ge Private key generation apparatus and method, and storage media storing programs for executing the methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein are a private key generation apparatus and method, and storage media storing programs for executing the methods on a computer. The private key generation apparatus includes a root private key generation unit and a sub-private key generation unit. The root private key generation unit sets a root master key and predetermined parameters capable of generating private keys, and generates a first sub-master key set capable of generating a number of private keys equal to or smaller than a preset limited number. The sub-private key generation unit generates private keys with the root private key generation unit by receiving the first sub-master key set from the root private key generation unit, to generate a private key corresponding to a user ID using the first sub-master key set, and issues the private key to a user. Full Article
ge Apparatus and methods for managing messages sent between services By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are methods and apparatus for managing services within a computer network. In one embodiment, a message interchange network for exchanging application-level messages between services, which are located outside the message interchange network, is provided. At the message interchange network, a plurality of application-level messages, which each specify which one or more receiving services are to receive the each application-level message, are received. Each received application-level message is forward towards the one or more receiving services. Correlation information regarding each application-level message that is received into message interchange network is retained. The application-level messages are sent between pairs of the services, and the retained correlation information for each application-level message pertains to each application-level message and any other application-level messages related to the each application-level message. A query can then be received, at the message interchange network from a first service, to search the retained correlation information for specific one or more portions of the retained correlation information. A response to the query, which includes the specific one or more portions of the retained correlation information, is sent to the first service. Full Article
ge Method for reproducing content data and method for generating thumbnail image By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A content data reproducing method includes: decrypting encrypted data to generate plain-text data; dividing the plain-text data into decrypted content data and reproduction management information; sending the reproduction management information to a user space; storing the decrypted content data in a secret buffer; obtaining the decrypted content data as reproduction target data from the secret buffer and transmitting the reproduction target data to a decoder; and decoding the reproduction target data by the decoder. Full Article
ge Key generation techniques By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one or more embodiments, an integrated circuit includes a programmable memory, a key generation module and a module. The programmable memory is to maintain a first key portion. The key generation module is to generate a key using the first key portion from the programmable memory and a second key portion received via a memory interface. The module is to encrypt or decrypt data using the key. Full Article
ge Apparatus and method for generating secret key using change in wireless channel on wireless communication network By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A secret key generation apparatus and method are provided. The secret key generation apparatus includes at least one antenna, amplification/phase controllers, a transceiver, and a random signal controller. The antenna receives a wireless signal from a counterpart terminal that performs wireless communication. The amplification/phase controllers control the amplification gain and phase of the wireless signal that is received via at least one antenna. The transceiver measures the status of a wireless channel using the wireless signal having the controlled amplification gain and phase, determines parameters based on results of the measurement, and generates a secret key based on results of the determination. The random signal controller controls the amplification/phase controllers so that the amplification gain and phase are adjusted whenever the transceiver generates a secret key. Full Article
ge Apparatus and method for converting random binary sequence into random integer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus and method for converting a random binary sequence into a random integer is provided. The present invention converts a random binary sequence into a random integer, and determines whether the corresponding random integer falls within a preset integer interval. Further, if it is determined that the random integer generated from the random binary sequence does not fall within the preset integer interval, the present invention repeatedly updates a random binary sequence until a random integer falling within the corresponding integer interval is obtained, thus outputting uniformly distributed random integers which fall within the preset integer interval. Full Article
ge Image forming apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image forming apparatus includes a memory unit configured to store image data, a mode detecting unit configured to detect a transition from a first operating mode to a second operating mode, and an encryption unit configured to encrypt the image data in the memory unit based on the transition. Full Article
ge Disk array device and data management method for disk array device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A disk array device comprises a first storage unit that stores encrypted user data, a second storage unit that is different from the first storage unit and locks and stores configuration information including a first encrypted authentication key that unlocks the encrypted user data, a management unit that includes a decoder that decodes the first encrypted authentication key and a control unit that unlocks the locked configuration information using a second authentication key, the management unit managing data using the first and second authentication keys. the management unit includes a configuration information recovery portion that unlocks the locked configuration information by using the second authentication key and recovers the configuration information during booting and a user data unlocking portion that decodes the first encrypted authentication key included in the configuration information and unlocks the encrypted user data stored in the first storage unit by using the first decoded authentication key. Full Article
