34th week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 39 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140233917 | VIDEO ANALYSIS ASSISTED GENERATION OF MULTI-CHANNEL AUDIO DATA - In general, techniques are described for capturing multi-channel audio data. A device comprising one or more processors may be configured to implement the techniques. The processors may analyze captured audio data to identify audio objects, and analyze video data captured concurrent to the capture of the audio data to identify video objects. The processors may then associate at least one of the audio objects with at least one of the video objects, and generate multi-channel audio data from the audio data based on the association of the at least one of audio objects with the at least one of the video objects. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233918 | COLLABORATIVE PRODUCTION ASSET MANAGEMENT - In an approach, a method of spotting music for a motion picture comprises: receiving music editor (MXE) cue related data defining a plurality of cues each having a start timecode value and an end timecode value; based on the MXE data, creating and storing an MXE timecode path, a composer (CMP) timecode path, and a cue sheet timecode path; copying one or more of the MXE cue related data to CMP cues in the CMP timecode path in a CMP spotting dataset; receiving one or more changes to the CMP cues without also modifying the MXE cue related data; applying an editing lock to the CMP cues; auto-populating the CMP cues to cue sheet cues in the cue sheet timecode path; receiving one or more changes to the cue sheet cues without also modifying the CMP cues; finalizing and distributing a cue sheet based on the cue sheet cues; wherein the method is performed by one or more special-purpose computing devices. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233919 | Memory Preservation and Life Story Generation System and Method - Methods and systems for content management are disclosed. An example method can comprise a server receiving a plurality of content items. The content the plurality of content items can be associated with a theme. The computing device can process the received plurality of content items in accordance with at least one view, and can transmit the processed plurality of content items. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233920 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EDITING A PROGRAM ON AN OPTICAL DISC - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for editing a program on a re-writable compact disc. The method comprises the steps of acquiring the description information of two program segments of said program, said program segments being in sequence in playing-back order, said description information comprising the ending description information of the previous program segment and the start point information of the subsequent program segment, generating a guiding information to guide the ending point information to the start point information according to the description information and playing-back order of said program segments and updating the description information of said program according to said guiding information. With this invention, excessively detailed application editing work and an expense of high buffering cost may be avoided in editing compact disc program. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233921 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM - An information processing apparatus includes an acquiring unit adapted to acquire preference information representing a user's preference based on an operation given by the user regarding content; a selecting unit adapted to select content and to designate the selected content as an object for copying; and a copying unit adapted to copy the selected content to another information processing apparatus. Further, if the object for copying is copied by the copying unit, the acquiring unit updates the preference information associated with the content of the copied object for copying. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233922 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING BROADCAST PROGRAM - A method and apparatus for storing a broadcast program are provided. The apparatus includes: a signal processing unit which generates an audio/video (A/V) file, an application file, and a first electronic program guide (EPG) file by appropriately processing a plurality of A/V signals, application information, and EPG information, respectively, which are included in an input broadcast program transport stream; a synchronization unit which receives the A/V file, the application file, and the first EPG file from the signal processing unit, generates storage information for the A/V file and storage information for the application file, and converts the first EPG file into a second EPG file comprising the storage information for the A/V file and the storage information for the application file; and a storage unit which stores the A/V file, the application file, and the second EPG file. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233923 | Managing Stored Content - A content management system may assist users in managing the storage of various pieces of content, such as television programs, that the user has recorded. The system may track the user's consumption behavior, determining which programs the user regularly watches and which programs the user regularly ignores, and use that consumption behavior to determine which recorded programs to recommend for relocation to a remote storage, or for outright deletion. The system can also use the behavior information to modify new recording requests, such as directing a new request to a secondary storage location if it is unlikely that the user will view the recording. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233924 | RECORDING MEDIUM, REPRODUCING APPARATUS, AND REPRODUCING METHOD - In a recording medium on which is recorded a multiplexed stream including a plurality of first packets (V_main) constituting a first I-picture in a first video stream and a plurality of second packets (V_sub) constituting a second I-picture in a second video stream, information for identifying the first I-picture and information for identifying the second I-picture are recorded on the medium. A recording medium can thereby be obtained that enables the rapid detection, from a small amount of information, of a particular picture included in a stream such as a TS in which multiple content streams are multiplexed. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233925 | RECORDING MEDIUM, REPRODUCING APPARATUS, AND REPRODUCING METHOD - In a recording medium on which is recorded a multiplexed stream including a plurality of first packets (V_main) constituting a first I-picture in a first video stream and a plurality of second packets (V_sub) constituting a second I-picture in a second video stream, information for identifying the first I-picture and information for identifying the second I-picture are recorded on the medium. A recording medium can thereby be obtained that enables the rapid detection, from a small amount of information, of a particular picture included in a stream such as a TS in which multiple content streams are multiplexed. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233926 | ELECTRIC FLUID HEATER AND METHOD OF ELECTRICALLY HEATING FLUID - An electric fluid heater includes a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and defines a fluid passage between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. At least two heating assemblies are disposed in the body and arranged in parallel, each heating assembly including at least two electrodes configured to heat fluid by passing alternating electric current through the fluid; wherein the at least two heating assemblies are arranged in the body so that fluid flowing through the fluid passage flows simultaneously through the at least two heating assemblies. Corresponding heating methods and heating systems employing such heaters and methods are also disclosed. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233927 | VAPORIZER - The invention relates to a vaporizer comprising a housing, a housing cap, which covers an end of the housing and has a vapor discharge opening, and a heating element, which sits in the housing and protrudes into the housing cap, wherein an annular gap is provided between the heating element and the housing and also between the heating element and the housing cap and connects an inlet opening in the housing to the vapor discharge opening. In accordance with this disclosure, the annular gap has a starting portion, a middle portion and an end portion, wherein the starting portion and the middle portion are arranged in the housing and the end portion is arranged in the housing cap, and wherein the annular gap is wider in the middle portion than in the starting portion. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233928 | FLOW HEATERS - A flow heater is provided including a heating element, a channel heated by said heating element for heating liquid flowing therethrough, and temperature sensing means in thermal communication with both the heating element and the channel so as to be sensitive to the temperature of the liquid in the channel and the temperature of the heating element. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233929 | EDGE RING FOR A THERMAL PROCESSING CHAMBER - Embodiments of the present invention provide an edge ring for supporting a substrate with increased temperature uniformity. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide an edge ring having one or more surface area increasing structures formed on an energy receiving surface of the edge ring. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233930 | Fluid Heater - A fluid heater is disclosed and which has a heater, pump, and a plurality of temperature sensors which are electrically coupled with first and second temperature controlled relays, and wherein the fluid heater is operable to maintain a source of fluid used by an object of interest within a predetermined temperature range and further, is operable under given temperature conditions to discontinue operation so as to protect the object of interest and the heater from becoming damaged through overheating of the fluid which is utilized by same. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233931 | SECTION BAR FOR A HEATER AND FLUID FLOW HEATER, IN PARTICULAR FOR COFFEE MACHINES - The section bar ( | 2014-08-21 |
