Abstract: A robotic plotting system 10 is provided, in which a robotic plotter 18 having a printhead 18 is placed on a substantially flat horizontal surface 23, upon a recording medium 22, and is directed across the medium 22 by ranging signals 16 transmitted to the printhead 18 from the periphery of the recording medium 22. In one embodiment, the robotic printhead 18 includes a motorized drive mechanism 26, 28 that propels it across the surface of the recording medium 22 in a controlled manner, for example using microwave control signals 16. Thus, a user can place a piece of paper 22 of any size on a flat surface 23 such as a table or floor, and the printhead 18 is propelled across the surface 23 and is directed by signals 16 beamed between the printhead 18 and a control mechanism 14. In this manner, a large-surface-area plotting system 10 is provided in the form of a small hand-held device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus (10) for sheet thermal print media. The image processing apparatus (10) comprises a vacuum imaging drum (300) for holding thermal print media (32) and dye donor material (36) in registration on the vacuum imaging drum (300). A printhead (500) moves along a line parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vacuum imaging drum (300) as the vacuum imaging drum (300) rotates. The printhead (500) receives information signals and produces radiation which is directed to the dye donor material (36) which causes color to transfer from the dye donor material (36) to the thermal print media (32). The printhead (500) is mounted on a movable translation stage member (220) that moves in its travel path, guided along by translation bearing rods (206, 208) that are magnetically held to a frame (202) for straightening by holding magnets (528).

Abstract: A movement guide for guiding the movement of a manually movable hand recording apparatus has a guide member for guiding the movement of the hand recording apparatus, and an engaging portion provided on the guide member and removably engageable with the hand recording apparatus when the movement of the hand recording apparatus is guided.

Abstract: A thermally sensitive recording head comprising, a two bases 2 moving with its attitude being kept along a guide shaft 5, an attachment 3 rotatably provided on the base 2 so that the base 2 extends to an right angle direction with the guide shaft 5 and contacts on or separates from a platen 8, and a heating head 4, which is rotatably provided on the attachment 3, and on front surface of which a heating body train is formed in a right angle direction with the guide shaft 5 and extends in opposite direction to an extending direction of the attachment 3 from the tip end of the attachment 3 to contact on or separate from the platen 8, whereby the attachment 3 and the heating head 4 are pressed on the thermally Sensitive paper placed on back-side of the platen 8. In this arrangement, a clear image can be obtained without generation of irregularity of photographic density because the heating head 4 presses the thermally sensitive papers while being kept always in parallel with the platen 8.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head wherein a substrate with a groove for forming an ink pathway connected to an orifice for discharging ink and a plate member are bonded so as to form the ink pathway bycharging the recessed portion of groove with a filling material;evening the upper surface of the substrate and the upper surface of said filling material;bonding the substrate and said plate member to the evened surface; andremoving said filling material therefrom.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a sidewall actuatable, high density channel array for an ink jet printhead. A first surface of a main body portion formed from an inactive material is conductively bonded to a first surface of a first intermediate body portion formed from an active material. A plurality of parallel grooves are then machined through the first intermediate body portion and part of the main body portion to form a plurality of channels separated by a corresponding plurality of sidewall actuators comprised of a first sidewall section formed from an inactive material and a second sidewall section formed from an active material. A top body portion is then conductively mounted to the intermediate body portion.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a sidewall actuator array for an ink jet printhead in which a series of longitudinally extending, generally parallel grooves are formed in a body portion of the ink jet printhead. In various embodiments thereof, the body portion may be comprised of a lower body portion formed of an inactive material and an intermediate body portion formed of an active material, a lower body portion formed of active material poled in a first direction and an intermediate body portion formed of active material poled in a second, opposite direction, a lower body portion formed of active material poled in a first direction, a insulative spacing portion and an intermediate body portion formed of active material poled in a second, opposite direction, or a single body portion formed of an active material. After forming grooves therein, a layer of conductive material is deposited on inner side surfaces exposed during the grooving step.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing ink onto a semiconductor chip in a semiconductor device tester, the apparatus comprising a ring shaped support for attachment to the inside wall of a test head of the semiconductor tester; a pedestal slidably supported on the ring shaped support; vertical, lateral, and angular adjustment mechanisms on the ring shaped support for adjusting the position of the pedestal; locking screws to secure the vertical, lateral and angular adjustments: and a mounting bracket for mounting an ink dispenser on the end of pedestal away from the ring shaped support whereby the ink dispenser can be aligned using the adjusting mechanism to place ink on a semiconductor chip.

