12th week of 2010 patent applcation highlights part 19 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20100074568 | Wheel Bearing Apparatus For A Vehicle - A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member double row rolling elements, and a constant velocity universal joint. A wheel hub of the inner member and an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint are axially separably connected. The outer joint member shoulder portion abuts against a caulked portion of the wheel hub. A cap is interposed between the caulked portion and the shoulder portion. The cap is press-formed from a steel plate and has a surface roughness of 0.63 Ra or less. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074569 | TAPERED ROLLER BEARING - The present invention provides a tapered roller bearing that can achieve improvement in manufacturability and a longer life. The tapered roller bearing of the present invention includes an outer ring | 2010-03-25 |
20100074570 | OPTICAL CIRCUIT - According to an aspect of an embodiment, an optical circuit comprising: at least two pairs of two input waveguides; a slab waveguide with one end coupled to two pairs or more of the two input waveguides; and four output waveguides coupled to another end of the slab waveguide; wherein a distance between two pairs of adjacent two input waveguides among two pairs or more of the two input waveguides is approximately four times as long as a distance between the two input waveguides. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074571 | OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE ELEMENT AND METHOD FOR POLARIZATION SPLITTING - Disclosed is an optical waveguide element that includes first and second optical waveguides ( | 2010-03-25 |
20100074572 | FIBER OPTIC SENSING DEVICE AND METHOD - A device includes a stationary, rotary component, and a fiber optic sensing system. The fiber optic sensing system includes a cable having one or more fiber optic sensors disposed on the stationary component, the rotary component, or combinations thereof. The fiber optic sensing system is configured to detect one or more first parameters including temperature, strain, pressure, vibration, torque; or combinations thereof related to the stationary component, the rotary component, or combinations thereof. The one or more first parameters is used to determine one or more second parameters including thermal expansion, clearance, fluid flow rate variation, condensation, fluid leakage, thermal loss, life, thermal stress, or combinations thereof related to the stationary component, the rotary component, or combinations thereof. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074573 | OPTICAL MODULE, OPTICAL TRANSMISSION DEVICE, AND SURFACE OPTICAL DEVICE - An optical module includes a mounted member, a surface optical device and a positioning portion. The mounted member includes an inserted portion. The surface optical device includes a substrate, an optical axis, and an insertion portion. The optical axis is provided in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. The insertion portion has a step surface that is inserted into the inserted portion of the mounted member in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis so as to position the optical axis. The positioning portion is provided in the mounted member and positions an optical transmission member so that the optical transmission member is optically coupled to the surface optical device. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074574 | OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER AND PROJECTION COVERING MEMBER - Provided are an optical transceiver and a projection covering member that can suppress EMI noise radiated from a pig-tail part. An elastic covering member for covering a projection which includes an optical coupler of an optical sub assembly is made of a conductive elastic material having predetermined resistivity. At least a part of an outer circumference surface of the elastic covering member comes into intimate contact with an outer periphery of a conductive opening part of a case while an inner circumference surface of the elastic covering member contacts with the projection. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074575 | OPTICAL MODULE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - An optical waveguide includes three cores formed within a single cladding, and each of the cores embed therein a light source and a light-receiving section, whose respective optical axes are aligned to each other. The light-receiving section includes a tapered reflective side surface, a light blocking section, and a light-receiving body. The tapered reflective side surface guides, among lights that propagate through the cores, only a light having an incidence angle within a range whose upper limit of is an angle θ | 2010-03-25 |
20100074576 | Optical Connections And Methods Of Forming Optical Connections - In one embodiment, method of forming fibers is provided. The method includes modifying a first exposed edge of at least one core of a first fiber. The first fiber has a first end, a second end, and a length between the first end and the second end. The second end has the first exposed edge of the core, and the first exposed edge has a first diffusion state. The first fiber may transmit light along the core. The modification of the first exposed edge includes modifying the first diffusion state of the first exposed edge of the core to a second diffusion state such that light exiting the first exposed edge in the second diffusion state is spread over a greater number of angles relative to angles of the light exiting the first exposed edge in the first diffusion state. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074577 | Hybrid optical switch apparatus - The invention relates to a hybrid optical switch, which is composed of a silicon micro-mirror-array and a mini-actuator array mainly. The invention which combines microelectromechanical systems technology and traditional precision machining technology, possesses the advantages of low cost, high accuracy, high fabrication yield, low actuation voltage, low power consumption, self-aligned micro-mirrors, and easy fiber alignment. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074578 | OPTICAL CABLE CONNECTING CLOSURE AND OPTICAL INTERCONNECTION SYSTEM - [Summary] [Problem] To provide an optical cable connecting closure and optical interconnection system which can easily respond to changes in required connection functions if any. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074579 | POLYMER OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME - A polymer optical waveguide includes: a core; and a cladding enclosing the core and extending along a direction of light propagation, the polymer optical waveguide having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the polymer optical waveguide having, at least at a position near one end thereof in a longitudinal direction, a groove that has a surface inclined at an angle of 45° with respect to the light propagation direction which reflects light propagating through the core so as to change the light propagation direction by 90°. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074580 | LIGHT SOURCE UNIT AND IMAGE DISPLAYING APPARATUS - A light source unit includes a laser element that includes a plurality of light emitting points that are arranged along one direction on an end face thereof and irradiates laser beams having a spread in a spreading direction that is perpendicular to the one direction. A cylindrical lens held by a first body tube collimates the laser beams in block. Circular lenses held by a second body tube condense the collimated beams into an inlet of an optical fiber. The first body part and the second body part are positioned and directly coupled to each other so that an optical axis of the cylindrical lens accords with that of the circular lenses. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074581 | Semiconductor Submodule, Method for Connecting Connector and Semiconductor Submodule, and Optical Module - A semiconductor submodule includes a substrate ( | 2010-03-25 |