20140233932 | LENS CONTROL DEVICE AND IMAGE SENSING DEVICE USING SAME - There is provided a lens control device that feeds a motor current to a lens drive motor which drives lens according to the motor current, the lens control device including: a servo computation portion that calculates a motor current setting value such that a deviation of the position of the lens from a target position to which a correction offset has been added is reduced; a motor driver that generates the motor current according to the motor current setting value; and a calibration computation portion that adjusts the correction offset such that an average value of the motor current approaches zero. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233933 | 45 DEGREE VIEWING ACCESSORY FOR CAMERA VIEWFINDER - A camera viewfinder viewer accessory mountable on a camera includes an elongated body portion having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end. A light-transmitting passageway extends through the body portion from the first end to the second end. A connector is disposed adjacent to the first end. The body portion second end includes an angled face disposed at a generally 45° angle relative to the longitudinal axis. An eyepiece is connected to the body portion second end adjacent the angled face. The eyepiece has a longitudinal axis generally disposed at an angle that is 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the body portion. A viewfinder image is directed from the camera viewfinder along the longitudinal axis of the body portion, the image is redirected along the longitudinal axis of the eyepiece, to be viewed through the eyepiece. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233934 | QUICK SWAP CAMERA MOUNT SYSTEMS - Camera mounts systems, allowing a camera crew to quickly changeover from one type of camera mount to another type of camera mount, include an adapter plate and a camera mounting plate, which can mount to various types of camera mounts. The adapter plate includes a support platform and primary and secondary female alignment elements, which form sockets. The sockets are configured to receive primary and secondary male alignment elements of the camera mounting plate. The camera mounting plate and the adapter plate are configured to mate, using one or more locking, engagement, and/or catch mechanisms such that the mounting plate is securely positioned on the adapter plate to. Upon assembly of the system with a camera mount movement of the camera during and between filming is avoided. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233935 | DOME CAMERA - A dome camera includes an inner cover covering a camera lens and a semi-spherical outer cover covering the inner cover, the camera lens being rotatable in a tilt direction and in a pan direction. The inner cover includes a partially spherical portion having an inclined support plane on which the outer cover is supported such that a radial line perpendicular to the inclined support plane is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to a line passing through a center of the partially spherical portion and extends perpendicular to the installation face. A semi-spherical portion has a window, the semi-spherical portion is covered by the outer cover supported on the inclined support plane, and the outer cover rotatable in the pan direction, so as to orient the window in accordance with the orientation of the camera lens. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233936 | CAMERA ACCESSORY, CAMERA BODY AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A camera accessory is detachably mounted at a camera body that includes a first body contact point, a second body contact point, a third body contact point, a fourth body contact point and a fifth body contact point and detects disengagement of the camera accessory when the fifth body contact point sustains a signal level corresponding to a first truth value continuously over a length of time equal to or greater than a predetermined time length. In the camera accessory, the accessory-side communication control device executes control so as to ensure that the signal assuming a level corresponding to the first truth value is not continuously output from the fifth accessory contact point any longer than the predetermined time length while the operating voltage supply from the camera body is provided via the first accessory contact point. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233937 | OPTICAL ACCESSORY ADAPTER - An optical accessory adapter is used to couple together a lens apparatus and an optical accessory attached to an object side portion of the lens apparatus having fitting attachment diameters different from each other. The adapter is provided with a cutout portion in a part of a region outside the attachment diameter of the lens apparatus on an object side surface thereof. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233938 | SYSTEM FOR INTERCONNECTING NODES ATTACHED TO A PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK - A system for interconnecting one or more leaf nodes attached to the leaves of an optical distribution network (ODN), comprising: A first and a second optical distribution network respectively comprising a remote node for distributing signals from a central office and/or an optical line terminal to a plurality of leaf nodes connected to said optical distribution network; a link connecting a first leaf node connected to the first optical distribution network to a second leaf node connected to the second optical distribution network, wherein the remote node of the second optical distribution network is adapted to forward an optical signal from said second leaf node which has received the signal from said first leaf node to the other leaf nodes of said second optical distribution network. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233939 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF COMMUNICATING PATH STATUS IN OPTICAL NETWORKS - The present disclosure may include a method to be performed by an electronic device in an optical network. The method may include generating a message associated with a slot and at least one connection identification (ID) corresponding to the slot. The message may include a slot counter region configured to identify the slot, a request region configured to activate a protect path utilizing the slot, a connection ID counter region configured to identify the at least one connection ID, and a status region configured to convey status of the at least one connection ID corresponding to the slot. The method may also include transmitting the message to other electronic devices in the optical network. The disclosure also includes associated systems and apparatuses. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233940 | SYSTEM, METHOD & APPARATUS FOR A ROGUE OPTICS NETWORK UNIT - A device is provided that mitigates the effects of an optical network unit (ONU) that is in a rogue state. A main processor is arranged as part of a monolithic semiconductor chip, the main processor configured to process signals from an optical telecommunication connection. A laser driver controls a laser coupled to the laser driver. Hardware logic is arranged as part of the monolithic semiconductor chip and arranged physically separate from the main processor. The hardware logic independently effects the laser driver to turn the laser off or reduce power output of the laser significantly to mitigate the effects of the ONU in the rogue state. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233941 | Method for Identifying the Optical Network Unit Power Off Reason - A passive optical network (PON) component comprising a power switch, a detector configured to monitor the power switch, and a processor configured to receive an interrupt from the detector and transmit a message comprising a first indicator that the PON component has powered down, and a second indicator giving a reason for the power down. A passive optical network (PON) component comprising a processor configured to implement a method comprising receiving an interrupt message from a detector, determining a reason for the interrupt, and transmitting a dying gasp message comprising an indicator of the reason for the interrupt. A method comprising transmitting an alarm message comprising an optical network terminal (ONT) manual power off indicator that indicates the ONT is shutting down because a subscriber has turned off its power switch. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233942 | System and method for measuring the phase of a modulated optical signal - The invention is related to phase detection in lidar systems using single photon detectors (SPDs). The frequency at which the SPDs are time gated is related to but not an integer multiple of the frequency of the transmitted optical pulses. Each return optical pulse arrives with a particular temporal position with respect to the nearest gate, and thus is detected with a related detection efficiency. The SPD output can be segmented into multiple time-multiplexed signals whose relative detection efficiency reveals the phase of the optical return pulses, and no such phases have negligible detection efficiency for all the time-multiplexed signals. To mitigate the impact of afterpulsing and other saturation effects, when a first optical pulse is detected with high detection efficiency the next optical pulse that is detected with high detection efficiency is separated by a time period about equal to or greater than the detector dead time. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233943 | OPTICAL TRANSMISSION DEVICE AND OPTICAL TRANSMISSION DEVICE CONTROL METHOD - Each optical transmission device includes a detecting unit, a notifying unit, and a control unit. The detecting unit detects a value of the optical power of each of multiple wavelengths. The notifying unit notifies an optical transmission device at the upstream side of a control frame that includes the value and that includes information that indicates the execution state of the optical power control. The control unit calculates the adjustment level on the basis of the optical power of each of the wavelengths detected by the detecting unit. Furthermore, when the information included in the control frame sent from an optical transmission device at the downstream side indicates that the optical power control is being stopped, the control unit calculates the adjustment level on the basis of the value included in the control frame and executes optical power control by setting the calculated adjustment level to the optical device. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233944 | OPTICAL NETWORK TERMINAL (ONT) WAVELENGTH TUNING AND CORREPSONDING CALIBRATION PROCEDURE - Tuning an optical network unit (ONU) to an appropriate communication wavelength may be performed by initiating an activation procedure responsive to receiving a wavelength configuration message, and identifying an instruction in the wavelength configuration message to modify a present wavelength used by the network unit to a different wavelength. The process may also provide assigning an optical network unit identifier (ONU-ID) to the network unit, modifying the present wavelength to the different wavelength, and transmitting subsequent data messages from the network unit at the different wavelength. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233945 | WAVELENGTH DIVISION MULTIPLEXING OPTICAL TRANSMITTING APPARATUS AND OPERATING METHOD OF THE SAME - Provided is a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical transmitting apparatus including first to n-th optical transmitters configured to output first to n-th optical signals having different wavelengths, respectively; a wavelength multiplexer configured to multiplex the first to n-th optical signals and generate an output optical signal; a tap coupler configured to receive the output optical signal and generate a controlling optical signal based on some of the output optical signal; a controlling photodetector configured to receive the controlling optical signal and output an optical current based on the controlling optical signal; and a controller configured to control each of the first to n-th optical transmitters based on the optical current, wherein the controller comprises a look-up table, sequentially detects driving conditions for the first to n-th optical transmitters, stores the detected driving conditions in the look-up table, and controls the first to n-th optical transmitters based on the detected driving conditions. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233946 | Replacing an Existing Network Communications Path with a New Path Using Some Exclusive Physical Resources of the Existing Path - In one embodiment, a replacement network communications path is determined using dedicated resources of an existing path. One or more network elements in a network determines a new communications path between a first network node and a second network node in the network while an existing communications path is currently configured in the network to carry traffic between the first and second network nodes. The existing communications path includes one or more exclusive physical resources dedicated to the existing communications path. The new communications path includes at least one of said exclusive physical resources dedicated to the existing communications path. One embodiment includes: subsequent to said determining the new communications path, removing the existing communications path from service, and then instantiating the new communications path, with the new communications path including said at least one of said exclusive physical resources. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233947 | INTEGRATED ASSEMBLY FOR SWITCHING OPTICAL SIGNALS - An integrated assembly for switching optical signals. The integrated assembly includes two subassemblies. For instance, the subassemblies might be a shelf assembly and the integrated assembly might be a rack assembly in which the shelf assemblies are connected. Each of the subassemblies includes optical interfaces configured to support communication of optical channels to and from the integrated assembly using the corresponding subassembly. Each subassembly might also include multiple switch fabric assemblies each including a switching mechanism. An inter-subassembly communication interface is provided between each subassembly. An optical signal may be switched from one of the subassemblies (e.g., one of the shelves) to another even though there is no intervening switching circuitry in between the different subassemblies. Instead, the switching operation is distributed between the subassemblies. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233948 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SENDING UPSTREAM TRANSFER FRAME IN PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK - The present invention relates to the Passive Optical Network (PON) technology, and a method for sending an upstream transfer frame in a PON is provided. The method includes: after success of link, sending a preamble according to an allocated time slot, sending a burst synchronization delimiter, and then sending successively a burst header, a Gigabit-Capable Passive Optical Network (GPON) Transmission Convergence (GTC) frame header, and GTC frame data. In the sent synchronization delimiter, the number of zeros on the odd bits is N, the number of non-zeros on the odd bits is M, a relation |N−M|≦1 is satisfied, the max number of zeros in a continuous zero group is X, the max number of non-zeros in a continuous nonzero group is Y, and a relation |X−Y|≦1 is satisfied. A device for sending an upstream transfer frame in a passive optical network is further provided. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233949 | OPTICAL COMMUNICATION BASED ON POLARIZATION DEPENDENT COHERENT OPTICAL NYQUIST FREQUENCY DIVISION MULTIPLEXING - An optical transmitter transmits a dual polarization optical Nyquist frequency domain multiplexed signal. The signal includes a first polarization component and a second polarization component. Each component comprises multiple subchannels, possibly having different subchannel bandwidths and different modulation schemes. An optical receiver receives the signal and recovers transmitted data. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233950 | Downstream Burst Transmission In Passive Optical Networks - An OLT comprising a processor configured to calculate a downstream bandwidth map that indicates an active period of time when the OLT is scheduled to transmit a data frame to an ONU, and generate a message comprising the downstream bandwidth map, and a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to send the message to the ONU via a PON, wherein the message instructs the ONU to power off at least one ONU receive data processing unit outside the active period. Also disclosed is a computer program product comprising computer executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium such that when executed by a processor cause an ONU to receive a message indicating an active period, wherein the active period indicates a scheduled period during which data communicated over a PON is relevant to the ONU and power down an ONU receive data processing unit outside the active period. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233951 | Antenna System and Methods for Wireless Optical Network Termination - Optical network termination systems, devices and methods including an optical network terminal (ONT) having a processor in communication with an external optical fiber. The ONT processors further in communication with a wireless access point and at least one electrically conductive internal transport medium, both providing for the communication of telecommunication signals with devices located within a customer premises. The wireless access point and in certain instances the processor are back powered over the electrically conductive internal transport medium from AC power within the premises. In certain embodiments, the wireless access point communicates with devices within the premises over a distributed antenna. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233952 | Methods and Systems for Delivery of Multiple Passive Optical Network Services - A system for delivering multiple passive optical network services is disclosed. The system includes a first optical transmission service comprising a common wavelength pair routed from a source to each of a plurality of subscribers. The system further includes a second optical transmission service comprising a plurality of unique wavelength pairs, where each of the unique wavelength pairs is routed from the source to a subscriber among the plurality of subscribers. The system delivers the first optical transmission service and the second optical transmission service to the subscriber on a single optical fiber. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233953 | PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK OPTICAL NETWORK TERMINAL APPARATUS AND CONFIGURATION METHOD - A method of configuring an optical network terminal, ONT, of a wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network, WDM PON. Sequentially setting a transmission wavelength of a tunable optical filter at the ONT to one or more wavelengths of a pre-selected plurality of transmission wavelengths until a wavelength is identified for which no downstream optical signal from an optical line terminal of the WDM PON is detected. Determining whether a transmitter operable at said identified transmission wavelength is present at the OLT and is available to be assigned to communicate with the ONT. If a transmitter is determined to be present and available, maintaining the transmission wavelength of the tunable optical filter at transmission wavelength and assigning the ONT to the OLT as a subscriber at said identified transmission wavelength. If a transmitter is determined to be one of not present and not available, recommencing the method. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233954 | LINK ESTABLISHMENT METHOD FOR MULTI-WAVELENGTH PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK SYSTEM - Provided is a method of establishing a link between service provider equipment and subscriber equipment in a multi-wavelength passive optical network system. The method of establishing a link includes acquiring information about a wavelength plan of allocated wavelengths in the MW PON system; transmitting a first signal wavelength initialization request signal on a first upstream wavelength from physical layer to the service provider equipment; waiting for a response from the service provider equipment for a predetermined time interval after transmitting the first signal wavelength initialization request signal; and in response to failing to receive a response to the first signal-wavelength initialization request signal within the predetermined time interval, transmitting a second signal wavelength initialization request signal on a second upstream wavelength to the service provider equipment after the waiting. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233955 | Passive Optical Network System - A system for providing bi-directional RF services over a point-to-multipoint Passive Optical Network (PON). A system that can transport upstream RF signals generated by devices such as a set top box or a cable modem, through a passive Optical Network while simultaneously supporting downstream RF video and bi-directional base-band services on the PON. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233956 | ALLOCATION OF SPECTRAL CAPACITY IN A WAVELENGTH-DIVISION MULTIPLEXING OPTICAL NETWORK - A method for allocating spectral capacity in a WDM optical network comprising: —providing ( | 2014-08-21 |
20140233957 | OPTICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, TRANSMISSION APPARATUS, AND OPTICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD - An optical signal processing apparatus includes: an optical frequency comb generation unit configured to generate an optical frequency comb; an extraction unit configured to extract a plurality of optical components having a certain frequency interval between the optical components from the optical frequency comb; and an optical carrier generation unit configured to multiplex the plurality of optical components with reference light to thereby generate an optical carrier having a center frequency away from the center frequency of the reference light by an integer multiple of the frequency interval. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233958 | Uni-fiber Lasercom Terminal Design - A method, system, and apparatus for a uni-fiber laser communications (lasercom) terminal are disclosed herein. The apparatus includes an oscillator to generate a first signal having a first wavelength, and a modulator to modulate the first signal. The apparatus further includes a circulator to circulate the first signal, and a bi-directional optical amplifier (optical amp) to amplify the first signal. Also, the apparatus includes an optical fiber, which is embedded in a ferrule, and an end of the ferrule is coated with a reflective coating. Additionally, the apparatus includes at least one lens, where the first signal is transmitted through and received through the optical fiber and at least one lens. Also, the apparatus includes an acquisition detector to detect the first signal. Further, the apparatus includes an actuator associated with the ferrule to nutate and translate the ferrule according to feedback from the acquisition detector regarding the first signal. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233959 | PASSENGER SERVICES SYSTEM FOR AN AIRCRAFT - A passenger services system of an aircraft includes a cabin services system of a passenger service unit in the aircraft. The passenger service unit is associated with a passenger seat of the aircraft. The passenger services system further includes an infrared transmitting unit associated with the passenger seat. The infrared transmitting unit is configured to send signals to control operation of the cabin services system. The passenger services system includes a control unit including an infrared receiver. The control unit is associated with the passenger service unit. The infrared receiver is configured to receive the signals from the infrared transmitting unit. The control unit is configured to control the operation of the cabin services system in response to receiving the signals. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233960 | DYNAMIC PACKET REDUNDANCY FOR A FREE SPACE OPTICAL COMMUNICATION LINK | 2014-08-21 |
20140233961 | OPTICAL COMMUNICATION MODULE INCLUDING OPTICAL-ELECTRICAL SIGNAL CONVERTERS AND OPTICAL SIGNAL GENERATORS - An optical communication module includes a substrate, an optical signal receiving unit, an optical signal emitting unit and a coupler. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface. The substrate defines through holes passing through the first and second surfaces. The optical signal receiving unit includes optical-electrical signal converters. The optical signal emitting unit includes optical signal generators. Each of the optical-electrical signal converters and the optical signal generators is mounted on the first surface and aligned with a corresponding one of the through holes. The coupler includes coupling lenses. The coupler is fixed to the second surface. Each of the optical-electrical signal converters and the optical signal generators is aligned with a corresponding coupling lens through the corresponding through hole. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233962 | OPTICAL MODULATOR MODULE AND MODULATION METHOD FOR OPTICAL SIGNAL - An optical modulator module includes an optical modulator including an optical waveguide which conducts an inputted optical signal, and m modulator regions on the optical waveguide; and m discrete driving circuits serially connected to one another. The discrete driving circuits include a driving circuit which outputs a signal obtained from a digital input signal with a synchronization signal to one of the modulator regions, and a phase shifting circuit which outputs a signal resulting from giving a delay to a signal branched from the synchronization signal. A discrete driving circuit receives the signal outputted from the phase shifting circuit. Each of the modulator regions includes modulation electrodes, an electric field caused by a modulation electric signal applied to each of the modulation electrodes penetrates by a penetration length d, and every two adjacent modulation electrodes has a distance L | 2014-08-21 |
20140233963 | OPTICAL OUTPUT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTOROLLING AN OPTICAL TRANSMITTER - Since it is difficult to emit a control a IQ modulator emitting modulated lightwave according to QAM format without signal degradation of said emitted signal due to low frequency dither used for the control of said modulator, a method for controlling an optical transmitter according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes: generating a multilevel electrical signal by means of combining two or more binary electrical signals, where said multilevel signal is used to drive the modulator of adding a low frequency dither signal on several of the binary electrical signals, wherein the phase of the added dither signal depends on the value of the binary signal to which it is added; tapping a portion of light after the modulator and generating a monitor signal from the tapped light; controlling the modulator according to the monitor signal. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233964 | METHOD FOR GENERATING AN OPTIMIZED RETURN-TO-ZERO PULSE SHAPE AGAINST AGGRESSIVE OPTICAL FILTERING AND AN OPTICAL TRANSMITTER IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD - An optical transmitter comprises: first and second sets of optical in-phase and quadrature modulators; an integrable tunable laser assembly; a first polarization beam splitter that is configured to divide the continuous-waveform optical signal into a x-polarized tributary and a y-polarized tributary, each of the x-polarized tributary and the y-polarized tributary is modulated by one of the first and second sets of optical in-phase and quadrature modulators in accordance with the two respective input signals; a second polarization beam splitter that is configured to combine the modulated x-polarized tributary and the modulated y-polarized tributary into one optical signal; and an optical modulator that is configured to modulate the combined optical signal using a driving voltage, wherein the driving voltage has a bias point that is reduced by a predefined offset from a predefined reference voltage level. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233965 | System and Method for Monitoring and Control of an Optical Modulator for an M-QAM Transmitter - A system includes an optical power meter operable to generate an optical power signal corresponding to the optical power of a received output signal generated by an optical IQ-modulator. The system further includes a processor operable to receive the optical power signal and determine, based on a minimization algorithm and the received optical power signal, a first bias voltage to be applied to a first sub-modulator of the optical IQ-modulator and a second bias voltage to be applied to a second sub-modulator of the optical IQ-modulator. The system may also include a peak power meter operable to generate a peak power signal corresponding to the peak power of the received output signal generated by the optical IQ-modulator, wherein the processor is further operable to determine, based on a minimization algorithm and the received peak power signal, a third bias voltage to be applied to a phase shift component of the optical IQ-modulator. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233966 | RECOVERING DATA FROM QUADRATURE PHASE SHIFT KEYING MODULATED OPTICAL SIGNALS - Systems, devices and techniques for processing received QPSK modulated optical signals include sampling the received signal at twice the baud rate, thereby producing samples that are then processed as 9-QAM symbols using a decision directed least squares optimization method. Data bits are then recovered from the resulting symbol estimates. The received optical signal may also include dual polarized signals for increased bandwidth capacity. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233967 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD - Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of reducing possibility that small symbols and characters become invisible without impairing user's convenience even in the case of using a nongenuine replacement part. An image forming apparatus ( | 2014-08-21 |
