Abstract: A motor driving circuit includes a stepping motor driving circuit that controls driving of a stepping motor, a DC motor driving circuit that controls driving of a DC motor, and a control circuit that controls the stepping motor driving circuit and the DC motor driving circuit. The control circuit, upon accepting a driving instruction for driving the stepping motor in the middle of the DC motor driving circuit performing driving of the DC motor, stops driving of the DC motor by the DC motor driving circuit, and starts driving of the stepping motor by the stepping motor driving circuit.

Abstract: A printing system includes: a printing device including a thermal head, a supplier, a winder and a ribbon transport mechanism; a moving mechanism moving the printing device in a width direction of an ink ribbon; and a controller configured to: move the printing device in the width direction; when the printing device is moved for printing of a second row, rewind the ink ribbon; store the longest length of use of the ink ribbon by the printing in a first column of the ink ribbon; when printing with the thermal head proceeds to a second column, determine a transport amount of the ink ribbon based on the stored length; and after the first column of the ink ribbon is used by the printing, transport the ink ribbon based on the determined transport amount.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a line, and a processor that executes a printing process of energizing the thermal head successively a predetermined number of times so at to print a printing data by causing a predetermined voltage to be applied to the thermal head the predetermined number of times in accordance with and in synchronization with strobe pulses in a strobe signal, a strobe width of each strobe pulse in the strobe signal defining a duration during which the thermal head is being applied with the predetermined voltage, wherein among the strobe pulses for the predetermined number of times of energizing the thermal head, a strobe width of at least one predetermined strobe pulse is set to be always shorter than a strobe width of another predetermined one of the strobe pulses.

Abstract: Systems and methods where multi-color graphics on a substrate are printed at a first resolution, and single color data is printed at a second, higher resolution using the same print head. The multi-color graphics can be a printed photograph of a person, a printed logo, or any printed feature that is printed using multiple colors. The single color data can be printed alphanumeric text such as a person's name, address, account number or any other data that is printed using a single color.

Abstract: Thermal transfer image data is used to transfer part of a transfer material layer in a transfer ribbon to an image-receiving layer in an intermediate transfer ribbon to form a plurality of image cells on the intermediate transfer ribbon. A method for providing thermal transfer image data includes converting a multitone input image into a multitone image having fewer different tone values than the input image, based on a predetermined threshold; and dithering respective tone values of the image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively qualifying printers for printing incoming jobs, based on an amount of colors within the job that the printers can reproduce. One embodiment is a system that includes an interface and a memory storing a print job defined in a job color space. The system also includes a controller that identifies colors specified by print data in the print job, determines coordinates of the colors in a perceptual color space, selects a printer, determines boundaries of a color gamut of the printer in the perceptual color space, and determines an amount of the colors that the printer is capable of reproducing. When the amount is greater than a threshold, the controller qualifies the printer for printing the print job. When the amount is less than the threshold, the controller disqualifies the printer from printing the print job.

Abstract: A transport apparatus includes a driving roller that transports a medium in a transport direction, a driven roller that presses the medium against the driving roller when the medium is transported, a changer that changes a pressing force by which the driven roller presses the medium against the driving roller, and a feeder configured to feed the medium toward the driving roller and pull back the medium in a direction opposite to the transport direction. Before the driving roller transports the medium, the feeder pulls back the medium after the changer has changed the pressing force to a value that is smaller than the value of the pressing force set for transport of the medium.

Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) device periodically measures a gamma characteristic of each of a plurality of display panels, then adjusts the characteristic of one of the panels to closely match the other. For example, the HMD device can periodically apply a set of currents to selected pixels at each display panel and measure the resulting sets of voltages at the selected pixels. The set of voltages for each display panel indicates the gamma characteristic of the corresponding panel. The HMD device can apply the sets of voltages to a filter to generate a gamma figure of merit (FOM) for each display panel, and adjust a bias (e.g., a backlight bias or a bias of a light emitting diode (LED)) of one or more of the display panels, so that each display panel exhibits similar gamma characteristics.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using a plurality of decolorable coloring materials having different decoloring conditions. Further, the image forming apparatus forms a mark relating to authority information indicating authority capable of decoloring one of the plurality of decolorable coloring materials for each of the decolorable coloring materials on the recording medium. Further, in another embodiment, a decoloring apparatus grasps the authority information, and decolors the image of the decolorable coloring material, in accordance with the grasped authority information.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a printing apparatus comprises a printing section, a first temperature sensor and a processor. The printing section carries out printing on a sheet through heating. The first temperature sensor measures a temperature of the sheet on which the printing section carries out the printing. The processor sets a heating amount on the basis of the temperature of the sheet and controls the printing section to carry out printing through the heating amount.

Abstract: Methods of mapping memory regions to processes based on thermal data of memory regions are described. In some embodiments, a memory controller may receive a memory allocation request. The memory allocation request may include a logical memory address. The method may further include mapping the logical memory address to an address in a memory region of the memory system based on thermal data for memory regions of the memory system. Additional methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: Provided is an image erasing method including heating a thermoreversible recording medium with laser beams to erase an image which has been recorded on the thermoreversible recording medium, the thermoreversible recording medium reversibly changing between a colored state and a decolored state depending on a heating temperature and a cooling time; and measuring at least one of a surface temperature of the thermoreversible recording medium and an erasing environmental temperature before a beginning of erasing the image to obtain a measured temperature value and controlling a heating time with the laser beams to be emitted for erasing the image depending on the measured temperature value.

Abstract: A detector device is disclosed for detecting an edge of a medium in a media processing system, the detector device comprising a spectrophotometer and a processing unit, the spectrophotometer scanning a medium in a media processing area and generating an output tuple, the processing unit comparing the output tuple to at least one reference tuple for detecting an edge of a medium. A printing system and method of detecting an edge of a medium in a media processing system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and related methods for shaping near field interrogation signals are discussed herein. Some embodiments may provide for a spindle supported near field communication (NFC) device including a spindle configured to mount to a mounting surface, and a beam shaping NFC device. The beam shaping NFC device may include: a ferromagnetic component including a core portion, wherein the core portion defines a core cavity and the spindle is inserted within the core cavity; and a wire coil disposed around the core portion. The ferromagnetic component may be configured to concentrate near field interrogation signals generated by the wire coil toward a near field interrogation region and away from the mounting surface, or other components capable of causing interference or degradation of the near field interrogation signals.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing method, the method including heating a thermoreversible recording medium with laser beams to erase an image which has been recorded on the thermoreversible recording medium, the thermoreversible recording medium reversibly changing between a colored state and a decolored state depending on a heating temperature and a cooling time; heating the thermoreversible recording medium, on which the image has been erased, with the laser beams to record a subsequent image on the thermoreversible recording medium; and measuring at least one of a surface temperature of the thermoreversible recording medium and a recording environmental temperature after a completion of erasing the image but before a beginning of recording the subsequent image to obtain a measured temperature value and controlling a time interval between the completion of erasing the image and the beginning of recording the subsequent image depending on the measured temperature value.

Abstract: To provide a photopolymerizable composition, which includes photopolymerizable monomers containing glycerol dimethacrylate, caprolactone-modified dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, and diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, wherein an amount of the glycerol dimethacrylate in the photopolymerizable monomers is 25% by mass or greater.

Abstract: A printing method according to the present invention includes an applying step of applying a curable resin-containing ink onto a transfer sheet (10), a heating and thickening step of heating the ink on the transfer sheet (10) to increase viscosity of the ink, a transfer step of transferring the ink on the transfer sheet (10) to a printing target (15), and a curing step of curing the ink on the printing target (15).

Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a pre-signal generator and a data output portion. The pre-signal generator generates a pre-input control signal and a pre-output control signal. The pre-signal generator also generates a pre-latch pulse signal by detecting when the pre-input control signal and the pre-output control signal are generated. The data output portion receives an input control signal, a latch pulse signal, and a first output control signal. The data output portion receives an input clock signal in response to the input control signal and the latch pulse signal to generate a shift clock signal, and the data output portion also shifts the first output control signal in response to the shift clock signal to generate a second output control signal.

Abstract: When a color development heat pulse set for each one dot of an intended image is applied to a coloring heat element associated with the one dot of the intended image in a thermal head, an auxiliary heat pulse set for development of the intended image at a thermosensitive medium is applied to a non-printing heat element that adjoins to the coloring heat element associated with the one dot of the intended image with reference to a scanning direction of the thermal head, the auxiliary heat pulse being not so hot for color development at the color thermo sensitive medium.

Abstract: A ribbon tension control system for a printing system includes a ribbon tension control apparatus. The ribbon tension control apparatus is configured to engage a print ribbon that extends through the printing system for applying one or more inks in the print ribbon to one or more target objects as the print ribbon is pulled from an unwind spindle to a windup spindle in the printing system. The ribbon tension control apparatus also is configured to control tension in the ribbon in response to change in a torque applied to the windup spindle that is used to pull the ribbon through the printing system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a printer includes a printing portion to perform printing using a thermal head, a first detecting portion to detect a first temperature that is a head temperature of the thermal head, a second detecting portion to detect a second temperature that is an ambient temperature of the thermal head, and a controller which reads, from a memory portion to store control conditions of the thermal head, each of which is determined for each of the head temperatures under the one ambient temperature, the control condition corresponding to an effective head temperature based on the first temperature and the second temperature, and controls the thermal head in accordance with the relevant read control condition.

Abstract: A method of creating images in stone substrate such as granite monuments using digital laser etching into a painted area. Alternatively, two layers of color contrasting coatings may be applied and the laser etching penetrates into the innermost layer to produce a contrast with the top coat. Pigmented material of a chemical content which is related to the mineral content of the substrate. Various enhancement techniques are also described.

Abstract: An electrophotographic toner contains an electron donating color developable agent, an electron accepting color developing agent, and a polyester resin binder which is a polyester resin obtained by polycondensation of a carboxylic acid component and an alcohol component and has a crosslinked structure formed of a crosslinking component including at least either one of a trivalent or higher valent carboxylic acid and a trihydric or higher hydric alcohol, and is decolorized by heating.

Abstract: A disclosed device printer apparatus includes a recording sheet conveying block holding a recording sheet and including a light emitting element, and a first light receiving element; a head block printing characters, graphics or the like on the recording sheet including a second light receiving element positioned to face the light emitting element so as to directly receive the light; and a control circuit connected to the light emitting element, the first light receiving element, and the second light receiving element, wherein the control circuit determines, when the light is detected by the second light receiving element, that the recording sheet does not exist between the light emitting element and the second light receiving element, and when the light is not detected by the second light receiving element and is detected by the first light receiving element, that the recording sheet exists.

Abstract: A printing method comprising a printhead and rollers for printing. A page of a print job is printed which causes depressions in the non-printed side of the print medium. The print medium is heated to reduce the depressions before printing the non-printed side.

Abstract: A printing system and printing apparatus are provided with improvements in the image quality of an image formed on a printing medium, a peel off region (PO) wherein a transfer layer of a transfer film is not transferred is set corresponding to a card, modified printing data is generated by modifying a gray-scale value of printing data inside a region that is larger than the PO region by predetermined dimensions and including the PO region in the printing data of Y, M, C and Bk into a gray-scale value of 0, an image is formed on the transfer film by heating a thermal head for an image formation panel of an ink ribbon according to the modified printing data. The transfer layer is peeled off by heating the thermal head for a peel off panel of the ink ribbon according to position information of the PO region.