ge Selective management controller authenticated access control to host mapped resources By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An information handling system includes a host mapped general purpose input output (GPIO), a shared memory, a board management controller, and a cryptography engine. The host mapped GPIO includes a plurality of registers. The board management controller is in communication with the host mapped GPIO and with the shared memory, and is configured to control accessibility to the plurality of registers in the GPIO, and to control write accessibility of the shared memory based on a private key received from a basic input output system requesting accessibility to the plurality of registers and write accessibility of the shared memory. The cryptography engine is in communication with the board memory controller, and is configured to authenticate the private key received from the board management controller. Full Article
ge Access management system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An access rights management system is presented in which a mobile device may be allowed to access corporately held data in a flexible manner but in which the security and integrity of the data is maintained. The mobile device is provided with a rights adjustment module which modifies the access rights for locally stored corporate data in dependence on the connectivity of the mobile device with a corporate server. Full Article
ge Mobile host using a virtual single account client and server system for network access and management By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A Virtual Single Account (VSA) system and method that provides a mobile user with automatic authentication and connection to a remote network via local access networks with a single password, where the local access networks may be independent of the remote network. A mobile user has a single authentication credential for one VSA that is utilized by a VSA client installed on a mobile computing device. The VSA client provides for automatically authenticating and connecting the user's mobile device to a current local access network, and the target remote network such as the user's office network. All authentication credentials are encrypted using a key generated from the user's VSA password that is generated from the user's single password. The VSA client derives the key from the submitted VSA password and decrypts all authentication credentials that are required in order to connect the mobile device to the current local access network and thereafter to the office network. Full Article
ge Nitrile rubbers which optionally contain alkylthio terminal groups and which are optionally hydrogenated By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An improved polymerization and process method allows the production of special nitrile rubbers which are characterized by a specific anion content and an excellent storage stability and allow a particularly good vulcanization rate and moreover result in vulcanized materials that have advantageous properties, especially with regard to the contact with metal components of molded parts based on said vulcanized materials. Full Article
ge Collaborative production asset management By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
ge Video frame still image sequences By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic device may determine to present a video frame still image sequence version of a video instead of the video. The electronic device may derive a plurality of still images from the video. The electronic device may generate the video frame still image sequence by associating the plurality of still images. The electronic device may present the video frame still image sequence. The video frame still image sequence may be displayed according to timing information to resemble play of the video. In some cases, audio may also be derived from the video. In such cases, display of the video frame still image sequence may be performed along with play of the audio. Full Article
ge Information storage medium storing text-based subtitle, and apparatus and method for processing text-based subtitle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An information storage medium storing subtitle text-based information, and a method and apparatus utilizing same, process a subtitle The information storage medium includes: dialog information which contains script text information of the subtitle and information specifying an output type of the script text; and presentation information which contains style information used to convert the script text into a bitmap format through rendering. With this structure, the amount of data required for a subtitle and the amount of data that should be processed when a subtitle is output may be greatly reduced. Full Article
ge Systems and methods for generation of composite video from multiple asynchronously recorded input streams By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods are provided for generating a composite video based on a plurality of asynchronously recorded input video streams. A plurality of segments of the input video streams are identified. A number of the input video streams that were recording during the particular segment are determined. A video display configuration for the particular segment is determined based on the number of video streams that were recording, where the video display configuration includes a display sub-region for each of the number of video streams that was recording. A composite video is generated, where the composite video includes a portion of video associated with each of the segments, where the composite video portion associated with the particular segment is formatted according to the video display configuration and displays the video streams that were recording during the particular segment in the display sub-regions of the video display configuration. Full Article
ge Motion picture project management system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Motion picture project management system for reviewers, coordinators and artists. Artists utilize image analysis and image enhancement and computer graphics processing for example to convert two-dimensional images into three-dimensional images or otherwise create or alter motion pictures. Enables the efficient management of projects related to motion pictures to enable enterprises to manage assets, control costs, predict budgets and profit margins, reduce archival storage and otherwise provide displays tailored to specific roles to increase worker efficiency. Full Article