20140233968 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THAT FORMS A TEST PATTERN AND CARRIES OUT CORRECTION - An image forming apparatus, includes an image forming unit configured to form a reference pattern and a test pattern on a sheet, a measurement unit configured to detect the reference pattern formed on the sheet and to measure the test pattern formed on the sheet, and a control unit configured to control a measurement timing of the test pattern by the measurement unit according to a detection interval between two reference patterns detected by the measurement unit. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233969 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM - An image forming apparatus comprises: a counting unit which counts the number of pixels at each tone level in a halftone image corresponding to an input image; a determination unit which determines a halftone region in the halftone image; an acquisition unit which acquires tone characteristic information of an output density of the image forming apparatus; a correction unit which obtains a density in a region to be formed by using a developing material from the number of pixels at each of the tone levels and information of the halftone region and correct the density in accordance with the tone characteristic information; and a first prediction unit which predicts a consumption amount of the developing material by using the density corrected by the correction unit. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233970 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Latent image graduations formed on an intermediate transfer belt are read by a first sensor portion. Latent image graduations formed on a photoconductive drum are read by a second sensor portion. When an image is transferred from the photoconductive drum to the intermediate transfer belt on the basis of the information read by these sensor portions, the position of the image on the photoconductive drum is controlled to match the position of the image on the intermediate transfer belt. The first sensor portion and the second sensor portion are held integrally by the holding member. Accordingly, variations due to a temperature change of relative positions between the sensor portions or difference in vibrations of the respective sensor portions which may cause errors when aligning the images are reduced. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233971 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A control portion controls a drive of rotation of an image carrier and registers a second index with a first index passing through a transfer position at real time at the time of image formation. Before starting the image formation, the toner image forming portion is controlled to adjust misalignment between the first index and the second index. Accordingly, the second index is formed at a position on the image carrier which is registered with the first index in advance, so that a large amount of control for compensating a large amount of phase misalignment is no longer necessary. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233972 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus capable of continuous image formation on multiple pages includes an image bearer to bear an image, a latent image forming unit to form a latent image on the image bearer, a developing device to develop the latent image with toner, a temperature sensor to detect temperature inside the developing device or adjacent to the developing device, a controller to impose a limit on a quantity of pages in continuous image formation and cancel the limit according to a detection result generated by the temperature sensor, and a report unit to report time data indicating when the limit is imposed. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233973 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE DELETION REDUCING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes a heating element, an interior temperature/humidity detection section, and a controller. The heating element is conducted during connection of the image forming apparatus to an external power source to heat an image bearing member. The interior temperature/humidity detection section detects temperature and humidity in the interior of the image forming apparatus. The controller performs a refresh operation when a relative humidity calculated on the basis of the temperature and humidity detected by the interior temperature/humidity detection section immediately after the image forming apparatus is connected to the external power source is higher than the preset value. The refresh operation is an operation for supply of developer from a development device to the image bearing member and for polish of the surface of the image bearing member with the use of a polishing member. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233974 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING IMAGE - A method and apparatus for forming an image determine if printing paper is properly picked up, and printing data is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt (ITB). When it is sensed that the printing paper is not properly picked up, picking up the printing paper is retried considering a revolution cycle of the ITB. Thus, the frequency of errors can be decreased, and a user's convenience can be increased because picking up the printing paper is automatically retried whenever mis-pick up occurs instead of displaying an error. Further, wasting of toner is decreased. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233975 | IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - An image formation apparatus includes an image carrier on which a developer image is to be formed, an image transfer device configured to transfer the developer image formed on the image carrier to a medium at an image transfer position, a controller configured to control drive of the image carrier and the image transfer device, a first medium feeder configured to feed the medium to the image transfer position along a medium conveyance path extending from the first medium feeder to the image transfer position, and a medium detector provided between the first medium feeder and the image transfer position in the medium conveyance path. The controller is configured to control the drive of the image carrier on the basis of a medium-detection result by the medium detector. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233976 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD - An image forming apparatus having: a power source applying alternating current voltage to the magnetizing coil; a demagnetizing coil switchable between a conductive state and a cutoff state, and when in the conductive state, cancelling out a portion of a magnetic flux produced by the magnetizing coil; a contact switch and a semiconductor switch electrically connected in parallel, and, in combination, bringing the demagnetizing coil into the conductive state or the cutoff state; and a control unit opening or closing the switches separately. The control unit: opens or closes the semiconductor switch in synchronization with a zero-crossing of the alternating current voltage at least when the contact switch is open; opens or closes the contact switch only when the semiconductor switch is closed; and opens the semiconductor switch when the demagnetizing coil brought into the conductive state by the contact switch needs to be maintained in the conductive state. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233977 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing unit, a cleaning unit, and a heating element. The heating element for heating the image bearing member includes: a substrate having a length corresponding to an entire region of the image bearing member in a longitudinal direction of the image bearing member; and a plurality of resistor chips mounted on the substrate. At least either resistance values or spacing intervals of the resistor chips vary in a longitudinal direction of the substrate to ensure that the surface temperature distribution of the image bearing member heated by the heating element is uniform. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233978 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a charging unit, a laser scanning unit, a developing unit, a transfer member, a recording medium conveyance path, a cleaning unit, and a heating element. The recording medium conveyance path includes a resin member that forms a conveyance surface. The resin member has a concave portion at a location closer to the transfer member than to the image bearing member. The heating element for heating the image bearing member is accommodated in the concave portion. The heating element is disposed downstream from the contact point between the image bearing member and the transfer member in the conveyance direction in which a recording medium is conveyed through the recording medium conveyance path. The developing unit is located upstream from the contact point between the image bearing member and the transfer member in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233979 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a manual operating unit, at least a part of which being exposed to an outside of the apparatus body and a part of which included inside the apparatus body being exposed to the outside by manually operating from the outside, a condensation part to which moist air in the apparatus body contacts to dew-condense to a water droplet, and a recovery container part containing the water droplet generated by the condensation part and being disposed on an inner surface of the manual operating unit included inside the apparatus body. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233980 | DUAL ROLL SYSTEM INTEGRATING A DELIVERY ROLL AND A CLEANING ROLL TO EXTEND THE LIFETIME OF THE BCR SYSTEM - An image forming apparatus comprises an electrophotographic photoconductive member, a charging unit, a delivery unit and a cleaning unit. The charging unit is disposed in contact with the surface of the photoconductive member and the delivery unit disposed in contact with the surface of the charging unit. The delivery unit applies a layer of functional material to a surface of the charging unit and the charging unit in turn applies a layer of the functional material onto the surface of the photoconductive member. The cleaning unit is disposed in contact with a surface of the charging unit to clean the charging unit and reduce contamination of a surface of the delivery unit. The cleaning unit is disposed in an upstream direction of the delivery roller relative to a rotation direction of the charging unit. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233981 | Image Forming Apparatus with Waste Toner Container Having a Structure to Avoid Interference with a Feed Roller - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt including a first plane and a second plane, a waste toner container, a first feeding path extending between a first feed roller and a secondary-transfer roller, a second feeding path being a path for a recording sheet inserted through a sheet inlet, a second feed roller arranged in an overlapping position to at least partially overlap with the waste toner container when viewed along a horizontal plane and in a position out of a course of the waste toner container being installed in and removed from the chassis. The second plane of the intermediate transfer belt extends downwardly in an inclined angle with respect to the first plane. The waste toner container is movable along the second plane of the intermediate transfer belt to be settled in the chassis. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233982 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having a first opening on a first side, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt arranged to have a surface thereof facing the photosensitive members, primary-transfer members, a secondary-transfer roller, a first feed roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is removably installed in the chassis through the first opening and settled in a position opposite from the photosensitive members across the intermediate transfer belt, a connector, a first feeding path extending in a range between the first feed roller and the secondary-transfer roller, and a second feeding path being formed in clearance between the intermediate transfer belt and the waste toner container to convey a recording sheet being inserted through a sheet inlet and merging into the first feeding path in the vicinity of the first feed roller. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233983 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTORECEPTOR - An electrophotographic photoreceptor is removably installed and used in a device main unit of an electrophotography application device so as to form a process cartridge. The device main unit includes a driving-side power transmission portion. The photoreceptor includes a photosensitive drum including a cylindrical conductive base having a photosensitive layer containing a photoconductive material. A flange is fitted to the photosensitive drum. The flange includes a driven-side driving force transmission portion that has a cylindrical member and engaging protrusions. The flange transmits to the photosensitive drum a rotational driving force from the driving-side power transmission portion. A center of the cylindrical member is disposed on a central axis of the photosensitive drum. The protrusions are parallel to the central axis at positions on the outer periphery of the cylindrical member that trisect the cylindrical member. Each protrusion protrudes in a radial direction and engages the driving-side power transmission portion. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233984 | DEVELOPMENT DEVICE INCLUDING A REMOVABLE SEAL TO SEAL A SUPPLIED-DEVELOPER AND/OR A COLLECTED-DEVELOPER COMMUNICATING AREA - A development device can include a developer containing part containing developer, a carrier to carry developer that is supplied from the developer containing part to a development range, a partition dividing the developer containing part into a supply part and a circulation part beneath the supply part to collect developer from the carrier, a first transport member in the supply part of the developer containing part to supply developer from the supply part to the carrier, and a second transport member in the circulation part to transport developer in the circulation part in an axial direction of the carrier. The device can also include a removable seal member, which seals a supplied-developer and/or a collected-developer communicating area. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233985 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPRATUS PROVIDED THEREWITH - A developing device includes: a housing, a refill developer storage part, a developing roller, a developer conveyance path, a developer receiving port, a conveyance member, and a magnetic member. The developing roller is driven into rotation in the developing housing and carries a toner on a circumferential surface thereof. The toner is conveyed inside the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path of the developing housing in a circulating manner. A first stirring screw is disposed on the first conveyance path and conveys the toner in a first direction. Downstream of the toner refill port, a magnet is arranged. The magnetic member forms a magnetic blush from a top panel of the developing housing towards the first stirring screw. A refill toner flowed-in through the toner refill port is so conveyed as to fall below the magnetic blush whereby the refill toner is favorably stirred with a surrounding toner. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233986 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER SUPPLYING SYSTEM - In the case that a developer supply container is provided with a feeding portion for feeding a developer by receiving a rotational force and a pump portion for discharging the developer by reciprocation, and the rotational force and a reciprocating force are received from a main assembly side of an image forming apparatus, there is a liability that a driving connection is not properly established between a portion of the developer supply container for receiving the reciprocating force and a portion of the main assembly side for applying the reciprocating force. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233987 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a first image bearing member; a plurality of second image bearing member; an endless belt opposing the first and second image bearing members; a driving roller; a supporting roller; a first transfer member opposing the first image bearing member; a plurality of second transfer members provided opposing the second image bearing members; and a supporting member for supporting the second transfer members. The supporting member is movable between a first position as a contact position and a second position as a spaced position. When image formation is effected in a state in which the supporting member is positioned in the first position, a nip between the first image bearing member and the belt member is positioned closer to a side where the supporting roller is positioned than a rectilinear line connecting contact positions of the belt member with the second image bearing members. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233988 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A control portion of an image forming apparatus controls an exposure unit and a developing unit to form misregistration inspecting toner images at both end portions and a center portion of a photoconductive drum and transfers the toner images to an intermediate transfer belt. Then, the control portion detects a misregistration amount of each toner image by misregistration detecting sensors to obtain position information in a main scanning direction per each phase position in which the scanning exposure has been performed on the image carrier. The control portion corrects detection results of the detecting sensors at the both end portions by removing an axial moving amount within a rotation cycle of the photoconductive drum on a basis of a detection result of the misregistration detecting sensor at the center portion. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233989 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Electrostatic image graduations inclined by a first angle in a main scanning direction are formed on a photosensitive drum and transferred to an intermediate transfer belt, electrostatic image graduations inclined by a second angle in the main scanning direction are formed on the photosensitive drum and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt so as to overlap with the electrostatic image graduations inclined by the first angle. The electrostatic image graduations inclined by the first angle are detected by a Ch1 conducting wire having a linear conductive member inclined by the first angle in the main scanning direction of the intermediate transfer belt. The electrostatic image graduations inclined by the second angle are detected by a Ch2 conducting wire having a linear conductive member inclined by the second angle in the main scanning direction of the intermediate transfer belt. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233990 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A first position information formed on an conveyance body is read by an information detecting portion, and a second position information formed on a second image carrier is read by the information detecting portion. A control is made such that a position of an image on the second image carrier matches with a position of an image on the conveyance body from information read by the information detecting portion in transferring the image from the second image carrier to the conveyance body. The information detecting portion is held by a hold member and are disposed at a transfer region. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233991 | FUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fusing device and an image forming apparatus including the fusing device are provided, the fusing device having a structure that ensures a stable transport of a printing medium by preventing a printing medium from deviating from a transport path between a transfer nip and a fusing nip. The fusing device includes a heating member, a pressing member to contact the heating member to form a fusing nip, and a guide member to guide a printing medium to the fusing nip. An end of the guide member is shaped such that a height of the end decreases as the end extends from a center thereof to opposite sides thereof, and disposed closer to the heating member than to the pressing member, with respect to an imaginary line extending from the fusing nip. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233992 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing portion for fixing an image formed on a recording material; and a guide member for guiding the recording material. The guide member is provided at an entrance to the fixing portion and at an end portion with respect to a direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material The guide member is moved when the guide member is pushed by the recording material. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233993 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING A DOUBLE BELT ROLL FUSER GEOMETRY IN AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A system and method are provided to implement a double belt roll fuser geometry to enable consistent self-stripping of image receiving media exiting a fuser assembly in an image forming device. Interaction between an image receiving medium substrate and a fuser belt of a belt roll fuser device is modified to include configuration in which an opposing belt is positioned around a pressure roller to oppose the fuser belt provided around the fuser roller. The fuser belt and the opposing belt extend in a downstream direction from the fusing nip and are configured to provide an appropriate length downstream of the fusing nip that sandwiches the image receiving medium substrate between the fuser belt and the opposing belt. Each of the fuser belt and the opposing belt wrap 70 degrees or more around significantly smaller diameter rollers positioned downstream of the fusing nip to form a stripping nip. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233994 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A fixing device includes a rotatable fixing member, a pressing member, and an induction heater. The induction heater includes an excitation coil, ferromagnetic cores, and a holder. The ferromagnetic cores include multiple arch cores and multiple side cores. The multiple arch cores are disposed facing an outer surface of a heat generation layer with the excitation coil interposed therebetween. The multiple side cores are disposed outside the excitation coil in a longitudinal direction of the induction heater so as to face both ends of each of the multiple arch cores. The multiple side cores are integrally inserted in the holder. The holder includes a spacer. The spacer contains a resin material used in the holder and provided in a close-facing portion located between at least one of the multiple arch cores and at least one of the multiple side cores to form a gap. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233995 | FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus includes a heater; a heater holding member for holding the heater; a temperature sensor, provided in contact with the heater through a hole provided in the heater holding member, for detecting a temperature of the heater; a holder for holding the sensor; and an urging member, provided between the sensor and the holder, for urging the sensor toward the heater, wherein the heater holding member includes a positioning portion for determining a position of the holder with respect to an urging direction of the urging member, and wherein the positioning portion is disposed at a position outside of a position of the sensor with respect to a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the heater. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233996 | COOLING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A cooling device includes a cooling member to cool a recording material. The cooling member includes a cooling surface member, a heat exchanging member, and a fastening member. The cooling surface member has a cooling surface to directly or indirectly contact the recording material and absorb heat of the recording material to cool the recording material. The heat exchanging member is directly or indirectly joined to the cooling surface member to radiate heat absorbed by the cooling surface member directly or indirectly via a radiation member. The fastening member fastens the cooling surface member and the heat exchanging member to retain a joined state in which the cooling surface member and the heat exchanging member are directly or indirectly joined to each other. The cooling surface member and the heat exchanging member are separable from the joined state to a separated state without damaging the fastening member. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233997 | CLEANING UNIT, PROCESS CARTRIDGE INCORPORATING SAME, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A cleaning unit, which is included in a process cartridge or an image forming apparatus, includes a brush rotary body to remove toner, a toner collecting rotary body to collect the toner, a toner collecting blade to scrape the toner, and a cleaning blade to scrape the toner falling from the brush rotary body. The image carrier, the brush rotary body, and the toner collecting rotary body rotate in the same direction. The cleaning blade, the brush rotary body, and the toner collecting rotary body are located to cause a tangential line passing through a contact area of the brush rotary body and the toner collecting rotary body on an outer peripheral circle around a shaft of the brush rotary body to have an intersection point intersecting a non-contact surface of the cleaning blade disposed opposite to a contact portion of the cleaning blade with the image carrier. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233998 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - A disclosed image forming apparatus forms a toner image on a surface of a surface moving image bearing body and eventually transfers and fixes the toner image onto a recording medium to form an image on the recording medium and removes, by a cleaning apparatus, an adhered matter which is adhered to the surface of the image bearing body after the transferring. In the image forming apparatus, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of a toner is 40-60° C., and the cleaning apparatus causes a tip ridgeline portion of a blade member to be abutted against the surface of the image bearing body to remove the adhered matter from the surface of the image bearing body, and the tip ridgeline portion of the blade member is made of elastic rubber whose 100% modulus value at 23° C. is at least 6 MPa. | 2014-08-21 |
20140233999 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FORMING IMAGE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM STORING IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CONTROL PROGRAM - A control apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus that forms and outputs an image on paper, a method of controlling the image forming apparatus, and a program for controlling the image forming apparatus stored on a recording medium are described. The image forming apparatus includes a pair of rollers that sandwich the paper and the center of an axle of at least one of the rollers is displaceable. The control apparatus includes a roller position detection signal generator that generates a detection signal indicating a position of the roller, a roller position detection signal acquisition unit to acquire multiple detection signals in chronological order, a paper thickness calculator to calculate paper thickness based on the multiple detection signals acquired in chronological order, and a vibration detector to detect vibration of the image forming apparatus based on the multiple detection signals acquired in chronological order. | 2014-08-21 |
20140234000 | RECORDING MEDIUM STORAGE CASSETTE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A recording medium storage cassette includes a recording medium loading plate and a rear end cursor. The rear end cursor aligns rear end positions of recording media. The rear end cursor includes a cursor main body portion, an abutting portion that abuts rear ends of the recording media, a lock portion having a protrusion for engaging with a rack, and a biasing member disposed between the abutting portion and the lock portion so as to bias the abutting portion and the lock portion in a direction away from each other. | 2014-08-21 |
