Abstract: In the demand-type ink jet printer head driving method and apparatus a predetermined voltage is applied to an electromechanical conversion device in a preliminary step to displace the wall of an ink pressure chamber inwardly. This decreases the volume of the pressure chamber without ejecting ink from the nozzle. The applied voltage is removed to restore the wall of the pressure chamber by means of the elastic energy stored in the wall and in the electro-mechanical conversion means thereby drawing ink into the pressure chamber from an ink reservoir container. Voltage is applied a second time to the electro-mechanical conversion device in synchronism with a damped oscillation system comprised of the pressure chamber wall, the electro-mechanical conversion means, and ink. The second application of voltage in synchronism with the damped oscillation displaces the electro-mechanical conversion means inwardly so that an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit for simultaneously outputting two frequency signals comprises a single resonator vibrating in two modes at different frequencies, an amplitude modulating circuit for modulating one of said two frequencies with a third frequency, a feedback circuit receiving the output of the amplitude modulating circuit, a detector demodulating the amplitude modulated signal, the demodulated signal being the third frequency used to modulate the output of the resonator. The two frequencies of the resonator are close together in value and the third frequency signal is the difference in frequency of the two resonator outputs. Circuit outputs are one resonator frequency and the difference frequency.

Abstract: A spectacle frame wherein each lens is held against a rim by a thin wire for providing a rimless appearance is provided. The spectacle structure includes a wire having at least one enlarged end and a rim for receiving the lens with the enlarged end of the wire engaged in one end of the rim and secured at the opposing rim for compressively retaining the lens in the rim. The wire is formed of a super-elastic material, such as a Ni-Ti alloy.

Abstract: A circuit for compensation of timekeeping inaccuracies induced by ambient temperature variations. A bridge circuit having a temperature sensitive resistive element in one branch and a resistance of programmed variation in the other branch outputs a changing unbalanced voltage to drive a comparator. A change in polarity of the comparator output detects the ambient temperature and causes a counter controlling the programmed resistance to output signals to a timekeeping regulation circuit whereby timekeeping is made accurate. Initial corrections are made in the programmed resistance branch to adjust for off-design performance of the vibrator in the timepiece oscillator.

Abstract: A drive control system for a step motor. The system includes a detector for detecting when the step motor is central between step positions of the step motor and for producing a timing signal representative of the central position of the step motor. Motor drive coils selectively driven by a drive control circuit actuate the step motor. The drive control circuit receives the timing signal and in response thereto selectively actuates the motor drive coils to allow the step motor to stop at its next step position.

Abstract: In a substantially continuous process, solid ink is melted and deposited on a recording roller where it solidifies as a surface coating. Subsequently, heat is applied selectively and locally to portions of the roller to remelt the ink. A recording chart pressed against the moving roller picks up and retains the melted ink, thereby dots or segments of characters are formed on the recording chart. A plurality of heating means may be used so that printing in a dot matrix is made feasible.

Abstract: A condenser including a dielectric material exhibiting a ferroelectric phase wherein the dielectric constant-temperature characteristic of the condenser exhibits hysteresis loss of not more than 5% is provided. The dielectric constant-temperature characteristics are varied by regulating the particle diameter of the crystal and by providing an electrode material which reduces the loss. Hysteresis loss may also be reduced by including an oxide of a rare earth element or a metallic element of Group Va of the Periodic Table into a barium titanate dielectric component system.

Abstract: A wristwatch having a piezoelectric buzzer therein includes a watch case and a case back. The piezoelectric buzzer includes a piezoelectric element mounted on the case back inside the watch case. A driver selectively applies signals having a frequency of about 4 kHz to the buzzer. The case back, acting as the vibration plate for the piezoelectric element, is constructed so that the resonance frequency thereof is between 5.5 kHz and 7 kHz.

Abstract: A wire dot printer using fluid ink in which printing is carried out with the ink adhering to the end faces of the wires. A front wire guide guides the end portions of the wires adjacent to the printing end faces of the wires. A rear wire guide is positioned behind the front wire guide. An ink path fed by capillary action is provided between the front and rear wire guides which crosses the wires at positions adjacent the end faces of the wires. Also disclosed is a pump for conveying the ink within the printer and preferred compositions of the ink itself.

