first photo detector and an output signal from the second photo detector. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214227 | DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME, AND PRINTING METHOD FOR AN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing cartridge usable with an image forming apparatus includes a housing having a developing member, a developer storing portion storing developer supplied to the developing member, and a mounting portion allowing at least one developer cartridge storing supplementary developer to be detachably mounted. Printing operations can be performed using the developer available in the developer-storing portion even in the absence of a developer cartridge. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214228 | RECORDING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING RECORDING APPARATUS - A recording apparatus having a transporting unit to transport a target, a recording unit recording on the target transported, a fluid supply adjusting unit to switch an operation between supply and non-supply of fluid from a fluid supply source, a drive source for the transporting unit and the fluid supply adjusting unit, a control unit to control the drive source, a jam detection unit to detect a jam of the target, a storage unit to retain jam data, a determining unit configured to determine the presence or absence of occurrence of the jam, wherein the control unit carries out a first control or a second control according to the detection of the jam when the power is turned OFF and carries out a third control or a fourth control according to the state of occurrence of the jam when the power is turned ON. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214229 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD OF THE SAME - An image forming apparatus, a developing agent container and a controlling method of the same that improves a supply rate of developing agent from a developing agent container to a developing device that provides the developing agent to an image carrier. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214230 | DEVELOPER CARTRIDGE, DEVELOPING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developer cartridge includes a cartridge body comprising a developer discharge port, a remaining developer detecting unit arranged in the proximity to the developer discharge port, and an agitating unit rotatably arranged inside the cartridge body to convey the developer accommodated in the cartridge body toward the developer discharge port. Since the optical sensor provided in the image forming apparatus body is capable of physically measuring an exact amount of remaining sensor of the developer cartridge, a printing error due to erroneous determination of the remaining developer amount can be prevented. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214231 | 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. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214232 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The present invention provides a developing device and an image forming apparatus capable of carrying out excellent image formation for a long period by making the fluctuations in the toner concentration and the volume level of the developer inside a trickle developing device that uses a two-component developer as small as possible. The developing device having stirring members for conveying and stirring a developer-tank-contained developer and a developer holder, comprises a developer replenishing tank for replenishing a replenishment developer to a developer tank; a toner concentration detecting sensor; a discharging mechanism for discharging an excessive amount of the developer-tank-contained developer outside the developer tank when the amount of the developer-tank-contained developer inside the developer tank exceeds a predetermined amount; and control unit having memory means for storing the current toner concentration inside the developer tank, the reference toner concentration inside the developer tank, a corrected reference toner concentration calculated according to the formula of (the current toner concentration—a correction value), a predetermined replenishment amount to the developer tank and an allowable value for the current toner concentration with respect to the reference toner concentration, and computing means for calculating the corrected reference toner concentration and comparing the current toner concentration with the reference toner concentration and the corrected reference toner concentration. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214233 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The present invention provides a developing device and an image forming apparatus capable of carrying out excellent image formation for a long period by making the fluctuations in the toner concentration and the volume level of the developer inside a trickle developing device that uses a two-component developer as small as possible. The developing device having stirring members for conveying and stirring a developer-tank-contained developer and a developer holder, comprises a developer replenishing tank; a toner concentration detecting sensor; a trickle discharging mechanism; developer amount detecting means; and control unit for controlling the replenishment operation of replenishment toner and carrier at the time when the toner concentration is lower than a predetermined reference toner concentration, wherein the control unit carries out forced consumption operation for the toner inside the developer tank and replenishment operation for the replenishment toner and carrier in the case that the amount of the developer-tank-contained developer inside the developer tank is judged to be low using the developer amount detecting means. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214234 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF DETECTING AN ABNORMALITY OF A FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device according to this invention includes a heating roller, a heater driver, a thermistor, and a CPU. The heating roller has a heater and heats a recording sheet. The heater driver drives the heater. The thermistor detects a surface temperature of the heating roller. The CPU stops an operation of the heater driver when the surface temperature of the heating roller becomes higher than a predetermined temperature and, thereafter, causes the thermistor to perform detection of the surface temperature of the heating roller for a predetermined time period and issues an alarm about occurrence of a first abnormality when the surface temperature of the heating roller fails to drop in the predetermined time period. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214235 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes; a main body; a detachable member; a cover; a displacement member movable between a preventing position and a permitting position; a one-way link mechanism provided for displacing the displacement member from the preventing position to the permitting position when the cover is opened from a state in which the cover is closed and the displacement member is disposed in the preventing position, and for keeping the displacement member in the permitting position when the cover is closed from a state in which the cover is opened; a position detection unit for detecting a position of the displacement member right after a power supply unit has been switched on; and a history determination unit for determining an existence of a history showing an opening and closure of the cover while the power supply unit is left off based on the position of the displacement member. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214236 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - A tandem-type image forming apparatus includes a toner mark pattern forming unit configured to form a toner mark pattern; a sensor configured to detect the toner mark pattern; a first determining unit configured to determine presence or absence of color misregistration based on the detected result; and a color misregistration correcting unit configured to correct the color misregistration based on the determined result. The toner mark pattern includes paired toner marks disposed at different coordinates in the sub-scanning direction. One of the paired toner marks has their ends at different coordinates in the main scanning direction with respect to those of the other one. The first determining unit determines the presence or absence of the color misregistration in the main scanning direction based on the result of the detection of the paired toner marks. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214237 | Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus forms images. A developer bearing body receives a first voltage and supplies developer to the electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing body. A supplying member receives a second voltage and supplies the developer to said developer bearing body. A detector detects at least one of an environmental condition, e.g., temperature and humidity outside of an apparatus and an environmental condition e.g., temperature inside of the apparatus. A controller controls the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage in accordance the environmental conditions. The controller makes a decision to determine whether the outside temperature is not lower than a first reference, whether outside humidity is not higher than a second reference, and whether inside temperature is not lower than a third reference. If the above criteria are met, the controller decreases the absolute value of the difference. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214238 | Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming program product - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming an image; a status conversion unit for converting the multi-value pixel data into status values; plural reference look-up tables each indicating an association between an arrangement of the status values of a target pixel and adjacent pixels in a pixel window and an output data value of the multi-value pixel data to be output; a determining unit for determining a target reference look-up table based on the arrangement; and a generating unit configured to change an input data value of the multi-value pixel data, into the output data value of the determined target reference look-up table, and for outputting the multi-value pixel data to the image forming unit. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214239 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image forming apparatus includes a phase calculation portion, a pattern recognition portion, and a correction coefficient output portion. The phase calculation portion calculates a shift amount of the scanning lines as phase information and, from the phase information, outputs a first set of coefficients. The pattern recognition portion outputs a pattern concordance rate by performing pattern recognition on the group of pixels of interest and peripheral pixels thereof. The correction coefficient output portion outputs a second set of coefficients for correcting the first set of coefficients in accordance with the pattern concordance rate. An interpolation processing portion performs interpolation calculations by referring to the first set of coefficients, the second set of coefficients, and the pattern concordance rate. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214240 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing device capable of improving the image density and the dot reproducibility, and an image forming apparatus including the same are provided. A developing device applies an alternating voltage superimposed on a direct current voltage to a developing roller to thereby develop an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor with toner. A bias voltage waveform superimposed at this time has an original period (first period) in which each of a development-side electrical potential and an opposite development-side electrical potential is applied one time and a period (second period) in which a Vpp is gradually increased from the initial value to the maximum value. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214241 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In the case where a peripheral velocity of photosensitive drums differs from a peripheral velocity of an intermediate transfer belt, the peripheral velocity of the intermediate transfer belt or the peripheral velocity of the photosensitive drums is corrected. The velocity of the intermediate transfer belt is transiently varied in an image forming operation. Accordingly, a plurality of tonner patch patterns including toner patches are formed on the intermediate transfer belt, and the difference in peripheral velocity between the intermediate transfer belt and the photosensitive drums is estimated based on a difference between the displacements in the tonner patch patterns. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214242 | Image Forming Device - An image forming device, configured to form an image on a sheet in an electrophotographic method, includes a fixing roller thermally fixing a developer image on the sheet, a driving unit generating a driving force, a first rotating body configured to be driven by the driving force and rotate the fixing roller, a clutch mechanism provided on a power transmission route to transmit the driving force from the driving unit to the first rotating body, the clutch mechanism switching between a state to transmit the driving force to the first rotating body and a state to block transmission of the driving force to the first rotating body, a second rotating body provided at a downstream side relative to the clutch mechanism on the power transmission route so as to rotate in conjunction with the first rotating body, a detecting unit detecting whether the second rotating body is rotating. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214243 | Fixing Device and Image Forming Apparatus - A fixing device has: (a) an electromagnetic coil placed with a gap from a member of a magnetic material to be heated; a switching device that supplies electronic power to the electromagnetic coil; (b) a switching control unit that controls duty ratio for the switching device under a condition that a load voltage and a load current of the switching device are substantially zero when the switching device is turned on and/or off; (c) a shield member capable of being placed between the electromagnetic coil and the member to be heated to shield the member to be heated against a magnetic flux from the electromagnetic coil; and (d) a shield control unit that controls a shield amount of the shield member by moving either the shield member or both the electromagnetic coil and the member to be heated. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214244 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a body casing, a fixing part, an inlet terminal and an interfering member. The fixing part is removably mounted inside the body casing and fixes a developer image onto a recording medium. The inlet terminal is provided inside the body casing, and a power cord for supplying power from an exterior is connected to the inlet terminal. The interfering member is provided at the fixing part, interposed between a predetermined part of the power cord and the inlet terminal in a state where the power cord is connected to the inlet terminal, and interferes with the predetermined part when the fixing part is moved in a removing direction with respect to the body casing. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214245 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a body frame defining an opening configured to receive a cartridge installed in an installation direction, and a power supply terminal disposed on the body frame. The power supply terminal can be configured to supply power to an installed cartridge by making contact with a power supplied portion disposed in the cartridge The power supply terminal may include a main body protruding from the body frame toward the opening and extending from an upstream side, with respect to the installation direction, toward a downstream side, and an engaging portion disposed upstream from the main body in the installation direction and protruding in a direction orthogonal to the installation direction. The engaging portion may be configured to engage the body frame. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214246 | HEATING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A controller outputs a heater control signal in synchronization with a rise in a zero-cross signal. In response to the heater control signal, a switching device of a heater driving circuit switches ON/OFF. However, a noise occurs in an output voltage of an AC power source at the time of switching, and this noise causes a false zero-cross signal. For the purpose of preventing operation of a heater in accordance with the false zero-cross signal, the controller disregards the rise in the zero-cross signal during a set time period after the rise in the heater control signal. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214247 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - It is possible to provide a technique capable of attaching a reactor to a power source unit even upon shipping a package containing an image forming apparatus from a factory as well as opening the package and installing the image forming apparatus in a place for installment, by optionally attaching the reactor to the power source unit. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214248 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus having a mounting/demounting structure between a main body and an image carrying unit. The image forming apparatus includes a main body provided with a first electrical connecting part, an image carrying unit removably mounted in the main body and provided with a second electrical connecting part, and a guide device to guide the image carrying unit in an insertion direction and a lateral direction so that the second electrical connecting part of the image carrying unit is connected to the first electrical connecting part of the main body. Accordingly, interference between the image carrying unit and an inner side surface of the main body is decreased, and mounting performance is enhanced. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214249 | MEMORY, TONER CARTRIDGE, DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A toner cartridge, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus, in which a memory is provided in the cartridge to be accessible by an image forming apparatus are disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a developing device detachably attached to the body the image forming apparatus, and a toner cartridge detachably disposed in the developing cartridge, which includes a memory accessible from a surface of the toner cartridge exposed outside the developing cartridge when the toner cartridge is installed in the developing cartridge. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214250 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a first fan and a second fan that are configured to generate air in a main body of the apparatus, a controller configured to control operations of the fans, and a detector configured to detect a malfunction of a first fan. When the detector detects the malfunction of the first fan, the controller increases a voltage applied to the second fan as compared with that before the malfunction is detected. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214251 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FRAME UNIT THEREOF - An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, an exposure unit to form a latent image on the image carrier by light, and a particle entering prevention device to prevent particles from entering an optical path between the exposure unit and the image carrier. The particle entering prevention device includes a particle storage unit disposed in a vicinity of the optical path, to store the particles therein. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214252 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a secondary transfer roller that is supported by a secondary-transfer-unit supporting unit and transfers a toner image onto a recording medium, a lubricant applying brush that comes into contact with the secondary transfer roller and applies a lubricant to the secondary transfer roller, a lubricant-applying-brush housing unit that houses the lubricant applying brush, a solid lubricant that is housed in the lubricant-applying-brush housing unit and supplies the lubricant to the lubricant applying brush, a lubricant holding member that elastically holds the solid lubricant, a driving gear that transmits rotational force from the outside to the lubricant applying brush, and a lubricant unit that supports at least the lubricant applying brush, the lubricant-applying-blush housing unit, the solid lubricant, the lubricant holding member, and the driving gear in an integral state and is formed to be detachably attachable to the secondary-transfer-unit supporting unit. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214253 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a secondary transfer roller that is supported by a secondary-transfer-unit supporting unit and transfers a toner image onto a recording medium, a lubricant applying brush that comes into contact with the secondary transfer roller and applies a lubricant to the secondary transfer roller, a solid lubricant that is housed in a lubricant-applying-brush housing unit and supplies the lubricant to the lubricant applying brush, and a lubricant holding member that elastically holds the solid lubricant. The lubricant is supplied to the secondary transfer roller according to a material of the lubricant, a pressing amount of the lubricant against the secondary transfer roller, a configuration of the secondary transfer roller, a configuration of the fur brush, and a relation among fur brush circumferential speed, secondary transfer roller circumferential speed, a pressing amount of a blade against the secondary transfer roller, and a blade material. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214254 | PHOTOSENSITIVE BODY UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - An image forming apparatus having an improved photosensitive body unit capable of efficiently utilizing an inner space of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive body unit having a photosensitive body housing and a photosensitive body mounted in the photosensitive body housing. The photosensitive body housing includes a first developer storage part to store a developer collected from the photosensitive body, a second developer storage part to store a developer conveyed from the first developer storage part, and a light window provided so that light can be scanned to the photosensitive body. The light window is positioned between the first developer storage part and the second developer storage part. Developer paths are provided on outer side portions of the light window to connect the first developer storage part and the second developer storage part. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214255 | IMAGING CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The present invention provides an imaging cartridge in which a handle, which is used for mounting the imaging cartridge to either one of two image forming apparatuses in which the attachment/detachment directions of the imaging cartridge are different, does not obstruct the mounting operation of the imaging cartridge to the other image forming apparatus. The imaging cartridge can be attached to or detached from a main body of a first image forming apparatus in a first direction, while can be attached to or detached from a main body of a second image forming apparatus in a second direction that is different from the first direction by 90 degrees. The imaging cartridge includes a pair of handles gripped upon attaching or detaching the imaging cartridge to or from the main body of the first image forming apparatus in the first direction. The handle of the pair of handles, which is positioned at the far side when the imaging cartridge is attached to or detached from the main body of the second image forming apparatus, is made of a movable handle that moves so as not to hinder the attaching or detaching operation. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214256 | Preset case, development apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - A developing apparatus has: a developer container including a developer transportation unit that transports, while mixing, a developer containing a toner and a carrier along an axis of rotation by a rotatable mixing transportation member; and a cover member provided in part of the developer transportation unit so as to cover an upper portion of the mixing transportation member. A preset case disposed on top of the developer transportation unit has: a developer feed port provided on that bottom surface of the preset case which lies on a side of the developer container; and a sealing member that seals a developer feed port, the sealing member being mounted so as to be removable, when putting the preset case to use, longitudinally of the mixing transportation member. The developer feed port is provided except for a position that lies opposite to the cover member. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214257 | COVER MEMBER, DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE AND DEVELOPING UNIT FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing unit includes a developer cartridge containing developer and a developing cartridge with a developing cartridge body comprising a mounting portion and a cover member. The mounting portion accepts the developer cartridge for replenishing developer consumed by the developing cartridge. The cover member closes an opening of the mounting portion when the developer cartridge is not inserted into the mounting portion. When a developing unit is initially constructed, printing is performed using developer contained in the developing unit. A developer cartridge containing developer can be inserted into the developing unit, allowing the supply of developer in the developing unit to be replenished. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214258 | Image Forming Device - An image forming device includes a swing body attached to a main body swingably around a first axis between a first state away from the main body and a second state close to the main body, an arm having a first end attached to one of the main body and the swing body swingably around a second axis parallel to the first axis and a second end joined with a second one of the two bodies slidably to be close to or away from the first axis, and a pressing member provided to the second one of the two bodies to press the arm toward the second axis in the second state. The second end includes a contact surface to contact the pressing member that is parallel to the second axis and slanted relative to a virtual plane perpendicular to an axial line of the arm. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214259 | OPTICAL SCANNING APPARATUS - In an optical scanning apparatus, when air flow from a deflecting device is suppressed by a shielding member such as a transparent member, an image of a light beam is not formed at a predetermined position. In view of this, a first wall portion having a wall surface shaped concentrically with a center axis of a deflecting device is provided on an optical path directed from a laser light source toward the deflecting device. By providing at least the first wall portion having laser beam passing portions as openings passing through the wall surface of the first wall portion and providing a second wall portion connected to the first wall portion to define a closed surface except for the laser beam passing portions, warm air flow directed from the deflecting device to the laser light source is blocked. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214260 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTORECEPTOR AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - An objective is to provide an organic photoreceptor exhibiting high sensitivity, suitable for exposure to a semiconductor laser having an emission wavelength of 350-500 nm or a light emitting diode, with which generation of memory images as well as image defects caused by very small charge leakage is inhibited, and also to provide an image forming apparatus fitted with the organic photoreceptor. Also disclosed is an organic photoreceptor possessing a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer provided on a conductive substrate, wherein the charge generation layer contains particles made of a condensed polycyclic pigment, having an average major axis length of 500 nm or less, an average aspect ratio of 2.5-5.0, and an aspect ratio variation coefficient of 16% or less. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214261 | OPTICAL SCANNING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An optical scanning device that scans a scanning surface with a light beam includes a light source that emits the light beam and a pre-deflector optical system that includes at least one diffractive optical element including a diffraction surface having no power at room temperature. The diffraction surface has a multi-step shape having a plurality of zone surfaces substantially perpendicular to an optical axis and a plurality of step surfaces each adjacent to each of the zone surfaces. On a cross sectional plane of the diffraction surface including the optical axis, each of the zone surfaces and each of the step surfaces makes an obtuse angle. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214262 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND DEVELOPING UNIT THEREOF - An image forming apparatus to enhance a user's convenience by adequately designing developer storage capacities of developing devices in consideration of an amount of consumed developer includes an image carrier, and plural developing devices arranged along a rotational direction of the image carrier to supply a developer to the image carrier. The plural developing devices include a first developing device having a largest developer storage capacity, and a second developing device disposed in a most downstream side with respect to the rotational direction of the image carrier. The second developing device has a second largest developer storage capacity. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214263 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND DEVELOPING DEVICE AND DEVELOPING UNIT THEREOF - An image forming apparatus includes developing units designed to have an appropriate developer storage capacity in consideration of developer consumption, and improved convenience of use. The image forming apparatus also includes an image carrier, and plural developing units arranged along a rotating direction of the image carrier to supply developers to the image carrier. The plural developing units include a first developing unit having the largest developer storage capacity and a second developing unit having the second largest developer storage capacity after the first developing unit. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214264 | TONER, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING TONER, DEVELOPER, TWO-COMPONENT DEVELOPER, DEVELOPING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner, a developer, a two-component developer, a developing device and an image forming apparatus are provided. In the image forming apparatus, images are formed with a developer that fills a developing tank of the developing device. The developer includes the toner containing at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent, the release agent having an acid value of less than 4 mgKOH/g and in which an amount of the release agent exposed on a surface of toner is 0.5% by weight or more and 2.5% by weight or less of a total amount of the toner. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214265 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing device includes: a container that contains a developer including toner; a partition that forms a plurality of chambers by partitioning an interior space of the container; an agitation mechanism that agitates the developer in the interior space and moves the developer between the plurality of chambers; a transport section that is supplied with the developer from the container, and transports the developer to a surface of an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image such that the transported developer is close to or contacts the surface of the image carrier, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image; and a driving mechanism that moves at least the partition. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214266 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The present invention provides a developing device and an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a developer from being discharged excessively using simple configurations in the case that a trickle developing device that uses a two-component developer is in a tilted state. The developing device having stirring members for conveying and stirring a developer and a developer holder, comprises a developer replenishing tank for replenishing the developer to a developer tank and a trickle discharging mechanism, wherein the conveying passages thereof include an upper conveying passage, a lower conveying passage, a first communicating passage for connecting the downstream side of the upper conveying passage to the upstream side of the lower conveying passage, and a second communicating passage for connecting the downstream side of the lower conveying passage to the upstream side of the upper conveying passage, and also include a circulation passage through which the developer circulates using the upper conveying passage, the first communicating passage, the lower conveying passage and the second communicating passage; the discharging mechanism is disposed in the downstream end section of the upper conveying passage; the bottom face on the downstream side of the upper conveying passage is positioned above the bottom face on the upstream side of the lower conveying passage; and the first communicating passage is disposed obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal plane. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214267 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD CAPABLE OF AUTOMATICALLY COLLECTING DEVELOPER FROM DEVELOPMENT DEVICE - An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a development device, a developer collection device, a detector, and a controller. The image carrier carries a latent image. The development device develops the latent image into a toner image, and includes a developer carrier opposing the image carrier and carrying a developer. The developer collection device collects the developer from the development device when the development device is driven. The detector detects a state in which the developer carrier does not carry the developer. The controller starts driving the image carrier, starts driving the development device to cause the developer collection device to start collecting the developer, and stops driving the image carrier when the detector detects the state in which the developer carrier does not carry the developer, to collect the developer from the development device. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214268 | DEVELOPING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME, AND DEVELOPER SUPPLYING METHOD FOR A DEVELOPING APPPARATUS - A developing apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus includes a developer cartridge having an outlet through which developer is discharged, a developing cartridge, in which the developer cartridge is detachably disposed, has an inlet, through which the developer discharged from the outlet of the developer cartridge enters, and a connecting member connecting the outlet of the developer cartridge and the inlet of the developing cartridge so that the developer is supplied from the developer cartridge to the developing cartridge, wherein through the arrangement of the developer cartridge, the developing cartridge and the connecting member, the flow of developer from the developer cartridge to the developing cartridge is regulated based on the developer pressure in the developing cartridge. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214269 | DEVELOPER CARTRIDGE, DEVELOPING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developing cartridge and a developing device capable of preventing developer leak which may occur during replacement of a developer containing unit, and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus body where a transfer path for a printing medium is formed, and a developing device for developing a visible image. The developing device may include, for example, developing cartridge, a developer containing unit, which contains a supply of developer therein, and which is detachably disposed in the developing cartridge to form a developer transfer path fluidly communicating with the developing cartridge, and a shutter unit which closes the developer transfer path when the developer containing unit is removed from the developing cartridge. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214270 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is disclosed. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor body, a donor roller which develops an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor body by using charged toners, and a development nip section formed between the photoconductor body and the donor roller by having a predetermined gap between the photoconductor body and the donor roller. A developing traveling-wave electrode for generating a traveling-wave electric field is disposed at a position facing the surface of the donor roller at an upstream side of the moving direction of the photoconductor body relative to the development nip section, and a removing traveling-wave electrode for generating a traveling-wave electric field is disposed at a position facing the surface of the donor roller at a downstream side of the moving direction of the photoconductor body relative to the development nip section. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214271 | Development Roller, Development Device, Image Forming Apparatus, and Method of Manufacturing Development Roller - A development roller includes a base unit having a base recess and a base projection that are formed in a predetermined area of a circumference surface of the base unit, and a surface layer formed on the circumference surface of the base unit and having on the circumference thereof a recess and a projection formed respectively in accordance with the base recess and the base projection of the base unit. Surface hardness of the projection is higher than surface hardness of the recess. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214272 | Developing device and image forming apparatus - A developing device includes a developer supporting member for supporting developer and a developer charging member disposed to face the developer supporting member for charging and supplying the developer to the developer supporting member. The developer supporting member has a surface having a calculated average surface roughness Ra between 0.1 μm and 0.6 μm and a surface free energy SFE between 15 mN/m and 26 mN/m. Further, the developer charging member has an Asker F hardness Haf between 24° and 56°. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214273 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer belt having an insulating substrate layer, an electrode layer provided on the insulating substrate layer, and a semiconductor layer provided on the electrode layer; a transfer-voltage applying device that applies a predetermined bias voltage to the electrode layer of the intermediate transfer belt; and a secondary transfer roller which is in contact with the outer circumference of the intermediate transfer belt to form a nip region and to which a predetermined bias voltage is applied. The image forming apparatus has not a member that opposes the secondary transfer roller to nip the intermediate transfer belt therebetween. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214274 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A belt unit having a belt stretched by a plurality of rollers is removably mounted in an image forming apparatus. A pressure removing member moves a tension roller for applying tension to the belt from a first position to apply the tension to the belt to a second position to remove the tension from the belt. After the belt unit is positioned and mounted in the apparatus body by engaging the rollers with positioning portions in an apparatus body frame in a state in which the tension roller is moved to the second position by the pressure removing member, the tension is applied to the belt by moving the tension roller to the first position by the pressure removing member. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214275 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EQUIPPED THEREWITH - A fixing apparatus includes a pair of fixing sections pressed against each other and including a fixing roller having a heater lamp incorporated therein and a pressure roller; an endless belt for heating the surface of the fixing roller by bringing a heating nip portion into contact with the fixing roller; and a plurality of support rollers supporting the endless belt therearound so as to give tension, and each having a heater lamp incorporated therein. The endless belt has a thickness of 0.08 mm or more and 0.14 mm or less, and the heating nip portion is formed in an angular range of 50° or more and 90° or less around a center axis of the fixing roller. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214276 | CLEANING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A cleaning device for cleaning residual toner that, in an image forming device of an intermediate transfer type, remains on an outer circumferential surface of an intermediate transfer member after a transfer. The cleaning device includes: a charging brush operable to contact with and charge the residual toner; and a cleaner that is disposed downstream of the charging brush in a toner transport direction of the intermediate transfer member, and is operable to electrostatically adsorb the charged residual toner, wherein electrically conductive bristles have been planted randomly in the charging brush to be distributed evenly in density. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214277 | DEVELOPER STORAGE DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developer storage device and an image forming apparatus having the same include a developer storage part including a first storage part and a second storage part having widths different from each other, and a first developer conveying member to convey a developer stored in the first storage part to the second storage part in a diagonal direction. The first developer conveying member includes conveying elements extended slantingly with respect to a width direction of the developer storage part. An angle between the conveying elements and the width direction of the developer storage part is determined depending on relative positions of the first storage part and the second storage part. Accordingly, the developer storage device can effectively convey a developer by designing the developer conveying member adequately for an overall shape or structure of the developer storage device. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214278 | SHEET CONVEYING APPARATUS - A sheet conveying apparatus is provided with a decurling mechanism to correct a curl formed on a sheet; a pair of guides including a first guide member and a second guide member arranged to oppose to the first guide member, the pair of guides constituting a conveyance passage to guide a sheet discharged from the decurling mechanism toward the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction; and an auxiliary guide arranged to protrude obliquely in the sheet conveying direction from the side of the first guide member toward the second guide member to a predetermined position in the conveyance passage. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214279 | Medium Ejection Apparatus and Image Forming Apparatus - A medium ejection apparatus is provided which may be part of an image forming apparatus. The medium ejection apparatus may include an ejection roller configured to eject a recording medium and a pinch roller disposed opposite to the ejection roller. The pinch roller is configured to move toward and away from the ejection roller and to press a recording medium toward the ejection roller. Also, the medium ejection apparatus may include an elastic member configured to press the pinch roller toward the ejection roller and a lever disposed downstream of the pinch roller in a recording medium transport direction. The lever is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position. When the lever is in the second position, the lever contacts the pinch roller, which causes a force to be applied against the elastic member, and the pinch roller is spaced away from the ejection roller. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214280 | PORTABLE PRINTER AND METHODS - This is disclosed a portable printer that is easy to load with an ink ribbon cartridge and record members web supplies, that is simple, has relatively few parts, is lightweight and has a small footprint. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214281 | PORTABLE PRINTER AND METHODS - This is disclosed a portable printer that is easy to load with an ink ribbon cartridge and record members web supplies, that is simple, has relatively few parts, is lightweight and has a small footprint. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214282 | HOUSING AND RECORDING APPARATUS - A housing includes a hollow body case having a communicating portion that communicates the interior and the exterior with each other; a first shaft accommodated in the body case and supporting a recording medium wound into roll form; and a second shaft accommodated in the body case and taking up the recording medium that is let out from the interior of the body case to the exterior from the first shaft via the communicating portion and again introduced from the exterior of the body case into the interior via the communicating portion. The second shaft is movable relative to the body case so that the shortest distance to the inner circumferential surface of the body case increases as the second shaft takes up the recording medium. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214283 | DEVICE FOR PACKAGING AND DISPENSING A PRODUCT - A Device for packaging and applying a product over a bodily application surface is provided. The device includes a dispenser opening and projecting elements that are distinct from the product. The projecting elements extend into the dispenser opening and are positioned at a distance from a rim that delimits the dispenser opening. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214284 | Applicator for applying a cosmetic product to keratinous material - An applicator for applying a product to keratinous material, may include a rod and an application member fixed to one end of the rod. The application member may include a core extending from the rod and being fixed relative to the rod. The application member also may include an outer casing including a fixation zone and an application zone. The outer casing may define an inner cavity in which the core is located, and the outer casing may be fixed to one end of the rod at the fixation zone. The outer casing may be free relative to the core, at least over part of the application zone. In addition, the fixation zone of the outer casing may be fixed to the rod and to the core between portions of the rod and the core. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214285 | Cosmetic holders with removable reservoir - A holder for cosmetic products having a hollow shell housing a removable reservoir containing a cosmetic composition. The removable reservoir is disposable or reusable. The removable reservoir comes with a replaceable applicator for the composition contained in the removable reservoir. The replaceable applicator has a handle acting as a cover for the removable reservoir. The handle inserts into an outer cover having an outside surface matching and complimenting the outside surface of the hollow shell. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214286 | Boot for constant velocity universal joint - The present invention provides a boot for a constant velocity universal joint that is compact in shape and can prevent a bellows section from becoming caught at an inner ring opening section. The present invention is the boot for a constant velocity universal joint including a large diameter section | 2009-08-27 |
20090214287 | CONNECTOR STRUCTURE WITH LOCK MECHANISM - A connector structure securely connectable in a locked state and releasable by an easy operation, comprising a supplying connection part for supplying a fluid and receiving connection part for receiving the supply of fluid. The connector structure also comprises a securing mechanism having an operating member moving according to a connecting operation between the supplying connection part to the receiving connection part, holding the connected state of the supplying part to the receiving part in a securely locked state and releasing the locked state of the supplying part to the receiving part by movement of the operating member according to the next pressing-in operation of the supplying part and an energizing mechanism energizing the supplying part in the separating direction thereof from the receiving part. When in the locked state, the pressurized fluid can be supplied from the supplying connection part to the receiving connection part. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214288 | Oil Boom QUick Release/Install Apparatus - A quick release/install device for attaching any oil containing boom to any wharf or pier. An oil boom bracket with a removable retaining pin loosely holds the boom wall. Each of a series of brackets is attached to a vertical cable system on each piling that allows movement with tidal changes and waves. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214289 | DEVICE FOR FASTENING AN ADD-ON PART TO A SUPPORT PART - A device according to the invention for fastening an add-on part ( | 2009-08-27 |
20090214290 | Multi-sided shaft tapered locking hub apparatus - A multi-sided shaft and locking hub apparatus, wherein the locking hub includes an inner hub having a multi-sided inner surface extending around a center hole for receiving the shaft for preventing rotation therebetween, the inner hub including a tapered outer surface, and being cut through, and an outer hub having a tapered inner surface defining a central hole for receiving the inner hub such that the tapered surfaces abut, the outer hub including a multi-sided inner surface defining an extension of the center hole therethrough for receiving the multi-sided shaft with the sides of the inner surface of the outer hub in non-rotating relation, and the tapered surfaces including opposing inner and outer half-holes at spaced locations therearound, for cooperatively receiving threaded members, outer half-holes at some of the spaced locations being threaded so as to be threadedly engageable with the threaded members for pressing the inner and outer hubs together while compressing the inner hub, and the inner half-holes at others of the spaced locations being threadedly engageable with the threaded members for jacking the inner and outer hubs apart. | 2009-08-27 |
20090214291 | Set of components used to fabricate enclosed and elevated roadways that are intended for use by bicycles, other small vehicles and pedestrians; and a process, utilizing said components, for planning and designing such a roadway - This invention discloses a set of components that have been designed and engineered and have functionalities, dimensions and structural properties specifically intended to enable selected combinations of the components to be assembled into modular sections of an enclosed and elevated roadway suitable for bicycles, other small vehicles and pedestrian walkways. Such modular sections can, in turn, be joined together and interconnected so as to form a network of roadways that include main thoroughfares and branches and other desired functions such as rest stops and parking facilities. Furthermore, the disclosed set of components enables a process to plan, design, engineer and configure networks of enclosed and elevated roadways to serve a specific municipality, campus, military base or any other geographical region. | 2009-08-27 |