Abstract: A copy system includes a copy controller which is connected to a scanner and a plotter via interface sections. Based on key input from a key-input section, the CPU control section of the copy controller inputs image data from the scanner one line or one block at a time and stores the image data into a storage section. After the image data is subjected to image processing, the CPU control section immediately outputs the image data to the plotter one line or one block at a time.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus with ink drop registration control adjusts the timing of the ink drop or drops that form each pixel to compensate for time-of-flight differences that are a function of the number of ink drops that form a pixel and as a function of the ink drops that constitute one or more immediately preceding pixels. A pixel buffer stores successive pixel data in a first-in first-out (FIFO) manner so that the timing of the ink drop for a current pixel can be adjusted, in part, as a function of the number of ink drops of at least one next successive pixel.

Abstract: The optimum excitation frequency for forming successive ink drops in an ink jet printer is determined by forming a sequence of ink drops at a plurality of different drop-formation frequencies and phases thereof and integrating a detected current representative of the value of the charge on the ink drops as a function of time for each the plural frequencies and phases thereof to create a corresponding plurality of waveforms. The frequency of the optimum waveform, which minimizes the undesired formation of satellite ink drops and undesired drop dispersion, is then selected for use during the next print mode. The optimum waveform is characterized by a single maxima and minima separated in phase by a value no greater than a predetermined maximum value.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus wherein ink drops can be controlled individually to assure high quality printing and adjustment in registration of ink nozzles in a drum circumferential direction can be performed at a sufficiently high resolution. The ink jet recording apparatus has a plurality of nozzles arranged such that drops of ink may impinge in an overlapping relationship at a location on a record medium supported on a rotary drum, and adjustment in registration of the nozzles in a drum circumferential direction is performed by a registration adjusting system by which such adjustment is performed using a registration adjusting clock signal having a frequency higher than a picture element recording signal. An optimum phase between disintegration of an ink jet and a recording pulse signal is determined in accordance with current values detected by a current detector connected to an electrically isolated conductive drop catcher.

Abstract: A printing apparatus suitable for printing on a print medium of a large size which is reduced in overall size and facilitates adjustment of printing timings of line printing heads therein. The printing apparatus comprises a plurality of line printing heads of the type wherein printing elements are disposed on a line along an end edge thereof. The line printing heads are disposed in a pair of rows spaced in the feeding direction of a print medium in a housing such that the printing elements along the end edges thereof are disposed in an alternate relationship in a pair of rows perpendicular to the feeding direction of a print medium and each located nearest to the other row of the printing elements.

Abstract: A printing apparatus suitable for printing on a print mediumn of a large size which is reduced in overall size and facilitates adjustment of printing timings of line printing heads therein. The printing apparatus comprises a plurality of line printing heads of the type wherein printing elements are disposed on a line along an end edge thereof. The line printing heads are disposed in a pair of rows spaced in the feeding direction of a print medium in a housing such that the printing elements along the end edges thereof are disposed in an alternate relationship in a pair of rows perpendicular to the feeding direction of a print medium and each located nearest to the other row of the printing elements.

Abstract: A typewriter which has a minimized dimension in the direction of the depth and requires a minimized overall installation area. The typewriter includes a keyboard mounted at a portion near a top, front side of the typewriter housing and is pivotable from and to a horizontal position. When pivoted in a normally closed position, it lies substantially in a plane of a top opening formed in the typewriter housing. The keyboard is located such that its rear end is positioned very close to a platen mounted at a rear portion of the typewriter housing and covers the area of movement of a ribbon cassette carried on a carrier that is mounted to the typewriter housing and moves parallel to the platen.

Abstract: A driving device for a stepping motor wherein detection of a position of the rotor of a stepping motor can be effected accurately without the necessity of adjustments of various elements. The device detects a current flow in a field winding of an energized phase and compares it with a simulated saturation curve to detect a back EMF induced in the winding to find a current position of the rotor of the motor.The simulated saturation curve is produced by energizing the winding with a low voltage, measuring current flows in the winding as voltage signals at three different points of time, and calculating several data indicating a saturation curve from the voltage signals. The data are stored in memory and recalled one after another to produce a corresponding voltage when the field winding is energized.

Abstract: A step motor control system which can control a step motor to rotate at a variable high speed like a brushless motor. A position signal indicating a position of a rotor of a step motor relative to a specific one of field windings is detected as a voltage signal which is successively compared with a reference voltage in order to detect a specific angular position of the rotor at which selective energization and deenergization of the field windings are started for a next stepping operation of the motor.The position signal may be extracted as a voltage signal from an electric current flowing through a last energized field winding by a resistor connected thereto. From the voltage signal, a back EMF induced in the field winding due to its self inductance is subtracted to detect a voltage position signal or EMF induced in the field winding by a permanent magnet of the rotor.