20100074582 | SPLICING DEVICE FOR OPTICAL FIBERS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A SPLICING DEVICE FOR OPTICAL FIBERS - A splicing device for optical fibers comprises a programmable splicing apparatus which can be controlled by means of at least one program parameter, for connecting optical fibers, and a speech recognition unit. Spoken text is detected via the speech recognition unit, and a spoken command is determined from the detected spoken text. The at least one program parameter of the splicing apparatus is adjusted and/or the splicing apparatus is controlled as a function of the determined spoken command. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074583 | Packaging for Encasing an Optical Fiber in a Cable - A cable component is provided that includes at least one optical fiber; and a plurality of shaped profiles having inner and outer surfaces such that the inner surfaces combine to from an enclosure for the at least one optical fiber. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074584 | ELECTRO-OPTIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MAKING LOW RESISTIVITY HYBRID POLYMER CLADS FOR AN ELECTRO-OPTIC DEVICE - A low resistivity hybrid optical cladding may be formed from a sol-gel doped with an inorganic salt such as lithium perchlorate. An electro-optic device may be formed by poling an organic chromophore-loaded modulation layer through at least one layer of the low resistivity hybrid optical cladding. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074585 | OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE FILM WITH MARK FOR POSITIONING AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - An optical waveguide film includes: an optical waveguide film main body including an optical waveguide core through which light travels and a cladding portion that encloses the optical waveguide core and has a lower refractive index than that of the optical waveguide core; and a marking member that is disposed at least at a portion of a principal surface of the optical waveguide film main body so as to protrude from the principal surface and that includes, at a surface thereof, a groove-shaped mark for positioning. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074586 | DEFORMABLE THERMAL PADS FOR OPTICAL FIBERS - A system for fiber optic packaging includes a first substrate and a first deformable pad coupled to the first substrate. The first deformable pad is characterized by a thermal conductivity greater than 1 W/mK. The system also includes a fiber coil having at least a portion embedded in the first deformable pad to provide physical contact between the at least a portion of the fiber coil and the first deformable pad. The system further includes a second substrate coupled to the fiber coil and at least a portion of the first deformable pad. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074587 | MODULAR FIBER OPTIC ENCLOSURE WITH EXTERNAL CABLE SPOOL - A fiber optic enclosure includes a housing and a cable spool assembly. The housing includes a main body and a cover mounted to the main body. The cover and the main body cooperatively define an interior region. The cable spool assembly is connected to an exterior of the housing. The cable spool assembly includes a drum portion and a strain relief post. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074588 | Fiber Optic Dust Cap and Dust Plug with High Power Protection - A dust cap and a dust plug for installation with optical fiber connectors and optical fiber adapters respectively. The dust cap and the dust plug have features that protect an optical interface on the optical fiber connector and the optical fiber adapter from contamination. At least an exterior portion of the dust cap and the dust plug illuminate when installed on the optical fiber connector and the optical fiber adapter terminating an optical fiber transmitting visible light. The dust cap and the dust plug have features that reduce the intensity of a high power optical signal emitted from the optical fiber terminated by the optical fiber connector and optical fiber adapter. A first embodiment diffracts the optical signal, thereby reducing its intensity. A second embodiment disburses the optical signal, thereby reducing its intensity. A third embodiment absorbs high power frequencies of the optical signal and transmits certain visible frequencies. The dust cap and the dust plug function as a safe, visual fiber optic circuit continuity detector. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074589 | Program Content Recovery for Multimedia Devices and Digital Video Recorder Set-Top Boxes - A system and method for recovering content in a multimedia device. Information pertaining to recorded content can be stored in a data store. If the recorded content is lost or damaged, the information in the data store pertaining to the recorded content can be accessed, and at least one content source can be continually searched until program information matching the accessed information is found. Once the program information is found, a re-recording of the content can be scheduled at a determined time designated by the content source. The lost or damaged recorded content can be restored by saving the re-recorded content on the same or other multimedia device. The information in the data store can be updated to indicate recovery of the recorded content and to prevent duplicate re-recordings. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074590 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND IMAGE DATA MANAGEMENT METHOD - According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a storage device, a first display process module, and a second display process module. The storage device is configured to store a plurality of moving picture data, and still images which are composed of a plurality of still images extracted from the moving picture data with respect to each of the moving picture data. The first display process module is configured to display a list of the plurality of moving picture data. The second display process module is configured to display, in a case where to-be-deleted moving picture data is selected by a user from the list of the moving picture data, a deletion confirmation screen on which still images corresponding to the to-be-deleted moving picture data are arranged and which prompts the user to confirm whether or not to delete the to-be-deleted moving picture data. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074591 | Determining Parameters for Trick Modes of Video Programs - Systems and methods for trick mode operation in a digital home communication terminal (DHCT), are disclosed. One such method comprises receiving user input indicating one of a plurality of trick mode operations to be performed on a stored program. The method further comprises retrieving annotation data associated with the stored program. The method further comprises determining parameters for the trick mode operation, based on data associated with the indicated trick mode operation and on the retrieved annotation data. The method further comprises selecting multiple picture sets from the stored program based on the parameters. The method further comprises decoding the selected multiple picture sets. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074592 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR VISUALLY DISPLAYING RECORDING TIMER INFORMATION - The various embodiments described herein generally provide apparatus, systems and methods which facilitate the display of television recording information to. More particularly, television recording information is presented visually to a user in a recording information menu. The visual recording information menu includes a time axis, and recording timers associated with particular television programs are presented as visual representations along the time axis. In the case that multiple television receiving resources are available, a resource axis may separately present recording timers associated with each of the disparate television receiving resources. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074593 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING RECORDING OF IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE - Provided are an apparatus and a method for controlling the recording of an image display device having a storage unit. When a recording instruction is input and an automatic image quality mode is selected, a noise level of the broadcast signal is measured and a compression rate or resolution of the broadcast signal to be recorded is automatically set depending on the measured noise level. Accordingly, it is possible to remove the inconvenience of manually setting the image quality condition of the broadcast signal whenever recording is performed, and to provide an optimized image quality. Further, it is also possible to enhance the efficiency of the storage space because the image quality condition is selectively set depending on a noise level of the broadcast signal to be recorded. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074594 | STEREOSCOPIC VIDEO PLAYBACK DEVICE AND STEREOSCOPIC VIDEO DISPLAY DEVICE - A video plane generation unit decodes stream data into a pair of left-view and right-view video planes, and outputs the pair alternately in a 3D display mode and either of the pair repeatedly in a pseudo 2D display mode. An image plane generation unit generates a pair of left-view and right-view image planes having an OSD at different horizontal locations according to its depth to be perceived, and alternately output the pair of image planes. A pseudo 2D display control unit instructs the video plane generation unit to operate in the 3D display mode and the pseudo 2D display mode in periods where the image plane generation unit does not and does output the image planes, respectively. The adder unit combines a video plane and an image plane generated by the video plane generation unit and the image plane generation unit, respectively, onto a frame, and outputs the frame. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074595 | Contents Reproducing Apparatus and Contents Reproducing Method - For providing a mechanism of contents reproducing equipment, for operating a communicating device and a decoding device, which are provided in each of equipments connected therewith through a network, in cooperation with each other, so as to enable to change from a reproducing process, which is relatively low in processing capacity required, to a reproducing process, which is relatively high, reproduction is conducted of the contents, which is low in the processing capacity required for reproduction, with using the communicating means and the decoding means, which are lower in the processing capacity. In parallel therewith, reproduction is conducted of contents, which is high in the processing capacity required for reproduction, with using the communicating means and the decoding means, which are higher in the processing capacity thereof. Also, measurement is done on a processing time necessary for receiving and decoding of encoded contents for a unit of time, or a processing volume of the receiving process and the decoding process of the encoded contents, which can be processed during the unit of time, and thereby managing it as the processing capacity. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074596 | VIDEO DATA PROCESSOR AND VIDEO DATA PROCESSING METHOD - A video data processor and a video data processing method which uses hardware resources efficiently even when a plurality of processing occurs to video data are performed in parallel is provided. The video data read from a recording medium in playback processing, editing processing, duplication processing, and other process that may be accomplished upon video is outputted to either of two lines by distributor | 2010-03-25 |
20100074597 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus comprising: a foreign substance information acquisition unit which acquires, from input moving image data, foreign substance information containing a position and size of a foreign substance adhering to an optical element arranged in front of an image sensor in an image capturing apparatus that captures the moving image data; a motion vector information acquisition unit which acquires, from the moving image data, a motion vector of a macroblock obtained by dividing the moving image data; a correction playback unit which corrects deterioration of image quality caused by the foreign substance, based on the foreign substance information, and plays back moving image data; and a determination unit which determines, based on a motion vector of a macroblock matching the position of the foreign substance in the moving image data to be played back, whether to perform foreign substance correction playback of the macroblock. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074598 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PRESENTING MULTI-DEVICE VIDEO BASED ON MPEG-4 SINGLE MEDIA - A system for presenting real-sense effect of multi-device video based on MPEG-4 single media includes a transmission apparatus for extracting objects from MPEG-4 media, analyzing behavior patterns of the objects to recognize situation of the behavior patterns of the objects based on an ontology profile, generating real-sense effect metadata depending on the recognized situation, and producing the real-sense effect metadata, the ontology profile and the MPEG-4 media along with document and action script into a single media for the transmission thereof; and reception apparatus for extracting, upon receipt the single media, the real-sense effect metadata from the received single media, collecting real-sense effect devices existing in reproduction environments, analyzing how to control any of the real-sense effect devices based on the ontology profile, and presenting the real-sense effect by using the real-sense effect devices. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074599 | INFORMATION RECORDING MEDIUM AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS - An information recording medium ( | 2010-03-25 |
20100074600 | NETWORKED PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDING SYSTEM - A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074601 | File reproduction apparatus, file reproduction method, file reproduction method program and recording medium for recording file reproduction method program - The present invention is applied to reproduction of typically a fragment movie file having a QT format. In accordance with the present invention, management information associated with each block following a first block of the fragment movie file is modified to information compatible with management information associated with the first block and real data of the file is reproduced on the basis of the modified management information. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074602 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED HEATING OF FLUID - An apparatus for heating fluid, includes a preheat reservoir having at least one pair of reservoir electrodes between which an electric current can be passed through fluid in the preheat reservoir, to heat fluid in the reservoir to a preheat temperature, the preheat temperature being less than a desired output fluid temperature of the apparatus; and an outflow temperature boost passage through which fluid from the preheat reservoir flows to an outlet of the apparatus, the outflow temperature boost passage having at least one pair of outflow electrodes between which an electric current can be passed through fluid in the outflow temperature boost passage, to heat fluid dynamically in the outflow temperature boost passage to the desired output fluid temperature. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074603 | THERMAL VAPORIZATION APPARATUS AND METHOD - A vaporizer apparatus for vaporizing medical herbs and essences is described that uses an electrical power driven medium to vaporize the herbs and essences. The vaporizer apparatus has a heating element assembly mounted at an angle within an enclosure. The heating element assembly also includes an insulating shield which covers the heating element and which has a mating section for mating with a hand piece. The hand piece includes a vaporization chamber where herbs are packed, an inlet for connecting with the mating section of the shield, and an outlet for inhalation by a user. Methods for using the vaporizer apparatus is also discussed. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074604 | Apparatus and Method for Improved Control of Heating and Cooling of Substrates - Methods and apparatus for processing substrates and controlling the heating and cooling of substrates are described. A radiation source providing radiation in a first range of wavelengths heats the substrate within a predetermined temperature range, the substrate being absorptive of radiation in a second range of wavelengths within the first range of wavelengths and within the predetermined temperature rang. A filter prevents at least a portion of radiation within the second wavelength range from reaching the substrate. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074605 | IMAGE STABILIZING APPARATUS AND OPTICAL APPARATUS - An image stabilizing apparatus is disclosed which is capable of sufficiently correcting shift shakes even with a small and lightweight accelerometer. The apparatus includes an angular velocity detector which detects angular velocity generated by a shake, an angular velocity computing unit which processes an angular velocity signal, the unit processing the angular velocity signal with a first frequency characteristic, an acceleration detector which detects acceleration generated by the shake, an acceleration computing unit which processes an acceleration signal, the unit processing the acceleration signal with a second frequency characteristic having a signal processing band narrower than the first frequency characteristic, an adder which adds an output signal from the angular velocity computing unit to an output signal from the acceleration computing unit, and an image stabilizing mechanism which performs an image stabilizing operation based on an output signal from the adder. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074606 | AUTO FOCUS DEVICE - Disclosed is an auto focus device that automatically and easily sets an AF frame to a focus range desired by a cameraman in an AF system. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074607 | SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATION APPARATUS - A miniature camera lens actuation apparatus provides an auto-macro function in which a camera lens element has two focus positions. In one type of apparatus, a shape memory alloy actuator arranged to drive movement of the camera lens element relative to a support structure against an end-stop arranged to limit the movement. The shape memory alloy actuator is connected to one of the movable element and the support structure by a compliant connector. This limits the stresses on the shape memory alloy actuator and therefore increases its lifetime. In another type of apparatus, the suspension system supporting the movable element on the support structure provides the movable element with two stable positions along the movement direction. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074608 | SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATION APPARATUS - A miniature camera lens actuation apparatus employs an SMA actuator comprising SMA wire to move a camera lens element. To provide autofocus, the SMA actuator is heated across its range of contraction and the resistance at which the focus is at an acceptable level is stored. To combat hysteresis, there is performed a flyback in which the SMA actuator is cooled, before heating the SMA actuator to the stored resistance. The stored resistance is adjusted to combat creep caused by non-linear heating of the SMA actuator. The SMA wire has conductive material extending along on a portion of the SMA wire which extends from a member connected to the SMA wire and being in electrical connection with the SMA wire in order to short out that portion of the SMA wire to reduce creep. Additional material is applied over the SMA wire and the member to reduce fatigue. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074609 | DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE AND DISTANCE MEASURING METHOD - A distance measuring device includes a display processor that acquires an image which includes a distance measuring object from a camera, and generates display information indicating the image, an acceleration sensor that is provided with a device housing having the display processor and outputs a gravity acceleration component corresponding to an inclination angle of the device housing, and a distance measuring processor that calculates an inclination angle from the gravity acceleration component that is obtained from the acceleration sensor in a state that an image indicating the measuring object is complemented in the display information generated by the display processor. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074610 | Flash thermal feedback for camera auto-exposure - An intensity of a second flash is determined based at least partly on a predicted thermal condition that is influenced by a first flash that is previous to the second flash. A quality function of an image capture device is adjusted according to the determined intensity of the second flash. A scene is illuminated by the second flash at the determined flash intensity and the illuminated scene is captured and stored as an image using the adjusted quality function. In exemplary embodiments, an auto-exposure algorithm is compensated for flash intensity, which is maximized in view of temperature limits and constraints due to firing a pre-flash prior to capturing the image. Various approaches and apparatus and software are detailed. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074611 | SHUTTER AND CAMERA MODULE HAVING SAME - A shutter for a micro camera module includes a substrate made from silicon wafer and a light absorbing layer covering the surface. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074612 | BLADE DRIVE DEVICE - A blade drive device includes: a board having a shutter opening; a blade for adjusting an amount of light entering the shutter opening; and a transmitting member for transmitting a drive force to the blade. The transmitting member includes a drive pin swinging about a given support point. The blade has a first cam slot engaged with the drive pin and swinging about a given support point in conjunction with a swinging of the drive pin. The first cam slot includes a first permitting area and a first restricting area. The blade is permitted to swing when the drive pin is located in the first permitting area. The blade is restricted from swinging when the drive pin is located in the first restricting area. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074613 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A photographing apparatus includes the following elements. A photographing unit photographs an object. A position detecting unit detects the position of the photographing apparatus. A direction detecting unit detects the direction of the photographing apparatus when the object is photographed. An angle-of-view detecting unit detects the angle of view of the photographed image. A recommended-composition information obtaining unit obtains recommended-composition information including a recommended angle of view of the image photographed at the detected position and a recommended direction. An angle-of-view comparing unit compares the detected angle of view with the recommended angle of view. An angle-of-view adjusting unit adjusts the angle of view in accordance with the result of the comparison. A direction comparing unit compares the detected direction with the recommended direction. A presenting unit presents, in accordance with the result of the comparison, direction-change instruction information for instructing the direction of the photographing apparatus to be changed. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074614 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING FAULTS IN A PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK - Component malfunctions in passive optical networks (PON) can increase bit error rates and decrease signal-to-noise ratio of communications signals. These faults may cause the receivers of the signals, either the optical line terminal (OLT) or optical network terminals (ONTs), to experience intermittent faults and/or may result in misinterpreted commands that disrupt other ONT's communication, resulting in a rogue ONT condition. Existing PON protocol detection methods may not detect these types of malfunctions. An embodiment of the present invention identifies faults in a PON by transmitting a test series of data patterns via an optical communications path from a first optical network node to a second optical network node. The test series is compared to an expected series of data patterns. An error rate may be calculated as a function of the differences between the test series and expected series. The error rate may be reported to identify faults in the PON. Through use of the embodiment, network faults can be identified and optionally automatically corrected, saving a network service provider from expending technician time and maintaining an operating state of the network. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074615 | SWITCH DEVICE, CONNECTION SYSTEM AND CONNECTION CONTROL METHOD - Reduction in power consumption at low costs is realized by a system with apparatuses connected with each other. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074616 | IN-LINE FIBER OPTIC MONITORS RESPONSIVE TO OPTICAL INTENSITY - Apparatus and methods to monitor optical intensity within optical fibers in a substantially non-invasive fashion are disclosed. Optical monitors are comprised of thin, conductive coatings applied to transparent substrates and patterned to form pairs of resistive elements, one of which intersects an optical beam propagating through optical fiber cables. Systems of distributed optical monitors interconnecting optical fiber links enable automated monitoring of the optical status across a communications networks. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074617 | Optical pulse time spreading apparatus and optical multiplex transmitting system with multiplexed channels and S/N ratio increased - Super-structured fiber Bragg gratings (SSFBGs) of s optical pulse time spreaders are provided with N unit FBGs disposed starting from an input/output end in the order of first to N-th unit FBGs, where s is a parameter less than or equal to a parameter N, a natural number. The unit FBGs are configured such that the reflectivities of the unit FBGs placed from one end to the center of the SSFBG formed in an optical fiber are monotonically increased, while the reflectivities of the unit FBGs placed from the center to the other end of the SSFBG are monotonically decreased. The chip pulses in a pulse train are given relative phases such that the relative phase of the first chip pulse is equal to zero, the relative phase of the second chip pulse is equal to a phase difference d | 2010-03-25 |
20100074618 | OPTICAL PATH SWITCHING DEVICE - With the invention, it is possible to suppress losses of light for monitoring and enhances the optical confinement efficiency into an optical fiber for output over the related art. The optical path switching device | 2010-03-25 |