Abstract: When a color development heat pulse set for each one dot of an intended image is applied to a coloring heat element associated with the one dot of the intended image in a thermal head, an auxiliary heat pulse set for development of the intended image at a thermosensitive medium is applied to a non-printing heat element that adjoins to the coloring heat element associated with the one dot of the intended image with reference to a scanning direction of the thermal head, the auxiliary heat pulse being not so hot for color development at the color thermo sensitive medium.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a printer includes an image forming unit, a coloring conversion unit, and a deterring unit. The image forming unit forms an image from a temperature-sensitive ink whose color is changed depending on a temperature on a medium. The coloring conversion unit converts a coloring state of the image of the temperature-sensitive ink by heating or cooling the image of the temperature-sensitive ink. The deterring unit provided between the coloring conversion unit and the image forming unit deters an air heated or cooled by the coloring conversion unit from flowing toward the image forming unit.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a printer including a first memory, a color detecting portion, a color identification information determining portion, and a transmitting portion. The first memory stores color correlations between a plurality of color types and a plurality of color identification information. The color detecting portion detects first color information of a print-receiving tape and second color information of an ink ribbon, of a tape cartridge mounted to a cartridge holder. The color identification information determining portion determines first color identification information of a color type corresponding to the first color information, and second color identification information of a color type corresponding to the second color information, by referring to color correlations.

Abstract: A method for producing images (8) on a substrate (2) with colour bodies thereon, the colour bodies losing a colour effect due to a laser (23) and consisting of dyes or pigments contained in capsules (1). Different colour bodies having at least three different colour effects are on or in the substrate (2). The method includes: (a) producing a colour chart (14), with individual colour effect of individual colour bodies contained as a function of the spatial coordinates thereof on or in the substrate; and (b) spatially resolving radiation, which opens the colour effect of colour bodies of individual capsules and releases dyes by a laser (23) at a single frequency on the basis of the colour chart (14) in order to produce a resultant colour effect. Substrates, like security documents, can be produced this method.

Abstract: An automatic product sublimation process is disclosed allowing for point-of-sale customization of sublimation parameters in a retail environment. A dye sublimation transfer printing system is configured to print one or more images onto transfer media, then position the media onto a substrate. A selected product is positioned on top of the media. The system is configured to automatically determine, by a processor, one or more of a temperature and duration of a single thermal cycle to sublimate the one or more images onto the selected product. The determination may be based on properties of the product, characteristics of the images, or both. One or more heating platens engage the transfer media to sublimate the product in a single thermal cycle, wherein at least one of the cycle's temperature and duration match the determined values. The disclosed process improves the quality of the sublimation technique, yet requires no substantive operator training.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a printer including a housing, a cartridge holder, a display device, a color detecting portion, and a control portion. The cartridge holder removably mounts a tape cartridge including a print-receiving tape roll and an ink ribbon roll. The display device displays a desired content in monochrome. The color detection portion detects first color information representing a color of a print-receiving tape and second color information representing a color of an ink ribbon, in the tape cartridge mounted in the cartridge holder. The control portion controls the display device at appropriate timing with an opening and closing cover closed, to display in text the first color information and the second color information detected by the color detection portion.

Abstract: Novel methods for calibrating a thermal printer by adjusting a look up table comprising the steps of receiving a test pattern to be printed on a receiver medium, printing the test pattern on the receiver medium, using a sensor to measure a depletion amount of donor material, and using a processor to adjust the lookup table based on the measured depletion amount are disclosed.

