Abstract: A resin composition for molding having excellent heat resistance, hardness, cost-effectiveness and biodegradability is provided by using amorphous resin material components extracted from plant-derived wood. The resin composition includes a first resin including a hemicellulose or a hemicellulose derivative and a second resin including polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA, acrylic), polycarbonate (PC), cyclo olefin polymer (COP), cyclo olefin copolymer (COC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polystyrene (PS) and has excellent injection moldability.

Abstract: A recording apparatus including a recording head that performs recording, a feed roller that feeds out a set medium, a transport driving roller that transports the medium, which is fed out by the feed roller, towards an opposing position that opposes the recording head, and an auxiliary roller provided between the feed roller and the transport driving roller, the auxiliary roller assisting transportation of the medium. When the apparatus is seen from a side of the apparatus, the auxiliary roller overlaps the feed roller in a height direction of the apparatus.

Abstract: A printing system for printing on sheets of media having a non-uniform thickness profile. A user interface is controlled to instruct the operator to load a media tray with a stack of media having a specified pattern of media orientations. A media transport system picks sequential sheets of media from the media tray. A front end supplies sequential image data having orientations in accordance with the specified pattern of media orientations. A printing module sequentially prints the supplied image data on the sheets of media in accordance with the specified pattern of media orientations.

Abstract: A laser engraving machine with a three-point suspension system and an inverted X-Y axis support system wherein the X-axis beam is to and mounted below the Y-axis beams and the Y-axis beams are mounted inwardly of the outer ends of the X-axis beam and are structurally integrated with the machine housing. In addition, a counterweight is added to the drive belt for the laser tool to eliminate vibration during rapid reciprocal movement of the tool during an engraving process.

Abstract: A method of operating a social networking application via an external device includes at an external device having one or more processors and memory storing programs executed by the one or more processors, receiving one or more new message notifications of a social networking application from a social networking terminal; acquiring a playback instruction from a user to play a new message of the social networking application on the external device; transmitting the playback instruction to the social networking terminal; receiving a first voice message corresponding to the new message of the social networking application from the social networking terminal; and playing the first voice message on the external device.

Abstract: A method of operating a social networking application via an external device includes at an external device having one or more processors and memory storing programs executed by the one or more processors, receiving one or more new message notifications of a social networking application from a social networking terminal; acquiring a playback instruction from a user to play a new message of the social networking application on the external device; transmitting the playback instruction to the social networking terminal; receiving a first voice message corresponding to the new message of the social networking application from the social networking terminal; and playing the first voice message on the external device.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: a paper feed unit; a print unit; a registration roller; a sheet leading end sensor provided downstream, in a transport direction of the recording paper, of the registration roller; a time measuring unit for measuring a time from a start point of transportation of the recording paper by the registration roller to a point of detection of the leading end of the recording paper by the sheet leading end sensor; a memory unit for storing a reference image forming time and a reference time; a print control unit; and an arithmetic unit for obtaining a difference between the reference time and the time detected by the time measuring unit. The print control unit adjusts the length of the image forming period in accordance with the adjusted image forming time determined based on the difference obtained by the arithmetic unit and the reference image forming time.

Abstract: A method for providing a user interface (UI) for playing a multimedia content in a user terminal may include defining a UI area in at least one portion of a display of the user terminal, visually providing a first wheel disposed at one side of the UI area and a second wheel disposed at another side of the UI area, visually displaying playback state information of a multimedia content file being played, in a space between the first wheel and the second wheel, visually displaying a playback control button of the multimedia content file in the UI area.

Abstract: A photoconductor unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing and a photoconductive drum rotatably mounted on the housing. A cam is mounted on the housing and has a cam surface that is positioned to contact a corresponding locating surface. The cam surface has a variable height in an axial direction of the photoconductive drum such that as a position of the cam changes relative to the housing, the photoconductive drum shifts in the axial direction relative to the locating surface.

Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a processing unit, an instruction unit, a detection unit, and a suspension unit. The processing unit performs a process that is predetermined. The instruction unit gives an instruction to start the process to the processing unit. The detection unit detects a sound in the vicinity of the processing apparatus. The suspension unit suspends the process in a case where the detection unit detects a predetermined sound while the processing unit is performing the process.

