38th week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 116 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140270767 | CROSS-CONNECT USING ETHERNET MULTIPLEXORS FOR A SIMPLE METRO ETHERNET NETWORK - A metro area network is provided that includes edge and core multiplexors each having a plurality of line ports and one or more uplink ports, a transport network carrying multiplexed traffic between the edge and core multiplexors. In a hard cross connect implementation utilizing source port tagging, a cross-connect device coupled to the core multiplexors provisions or maps communications path between the core multiplexors thereby providing preselected connectivity/mapping of two or more line ports of any of the edge multiplexors. In a soft cross connect implementation utilizing destination port tagging, a cross-connect device includes additional cross-connect multiplexors and functionality to control the destination port tagging performed in the edge, core and cross connect multiplexors thereby provisioning or mapping the desired communications path(s) between various endpoints. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270768 | OPTICAL LINE TERMINAL OF PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING UPSTREAM BAND USING THE SAME - Disclosed are an apparatus and a method capable of adjusting an upstream band for a corresponding ONU by detecting a quantity of bands occupied by a packet, not an effective user packet, among upstream transmission bands for each target object of allocation of each band in the OLT to examine whether a queue report is normal, and detecting an ONU, which transmits an abnormal queue report, according to the examination. An OLT of a PON according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a frame monitoring unit configured to monitor upstream frame data received for each T-CONT; an error detection unit configured to determine whether a queue report error is generated for each T-CONT according to a result of the monitoring; and a band allocation controller configured to allocate an upstream band for an ONU, in which the queue report error is generated, separately from a normal ONU. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270769 | OPTICAL NETWORK UNIT, OPTICAL ACCESS NETWORK AND A METHOD FOR EXCHANGING INFORMATION - A method for exchanging information with an Optical Network Unit (ONU), the method comprising: receiving, by the ONU, downstream signals that comprise a pilot signal and downstream information signals; wherein the downstream information signals embed first polarization modulated information and second polarization modulated information; wherein the pilot signal is received at a pilot frequency slot and the downstream information signals are received at a downstream information frequency slot that differs from the pilot frequency slot; splitting the downstream signals to first, second, third and fourth sets of signals; wherein the splitting comprises performing a polarization based splitting to provide first and second intermediate sets of signals; wherein the first and second sets of signals originate from the first intermediate set of signals and the third and fourth sets of signals originate from the second intermediate set of signals; generating a fifth set of signals by providing the second and fourth sets of signals to a polarization changing circuit, wherein a polarization direction of the fifth set of signals differs from a polarization direction of the first and second intermediate sets of signals; generating first, second and third sets of detection signals, in response to the first, third and fifth sets of signals; and reconstructing the first polarization modulated information and the second polarization modulated information in response to the first, second and third sets of detection signals. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270770 | Passive Optical Networking Redundancy Via Two or More Auto Sensing Optical Line Terminals - An embodiment of the invention provides communications services to Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) in a Passive Optical Network (PON) with at least two Optical Line Terminals (OLTs). The role of these OLTs is autonomously governed based on characteristics of upstream signals from the ONTs. When an OLT in a standby mode determines that upstream signal power is below a power threshold, the OLT in standby mode changes its mode and operates in the active mode. An OLT in active mode monitors the upstream signals and determines the number of upstream signals that are misaligned to a respective downstream command sent from the active OLT. When the number of misaligned signals is greater than a counts threshold, the active OLT switches its operation and operates in standby mode. Through autonomous operation, the OLTs provide redundancy for the PON without added control channel complexity. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270771 | Network Server Layer Providing Disjoint Channels in Response to Client-Layer Disjoint Path Requests - In one embodiment, a network server layer provides disjoint channels in response to client-layer disjoint path requests. For example, the network layer can be an optical network, and the client layer may be a packet switching layer (e.g., label switching, Internet Protocol). In one embodiment, a server-layer node receives a client-layer disjoint path request to provide a server-layer channel through a server-layer network. The client-layer disjoint path request includes an identifier corresponding to an existing client-layer path that traverses a current channel through the server-layer network that does not include the server-layer node. The server-layer network determines a particular channel through the server-layer network that is disjoint to the current channel based on route information of the current channel, and then signaling is performed within the server-layer network to establish the particular channel. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270772 | Method and Apparatus for Identifying a Port in a Passive Optical Network - Typical passive optical networks (PONs) employ several optical network terminals (ONTs) connected to an optical line terminal (OLT) via an optical splitter/combiner (OSC). Due to the passive nature of the OSC, determining a port assignment of an ONT may be difficult or impossible. Methods described herein provide for identifying a port in a passive optical network, optionally as corresponding to an ONT. A first subset of the ONTs is caused to transmit a first signal, such as a status signal, with a respective attribute having a first value, and a second subset of the ONTs is caused to transmit a second signal with the respective attribute having a second value. At the OSC, the signals are detected as a function of the attribute and the first and second values. Results of this detection are reported, from which an identification of a port and associated ONT can be determined. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270773 | FLASHLESS OPTICAL NETWORK UNIT - A system, method, and computer program product for a flashless optical network unit (ONU) in a Passive Optical Network (PON) are provided herein. The method includes the steps of synchronizing on a downstream signal of an optical line terminal (OLT), receiving a first software from the OLT for its operation on a reserved downstream channel of the OLT, and storing the received first software in a volatile memory. The ONU does not pre-store the first software in a non-volatile memory. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270774 | Systems and Methods of Hybrid DWDM Aggregation and Extension for Time Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Networks - Example embodiments of the systems and methods of hybrid DWDM aggregation and extension for time division multiplexing passive optical networks as disclosed herein solves problems facing cable operators and telecommunications operators by using WDM and DWDM technologies for time division multiplexing passive optical network aggregation and by extending the reach of the TDM PON beyond standard reach limits. An example system uses a downstream optical amplifier and an upstream repeater to extend the reach and for DWDM aggregation of the time division passive optical network. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270775 | METHOD FOR REGISTERING OPTICAL NETWORK UNIT IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK AND OPTICAL NETWORK UNIT THEREFOR - In a telecommunications network including an optical line terminal (OLT) having optical subscriber units (OSUs) and an optical network unit (ONU) connected to the OLT, bandwidth allocation signals are periodically transmitted at a first period from the respective OSUs to the ONU, and an acknowledgement request signal is transmitted from at least one of the OSUs to the ONU at a second period having a value corresponding to the first period multiplied by a constant. If an ONU is registered in none of the OSUs, the first period is determined from reception intervals of the assignment signals, and a second period is calculated from the first period. Transmissive wavelength of a variable-wavelength (VW) filter in the ONU is periodically changed at a third period longer than the second period. In the OSU having transmitted the request signal, the unregistered ONU having received the request signal is registered. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270776 | OPTICAL COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, OPTICAL ROUTE SWITCHING APPARATUS AND NETWORK - An optical communication apparatus, in the sending side, distributes client signals according to destinations and a communication capacity of each destination, electrical-to-optical converts the distributed signals to optical signals having different center frequencies, and multiplexes the optical signals to output, and in the receiving side, the optical communication apparatus divides the wavelength division multiplexed signal to each wavelength (for each sending source), optical-to-electrical converts the divided optical signals to electrical signals, and multiplexes the electrical signals to output. An add/drop port of an optical route switching apparatus includes an input/output port to the optical communication apparatus, and an optical frequency bandwidth is variable according to an optical spectrum width of the optical signal. A network is constructed by using the optical communication apparatus and the optical route switching apparatus. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270777 | WIDE BANDGAP MATRIX SWITCHER, AMPLIFIER AND OSCILLATOR - An electronic device comprising an optical gate, an electrical input an electrical output and a wide bandgap material positioned between the electrical input and the electrical output to control an amount of current flowing between the electrical input and the electrical output in response to a stimulus received at the optical gate can be used in wideband telecommunication applications in transmission of multi-channel signals. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270778 | BIDIRECTIONAL OPTICAL DATA COMMUNICATIONS MODULE - An optical transceiver module includes N light sources, N light detectors, a bidirectional fiber port, and an optical network having 2N−1 wavelength-selective elements. The number 2N represents the total number of transmit and receive channels in a bidirectional system in which transmit and receive signals corresponding to the transmit and receive channels. Each light source corresponds to one transmit channel and emits an optical transmit signal having a unique transmit wavelength. Each light detector corresponds to one receive channel and detects an optical receive signal having a unique receive wavelength. The optical network couples each light source to the bidirectional fiber port via a corresponding transmit path through the optical network. The optical network further couples each light detector to the bidirectional fiber port via a corresponding receive path through the optical network. Each transmit and receive path includes some of the wavelength-selective elements. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270779 | WAVELENGTH SELECTION AND CONFIGURATION METHOD FOR MULTI-WAVELENGTH OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Provided is an OLT including a wavelength splitter that splits all upstream optical signals with different wavelengths received from at least one ONU according to wavelength, at least one receiver that receive the optical signals split by the wavelength splitter according to wavelength, a wavelength selector that allocates an upstream transmission wavelength of the at least one ONU, and a transmitter that transmits wavelength allocation information allocated by the wavelength selector to the at least one ONU. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270780 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORWARD ERROR CORRECTION OVER A COMMUNICATION CHANNEL - There are various drawbacks by using existing OTN (Optical Transport Network) frames for communication between OTN cards. Such drawbacks might for example include high latency, low robustness, and/or high coding rate. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods are provided for modifying an OTN frame (or creating a new frame with data from the OTN frame) prior to transmission by an OTL (Optical channel Transport Lane) in order to address some or all of the foregoing drawbacks. Note that this embodiment can make use of existing hardware (e.g. hardware used for generating the OTN frame, and the OTL used for transmission). | 2014-09-18 |
20140270781 | OPTICAL SIGNAL DEMODULATOR, OPTICAL SIGNAL DEMODULATING METHOD, AND OPTICAL ADD-DROP MULTIPLEXER - An optical signal demodulator includes: an obtaining unit configured to obtain a spectrum of an optical signal generated by a second signal being superimposed on a first signal using frequency modulation; an identifying unit configured to identify a peak wavelength which is a wavelength corresponding to a peak position of the spectrum; and a demodulating unit configured to demodulate the second signal from the optical signal using a wavelength-variable filter to which a transmitted wavelength band has been set based on the peak wavelength. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270782 | Bidirectional Submarine Repeater Using Unidirectional Amplification - A bidirectional submarine transmission using unidirectional amplification transmits first and second communication signals bidirectional to each other over a repeater path with common end-to-end points, the repeater path includes a single unidirectional amplifier, the repeater path has a first branch path for the first communication signal through the single amplifier and a second branch path for the second communication signal through the single unidirectional amplifier, the first and second communication signals originating and leaving opposite ends of the repeater path, respectively. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270783 | RADIO-FREQUENCY SIGNAL REPETITION AND AMPLIFICATION USING PHASE-MODULATION INJECTION-LOCKED LASERS - A method and apparatus for regenerating a received radio frequency (RF) signal may mix the received RF signal with a first laser signal, and the result, or a filtered version thereof, may be used to injection-seed a second laser. The result may be mixed with the first laser signal, and the result may be detected to provide a regenerated version of the received RF signal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270784 | STACKABLE PHOTONIC INTERCONNECT MODULE - An interconnect module for communicating electrical signals and optical signals is described. In particular, an integrated circuit in the interconnect module receives and transmits the electrical signals with other components in a system that includes the interconnect module via an electrical connector. In addition, the integrated circuit receives and transmits electrical signals to a hybrid silicon-photonic bridge chip that performs electrical-to-optical and optical-to-electrical conversion. In turn, this bridge chip receives and transmits optical signals via an optical fiber. The interconnect module can be remateably connected to a backplane in the system, and can be arranged in a stacked configuration with other instances of the interconnect module. In these ways, the interconnect module facilitates dense, modular or scalable, and compact electrical and optical communication in the system. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270785 | ELECTRO-PHOTONIC MEMORY SYSTEM - An electro-photonic memory system includes a semiconductor memory device for storing data by receiving a first electrical signal, a memory controller for generating a second electrical signal to control the semiconductor memory device, an electrical-to-optical converter for receiving the second electrical signal from the memory controller and converting the second electrical signal into an optical signal, the electrical-to-optical converter separate from the memory controller, and an optical-to-electrical converter for receiving the optical signal from the electrical-to-optical converter and converting the optical signal into the first electrical signal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270786 | INTEGRATED PRODUCTION OF SELF INJECTION LOCKED SELF PHASE LOOP LOCKED OPTOELECTRONIC OSCILLATOR - The present invention details fabrication guidelines of integrated optoelectronic oscillators with frequency and phase stability, having higher frequency selectivity in a relatively small size (compared to the larger size of a higher order electrically realized RF filter), reduced temperature sensitivity, and minimized frequency drift. The integrated photonic components and RF oscillator may use Silicon photonics and microelectronic integration using CMOS and BiCMOS technology, eliminating the need for bulky and/or discrete optical and microwave components. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270787 | AUTO COMMISSIONING FOR OPTIC DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM - An optic distributed system includes a head end unit (HE) comprising a head end radio frequency unit (HRFU), at least one remote unit (RU), a corresponding optic cable connected between the HRFU and the at least one RU, and a controller configured to detect a forward radio frequency (RF) signal received from a base transceiver station (BTS), to perform a system wide commissioning function on the HRFU corresponding to the detection, to perform the system wide commissioning function on the at least one RU in accordance with a signal intensity of the forward RF signal from the HRFU, and to perform the system wide commissioning function on the optic cable to compensate for losses in the optic cable during signal transmissions between the HRFU and the at least one RU. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270788 | METHOD OF FABRICATING AND OPERATING AN OPTICAL MODULATOR - A method of making an optical modulator by determining the material composition of the quantum well region in the waveguide portion of the modulator so that the modulator is transparent at a gain peak wavelength that is greater than the predetermined wavelength by a predetermined amount, and fabricating the modulator with the determined material composition. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270789 | OPTICALLY POWERED MEDIA CONVERTER - An optically powered media conversion device for performing optical to electrical conversion is disclosed. The conversion device includes at least one optical coupler for receiving at least one optical signal comprising at least one wavelength, wherein the at least one optical coupler extracts energy from the at least one optical signal, and at least one detector for extracting data from the at least one optical signal and converting the optical signal to an electrical signal using a photovoltaic process. The conversion device further includes a transmitter for converting an electrical signal to an optical signal and transmitting the optical signal to a first device. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270790 | Contactless Fiber Optic Connector Assemblies - A contactless connector module includes first and second fiber optic connector assemblies. The first fiber optic connector assembly includes a first fiber optic cable and a first connector provided at an end of the first fiber optic cable. The first connector includes a first converter converting between optical and electrical signals and a first communication chip electrically connected to the first converter. The first communication chip is configured to transmit wireless RF signals. The second fiber optic connector assembly includes a second fiber optic cable and a second connector provided at an end of the second fiber optic cable. The second connector includes a second converter converting between optical and electrical signals and a second communication chip electrically connected to the second converter. The second communication chip is configured to receive the wireless RF signals from the first communication chip. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270791 | MULTI-WAVELENGTH VISIBLE LIGHT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A system for transmitting data using light includes a plurality of light sources configured to transmit light at non-overlapping wavelengths, processing electronics, and a diffuser configured to diffuse the transmission of light. The processing electronics assign the plurality of light sources to a plurality of channels, accept a data stream, allocate the data stream to the channels, and modulate a transmission of the light using the allocated data stream, where the allocated data used to modulate a first light source of the plurality of light sources is separate from the allocated data used to modulate a second light source of the plurality of light sources. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270792 | Apparatus and Methods of Displaying Messages for Electronic Devices - An apparatus of transmitting messages from an electronic device and display it on a mobile device, and a method of doing the same are disclosed. An exemplifying electronic device has an encoder to encode the data and a drive to modulate the signals into temporal and spatial light patterns according to the transmitted message. The light signals are then emitted from a group of LEDs on the electronic device. A video camera on a mobile device captures the light signals in the form of temporal and spatial patterns. A software application decodes the message and displays the message on the mobile device screen. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270793 | OPTICAL COMMUNICATION FOR SOLID-STATE LIGHT SOURCES - The disclosure relates to a lighting fixture, which includes an array of solid-state light sources that are configured to generate light for general illumination lighting purposes and control circuitry. A drive signal is used to drive solid-state light sources. The control circuitry is configured to use a control output to control the drive signal to at least one of the solid-state light sources. The control output is configured to control the drive signal to 1) set at least one characteristic of the light generated by the array of the solid-state light sources, and 2) modulate the light with data for transmission. The light is modulated such that any change in the at least one characteristic based on the light being modulated is anthropically imperceptible. The characteristic of the light generated by the array of solid-state light sources may include the intensity, color, color temperature and the like. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270794 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENCODING AND DECODING VISIBLE LIGHT WITH DATA AND ILLUMINATION CAPABILITY - A lighting system includes light fixtures not in communications with and not synchronized with one another, and one or more light sensors. Each light fixture separately emits data encoded visible light including light fixture information encoded therein in a manner that avoids visually perceptible flicker and enables light fixture information emitted by one light fixture to be distinguished from light fixture information emitted by other light fixtures. The light fixture information is encoded into data encoded visible light such that a difference between different levels of the data encoded visible light is indicative of an illumination capability of the light fixture and such that visually perceptible flicker is avoided. Each light sensor separately receives portions of data encoded light visible light emitted by multiple light fixtures and separately determines the identity of and the maximum and present illumination contributions for each light fixture. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270795 | Stratosphere Tethered Platform for multiple uses - The present invention is realized by apparatus and methods for placing a large rigid buoyant platform in the low stratosphere of earth's atmosphere at an altitude of about 20 km, above clouds, moisture, dust, and wind. The platform can serve several uses, either individually or in any combination. These uses include uninterrupted radio and light communications, radar and optical observation including very powerful radars and solar power electricity generation. Long, strong and light tethers connect the buoyant structure to the ground which hold it in position against wind forces. The electricity output from a photovoltaic array is used to power platform uses and can also be coupled to high voltage transmission lines which transmit power from the platform to the earth's surface during daylight hours. Power can also be transmitted up to the platform during darkness to power facilities mounted on the platform ensuring continuous operation. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270796 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF DECODING LOW-RATE VISIBLE LIGHT COMMUNICATION SIGNALS - Methods and apparatus related to the detection of low-rate visible light communication (VLC) signals and the recovery of information communicated by the VLC signals are described. Various methods and apparatus are well suited for embodiments in which a device, e.g., a smartphone, including a camera which uses a rolling shutter. The rolling shutter facilitates the collection of different time snapshots of a received low rate time varying VLC signal with different pixel rows in the image sensor of a frame corresponding to different time snapshots. In some embodiments, demodulation is used to recover and identify a single tone being communicated in a frame from among a plurality of possible alternative tones that may be communicated, each different tone corresponding to a different set of information bits. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270797 | BUILDING ILLUMINATION APPARATUS WITH INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS, SECURITY AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT - An LED light and communication system includes one or more optical transceivers that have a light support having a plurality of light emitting diodes and one or more photodetectors attached thereto, and a processor in communication with the light emitting diodes and the one or more photodetectors. The processor is constructed and arranged to generate a communication signal. The one or more optical transceivers are engaged to a lighting fixture within a building. The one or more optical transceivers are constructed and arranged to communicate with a name tag. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270798 | HAZARDOUS LOCATION VISIBLE LIGHT COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - A method of communicating a condition in a hazardous location. The method can include determining, using a controller of a first controller communicably coupled to a measuring device, the condition in the hazardous location, and emitting, based on the condition, a first light output from a first light source in the hazardous location. The method can also include receiving, using a second enclosure located in the hazardous location, a visible light communication (VLC) signal from the first light output, and emitting, from a second light source of the second enclosure, a second light output, where the second light output comprises the VLC signal. The method can further include receiving, using a base device, the VLC signal from the second light output, translating the VLC signal into a communication format, and sending the VLC signal in the communication format. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270799 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CAMERA ENABLED ERROR DETECTION - The disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for decoding optical signals form a device. An exemplary method includes the steps of receiving, at a device, a plurality of optical frames, each optical frame having an encoded optical signal with an optical signal frequency; recording the plurality of optical frames to obtain a recorded optical image, the recorded optical image having a first frame per second (FPS) recording rate; processing the recorded optical image to obtain a digital signal corresponding to the encoded optical signal contained in at least one of the plurality of optical frames; and decoding the digital signal to obtain decoded information. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270800 | INTRAPERSONAL DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Intrapersonal communication systems and methods that provide an optical digital signal link between two or more local devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a first signal converter disposed at a first end of the optical digital signal link and configured to convert between electrical digital signals from a first local device and optical digital signals from the optical digital signal link. The system can include an optical connector having a non-contact portion configured to couple optical digital signals between the first signal converter and the optical digital signal link across a gap. The system can include a second signal converter disposed at a second end of the optical digital signal link and configured to convert between electrical digital signals from the second local device and optical digital signals from the optical digital signal link. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270801 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING OPTICAL COMMUNICATION FOR COMMISSIONING OF NETWORK NODES - Embodiments relate to methods, devices, and computer-implemented methods for transmitting a modulated signal transmitted from at least one signal light source and using the modulated signal for commissioning of network nodes. The method can include determining, by a network node, that the network node is not commissioned. The method can further include generating, by the network node, a random number, and generating a modulated light signal based on the random number. In addition, the method can include transmitting, to an image capture device, the modulated light signal, receiving, from a network control unit, via a radio channel, an encrypted commissioning message, and decrypting, by the network node, the encrypted commissioning message using the random number. Further, the method can include establishing, with the network control unit, communication based on data in the encrypted commissioning message. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270802 | QUANTUM SYNCHRONIZATION FOR CLASSICAL DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS - A quantum mechanical synchronization system for a classical distributed computing system. Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen links are established providing entangled photons to provide the quantum synchronization. In one embodiment, the system includes a laser oscillator pump, a spontaneous parametric down-conversion element coupled to the laser oscillator pump, the spontaneous parametric down-conversion element having a first optical output and a second optical output, a first photodetector coupled to the first optical output, a first clock coupled to the first photodetector, a second photodetector coupled to the second optical output by an optical link, and a second clock coupled to the second photodetector. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270803 | OPTICAL TRANSMISSION USING POLARISATION DIVERSITY - Method, transmitter, receiver, and system for communicating information carried by a polarization divided optical signal in an optical fiber, comprising: producing and transmitting a polarization divided optical signal OTApol comprising optical sideband pairs SBLA, SBHA each having one sideband SBLA at a first polarization and an other sideband SBHA at a second polarization that is orthogonal to the first polarization, the one sideband and the other sideband carry the same set of information A; and receiving and detecting the polarization divided optical signal OTApol to produce an electrical signal RFApol corresponding to the polarization divided optical signal; down converting the electrical signal to produce, for each sideband pair, a first converted signal BBLA corresponding to the one sideband SBLA and a second converted signal BBHA corresponding to the other sideband SBHA; and extracting the set of information A for each sideband pair using a polarization diversity scheme. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270804 | CONTROL TIMING SYNCHRONIZATION METHOD, OPTICAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, AND OPTICAL TRANSMISSION APPARATUS - A control timing synchronization method is executed by a first and a second optical transmission apparatus. The first optical transmission apparatus: superimposes on a main signal and transmits, information of control process details; waits for a first period; subsequently, superimposes on the main signal and transmits, a message giving notification of control start timing; waits for a second period; and subsequently switches a process of the first optical transmission apparatus to a process corresponding to the control process details. The second optical transmission apparatus: acquires the information on the main signal; waits until detection of the message on the main signal, when a process is present that is to be executed by the second optical transmission apparatus based on the information; waits for the second period when the message is detected while waiting for the detection of the message; and subsequently, executes a process corresponding to the information. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270805 | Asymmetry Correction for Precise Clock Synchronization Over Optical Fiber - A clock at a first network element that is connected to a second network element over an optical fiber link is aligned in time/phase using packet protocols such as PTP. The invention discloses how to correct the asymmetry error inherent in traditional packet-based time-transfer methods. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270806 | ADAPTIVE SAMPLING QUALIFICATION FOR EXTINCTION RATIO CONTROL - Techniques are described for adaptive sampling qualification for extinction ration control. The techniques may be implemented in a laser driver assembly which includes a laser driver and a sampling loop configured to facilitate sampling of photodiode current produced by a monitor photodiode (MPD) of an optical transmitter assembly. The sampling loop comprises a low pass filter with reset, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and a comparator. The filter receives transmit (Tx) data provided to the laser driver and generates an output corresponding to a number of consecutive bits of a first type received in the transmit (Tx) data. The filter resets the output when a bit of a second type is received. The digital-to-analog converter (DAC) outputs a threshold signal. The comparator compares the output from the low pass filter and the threshold signal, and outputs a signal indicating when the photodiode current is to be sampled. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270807 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPRESSION OF EVEN-ORDER PHOTODIODE DISTORTIONS - A system for suppressing even-order distortion in a photonic link includes a laser for providing laser light to a first input of a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM), where the MZM has a second input for receiving an RF input signal, a third input for applying a DC bias voltage to the MZM, and an optical signal output. A dc-voltage-biased photodiode has an input, coupled to the MZM optical signal output, and a modulated RF signal output. The MZM DC bias voltage is set at a value to generate an even-order distortion amplitude substantially equal to an even-order distortion amplitude from the photodiode and 180 degrees out of phase so as to substantially cancel the photodiode even-order distortion. The invention provides the cancellation of photodiode even-order distortion via predisortion linearization with a MZM biased slightly away from quadrature, employing a single fiber run and a single photodiode. The invention provides an improvement in carrier-to-intermodulation ratio (CIR) upwards of 40 dB. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270808 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A POLARIZATION MODE DISPERSION TOLERANT OPTICAL HOMODYNE DETECTION SYSTEM WITH OPTIMIZED TRANSMISSION MODULATION - An optical homodyne communication system and method in which a side carrier is transmitted along with data bands in an optical data signal, and upon reception, the side carrier is boosted, shifted to the center of the data bands, and its polarization state is matched to the polarization state of the respective data bands to compensate for polarization mode dispersion during transmission. By shifting a boosted side carrier to the center of the data bands, and by simultaneously compensating for the effects of polarization mode dispersion, the provided system and method simulate the advantages of homodyne reception using a local oscillator. The deleterious effects of chromatic dispersion on the data signals within the data bands are also compensated for by applying a corrective function to the data signals which precisely counteracts the effects of chromatic dispersion. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270809 | COHERENT OPTICAL RECEIVER AND OPTICAL RECEIVING METHOD - A coherent optical receiver according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes a coherent optical receiving part performing coherent detection by inputting and mixing local oscillation light and main signal light received through a transmission line with a signal applied at a transmitting side, outputting the signal applied to the main signal light as an electric signal, and regenerating and outputting an original signal on the basis of the electric signal; and a local oscillation optical frequency control part receiving channel information on a transmission line adjacent to the main signal light, and outputting the local oscillation light after changing a frequency of the local oscillation light depending on the presence or absence of adjacent channel signal light of other signal light in an adjacent channel. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270810 | FREQUENCY ERROR ESTIMATING APPARATUS AND METHOD, FREQUENCY ERROR COMPENSATING APPARATUS, AND OPTICAL RECEIVER - Provided is a frequency error estimating apparatus used for a coherent optical receiver, which determines an amplitude of a baseband digital electrical signal converted from a received light signal modulated with a phase and amplitude shift keying, determines, with respect to each determined amplitude, a modulated phase component of the baseband digital electrical signal based on phase noise estimation values and frequency error estimation values of N previous symbols (N is a positive integer), and calculates a frequency error based on an inter-symbol phase difference of a signal obtained by cancelling the modulated phase component from the baseband digital electrical signal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270811 | MULTI-CHANNEL OPTICAL RECEIVING MODULE - A multi-channel optical receiving module includes a first substrate disposed on a bench, optical fibers disposed in grooves of the first substrate, a first lens disposed on the first substrate and collimating optical signals through the optical fibers, a second substrate disposed on the bench at a side of the first substrate, a light receiving device disposed on the second substrate, a second lens disposed over the light receiving device, a mirror reflecting the optical signals between the first lens and the second lens, and a block fixing the mirror. The block includes through-holes transmitting the optical signals between the first and second lenses without refraction of the optical signals. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270812 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EMPLOYING A CUSTOMER REPLACEABLE UNIT (CRU) TO ALTER AN INSTALLATION TYPE FOR THE CRU IN AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A system and method are provided for employing a customer replaceable unit (CRU) to modify its own installation type when installed in an image forming device, including an image forming device operated under a managed service contract. A database centric CRU inventory control architecture is provided for managing image forming device information through interactive communication with CRU monitoring modules (CRUMs) associated with CRUs installed in many and widely deployed image forming devices. The disclosed systems and methods make use of the CRUMs embedded in CRUs offered by a manufacturer or supplier along with a device management application offered by the manufacturer for on-site use by a customer to implement an inventory tracking and control system that reduces inventory overhead. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270813 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR AUTHORIZED USE AND REFILL OF A PRINTER CARTRIDGE - A chip for a cartridge with dispensable material may be provided. In one aspect, the chip may comprise a non-volatile memory for storing a number tracking amount of dispensable material in the cartridge, a key storage for storing an encryption key, a signature verification module and circuit components. The circuit components may be configured to receive and process a first message, receive and validate a second message, and update the amount of dispensable material if the validation of the second message succeeds. The first message may comprise a first command and an operation input value for a print job at the cartridge, and to process the first message may comprise decreasing the amount of dispensable material. The second message may comprise a second command to increase the amount of dispensable material, and may be validated using the signature validation module and the encryption key. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270814 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR AUTHORIZED USE AND REFILL OF A PRINTER CARTRIDGE - The systems, methods and apparatuses described herein provide a chip for a cartridge with dispensable material may be provided. In one aspect, the chip may comprise a non-volatile memory for storing a number tracking amount of dispensable material in the cartridge, a circuit with permanently and irreversibly changeable state and circuit components configured to receive and process a first message, and receive a second message. The first message may comprise a first command and an operation input value for a print job at the cartridge, and to process the first message may comprise decreasing the amount of dispensable material. The second message may comprise a second command to increase the amount of dispensable material. The circuit components may be further configured to ignore the second command if the circuit has permanently and irreversibly changed its state to prevent responding to requests to increase the number tracking amount of dispensable material. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270815 | Cartridge Detection - A cartridge which may include a housing, a driving input member provided at the housing and configured to be rotated by an externally supplied rotation driving force, and a rotational member configured to receive the rotation driving force, which is transmitted from the driving input member, and be rotated thereby. The cartridge may also include a detection protrusion including an elastic body and which is disposed at a position away from a rotational center of the rotational member. The detection protrusion may protrude from the rotational member away from the housing. The cartridge may also include a cover attached to the housing, the cover having an opposite part that faces a portion of the rotational member from which the detection protrusion protrudes. At an initial position, which is a position before the rotational member is rotated, the detection protrusion may abut the opposite part of the cover. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270816 | CUSTOMER REPLACEABLE UNIT MONITOR POSITIONING APPARATUS - A cartridge plug for a CRUM-enabled ink or toner cartridge includes a CRUM device seated in an annular position, secured in a recess at a center of the cap. The recess is formed in a mounting surface of the cap that extends above a peripheral surface of the cap that the surrounds the mounting surface. The mounting surface is contiguous with the peripheral surface, being interposed by flexible walls that compress under load. The mounting surface is compressible under load by way of the flexible walls, and springs back to a resting position as a load is decreased. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270817 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developing device includes a developer container, an agitation conveyance member, a toner detection sensor, and a scraper. Agitation conveyance member agitates and conveys a developer in developer container. Toner detection sensor detects a toner concentration or a remaining amount of toner in developer container. Scraper is provided in agitation conveyance member, and cleans a detection surface of toner detection sensor when agitation conveyance member rotates. Scraper includes a first member that comes into contact with detection surface of toner detection sensor when agitation conveyance member rotates forward, and a second member that comes into contact with detection surface of toner detection sensor when agitation conveyance member rotates reversely. First member has a wear resistance higher than that of second member, and a coefficient of friction between second member and detection surface is higher than a coefficient of friction between first member and detection surface. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270818 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a developing device to develop with developer a latent image formed on the image bearer, a developer container to contain developer, a temporary reservoir to temporarily store developer supplied from the developer container and having an outlet to discharge the temporarily stored developer to the developing device, a first conveyance device to transport developer from the developer container to the temporary reservoir, a second conveyance device to transport developer from the temporary reservoir to the developing device, a first developer amount detector to detect an amount of developer in the temporary reservoir, and a controller to control driving of the first conveyance device based on a detection result generated by the first developer amount detector and data relating to driving of the second conveyance device. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270819 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a primary transfer bias adjuster to adjust, in a second mode, a primary transfer bias by a correction amount in accordance with a degree of deterioration of a developing agent detected by a first developing agent condition detector so as to reduce a primary transfer current of the primary transfer bias upon transferring a toner image from a first image bearing member onto an intermediate transfer member, and to adjust, in a first mode, the primary transfer bias by a correction amount less than the correction amount in the second mode or not to adjust the primary transfer bias in accordance with the degree of deterioration of the developing agent detected by the first developing agent condition detector upon primarily transferring the toner image from the first image bearing member onto the intermediate transfer member. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270820 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a heater disposed opposite and heating the fixing rotary body. A heat shield is movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body and interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater. A driver is connected to the heat shield to drive and move the heat shield within a circumferential moving span in the circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body. An abnormal temperature detector detects an abnormal temperature of the fixing rotary body that is not lower than a predetermined temperature. The abnormal temperature detector is disposed opposite a circumferential outboard span outboard from the circumferential moving span of the heat shield in the circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270821 | CONTAINER FOR WASTE DEVELOPER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A container for accommodating a developer collected from an image forming apparatus includes a container body for accommodating the collected developer; a closing member, dividingly separable from the container body, for closing the container body; a rotatable feeding member for feeding the developer accommodated in the container body; and a holding portion, provided on the closing member, for holding the feeding member so that when the closing member and the container body are dividingly separated, the closing member and the feeding member are integrally separable from the container body. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270822 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF ARRANGING SHEET DETECTOR - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device to form a toner image on a recording medium under a prescribed image forming condition, a fixing device to fix the toner image borne on the recording medium thereonto by heating the recording medium based on target fixing temperature, and a detector to detect a type of recording medium. The type is used in setting at least one of the image forming condition and the target fixing temperature. The inequality Tb>Ta is established when Ta represents a time period needed to reach a setting of fixing temperature allocated to the recording medium with its tip detected by the detector after detection of the tip and Tb represents a time period needed for the recording medium with its tip detected by the detector to reach the fixing device after detection of the tip. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270823 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC FIXING DEVICE, FIXING ROTARY MEMBER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND FIXING METHOD - An electrophotographic fixing device includes a pressure roller, and a fixing rotary member disposed at a fixed distance away from the pressure roller. The fixing rotary member includes a layer formed of an elastic body. The elastic body includes carbon fibers and hole portions. The electrophotographic fixing device controls pressure of a nip between the pressure roller and the fixing rotary member by a temperature setting according to a sheet type. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270824 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device, corresponding to a plurality of sheet passing widths, includes a rotating member configured to convey a recording medium, rise in temperature, and fix toner; temperature sensors configured to detect the surface temperature of the rotating member; heating members including at least one heat generating unit, provided inside the rotating member; and a control unit configured to control a heating state obtained by the heating members. The heat generating units are provided not to overlap each other in the direction of the sheet passing width orthogonal to the recording medium conveying direction. The temperature sensors are only placed at positions corresponding to the heat generating units used when printing on the recording medium having a minimum width. The control unit controls the heating state in accordance with the surface temperature, a sheet passing width, and an operational state of the rotating member that changes with time. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270825 | RECORDING MEDIUM DETERMINATION APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A recording medium determination apparatus that determines grammage of a recording medium by using an ultrasonic wave includes a transmission unit configured to output an ultrasonic wave having a predetermined frequency, a reception unit configured to receive the ultrasonic wave output from the transmission unit and transmitted through the recording medium and output a received signal, a calculation unit configured to calculate a signal having a peak component according to a cycle of the received signal, and a determination unit configured to determine the grammage of the recording medium based on the signal calculated by the calculation unit. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270826 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developer carrier, a magnetic field generation unit that is fixedly disposed in a hollow part of the developer carrier and includes a plurality of magnetic poles disposed in a circumferential direction of the developer carrier, a conductive member disposed so as to oppose a predetermined magnetic pole, of the plurality of magnetic poles, which is located odd-number pole upstream of a magnetic pole corresponding to a developing area D in a rotational direction of the developer carrier, a power source that can apply a voltage to the conductive member, a potential detection unit configured to detect pre-development and post-development potentials of a predetermined image formed on the image carrier, and a changing unit configured to change the voltage to be applied from the power source to the conductive member based on a detection result obtained by the potential detection unit. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270827 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a rotation-position detector, a development device, a transfer unit, a density sensor, and an image-forming-condition determination unit. The density sensor senses a density of a toner image on a transfer body. The image-forming-condition determination unit forms an image pattern, acquires periodical density variation information sensed by the density sensor and detection information of the rotation-position detector, and determines an image forming condition based on the periodical density variation information and the detection information acquired. The image carrier and the transfer body are different in linear velocity in an image formation in which the toner image is transferred to a recording medium. The image carrier and the transfer body are controlled to be equal in linear velocity in an information acquisition in which the image-forming-condition determination unit acquires the periodical density variation information and the detection information. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270828 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a latent-image bearing body, a charging unit, a latent-image writing unit, a development unit, a development power, and a bias control unit. After a start of an image forming operation, the bias control unit performs a process of constantly maintaining an output of a development bias at an adjustment bias value. The adjustment bias value is a central value in a periodic fluctuation range of the output of the development bias. At a timing at which a difference of the development bias from the adjustment bias value in the periodic fluctuation range is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the bias control unit performs switching from the process of constantly maintaining the output of the development bias at the adjustment bias value to a process of periodically changing the output of the development bias based on development bias control data. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270829 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING BIAS TRANSFER ROLL POSITIONS USING RESISTANCE DETECTION - A system and method is provided for determining the location of one or more biased transfer rolls relative to associated photoreceptors in a printer. The one or more biased transfer rolls can be moved into contact with an intermediate transfer surface bringing the surface into contact with associated photoreceptors to form a closed biased transfer roll image transfer nip for transferring an image from the photoreceptor to the intermediate transfer surface. The open or closed condition of the biased transfer roll image transfer nip is determined by applying a constant current to the biased transfer roll and evaluating a voltage at the biased transfer roll. The open or closed condition of different image transfer nips can be determined in a similar manner. A plurality of biased transfer rolls can be ganged together for simultaneous movement with respect to associated photoreceptors to form a plurality of image transfer nips, the open and closed condition which can also be determined. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270830 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a transfer device to transfer a toner image formed on an image bearing member onto a recording medium, a sheet separation device to separate the recording medium from the image bearing member, a sheet separation bias application device to apply to the sheet separation device a sheet separation bias in which an alternating current (AC) component is superimposed on a direct current (DC) component, and a transfer bias application device to selectively apply to the transfer device one of a DC transfer bias having a DC component and a superimposed transfer bias in which an AC component is superimposed on a DC component. Upon application of the superimposed transfer bias to the transfer device, the sheet separation bias applied to the sheet separation device is changed from the sheet separation bias applied upon application of the DC transfer bias to the transfer device. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270831 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device including a fixing rotary body and a heater for heating the fixing rotary body. An opposed body contacts the fixing rotary body with releasable pressure therebetween to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium is conveyed. A heat shield is interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body and movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater in a variable circumferential direct heating span of the fixing rotary body where the heater is disposed opposite the fixing rotary body directly. A controller halts the heat shield instantly when a fault occurs during a print job. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270832 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND FIXING METHOD - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a heater disposed opposite and heating the fixing rotary body. An opposed body contacts the fixing rotary body with releasable pressure therebetween to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium is conveyed. A heat shield is interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body and movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body between a home position where the heat shield is disposed opposite the heater indirectly and a shield position where the heat shield is disposed opposite the heater directly to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater. A controller is operatively connected to the heat shield to move the heat shield to the home position when a print job is finished. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270833 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND FIXING METHOD - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body and a heater for heating the fixing rotary body. An opposed body contacts the fixing rotary body with releasable pressure therebetween to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium is conveyed. A heat shield is interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body and movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater in a variable circumferential direct heating span of the fixing rotary body where the heater is disposed opposite the fixing rotary body directly. A controller is operatively connected to the heater and the heat shield to move the heat shield after the controller turns on the heater as a print job starts so as to change an area of the direct heating span of the fixing rotary body. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270834 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device in an image forming apparatus includes a rotatable fixing member; a plurality of heat sources to heat each area of the fixing member in a longitudinal direction thereof; a pressure member configured to contact the fixing member and forming a nip in association with the fixing member; a nip forming member disposed inside the fixing member and opposite the pressure member to form a fixing nip; a temperature controller to detect temperature at each area of the fixing member and control the temperature via lighting control performed by the heat sources; and a plurality of temperature sensors to detect temperature of the fixing member or the pressure member in each heating area heated by the plurality of heat sources. When a sheet size set by the image forming apparatus and an actually conveyed sheet size are different, operating speed of the device is adjusted. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270835 | FIXING CONTROL DEVICE, FIXING CONTROL METHOD, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing control device includes an image detection unit that determines presence of an image in each of areas obtained by division of an image formation region in which the image is formed, a heater selection unit that selects from heaters of a fixing device heaters at positions corresponding to areas in which the presence of the image is determined, a heating amount computation unit that computes a heating amount of a heating area heated by each of the selected heaters in a fixing region corresponding to the image formation region, a change amount computation unit that computes an amount of change of the heating amount between adjoining ones of the heating areas, and a heating amount correction unit that corrects one of the heating amounts of the adjoining heating areas so that the amount of change after the correction is less than a predetermined threshold. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270836 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, METHOD OF SETTING FIXING TEMPERATURE, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - An image forming apparatus includes: an identification information acquiring unit that acquires identification information to identify a user; a usage history information acquiring unit that acquires usage history information for the user specified by the identification information; an output setting forecasting unit that forecasts output setting used by the user based on the usage history information; and a fixing temperature setting unit that sets a fixing temperature based on the forecasted output setting. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270837 | COMBINED UNITS AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, a post-processing apparatus, a fixed member, a first connector, a connecting member, and a second connector. The mage forming apparatus includes the fixed member on which the first connector is mounted and the post-processing apparatus includes connecting member on which the second connector is mounted. The connecting member is movable in a front-back direction and configured so as to be displaced between an engaging position in which the connecting member is engaged with the fixed member and a disengaging position in which the connecting member is disengaged from the fixed member. The first connector and the second connector are disconnected from each other when the connecting member is set to the disengaging position, and connected to each other when the connecting member is set to the engaging position. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270838 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A developing device includes a developer bearer to carry developer, disposed facing an image bearer, a developer conveyance member disposed facing the developer bearer, to agitate and supply developer to the developer bearer, a decompression portion surrounded by upper walls of the developing device and including multiple vents arranged in a longitudinal direction of the developing device and a filter. A number of the multiple vents is greater in either end portion than in a center portion in the longitudinal direction of the developing device. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270839 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND REMOVING MEMBER - An image forming apparatus includes a carrier that carries a toner image formed by a toner, the toner including a toner body and an external additive, a circularity of the external additive being about 0.5 to about 0.9, a transfer member that holds a transferred body between the transfer member and the carrier, the transfer member transferring the toner image to the transferred body, and a removing member that includes a contact portion, the contact portion contacting the transfer member, the removing member removing toner that adheres to the transfer member from the toner image carried by the carrier, the contact portion being made of an elastic material that satisfies an inequality (1) below: | 2014-09-18 |
