Abstract: Upon occurrence of an interruption factor before image data for one page of a target document has been stored in a storage device, a printing apparatus performs control to store specific data in a storage area of the storage device in which the remaining image data of the target document is to be stored. In a case where an interruption factor occurs before image data for one page of the target document has been stored in the storage device, the printing apparatus performs printing based on the image data of the target document and the specific data stored in the storage device.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head including a plurality of ink discharge ports arranged in a predetermined direction, and a complementing unit configured to, according to discharge defect information identifying a defective discharge port at which a discharge defect has occurred among the plurality of ink discharge ports, determine to cause provision of complementary ink to be conducted from a different discharge port configured to discharge the ink at a different position from the identified defective discharge port, wherein the complementing unit determines to use a discharge port configured to provide the ink at a position on one side that is one of positions adjacent in the predetermined direction to a position at which the at least one discharge port provides the ink as the different discharge port for the discharge port identified as the defective discharge port.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus capable of switching an output voltage Vout based on an external control signal includes a control unit configured to perform control to stop an output from the power supply apparatus in a case where a voltage applied to a Vcc terminal is higher than a predetermined voltage Vovp. The Vcc terminal is connected to a primary-side auxiliary winding of a transformer via a regulator and the control unit operates based on power supplied to the Vcc terminal in normal operation. A base of an NPN transistor included in the regulator is connected to a ground via a first resistance R1 and a first zener diode ZD1. A second resistance R2 is provided between the base and a collector of the NPN transistor.

Abstract: In certain examples described herein, a depositing mechanism performs an overcoat depositing operation. The depositing mechanism comprises a plurality of print head arrays. Each print head array is arrangeable in a deposit position to deposit an overcoat layer onto a substrate and a service position to enable servicing to be performed. In certain cases, an array controller causes at least one print head array of the plurality of print head arrays to be moved periodically from the deposit position to the service position according to a predefined servicing sequence during an ongoing overcoat depositing operation performed by the depositing mechanism.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an image processing system comprises a discharge section, a first movable tray, a second movable tray, and a controller. The discharge section discharges a processed sheet. The first movable tray and the second movable tray vertically move to load the sheet discharged from the discharge section. The controller drives either one or both of the first movable tray and the second movable tray to carry out control to discharge a sheet to which an image forming processing is executed to one of the first movable tray and the second movable tray and carries out control to discharge a sheet to which a decoloring processing is executed to the other movable tray according to a type of a job received by a reception section.

Abstract: There is provided an adjustment method of a recording head which adjusts a landing position of an ink droplet in a printer including the print head, in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged and which performs printing by using the ink droplet to be ejected while relatively moving in a scanning direction (relative movement direction) with respect to a roll paper. The adjustment method of the recording head includes reading a pattern image by dots formed by the ejected ink droplets and calculating a tendency of a spatial positional relationship between each nozzle and a dot corresponding to each nozzle based on the read pattern image, and in which the landing position of the liquid droplet ejected from each nozzle 131 is adjusted based on the tendency calculated in the calculating the tendency of the spatial positional relationship.

Abstract: A high precision printing method taking into consideration the variance in the thickness of a printing target. An ink-jet printing method, including: (i) measuring a distance between a printing target and at least one nozzle; (ii) measuring a flying speed and a flying angle of an ink(a) discharged from the at least one nozzle; (iii) printing a test substrate with an ink to identify a location on which an ink(b) is spotted, and calculating a thickness-related displacement that is a displacement from the location on which the ink is spotted, based on a thickness difference between the printing target and the test substrate from results obtained in Step (i), and the flying speed and the flying angle of the ink(a) obtained in Step (ii); and (iv) discharging an ink(c) from the at least one nozzle to achieve actual printing of the printing target with the ink(c) while correcting the thickness-related displacement.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a measurement device to detect measurement information relating to a position-modifiable component of a printing station during movement thereof. A calculation unit receives the measurement information from the measurement device. The calculation unit determines actual-position data of the position-modifiable component from the measurement data received and compares it with predetermined reference-position data to determine calibration information based on the actual-position data and the reference-position data. An interface permits then permits transfer of this calibration information.

