Abstract: The image reading device comprises a control unit that controls a document-size detection unit to perform the first document-size detection (S13) when a document retainer is detected to be in a predetermined position (S12) and to perform the second document-size detection (S16) when the amount of reflected light measured by a reflected-light amount measurement unit reaches a predetermined value or more (YES in S15) after the first document-size detection, and a document-size determination unit for determining the size of an original document on a document table (S17) from the sizes of the original document obtained through the first and second detections performed by the document-size detection unit.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an intermediate transfer member to which a toner image formed on an image bearing member is primarily transferred and which is able to simultaneously support a plurality of toner images, a secondary transfer member for secondarily transferring a toner image held on the intermediate transfer member to a sheet, a cleaning unit for removing the toner images from the intermediate transfer member after the secondary transfer, and a feeding member for feeding a sheet into the secondary transfer member. The secondary transfer member features a sheet-delay transfer mode in which a subsequent toner image on the intermediate transfer member is transferred if a previous toner image on the intermediate transfer member is out of sync with the timing at which the toner image is transferred to the fed sheet.

Abstract: A novel ink-jet recording apparatus is provided for conducting margin-free recording on the peripheral area of the recording medium including the edge thereof with excellent image quality even in the peripheral area in comparison with quality of the usual printing having a margin. A process therefor is also provided.

Abstract: A novel ink-jet recording apparatus is provided for conducting margin-free recording on the peripheral area of the recording medium including the edge thereof with excellent image quality even in the peripheral area in comparison with quality of the usual printing having a margin. A process therefor is also provided.

Abstract: A novel ink-jet recording apparatus is provided for conducting margin-free recording on the peripheral area of the recording medium including the edge thereof with excellent image quality even in the peripheral area in comparison with quality of the usual printing having a margin. A process therefor is also provided.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus and method subjects recording data to conversion, for example, thinning, when the recording data is not text data and a double-sided recording mode is selected. By effecting recording based on this recording data, recording quality is prevented from being reduced due to ink spread and thinning.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a transporting roller for transporting a recording sheet to a recording section of the apparatus; a pre-biasing roller disposed upstream of the transporting roller relative to the direction of transportation of the recording sheet and arranged to impart to the recording sheet such a tendency that both lateral end portions of the recording sheet are curled away from a recording head; and a platen having a guide surface for guiding and supporting the recording sheet. An aperture is formed in the platen so as to oppose the recording head and so as to extend in the width direction of the recording sheet. The aperture has a predetermined width and a sloping surface so as to extend downward in the direction of transportation of the recording sheet.

Abstract: The present invention realizes a liquid ejecting head with increased ejection force and ejection efficiency and also realizes a liquid ejecting head having compatibility with the conventional products, and a head cartridge and a recording system incorporating the liquid ejecting head. A liquid ejecting head or a head cartridge having an ejection outlet for ejecting a liquid, a liquid flow path in fluid communication with the ejection outlet, and an ejection energy generating element, provided corresponding to the liquid flow path, for receiving an electric signal to generate ejection energy, which comprises an energy adjusting device for adjusting an amount of energy supplied from the outside to the liquid ejecting head and utilized as the electric signal.

Abstract: A novel ink-jet recording apparatus is provided for conducting margin-free recording on the peripheral area of the recording medium including the edge thereof with excellent image quality even in the peripheral area in comparison with quality of the usual printing having a margin. A process therefor is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention realizes a liquid ejecting head with increased ejection force and ejection efficiency and also realizes a liquid ejecting head having compatibility with the conventional products, and a head cartridge and a recording system incorporating the liquid ejecting head.

Abstract: An ink cartridge, removably mountable on a fixed mounting portion of an ink jet recording apparatus for supplying discharged ink to a recording head carried on a movable carriage of the apparatus, comprises a flag member mounted for protrusion and retraction, an arrangement for protruding the flag member toward a path along which the carriage is moved when the ink cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion, and a photosensor mounted on the carriage in a position where it will be shielded from light by the protruding flag member.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a transporting roller for transporting a recording sheet to a recording section of the apparatus; a pre-biasing roller disposed upstream of the transporting roller relative to the direction of transportation of the recording sheet and arranged to impart to the recording sheet such a tendency that both lateral end portions of the recording sheet are curled away from a recording head; and a platen having a guide surface for guiding and supporting the recording sheet. An aperture is formed in the platen so as to oppose the recording head and so as to extend in the width direction of the recording sheet. The aperture has a predetermined width and a sloping surface so as to extend downward in the direction of transportation of the recording sheet.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head for effecting recording by ejecting ink onto a recording material and a holder for holding the recording head while it is not used for recording. The holder includes a cap for sealing an ejection outlet of the recording head, and the cap includes ink absorbing material for maintaining wetness of the ejection outlet.

