Author: claimsbot

1. An image-forming device comprising:
an image-carrying member having a surface on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and developed into a developer image by a developer;
a developer-carrying member having an outer surface including a layer forming region for carrying a layer of developer to the surface of the image-carrying member, the layer forming region having a first width in a widthwise direction;
a belt configured to circulate in a moving direction orthogonal to the widthwise direction and transfer the developer image onto a recording medium, the belt having an outer surface including a cleanable region; and
a cleaning unit comprising:
a cleaning member that contacts the cleanable region of the belt and receives the developer from the outer surface of the belt, the cleaning member having a second width in the widthwise direction;
a removing member that removes the developer from the cleaning member and having a third width in the widthwise direction; and

wherein the first width is narrower than the second width, and the second width is narrower than the third width.
2. The image-forming device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member comprises a first rotating element and a second rotating element, the first rotating element receiving the developer from the outer surface of the belt and having a fourth width in the widthwise direction, the second rotating element receiving the developer from the first rotating element and having a fifth width in the widthwise direction, the fourth width being narrower than the fifth width, and the fifth width being narrower than the third width.
3. The image-forming device according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning unit further comprises a backup member for supporting the belt at a position opposite to the first rotating element with respect to the belt, the back up member having a sixth width in the widthwise direction narrower than the fourth width.
4. The image-forming device according to claim 3, wherein the belt comprises a belt body having a widthwise end portions in the widthwise direction, and guiding ribs each being provided at each widthwise end portions, the two guiding ribs being separated from each other by a seventh width; and,
the image forming device further comprising tension rollers that drive and stretch the belt, each guiding rib being positioned outside of the tension roller in the widthwise direction, the sixth width being narrower than the seventh width, and the backup member being disposed between the guiding ribs.
5. The image-forming device according to claim 1, wherein the developer is a polymerized toner.
6. The image-forming device according to claim 1, wherein the developer carrying member contacts the image-carrying member for forming a developer image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image.
7. The image-forming device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is disposed at a position such that each widthwise end of the cleaning member is positioned within the widthwise ends of the belt.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

We claim:

