Abstract: An external synchronism control circuit is triggered in synchronism with an external synchronous signal so as to successively generate addresses to an image memory storing image information. The external synchronism control circuit comprises a synchronism register receiving the external synchronous signal and capable for holding a plurality of set values. When the external synchronous signal is applied, the synchronism register is initialized to be set with an initial value of the plurality of set values. The content of the synchronism register is updated from one set value to another set value when a predetermined period of time has elapsed. When the content of the synchronism register is updated to a final value of the plurality of set values, the synchronism register operates to maintain the final value until a next external synchronous signal is applied.

Abstract: In liquid-ink color graphics printing, true black ink is preferred over composite black wherever possible, but poor print quality results from printing black ink too close to color ink, due to limitations in present ink chemistry. A method of processing color bit-map graphics data in a four-color liquid-ink printing system, so as to maximize use of black ink while maintaining a minimum spacing between black and color inks (FIGS. 2-4) is disclosed. The input data is stored in CMY bit-map color planes (54,56,58). Preliminarily, data representing composite black is moved from the color planes into a K plane (60) for printing by a true black pen. The data is examined (66) to detect any black ink within the minimum spacing from color ink. The examination is expedited by partitioning the data into blocks (FIG. 8A), and indicating each block as a color block, a black block, or a white block (FIG. 11).

Abstract: A plasma discharge apparatus has a first electrode, a counter electrode, and a power source for supplying power to the first and counter electrodes for initiating and sustaining plasma discharge therebetween. An isolated heater is provided for heating only the first electrode. An isolated temperature sensor is provided for sensing the temperature of the first electrode, and a temperature controller is provided, responsive to the output of the temperature sensor, for controlling the heater to control the temperature of the first electrode.

Abstract: An illuminating apparatus including a casing having an open side, a light reflective surface formed on the interior of the casing, a light diffusive transmission member on the casing and covering the open side, a discharge lamp mounted in the casing underneath the light diffusive transmission member, a first heating element disposed between the discharge lamp and the light reflective surface and a second heating element disposed between the discharge lamp and the light diffusive transmission member.

Abstract: A ballastless high pressure discharge lamp includes an arc tube, electrodes disposed in the arc tube, a column of mercury disposed in the arc tube and having a volume less than the volume of the arc tube, and cushion material disposed in the arc tube adjacent at least one of the electrodes. The cushion material comprises an inert gas impinging upon at least one end of the column of mercury. At least one of the electrodes extends into the column of mercury. The discharge lamp also includes a heating member disposed adjacent the arc tube to separate the column of mercury into two sub-columns by the vaporization of a portion of the mercury column to thereby form a space between the two sub-columns and compress the cushion material and allow one of the mercury sub-columns to engage one of the electrodes whereby to form an arc in the space between the two sub-columns of mercury.

Abstract: In an operating apparatus of a high-pressure discharge lamp of the invention, power is supplied to a heater provided in a high-pressure discharge lamp from a battery. The battery is charged by a charger which is driven by a power section. The power section is started by an ON operation of a switch which is turned on/off synchronously with the operation of a control switch. The control switch allows power supply from the battery to the heater when it is turned on. Therefore, always while power is supplied to the heater, the battery is being charged by the charger so that the voltage of the battery will not be lowered.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel system for producing selectable color bands from a single emission source. More particularly, this invention is directed to a small emission source consisting of a gas discharge means. The emission source in the present invention is preferably a single-ended fused silica capsule which encloses one or more predetermined metal halide salts and an inert gas, preferably argon gas.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus wherein a means is provided to apply the proper negative DC voltage through a filter circuit to an electrode for generating the low-temperature plasma through the feed of the high-frequency power. When the high-frequency power has been fed in the higher high-frequency power density to the electrode for generating the low temperature plasma, the sparks (abnormal discharge) easy to be generated are prevented from being caused to generate the stable low-temperature plasma for better plasma processing.

Abstract: A discharge tube adapted to produce a light by an extraneous high frequency electromagnetic field is heated before discharge to thereby improve the rising-up of the discharge and achieve uniformization of emitted light. Further, the discharge tube is heated by an electrode which applies a high frequency electromagnetic field to the discharge tube.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a discharge tube for emitting light upon an application of an external high frequency wave electromagnetic field, an electrode, arranged outside the discharge tube, for applying the high frequency wave electromagnetic field to the discharge tube, a high frequency wave applying unit for supplying high frequency wave power to the electrode, and a projected portion extending from the discharge tube. The projected portion extends to a position where the high frequency wave electromagnetic field generated by the electrode has a level lower than a discharge initiation level. The high frequency wave power is controlled by changing a voltage, a frequency, a duty ratio or the like.

Abstract: A fluorescent lighting fixture adapted for low temperature conditions which is fitted with a relatively high wattage fluorescent lamp and a lower wattage fluorescent lamp whereby said lower wattage lamp is lighted at lower temperature and provides heat to raise the temperature of the higher wattage lamp to a lighting condition.

Abstract: A gas discharge display device comprises upper and lower substrates having anodes and cathodes thereon. An envelope is formed between the upper and lower substrates and includes an ionizable gas therein. A resistance heater element is placed on the lower substrate adjacent the cathode, and at layer of dielectric material is printed over both the cathode and the heater. The heater includes a pair of trimming elements which extend parallel to one another and which may be connected at any one of a plurality of points along their lengths to achieve the desired trimmed resistance value for the heater element.

Abstract: In a discharge tube lighting system for use in a vehicle, a heat generating element, which is made of metal material, is formed on an outer surface of a tube element of the discharge tube along the longitudinal direction of the tube element, and a temperature detecting element is provided on a surface of the heat generating element. The heat generating element is electrically driven to heat the discharge tube at a starting period of lighting the discharge tube when a temperature of the heat generating element detected by the temperature detecting element is lower than a predetermined temperature. The heat generating element is formed in a rectangular shape and conformally disposed on a portion of the tube. The heater element has first and second ends which are disposed with respect to the electrodes of the tube to cause an electric field to be provided between each electrode and the corresponding end of the heater element.

Abstract: The light output of a fluorescent lamp is controlled and optimized. The light output of a lamp peaks at some optimum value of mercury cold spot temperature. During operation the lamp output is continually monitored, any drop in peak light output is detected, and a signal is generated which reverses the instant mode of operation of a cooling device placed in proximity to the lamp cold spot. With the cooling mode reversed, the light output will rise towards the peak. The cooling mode remains unaltered until the light output falls again.

Abstract: The light output of a fluorescent lamp is controlled and optimized. Both the light output and the lamp voltage peak at nearly the same value of mercury cold spot temperature. Controlling the lamp voltage therefore controls the light output. Thus, when the lamp voltage is continually monitored, any decline from the peak voltage is detected and a signal is generated which reverses the instant mode of operation of a cooling device placed in proximity to the lamp cold spot. With the cooling mode reversed, the lamp voltage will rise towards the peak. The cooling mode remains unaltered until the lamp voltage falls again.

Abstract: The phosphor light output of a fluorescent lamp is controlled and optimized. The phosphor light output of the lamp corresponds to a particular level of either the vapor mercury or rare fill gas contained within the lamp envelope. This gas emission level is initially determined for a given system; a monitoring circuit thereafter detects any deviation from this level, generates a signal and sends it to a controller. The controller adjusts the operation of a mercury cold spot temperature-regulating device causing the cold spot temperature to increase or decrease until the optimum temperature and hence lamp phosphor light output is reestablished.