20140270840 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is provided. A backup face disposed on an upward face of the control box makes contact with a backup reception part that is disposed on a downward face of a belt cleaning device, and supports a steering roller and cleaning blade. The backup face reduces the force that acts on the frame stay and so forth, following the sliding friction of the intermediate transfer belt and cleaning blade. The backup reception part and backup reception part are formed so that even if the steering roller moves in the tension application direction, the predetermined contact state can be maintained. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270841 | Image Forming Apparatus With Removable Waste Toner Container and Exposable Feeding Path - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having an opening, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary-transfer member, a secondary-transfer roller, a cleaner device, an external-sheet inlet, a waste toner container, a connector, and a conveying roller, which is arranged within the feeding path to feed the recording sheet inserted through the external-sheet inlet in the feeding path. The conveying roller is mounted on the waste toner container and removable from the chassis along with the waste toner container. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270842 | Image Forming Apparatus - A method presently disclosed provides a housing configured to accommodate a roller, configured to accommodate a toner, and configured to accommodate at least one magnetic seal member, wherein the at least one magnetic member is configured to minimize leakage of the toner between the roller and the housing and couples at least one non-magnetic seal member with the housing, wherein the at least one non-magnetic seal member is configured to minimize leakage of the toner between the housing and the roller. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270843 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING A TONER CONTAINER USEFUL IN PRINTING - An approach is provided for filling a toner container useful in printing. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a toner container to be coupled to a base member, the base member being configured to contact a lift mechanism. The approach further involves causing, at least in part, the toner container to be moved to a filling position by the lift mechanism. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, a predetermined amount of a toner to be input into the toner container by a filling process when the toner container is in the filling position. The approach additionally involves causing, at least in part, at least the toner inside the toner container to be agitated by way of the base member during the filling process, at least until the toner container is filled with the predetermined amount of toner. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270844 | Doctor blade assembly and alignment method - There is provided a doctor blade assembly and method for alignment in a toner hopper of a toner printer cartridge. The doctor blade assembly has a holder portion. The holder portion has a first mounting end and a second mounting end. The holder portion further has a pair of recessed openings formed in the first mounting end and the second mounting end, respectively. The holder portion further has a pair of alignment elements each having an alignment through hole and each configured to fit in and correspond to each respective recessed opening. The doctor blade assembly further has a blade portion attached to the holder portion. The doctor blade assembly further has a pair of fastener members each configured for insertion through the alignment through hole and through the recessed opening. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270845 | CARTRIDGE DETACHABLY MOUNTABLE TO MAIN ASSEMBLY OF ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, ASSEMBLING METHOD FOR DRIVE TRANSMITTING DEVICE FOR PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - With a structure in which a coupling member includes a sphere providing a center of inclination (pivoting), a rotational force transmitted member has an opening have a diameter smaller than that of the sphere, and the coupling member is prevented from disengaging from rotational force transmitted member by contact of inner edge of the opening to the sphere, the inner edge of the opening may limit an inclinable (pivotable) angle range of the coupling member. In a state that a pin that is a shaft portion is inserted in a hole that is a through-hole provided in a coupling member, opposite end portions of the pin are supported by a driving side flange, which is a rotational force transmitted member. The coupling member, the driving side flange, and the pin are connected in this manner, and the pin contacts the inside of the hole without limiting the inclinable (pivotable) angle range, by which the coupling member is prevented from disengaging from the driving side flange. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270846 | Transfer Roll Assembly for an Electrophotographic Image Forming Device - An image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having an access door manually movable between a closed position and an open position. A carriage is mounted on an inner portion of the access door. A first roll is rotatably mounted to the carriage and forms a nip with a second member positioned in the interior of the housing when the access door is closed. The first roll is spaced away from the second member when the access door is open. The carriage is free to move relative to the access door and is biased away from the access door toward the second member. A clamping assembly is configured to clamp the first roll against the second member to form the nip as the access door is closed and unclamp the first roll from the second member as the access door is opened. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270847 | CHARGER POSITIONING ADJUSTER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A charger positioning adjuster, which is included in an image forming apparatus and disposed facing a charger uniformly charging a surface of an image carrier using corona discharging, includes a mounting part provided at a position on which the charger is detachably attached, a positioning member attached to the mounting part and positioning the charger by contacting thereto, and a spacer disposed between the mounting part and the positioning member and adjusting a distance between the surface of the image carrier and the charger. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270848 | Image Forming Apparatus Having Drum Supporting Member and Belt - In an image forming apparatus, a drum supporting member integrally supports a plurality of photosensitive drums. A moving member detachably supports the drum support member. The moving member moves between a mounted position, in which the moving member is mounted in a main body of the image forming apparatus, and a pulled-out position, in which the moving member is pulled out of the main body of the image forming apparatus. A belt is disposed above the moving member and is capable of contacting with the plurality of photosensitive drums when the moving member is disposed in the mounted position. The drum supporting member is detached upward from the moving member when the moving member is in the pulled-out position. The drum supporting member rotatably supports each of the photosensitive drums. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270849 | Cartridge - A cartridge including: a housing including a first side wall and a second side wall which are opposed to each other; a driving input member provided to the first side wall and is configured to rotate; and a first rotary member provided at an outer side of the first side wall and is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis in response to a rotational driving force from the driving input member, wherein the first rotary member includes a protrusion protruding to the outer side, wherein the first rotary member is configured to be moved relative to the first side wall in a direction along the first rotational axis, and wherein an end portion of the first rotary member at an opposite side of the first side wall is configured to be displaced in a direction crossing the first rotational axis. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270850 | Image Forming Device Having Detachable Developing Device Unit - An image forming device includes 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 developer accommodating chamber and a developing roller disposed above the developer accommodating chamber. Each developing device is movable between a first position and a second position lower than the first position in a height direction generally parallel to a vertical direction. Each sloping member has a sloped surface movable in the height direction and a biasing member biasing the sloped surface upward in the height direction. Each sloping member is movable between a third position where the corresponding developing device is placed on the sloped surface and a fourth position where the corresponding developing device is released from being pressed by the sloped surface in a predetermined direction generally perpendicular to the vertical direction. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270851 | GEAR TRANSMISSION DEVICE, PROCESS UNIT INCLUDING THE GEAR TRANSMISSION DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A gear transmission device includes a drive rotator and a driven external gear. The drive rotator includes a drive internal gear to rotate about a rotary shaft. The driven external gear meshes with the drive internal gear to transmit a drive force to a drive target. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270852 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER AND INTERMEDIATE TRANSFER MEMBER SUBJECTED TO DRIVING ROTATION CONTROL INDEPENDENTLY - An image forming apparatus stabilized in transferability of an image from the photosensitive member to the intermediate transfer belt. The image forming apparatus includes photosensitive drums and an intermediate transfer belt (ITB) that rotates in contact with each drum, brushless DC motors for driving the drum and the ITB for rotation. Rotary encoders associated with the drum and the ITB detect respective rotational speeds thereof. A controller sets a target value for the drum-associated rotary encoder for making the surface speeds of the drum and the belt equal to each other during normal printing operation, from a detection value from the drum-associated rotary encoder in a state of the drum being friction-driven by the belt at the primary transfer section, and controls the drum-associated motor such that the target value becomes a detection value. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270853 | CHARGING MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS - Provided is a charging member for suppressing the vibration of a charging roller which occurs owing to a difference in circumferential speed in a longitudinal direction when the roller is rotated to follow a photosensitive member, and suppressing a banding image caused by the vibration of the charging roller over a long period of time. The charging member includes a substrate and an elastic layer. The elastic layer contains a rubber having a polar group and hollow particles each having a shell containing a crystal of calcium carbonate. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270854 | Developing Apparatus and Image Forming Apparatus - This developing apparatus includes a toner supply passage for supplying new toner fed from a toner cartridge to a toner carrying region where a toner carrier is arranged, and the toner supply passage is provided with a backflow prevention portion for preventing old toner from backflowing toward the toner cartridge. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270855 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING RESIDUAL TONER IN A ROTATING CONTAINER - An approach is provided for reducing an amount of residual toner remaining in a rotating container. The approach involves rotating a rotatable vessel configured to contain a toner. The rotatable vessel includes a body section having a substantially round cross-section, a first end at one axial end of the body section, a second end axially distal the first end, and helical features on an internal surface of the body section configured to transport the toner in an axial direction between the first end and the second end as the vessel is rotated. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, at least a portion of the toner to be agitated by an insert configured to tumble and rotate within an inside portion of the rotatable vessel as the rotatable vessel rotates. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270856 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING RESIDUAL TONER IN A ROTATING CONTAINER - An approach is provided for reducing an amount of residual toner remaining in a rotating container. The approach involves causing a rotatable vessel configured to contain a toner to be rotated by way of a drive train. The rotatable vessel includes a body section having a substantially round cross-section, a first end at one axial end of the body section, a second end axially distal the first end, and helical features on an internal surface of the body section configured to transport at least a portion of the toner in an axial direction between the first end and the second end as the rotatable vessel is rotated. The approach also involves causing the drive train to impart a periodic pulse to the rotatable vessel. The periodic pulse causes at least a portion of the toner contained by the rotatable vessel to be agitated. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270857 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING RESIDUAL TONER IN A ROTATING CONTAINER - An approach is provided for reducing an amount of residual toner remaining in a rotating container. The approach involves rotating a rotatable vessel configured to contain a toner. The approach also involves a causing a plurality of beads that include at least one material configured to be attracted to a magnetic strip that extends in a direction parallel to an axial direction of movement of the toner between a first end and a second end of the vessel. The plurality of beads, when attracted to the magnetic strip, cooperate with helical features of the vessel and the internal surface of a body section of the vessel to transport at least a portion of the toner in an axial direction from the first end of the vessel to the second end of the vessel as the vessel is rotated. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270858 | IMAGE-FORMING DEVICE HAVING HOLDER UNIT, IN WHICH TONER BOX IS DETACHABLY MOUNTED - In an image forming device, a holder unit is movable in a moving direction between an accommodated position and a pull-out position. A plurality of toner boxes are detachably attachable to the holder unit in one to one correspondence with the plurality of developing units. Each toner box is detachably attachable to the holder unit at the pull-out position. Each toner box includes: a toner container accommodating therein toner and formed with an opening through which toner in the toner container is to be supplied to each developing unit; and a shutter movable between an open position for opening the opening and a closed position for closing the opening. An operation assembly is provided at the holder unit and configured to move the shutter between the open position and the closed position. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270859 | POWDER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder conveying device includes: a conveying nozzle, provided with a powder receiving opening; an open/close member to open/close the powder receiving opening; a flange provided to the open/close member; a biasing member to bias the open/close member; and a container setting section to which a part of a powder container is to be fit. The powder container includes: a conveyor to convey the powder from a second end of the powder container to a first end; a container opening protruding from the first end; a nozzle receiving opening into which the conveying nozzle is to be inserted; and a butting portion provided in the container opening, to butt against the flange. When the powder container is attached to the powder conveying device, the container opening is fitted to the container setting section, and the flange and the biasing member are housed in an inner space of the container opening. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270860 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing device is equipped with a photoreceptor drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing roller that supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image of the photoreceptor drum, a supply roller, a regulating roller, and a toner recovery unit that recovers at least toner adhering to the developing roller. The toner recovery unit includes a recovery member in which toner is recovered and which is disposed beneath the developing roller, the supply roller, and the regulating roller so as to be detachable. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270861 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND PROCESS UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A developing device includes a toner bearer including a surface in which multiple recesses having a cross-sectional void rate of 50% or smaller are formed, a toner supply member to supply toner to the toner bearer, and a developer regulator disposed facing or in contact with the toner bearer and including a bent tip portion. The toner bearer has a surface roughness Ra within a range from 1.0 μm to 2.0 μm, and a surface area ratio within a range from 2.0 to 4.0. The developing device uses polymerized toner having a weight average particle diameter of 8.0 μm or smaller and an average circularity of 0.98 or greater. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270862 | IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS - An object of the invention is to cause a transfer device to make more stable contact with a belt, thus yielding preferable transfer performance. In an image-forming apparatus | 2014-09-18 |
20140270863 | TRANSFER UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE TRANSFER UNIT - An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carriers that carries toner images, a belt that is supported by a plurality of rollers including a support roller and an opposing roller, a transfer roller disposed opposed to the opposing roller via the belt, and a bending roller that bends the belt from outside toward inside and is disposed downstream from the opposing roller and upstream from support roller. The belt is stretched between the support roller and the bending roller in a first area. The plurality of image carriers contacts the belt in a second area other than the first area. A surface of the belt in the first area is parallel to that of the belt in the second area. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270864 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An aspect of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a photosensitive element where a latent image is formed and developed into a toner image; an image carrier; an intermediate transfer driving roller that drives the image carrier; a primary transfer roller for transferring the toner image from the photosensitive element to the image carrier; a secondary transfer roller for secondary transfer of the toner image from the image carrier to a medium; a bias applying unit that applies, as a secondary transfer bias, a first bias and a second bias to the intermediate transfer driving roller and the secondary transfer roller, respectively; and a fixing unit that fixes the toner image onto the medium. The first bias is lower than a minimum voltage at which discharge to the primary transfer roller can occur. The second bias depends on the first bias and is opposite in polarity therefrom. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270865 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body rotatable in a given direction of rotation and a heater disposed opposite the fixing rotary body to heat the fixing rotary body. A pressing rotary body contacts the fixing rotary body to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium is conveyed. A separator is disposed downstream from the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction to separate the recording medium from one of the fixing rotary body and the pressing rotary body. The separator includes a separation plate including an upstream portion disposed opposite the fixing nip and at least one slot disposed downstream from the upstream portion in the recording medium conveyance direction. | 2014-09-18 |
20140270866 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes: first and second rotatable members configured to form a nip for heating a toner image on a recording material; a rotatable rubbing member configured to rub the first rotatable member to substantially refresh a surface property of the first rotatable member; and a pipe member provided with an opening, formed at a peripheral surface thereof, for permitting air blowing toward the rotatable rubbing member, wherein said pipe member has an end portion hermetically sealed by collapse. | 2014-09-18 |