Abstract: In monochrome printing mode, a first correction value is set for correcting printing positional deviation between ink droplets printed during forward and reverse main scanning passes. In color printing mode, a second correction value is set for correcting printing positional deviation between ink droplets printed during forward and reverse main scanning passes. An adjustment value is determined for reducing printing positional deviation during forward and reverse main scanning passes. For this, in monochrome printing mode the first correction value is used as an adjustment value, and in color printing mode at least a second correction value is used to determine an adjustment value. Following this, the adjustment value is used to adjust printing positions during forward and reverse main scanning passes.

Abstract: A plurality of patterns respectively having different area factor of dot formation area are formed by forward and reverse scanning printing of a print head, and then optical characteristics of the plurality of formed patterns are measured. A function representing the relationship between the printing position offset between the forward and reverse printings is determined from the optical characteristics. Then, respective pattern having a predetermined area factor of dot formation area is formed by means of forward and reverse scanning where the speed is differentiated according to the mode of a printing apparatus, and then the optical characteristics of this pattern is measured. By applying this measured optical characteristics to the function, an adjustment value of the dot formation position conditions between the forward and reverse scans is obtained for each mode.

Abstract: A method of verifying data matrix print quality utilizing center offset for dot peen or inkjet marks, and size offset for laser etched or printed marks. The method of the present invention builds on the AIM specification and provides additional measures to determine the quality of the data matrix marks. Center offset and size offset measurements are employed to determine the data matrix quality.

Abstract: In a printer system comprising a plurality of printers, a printer in an output-impossible state can specify and confirm a backup printer. Each of the printers comprises display means, data storage means, printer information obtaining means, backup printer determining means, and data transfer means. One of the printers in output-impossible state stores output data in the data storage means and displays an error-state display in a status display unit thereof. The printer obtains information of the other printers via the printer information obtaining means. The backup printer determining means of the printer determines a backup printer based on a predetermined condition and displays which is the backup printer on the backup printer display unit thereof. At the same time, the printer reads the output data from the data storage means and transfers the data to the backup printer via the data transfer means.

Abstract: A method of correcting for malfunctioning ink ejection elements in a printing system comprising the step of (a) obtaining a standard printmask; (b) assigning to at least two ink ejection elements a probability that each of such at least two ink ejection element will work properly; (d) attempting to modify the standard printmask by replacing ink ejection elements having a certain probability to work properly with different ink ejection elements having a bigger probability to work properly, to create a modified printmask.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting imaging parameters includes forming a first image generated with pseudorandom noise and a second image generated with the same pseudorandom noise that serve as an imaging parameter sensor when the first and second images are superimposed. The sensor is useful for visually detecting such imaging parameters such as geometric errors. In one embodiment, the first and second patterns are generated with pseudorandom noise by modulating a repetitive pattern with pseudorandom noise. In another embodiment, the first and second patterns are generated with pseudorandom noise by forming a pseudorandom image and the reverse of the image, and phase shifting one or both of the images.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a medium on which the control method is stored, enable selection of a resume operation to be performed when the printing apparatus resumes operation following an off-line state. The resume operation to be performed after an off-line state is determined by a command received from a host device according to the cause for the off-line state. The resume operation thus determined is performed when the printing apparatus goes on-line again following the off-line state. A marker indicating a particular location in a continuous data stream can be set. If the marker is placed at the beginning of a particular data stream, printing can be resumed from the beginning of the data stream after recovery from an off-line state. By also storing various printer definitions (settings) when a marker is set, the printing apparatus can also be restored to the printer definitions in use when the printer went off-line.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device has a correction value storage memory which stores a plurality of correction values for the previously set sheet feed error of the sheet feeding mechanism. The drive-control section operates to control the sheet feed amount by one correction value which allows the feed error of the sheet feeding mechanism to be minimized, the value being selected from the correction values stored in the correction value storage memory. In such the manner, the sheet feed amount is corrected by the correction value, so that the feed error of each component of the sheet feeding mechanism can be easily corrected.