Abstract: A transportation device includes: a transportation section that transports a continuous paper; and an imaging unit that detects a transportation amount of the continuous paper which is transported by the transportation section. The imaging unit includes a lens barrel; a light irradiation unit disposed in the lens barrel and capable of radiating light on the continuous paper; a condensing lens which is disposed in a position farther than the light irradiation section with respect to the continuous paper in the lens barrel and condenses a reflected light when the light is radiated from the light irradiation section to the continuous paper; and an imaging element which is disposed in a position farther than the condensing lens with respect to the continuous paper P in the lens barrel and captures an image by receiving the reflected light condensed by the condensing lens.

Abstract: A disclosed marking control device controls a marking device to mark a target image on a thermoreversible recording medium by applying a laser beam includes a marking position determination unit dividing the image into plural marking lines, and determining their marking positions; a marking order determination unit determining a marking order to mark the marking lines in mutually opposite directions; an adjusting unit adjusting a distance between a first ending point and a second starting point to be longer than a distance between a first starting point and a second ending point, or adjusting laser power applied to a second starting point side of the second marking line to be lower than the laser power applied to a second ending point side of the second marking line; and a marking instruction generator unit generating marking instructions including the marking positions of the marking lines and the marking order thereof.

Abstract: A method for preparing a color laser marked article comprising the steps of: a) infrared laser marking a security element including a polymeric support and a color forming layer comprising a color forming compound, an infrared dye and a polymeric binder comprising vinyl acetate and at least 85 wt % of vinyl chloride based on the total weight of the binder; and b) exposing the laser marked security element with light having a wavelength higher than 440 nm. The light exposure of step b) hinders the falsification of an issued security document without significant increase of background density.

Abstract: A method of printing with an inkjet printer including a printhead, a star wheel located downstream from the printhead, and an adjustable biaser coupled to the star wheel. The method comprises analyzing print data to identify an area of printing to be printed on a sheet of print media that aligns with the star wheel; calculating the density of the printing in the identified area of printing; printing the identified area of printing; determining whether the calculated density exceeds a density criteria, and if so then using the adjustable biaser to lift the star wheel off of the sheet before the printed area of printing reaches the star wheel; advancing the printed area of printing past the star wheel; and using the adjustable biaser lowering the star wheel onto the sheet after the printed area of printing has advanced past the star wheel.

Abstract: In order to improve read stability, a printing condition is set based on not visual read of a user, but read with an optical information reading apparatus. A printing quality evaluation apparatus includes: an image acquiring section that acquires an image; a symbol extracting section that extracts the symbol in which the printing quality can be evaluated from the captured images acquired by the image acquiring section; a printing quality evaluation section that evaluates the printing quality of the symbol extracted by the symbol extracting section; an identification information recognition section that recognizes the identification information identifying each printing condition of the symbol; and an evaluation output section that outputs the identification information, which is recognized by the identification information recognition section, and an evaluation result of the printing quality of the printing quality evaluation section according to the symbol extracted by the symbol extracting section.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for transporting a substrate media sheet along a process path through a marking zone. The apparatus includes a marking zone, an air bearing support rail and a media cart. The marking zone marks the substrate media sheet. The air bearing support rail extends from a first location upstream of the marking zone to a second location downstream of the marking zone. The media cart conveys the sheet along the process path. The media cart includes a platen for holding the sheet thereon as the media cart translates through the marking zone. The media cart is supported along the process path between the first and second locations by the air bearing support rail. The air bearing support rail includes a gaseous layer providing a non-contact bearing support between an outer surface of the air bearing support rail and a non-contact support surface of the media cart.

Abstract: Motor control devices and methods are described herein. In one embodiment, such a device includes a fluid ejection head configured to eject a fluid onto a sheet that is on a downstream side from a transport driving roller along a supply direction of the sheet. The device also includes a first motor that provides a driving force for rotating a roll on which the sheet is wound, and a second motor that provides a driving force for driving the transport driving roller. The transport driving roller is on a downstream side from the roll along the supply direction of the sheet. The device also includes a motor control unit that simultaneously drives the first and second motors, and the motor control unit is configured to control an interpolation output that is given to the first motor while subjected to a change in a driving speed of the second motor.