ge Television receiver storage management By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various arrangements for managing television programming storage at a television receiver are presented. User input specifying a number of days for retention of each managed array of a plurality of managed arrays of television channels to be recorded by the television receiver may be received. A television service provider may select a plurality of television channels for recording as the plurality of managed arrays of television channels. Also, the television service provider may define times for recording of the plurality of television channels of the plurality of managed arrays of television channels. A first amount of storage space for storage of the plurality of managed arrays of television channels may be calculated based on the number of days for retention. The first amount of storage space of a storage medium to the plurality of managed arrays of television channels may be allocated. Full Article
ge Image processing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image processing apparatus sequentially displays time-series images. The apparatus includes a movement-direction-change image extracting unit that detects a movement between images constituting the time-series images and extracts an image of which a movement direction is changed based on the detected movement between images; and a display speed controller that controls display speeds of the image extracted by the movement-direction-change image extracting unit and images adjacent to the image at a level relatively lower than display speeds of other images. Full Article
ge Image editing apparatus, image editing method and program By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Method and information processing apparatus for generating an edited work including a subset of a plurality of scenes in an image material. The information processing apparatus includes a memory configured to store the image material including the plurality of scenes. The information processing apparatus further includes a processor configured to select, for an n-th scene of the edited work, a plurality of first candidate scenes from the plurality of scenes based on at least one feature of a preceding (n−1-th) scene of the edited work and features of the plurality of scenes. The processor is also configured to generate a graphical user interface including a scene selection area and a preview area. The scene selection area includes one or more first candidate images corresponding to at least one of the plurality of first candidate scenes, and the preview area includes a preview of the preceding (n−1-th) scene. Full Article
ge Content data recording/reproducing device, information communication system, contents list generation method and program By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a content data recording/reproducing device, comprising a communication unit that engages in communication with an external device, a storage unit that stores content data and additional data related to the content data, a content data extraction unit that selectively extracts the content data from the storage unit based upon condition data received at the communication unit from the external device and the additional data stored in the storage unit and a contents list generation unit that generates a contents list based upon the condition data and additional data corresponding to the content data extracted by the content data extraction unit. Full Article
ge Information storage medium containing multi-path data, and storage apparatus and player thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A data recording and reproducing apparatus supporting multi-path recording reproduction, and an information storage medium on which multi-path data is recorded. The information storage medium includes at least one clip that is a recording unit containing presentation data for respective paths, wherein presentation data in a selected path is continuously reproduced without changing paths, and additional path information regarding a block of the path is recorded separately from the presentation data. Accordingly, it is possible to more effectively use a recording space and reduce the frequency of jumping to clips, thereby effectively reading the multi-path presentation data from the information storage medium. Full Article
ge System for program specific information error management in a video decoder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A processing system decodes packetized program information including ancillary program specific information comprising a plurality of hierarchically ordered information tables. The ancillary information is used in acquiring and decoding packetized program information to provide a video program for display. The processing system employs a method involving detection of a mismatch between a version number of a first table of the program specific information (e.g. a virtual channel table (VCT), or channel information table (CIT)) and a corresponding version number of the first table conveyed in a second table (e.g. a master guide table (MGT)). If a mismatch is detected, the first and second tables are forced to contain a compatible first table version number. The packetized program information is decoded to provide a video program for display using the program specific information including the first and second tables including the forced compatible version number. A detected mismatch may also be disregarded to enable the decoding of the packetized program information and a User's channel line-up may be edited to remove channels associated with a detected mismatch or other program specific information error condition. Full Article
ge Image processing apparatus and image processing method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image processing apparatus includes a generation unit configured to continuously generate still images from a moving image which is being read out from a recording medium and played back, a detection unit configured to detect a change of a playback state of the moving image which is being read out from the recording medium and played back, and a control unit configured to control an operation of the generation unit. The control unit performs control to stop generating of the still image when the detection unit detects that the playback state of the moving image during playback is changed. Full Article