Abstract: A serial recording apparatus is disclosed which is capable of continuously printing even if a dot-forming element (or elements) of the element array of the recording head is defective, by substituting for the defective dot-forming element, a substitution dot-forming element. The serial recording apparatus also automatically detects a defective dot-forming element of the element array of the recording head. In operation, print data of the defective dot-forming element, which loses its dot-forming function, is saved in a second print-data storing device, and a first printing pass is carried out. In the second printing pass, a normal dot-forming element is moved to a location on a recording sheet which would otherwise be subjected to printing by the defective dot-forming element, and reads out the print data from the second print-data storing device to print it on that location.

Abstract: This printing apparatus is provided having a regular status data generating circuit for regularly generating status data. An automatic status selection and transmission circuit selects the status condition to be transmitted by the automatic status transmission operation, and a status data comparator compares the status data. By executing the automatic status selection and transmission command, the status is thereafter transmitted each time the selected status changes.

Abstract: A reference pattern is printed on one of the printing regions as the printing head moves in one direction, and a comparison pattern, which is to become a pattern identical to the reference pattern, is printed on the other of the printing regions as the printing head moves in both directions. A judging process is provided in which the comparison pattern is compared with the reference pattern so as to judge whether the two patterns are identical or not. The relative positional relation is determined to be proper if the two patters have been judged to be identical.

Abstract: A method and software program for determining printability of a defect on a reticle or photomask onto a substrate during processing. That is performed by creating a pixel grid image having a plurality of individual pixel images showing the defect. A gray scale value is assigned to each pixel image of the pixel grid image and a probable center pixel of the defect is selected. Then the polarity of the defect is determined, with a coarse center pixel of the defect optionally selected using the probable center defect and polarity of the defect. If a coarse center pixel is selected, then a fine center of the defect can optionally be selected from the coarse center pixel and polarity of the defect. From the center pixel the physical extent of the defect can be determined followed by the determination the transmissivity energy level of the physical extent of the defect.

Abstract: A printer system includes a printer on which color and monochromatic print cartridges are mounted, and a personal computer to output bit map data to the printer. The kinds of these ink cartridges are memorized as status information within a RAM so that the personal computer can detect a cartridge mounted position based on the status information. In the case that the color and/or monochromatic print cartridge is mounted incorrect, the personal computer detects an amount of a difference from a normal mount position to cause print data to shift depending upon the difference, thus creating bit map data.

Abstract: A code image quality check apparatus adapted to check the quality of a code image printed and recorded on a printing medium as an optically readable image of error correcting code data containing information data adapted to be optically read by manual scanning. The error correcting code data is provided with the ability of correcting errors in response to code image read errors. The code image quality check apparatus extracts code image read errors from the error correcting code data restored from the read code image without executing any error correcting operation and reduces the extracted read errors into numerical values, using a predetermined unit, which numerical values are then notified to the user in a predetermined display mode at the output section of the apparatus.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and a printing processing method are provided in which content of print information is discriminated. A variable is initialized if the result of discrimination indicates the start of a printing job, and the variable is counted up of the result of discrimination indicates start of the next page. In a case where trouble such as jamming occurs during processing of this print information, at which page from the start of printing this trouble occurred is calculated from the variable, and the page number obtained is outputted upon being incorporated in information indicative of the fact that trouble has occurred. As a result, it is possible to output information indicating at which page, from the start of a printing job, trouble such as jamming occurred.

Abstract: A printing device is requested to generate a calibration test print. The printer generates a plurality of color patches and identification data which are put in hard copy form by a marker. The identification data includes data such as device identifiers, calibration print identifiers, and calibration statistics for the printing device. The hard copy calibration print is scanned and is transmitted to a calibration server. The calibration server interprets the coded data and determines the originating device, the calibration pattern printed, and an optimal color pattern based on the identification data. The color pattern printed is then compared to the optimal color pattern and their differences are determined. A color correction table is generated based on the differences and transmitted to the network address of the originating printer based on the identification data. The identification data provides for automatic recalibration of printing devices on a network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply apparatus and provides a power supply apparatus capable of properly performing the protective operation at the completion of use of the instrument connected through the power supply line, when and after suspension of supplement from the side of the power supply apparatus. In response to the on/off operation of a switch 106 which is responsive to the closing/opening movement of the top cover member of the instrument for which the electric power is supplied, a MPU 110 generates an instruction for the instrument to move a state in which the instrument has turned to no-use condition and to be suspended to receive the power supply, and, based on the instruction, by means of a timer 107, after a predetermined period of time is measured, the supplement of the power supply is suspended.