Abstract: A method for standardizing an ink jet recording head is arranged to be capable of utilizing the characteristics of each of recording heads to the maximum, while maintaining the compatibility between them. Particularly, the compatibility is maintained between the novel type recording head whose interior is partitioned into two layers through movable members, and a conventional type recording head. When the conventional type recording head is mounted on a novel type recording apparatus, all the requirements are handled by the novel type recording apparatus side to drive the conventional type recording head under a condition regulated for the conventional type recording head. When the novel type recording head is mounted on a conventional type recording apparatus, it is driven within the capacity of performance of the conventional type recording apparatus. A discriminator for discriminating the kind of mounted recording head is provided for each of the recording apparatuses.

Abstract: An ink cartridge, removably mountable on a fixed mounting portion of an ink jet recording apparatus for supplying discharged ink to a recording head carried on a movable carriage of the apparatus, comprises a flag member mounted for protrusion and retraction, an arrangement for protruding the flag member toward a path along which the carriage is moved when the ink cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion, and a photosensor mounted on the carriage in a position where it will be shielded from light by the protruding flag member.

Abstract: An apparatus uses a liquid ejection head including a first liquid passage communicating with an ejection port, a second liquid passage separated from the first liquid passage by a separation wall, and a movable member formed as a part of the separation wall. In the second liquid passage, a thermal energy generation device is arranged at a position opposing to the movable member. The movable member has a free end portion and a fulcrum. Recovery of the first and second liquid passages is performed by suction and/or pressurization. Upon recovery by discharging the liquid in respective liquid passage having higher flow resistance, the pressurizing force and/or the suction force for the liquid passage having higher resistance is set to be greater that the pressurizing force and/or the suction force for the other liquid passage having lower flow resistance.

Abstract: A recording apparatus having a carriage which scans along a guide shaft and which is provided with recording heads includes a position detector for detecting the positions of the carriage in the scanning direction; and a fixing device for engaging with the carriage to regulate the carriage in the scanning direction when it is detected by the position detector that the carriage is in a given fixing position and fixing the carriage in the given fixing position. With the structure thus arranged, this recording apparatus is capable of preventing the carriage from being bent or deformed when the ink tanks and recording heads are detachably mounted or the gap adjustment for the recording heads are executed on the carriage, thus enabling the operation and positioning of the carriage to be executed exactly.

Abstract: Ink jet recording encounters deviations in the position at which a recorded dot is applied due to changes in the distance from the recording head to a recording medium, the carriage movement speed and the ink discharge speed or the like. When bidirectional recording is performed while moving the carriage having the recording head mounted thereon, deviations of the recorded dot may occur in the forward and rearward recording operations. The present invention is arranged in such a manner that values for correcting the deviations occurring in bidirectional recording and corresponding to the changes of the distance from the recording head to a recording medium, the carriage movement speed and the ink discharge speed or the like are previously stored. A drive signal, the timing of which has been corrected with the correction value, is used to operate the apparatus so that high-quality recordings free from deviations occurring in the bidirectional recording operation are obtained.

Abstract: A recording apparatus that records on a recording medium by use of a recording head mounted on a serially movable carriage includes an ultrasonic motor for generating the driving power that enables the carriage to move serially, a driving mechanism to move the carriage serially, a driving power transmission mechanism to transmit the driving power from the ultrasonic motor to the carriage, and an intermittent mechanism to selectively permit the transmission of the driving power from the ultrasonic motor to the carriage. With the structure thus arranged, it is possible to manually move the carriage with ease to facilitate the execution of a jamming sheet removal operation or the like even if the holding torque of the ultrasonic motor is extremely high, thus preventing any possible damages that may take place on the unit that couples the carriage with the power transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A color ink jet printing apparatus including a single suction mechanism having a capping member designed to cap any one of the printheads of the apparatus and carrying out a suction recovery of that capped printhead. A plurality of additional caps which are not associated with the suction mechanism are provided for capping the printhead. Various printing moving schemes are devised to provide quick and efficient positioning of selected printheads opposing the suction mechanism to speedily service that printhead.