ge Image capture device, player, and image processing method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image capture device includes: first and second shooting sections, each of which is configured to shoot an image of a subject; a disparity calculating section configured to generate a depth map based on first and second images that have been shot by the first and second shooting sections, respectively; and an image generating section configured to generate, based on the depth map and the first image, a third image that has as high a resolution as the first image and that forms part of a 3D image. The image generating section is controlled to determine whether or not to generate the third image based on at least one of the states of the first and second images, a zoom power during shooting, and the tilt of the image capture device during shooting. Full Article
ge Core drilling machine having an interchangeable drill bit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A core drilling machine having an axial extending hollow drill shaft supported rotatably in a housing and rotated by means of a drive unit; a coaxial tool holder receiving an axially displaceable drill bit, the tool holder having a locking mechanism securing the drill bit in a rotationally fixed manner to the hollow drill shaft; wherein the hollow drill shaft is suitable for receiving a shaft of an interchangeable centre drill, the center drill axially supported against a first spring element; and an axial stop element preventing in a first position a complete displacement of the center drill into the interior of the hollow drill shaft and allows in a second position a complete displacement of the center drill into the interior of the hollow drill shaft; and an activation device for activating the first or second positions of the stop element. Full Article
ge Adjustable jig and method for targeting interlocking holes of an intramedullary nail By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A targeting jig apparatus for targeting interlocking holes of an intramedullary nail. The targeting jig includes a support-arm extending substantially parallel to the intramedullary nail. A targeting mechanism including a pair of targeting mechanism drill-guide orifices is adjustably disposed on the support arm for aligning the targeting mechanism drill-guide orifice with the interlocking holes of the intramedullary nail. The targeting mechanism includes a saddle having a U-shape including a base and parallel legs that are slidable along the support-arm. A connection mechanism includes a horizontal slot on the support-arm aligned with a vertical slot on the targeting mechanism and a pivot screw extending through the slots for facilitating adjustment of the targeting mechanism relative to the support arm. Full Article
ge Cutting tool holder with internal coolant passage having a compressible member By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cutting tool holder has a holder body and upper and base jaws. An insert receiving pocket is defined between the upper and base jaw, for receiving a cutting insert therein. A resilience recess allows the upper jaw to deflect toward the base jaw. An upper jaw coolant channel has an upper jaw inlet, opening out to the resilience recess, and an upper jaw outlet, opening out to a front end of the upper jaw. A holder body coolant channel has a holder body outlet, opening out to the resilience recess, spaced apart from the upper jaw inlet. A compressible tool coolant plug, made of compressible material, is inserted into the resilience recess. The plug has a plug coolant channel opening out toward the upper jaw inlet and the holder body outlet, forming a fluid path from the holder body coolant channel to the upper jaw coolant channel. Full Article
ge Flexible cartridge with precision adjustment By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tool cartridge for a material removal tool has a cartridge body with, among other things, a recess extending through at least a portion of the cartridge body from a first side toward a second side, a long axis of the recess non-parallel to a long axis of the cartridge body and at least a portion of the recess open to a bottom side of the cartridge body, and a threaded opening for a differential screw proximate a second end of the tool body and positioned longitudinally between an opening for a clamping screw and at least a portion of a seat for a cutting tool insert. A thread axis of the threaded opening is at an angle G relative to a long axis of the tool cartridge. A material removal tool, a tool, and a method of adjusting a cutting tool insert are also disclosed. Full Article
ge Multiple edge drill By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a multiple edge drill such as is especially used for machining difficult-to-machine, e.g. high-toughness materials, such as e.g. cast steel, steel for hardening and tempering or other difficult-to-machine steel materials including metallic cast materials, such as e.g. gray cast iron, and especially GGV or ADI cast iron. The facet is designed in such a manner that the main cutting edge has at least two main cutting edge sections that define point angles of different size, the radially outer point angle being smaller than the radially inner one, thereby obtaining a good cutting behavior and long service life of the tool. Full Article
ge Flip cartridges and material removal tool with same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A material removal having a plurality of cartridges mounted on an active portion where a plurality of seating members mounted in each of the plurality of cartridges pivots about an axis between a retracted position and an extended position is disclosed. Alternative embodiments have a single pivotable seating member. The pivotable extending seating members operate to extend and retract in a scissors-like motion and enable compact and efficient machining operation, particularly for crank shaft bearing supports. Full Article
ge Electronic device for voltage switchable dielectric material having high aspect ratio particles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST One or more embodiments provide for a device that utilizes voltage switchable dielectric material having semi-conductive or conductive materials that have a relatively high aspect ratio for purpose of enhancing mechanical and electrical characteristics of the VSD material on the device. Full Article