Abstract: When degree of a streak of density fluctuation is varied mainly due to variation of a printing medium to be used and/or variation of use environment of an apparatus to be impossible to correct the density fluctuation, a test pattern is first output with maintaining a second image correcting portion for correction inoperative. A correction coefficient of an image signal corresponding to ink ejection openings at end portions is then set depending upon density fluctuation .DELTA.C.sub.SUM on the ink ejection openings at the end portions obtained from the result of reading. By this, in an ink jet printing apparatus, the streak in a printed image can be constantly restricted irrespective of variation of the printing medium to be used and/or use environment of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for detecting image position errors, includes forming a first pattern with a symbol embedded therein and a second pattern which, when superpositioned on the first pattern, exposes the symbol if the misalignment between the first and second patterns exceeds a position error tolerance. The symbol is perceivable with the unaided eye even if the misalignment is imperceivable to the unaided eye.

Abstract: The printer of the present invention prevents loss of print data due to print operation malfunction after the completion of the initialization of print head 3 by detecting error conditions related to the motion of the print head during the initialization of the print head. In the initialization process of print head 3, print head 3 is moved until it is detected by reference position detector 16 located at the left edge of the print area of the printer; after completion of the initial-position detection for print head 3, print head 3 is moved over the entire print area to rightmost move position 37. By moving print head 3 as described above and by checking whether or not the print head has moved correctly, it is possible to detect any error conditions relating to the motion of print head 3.

Abstract: In a single-pass, multi-head thermal printer, wherein a recording material is transported along a transport path, a mark sensor is disposed in proximity to each of a plurality of thermal heads. The sensors detect positioning marks which are provided on the recording material at constant intervals in the transporting direction. Each time a positioning mark is detected, a timer circuit begins measuring the time that has passed since the last detection of a positioning mark. If the measured time reaches a predetermined jam detection time, an alarm or a warning display is given, and the recording material stops being transported.

Abstract: Each of record information blocks in various modes is divided into predetermined information units each having a head indicator indicating a head of respective one of the predetermined information units. An information recording apparatus, to which the record information blocks are inputted in time sequence for each of the modes, is provided with: an emulation device for emulating the predetermined information units one after another; an indicator memory device for temporarily storing the head indicator in a current information unit, which is one of the predetermined information units and is currently emulated by the emulation device, for a time duration while the current information unit is emulated; an update device for updating the head indicator, each time when an emulation for the current information unit is completed by the emulation device; and an error judgment device for judging whether or not an error is generated during the emulation for the current information unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tape printing device for printing a desirable series of characters on a tape and cutting the tape to a label of a desirable length, and also a tape cartridge used in the tape printing device. The tape cartridge has a characteristic element readably storing specific information on the tape such as a width of the tape. The tape printing device reads the characteristic element to control printing conditions according to the type of the tape cartridge. More specifically, the tape printing device determines a variety of parameters including a number of lines and character sizes of the character series printed on the tape as well as lengths of left and right margins. When a tape of a relatively large width is set in the tape cartridge, the device increases a rotation torque of a platen for feeding the tape.

Abstract: An image printing apparatus which enables an appropriate operation in accordance with a user's judgment even when printing operation is halted due to no ink residue. After the printing operation is halted due to running out of ink residue, the user judges whether or not a page, where printing operation is performed at the time of detection of no ink residue, is to be printed again, or to delete the image data corresponding to the printed page from an image memory. If any subsequent printing operation is necessary, an ink cartridge is exchanged and the printing operation is resumed. Ink residue detection is performed for the resumed printing operation, and image data is deleted or maintained according to the detected result.