Abstract: A simplified method of and apparatus for mounting an electronic part such as a transistor on a circuit board. Two or more selected ones of terminals of an electronic part are angularly bent in prior, and when the electronic part is to be mounted on a circuit board, the terminals are forcibly inserted into through-holes of the circuit board to an extent wherein bent portions of the terminals are projected below the circuit board. As a result, if a weak force is applied to pull the part off, the bent portions of the terminals will frictionally engage with edges of the through-holes to prevent the part from being removed from the board.

Abstract: A printer having a print ribbon feed mechanism is disclosed which allows optimal feeding of a print ribbon, eliminating unnecessary consumption of the ribbon. The mechanism includes first and second clamp means mounted on a stationary section and a print carrier of the machine, respectively, which are both controlled in accordance with movement of a print head from and to a print enabling position. Means are provided which are connected to a carrier indexing mechanism for impositively driving print ribbon supply and takeup spools disposed on the stationary section to wind a print ribbon onto them during a carrier return operation whereas they allow the ribbon to be unwound from the ribbon spools when the carrier advances.

Abstract: An automatic envelope sealing device wherein envelopes of different sizes can be sealed without adjustment any component of the device. A size of an enveloped supplied into the device is detected by a sensor, and in response to a signal from the sensor, a movable stopper is alternatively extended into a plane in which the envelope is to be fed or retracted in order to stop the large size envelope thereat or retracted therefrom to allow the small size envelope to be fed until it is stopped by a fixed stopper. A flap of the envelope is then bent positively and paste in a controlled amount is applied to the flap whereafter the envelope is fed reversely until it is discharged outside the device. During the reverse feeding, the flap is pressed to be adhered to the envelope by cooperating rollers which act as feeding means.

Abstract: A print ribbon cassette of a simplified construction which can prevent slackening of a print ribbon and normally keep the print ribbon in taut condition for printing. The print ribbon cassette comprises a lock member having a locking position for preventing inadvertent rotation of a feed spool on which a print ribbon to be supplied is wound. The cassette further comprises a ribbon lock control member which is moved between an operative position and an inoperative position in response to a tensile force of a print ribbon applied thereto. In the operative position of the ribbon lock control member, it engages with the lock member and holds the same to the lock position.

Abstract: An automatic paper feeding device for a printer is disclosed which cyclically operates to automatically feed one after another of cut sheets of paper contained in a storage to a platen of the printer. A paper feed roller shaft is operatively connected to the platen, which is rotated by a motor, via a clutch mechanism including a clutch spring which is controlled by a controlling cam to intermittently and cyclically connect the shaft to a clutch sleeve connected to be rotated by the platen. Thus, after a paper sheet has been discharged from the printer after completion of printing, another paper sheet is automatically fed and positioned relative to the platen.

Abstract: An automatic line spacing device which can be advantageously incorporated in typewriters, especially of the type which has no constantly rotating power shaft. A feed pawl is mounted on a rockable member and cooperates with a ratchet to angularly rotate a typewriter type platen. The rockable member is constantly coupled to a bidirectional electric motor which is first energized sufficiently to angularly rotate the rockable member from its home position to a rotated limit position defined by a fixed positive stop element for effecting a line spacing operation and then secondly energized sufficiently to rotate the rockable member back to its home position as defined by another stop element. A cam adjusts the angle during which the feed pawl engages the ratchet so as to effect different line spacing increments.

Abstract: A ribbon lift device for selectively positioning a print ribbon and a correction ribbon to a print position for printing or correction of a character includes a first cam having a cam groove formed therein for lifting the print ribbon to the print position and a second cam having a cam profile for lifting the correction ribbon to the print position. Means are provided for coupling the first and second cams such that forward rotation of the first cam will not rotate the second cam but reverse rotation of the first cam will rotate the second cam in the same direction, and a bidirectional electric motor is coupled to the first cam whereby rotation of the motor will lift the print ribbon or the correction ribbon, depending upon the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A ribbon feeding mechanism for a typewriter or printer includes a pivotally mounted platform for removably receiving a fabric or carbon ribbon cassette. A manually operable lever carries ribbon feeding components including a toothed wheel for engaging the carbon ribbon takeup unit in the carbon ribbon cassette and a gear for engaging a driven gear of a fabric ribbon cassette. The ribbon feeding components are rotated about a common axis by a cam-driven pawl and rachet mechanism.