Abstract: A droplet discharge apparatus includes a head having nozzles capable of discharging droplets onto a medium, a heater configured to heat the medium onto which the droplets are discharged from the head, a blower fan configured to blow outside air from the outside to the inside of a casing that accommodates the head and the heater, and a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of outside air blown by the blower fan. If the temperature of outside air detected by the temperature sensor is less than a predetermined set temperature, the air volume of the blower fan is reduced.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes: a substrate, where a recording element is disposed; and a discharge orifice forming member, where a discharge orifice, facing the recording element, and configured to discharge the liquid, is formed. The liquid discharge head has a pressure chamber, a first liquid channel configured to supply liquid to the pressure chamber, and a second liquid channel configured to recover liquid from the pressure chamber. The substrate has a liquid supply channel connected to the first liquid channel to supply liquid to the first liquid channel, and a liquid recovery channel connected to the second liquid channel, to recover liquid from the second liquid channel. Pressure at an inlet portion of the liquid supply channel is higher than pressure at an outlet portion of the liquid recovery channel, and a flow velocity of liquid within the pressure chamber is 3 to 140 mm/s.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head is provided. The liquid discharge head includes: a semiconductor substrate including a first pressure chamber; an insulating film disposed above the semiconductor substrate; a first piezoelectric element disposed on an opposite side to the first pressure chamber of the insulating film and having a piezoelectric layer and a first and second electrode; and a doped layer formed in the semiconductor substrate. The doped layer partitions at least part of the first pressure chamber and has a lower electrical resistivity than the insulating film and the semiconductor substrate. A through hole having a conductor disposed on its inside is formed in the insulating film, and the first electrode and the doped layer are electrically continuous via the conductor.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a substrate including an electrically insulating film, an energy generating element provided on the substrate and configured to generate energy used to eject a liquid, a flow path formed through the substrate and communicating with an ejection port configured to eject a liquid, and a wiring layer formed in the electrically insulating film of the substrate, used to drive the energy generating element, provided apart from a wall defining the flow path, and provided to surround the flow path in a plan view of the substrate.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for dynamic color adjustment of electronic content. In one embodiment, a system may determine a first background color corresponding to a color theme for use in presentation of electronic content, the color theme further specifying a first text color for displaying text. The system may convert the first text color to hue-saturation-value (HSV) color space, and modify a brightness component of the first text color to generate a second text color. The system may determine a first contrast ratio between the second text color and the first background color, and determine that the first contrast ratio satisfies a first threshold contrast ratio. The system may display the electronic content using the first background color, the electronic content including text having the second text color.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a print engine having a printhead that generates ink drops, and a printhead carrier that carries the printhead in a first direction and in a second direction. A controller determines an initial print direction based on ink drop information obtained by printing patches in the first direction and in the second direction. The controller is operatively coupled to the print engine to print an image based on the initial print direction.

Abstract: A print element substrate that includes a plurality of heaters and a plurality of temperature sensors provided in correspondence with a plurality of nozzles, comprises: a selecting unit that selects one temperature sensor from the plurality of temperature sensors and output a temperature signal; a determining unit that determines a discharge state of the nozzle based on the temperature signal output by the selecting unit; an outputting unit that, based on a determination result output from the determining unit, externally outputs a signal indicating the discharge state of the nozzle corresponding to the selected temperature sensor; and a masking unit that, in accordance with a change in selection of the temperature sensor by the selecting unit, masks the determination result output from the determining unit to the outputting unit during a predetermined time from a timing of the change.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus include an apparatus body, a cassette, and a size detector to detect a size of a sheet stored in the cassette. An image forming unit forms an image on a sheet fed from the cassette depending on a size setting and a type setting stored in a memory.

Abstract: A liquid discharging device, including a liquid discharging head, a carriage, a carriage movement mechanism, a sheet conveyer, and a controller, is provided. The controller conducts a printing process, in which a path-printing operation and a conveying operation are repeated alternately for a plurality of times. The controller calculates discharging timing for the liquid discharging head to discharge the liquid in a path-printing operation, for an upstream area located on an upstream side of a predetermined reference position with regard to a carriage-movable direction, by delaying the discharging timing from a predetermined reference timing; and for a downstream area located on a downstream side of the predetermined reference position, by advancing the discharging timing from the predetermined reference timing to be earlier.