Abstract: A high efficiency thermal printing system, comprising: a donor ribbon having donor material; a receiver medium; a test pattern to be printed on the receiver medium using the donor ribbon; a print head, a sensor, and a processor is disclosed. The present invention is adapted to print the test pattern on the receiver medium by heating the donor ribbon to cause the donor material to transfer from the donor ribbon onto the receiver medium, thereby depleting donor material on the donor ribbon. Moreover, the sensor is adapted to measure a depletion amount of the donor material on the donor ribbon after printing the test pattern, and the processor is adapted to calibrate the thermal printing system by adjusting a lookup table in response to the measured depletion amount of donor material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism that more appropriately evaluates an image defect caused by a specific process in an image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus of this invention performs colorimetry of a patch image at a spatial resolution corresponding to the spatial frequency of color unevenness caused by a specific process included in an image forming process. A statistic value based on the n-th (n is an integer of 2 or more) order central moment of a specific color component of a colorimetric value obtained by performing colorimetry at the spatial resolution is compared with a reference value, thereby detecting that the color unevenness caused by the specific process has occurred in the patch image.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus which can suppress degradation of an image quality in a recording material save mode processing and obtain an effect of consumption amount reduction of recording material desired by a user at low costs. A recording material consumption amount at the time of applying first color conversion processing unit is predicted corresponding to inputted image data. The setting of a second color conversion processing is changed from a prediction value and a target value of the recording material consumption amount.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention there is disclosed a multicolor thermal imaging system wherein different heating elements on a thermal print head can print on different color-forming layers of a multicolor thermal imaging member in a single pass. The line-printing time is divided into portions, each of which is divided into a plurality of subintervals. All of the pulses within the portions have the same energy. In one embodiment, every pulse has the same amplitude and duration. Different colors are selected for printing during the different portions by varying the fraction of subintervals that contain pulses. This technique allows multiple colors to be printed using a thermal print head with a single strobe signal line. Pulsing patterns may be chosen to reduce the coincidence of pulses provided to multiple print head elements, thereby reducing the peak power requirements of the print head.

Abstract: The invention provides a recording medium capable of inhibiting conspicuousness of scratches attached to the recording medium and preventing the occurrence of density unevenness in an image. The recording medium has a substrate and an ink receiving layer provided on the substrate, wherein substrate is a resin-coated substrate obtained by coating a base material with a resin, and wherein Ra2 is 0.3 ?m or more and 2.5 ?m or less and Ra1?Ra2 is 2.0 ?m or more, where Ra1 is an arithmetic average roughness of a surface of the substrate son the side of the ink receiving layer as prescribed by JIS B 0601:2001 and Ra2 is an arithmetic average roughness of the outermost surface of the recording medium as prescribed by JIS B 0601:2001.

Abstract: According to embodiments, the image decolorizing device has a first heating conveying unit, a second heating conveying unit, and a guide. The first heating conveying unit has a first heating member that heats a first surface of the sheet and a first pressure member that presses the sheet to the first heating member. The second heating conveying unit has a second heating member that heats the second surface of the sheet and a second pressure member that presses the sheet to the second heating member. The guide is provided between the first heating conveying unit and the second heating conveying unit and that guides the sheet that is conveyed through the first heating conveying unit, to the second heating member of the second heating conveying unit.

Abstract: A printing method of printing an image corresponding to one frame by using inks of a plurality of colors applied to an ink ribbon allows a printing apparatus to print one image on continuous paper by using inks corresponding to a plurality of ink surfaces. When printing one print image by using a plurality of ink surfaces on an ink ribbon, the printing apparatus sets an area in the print image to be printed by one ink surface on the ink ribbon, by dividing the print image. The printing apparatus then prints one print image by using a plurality of ink surfaces on the ink ribbon based on the set area.

Abstract: A method is provided to manufacture displays such as, for example, reflective displays, electrophoretic displays or liquid crystal displays. In one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for aligning a patterned layer of color filter elements with a display assembly. The method includes activating a first set of addressable pixel elements to change an activation state of each pixel element in the first set of the pixel elements. A required alignment of the patterned layer of color filter elements with the display assembly can be determined based at least on the activated first or a second set of the pixel elements. The patterned layer of color filter elements is aligned with the display assembly according to the required alignment.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a printer includes a conveying mechanism, a first image forming unit, and a second image forming unit. The conveying mechanism conveys a medium. The first image forming unit forms an image with a non-temperature-sensitive ink whose color is not changed depending on a temperature, on the medium. The second image forming unit forms an image with a temperature-sensitive ink whose color is changed depending on a temperature, on the medium having the image with the non-temperature-sensitive ink formed thereon.