ge Components having voltage switchable dielectric materials By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST Various aspects provide for structures and devices to protect against spurious electrical events (e.g., electrostatic discharge). Some embodiments incorporate a voltage switchable dielectric material (VSDM) bridging a gap between two conductive pads. Normally insulating, the VSDM may conduct current from one pad to the other during a spurious electrical event (e.g., shunting current to ground). Some aspects include gaps having a gap width that is greater than 50% of a spacing between electrical leads connected to the pads. Some devices include single layers of VSDM. Some devices include multiple layers of VSDM. Various devices may be designed to increase a ratio of active volume (of VSDM) to inactive volume. Full Article
ge Chip resistor with outrigger heat sink By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A surface mount chip resistor for increasing power handling capabilities of radio frequency (RF) circuits and for minimizing parasitic capacitance and inductance effects, the chip resistor includes a ceramic substrate having a main portion and an outrigger. A resistor element is between an input contact and an output contact on a top surface of the main portion. A ground plane attachment area is on a top surface of the outrigger. The ground plane attachment area is mounted to a ground plane of a circuit board to provide a heat pathway for dissipating heat generated by the resistor element. Full Article
ge Substrate device or package using embedded layer of voltage switchable dielectric material in a vertical switching configuration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A substrate device includes an embedded layer of VSD material that overlays a conductive element or layer to provide a ground. An electrode, connected to circuit elements that are to be protected, extends into the thickness of the substrate to make contact with the VSD layer. When the circuit elements are operated under normal voltages, the VSD layer is dielectric and not connected to ground. When a transient electrical event occurs on the circuit elements, the VSD layer switches instantly to a conductive state, so that the first electrode is connected to ground. Full Article
ge Machine vise parallel with angled edges By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A work orienting plate or angled vise parallel for use with a machine vise and which angled plate has first, second and third reference edges with the second and third reference edges being spaced apart side edges that are perpendicular to the first edge. Angled work piece support edges join the second and third reference edges, respectively. The angled work piece support edges are at different angles from one another so that a work piece can be supported on any one of the edges relative to a reference surface of a vise on which the work orienting plate is mounted to position the work piece at selected angles for machining angled surfaces. Full Article
ge Welding workbench assembly with wraparound dual stage barriers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A welding workbench assembly comprises a base. The welding workbench assembly further comprises a first wraparound barrier comprising at least three panels, including a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. The second panel is adjacent to the first panel at a first end of the first panel and the third panel is adjacent to the first panel at a second end of the first panel. The welding workbench assembly further comprises a second wraparound barrier comprising at least three panels, including a fourth panel, a fifth panel, and a sixth panel. The fifth panel is adjacent to the fourth panel at a first end of the fourth panel and the sixth panel is adjacent to the fourth panel at a second end of the fourth panel. Full Article
ge Method for the surface treatment of large parts, gripper of parts suitable for implementing such a method, use of said gripper and treatment cubicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method of painting parts of large dimensions that present a certain amount of flexibility that makes their shape geometrically unstable in the event of being moved. The surface of a part is moved in front of a paint spray device by an arm of a robot, while the spray device remains stationary relative to the robot and while the part is being deformed. Other elements include a gripper for gripping parts of large dimensions, the gripper being adapted to implement the method; an installation; and a booth for performing surface treatment of parts. Full Article
ge Automated storage accessories By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Kit of improved accessories suitable for automated storage structures (20) comprising an automatic clamping system adapted to lock in position workpieces stored during transport on a truck, plant conveyor or any other vehicle and supporting elements (11) for the workpieces stored each formed by bending of iron wire according to the workpiece profile. Full Article
ge Image forming apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image forming apparatus includes an image forming part including a recording head to form an image on a recording medium, a conveyance mechanism disposed opposite the image forming part to convey the recording medium, and a cover closably openable relative to a body of the image forming apparatus and disposed opposite the conveyance mechanism with the image forming part interposed therebetween. The recording head is detachably attachable to the cover and is configured to move away from the conveyance mechanism when the cover is opened. Full Article
ge Image forming apparatus, aspirator device, and method for aspirate dust in an image forming apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a conveyer configured to convey a recording medium along a conveying path in a conveying direction, an image forming unit configured to form an image on the recording medium being conveyed, a supporting member arranged in a position to face the image forming unit and configured to support the recording medium, and an aspirator configured to aspirate dust through an aspiration inlet, which is formed in a downstream position along the conveying direction with respect to the image forming unit and in proximity to a downstream end of the supporting member. Full Article
ge Fluidic structure that allows removal of air bubbles from print heads without generating waste ink By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fluidic structure has a first chamber having a connection to a fluid reservoir and a connection to an array of apertures, the chamber forming a flow path between the fluid reservoir and the array of apertures, a second chamber having a connection to at least one vent connected to an atmosphere external to the fluidic structure, and at least one path between the first chamber and the second chamber. Full Article
