| 18th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 36 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20090110372 | CONTENT SHOOTING APPARATUS - A content shooting apparatus is provided, in which thresholds for generating metadata concerning shot images can be calibrated in accordance with shooting conditions. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110373 | Information Playback Apparatus - According to one embodiment, an information playback apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention includes an acquisition module configured to acquire content data, an analysis module configured to analyze the content data to generate viewing and listening environment control information based on an analysis result, a viewing and listening control module configured to control a viewing and listening environment based on the viewing and listening environment control information, and a playback control module configured to control playback of the content data under the viewing and listening environment. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110374 | Optical disc recording and playback apparatus - A DSP of a DVD recorder includes: a gain setting portion determining appropriate values of a first gain α and a second gain β when playback of an optical disc is performed, recording the first gain α and the second gain β thus determined in a gain storing portion, and setting them in a main differential amplifier and a sub differential amplifier, respectively; and a correction performing portion reading, when recording on the optical disc is performed, the first gain α and the second gain β stored in the gain storing portion, correcting at least one of them, and setting them in the main differential amplifier and the sub differential amplifier, respectively. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110375 | INFORMATION RECORDING DEVICE AND METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An information recording device is provided with a recording means ( | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110376 | DATA CONVERSION METHOD AND DATA CONVERSION DEVICE, DATA RECORDING DEVICE, DATA PLAYING DEVICE, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A data conversion method for an information processing device to generate data for copying of defined format data of a clip including playback segment data includes the steps of: performing data input for a data input unit to input copy source data; obtaining copy source clip configuration data including streaming data to be copied from the copy source by a clip adjusting unit; and clip setting for the clip adjusting unit to set one clip including multiple copy source clip configuration data corresponding to a play item in the playlist file defined with a copy source format, as a copy destination clip. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110377 | VIDEO REPRODUCTION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR VIDEO REPRODUCTION - According to one embodiment, the invention provides a video reproduction device including a conversion module which is controlled to be selectively switched among a normal reproduction state in which an interlaced video signal is converted into a progressive video signal, an image quality priority reproduction state in which the interlaced video signal is converted into a progressive video signal of a higher quality than that in the normal reproduction state, and a motion priority reproduction state in which the interlaced video signal is output without being converted into a progressive video signal, and a control module which switches each state of the conversion module, in response to the reproduction speed of the reproduced interlaced video signal. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110378 | ENVIRONMENTALLY PROTECTED THERMISTOR FOR RESPIRATORY SYSTEM - A temperature probe, such as for a respiratory system in which breathable gases are supplied to a patient, includes a housing having a cavity sized to snugly receive therein a generally cylindrical container within which is secured a thermistor, with the container adapted to provide a barrier to moisture. The probe provides a quick temperature response but minimizes migration of moisture to the thermistor notwithstanding the high temperature and heat levels encountered in normal operation of the respiratory system. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110379 | PID COEFFICIENT ADJUSTMENT FOR RESPIRATORY HEATER CLOSED LOOP CONTROL - A heater system is provided for a respiratory system having a PID feedback control in which the coefficients are adjusted, such as in a warm-up process, to correspond to a likely flow rate of gas through a chamber of heated water based on the difference between heat input and heat output in relation to a temperature set point without the need to directly monitor flow rate or humidity level. A steady-state adjustment of the coefficients based on the behavior of the measured temperature in relation to the set point is also disclosed. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110380 | Underwater adaptive camera housing - An underwater camera housing provided with an adaptive mechanical control arrangement for use with a broad range of camera brands and models. The camera housing is preferably formed of front and rear housing sections that are molded of clear transparent plastic and arranged to be moved between an open position for mounting a camera within the housing and a closed position in which the housing provides a watertight enclosure for protecting and communicating with a camera. The housing is provided with a truncated hemispherical lens through which a camera views scenes to be photographed to reduce distortion and not foreshorten viewing angle and a flat window and optional diffuser for providing controlled artificial illumination to a scene. A mounting plate is structured to slideably fit into one of the housing halves in one of two lateral orientations and includes a slidably adjustable camera mounting plate that permits a user to securely and accurately position cameras side-to-side and for and aft with respect to truncated hemispherical lens. Push button assemblies adjustable in length and point of contact are used to permit a user to adapt them to interact with a variety of camera control actuator architectures. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110381 | FIXING STRUCTURE FOR AN AUXILIARY LENS OF CAMERAS - A means for fixing an auxiliary lens to the outside of the original lens of a camera body includes an annular base, an annular lens mount and an annular abutting base. The inner edge of the base protrudes upwardly to form a wall. The wall protrudes outwards to form a plurality of blocks. The inner edge of the lens mount is provided with a plurality of notches corresponding to the blocks. A first end surface of the abutting base extends to form a plurality of L-shaped elastic arms corresponding to the blocks and notches. The L-shaped elastic arm extends obliquely from the first end surface toward the lens mount. A gap is formed between the L-shaped elastic arm and the abutting base, so that the L-shaped elastic arm can be bent inwardly when compressed. When the camera body is combined with the auxiliary lens by rotation, the blocks pass through the notches to abut and compress the L-shaped elastic arms. At the same time, the L-shaped elastic arms generate a reaction force, thereby enhancing the tightness between the camera body and the auxiliary lens. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110382 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensing device that receives object light and generates an image signal relating to the object image, a phase difference detection unit that receives the object light using a ranging sensor and generates a phase difference detection signal, a first focusing unit for performing a first focusing operation on the basis of the phase difference detection signal, and a display controlling unit for displaying a preview image on the basis of a plurality of image signals sequentially generated by the image sensing device before an image is actually recorded. The display controlling unit combines a first area for which the phase difference detection is performed using the ranging sensor and the preview image so as to display the combined image. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110383 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device having a shooting optical system, including an imaging element having a pixel array capable of generating image signals regarding light from a subject coming through the shooting optical system, and a focus-detection pixel line having pairs of pixels, the pixels of each of the pairs receiving luminous fluxes from the subject coming through a pair of individually corresponding partial regions of an exit pupil of the shooting optical system; a rapid-fire shooting unit configured to perform rapid-fire shooting to generate image signals at the pixel array on each exposure and to generate certain signals at the focus-detection pixel line; a focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection by a phase-difference detection method on the basis of the certain signals; and a focus adjustment unit configured to perform focus adjustment during each interval of the exposures on the basis of a result of focus detection. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110384 | Inductorless Electroactive Lens Driver and System - An electroactive lens driver comprises a voltage generator generating a high alternating current voltage signal for application to an electroactive lens in response to a low direct current voltage signal. The voltage generator does not include an inductor or a transformer. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110385 | Micro camera module with discrete manual focal positions - A novel micro camera module that is manually adjustable between a close-up mode and an infinite mode includes a lens assembly adjustably mounted within a sleeve that is adjustably mounted into a housing. In a particular embodiment the sleeve includes a channel (cam groove) that is engaged by a plurality of pins fixed to the housing. Further, a biasing member is disposed between the sleeve and the housing such that an upward force will enable the pins to firmly engage the lower portion of the channel. In a more particular embodiment, the channel defines two detents that secure the sleeve into predetermined positions with respect to the housing. In an even more particular embodiment, the channel is sloped such that upon rotation of the sleeve, the distance between the lens assembly and an image capture device is changed. In another particular embodiment, the camera module includes an electrical mode detecting switch that is indicative of the position of the camera module. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110386 | PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC METHOD - A photographic apparatus infers a user's photographic intent and accordingly switches between a manual shoot mode and an automatic shoot mode. In the manual shoot mode, processing to save photographic image data is timed in accordance with the user operating a user-operable shutter element, while in the automatic shoot mode, such processing is conducted independently of shutter element operations. A photographic unit photographs a scene, acquires photographic image data of a subject, and then executes processing for saving the photographic image data. An intention judgment information detector detects intention judgment information used to judge the photographic intent of the user. A controller makes an intention judgment using the intention judgment information from the intention judgment information detector, and according to the intention judgment result, causes the photographic unit to selectively execute the operations for one of the modes. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110387 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device includes an imaging unit; a display unit; an electronic finder unit that performs preview display before actual shooting based on image signals successively generated by the imaging unit; an optical finder unit having a finder window; an optical-path switching unit that performs switching between a first optical path through which light from a subject is guided to the finder window and a second optical path through which the light is guided to the imaging unit; an eye detecting unit that detects presence of an eye in a proximity of the finder window; a first control unit that performs a first control operation so that the optical-path switching unit selects the first optical path upon detection of an eye; and a second control unit that performs a second control operation so that the optical-path switching unit selects the second optical path upon non-detection of an eye. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110388 | ELECTROMAGNETIC ACTUATOR - An electromagnetic actuator is provided, including a bobbin made of a non-magnetic material including a hollow cylindrical portion and disk flanges; a coil formed between the disk flanges; a power supply which supplies a current to the coil; a movable member pivoted on the hollow cylindrical portion; and a stationary member made of a permanent magnet and fixed to a disk flange. The movable member is a magnetic material and includes a shaft portion and a rotating portion. The rotating portion is fixed to the shaft portion, lies on the disk flange, and extends in a radial direction of the shaft portion. When the power supply supplies the current to the coil in a predetermined direction, the rotating portion is magnetized to a predetermined polarity and rotates. The stationary member includes a stopper for stopping rotation of the movable member at a predetermined rotational position. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110389 | CAMERA INTEGRATED WITH DEFORMABLE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE - A camera includes a body having a front plate and a rear plate, a lens module mounted on the front plate, a slot defined in the rear plate, and an elongated deformable wire. The deformable wire is received in the slot, and the deformable wire is deformable between a first configuration where the deformable wire is received in the slot, and a second configuration where the deformable wire is released from the slot and reshaped to support the body on an object. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110390 | Multimode Fiber Link Probe - A link probe for multimode fibers in optical networks is provided. An optical test probe signal is sent over a multimode fiber of an optical network link and a receiver converts the optical signal into an electronic signal with a trigger generated by the clock recovery section of an EDC (electronic dispersion compensation) unit. The digital signal is processed by a modified IEEE algorithm to determine a TWDP (Transmitter and Waveform Dispersion Penalty) parameter which quantifies the transmission quality of the multimode fiber and link suitability to LRM transmission. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110391 | PHOTODIODE ASSEMBLY WITHIN A FIBER OPTIC TAP AND METHODS THEREOF - An arrangement in a fiber optic network device for analyzing a set of optical signals traversing the fiber optic network device is provided. The arrangement includes a set of ports for receiving and outputting the set of optical signals. The arrangement also includes a set of photodiodes, which is configured at least for receiving and forwarding the set of optical signals. The arrangement further includes a splitter, which is configured at least for receiving the set of optical signals from a first photodiode, splitting the set of optical signals into at least a first part and a second part, and forwarding the first part to a second photodiode and the second pant to a third photodiode. The set of optical signals is configured to traverse the fiber optic network device irrespective whether power is provided to circuitry of the fiber optic network device. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110392 | Allocating Upstream Bandwidth in an Optical Communication Network - A gigabit passive optical network or other type of optical communication network comprises an optical line terminator that transmits data in a downstream direction to multiple optical network units. The optical network units transmit data in an upstream direction to the optical line terminator. In one aspect of the invention, the optical line terminator is operative to allocate upstream bandwidth among the optical network units, to measure usage of the allocated upstream bandwidth by the optical network units, to process the measured usage to determine a predicted variation in usage of upstream bandwidth by the optical network units, and to alter the allocation of the upstream bandwidth based on the predicted variation. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110393 | BROADBAND WAVELENGTH MULTIPLEXING AND DEMULTIPLEXING FILTER AND OPTICAL SPLITTER WITH OPTICAL SIGNAL MULTIPLEXING AND DEMULTIPLEXING FUNCTION - Two Mach-Zehnder optical interferometer circuits | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110394 | 1+1 PROTECTION METHOD OF SERVICES IN OBS NETWORKS, INTERSECTION NODE APPARATUS AND SERVICE PROTECTION SYSTEM - A 1+1 protection method of service in optical burst switching (OBS) networks, an intersection node apparatus, and protection system of service are provided. The method discloses that burst packets bearing service are transferred through two risk-independent routes, and each burst packet corresponds to a control packet. The intersection node receives a first control packet transferred through either route with a sequence number, and then, when it continues to receive the second control packet, which is transferred through the other route with the same sequence number as the first control packet carries within the waiting time of the first control packet, the intersection node selects the burst packet corresponding to the control packet with a smaller quality loss field value of the first and second control packets. The present invention prevents the services from being cut down, and remarkably reduces the packet loss ratio of the service. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110395 | Path Computation Element Method to Support Routing and Wavelength Assignment in Wavelength Switched Optical Networks - A network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising transmitting a request to compute a routing assignment, a wavelength assignment, or both, wherein the request comprises a lightpath constraint indicator is disclosed. Also disclosed is an apparatus comprising a Path Computation Client (PCC) configured to transmit a request to and receive a reply from a Path Computation Element (PCE), wherein the request comprises a lightpath constraint, and wherein the reply comprises a routing assignment, a wavelength assignment, an error message, a no-path indication, or combinations thereof. Included is a method comprising receiving a request comprising a request parameter (RP) object comprising a lightpath constraint, sending a reply comprising a routing assignment, a wavelength assignment, an error message, a no-path indicator, or combinations thereof, wherein the request is received and the reply is sent using path computation element protocol (PCEP). | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110396 | Method and apparatus for hitless routing of optical signals in an optical transport network - A method is provided for routing optical signals in an optical transport network. The method includes: separating an incoming optical multiplexed signal having a plurality of wavelength-channels embodied therein into two or more channel groups, where each channel group has a subset of the wavelength-channels and channels to be routed hitlessly in a given channel group are adjacent to a channel free region; providing a wavelength selective element for each wavelength-channel to be routed hitlessly; and routing a given wavelength-channel by tuning the corresponding wavelength selective element to either the given wavelength-channel or a channel free region adjacent to the given wavelength-channel. Providing a channel free region next to each channel to be routed allows the use of inexpensive tunable elements, which typically cause hits as they tune, to effect hitless routing. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110397 | PREVENTION OF COLLISION FOR TIME DIVISION MULTIPLEXING OPTICAL NETWORK, APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF - An apparatus for preventing collision of upstream signals is provided. The apparatus is suitable for a time division multiplexing (TDM) passive optical network (PON). The apparatus includes an optical coupler device, an optic-electron converter (O/E), a control system, and an optical signal switch module. The O/E is coupled to the optical coupler device, the control system is coupled to the O/E, and the optical signal switch module is coupled to the optical coupler device and the control system. The optical coupler device receives a first optical signal and splits the first optical signal into a second optical signal and a third optical signal. The O/E converts the second optical signal into a first electrical signal. The control system generates a control signal according to the first electrical signal. The optical signal switch module determines whether to stop the third optical signal from passing the apparatus according to the control signal. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110398 | Electrical point-to-multipoint repeater for PON - The present invention relates to an electrical point-to-multipoint repeater for Passive Optical Networks (PONs). A multiport passive optical network extender ( | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110399 | STORAGE SYSTEM AND OPTICAL MODULE SWITCHING METHOD FOR STORAGE SYSTEM - An object of the present invention is to continue to send and receive to/from a host when a failure has occurred in a storage device interface. A storage system includes a host and a storage device connected to the host via a communication line, wherein the storage device comprises a communication controller performing data communication with the host by using optical modules, and wherein the communication controller is provided with first optical modules performing data communication with the host; a second optical module performing data communication with the host, in place of a first optical module; and a controller switching, when a failure has occurred in any of the first optical modules, the first optical module in which the failure has occurred to the second optical module. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110400 | WDM TYPE PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK - In a WDM type PON system, each ONU comprises an optical transmitter capable to transmit optical signals with variable wavelengths, an optical signal receiving filter variable its receiving wavelength, and a control unit. An OLT selects in response to a wavelength allocation request from each ONU, a transmitting wavelength and a receiving wavelength out of currently free wavelengths and allocates these wavelengths to the requester ONT. The control unit of the ONU switches the transmitting wavelength of the optical transmitter and the receiving wavelength of the optical signal receiving filter to the wavelengths specified in a response message from the OLT and starts data communication. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110401 | Controllable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer - The inventions relate to a method for operating a controllable selective optical add/drop channel for fiber-optic communication system provided with 2 | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110402 | Distributed Wavelength Assignment Using Signaling Protocols in Wavelength Switched Optical Networks - An apparatus comprising a first node configured to forward a wavelength assignment message to a second node, wherein the wavelength assignment message comprises a wavelength set type-length-value (TLV), a wavelength assignment method selection TLV, a supplemental wavelength assignment information TLV, a traffic parameter TLV, or combinations thereof. Also included is a network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising obtaining a wavelength set data, a wavelength assignment method selection data, a supplemental wavelength assignment data, a traffic parameter data, or combinations thereof, and using at least one TLV to represent the obtained data. Also included is a method comprising obtaining a wavelength assignment information comprising a wavelength set, a supplemental wavelength assignment information, a wavelength assignment method selection, a traffic parameter, or combinations thereof, and forwarding the wavelength assignment information along a path. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110403 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING DATA BURST OVERHEAD IN AN ETHERNET PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that reduces data burst overhead in an Ethernet passive optical network which includes a central node and at least one remote node, wherein downstream data from the central node is broadcast to the remote nodes, and wherein upstream data from a remote node is transmitted to the central node in a unicast manner. During operation, the central node transmits grant messages to a number of remote nodes, wherein a grant message for a specified remote node assigns a start time and a duration of a transmission timeslot in which the specified remote node may transmit an upstream data burst. In response to the grant messages, the central node then receives a number of upstream data bursts, wherein the time gap between two consecutive upstream data bursts is less than the summation of a default laser turn-on time, a default laser turn-off time, an AGC period, and a CDR period. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110404 | CONNECTOR SYSTEM WITH ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AND INFRARED COUPLING AND METHOD - An electrical connector system provides both electrically conductive connection and infrared coupling, and includes at least one electrically conductive member adapted to provide electrically conductive connection to another electrically conductive member, an infrared member adapted to provide infrared member coupling with another infrared member, and wherein the at least one electrically conductive member and the infrared member being held in positional relation to each other to be positioned with respect to a further electrical connector for electrically conductive connection and infrared coupling with respect thereto. A method of connecting electrical signals uses a pair of electrical connectors, each having an electrically conductive connection portion and an infrared coupling portion to provide for both electrically conductive connection and infrared coupling between the electrical connectors. The invention may be used in portable electronic equipment, including mobile phones, for example. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110405 | METHOD OF COMMUNICATING BETWEEN TERMINALS USING OPTICAL WIRELESS LINE AND MOBILE TERMINAL FOR PERFORMING THE SAME - A wireless communication method between mobile terminals using visible light and a mobile terminal therefore are disclosed. The method includes: periodically transmitting device discovery signals for searching for a visible light communication device when there is a request for a visible light communication; transmitting only reference clock signals between the device discovery signals; and connecting a link to a receiving terminal to transmit data when a response signal for the device discovery signal is received from the receiving terminal. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110406 | Dynamic optical signal tracking on a detector array in a free space optical communication system - A free-space optical communication system includes a detector array having a plurality of detector elements and a transmitting source. Dynamic movement of the optical signal on the detector array is caused by changes in orientation of the transmitting source. A tracker tracks the movement of the optical signal in real-time on the detector array. An output signal is derived from at least one of the detector elements illuminated by the optical signal. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110407 | Dual Wiring System - A dual wiring system with improved function expandability is provided. A base unit is mounted in a wall surface of a structure, and connected to both of an electric power line and an information line previously installed in the structure. Each of function units has at least one of functions for providing electric power from the electric power line, outputting information from the information line and inputting information into the information line when connected with the base unit. The base unit is detachably connected with one of the function units by use of a joining member, so that electric power is supplied from the base unit to the function unit through a power transmission means, and a signal transmission between the base unit and the function unit is obtained through a signal transmission means. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110408 | Laser Optical Transmission System with Dual Modulation - An optical transmitter for generating a modulated optical signal for transmission over dispersive fiber optic links in which a first information-containing radio frequency signal input is applied to a modulation circuit for directly modulating a semiconductor laser with the signal input. The output of the laser is applied to a phase modulator to which a second information-containing radio frequency signal is applied. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110409 | High sensitivity two-stage amplifier - The invention relates to amplifiers and in particular, to a transimpedance amplifier for high rate applications. Disclosed is a two stage transimpedance amplifier having a first stage comprising an amplifier and a load and a second stage comprising an amplifier and a resistor. Negative feedback is provided through a feedback resistor. Only two voltage conversions occur which reduces phase distortion, as compared to three stage transimpedance amplifiers which perform 3 voltage conversions. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110410 | METHODS FOR MOVING A MEDIA SHEET WITHIN AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - The present application is directed to methods for determining the location and movement of a media sheet within an image forming device. In one embodiment, the media sheet is positioned within an input area of the device. A pick roller is rotated to move the sheet from the input area and into a media path. An encoder roller may be positioned in contact with the sheet to detect the actual movement of the sheet from the input area. A controller may determine the expected amount of movement based on the movement of the pick roller and compare this amount with an actual amount of movement based on the movement of the encoder roller. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110411 | PRINTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PURGING PRINT MEDIA - In a printing system having multiple document finishing assemblies, it is sometimes necessary to purge the system of print media which, as a result of a jam or other operational malfunction, remain within the printing system in an unfinished, unprinted, or otherwise undesirable condition. These “purge sheets” can be delivered to a separate purge tray provided at each document finishing assembly. A printing system having numerous document finishing assemblies will typically have a corresponding number of purge trays which must be cleared individually by an operator, which is inefficient and burdensome. The present disclosure provides a printing system and method which, in the event of a jam, consolidates purge sheets into a minimal number of purge trays. By minimizing the number of purge trays which must be cleared by an operator, efficiency gains and productivity increases can be realized. Additionally, the disclosed printing system is responsive to subsequent or multiple jams by diverting purge sheets to the minimal number of remaining purge trays. Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed purging algorithm are presented wherein purging is coordinated by the document finishing assemblies using a decentralized daisy-chain architecture, and wherein the purging is coordinated by a controller using a centralized architecture. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110412 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A color image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic type, includes a toner container containing a toner therein, arranged on an upper portion of an outside of a main frame of the apparatus in which an imagewise exposure section, a developing section and a fixing section are housed. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110413 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE DENSITY CONTROL METHOD - An image forming apparatus and an image density control method for controlling image density in the image forming apparatus, involving adjusting a toner concentration control reference value in accordance with an amount of the toner replaced in a developing device so as to adjust the image density to maintain a consistent developability and changing image forming intervals in accordance with an amount of the toner replaced in the developing device during continuous printing operation. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110414 | IMAGE STABILIZING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - There is provided an image stabilizing apparatus which is capable of keeping a toner concentration and a printing density constant when, toner consumption is small, and further which is systematically simple. The image stabilizing apparatus comprises a control portion for controlling a toner replenishment amount in a toner replenishing apparatus depending on a toner concentration detected by a toner concentration sensor and a print coverage of a document detected by a print coverage detecting portion, and controlling, when the print coverage of the document detected by the print coverage detecting portion is less than a predetermined value and such documents continue, so as to discharge a predetermined amount of toner to the image bearing member by developing forcibly, and then replenish the same amount of toner as the predetermined amount by the toner replenishing apparatus. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110415 | CONTROL TO DETECT AIR KNIFE BLOCKAGE - A system for detecting stripper device blockage in a printing system is disclosed. The system includes a fusing member which during operation contacts a sheet of printer media to fuse a marking material to the sheet, a stripping device configured to apply pressurized air from an air supply through at least one orifice to the fuser member in order to separate the sheet from the surface and a flow measurement device in line with the air supply which measures air flow. The air flow device will assist in performing an assessment check which may include taking a baseline measurement of air flow and a diagnostic measurement of air flow. In the case where the difference between the diagnostic measurement and baseline measurement is above a different threshold, corrective action may be taken. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110416 | LONG LIFE CLEANING SYSTEM WITH REPLACEMENT BLADES - Systems and methods are described that facilitate replacing cleaning blades employed to chisel excess toner from a photoreceptor surface. For example, a cleaning unit can comprise a blade holder with a plurality of cleaning blades attached thereto, which is rotated (e.g., by an actuator) to remove a used cleaning blade from the photoreceptor surface and position a new cleaning blade against the photoreceptor surface. Blade replacement can be triggered by a detected defect on an output image or by detected excess toner on the photoreceptor surface downstream from the cleaning blade. Additionally, blade replacement can be triggered as a function of blade use (e.g., measured in time, prints, photoreceptor cycles), friction force on the blade, or a combination thereof, to achieve a desired (e.g., low) cleaning unit failure probability. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110417 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus mounted with a toner cartridge having a memory unit includes a toner cartridge which stores a plurality of control data depending on toner in the memory unit, an acquisition unit which selects one of the plurality of control data in the memory unit and acquires image formation-related information and a setting unit which sets image formation parameters on the basis of the image formation-related information. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110418 | Image forming apparatus and image forming method - An image forming apparatus, such as a printer, includes an image forming unit forming a toner image on an image carrier, a transfer unit for transferring the toner image onto a recording medium, a pair of a fusing rotating body and a pressure rotating body, a fusing unit for fusing the toner image on the recording medium, a temperature detecting unit for detecting the temperature on the surface of the fusing rotating body, and a control unit. An amount of decrease in the temperature of the fusing rotating body surface is measured at a predetermined time, and the time between an image formation request and the arrival of the recording medium, with the toner image formed thereon, at a fusing/nipping portion formed between the fusing rotating body and the pressure rotating body is extended when the temperature decrease amount is greater than a threshold value. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110419 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus and method which can take a countermeasure against a tail or the like in consideration of differences of various conditions such as a kind of transfer paper and the like is provided. The apparatus has an image processing portion for extracting an image pattern whose image information has a concentration of 100% and executing a thin-out process for thinning out a predetermined area in the extracted image pattern at a predetermined ratio. The image processing portion or step changes the thin-out process according to the transfer paper kind. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110420 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED CONTROL PATCH MEASUREMENT IN PRINTING SYSTEM - Printing systems, control systems, and methods are presented for controlling customer image creation in which process control patches are laterally offset from a lateral customer image boundary to mitigate adverse interaction of control patches and customer images and to improve print engine process control. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110421 | Photographic Plotting Process and Arrangement for Tracing a Computer-stored Grid Image on a Flat Photosensitive Carrier - The grid image T (overall image) is traced in dots by a computer program as a sequence of image sections (R | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110422 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image forming apparatus includes a density detector to detect a density of an image to be printed, and an image density controller to adjust a toner supply amount and a developing bias based on a detection result of the density detector to thereby adjust a density of the image. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110423 | Liquid Developer Collecting System and Image Forming Apparatus Including the Same - A liquid developer collecting system includes a developing roller cleaning unit that collects liquid developer on a developing roller; a developer storage unit that stores the liquid developer collected by the developing roller cleaning unit; and a concentration control unit that stores the liquid developer fed from the developer storage unit and controls the concentration of the liquid developer. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110424 | Liquid Developer Collecting System and Image Forming Apparatus Including the Same - A liquid developer collecting system. A developing unit has a developing roller. A developing roller cleaning unit collects liquid developer on the developing roller. A concentration control unit stores liquid developer collected by the developing roller cleaning unit and controls the concentration of the liquid developer. A first feed unit feeds the liquid developer in the concentration control unit to the developing unit. A second feed unit feeds the liquid developer in the concentration control unit. A developer storage unit stores the liquid developer fed by the second feed unit. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110425 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND DEVELOPER REPLENISHING METHOD - A switching controller is provided to switch from a developer replenishment prohibition mode to a developer replenishment permission mode when the replenishment detection device detects that the developer containing section does not store the developer, and from the developer replenishment permission mode to the developer replenishment prohibition mode when a prescribed operation is executed upon completion of replenishment of the developer from the developer containing bottle to the developer containing section. The developer replenishment prohibition mode prohibits the developer replenishment device from replenishing the developer to the developer containing section, while the developer replenishment permission mode permits the developer replenishment device to replenish the developer to the developer containing section. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110426 | INTER-DOCUMENT ZONE GLOSS DEFECT ELIMINATOR - A method for reducing gloss variation in prints, in an electrostatic printing system having a fuser for fusing sheets having marking particles thereon, the method including transporting a first sheet to the fuser; transporting a second sheet to the fuser; and abutting a trailing edge of the first sheet to a leading edge of the second sheet prior to the trailing edge of the first sheet entering the fuser. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110427 | PRINTING APPARATUS - An aspect of the invention provides a printing apparatus having a plurality of operation modes that comprises: a storage unit configured to store power consumption values per unit time for each operation mode and a standard power consumption value indicating an energy-saving standard power consumption during a determined period of use; an operation mode management unit configured to measure an operation time of the printing apparatus for each operation mode; a calculator configured to calculate an estimated total power consumption value during the determined period of use from measured operation time in each operation mode and from the power consumption values stored in the storage unit; and a display unit configured to display both of the standard power consumption value obtained from the storage unit and the calculated estimated total power consumption value. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110428 | Image Forming Apparatus and Image Forming Method - An image forming apparatus, includes: an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image; a toner carrier roller that is provided, on a surface thereof, with a plurality of convex sections and a concave section which surrounds the convex sections, is shaped approximately like a cylinder, is arranged opposed to the image carrier, and rotates while carrying a toner layer of charged toner on the surface thereof; a bias applier that applies a developing bias voltage to the toner carrier roller; a toner collector that collects the toner carried on the surface of the toner carrier roller at a place downstream to an opposed position facing the image carrier in a rotation direction of the toner carrier roller; a seal member that is interposed between the toner carrier roller and the toner collector, and abuts on the surface of the toner carrier roller to prevent leakage of toner from the toner collector; and a controller that is adapted to perform a toner removal operation which removes toner adherent to the seal member by rotating the toner carrier roller while the toner carrier roller abuts on the seal member, in a condition that at least a part of respective surfaces of the convex sections do not carry toner so as to be exposed. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110429 | POWDER CONVEYANCE UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A powder conveyance unit, providable to an image forming apparatus, includes a path forming member configured to form a powder conveyance path including an inner wall to convey powder therethrough and connect first and second powder containers, and a substantially planar plate-like powder remover configured to remove powder adhering to the inner wall of the powder conveyance path. The plate-like powder remover is disposed in the powder conveyance path with both lateral edges thereof in a width direction perpendicular to a powder conveyance direction in the powder conveyance path contacting or nearly contacting the inner wall of the powder conveyance path. Opposed flat surfaces of the plate-like powder remover moves reciprocally between opposed surfaces of the inner wall of the powder conveyance path to remove powder adhering to the surfaces of the inner wall of the powder conveyance path. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110430 | SEAL MEMBER, DEVELOPING DEVICE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A seal member covers a space between a developing roller and a casing of a developing device. The seal member includes a flexible sheet and a reinforcing member fixed to the sheet. The reinforcing member is fixed to the casing. Notches are provided in the reinforcing member in a direction perpendicular to the length of the reinforcing member. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110431 | LASER PRINTER TONER CARTRIDGE SEAL AND METHOD - A reassembled laser printer toner cartridge and method of manufacture including a cartridge seal assembly in which the remains of an OEM laser printer toner cartridge's toner hopper pull seal strip(s) is left in position, or a substitute conductive strip is put in the same position to simulate the OEM pull seal strip(s) if the OEM strips have been damaged or are missing in order to enable a repaired or remanufactured cartridge to cooperate with the printer in detecting measuring and displaying the amount of toner consumed from the cartridge and shut the printer down, once the toner cartridge is empty, and a toner cartridge hopper foam seal strip assembly that covers the remnants of the OEM seal strips and provides a seal to prevent leakage of toner from the re-filled toner cartridge. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110432 | Image forming apparatus - When a lever is pulled upwards, an engaging member comes into contact with a retracted contacting member. An optical writing device rotates with a hooking member at a center and is lifted. As a result, positions of a first reference position component and a second reference position component switches from a contacting position to a retracted position. When the lever is pulled downward, the engaging member separates from the retracted contacting member. The optical writing device rotates in a counter-clockwise direction with the hooking member as the center. As a result, the positions of the reference position components switch from the retracted position to the contacting position. The reference position components come into contact with positioning members. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110433 | EXCESS TONER EVACUATION PROCESS - A system and process for emptying excess toner from repaired or remanufactured laser printer toner cartridges, for use in both magnetic toner and non-magnetic toner after the cartridge has been assembled and post-assembly tested. The removal of excess toner from the cartridge prevents the cartridge from “sweating”, i.e., leaking toner out from the developing roller section of the cartridge and into the shipping packaging box during shipping and storage. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110434 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE REMANUFACTURING METHOD - A remanufacturing method includes dismounting, from one end of a drum frame, a supporting member while rotatably supporting one end of a drum and a developing device frame; separating the two frames; dismounting the drum; mounting one end of a fresh drum to the other end of the drum frame; a refilling developer into a developer accommodating portion of the separated developing device frame; and swingably connecting the developing device frame and the drum frame by mounting the supporting member to one end of the drum frame, while rotatably supporting, by the supporting member, the one end of the drum of the drum frame to which the fresh drum has been mounted and swingably supporting the one end of the developing device frame to the developer accommodating portion of which the developer has been refilled, by the drum frame. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110435 | BELT INSTALLATION TOOL - A tool for installation of intermediate belts by a customer includes a lightweight frame structure that is collapsible for handling and ease of belt loading onto the tool itself. The frame structure includes linkage such that when a handle connected to the frame structure is rotated; the framework will expand into the hanging belt and force the belt to take the shape of an intermediate belt transfer module profile. The intermediate transfer belt is then slid onto rollers of the intermediate belt transfer module. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110436 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a rotatable belt member configured to contact the image bearing member, a belt unit configured to support the belt member and removably mounted on the image forming apparatus, an operation unit disposed on the belt unit, a belt unit moving mechanism configured to cause the belt member to contact the image bearing member when the operation unit is in a first position and to cause the belt member to separate from the image bearing member when the operation unit is in a second position, and a tensile force releasing mechanism configured to release a tensile force applied to the belt member when the belt unit is pulled out from the image forming apparatus and the operation unit is in a third position. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110437 | DUPLEX DOCUMENT FEEDER - A duplex document feeder defines a feeding path. A charging means, a guiding plate equipped with elastic force and a feeding means are located along the feeding path. A driver means provides drive source to the charging means and the inverting means. The guiding plate blocks up the feeding path while the feeding path is empty. The charging means charges a document into the feeding path. The guiding plate is pressed out of the feeding path by the document conveyed via the charging means. Therefore, the document may be conveyed through the feeding path. While the document is conveyed to the feeding means, the guiding plate returns to block up the feeding path via elastic force thereof. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110438 | PHOTOSENSITIVE BODY, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME AND ASSEMBLY METHOD OF PHOTOSENSITIVE BODY - A photosensitive body to stably maintain an electric connection between a photosensitive drum and a shaft includes a photosensitive drum, a shaft serving as a rotational center of the photosensitive drum, and a grounding device to electrically connect the photosensitive drum and the shaft. The grounding device includes a shaft connecting portion electrically connected to the shaft, and an anchor portion fixedly stuck in an inner peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. The anchor portion moves from a first state, in which the anchor portion is extended in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum, to a second state, in which the anchor portion is extended in a radial direction of the photosensitive drum, and is fixed to the photosensitive drum. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110439 | Skirt for Toner Cartridge - A skirt for a toner cartridge comprises a body having a pair of parallel edges, a plurality of beams extending along the body in the direction of the pair of parallel edges, the beams having a first end dimension B, the beams having a second end dimension b, the plurality of beams having tapered edges between the first end and the second end defining a ratio R defined by dimensions b/B being from about 0 to 0.9 for inhibiting creep deflection. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110440 | TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge includes a recording unit that records a deterioration table in which a reference value of a deterioration degree is specified for each of constituent members and a load characteristic table in which the deterioration degree corresponding to an operation state of an image forming apparatus in which the toner cartridge is inserted is specified, a transmitting and receiving unit that performs transmission and reception with the image forming apparatus in which the toner cartridge is inserted, a deterioration counter that extracts the deterioration degree for each of the constituent members from the load characteristic table according to an operation state of the image forming apparatus and counts the deterioration degree for each of the constituent members, and a control unit that compares the deterioration degree counted by the deterioration counter and the reference value specified in the deterioration table. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110441 | MAGNETIC ROLLER, DEVELOPMENT DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - A development device configured to develop a latent image with developer including toner and carrier includes a development roller configured to carry the developer. The development roller includes a stationary magnet-fixing member, a plurality of magnets fixed to an interior of the stationary magnet-fixing member to form a plurality of magnetic poles, and a cylindrical rotatable sleeve roller configured to revolve coaxially around the exterior of the magnet-fixing member. Magnetic force distribution of a portion of the plurality of magnetic poles is varied in an axial direction of the development roller at positions corresponding to an image forming area in the axial direction of the development roller, enabling the development device to transport and agitate the developer. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110442 | Developer Apparatus, Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Method - A developer apparatus, includes: a container which houses toner; a toner carrier roller which is provided, on a surface thereof, with a plurality of convex sections which are regularly arranged and a concave section which surrounds the convex sections, is shaped approximately like a cylinder, and rotates while carrying a toner layer of charged toner supplied from the container on the surface thereof; and a restriction member which abuts on the toner layer on the surface of the toner carrier roller to restrict a thickness of the toner layer, and restricts the toner layer carried by the convex sections within the surface of the toner carrier roller to one layer or less. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110443 | Developer Apparatus, Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Method - A developer apparatus, includes: a container which houses toner; a toner carrier roller that is provided, on a surface thereof, with a plurality of convex sections which are regularly arranged and a concave section which surrounds the convex sections, is shaped approximately like a cylinder, and rotates while carrying a toner layer of charged toner supplied from the container on the surface thereof, and a restriction member that abuts on the surface of the toner carrier roller to form a restriction nip, restricts a thickness of the toner layer carried on the surface of the toner carrier roller in the restriction nip, and removes the toner layer on the convex sections from among the toner layer carried on the surface of the toner carrier roller at an upstream-side end of the restriction nip in a rotation direction of the toner carrier roller. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110444 | Developer Apparatus, Image Forming Apparatus and Image Forming Method - A developer apparatus, includes: a toner carrier roller which rotates while carrying a toner layer of charged toner on its surface, the toner carrier being shaped approximately like a cylinder and being provided, on a surface thereof, with a plurality of convex sections, which are regularly arranged along a width direction parallel to a rotation shaft of the toner carrier roller and a circumferential direction which is along a circumferential surface of the toner carrier roller, and concave sections which surround the convex sections; and a restriction member which abuts on the surface of the toner carrier roller, thereby restricting the toner layers which are carried on the surface of the toner carrier roller, the restriction member including an elastic abutting member formed by an elastic material, the elastic abutting member which includes an edge part which extends along the width direction parallel to the rotation shaft of the toner carrier roller and abuts on the surface of the toner carrier roller, wherein within a restriction nip which is created as the toner carrier roller and the restriction member abut on each other, a plurality of abutting segments where the edge part abuts on the plurality of convex sections and opening segments where the edge part and the concave sections are opposed each other with a gap between each other appear alternately along the width direction, and in the opening segments, the edge part of the elastic abutting member bulges toward bottom of the concave sections beyond linear lines which connect top surfaces of two adjacent convex sections which are on both sides to the concave sections which are opposed to the edge part. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110445 | Developer Apparatus, Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Method - A developer apparatus, includes: a container which houses toner; a toner carrier roller that is provided, on a surface thereof, with a plurality of convex sections which are regularly arranged and a concave section which surrounds the convex sections, is shaped approximately like a cylinder, and rotates while carrying a toner layer of charged toner on the surface thereof; and a restriction member that abuts on the surface of the toner carrier roller to form a restriction nip, restricts a thickness of the toner layer carried on the surface of the toner carrier roller in the restriction nip, and removes the toner layer on the convex sections from among the toner layer carried on the surface of the toner carrier roller at an upstream-side end of the restriction nip in a rotation direction of the toner carrier roller, wherein a part of toner carried by the concave section moves to the convex sections to cover the convex sections with the toner at a downstream side to the restriction nip in the rotation direction of the toner carrier roller. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110446 | Development device and image forming apparatus having same - A development device | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110447 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND ELECTRIC DISCHARGE DEVICE - An image forming apparatus includes a diode for restraining deterioration of an electric discharge device caused when a voltage applied to a discharge electrode and a shield electrode is switched. By switching the voltage at only one position using the diode, both of the voltage applied to the discharge electrode and the voltage applied to the shield electrode can be switched simultaneously. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110448 | Fixing Unit and Image Forming Apparatus Having the Same - A fixing unit where an operating force for releasing a nip can be reduced with a small-sized configuration. The fixing unit has a heating roller including a heating element, a pressure belt, pressure arms, pressure springs, and nip load releasing units. The pressure belt is supported in an intermediate position between the pressure arms | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110449 | SEPARATING MEMBER, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing roller and a pressing roller that are in pressure contact with each other. A separating plate is placed opposite to the fixing roller with a certain gap in between them. Positioning portions are installed on the separating plate to be in contact with width-direction ends of the fixing roller for determining the gap. The positioning portions are arranged such that edges of contact portions of the positioning portions on the width-direction center side in contact with the fixing unit are positioned outside an image area and inside a paper-passing area for a recording medium of a maximum passing-capable size. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110450 | Fuser Belt Assembly - A fuser belt assembly of a xerographic marking device is provided with an endless fuser belt having an inner side and an outer side, a pressure pad movable between a cammed-in position in which the pressure pad contacts an inner side of the fuser belt to press an outer side of the fuser belt against a fuser roll to form a fusing nip, and a cammed-out position in which the pressure pad does not press the fuser belt against the fuser roll. The pressure pad includes two or more embedded pressure sensors for sensing a load of the pressure pad in the cammed-in position, and one or more preload adjustment screws for adjusting the load on the pressure pad based on the sensed pressure pad loads. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110451 | FUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fusing device includes a pressure unit, a belt unit to rotate in outer contact with the pressure unit, a nip forming unit to form a nip over a contact portion between the pressure unit and the belt unit, a heating unit to heat the nip forming unit and the belt unit, and a support unit to press and support the nip forming unit constantly and having a plurality of heat transmission portions defined in a parallelogrammic shape of an oblique direction with respect to a traveling direction of the belt unit. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110452 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A disclosed fixing device includes a fixing member configured to heat and melt a toner image to fix it onto a recording medium; a pressure member abutting the fixing member to form a nip into which the recording medium is fed; a separating member disposed on the downstream side in the moving direction of the fixing member in relation to the nip in a manner to oppose the fixing member, and configured to perform a separating operation to prevent the recording medium from winding around the fixing member; an electrically grounded frame supporting the fixing member, the pressure member and the separating member; and a conductive member inserted between a supporting portion of the frame and a supported portion of the separating member and having a higher electric resistance than the frame. The separating member and the frame are rendered electrically conductive to each other only via the conductive member. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110453 | FUSER MEMBER WITH NANO-SIZED FILLER - A fuser member suited to use in a fusing apparatus of an electrostatographic image rendering device includes a substrate and an outer layer over the substrate. The outer layer includes a matrix material and filler particles dispersed in the matrix material. an outer layer comprising a halopolymer and filler particles. The filler particles have a particle size of less than about 1 micrometer and a particle hardness of greater than about 3 on a Mohs hardness scale and form no more than about 3 percent by volume of the outer layer. The outer layer comprising filler particles nonetheless may provide improved wear of the fuser member. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110454 | IMAGE FORMIG APPARATUS - A sheet conveying apparatus includes a pair of first guides formed with a first opening; a pair of second guides; and a pair of third guides, wherein an air which has passed through a first opening of the pair of first guides is deflected to one pair of guides of the pair of the second guides and the pair of the third guides by the other pair of guides. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110455 | WASTE TONER SOLIDIFICATION APPARATUS FOR A PRINTING DEVICE - A waste toner solidification apparatus for a printing device includes a nozzle configured to receive waste toner from a hopper. A heater is configured to heat the waste toner in a manner sufficient to liquefy the waste toner within the nozzle. Substantially when exiting the nozzle, the liquefied waste toner solidifies and forms a plurality of solid waste toner pellets. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110456 | Image forming unit and image forming apparatus - In an image forming unit or an image forming apparatus, there is an image carrying body, then, a cleaning member is furnished along the image carrying body to remove developer remaining on the surface of the image carrying body after transferring; a first conveying member conveys the developer removed by the cleaning member to a conveying section formed on one end of the image forming unit, as waste developer; and a second conveying member conveys the waste developer conveyed from the conveying section to a waste developer collecting section. Further, the first conveying member has a developer pushing section which changes a conveyance direction in the conveying section and conveys the waste developer toward the second conveying member. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110457 | SHEET CONVEYING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A sheet conveying apparatus includes a reference guide, a sheet introducing portion, a passage portion, a sheet guide portion, and an upstream side guide. The upstream side guide is provided at a position away from a sheet conveyed in a thickness direction of the sheet rather than the sheet guide portion so that an inclined surface side of the sheet is deflected when the end portion of the sheet abuts against an inclined surface of the sheet introducing portion. The sheet conveying apparatus further includes an inclined guide which is provided at the downstream side of the upstream side guide in the passage portion, guides the sheet conveyed by the upstream side guide, and is inclined in the thickness direction of the sheet so as to narrow a path interval of the passage portion. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110458 | POST-PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A post-processing apparatus is provided, in which a sheet to be post-processed is substantially vertically dropped in a sequence from a first stage to a second stage, and from the second stage to a third stage, the sheet is temporarily stored in the first stage, a bundle of sheets is post-processed in the second stage, and the sheets are stacked in the third stage, wherein an opening/closing first supporting member is disposed in the first stage, an opening/closing second supporting member and a post-processing unit are disposed in the second stage, a sheet stacking member is disposed in the third stage, and the apparatus includes an integral sheet aligning member which butts against an end portion of the sheet supported by the first supporting member, and end portions of the sheets supported by the second supporting member, and a sheet aligning member moving unit which moves the sheet aligning member. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110459 | Image forming device - An image forming device is disclosed. The device includes a toner-image forming unit which forms a toner image; a transfer unit; a fixing unit; a paper-output unit; a drive unit; a first drive-power transmission gear; a second drive-power transmission gear; a gear housing; a first positioning unit which positions the fixing unit relative to a device body; and a second positioning unit. The second positioning unit positions the paper-output unit relative to the device body in the direction of a gap between the first drive-power transmission gear and the second drive-power transmission gear by engaging the gear housing with the device body. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110460 | SHEET MOISTURIZING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED THEREWITH - A sheet moisturizing device having a moisturizing section that moisturizes a sheet and a guide which guides the sheet that has been moisturized by the moisturizing section, the guide includes a first guide member made of resin having a plurality of ribs, arranged immediately downstream of the moisturizing section in a sheet conveyance direction, which guides the sheet in a vertical direction. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110461 | Printing apparatus - A printing apparatus includes a transfer mechanism that transfers a print medium, a printing device that prints on the print medium, a stationary blade that is provided on a downstream side in a transfer direction of the print medium further than the printing device to cut the print medium, a movable blade that is provided on a downstream side in a transfer direction of the print medium further than the printing device and that cut the print medium, and a step portion that is provided on a reverse face of the downstream blade which is located on downstream side in transferring of the print medium, the reverse face being reverse of a slide face of the downstream blade sliding on the upstream blade which is located on upstream side in transferring of the print medium, and that projects along a thickness direction of the downstream blade. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110462 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STABILIZING PRINTABLE MEDIA IN A PRINTER - The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a method and apparatus for stabilizing printable media in a printer. The apparatus includes a platen for conveying printable media through a conveyance path. The apparatus also includes a set of guides for curving the printable media to form a stabilized printable media, wherein curving the printable media comprises decreasing a distance between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge of the printable media. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110463 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXPOSING PRINTABLE MEDIA IN A PRINTER - The illustrative embodiments described herein provide an apparatus and method for exposing printable media. The apparatus includes a printer having a cover. The apparatus also includes a set of lifting arms coupled to the cover. The apparatus includes a slowing device engaged with the set of lifting arms. The slowing device is adapted to slow movement of the set of lifting arms when the cover is moved. The apparatus also includes a stage coupled to the set of lifting arms such that movement of the cover causes movement of the stage into a position. The stage is adapted to receive the printable media. The position facilitates exposure of the printable media. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110464 | Integrated lipstick, lip gloss, and eyebrow pencil - A cosmetic tubes includes a lipstick subassembly including a front rotary drive tube having a staged member, and a rear case; a lip gloss subassembly including a removable rear extension of reduced diameter, the extension being releasably secured to the case of the lipstick subassembly; and an eyebrow pencil subassembly including a front rotary hollow cap having a front opening, and a rear positioning tube having a snapping member for releasably securing to the staged member of the drive tube of the lipstick subassembly. A person may conveniently detach any desired subassembly from the remaining subassemblies prior to use. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110465 | Device for storing a fluid or gel-like product, in particular a cosmetic product - A device for storing a fluid or gel-like cosmetic product, comprising a storage compartment for the product and an elongated mixing device which is freely movable in the storage compartment. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110466 | All natural vegetable fiber exfoliating cloth - A wash cloth is made of all natural vegetable fibers and is particularly effective for exfoliating the skin to remove dead skin cells and revitalize skin tone and sensation. The natural vegetable fibers are derived from the Malvaceal family of plants. The exfoliating wash cloth may include a pocket for holding bar or liquid soap while rubbing the cloth against the skin when bathing. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110467 | SURFACE TREATMENT ARTICLES AND METHODS - A surface treatment dispenser is provided for substantially eliminating potentially harmful surface contaminants. The dispenser includes a handle coupled to a pair of nesting roller members each having a plurality of openings with one roller member being rotatable between a position where the plurality of apertures are aligned to allow the flow of decontaminant from within the inner nesting roller member and where the plurality of apertures are not aligned to prevent the flow of decontaminant. The device may also include a fine mesh cylinder within the inner nesting roller member to substantially prevent soaking the surface with decontaminant and a storage sleeve. Other decontamination devices are also provided that includes a container of decontaminant with a removable applicator in fluid communication with the contents of the container and a wipe containing decontaminant. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110468 | NEEDLE TYPE BALLPOINT PEN CHIP AND THE MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR A NEEDLE TYPE BALLPOINT PEN CHIP - The object of the present invention is to provide a needle type ballpoint pen chip capable of achieving smooth writing. The needle type ballpoint pen chip of the present invention has a very small diameter, the diameters of the ball and the ink flow hole are naturally also small. In order to achieve smooth writing, it is therefore necessary to minimize to the greatest extent possible deviation in the position of the center axis line of the ink flow hole in relation to the center of the ball. To achieve the object, in the needle type ballpoint pen chip of the present invention, a solid cylindrical steel material S with a diameter of approximately 1 mm or less, rather than a pipe material, is used as its base material, and an ink flow hole is formed by performing drill cutting processing on this steel material. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110469 | RING BINDER MECHANISM - A ring binder has housing including a central portion and lateral sides. Hinge plates are held between the lateral sides of the housing. Each of multiple rings includes at least one ring member mounted for movement with the hinge plates between closed and open positions. The mechanism has an actuator mounted for pivotal movement relative to the housing and engageable with the hinge plates for opening rings. In one embodiment, the housing defines a stop engaged by the actuator upon arrival of the actuator at a terminal position when the actuator has opened the rings. The engagement between the surface of the actuator and the stop limits pivoting movement of the actuator relative to the housing in the opening direction beyond the terminal position. In another embodiment, the actuator is constructed for quicker response of the binder to movement of the actuator to open the rings. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110470 | RING BINDER MECHANISM WITH POLYMERIC HOUSING AND ACTUATOR - A ring binder mechanism includes a housing and a ring support supported by the housing for movement relative thereto. Each ring of a plurality of rings includes first and second ring members. The first ring member is mounted on the ring support for movement with the ring support relative to the housing between a closed position and an opened position. An actuator is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the housing for moving the rings from their closed position to their opened position. The actuator includes a lower arm having a contact surface engageable with a lower surface of the ring support when the rings are in their opened position and out of engagement with the ring support when the rings are in their closed position. The contact surface defines an angle between its outer surface and a horizontal plane between about 16 degrees and about 55 degrees. | 2009-04-30 |
| 20090110471 | SYSTEM OF FASTENERS FOR ATTACHING PANELS ONTO MODULES THAT ARE TO BE INSTALLED ON AN AIRPLANE GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT CART - A fastener system for use in removably attaching cover panels to openings in the sides of modules containing equipment on airplane ground support equipment carts, where the fasteners must not come loose to damage airplane engines. At least some modules have a metallic frame defining at least one opening providing access to the module's interior. This frame supports an inwardly recessed shelf around the inside perimeter of the opening. At least one cover panel is sized to fit removably within the opening. The shelf and the panel have aligned holes for fasteners, and the edges of the panel are bent inwards to form standoffs from the shelf. Sets of fasteners each include: a nut having mounted on its surface a hollow, internally-threaded shaft smaller in diameter than the nut, the shaft fitting into the shelf's fastener holes; a bolt having a head shaped to engage a fastener driving tool and having a shaft unthreaded adjacent the head and threaded away from the head, the threads matching the nut shaft's internal threads; and a panel hole liner and bolt support formed as a cylinder sized to be force fitted into the panel's fastener holes, the cylinder having a bottom with a central hole slightly larger in diameter than the unthreaded portion of the bolt shaft such that the bolt is retained within the hole liner free to rotate and to slide up and down but not free to fall out. Each nut shaft is inserted through to extend outwards from a shoulder fastener hole, and each bolt is supported in place by a hole liner forced into a panel fastener hole. | 2009-04-30 |
