48th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 27 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090290837 | OPTICAL DEVICES FOR COUPLING OF LIGHT - An optical device and an optical system are provided for coupling of light. The optical device comprises a planar substrate; and an optical waveguiding layer disposed on the planar substrate. The optical waveguiding layer comprises a grating portion for coupling light between a planar waveguide and an optical fiber; and a tapered guiding portion for converting the mode size between the fiber and the planar waveguide. The grating portion comprises a first grating section having non-uniform periods. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290838 | MPO TYPE OPTICAL FIBER ADAPTER - An MPO type optical fiber adapter according to the present invention is provided. The main body of the MPO type adapter is unitary thereby avoiding the prior art problem that the stresses cause the two halves of the adapter to separate from each other after time. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290839 | OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR AND ADAPTER - An optical fiber connector and adapter according to the present invention are provided. At least one indentation is formed on the connector and a protrusion mating with the indentation is formed within the adapter thereby physically limiting the insertion of a connector into a particular adapter. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290840 | Method and Apparatus for Guiding Optical Energy - Embodiments herein provide an optical apparatus for focusing and guiding optical energy. An optical apparatus may include a dielectric fiber, a group of metallic wires embedded within the dielectric fiber, and a layer of metal covering an outer surface of the dielectric fiber. The metallic wires may be organized in a converging/diverging manner to guide optical waves. Other embodiments may be disclosed and claimed. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290841 | Reduced Bend Sensitivity and Catastrophic Bend Loss In Single Mode Optical Fibers and Method of Making Same - An optical fiber that is relatively insensitive to bend loss and alleviates the problem of catastrophic bend loss comprises a core region and a cladding region configured to support and guide the propagation of light in a fundamental transverse mode. The cladding region includes (i) an outer cladding region, (ii) an annular pedestal (or ring) region, (iii) an annular inner trench region, and (iv) an annular outer trench region. The pedestal region and the outer cladding region each have a refractive index relatively close to that of the outer cladding region. In order to suppress HOMs the pedestal region is configured to resonantly couple at least one (unwanted) transverse mode of the core region (other than the fundamental mode) to at least one transverse mode of the pedestal region. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber is configured so that, at a signal wavelength of approximately 1550 nm, its bend loss is no more than about 0.1 dB/turn at bend radius of 5 mm and is no more than about 0.02 dB/turn at a bend radius of 10 mm. In addition, in one embodiment, the core region also includes an inner core region and an annular outer core (or shelf) region surrounding the inner core region. The outer core region extends radially a distance of less than 9 μm from the fiber axis. In another embodiment, the inner trench region includes an annular inner portion and an annular outer (or step) portion surrounding said inner portion. The refractive index of the step portion is greater than that of the inner portion. In a preferred embodiment, both of the foregoing features of the core region and the inner trench region are incorporated in the fiber. Also described are multi-tube fabrication techniques for making such fibers. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290842 | FIBER OPTIC SPLICE TRAY - A splice tray includes a splice region and a fiber management region to facilitate splicing together two or more fibers. The splice tray can be pivotally coupled to one or more additional splice trays using pivot linkages to form a splice tray arrangement. A pivot linkage can include first and second laterally spaced coupling sections extending in opposite directions. A magnetic coupling arrangement can releasably secure the splice trays of a splice tray arrangement to one another. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290843 | FIBER DISTRIBUTION HUB - A fiber distribution hub includes a frame within the enclosure, the frame having a swinging portion configured to pivot from a first position to a second position. The fiber distribution hub also includes a subscriber termination field mounted on the swinging portion; at least one optical splitter mounted on the frame; and a pigtail fiber routed from the optical splitter. The swinging portion swings from the first position to the second position without increasing a distance for routing the pigtail fiber from the optical splitter to a first front termination connection. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290844 | TAP-OFF CLOSURE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING THE SAME - A fiber optic cable connection assembly includes an enclosure housing and a fiber optic cable. The enclosure housing defines a chamber and a fiber handling region disposed in the chamber. The fiber optic cable has a lengthwise cable axis and including a plurality of cable optical fibers, a jacket surrounding the cable optical fibers and a strength member extending through the jacket. The cable includes an arcuately bent cable segment disposed in the chamber. The bent cable segment defines a cable plane and an interior region within the arc of the bent cable segment. At least one of the cable optical fibers extends fully through the enclosure housing uncut. The strength member extends fully through the enclosure housing uncut. The fiber handling region is disposed in the interior region. At least one of the cable optical fibers is removed from the bent cable segment and routed into the fiber handling region where at least a portion of the removed cable optical fiber is stored and/or spliced to another optical fiber. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290845 | HOUSING FOR OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE FERRULE - A housing ( | 2009-11-26 |
20090290846 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECORDING IMAGE IN ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A method and an apparatus for recording an image in an electronic apparatus are provided. The method includes extracting an image frame recorded last when a recording is temporarily suspended, when the recording restarts, determining whether an image frame input from a sensor, and the extracted image frame correspond with each other, and when the two image frames correspond with each other, automatically restarting the recording. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290847 | MANUAL VOICE ANNOTATIONS FOR CCTV REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION - The present invention provides systems and methods for adding voice annotations to CCTV video to aid in incident reporting and investigation. Reviewers and investigators are provided with the ability to record their impressions of an incident by encoding overlapped audio tracks on to a video clip. These overlapped tracks could be multiple in number, enabled or disabled by the listener or subsequent reviewer, without tampering with the content of the originally recorded video or audio. Each audio track represents a voice annotation, and may be assigned to a hierarchical level. The reviewer is provided with the ability to review the video clip along with existing voice annotations while recording the new voice annotation. The resultant overlapped clip file could be made proprietary or stored using a common-codec (like MPEG, MJPEG, AVI, etc) and may be stored on a computer-readable medium. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290848 | Method and System for Generating a Replay Video - A plurality of cameras are controlled to follow a common moving target in a three dimensional environment such that each camera generates a video feed comprising a plurality of video segments captured sequentially. Each video segment comprises a static image of the target at a respective point in time. A resulting video is generated by selecting a sequence of video segments which may include video segments from different cameras and at the same or different points in time to create various video effects. The recorded video segments are categorized for later recall according to camera identification and point in time to allow for instantaneous recall for producing video replays from a variety of camera angles during a live event. Auxiliary video segments can be computer generated for insertion between video segments captured by the cameras for smoothing the appearance of the resulting video. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290849 | Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image playback apparatus, image playback method, and program - An image processing apparatus controls display of a plurality of pieces of image data containing both moving image data and still image data, and includes: a moving image/still image determining unit that determines whether or not image data to be displayed is the moving image data or the still image data, when in a continuous display mode that displays the plurality of pieces of image data continuously in a predetermined sequence; and a display control unit that starts display control of the next image in response to finishing of display of all of the moving image data when the image data to be displayed is the moving image data, and starts display control of the next image data in response to finishing of display of the still image data for a predetermined time when the image data to be displayed is the still image data. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290850 | Content Server Systems and Methods - In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation, a content server system includes a remote content server including content license information; and a local content player coupled to the remote content server by a network, the local content player requiring verification of a license by a user of the local content player as administered by the remote content server. In an alternate embodiment the network includes a local area network. In another alternate embodiment, the network includes the Internet. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290851 | Video Information Outputting Apparatus, Video Information Receiving Apparatus, Video Information Outputting Method and Video Information Transmitting Method - According to a video information outputting apparatus, a video information receiving apparatus, a video information outputting method and a video information transmitting method, for receiving and outputting digital video information. The digital information is outputted in the same quality as it is, when it is certificated that an external apparatus operates according to a copy control information, while no information limited on copying thereof is outputted when it is not. It thereby prevents the information, which is outputted from the video information outputting apparatus to an external apparatus, from being used in other purposes than the original object thereof, thereby giving disadvantages onto the producer and/or copyright owner of the information. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290852 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DETECT A TIME-SHIFT EVENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRESENTATION OF MEDIA CONTENT - Methods and apparatus to detect a time-shift event associated with the presentation of media content are disclosed. A disclosed system generates a first metering event representative of a first time period in which a program was continuously presented and a second metering event representative of a second time period in which a program was continuously presented. A time-shift detector receives the first and second metering events and calculates a presentation gap value and a broadcast time jump value. The time-shift detector compares the presentation gap value and the broadcast time jump value to determine whether a pause event, a fast forward event or a rewind event occurred. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290853 | METHOD FOR REPRODUCING DATA RECORDED ON AN INTERACTIVE RECORDING MEDIUM IN CONJUNCTION WITH ASSOCIATED AUXILIARY DATA - A method for reproducing data recorded on an interactive recording medium in conjunction with associated auxiliary data is disclosed. An interactive recording medium reproducing apparatus reproduces A/V data recorded on an interactive recording medium such as an interactive DVD in conjunction with contents data provided by a contents providing server using navigation information for the contents data also provided by the contents providing server, thereby allowing synchronized reproduction of data from different sources. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290854 | Method of Asynchronous Image and Audio Recording - A method configured according to the invention receives a user input. Then a recording of an audio file and a corresponding audio timer are initiated. When the audio timer times out, the recording of the audio file is ended, and an image file is captured. In an embodiment of the invention, the audio recording is ended and the image file is captured if the audio timer times out prior to receiving a second user input. In an embodiment of the invention, if the audio timer does not time out prior to receiving a second user input, an image file is captured. In an embodiment of the invention, if the audio timer does not time out prior to receiving a third user input, then the recording of the audio file is ended. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290855 | Apparatus And Method For Recording Video Data - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of recording a video data stream formed of key frames interposed by a plurality of delta frames, comprising decoding received video frames, determining whether a received key frame is available to form an initial key frame of stored video data and, if not, generating the initial key frame from one or more decoded video frames, and storing the initial key frame and subsequent received video frames. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290856 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING VIDEO CONTENT RECORDINGS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a digital video recorder (DVR) having a controller to record video content supplied by a media communication system, establish a threshold for utilization of a memory resource of the DVR, detect a utilization of the memory resource that exceeds the threshold, generate a notice describing the utilization of the memory resource at or after the time the threshold was exceeded, identify a communication identifier associated with a portable communication device, transmit the notice to the portable communication device according to the identified communication identifier, and receive a response message from the portable communication device that includes one or more instructions to manage the memory resource of the DVR. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290857 | REPRODUCTION DEVICE - An up-converter ( | 2009-11-26 |
20090290858 | Steam Generating Apparatus With Water-Cooled Solid State Switch - A steam generating system for use in a steam bath includes thermostatically controlled steam generating means for maintaining the steam bath environment at a desired temperature, means defining a water inlet path for conducting water from a water supply to the steam generating means, said inlet-defining means including an area of highly thermally-conductive material in thermal contact with the water. The thermostatically controlled steam generating means includes an electrically powered heating element, and a solid state switching device for controlling the amount of electricity flowing in the heating element. The solid state switching device is in thermal contact with said highly thermally-conductive material so that the switching device is cooled via heat transfer to the water flowing in the inlet path. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290859 | Image pickup device and method of correcting camera shake of the image pickup device - The present invention provides an image pickup device having: an image pickup component, a focal length computing component, a shutter speed computing component, a camera shake correction judging component, and a camera shake correcting component. The focal length computing component computes a focal length of an optical system. The shutter speed computing component computes a shutter speed of the image pickup component. At a time when the shutter speed computed by the shutter speed computing component is greater than a reciprocal of the focal length computed by the focal length computing component, the camera shake correction judging component judges that camera shake correction is to be carried out, and, at a time when the shutter speed is less than or equal to the reciprocal of the focal length, the camera shake correction judging component judges that camera shake correction is not to be carried out. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290860 | MONITORING CAMERA DEVICE - There is provided a monitoring camera apparatus which, while ensuring waterproofness, can perform focus adjustment when a dome cover is mounted. A lens ( | 2009-11-26 |
20090290861 | FLASH DEVICE AND IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE HAVING SAME - A flash device includes a flash module and a color wheel. The flash module includes a flash lamp and a trigger circuit for triggering the flash lamp. The color wheel includes a color filter disk. The color filter disk includes a number of filter segments, wherein each of the filter segments is capable of being inserted into the light-emitting path of the flash lamp by rotation the color filter disk. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290862 | Camera Body and Imaging Apparatus - A camera body is provided, to which an interchangeable lens is mountable, the interchangeable lens including a diaphragm and capable of sending driving speed information of the diaphragm. The camera body has a receiving unit operable to receive the driving speed information of the diaphragm from the interchangeable lens, an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image formed by the interchangeable lens to generate image data, a controller operable to set an imaging condition for the imaging unit, and a sending unit operable to send a control signal for changing brightness information of the interchangeable lens to the interchangeable lens. The controller sets the imaging condition for a period from a start to an end of a driving of the diaphragm according to the received driving speed information of the diaphragm when the sending unit sends the control signal to the interchangeable lens. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290863 | Viewfinder and imaging apparatus using the same - The present invention provides a viewfinder, characterized by comprising a reflection type display device on which an object image is displayed, an eyepiece optical system having a front group and a rear group, an illumination optical system for illuminating the reflection type display device and an optical device for putting an optical path taken by the illumination optical system over an optical path from said reflection type display device to the eyepiece optical system at a position of the widest of lens-to-lens spaces in the eyepiece optical system. The eyepiece optical system is located between the reflection type display device and an eye point, and satisfies the following condition (1): | 2009-11-26 |