Abstract: Certain methods of generating a color mapping are described. In one method, an output of a color halftone processing pipeline is processed so as to determine a set of Neugebauer Primary area coverage (NPac) values that are representative of the output of the color halftone processing pipeline. These NPac values are then used, together with knowledge of an original input image, to generating the color mapping.

Abstract: A processing system includes one or more processing units to perform operations and one or more sensors to measure a temperature concurrently with the one or more processing units performing the operations. The processing system also includes a controller to receive feedback indicating the temperature and to determine a peak temperature and a thermal time constant for heating of the processing system based on a comparison of the measured temperature to a first temperature that is predicted based on the peak temperature and a previously determined thermal time constant for heating. Some embodiments of the controller can control a performance state of the processing system based on the peak temperature and the thermal time constant for heating of the processing system.

Abstract: A recording method includes applying an ink composition onto a recording medium, primarily drying the recording medium during the application of the ink composition, transporting the recording medium applied the ink composition to a secondary drying device, and secondarily drying the recording medium with the secondary drying device. The variation in surface temperature of the recording medium from the primary drying temperature (T1) to the lowest temperature and the variation in surface temperature of the recording medium from T1 to the highest temperature, in the period from completion of the application of the ink composition to completion of the secondary drying are ?40% or more and 370% or less, respectively, relative to T1. The surface temperature of the recording medium is increased to the secondary drying temperature at an average rate of 7° C./s or less after the completion of the application of the ink composition.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an inkjet head unit, a count acquiring section, a determining section, and a head controlling section. The inkjet head unit includes an element. The count acquiring section acquires, based on job data, an element operation count of the element. The determining section determines whether the element operation count is equal to or greater than a warning threshold count that is smaller by a predetermined count than a life threshold count corresponding to a life end point of the element. The head controlling section controls, when the element operation count is equal to or greater than the warning threshold count, the inkjet head unit to form an image by suppressing the element operation count.

Abstract: Disclosed is a processing apparatus including a chamber, at least one nozzle, a measuring unit, an opening/closing unit, and a controller. The chamber accommodates a workpiece therein. The nozzle is provided in the chamber to supply a processing fluid toward the workpiece. The measuring unit measures a supply flow rate of the processing fluid supplied to the nozzle. The opening/closing unit performs opening/closing of a flow path of the processing fluid to be supplied to the nozzle. The controller outputs opening and closing operation signals at a preset timing. After outputting the opening operation signal, the controller calculates an integrated amount of the processing fluid based on a measurement result of the measuring unit, and performs an output timing change processing to change a timing of outputting the opening or closing operation signal from the preset timing based on the calculated integrated amount.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus which molds an imprint material on a shot region formed on a substrate by using a mold including a pattern surface on which a pattern is formed, comprising a holding unit configured to change a position and orientation of the mold, and a control unit configured to cause the holding unit to incline the mold, and bring the mold and the imprint material into contact with each other while the mold is inclined, wherein after the control unit obtains a shift amount by which a mark on the mold shifts by inclining the mold, and changes relative positions of the mold and the substrate according to the shift amount, the control unit brings the mold and the imprint material into contact with each other.

Abstract: In order to reduce a density difference that appears when printing whose execution number of scan operations is changed is performed, a CPU acquires a plurality of color conversion LUTs; the CPU performs printing of each of normal portions of color patches using a reference LUT and performs printing of each of hitch portions of the color patches using a corresponding one of mutually different color conversion LUTs; the CPU allows a color patch having a small density difference to be input as a selection result; the CPU identifies a color conversion LUT corresponding to the selection result; and the CPU designates the color conversion LUT corresponding to the selection result as a color conversion LUT for the hitch portion.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head has a plurality of nozzles and has a plurality of drive elements configured to cause the plurality of nozzles to eject liquid. A temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the liquid ejection head. A heat generator generates heat when the plurality of drive elements is driven. A controller is configured to: perform a determining process of determining, based on a particular parameter indicative of a temperature difference, whether the printer is in a first state where the temperature difference is constant or in a second state where the temperature difference varies with time, the temperature difference being a temperature difference between the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and an actual temperature of the liquid ejection head; and control the plurality of drive elements based on a determination result in the determining process.

