65761results about "Electrographic process apparatus" patented technology

A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet introduced thereinto from an image forming apparatus and then discharging the sheet is disclosed. The sheet finisher includes a stacking device configured to temporarily stack sheets sequentially delivered thereto. Jogger fences jog each sheet within the stacking device. A stapler staples the sheet stack jogged in the stacking device. The stapler is supported by a guide shaft such it is movable along the guide shaft in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance and angularly movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of guide.

An image read device is provided, which conveys an original while performing reading of an image of the original at a read position on a transparent member by a read unit fixed, the image read device including: a moving unit that moves the transparent member back and forth in an original conveying direction; a control unit that conveys the original and moves the transparent member by using the moving unit while causing the reading of the image to be performed at the read position; and a determining unit that, when an event causing interruption of original conveyance occurs, stops the transparent member and determines whether a control of returning the transparent member to a home position is to be performed or not in accordance with a stopped position of the original in an original conveying path.

A two-phase electrophoretic medium comprises a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase. The discontinuous phase comprises a plurality of droplets, each of which comprises a suspending fluid and at least one particle disposed within the suspending fluid and capable of moving through the fluid upon application of an electric field to the electrophoretic medium. The continuous phase surrounds and encapsulates the discontinuous phase. To reduce the humidity sensitivity of the medium, a non-ionizable or crystalline polymer may be used as the continuous phase.

This invention relates to an electrophoretic display comprising cells of well-defined shape, size and aspect ratio which cells are filled with charged pigment particles dispersed in a solvent, and novel processes for its manufacture.

A coating of an encapsulated electrophoretic medium is formed on a substrate (106) by dispersing in a fluid (104) a plurality of electrophoretic capsules (102), contacting at least a portion of a substrate (106) with the fluid (104); and applying a potential difference between at least a part of the portion of the substrate (106) contacting the fluid (104) and a counter-electrode (110) in electrical contact with the fluid (104), thereby causing capsules (102) to be deposited upon at least part of the portion of the substrate (106) contacting the fluid (102). Patterned coatings of capsules containing different colors may be deposited in registration with electrodes using multiple capsule deposition steps. Alternatively, a patterned coating may be deposited upon a substrate containing a conductive layer by varying the conductivity of the conductive layer by radiation exposure or by coating portions of the conductive layer with an insulating layer, typically a photoresist.

Various improvements in electrophoretic media and displays intended for use in light modulators are described. These improvements include index matching of the suspending fluid to a continuous phase surrounding the fluid, index matching of a capsule wall to a binder, planarization of a layer containing electrophoretic capsules before application of adhesive thereto, methods for concentrating electrophoretic particles into limited areas of sidewalls of electrophoretic capsules or microcells in the light-transmissive state of the display, and, in the case of light modulators comprising an electrophoretic layer sandwiched between two transparent plates, forming at least one of the plates so as to absorb electromagnetic radiation which adversely affects the electrophoretic layer.

Process, materials, and equipment for producing three-dimensional objects from a particulate material by melting and adhering, for example, by fusion or sintering, portions of the particulate material.

An image forming apparatus operates in a first power state, a second power state returnable to the first power state by a return instruction, or a third power state power-saved as compared with the second power state. The image forming apparatus comprises: a controlling unit to transition the power state of the image forming apparatus to the first power state, the second power state or the third power state; and a power-supply switch to cut off power supply to the image forming apparatus by being turned off by an internal mechanical relay driven by a manual operation or controlling from the controlling unit, wherein the controlling unit controls to turn off the power-supply switch after transitioning the power state from the second power state to the third power state.

A process cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main assembly including a driving shaft, to be driven by a motor, having a rotational force applying portion, wherein the process cartridge is dismountable from the main assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft, the process cartridge includes i) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a photosensitive layer at a peripheral surface thereof, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof; ii) process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; iii) a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the rotational force transmitting angular position, wherein when the process cartridge is dismounted from the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the coupling member moves from the rotational force transmitting angular position to the disengaging angular position.

Electronic display devices and methods are described. In one embodiment, a display device comprises a housing and a display area provided within the housing to display content for a user. Memory is provided within the housing to hold data that is to be rendered into user-viewable content. An electrophotographic assembly is provided within the housing and is configured to electrophotographically render user-viewable content from the data that is held in the memory. A loop of material is disposed proximate the electrophotographic assembly and is configured to receive electrophotographically rendered content and present the content for user viewing within the display area. A control area is provided on the housing and includes one or more user-engagable structures to permit a user to interact with the device. The control area is positioned on the housing to accommodate one-handed use of the device. In one embodiment, the control area is provided on a sidewall that extends between front and back faces of the housing. The user-engagable structures can comprise any suitable user engagable structure, with an exemplary structure comprising a rocker-type switch which accommodates one-handed use of the display reader.

