G03G15/00

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
20170371599 · 2017-12-28 ·

An image forming apparatus comprising: an acceptance section; a prediction section which predicts, based on margin information contained in an instruction for execution of an accepted job, an arrangement pattern of a plurality of sheets to be obtained by the execution; a determination section which determines, based on the margin information, whether or not a sum of respective areas of margin regions of the plurality of sheets is greater than a threshold associated with the predicted arrangement pattern; and an adjusted printing section which downscales, in response to a determination that the sum is greater than the threshold, an overall image consisting of a set of partial images intended to be formed and arranged in the predicted arrangement pattern, in such a manner as to fall within one or more sheets arranged in an altered arrangement pattern, and forms the downscaled image on the one or more sheets.

DRIVE TRANSMISSION DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME
20170371291 · 2017-12-28 · ·

A drive transmission device includes a first rotary body coupled to a drive source, a second rotary body that receives a drive force transmitted from the drive source, a coupling that couples the first rotary body and the second rotary body, and a spring that presses the coupling toward the second rotary body. Each of the first rotary body and the second rotary body includes a plurality of grooves. The coupling has axially opposed first end and second end coupled to the first rotary body and the second rotary body, respectively. The coupling includes a plurality of couplers on a circumferential surface of each of the first end and the second end. The plurality of couplers are axially movable into and out of the plurality of grooves of each of the first rotary body and the second rotary body. The coupling has a spherical end face at the second end.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Provided is an image-forming device with which it is possible to achieve a smaller size while suppressing a reduction in visibility or operability of an operation panel. In this image-forming device, paper sheets are discharged from the rear side of the device toward the front side of the device, and the image formation device is provided with: a paper-sheet-loading unit in which the paper sheets are loaded; an operation panel disposed on the downstream-side end in the paper sheet discharge direction of the paper-sheet-loading unit, at least a part of the operation panel being disposed in a loading region of the paper-sheet-loading unit; and a protruding part disposed to the side of the operation panel in the loading region, the protruding part protruding upward from the top surface of the paper-sheet-loading unit, and extending in the paper sheet discharge direction.

MULTISIZE PRINTING MATERIAL FOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

A method of additive manufacturing includes forming a plurality of build layers, each of the plurality of build layers formed by transferring a first build material having a first particle size to form a first build material and transferring a second build material on the first build material to form one of the plurality of build layers, a particle size of the second build material is smaller than the first build material and each transfer step is performed by a xerographic engine. Each transfer step is involves transfer to a conveyor which can take the form of a belt or drum.

MULTISIZE PRINTING MATERIAL FOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

A method of additive manufacturing includes forming a plurality of build layers, each of the plurality of build layers formed by transferring a first build material having a first particle size to form a first build material and transferring a second build material on the first build material to form one of the plurality of build layers, a particle size of the second build material is smaller than the first build material and each transfer step is performed by a xerographic engine. Each transfer step is involves transfer to a conveyor which can take the form of a belt or drum.

IMAGE READING APPARATUS AND IMAGE READING METHOD
20170374216 · 2017-12-28 ·

In a case in which a carrier sheet including transparent sheet portions of two pieces which can interpose a document therebetween, and a bonding portion which bonds sheet portions to each other is transported in a state in which the bonding portion is located on the downstream side in the transport direction, a reading unit is caused to start reading, after an upstream end of the bonding portion passed through the reading unit.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF SETTING A PARAMETER USED IN FORMING AN IMAGE BASED ON A DETECTED CHANGE IN A VALUE OF TINT
20170371262 · 2017-12-28 ·

An image forming apparatus includes a CPU configured to change a parameter value used to control a developer bearing amount and form a plurality of patches for different parameter values changed, and a color sensor configured to measure the plurality of patches thereby acquiring color information thereof. The CPU detects, from values of color information of the plurality of patches, a value of the color information at which a change greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value occurs, and the CPU sets a parameter used in forming an image based on the detected value of color information.

IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS

An image formation apparatus according to one or more embodiments includes: an engagement part to which a replacement unit with a first communication part is detachably attachable; a second communication part configured, in a state where the replacement unit is attached to the engagement part, to communicate wirelessly with the first communication part of the replacement unit; and a control unit programmed to control the second communication part. In a process of causing the second communication part to communicate wirelessly with the first communication part a plurality of times, the control unit detects a change in a response from the first communication part.

Drive Transmission Device and Image Forming Apparatus
20170371288 · 2017-12-28 ·

A drive transmission device includes a first gear, a second gear, a switch arm, a third gear, a first sector gear including a first teeth portion and rotatable about a second axis in a predetermined direction, a second sector gear including a second teeth portion and engaging the first sector gear movably with play in the predetermined direction, a lever, a solenoid, and a first urging member. The switch arm has a cam contact surface, and the second sector gear includes a cam configured to contact the cam contact surface. When the first sector gear rotates in the predetermined direction for a predetermined amount from a state where the third gear engages the first gear and where the first teeth portion and the second teeth portion disengage from the second gear, the first teeth portion engages the second gear, and the second teeth portion disengages from the second gear.

POWER TRANSMISSION APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS COMPRISING THE SAME
20170371290 · 2017-12-28 ·

A power transmission apparatus includes a first pulley and a second pulley. A belt is extended around them. A supply unit supplies a voltage such that the first pulley and the belt are electrostatically attracted and that the second pulley and the belt are electrostatically attracted. The belt includes a conductor layer. At least one pulley includes a first electrode to which a first voltage is applied and a second electrode that is insulated from the first electrode and to which a second voltage is applied. An insulating layer or a dielectric layer is arranged between the conductor layer of the belt and the first electrode of the at least one pulley and an insulating layer or a dielectric layer is arranged between the conductor layer of the belt and the second electrode of the at least one pulley.