Abstract: In an example, a print head comprises a nozzle to be activated by a delayed fire pulse that is delayed from an initial fire pulse, a sensor to measure an impedance of the nozzle, and a detector to determine a first time instant following the delayed fire pulse for registering a first impedance measurement by the sensor.

Abstract: In some examples, a print cartridge includes a monolithic molding, and a printhead die embedded into a molding. The printhead die has a front surface exposed outside the molding to dispense fluid drops through nozzles and an opposing back surface covered by the molding except at a channel in the molding through which fluid is to pass directly to the back surface. The printhead die also has a nozzle health sensor molded into the molding to detect defective nozzles in the printhead die.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates particularly but not exclusive to a method for printing in a multipass print mode using a first printhead (PT1) and a second printhead (PT2), the method including printing in a first pass a first image in a first area of a print medium using a first set (ST21) of nozzles (N5-N24) from the first printhead (PT1), printing in a second pass a coating layer over the first image using a second set (ST22) of nozzles (P4-P22) from the second printhead (PT2), and printing in a third pass a second image over the coating layer using a third set (ST23) of nozzles (N1-20) from the first printhead (PT1).

Abstract: A printing apparatus, including a sheet conveyer unit with a first roller unit, a printer unit, and a controller, is provided. The controller executes a first-face printing process, wherein an image is printed on a first face of a sheet; a switchback process, wherein the sheet after the first-face printing process is conveyed in a reverse direction by the first roller unit; a second-face printing process, wherein the image is printed on a second face of the sheet; a first ink amount determining process to determine whether an ink amount discharged in the first-face printing process at an end area of the sheet is one of greater than and equal to a first threshold amount; and a switchback setting process, wherein, if the ink amount is smaller than the first threshold amount, a rotation speed of the first roller unit is set at a higher rotation speed.

Abstract: A image forming apparatus includes: a device that detects abnormality of an image caused by abnormality of a nozzle in an inkjet head and a correcting device that performs correction by making a part of a plurality of nozzles non-ejectable based on a detection result of the abnormality and by compensating for it by another nozzle. The correcting device includes a plural non-ejection correcting device that performs correction by making two or more nozzles non-ejectable with respect to one abnormal nozzle and a single non-ejection correcting device that performs correction by making one abnormal nozzle non-ejectable with respect to the one abnormal nozzle. After a plural non-ejection correction is performed by making a nozzle group belonging to a nozzle range of a region including abnormality and including an abnormal nozzle non-ejectable, a single non-ejection correction is performed by making the abnormal nozzle non-ejectable.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a liquid ejecting section that is capable of ejecting a reactant liquid and an ink, and a control section that controls operation of the liquid ejecting section. The control section sets an ejection duty of the reactant liquid according to an ejection duty of the ink.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head that includes a nozzle row which is provided with a plurality of nozzles discharging liquid to a medium along a transporting direction, and executes recording as one pass by discharging the liquid from the nozzles in accordance with movement in a scanning direction intersecting the transporting direction, a transporting unit that transports the medium to a position facing the nozzle row, and a controller that is capable of acquiring information relating to a length of the medium in the transporting direction and controls the recording head and the transporting unit, in which the controller determines the nozzle being used for a recording operation as one pass in the beginning in accordance with the acquired length of the medium, and executes a heading operation for feeding the medium to a position facing the determined nozzle.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens (10) having at least one optical function, includes: a step (100) of additively manufacturing the ophthalmic lens (10) by depositing a plurality of preset volume elements of at least one material having a preset refractive index in order to form a target geometric envelope; a step of determining an actual geometric envelope at least once during the implementation of the additive manufacturing step (100); and a step of triggering a corrective action if there is in a zone a discrepancy larger than a preset threshold between the target geometric envelope and the actual geometric envelope.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a tank forming an ink chamber and including an injection inlet, a recording head, a cover, a monitor, a cover sensor, an operation panel, and a controller. The controller controls operation of the recording head and the monitor. The controller performs decision processing deciding whether ink injection into the ink chamber after complement of an initial process is completed, and counts an amount of ink discharged from the recording head. The controller controls the monitor to display notification depending on the decision processing and the counted amount of discharged ink.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an inkjet head comprises a head section, a clock signal generator, a drive controller and a current measurement section. The head section applies a drive voltage to a wall surface of an ink chamber and ejects ink from the ink chamber. The clock signal generatorsends a clock signal to the head section. The drive controller stops the clock signal sent to the head section, and applies a predetermined drive voltage to the head section. The current measurement section measures a current flowing to the head section while the drive controller stops the clock signal sent to the head section.