Abstract: The printhead of an ink jet printer is mounted on a printhead carrier for reciprocal movement on a carrier guide rod above a record feed path. A bi-directional motor drives a drive belt attached to the carrier to thereby pull the printhead back and forth. The belt is attached to the carrier at two points which are spaced from the axis of the carrier guide rod, one point being above the axis and the other point being below the axis. The arrangement is such that any tilt of the printhead carrier in a vertical plane, resulting from a pulling force of the drive belt, is always in the same direction regardless of the direction in which the printhead carrier is pulled. This improves the accuracy of ink dot placement thereby giving better print quality. The drive belt is mounted on pulleys which are positioned such that there is an upward incline from each attachment point to a pulley. The carrier is provided with feet which ride in a groove in a carrier guide.

Abstract: A support arm for use in a pen plotter having a platen with a platen extension in front of it spaced to provide a slot therebetween to rotatably support a pinch roller above the platen to prevent the edges of plotting media inserted between the platen and the pinch roller from entering the slot. The arm is slidably supported under the platen on one end and passes through the slot to rotatably support a pinch roller above the platen on the opposite end. The arm has a bridging finger extending horizontally in the slot from a point adjacent the opposite end towards the plotting media from a side edge thereof. Preferably, the bridging finger is of a width substantially equal to the width of the slot and has a top surface at the same level as a top surface of the platen.

Abstract: A swivelling unit 18 is swivellably supported on the machine body of the plotter between the two predetermined positions. A loader shaft 38 is journalled on the swivelling unit 18 which is interlocked with a rotary drive device. When the swivelling unit 18 moves to the predetermined lead supplying position, a lead tank stocker 44, having a number of lead tanks on its circumference and connected to the loader shaft 38, moves interlockingly with the swivelling unit 18 in the condition of holding the predetermined rotary angle. The lead tank 48 moves immediately above the pencil holder 10 of the writing instruments stocker 8 by this movement. When the opener 76 is driven to this position and the shutter mechanism of the lead tank 48 opens, a piece of the writing lead drops from the lead tank 48 and the writing lead is supplied to the empty pencil holder 12 which is retained by the writing instruments stocker 8.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium includes a feed roller for feeding a recording medium, a recording head reciprocally movable along a feed path of the recording medium conveyed by the feed roller, the recording head being arranged to perform recording on the recording medium, a motor rotatable in a forward and a reverse direction, a first driving force transmitting unit for driving the feed roller upon rotation of the motor, and a second driving force transmitting unit capable of not receiving the driving force when the driving force is transmitted from the motor to the first driving force transmitting unit. The second driving force transmitting unit is arranged to reciprocate the recording head upon reversible rotation of the motor. A particularly configured drive belt with toothed and non-toothed portions accomplishes this operation.

Abstract: In a pen plotter having a pen carriage moving laterally along a support beam over a plotting media, cutting apparatus for cutting the plotting media includes a first member carried by the pen carriage for lateral movement in combination therewith, a second member carried by the first member for movement perpendicular to movement of the first member between a first position adjacent the plotting media and a second position removed from the plotting media, a cutting blade carried by the second member for movement therewith such that when the second member is in the first position the cutting blade has a cutting edge thereof positioned to cut the plotting media and when the second member is in the second position the cutting edge does not contact the plotting media, a first abutting surface disposed adjacent one end of lateral movement of the pen carriage, a second abutting surface disposed adjacent an opposite end of lateral movement of the pen carriage, and a camming apparatus carried by the pen carriage and c

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a sidewall actuatable, high density channel array for an ink jet printhead. A first surface of a main body portion formed from an active material is conductively bonded to a first surface of a first intermediate body portion formed from an active material. A plurality of parallel grooves are then machined through the first intermediate body portion and part of the main body portion to form a plurality of channels separated by a corresponding plurality of sidewall actuators comprised of a first sidewall section formed from an active material and a second sidewall section formed from an active material. A top body portion is then conductively mounted to the intermediate body portion.

