51st week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 33 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110311198 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes an indexing module, a first playback module, a first image select module, an image extraction module, and a second playback module. The indexing module is configured to generate index information indicative of attributes of a plurality of still images. The first playback module is configured to play back a first moving picture by using the plurality of still images. The first image select module is configured to select a first still image from the plurality of still images. The image extraction module is configured to extract a still image group including still images relevant to the first still image, based on the index information. The second playback module is configured to play back, in place of the first moving picture, a second moving picture by using the still image group. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311199 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTED MEDIA PERSONALIZATION - A method of generating edited video, the method comprises receiving, at a server, an unedited video from a user device; receiving, at the server, user input indicating one or more effects to apply to the unedited video from the user device; generating, at the server, a plurality of intermediate representations of the unedited video; and generating, at the server, an edited video based on, at least in part on the unedited video, the user input, and one of the plurality of intermediate representations. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311200 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An information processing apparatus includes a content management unit which manages a plurality of content pieces stored in a recording medium in any of a plurality of recording formats, and a control unit that controls to change a recording format of each content piece to be managed so that each content piece is managed in a recording format other than a recording format that manages each content piece stored in the recording medium when a specific operation is performed or when a given condition is satisfied. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311201 | RECASTING A LEGACY WEB PAGE AS A MOTION PICTURE WITH AUDIO - A computer identifies audio objects in a web page and video objects in the web page based, at least in part, on markups in the web page. Layout locations of the video objects and the audio objects are determined. The layout locations correspond to display locations in a web browser. One or more of the video objects is associated with one or more of the audio objects based, at least in part, on the layout locations. Playback times are determined for the video objects and the audio objects based, at least in part, on association between the one or more of the video object with one or more of the audio objects. Content of each of the video objects is rendered with content of associated ones of the audio objects in accordance with the playback times. Recording, as the motion picture with audio, the rendering of the content. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311202 | SMOOTHING AND/OR LOCKING OPERATIONS IN VIDEO EDITING - Some embodiments allow a video editor to remove unwanted camera motion from a sequence of video images (e.g., video frames). Some embodiments are implemented in a video editing application. Some of these embodiments distinguish unwanted camera motion from the intended underlying motion of a camera (e.g., panning and zooming) and/or motion of objects within the video sequence. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311203 | Television Broadcast Program Recording System - There is provided a television broadcast program recording system including a television receiver and a recorder. The television receiver obtains a DST data indicating whether or not DST is currently applied, and detects a start and end of a DST application to a current time based on the obtained DST data. When the start or end of the DST application is detected, the television receiver transmits a newest electronic program list to the recorder. The recorder receives the electronic program list, and then compares a broadcast time data of a broadcast program in the memory with that included in the received electronic program list. As a result of this, when they are not identical with each other, the recorder changes the broadcast time data of the above broadcast program stored in the memory to the broadcast time data of the above broadcast program included in the electronic program list. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311204 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONVERTING MEDIA CONTENT STREAM DATA ACCUMULATED DURING A PAUSE OF PLAYBACK FROM A BUFFER TO A PERMANENT RECORDING - Exemplary systems and methods for automatically converting media content stream data from a buffer to a permanent recording are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a media content access subsystem receiving data representative of a media content stream, temporarily storing the data representative of the media content stream within a buffer for playback to a user, detecting an input command provided by the user to pause the playback of the media content stream, pausing the playback of the media content stream, accumulating data representative of a portion of the media content stream not yet played back within the buffer, detecting an alert condition indicating that the data representative of the portion of the media content stream not yet played back is about to be lost from the buffer, and converting the data representative of the portion of the media content stream not yet played back to a permanent recording. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311205 | RECORDING OF SPORTS RELATED TELEVISION PROGRAMMING - A video recording system that controls recording of television programming relating to sporting events to better match the intent of a user who specified programming for recording. The system merges data from an electronic program guide and sports data, such as from a news feed, to determine values of recording parameters, such as start and stop time and channel. User input may specify a player, team, league or other sports entity for which sporting events are to be recorded. The system may use the sports data to identify sporting events involving the specified sports entity and then access an electronic program guide to determine a channel on which to record the sporting events. When the user specifies a sporting event to record, sports data may be used to track progress of the event and dynamically adjust an ending time of the recording to ensure that the full event is recorded. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311206 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDERS - An approach is provided for managing digital video recorders. One or more parameters related to a digital video recorder are retrieved. A configuration message is generated, at a set-top box, for transmission over a data network to a data repository. The set-top box is coupled to the digital video recorder. The configuration message specifies the one or more parameters. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311207 | PLAYBACK APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - Hierarchically-encoded video image data and audio data associated with a predetermined encoded layer of the hierarchically-encoded video image data are received, and the audio-associated encoded layer with which the audio data is associated is specified from among a plurality of encoded layers of the hierarchically-encoded video image data. Then, the ratio of the field of view of a decoded video image of an encoded layer to be played back to the field of view of a decoded video image of the audio-associated encoded layer is calculated. A prestored audio correction amount is multiplied by the calculated ratio, and the resulting new audio correction amount is used to correct the audio data. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311208 | Portable Multimedia Playback Apparatus - A portable multimedia playback apparatus is provided. The portable multimedia playback apparatus comprises a first video processing unit, a second video processing unit, a third video processing unit, a multiplexer, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The first video processing unit generates a digital video signal. The second video processing unit processes the digital video signal to generate a TV compatible signal. The third video processing unit processes the digital video signal to generate a flat panel compatible signal. The multiplexer selects one of the TV compatible signal and the flat panel compatible signal. The DAC outputs an analog video signal after converting the selected signal. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311209 | TRANSPARENT FLUID RECIRCULATION RESERVOIR SYSTEM - A method for channeling hot/warm working fluid includes coupling a first fluid supply path in flow communication with an inlet of a first transparent fluid reservoir to a fluid inlet valve, coupling an outlet of the first transparent fluid reservoir in flow communication to a fluid outlet supply path, coupling a second fluid reservoir in flow communication with the first transparent fluid reservoir, and coupling a second fluid supply path in flow communication with an outlet of the second fluid reservoir to a fluid outlet valve. The method also includes directing working fluid of a temperature that is above a minimum threshold temperature from the fluid inlet valve to the fluid outlet supply path through the first transparent fluid reservoir, and directing working fluid of a temperature that is below the minimum threshold temperature from the first transparent fluid reservoir to the fluid outlet valve through the second fluid reservoir. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311210 | HIGHLY TACTILE SHUTTER RELEASE - An operating mechanism for an underwater camera housing includes a shaft adapted to allow in use the shaft to pass through the wall of the underwater camera housing. A sealing element on the shaft allow in use the shaft to be sealed to the underwater camera housing in a substantially waterproof manner. A first pressure device is mounted on the shaft and positioned in use outside the underwater camera housing, and a second pressure device is associated with the shaft and positioned in use within the underwater camera housing. A torque adjustment element is provided between the first pressure device and the second pressure device such that in normal use any feel of resistance to movement of the second pressure device is increased when felt on the first pressure device. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311211 | CAMERA HEAD - A camera head comprising: (a) housing having a front and back orientation and defining a cavity, the housing being cylindrical and having an axis, the housing having a rear portion for interengaging with a support system; (b) a first wall annularly configured in the housing; (c) a front portion in threaded engagement with the housing such that rotating the front portion causes it to move axially with respect to the housing, the front portion having a front face at least a portion of which is transparent, the front portion comprising a second wall being cylindrical and extending backward from the front face to define a center cavity, the first and second walls cooperating to define an annular cavity; (d) at least one lens attached to the second wall and disposed in the center cavity; (e) one or more light emitting devices disposed in the annular cavity and operatively connected to the housing; and (f) at least one imaging device disposed in the cavity operatively connected to the housing and optically coupled to the lens; and wherein when the front portion is rotated relative to the housing, the lens moves with the front portion while the light emitting device remain stationary with respect to the housing. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311212 | 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. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311213 | CAMERA MODULE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING THE SAME - A camera module includes a lens assembly and a baseboard assembly mounted on the lens assembly. The lens assembly includes a lens, a barrel receiving the lens, and a support receiving the barrel. The baseboard assembly includes a circuit board and an image sensor on the circuit board. The support defines a clamping recess at an outer surface thereof. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311214 | CAMERA MODULE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING THE SAME - A camera module includes a lens assembly and a baseboard assembly mounted on the lens assembly. The lens assembly includes a lens, a barrel receiving the lens, and a support member receiving the barrel. The baseboard assembly includes a circuit board and an image sensor on the circuit board. The baseboard defines a friction surface at a side surface thereof. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311215 | CAMERA-STEADYING DEVICE - A portable camera steady device for use with a camera, having a retractable tensile member whose distal end can be stepped on by a user or hooked to her body or clothing. The device has a swivel mounting member providing two independent and generally perpendicular axes of rotation such that the tensile member extends tangentially from the reel and housing whether the camera is used in the landscape or portrait orientation. A switch is provided to control extension and retraction of the tensile member from a biased reel. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311216 | OPTICAL SIGNAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM, INFORMATION ANALYSIS/CONTROL SIGNAL GENERATION APPARATUS IN THE SAME SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION ANALYSIS/CONTROL SIGNAL GENERATION METHOD - The present invention enables to prevent transmission characteristics from deteriorating due to the nonlinear effect in the transmission path caused by an increase in the channel power when a cable disconnection occurs. An optical signal level adjustment method comprises the steps of: obtaining, based on one or more optical signal disconnections which are detected per wavelength block and each of which is detected by a signal disconnection detection section included in each of terminal station devices, a location at which the optical signal disconnection has occurred, a combination of a terminal station device and a wavelength block, and a dummy light adjustment amount, said combination being required to be subjected to adjustment of transmission dummy light, said combination and said dummy light adjustment amount corresponding to the location; and transmitting, to the terminal station device which is required to be subjected to adjustment of the transmission dummy light, a control signal for adjusting the intensity of the dummy light in the obtained wavelength block by the dummy light adjustment amount. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311217 | OPTICAL TRANSMISSION APPARATUS - An optical transmission apparatus that protects different types of signals with a common backup transponder. The optical transmission apparatus includes working transponder units that relay respective optical signals on corresponding working transmission lines to or from external client devices, a backup transponder unit that can relay optical signals of different interface types, a 3:1 optical switch unit and a 1:3 optical switch unit that connect the external client devices and the working transponder units, and can connect the external client device and the backup transponder unit, and a monitor control unit that monitors occurrence of a failure in the working transponder units and the backup transponder unit, and controls switching of the transmission lines upon detection of a failure. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311218 | OPTICAL LINE MONITORING APPARATUS AND OPTICAL LINE MONITORING METHOD - An optical line monitoring apparatus, including: a group information recording portion which records group information about to which splitter respective terminators are connected; a normal information recording portion which records intensities of reflected lights from a plurality of terminators in a state in which a failure is not occurring in optical lines; a monitored information recording portion which records intensities of reflected lights from the plurality of terminators in failure monitoring time; an attenuation amount determination portion which determines a terminator the reflected light intensity of which is attenuated compared with the corresponding reflected light intensity in normal information; and a control portion which determines, if the intensities of the reflected lights of all the terminators connected to the same splitter are attenuated by the same value, that a failure has occurred between the test apparatus and the splitter to which all the terminators are connected. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311219 | Method and Apparatus for Coupling Optical Signal with Packaged Circuits Via Optical Cables and Lightguide Couplers - Method and apparatus for coupling electrical and communication circuits, included in a packaged semiconductor comprising photo receivers, photo transmitters and photovoltaic cells, through lightguide and optical fiber cables. The packaged semiconductor combinations comprise one, two or plurality of photo elements for a single or plurality one way optical signal, receive or transmit, and a single or plurality of two way optical signal communications via direct optical links and via optical prisms, filters, half mirrors and lenses. The packaged semiconductor includes at least one optical access to a single or plurality of lightguides or optical fiber with single core and for multicore lightguides. A built-in or attachable holders are used for attaching the different lightguide cables to the one or plurality of optical accesses with the attached cable end is terminated by cutting, trimming and shaping. The packaged circuit comprising electrical switches, current sensors, basic elements such as diodes, transistors and FETs, switches and power switches and different basic electrical circuit and communication, distribution circuits including CPU, DSP and complex semiconductor circuits, as used for communicating within limited short distances through optical network of lightguides and fiber optical cables. A packaged semiconductor of an SPDT power switch circuit is integrated with an SPDT manually activated switch, for providing dual switching for lights and other electrical appliances, via manual action and remotely via the lightguide or the optical fiber. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311220 | OPTICAL LINE MONITORING APPARATUS AND OPTICAL LINE MONITORING METHOD - An optical line monitoring apparatus, including: a group information recording portion which records group information about to which splitter respective terminators are connected; a normal information recording portion which records intensities of reflected lights from a plurality of terminators in a state in which a failure is not occurring in optical lines; a monitored information recording portion which records intensities of reflected lights from the plurality of terminators in failure monitoring time; an attenuation amount determination portion which determines a terminator the reflected light intensity of which is attenuated compared with the corresponding reflected light intensity in normal information; and a control portion which determines, if the intensities of the reflected lights of all the terminators connected to the same splitter are attenuated by the same value, that a failure has occurred between the test apparatus and the splitter to which all the terminators are connected. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311221 | MASTER STATION UNIT AND METHOD OF ALLOCATING GRANT - In a PON system including a high-speed optical signal of a high transmission speed and a low-speed optical signal the speed of which is lower than that of the high-speed optical signal, the PON system employing TDMA system for upward signal transmission, an OLT controls transmission and reception of the low-speed optical signal and the high-speed optical signal and allocates a grant to a slave station unit connected to the OLT. The OLT includes: a traffic monitoring part for measuring the amount of traffic of data received from a high-speed ONU that is a slave station unit that makes communications using the high-speed optical signal; and a bandwidth allocating part for allocating a grant to a low-speed ONU on the basis of report information acquired from the low-speed ONU that is a slave station unit that makes communications using the low-speed optical signal, the bandwidth allocating part allocating a grant to the high-speed ONU on the basis of report information acquired from the high-speed ONU, a grant allocated in a previous cycle, and a result of measurement of the amount of traffic in the previous cycle acquired from the traffic monitoring part. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311222 | OSNR MEASURING DEVICE AND OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - An OSNR measuring device n OSNR measuring device includes an input port to which a signal light is given; a wavelength filter which includes a variable passband, and selectively takes out an optical component corresponding to a signal optical wavelength to be measured from the signal light; a wavelength control circuit which controls the passband of the wavelength filter; a delay interferometer which branches a light output from the wavelength filter and delays one of the branched lights with respect to the other branched light and in which the branched lights are made to interfere with each other; a photodetector which detects a power of a delay interference light output; and an OSNR calculation circuit which calculates, based on a bandwidth of a passband of the wavelength filter and the power of the delay interference light, an optical signal to noise ratio of a signal optical wavelength to be measured. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311223 | WAVEFORM RECONSTRUCTION DEVICE, WAVEFORM RECONSTRUCTION SYSTEM, AND WAVEFORM RECONSTRUCTION METHOD - Provided is a waveform reconstruction device capable of easily reconstructing an accurate time waveform of an optical signal without using an ultrafast time gate or a reference light source. A waveform reconstruction device ( | 2011-12-22 |
