| BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120128382 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a first photosensitive member; a second photosensitive member; a third photosensitive member; a first scorotron-type charger that is configured to charge the first photosensitive member; a second scorotron-type charger that is configured to charge the second photosensitive member; a third scorotron-type charger that is configured to charge the third photosensitive member; a first voltage applying circuit, which is connected to the first scorotron-type charger, and which is configured to apply a voltage to the first scorotron-type charger; and a second voltage applying circuit, which is commonly connected to the second scorotron-type charger and the third scorotron-type charger, and which is configured to apply a voltage to the second scorotron-type charger and the third scorotron-type charger. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120127523 | PRINTING DEVICES AND TERMINAL DEVICES THAT SWITCH COMMUNICATION MODES - A communication system includes a printing device, a terminal device, and another device. The printing device includes a communication interface that enables communication through at least two modes; an operating portion that accepts a mode-switch instruction; a printing portion that prints an image based on print data, and a processor. In a direct communication mode, the printing device communicates directly with the terminal device. In an indirect communication mode, the printing device communicates indirectly with the other device. The processor switches the communication mode from the indirect communication mode to the direct communication mode when the operating portion accepts the mode-switch instruction, and switches the communication mode from the direct communication mode to the indirect communication mode when the processor determines that the printing device has finished receiving print data. Communication between the printing and terminal devices includes transmitting the print data from the terminal device to the printing device. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120127489 | Data Processing Program and Data Processor - A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a set of program instructions installed on and executed by a computer. The set of program instructions includes (a) acquiring a layout image size where the layout image is generated based on an original image data, the size of the layout image is specified by base data, and the base data represents graphical image in which the layout image is arranged and includes location data that specifies a location at which the original image data is stored, (b) acquiring an original image size, (c) determining whether the original image size is greater than the layout image size, (d) setting the original image as a print target when the original image size is greater than the layout image size, and (e) generating a print instruction instructing to print the original image set as the print target in a size larger than the layout size. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120127231 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - An image recording apparatus includes: a sheet conveying unit; an ink ejection head having a nozzle and an ink ejection surface; a pretreatment liquid ejection head; a purge unit; a wiping unit having a wiper; a paper jam detection unit detecting a position when the recording sheet is jammed; and a maintenance control unit, wherein, when the paper jam detection unit detects a paper jam on the downstream side from the pretreatment liquid ejection head, the maintenance control unit performs a first maintenance operation, in which the purge unit discharges ink from the ink ejection head, and the wiping unit wipes the ink ejection surface with the wiper, and in the first maintenance operation, the maintenance control unit performs control such that a discharge amount of ink to be discharged from the ink ejection head decreases or the wiping speed when the ink ejection surface is wiped decreases. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120121294 | Coupling, Image Forming Apparatus and Cartridge - A coupling which may include a driving side member, a driven side member, and an intermediate member interposed between the driving side member and the driven side member. The intermediate member may be configured to transmit a driving force from the driving side member to the driven side member. The driven side member may include a first driven side rotating body having a first engaging portion and a second driven side rotating body having a second engaging portion. Further, the second driven side rotating body may be configured to rotate relative to the first driven side rotating body about a common axis of rotation with the first driven side rotating body. Additionally, the second engaging portion may be disposed outside of the first engaging portion with respect to a radial direction of the first driven side rotating body. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121292 | DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE AND PROCESS UNIT - A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller configured to rotate about an first axis extending in a first direction, the developing roller having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side in the first direction; a case including a first wall disposed at the first side of the developing roller and a second wall disposed at the second side of the developing roller; an arm configured to be supported by the first wall of the case and configured to swing between a first posture and a second posture about an second axis extending the first direction, the arm including a first protrusion projecting from the arm in the first direction. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121289 | Image Forming Apparatus and Cartridge - An image forming apparatus is provided that may include a photosensitive drum configured to rotate around an axis and a first rotational member disposed proximate a periphery of the photosensitive drum and configured to rotate about an axis parallel to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus may also include a driving-force transmitting member and a driven member, which includes a transmitted portion and a first engaging projection. The driven member may rotate about the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum together with the photosensitive drum and the transmitted portion of the driven member may receive a driving force transmitted from the driving-force transmitting member. The image forming apparatus may also include a rotational-member driving gear which has a loose fit portion configured to engage with the first engaging projection and a transmission gear portion configured to transmit the driving force to the first rotational member. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120117629 | RELAY APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND RELAY METHOD - A relay apparatus connected to a communication apparatus, a service providing apparatus and a browser-equipped apparatus, includes: a registering unit registering provisional registration information, the provisional registration information being used in an authentication procedure performed between the service providing apparatus and the browser-equipped apparatus; an acquiring unit acquiring permission information representing that use of the service is permitted, the permission information being issued by the service providing apparatus in the authentication procedure; a communication unit transmitting the provisional registration information to the browser-equipped apparatus; a receiving unit receiving input information transmitted from the communication apparatus, the input information being generated in response to the provisional registration information; and a communication unit transmitting the permission information to the communication apparatus which has transmitted the input information if the receiving unit receives the input information. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120117199 | COMMUNICATION APPARATUS SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, RELAY APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD OF RELAY - A communication apparatus system includes a relay apparatus and a communication apparatus which are connected to a network, to which a service providing apparatus for an electronic-file storing service is connected. The communication apparatus includes: an address-get-request transmitting unit that transmits a request for getting an upload destination address to the relay apparatus; a receiving unit that receives the upload destination address and a template for an upload message from the relay apparatus; an upload-message generating unit that generates the upload message including the electronic file and the upload destination address according to the received template; and an upload-message transmitting unit that transmits the generated upload message to the service providing apparatus to upload the electronic file in the electronic-file storing service. The relay apparatus includes: an upload-destination-address-get-program storage unit; an upload-destination-address getting unit; a time-information adding unit; and an upload-destination-address transmitting unit. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120116569 | EMBROIDERY DATA CREATION APPARATUS AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM STORING EMBROIDERY DATA CREATION PROGRAM - An embroidery data creation apparatus includes a first dividing portion that divides an entire area of an image into a first area and a second area based on one of frequency components and angle characteristics, a first data creation portion including a number of partitions setting portion, a second dividing portion that divides the first area into color areas, a representative angle computing portion that computes representative angles for the color areas, a first line segment arranging portion that arranges first line segments in each of the color areas, a first line segment color setting portion that sets first line segment colors, and a first line segment connecting portion that creates first data by connecting the first line segments, a second data creation portion that creates second data, and an embroidery data creation portion that creates embroidery data by combining the first data and the second data. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114407 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus is provided that includes an image forming unit disposed in a main body and configured to form an image on a recording medium, an output tray provided in the main body and configured to receive the recording medium having an image formed thereon, and an ejection device provided in the main body and configured to eject the recording medium to the output tray. The apparatus may further include a movable sheet guiding member movably attached to the main body and a stationary sheet guiding member disposed downstream of the movable sheet guiding member in a recording medium ejection direction and above the output tray. The movable sheet guiding member can press a recording medium ejected from the ejection device downward, and the stationary sheet guiding member can protrude from the main body. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114363 | POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A power supply system includes: a switching power supply and a rectifying/smoothing circuit, the switching power supply configured to output a first output voltage in a normal output mode; a step-down circuit; a control device that controls the switching of the switching power supply between the normal output mode, a low output mode, and an off mode; and an electric storage unit charged by the output of the step-down circuit in the normal output mode and supplies power to the control device in the off mode, wherein, when charging is needed in the mode other than the normal output mode and the low output mode, the control device controls the switching power supply to output the third output voltage, thereby charging the electric storage unit. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114344 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive member that is configured to carry a developer image; a developing roller that is configured to supply developer to the photosensitive member; a transfer member that is configured to transfer the developer image carried on the photosensitive member to a transfer medium; and a control unit that is configured to execute a collection mode upon receiving a printing instruction for executing a printing operation but before initiating the printing operation, wherein the control unit in the collection mode is configured to: discharge the developer of one or more circumferences of the developing which has been carried on the developing roller, to the photosensitive member; and collect the discharged developer by the developing oiler. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113685 | POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A power supply system includes: a switching power supply; and a control device, wherein the switching power supply includes: a transformer; a semiconductor switching element; a switch control unit; and a rectifying/smoothing circuit, the switch control unit is supplied with power from the main power supply, starts to control the switching of the semiconductor switching element, and oscillates a primary side of the transformer to induce a voltage on the secondary side of the transformer, the control device outputs a control pulse signal to the switch control unit to stop the oscillation of the transformer, thereby changing the mode of the switching power supply to an output stop mode, in an output mode in which the switching power supply smoothes the voltage induced on the secondary side and outputs the smoothed voltage. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113472 | COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, CONTROL PROGRAM OF COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, AND RELAY APPARATUS - A communication apparatus, a control program of the communication apparatus, and a relay apparatus are provided. The communication apparatus is configured to download electronic data from a server storing a first amount or more of electronic data and to output the downloaded electronic data. The communication apparatus includes an output unit configured to output a second amount of electronic data smaller than the first amount at one time, a download information acquiring unit configured to acquire download information necessary for downloading the first amount of electronic data stored in the server, from the server, a download unit configured to download the second amount of electronic data of the first amount of electronic data from the server, using the download information acquired by the download information acquiring unit. The output unit is configured to output the electronic data downloaded by the download unit. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113471 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD OF RELAY APPARATUS - A communication system includes: a communication apparatus; and a relay apparatus. The communication apparatus includes: a contents-summary-information address request unit; a contents-summary-information display unit; a selection-information transmission unit; a selection-completion notification unit; and a contents get unit. The relay apparatus includes: an order-information addition unit that adds order information of contents to electronic data information; a contents-summary-information address transmission unit that transmits address information of a contents summary information item and the electronic data information, to which the order information is added, in response to a request of transmission of the address information of the contents summary information item; a contents-address get unit that gets the address information of the contents selected based on selection information from the selection-completion notification unit; and a contents-address transmission unit that transmits the address information of the contents got by the contents-address get unit to the communication apparatus. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113469 | TERMINAL DEVICE, SERVER, SCREEN DISPLAY METHOD, SCREEN CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A terminal device includes a reception control unit which receives a display instruction for displaying of a first screen, and an execution instruction for instructing executing of a function unit, from a server, a display control unit which displays the first screen according to the display instruction, and which displays a second screen according to internal information of the device when the function unit is executing a function; and a transmission control unit. When an operation unit is operated while the first screen is displayed, the transmission control unit transmits a result representing the operation to the operation unit and an identifier identifying the display instruction. When the function unit has executed a function according to the execution instruction, the transmission control unit transmits a result representing an end of the execution and an identifier identifying the execution instruction. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113468 | TERMINAL DEVICE, SERVER, SCREEN CONTROL METHOD, SCREEN TRANSITION METHOD, AND COMPUTE PROGRAM - A terminal device, a server, a screen control method, a screen transition method, and a compute program are provided. The terminal device includes a display unit, plural operation units, a storage unit, and a control unit, and communicates with a server for making a transition of a screen on the display unit. The storage unit stores template information associating an operation unit with a transition instruction for instructing screen transition. The control unit receives instruction information representing any of transition instructions, from the server, and validates an operation unit associated with a transition instruction represented by the received instruction information and transmits operation information representing that the validated operation unit is operated, to the server. The control unit receives new instruction information transmitted from the server, and validates an operation unit associated with a transition instruction represented by the new instruction information. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113464 | RELAY APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATING METHOD - A relay apparatus connected to service providing apparatuses respectively providing services and a communication apparatus that includes an additional-information storage unit configured to store additional information associated with the service and identification information, comprises: a receiving unit configured to receive notification including the service and the user identification information from the communication apparatus; a generating unit generating an output command for outputting, to the relay apparatus, the additional information stored in the additional-information storage unit corresponding to the service and the identification information included in the notification; an output commanding unit transmitting the output command to the communication apparatus; an acquiring unit acquiring the additional information output in response to the output command; a first communication unit configured to perform communication with the service providing apparatus using the acquired additional information; and a second communication unit that transmits, to the communication apparatus, information acquired from the service providing apparatus. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113463 | RELAY APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHODS OF RELAY APPARATUS - A relay apparatus to be connected through a network to a server apparatus configured to store image data and a communication apparatus configured to acquire the image data from the server and output an image based on the acquired image data, the relay apparatus includes: a first receiving unit configured to receive a request for acquiring location information from the communication apparatus; an acquiring unit configured to acquire the location information for acquiring the image data from the server apparatus upon receipt of the request; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the acquired location information to the communication apparatus. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113454 | COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND PROGRAM OF COMMUNICATION APPARATUS - A communication apparatus includes a first reception unit which receives an instruction from a server, a second reception unit which receives an instruction from a path other than the server, an executing unit which executes a function when the first reception unit receives a first execution instruction from the server or when the second reception unit receives a second execution instruction from the path other than the server, and a display control unit which displays a display instruction correspondence screen when the first reception unit receives a display instruction from the server, and which displays an execution correspondence screen when the executing unit executes the function. During a time period while the display instruction correspondence screen is being displayed, the display control unit displays the execution correspondence screen when receiving the first execution instruction, but doesn't display the execution correspondence screen when receiving the second execution instruction. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113185 | Water-Based Ink for Ink-Jet Recording, Ink-Jet Recording Method and Ink-Jet Recording Apparatus - A water-based ink for ink jet recording includes water; a water-soluble organic solvent; alcoholamine which is contained at 0.2% by weight to 0.75% by weight in the water-based ink for ink-jet recording; an anionic surfactant having a sulfate structure which is contained at 0.02% by weight to 0.2% by weight in the water-based ink for ink jet recording; and a colorant including a dye represented by general formula (1). | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113173 | Inkjet Recording Device and Controller, Control Program and Control Method for Inkjet Recording Device for Gap Reduction of Ink Droplets - Aspects of the disclosure relate to a controller, control program, and control method for an inkjet recording device, and an inkjet recording device capable of forming a high-quality image by making positional shift of a landing ink droplet inconspicuous through simple control. A high-quality image can be formed by controlling nozzles ejecting an ink droplet landing at a position where the pitch of adjacent landing droplets is larger than a predetermined pitch such that the area of a landing droplet formed by the nozzles is larger, thereby reducing the gap between landing droplet trains by the landing droplet train for ink droplets corresponding to print data. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120111249 | EMBROIDERY DATA CREATION APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - An embroidery data creation apparatus includes an outline data acquisition portion, a thread density data acquisition portion, a needle drop point setting portion that sets a plurality of first needle drop points, a plurality of second needle drop points, and a sewing order to alternately connect the plurality of first needle drop points and the plurality of second needle drop points using the stitches, a needle drop point change portion that, in a case where one of a value of a length ratio and a length difference is equal to or more than a specified threshold value, changes positions of some of the plurality of second needle drop points, respectively, to positions each of which will be covered by a stitch formed by connecting a first stitch end point and a second stitch end point, and an embroidery data creation portion that creates embroidery data. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120109357 | SEWING MACHINE AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A sewing machine includes a plurality of needle bars to a lower end of each of which a needle can be attached, a display portion that is configured to display various information, a first display control portion that causes the display portion to display replacement information, the replacement information being information pertaining to a replacement needle bar that corresponds to a thread spool for which replacement is necessary and that is at least one of the plurality of the needle bars, a specifying portion that specifies a replacement-completed needle bar during a period in which the replacement information is being displayed on the display portion, the replacement-completed needle bar being a needle bar that corresponds to a thread spool that has been placed after replacement, and a second display control portion that causes the display portion to display a result that has been specified by the specifying portion. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107033 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit, a pair of frames, and a sheet cassette, is provided. The sheet cassette has a pair of lateral walls, a first engagement portion, and a first joint portion. Space enclosed by the first engagement portion, the first joint portion, and an outer surface of one of the lateral walls is exposed toward an installation side, from which the sheet cassette is installed in the image forming apparatus. The pair of frames has a second engagement portion and a second joint portion. Space enclosed by the second engagement portion, the second joint portion, and an inner surface of the one of the frames is exposed toward a side opposite from the installation side. When the sheet cassette is in an operable position, the first engagement portion is placed in an engagement position to be engaged with the second engagement portion. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107030 | PRINTING APPARATUS - A printing apparatus includes: a receiving section which receives a print data from the external apparatus; a storage section in which the print data received by the receiving section is stored; an input section which receives from a user a print instruction for printing based on the print data stored in the storage section; a print section which performs the printing of the image on the recording medium based on the print data stored in the storage section in a case that the input section receives the print instruction from the user; and a controller which controls the storage section and which calculates and sets for the print data stored in the storage section a storage time-period within which the print data is storable in the storage section. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107021 | Image Forming Apparatus - The present invention provides a configuration in which an electrically connected condition can further be stabilized in electrical-connection zones between a body of an image-forming apparatus, and an image-forming unit and a plurality of image-forming cartridges. Developing electrode members and wire power-feed electrodes are attached to a slide frame. Each of the developing electrode members has a first body-side contact. The developing electrode members are electrically connected with the developing-roller output terminals. The wire power-feed electrodes are electrically connected with wire output terminals through contact with the wire output terminals. The developing electrode members are elastically deformed as a result of their first body-side contacts being pressed in a direction, which is along a slide direction, by the developing-roller output terminals. The wire power-feed electrodes are pressed in a paper width direction by the wire output terminals. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107017 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum configured to rotate about a rotational axis extending in an axial direction; and a charger that charges the photosensitive drum. The charger includes: a wire electrode; a grid electrode having a grid surface that faces the photosensitive drum between the wire electrode and the photosensitive drum; and a pair of shield electrodes, which faces each other with interposing the wire electrode therebetween, and which extends in a substantially orthogonal direction to the grid electrode. The grid surface is inclined to a second plane such that the grid electrode and the shield electrode come close to the photosensitive drum at a more downstream side in a rotating direction of the photosensitive drum than a first plane, wherein the first plane includes the wire electrode and the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum, and the second plane is orthogonal to the first plane. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107015 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE HAVING DETACHABLE DEVELOPING DEVICE UNIT - An image forming device includes a developing device unit including a plurality of developing devices, and a plurality of sloping members disposed in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of developing devices. Each developing device includes a developing roller defining an axis line and a developer accommodating chamber. Each developing device is movable in a first direction perpendicular to the axis line. Each sloping member has a sloped surface and a biasing member biasing the sloped surface upward in the first direction. Each sloping member is movable between a first position where the developing device is placed on the sloped surface and a second position where the developing device is disengaged from the sloped surface in a predetermined direction different from the first direction. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107014 | PRESSING MECHANISM FOR A DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE - An image forming apparatus includes a main body; a process unit configured to be attached to and removed from the main body, the process unit being configured to integrally hold a plurality of image carriers arranged in a first direction; a plurality of developing cartridges provided in corresponding association with the image carriers, the developing cartridges configured to be attached to and removed from the process unit, each of the developing cartridges including a corresponding developer carrier, each of the developing cartridges being configured to supply developer to a corresponding image carrier; and a pressing mechanism provided in the main body, the pressing mechanism configured to press the developing cartridges, when attached to the process unit, in a direction that the developer carriers contact the image carriers. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107010 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a first process unit and a second process unit arranged in parallel and each having a photosensitive drum configured to form an electrostatic latent image by an exposure and a charging device configured to charge the photosensitive drum; an exposing unit disposed between the first process unit and the second process unit and configured to expose the photosensitive drum of the second process unit; a first flow channel formed between the first process unit and the exposing unit for supplying air to the charging device of the second process unit; and a second flow channel formed in the first process unit and having an outlet for supplying the air to the charging device of the second process unit. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120106988 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section which forms an image on a paper sheet by using a developer; a fixing section which includes a rotational axis and rotates around the rotational axis so as to fix the image formed on the paper sheet; a transport mechanism which transports the paper sheet on a paper transport route in a transport direction; a transport stop detecting section which detects a transport stop of the paper sheet; a judgment section which judges to which one of an upstream side and a downstream side of the fixing section in the transport direction the paper sheet is removed after the transport stop is detected by the transport stop detecting section; and a control section which controls the transport mechanism to execute a cleaning mode for cleaning the fixing section based on a judgment result of the judgment section. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120105919 | IMAGE-READING DEVICE THAT READS IMAGES BY USING SPREAD-SPECTRUM CLOCK - In an image-reading device, a counting unit counts a number of clock cycles of a spread-spectrum clock as a counter value. A correcting unit corrects one of the counter value and a reference clock cycle number based on a phase detected by the phase detecting unit when the counting unit counts. A comparing unit compares the counter value and the reference clock cycle number and determines whether the counter value and the reference clock cycle number satisfy a prescribed relationship. A time length setting unit sets a length of at least one of a reading time and an irradiation time based on: a timing when the counting unit starts counting to set the time length; and a timing when the comparing unit determines that the compared values satisfy the prescribed relationship, such that the time length set by the time length setting unit remains constant. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120105913 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - An image processing device is provided, which includes a first processor, a second processor configured to perform communication with the first processor, and a memory connector that is connected with the second processor, configured such that an external memory is detachably attached thereto, and provided with a terminal that is connected with the first processor and connectable with a memory area of the external memory which area stores specification information of the external memory. The first processor is configured to, prior to the second processor being booted, determine whether an error relating to the external memory is caused, via the terminal. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120105889 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a reading mechanism having an original placement portion on which an original document is placed for reading an image; a recording mechanism having a medium supply tray on which a recording medium is set, the recording mechanism being disposed in such a manner that a longitudinal direction of the medium supply tray is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the original placement portion; an angular casing that houses the reading mechanism and the recording mechanism while stacking the reading mechanism and the recording mechanism vertically; and a cartridge holder that houses an ink cartridge and is disposed in a space located at a corner position of the casing below the reading mechanism and surrounded by a circumferential wall of the casing and a side wall of the medium supply tray. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120105544 | INK-JET HEAD HAVING PASSAGE UNIT AND ACTUATOR UNITS ATTACHED TO THE PASSAGE UNIT, AND INK-JET PRINTER HAVING THE INK-JET HEAD - A printhead module includes a plurality of rows of printhead nozzles, at least some of the rows including at least one displaced row portion, the displacement of the row portion including a component in a direction normal to that of a pagewidth to be printed, wherein the displaced row portions of at least some of the rows are different in length than the displaced row portions of at least some of the other rows. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120105524 | LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS - A liquid ejection apparatus including: a first casing; a second casing; and a controller, wherein the first casing is movable between a close position close to the second casing and a distant position farther from the second casing than the close position, the first casing accommodating a head having an ejection face. The second casing accommodates: a support portion having a support face for supporting a recording medium while facing the ejection face; and a moving device configured to move the support portion, such that the support face selectively takes a first state to face the ejection face and a second state not to face the ejection face. A restraining portion restrains movement of the first casing located at the close position, and the controller controls the moving device, such that the support face takes the second state when the controller has received a restraint releasing signal. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120105523 | RECORDING APPARATUS - A recording apparatus including: a liquid ejection head which has an ejection surface; a conveying mechanism having a support surface, and configured to convey a recording medium; a first capping mechanism having an annular-shaped lip member disposed to surround the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head, and configured to execute a first capping that causes the ejection surface to be covered with the support surface and the lip member; a second capping mechanism having a movable member which is positionable in an opposed position and a retracted position, and configured to execute a second capping that causes the ejection surface to be covered with at least the one movable member that is positioned in the opposed position; and a controller configured to control the first capping mechanism and the second capping mechanism, and to execute a selected one of the first capping and the second capping. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120104678 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - An image forming device includes a sheet container, an image former that forms an image on a surface of a sheet conveyed from the sheet container, and a re-conveyor that re-conveys the sheet to the image former which forms another image on an opposite surface of the sheet. The re-conveyor includes a first conveyance roller set and a second conveyance roller set that convey the sheet therebetween. The first conveyance roller set includes a first driving roller that receives a driving force and a first pinch roller that contacts the surface. The second conveyance roller set includes a second driving roller that receives the driving force and a second pinch roller that contacts the surface. The first driving roller has a greater coefficient of friction than the first pinch roller. The second pinch roller has a greater coefficient of friction than the first pinch roller. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120104677 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - An image forming device includes a sheet conveyor, an image former that forms an image on a surface of a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyor, and a re-conveyor that re-conveys the sheet to the image former which forms another image on an opposite surface of the sheet. The re-conveyor includes a guide member including upper and lower conveyance members, a regulation member that regulates a position of the sheet, a conveyer roller set that conveys the sheet therebetween, an urger that urges a pinch roller toward a driving roller, and a roller holder disposed above the upper conveyance member. The upper conveyance member has ends which are secured independently to the lower conveyance member. The roller holder secures the pinch roller overlaps the upper conveyance member in a vertical direction, and secures the pinch roller, such that the pinch roller contacts the sheet through the upper conveyance member. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120104675 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - An image forming device includes a sheet container unit that stores a plurality of sheets, an image forming unit that forms an image on a particular surface of a sheet that is conveyed from the sheet container unit, and a re-conveying unit that re-conveys the sheet to the image forming unit. The re-conveying unit includes a conveyor roller set that conveys the sheet. The conveyor roller set includes a pinch roller and a driving roller that receives a driving force and that contacts the particular surface of the sheet. The driving roller has a greater coefficient of friction than the pinch roller. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120102210 | Communication Device, Communication Method, and Computer-Readable Storage Medium Storing Communication Program - A communication device performs P2P communication with the other communication device by establishing a session through a server, and includes a first transmitting portion, if the communication device operates as a called device requested to establish the session, upon the receiving a session start message from the other communication device, transmits to the other communication device a response message including information on a port for directly receiving data from the other communication device; a session establishing portion establishes the session by transmitting a control message to a port specified by information in the session start message or a response message received from the other communication device; a command accepting portion accepts a user's command permitting to receive from the other communication device; and a starting portion starts transmitting and receiving of data to and from the other communication device, upon the accepting of the command. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099891 | Image-Forming Apparatus - An image scanner section is disposed above a printer section. The image scanner section is supported by the printer section in such a manner as to be pivotable about a pivotal axis. The printer section has a lower housing having a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from above. The image scanner section has an upper housing having a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from above. The upper housing and the lower housing are configured such that a second upper corner portion, which is a corner portion of the upper housing, projects beyond a second lower corner portion, which is a corner portion of the lower housing and is located just under the second upper corner portion. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099890 | Image Forming Apparatus and Photosensitive Unit - An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include: a main body provided with an accommodation chamber partitioned by an inner side surface; a photosensitive unit configured to slid between an accommodated position and a drawn position; a first electrode disposed on a first outer side surface on the photosensitive unit; a second electrode disposed on a second outer side surface on the photosensitive unit to protrude toward the inner side surface beyond the first outer side surface; a third electrode disposed on a first inner side surface on the inner side surface; and a fourth electrode disposed on a second inner side surface on the inner side surface to protrude toward the photosensitive unit beyond the first inner side surface. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099163 | Document Reader - A document reader is provided, which includes side covers disposed to face each other to form side faces of a main body housing, each of the side covers including a protruding section formed with an upper portion of the side cover being protruded outward relative to the main body housing, the upper portion being higher than a predetermined position below a reading unit, the protruding section including a first finger-holding portion disposed on a lower surface of the protruding section, the first finger-holding portion being formed with a length in a longitudinal direction thereof as long as a length of a readable range for the reading unit in a main scanning direction, the first finger-holding portion being configured such that one or more operators put their fingers thereon from below, the first finger-holding portion including one or more ribs formed along the longitudinal direction of the first finger-holding portion. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099149 | PRINTING SYSTEM AND PRINTER - A printing system includes: a first printer; and an information processing apparatus configured to register a print job in the first printer. The first printer comprises: a decision unit configured to decide a selection condition for selecting the print job to be printer; a determination unit configured to determine whether the print job corresponding to the selection condition decided by the decision unit is registered in a second printer; and a notification unit configured to notify a user of identification information of the other printer if the determination unit determines that the print job corresponding to the selection condition is registered in the second printer. The first printer to which the print job is registered starts printing in response to a print instruction. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099132 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus to form an image on a recording medium is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a housing, an image forming unit, an image reader unit, an ejecting space to catch the recording medium, a pickup opening to expose the ejecting space, and a frame assembly to hold the image forming unit and the image reader unit. The housing includes an operation unit, which is configured to form an upper edge of the pickup opening. An enhancement member extending along a widthwise direction to bridge over the ejecting space is arranged in a lower position in the operation unit. The frame assembly includes a first support member and a second support member, which are arranged in widthwise ends of the ejecting space. The enhancement member is connected to the first support member and to the second support member at the widthwise ends thereof. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120098995 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - An image processing device includes a storage unit, a processing unit, and a memory. The storage unit stores a dither matrix. The memory has instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the processing unit to function as: an acquiring unit that is configured to acquire an image including a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a color value; an updating unit that is configured to update a color value of at least one pixel by adding a random number to the color value; and a thresholding unit that is configured to convert the updated color value into a binary value by using the dither matrix. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120097569 | PACKING BODY - A packing body is provided, which is configured to pack an intended apparatus therein. The packing body includes a first sheet formed in such a bag shape as to entirely wrap the intended apparatus therein, a cushion member configured to protect at least a corner of an outer surface of the intended apparatus wrapped in the first sheet, a second sheet configured to be placed between the first sheet and the cushion member at the corner of the outer surface of the intended apparatus packed in the packing body, the second sheet being further configured to cause a lower frictional force between the second sheet and the first sheet than between the second sheet and the cushion member, and a packing box configured to entirely cover the intended apparatus from an outside of the cushion member. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120097085 | SEWING MACHINE PRESSER ATTACHING MECHANISM AND SEWING MACHINE PROVIDED THEREWITH - A presser attaching mechanism for a sewing machine is disclosed which detachably attaches to a presser bar a presser foot pressing a workpiece cloth or a presser holder supporting a presser foot. The presser attaching mechanism includes a locking mechanism located on a lower end of the presser bar so as to be switchable between a locking position where the presser foot or the presser holder is fixed to the presser bar and a unlocking position where the presser foot or the presser holder is released from the fixed state to the presser bar. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120093540 | Image Forming Apparatus and Process Cartridge - An image forming apparatus has plural process cartridges. Each process cartridge includes a photosensitive element; an electrification unit including a discharging unit and an electrification frame which contains the discharging unit and which has a first opening formed between the photosensitive element and the discharging unit and a second opening formed at a position opposite the first opening across the discharging unit; and a process frame including an exposure opening opposing the photosensitive element. The process cartridges are arranged such that one process cartridge of a pair of adjacent process cartridges opposes the second opening and the exposure aperture of the electrification unit of the other process cartridge. Also a regulation member configured to regulate airflow is provided between the pair of process cartridges. The regulation member has elasticity and is disposed in a position between the second opening and the exposure aperture of the electrification unit. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120093525 | PRINTING APPARATUS - A printing apparatus includes a print mechanism which performs a printing on a plurality of papers; a paper feed section on which the papers to be printed are placed; a paper discharge section on which the papers that have been printed are placed; a transport route which extends from the paper feed section to the paper discharge section via a printing position at which the printing is performed by the print mechanism; a transport mechanism which successively transports the papers along the transport route; and a controller which controls the transport mechanism. The controller controls the transport mechanism to perform a transportation of the papers by a plurality of transport modes including a first transport mode and a second transport mode. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092734 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - In the image processing device, the color conversion part converts the input value to an output value by using a color profile. The correction part corrects the output value to a corrected value by using a correction table. The update part updates the correction table based on a density patch. The first and second amount is an estimated amount of the color material to be consumed when corrected image data corrected by either using the updated correction table or using an initial correction table, respectively, is printed. When the amount determining part determines that the first amount is greater than the second amount, the modifying part modifies the color profile such that the output value in the modified color profile specifies a less amount of color material than an amount of color material specified by the output value in the unmodified color profile. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092728 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND SERVER - An image processing device is configured to provide a service relating to at least one of (1) the image data generated by the function of the image processing device and (2) image data representing the image to be formed, in response to a request from the image processing device. The image processing device may include a parameter designating unit, a service request unit, and a function implementation unit that is adapted to implement the function of the image processing device based on the service providing parameter designated by the parameter designating unit. The service providing device is provided with a service provision executing unit that is adapted to execute a process to provide the service to the image processing device after receiving the request from the service request unit provided to the image processing device. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092413 | TREATMENT SOLUTION FOR INK-JET RECORDING, WATER-BASED INK SET FOR INK-JET RECORDING, INK-JET RECORDING METHOD AND INK-JET RECORDING APPARATUS - A treatment solution used for ink-jet recording, including: polyallylamine contained in the treatment solution in an amount of 0.5% by weight to 10% by weight; polyamidepolyamine-epihalohydrin copolymer contained in the treatment solution in an amount of 0.3% by weight to 2% by weight; and water. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120091650 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - An image recording device includes a first roller, a plurality of second rollers, a tray, and a recording portion. The tray includes a pair of thick-walled sections, a thin-walled section, and an accommodation portion. The pair of thick-walled sections extends in a lengthwise direction and protrudes from the first surface. The thin-walled section is positioned between the pair of thick-walled sections. The thin-walled section is thinner than the pair of thick-walled sections in a thickness direction of the tray. The accommodation portion is formed by a recess in the thickness direction in the thin-walled section. When the first roller and the plurality of second rollers nip the tray therebetween, the first surface of the tray does not contact any of the first roller or the plurality of second rollers, except at the pair of thick-walled sections of the tray. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120090519 | EMBROIDERY FRAME - An embroidery frame includes an outer frame formed into a substantially annular shape and having a discontinuity formed by partially breaking its annularity so that the outer frame has two ends located opposite each other with the discontinuity being interposed, an inner frame configured to be fitted with an inner periphery of the outer frame, a clamping mechanism clamping the outer frame against the inner frame and including paired screw-supporting members mounted on the outer frame ends and an adjusting screw mounted on the screw-supporting members so as to adjust a gap between the screw mounting members, and an operating knob supported on an operating end of the screw so as to be switchable between a first position where the knob extends parallel to an axial direction of the screw and a second position where the knob extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120087694 | Toner Container - A toner container includes a main casing, a shutter, and a seal member. The main casing accommodates toner and is formed with a communication hole through which an interior and an exterior of the casing communicate. The shutter is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing the communication hole, respectively, and in either one of an opening direction and a closing direction. A shutter base portion includes edges, one positioned downstream of the other in the closing direction; and a folded portion. The seal member, configured to encircle the communication hole, is disposed between the casing and the shutter in the closed shutter position. The base portion slidingly contacts the seal member when the shutter moves between the open and closed positions. The folded portion is folded at one edge to be positioned opposite to the seal member relative to the base portion. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120087693 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus comprising a process unit having a charger that charges a photosensitive member, a fixing unit having a heat source for thermally fixing a developer image formed on a recording sheet by the process unit, an apparatus body configured to accommodate the process unit and the fixing unit and having an ejection port above the fixing unit, the ejection port being used for ejecting the recording sheet ejected from the fixing unit to the outside of the image forming apparatus and an exhaust fan configured to discharge air inside the apparatus body to the outside of the image forming apparatus. The exhaust fan is disposed at a fixing-unit side of the process unit and is disposed lower than both the charger and the heat source such that air entering through the ejection port from outside the image forming apparatus flows through the fixing unit and is discharged by the exhaust fan. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086754 | LIQUID EJECTION HEAD AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A liquid ejection head has recessed portions are formed in an ejection face, such that a distance d | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086751 | LIQUID EJECTION HEAD AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A liquid ejection head, wherein recessed portions are formed in an ejection face such that, where, in the one direction, a distance D | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086747 | INK-JET RECORDING APPARATUS - There is provided an ink jet recording apparatus including an ink jet head; a scanning mechanism for scanning the ink-jet head; a transport mechanism including nip sections for nipping a recording medium; and a controller including a pattern forming mechanism, which controls the ink jet head to form a pattern including a mark for detecting a deviation between a landing position in a forward scanning and a landing position in a backward scanning; wherein the pattern forming mechanism controls the ink jet head to form a part of the mark on the recording medium in one of an area which overlaps in the transport direction with one of the nip sections and areas which are placed at outside positions of the nip sections nipping the recording medium at outermost positions in the scanning direction. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120084767 | TERMINAL DEVICE AND PROGRAM - A terminal device configured to be connectable with a plurality of accessory devices and a server configured to store a firmware package, may include a processor, and a memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the terminal device to perform functions. The functions may include a function of receiving the firmware package from the server, a function of storing the firmware package received from the server into the memory, a function of providing the stored firmware package to a first one of the plurality of accessory devices to install the firmware package therein, and a function of providing the stored firmware package to the other of the plurality of accessory devices to which the same firmware package is applied as the first one, to install the firmware package therein. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120084637 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus including: a display portion which displays a web page based on web page data; a specifying section which specifies, as a specific area, an area in the displayed web page; an object obtaining section which obtains an object included in the specified specific area; a relevant-information obtaining section which obtains relevant information associated with the obtained object; a map-image-data obtaining section which obtains map image data for displaying a map image, on the basis of a specific position which is a position on the map image, which indicates a position of the object specified by the obtained relevant information; and an output section which outputs obtained the object, the obtained relevant information, and the map image to be displayed based on the obtained map image data, to the display screen such that a position mark indicating the object is marked on the specific position on the map image. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120084448 | Communication Control Device, Communication System and Communication Method - A communication control device includes: a device connection unit that is configured to establish connection to a plurality of communication devices; a controller that is configured to control communication between the plurality of communication devices, which is connected to the communication control device by the device connection unit, and a counterpart device via a line; and a memory that is configured to store protection-target information including at least information for communication with the plurality of communication devices connected by the device connection unit. The controller is configured to: register at least one communication device from among communication devices connectable by the device connection unit; determine whether or not the at least one registered communication device is connected by the device connection unit; and when the at least one registered communication device is determined to be connected, permit an output of predefined protection-target information for the connected communication device. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120084402 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND RELAY APPARATUS - An image processing system includes: a relay apparatus; a service providing apparatus for an electronic-file storing service; and an image processing apparatus, which are connected to a network. The image processing apparatus includes: a first-address-get-request transmitting unit that transmits a request for getting a first address representing a location of an electronic file to be downloaded from the service providing apparatus to the relay apparatus; a first downloading unit which, upon receiving the first address from the relay apparatus after the request for getting the first address is transmitted, downloads the electronic file stored at the first address; and a storage control unit that controls a storage unit to store the electronic file downloaded by the first downloading unit. The relay apparatus includes: a first-address-get-program storage unit; a first-address getting unit; and a first-address transmitting unit. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120084359 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - An information processing device in an information communication system in which node devices are connected to an overlay network, and contents are distributed in the node devices, includes: an acquisition unit acquiring domain information from an inquiry device; a retrieval unit retrieving the content corresponding to the indicted domain name; a transmission unit transmitting, to the inquiry device, location information of the node device that saves the content corresponding to the indicated domain name; a storage unit storing the location information; and a first determination unit determining whether the location information is stored in the storage unit or not. If the location information is stored in the storage unit, the transmission unit transmits the location information corresponding to the acquired domain information to the inquiry device. If the location information is not stored in the storage unit, the retrieval unit retrieves the content. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082930 | Method for Producing Toner Block - There is provided a method for producing a toner block. The method includes: preparing a toner suspension in which toner particles are dispersed in water so that the toner suspension is a dilatant fluid; preparing an aggregate of the toner particles in a form of cake by absorbing water contained in the toner suspension by a water absorptive material; and drying the aggregate. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082929 | Toner Block - There is provided a toner block, which is formed by preparing a toner suspension in which toner particles are dispersed in water so that a water amount is 32.5 to 37% by mass; absorbing water contained in the toner suspension by a water absorptive material which absorbs 0.2 ml of water within 3 minutes to prepare an aggregate of the toner particles containing water of not more than 32.3% by mass; and drying the aggregate, and which has a maximum compressive stress of 80000 to 550000 N/m | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082499 | Recording Apparatus - A recording section is configured to record an image on a recording medium. An endless conveying belt has a surface disposed in confrontation with the recording section and is configured to move in a conveying direction with the recording medium supported by the surface, thereby conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction. A measuring section has a detecting region and configured to measure a position of the conveying belt with respect to a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the conveying direction. The measuring section includes an optical sensor that is configured to detect the position of the conveying belt with respect to the perpendicular direction. A sensor moving section is configured to move the sensor based on a measurement result of the measuring section, such that the conveying belt is detected in the detecting region. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082496 | Image Forming Device Having Sheet Discharge Guide - An image forming device including a main frame, a fixing unit, and a sheet discharge guide. The main frame is formed with a sheet discharge opening. The fixing unit includes a heat member and a pressure member providing a nip portion in cooperation with the heat member to fix a developing agent image onto a sheet at the nip portion. The sheet discharge guide provides a generally U-shaped guide surface configured to turn around the sheet discharged from the fixing unit toward the sheet discharge opening. The sheet discharge guide is displaceable toward and away from the nip portion between a non displaced state and a displaced state. The sheet discharge guide is configured to guide the sheet toward the sheet discharge opening at the non displaced state and the displaced state. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082478 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a door to cover an opening in a chassis, a fixing unit, a frame, a linear motion member to linearly move along with the door, a guiding member to guide the linear motion member to move linearly, a coupler assembly to couple the door with the linear motion member and move the linear motion member, and a manipulation member being movable according to movement of the linear motion member. The linear motion member includes a contact portion, with which the manipulation member comes in contact along an intersecting direction. The guiding member includes a slider plane to slidably support the linear motion member. The linear motion member is slidably supported by the slider plane of the guiding member at a surface which is on an opposite side from the surface having the contact portion. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082477 | DEVELOPING DEVICE PROVIDED WITH THICKNESS-REGULATION MEMBER RESISTANT TO ABRASION - A developing device includes a casing having an opening extending in a first direction, a developing roller, a thickness-regulation portion, a sealing member and a contact portion. The thickness-regulation portion includes a thin-plate member and a regulating portion. The thin-plate member has a base end portion fixed to the casing and a free end portion to which the regulating portion is fixed. The thin-plate member has a lateral end extending in a second direction. The regulating portion has an end face extending in a direction. The sealing member is disposed on the thin-plate member and in intimate contact with the end face of the regulating portion. The contact portion is fixed on the thin-plate member at a position closer to the lateral end than the sealing member to the lateral end and made of a material whose hardness is higher than that of the sealing member. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082476 | DEVELOPING DEVICE PROVIDED WITH SEALING MEMBERS ASSEMBLED TO THICKNESS-REGULATION MEMBER - A developing device includes a casing having an opening extending in a first direction, a developing roller, a thickness-regulation member, an engagement portion and a sealing member. The thickness-regulation member includes a thin-plate member and a regulating portion. The thin-plate member is fixed to the casing and has a lateral end extending in a second direction. The regulating portion is fixed on the thin-plate member and has an end face extending in a direction. The engagement portion is fixed on the thin-plate member and positioned closer to the lateral end than the end face to the lateral end to provide a groove between the engagement portion and the end face. The sealing member is fitted in the groove and has a length in the first direction longer than a length of the groove prior to assembly of the sealing member into the groove. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082470 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a photoconductor; a charger configured to charge the photoconductor, the charger having a discharge wire and a grid; a charge-voltage applying device configured to generate charge voltage and apply the charge voltage to the discharge wire; and an abnormal-discharge detector provided between an output end portion of the charge-voltage applying device and the ground. The abnormal-discharge detector is configured to detect an abnormal discharge occurring in the charger by detecting an abnormal current passing via the grid and the ground upon occurrence of the abnormal discharge. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081767 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE SCANNING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus including: a determining unit that determines whether a background color area of an image data is adjacent to a non-background color area of an image data outside of the background color area, the non-background color area including a pixel having color data of a first color; and a converting unit that converts color data of a pixel in the background color area into the first color when the determining unit determines that the background color area is not adjacent to the non-background color area, and converts the color data of the pixel in the background color area into a second color which is different from the first color when the determining unit determines that the background color area is adjacent to the non-background color area. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081766 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE SCANNING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus including: a determining unit that performs determination so as to determine a color mode of a target image in a color mode order, in a page unit; and a subtracting unit that calculates a subtraction total number of pixels, wherein, the determining unit performs the determination of a first color mode in the color mode order based on a pixel ratio of a number of pixels of the first color mode in the color mode order to a total number of pixels, and the determining unit performs the determination of the second or subsequent color mode in the color mode order based on a pixel ratio of a number of pixels of the second or subsequent color mode in the color mode order to the subtraction total number of pixels calculated by the subtracting unit. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081765 | IMAGE READING APPARATUS - An image reading apparatus including a main unit and an openable unit is provided. One of an upper-stream section and a lower-stream section in a sheet path with respect to a U-curved section is provided as an upper-level path, and the other of the upper-stream section and the lower-stream section is arranged in a lower-level path. The openable unit includes a movable piece arranged in a position along the lower-level path and is swingable to be close to and separated apart from the lower-level path. The movable piece is movable by its own weight from a closed position to an open position when the openable unit is moved to an open position. The movable piece serves as a part of a bottom surface of the lower-level path when in the closed position and exposes a part of the lower-level path when in the open position. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081763 | Image Reading Apparatus - An image reading apparatus to convey a sheet to be scanned to an image reader unit is provided. the image reading apparatus includes a sheet tray, in which the sheet to be scanned is stored, a separator, which frictionally picks up the sheet from the sheet tray and conveys the picked-up sheet toward an entry side of the image reader unit, through which the sheet enters a position above the image reader unit, to have a first side of the sheet scanned by the image reader unit, and a resisting force applier, which applies convey-resisting force to the sheet, of which first side has been scanned, being returned to the entry side of the image reader unit to have a second side of the sheet with the convey resistance scanned by the image reader unit. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081762 | IMAGE READING DEVICE - A reading device comprising a connection unit configured to be connected with a storage medium, a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the storage medium is connected to the connection unit, a judging unit configured to judge if there is a document to be read by a reading unit and an execution unit configured to execute the advising process when the judgment unit judges that there is the document to be read and the determination unit determines that the storage medium is connected to the connection unit. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081761 | IMAGE READER CAPABLE OF DETECTING BLANK DOCUMENT SHEET - An image reader includes a reading unit that is configured to read an image on a document sheet to generate read data, a counting unit that is configured to count a number of pixels of the read data having more than a predetermined gray level, a determining unit that determines that the document sheet is blank when the number of pixels counted by the counting unit is not exceeding a threshold value, a display unit that is configured to display the number of pixels counted by the counting unit and the threshold value when the document sheet has been determined to be blank, in a manner that the number of pixels can be compared with the threshold value, and a changing unit that changes the threshold value. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081760 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - An image recording apparatus including a main frame including (a) a pair of side plates facing each other in one direction and (b) a base plate whose opposite end portions in the one direction are respectively supported by the pair of side plates; a guide member provided at an inside area interposed between a pair of side plates in the one direction, so as to define a conveying path through which a recording medium is conveyed; and a sensor device supported by one of the pair of side plates and configured to sense the recording medium conveyed through the conveying path. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081752 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is provided, including an image forming mechanism which executes a printing process; an object data memory which stores image data as an object of the printing process when a printing instruction is received; a re-formation condition memory which stores a type of a printing function and whether or not image data is an object of image re-formation in con'elation with each other; an object judging mechanism which judges whether or not the image data as a source of the image formation is the object of the image re-formation; and a data deleting mechanism which deletes the image data as the source of the image formation from the object data memory if the image data as the source of the image formation is not the object of the image re-formation. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081745 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM BEARING PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE - An information processing device includes a communication unit, a memory and a controller. The controller is configured to store information in a first region of the memory as a first default device corresponding to a first job mode and to store information in a second region of the memory as a second default device corresponding to a second job mode. The controller is configured to read out the first default device from the first region of the memory when receiving a first job mode processing, and transmit command data to the read out first default device. The controller is further configured to read out the second default device from the second region of the memory when receiving a second job mode processing, and transmit command data to the read out second default device. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081744 | PRINTING SYSTEM, PRINTING MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, PRINTING MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, AND METHOD OF MANAGING PRINTING PROCESS - A printing system includes: a client; at least one printer; a server; and a management device. The client is transmits a permission request to the management device. The management device determines a number of jobs in a print queue, calculates a comparison value by adding one to the number of jobs in the print queue, and compares a predetermined value to the comparison value upon receipt of the permission request. The management device transmits a utilization permission to the client when the comparison value is less than or equal to the predetermined value. The client transmits a job comprising image data to the server when the client receives the utilization permission, and the server generates printing data based on the image data when the server receives the job and transmits the printing data to the at least one printer. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081743 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND RELAY APPARATUS - An image processing system includes: an image processing apparatus; a relay apparatus; and a service providing apparatus, which are connected to a network. The image processing apparatus includes: an electronic-file storage unit; an address-get-request transmitting unit; an upload-message generating unit which, upon receiving an upload destination address and a template for an upload message for performing an upload request to the service providing apparatus from the relay apparatus after a request for getting the upload destination address is transmitted to the relay apparatus by the account-information-request transmitting unit, generates the upload message including an electronic file and the upload destination address according to the received template; and an upload-message transmitting unit that transmits the upload message to the service providing apparatus to upload the electronic file to the service providing apparatus. The relay apparatus includes: a program storage unit; an upload-destination-address getting unit; and an upload-destination-address transmitting unit. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081742 | DEVICE CONTROL PROGRAM, DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND PRINTER CONTROL DEVICE - A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing a device control program including instructions for controlling a device based on setting values assigned to each setting item received from an application program, the instructions including the steps of: retrieving at least one setting value batch including data that specifies values for each setting item, wherein each setting item corresponds to an operation of the device; generating a list of values for at least one of the setting items, the list of values including at least one setting value and the at least one setting value batch; receiving a request for the list of values from the application program; upon receipt of the request, providing the list of values to the application program; and receiving a selection of one of the at least one setting value batch from the application program. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081735 | DEVICE AND PROGRAM - A peripheral device configured to be connected to a terminal device, may have a processor, and a memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the peripheral device to configured to provide sections. The sections may include a first supply section configured for supplying setting screen data that includes a first set value field and a first cancel button configured for returning a second value in the first set value field to the first value, and a second supply section configured for supplying error screen data that includes a second set value field and a second cancel button configured to cause the setting screen to be displayed on the terminal device in which the first value is displayed in the first set value field instead of the second value. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081728 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - A control section attaches a reprinting data mark to FAX image data received in a “Replace Toner” state and then stores the data. Then, a user is prompted to check whether an image of the FAX image data with the reprinting data mark printed most recently has been outputted appropriately. In case of appropriate output, all the FAX image data pieces with the reprinting data marks stored in a storage section are deleted. In contrast, in case of inappropriate output, the FAX image data is stored intact as reprinting data. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081716 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - An image recording apparatus is provided. The image recording apparatus includes a first conveyer to convey a recording medium in a first direction, a recording unit to record the image on the recording medium, a second conveyer including a first roller pair with a first driving roller and a first driven roller, an image position detector to detect a position of the formed image along a second direction within the recording medium, a rotation rate setting unit to set a rotation rate of the first driving roller based on the detected position of the formed image when a part of the formed image on the recording medium is nipped by the first roller pair, and a controller to control the first driving roller to rotate in the rotation rate set by the rotation rate setting unit and convey the recording medium by the first roller pair. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081496 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A light sensor generates a detection signal upon receiving laser light. A rotation sensor generates a rotation signal in synchronization with rotation of a polygon motor. A mirror-rotation-signal generating section generates a mirror rotation signal, based on the detection signal. A motor-rotation-signal generating section generates a motor rotation signal, based on the rotation signal. A phase-difference measuring section measures a phase difference between the motor rotation signal and the mirror rotation signal A prediction-signal generating section generates a prediction signal that is delayed from the motor rotation signal by the phase difference. A switching section switches a control mode between: a mirror control mode in which the mirror rotation signal is used to control a rotational speed of the polygon mirror; and a prediction control mode in which the prediction signal is used to control the rotational speed. A motor driver drives the polygon motor in the selected control mode. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081491 | Liquid Ejecting Device - A liquid ejecting device includes first and second housings. The first housing is movable between a proximity position and a separated position with respect to the second housing, and accommodates a liquid ejecting head. The first housing includes a cover attached to the first housing and movable with respect to the head between a protection position for the head and a retreat position, and a movement mechanism which causes the cover to move with the movement of the first housing. The movement mechanism includes a hole formed in the second housing, and an intermediate member including a protrusion movable along the hole with the movement of the cover. In the separated position, the protrusion abuts the hole in both directions in which force to move the cover between the retreat position and the protection position is applied so that the side walls restrict movement of the protrusion. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081489 | TRAY UNIT AND IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - A tray unit includes a first tray, a second tray, and a cover. The first tray includes a first holding surface for holding thereon a first sheet. The second tray includes a second holding surface for holding thereon a second sheet and is configured to slide above and along the first holding surface from a second position to a first position in a first sliding direction and from the first position to the second position in a second sliding direction opposite to the first sliding direction. The cover is configured to cover from above at least a part of the second tray when the second tray is in the second position. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081488 | TRAY UNIT AND IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - A tray unit includes a first tray, a second tray, and a cover. The first tray includes a first holding surface for holding thereon a first sheet. The second tray includes a second holding surface for holding thereon a second sheet. The second tray is configured to slide above and along the first holding surface between a first second-tray position and a second second-tray position, and is configured to pivot between the second second-tray position and a third second-tray position in which the second tray stands upward with respect to the first holding surface. The cover is configured to cover from above at least a part of the second tray when the second tray is in the second second-tray position, and is configured to pivot between a first cover position in which the cover extends along the first holding surface and a second cover position in which the cover stands upward with respect to the first holding surface. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081486 | Recording Apparatus with Removable Member - A recording apparatus including: a casing provided with a feed roller for feeding a recording medium; a removable member insertable into and removable from the casing by being moved relative to the casing in an axial direction of the feed roller, between a removable-member mounted state and a removable-member removed state, wherein on the removable member is mounted a nip roller via a shaft thereof extending in parallel with the axial direction of the feed roller, the nip roller being configured to nip the recording medium with the feed roller in the feeding of the recording medium in the state in which the removable member is in the removable-member mounted state; a force applying portion which applies a force to the nip roller in a direction in which the nip roller is moved toward the feed roller; and a moving mechanism which moves the nip roller against the force in a mounting and removing operation in a direction in which the nip roller is moved away from the feed roller. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081480 | INK CARTRIDGE AND RECORDING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - An ink cartridge includes: an ink chamber configured to store ink therein; a base board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the second surface being formed with a void recess; and a pyroelectric portion mounted on the first surface of the base board and opposing the void recess via the base board. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081479 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a liquid cartridge having a plurality of liquid tanks, a cartridge mount, liquid applicators, communication paths to communicably connect the liquid tanks with the liquid applicators, a subsidiary tank arranged in an intermediate position in one of the communication paths, a first remaining amount detector to detect amounts of liquids remaining in the liquid tanks, a first liquid conveyer to transfer the liquid from the communicably connected liquid tank to the subsidiary tank, and a first liquid conveyer controller to manipulate the first liquid conveyer. When an amount of one of the liquids remaining in one of the liquid tanks is smaller than a first predetermined amount, the first liquid conveyer controller manipulates the first liquid conveyer to transfer the other of the liquids remaining in the other of the liquid tanks to the subsidiary tank. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081477 | WATER-BASED INK FOR INK-JET RECORDING, INK CARTRIDGE, INK-JET RECORDING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING WATER-BASED INK FOR INK-JET RECORDING - There is provided a water-based ink for ink-jet recording including: a colorant including a self-dispersible pigment modified by a carboxylic acid group; a highly polymerized compound containing a carbodiimide group; an ether sulfate-based anionic surfactant; water; and a water-soluble organic solvent. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081460 | WATER-BASED COLORING MATERIAL, WATER-BASED INK FOR INK-JET RECORDING, INK-JET RECORDING METHOD, AND INK-JET RECORDING APPARATUS - A water-based coloring material which colors a medium and which is to be used together with water, the water-based coloring material includes a colorant and polyetheramine represented by chemical formula (1): | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081459 | Treatment Solution For Ink-Jet Recording, Water-Based Ink Set For Ink-Jet Recording, Ink-Jet Recording Method, And Ink-Jet Recording Apparatus - A treatment solution used for ink-jet recording, includes a quaternary alkylammonium salt represented by general formula (1) and water: | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081458 | Treatment Solution For Ink-Jet Recording, Water-Based Ink Set For Ink-Jet Recording, Ink-Jet Recording Method And Ink-Jet Recording Apparatus - There is provided a treatment solution used for ink-jet recording, comprising: quaternary alkylammonium hydroxide represented by general formula (1); an acid including at least one of dicarboxylic acid and tricarboxylic acid; and water; wherein the quaternary alkylammonium hydroxide is neutralized, to be a quaternary alkylammonium salt, by the at least one of the dicarboxylic acid and the tricarboxylic acid to have a degree of neutralization which is not less than 50% and not more than 110%; | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081454 | WATER-BASED INK SET FOR INK-JET RECORDING, INK-JET RECORDING METHOD AND INK-JET RECORDING APPARATUS - A water-based ink set for ink-jet recording includes: a water-based black ink containing a black colorant, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent; and a water-based cyan ink containing a cyan colorant, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent; wherein the black colorant includes a self-dispersible carbon black modified by at least one of a carboxyl group and a sulfo group; and the cyan colorant includes a dye represented by general formula (1): | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081453 | WATER-BASED INK SET FOR INK-JET RECORDING, INK-JET RECORDING METHOD, AND INK-JET RECORDING APPARATUS - There is provided a water-based ink set for ink-jet recording, including: a water-based yellow ink which contains water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a yellow colorant containing a yellow dye (Y-1) and a yellow dye (Y-2) indicated below; a water-based magenta ink which contains water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a magenta colorant containing a magenta dye (M-1) and a magenta dye (M-2) indicated below; a water-based cyan ink which contains water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a cyan colorant containing a cyan dye (C-1) indicated below; and a water-based black ink which contains water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a black colorant containing carbon black. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081452 | WATER-BASED INK SET FOR INK-JET RECORDING, INK-JET RECORDING METHOD, AND INK-JET RECORDING APPARATUS - A water-based ink set for ink jet recording, includes: a water-based black ink which contains a black colorant, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent, the black colorant containing self-dispersible carbon black; and a water-based magenta ink which contains a magenta colorant, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent, the magenta colorant containing a dye represented by the general formula ( | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081445 | INK-JET RECORDING APPARATUS - An ink-jet recording apparatus includes a pair of first rollers which transports a recording medium in a transporting direction, a platen arranged at a downstream side of the transporting direction with respect to the first rollers, and which supports the recording medium, a pair of second rollers arranged at the downstream side of the transporting direction with respect to the platen, and which transports the recording medium in the transporting direction, a recording head arranged to face the platen and which jets ink droplets onto the recording medium supported by the platen, and a guide mechanism which changes an attitude of the guide member between a first attitude in which a front end of the recording medium is guided to a nipping position of the second rollers, and a second attitude in which the front end of the recording medium is guided to a lower position than the nipping position. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081438 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS, CONTROL DEVICE, AND PROGRAM - A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a head that contains an ejection surface where a plurality of ejection ports are opened; a sensor that detects a contact between the recording medium and the ejection surface; an ejection duty detecting unit, when the sensor detects the contact, that is configured to detect an ejection duty of the liquids of an image formed in an area of the recording medium, which comes into contact with the ejection surface; and a maintenance unit, when the sensor detects the contact, that is configured to stop an operation based on a record command and is configured to perform maintenance including compulsory ejection which ejects liquids from the ejection ports, wherein the maintenance unit adjusts the amount of the liquids, which are ejected in the compulsory ejection, according to the ejection duty, which is detected by the ejection duty detecting unit. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081437 | LIQUID EJECTING DEVICE - A liquid ejecting device to eject droplets of liquid onto a recording medium is provided. The image ejecting device includes a recording medium conveyer, a liquid ejecting head, a detector unit, an image data storage, a controller, and a cancellation signal output unit to output cancellation signals in an error condition. The controller includes a creating unit to create first dot pattern data and sum segments extracted from the first dot pattern data to create second dot pattern data, a transmission unit, and a cancellation controller unit to stop the creating unit, create second dot pattern data by adding a dot pattern to the segments having been extracted from the first dot pattern data, and transmit the created second dot pattern data to the transmission unit. The controller controls the liquid ejecting head to eject the droplets from the nozzles according to the second dot pattern data. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081424 | RECORDING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF DETECTING RESIDUAL AMOUNT OF INK IN INK CARTRIDGE - A recording apparatus includes a controller and a cartridge accommodating section in which an ink cartridge of a predetermined type is mountable. The ink cartridge includes: an ink chamber; a first heat conductor that conducts heat to the ink; a pyroelectric portion that outputs an electrical signal; and a first electrical interface that connects to the pyroelectric portion. The cartridge accommodating section includes: a second electrical interface that connects to the first electrical interface when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge accommodating section; a heater that applies heat; and a second heat conductor that conducts heat to the first heat conductor. The controller determines at least one of the type of the mounted ink cartridge and whether an amount of ink in the ink chamber is less than a predetermined amount based on the electrical signal inputted from the pyroelectric portion via the second electrical interface. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081423 | LIQUID DISCHARGER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A liquid discharger is provided, which includes a condition determining unit configured to, based on a remaining amount of first liquid detected by a first liquid remaining amount detector and a remaining amount of second liquid detected by a second liquid remaining amount detector, determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied under a situation where the remaining amount of the second liquid is less than the remaining amount of the first liquid. When the condition determining unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, a second liquid discharge head is controlled to discharge onto image formation areas the second liquid of an amount smaller than an amount of the second liquid to be discharged onto the image formation areas in a case where the condition determining unit determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081422 | INK CARTRIDGE AND RECORDING APPARATUS - An ink cartridge includes: a casing; a pyroelectric portion; a heat conductor; and an electrical interface. The casing is configured to store ink therein. The casing has a bottom wall. The pyroelectric portion is configured to output an electrical signal. The heat conductor is configured to conduct heat to the ink and the pyroelectric portion. The heat conductor has at least a portion in contact with or disposed adjacent to the bottom wall. The electrical interface is configured to output an electrical signal outputted from the pyroelectric portion. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081063 | Motor Control Device - A motor control device comprises: an acceleration upper limit estimating unit; a target acceleration setting unit; a motor control unit; and a deficit calculating unit, wherein the target acceleration setting unit corrects the target acceleration based on the acceleration profile by an amount corresponding to the acceleration deficit within a range in which the target acceleration does not exceed the acceleration upper limit on the basis of the acceleration deficit calculated by the deficit calculating unit to set the target acceleration at each time. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081062 | Motor Control Device - A motor control device includes: a motor control unit; and a signal output unit, the motor control unit includes: a first control unit configured to estimate a current upper limit value on the basis of the rotation speed of the motor and a current decrease caused by back electromotive force, the first control unit configured to determine a control input corresponding to the estimated current upper limit value, and a second control unit configured to determine a control input to be applied to the motor on the basis of an operation amount of the motor and a target value, of the operation amount to control, the motor, and in the early period of driving of the motor, the motor is controlled by the first control unit, and in the late period of driving of the motor, the motor is controlled by the second control unit. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080839 | DOCUMENT HOLDING DEVICE FOR AN IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM - A first rack of a pair of document guides slides in pressing contact against a pinion due to contact with a protrusion. As a result, the first rack is subjected to a larger sliding resistance than when the protrusion is not provided. When one of the document guides is operated, the operating force transmits directly to the first rack. Therefore, if a large force corresponding to the sliding resistance increased by the protrusion is applied, the first rack can be slid. When the other document guide is operated, the operating force transmits to the first rack through the pinion. Therefore, the sliding resistance increased by the protrusion increases due to the gear efficiency of the pinion. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080834 | SHEET FEED DEVICE AND IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS HAVING SUCH SHEET FEED DEVICE - An image recording apparatus including a first tray having a first holding portion for holding sheets, a second tray disposed above the first tray and including a second holding portion for holding sheets, a sheet feeder that selectively feeds a sheet from one of the first tray and the second tray in a sheet feed direction, a recording unit that records an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeder, and a discharge roller that discharges the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit. The second holding portion of the second tray moves above the first holding portion of the first tray. The second tray further includes a discharged sheet receiving portion for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharge roller. The second tray including the discharged sheet receiving portion pivots relative to the first tray. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080833 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - An image recording device includes a housing, a tray unit mounted in the housing and configured to hold thereon sheets, a feeder configured to feed a sheet from the tray unit, a recording unit configured to record an image on the sheet fed by the feeder, and a discharging unit configured to discharge the sheet after the recording unit records the image on the sheet. The tray unit includes a first tray including a first holding surface for holding thereon a first sheet, a second tray includes a second holding surface for holding thereon a second sheet and configured to move above the first holding surface between a first position and a second position, and a third tray supported by the first tray and disposed above the second tray in the second position, and configured to receive the sheet discharged by the discharging unit. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080550 | TAPE CASSETTE - A tape cassette that includes a box-shaped cassette case whose outline being defined by a bottom wall, a top wall, and a side wall and including a plurality of corner portions, at least one tape contained within a tape containment area defined within the outline, a pair of cavities extending from the bottom wall and being provided between the tape containment area and the outline at opposite ends of a diagonal line connecting one of the corner portions to another of the corner portions, and a side face indicator portion provided in the side wall, indicating a type of the tape, and including a plurality of indicator portions disposed in a pattern in accordance with the type of the tape, each of the indicator portions being one of a switch hole and a surface portion. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079365 | IMAGE FORMING CONTROL PROGRAM, METHOD OF IMAGE FORMING CONTROL AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions to control a computer, which is configured to display an image represented by webpage data, to perform a method of image forming control, the method including: controlling, when an operation unit receives a operation designating a specific image associated with term, a first acquiring unit to acquire the term associated with the specific image; controlling a storage unit to store: term information; term acquiring information; specific image data acquiring information; and webpage data specifying information; controlling, when the webpage data specified by the webpage data specifying information is provided by the providing source, a second acquiring unit to acquire the term from said webpage data; and controlling, when the term acquired by the second acquiring unit is updated from the term indicated by the term information, a specific image data acquiring unit to acquire the specific image data from the webpage data. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078841 | INFORMATION GENERATING DEVICE, INFORMATION GENERATING METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - An information generating device in an information communication system in which contents and catalog information including its attribute information are distributed in node devices, includes: a first storage unit storing first catalog information, the catalog information including link information associating the plurality of attribute information with each other; a acquisition unit acquiring, in response to updating the content of the attribute information, the updated attribute information; a generation unit generating the link information for updating the first catalog information on the basis of the attribute information acquired by the first acquisition unit, and the first catalog information stored in the first storage unit, and generate second catalog information including the generated link information and the updated attribute information; a second storing unit storing the second catalog information; and an updating unit updating the first catalog information on the basis of the second catalog information for each given period. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078505 | MAP GENERATING DEVICE, AND MEMORY MEDIUM STORING MAP GENERATING PROGRAM - A map generating device constructed to generate a map wherein character rows of a first kind which are disposed near road symbols representing roads selected as a route from a start point to a destination point and which identify buildings and other facilities, for example, are oriented according to respective different directions of movement of the user of the map on the respective roads toward the destination point, so that the character rows of the first kind can be easily read by the user tracing the route while relying on the character rows of the first kind. Also disclosed is a memory medium storing a map generating program which is executed by a computer to generate the map. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120077515 | PROGRAM OF MOBILE DEVICE, MOBILE DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MOBILE DEVICE - A computer-readable recording device may store a computer program including instructions for causing a computer of a mobile device to operate as: (1) a selecting module that selects, based on first information, second information and third information, a particular device being substantially located in a specific direction indicated by the third information from a plurality of candidate devices on a wireless network, and (2) a controlling module that controls a communication unit that is configured to communicate using the wireless network such that the communication unit communicates with the particular device selected by the selecting module. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076552 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developer supply device configured to supply charged development agent to an intended device, includes a carrying assist member disposed, apart from a developer transfer path, to face a developer carrying surface of a developer carrying member at an upstream side relative to a developer carrying position, in which a transfer board is opposite and in closest proximity to the developer carrying surface, in a direction in which the developer carrying surface moves when the developer carrying member is driven to rotate. The carrying assist member is configured to, when a predetermined voltage is applied thereto, generate an electric field, under which the charged development agent heads for the developer carrying surface, between the carrying assist member and the developer carrying member. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076537 | Image Forming Device and Cartridge - An image forming device is described according to an aspect comprises: a photoconductive drum; a developing roller opposed to the photoconductive drum; a developer container; a cartridge; a second portion; and a second terminal. The cartridge comprises: a cartridge frame; a memory unit; a first portion disposed at an upstream portion in a vicinity of an upstream end in an attachment direction of the cartridge frame; and a first terminal disposed at at least a part of the first portion and electrically connected to the memory unit. The second terminal is disposed at at least a part of the second portion to contact with the first terminal and electrically connected to a controller disposed in the main body. One of the first portion and second portion receives the other of the first portion and second portion. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076536 | DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A developing cartridge that maintains a pressing condition to press a developer carrier against the image carrier is described. The developing cartridge may include a coil spring that presses the developer carrier against the image carrier. The coil spring may include a handle that transmits a pressing force to the coil spring via the contacting member. By doing so, every time the developing cartridge is replaced, a new coil spring and handle can be provided for the color laser printer with the developing cartridge attached. Therefore, a constant pressure by the coil spring can be continuously maintained. Thus, a preferable pressure condition of the developer carrier against the image carrier can be continuously maintained. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076534 | Toner Cartridge and Process Cartridge - A process cartridge includes a first cartridge and a second cartridge. The first cartridge includes a frame, a first opening and closing member and a first operating member. The first opening and closing member is configured to open and close a first opening formed in the first wall. The second cartridge includes a housing, a second opening and closing member, a second operating member and a third operating member. The second opening and closing member is movable between an open position in which a second opening formed in the second wall is opened and a closed position in which the second opening is closed. The third operating member faces the second operating member spaced therebetween. When the second cartridge is attached to the first cartridge, the second operating member and the third operating member are integrally displaced via the first operating member. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076527 | Image Forming Device - An image forming device is provided, which includes an interlocking mechanism that causes a cleaning unit to clean with a cleaning surface thereof a detection surface of a detection sensor for reading each detection pattern formed on an outer surface of a sheet-feeding endless belt, in conjunction with movement of a drawer, which holds a plurality of process cartridges, between an attachment position where a photoconductive drum included in each process cartridge faces an up-facing side of the outer surface of the endless belt and a replacement position where at least one of the process cartridges is outside a main body housing of the image forming device. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076524 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier rotates in a predetermined direction; a correction image forming unit forming correction images on the image carrier in the predetermined direction; and a cleaning roller configured to clean the correction images on the image carrier. With respect to all values ranging from 1 to an arbitrary value n, a positive integer N which satisfies following expression for each of n exists: (T×N+L)/n≦R/V≦(T×(N+1)−L)/n, where R represents a circumferential length of the cleaning roller, L represents a length of each of the correction images in a moving direction of the image carrier, T represents a formation interval of the correction images in the moving direction of the image carrier, and V represents a ratio of a peripheral speed of the cleaning roller to a moving speed of the image carrier. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076522 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a controller capable of performing a printing control and a cleaning control. In the printing control, developer images carried on the image carriers are transferred toward the opposing surface or a recording sheet by applying a transfer current between each of the image carriers and the transfer device. In the cleaning control, developer collected by the cleaning rollers is transferred toward the image carriers and the transfer device and collected by the cleaning device by applying a transfer current between each of the image carriers and the transfer device and switching an electric field established between the image carrier and the corresponding cleaning roller. The controller is configured to control the transfer current such that an average absolute value of the transfer current in the cleaning control is smaller than that in the printing control. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076218 | COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A first communication device includes: a control unit functioning as: a first selection unit which, for a first case where first type data is to be transmitted from the first communication device to a second communication device, selects one or more band guarantee values from a plurality of band guarantee values determined on a basis of transmission capability with which the first communication device transmits the first type data; a request unit which provides a first request command indicating the one or more band guarantee values to the second communication device; a communication unit that acquires a first response command indicating one band guarantee value selected from the one or more band guarantee values by the second communication device; and a first transmission execution unit which transmits the first type data to the second communication device in accordance with the one band guarantee value indicated by the first response command. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076069 | ACCESS POINT AND TERMINAL DEVICE - An access point configured to relay communications of a terminal device in a wireless network, the access point including: a request receiving unit, which receives a setting change request to change a first wireless setting, which is being set as a wireless setting of the wireless network, into a second wireless setting; a determination unit, which determines whether a second terminal device, which performs communications with the access point in accordance with the first wireless setting, is present; and a setting change unit; wherein when it is determined that the second terminal device is not present in the wireless network, the setting change unit changes from the first wireless setting to the second wireless setting in response to the setting change request, and wherein when it is determined that the second terminal device is present in the wireless network, the setting change unit keeps the first wireless setting. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076022 | MULTI-FUNCTION DEVICE - A multi-function device capable of executing a plurality of functions, the device comprising: a first acquisition unit configured to acquire communication state information relating to a current communication state of the multi-function device; a determination unit configured to determine: a first priority order in a case of a first state indicating that the current communication state of the multi-function device is good; and a second priority order in a case of a second state indicating that the current communication state of the multi-function device is poor, wherein the second priority order is different from the first priority order, and wherein each of the priority orders indicate each of priorities of the plurality of functions; and a data transmission unit configured to execute preferentially a transmission of data for a high-priority function earlier than a transmission of data for a low-priority function, based on the determined priority order. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075672 | MOBILE DEVICE, PROGRAM OF MOBILE DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MOBILE DEVICE - A computer-readable recording device may store a computer program including instructions for causing a computer of a mobile device to operate as: (1) a first storing controlling module that causes a storing unit to store one or more first information for identifying one or more candidate devices, the one or more first information being received from a wireless network by a communication unit, (2) a sending controlling module that selects one candidate device as a temporarily selected candidate device from among the one or more candidate devices identified by the one or more first information, and controls the communication unit such that the communication unit sends a first instruction to the temporarily selected candidate device, and (3) a communication controlling module that controls the communication unit such that the communication unit communicates with the temporarily selected candidate device in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075657 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - An image recording apparatus, including: a recording device; discharge trays; a discharge mechanism; detectors; an input device through which is inputted authentication information relating to image data; and a controller including: an image-data reception portion; an authentication-information confirming portion to make a confirmation as to whether the authentication information contains specific information; a confirmation-necessity judging portion to judge whether the confirmation by the confirming portion with respect to the image data is necessary; a selecting portion to select one discharge tray on which the recording medium is not placed, wherein, where the judging portion judges that the confirmation is necessary, the controller permits selection of the one discharge tray, controls the recording device to record the image based on the image data after the confirmation that the authentication information contains the specific information, and controls the discharge mechanism to discharge, to the selected one discharge tray, the image-recorded recording medium. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075485 | PROGRAM OF MOBILE DEVICE, MOBILE DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MOBILE DEVICE - A computer-readable recording device may store a computer program including instructions for causing a computer of a mobile device to operate as: (1) an image specifying module that specifies a plurality of partial images corresponding to a plurality of candidate devices within a taken image that is displayed by a display unit provided in the mobile device, and (2) a communication controlling module that controls a communication unit configured to communicate using a wireless network such that the communication unit communicates with a candidate device corresponding to the partial image, in a case where an operation unit configured to receive an operation on the mobile device by a user receives a selection of the partial image. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075392 | LIQUID CARTRIDGE, LIQUID EJECTING DEVICE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING LIQUID CARTRIDGE, AND METHOD OF REFURBISHING LIQUID CARTRIDGE - A liquid cartridge includes a liquid storing portion that stores liquid therein, a liquid path that is in fluid communication with the liquid storing portion, a sealing member that is selectively penetrated and closed, and a storage. The storage includes a first count storage area configured to store first count data corresponding to a number of times the sealing member has been penetrated at a first position, and a first position sealing data corresponding to a first number that is comparable to the first count data. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075377 | LIQUID EJECTING DEVICE - A liquid ejecting device is provided. The liquid ejecting device includes a conveyer, liquid ejecting heads with nozzles to eject droplets of liquid, an liquid purging unit to purge the liquid out of the nozzles, a detector unit to detect presence of a recording medium, a storage unit to store length of the recording medium, a judging unit to judge whether the recording medium is jammed in a conveyer path, a head identifier unit to identify an overlapping liquid ejecting head assumedly facing the jammed recording medium based on the detected result obtained by the detector unit and the length of the recording medium, and an purge controller unit to control an amount of the liquid to be ejected from the nozzles in the remaining liquid ejecting heads to be smaller than an amount of the liquid to be ejected from the nozzles in the identified overlapping liquid ejecting head. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075373 | LIQUID DISCHARGER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A liquid discharger is provided, which includes a gap adjustor that moves a first liquid discharge head between a first position and a second position where a gap between the first liquid discharge head and a sheet is smaller than when the first liquid discharge head is in the first position, and a controller configured to, when determining that second liquid is left enough to form an image and that a quality level stored in a storage unit is equal to or more than a predetermined level, control the gap adjustor to place the first liquid discharge head in the second position, control the first liquid discharge head to discharge the first liquid, and forbid a second liquid discharge head to discharge the second liquid. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074824 | Image Formation Apparatus - An image formation apparatus is provided with a housing, a rockable member rockably secured to the housing, and a lock mechanism including an engaging portion and an engageable portion. The rockable member is locked to the housing when the engageable portion is engaged with the engaging portion. The image formation apparatus is further provided with a displaceable guide member secured to the housing or the rockable member. A guiding member is provided to the housing or the rockable member. The guiding member slide-contacts the guide member when the rockable member rocks so that the state of the rockable member is changed from a rockable state to an unrockable state. The engageable portion is displaced to move closer to the engaging portion in a case where the guide member contacts the guiding member than in a case where the guide member does not contact the guiding member. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074641 | Recording Apparatus - A recording apparatus including: a roller disposed at a set position and configured to convey a recording medium; a shaft member configured to support the roller located at the set position, wherein the roller is disengageable from the shaft member by moving in a direction toward one of opposite ends of the shaft member; a roller moving mechanism configured to move the roller in the direction toward the one end by applying a force to the roller in the direction toward the one end; and a movement inhibiting and allowing member configured to: inhibit the roller from moving in the direction toward the one end by being positioned at a first position at which the roller is positioned where the roller has been moved in the direction toward the one end; and allow the roller to move in the direction toward the one end by moving from the first position to a second position different from the first position. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074637 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - An image recording apparatus including: (a) a recording portion for recording image on a top face of a sheet; (b) a supplying roller which is to be in contact with a bottom face of the sheet held in a tray and which is configured to supply the sheet toward a curved conveyance path; (c) a drive roller which is to be in contact with the top face of the sheet and which is configured to convey the sheet supplied from the supplying roller; and (d) a controlling portion which is configured, upon receipt of a command requesting start of conveyance of the sheet, to cause the supplying roller to be rotated without causing the drive roller to be rotated, and is configured, upon judgment that a leading end portion of the sheet has reached a flat surface extending away from the drive roller toward the recording portion, to cause the drive roller to be rotated. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120073484 | SEWING MACHINE - A sewing machine includes a control portion that controls a thread tension adjustment portion and a feed portion such that a first stitch and a second stitch are formed alternately on a sewing object. The first stitch includes only a stitch in which an interlacing point of the upper thread and a bobbin thread is lower than a top surface of the sewing object. The second stitch includes at least one set of a first section and a second section. The first section is a section in which the interlacing point and the bobbin thread are pulled out, by the thread tension, in the first direction on the top surface of the sewing object. The second section is a section in which the bobbin thread is pulled out in the second direction, and at least part of the second section overlapping with the first section. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120072625 | DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF COMMUNICATING WITH EXTERNAL DEVICE VIA A PLURALITY OF LOGICAL LINE, DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM, DATA PROCESSING DEVICE STORING DATA PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND DEVICE DRIVER - A data processing apparatus includes a data processing unit, a communication unit communicating with an external device via at least two logical lines including a first logical line and a second logical line having priority higher than the first logical line, a storage unit including a first buffer area storing data received by the communication unit via the first logical line and a second buffer area storing data received by the communication unit via the second logical line, and a control unit determining if the second buffer area stores data. According to determination that the second buffer area stores data, the control unit reads data from the second buffer area and controls the data processing unit to process the data read from the second buffer area, and according to determination that the second buffer area stores no data, the control unit determines if the first buffer area stores data. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070196 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, DEVELOPING DEVICE AND TONER CARTRIDGE - An image forming device has: a developing cartridge for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image carrying member and a toner cartridge. The developing cartridge contains a developing roller and a single auger. The toner cartridge is detachably attached to the developing cartridge and containing toner. The toner cartridge has an agitation mechanism that agitates the toner, a conveyance mechanism that conveys the toner to the agitation mechanism, and two ports, the two ports being aligned in the axial direction and communicated with the developing cartridge, respectively. The toner cartridge and the developing cartridge are arrayed side by side in a horizontal direction. The toner cartridge has a shape having a vertical cross section in which a horizontal length is greater than a vertical length. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070189 | Image Forming Apparatus - In an image forming apparatus, a support frame configured to support a plurality of cartridges each including a photoconductor is allowed to be pulled out from a casing of the apparatus. A plurality of light-emitting parts configured to expose a corresponding photoconductor to light is arranged in each exposure unit which is movable between an exposure position proximate to the corresponding photoconductor and a retreating position away from the photoconductor. A pair of side plates of the support frame, which extends in a direction perpendicular to a main direction in which the light-emitting parts are arranged, has guide slots formed therein, each of which is configured to guide movement of a corresponding exposure unit between its exposure and retreating positions. Each guide slot includes a positioning portion configured to position the exposure unit in position in a subordinate direction perpendicular to the main direction and to an exposure direction. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070171 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a conveying belt; a first photosensitive member; and a second photosensitive member; a first transfer member; a second transfer member; a first pushing member; a second pushing member; and a changing unit, wherein the first photosensitive member is disposed on the upstream side of the second photosensitive member in a conveying direction of the transfer receiving member, and the changing unit changes the pushing force of the second transfer member that is disposed on the downstream side of the first photosensitive member in a conveying direction of the transfer receiving member. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070166 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus is provided that includes an image forming unit including an agitation unit for agitating developing agent contained in a container unit, and a sensor which includes a light emitting unit configured to emit light and a light receiving unit configured to receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit and passing through the container unit. The sensor generates an output in accordance with an amount of light received by the light receiving unit while the agitation unit agitates the developing agent. The image forming apparatus also includes has a medium with instructions stored therein that when executed perform steps including calculating a measurement result based on the output generated by the sensor, and determining, after the agitation is started, whether a current period is an unstable period in which the measurement result is unstable or a stable period in which the measurement result is stable. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069527 | WIRING STRUCTURE FOR ACTUATOR - A wiring structure including printed circuits each including: a base member including one end portion facing an actuator and the other end portion of the base member drawn from the one end portion along a face of the actuator and then turned, the other end portion extending in parallel with the one end portion; output terminals formed on the one end portion and configured to output signals to the actuator; a drive IC mounted on the base member and connected to the output terminals by wirings; and input terminal formed on the other end portion and connected to the drive IC by wirings to input signals to the drive IC, wherein the printed circuits are arranged in a predetermined direction along the face of the actuator, wherein the one end portions of the respective base members are arranged in the predetermined direction, and wherein the other end portions of the respective base members are arranged in the predetermined direction. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069381 | PRINTING SYSTEM AND INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS - A printing system, in which a printing job based on a same printing target is registered in each of a plurality of printers and one of the plurality of printers performs printing in response to a print instruction of the printing job thereto, the printing system including; a determination unit that determines, when registering the printing job in each of the plurality of printers, a registration destination of the printing job for each of the plurality of printers such that both a printer having the printing job registered in a volatile memory and a printer having the printing job registered in a non-volatile memory exist. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069115 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - An image recording device includes a recording unit, a feeding mechanism, a guide member, and a lock portion. The feeding mechanism is configured to feed a first feeding object along a feeding path. The feeding path has a straight path and a curved path. The recording unit faces the straight path. The guide member defines the curved path and is rotatable between an exposed position and a closed position. The lock portion is movable between a locked position at which the guide member is locked in the closed position and an unlocked position at which the lock is released. The guide member has a recess formed therein and the feeding mechanism further feeds a second feeding object to the recess along the straight path. When the second feeding object is disposed in the recess, the lock portion is disposed at the locked position. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069068 | LIQUID CARTRIDGE, LIQUID EJECTING DEVICE COMPRISING LIQUID CARTRIDGE AND MAIN BODY, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING LIQUID CARTRIDGE, AND METHOD OF REFURBISHING LIQUID CARTRIDGE - A liquid cartridge includes a liquid storing portion that stores liquid therein, a liquid path that is in fluid communication with the liquid storing portion, a sensor, and a memory. The sensor outputs a particular data corresponding to a particular value indicating that the liquid storing portion is in fluid communication with an exterior of the liquid cartridge, and a further data corresponding to a further value indicating that the liquid storing portion is not in fluid communication with the exterior of the liquid cartridge. The memory includes a first data corresponding to a first value and a second data corresponding to a second value. The first value and the second value are defined such that when the particular data and the further data are outputted, one half of a sum of the first value and the second value is between the particular value and the further value. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068403 | Image Forming Apparatus - A pair of conveyor rollers arranged in an image forming apparatus to convey a recording is configured to be shiftable relative to the body between a first position and a second position. A first holding member is configured to support one of the conveyor so that the supported conveyor roller is swingable around a pivot to allow the pair of conveyor rollers to be shifted between the first position and the second position. The first holding member including a sheet guide portion which provides a variable-position guideway extending from a position located upstream along the sheet conveyance path toward a peripheral surface of the supported conveyor roller, where the sheet guide portion moves to a position suitable to guide the recording sheet to be nipped by the pair of conveyor rollers at least when the pair of conveyor rollers is shifted to the first position. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067624 | CONNECTION STRUCTURE AND CONNECTION METHOD OF WIRING BOARD - A connection structure for connecting a wiring board to a to-be-connected body having electric contacts, the wiring board including: a base having board-side contacts provided on its facing surface that is to face the to-be-connected body; and a cover film which covers the facing surface except the board-side contacts and a non-covered partial region of the facing surface, the connection structure including: conduction portions formed of electrically conductive resin, for bonding the electric contacts and the board-side contacts to permit electrical conduction therebetween; and a reinforcement portion formed of the same resin as the conduction portions and disposed at a position which is different from positions of the conductive portions and at which the reinforcement portion extends across both of a surface of the cover film and a surface of the non-covered partial region of the base, the reinforcement portion bonding the to-be-connected body and the wiring board for reinforcing connection therebetween. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067263 | DATA GENERATING DEVICE, SEWING MACHINE AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM STORING CONTROL PROGRAM FOR DATA GENERATING DEVICE - A data generating device includes a selection portion that selects a plurality of patterns from among patterns that are to be sewn based on sewing data stored in a storage portion, an acquisition portion that acquires first sewing data that are sewing data for sewing the plurality of patterns selected by the selection portion, an arrangement setting portion that sets an arrangement of the plurality of patterns selected by the selection portion, a first sewing data generating portion that generates second sewing data based on the first sewing data that are acquired by the acquisition portion, and a first storage control portion that causes the second sewing data generated by the first sewing data generating portion to be stored in the storage portion such that it can be acquired by the acquisition portion. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120066317 | ELECTRONIC MAIL COMMUNICATION APPARATUS - An electronic mail receiving apparatus used in a system including an electronic mail transmitting apparatus, the electronic mail receiving apparatus, and an electronic mail server, includes: a communicating unit executes a first-kind electronic mail communication performed via the electronic mail server, and a second-kind electronic mail communication performed not via the electronic mail server; and a mail output controller configured to control an outputting unit configured to output an electronic mail received from the electronic mail transmitting apparatus. The communicating unit includes: a first information transmitting unit configured to, if a first-kind electronic mail is received by executing the first-kind electronic mail communication, transmit, to the electronic mail transmitting apparatus, reception information; and a second information transmitting unit configured to, if a second-kind electronic mail is received by executing the second-kind electronic mail communication, transmit, to the electronic mail transmitting apparatus, reception information by the communication session. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120062940 | IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions to control a computer, which is configured to display a webpage including a webpage image based on webpage data, to perform a method of image forming control, the method including: receiving an instruction to select an area on the display screen as a selection area; storing selection area webpage data; storing first image data having a first format generated based on the selection area webpage data; storing image data having the first format representing the webpage image in the selection area, as a second image data; detecting an image absence area, wherein a content of the first image data display is absent from that of the second image data; generating correspondence image data corresponding to the image absence area; compositing the correspondence image data into the image absence area to produce composite image data; and outputting the composite image data. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120062909 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - An image processing device may perform an analysis by utilizing target data representing a target image of a print target, so as to select, from among a plurality of types of print orders for printing the target image, one type of print order in which a print of the target image is presumed to be completed in the shortest time period. In each of the plurality of types of print orders, an area in the target image to be printed by the initial main scanning of the print head may be mutually different. The image processing device may create print data by utilizing the target data for causing a print performing unit to perform the print of the target image according to the selected one type of print order, and supply the print data to the print performing unit. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120062908 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE-PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing device includes: a process section; a generation section; and a supply section. The process section includes: an index value determination section; and an adjustment section. The index value determination section is configured to determine an index value for each of a plurality of target pixels included in edge image data. The adjustment section is configured not to adjust a pixel value of the target pixel in a first case where the density of the target pixel is determined to be relatively low based on the index value of the target pixel, and configured to adjust the pixel value of the target pixel so as to reduce the density of the target pixel in a second case where the density of the target pixel is determined to be relatively high based on the index value of the target pixel. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120061906 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICES AND SHEET FEEDING DEVICES - An image processing device includes first and second feeding units. The first feeding unit feeds a sheet toward the second feeding unit in a sheet feeding direction via a sheet feeding path. The device further includes an image processing portion. The first feeding unit is in the path upstream of the processing portion and includes a first shaft rotating in the feeding direction. The second feeding unit is in the path downstream of the processing portion, and the first and the second units feed and hold the sheet. The second feeding unit includes a second shaft rotating in the feeding direction. The device includes a first supporting member supporting first and second ends of the first shaft, a second supporting member supporting first and second ends of the second shaft, and a third supporting member supporting one shaft at a predetermined portion which is not either end of either shaft. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120060734 | SEWING MACHINE OPERATING DEVICE AND SEWING MACHINE PROVIDED THEREWITH - A sewing machine operating device includes a connection unit which is connectable to a sewing machine body, an output unit which generates and delivers an operation signal according to an action of user's foot, a placement pedestal on which user's foot is placed, a support unit which supports the placement pedestal so that the placement pedestal is movable in any direction, and a detection unit which detects that the placement pedestal or user's foot occupies any one of different predetermined positions when the user has moved the placement pedestal with user's foot being placed on the placement pedestal. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120060733 | SEWING MACHINE OPERATING DEVICE AND SEWING MACHINE PROVIDED THEREWITH - A sewing machine operating device includes a base, a connecting mechanism which electrically connects the sewing machine operating device to a sewing machine body, a plurality of operating members which is mounted on the base and operated by a user with his/her foot, a signal output unit which generates an operation signal and delivers the operation signal via the connecting mechanism to the sewing machine body, the operation signal being according to operation of each operating member, and a position adjusting mechanism which changes a position of at least one of the operating members mounted on the base. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120057906 | TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge includes: a main body; a shutter; a toner seal; and a shift member. The main body defines an internal space for accommodating toner and formed with a communication hole, through which an interior and an exterior of the main body communicate. The shutter is movable between an open position in which the communication hole is open and a closed position in which the communication hole is closed. The shutter is also shiftable between a first position in which the shutter is positioned away from the main body and a second position in which the shutter is positioned close to the main body. The toner seal is disposed between the main body and the shutter when the shutter is in the closed position. The shift member is configured to shift the shutter from the first position to the second position when the shutter is in the closed position. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120057905 | Developing Device - A developing device includes: a developing unit; a toner cartridge; a shutter drive member; and a second gear. The toner cartridge is mountable on or detachable from the developing unit and includes a casing defining an internal space for accommodating a developing agent and formed with a communication hole for supplying the developing agent to the developing unit, and a shutter movable between an open position in which the communication hole is open and a closed position in which the communication hole is closed. The shutter drive member includes a first gear that extends in the moving direction of the shutter. The shutter drive member is engageable with the shutter to be movable together with the shutter when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing unit. The second gear is meshingly engageable with the first gear to transmit a drive force to the first gear. The first gear is disengaged from the second gear when the shutter is in at least one of the open position and the closed position. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120057900 | Tandem-Type Process Unit Removably Loaded In Image Forming Device - A process unit has process cartridges, a pair of lower supporting plates, and a pair of upper supporting plates. Each process cartridge has a photosensitive drum rotatably about an axis extending in a first direction. Each of the process cartridges has two side faces facing each other in the first direction and a cartridge electrode provided on the side face. The process cartridges are aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each lower supporting plate supports a lower part of the side face of each process cartridge. Each upper supporting plate supports an upper part of the side face of each process cartridge. The pair of upper support plates and the pair of lower support plates provide a side opening facing the side face of each process cartridge to expose the electrode of each process cartridge toward outside through the side opening. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120057897 | Developing Device - A developing device is provided which includes a developer carrier configured to carry developer and rotate, a developing frame configured to rotatably support the developer carrier, and a seal member disposed between the developing frame and an end portion of the developer carrier in an axial direction of the developer carrier. The seal member includes a base and a mesh textile disposed on top of the base and configured to contact the developer carrier. The mesh textile includes interlacing warp threads and weft threads such that there are spaces between adjacent warp threads and adjacent weft threads. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120057888 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive member; a scorotron charger; a developing device; a voltage application circuit; a constant-voltage circuit; a first control device; a deboost circuit; and a second control device, wherein the deboost circuit has a circuit configuration in which a resistor and a control transistor are connected in series with each other, and deboosts the grid voltage by a voltage drop of the resistor to generate the developing voltage, and the second control device provides a control signal to the control transistor to control a current flowing in the resistor, thereby controlling the level of the developing voltage. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120056970 | IMAGE FORMATION DEVICE - An image formation device is configured such that a length of a sheet feed path from a sheet accommodation unit to a sheet detection unit is greater than the sheet distance for a predetermined type sheet that has substantially the same sheet length as a maximum size sheet employable in the image formation unit. A sheet length of the sheet fed by the sheet feed mechanism is measured. If the sheet length of a firstly fed sheet, which is fed in response to an image formation instruction and measured by the measuring unit, is equal to the sheet length of the predetermined type of sheet, the control unit feeds a subsequent sheet with the sheet distance corresponding for the maximum size sheet between a trailing end of the previously fed sheet and the leading end of the subsequent sheet. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120056969 | LIGHT SOURCE DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A light source device includes: a semiconductor laser; a coupling lens; a holder; a sheet-metal member and a photopolymerizable resin. The coupling lens converts laser light from the semiconductor laser to a light flux. The coupling lens has an optical axis. The sheet-metal member holds the semiconductor laser and the coupling lens. The photopolymerizable rein is cured to fix the coupling lens on the sheet-metal member. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120045242 | PRINTING DEVICE - A printing device is provided with a printing unit configured to print images on sheets, a plurality of discharge trays configured to receive printed sheets, a detection unit configured to detect a switching instruction to switch among the plurality of discharge trays, and a discharge control unit. The discharge control unit stops a currently executed print job, selects one of following print jobs which does not designate a currently used discharge tray, and switches the discharge trays such that a discharge tray other than the currently used discharge tray as a selected discharge tray to be used, starts the selected one of following print job using the selected discharge tray, when the detection unit detects the switching instruction. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120044302 | LIQUID EJECTION HEAD - A liquid ejection head including: a channel unit having pressure chambers, ejection openings, and liquid channels; and an actuator unit including a piezoelectric layer and individual electrodes formed on a face of the piezoelectric layer, the actuator unit being configured to apply a drive voltage to the individual electrodes, wherein each of the individual electrodes includes: a land to which the drive voltage is applied; a main portion disposed such that an entire area thereof is opposite to a corresponding one of the pressure chambers in a direction perpendicular to the face of the piezoelectric layer; an extended portion extending, in an extending direction in which the extended portion extends, from the main portion toward the land along the face so as to connect the main portion and the land; and a dummy extended portion extending from the main portion along the face in an opposite direction opposite to the extending direction. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043714 | Sheet Conveying Device - A sheet conveying device to convey a sheet in a sheet path is provided. The sheet conveying device includes a separator roller, which is arranged to be rotatably in contact with the sheet to apply conveying force to the sheet, a pad assembly including a separator pad, which is arranged to be in contact with the sheet stack to apply convey resistance to the sheet stack, and a holder, which is swingably attached to a base member and holds the separator pad, the base member being in a fixed position with respect to the separator roller, a spring, which urges the pad assembly toward the separator roller, and a slidable member, which is attached to the pad assembly to be integrally movable with the pad assembly and to be slidably in contact with a first slidable section in the base member. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120042816 | SEWING MACHINE AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A sewing machine comprises a transport portion that moves an embroidery frame, a contact detection portion that detects contact with the embroidery frame, a first position identification portion that identifies a first position, a second position identification portion that identifies a second position, a direction determination portion that determines a direction of a diagonal line of a virtual rectangle, a third position identification portion that identifies a third position, and an area setting portion that sets a sewable area. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120039651 | Tape cassette - A tape feed roller | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120039633 | Process Unit and Image Forming Device - A process unit includes: a photosensitive member; a developing unit; a developer cartridge; a guide portion; and an operation portion. The photosensitive member has a surface. The developing unit has a developing agent bearing member for bearing a developing agent to be supplied to the surface of the photosensitive member. The developer cartridge includes a casing defining an internal space for accommodating the developing agent, and a pressed portion provided at the casing and configured to be pressed by an external force. The developer cartridge is mountable on or detachable from the developing unit in a first direction, and further configured to be pressed in a second direction different from the first direction upon application of pressure to the pressed portion by the external force. The second direction is coincident with a direction of pressing the developing agent bearing member against the surface of the photosensitive member. The guide portion is shiftable between a first posture for guiding the developer cartridge to move relative to the developing unit in the first direction, and a second posture for guiding the developer cartridge to move relative to the developing unit in the second direction. The operation portion is configured to be operated to selectively shift the guide portion to one of the first posture and the second posture. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120039632 | Developing Apparatus and Developer Cartridge - A developing apparatus includes a developing roller and a feed roller accommodated in a developing chamber of a developing frame, a first agitating member accommodated in a storing chamber of the developing frame for agitating the developer by rotating in a prescribed rotational direction while moving the developer in the rotational direction, a second agitating member accommodated in a developer accommodation chamber of a developer cartridge, a wall portion provided between the storing chamber and the developer accommodation chamber and formed with an opening for circulating the developer between the storing chamber and the developer accommodation chamber to face the storing chamber on a position above the upper end portion of the feed roller, and a conveyance member arranged between the opening of the wall portion and the developer accommodation chamber for conveying the developer in an axial direction of the developing roller. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120039629 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a housing which comprises a housing side opening through which waste toner passes; a plurality of developing units; a plurality of toner cartridges which correspond to the plurality of developing units comprising a first containing unit for containing the toner to be supplied to the toner carrier; wherein at least one of the toner cartridges comprises a second containing unit for containing the waste toner, the second containing unit comprises a cartridge side opening for receiving the waste toner having passed through the housing side opening, and wherein the housing side opening and the cartridge side opening are disposed to be opposite to each other along the substantially horizontal direction. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120039623 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a conveyance belt which conveys a recording sheet via a position opposing the image carrier, a belt cleaner which removes adhered matters on the conveyance belt, a driving unit which drives the image carrier and the conveyance belt, a bias applying unit which applies a cleaning bias to the belt cleaner, and a controller which controls the driving unit and the bias applying unit such that when the image carrier is driven at a first speed, the cleaning bias is applied to the belt cleaner, and when the image carrier is driven at a second speed slower than the first speed, the cleaning bias is not applied to the belt cleaner. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120033993 | Image Forming Device - An image forming device includes: a main body; a plurality of image forming units; a holding unit; and an engagement mechanism. Each of the plurality of image forming units has a developing portion. The holding unit holds the plurality of image forming units. The plurality of image forming units are aligned in the holding unit in a predetermined drawing direction. The holding unit is configured so as to be drawn out in the predetermined drawing direction from a storage position where the holding unit is stored in the main body. The holding unit sequentially reaches a plurality of different drawing positions while moving in the predetermined drawing direction. The plurality of image forming units are sequentially exposed to the outside while the holding unit sequentially reaches the plurality of drawing positions. The engagement mechanism is configured to engage the holding unit with the main body when the holding unit reaches each of the plurality of drawing positions. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033988 | Toner Cartridge - A toner cartridge, a main casing accommodates therein toner and is formed with an opening which provides communication between an interior and an exterior of the main casing. A shutter is movable along the main casing by an external driving force applied in a force direction between a closed position at which the shutter closes the opening and an open position at which the shutter opens the opening. A toner seal is formed with a seal opening opposing the opening of the main casing, and interposed between the main casing and the shutter when the shutter is positioned at the closed position. A guide portion is configured to guide a movement of the shutter in an inclined direction inclined with respect to the force direction. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033981 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - The image forming device includes a main body and a cartridge that is detachably mountable on the main body. The cartridge includes the image bearing member, the first and second cleaning roller, and the state changing unit. The first cleaning roller cleans the image bearing member and the second cleaning roller cleans the first cleaning roller. The state changing unit is configured to irreversibly change an electrically disconnected state between the first cleaning roller and the second cleaning roller into an electrically connected state between the first cleaning roller and the second cleaning roller. The resetting unit is configured to reset the cumulative value when the current detecting unit does not detect current before the image bearing member rotates and detects current after the image bearing member rotates. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033281 | OPTICAL SCANNER AND IMAGE-FORMING DEVICE - An scanning unit scanner includes a light source and a polygon mirror unit. A front-to-rear rib is disposed between the light source and the polygon mirror unit and near the polygon mirror unit. An input side opening having a slit shape is formed as a cutout in the top edge of the front-to-rear rib. When laser light from the light source passes through the input side opening, the input side opening restricts the width of the light in a main scanning direction. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033262 | CONTROLLING DEVICE MOUNTED ON PORTABLE TYPE TERMINAL DEVICE - A portable type terminal device may switch between a first state in which a specific image is shown in a display such that an up-down direction of the specific image is along a first direction, and a second state in which the specific image is shown in the display such that the up-down direction of the specific image is along a second direction. A controlling device mounted on the portable type terminal device may create print data for causing a printer to perform a first type of a print in both of a first case where a print of the specific image is instructed in the first state and a second case where the print of the specific image is instructed in the second state. In the first type of the print, the left-right direction of the specific image may be along a short side of a print medium. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033261 | TERMINAL DEVICE - A terminal device may be configured to perform a first sending process for sending a first type of data to an external device. The terminal device may be configured to perform a second sending process for sending a second type of data to the external device. The terminal device may be configured to measure time related to a period of duration of the second sending process. The terminal device may continues to perform the first sending process until sending all of the first type of data is completed. The terminal device may continue to perform the second sending process until the time elapses first predetermined time and cancel to perform the second sending process when the time elapses the first predetermined time even if sending all of the second type of data has not been completed. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033236 | CONTROLLING DEVICE - A controlling device may be configured to generate a first type of intermediate data using the original data after accepting a print instruction for printing the original image and before accepting a setting instruction for setting a print condition from a user. The controlling device may be configured to store the first type of intermediate data within a memory. The controlling device may be configured to generate print data using the first type of intermediate data within the memory in accordance with the print condition after accepting the setting instruction. The controlling device may be configured to supply the print data to a print performing unit. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031316 | THREAD CUTTER FOR SEWING MACHINE - A thread cutter for a sewing machine includes a first thread seizing assembly reciprocally movable and having a distal end with a first thread seizing portion, a second thread seizing assembly seizing needle and bobbin threads both having been seized by the first assembly during a backward movement of reciprocation of the first assembly, cutting the needle and bobbin threads in cooperation with a cutting blade, and a thread cutting frame supporting the first assembly and formed with a single elongated groove supporting the first assembly so that the first assembly is movable. The elongated groove includes a linear proximal end groove, an oblique portion, and a main groove and being shaped such that the proximal end groove is translated slightly forward through the oblique portion. When moved backward in the reciprocation, the first assembly is swung so that the first thread seizing portion comes close to the second assembly. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120030690 | Computer Readable Medium Storing a Universal Driver, Method of Controlling a Device and Apparatus - A non-transitory computer readable medium has a universal driver executable on a computer. The universal driver includes instructions for: selecting a device for executing a function from connected devices according to an input from a user; sending a request to the operating system to set a communication port for communication with the selected device as a specified port; storing port identification information of a communication port for communication with the selected device and associated with the user in a memory; determining whether port identification information of the specified communication port matches the port identification information of the communication port associated with the user; sending a control command to the device to execute the function via the specified communication port according to a result of the determination indicating a match; and notifying the user of a different port being set as a specified port according to a result indicating a non-match. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120030526 | COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A communication device includes a receiving unit, a first determining unit, and a sending unit. The receiving unit is configured to receive, from a terminal device, a plurality of input values corresponding to a plurality of setting items. The first determining unit, when the plurality of setting items includes a plurality of related items that are related to each other, is configured to determine whether input values, among the plurality of input values, corresponding to the plurality of related items are compatible. The sending unit is configured to send error data indicating an error screen toward the terminal device when the input values corresponding to the plurality of related items are incompatible, the error screen showing that at least one input value among the plurality of input values has an error. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120030285 | Communication Device,Computer Program Product, and Communication Control Method - A communication device includes an opening portion that opens a port that is to be used when peer to peer communication is performed with another communication device, a first transmission portion that adds a port number of the port and additional information to a first request packet and transmits the first request packet to the other communication device, a determination portion that, in a case where a response packet in response to the first request packet is not received and a second request packet is received from the other communication device, determines whether to transmit a positive response packet to the other communication device, based on additional information added to the second request packet, and a second transmission portion that transmits the positive response packet to the other communication device in a case where the determination portion determines that the positive response packet is to be transmitted. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027474 | Image Forming Apparatus with Multiple Driving Units - An image forming apparatus that includes: a sheet conveying belt that conveys a sheet to a position opposed to an image carrier; a cleaning unit that cleans the sheet conveying belt; a first driving unit that drives the sheet conveying belt; a second driving unit that drives the cleaning unit, the second driving unit being independent from the first driving unit; and a sheet conveying mechanism that conveys the sheet separately from the sheet conveying belt, wherein the second driving unit drives at least a part of the sheet conveying mechanism. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027471 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developer supply device is provided, which includes a transfer board including an activating section and an always-transferring section. The activating section is disposed in a position close to a developer holding member and lower than a position where development agent is transferred onto the developer holding member. The activating section is supplied with an activating voltage for making the development agent leave a developer transfer path and drop into the developer storage section during an activating process performed at an initial stage of a developer transferring operation while supplied with the transfer bias voltage after the activating process. The always-transferring section is disposed across a position facing the developer storage section to a position lower than and adjacent to the activating section, and always supplied with a transfer bias voltage during the developer transferring operation. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027459 | Image Forming Device Capable of Facilitating Disposal of Waste Developer - An image forming device includes photosensitive drums, developer cartridges, an endless belt, first collecting units, first conveying units, a second collecting unit, a second conveying unit and communication portions. The photosensitive drums form a drum array including a leading photosensitive drum. Each developer cartridge has a waste developer accommodating chamber. Each first collecting unit collects waste developer on the corresponding photosensitive drum. Each first conveying unit conveys the waste developer toward the waste developer accommodating chamber. The second collecting unit collects waste developer on the endless belt. The second conveying unit conveys the waste developer toward the waste developer accommodating chamber. Each communication portion allows fluid communication between the first conveying unit and the waste developer accommodating chamber. One of the communication portions associated with the leading photosensitive drum also allows fluid communication between the second conveying unit and the waste developer accommodating chamber. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027455 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes: a body; a holding member movable between a housing position and a drawn-out position; a plurality of cartridges configured to be attached to the holding member along a attachment path, so that the plurality of cartridges are placed at image forming positions and are arranged in a movement direction of the holding member; and a plurality of restricting members disposed correspondingly with the cartridges. In a state where the holding member is drawn out to the drawn-out position, the plurality of restricting members are located at unrestricted positions that are retracted from the attachment path. In an attachment process in which the holding member is moved from the drawn-out position to the housing position, the plurality of restricting members advance from the unrestricted positions to restricting positions on the attachment path to restrict the cartridges from being detached from the image forming positions. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027454 | Image Forming Device Having Retaining Member Retaining Toner Cartridges - An image-forming device includes: a main casing; a retaining member; a plurality of developing units; a plurality of toner cartridges; and an operating member. The main casing defines an accommodation space. The retaining member is movably disposed between an accommodated position, in which the retaining member is accommodated inside the accommodation space, and a pull-out position. The plurality of developing units are retained by the retaining member. The plurality of toner cartridges are detachably attachable to the retaining member, one for each of the developing units, when the retaining member is at the pull-out position. Each of the toner cartridges includes: a casing in which a through-hole is formed for supplying toner accommodated inside the casing to the corresponding developing unit; and a shutter that is configured so as to be capable of moving between an open position exposing the through-hole and a closed position closing the through-hole. The operating member is provided at the retaining member. The operating member is configured to be operated to move the shutter between the open position and the closed position by shifting between a first position corresponding to the closed position of the shutter in which the operating member extends above the retaining member, and a second position corresponding to the open position of the shutter in which the operating member has a lower profile than in the first position. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027449 | Image Forming Device - An image forming device, comprising: an endless belt stretched by a plurality of rollers; and a detection sensor located to face one of the plurality of rollers while sandwiching the endless belt between the detection sensor and the one of the plurality of rollers, the detection sensor reading information formed on the endless belt through use of reflection of light. A recessed part is formed, to catch foreign particles, on the one of the plurality of rollers at a position which is shifted in an axis direction of the one of the plurality of rollers with respect to a detection area on the endless belt to which light from the detection sensor is irradiated | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027437 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus, includes: at lease one photosensitive element; a plurality of chargers configured to charge the at lease one photosensitive element; a voltage applying circuit commonly connected to the plurality of chargers and configured to apply a voltage to the plurality of chargers; a current detecting unit configured to detect a current sum of current that flows to the plurality of chargers from the voltage applying circuit; and a control device configured to control the voltage applying circuit so that the current sum detected by the current detecting unit becomes equal to or larger than a reference value. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027436 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus including: a plurality of photosensitive drums; a plurality of scorotron chargers provided for the plurality of photosensitive drums, respectively, a voltage application circuit commonly connected to the plurality of scorotron chargers, a plurality of wires provided for the plurality of scorotron chargers, respectively; a plurality of grid electrodes provided for the plurality of scorotron chargers, respectively; at least one of current detecting units provided for at least one of the plurality of grid electrodes, respectively, and at least one of the current detecting units detecting grid current which flows into at least one of the grid electrodes, respectively; and a control device configured to control the voltage application circuit such that at least one of the grid currents detected by at least one of the current detecting units become equal to or higher than a reference value. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027422 | Image Forming Device Capable of Preventing Foreign Matters From Entering Developing Unit - An image forming device includes a support member movable between an accommodated position within a main casing and a pulled-out position outside the main casing, developing units, toner cartridges, and a cover member. Each toner cartridge includes a casing and a shutter. The casing accommodates toner therein and is formed with an opening for supplying the toner to the corresponding developing unit. The opening faces in a first direction when the toner cartridge is accommodated in a corresponding cartridge accommodating section in the support member. The shutter is movable between an opening position for exposing the opening and a closing position for closing the opening. The cover member is movable between an opening posture for exposing a first side of the corresponding cartridge accommodating section in the first direction and a closing posture for opposing the first side of the corresponding cartridge accommodating section. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027012 | COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A communication device acquires a first condition in a case where a request packet requesting establishment of a communication path is received from a second communication device in a state in which a communication path with a first communication device is established. The first condition is a condition that is used to perform a session with the first communication device. Then the communication device transmits to the second communication device a response packet including the first condition acquired by the acquisition portion. In a case where a notification packet is received from the second communication device in response to the response packet, the communication device establishes a communication path with the second communication device to perform the session with the second communication device using the first condition. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026566 | Multi-Beam Light Source Device and Multi-Beam Light Scanning Device - A multi-beam light source device and a multi-beam scanning device including the multi-beam light source device are provided. The multi-beam light source device includes: a light source including: a cylindrical package having a side edge portion which extends in a rotational direction about a rotational axis line defined as a first direction; a plurality of light emitting units which are disposed in the cylindrical package and configured to emit laser light in the first direction; and a housing which holds the light source. The housing has a holder that holds the side edge portion of the cylindrical package to be relatively rotatable in the rotational direction. The holder is formed with at least one opening which exposes the side edge portion of the light source. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026558 | Image Reading Apparatus and Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus is provided with a document receiving portion that receives a document, and an image reader that moves between a first end position of the document receiving portion and a second end position opposite to the first end position. The image reader reads the image of the document on the document receiving portion while moving in a predetermined direction. A cable is provided having an end connected to the image reader. A cable protrusion and a regulation protrusion are configured such that, along with movement of the image reader in the predetermined direction from the first position to the second position, the cable protrusion moves a predetermined distance in the predetermined direction and contacts the regulation protrusion, and the regulation protrusion regulates a further movement of the cable in the predetermined direction. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026553 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - An image processing device includes a focal pixel setting unit, a near pixel setting unit, a calculating unit, a target pixel determining unit, and an editing unit. The focal pixel setting unit is configured to set a focal pixel among a plurality of pixels in an original image that is represented by original image data. The near pixel setting unit is configured to set a pixel near the focal pixel as a near pixel. The calculating unit is configured to calculate a characteristic value related to luminance of the focal pixel and luminance of the near pixel. The target pixel determining unit is configured to determine, as the target pixel, the focal pixel whose characteristic value satisfies a prescribed condition. The editing unit is configured to generate edited image data by editing the original image data. The edited image data represents an edited image having a supplemental image superimposed on the original image. The supplemental image is superimposed on an area encompassing the target pixel. | 02-02-2012 |