Abstract: A mode coupled tuning fork resonator is cut at a preferred angle and with selected length, width, and thickness to produce a resonator having a highly favorable frequency-temperature characteristic over a wide range of operating temperatures. The frequency-temperature characteristic can be expressed in a Taylor's expansion dominated by the fourth power term.

Abstract: A printer for printing a row of characters on a recording medium. The printer includes at least first and second type rings having types disposed on the periphery thereof which are rotatable from a reset position to a print position. First and second pawls are associated with the first and second type rings, respectively. A control member moves the first pawl into engagement with the first type ring when in its reset position to prevent rotation thereof. The second type ring is rotated into a print position while the first type ring is held in its reset position by the first pawl. A lever associated with the first and second pawls is actuated by an electromagnet to move the second pawl into engagement with the second type ring when in a print position to stop the rotation thereof. The control member releases the first pawl from the first type ring which then rotates to a print position.

Abstract: A small size ink jet printer includes a cover which presses against the ink nozzle openings when the printer is inoperative. The printer head is electrically driven but operation of the nozzle cover is at least partially performed manually. Particularly, the nozzle covering operation which needs a large force, is often manually performed to conserve energy and reduce component size. Circuits detecting and responding to an inadvertent failure to cover the nozzles are also provided.

Abstract: A printing device comprises a motor, a conversion mechanism for converting rotation of the motor into first and second outputs, a selection mechanism for alternately supplying the first and second outputs, a type member for being supplied with the first output from the conversion mechanism, and a printing mechanism for being supplied with the second output. The printing mechanism is engageable with the type member to effect printing on a sheet of printing paper.

Abstract: Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a semiconductor memory device comprises a static RAM cell having a serial-parallel data conversion function, formed of seven transistors. The RAM can read/write and includes bit lines exclusively for reading and bit lines which are exclusively for writing the data. Data is read through the bit lines for exclusive reading by means of a single gate transistor. The semiconductor memory device provides a memory whose area is small in spite of including therein a serial-parallel conversion function. Further, access to the memory cell is freely available from the system side.

Abstract: An ink jet print head for projecting droplets of ink on demand includes a pressurization chamber including at least one wall defining a vibratory plate. A nozzle is open to the pressurization chamber and defines a fluid passage through which ink is ejected. A piezoelectric element is operatively coupled to the vibratory plate which is selectively energized to vibrate the wall thereby changing the volume of the pressurization chamber to eject ink through the nozzle. A vibratory system is defined by the piezoelectric element and the vibratory plate with the acoustic capacitance of the vibratory system being less than or equal to 9.times.10.sup.-17 m.sup.5 /N.

Abstract: A printer having a printing head which prints characters across lines on a recording medium. The printer includes a frame having a driving shaft rotatably supported thereon and a motor for rotating the driving shaft in first and second directions. The printer also includes a paper feeding mechanism and a platen releasing mechanism. A clutch mechanism is driven by the driving shaft and is operatively coupled to the paper feeding and platen releasing mechanisms for selective operation thereof.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece including a piezoelectric type alarm buzzer wherein the caseback functions as the buzzer diaphragm is provided. The piezoelectric element is mounted on the caseback and a battery for driving the timepiece is mounted on the piezoelectric element with an electrical insulating member therebetween for preventing short-circuiting between the battery and piezoelectric element. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical insulating member for mounting for holding the battery is mounted to the piezoelectric element at a peripheral portion in order not to effect adversely the sound level. Alternatively, when design considerations require the battery may be mounted in a more central portion of the piezoelectric element, an angular insulating member having a central opening is used so that the insulating member contacts the piezoelectric element at the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A detection circuit for an electronic timepiece for ascertaining whether the power supply has been properly applied. A first switching element is in parallel with a capacitor and a second switching element is in series. A booster circuit raises the battery voltage to serve as a power source, which is applied to the series-connected capacitor and second switching element. When boosted voltage becomes higher than battery voltage, indicating that the power supply is properly applied, the first switching element is turned OFF and the second switching element is turned ON. If the battery is not properly applied, the first switching element is ON and the second switching element is OFF. The circuit is also suited to a timepiece with a voltage reduction circuit.