Abstract: A hybrid printer has mounted thereon a plurality of printing mechanisms and error processing appropriate to the respective printing mechanisms with differing functions and appropriate to the printing paper can be performed. Thermal printer state detector 65 and wire dot printer state detector 66 are provided which have the capability of detecting the respective states of thermal printing mechanism 10 and wire dot printing mechanism 20 mounted on hybrid printer 1. Further, printing mechanism selector 71 is capable of determining the printing mechanism selected from command data indicating the type paper. This makes it possible for state determination member 72 to know the error status of each printing mechanism and to determined which printing mechanism is in operation, and therefore it is possible to quickly perform error processing appropriate to the printing mechanism.

Abstract: A printing apparatus which shuts off the power supply to the apparatus, if a state in which the power supply to the apparatus is meaningless continues for a predetermined period, to prevent wasteful electricity consumption. When a LBP has an abnormality, an error processor detects the abnormality, executes a predetermined processing such as notification of the occurrence of error, and outputs error information to a power controller. The power controller determines whether or not the abnormal state has continued for a predetermined period. If the power controller determines the continuation of the abnormality for the predetermined period, it outputs a power-off instruction to a power. The power shuts off the power supply to the respective elements of the LBP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the a method usable in the field of printing, and in particular to a method of characterizing a drum-based digital print engine so that each of a plurality of ink droplets propelled toward a common picture element location, or pixel, of a print media coupled to an exterior surface of a rotating drum member precisely reaches the same pixel location irregardless of slight variations in portions of the surface of the drum. In a preferred embodiment, a drum based printing system contains eight print heads mounted on an axially driven carriage assembly and arranged in two rows of four such that no two print heads prints upon a common print swath at any given time, and each row of print heads is further oriented rotationally around a portion of the circumference of the drum member.

Abstract: A printer has a forced stop switch to stop the printer. The switch may be pressed to stop a print output immediately when the output state of the data transmitted from a computer is bad or when the print output is not one required by a user. This prevents waste of ribbon, ink, toner, paper etc. For example, when there is an error during the printing, if the printer continuously operates, then the consumption goods such as ribbon, ink, toner, paper, etc. is consumed, and that duration of the life of printer itself is shortened. In addition, time and electric power loss that comes with the initialization of the printer caused by turning the printer off, and then on in order to remove the error, can be prevented.

Abstract: A morphological find and replace editing tool for a word processor replaces inflected forms of a user-specified find word in a text document with inflected forms of a user-specified replacement word having matching parts of speech. The tool retrieves sets of word forms having a same root word as the find and replacement words, respectively, from a word forms database. The tool selects a single set of word forms with a common root word for each of the find and replacement words such that the find and replacement words are matching parts of speech. Where word forms in the find word's set are found in the text document, they are replaced with a word form from the replacement word's set with a best matching part of speech.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving print quality for a 2-D bar code. The method includes determining printer type, including print resolution, for printer that will print 2-D bar code and entering paper type for the envelope. A suggested 2-D bar code module size is calculated based on the paper and the printer type. A test sample 2-D bar code is printed at the suggested 2-D bar code module size. The printed test sample is scanned and then evaluated for print quality and readability. The method can also suggest a 2-D bar code module size to the user.

Abstract: A method for detecting image position errors, includes forming a first pattern with a symbol embedded therein and a second pattern which, when superpositioned on the first pattern, exposes the symbol if the misalignment between the first and second patterns exceeds a position error tolerance. The symbol is perceivable with the unaided eye even if the misalignment is imperceivable to the unaided eye.

Abstract: A method of compensating for a paper feed error through automatically reperforming operations to pick up printing paper when the paper feed error occurs includes the steps of: (a) driving a pickup roller, picking up printing paper stacked in a paper cassette, and then, feeding the picked up printing paper to an image forming unit; (b) after picking up the printing paper in step (a), checking to determine whether or not the printing paper has been fed to the image forming unit; and, (c) when it has been determined in step (b) that the printing paper has not been fed and a paper feed error has been generated, again driving the pickup roller, so as to attempt to pick up the printing paper stacked in the paper cassette again.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for calibrating an inkjet printhead by printing separate test patterns from respective groups of nozzles on the same printhead, and then using a carriage-mounted optical sensor to scan the patterns to determine the relative locations of the ink drops from each group of nozzles.

Abstract: A calibration technique for determining media advance calibration in a swath printer includes drawing a series of lines on media which correspond to an angle of rotation of the platen, and then using an optical sensor to read the actual positions of the lines in order to transmit a correction signal.