Abstract: A system directs a laser beam to mark a material with an alphanumeric code. Character and quality information corresponding to a mark to apply to the material with the laser beam can be received, a font definition that specifies character segments can be obtained, a set of multiple spaced locations can be generated from the character segments in accordance with the character and quality information, and the material can be marked with the laser beam by directing the laser beam to dwell at the locations and move between the locations without deactivating the laser beam.

Abstract: A substrate marking apparatus for use in combination with a substrate comprising a multi-color change diacetylene compound is disclosed. The substrate marking apparatus comprises: at least two radiation sources operable to emit radiation of different wavelengths, optical transformation elements and a control system. The control system takes digital file information and converts this to a set of emission instructions for the radiation sources. The radiation sources are then applied to the substrate in sequence and intensity determined by the control system such that the substrate is activated to change from a colorless state to any one of a range of multiple permanent colors.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a circuit portion having a connector to which an interface cable is connected, a case for accommodating the circuit portion and having a wiring route for the interface cable leading from the connector to an external space and a connection opening for exposing the wiring route, and a cover for opening or closing the connection opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a return-sheet conveyer unit to convey a recording sheet carried from the image forming unit along a return-sheet path to return to the image forming unit, an upper frame unit including a pair of side frames to support the image forming unit in a position there-between, and a pair of lower frames arranged to have a predetermined amount of clearance there-between to have the return-sheet conveyer unit in the clearance, and configured to be less rigid than the upper frame unit and to support lower sections of the pair of side frames. A vertical position of the return-sheet conveyer unit with respect to the image forming unit is defined with reference to the upper frame unit by having a part of the return-sheet conveyer unit aligned to be in contact with the upper frame unit.

Abstract: An information processing device for generating a piece of drawing information of a line image, including a shape information storing part to store pieces of shape information for respective combinations of a thickness and a size of a line image, a thickness information obtaining part to obtain a piece of thickness information, a code information obtaining part to obtain a piece of code information of a target image, a size information obtaining part to obtain a piece of size information of a target image, a shape information selecting part to select a piece of shape information out of pieces of shape information for each character based on the thickness information and the size information, and a drawing information generating part to read out the selected shape information from the shape information storing part and to generate a piece of drawing information from the shape information.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method to flash print an image. The apparatus includes an energy source that delivers energy. The apparatus includes an energy pulse width modulator coupled to the energy source. The energy pulse width modulator may receive energy from the energy source and modulate the energy received from the energy source. The energy pulse width modulator may be driven by a logic module. The apparatus also includes a plurality of imaging pixels modulated by the energy pulse width modulator and conveying modulated energy to a host material. The host material may be in close proximity to a receiving medium and the modulated energy may release the dye from the host material into the receiving medium.

Abstract: Some embodiments concern an apparatus configured to label one or more boxes supported by a pallet. In various examples, the pallet can have a pallet label. The apparatus can include: (a) a reading mechanism configured to read first information from the pallet label; (b) a computing system configured to determine one or more markings to apply at one or more predetermined locations to the one or more boxes at least partially based on the first information; (c) a marking mechanism configured to apply the one or more markings to the one or more boxes at the one or more predetermined locations; and (d) a first movement mechanism configured to at least partially position the marking mechanism to apply the one or more markings at the one or more predetermined locations. The marking mechanism is configured to mark each of the one or more boxes without removing the one or more boxes from the pallet. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A pressing unit configured to press a supporting surface for supporting a sheet, and a carriage configured to hold a sensor unit and to move on the pressing unit are integrated into one unit. There is provided a movement mechanism configured to move the unit between a first position in which the pressing unit presses the supporting surface during reading and a second position in which the pressing is released during movement of the sheet on the supporting surface.

Abstract: A laser light irradiating system which irradiates a laser light onto a thermally reversible recording medium which is pasted on a face on one side of an object to be conveyed to perform one of image erasing and image recording is disclosed. The laser light irradiating system includes a conveying unit; a detecting unit; a laser light emitting unit; and a control unit, wherein the control unit conveys the object to be conveyed to a specific position and, when the thermally reversible recording medium is not detected by the detecting unit, the laser light with a power level greater than or equal to a predetermined power level is prevented from being emitted from the laser light emitting unit.