The present invention provides an imageable element including a lithographic substrate and an imageable layer disposed on the substrate. The imageable layer includes a radically polymerizable component, an initiator system capable of generating radicals sufficient to initiate a polymerization reaction upon exposure to imaging radiation, and a polymeric binder having a hydrophobic backbone and including both constitutional units having a pendant cyano group attached directly to the hydrophobic backbone, and constitutional units having a pendant group including a hydrophilic poly(alkylene oxide) segment. When the imageable element is imaged and developed, the resulting printing plate may exhibit improved on-press solvent resistance and longer press life.

This invention relates to an electrophoretic display with improved contrast ratio, switching performance, reflectivity at the Dmin state and structural integrity, and methods for its manufacture.

An electronic diagnostic device for testing electronic monitoring tags for devices such as replaceable modules for a printing apparatus includes a tag reader with a reader wireless communication element. The tag reader is adapted to read tag diagnostic information from an electronic monitoring tag. The electronic diagnostic device further includes a data processor in communication with the tag reader. The data processor is adapted to determine from the tag diagnostic data whether the electronic monitoring tag is operating within predetermined parameters, to identify one of a predetermined set of error categories if the electronic monitoring tag is operating outside the predetermined parameters, and to generate error category information. The electronic diagnostic device further includes a results communication element adapted to communicate the error category information generated by the data processor. The diagnostic device may also communicate correction information to the electronic monitoring tag.

A touch sensitive user interface of the type having a display screen for displaying images representative of menus and selectable list objects, for example; control logic responsive to the touch sensitive user interface for determining the contact position of a first probe and a second probe, such as two separate fingers, thereon, displaying menus including list objects representing primary and secondary features or functions respectively, so that a user may touch a selection on the primary menu with the first probe and subsequently touch an area on the display screen where a contextually related secondary menu is displayed for selection of contextually related features or functions.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a first frame; a second frame coupled with the first frame for rotation about a shaft; an electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided in the first frame; a developing member, provided in the second frame, for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum with a developer; a developing member, provided in the second frame, for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum with a developer; an elastic member for applying an elastic force between the first frame and the second frame to urge the developing member to the photosensitive drum; a force receiving portion, provided downstream of the shaft with respect to a mounting direction in which the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus, for receiving a force from the main assembly of the image forming apparatus to keep the developing member away from the photosensitive drum when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus; and a limiting portion for limiting upward movement of the first frame.

A sheet stapling apparatus including a stapling device for stapling a set of sheets, a load detecting device for detecting a level of a load of the stapling device during a stapling operation, and a signal generating device for generating a signal when the load detected by the load detecting device is outside a predetermined range.

A therapy system using an ion beam, which can shorten the time required for positioning a couch (patient). The therapy system using the ion beam comprises a rotating gantry provided with an ion beam delivery unit including an X-ray tube. An X-ray detecting device having a plurality of X-ray detectors can be moved in the direction of a rotation axis of the rotating gantry. A couch on which a patient is lying is moved until a tumor substantially reaches an extension of an ion beam path in the irradiating unit. The X-ray tube is positioned on the ion beam path and the X-ray detecting device is positioned on the extension of the ion beam path. With rotation of the rotating gantry, both the X-ray tube emitting an X-ray and the X-ray detecting device revolve around the patient. The X-ray is emitted to the patient and detected by the X-ray detectors after penetrating the patient. Tomographic information of the patient is formed based on signals outputted from the X-ray detectors. Information for positioning the couch is generated by using the tomographic information.

Provided are an image display medium which satisfies, a safety and a high-speed response and which is capable of repetitive rewriting, an image-forming method in which an image can be formed on the image display medium, and an image-forming apparatus. An image display medium is formed by interposing black particles and white particles between a display substrate and a non-display substrate made of a dielectric. A printing electrode first applies an AC voltage to frictionally charge the black and white particles, and then applies a DC voltage adapted to an image between the substrates. The black particles adhered to a portion (non-image portion) to which the voltage of the display substrate is applied are moved to the non-display substrate.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main assembly including an opening, a door movable between a close position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening, a first force application member movable with movement of the door from the open position to the closing position and a second force application member movable by a driving force from a driving source, the process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a drum unit containing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing unit which contains the developing roller and which is movable relative to the drum unit such that developing roller is movable between a contact position in which the developing roller is contacted to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a spaced position in which the developing roller is spaced from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a force receiving device including a first force receiving portion for receiving a force from the first force application member by movement of the door from the open position to the close position in the state that process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus through the opening, and a second force receiving portion movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiving portion by a force received from the first force application member, wherein the second force receiving portion takes a projected position for receiving a force from the second force application member to move the developing unit from the contact position to the spaced position, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.

