Numerical simulation to analyze the developer circulation behavior around the mixer auger and the magnet roller in the two-component development system has been constructed using Distinct Element Method (DEM). DEM is an analysis method suitable for powder behavior analysis, but the calculation load is heavy because the equation of motion of all particles is solved while considering the magnetic force between particles. Therefore, it will take a huge amount of calculation time to analyze the particle behavior over a wide area like this case. In this study, we parallelized the calculation of magnetic force in DEM using Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to improve the calculation speed and apply it to the simulation.

Optical visualization is used to visualize ultrasonic Lamb waves in a glass plate, but it can only be captured in two dimensions because light is transmitted straight through the medium. Therefore, one dimension may be integrated and visualized. A three-dimensional simulation was performed using the finite element method to clarify the existence of the integrated optical effect of optical visualization. A Lamb wave, a type of guided wave, was propagated through the medium. The simulation results show that the stress distribution differs depending on the cross section and the mode of the generated Lamb wave also differs. Furthermore, as a result of adding the stress distributions of all sections, the stress distribution and the modal distribution completely matched the sensitive tint method, and it was clarified that the optically visualized image had an optical integral effect.

This paper summarizes findings obtained from comparing studies of reading and writing from paper and from electronic media. It also shows suggestions to build digital environments to support reading and writing. From these studies, we have found that reasons why the reading digitally does not reach to the reading on paper were due to the operability of media rather than visibility. Moreover, cognitive load of typing is high and, when using digital drawing tools, users tend to focus on arranging drawing pictures rather than on resolving design problems. To overcome these problems of digital media, this research suggests that (1) we should pursue our research in improving the operability of media rather than visibility, (2) we should allow users to do actions during reading and writing with low cognitive load, and (3) we should not lead a wrong thinking mode.

E-book reader has a potential to reduce the environmental impact from book reading activities because it can store thousands of books and has low energy consumption during its use. Based on the past studies, an e-book presented a smaller environmental impact than that of a paper book;however, the reading behavior of the e-reader users are yet to be taken into consideration. Indeed, majority of the readers of e-books also read paper books at the same time, and the readers may increase the volume of book reading upon adoption of e-reader. This paper discusses the environmental consequences of book reading activities upon introduction of e-reader through the review of past literatures and the author's past studies.

This paper describes a designing Japanese text layout for efficient reading. We propose new text layouts that increase reading speed or facilitate reading comprehension. In the proposed layouts for increasing reading speed, we align characters based on the smallest Japanese linguistic unit (bunsetsu). In the proposed layout for improving reading comprehension, we highlight the paragraph structure of the entire text and the relative positions of its sentences by sequentially fading out characters sentence-by-sentence from the beginning of each paragraph.

Computer-based design support tools are now widely used, but they are not broadly used in the early stages of design. Designers often draw by trial and error on paper. When viewed from the cognitive aspect, conventional support tools have a problem of hindering creative activities in the initial designing phases, which is a contributing factor in little use in the initial design stages. This report introduces research that aims to solve this issue using a pen-based UI in multiple design fields after mentioning the cognitive problem inherent to conventional design support tools. Next, it refers to pen-based design support tools that have recently become spread in the area of animation. Also, it discusses the possibility of cognitive problems being present in this area.

Multimodal interfaces that use various input modalities such as speech, pen, and gestures, are invented to allow natural and intuitive computer operations. This paper introduces our research that supports drawing diagrams using this UI technique. We discuss how to apply this technique to support intellectual activities.

Paper is also a “display medium” that displays information, but it also has the aspect of being an “operation medium” that is easy to handle. Therefore, two cases, Paper Windows and Navigation Book, are introduced as research using paper as an input device for operation, not for displaying information. This approach seems to be useful for manipulating while thinking or speaking, because the operation is intuitive and does not prevent reading and thinking of the document. Using physical paper or books as an interface is intuitive and easy to understand because we can use our own experience. In addition, by using the tactile feedback, we can expect that operation can be performed without preventing cognitive processing.

Ricoh's inkjet technology has a history from the 1970s, when commercialization began, to the present. The feature of the product is that the head, ink, and image processing, which are important modules, were developed in-house by Ricoh. As a result of cultivating UV ink jet technology in the same way, we were able to establish a technology to reproduce oil paintings at high speed using that layered technology. One of the difficulties was banding, which occurred during high-speed printing. As a result of implementing countermeasures, we were able to finish the banding to such a level that it was invisible. In addition, to give the surface gloss, we developed an ink that can make the surface glossy by controlling the amount of UV irradiation. I would like to expand this technology in other fields, including other image processing technologies and evaluation analysis technologies.