Abstract: A laser rewriting apparatus positioned on one side or the other side of a conveyance path through which a to-be-conveyed object on which a thermoreversible recording medium is affixed is conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction. The laser rewriting apparatus emits laser light to the thermoreversible recording medium and rewrites an image. The laser writing apparatus includes an image erasing apparatus that emits laser light to the thermoreversible recording medium and erases the image from the thermoreversible recording medium; and an image recording apparatus positioned on the predetermined conveyance direction downstream side of the image erasing apparatus and records a new image by emitting laser light to the thermoreversible recording medium. The image erasing apparatus and the image recording apparatus have the respective laser light emitting parts from which the laser light is emitted at ends on the same side with respect to the predetermined conveyance direction.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet includes a recording section which records the image on the sheet in a transport passage for transporting the sheet in a transport direction; and a plurality of holding members which are provided while being separated from each other in a widthwise direction of the transport passage perpendicular to the transport direction and which press the sheet transported along the transport passage, from at least one of front and back surfaces of the sheet. At lease one holding member, which is provided at a central portion in the widthwise direction of the transport passage, is arranged on a downstream side in the transport direction as compared with the other holding members.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a recording section which is provided over a transport passage for transporting a sheet in a transport direction and which has nozzles for discharging an ink onto the sheet; a platen which is provided under the recording section with the transport passage intervening therebetween and which has a plurality of ribs provided to support the sheet while being separated from each other in a widthwise direction of the transport passage perpendicular to the transport direction, the respective ribs protruding upwardly and extending in the transport direction; and a plurality of holding members which are provided to be positioned between the plurality of ribs in the widthwise direction of the transport passage over the platen on an upstream side in the transport direction from the nozzles and which abut against an upper surface of the sheet and press the sheet toward the platen.

Abstract: A multi-channel image is printed on a web receiver by a plurality of printing modules. The receiver is entrained around a take-up roll on a movable transport. During printing, the transport moves past the printing modules while the take-up roll holds the receiver in position with respect to the transport, and then the transport comes to a stop and the take-up roll draws the receiver across the transport. A cutter downstream of the take-up roll cuts off the printed portion of the web receiver to provide a printed sheet.

Abstract: A tamper resistant check includes a first region on a first surface of the tamper resistant check and a second region on the first surface of the tamper resistant check. The second region on the first surface of the tamper resistant check corresponds to at least one critical field associated with the tamper resistant check including, but not limited to, one or more of the payee field, the amount field, and/or the signature field. The second region on the first surface of the tamper resistant check is designed so that toner-based characters/symbols applied by a laser printer to the second region cannot be removed from the second region without leaving visible evidence of the tampering.

Abstract: A hybrid processing device having printheads that records on a check conveyed through a medium conveyance path includes a first sensor that detects insertion of a check from the recording medium entrance of the medium conveyance path, a second sensor that detects discharge of the check from the recording medium exit of the medium conveyance path, and a third sensor that detects presence of a check between the first and second sensors. It is determined that the recording medium has been removed from the conveyance path, when the recording medium detectors change from a first state, in which at least one of the recording medium detectors detects that the recording medium is present, to a second state, in which none of the recording medium detectors detect that the recording medium is present.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a printing unit which is disposed in a housing and configured to form an image on a sheet, an lid attached to the housing by a hinge mechanism, and a camera which is attached to the lid and configured to read an image on a document while the lid is open, wherein the sheet having the image formed by the printing unit is discharged on the lid, and when the lid is opened, the camera can read the document which is placed at a reading position below the camera.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for creating marks 194 on an anodized aluminum specimen 190 with selectable color and optical density. The method includes providing a laser marking system 148 having a laser 150, laser optics 154 and a controller 160 operatively connected to said laser 150 to control laser pulse parameters. The laser marking system 148 is directed to produce laser pulses 152 having laser pulse parameters associated with the desired color and optical density in the presence of a fluid 168 directed to the surface of the anodized aluminum specimen 158 while marking.