Abstract: Examples include computing devices, processes, and/or machine-readable storage mediums comprising instructions to analyze at least one digital image corresponding to calibration output of a printing device to determine location saturation values for nozzle locations of the printing device. At least one printhead is segmented into segments corresponding to one or more nozzle locations. A reference segment is determined from among the segments of the printhead, and a uniformity correction value is determined for at least one segment based at least in part on the reference segment.

Abstract: A method is for processing image data for recording by an image forming apparatus that discharges ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles. The method includes reading out image data corresponding to one line constituted by a series of dots aligning in a main scanning direction. The method further includes calculating a faulty discharge error, which occurs at a non-discharge position on a line at which no ink droplet is discharged from a defective one of the plurality of nozzles. The method further includes controlling distribution of the faulty discharge error to a line that is downstream relative to a line on which the non-discharge position occurs according to a limit setting that limits distribution of the faulty discharge error.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of regenerating a phosphoric acid solution from a treatment liquid including silicon (Si), hydrogen fluoride (HF), and phosphoric acid, the method including removing the silicon by supplying hydrogen fluoride corresponding to a preset amount or more to the treatment liquid, removing the hydrogen fluoride by heating the treatment liquid to a boiling point of hydrogen fluoride or higher, and adjusting a temperature and a concentration of the phosphoric acid to preset values.

Abstract: A first output section outputs a first parameter calculated for each nozzle in a group obtained by dividing the nozzles into groups for each certain number so that density unevenness of ink ejected from each nozzle in the group is corrected. A second output section outputs a second parameter calculated for each group so that change rate of the density unevenness between groups is corrected. A first register circuit divides first parameters for each nozzle in the group and stores the first parameters. A second register circuit divides second parameters for each group and stores the second parameters. A multiplication section sequentially multiplies the first parameters by the second parameters. A conversion section converts a multiplication value to correction data of each nozzle. A setting section sets the correction data in a memory.

Abstract: A liquid discharge device includes: a liquid discharge head; a nozzle array disposed on the head in a conveyance direction; a movement driver that moves the head to discharge liquid from the nozzle array in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction in a reciprocating manner; a discharge driver that causes the head to discharge the liquid; a conveyor that conveys an object; and a controller that acquires an amount of conveyance of the object by the conveyor over a period during which the head moves from a predetermined position to a position where the head is to discharge the liquid to a target pixel, and determines, on which reciprocating travelling of the head to discharge the liquid and from which nozzle in the nozzle array to discharge the liquid, based on the amount of conveyance.

Abstract: Systems and method of maintaining a uniform temperature distribution in an inkjet head. The inkjet head includes a plurality of ink channels that jet droplets of a liquid material onto a medium using piezoelectric actuators. A temperature controller includes a non-jetting pulse generator that provides non-jetting pulses to one or more of the piezoelectric actuators to generate heat. The non-jetting pulses cause the piezoelectric actuators to actuate without jetting a droplet from its corresponding ink channel.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reproduce glossiness and sense of sparkle on a printed material. The present invention is an apparatus for generating image data for reproducing material appearance of an object to be rendered on a printed material, the apparatus including: a gloss level obtaining unit configured to obtain a gloss level that evaluates glossiness of the object to be rendered; a sparkle level obtaining unit configured to obtain a sparkle level that evaluates sense of sparkle of the object to be rendered; and a deriving unit configured to derive a parameter relating to use of ink for reproduction of the material appearance by an image forming device, the image forming device receiving and printing the image data based on the obtained gloss level and sparkle level.