Abstract: A method for forming a variable data job includes a fixed original image provided by original image data in a first multiple channel color plane and content provided by variable image data in a second multiple channel color plane. The original image data is converted to fixed image data in a clear channel color plane. Raster image processing is performed on the fixed image data to translate the fixed image data into a first ready-to-print file. The ready-to-print file is saved in a memory as a post-RIP file. The variable image data is subsequently provided in at least the second multiple channel color plane. Image processing is performed on the variable image data to obtain a second ready-to-print file. The post-RIP file is merged with the second ready-to-print file for forming the variable data job. The variable data job is printed to render output.

Abstract: Media for receiving a printed image during sublimation or heat activated ink printing, and for transferring the image to a final substrate during subsequent heat transfer and activation, and a process of using the media. The media comprises a fibrous sheeting material, which can curve and conform to a three dimensional object to be imaged during the transfer printing process. A thin metal or metalized layer is to be applied onto the fabric/textile sheet shielding the fibrous structure, creating a reflective surface with excellent release properties. This reflective surface allows minimal dye penetration and excellent heat conductivity during heat transfer.

Abstract: A thermal printer is proposed that includes an ink ribbon on which a color ink portion and a non-color ink portion are alternately formed in a conveyance direction, a supply bobbin on which the ink ribbon is wound, a take-up bobbin on which the ink ribbon is to be wound, and a housing that contains the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin. When an error occurs during transferring of an ink on the color ink surface, the ink ribbon is conveyed so that a portion of the ink ribbon exposed from the ink cassette between the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin is the non-color ink portion.

Abstract: Methods for generating a color image are provided which include a multi-layer construction in which at least one of the layers is a thermally activatable layer that includes a thermally activatable composition. The thermally activatable composition includes a non-linear light to heat converter composition and a color forming compound. Upon activation with a light source an image forms.

Abstract: In a multicolor thermosensitive medium and a printing apparatus, the multicolor thermosensitive medium includes: a base material; and a plurality of coloring layers including: a lamination group laminated on the base material and including one or more lower coloring layers; and an upper coloring layer laminated on the lamination group and having higher hiding properties at a portion where a color is developed than the lower coloring layers, wherein each coloring layer has coloring properties different from each other with regard to a heating temperature level necessary for color development, and wherein the upper coloring layer develops the color at a higher temperature than any of the lower coloring layers in the lamination group, and wherein the printing apparatus includes: a thermal head that applies thermal energy to the multicolor thermosensitive medium from a direction of the upper coloring layer.

Abstract: In a thermal transfer printer for printing a color picture by dividing it into pieces with a prescribed size, an image data converting unit 10 includes a joint shifting unit 10b for shifting a joint of each color between the divided pieces so that the joints of individual colors are not aligned with each other in the sub-scanning transfer direction, and a joint processing unit 10c for transferring the joints of the individual colors, which are shifted by the joint shifting unit, so that the joints overlap each other, and for correcting gradation data in the overlapping portion according to correction coefficients that are set in advance for each line in the sub-scanning transfer direction.

Abstract: A tandem continuous paper printer includes: a first printer engine; a second printer engine; and a printer controller; and performing tandem printing by performing printing using the second printer engine on a paper that has been printed on by the first printer engine, the tandem continuous paper printer being arranged so that the first printer engine is made to print tandem check marks on the paper at check page intervals and the second printer engine is provided with a sensor detecting the tandem check marks.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion to form an image on a sheet using an erasable ink, a sheet supply tray to load the sheet on which the image was formed using the erasable ink, a mark detecting portion to detect a mark indicating that the image formed on the sheet conveyed from the sheet supply tray includes a confidential information, and an overwriting portion to overwrite so as not to make recognizable the image of at least an area including the confidential information out of the image formed on the sheet, in case that the mark is detected by the mark detecting portion.