20090290864 | Viewing optical system and imaging apparatus using the same - The invention provides a viewing optical system positioned between a viewing plane as a virtual plane and an eye point. The viewing optical system comprises, in order from the viewing plane side, a cemented lens in which at least one negative lens and at least one positive lens are cemented together and one positive lens, and satisfies the following condition (1). | 2009-11-26 |
20090290865 | ZINC OXIDE NANO-WIRE BASED ACTUATOR, LENS MODULE USING SAME AND CAMERA MODULE USING SAME - An exemplary zinc oxide nano-wire based actuator includes a first electrode, a second electrode opposite to the first electrode, and a zinc oxide nano-wire layer sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode. The zinc oxide nano-wire layer includes two opposite surfaces in contact with the first and the second electrodes respectively, and a plurality of zinc oxide nano-wires substantially parallel to each other. The first electrode and the second electrode are configured for cooperatively creating therebetween an electric field with an electric field direction substantially parallel to the zinc oxide nano-wires so as to adjust a thickness of the zinc oxide nano-wire layer, thereby moving the second electrode relative to the first electrode. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290866 | Communication recovering system for wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network - A communication recovering system for a wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM PON). The communication recovering system can recover fault of optical fibers between the central office and the remote nodes without additional optical fibers by grouping two remote nodes and employing an AWG having periodic transmission characteristics, and can also simply and rapidly recover such a fault with minimal optical loss using an AWG of 2×N structure and an On-Off optical switch, although protection optical fibers are additionally installed therein. The system can rapidly recover fault of optical fibers between a local office and optical network units, 1:N manner, using 2×2 optical switches, which are installed to each of the optical network units, a reserved transmitter and receiver, and a transceiver. The communication recovering system has advantages in that it can simplify network structure, be cost-effectively implemented, reduce optical loss, and rapidly perform protection of optical fiber fault. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290867 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHANNEL PROTECTION SWITCHING OF OPTICAL NETWORK DEVICE - A method for channel protection switching of an optical network device, an Optical Transport Network (OTN) device, and a Passive Optical Network (PON) device is provided. The method includes detecting, by the PON device, whether an OTN alarm indication signal is received after discovering a fault. If the OTN alarm indication signal is received, the alarm generated by the PON device is screened so that the PON device does not perform channel protection switching. The PON device detects whether an OTN alarm indication signal is received, and screens off the alarm generated by the PON device so that the PON does not generate futile alarms or lead to futile switching when the OTN fails but the PON works normally. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290868 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING TEST DATA - A method for transmitting test data includes: an optical network unit (ONU) determining whether its current situation satisfies a preset condition, and if so, the ONU transmitting its test data to an optical line terminal (OLT). A method for acquiring a test data, an ONU, an OLT, and a passive optical network (PON) system are also provided. According to the method for transmitting test data, the method for acquiring test data, the ONU, the OLT, and the PON system provided by the present invention, the ONU may transmit its test data in real time, and the OLT may also obtain the ONU test data in real time, which helps to the real-time monitoring on the network status of the PON. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290869 | VEHICLE-MOUNTED RECEIVER APPARATUS - An in-vehicle receiving apparatus to receive transmitted data from an on-road device having a reference position setting device to set a position satisfying a predetermined reception condition, as a reference position; a real receiving situation acquiring device to acquire a receiving situation of the transmitted data in a zone from the reference position set by the reference position setting device, to a predetermined position; a designed receiving situation estimating device to estimate a receiving situation of the transmitted data in a zone from a design position to the predetermined position when the predetermined reception condition is satisfied at the design position; and an error calculating device to calculate a distance error of the reference position from the design position, based on the receiving situation acquired by the real receiving situation acquiring device and the receiving situation estimated by the designed receiving situation estimating device. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290870 | Apparatus and method for adjusting optical signals - An optical signal adjustment apparatus detects an optical signal intensity level of signal light components with multiple different wavelengths for each of the wavelengths in an optical detection unit and adjusts the signal light components with the wavelengths for each of the wavelengths in a variable optical attenuator to make the optical signal intensity levels of the signal light components uniform. The apparatus includes a control unit configured to successively select a detection signal associated with each of the wavelengths from the optical detection unit and generate a control signal for the wavelength based on the selected detection signal. The control signal generated by the control unit is supplied to the variable optical attenuator associated with the selected detection signal. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290871 | SIGNAL-LIGHT IDENTIFYING APPARATUS, WDM TRANSCEIVER, AND METHOD OF IDENTIFYING SIGNAL LIGHT - Spectral components of input signal light is partially removed by allowing the input signal light regulated to predetermined power to pass through an optical filter, and the rate of the input signal light is identified in response to the power of the signal light passing through the optical filter. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290872 | Broadband optical network apparatus and method - Methods and apparatus for providing enhanced optical networking service and performance which are particularly advantageous in terms of low cost and use of existing infrastructure, access control techniques, and components. In the exemplary embodiment, current widespread deployment and associated low cost of Ethernet-based systems are leveraged through use of an Ethernet CSMA/CD MAC in the optical domain on a passive optical network (PON) system. Additionally, local networking services are optionally provided to the network units on the PON since each local receiver can receive signals from all other users. An improved symmetric coupler arrangement provides the foregoing functionality at low cost. The improved system architecture also allows for fiber failure protection which is readily implemented at low cost and with minimal modification. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290873 | Optical communication system - An optical communicating apparatus that is connected to another optical communicating apparatus by a two-core optical transmission path includes: a one-core optical transmission path that passes an optical signal transmitted from an optical transmitter/receiver performing one-core bilateral communication and an optical signal transmitted to the optical transmitter/receiver in an opposite direction; a transmitting unit that transmits the optical signal transmitted from the optical transmitter/receiver through the one-core optical transmission path, to the other optical communicating apparatus through a first core of the two-core optical transmission path; and a receiving unit that receives the optical signal transmitted from the other communicating apparatus through a second core of the two-core optical transmission path, and passes the received optical signal to the one-core optical transmission path. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290874 | MONITORING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR POLARIZATION SCRAMBLER AND OPTICAL TRANSMISSION APPARATUS - There are provided a polarized light passing device to pass therethrough specific polarized light, of output light of a polarization scrambler; and a detecting unit to detect a modulation component according to a frequency of a polarization control signal from the light which passes through the polarized light passing device. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290875 | Broadband optical network apparatus and method - Methods and apparatus for providing enhanced optical networking service and performance which are particularly advantageous in terms of low cost and use of existing infrastructure, access control techniques, and components. In the exemplary embodiment, current widespread deployment and associated low cost of Ethernet-based systems are leveraged through use of an Ethernet CSMA/CD MAC in the optical domain on a passive optical network (PON) system. Additionally, local networking services are optionally provided to the network units on the PON since each local receiver can receive signals from all other users. An improved symmetric coupler arrangement provides the foregoing functionality at low cost. The improved system architecture also allows for fiber failure protection which is readily implemented at low cost and with minimal modification. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290876 | Light Receiver, Optical Communication System and Method - A receiver includes wavelength demultiplexer for demultiplexing a received WDM light into light signals at respective central frequencies thereof, delay interferometer for converting a light signal output from wavelength demultiplexer into an intensity signal, and light detector for converting an output signal from delay interferometer into an electric signal. The interval between interferential frequencies of delay interferometer is 2/(2n+1) times the interval between the central frequencies of the WDM light. Logic inverting circuit outputs the output signal from the light detector while non-inverting or inverting the logic level thereof depending on the received central frequency. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290877 | Monitoring for High Speed OFDM Signal Transmission - A method includes coupling an optical signal upconverted to a higher frequency and a digital signal having a bit rate similar to that of a subchannel of the upconverted optical signal, and obtaining, responsive to the coupling, a transmission signal with an optical carrier frequency carrying the digital signal and subchannels about the optical carrier frequency carrying the upconverted optical signal, the bit rate of the optical carrier being similar to that of the subchannels. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling includes electrically power coupling the upconverted optical signal with the digital signal, and modulating the coupled optical carrier frequency carrying the digital signal and subchannels about the optical carrier frequency carrying the upconverted optical signal. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290878 | Generating an Optical OFDM Signal with Reduced OSNR Requirement - A method for generating an optical OFDM signal with reduced optical signal to nose ratio requirement includes separating an up-converted OFDM signal into a first part and a second part out of phase with the first part; driving a modulator with the first and second parts of the of the up-converted OFDM signal; and varying a lightwave with the modulator for generating a carrier suppressed OFDM signal having improved receiver sensitivity. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290879 | WAVELENGTH DISTRIBUTION FOR OPTICAL TRANSPORT - An optical communication system includes logic to communicate using optical channels set outside a fiber zero dispersion zone, and having channel spacing that decreases with increasing distance from the fiber zero dispersion zone. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290880 | Dispersion Compensation Circuitry and System for Analog Video Transmission With Direct Modulated Laser - An improved precompensation circuit includes a greatly improved differentiator in the dispersion precompensation path, a preprocessor in the dispersion precompensation path for reducing f2−f1 type Composite Second Order (CSO) distortion, and a broadband phase shifter for compensating undesired vector interaction between the laser predistortion and dispersion compensation. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290881 | OPTICAL COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER THEREOF - An optical transceiver disposed within a cage includes a main body, a handle and a sliding element. The handle is coupled with the main body. The sliding element is secured to the handle and has an arm which is slidably disposed in a track of the main body. When the handle is rotated, the sliding element slides along the track. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290882 | OPTICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING DEVICE - Signal light, pumping light and control light having different wavelengths are input to a nonlinear optical medium. The power of the pumping light is controlled to generate a desired gain in the nonlinear optical medium. The power of the control light is controlled to saturate the gain of the nonlinear optical medium. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290883 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING TONER CONSUMPTION - An apparatus and method for controlling an amount of toner used to reproduce an image in an image forming apparatus includes receiving image data for an image to be reproduced and determining an image type for the received image data. A first toner saving function is if the determined image type is a first image type. A second toner saving function, different from the first toner saving function, is used if the determined image type is a second image type, different from the first image type. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290884 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus provided with an image forming section, including: a toner density detection section which detect a density of a toner image transferred onto an intermediate transfer member; a density correction section which executes density correction processing of the toner image forming in a case where a density value detected by the density detection section does not satisfy a predetermined condition; a toner remaining amount detector which detects a toner remaining amount of a toner accumulation section; and a determination section which determines that failure has occurred in the exposure section if the density value detected by the density detection section does not satisfy the predetermined condition after the density correction processing executed by the density correction section is terminated, and the toner remaining amount detected by the toner remaining amount detector is greater than a predetermined remaining amount. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290885 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS DISCHARGING STAYING TONER - An image forming apparatus calculates the amount of staying toner based on the amount of drive of the developer roller and the amount of toner consumed for a print job performed. When the amount of staying toner exceeds a threshold, the toner is discharged. The threshold used upon completion of image stabilization is larger than that used upon completion of a print job. Even when performing image stabilization temporarily increases the amount of staying toner in the developing device, immediate toner discharge based on that condition is prevented. Thus, toner consumption can be minimized. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290886 | DEVELOPING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING MACHINE - In the case that images having high coverage ratios are printed out continuously in a trickle developing apparatus that uses a two-component developer, the developing apparatus judges how much carrier is accumulated inside a developer tank beyond the discharge level of a trickle discharging mechanism and carries out appropriate processing before the developer overflows over a regulating gap. The developing apparatus, having stirring members for conveying and stirring a developer-tank-contained developer and a developer holder, comprises a developer replenishing tank; 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 has exceeded a predetermined amount; and calculating device for calculating the amount of the carrier existing inside the developer tank, and carries out predetermined danger avoiding operation when it has been judged using the calculating device that the integrated value of carrier obtained by integrating the amount of the carrier existing inside the developer tank is likely to exceed a predetermined excessive accommodation amount of carrier. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290887 | DEVELOPING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING MACHINE - The present invention provides a developing apparatus capable of predicting how much carrier is accumulated inside a developer tank beyond the discharge level of a trickle discharging mechanism in the case that images having high coverage ratios are printed out continuously in a trickle developing apparatus that uses a two-component developer. The developing apparatus, having stirring members for conveying and stirring a developer-tank-contained developer and a developer holder, comprises a developer replenishing tank; 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 has exceeded a predetermined amount; and calculating device for calculating the amount of the carrier existing inside the developer tank, and judges using the calculating device that the integrated value of carrier obtained by integrating the amount of the carrier existing inside the developer tank is likely to exceed a predetermined excessive accommodation amount of carrier. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290888 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a rotating hot roller, a rotating pressure roller, a heating belt that contacts the hot roller and conducts heat, a first support roller and a second support roller that are heated by a heat source, support the heating belt suspended therebetween, and conduct heat to the heating belt, a first temperature detection means that detects a first temperature of an area of the first support roller where it contacts the heating belt or an area of the heating belt where it contacts the first support roller, a second temperature detection means that detects a second temperature of an area of the second support roller where it contacts the heating belt or an area of the heating belt where it contacts the second support roller, and a means for detecting rotation stoppage of one of the support rollers. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290889 | TRANSFER DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD OF TRANSFER DEVICE - A transfer device includes: a transfer section for transferring a toner image on an image carrier onto a sheet passing through a nip portion which is formed between the transfer section and the image carrier; an application section for applying a voltage to the transfer section; and a control section for controlling the application section, wherein the control section controls the application section to apply a voltage having an opposite polarity to a transfer polarity to the transfer section since a leading edge of the sheet in a conveyance direction advances into the nip portion until a predetermined non image area of the sheet has passed through the nip portion, and then switch to apply a voltage having the transfer polarity from the voltage having the opposite polarity to the transfer section while a non image area of the sheet passes through the nip portion. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290890 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image forming apparatus of the invention conveys paper fed by a paper feeding mechanism piece by piece to a paper discharging unit through a paper conveying path. An image forming unit is arranged in a midway portion of this paper conveying path and executes an image forming process for printing an image based on image data on paper being conveyed. A sensor that detects a type of the paper conveyed is arranged on an upstream side with respect to the image forming unit on the paper conveying path. Image forming process conditions for the image forming unit are set in accordance with a detection result of the sensor. When the paper fed to the paper conveying path is paper not detected by the sensor, the image forming process is started awaiting a detection result by the sensor. On the other hand, when the paper is detected by the sensor, the image forming process is started without awaiting paper type detection. Moreover, paper being conveyed is conveyed to the image forming unit, in which the image forming process is started, in synchronization with a printing operation of the image forming unit. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290891 | CURING OF PHOTO-CURABLE PRINTING PLATES USING A LIGHT TUNNEL OF MIRRORED WALLS AND HAVING A POLYGONAL CROSS-SECTION LIKE A KALEIDOSCOPE - An apparatus, a method, and a plate made by the method, e.g., using the apparatus. The apparatus includes a light tunnel of light reflective walls with polygonal cross-section like a kaleidoscope, and a light source, located at one end to produce light radiation to the inside of the light tunnel towards the other end. Light entering the light tunnel towards an inner reflective surface of a wall is reflected off the inner reflective surface so that it can emerge from the other end to cure a plate having photo-curable material thereon. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290892 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing a toner image, a transfer member for forming a transfer portion for transferring the toner image onto a recording material in contact with the image bearing member, a vibration imparting portion for imparting vibration at a variable frequency to the recording material having passed through the transfer portion, and a control portion for controlling the frequency by the vibration imparting portion so that the frequency is decreased with an increasing length of the recording material having passed through the transfer portion during a process of passing the recording material through the transfer portion. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290893 | Temperature control method for fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same - A temperature control method for use in a fixing device that fixes a toner image on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip defined between a fixing member and a pressure member includes temperature detection, heater control, and duty control execution. The temperature detection detects a temperature of the fixing member with a temperature detector. The heater control controls operation of a heater of the fixing device by changing a duty thereof according to the detected temperature. The duty control execution executes a heater duty control to change a heater duty for a current control cycle discontinuously from that for a previous control cycle when the current control cycle precedes entry of the recording sheet into the fixing nip by a given period of time. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290894 | OUTPUT CONTROL DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND OUTPUT CONTROL METHOD - A storage unit stores therein a first correction amount and a second correction amount for correcting a first output amount of a first device. A correcting unit corrects, when the first output amount is smaller than a first target value, the first output amount based on a second output amount of a second device that is operated by the first output amount, a second target value of the second output amount, and the first correction amount, and otherwise, the first output amount based on the second correction amount. A control unit controls the first device to output the first output amount that is corrected by the correcting unit. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290895 | METHOD FOR PRINT ENGINE SYNCHRONIZATION - A print engine synchronization method enables the movement of a first print engine dielectric support member (DSM) having one or more image frames as well as the movement of a second print engine DSM having one or more image frames by monitoring a first frame signal from the moving first print engine DSM and a second frame signal from the moving second print engine DSM. An offset is determined for each of corresponding pairs of frames from the one or more image frames of the first and second print engine DSM and the determined offset for each corresponding pair of frames is compared to a target offset to maintain synchronization between the first and second print engines on a frame by frame basis by adjusting a second print engine DSM velocity based on the comparison of the determined offset and the target offset. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290896 | PRINT ENGINE SYNCHRONIZATION SYSTEM AND APPARATUS - A print engine synchronization system apparatus enables the movement of a first print engine dielectric support member (DSM) having one or more image frames as well as the movement of a second print engine DSM having one or more image frames by monitoring a first frame signal from the moving first print engine DSM and a second frame signal from the moving second print engine DSM. An offset is determined for each of corresponding pairs of frames from the one or more image frames of the first and second print engine DSM and the determined offset for each corresponding pair of frames is compared to a target offset to maintain synchronization between the first and second print engines on a frame by frame basis by adjusting a second print engine DSM velocity based on the comparison of the determined offset and the target offset. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290897 | VOLATILE CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE CATCHING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A color multifunction printer of the present invention includes a volatile chemical substance catching device, provided in an exhaust duct provided above a fixing unit, which generates an electric field in an atmosphere with use of an electric-field generating and catching member, which attracts volatile chemical substances contained in the atmosphere to a surface of the electric-field generating and catching member by the action of the electric field, and which catches the volatile chemical substances. This makes it possible to realize a volatile chemical substance catching device and an electronic apparatus that hardly suffer from aged deterioration in performance and can catch volatile chemical compounds such as VOCs and odors over a long period of time. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290898 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING PARTICULATE MATTER DEPOSITION ON CONTACT SURFACES - An element, or elements, of a collection chamber which may remove excess deposition of particulate matter without interrupting or otherwise disturbing the normal operation of the device are provided. These elements may oscillate within a collection chamber and substantially remove any particulate matter which may be deposited, and accumulate, within the collection chamber over time. Such an oscillation and removal of undesirably deposited particulate matter may be performed without substantially interfering with the ability of particulate matter to travel through the chamber or space. The element or elements may comprises but are not limited to, one or more plastic wiping elements, or one or more spring-like wire form structures. Additionally, one or more post processing systems and methods, for final disposal, transformation, or processing of the particulate matter which travels through the collection chamber may be provided. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290899 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed is an image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device to house a toner and to form a toner image on an image carrier; a transfer belt to transfer the toner image formed on the image carrier to a sheet, the transfer belt comprising an elastic layer; and a blade to remove the toner remaining on the transfer belt after the toner image has been transferred, the blade being in contact with the transfer belt, wherein the transfer belt and the blade are configured so that a stiffness of the transfer belt is larger than a stiffness of the blade, in a temperature range which is no higher than a glass transition temperature of the toner. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290900 | Developing Device, Image Forming Apparatus, and Method of Manufacturing Developing Device - A developing device includes: a housing that stores toner therein; a toner carrying roller that is attached to the housing by a shaft and is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction while carrying charged toner on a surface of the toner carrying roller to transport the toner to the outside of the housing; and a seal member that extends in a direction of a rotation axis of the toner carrying roller and has one end fixed to the housing and the other end in contact with the surface of the toner carrying roller to prevent the toner from leaking out of the housing, wherein a plurality of convex portions having top surfaces constituting a part of the same cylindrical surface are formed on the surface of the toner carrying roller, and at least a part of the seal member in contact with the surface of the toner carrying roller is made of a material having a contact angle of 105° or more with respect to water. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290901 | DEVELOPMENT DEVICE - A development device includes an open-ended housing, a rotatable roller, an array of multiple primary electrodes, a voltage source, a sealing member, and a secondary electrode. The housing accommodates toner for application to the photoconductive surface through an end opening thereof. The roller has an outer circumferential surface to deliver the toner from within the housing to a development zone. The array of multiple primary electrodes are aligned with each other on the roller surface. The voltage source applies a periodic pulse voltage to at least a subset of the primary electrodes to generate an oscillating primary electric field. The sealing member seals clearance between the roller surface and an edge of the end opening downstream from the development zone. The secondary electrode generates a secondary electric field to force the toner from the sealing member toward the roller surface to prevent premature removal of the toner. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290902 | MARKING ENGINE VIEWING SYSTEM - A printing system includes a housing and a marking engine within the housing for marking print media conveyed on a paper path through the housing. A viewing system, such as a window in the housing, is positioned so as to enable an observer outside the housing to view a print job in progress. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290903 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a supporting member, a movable member for moving the supporting member in a horizontal direction and upward and downward directions, an operating member for moving the movable member, and a regulating portion, the process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; process means actable on the drum; a portion to be supported for being supported by the supporting member when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus; and a portion-to-be-regulated for being regulated by being contacted by the regulating portion to regulate movement of the process cartridge in the horizontal direction, when the supporting member is moved, by movement of the movable member by operation of the operating member and in the horizontal direction and the upward direction while supporting the process cartridge, wherein when the supporting member is moved in the horizontal direction and upward direction while supporting the process cartridge, the portion-to-be-supported slides on the supporting member, and the portion-to-be-regulated slides on the regulating portion. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290904 | CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, wherein the main assembly including an opening, an urging portion, a positioning portion and a regulating portion, the cartridge includes a portion to be urged by the urging portion so as to be moved in a crossing direction which crosses an inserting direction in which the cartridge is inserted, after the cartridge is inserted into the main assembly of the apparatus through the opening; a portion to be positioned by contacting to the positioning portion by the cartridge being moved by the urging portion in the crossing direction to position the cartridge relative to the main assembly of the apparatus; and a portion to be regulated by the regulating portion so as to prevent the cartridge from moving toward an outside through the opening in a state that portion to be positioned is in contact to the positioning portion, wherein the portion to be regulated is provided at a rear end of the cartridge and is brought, by movement of the cartridge in the crossing direction by the urging portion, to a regulating position where the portion to be regulated is behind the regulating portion with respect to the inserting direction to prevent the cartridge from moving toward the outside through the opening. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290905 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - An image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording material, detachably mounts a process cartridge including a photosensitive drum, and includes first and second positioning portions respectively positioning the drum upstream and downstream with respect to a cartridge mounting direction, a coupling engaging a drum coupling and transmitting a driving force to the drum, and a support supporting the cartridge at a first position for positioning the drum to the first and second positioning portions and at a second position spacing the drum away from the first and second positioning portions to permit cartridge mounting and dismounting. The support includes a guide engaging the cartridge, and a third positioning portion limiting cartridge rotation relative to the first and second positioning portions when the coupling transmits a driving force to the drum coupling and for positioning the cartridge lower portion at an upstream position with respect to the mounting direction. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290906 | Cartridges for Reprographics Devices - A removable cartridge for a reprographics device, such as a printer, is described. The removable cartridge comprises a signature scanning unit for use in generating a signature based upon an intrinsic characteristic of an article. By providing a signature scanning unit in a replaceable cartridge, few or no modifications to the existing designs of various reprographics devices are needed. Additionally, the installation of the signature scanning unit in a reprographics device is made as easy as replacing a standard removable cartridge, such as, for example, an inkjet or toner cartridge. The addition of authorisation/identification functionality to various conventional reprographics devices can also be made by a non-technical user using various embodiments of the invention. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290907 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING MEMBER, PROCESS FOR ITS PRODUCTION, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - To provide an electrophotographic developing member which can both be kept from the sticking of a developer and be kept from being deformed by its contacting members, and can form stable images over a long period of time. An electrophotographic developing member characterized in that its surface layer satisfies the following expressions (1) to (3) where the average crosslinking density in each region of up to 100 nm in depth, from 100 nm to 200 nm in depth and from 200 nm to 300 nm in depth from the surface of the surface layer is represented by C | 2009-11-26 |
20090290908 | COUPLING PART, PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM, PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the main assembly includes a motor, a main assembly side gear for receiving driving force from the motor, a hole defined by twisted surfaces, the hole being substantially coaxial with the gear, and a main assembly side grounding contact provided in the hole, the process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; process mechanisms actable on the photosensitive drum; and a projection engageable with the twisted surfaces, the projection being provided at a longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum, wherein when the main assembly side gear rotates with the hole and projection engaged with each other, rotational driving force is transmitted from the gear to the photosensitive drum through engagement between the hole and the projection; and a cartridge side grounding contact electrically connected with the electrophotographic photosensitive drum for electrically grounding the electrophotographic photosensitive drum when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, the cartridge side grounding contact being provided on the projection so as to be electrically connectable with the main assembly side grounding contact | 2009-11-26 |
20090290909 | Liquid Developing Electrophotographic Device Roller and Liquid Developing Electrophotographic Device - An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid developing electrographic device roller suppressed in volumetric variation caused by a carrier. As a means for solving the problems, the present invention provides a liquid developing electrophotographic device roller including a shaft and an elastic material layer provided around the outer peripheral side of the shaft, wherein the elastic material layer is formed by using a polyurethane obtained by reacting a polyester polyol with a difunctional isocyanate. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290910 | TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge provided in an image forming apparatus in a removable manner for supplying toner to the image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprises a toner cartridge main body which contains the toner, a discharging opening for supplying the toner contained in the toner cartridge main body to the image forming apparatus and a shutter which opens the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is inserted in the image forming apparatus and closes the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is removed from the image forming apparatus, wherein the shutter has a concave part formed therein for engaging with a holding member which holds the shutter provided in the image forming apparatus to open and close the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is inserted in or removed from the image forming apparatus. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290911 | TONER CONTAINER - A toner container installed in an image forming apparatus includes a toner container main body having a predetermined length and in which toner is accommodated, a discharge port through which the toner is discharged from the toner container main body, a shutter which opens and closes the discharge port, a handle provided on the toner container main body, and a pressed portion provided on the toner container main body and which is pressed by the image forming apparatus to project the handle out from the image forming apparatus. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290912 | DEVELOPER APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS COMPRISING THE SAME - A developer includes a developer carrying body that carries a two-component developer having a magnetic toner and a carrier. A toner carrying body opposes the developer carrying body and receives toner from the developer carrying body. An image carrying body develops an electrostatic latent image by toner carried on the toner carrying body. A first magnetic member is inside the developer carrying body and opposes a surface of the toner carrying body. A second magnetic member is inside the toner carrying body and opposes the surface of the developer carrying body. The second magnetic member is magnetized to an opposite polarity to the first magnetic member and generates a magnetic force at least on the surface of the toner carrying body in a range of 25 mT to 40 mT in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the toner carrying body. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290913 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND DEVELOPING ROLLER - Described is a developing roller, which makes it possible to appropriately peel developer off the developing roller, even if the developing roller is a small-sized. The developing roller includes a non-magnetic developing sleeve and a magnetic member installed into an inner space of the developing sleeve and having plural magnetic poles including a peeling magnetic pole. When a reference position is defined as such a position that exhibits a maximum value of magnetic flux density to be generated in a normal direction by the peeling magnetic pole, a magnetic-flux density flat region within which the magnetic flux density is kept at substantially a constant value being closely approximate to the maximum value of the magnetic flux density and the reference position is included, exists while fulfilling an Equation indicated as follow: | 2009-11-26 |
20090290914 | TRANSFER BELT DRIVING CONTROL METHOD AND TRANSFER BELT DRIVING CONTROL APPARATUS FOR COLOR REGISTRATION CORRECTION - A transfer belt driving control method and transfer belt driving control apparatus for color registration correction. The color registration correction method and apparatus performs the color registration correction by setting a pattern forming section, in which patterns for the color registration correction are able to be formed, and a non-pattern forming section, in which the patterns are not able to be formed, on a transfer belt in which the patterns are formed, performing the color registration correction by driving the transfer belt at a first speed in the pattern forming section, and driving the transfer belt at a second speed, which is faster than the first speed, in the non-pattern forming section. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290915 | HEATING ROTATING BODY, HEATING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A heating rotating body includes: a rotating body that generates heat due to electromagnetic induction in a magnetic field and whose magnetic permeability starts to decrease continuously from a magnetic permeability change start temperature that is in a temperature region that is greater than or equal to a set temperature and less than or equal to a heat-resistant temperature, and an eddy current cutting-off structure that is formed on the rotating body and cuts-off a portion of eddy current generated by the electromagnetic induction. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290916 | HEATING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A heating device includes: a magnetic field generating unit generating a magnetic field; a heat-generating member generating heat due to electromagnetic induction of the magnetic field, and having a heat-generating layer of a thickness that is thinner than a skin depth; a temperature-sensitive member including a temperature-sensitive magnetic member whose magnetic permeability starts to decrease continuously from a magnetic permeability change start temperature that is in a temperature region that is greater than or equal to a set temperature and less than or equal to a heat-resistant temperature; and an approaching/separating mechanism maintaining the temperature-sensitive member in a state of being separated from the heat-generating member until before a temperature of the temperature-sensitive member reaches the set temperature, and causing the temperature-sensitive member to contact the heat-generating member at and after the time when the temperature-sensitive member reaches the set temperature. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290917 | HEATING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A heating device includes: a magnetic field generating unit that generates a magnetic field; a heat-generating member that is disposed so as to face the magnetic field generating unit, and generates heat due to electromagnetic induction of the magnetic field, and having a heat-generating layer of a thickness that is thinner than a skin depth; and a temperature-sensitive member that is disposed so as to face a side of the heat-generating member opposite a side at which the magnetic field generating unit is located, a magnetic permeability of the temperature-sensitive member starting to decrease continuously from a magnetic permeability change start temperature that is in a temperature region that is greater than or equal to a set temperature and less than or equal to a heat-resistant temperature. A convex portion, that projects-out toward the heat-generating member from a surface that faces the heat-generating member, is provided at the temperature-sensitive member. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290918 | Soft pressure roller composition for fusing system - A soft pressure roller for use in a printer fusing system having an inside diameter and an outside diameter, wherein the roller is fabricated of LIM silicone elastomer having a softness of between 15 and 35 Asker C and wherein the distance between the inside diameter and the outside diameter is between 2 mm and 10 mm. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290919 | IMAGE-BEARING MEMBER PROTECTING AGENT, PROTECTIVE LAYER FORMING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING METHOD, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - To provide an image-bearing member protecting agent used in an image forming method which includes applying or attaching the agent onto a surface of an image bearing member, the agent including: a fatty acid metal salt (A), and an inorganic lubricant (B), wherein the inorganic lubricant (B) has an average particle diameter of 0.1 μm to 14 μm. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290920 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROTECTIVE AGENT BLOCK - An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member that bears a latent electrostatic image on the surface thereof, a charging device that uniformly charges the surface of the image bearing member, an irradiation device that irradiates the surface of the image bearing member to form the latent electrostatic image thereon, a development device that develops the latent electrostatic image on the surface of the image bearing member with toner to form a toner image thereon, a transfer device that transfers the toner image to a transfer body, a cleaning device including a cleaning blade that removes residual toner remaining on the surface of the image bearing member with the cleaning blade, a protective agent application device that applies a protective agent containing zinc stearate and zinc palmitate to the surface of the image bearing member, wherein the ratio of the zinc stearate and the zinc palmitate is from 66:34 to 40:60 by weight. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290921 | CLEANING BLADE FOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS - There is provided a cleaning blade for an electrophotographic apparatus having good cleaning performance both immediately after long-time shutdown under low temperature environment and during continuous use under low temperature environment even when spherical toner having a small diameter is used. A cleaning blade for an electrophotographic apparatus having an elastic blade member which is brought into contact with an image bearing member and frictionally slid to remove remaining toner, wherein the elastic blade member satisfies (1) to (4): (1) the stress-relaxation rate represented by the formula (a) at 10° C. is 25% or less; | 2009-11-26 |