Abstract: A recording apparatus, which is provided with a carriage supporting a recording head or reciprocating along a platen, includes a magnetized scale of a magnetic linear encoder positioned along a moving direction of the carriage, and a magnetic head of the magnetic linear encoder, mounted on the carriage and adapted for reading the magnetized pattern of the scale. The scale is provided with at least two magnetized lines of mutually different pitches of magnetization, for recording position information relating to the recording operation, and position information relating to other functions.

Abstract: In a mechanical device in which a member is moved by an electrical actuator through an electronic and mechanical linkage, apparatus for compensating for changes in system gain to allow precision movement with non-precision components. There a sensor for accurately determining positions of the member, control logic connected to provide a control signal to the actuator, and an adjustable gain control for adjusting the gain of the control signal. Compensation logic is connected to receive positional signals from the sensor, for applying a control signal to the actuator to move the member to a target position closest to a desired final position, for adjusting the gain of the control signal with the adjustable gain control until the member is located at the target position within acceptable tolerance limits, and for then employing that gain to move the member to the desired final position. The method associated with the apparatus can be done in real-time or by pre-calibrating in advance.

Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method for ascertaining the operational status of a pen in a vector plotter in which a pen is moved into contact with a paper web at a test location, the pen is moved relative to the web and an optical detector is used to determine whether or not the pen is drawing a line on the web. The web is moved from a supply roll to a take-up roll to move the test area on the web to an optical testing location. The absence of a line after a pre-determined period of web movement time signals the inoperative status of the pen and the detection of a line by the pen within that pre-determined period of movement time signals that the pen is operative. Quality and proper line width of the line can also be determined.

Abstract: A printer featuring an optical data link between the printer's controller and its reciprocal, carriage-mounted printhead is described. Print data are conveyed from the controller to the printhead via a fixed point on the edge of the carriage and status data may be conveyed in the reverse direction. Power is supplied to the printhead via dual parallel rails on which the carriage is supported for reciprocation by the chassis-mounted carriage drive motor. Preferably, the optical medium is infrared light, and uses conventional driver/receiver devices.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for a pencil carriage in which a motor is coupled to a lead holder to move the lead holder relative to a drawing media surface, a pusher mechanism moves a lead carried by an internal of the lead holder relative to the position of the lead holder and the drawing media surface independently of the movement of the lead holder and a plotter control and sensors coupled thereto are provided for synchronizing the operation of the motor and the pusher mechanism to control the position of the lead relative to the lead holder and the drawing media surface. In a particular embodiment, the pusher mechanism includes a pusher rod for engaging the lead, a movable rack and a pinion gear engaged therewith, the movable rack being coupled to the pusher rod to move the lead, and a motor for driving the pinion gear.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ink jet head including the steps of: laminating a dry film photoresist 51 on an inner surface of a nozzle plate 2, the dry film photoresist being a photohardening resin; exposing the photoresist 51 with such energy as to half-harden the photoresist while superposing thereon a photomask M1 having a predetermined masking pattern; developing the thus exposed photoresist 51; laminating a photoresist 52; secondarily exposing the photoresists 51, 52 to form a partially hardened portion 5C; bonding an elastic plate on the portion 5C; and integrating the bonded plates while hardening them by heating.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having deflection scanning type and line type exposing devices and first and second developing devices arranged around a photoconductive element, so that parts around the photoconductive element are arranged with ease to promote the miniaturization of the apparatus. The exposing devices are selected based on the principle that the image quality is enhanced for an image of particular color and is lowered for an image of another color expected to be printed less frequently. Specifically, the deflection scanning type exposing device forms the image of the particular color, and the line type exposing device which has an inherently long optical path and simple structure forms the image of another color. Fans are provided to produce cooling air flow to the line type exposing device and to draw out toner dirt and ozone produced by the charger associated therewith.