20110311224 | Method for Operating a Pulsed Interference Laser in an Eye-Safe Manner in a DIRCM System - A method for operating a pulsed interference laser in an eye-safe manner in a DIRCM system onboard an aircraft is provided. A reception apparatus is used to receive echoes from the emitted pulses from the interference laser and to evaluate them to determine whether an object is situated within a prescribed laser safety distance for the DIRCM system in the laser beam. The emission of the laser beam is enabled separately for a respective period of time Δt within the period of use of the interference laser, the emission being enabled for the respective subsequent period of time Δt only if no object has been found within the laser safety distance within the respective preceding period of time Δt. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311225 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SENDING UPSTREAM TRANSFER FRAME IN PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK - The present invention relates to the Passive Optical Network (PON) technology, and a method for sending an upstream transfer frame in a PON is provided, so as to improve flexibility of a system and satisfy a requirement that an error probability is reduced as low as possible. The method includes: after success of link, sending a preamble according to an allocated time slot, sending a burst synchronization delimiter, and then sending successively a burst header, a Gigabit-Capable Passive Optical Network (GPON) Transmission Convergence (GTC) frame header, and GTC frame data. In the sent synchronization delimiter, the number of non-zeros is the same as the number of zeros, and in a delimiter sequence, the number of non-zeros on odd bits is equal to the number of zeros on even bits, and the number of non-zeros on even bits is equal to the number of zeros on odd bits, the number of zeros on the odd bits is N, the number of non-zeros on the odd bits is M, a relation |N−M|≦1 is satisfied, the number of zeros in a continuous zero group is X, the number of non-zeros in a continuous nonzero group is Y, and a relation |X−Y|≦1 is satisfied. A device for sending an upstream transfer frame in a passive optical network is further provided. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311226 | Methods and Systems for Distributing Fiber Optic Telecommunication Services to Local Areas and for Supporting Distributed Antenna Systems - A fiber optic network includes a fiber distribution hub including at least one splitter and a termination field; a plurality of drop terminals optically connected to the fiber distribution hub by a plurality of distribution cables; and a distributed antenna system (DAS). The DAS includes a base station and a plurality of antenna nodes. The base station is optically connected to the fiber distribution hub and the antenna nodes are optically connected to the drop terminals. Example splitters include a passive optical power splitter and a passive optical wavelength splitter. Signals from a central office can be routed through the passive optical power splitter before being routed to subscriber locations optically connected to the drop terminals. Signals from the base station can be routed through the wavelength splitter before being routed to the antenna nodes. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311227 | Systems and Methods for Transferring Single-Ended Burst Signal Onto Differential Lines, Especially for Use in Burst-Mode Receiver - Systems and methods for transferring incoming single-ended burst signals of which at least one characteristic varies widely from burst to burst onto a pair of differential lines. The systems comprise an input for receiving an incoming burst signal, a signal adaptation block for adapting said widely varying characteristic and a single-ended-to-differential converter. In a first aspect a reset signal for resetting a settings determination block, which controls the signal adaptation block, is sent backwards over the differential lines, preferably using a common-mode signal. In a second aspect, a status freezing mechanism is employed for freezing the settings of the settings determination block after the end of the preamble of an incoming burst. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311228 | Communication Apparatus for Communication in a Medium and a Manufacturing Method - Invention shows an electro-optical key arrangement comprising for a key of the key arrangement comprises: a transmitter (LED | 2011-12-22 |
20110311229 | OPTICAL TRANSMISSION/RECEPTION MODULE - An optical transmission/reception module including a filter holder on which filter mount surfaces for mounting wavelength division multiplexing filters and light wavelength band limiting filters are formed and in which a hole for guiding a light signal is formed in each of the filter mount surfaces incorporated into a housing. The wavelength division multiplexing filters and the light wavelength band limiting filters are mounted to the filter mount surfaces formed on the filter holder, respectively. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311230 | OPTICAL BUS - An optical bus. Optical sub-assemblies are used to connect lengths of optical fiber to form a single optical fiber that is a bus. A master transceiver may be connected to one end of the fiber and nodes can be connected to the optical sub-assemblies. Each optical sub-assembly includes a center fiber with a mirror that enables each connector to reflect optical signals out of the fiber and that enables a node to launch optical signals on the optical bus. The optical bus can also be connected with a second transceiver that may be used to deliver optical power to the attached nodes. Some nodes include two optical subassemblies to enable bidirectional communication on the optical bus. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311231 | SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL DATA COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - A data communications system is provided comprising a submersible home vessel, a submersible satellite vessel, and a flexible dielectric waveguide cable. The flexible dielectric waveguide cable comprises an exposed dielectric face configured to transmit electromagnetic millimeter wave radiation. The submersible home vessel comprises a transparent pressure boundary that is configured to be functionally transparent to electromagnetic millimeter wave radiation and to permit unguided propagation of the electromagnetic millimeter wave radiation. The submersible home vessel further comprises a coupling portion that is configured to secure the dielectric face in a position that enables the transmission of unguided millimeter wave radiation across the transparent pressure boundary to a MMW detector within the submersible home vessel. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311232 | Optical receiver and optical transmission system - Disclosed herein is an optical receiver including: a light receiving element configured to have an anode and a cathode and generate a photocurrent dependent on received signal light; a current-voltage conversion circuit configured to be connected to the anode of the light receiving element and convert the photocurrent to a voltage signal; and a capacitive passive element configured to have a first electrode and a second electrode. The cathode of the light receiving element is connected to the first electrode of the capacitive passive element, and the second electrode of the capacitive passive element is connected to a reference potential of the current-voltage conversion circuit and the second electrode is not coupled to objects other than a reference potential terminal of the current-voltage conversion circuit. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311233 | AUTOMATED DISPERSION COMPENSATION OVER A BROAD WAVELENGTH RANGE FOR COHERENT OPTICAL PULSES - The present application is directed to an apparatus and method for the automated compensation of dispersion over a broad wavelength range for coherent optical pulses. In one embodiment, the present application discloses an automatic dispersion compensating optical apparatus configured to change chirp introduced into an optical signal by an optical system in optical communication with the dispersion compensating optical apparatus and includes at least one wavelength-tunable source of coherent optical pulses configured to output at least one optical signal, at least one dispersion compensation device configured to receive the optical signal from the coherent source, and at least one controller in communication with the dispersion compensation device and configured to adjust chirp introduced into the optical signal by the dispersion compensation device as the wavelength of the optical signal is varied. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311234 | OPTICAL MODULATION UTILIZING STRUCTURES INCLUDING METAMATERIALS - An optical modulation system includes a metamaterial structure configured to receive and process an input optical signal at at least one operational wavelength, where the metamaterial structure changes between a transmissive state and a non-transmissive state with respect to the optical signal(s) at the operational wavelength(s) in response to an external stimulus applied to the metamaterial structure. An external stimulus source is coupled with the metamaterial structure and is configured to change the metamaterial structure between its transmissive and non-transmissive states by applying selected stimulus pulses to the metamaterial structure. The optical modulation system processes the input optical signal to output a modulated optical signal that modulates in correspondence with the selected pulses applied to the metamaterial structure. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311235 | BURST TRANSMISSION METHOD, AND RECEIVER RESETTING METHOD AND APPARATUS IN A PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK - A burst transmission method and a receiver resetting method and apparatus in a Passive Optical Network (PON) are provided. A burst receiver resetting method in a PON includes: receiving a preamble sequence and synchronizing data; after synchronizing the data, continuing to receive the data, and matching a Burst Terminator (BT); and resetting a receiver after successfully matching the BT. Meanwhile, an apparatus for implementing the method and a corresponding burst data transmission method are provided. By using the burst receiver resetting method and apparatus in the PON and the corresponding burst transmission method at an Optical Network Unit (ONU) burst transmission end, a Reach Extender (RE) does not need to unpack upstream burst bandwidth allocation information carried in downstream data. Therefore, the complexity of the implementation of the RE is reduced, and the method is simple and effective. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311236 | OPTICAL AMPLIFIER, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND OPTICAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM - Provided are an optical amplifier, a control method therefor, and an optical transmission system that can use a simple technique to correct SRS tilt generated in a transmission path after a back-stage amplifier out of two amplifiers, which respectively amplify an input optical signal in a front stage and a back stage of a variable attenuator, in accordance with the number of wavelengths of the optical signal transmitted on the transmission path. A control parameter for controlling the two amplifiers and the attenuator is determined so as to correct a spectral slope caused by stimulated Raman scattering of the optical signal based on network information received from another device, and the two amplifiers and the attenuator are controlled based on the control parameter. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311237 | METHOD FOR DETECTING OPENING/CLOSED STATE OF AN INTERLOCK SWITCH PROVIDED IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A controller determines a state of a switch unit based on a potential difference between a power supply side and a load side of the switch unit. Alternatively, when an electronic device is in a first operating state, the controller determines a state of the switch based on a result of a first detection unit. When the electronic device is in a second operating state that a power consumption of the device is lower than that in the first operating state, the controller determines the state of the switch based on a result of a second detection unit. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311238 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image under a control condition and including developing device; a toner cartridge configured to supply toner to the developing device; a measuring device configured to acquire measurement data; a first memory which is provided for the toner cartridge and includes a data reference destination for obtaining the control condition and a correction value of the control condition for standard data or a plurality of control data corresponding to the measurement data; a second memory configured to store the measurement data, the standard data, one of the correction value and the control data, and the obtained control condition; and a processing mechanism configured to read the standard data and the correction value, or the measurement data and the control data and to obtain the control condition. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311239 | REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUMS - A replacement toner cartridge management apparatus comprising: a remaining toner information obtainer that obtains remaining toner information of a toner cartridge loaded on an image forming apparatus which the replacement toner cartridge management apparatus can access via a communication circuit; a life information obtainer that obtains life information of an expendable item for image forming which receives toner supply from the toner cartridge loaded on the image forming apparatus, when there is a need to replace a toner cartridge, based on the remaining toner information obtained by the remaining toner information obtainer; a determiner that determines a right type of replacement toner cartridge based on the life information obtained by the life information obtainer; and an output portion that outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the type determined by the determiner. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311240 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - There is a need to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a transfer portion from distorting a toner image on a sheet. Line sensors | 2011-12-22 |
20110311241 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A controller for controlling an image forming apparatus having a light detection unit controls at least two operations including: 1) operation of detecting a jam of a recording sheet in a sheet transfer path based on a light intensity level detected by the light detection unit when image forming is performed; and 2) operation of controlling switching of an operation mode of the image forming apparatus to an energy save mode based on a light intensity level detected by the light detection unit. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311242 | TONER CARTRIDGE THAT CONTRACTS ACCORDING TO TONER SUPPLY - A toner cartridge includes an accordion container that stores a toner and contracts in a housing of an image forming apparatus according to a development process. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311243 | REPLACEMENT CONSUMABLE UNIT MANAGEMENT APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A replacement consumable unit management apparatus is provided with: a receiver which receives consumable unit replacement information indicating that one consumable unit of one color or more than one consumable unit of different colors has been replaced with a new one, from one or more than one image forming apparatus which the replacement consumable unit management apparatus can access via a communication circuit; a consumable unit manager which manages the remaining amount information or the life information of the one or more than one consumable unit, and stock information indicating the states of the stocks of replacement consumable units for the one or more than one consumable unit; a determiner which, if the receiver receives the consumable unit replacement information while a consumable unit which cannot be replaced with a new one because of no stock and a consumable unit whose remaining amount information or life information is smaller than a first predetermined value are both used at the same place as the new consumable unit most recently loaded, makes a first determination that a first replacement consumable unit of the same color as the consumable unit which cannot be replaced with a new one because of no stock and a second consumable unit of the same color as the consumable unit whose remaining amount information or life information is smaller than the first predetermined value should be delivered together; and a transmitter which outputs a delivery instruction as determined by the determiner. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311244 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD - Certain embodiments provide an image forming apparatus including: a photoreceptor; a latent image forming unit; a developing device; a sensor that detects concentration of toner in the developing device; a storage unit that stores a prescribed time period for supplying replenishment toner and a first variation when the replenishment toner is supplied to the developing device for a prescribed time length; a toner cartridge that includes the replenishment toner and a toner discharge member; a driving unit that drives discharge of the toner discharging member; a calculating unit that calculates a second variation based on output of the sensor when the driving unit drives the toner cartridge for the prescribed time length; and a control unit that corrects the prescribed time length in the storage unit on a basis of the first and the second variations and controls the driving unit for driving for corrected time length. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311245 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE DENSITY CORRECTION METHOD THEREFOR - An image forming apparatus includes: sensor detecting light intensity and output voltage based on the light intensity; data acquisition part setting reference voltages for the sensor to detect light intensity of bare surface of intermediate transfer member, acquiring, at set reference voltage, voltage output by the sensor on the bare surface as detection data; storage storing the detection data corresponding to the reference voltages; judgment part judging whether to perform image density correction processing; voltage calibration part adjusting output level at light intensity detection; density acquisition part forming toner pattern, and acquiring density data of the toner pattern by causing the sensor having adjusted output level to detect its light intensity; density data correction part reading one piece of detection data referring to output level, and correcting the density data based on the detection data; and image density correction part performing the processing based on the density data. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311246 | Fixing Device, Image Forming Apparatus, and Method for Controlling Fixing Device - A fixing device includes a fixing roller that is driven to rotate, a fixing belt that is driven by rotation of the fixing roller, and a driven roller that rotates along with the fixing belt. The fixing device also includes a pressing member that is pressed against the fixing roller with the fixing belt interposed therebetween to form a nip portion, a measuring unit that measures a rotation speed of the driven roller, and a control unit that adjusts a fixing condition based on the rotation speed of the driven roller. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311247 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a weight detection sensor and a CPU (notification control section, weight calculation section and full-capacity amount correction section). The CPU calculates weight of toner in a waste toner container based on image formation history information including the number of image-forming sheets. When weight of toner in the waste toner container detected by the weight detection sensor reaches a semi full-capacity amount, the CPU makes a comparison of a detection value detected by the weight detection sensor with a calculation value calculated by the CPU and corrects a weight value in a full-capacity state with a correction value set based on a result of the comparison. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311248 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE DEFECT - Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, including: a toner image forming unit that includes an image carrier forming toner images by supplying toner to formed electrostatic latent images and transferring the formed toner images; a cleaning member that is in contact with the image carrier and removes the toner remaining in the image carrier after the toner images are transferred; a spacing part that spaces the cleaning member from the image carrier; an environment information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding temperature or humidity that is environment information, in the toner image forming unit; an environment determination unit that determines whether the temperature or the humidity in the toner image forming unit satisfies a reference by using the environment information; and a control unit that controls the spacing part to space the cleaning member from the image carrier when it is determined that the temperature or the humidity in the toner image forming unit does not satisfy the reference. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311249 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an imaging unit, a fixing unit, a first thermometer, and a controller. The imaging unit forms a toner image on a recording medium conveyed along a media conveyance path. The fixing device is disposed downstream from the imaging unit along the media conveyance path to fix the toner image in place on the recording medium. The fixing device includes a fuser roller, a heat roller, an endless, fuser belt, and a pressure roller. The fuser roller has a cylindrical core of metal. The pressure roller presses against the fuser roller via the fuser belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. The first thermometer detects a first temperature at the cylindrical core of the fuser roller. The controller controls conveyance of the recording medium through the fixing nip according to the first temperature. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311250 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device for thermally fixing image onto recording sheet by causing recording sheet to pass through fixing nip, while heating electromagnetic induction heating layer provided in heating rotation body by flux generated by flux generator including exciting coil located a distance away from circumferential surface of heating rotation body along width direction of heating rotation body. The flux generator includes: magnetic cores arranged to be separated from each other in width direction, to face heating rotation body via exciting coil; holder holding predetermined magnetic cores, arranged in correspondence with non-paper-pass area of heating rotation body, in displaceable state; displacement unit displacing predetermined magnetic cores in predetermined move unit, which is a unit of one magnetic core or a unit of a predetermined number of consecutively placed magnetic cores; and controller controlling displacement unit to displace predetermined magnetic cores in sequence in predetermined move unit. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311251 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form a toner image on a recording medium, a fixing unit configured to be brought into press-contact from both sides with the recording medium formed with the toner image to heat the recording medium at a predetermined fixing temperature, a memory configured to store a first fixing temperature for determining that a monochrome image can be fixed, and a second fixing temperature for determining that a color image can be fixed, higher than the first fixing temperature, and a controller configured to correct at least one of the first fixing temperature and the second fixing temperature depending on at least a thickness of the recording medium or a peripheral temperature of the image forming apparatus. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311252 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, RESISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE OF RECORDING MEDIUM, AND RESISTANCE MEASURING METHOD - An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes: an image carrier; a transfer device which transfers a toner image formed on the image carrier onto a recording medium; a resistance measuring device which causes a current to flow through the recording medium before transferring the toner image and measures the resistance of the recording medium; and a setting unit which sets a condition of the transfer on the basis of the measurement result of the resistance of the recording medium. The resistance measuring device includes an electric shock prevention member which prevents the current from flowing to a user through the recording medium during the measurement of the resistance of the recording medium. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311253 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - An image forming apparatus with no staining or deterioration of images can be provided. The image forming apparatus includes: an image holding body that transfers toner onto a sheet; a transfer voltage applying unit that applies a transfer voltage for transferring the toner onto the sheet from the image holding body; a fixing unit that includes a heating rotation body which heats the toner on the sheet to fix the toner onto the sheet, and a pressurizing body which forms a nip portion with the heating rotation body and nips and transports the sheet by cooperating with the heating rotation body; a sensor unit that is at a position on an upstream side of the fixing unit in a sheet transport direction and detects an electrical resistance value of the sheet; and a voltage applying unit that applies a predetermined voltage value having the opposite polarity to that of a voltage applied by the transfer voltage applying unit to a reverse surface to a toner transfer surface of the sheet, to the pressurizing body, on the basis of the electrical resistance value of the sheet detected by the sensor unit. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311254 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member configured to bear an electrostatic latent image, a plurality of development devices including a developer bearing member configured to bear a developer for developing the electrostatic latent image, a rotatable development device supporting member configured to support the plurality of development devices. In the image forming apparatus, the developer bearing member is configured to execute development while contacting the image bearing member at a development position via the developer, rotating in the same direction as rotating direction of the image bearing member at the development position, and rotating at a speed faster than a surface speed of the image bearing member. In addition, the development device supporting member is configured to rotate in the same direction of a rotating direction of the image bearing member at a position where the development device supporting member and the image bearing member are facing each other, and change a developer bearing member existing at the development position to another developer bearing member by rotating. Furthermore, a relative speed of a surface moving speed of the developer bearing member with respect to a surface moving speed of the image bearing member when the developer bearing member abuts on or separates from the image bearing member due to the rotation of the development device supporting member becomes higher than a relative speed of the surface moving speed of the developer bearing member with respect to the surface moving speed of the surface of the image bearing member when the electrostatic latent image is developed, and a control unit configured to control a first potential difference, which is a potential difference between a potential of a bias applied to the developer bearing member when the developer bearing member abuts on or separates from the image bearing member and a potential of the image bearing member at the development position becomes higher than a second potential difference, which is a potential difference between the potential of the bias applied to the image bearing member and a potential of a non-imaging portion of the image bearing member at the development position. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311255 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a fixer, a control operation selection portion which selects any one of a monochrome control operation of keeping the fixing temperature at a first temperature at which a monochrome image can be fixed, and a color control operation of keeping the fixing temperature at a second temperature higher than the first temperature, and a controller. In the state in which the monochrome control operation is selected, when the fixing temperature reaches the first temperature during rise, the controller executes a monochrome ready display and the monochrome control operation, the controller raises the fixing temperature up to the second temperature to print the color image when printing of a color image is instructed while the monochrome control operation is executed, and the controller executes the monochrome control operation after printing the color image. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311256 | FIXING DEVICE - In a fixing device for electrophotography, a fixing sheet carrying thereon a toner image is passed under application of heat and pressure between a toner heating member and a press roller to fix the toner image onto the a fixing sheet. The fixing device is so controlled that a temperature of the toner heating member is set higher and a temperature of the press roller is set lower in a ready-display state during warm-up for starting the fixing device or returning from a power save mode, respectively compared with corresponding set temperatures of the toner heating member and the press roller in a normal ready state. As a result, consumption of fixing energy is suppressed and the time until the ready state is reduced by a relatively simple control. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311257 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An embodiment provides an image forming apparatus including: a job acquiring unit that acquires an image forming job that gives instructions for performing forming of an image; an image forming process control unit that controls performance of the image forming job that the job acquiring unit acquires; a temperature information acquiring unit that acquires information showing temperature of the heating rotary body; a determining unit that determines whether the temperature of the heating rotary body which is acquired by the temperature information acquiring unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined stand-by temperature set as a temperature in a stand-by state that stands by to perform the image forming process, when the image forming process is completed, based on the image forming job by the image forming process control unit; and a fixing device control unit, which controls the fixing device, performs a first stand-by control process that increases the temperature of the heating rotary body to the stand-by temperature by heating the heating rotary body with the heating member while rotating the heating rotary body with the heating rotary body and the pressing body in contact, when the determining unit determines that the temperature of the heating rotary body is lower than the stand-by temperature. Further, the fixing device control unit stops the rotation of the heating rotary body and performs a second stand-by control process that makes the fixing device stand by, without heating the heating rotary body with the heating member, when the determining unit determines that the temperature of the heating rotary body is the stand-by temperature or higher. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311258 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH STANDBY AND POWER SAVING MODES - An image forming apparatus, for which a heated roller fixing device is employed but for which a savings in power can still be obtained, is provided. The image forming apparatus includes: a fixing device, which is a heated roller fixing device that requires pre-heating in a stand-by state; an operation panel, with which a power-saving mode transition time period can be changed; and a control part, which selects pre-heating or does not select pre-heating of the heated roller fixing device. The control part employs the power-saving mode transition time period, entered at the operation panel, to change the pre-heating or to not change the pre-heating of the heated roller fixing device. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311259 | SWITCHING POWER SOURCE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - In a switching power source, an OFF-period of switching is set according to a resonance cycle when a transformer is driven. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311260 | SWITCHING POWER SOURCE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A switching power source is provided, which includes, a transformer, a switching unit configured to switch a voltage supplied to a primary side of the transformer, and an output unit configured to output a voltage generated at a secondary side of the transformer, wherein a switching cycle of the switching unit is set to be a predetermined period of time when the output unit outputs a first voltage, a first period of time and a second period of time are set to be longer than the predetermined period of time and are set to be different from each other. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311261 | DEVELOPMENT APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A development apparatus according to the present invention includes: a stir member that stirs a developer in a development container; a stir gear that rotates the stir member; a stir rotation shaft that connects the stir member and the stir gear to each other; a development member that supplies the developer onto a surface of an image carrier; a development gear that collaborates with the stir gear to form a series of gears and rotates the development member; a development rotation shaft that connects the development member and the development gear to each other; a housing box that houses the stir gear and the development gear, supports the stir rotation shaft and the development rotation shaft, and is provided with an air take-in opening for taking in air and an air discharge opening for discharging the taken-in air; and a wind sending member that takes in the air from the air take-in opening into the housing box and makes the taken-in air pass through the housing box to discharge the air from the air discharge opening. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311262 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An embodiment provides an image forming apparatus including: a photo conductor; a charging unit that charges the surface of the photo conductor by using corona discharge; a fixing device that fixes a toner image transferred on a recording medium from the photo conductor; a plurality of fans that discharges air containing ozone produced by charging of the charging unit to the outside of the apparatus, by generating the flow of the air from the inside of the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus; an information acquiring unit that acquires at least any one of print process information, which is information on a print process, or apparatus information, which is information on the internal environment of the apparatus; a reference determining unit that determines whether the print process or the internal environment of the apparatus satisfies the reference by using the print process information or the apparatus information that is acquired by the information acquiring unit; and an operation control unit including a first control mode that operates and stops the fans and the fixing device when the reference determining unit determines that the reference is not satisfied, and a second control mode that is performed before the first control mode is performed and stops the fixing device while driving the fans, when the reference determining unit determines that the reference is satisfied. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311263 | DEVELOPING DEVICE TO PREVENT SCATTERING OF TONER - A developing device includes a developing roller that carries a developer and faces an image carrier, a housing that supports the developing roller and supplies the developer to the developing roller, and a pressure reducing part that exists downstream of an opposite position to the image carrier in a rotation direction of the developing roller, and is formed in a wall of the housing located downstream of an airflow generated in a gap between the developer on the developing roller and an inner wall of the housing. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311264 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a lubricant having a bar shape along the axial direction of a transfer roller, a brush roller which applies a component of the lubricant to the surface of the transfer roller, and a plurality of bases which are made of metal and are disposed at intervals along the axial direction of the transfer roller. The bases hold the lubricant in a state where the lubricant comes in contact with the brush roller. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311265 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE - A process cartridge detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning frame member, a developer bearing member, a development frame member, a flexible sheet member, and a protection member. The electrophotographic photosensitive member forms an electrostatic latent image. The cleaning frame member supports the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The developer bearing member develops the electrostatic latent image using a developer. The development frame member supports the developer bearing member. The flexible sheet member is fixed onto a seating surface with one end side thereof and contacts the developer bearing member with the other end thereof, for preventing leaking of a developer from between the developer bearing member and the development frame member. The protection member is attached to the cleaning frame member, for protecting the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The protection member includes a pressing portion at the back side of the seating surface, for suppressing deformation of the seating surface. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311266 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developer supply device is provided, which includes side seal members each of which is disposed to extend across a casing-side facing portion of a casing and a supporting-member-side facing portion of a board supporting member, the casing-side facing portion and the supporting-member-side facing portion facing one of both ends of a developer carrying surface in a first direction, the developer carrying surface being a cylindrical circumferential surface of a roller main body which surface is formed parallel to the first direction to carry development agent thereon. Each of the side seal member is configured to slide in contact with one of both ends of the developer carrying surface in the first direction while filling in a gap between the casing and one of both ends of the roller main body in the first direction. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311267 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD - Certain embodiments provide a developing device including: a case; a cylindrical sleeve having a development region on the outer circumferential surface and a pair of non-development regions respectively in regions at both ends in an axis direction on the outer circumferential surface; a magnet on the inside of the sleeve; plural grooves each formed between both the ends along the axis direction; a pair of magnetic sheet metals provided spaced apart from the sleeve; and a pair of magnetic seal members provided spaced apart from the sleeve. When average groove depth of the plural grooves in the development region is represented as P, thicknesses t of the magnetic sheet metals are substantially t≧10×P (mm) and groove depths d of the plural grooves in the non-development regions of the sleeve are P/10≦d≦4P/5(mm). | 2011-12-22 |
20110311268 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND TRANSPORT TOOL FOR THE SAME - An image forming apparatus is provided, which includes a main body including two first frames facing each other and a second frame bridging a gap between the first frames, an image forming unit disposed between the first frames, a feed roller unit including a first roller and a second roller supported by the second frame so as to contact the first roller in a position away from the first frame, an urging member providing an urging force to bring the first roller into contact with the second roller in a direction parallel to the first frames, and a spacer detachably attached between the main body and one of the first and second rollers near at least one of the first frames, so as to separate the first roller from the second roller or weaken a contact force between the first roller and the second roller against the urging force. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311269 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes a cartridge mounting portion to which a cartridge is detachably mountable; a stacking portion for accommodating the recording material; and a protecting cover for protecting the recording material accommodated in the stacking portion, wherein the protecting cover is movable between a first position in which the recording material accommodated in the stacking portion is protected and a second position in which movement of the cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting portion is prevented. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311270 | Drum Unit - A drum unit is provided. The drum unit includes a frame, a photosensitive drum that is rotatably supported by the frame, a contact member that is held to the frame and that contacts a circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. The circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum has an image forming area on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and a non-image forming area that is adjacent to the image forming area. The contact member is in surface-contact with the non-image forming area and is not contacting with the image forming area. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311271 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTORECEPTOR, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS - It is to provide an electrophotographic photoreceptor which is excellent in cleaning properties and does not cause a problem of adhesiveness with a substrate in the case where an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a substrate whose outer diameter is small. There are provided an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer provided thereon, wherein the conductive substrate has a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter of 25 mm or less and the photosensitive layer contains a copolycarbonate resin having a specific repeating structure as well as an image-forming apparatus having the electrophotographic photoreceptor mounted thereon. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311272 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member unit including an electrophotographic photosensitive member; developing unit, including a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member, movable between a contact position in which the developing roller is contacted to the photosensitive member and a separated position in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive member; a drive transmitting portion for transmitting a driving force for driving the developing roller at one longitudinal end side of the developing unit, wherein the drive transmitting portion provides, to the developing unit, a force for moving the developing unit in a direction from the separated position toward the contact position by receiving the driving force; an urging member for urging, at the other longitudinal end side of the developing unit, the developing unit so that the developing unit is moved in the direction from the separated position toward the contact position; and a force receiving portion, provided only at the other longitudinal end side of the developing unit, for receiving a force, from the main assembly, for moving the developing unit from the contact position to the separated position. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311273 | DEVELOPING-TRANSFERRING MODULE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developing-transferring module includes a sub frame which is detachably mounted to a main frame, a plurality of photosensitive units which are disposed inside the sub frame with a predetermined interval and includes a photosensitive body to which a developer is attached, and a intermediate transferring unit which are provided inside the sub frame disposed opposite the plurality of photosensitive units so that the developer of the photosensitive units can be primarily transferred thereto and secondarily transfers the primarily transferred developer to a record medium of the main frame. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311274 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC COLOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CARTRIDGE - A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming a color image on a recording material, the apparatus includes a main assembly; a drum cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and detachably mountable to the main assembly of the apparatus of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus; a plurality of developing cartridges each comprising a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on electrophotographic photosensitive drum of the drum cartridge mounted to the main assembly; a main assembly side drum cartridge guide for guiding the drum cartridge; a main assembly side drum cartridge positioning portion for positioning the drum cartridge to the main assembly of the apparatus; wherein the drum cartridge is provided with a positioning portion for positioning the developing cartridge relative to the drum cartridge with respect to an entering direction of the developing cartridge, and the developing cartridge is provided with insertion guide means for guiding insertion of a developing cartridge right thereabove. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311275 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photosensitive members, an endless belt, and a separation mechanism. The photosensitive members are arranged in parallel with and spaced from one another and correspond to respective colors. The plurality of photosensitive members includes a first photosensitive member and at least one second photosensitive member. Each of the photosensitive members has a first end portion and second end portion that is opposite to the first end portion in a longitudinal direction of each of the photosensitive members. The endless belt contacts the photosensitive members. The separation mechanism is configured to swing the second photosensitive member around the first end portion of the second photosensitive member as a fulcrum between a contact position at which the second photosensitive member contacts the endless belt and a separated position at which the second photosensitive member is separated from the endless belt. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311276 | METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING FUNCTIONAL REGIONS, LED ARRAY, LED PRINTER HEAD, AND LED PRINTER - Provided is a method for transferring, onto a second substrate, at least one of functional regions arranged and joined to a first separation layer that is disposed on a first substrate and that becomes separable by a treatment, in which regions on the second substrate where the functional regions are to be transferred have a second separation layer that becomes separable by a treatment. The method includes a step of joining the first substrate to the second substrate by bonding such that the functional regions contact the second separation layer; a step of separating the functional regions from the first substrate at the first separation layer; and a step of, before or after the step of separation, forming separation grooves penetrating through the second substrate and the second separation layer from a surface of the second substrate, the surface being opposite to a surface having the second separation layer thereon. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311277 | Image forming apparatus and process cartridge incorporated therein - A tandem-type electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes multiple color image forming units using a dry toner, a first black image forming unit using the dry toner, and a second black image forming unit using a wet toner and performs an image formation with the dry toner in a first printing mode and an image formation with the wet toner in a second printing mode. The image formed in the second printing mode with the wet toner is fixed to a recording medium at a temperature lower than the image formed in the first printing mode with the dry toner. Each of the image forming units corresponds to a process cartridge that is removably installable in the tandem-type electrophotographic image forming apparatus and including an image carrier and other image forming components integrally therein. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311278 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developer supply device is provided, which includes a developer fluidizing unit including a movable member that moves in a moving direction identical to a developer transfer direction while contacting a predetermined contact range of a developer transfer surface of a transfer board disposed along an inner wall of a developer storage section, which developer fluidizing unit fluidizes development agent stored in the developer storage section by movement of the movable member, and a developer level adjusting unit that adjusts a level of the development agent stored in the developer storage section to be higher than a downstream end of the predetermined contact range of the developer transfer surface of the transfer board in the moving direction of the movable member. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311279 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - A developing device comprising: a first transport member disposed in a first transport passage and configured to rotate and thereby transport developer; a second transport member disposed in a second transport passage and configured to rotate and thereby transport the developer; and a developer carrier configured to carry the developer supplied from the first transport passage, wherein the second transport passage is composed of an upstream section and a downstream section, the second transport passage communicates with the first transport passage via a first communication passage and a second communication passage, the upstream section is configured to receive refill toner, and V | 2011-12-22 |
20110311280 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge includes a toner receptacle that houses toner, a plurality of stirring members housed in the toner receptacle, a plurality of gears meshing with each other on outside of the toner receptacle, and a phase display section. The stirring members are arranged next to each other in the toner receptacle and rotate to stir the toner. Each of the stirring members has a scraper that scrapes off the toner adhering to an inner surface of the toner receptacle. The gears rotate to rotate the stirring members in an interlocked manner with each other. The phase display section shows a meshing position of the gears so that the gears mesh with each other at a position where a phase difference along a rotating direction of the stirring members occurs between the scrapers of the stirring members that are next to each other. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311281 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING A MAGNETIC FIELD GENERATING UNIT AT THE TONER CARRYING SECTION - An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a toner supplying device, a toner container, and a developing device. The toner supplying device supplies toners stored in the toner container to the developing device. The toner supplying device includes a toner tank which stores toners discharged from the toner container, a toner carrying section which carries the toners stored in the toner tank in an obliquely upward direction, and a toner dropping route which causes the toners carried by the toner carrying section to drop into the developing device by toner own weight. The toner carrying section controls an amount of the toners to flow into the toner dropping route. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311282 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY DEVICE, DEVELOPER RETRIEVING DEVICE FOR THE SAME, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developer supply device is provided, which includes a developer retrieving board disposed in closest proximity to a developer holding surface parallel to a first direction, across a predetermined distance in a retrieving proximity position that is downstream relative to a first position where a developer holding surface faces an intended device to be supplied with development agent and upstream relative to a second position that is upstream relative to the first position and a position where the development agent is transferred onto the developer holding surface, in a second direction as a moving direction of the developer holding surface which direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The developer retrieving board retrieves the development agent from the developer holding surface in a position downstream relative to the retrieving proximity position in a developer transfer direction along a developer retrieving path perpendicular to the first direction. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311283 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device to fix a toner image on a recording medium, including a pressure roller to press the toner image on the recording medium; an elastically-deformable cylindrical fixing roller to contact the pressure roller to form a nip and transfer the recording medium to the nip to fix the toner image; and a holder to rotatably hold both ends of the fixing roller, wherein the holder is located at least two positions at both sides on an outer circumference of the fixing roller across the longest diameter thereof, and the nip is formed between the two holders at the side of the pressure roller. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311284 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME, AND FIXING METHOD - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body to rotate in a predetermined direction of rotation and a pressing rotary body pressed against the fixing rotary body to rotate in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of the fixing rotary body and form a nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. A heat generator is disposed opposite the fixing rotary body at a section other than the nip to heat the fixing rotary body. A moving assembly is disposed opposite the heat generator to generate a magnetic force to move the heat generator with respect to the fixing rotary body so as to change one of a pressure and a distance between the heat generator and the fixing rotary body. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311285 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a fixing member that fixes a developer image on a recording medium while rotating; an external heating member that heats the fixing member, the external heating member being driven-rotated by rotation of the fixing member while contacting with an outer peripheral face of the fixing member; an oil supply member that supplies oil to a surface of the external heating member; a switching unit that switches between contact and non-contact of the external heating member to the outer peripheral face of the fixing member, the switching unit causing the external heating member to contact with the outer peripheral face of the fixing member after a fixing operation by the fixing member is started; and a rotation mechanism that rotates the fixing member and rotates the external heating member in a state where the external heating member is separated from the fixing member by the switching unit. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311286 | CLEANING BLADE PARAMETER ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM - A cleaning blade assembly within a printing device is positioned to contact a surface to be cleaned. There is a first opening within the cleaning blade assembly and a first pin within the first opening. There is also a second opening within the cleaning blade assembly, and a second pin within the second opening. The first and second pins connect the cleaning blade assembly to the printing device. The first pin has a first cam surface that is rounded and is off-center with respect to the axis of the first pin. The cam surface is parallel to the axis of the first pin and is positioned within the first opening such that rotation of the first pin within the first opening causes the cleaning blade assembly to move in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the first pin. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311287 | METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING THE SEQUENCE OF PROCESSING ORDERS FOR PROCESSING MATERIAL CONTAINERS - In a method or system for automatic controlling of jobs to be processed, the jobs to be associated with input and output material bundles, the jobs to be processed are collected into multiple groups or clusters. The groups or clusters are automatically sorted according to rules. The input material bundles are fed to a processing device at a central station, at least one post-processing apparatus being connected to and down stream from the processing device. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311288 | TOOL FOR REALIZING THE KOREAN ALPHABET USING A CONSONANT AND VOWEL COMBINATION SYSTEM - A tool for implementing Korean characters using a consonant-vowel combination system, in which a simple and concise combination system capable of implementing all Korean characters using only six consonants and vowels is constructed, and thus users of the tool may realize originality, superiority, and convenience of Korean letters in daily life. The tool for implementing Korean characters using a consonant-vowel combination system is configured to implement the Korean characters using six consonant and vowel plates including: letter plate “ | 2011-12-22 |
20110311289 | FOLDABLE KEYBOARD - A foldable keyboard includes a base, a receiving module, and connecting assemblies. The base includes a number of touch panel units. The receiving module includes a number of plates. The plates are pivotably connected to each other in series. The connecting assemblies are for biasing touch panel units into the folded configuration when the base is covered by the plates. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311290 | MEDIA ADVANCE - Calibrating a media drive, comprising advancing media with a media drive while detecting media advances within the printer, determining an error in the media advances, and calibrating the media drive so as to at least partly compensate for the determined error. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311291 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - An image recording apparatus including: a transport passage which has a curved portion; a first transport roller pair which is disposed at the curved portion; a second transport roller pair which is located downstream of the first transport roller pair; and a controller which selectively executes a first recording mode or a second recording mode, wherein: in the first recording mode, the controller stops driving of the first transport roller pair for a predetermined period in an interposed state in which a recording medium is interposed by both of the first and second transport roller pairs, the controller controls a second driving motor intermittently and controls a recording head to discharge ink during a stopping period in which the second transport roller pair is stopped; and in the second recording mode, the controller controls first and second driving motors in synchronization in the interposed state. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311292 | RECORDING MEDIUM DETECTION METHOD AND LABEL PRINTER - A recording medium detection method uses transmission and reflection photosensors to correctly detect if a recording medium having labels affixed to a liner is in the transportation path. The label printer has a reflection photosensor and a transmission photosensor disposed to the transportation path at positions separated the distance between the labels. Labels on the recording medium can always be detected by either or both the reflection photosensor and the transmission photosensor. Because the reflection photosensor is downstream from the transmission photosensor, a situation in which a black mark is at the detection position of the reflection photosensor and reflection is not detected and only the liner is at the detection position of the transmission photosensor and transmission of the detection beam is detected is avoided. Detecting transmission without detecting reflection of the detection beam therefore only occurs when the recording medium is not in the transportation path. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311293 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A conveying unit conveys a continuous sheet, with a first end of the continuous sheet as the leading end. After an image forming unit forms page images on a first side of the continuous sheet, a cutting unit cuts off the continuous sheet. Then, for image formation on a second side opposite the first side, a duplex conveying unit conveys the continuous sheet to the conveying unit, with a second end of the continuous sheet as the leading end. The second end is opposite the first end and has been formed by cutting off the continuous sheet. In image formation only on the first side, the continuous sheet is cut off at a first position behind the last page image formed on the first side. In image formation on both the first and second sides, the continuous sheet is cut off at a second position behind the first position. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311294 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - There is provided an image recording apparatus including a transporting path, a recording section, a first and second rollers pinching the recording medium therebetween, a supporting member which rotatably supports the second roller, a holding member which is movable along a transporting direction of the recording medium, a bias applying member which applies a bias on the holding member, in an opposite direction opposite to the transporting direction and a load member which generates a load in the opposite direction, with respect to the recording medium. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311295 | Extended baistles - “Extended Bristles” is a application tool that replaces a standard nail polish brush and cap to obtain the complete contents of nail polish by pushing the top plunger cap, which slides over a spring and lower cap and immerses the bristles to the bottom of the bottle. The plunger cap which is attached to the plunger shaft and bristles has a spring located between upper and lower cap around the plunger shaft that retracts when application is completed. The brush is able to extend to the bottom of the bottle when the cap is closed securely or when it is resting unsecured at top of polish bottle. By using the entire contents of the bottle of nail polish the only remaining part is the glass bottle which will not pollute the ground or environment. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311296 | Detergent Dispensing and Pre-Treatment Cap - A detergent dispensing cap for pre-treating a stained fabric. The cap can have a pour volume sized and dimensioned to provide for a unit dose of the detergent composition. A portion of the cap can be provided with surface irregularities for scrubbing a stain. | 2011-12-22 |
20110311297 | Tool for marking decorative lines or strips - A tool for marking decorative lines or strips on a surface comprising a main frame ( | 2011-12-22 |