38th week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 42 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130243385 | Ribbon Fiber Holder for Large Diameter Cables and Loose Fibers and Associated Methods - A cable holding tool for holding optical fiber ribbons relative one another for preparation has a cable holding portion and an optical fiber holding portion, each having a cover and an opening therein to receive an optical cable and a fiber optic ribbon respectively. The cable holding tool also has at least one channel disposed between the cable holding portion and the optical fiber holding portion to receive and divert at least one optical fiber ribbon from the optical cable disposed in the cable holding portion from the optical fiber holding portion. A spacer is also provided that is movable parallel to the optical fiber groove from a first position to at least one second position to assist in staggering the fiber ribbons. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243386 | FIBER ORGANIZER AND DISTRIBUTION BOX - An organizer ( | 2013-09-19 |
20130243387 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FIBER OPTIC CABLES - The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic retention device to properly accommodate for cable management arrangements and schemes in telecommunication infrastructures that are massive in scale and/or require subsequent adaptation of the infrastructures. The device includes a C-shaped opening and a spring biased door which moves inwardly to allow cable entry and exit to the device. In one embodiment, the spring is an integral extension of the door. In another embodiment, the spring is a separate torsion coil spring. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243388 | System and Method for Controlling Video Player - A control system for a video player. The control system includes an image acquisition module, a first storage module, a comparison module and a control module. The image acquisition module is configured to scan a predetermined area in front of the video player to detect a first set of facial images when the video player is playing a tagged program. The first storage module is configured to store a second set of facial images of registered users. The comparison module is configured to compare a detected facial image in the first set of facial images with the second set of facial images. The control module is configured to control the video player based on a comparison result from the comparison module. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243389 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: an image processor configured to generate movie data based on image capturing data obtained in response to a shooting instruction that has been given by a user; and a controller configured to write the movie data on a storage medium. When any movie file has already been written on the storage medium, and when the movie data is related to the existent movie file or when the user decides to add the movie data, the controller adds the movie data to the existent movie file. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243390 | CONTENT REPRODUCTION APPARATUS AND CONTENT REPRODUCTION SYSTEM - Disclosed herein is a content reproduction apparatus including: a reproduction block configured to reproduce video content; a display block configured to display the reproduced video content; a communication block configured to transmit the video content to a portable reproduction apparatus by wireless communication; a speaker block having at least one first speaker located in proximity and at least one second speaker located in the proximity of the portable reproduction apparatus; and an audio output control block configured to control a reproduction state of the speaker block. In a state where the video content is displayed on the display block, each of the first speaker and the second speaker reproduces audio content related with the video content. In a content non-share state, the audio output control block controls audio output such that the second speaker does not reproduce audio content related with the video content. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243391 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING A MEDIA FILE FOR MULTILAYER IMAGES IN A MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM, AND MEDIA-FILE-REPRODUCING APPARATUS USING SAME - The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating a media file for multilayer images. The method for creating a media file for multilayer images in a multimedia system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the following processes: encoding input images to generate bit streams of multilayer images; and taking, as an input, bit streams of the multilayer images, and creating a media file including a plurality of pieces of track information divided into a base layer and at least one enhancement layer, and media data for images of each layer. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243392 | SENTIMENT MAPPING IN A MEDIA CONTENT ITEM - A media content item is evaluated for its “sentiment states.” That is, segments of the content item are determined to be, for example, “happy,” “exciting,” “sad,” “funny,” and the like. A “sentiment map” is created that delimits segments of the content item and contains the sentiment-state keywords associated with the segments. Some maps include an amplitude for each assigned sentiment keyword and a confidence value for the segment delimitation and for each keyword. As an exemplary use of the sentiment map, an advertisement broker matches the sentiments of his advertisement offerings with segments of a content item in order to place appropriate advertisements at times when they would be most favorably received. In another example, a recommender system recommends to a user a content item whose sentiment map compares favorably to that of a content item already enjoyed by the user. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243393 | CLOSED CAPTION TAGGING SYSTEM - A method for displaying a webpage is described. The method involves receiving a broadcast stream including a program, playing the program in the broadcast stream to a viewer, displaying an icon to the viewer and receiving viewer input in response to display of the icon, pausing the playing of the program in response to receiving the viewer input, displaying a web page to the viewer in response to receiving the viewer input, and resuming the playing of the program. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243394 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALTERING IMAGES IN A VIDEO FILE USING PREDETERMINED PARAMETERS - A system and method for altering images using predetermined parameters is provided, through the use of a record associated with a digital video file. The record contains a number of parameters about insertion opportunities, including the location, time span, and shape of such opportunities. When a digital video file is requested, the record is accessed, and a determination is made as to whether the file should be altered. Should the determination be made for an alteration, a distinctive image is selected based on the information, including the parameters in the record, and an insertion or substitution is made. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243395 | MANAGING REMOTE DISTRIBUTION OF CONTENT RECORDED AT A TELEVISION RECEIVER - Various arrangements for providing remote access to locally-recorded television programming is presented. In some embodiments, a DVR is presented that it is configured to receive input indicating a timer for recording a television channel during a time period. The DVR may record television programming on the television channel during the time period indicated by the timer. The television receiver may further receive input indicating the television programming is to be stored remotely. The DVR may transmit the television programming to a media distribution management system via a second network. The DVR may transmit an indication of a user account to the media distribution management system via the second network. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243396 | TIMER DISTRIBUTION ACROSS MULTIPLE CLIENT DEVICES - Arrangements for managing a digital video recorder timer at a plurality of television receivers are presented. A plurality of television receivers may be present. Each television receiver of the plurality of television receivers may be linked with a particular user account. Each television receiver may use separate receiving hardware to receive television programming from a television service provider. A timer management computer system may receive a timer associated with the particular user account. The timer may specify a date, a time, and a television channel to be recorded. Based on the received timer, the timer management computer system may notify each television receiver of the plurality of television receivers of the timer for recording. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243397 | RECORDING OF MULTIPLE TELEVISION CHANNELS - A first user interface may be presented comprising a single selection option that enables recording of multiple television channels. A first user input, in response to the first user interface may be received enabling the option for recording of the multiple television channels. Data indicating a time period during which a television channel of the multiple television channels is to be recorded may be received from a television service provider. A record timer for the television channel of the multiple television channels may be set based on the user input enabling recording of multiple television channels and the data indicating the time period. The television channel of the multiple television channels may be recorded based on the record timer. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243398 | DYNAMIC TUNER ALLOCATION - In response to receiving a request, a current status of each one of a number of tuners of a television receiver may be determined. A ranking may be assigned to each one of the number of tuners based on an associated determined status. A listing may be generated based on the ranking and, when selected, a particular tuner of ranking greater than other ones of the plurality of tuners may be allocated for the recording of a particular broadcast program. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243399 | Television Receiver Storage Management - Various arrangements for managing television programming storage at a television receiver are presented. User input specifying a number of days for retention of each managed array of a plurality of managed arrays of television channels to be recorded by the television receiver may be received. A television service provider may select a plurality of television channels for recording as the plurality of managed arrays of television channels. Also, the television service provider may define times for recording of the plurality of television channels of the plurality of managed arrays of television channels. A first amount of storage space for storage of the plurality of managed arrays of television channels may be calculated based on the number of days for retention. The first amount of storage space of a storage medium to the plurality of managed arrays of television channels may be allocated. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243400 | NOTIFICATION OF A PENDING DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER DELETION EVENT - A method and system for early notification of a pending deletion event of deleting a recording. Notification options are configured. The notification options are maintained with respect to a user profile associated with a user. Configuring the notification options includes (i) configuring a notification interval between successive notifications of the pending deletion event of deleting the recording and (ii) configuring a notification of the pending deletion event of deleting the recording that was recorded by another user. The notification of the pending deletion event of deleting the recording is sent to the user via a notification method. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243401 | AUTOMATICALLY RECORDING SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT - A content provider transmits instructions to a content receiver to record multiple instances of content. The instances of content are included in the same frequency band of a broadcast transmitted by the content provider via a first communication link and scrambled utilizing the same control word. The content provider determines to supplement the multiple instances of content and transmits an instruction to record a supplemental instance of content from a second content provider via a second communication link. The content receiver receives the instructions and accordingly receives, descrambles, and stores the multiple instances of content and the supplemental instance of content. In some implementations, the first communication link may be a satellite communication link and the second communication link may be a different type of communication link such as a terrestrial broadcast communication link and/or an Internet protocol communication link. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243402 | FACILITATING CONCURRENT RECORDING OF MULTIPLE TELEVISION CHANNELS - An arrangement for grouping multiple television channels for recording is presented. Television channel usage data indicative of television programs being requested by users of the television receivers may be received. The television channel usage data may provide usage data for television channels being transmitted using a plurality of transponders. The television channel usage data may be analyzed to determine a grouping of television channels. Based on the television channel usage data, a television channel may be reassigned from a first transponder to a second transponder for transmission to the plurality of television receivers such that the grouping of television channels are transmitted using the second transponder. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243403 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE - A first program recording timer may be scheduled to record a particular program broadcast on a particular television channel by a television service provider. A second program recording timer may be scheduled to record a plurality of programs broadcast consecutively on the particular television channel by the television service provider, including the particular program. A first graphical indicator that identifies scheduling of the first program recording timer, and a second graphical indicator that identifies scheduling of the second program recording timer may be simultaneously output for display within a programming guide and in association with a descriptor of the particular program. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243404 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING STORAGE FOR MEDIA ASSETS - Management of the storage of media assets as between one of a plurality of content selection device ( | 2013-09-19 |
20130243405 | SUCCESSIVE INITIALIZATION OF TELEVISON CHANNEL RECORDING - In various arrangements, a television receiver system for successive initialization of television channel recording is presented. The system may include a control processor, configured to determine a plurality of television channels are configured to begin recording at a same time. The control processor may transmit a first request for recording of a first television channel of the plurality of television channels. The system may include a tuning management processor, configured to configure a first recording of the first television channel in response to the first request. The tuning management processor may also transmit an acknowledgement to the control processor following the first recording of the first television channel being configured. The control processor may, in response to receiving the acknowledgement, transmit, to the tuning management processor, a second request for recording of a second television channel of the plurality of television channels. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243406 | MULTI-PROGRAM PLAYBACK STATUS DISPLAY - Various arrangements are described that may cause a recording of a television channel to be stored. The recording of the television channel may include a plurality of television programs. A graphical playback status element may be displayed via a display device. The graphical playback status element may indicate a start point for each television program of the plurality of television programs within the recording of the television channel. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243407 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, REPRODUCTION CONTROL SYSTEM, REPRODUCTION CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM THEREFOR - Provided is an electronic apparatus including: a storage to store first and second contents, each of which includes scenes, and meta-information items each indicating a feature of each scene of the first and second contents; a reproducer to reproduce the first and second contents; an operation receiver to receive an input of an operation by a user; and a controller to control the storage to store an operation-history information item indicating an operation history of the user for each scene during reproduction of the first content while it is associated with the meta-information item of each scene, to calculate a similarity between scenes of the first and second contents based on the meta-information items, and to control the reproducer to change a reproduction mode for each scene based on the operation-history information item and the similarity during reproduction of the second content. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243408 | VIDEO RECORDING SYSTEM - Video recording devices, computer readable media, methods, and User Interfaces (UI) are disclosed. An example video recording device may comprise a mobile device equipped with one or more video app modules. The video app modules may be configured to provide any of a variety of useful functions and features described herein. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243409 | REPRODUCING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A reproducing device includes: one or more input source selectors for selecting content to reproduce; two or more decoding processors for decoding the content; two or more output controllers for reproducing and outputting the decoded content; an instruction reception unit for receiving a reproduction instruction specifying arbitrary content, to have the specified content reproduced and output by one of the output controllers; a reproducibility determiner for deciding, on a basis of usage conditions of the input source selectors and the decoding processors, whether or not the specified content can be reproduced with one of the decoding processors; a reproduction path determiner for designating, on a basis of the decision, which decoding processor and which output controller to use to reproduce the specified content; and a reproduction controller for using the designated decoding processor and output controller to reproduce the specified content. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243410 | PULSED AEROSOL GENERATION - An aerosol generator periodically forms aerosolized fragrance material by repeatedly supplying a liquid fragrance material to a capillary passage via only capillary action and heating the capillary passage, such that the liquid fragrance material at least partially volatilizes and is driven out of an outlet of the capillary passage. A wick feeds the liquid fragrance material to an inlet of the capillary passage by capillary action. An apparatus and method for generating such an aerosolized fragrance material, as well as the methods of heating, are disclosed. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243411 | HEAT MEDIUM HEATING UNIT AND VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH THE SAME - Provided is a heat medium heating unit comprising a plurality of flat heat exchange tubes, PTC heaters incorporated between flat tube portions, a heat exchanger pressing member that presses from one side the flat tubes and the PTC heaters against the inner surface of a casing, and a control board that is disposed above the heat exchanger pressing member and that controls the PTC heaters. A terminal extending upwards from an electrode plate directly connects to a terminal supports of the control board. On an inner surface of the casing, since a positioning means that engages with the terminal to position the terminal and the plate, the thermal contact resistance between the flat heat exchanger tubes and the PTC heaters is reduced. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243412 | PROBE - A probe including a liquid sample channel through which a liquid sample flows in a specified direction; a nebulizer gas channel through which a nebulizer gas flows in a specified direction, formed at the outer circumference of the liquid sample channel so as to have a round annular outer circumference and be coaxial with the liquid sample channel; a heating gas channel for injecting an assist gas in a specified direction, wherein a heating gas injection port is formed around the outlet end of the nebulizer gas channel so as to have a round annular outer circumference and be coaxial with the nebulizer gas channel; and a heating element which is arranged inside the heating gas channel and heats the assist gas for injecting through the heating gas injection port. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243413 | INTEGRATED PHOTOBOOTH TECHNOLOGY FOR PASSENGER VEHICLES - Methods and structure are provided for integrating photography systems into passenger vehicles. The system includes an imaging device, a billing system, and a controller. The imaging device is able to generate a photograph of a passenger in a vehicle. The billing system is within the vehicle, and accepts payment from the passenger for a fare. The controller is able to access the billing system to accept payment for the generated photograph. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243414 | ILLUMINATION ARRANGEMENT FOR AN IMAGE FIELD DELIMITATION FRAME OF A MIXED-IMAGE VIEWFINDER CAMERA - In an illumination arrangement ( | 2013-09-19 |
20130243415 | CAMERA READING APPARATUS WITH DOCUMENT ALIGNMENT GUIDE - A camera reading apparatus having an alignment guide is presented. The alignment guide may have a rigid platform having a substantially flat bottom surface, a substantially flat top surface that is parallel to the bottom surface, and an aperture through the top surface and the bottom surface. The bottom surface may have a first portion and may have a second portion that forms a ledge projecting from the first portion. The first portion may have a front edge, and the second portion may have a side edge. The front edge and the side edge may intersect to form a right angle. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243416 | OPTICAL NETWORK ARCHITECTURE FOR TRANSPORTING WDM TRAFFIC - A peer network node, along with other peer network nodes, forms a higher-tiered optical network that transports wavelength division multiplexed traffic for multiple lower-tiered optical networks. The node comprises a plurality of dedicated bidirectional optical ports, including two or more lower-tiered ports and one or more peer ports. The node also comprises one or more hub-side bidirectional optical ports, and a switching circuit. The switching circuit is configured to distribute traffic received at the one or more hub-side ports to respective dedicated ports, for dedicated transport to one or more of the lower-tiered networks and peer network nodes. The switching circuit is also configured to direct any traffic received at the dedicated ports to the one or more hub-side ports for transport to a hub node, even if that traffic is actually destined for one of the lower-tiered networks to which a lower-tiered port is connected. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243417 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTION SWITCHING IN OPTICAL TRANSPORT NETWORK - A node of an optical transport network system transmits optical wavelengths to an adjacent node through an operational line. An apparatus for protection switching of the optical transport network system transmits only an optical channel with a fault among a plurality of optical channels composed of flexible optical channel data units in an optical wavelength of the operational line, via a reserve line. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243418 | FIBER PROTECTION AND POWER SAVE WITH SECURITY - A system and method for Passive Optical Networks (PON) providing integration (cross-correlation) of powersave and fiber protection, optionally with encryption, facilitating the successful operation and/or benefits that can be gained when operating a PON system with these features. A major problem with power save is the detection, since both the OLT and the ONUs rely on a valid signal in order to detect fiber failure. However, the OLT may not detect this for sleeping ONUs, and an ONU in Tx/Rx sleep-mode, may not detect a fiber failure, and may not be aware of the OLTs switchover. In addition to solving the problem of combined fiber protection and power savings, a solution is also needed for providing security for this combination. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243419 | Comprehensive End-to-End Storage Area Network (SAN) Application Transport Service - Disclosed is a method and system for transmitting data on a data channel from a source to a destination. The data channel has a plurality of wavelength channels and a throughput. The system and method include a storage application for multicasting data on each of the plurality of wavelength channels, a storage protocol extension device using buffer credits to adjust the throughput during the multicasting, and an application optimization device for managing data channel latency to achieve asymmetric mirroring behavior at the same time as the multicasting. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243420 | Method and Apparatus of Using Joint Timing Recovery for a Coherent Optical System - An apparatus and method for performing joint equalization and timing recovery in coherent optical systems. The method includes equalizing signals to generate compensated polarization signals, wherein timing error in a distorted optical signal is calculated based on one of the compensated polarization signals. The method further includes performing resampling polarization signals to correct timing offset in an optical signal based on the calculated timing error. The calculated timing error may also be used to adaptively control one or more operating parameters of an external device. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243421 | MEASUREMENT APPARATUS, NETWORK DESIGN APPARATUS, TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, AND NETWORK MANAGEMENT APPARATUS - A measurement apparatus includes: a transmitter disposed at a transmission-side node and configured to transmit two pulsed lights with different wavelengths at time intervals to a reception-side node; a transmission controller configured to control the transmitter so as to transmit the two pulsed lights repeatedly while changing the time interval; a receiving unit disposed at the reception-side node and configured to receive the two pulsed lights from the transmitter via one or more relay nodes; a detection unit configured to detect a change in a phase of at least one of the two pulsed lights received by the receiving unit; and a measurement unit configured to measure, based on the time interval and the change in a phase detected by the detection unit, a dispersion value of each transmission line between two nodes of nodes including the transmission-side node, the reception-side node, and the one or more relay nodes. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243422 | METHOD FOR ESTIMATING A CHROMATIC DISPERSION OF A RECEIVED OPTICAL SIGNAL - The present disclosure relates to a method for estimating chromatic dispersion of a received optical signal (R | 2013-09-19 |