Abstract: In a digital imaging system in which a number of lasers provide different colored beams that are combined into a single collimated focused beam so that the film is exposed to all color components simultaneously, an improved mirror mount in which individual critical adjustments are made without affecting the setting of other adjustments. A mirror is mounted on a block that is in face-to-face relationship with a stand. A pivot ball is positioned in two recesses in the opposing faces to permit angular adjustment of the mounting block in a first plane relative to said stand, and a second adjustment permits movement of said block relative to said stand about the pivot ball in a plane perpendicular to said first plane. A third adjustment permits transverse movement of the mirror mount.

Abstract: A preliminary sensor read unit (83A) performs preliminary sensor read for a movable ring (38) by using a sensor (29) with a pencil (20) set in an upper position. After the preliminary sensor read, a knock control unit (83B) performs a single lead-knocking operation for the pencil. After the lead-knocking operation, a determining sensor read unit (83C) performs determining sensor read for the movable ring by using the sensor, with the pencil set in the upper position. Using a determining threshold prepared on the basis of a sensor value obtained by the preliminary sensor read, a determining unit (83D) discriminates a difference between a sensor value of the determining sensor read and the sensor value of the preliminary sensor read and determines whether or not the length of the lead held by the movable ring has an effective value for plotting.

Abstract: When a pen holder of a drawing head of an automatic lead supply apparatus is raised and lowered, and a knocking pipe of a pencil holder held by the pen holder strikes or is pressed against a knocking plate in order to repeatedly raise and lower the knocking pipe, a lead contained in the pencil holder is fed to a front end of the pencil holder. Before the lead feeding operation, a controller functions to finely oscillate the drawing head in order to prevent the lead from clogging the knocking pipe. As a result, a single lead will be properly and reliably guided to a lead chucking mechanism.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for a plotter carriage adaptable for use in either a pen plotter or a pencil plotter mode in which a coupler engages both a support for a pen holder and a support for a lead holder and a motor and an actuator arm coupled to the motor are provided for driving the coupler relative to a drawing media surface. An interlock and a sensor are provided to enable the motor, actuator arm and coupler to be coupled to a pencil actuator mechanism and to determine whether the plotter carriage is being used in a pen plotter or a pencil plotter mode.

Abstract: A recording medium in the sheet form is supplied into a designated direction guided by a sheet supply roller. An ink jet recording head in which a plurality of ink jet discharging orifices are arranged is placed in parallel with a surface of the recording sheet and in the direction perpendicular to the designated direction of supplying the recorded sheet. An adjustment screw is placed for correcting a warped shape of the ink jet recording head by means of displacing a neighbor of a central portion of a longer side of the ink jet recording head in the designated direction of supplying the recording sheet.

Abstract: A computer driven device for making silk screens suitable for making signs, PC boards, mask, metal, textile graphics and the like is disclosed. The device uses a laser beam to burn holes in a thin sheet of plastic, preferably nylon. The laser beam is directed toward the surface of the nylon screen and the beam is moved incrementally under computer control to position the two before activation of the laser. The desired sign or pattern to be burned into the screen is constructed by means of a microprocessor or PC using a desk top type publishing program. The finished nylon "silk" screen can be used in the same manner as conventional silk screens.

Abstract: A scanning device for an electronic photography printer which comprises a photosensitive drum, a rotary cylinder horizontally disposed and provided with spiral slits which are spaced from one another, an LED array horizontally penetrating the inside of the rotary cylinder and having a plurality of LEDs which are disposed on the LED array and each having a width of the same distance as the space between respective spiral slits of the rotary cylinder, a horizontal slit plate disposed between the photosensitive drum and the rotary cylinder and having a plurality of slits which are inclined on the basis of the horizontal line of the horizontal slit plate and spaced from one another, and a self-focus lens array horizontally disposed between the photosensitive drum and the horizontal slit plate.