Provided are a conductive endless belt, a method of producing the same, and an image forming apparatus employing the same, the conductive endless belt having both desirable intended belt properties and surface properties, and being producible without known problems in terms of cost and quality. A conductive endless belt 100 is used as a transfer / transport conductive endless belt for a tandem system in which the conductive endless belt is circularly driven by a drive member so as to transport a recording medium held by the belt through electrostatic attraction to four differing image forming bodies, in which the toner images are sequentially transferred onto the recording medium. The conductive endless belt 100 is composed of a belt base 101 having thereon a resin layer 102, the resin layer 102 containing an ultraviolet or electron beam curable resin. The resin layer 102 preferably contains a conductive agent, specifically carbon black.

A rotating force transmitting part for an electrophotographic photosensitive drum for a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a driving shaft, to be driven by a motor, having the rotating force applying portion, and wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is dismountable from the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a direction substantial perpendicular with an axial direction of the driving shaft, the rotating force transmitting part includes a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in the state in which electrophotographic photosensitive drum is mounted to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the rotational force transmitting angular position, wherein when the process cartridge is dismounted from the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the coupling member moves from the rotational force transmitting angular position to the disengaging angular position.

An image forming apparatus is provided, in carrying out an image forming operation using a paper sheet, that uses a sheet containing a wireless tag that stores an address storing control information for performing an optimum image forming. The image forming apparatus obtains the address from the wireless tag using a receiving device, and obtains control information from a server via a network based on the obtained address. The image forming apparatus controls an image forming condition based on the control information, and carries out the image forming under image forming conditions optimum for the sheet.

A system and method are provided for control of a navigation system for deploying a medical device within a subject, and for enhancement of a display image of anatomical features for viewing the projected location and movement of medical devices, and projected locations of a variety of anatomical features and other spatial markers in the operating region. The display of the X-ray imaging system information is augmented in a manner such that a physician can more easily become oriented in three dimensions with the use of a single-plane X-ray display. The projection of points and geometrical shapes within the subject body onto a known imaging plane can be obtained using associated imaging parameters and projective geometry.

A system and method are provided for control of a navigation system for deploying a medical device within a subject, and for enhancement of a display image of anatomical features for viewing the projected location and movement of medical devices, and projected locations of a variety of anatomical features and other spatial markers in the operating region. The display of the X-ray imaging system information is augmented in a manner such that a physician can more easily become oriented in three dimensions with the use of a single-plane X-ray display. The projection of points and geometrical shapes within the subject body onto a known imaging plane can be obtained using associated imaging parameters and projective geometry.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device for forming a toner image on a recording medium and a fixing device for fixing the toner image formed on the recording medium by applying heat and pressure to the recording medium. In the fixing device, an endless belt, having flexibility, moves to apply heat to the recording medium. A metal thermal conductor, having a pipe shape and provided inside a loop formed by the endless belt, guides the moving endless belt. A heat source heats the metal thermal conductor. A pressing member presses the metal thermal conductor via the endless belt to form a nip between the endless belt and the pressing member. At the nip, the endless belt and the pressing member nip the recording medium bearing the toner image to apply heat and pressure to the recording medium.

A tandem color electrostatographic printer apparatus has five or more color printing stations or modules for applying respective color separation toner images to a receiver member to form a pentachrome color image in a single pass. A fuser station fuses the pentachrome color image. A clear toner overcoat is then applied to the fused pentachrome toner image and enhanced glossing of the image is provided by a belt glosser to improve color gamut.

This invention is intended to control the amount of power to be supplied to a fusing heater below a maximum applicable current value. The engine controller supplies electricity to both of two heating bodies at the same fixed duty D1. At a phase angle al corresponding to the fixed duty D1, pulse signals ON1 and ON2 are issued in response to a ZEROX signal as a trigger. A current value I1 is detected based on a HCRRT signal from the current detection circuit. The engine controller calculates an upper limit of applicable power duty Dlimit based on the detected current value I1, the fixed duty D1 and the preset applicable current value Ilimit. Then, a PI temperature control is performed at a duty below the upper-limit duty Dlimit.

In a fixing device, a fixed member is fixedly provided inside a loop formed by a belt, and is pressed against a pressing rotary member via the belt to form a nip portion between the pressing rotary member and the belt to nip a recording medium bearing a toner image. A heating member is fixedly, provided inside the loop formed by the belt to heat the belt. The heating member includes an opening opposing the pressing rotary member. A seal member covers the opening in the heating member to prevent a foreign substance from entering the heating member through the opening in the heating member. A reinforcement member is fixedly provided inside the heating member and pressed against the fixed member via the seal member to reinforce the fixed member.