Abstract: A method for printing an image, the method includes the steps of defining a media support surface; advancing a print medium onto the support surface; emitting light from a first side of the print medium toward the defined surface; moving a sensor on a second side of the print medium along a scan direction; monitoring the position of the sensor as it moves along the scan direction; sensing the light on the second side of the print medium which is opposite the first side as the light passes through the print medium to a sensor; providing memory for storing patterns representing particular media types; providing a processor for comparing signals from the sensor to patterns stored in the memory in order to identify media type; identifying the print medium type; selecting a print mode based on the identified print medium type; processing an image according to the selected print mode; and printing the image on the print medium.

Abstract: A reading apparatus includes a reading unit including a presser configured to press a sheet, a carriage configured to hold a sensor unit and to move on the presser, and a housing configured to store the sensor unit and the carriage and to hold the presser in a displaceable way. The reading apparatus further includes a movement mechanism configured to move the reading unit to a first position in which the presser presses a supporting surface and to a second position in which the pressing is released. The movement mechanism sets the reading unit to the first position during reading by the sensor unit and to the second position during movement of the sheet on the supporting surface.

Abstract: A rotatable roller is provided which includes a first end and a second end and a surface adapted to wrap a portion of the media thereupon. A carriage conveys the roller along a path. The roller is moved by first and second drives. The first and second drives can be differentially operated to reorient the roller with respect to a direction along the path. The first drive and the second drive can be operated, differentially or non-differentially, to move the carriage along the path. The reoriented roller can be rotated about its axis while conveying the media to wrap the portion of the media onto the surface. The portion of the media can be sized to wrap over the surface of the reoriented roller without overlapping itself. The first drive and the second drive can be operated non-differentially to convey the reoriented roller along a portion of the path.

Abstract: A method of automatically optimizing a printing apparatus based on media type of a substrate, comprising: (A) inputting a substrate into the printing apparatus; (B) determining the media type of the substrate; (C) automatically adjusting calibration settings according to at least one calibration setting preset, responsive to the determining; and, (D) performing image transfer.

Abstract: There is provided a laser-marking multilayer sheet for an electronic passport formed by laminating five sheets of a multilayer sheet A/a multilayer sheet B/a film C/a multilayer sheet B/a multilayer sheet A. The multilayer sheet B is a colored laser-marking multilayer sheet. The film C is a laser-marking multilayer sheet made of a film for the electronic passport. The laser-marking multilayer sheet can have clear letters, symbols, and images, which are excellent in a laser-marking property and high in contrasts between the original surface color and the printed portions. The laser-marking multilayer sheet is excellent especially for inhibiting the falsification and forgery thereof.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a media support defining a surface; an inkjet printhead oriented to eject ink toward the defined surface; a carriage that is movable along a carriage scan direction; a light source directed at the defined surface and positioned on a first side of the defined plane to provide an illuminated portion of the plane extending substantially along the carriage scan direction; a light sensing device mounted on the movable platform on a second side of the defined plane that is opposite the first side, which sensing device functions to sense media type by sensing light emitted from the light source and transmitted across the defined plane and to light sensing device; memory for storing patterns representing particular media types; and a processor for comparing signals from the light sensor to patterns stored in the memory in order to identify media type.

Abstract: A dual mode imaging system includes a dual wavelength ROS suitable for imaging xerographic media and erasable media. When included in an imaging system this includes media transport for selectively conveying non-erasable and erasable media to corresponding imaging positions in the dual mode imaging system. The system further includes a photoreceptor and a raster scanned light beam positioned to selectively image one of the photoreceptor and the erasable media. The media transport includes a non-erasable media transport path and an erasable media transport path, the erasable media transport path diverted from the non-erasable media transport path. An erasable medium in the diverted erasable media transport path intercepts a UV imaging raster scanned light beam, and in the absence of an erasable medium, the photoreceptor intercepts an IR raster scanned light beam.