20130243423 | ETHERNET HUB AND METHOD OF USE - A new and improved Ethernet hub for providing visibility of data packet traffic in an Ethernet network is disclosed. The Ethernet hub includes a packet buffer being coupled with a plurality of network ports to enable full duplex data packet communications among connected network stations. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243424 | OPTICAL CHANNEL MONITOR - An optical channel monitor includes: a first optical device to include first, second and third optical ports, light input through the first optical port being led to the second optical port, light input through the second optical port being led at least to the third optical port; a second optical device to include fourth, fifth and sixth optical ports, light input through the fourth optical port being led to the fifth optical port, light input through the fifth optical port being led at least to the sixth optical port; an optical filter to include seventh and eighth optical ports optically connected to the second and fifth optical ports, respectively, a specified wavelength being transmitted between the seventh and eighth optical ports; a first photo detector to detect light output from the sixth optical port; and a second photo detector to detect light output from the third optical port. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243425 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE ZONAL TRANSMISSION OF DATA USING BUILDING LIGHTING FIXTURES - This invention relates to systems and methods for the transmission of data by a wireless controller connected between a power source and a lighting device. The wireless controller wirelessly receives control signals to control dimming and on/off operation of the lighting device. Furthermore, energy use of the lighting device is monitored and information about the energy use is sent wirelessly to a receiver. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243426 | Communication VIa A Multimode Constellation - An apparatus includes a digital data transmitter capable of sequentially exciting different sets of one or more propagation modes in a physical communication channel. Each set of one or more propagation modes has a different spatial distribution of transmitted energy in the channel. The digital data transmitter is configured to sequentially change the excited set of one or more propagation triodes to transmit a different value of data to the communication channel. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243427 | LOSSLESS BANDWIDTH ADJUSTMENT METHOD, DEVICE AND SYSTEM - A lossless bandwidth adjustment method is provided, includes: A downstream node of an ODUflex path receives a request message from an upstream node of the ODUflex path, where the request message is used for requesting lossless adjustment of a bandwidth of the ODUflex path; the downstream node searches according to the tunnel identifier to obtain bandwidth information before adjustment of the ODUflex path, compares the bandwidth information before adjustment with the bandwidth information after adjustment, determines the number of tributary slots that need to be adjusted for a link between the downstream node and an adjacent upstream node, and selects a tributary slot that needs to be adjusted; indicates, through a label, a tributary slot after adjustment of the adjacent upstream node or the selected tributary slot that needs to be adjusted, and sends a tributary slot adjustment command to a data plane. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243428 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFOR - A frame transmitting apparatus includes a transmitting unit which transmits, when a change is made to a value in a predetermined field of a frame, the frame including the predetermined field with the changed value a predetermined number of times in succession. A frame receiving apparatus includes a receiving unit which receives the frame and an acceptance processing unit which recognizes the value in the predetermined field of the received frame and conducts acceptance processing. The acceptance processing unit compares, when the value is different from a currently accepted value, the value with an expected value; accepts the value when the value matches the expected value; and accepts, when the value does not match the expected value, the value after receiving the same value the predetermined number of times in succession. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243429 | PHOTONICALLY-ENABLED IN-FLIGHT DATA REORGANIZATION - Data locality constraints are alleviated by a data processing system and method of reorganizing data. Multiple electronic components are configured to modulate a light beam on a shared photonic interconnect and to detect the data according to a global schedule to reorganize data across the multiple electronic components. By constructing data transfer patterns in a shared photonic interconnect, rather than in dedicated reorganization hardware, data is reorganized while in transit, greatly accelerating the reorganization of data, and reducing the amount of power-consuming hardware necessary to achieve the task. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243430 | FRONT END DEVICE AND SUPERPOSING SIGNAL DETECTING DEVICE - A front end device includes: an optical filter configured to receive a WDM optical signal including a plurality of optical signals each having a superposing signal superposed thereon by frequency shift keying, with a transmittance being periodically changed with respect to a wavelength and a wavelength with which a peak of the transmittance appears being shifted according to an incident angle; an optical structure configured to guide the WDM optical signal to the optical filter so that the WDM optical signal enters the optical filter at a plurality of different angles; and an optical detector configured to convert an optical signal output from the optical filter to an electrical signal. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243431 | TRANSPONDER AND RELATED NETWORK NODE FOR AN OPTICAL TRANSMISSION NETWORK - In order to reduce power consumption in network equipment for optical transmission networks, it is proposed by reducing E/O conversion and signal processing in optical networks when not needed. A network node has two or more line cards. Each line card contains a receive side transponder section with a network side optical receiver, a first electrical section, and a client side optical transmitter and a transmit side transponder section with a network side optical transmitter, a second electrical section, and a client side optical receiver. The first electrical section has at least one intermediate electrical output the second electrical section has at least one intermediate electrical input. The intermediate electrical outputs and inputs lead to an electrical switch matrix, which controllably interconnects the intermediate electrical outputs and inputs. Preferably, the transponders can additionally contain second intermediate electrical outputs and inputs additionally bypassing a Forward-Error-Correction processing function in the line cards | 2013-09-19 |
20130243432 | WAVELENGTH ROUTER WITH FEEDBACK CONTROL COMPRISING OPTICAL MONITOR PORTS - An optical waveguide router device with feedback control that uses the fringe frequencies of an optical data signal to derive a wavelength (e.g., temperature) control signal in order to compensate for wavelength variations due to temperature fluctuations and/or other wavelength shifting factors without the need for a reference laser. A monitoring circuit converts an output of at least one output monitoring port to an electrical signal and comparing the output of said at least one output monitoring port against 1) a reference signal, or 2) at least one output from another output monitoring port having a higher or lower frequency fringe of an optical data signal of at least one data port, or 3) at least one output from another output monitoring port having light from diffraction pattern(s), and outputting a control signal reflecting a result of the comparison to control at least one center wavelength of the waveguide router. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243433 | INVERSE CHANNEL APPARATUS AND TRANSMITTER, RECEIVER AND SYSTEM CONTAINING THE APPARATUS - The embodiments of the present invention provide an inverse channel apparatus and transmitter, receiver and system containing the apparatus; wherein the inverse channel apparatus comprises: an inverse nonlinear calculating unit configured to perform nonlinear additive calculation and nonlinear multiplicative calculation on input signals, so as to obtain signals containing nonlinear damage of the input signals on at least one polarization state; and an inverse linear calculating unit configured to calculate signals containing nonlinear damage and linear damage of the input signals on at least one polarization state according to the signals containing nonlinear damage of the input signals on at least one polarization state and a linear function of a channel. The advantages of the embodiments of the present invention exist in that a transmitted signal is recovered by being passed through an inverse channel after or before being transmitted in a practical channel, thereby effectively compensating for intra-channel nonlinear damage of an optical fiber communication system. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243434 | OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, OPTICAL COMMUNICATION METHOD, OPTICAL COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - In order to perform the polarization demultiplexing of the polarization multiplexed BPSK signal using a small-scale circuit by means of optical phase modulation of the polarization multiplexed BPSK signal into the pseudo polarization multiplexed QPSK signal, an optical communication system for communicating by using polarization multiplexed optical signals includes an optical phase modulation means for modulating phases of a plurality of optical signals employing BPSK modulation system including information to be communicated, and for generating a plurality of optical signals to become signals by pseudo QPSK modulation system; and a signal restoration means for performing polarization demultiplexing of a plurality of polarization multiplexed optical signals from a plurality of optical signals modulated into the pseudo QPSK modulation system, and for restoring the information to be communicated. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243435 | Method and Apparatus for Link Sharing Among Multiple EPONS - One embodiment of the present invention provides an optical line terminal (OLT) in an Ethernet passive optical network (EPON). The OLT includes a number of bi-directional optical transceivers. At least one bi-directional optical transceiver is coupled to an optical network unit (ONU) group that includes a number of ONUs. The OLT further includes a first downstream media access control (MAC) interface configured to provide a first downstream control signal and a splitter configured to split the first downstream control signal to a number of sub-signals. At least one sub-signal is configured to control downstream transmission of a corresponding bi-directional optical transceiver to a corresponding ONU-group. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243436 | CONTACTLESS CHIP CARD, CONTACTLESS CHIP CARD READING DEVICE AND CONTACTLESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF COMMUNICATION INTERFACES - A contactless chip card may include: a first communication interface which is configured to receive a first signal by means of an electromagnetic field with a first frequency; a clock signal generating circuit which is coupled to the first communication interface and is configured to derive a clock signal from the first signal; a second communication interface which is coupled to the clock signal generating circuit and is configured to make available a signal transmission on the basis of the clock signal by means of an electromagnetic field with a second frequency, wherein the first frequency is different from the second frequency. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243437 | CONNECTOR SYSTEM, CONNECTING CABLE AND RECEIVING TOOL - A connector provided on a projector has an RF chip. A plug connected to the connector has an RF chip at a position opposite to the RF chip of the connector. When a protruding section of the plug is inserted and fit into an aperture section of the connector, the RF chip of the plug and the RF chip of the connector perform wireless communication with each other in a non-contact state. Thus, a connecting tool can be easily attached to/detached from a receiving tool without breaking a terminal due to contact such as in a case where a conventional contact type terminal is used. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243438 | Ultra High Density Pin-Compatible Four-Channel Enhanced Small Form-Factor Pluggable Module - An enhanced small form-factor pluggable (SFP+) transceiver module and an SFP+ host port are provided. The enhanced SFP+ transceiver module receives a reception data signal at a data rate of 40 gigabits per second (40 G). The reception data signal is sent to a transceiver bidirectional transmission unit. The transceiver bidirectional transmission unit comprises a first SFP+ connector unit configured to interface with a second SFP+ connector unit of an SFP+ host port. The reception data signal is sent from the transceiver bidirectional transmission unit to the second SFP+ connector unit of the SFP+ host port via the first SFP+ connector unit. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243439 | OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM EMBODYING INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONTROLLING A DEVICE - An optical transceiver includes a transmitter that transmits an optical signal, and a receiver that receives a reference signal. The receiver receives the optical signal transmitted by its own transmitter. A controller performs an adjustment of the optical signal, transmitted by the transmitter, based on the reference signal. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243440 | OPTICAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND CONTROL SIGNAL TRANSMISSION METHOD - An optical transmission system includes at least a first optical link to transmit a first data signal as a part of a multi-lane signal and a second optical link to transmit a second data signal as another part of the multi-lane signal; on the transmission side, a reference clock is constantly applied to the first data signal of the first optical link, and a delay clock is applied to the second data signal responsive to a control signal on the second optical link; on the receiving side, the phase of a first clock signal detected from the first data signal received on the first optical link and the phase of a second clock signal detected from the second data signal received on the second optical link are compared, and the control signal is detected from the comparison result. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243441 | METHOD TO CONTROL OPTICAL RECEIVER IMPLEMENTED WITH SEMICONDUCTOR OPTICAL AMPLIFIER AND METHOD TO CONTROL OPTICAL COMMUNICATION - A method to control an optical receiver implemented with a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is disclosed. The SOA has a p-n junction operable in a PD mode when it is supplied with a zero or reverse bias. The SOA detects the magnitude of the incoming light and the driving current supplied thereto is adjusted based on thus detected magnitude of the incoming light such that the outgoing light provided to the PD has a magnitude within a preset range. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243442 | OPTICAL TRANSMISSION APPARATUS AND CHARACTERISTIC COMPENSATION METHOD - A characteristic compensation method includes obtaining compensation information when degradation of a transmission characteristic of an optical transmission path of a received light signal is compensated for by using digital signal processing with respect to an electric signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the light signal, calculating an compensation value for a characteristic compensation device that optically compensates for degradation of the transmission characteristic to start characteristic compensation, based on the compensation information with respect to the light signal, setting the compensation value in the characteristic compensation device, and switching a state in which compensation is done using the digital signal processing to a state in which compensation is done using the characteristic compensation device after the setting of the compensation value is completed. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243443 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The image forming apparatus | 2013-09-19 |
20130243444 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier removably installed in the apparatus to carry an image; a transfer member contacting with the image carrier to transfer the image onto the transfer member or a recording medium; a contact and separation mechanism causing the transfer member to contact with or separate from the image carrier; and a removable unit removably installed in the apparatus from the same direction as an installation direction of the image carrier to be disposed proximal of the image carrier and the transfer member in the installation direction, and at least partially overlapping the image carrier and the transfer member as viewed in the installation direction. The removable unit interferes with the contact and separation mechanism and is prevented from being installed in the apparatus, when the transfer member is separated from the image carrier by the contact and separation mechanism. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243445 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including an upper cover, an image forming unit including an image carrier and a developing device, a toner container detachably connectable to the developing device to supply toner to the developing device through an opening in the toner container, a shutter provided to the toner container and biased by a first elastic member in a direction to close the opening of the toner container, a link member integrated with the shutter, a shutter switching member to switch a position of the shutter to an open position by moving the link member to a pressing position, and an interlock mechanism to retract the shutter switching member from the pressing position in conjunction with opening of the upper cover. The opening is closed with the shutter by switching the shutter switching member to a retracted position in conjunction with the opening of the upper cover. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243446 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus forms, on a surface of a moving member moving in a first direction, an image under an image forming condition in accordance with image information. The image forming apparatus includes: a reflection-type optical sensor including an emission system including a plurality of light-emitting units arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and a light-receiving system including a plurality of light-receiving units that receive reflected light resulting from reflection of emission light emitted from the emission system at the surface of the moving member; and a determination device that determines whether there is an abnormality on the surface of the moving member on the basis of output signals from at least two or more light-receiving units. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243447 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a control device executing: a holding process of holding developer attached on an image carrier at a holding member; a moving process of moving the developer from the holding member to the image carrier; and a collection process of collecting the developer attached on the image carrier into a collection member. The control device executes the moving process and the collection process after completing printing. The control device sets a first flag when predetermined time period elapses from start of the moving process and unsets the first flag at start of the printing. When the first flag is not set at a startup time, the control device executes the moving process and the collection process before the printing. When the first flag is set, the control device omits the moving process before the printing. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243448 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus having: a slit plate in which a plurality of slits of different widths are provided, the slit plate being movable in an amount proportional to an amount of movement of a elevating plate; a sensor unit disposed such that the slits pass between a luminous element and a light-sensitive element, the sensor unit outputting a detection signal that indicates whether light emitted by the luminous element is in a transmitted state or not; and a control unit that stores positions of the elevating plate corresponding to the widths of the slits, and identifies a position of the elevating plate corresponding to a slit width derived from a detection signal outputted by the sensor unit, thereby deriving a remaining quantity of sheets on the elevating plate. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243449 | LUBRICANT SUPPLYING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - A lubricant supplying device includes: lubricant; a supplying member that supplies the lubricant to a lubricant supply target; and a remaining amount detecting unit that detects that a remaining amount of the lubricant is equal to or smaller than a certain amount. The remaining amount detecting unit includes a first electrode member and a second electrode member. The lubricant supplying device further comprises a member that causes at least a part of the second electrode member to move and causes the second electrode member to abut the first electrode member with an increase in consumption of the lubricant. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243450 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus including: a developing unit; a developer supply unit; a toner density detecting unit; a mode setting unit; a first supply control unit; a second supply control unit; and a second standard value setting unit. The toner density detecting unit detects toner density. The mode setting unit, when toner density detected by the toner density detecting unit is less than a first standard value and a second standard value that is lower than the first standard value or more, sets a first developer supply mode as a mode for supplying developer to the developing unit and when the toner density detected by the toner density detecting unit is less than the second standard value, sets a second developer supply mode as a mode for supplying developer to the developing unit. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243451 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Temperature of a printing medium | 2013-09-19 |
20130243452 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH COLOR SLIPPAGE CORRECTION - Image forming apparatus corrects for color slippage in toner image of a plurality of colors that have been sequentially transferred onto moving transfer target from the plurality of respective image carriers. A temperature of an interior of image-developing device is detected by first detection part, and a temperature of an interior of exposure device is detected by second detection part. First determination part determines whether or not the correction with respect to color slippage during temperature elevation is to be carried out, on the basis of first temperature detected by first detection part and second temperature detected by first detection part earlier than first temperature. Second determination part determines whether or not the correction with respect to color slippage during temperature decrease is to be carried out, on the basis of third temperature detected by second detection part and fourth temperature detected by second detection part earlier than third temperature. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243453 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image forming apparatus has an outline surrounded by a casing. The casing has an opening. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit configured to fix an image formed on a recording medium, and a control unit. The fixing unit includes a heating fixing member. The control unit is configured to control an opening degree of the opening based on temperature of a surface of or in the vicinity of the heating fixing member, so as to prevent emission of a substance by an air current to outside of the casing through the opening, during an image forming operation. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243454 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF PRINTING LONG SHEETS - In the case of a standard sized sheet, a first controller sets a linear velocity D of an image bearing member at a first velocity and sets a linear velocity S of a toner bearing member so that S/D, which is a ratio of the linear velocity S to the linear velocity D, has a first value and a second controller sets the thickness of the toner layer carried on the toner bearing member at a first layer thickness. In the case of a long sheet, the first controller sets the linear velocity D at a second velocity slower than the first velocity and sets the linear velocity S so that the S/D has a second value larger than the first value and the second controller sets the thickness of the toner layer at a second layer thickness smaller than the first layer thickness. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243455 | RECORDING-MEDIUM IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An effective image area can be properly corrected in accordance with the quantity of light from an irradiation unit by selecting, as the effective image area, pixels having light quantities more than or equal to a threshold value that allows accurate acquisition of a surface image of a recording medium, on the basis of a light quantity distribution of the light from the irradiation unit. This reduces the influence of mounting accuracy of the irradiation unit, and allows the recording medium to be identified accurately. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243456 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image carrier that carries a toner image having a length corresponding to at least a circumferential length of the carrier; an image density detector that detects a density of the image; a potential detector that detects, over at least the circumferential length, a surface potential of the carrier before toner adheres thereto; a first image forming device that adjusts the density with a first factor, and forms an image based on a first condition of the first factor; a second image forming device that adjusts the density with a second factor, and forms an image based on a second condition of the second factor; a first determining device that determines the first condition based on uneven density; and a second determining device that determines the second condition based on uneven density and a potential distribution of the surface potential. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243457 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a developer carrier configured to adhere toner onto the image carrier; an image density detector to detect a density of an image on the image carrier formed by the developer carrier adhering the toner on the image carrier; a rotary member to form an image pattern of which density is detected by the image density detector; and a rotational position detector to detect a rotational position of the rotary member. In the image forming apparatus, the image pattern is generated based on the rotational position detected by the rotational position detector and the rotary member that the rotational position detector detects the rotational position thereof is either the image carrier or the developer carrier. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243458 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - According to an embodiment, provided is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a moving body using toner. The image forming apparatus includes a pattern creating device that creates a first pattern for toner density detection and a second pattern for positional deviation detection on the moving body, the first pattern and second pattern being disposed to be arrayed in a main-scanning direction; a reflecting optical sensor including an emitting system that includes at least three light-emitting elements of which positions at least in the second direction are different and a light-receiving system that includes at least three light-receiving elements that receive light beams that are emitted from the emitting system and reflected from the first pattern and second pattern; and a processing device that obtains toner density information and positional deviation information simultaneously based on an output signal of the light-receiving system. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243459 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is disclosed, including a light source; a drum; an optical scanning apparatus; and an endless belt. The image forming apparatus further includes a pattern forming unit which forms, on the endless belt along a conveying direction of the endless belt, a density fluctuation detecting pattern having a period; a density sensor which detects the density fluctuating detecting pattern and outputs a density signal including information on density fluctuations in the conveying direction of the endless belt; and a period detecting sensor which detects the period included in the density fluctuations. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243460 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - An image forming apparatus includes an application unit that applies to a holding unit a voltage that generates a potential difference between the holding unit and a photoconductor member such that a toner image is developed on the photoconductor member, the potential difference causing toner included in a two-component developer, held by the holding unit, to transfer from the holding unit to the photoconductor member, and a controller that controls the application unit, subsequent to an expiration of an image quality assurance period throughout which a predetermined image quality is assured, such that the potential of the holding unit is decreased in step with wear of the photoconductor member. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243461 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The developing device includes a toner layer formation control unit instructing a voltage control unit to set a first voltage difference to form a toner layer on a surface of a toner supporting rotator, a stripping control unit that instructs the voltage control unit to, in a toner layer stripping mode, set a second voltage difference that moves substantially an entire amount of toner composing the toner layer to a developer supporting rotator, and a density detection unit detecting the toner density on a transfer member onto which a toner image is primarily transferred. When the toner remains on a surface of the toner supporting rotator, the stripping control unit causes the toner to fly to the surface of the image carrier, while outputting an instruction adjusting the second voltage difference to the voltage control unit in order to reduce the toner density detected by the toner density detection unit. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243462 | TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A transfer device includes a transfer roller that has a characteristic in which an electrical resistance is changed in accordance with a rotation speed, contacts a transferred body that moves in synchronization with movement of an image holding body holding a toner image, and transfers the toner image held by the image holding body on the transferred body by applying a transfer voltage to the transferred body; and a regulator that regulates the rotation speed of the transfer roller independently from the movement of the image holding body and the transferred body. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243463 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes: an endless belt including a heat generating layer configured to generate heat by electric energy and a conductive layer configured to be electrically connected to the heat generating layer; a rotatable driving member configured to drive the belt and form a nip with the belt; an electric contact portion provided to be in contact with the conductive layer and configured to supply the electric energy to be conductive layer; an electric insulation portion contactable to the electric contact portion with rotation of the belt; a detecting portion configured to detect whether an electric conduction state between the electric contact portion and the conductive layer is in a predetermined state or not when the belt is rotated; and a control portion configured to control a peripheral speed of the rotatable driving member using an output of the detecting portion. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243464 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR FIXING HEATER - An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device including a heating roller heated by a fixing heater, a DUTY storage portion, a heater control portion, a number-of-times counting portion, a number-of-times determining portion, and a modifying portion. The DUTY storage portion stores a first DUTY table and a second DUTY table. The heater control portion reduces the consumption current of the fixing heater based on the first DUTY table when a total consumption current exceeds a setting current. The number-of-times counting portion counts the number of times the total consumption current has exceeded the setting current. The modifying portion causes the heater control portion to control the energization of the fixing heater based on the second DUTY table when the number-of-times determining portion determines that the number of times of excess exceeds a setting number of times. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243465 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording medium includes a hollow, fixing rotary body rotatable in a given direction of rotation and a first heater disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotary body to heat the fixing rotary body. A pressing rotary body is pressed against the fixing rotary body to form a fixing nip therebetween through which the recording medium bearing the toner image is conveyed. A heat conductor, disposed opposite the first heater and the inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotary body, is disconnectably connected to a guide disposed downstream from the fixing device in a recording medium conveyance direction to guide the recording medium discharged from the fixing nip. The heat conductor conducts heat received from the first heater to the guide. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243466 | TONER DENSITY SENSOR AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner density sensor comprising: a light emitting element that emits light; a light receiving element that receives reflected light emitted from the light emitting part and reflected at a detection target; a light path for passage of emitted and reflected light formed along the front surface of a printed substrate on which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are surface-mounted; and a diaphragm unit that is formed at and partially narrows this light path, wherein the diaphragm unit is divided into two portions, a diaphragm unit upper-portion and a diaphragm unit lower-portion, and these are disposed in an upper case covering the front surface of the printed substrate and in a lower case covering the rear surface of the printed substrate. In the printed substrate, a through hole is formed for protrusion of the diaphragm unit lower portion from the rear surface to the front surface. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243467 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, ENERGY SAVING CONTROL METHOD, AND MEDIUM - An image forming apparatus includes a UI application that configures functions supported in an energy saving mode and in a normal mode, an energy saving memory control service that manages settings of the configured functions supported in the energy saving mode, and a filtering service that filters external access to the image forming apparatus in the energy saving mode along with the settings. In the energy saving mode, the filtering service determines whether the image forming apparatus remains in the energy saving mode or returns to the normal mode in order to process the access using the settings. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243468 | IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - In a serial tandem image forming system having a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a double-side printing job can be performed in a way according to the needs of users by taking into consideration an adjustment operation. The serial tandem image forming system includes an upstream apparatus | 2013-09-19 |
20130243469 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus has an image forming section configured to form an image on a recording sheet, a controller to execute a job, and an adjustment section configured to adjust a density of the image formed on the recording sheet by the image forming section during execution of the job. The controller discharges an inserting sheet onto the recording sheet having the image formed during the execution of the job when a value of the adjustment is larger than a predetermined value. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243470 | COLOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A color image forming apparatus to which a plurality of cartridges are detachably mounted, including: main body side positioning portions provided on an apparatus main body; a cartridge supporting member detachably supporting the cartridges having cartridge side electric contacts and cartridge side positioned portions, and movable among a first position for forming images, a second position retracted from the first position, and a third position where the cartridges are pulled out of the main body; a pressing member pressing the positioned portions on the positioning portions; and main body side electric contacts provided on the main body, wherein the electric contacts are directly and electrically connected to the electric contacts when the positioned portions are pressed on the positioning portions by the pressing member. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243471 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus having; a fusing unit that heats and presses a recording medium with an image transferred thereto, thereby fixing the image thereon; a first duct section in which air that contains emissions generated by the fusing unit flows; an ion generation unit provided away from the first duct section to generate ions; a second duct section in which air that contains the ions generated by the ion generation unit flows; a third duct section connected to the first and second duct sections, such that air flows in from the first and second duct sections, whereby the emissions are charged by the ions; a filter unit provided in the third duct section to trap the charged emissions; and a blowing unit that generates air flows from the connections with the first and second duct sections in the third duct section toward the filter unit. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243472 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a developing device, a duct, a first fan, a dust collection part, and a connection portion. The duct communicates with a suction port that is provided in the vicinity of an opening portion of a developing container of the developing device. The first fan generates an airflow in the duct and discharges air that has passed through the suction port and through the duct to the outside of a main body of the apparatus. The dust collection part captures toner that has passed through the duct together with an airflow generated by the first fan. The connection portion is provided at some point along a length of the duct, can store part of toner that passes therethrough together with an airflow, and has a lid portion that is openable and closable with respect to a main body of the connection portion. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243473 | CLEANING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A cleaning device includes a cleaning unit including a shaft portion and contactors, the shaft portion being rotatably provided, the contactors being provided along an outer periphery of the shaft portion so as to contact a member to be cleaned, the contactors being formed of conductive fiber, the cleaning unit cleaning the member to be cleaned by rotating and by electrostatically attracting dirt adhered to the member to be cleaned. The contactors satisfy the following condition: 02013-09-19 | |