Abstract: This invention prevents the accounting unit of a postage meter from deducting funds when a mailpiece has been removed. The foregoing is achieved by giving the postage meter the intelligence to stop printing the postal indicia and deducting the value of the postal indicia just before the indicia is printed. This would eliminate the loss of funds due to problems between trip command and actual indicia printing. The apparatus of this invention utilizes a sensor to detect the presence of a mailpiece at a printing position and a detector to determine the location of the indicia printing plate or the time that an ink jet printer is going to print so that the system will be able to prevent the printing of a postal indicia and deducting the value of the postal indicia just before the indicia is printed.

Abstract: A method is described for calibrating a printer and/or a scanner so that information can be printed at a desired location with respect to a sheet, the method comprising: storing a first set of markings as a first image in digital form; printing, using a printer to be calibrated, the first image on a sheet to form a printed sheet; scanning the printed sheet to generate a second image stored in digital form; comparing the first image and the second image, or an image derived from the second image, to determine a first transformation which maps the first set of markings in the second image, or the image derived from the second image, onto the first set of markings on the first image; storing parameters of the first transformation for subsequent use by applying the first transformation to information to be printed at the desired location. Using this method the bias transformations associated with a printer and/or a scanner can be accurately measured and stored for future use in printing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a continuous web printing process is disclosed. In the method, a computer index file is created which tracks the status of all printed logical segments on the web. Based on the status of a record relating to a particular logical segment or the status of other associated logical segments, the particular logical segment is either accepted or rejected. The status of a record is set by scanning the logical segment for errors.

Abstract: This printing apparatus is provided having a regular status data generating circuit for regularly generating status data. An automatic status selection and transmission circuit selects the status condition to be transmitted by the automatic status transmission operation, and a status data comparator compares the status data. By executing the automatic status selection and transmission command, the status is thereafter transmitted each time the selected status changes.

Abstract: A printing apparatus which enables the operator to immediately discriminate a position of a check objective paper from results of printing has a printing mechanism for printing in at least one color on predetermined papers, a control unit for controlling a printing operation of the printing mechanism, and a detecting unit for detecting an opportunity of printing and outputting the check objective paper during the printing operation of the printing mechanism. When the detecting unit detects said opportunity, the control unit controls the printing mechanism to implement a color printing on the check objective paper in order to discriminate the check objective paper from another printed output papers. The printing apparatus is applicable to a printer which is connected to an upper apparatus such as a host computer to print data fed from the upper apparatus.

Abstract: A printer in which print densities of print heads can be adjusted simply and rapidly and set to have an optimum impact force, and a method of adjusting a print density are provided. Concretely, print density patterns which can be set at regular steps toward the high and low density sides of a predetermined density are generated. On the basis of the print density patterns, printing is conducted on a recording medium. A pattern in which a desired print density appears is selected and the print densities of the print heads are absolutely or relatively adjusted.

Abstract: Memory fragmentation in a page printer is avoided by assessing the current extent of memory fragmentation and memory utilization before allocating memory for describing a portion of a next page to be printed. In one embodiment, the assessment includes a weighted average of a normalized standard deviation of current free memory block sizes (indicating fragmentation) and the current percent utilization of memory. A page printer in one embodiment has insufficient memory for bit for bit images of entire pages to be printed. However, a high page printing rate is nonetheless maintained by avoiding interruptions in interface communications and data processing that result when there is insufficient memory to support an allocation request for a contiguous block size. Memory allocation for a new page to be printed is deferred until an assessment of memory fragmentation and utilization is favorably compared to a limit.

Abstract: A module is disclosed for use with a franking machine for the entry of data into the machine. The module includes a memory and security means operative in response to an interrogation signal from the franking machine to return a signal to the franking machine that the module is authorised for use with the franking machine for the input of data thereto.

Abstract: A printing device including a central processing unit, a first memory, a keyboard for inputting characters forming words, and symbols, which are stored in the first memory, a second memory, a printer, and an eraser. The printer prints the information stored in the first memory. The central processing unit determines whether a word printed by the printer means before the commencement of the printing of the next word is correctly spelled. The second memory contains a dictionary used by the central processing unit to determine whether the spelling of the word printed by the printer is correct. The eraser erases a part of or the entire printed word in response to the central processing means determining that the printed word is misspelled.