Abstract: A control method of a liquid discharging apparatus includes: a discharge inspection step of inspecting discharge abnormality of a nozzle by a discharge inspection mechanism; a remaining oscillation inspection step of inspecting oscillation of the ink inside a pressure chamber by a oscillation inspection circuit when the discharge abnormality is detected; a first correction step of performing correction which corresponds to the attachment of the resin inside the pressure chamber with respect to the driving pulse when abnormality is detected in oscillation; a re-discharge inspection step of inspecting the discharge abnormality of the nozzle after the first correction step; and a second correction step of performing the correction which corresponds to the attachment of the resin inside the nozzle with respect to the driving pulse when the abnormality is not detected in the oscillation in the oscillation inspection step or when the discharge abnormality is detected in the re-discharge inspection step.

Abstract: A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes a liquid container including an upper opening for receiving liquid and a lower opening for supplying the liquid, the upper opening being larger than the lower opening, and a liquid ejection chip that is fixed to a lower surface of the liquid container, and includes a pressure chamber formed therein, a nozzle to eject liquid from the pressure chamber, and an actuator disposed adjacent to the nozzle. An opening of the pressure chamber is in fluid communication with the lower opening and is entirely included in an area of the lower opening.

Abstract: A mobile printing system including a handheld printing device including at least two navigation sensors, a transmitter, a processor, and a print nozzle, and a distance sensing module including at least two distance sensors, the distance sensing module to be mountable to a print media at a distance from the handheld printing device, the distance sensing module to sense positional data of the handheld printing device, wherein the processor determines current, past, and anticipated positions of the handheld printing device based on positional data information received from the distance sensing module and navigation information received from the at least two navigation sensors and controls the handheld printing device to cause print fluid to be dispensed according to a print request and the anticipated positions of the handheld printing device.

Abstract: Examples of a printing device, a method for use in a printing device, and a machine readable non-transitory storage medium including instructions relating to a printing device that are executable by a processor are disclosed herein. An example of the machine readable non-transitory storage medium includes instructions relating to a printing device that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: segment data for an image into a plurality of positions, analyze performance data regarding an actual portion of the image formed by each of a plurality of print heads, arrange the segmented image data for each portion of the image based on the performance data for each of the print heads, and transmit the arranged image data to each of the print heads so that each print head forms a correct portion of the image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control a heater associated with a printing nozzle are disclosed. A method comprising controlling a heater associated with a printing nozzle to reduce a heat output of the heater based on a determination that the printing nozzle is outside a print area and printing an image on a substrate using other printing nozzles while the heat output of the heater is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of regenerating a phosphoric acid solution from a treatment liquid including silicon (Si), hydrogen fluoride (HF), and phosphoric acid, the method including removing the silicon by supplying hydrogen fluoride corresponding to a preset amount or more to the treatment liquid, removing the hydrogen fluoride by heating the treatment liquid to a boiling point of hydrogen fluoride or higher, and adjusting a temperature and a concentration of the phosphoric acid to preset values.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus in an embodiment is an image processing apparatus for forming structures on a print medium, the structures being configured to express such a characteristic that sparkle points change in position with change in angle of observation. The image processing apparatus in this embodiment includes a generation unit configured to generate arrangement data based on information on a characteristic of sparkle points, the arrangement data specifying arrangement of the structures of two or more types that are capable of being formed on the print medium and at least include one or more first structure associated with a first inclination angle and one or more second structures associated with a second inclination angle different from the first inclination angle.

Abstract: A thermal head including: a common electrode that includes a plurality of comb teeth portions extending in a first direction in which a paper is conveyed; a plurality of discrete electrodes, each of which extends in the first direction, and is arranged between the comb teeth portions; and a resistor that is electrically connected to the comb teeth portions and the discrete electrodes, and has such a shape that two connection positions of two discrete electrodes adjacent to each other and the resistor shift from each other in the first direction.