1. A Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) integrated with testing apparatus comprising in a loop:
i) a Phase-Frequency Detector (PFD), the PFD having first and second signal inputs, a test control input and an output, wherein the test control input is used to switch the PFD between a normal operating mode, in which the output delivers an output signal containing the phase and frequency difference between first and second signals applied respectively to the first and second signal inputs, and a transparent mode, in which only one of the first and second signal inputs is coupled to the output such that the corresponding signal is coupled through to the output unaltered;
ii) a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO), the VCO having an input and an output, the input of the VCO connected to the output of the PFD;
iii) a frequency divider, the frequency divider having an input and an output, the input of the frequency divider connected to the output of the VCO; and
iv) a first multiplexer (MUX), the first MUX having first and second signal inputs, a control input and an output, the output of the first MUX connected to the second signal input of the PFD, the first signal input of the first MUX connected to the output of the frequency divider, the second signal input coupled to receive a bias signal, and the control input coupled to receive a control signal;
wherein the control signal coupled to the control input of the first MUX is set to select which one of the first and second signal inputs is coupled to the output of the first MUX.
2. The PLL of claim 1 further comprising a charge pump, the charge pump having an input and an output, the charge pump connected between the PFD and the VCO.
3. The PLL of claim 1 further comprising a loop filter connected to the input of the VCO.
4. The PLL of claim 1 further comprising a loop filter connected between the PFD and the VCO.
5. The PLL of claim 1 further comprising a second MUX between VCO and the frequency divider, the second MUX having first and second signal inputs, a control input and an output, the output of the second MUX connected to the input of the frequency divider, the first signal input of the second MUX connected to the output of the VCO, the second signal input of the second MUX coupled to receive a first test signal, and the control input of the second MUX coupled to receive a second control signal, wherein the second control signal coupled to the control input of the second MUX is set to select which one of the first and second signal inputs is coupled to the output of the second MUX.
6. The PLL of claim 1 further comprising a third MUX having first and second signal inputs, a control input and an output, the output of the third MUX connected to the first input of the PFD, the first signal input of the third MUX coupled to receive a reference signal, the second signal input of the third MUX coupled to receive a second bias signal, and the control input of the third MUX coupled to receive a third control signal, wherein the third control signal coupled to the control input of the third MUX is set to select which one of the first and second signal inputs is coupled to the output of the third MUX.
7. The PLL of claim 6 further comprising a reference divider circuit, the reference divider having an input and an output, the input coupled to receive the reference signal and the output connected to the first signal input of the third MUX to provide a signal to the third MUX derived from the reference signal.
8. The PLL of claim 5 further comprising a mixer connected between the VCO and the second MUX, the mixer having two inputs and an output, the output of the mixer connected to the first signal input of the second MUX, the first input of the mixer coupled to receive the output of the VCO and the second input of the mixer coupled to receive a local reference signal.
9. The PLL of claim 8 further comprising a local oscillator, the local oscillator providing the local reference signal.
10. The PLL of claim 9 further comprising a fourth MUX between the local oscillator and the second input of the mixer, the fourth MUX having first and second signal input, a control input and an output, the first signal input of the fourth MUX coupled to receive the local reference signal, the second signal input of the fourth MUX coupled to receive a fourth bias signal, the output of the fourth MUX connected to the second input of the mixer, and the control input of the fourth MUX coupled to receive a fourth control signal, the fourth control signal set to select which of the two signal inputs is coupled to the output of the fourth MUX.
11. A Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) integrated with testing apparatus comprising in a loop:
i) a Phase-Frequency Detector (PFD), the PFD having first and second signal inputs, a test control input and an output, wherein the test control input is used to switch the PFD between a normal operating mode, in which the output delivers an output signal containing the phase and frequency difference between first and second signals applied respectively to the first and second signal inputs, and a transparent mode, in which only one of the first and second signal inputs is coupled to the output such that the corresponding signal is coupled through to the output unaltered;
ii) a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO), the VCO having an input and an output, the input of the VCO connected to the output of the PFD;
iii) a frequency divider, the frequency divider having an input and an output, the output of the frequency divider connected to the second signal input of the PFD; and
iv) a first multiplexer (MUX), the first MUX having first and second signal inputs, a control input and an output, the output of the first MUX connected to the input of the frequency divider, the first signal input of the first MUX is connected to the output of the VCO, the second signal input of the first MUX coupled to receive a first test signal, and the control input of the first MUX coupled to receive a first control signal, wherein the first control signal coupled to the control input of the first MUX is set to select which one of the first and second signal inputs is coupled to the output of the first MUX.
12. The PLL of claim 11 further comprising a charge pump, the charge pump having an input and an output, the charge pump connected between the PFD and the VCO.
13. The PLL of claim 11 further comprising a loop filter connected to the input of the VCO.
14. The PLL of claim 11 further comprising a loop filter connected between the PFD and the VCO.
15. The PLL of claim 11 further comprising a third MUX having first and second signal inputs, a control input and an output, the output of the third MUX connected to the first input of the PFD, the first signal input of the third MUX is coupled to receive a reference signal, the second signal input of the third MUX coupled to receive a second bias signal, and the control input of the third MUX coupled to receive a third control signal, wherein the third control signal coupled to the control input of the third MUX is set to select which one of the first and second signal inputs is coupled to the output of the third MUX.
16. The PLL of claim 15 further comprising a reference divider circuit, the reference divider having an input and an output, the input coupled to receive the reference signal and the output connected to the first signal input of the third MUX to provide a signal to the third MUX derived from the reference signal.
17. A Phase-Frequency Detector (PFD), the PFD having first and second signal inputs, a test control input and an output, wherein the test control input is used to switch the PFD between a normal operating mode, in which the output delivers an output signal containing the phase and frequency difference between first and second signals applied respectively to the first and second signal inputs, and a transparent mode, in which only one of the first and second signal inputs is coupled to the output such that the corresponding signal is coupled through to the output unaltered.
18. The PFD of claim 17 further adapted to operate upon digital signals.
19. The PFD of claim 17 further adapted to operate upon analogue signals.