Abstract: Disclosure concerns a portable drawing toy comprising an openable rectangular box having manual rotatable knobs in the two lower opposite corners, which knobs move by strings and pulleys a horizontal and a vertical bar orthogonally with respect to each other. At the intersection of these bars is a socket for one of a plurality of different colored marking pens. A cover for the box comprises a framed window with flanges for holding a translucent paper on the underside of the window so that when the cover is closed the marker pen contacts the paper and rotation of the knobs causes the pen to draw lines on the paper, which lines can be viewed through the window. The translucent paper can be changed for retaining the drawing made thereon, and a magazine for different colored pens is provided in the base of the box.

Abstract: A lead loader mechanism for a pencil plotter in which a lead stocker contains a plurality of leads for use in a pencil plotter, at least one lead actuator mechanism is coupled to the lead stocker and is adapted to release the leads, and a support is provided for holding at least one lead holder and for engaging the lead actuator mechanism to release the leads into the lead holder. In a particular embodiment, the lead stocker has at least one lead storage chamber therein and the lead actuator mechanism is mounted on the lead stocker below the lead storage chamber and is adapted to be changed from a first condition in which the leads are prevented from leaving the lead storage chamber to a second condition in which the leads are free to leave the lead storage chamber, and the support is adapted to cause the lead actuator mechanism to change from the first condition to the second condition.

Abstract: In a paper sheet conveying operation for a plotter, a roller paper sheet 29 supported on a feeding roller 35 is slackened by way of rotation of the feeding roller. The suspended portion of the paper sheet is pulled up onto the platen 34 due to rotation of the drive roller 10. Then, the suspended portion of the paper sheet 29 passes through a pair of tension rollers 27 and 28 and receives weak tension from the tension rollers 27 and 28, thus preventing the paper sheet from snaking. When the tension rollers are not placed correctly in parallel to the Y-rail of the plotter, the distances of the left and right edges of the paper sheet from the tension rollers to the drive roller become unequal. Consequently, unequal tensions are generated in the opposing edges of the paper sheet when it passes between the tension rollers 27 and 28, thereby causing a discrepancy in the conveyance of the paper sheet 29.

Abstract: A printhead, particularly a light emitting diode (LED) printhead, which has improved apparatus for distributing signals to individual printing elements, i.e. LEDs, that are used in the printhead. Specifically, this printhead contains a number of print element arrays, typically arrays of light emitting diodes, and a corresponding number of drive circuits all of which are mounted to a common member, this member illustratively being a metallic stiffener plate. Each of the drive circuits is connected to a corresponding one of the print element arrays. All the print element arrays are typically situated in a co-linear orientation transversely along the member with the drive circuits co-linearly arranged along a side of the arrays.

Abstract: A lead positioner for a pencil plotter in which a lead stocker contains a plurality of leads for use in a pencil plotter, a lead actuator mechanism is coupled to the lead stocker and is adapted to release the leads into a lead holder, and a shaker is provided coupled to the lead stocker and adapted to enable the leads to be released individually into the lead holder. In a particular embodiment, the shaker imparts a vibrational motion to the lead stocker prior to the lead actuator mechanism releasing the leads to enable the leads to be released individually. The shaker is further adapted to provide a translational motion to the lead stocker to align the leads and the lead holder and, in addition, to enable the lead actuator mechanism to release the leads into the lead holder.

Abstract: An ink sensing system for a vector plotter in which a pen is adapted to be raised and lowered from a drawing media surface along a system axis. An optical detection system is provided which has a focal point on the system axis and below the media surface when the pen is in its lowered position and at the media surface when the pen is in its raised position. The optical detection system includes a source of illumination and a detector system to determine the degree of reflectance from the media surface to indicate the presence or absence of ink on the media surface. In a particular embodiment the optical detection system is moveable and the movement of the optical detection system is coupled to the movement of the pen. Furthermore, the focal point of the optical detection system coincides substantially with the last point of contact of the pen with the media surface when the pen is in the raised position.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques are disclosed for aligning the operation of the ink jet printhead cartridges of a multiple printhead ink jet swath printer that includes a print carriage that is movable along a horizontal carriage scan axis, (b) first and second ink jet printhead cartridges supported by the movable carriage for printing onto a print media that is selectively movable along a vertical media scan axis, and (c) an optical sensor supported by the movable carriage. Alignment of the operation of the printheads along the media scan axis is performed by determining with the optical sensor the relative positions of horizontal test line segments printed by selected nozzles of the printhead cartridges.