20140234001 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer portion for transferring an image onto a sheet at a transfer nip; a fixing portion for fixing the image on the sheet at a fixing nip; a sheet feeding guide, provided between the transfer portion and the fixing portion, having a sheet guide surface; a sheet detecting portion provided between the transfer portion and the fixing portion; and a controller for controlling a sheet feeding speed of at least one of the transfer portion and the fixing portion depending on an output of the sheet detecting portion so that a feeding attitude of the sheet sandwiched at both of the transfer nip and the fixing nip is maintained in a predetermined feeding attitude. The sheet guide surface of the sheet feeding guide has a most recessed region in a region between the transfer portion and the sheet detecting portion. | 2014-08-21 |
20140234002 | CURL STRAIGHTENING METHOD AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A curl straightening method in an image apparatus including a fixing apparatus and a curl straightening apparatus is disclosed. The method includes calculating moisture content of a sheet before being supplied to the fixing apparatus; measuring a temperature of a heating unit and a pressurizing unit; calculating a temperature and moisture content of the sheet in the respective conveying sections; calculating a conveying time of the sheet in the respective conveying sections; calculating a residual strain of the sheet in the respective conveying sections from the calculated temperature and the moisture content of the sheet in the respective conveying sections, the calculated conveying time, and the stress relaxation characteristics of the sheet; calculating a final curl amount using the calculated residual strain of the sheet in the respective conveying sections; and controlling the curl straightening apparatus based on the final curl amount obtained. | 2014-08-21 |
20140234003 | Cuticle Care System - An applicator system for dispensing a product and/or operating on a cuticle of a user includes a housing having a reservoir for storing a product, such as a cosmetic product or a medicinal product and a cuticle care tip. The cuticle care tip comprises one of a variety of surfaces configured to operate on a user and/or apply the product. The applicator system also includes a product delivery mechanism for dispensing the product. | 2014-08-21 |
20140234004 | APPLICATOR DEVICE OR DISPENSER WITH APPLICATOR TIP ASSEMBLY - An applicator device or dispenser includes an applicator tip assembly and a housing which may, in some examples, have a reservoir for containing a product, such as a cosmetics product or a medicinal product. The applicator tip assembly may be coupled to the housing and may comprise a thermal storage applicator portion having an application face for applying the product to a surface, the thermal storage applicator portion being made from a material that is capable of storing and retaining and/or transferring thermal energy during application of the product. The applicator tip assembly may further comprise a main body portion having a product delivery passageway extending through the main body portion for dispensing a product to the application face of the thermal storage applicator portion, the main body portion configured to at least partially enclose the thermal storage applicator portion at a periphery of the thermal storage applicator portion. | 2014-08-21 |
20140234005 | SKIN CARE DEVICE HAVING FUNCTION FOR MOVING VERTICALLY - The present invention relates to a beauty apparatus comprising: a case unit comprising an upper case for accommodating powder and a lower case detachably attached to the upper case; a guide mounted to the lower case between the upper case and the lower case; a magnetic field generating unit mounted to an inside of the lower case between the guide and the lower case, for generating a time-varying magnetic field; a magnetic body coupling part moving through the guide within the lower case according to a change of a magnetic field; a movable plate mounted to the magnetic body coupling part passing through a guide hole formed in the guide on the magnetic body coupling part, for restricting movement of the magnetic body coupling part; and a puff pad enclosing the guide to vibrate according to movement of the movable plate. | 2014-08-21 |
20140234006 | MODULAR WALL PAINTING AND PRINTING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES - The present disclosure is directed to modular painting devices for painting and/or printing a surface. In some examples, the modular painting devices include a paint cartridge and a handle attached to a roller assembly. The roller assembly includes a housing and one or more rollers rotatably attached to the housing. The one or more rollers are configured to receive paint from the paint cartridge and transfer paint to the surface. In some further examples, the one or more rollers includes an inner roller and an outer roller. | 2014-08-21 |
20140234007 | SPOUTING-TYPE COSMETIC CONTAINER - A spouting-type cosmetic container. The spouting-type cosmetic container is disclosed. The container includes: a main container provided with an opening; a pipette tube spouting cosmetic; a cap unit detachably installed to the opening of the main container and including an inner cap and an outer cap encasing the inner cap; an up/down button installed to the upper side of the outer cap to move up and down for a preset stroke and having cam holes formed on the side wall to face the cams; a piston fixed to the lower side of the up/down button to move up and down with the up/down button; and an elastic member elastically reacting to move the up/down button and the piston upward and to spout the cosmetic accommodated in the main container out. Preset amount of cosmetic may be discharged and user's convenience may be enhanced. | 2014-08-21 |
20140234008 | SEMI-RIGID CONCAVE APPLICATOR OF ENCAPSULATED LIQUIDS - A hand applicator of encapsulated liquids for their even distribution on surfaces includes an upper side ( | 2014-08-21 |
20140234009 | WRITING IMPLEMENT SENSING A USER'S HAND CLEANLINESS - Described embodiments include a device. The device includes a hand-holdable housing carrying a writing element, a cleanliness sensor, and a cleanliness notification circuit. The device includes the writing element configured to form a mark on a surface in response to a touch or movement of the writing element with respect to the surface. The device includes the cleanliness sensor configured to detect an indicator of a pathogen present on a hand of a person holding the hand-holdable housing. The device includes the cleanliness notification circuit configured to output a signal responsive to the detected indicator of a pathogen on the hand of the person. | 2014-08-21 |
20140234010 | APPLICATOR DEVICE OR DISPENSER WITH STONE TIP - An applicator device or dispenser includes a stone applicator tip and a housing which may, in some examples, have a reservoir for containing a product, such as a cosmetics product or a medicinal product. The stone tip comprises a material that is capable of storing and retaining and/or transferring thermal energy during application of the product. | 2014-08-21 |
20140234011 | Fluid Application Device - A method and apparatus for applying a viscous fluid onto a surface. An applicator associated with an extension member may be positioned over the surface using a robotic operator. The extension member may be configured to maintain a selected distance between the applicator and a fluid source for the viscous fluid. The viscous fluid may be dispensed from the fluid source to the applicator. The viscous fluid may be applied onto the surface using the applicator. | 2014-08-21 |
20140234012 | RING LOCK GUARD FOR A RING BINDER - A ring metal (M) installed in a binder (B) stores punched sheets of material and the like. The ring metal includes binder rings (R) mounted on movable frames (F) to which one end of each ring half is attached. The frames are movable relative to each other to open and close the rings. A ring guard ( | 2014-08-21 |
20140234013 | RING LOCK GUARD FOR A RING BINDER - A ring metal (M) installed in a binder (B) stores punched sheets of paper and the like. The ring metal includes binder rings (R) mounted on movable frames (F) to which one end of each ring half is attached. The frames are movable relative to each other to open and close the rings. A ring guard ( | 2014-08-21 |
20140234014 | Pivoting Horizontal and Vertical Scaffold Members and a Method of Erecting an Offset Scaffold Platform - One embodiment of the invention is a horizontal scaffold truss that has upper and lower horizontal scaffold members offset but fixedly joined with braces. Each upper and lower members have a connector positioned on each end of the respective lower and upper members, where at least one of the connectors is pivotally mounted on the respective lower or upper connector, and the connectors are engagable with an annular member positioned on a vertical scaffold member. | 2014-08-21 |
20140234015 | ADJUSTABLE JOINT FOR MICROPHONE - A microphone stand is provided that includes a dual mic frame that carries a first microphone and a second microphone. | 2014-08-21 |
20140234016 | BRACE FOR ARTICULATION - A brace for articulation is described. The brace has a first rod, a second rod, and a joint connecting the two rods. The joint has a pair of circular toothed rings provided with a central hole and arranged overlapping. Each circular ring is fixed to one end of the first rod, which is interposed between them, the second rod being interposed between the circular rings. The joint also has a fixing central pivot, inserted in the central holes of the circular rings and into the through hole of said second rod. The joint further has a first and a second blocking member, each provided with a respective pin, adapted to be inserted in two overlapping throats of the indentation of the circular rings, to limit the movement of the second rod. | 2014-08-21 |