ge Liquid feeding device and method of determining time of exchange of gas control element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Ink in an ink tank is fed through a dissolved gas control filter to a printer head. A gas pressure changing mechanism reduces pressure in a gas pressure control tank. In response, the dissolved gas control filter removes gas dissolved in the ink. The gas pressure control tank is placed under pressure corresponding to a sum of the pressure reduced by the gas pressure changing mechanism and the pressure of the gas having been removed from the liquid. A gas pressure measuring part measures the sum of these pressures as pressure in the gas pressure control tank. Then, a controller determines when time of exchange of the dissolved gas control filter has come based on the magnitude of a gradient of gas pressure variation in the gas pressure control tank. Full Article
ge Liquid cartridge and image forming apparatus incorporation same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A liquid cartridge is detachably attachable to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes a cartridge case, an information memory element, and a holding unit. The cartridge case includes at least two dividable case parts. The at least two dividable case parts form a front face of the cartridge case to face the apparatus body when the liquid cartridge is attached to the apparatus body. An information memory element is held at the front face of the cartridge case. The holding unit is provided in one of the at least two dividable case parts to hold the information memory element with only the one of the at least two dividable case parts. The holding unit includes a groove to receive the information memory element and a displaceable claw to hold the information memory element between the groove and the claw. Full Article
ge Cartridge and printing material supply system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure. Full Article
ge Image processing method and image processing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT There are provided an image processing apparatus and an image processing method which can shorten a drying time of inks in an edge region of an image, and can form a sharp image without bleeding of the ink applied onto the edge region into a blank paper. The image processing method generates applying data for forming an image on a print medium by a relative scan between print heads for ejecting a first ink and a second ink having the same color with the first ink and lower in surface tension than the first ink, and the print medium. The image processing method generates first data for applying the first ink to a predetermined region that is adjacent to an edge region of the image and that is included in an inside region inward of the edge region, and generates second data for applying the second ink to the edge region. Full Article
ge Image recording method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image recording method includes applying an ink containing a pigment in a dispersion to a region of a recording medium, and applying a liquid composition capable of destabilizing the dispersion of the pigment in the ink to the recording medium so as to cover at least part of the region of the recording medium. The ink further contains polymer particles, and at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of the compounds expressed by General Formula (1) and the compounds expressed by General Formula (2). In the ink, the content of the polymer particles is 3% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less relative to the total mass of the ink, and the mass ratio of the polymer particles to the surfactant is 1 or more and 10 or less. Full Article
ge Image recording apparatus and irradiator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image recording apparatus includes: a nozzle that discharges electromagnetic wave curable ink that is cured when an electromagnetic wave is irradiated onto a recording medium; and an irradiator for irradiating the electromagnetic wave, wherein a filter that transmits the electromagnetic wave is provided on the irradiator, and the filter has a first transmittance that causes the electromagnetic wave curable ink on the recording medium to be curable with respect to an electromagnetic wave that is incident at a first angle and a second transmittance that maintains a state in which the nozzle can discharge the electromagnetic wave curable ink with respect to an electromagnetic wave that is incident at a second angle. Full Article
ge Liquid ejection apparatus including curl reduction device, curl reduction method executed in the apparatus, and storage medium used for the apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A liquid ejection apparatus includes: (a) a storage device for storing an image data set representing a plurality of images; (b) a liquid ejection head for performing an image formation on each recording medium; (c) a curl reduction device for reducing curl caused in each recording medium having the corresponding image formed thereon by the liquid ejection head; (d) an output tray for receiving each recording medium whose curl has been reduced by the curl reduction device, such that the received recording media are stacked on the output tray; and (e) a control device configured to control the curl reduction device, such that the curl caused in an earlier one of the recording media is reduced by a smaller degree than the curl caused in a later one of the recording media that has been subjected to the image formation later than the earlier one of the recording media. Full Article
ge Medium conveyance apparatus and image forming apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to an aspect of the present invention, in a medium conveyance apparatus which securely supports and conveys a medium, by providing a function for applying a back tension to the medium, in a guide section which forms a guide for supporting the medium in a medium conveyance unit, it is possible to apply a back tension to the medium of which at least a portion is securely supported by the medium conveyance unit, thereby restricting the occurrence of creasing and floating when the medium is securely supported by the medium conveyance unit and maintaining the flatness of the medium which is securely supported by the medium conveyance unit. Full Article