20090290922 | Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes an ejection tray and a first function enhancement unit. The ejection tray projects from one side of the image forming apparatus, and receives a recording medium ejected after an image is recorded on the recording medium. The first function enhancement unit is detachably attached to the one side of the image forming apparatus. A bottom face of the first function enhancement unit is positioned above the ejection tray, and a front side of the first function enhancement unit is positioned at rearward from a sheet centerline in a sheet transport direction of the recording medium ejected onto the ejection tray. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290923 | TWO-SIDED THERMAL PRINT SWITCH - In one embodiment, a two- or dual-sided thermal print switch is provided to direct printing of received print data on one or both sides of thermal media such as a receipt, document, or label. In a further embodiment, a dual-sided thermal print switch is provided to select custom or predefined data for printing on one or both sides of thermal media with or without received print data. Dual-sided print switch operation may be defined using commands implemented with, for example, setup configuration settings in hardware or software, escape sequences, real-time printer commands, and the like. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290924 | Apparatus and method for supplying ribbons to a former - A folder superstructure is provided including a lead roll, a nip roll biasing the lead roll, and a frame supporting the lead roll and the nip roll. The frame is selectively movable between a first position where the lead roll and the nip roll act on a first web ribbon and a second position where the lead roll and the nip roll act on a second web ribbon. A method for folding printed webs is also provided. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290925 | PORTABLE PRINTER - There is disclosed a lightweight portable printer having a frame or housing with a print head and a cooperable platen roll mounted in the housing. The housing pivotally mounts a subassembly. The subassembly mounts an electric motor and gearing driven by the motor for driving the platen roll. The subassembly is resiliently urged to press the print head against the platen roll. The printer has a front door which provides access to the inside of the housing. The front door mounts the platen roll, a label delaminator, a pressure roll, a holder for mounting a supply roll of labels or tags, and a latch for latching the door to the housing and for camming the pressure roll into and out of cooperation with the platen roll. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290926 | Media Supply Cartridge For Roll-Fed Printer - A media supply cartridge includes a media case having a molded top half and a molded bottom half, both halves defining arcuate slots; a media roll assembly rotatably provided within the media case, the media roll assembly having a shaft received in the arcuate slots of the media case and a roll of media wound around the shaft; a roller assembly for ejecting blank media from the media roll assembly out of the media case, the roller assembly including a cartridge drive roller and an idler roller; and media roller support moldings provided at each end of the shaft, the media roller support moldings being restrainedly received in locator slots defined in the media case. The shaft is provided with a notch at each end thereof to engage cooperating nibs on each support molding, the engagement of the notches with nibs restraining the shaft from rotating. The media roller support is provided with a pair of resilient extensions extending thereform, the pair of resilient extensions engaging with the roller assembly to bias the cartridge drive roller and the idler roller into close proximity with each other. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290927 | Recording apparatus - To release a medium securely from a fixed roll without damaging the medium. A releasing roller is disposed between a roll and a transport roller for nipping a medium and transporting the medium to a printing position. The releasing roller is rotated by a releasing motor so as to release the medium from the roll in a tangential direction of the roll. In addition, a sag part obtained by sagging the medium is formed between the releasing roller and the transport roller. A tension roller is placed on the sag part so that a constant tension is exerted on the released medium. A sag amount of the sag part is detected by monitoring a lower end part of the sag part with a sensor utilizing infrared rays. A printing apparatus releases the medium by the releasing roller to supply the medium so that the sag amount is within a predetermined range. The medium on which the constant tension is exerted is delivered by the transport roller onto a platen and is printed by a head. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290928 | CONTAINER WITH INTEGRALLY FORMED RECOIL DEVICE - A container is disclosed that includes an elongated, substantially hollow body having at least one opening, and a recoil mechanism integrally formed in the body and comprising a lanyard configured to extend from and recoil into the body. The container also includes a plunger slideably coupled with an interior surface of the body and configured to one of extend the item outward from an opening in the body, or, retract the item inward into the body. The container may include a flip-top cap integrally formed with the body, and an advance mechanism that causes the plunger to extend or retract in response to the direction of a rotating force. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290929 | WRITING INSTRUMENT WITH CUSHIONING DEVICE - A retractable writing instrument that includes a barrel, a writing tip, an actuating mechanism that includes a plurality of parts for extending and retracting the writing tip upon actuation of the actuation member, and a cushioning device enabling a retraction of the writing tip when an excessive pressure is exerted by a user. The cushioning device includes a spring member elastically deformable, which is integrally formed with a movable part of the actuating mechanism, the part being movable relative to the barrel. The spring member has a free end abutting the barrel toward its rear end and has a through hole. A stem extends within the spring member's hole and connects the actuating member to the actuating mechanism. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290930 | SHEET PROTECTOR - A sheet protector for use with a binder including a ring. The sheet protector includes a first cover having a hole configured to receive the ring, a second cover coupled to the first cover along a first edge and a second edge and uncoupled to the first cover along at least a portion of a third edge and at least a portion of a fourth edge, and a tab coupled to the second cover proximate to the third edge. The tab is configured to engage the ring. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290931 | Fastener and Assembly Utilizing the Same - A fastener is disclosed. The fastener includes a housing, wherein the housing forms a housing cavity, wherein the housing cavity includes at least one recess; a cage at least partially disposed in said housing cavity, wherein an outer surface of the cage is spaced apart from an inner surface of the housing that forms the housing cavity, wherein the cage defines a cage cavity, and a plurality of passages aligned with said at least one recess; a plurality of retaining members at least partially retained within said plurality of passages; and a plunger at least partially disposed in said cage cavity, wherein said plunger is at least partially movable within said cage cavity between a first position to cause said one or more retaining members to be displaced radially outwardly thereby mechanically coupling said housing to said cage, and a second position to allow said one or more retaining members to be displaced radially inwardly thereby allowing said housing to be uncoupled from said cage. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290932 | TURNLOCK FASTENER - A turnlock fastener ( | 2009-11-26 |
20090290933 | CONNECTION OF A FIRST COMPONENT TO A SECOND CYLINDRICAL COMPONENT AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING OF THE FIRST AND SECOND COMPONENTS - A connection ( | 2009-11-26 |
20090290934 | THERMALLY AND ELECTRICALLY INSULATED COMPOSITE MANHOLE COVERS - A manhole cover includes a support having an upper surface and a peripherally-extending portion. An outer insulating member is disposed over the entire upper surface of the support, and the support comprises a first material and the outer insulating member comprises a second material different from the first material. The peripherally-extending portion of the support is positionable over the lip of the manhole ring. The outer insulating member is positionable between the upper surface of the support and the upper surface of the rim of the manhole ring when the manhole cover is received in the manhole ring. In one aspect, the support comprises cross-members defining a grate having passageways through the support. In another aspect, the support comprises metal, and the outer insulating member comprises a composite of resin, reinforcement fibers, and stone aggregate. In another aspect, screen inserts are disposed in a plurality of passageways in the outer insulating member. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290935 | Adjustable mold and associated method for making a drainage channel - Embodiments of the present invention allow for the manufacture of a number of drainage channels of different heights, widths, thicknesses, shapes, and slopes from only one mold or a greatly-reduced number of molds. In one embodiment, the drainage channel mold has an interior mold and an exterior mold. The exterior mold has two opposing sidewalls that can be placed at different distances apart from one another to vary the overall width of the drainage channel. The sidewalls can be independent of each other or they can be coupled to each other yet still allowed to be positioned at different distances apart. In one embodiment, the sidewalls are hingedly coupled to a base support mechanism. The mold also contains mold spacers that can be located between the interior mold and the exterior mold sidewalls to create different heights, widths, shapes, and slopes in the drainage channel walls formed by the adjustable mold. | 2009-11-26 |
20090290936 | Regenerative stormwater conveyance system and method - A regenerative stormwater conveyance (RSC) system for treating and dispersing stormwater runoff is disclosed which includes an upstream entry point where water enters the system and an entry pool downstream from the entry point that collects water from the entry point. The RSC system includes one or more shallow aquatic beds that receive water from the entry pool in a serial manner and each of which includes a filtration structure for filtering water from the aquatic bed. Riffle weir grade control structures are positioned between the aquatic beds and transition water overflowing from each upstream aquatic bed to a downstream aquatic bed. Accordingly, collected stormwater runoff traverses the series of aquatic beds and riffle weir grading structures and is treated and safely detained, thus, conveying stormwater to groundwater through infiltration. | 2009-11-26 |