1. A mounting assembly in an ink jet printer, the assembly comprising:
a drum frame being adapted to support an associated imaging drum that mounts to the drum frame, the drum frame including a first support and a second support spaced from the first support, the first support including a first docking station and the second support including a second docking station;
a print head frame movably mounted with respect to the drum frame, wherein the print head frame is movable between a printing position and a cleaning position;
at least two print heads mounted to the print head frame;
a first alignment pin connected to the print head frame and extending generally towards the drum frame, the first alignment pin being adapted to cooperate with the first docking station when the print head frame is moved into the printing position; and
a second alignment pin connected to the print head frame and extending generally towards the drum frame, the second alignment pin being adapted to cooperate with the second docking station when the print head frame is moved into the printing position.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first docking station comprises a substantially cone-shaped recess.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second docking station comprises a v-shaped notch.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each docking station is adapted to restrict movement of the respective alignment pin in a first axis and a first direction that is perpendicular to the first axis.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the first docking station is adapted to restrict movement of the first alignment pin in a second axis that is perpendicular to both the first axis and the first direction.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first alignment pin includes a distal end having a convex surface.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first alignment pin is adjustable in a distance that the pin extends from the print head frame.
8. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a stop member connected to the print head frame, the stop member being positioned in relation to the print head frame to limit the movement of at least one of the print heads when the print head frame is moved from the printing position towards the cleaning position.
9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member connected to the print head that biases the print head towards the drum frame.
10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one print head is spaced from another print head in an axis that is parallel to a rotational axis of the associated imaging drum.
11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one print head is spaced from another print head in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the rotational axis of the associated imaging drum.
12. An ink jet printer comprising:
a printer housing;
an imaging drum having first and second ends;
a drum frame connected to the printer housing, the drum frame having a first support connected to the first end of the drum and a second support connected to the second end of the drum, the first support including a first docking station and the second support including a second docking station;
a print head frame movably mounted in the printer housing with respect to the drum frame, wherein the print head frame is movable between a printing position and a cleaning position;
at least two print heads mounted to the print head frame;
a first alignment pin connected to the print head frame and extending generally towards the drum frame, the first alignment pin being adapted to be received by the first docking station when the print head frame is moved into the printing position; and
a second alignment pin connected to the print head frame and extending generally towards the drum frame, the second alignment pin being adapted to be received by the second docking station when the print head frame is moved into the printing position.
13. The printer of claim 12, wherein the printer head linearly reciprocates between the printing position and the cleaning position.
14. The printer of claim 12, wherein each of the docking stations is shaped to encourage a respective alignment pin to seat in the docking station to limit movement of the alignment pin in two directions, each direction being perpendicular to a rotational axis of the imaging drum.
15. The printer of claim 14, wherein the first docking station is shaped to limit movement of the first alignment pin in a third direction that is perpendicular to both of the two directions and parallel to the rotational axis of the imaging drum.
16. The printer of claim 12, wherein the first support includes two docking stations that are spaced from one another in a direction that is at least generally perpendicular to a rotational axis of the drum.
17. The printer of claim 12, wherein the first docking station is aligned with the second docking station along a line that is parallel to a rotational axis of the drum.
18. The printer of claim 12, wherein the imaging drum defines a print array upon which ink is deposited, and at least one of the printer heads supplies ink to only a portion of the print array measured along a rotational axis of the drum.
19. The printer of claim 12, further comprising a stop connected to the print head frame, wherein the stop limits movement at least one of the print heads in a direction that is perpendicular to a rotational axis of the drum when at least one print head is in a position other than the printing position.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An imaging apparatus comprising:
an optical system configured to collect subject light;
an imaging device having an electronic front curtain function, configured to receive the subject light to generate an image signal;
a data storage unit configured to store an exit pupil distance of the optical system and a correction amount of the exit pupil distance;
a mechanical shutter capable of cutting off the subject light passing through the optical system to the imaging device; and
a correction unit configured to obtain the exit pupil distance of the optical system and the correction amount of the exit pupil distance from the data storage unit, obtain a corrected exit pupil distance using the obtained exit pupil distance of the optical system and correction amount of the exit pupil distance, and correct brightness unevenness of the image signal based on the corrected exit pupil distance;
wherein the correction amount of the exit pupil distance is a correction amount that nonlinearly changes according to a vignetting of the optical system; and
wherein the exit pupil distance of the optical system is a value expressed by using an inverse number of a value of an exit pupil distance of an optical system.
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction amount of the exit pupil distance is a correction amount that nonlinearly changes according to an image height on the imaging device.
3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit controls a reset timing of an electronic front curtain of the imaging device to correct the brightness unevenness of the image signal.
4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit controls gains of pixels of the image signal to correct the brightness unevenness of the image signal.
5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is a lens interchangeable type of imaging apparatus.
6. A camera body to which an interchangeable lens is mountable, comprising:
an imaging device having an electronic front curtain function, configured to generate an image signal from subject light which is received through an optical system of the interchangeable lens;
a mechanical shutter capable of cutting off the subject light passing through the optical system to the imaging device;
a communication unit configured to receive an exit pupil distance of the optical system of the interchangeable lens and a correction amount of the exit pupil distance, from the interchangeable lens; and
a correction unit configured to obtain a corrected exit pupil distance using the received exit pupil distance of the optical system and the received correction amount of the exit pupil distance, and correct brightness unevenness of the image signal based on the corrected exit pupil distance;
wherein the correction amount of the exit pupil distance is a correction amount that nonlinearly changes according to a vignetting of the optical system; and
wherein the exit pupil distance of the optical system is a value expressed by using an inverse number of a value of an exit pupil distance of an optical system.
7. The camera body according to claim 6, wherein the correction amount of the exit pupil distance is a correction amount that nonlinearly changes according to an image height on the imaging device.
8. The camera body according to claim 6, wherein the correction unit controls a reset timing of an electronic front curtain of the imaging device to correct the brightness unevenness of the image signal.
9. The camera body according to claim 6, wherein the correction unit controls gains of pixels of the image signal to correct the brightness unevenness of the image signal.
10. An interchangeable lens mountable to a camera body, comprising:
an optical system configured to collect subject light;
a data storage unit configured to store an exit pupil distance of the optical system and a correction amount of the exit pupil distance; and
a communication unit configured to transmit the exit pupil distance of the optical system and the correction amount of the exit pupil distance stored in the data storage unit to the camera body;
wherein the correction amount of the exit pupil distance is a correction amount that nonlinearly changes according to a vignetting of the optical system; and
wherein the exit pupil distance of the optical system is a value expressed by using an inverse number of a value of an exit pupil distance of an optical system.
11. The interchangeable lens according to claim 10, wherein the correction amount of the exit pupil distance is a correction amount that nonlinearly changes according to an image height on an imaging device.