20100074619 | LASER SOURCE FOR A PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK - A method comprises: receiving a RF signal; providing a RF signal level; varying a laser power DC set point linearly with the RF signal level over a selected range; and modulating with the RF signal laser output power about the DC set point. The RF signal level can be RF signal amplitude or RF signal power. An apparatus comprises: a laser; a RF detector adapted to receive the RF signal and to provide the RF signal level; a laser power control circuit coupled to the RF detector and to the laser and adapted to vary the laser power DC set point substantially linearly with respect to the RF signal level over a selected range; and a laser modulator coupled to the laser and adapted to receive the RF signal and to modulate therewith laser output power about the DC set point. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074620 | RECEIVER FOR A MODULATED LIGHT SIGNAL AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING A MODULATED LIGHT SIGNAL - The invention relates to receiving of a modulated light signal from a lighting device, particularly from a solid state lighting (SSL) device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a receiver and a receiving method which are primarily designed to operate efficiently for light (wave) signals that adhere to specific constraints. In order to achieve this object, the invention provides a receiver for a modulated light signal which is keyed with a code sequence of a predefined number of chips, comprising—a light sensor adapted to receive the modulated light signal and to convert it into an electrical signal, —sampling means adapted to take several consecutive samples of the electrical signal during a chip period, and—processing means adapted for calculating for each sample of a chip period an inner product with the chip. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074621 | OPTICAL DIVISION MULTIPLEXING TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION METHOD AND OPTICAL DIVISION MULTIPLEXING TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION DEVICE - An OCDM signal generation section generates an encoded optical pulse signal by encoded an optical pulse signal. The encoded optical pulse signal is then inputted to a wavelength disperser and the time waveform of the encoded optical pulse signal is shaped to be outputted as a shaped and encoded optical pulse signal. A WDM signal generation section generates an optical wavelength division multiplexing signal. A OCDM signal extraction section then decodes the OCDM reception signal by using the same code as the time-spreading/wavelength-hopping code for each channel and generates a decoded OCDM reception signal. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074622 | LINE-OF-SIGHT OPTICAL DETECTION SYSTEM, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A line-of-sight optical detection system comprises: a plurality of dimmable light sources ( | 2010-03-25 |
20100074623 | THREE-WAY HANDSHAKE (3WHS) OPTICAL NETWORK SIGNALING PROTOCOL - A method for optical network signaling processing of a signal from a first node to an end node through intermediate nodes is presented. The method comprises determining, in a first pass from the first node to the end node, available wavelengths and wavelength conversion at each node, the end node optimizing wavelengths using the available wavelengths and wavelength conversions, at each node, dropping a cross-connect command, in a second pass from the end node to the first node, choosing wavelengths for connection based on the optimizing step, in a third pass from the first node to the end node, receiving at each node a signal message and releasing unused cross-connect commands, the end node identifying the chosen wavelengths and releasing the unused resources, and transmitting the signal on the chosen wavelengths. Restoration paths can also be determined. Optimizing can include selecting and marking one or more backup wavelengths. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074624 | System and Method for Transporting Asynchronous ODUk Signals over a Synchronous Interface - System and methods are provided, in an Optical Transport Network (OTN), for communicating asynchronous Tributary Slots (TSs) via a synchronous Optical Payload Transport Unit of level k (OTUk) interface. The transmission method accepts a plurality of TSs at a corresponding plurality of asynchronous data rates. The TSs are mapped, using a tangible memory medium, into pseudo-Optical channel Data Tributary Unit (ODTU) frames synchronized to a common clock. Then, the synchronized pseudo-ODTU frames can be interleaved into an OTUk frame, without the need of a phase-locked loop (PLL) or buffering. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074625 | Apparatus for voice communication using an incoherent light source - A communication system for communicating spoken speech, based on switching on and off a visible or infrared light source in a pattern corresponding to the spoken speech. The communication system provides for rapid retransmission/rebroadcast of messages received from other communication systems, to allow communication over a longer range than would otherwise be possible, or between two points not along a line of sight. The system may include a light source also used (at the same time) for providing illumination, such as a light source that is part of a lightbar mounted on a vehicle. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074626 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIGNAL EXTRACTION BY PATH MODULATION - A system includes a transmitter is configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal to a receiver, which is configured to receive the electromagnetic signal and another electromagnetic signal for mixing therewith. Propagation paths of the signals to the transmitter and receiver include a first propagation path of the electromagnetic signal to the transmitter, and a second propagation path of the other electromagnetic signal to the receiver. The arrangement, which is located along either or each of the propagation paths of signals to the transmitter and receiver, is configured to alter the length of a respective propagation path. And the processor configured to recover an amplitude and phase of the transmitted electromagnetic signal, including being configured to receive a sequence of samples of the received electromagnetic signal, and Discrete Fourier Transformation process the sequence of samples. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074627 | Interference-Rejection Coding Method For An Optical Wireless Communication System And The Optical Wireless Communication System Thereof - An interference-rejection coding method for an optical wireless communication system and such an optical wireless communication system are provided. The coding method uses delay modulation, block code techniques and filtering to reduce the low frequency interference from light sources. A plurality of codewords from the block codes are reserved for performing digital data recovery. The invention removes the need of analog clock data recovery circuit, and does not require complex hardware for realization. Therefore, it can be applied to a wide range of applications, such as optical WLAN, data transmission of medical facilities, wireless communication in the aircraft, encrypted data transmission network, and low-priced transmission interfaces. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074628 | OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, STATION-SIDE APPARATUS, AND SUBSCRIBER-SIDE APPARATUS - An optical communication system connects one to a plurality subscriber-side apparatuses having one to a plurality of subscriber terminals and a station-side apparatus that covers the subscriber-side apparatuses with an optical transmission medium, sets one to a plurality of logical links between the station-side apparatus and each subscriber-side apparatus, and performs a data transfer with an MAC frame using a set logical link. The station-side apparatus and the subscriber-side apparatus transmit control information of a plurality of set logical links by storing the control information in a single MAC frame. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074629 | OPTICAL COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, CONTROL APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING OPTICAL OUTPUT - An optical communication apparatus includes an optical signal transmitter for outputting an optical signal, an optical switch device for switching a route of the optical signal, a drive controller for supplying a drive current for controlling a route switching to the optical switch device, a cooling device for cooling the optical switch device on the basis of a control signal, a temperature controller for transmitting the control signal to the cooling device in order to keep a measured temperature at a specific temperature, where the measured temperature is related to a temperature of the optical switch device. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074630 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHAPING A WAVEFORM - An optical transmission system for transmitting an optical pulse in a dielectric waveguide, the system including a filter for altering a shape of the optical pulse in both amplitude and phase with respect to time so as to substantially suppress the generation of third-order nonlinearities and increase a power level of the optical pulse, the filter further providing a secure encrypted optical waveform that may be decrypted by a matching optical filter, the system allowing for energy sharing of the pulses to substantially increase system bandwidth. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074631 | FREQUENCY-AGILE INFRARED RECEIVER - An infrared receiver is provided that may include an infrared sensor, a band-pass filter, and a processor. The processor may be configured to transmit a confirmation signal to the band-pass filter if the signal is distinguishable from noise. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074632 | Method for improving the performance of digital coherent optical receiver using single ended photo-detection - A method and system for mitigating distortion in coherent single-ended photo-detection is disclosed. The methodology comprises: receiving an optical signal carried on an optical transmission medium and coherently detecting the received optical signal to produce a digitized signal; estimating a time-dependent random variable introducing distortion to the coherently detected signal; and subtracting the distortion from digitized signal to produce a distortion mitigated output signal. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074633 | Image Forming System - An image forming system includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses and an information processing apparatus connected to a network. Each image forming apparatus includes a remaining-toner sensor for detecting remaining amounts of toner in cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) toner cartridges. The information processing apparatus includes (i) a storage device for storing various types of information obtained from the image forming apparatuses, including apparatus status information such as the remaining amounts of toner, and (ii) a display device for displaying icons representing the remaining amounts of C/M/Y/K toners in a line on a respective apparatus basis, and displaying the icons representing the remaining amounts of C/M/Y/K toners for all of the plurality of image forming apparatuses in lines on a respective color basis so that said lines are perpendicular to said line in which the icons representing the remaining amounts of toner are displayed. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074634 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a developer housing that holds a developer; a lubricant supply brush that rotates when in contact with the developer housing, and that supplies a lubricant to a surface of the developer housing; a lubricant that is in contact with the lubricant supply brush; a first voltage supply unit that supplies an AC voltage on which a DC voltage is superimposed to the lubricant supply brush; a determination unit that determines whether or not a usage state of the developer housing is a state at an initial stage; and a controller that controls the first voltage supply unit to supply the AC voltage on which the DC voltage is superimposed to the lubricant supply brush, prior to start of execution of an image forming operation if the determination unit determines that the usage state of the developer housing is the state at the initial stage. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074635 | PRINTER - A printer for printing a continuous sheet with position detection marks has a mark detection function and a feed amount detection function that are normally enabled. Further, the printer is provided with a mechanism that operates in a sheet feed mode (mark detection mode) that utilizes the mark detection function and a sheet feed mode (feed amount detection mode) that utilizes the set feed amount detection function. If the mark detection function suffers an error, the sheet feed mode is switched from the mark detection mode to the feed amount detection mode, and a printing operation is continued. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074636 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit; a first sheet discharging path that reverses a traveling direction of a sheet and discharges the sheet; a cover, which forms a part of the first sheet discharging path when the cover is in a closed state; a second sheet discharging path, which is formed when the cover is in an open state, which is branched from the first sheet discharging path, and which discharges the sheet from the image forming unit without reversing the traveling direction of the sheet; a sensor, which is positioned downstream in a conveying direction of the sheet from the image forming unit, and which detects a passage of the sheet; and a determination unit that determines a jam based on a detection result of the sensor, the determination unit changing a determination criterion of the jam in accordance with the state of the cover. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074637 | APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AMOUNT OF REMAINING SHEETS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A mechanism for detecting an amount of remaining sheets, includes: a sheet feeding tray to be accommodated in an apparatus main body such that the sheet feeding tray can be inserted into and withdrawn from the apparatus main body, in which sheets can be loaded in an inside of the sheet feeding tray; a tilting plate that is tiltably provided in the sheet feeding tray so as to tilt in accordance with an amount of remaining sheets in the sheet feeding tray; a rotating member that rotates between a starting end position and a final end position of rotation of the rotating member in association with the tilting of the tilting plate; and a locking mechanism that locks the rotation of the rotating member. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074638 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus including an image carrier, a plurality of forming devices, a detecting device configured to perform a steady-deviation detection for detecting steady positional deviation and a varying-deviation detection for detecting varying positional deviation having a cycle, and a correcting device configured to perform a steady-deviation correction for correcting the steady positional deviation and a varying-deviation correction for correcting the varying positional deviation. The detecting device forms, during the steady-deviation detection, a steady-deviation detection pattern in a state where the varying deviation correction is selectively disabled. The steady-deviation detection pattern has a plurality of measuring points arranged in a longitudinal direction. The detecting device, during the steady-deviation detection, measures positional deviation amount at each measuring point, and detects the steady positional deviation based on the measurement result. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074639 | PRINTER, PRINTING METHOD AND PRINTER CALIBRATION METHOD - A method of calibrating an electrophotographic printer ( | 2010-03-25 |
20100074640 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit; a first sheet discharging path having a first dischargeable minimum sheet length; a second sheet discharging path having a second dischargeable minimum sheet length that is shorter than the first dischargeable minimum sheet length; a measuring unit that measures a length of the sheet; and a control unit. When the length of the sheet is shorter than the first dischargeable minimum sheet length in a state in which the first sheet discharging path is selected, the control unit is configured to: control the image forming unit to form the image on the measured sheet; convey the measured sheet downstream in a sheet conveying direction from the image forming unit; and stop conveyance of a sheet subsequent to the measured sheet at a position upstream in the sheet conveying direction from the measured sheet. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074641 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND TRANSFER BIAS COMPENSATION METHOD OF THE SAME - An electrode pair provided upstream of a transfer section in a conveyance direction nips a recording medium and applies an AC bias. A characteristic detection section detects a characteristic of a recording medium when the AC bias is applied. A control section refers to a corresponding relation of a storage section based on a characteristic value detected by the characteristic detection section, and compensates a transfer bias value applied to the transfer section. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074642 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EMPLOYING FIXING DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - An image forming apparatus includes a controller, a database, an image carrier, a transfer unit, a fixing device including a temperature detector and a first drive device, a speed changer, and an electric-current detector. The controller calculates a toner adhesion amount of a recording medium, identifies a type of the recording medium, detects a temperature of the fixing device, determines a moisture content of the recording medium, calculates a reaction force of the recording medium, calculates a toner adhesion force, compares the reaction force and the toner adhesion force, determines a fixing nip angle, drives the first drive device to set the fixing device to the fixing nip angle, determines a target feed speed of the recording medium, and drives the speed changer to change a feed speed of the recording medium to match the target speed. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074643 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device for fixing a toner image to a sheet and has a fixing roller to be heated by a heat source and a pressure roller to be pressed into contact with the fixing roller. A switcher switches a pressing force between the fixing roller and the pressure roller between a first pressing force and a second pressing force lower than the first pressing force. A pressing force detector detects the pressing force between the fixing roller and the pressure roller and a temperature detector detects the temperature of the fixing roller. A storage device stores control data indicating a control temperature for the fixing roller predetermined in accordance with the number of sheets passing the fixing device, and a controller controls the temperature of the fixing roller to the control temperature by controlling the heat source in accordance with a signal sent from the pressing force detector. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074644 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image forming apparatus and a control method thereof, the control method including applying a minimum current to a light emitting element, and applying one or more higher currents, up to a maximum current, to the light emitting element, if a light receiving element fails to detect light emitted by the light emitting element. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074645 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE CONTROLLING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; toner image formation means for forming a toner image on the image bearing member; removing means for removing deposited matter deposited on the image bearing member; detecting means for detecting a toner image to be detected, formed on the toner image formation means; control means for controlling a toner image forming condition of the toner image forming means in accordance with a result of detection of the toner image to be detected by the detecting means; the apparatus being operable in a mode in which the removing means operates to remove the deposition, and the detecting means operates to detect the toner image to be detected, executing means for executing an operation in the mode; and an operating portion for manually starting execution of the operation in the mode by the executing means. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074646 | Image-Forming Apparatus and Developing Unit - A plurality of photosensitive bodies is juxtaposed in a conveying direction, in which a recording medium is conveyed, with confronting the conveying unit. Each of a plurality of developing units is configured to move between a first position where the developing unit is capable of supplying developer to the corresponding photosensitive drum and a second position where the developing unit separates from the corresponding photosensitive drum. A cleaning member is configured to move between a third position where the cleaning member is capable of collecting a waste developer deposited on the conveying unit and a fourth position where the cleaning member separates from the conveying unit. A receptacle is slidably supported on one of the developing units and accommodates the collected waste developer. The cleaning member moves integrally with the receptacle. The receptacle and the one of the developing units are integrally detachably mounted on the main casing. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074647 | IMAGE FORMING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An aspect of the invention provides an image forming unit that comprises: an image forming unit main body including an image carrier; a housing of the image forming unit main body, the housing having at least one opening having concave parts at edge parts facing each other in the opening; and a connection element suspended with fracture parts between the edge parts facing each other in the opening, the fracture parts located within the concave parts, wherein in installation of the image carrier, at least a part of the connection element corresponding to the image carrier is removed from the fracture parts. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074648 | IMAGE-FORMING DEVICE HAVING DETACHABLE PROCESS CARTRIDGE - An image forming device capable of attaching and detaching a process cartridge to and from a frame without mechanical interference of the process cartridge with sheet feed unit and an LED array and without any movement of the LED array, | 2010-03-25 |
20100074649 | IMAGE-FORMING DEVICE HAVING PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM AND LED ARRAY - An image forming device capable of attaching and detaching a process cartridge to and from a frame without moving an LED array when a door is open. The process cartridge includes a first casing supporting a photosensitive drum and a developing roller, and a second casing pivotally movably connected to the first casing and supporting a charger. The second casing is pivotally movable between a first position in which the charger is positioned close to the LED array for image forming operation, and a second position in which the charger is remote from the LED array in accordance with push-in and pull-out movement of the first casing relative to the frame. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074650 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes a main assembly; a movable member movable, while supporting a cartridge including at least one of an image bearing member on which a latent image is to be formed and developing means for developing with a developer the latent image formed on the image bearing member, between an outside position in which the cartridge is located outside the main assembly and an inside position in which the cartridge is located inside the main assembly; and a cartridge displacing member for displacing the cartridge with respect to the movable member in a demounting direction in which the cartridge is demountable from the movable member in a state in which the movable member is located at the outside position. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074651 | SCANNING OPTICAL APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD - A scanning optical apparatus includes, for example, a light source that outputs a light beam that has been pulse width modulated in accordance with input image data and a deflection unit that deflects the light beam so that the light beam scans the surface of an image carrier in the main scanning direction. The scanning optical apparatus furthermore includes a correction unit that corrects the pulse width and light amount applied to the light beam at each scanning position in the main scanning direction on the image carrier in accordance with focus error in the light beam at each scanning position. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074652 | CHARGE DEVICE, IMAGE FORMATION ASSEMBLY USING THE SAME, AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - A charge device includes a charging belt, an electrode member, a bias supplying unit and a discharge region forming member. The belt comes into contact with a charged body. The electrode member is in contact with a part of an inner peripheral surface of the charging belt. The electrode member faces the charged body across the charging belt between the electrode member and the charged body. A downstream-side portion of the charging belt is located downstream of a position where the charged body faces the electrode member, in a moving direction of the charged body. The discharge region forming member brings the downstream-side portion into contact with the electrode member to form a discharge region in which discharge occurs between the downstream-side portion and the charged body. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074653 | Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus is capable of printing a position-coding pattern. A first print engine prints a position-coding pattern and holds a first developer material therein. A plurality of second print engines each print a corresponding image in accordance with print data, the image being different from the position-coding pattern, each of the second print engines holding a corresponding second developer material therein. The first developer material is charged to a first average amount of charge and has a first distribution of amount of charge. The second developer material is charged to a second average amount of charge and has a second distribution of amount of charge, such that the first average amount of charge is larger than the second average amount of charge, and that the first distribution of amount of charge has a smaller standard deviation than the second distribution of amount of charge. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074654 | Liquid Developer and Image Forming Apparatus - A liquid developer includes: toner particles containing a rosin resin; an insulating liquid in which the toner particles are dispersed; and a dispersant having plural cyclic structures containing a secondary amine and/or a tertiary amine. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074655 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND DEVELOPER CONVEYING METHOD USING THE SAME - To provide a developing device, which includes: a first conveying passage through which a developer including a toner and a magnetic carrier is conveyed; a first conveying member disposed in the first conveying passage for conveying the developer in a predetermined whilst agitating; a toner supply port for supplying toner into the first conveying passage; and a multiple number of electromagnets arranged in the upper part of the first conveying passage and on the downstream side of the toner supply port with respect to the developer's direction of conveyance for creating magnetic fields inside the first conveying passage along the developer's direction of conveyance, and which can improve agitation performance and conveying performance of the developer without extremely increasing stress acting on the developer, as well as providing an image forming apparatus and developer conveying method using the device. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074656 | Flocked Toner Supply Brush - A seamless conductive toner supply brush may comprise conductive fibers flocked onto a metal shaft or rigid conductive core. The shaft/core may be coated with a conductive adhesive and then flocked with fibers about 2-5 mm in length. The brush may be useful as a toner supply brush for supplying toner to a developer member in electrophotographic devices. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074657 | Developer Carrying Device and Image Forming Device - A developer carrying device is provided with a group of carrying electrodes configured to form a traveling wave field as voltages are sequentially applied thereto, charged developer being carried by an effect of the traveling wave field, a developer carrying member having a surface on which the group of carrying electrodes are arranged, and a plurality of leveling electrodes provided above the surface and configured to form electric fields in a direction substantially along the surface, the plurality of leveling electrodes being needle like electrodes extending in a direction intersecting with the surface, the plurality of leveling electrodes being spaced from each other in a direction along the surface and intersecting with a direction in which the developer is carried. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074658 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD OF IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - This invention enables an image forming apparatus to perform highly precise misregistration detection without causing increased downtime or increased cost. For this, the image forming apparatus according to the invention comprises a detection unit for detecting a misregistration detection pattern formed on an endless belt. The employed misregistration detection pattern includes a first pattern array formed with a misregistration detection color or a reference position color, and a second pattern array formed with a misregistration detection color or a reference position color. The misregistration detection pattern is configured in a way that the first pattern and the second pattern have different shapes, and that the color order of the first patterns in the first pattern array and the color order of the second patterns in the second pattern array are different. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074659 | IMAGE FORMING METHOD AND APPARATUS - In an electrophotographic color image forming system, including: forming a color image by transferring and superimposing toners of plural colors in a non-fixed state from an image holding member to an intermediate transfer member or a final transfer medium, wherein each toner and the image holding member are selected to provide plots of attachment force F [C] between the toner and the image holding member versus square of charges q | 2010-03-25 |
20100074660 | TRANSFER UNIT IN AN ELECTROPHORETIC PRINTING OR COPYING APPARATUS - In a transfer unit, a rotating transfer element is arranged adjacent a charge image carrier that takes toner images from the charge image carrier and supplies the images to a transfer printing station. A scoop element applies carrier fluid to the transfer element. A friction element is provided after the scoop element adjacent to the transfer element at such a distance from the transfer element that a gap between the transfer element and the friction element is substantially completely filled with the carrier fluid, the friction element and the transfer element rotating with different speeds. Residual toner remaining on the transfer element after the transfer printing is loosened by friction forces. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074661 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In an image forming apparatus including a fixing portion in which a fixing nip portion is defined between a heater and a pressure roller via an endless belt, a pressure setting portion, which sets a pressure to be exerted on the fixing nip portion, sets a first pressure during fixing, sets a second pressure lower than the first pressure when the apparatus is not used, and sets a third pressure lower than the first pressure and higher than the second pressure when a recording material is jammed. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074662 | FIXING DEVICE, GLOSS PROVIDING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - A fixing device includes a fixing member that comes into contact with a recording medium while rotating a heating unit that heats the fixing member, a pressing member that presses the recording medium to the fixing member while rotating, and an air supply unit that supplies air to a part included in an angle range of 90 degrees toward a downstream side of the pressing member in a rotating direction from a contact position between the pressing member and the fixing member. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074663 | RECORDING MATERIAL COOLING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A recording material cooling device includes: a transporting section that transports a recording material; a heat radiation section that radiates heat of the recording material through the transporting section, the heat radiation section coming into contact with the transporting section; an air current generating section that generates an air current which flows through the heat radiation section; and a pair of passages that are respectively located before and after a zone where the transporting section and the heat radiation section are brought into contact with each other, each of the pair of passages being formed on an outer side of the heat radiation section to flow a portion of the air current. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074664 | CLEANING MEMBER, CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cleaning member including a member body that is brought into contact with a surface of a member to be cleaned; and a sensor that is fixed to a portion of the member body except a portion in contact with the member to be cleaned and is made of a metallic film. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074665 | Cleaning device including cleaning mechanism having noise reduction mechanism and image forming apparatus incorporating same - A cleaning device that can be incorporated in an image forming apparatus which includes an image carrier configured to form a toner image, and a cleaning device configured to clean residual toner on the surface of the image carrier. The cleaning device includes a cleaning blade having a blade member provided to contact the surface of the image carrier and a holder to hold the blade member. The cleaning device further includes a frame to hold the cleaning blade and a vibration suppression member provided across the cleaning blade and the frame to couple the cleaning blade and the frame together and suppress vibration. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074666 | CLEANING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus having a high toner containing efficiency of a waste toner-collecting container is provided. Piled toner is broken by an vibrating imparting operation and at the same time, a toner feeding member such as a feeding screw disposed inside the toner-collecting container is rotated by changing a reciprocating operation by the vibrating impartment to a rotational operation in a direction. As a result, the piled toner which cannot be completely broken by the vibrating imparting operation is broken and fed, so that driving noise is reduced and the toner containing efficiency is improved. | 2010-03-25 |
20100074667 | Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit, a fuser unit, a detector, and an adjustment mechanism. The transfer unit transfers an image from an imaging surface to a recording sheet passing through a transfer nip. The fuser unit fixes the transferred image in place on the recording sheet passing through a fixing nip. The transfer nip and the fixing nip form part of a sheet feed path along which a recording sheet is fed from the fuser unit to the transfer unit. The detector is located between the transfer nip and the fuser unit, and detects an amount of sheet skew by which the fed recording sheet is deviated from a proper position in the sheet feed path. The adjustment mechanism adjusts position of either or both of the transfer unit and the fuser unit according to the detected amount of sheet skew. | 2010-03-25 |