Abstract: Positioning of a scan line (L) relative to a recording medium drum (15) of a polygon printer is established by independently adjusting blocks (35, 36) mounted on a scan line generating optics module (10). The blocks (35, 36) have inverted V-notches (38) that nest in two-point tangential contact onto cylindrical surfaces of drum bearings (33, 34). X, z, .theta..sub.x and .theta..sub.z positions are set by x and z direction adjustment screws (44, 45, 49, 50) mounted on frame (11) that move against blocks (35, 36) against the bias of springs (61) and the weight of the frame (11). Clamping screws (56, 57) pass through oversized holes (58) and z direction elongated slots (59) on blocks (35, 36) to releasably lock blocks (35, 36) after adjustment. Alignment of holes (58), slots (59) and notches (38) maintains a constant angle of incidence during adjustment. A notch (41) of projection (40) of frame ( 11) engages with a pin (42) on printer body (29) to set y and .theta..sub.y positioning.

Abstract: A LED exposure head for use in a recording device for linewise recording information on a moving photoconductor, which comprises a metal base plate (38) onto which are mounted a row of LED dice (39) along the centre, rows of integrated circuit chips (41, 42) and printed circuit boards (43, 44) outside of such rows of integrated circuit chips, and optical imaging means (30) for focussing the image of the LEDS in the image plane of the photoconductor. The base plate has a raised rib (52) for mounting the LED dice at a height above the base which is such that their electric bonding pads (53, 54) are at a level above that of the corresponding bonding pads (55, 56) of the integrated circuit chips (41, 42).

Abstract: A pen holding arm connected to an elevation drive apparatus of a pen head of an automatic lead feed apparatus holds a pen or a writing instrument. The automatic lead feed or supply apparatus has a lead reservoir at one side of an automatic drafting machine provided with the lead feed apparatus, a lead feed shutter drops the lead contained in the lead reservoir one by one. The shutter is controlled to open and shut by a driving force of the pen head. The driving force gives a rotary oscillation and vertical oscillations to the lead reservoir, so that the lead smoothly drops from the lead reservoir into the instrument situated just below the reservoir. The lead is led in depth into the writing instrument by vertical driving of the elevation drive apparatus.

Abstract: An object carriage system is developed which can suppress any vibration even if an object to be carried contains a source of vibration. The object carriage system comprises a carriage for carrying an object, a resilient supporting means for resiliently supporting the carriage over the floor, a vibration suppressing means for suppressing the vibration of the carriage relative to the floor, acceleration detecting means for detecting an acceleration of the carriage and producing a corresponding acceleration signal, a mass movably supported by the carriage, and driving means for driving the mass in the direction in which the acceleration takes place in accordance with the acceleration signal.

Abstract: A belt-drive tensioning system for a motor drive positioning system, especially for X-Y digital plotters. The tensioning system employs spring-loading involving motion along only one translational direction to accurately preset and maintain constant the desired belt tension. Preferred embodiments to provide a self-contained modular unit include a dual plate assembly in roller-bearing relationship, and the use of V-shaped mounting springs.

Abstract: A graduated, highly tensioned metallic codestrip is used in a large-format automatic image-related device such as a D-size or larger plotter, yielding positional precision even better than those of prior small-format devices. Preferably perforations in the strip are the graduations, used in determining position of a carriage that holds image transducers (e. g., pens). The strip passes through a slot (open along one edge, closed at the other) in a perforation sensor. The image transducers are very close to the slotted sensor and the strip, to minimize the effect of disturbances arising between the strip and transducers. Two unperforated portions of the strip--one relatively broad, and another relatively narrow border portion--provide very good structural stability for the tensioned strip. Stability under tension is enhanced by wrapping the strip partway around a stanchion at each end.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recording apparatus for recording information signals on a recording sheet. The apparatus includes a conveyance mechanism for conveying the sheet, a recording head reciprocating along the sheet for performing recording thereon, a driving power source for generating a driving force rotating in one direction which is used for reciprocating the recording head and for conveying the sheet by the conveyance mechanism, and a mechanism for inhibiting the conveyance of the sheet while the recording head is moving along the recording region of the sheet. The reciprocating operation of the recording head and the conveyance operation of the sheet are effected by a single motor.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for advancing a carriage utilize a displacement pump for displacing a selected quantity of fluid. The displacement pump is driven continuously by a motor to provide a series of fluid displacements which are accumulated in a hydraulic cylinder. A ram projecting from the hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the carriage and is advanced stepwise as the individual fluid displacements are accumulated in the hydraulic cylinder. The method and apparatus is especially useful for minimizing banding effects when advancing a carriage which supports a scanning device used in laser printers.