Abstract: Drawing control methods, laser irradiating apparatuses, drawing control programs, and recording mediums having recorded therewith are provided that make it possible to efficiently carry out drawing with high quality. The drawing control method controls, by a computer, a drawing device which draws what is to be drawn onto multiple unit regions on a surface of a medium. The computer executes a drawing order determining step which determines a drawing order of a line segment included in the what is to be drawn such that multiple continuing line segments over mutually neighboring multiple unit regions are drawn continuously.

Abstract: A web flow path extends in a first direction opposite a print head and in a second opposite direction from the print head to a dryer.

Abstract: A multilayer laser-markable sheet for an electronic passport includes three sheets of a sheet A/a multilayer sheet B/a sheet C as a basic constitutional unit. The sheet A includes a transparent polycarbonate resin composition including a thermoplastic polycarbonate resin and a laser light energy absorbing agent, the multilayer sheet B includes a transparent thermoplastic resin including a thermoplastic polycarbonate resin, at least one layer of the skin layers and the core layer of the multilayer sheet B including at least one selected from a dye and a pigment. The sheet C includes a sheet or a laminate sheet. The multilayer laser-markable sheet for an electronic passport has excellent laser markability and high contrast, can achieve clear letters, symbols and images, and further has excellent thermal adhesiveness, transparency, sheet conveyance property, releasability from a die after thermal press, thermal resistance, foldability and wear resistance.

Abstract: A laser printing system comprising a conveyor for conveying a group of containers, a container group packaging device for packaging a group of containers by a base material at the conveyor, if a conveyance speed when the group of containers packaged by the base material reaches a first region is smaller than a conveyance speed a predetermined time before the packaged group of containers packaged by the base material reaches the first region, the conveyor conveying the packaged group of containers by the conveyance speed when reaching the first region, and a laser printing device for laser printing the base material of the packaged group of containers when the packaged group of containers reaches a second region positioned downstream from the first region at the conveyor. Due to this, the identical base material is prevented from being printed on a plurality of times. Further, this may also include an end signal emitter for emitting a printing end signal after the base material is printed on.

Abstract: Provided is a recording apparatus capable of performing recording on a recording medium having a lenticular lens.

Abstract: An image formation device is configured such that a length of a sheet feed path from a sheet accommodation unit to a sheet detection unit is greater than the sheet distance for a predetermined type sheet that has substantially the same sheet length as a maximum size sheet employable in the image formation unit. A sheet length of the sheet fed by the sheet feed mechanism is measured. If the sheet length of a firstly fed sheet, which is fed in response to an image formation instruction and measured by the measuring unit, is equal to the sheet length of the predetermined type of sheet, the control unit feeds a subsequent sheet with the sheet distance corresponding for the maximum size sheet between a trailing end of the previously fed sheet and the leading end of the subsequent sheet.

Abstract: A system and a method for improving total job time without needing to know a job size. An engine dynamically decides which process speed to warm up to based on a number and size of pages currently submitted to the engine, and thus deliver the best job time dynamically. The engine also takes into account its condition and a condition of a fuser, and dynamically selects a substantially optimum point of operation.

Abstract: In a beltless tandem-type image forming apparatus, a plurality of pairs of transfer rollers are placed side by side at intervals along a conveying direction of sheets. A control section independently conveys sheets in sequence through nip sections of respective pairs of transfer rollers driven by a driving section while sequentially transferring images formed by an imaging section onto the sheets. Conveying speeds of the respective pairs of transfer rollers controlled by the driving section are gradually decreased for every pair of transfer rollers from an upstream side toward a downstream side along a conveying direction of the sheets, and consequently, a driving period for driving the respective pairs of transfer rollers to convey each sheet is gradually increased for every pair of transfer rollers from the upstream side toward the downstream side along the conveying direction of the sheets.

Abstract: This invention provides a laser marking method that can form a very minute mark of a predetermined shape, such as a letter or pattern, with clarity and high solidity, on the surface of a substrate. The laser marking method of the invention comprises the steps of (1) depositing a coloring material on the surface of a substrate of thermoplastic material to form a thin film of the coloring material, and (2) applying a laser beam to the thin film of the coloring material in conformity with a predetermined marking shape to cause the portions of the substrate irradiated with the laser beam to soften and to cause the thus softened portions to mix with the coloring material, thereby developing the predetermined marking shape on the surface of the substrate.