20130243474 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A longitudinal end portion of an opposing magnetic member of a developer supporting rotator is positioned more longitudinally outside than a longitudinal end portion of a toner supporting side magnetic member. With respect to the opposing magnetic member facing the toner supporting side magnetic member and a downstream magnetic member disposed more downstream than the opposing magnetic member in a rotational direction, a magnetic force generated in a vicinity of both longitudinally end portions thereof is greater than a magnetic force generated longitudinally inside thereof. A housing includes a sealing portion that projects from a position facing a face at a longitudinal end portion of the developer supporting rotator toward the face, such that the sealing portion prevents the toner in a space between the face and an inner face of the housing from scattering outside. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243475 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed is an image forming apparatus that includes a body housing having an opening and a cover covering the opening, a body frame in the body housing for supporting thereon various component parts of the image forming apparatus, an image forming cartridge receivable into the body housing through the opening to be detachably supported on the body frame and a support assembly supporting the mounted image forming cartridge. The support assembly includes a locking member movable between a locking position at which the image forming cartridge is limited in its movement along the direction of separating away from the body frame and a releasing position at which the image forming cartridge is allowed to move away from the body frame. The support assembly further includes an elastic member elastically biasing the locking member to the releasing position and a pressing member provided on the cover for pressing the locking member to remain in the locking position when the covered is closed to cover the opening. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243476 | Image Forming Apparatus Provided with Contacting-Separating Member Capable of Moving Developing Roller Relative to Photosensitive Drum - An image forming apparatus includes: a casing; photosensitive drums juxtaposed with each other in a juxtaposed direction; developing units each including a developing roller; an opening-closing member; and a first contacting-separating member. The opening-closing member is movable between an open position and a closed position. The first contacting-separating member is provided at the opening-closing member and movable relative to the casing in the juxtaposed direction for moving, in a state where the opening-closing member is at the closed position, the developing roller between an adjacent position adjacent to or in contact with the corresponding photosensitive drums and a separated position spaced apart from the corresponding photosensitive drums. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243477 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING TONER CARTRIDGE WITH MOVABLE SHUTTER - An image forming apparatus includes a holder, photosensitive drums, developing units, and toner cartridges. Each toner cartridge includes a case, shutter, and operation member. The case contains the toner therein and has an opening at a position confronting the corresponding developing unit in a state that the toner cartridge is attached to the holder. The shutter is movable between a block position and an open position. The shutter is located at the open position when the operation member is located at a first position. The shutter is located at the block position when the operation member is located at a second position. The operation member has: a base end fixed to the shutter; and a distal end configured to move from a lower position to a position higher than the lower position when the operation member is moved from the first position to the second position. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243478 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A process cartridge detachably installable in an image forming apparatus including a first sub-unit to hold an image carrier, a second sub-unit to hold a developer bearing member, a first positioning member to position first ends of the image carrier and the developer bearing member in a longitudinal direction, respectively, and a second positioning member to position second ends of the image carrier and the developer bearing member opposite the first ends in the longitudinal direction, respectively. The second sub-unit has a protruding portion protruding outward to a first end of the second sub-unit beyond the first positioning member in the longitudinal direction. An opposing surface of the protruding portion provided to face the first positioning member is dimensioned to conform to a cross-section of the first positioning member perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243479 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC COLOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with process cartridges that each include an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus includes a movable member that is movable between an inside of the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the drum while carrying the cartridges. A main assembly electrical contact is provided inside the main assembly along a movement path of the movable member. An intermediary electrical contact is provided and includes a first electrical contact portion that is disposed inside the movable member, with the intermediary electrical contact being electrically connectable to a cartridge electrical contact of a cartridge, and a second electrical contact portion is disposed outside the movable member, with the second electrical contact portion electrically connectable to a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243480 | DEVELOPING MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The present invention provides a developing member onto which a toner or the like is hard to fuse and with which toner conveying performance is unlikely to vary even through long-term usage. The developing member includes a substrate and a surface layer, the surface layer contains a polyurethane resin working as a binder resin and polyurethane resin particles dispersed in the binder resin, and the polyurethane resin working as the binder resin has, between two adjacent urethane bonds, a structure represented by a structural formula (1) and one or both of structures represented by structural formulas (2) and (3), and further has, between two adjacent urethane bonds, a structure represented by a structural formula (4). | 2013-09-19 |
20130243481 | PROCESS CARTRIGE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum frame, a movable developing frame taking a position where the roller contacts the drum, and a force receiver having first and second force receivers for receiving first and second external forces. The second force receiver moves relative to the developing frame. The second force receiver takes a stand-by position retracted from an operating position when the first force receiver receives the first external force, and moves from the stand-by to the operating position for moving the developing frame from the contacting position to the spacing position. The distance the second force receiver moves from the stand-by to the operating position is larger than the distance the first force receiver moves by the first external force. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243482 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer unit that is detachably attachable to a housing of the image forming apparatus and includes: a transfer member configured to contact the image carrier; a movable frame that supports the transfer member and configured to rotate around a fulcrum shaft; a driving input member coaxially arranged with the fulcrum shaft and configured to connect to a first driving transmitting member, and a second driving transmitting member supported by the movable frame and configured to transmit a driving force inputted by the driving input member to the transfer member. The image forming apparatus further includes a contact/separation unit configured to press the transfer member against the image carrier and to separate the transfer member from the image carrier by moving the movable frame around the fulcrum shaft while the transfer unit is attached to the image forming apparatus. | 2013-09-19 |
20130243483 | PHOTORECEPTOR, METHOD FOR PREPARING PHOTORECEPTOR, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE USING THE PHOTORECEPTOR - In a photoreceptor including an electroconductive substrate; a photosensitive layer; and a protective layer, the protective layer includes a crosslinked resin having a residual group of a polycarboxylic acid compound and a group having the below-mentioned formula (10), and at least one of a compound having the below-mentioned formula (2) and a compound having the below-mentioned formula (3). | 2013-09-19 |
20130243484 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member having a surface layer A having a surface hardness of 200 N/mm | 2013-09-19 |