Abstract: A serial recording apparatus for reciprocating a recording head with respect to a recording medium to perform bidirectional recording includes a position detector for detecting a reference position of the recording head, a driving unit for reciprocating the recording head within a predetermined area including the reference position, a calculating unit for calculating a difference between reference positions detected by the position detector by reciprocal movement when the recording head is reciprocated by the driving unit within the predetermined area, and a correcting unit for correcting a positional error in bidirectional recording on the basis of the difference calculated by the calculating unit.

Abstract: A light emitting diode exposure head for a recording apparatus which comprises an aligned assembly of a plurality of diode modules, each module including an array of said diodes and associated circuit boards mounted on a common base, the diode modules being supported in elevated position above the base, and interconnection circuit strips for the modules disposed on the base in partial overlapping relation beneath the margins of the elevated modules, the interconnection strips having a line of bonding pads for making wire-bonded connections with the circuit boards.

Abstract: An improved method of, and electrical circuit for driving with precision and accuracy an electro-mechanical device such as a galvanometer is disclosed. The method precisely controls high speed linear scanning of the device in a forward scan segment of each cycle of operation, and further provides very fast re-set of the device without position overshoot during a re-trace segment of a cycle. The electrical circuit includes memory means for generating an electrical command waveform for controlling the device during each cycle of operation, and drive servo means for applying electrical power to the device. The servoing action of this circuit substantially eliminates any difference between an actual position of the device and the position directed by the command waveform during each forward scan segment of a cycle of operation, with the result that each forward scan segment is highly accurate and repeatable.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a source of light movable with respect to a writing element and projectable thereon to generate an image, a focusing device is provided for focusing a light source which generates a first beam of light of a wavelength selected to be actinic with respect to the writing element. At least a portion of the first beam of light is absorbed by the writing element. The focusing device includes a focusing laser diode which is mounted on, and movable with, a movable write head to minimize noise in the focusing signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques are disclosed for aligning the operation of the ink jet printheads of a multiple printhead ink jet swath printer, and particularly for aligning the operation of the printheads along the carriage scan axis. The relative positions of vertical test line segments printed by the cartridges at a fixed swath position are determined with an optical sensor. The relative position information is utilized to calculate horizontal alignment corrections for the printhead cartridges which are utilized to adjust the horizontal offset shifts provided for the swath data and to adjust the timing of the firing of the ink jet nozzles of the printhead cartridges.

Abstract: This invention discloses a recording apparatus for effecting recording by moving a carriage which supports a recording head, along a recording material. The apparatus is provided with a motor speed controller for a closed-loop control of the rotating speed of a carriage driving motor. The speed control output signal from the motor speed controller is set at a predetermined value when the carriage driving motor reaches a speed of the constant speed control from an acceleration state.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques are disclosed for aligning the operation of the ink jet printhead cartridges of a multiple printhead ink jet swath printer that includes a print carriage that is movable along a horizontal carriage scan axis, (b) first and second ink jet printhead cartridges supported by the movable carriage for printing onto a print media that is selectively movable along a vertical media scan axis, and (c) an optical sensor supported by the movable carriage. Correction of misalignment along the media scan axis is performed by adjusting the position of the nozzle array of one printhead cartridge relative to the position of the nozzle array of another printhead cartridge along the media scan axis. A movable printhead is supported on the print carriage of the printer and is moved relative to the carriage by a rotatable cam that is supported by the carriage fixedly attached to a cam lever.