Abstract: Diagnosis of servo motor driven drive train problems based upon changes in the rotational velocity of the servo motor as electrically operable drive line components are selectively engaged. The unloaded (unloaded) rotational velocity of a servo motor is determined, a drive train component that couples a load to the servo motor is energized, the change in the rotational velocity of the servo motor caused by engaging the drive train component is determined, and, if the servo motor rotational velocity falls outside of a predetermined limit the drive line fault that causes that rotational velocity to fall outside of that limit is identified. Beneficially, the status of the drive train is sent to a remote location using a data link.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a CPU 1, an image formation part 9, an interface 7 for communicating with an external host apparatus 19, an operation panel 8 which includes an operation switch and the like, etc., and a power cutoff circuit 12 which operates in response to an instruction which is expressed by a power save signal 17. The printing apparatus also comprises a voltage monitoring circuit 15 for monitoring a signal level change of a host side signal, such as a strobe signal, which is supplied from the external host apparatus 19. When the voltage level of the host signal is intermediate between a first reference voltage V1 and a second reference voltage V2, the voltage monitoring circuit 18 judges that power supply to the external host apparatus 19 is cut off.

Abstract: A data printing and outputting apparatus has a host device, and a digital copying machine connected with the host device through a communication line for printing and outputting data. The control section of the digital copying machine, monitoring the printing operation by the digital copying machine, maintains the communication between the host device and the digital copying machine when the trouble with the digital copying machine is a minor one which does not take time to solve, and stop the communication between the host device and the digital copying machine when the trouble is a major one which takes time to solve. The data printing and outputting apparatus, thus, can increase host device's job efficiency by reducing its workload in the communicating operation between the host device and the digital copying machine.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus of the type in which a printing head is detachable to a carriage, a detecting circuit is provided for detecting whether or not a printing head 8 is mounted on a carriage. A CPU 2 included in the printing apparatus supervises the output of the detecting circuit at every predetermined time interval. When determined the printing head 8 is not mounted, the supplement of the driving voltage for the printing head 8 is suspended.

Abstract: A thermal printer is provided which can be easily calibrated by an operator for any selected type of print media. The thermal printer includes a thermal print head and a rotatable platen adapted to draw a print media therebetween. The thermal print head is adapted to selectively activate portions of the print media. To calibrate the printer in order to optimize printer performance for print quality, an operator first identifies a type of print media which is selected for use on the printer. The printer will then print a series of test labels onto the selected type of print media using a parameter of the printer having a unique value for each individual one of the test labels of the series. Identifying information of the unique parameter value is also printed onto each respective test label. By inspecting the series of test labels, the operator can select one of the test labels having a desired level of image quality.

Abstract: A printing apparatus system includes a plurality of type units each having a plurality of type elements and each being different from the others. Each type unit may be mounted in the apparatus. A detector detects which of the type units is so mounted and produces a detection signal representative thereof. The printing pressure with which each type element is imprinted on a print medium is determined in accordance with the particular type wheel mounted in the apparatus as indicated by the detection signal. Additionally, the amount of advance of an ink ribbon for imprinting a type element on a type unit is determined in accordance with the particular type unit mounted in the apparatus, again as indicated by the detection signal.

Abstract: A security system for an unattended printing mechanism, such as that found in an automatic teller machine. The security system has a programmable microprocessor which sends data to a journal printer and actuates a journal motor that controls the rotation of the paper take-up drum. A timing disk is rotationally attached to the take-up drum. A sensor mounted adjacent the timing disk senses the rotation of the timing disk and the rotation of the take-up drum. As the timing disk rotates, the sensor generates alternating high and low signals. The sensor signals are fed to the microprocessor, which assesses the number of high/low signals, and the amount of paper being fed to the take-up roll. When it does not see a proper number of high-to-low transitions for a given amount of journal motor rotation, the microprocessor provides a signal that a jam has occurred in the printing system. The microprocessor continually monitors the sensor signals.