Abstract: A digital printer has a printhead (10) for printing on a substrate and an encoder (14) which emits pulses (122) to indicate the relative distance moved by the printhead. A timer device for the digital printer emits output print pulses (151) for effecting printing and a count module (130) for receiving pulses (122) from the encoder (14) and emitting a print signal after a predetermined number of encoder pulses (122) to effect the emission of the output print pulse. The timer device is adapted to add a delay between the emission of the print signal and the emission of the output print pulse (151). In examples described, the pitch of the printed droplets can be closely controlled.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention forms an item specific pattern on a plain or holographic metallized film or hot stamp foil, including an embossed substrate with or without holograms. A piezoelectric ink jet printhead includes a plurality of ink jet channels and respective ink jets that receive an etchant-resistant mask material for ejecting etchant-resistant mask material through the respective ink jets onto a metallized surface of the metallized film or hot stamp foil. A controller individually and digitally controls the ejection of etchant-resistant mask material in a programmed manner for ink jet printing on the metallized surface a unique pattern of etchant or etchant-resistant mask. Etchant etches the metallized surface into an item specific pattern using subsequently applied etchant that exposes the metallized surface devoid of the etchant-resistant mask.

Abstract: A method of testing a micro electro-mechanical device in the form of an ink ejection nozzle having an actuating arm that moves an ink displacing paddle when heat inducing electric current is passed through the actuating arm and having a movement sensor associated with the actuating arm. The method comprises the steps of passing a series of current pulses having varying durations through the actuating arm and detecting for a predetermined level of movement of the actuating arm, obtaining a movement versus pulse duration characteristic and comparing the detected characteristic with a desired characteristic.

Abstract: Feeding a recording medium through a printer for printing images on the recording medium by actuating a line feeding motor in predetermined stepped increments, feeding the recording medium through the printer by a line feeding device driven by the line feeding motor, printing a image on the recording medium by a print head scanning across the recording medium and ejecting ink from nozzles, the print head having j nozzles spaced at a predetermined pixel resolution that is less than a pixel resolution printed by the printer, j being an integer number, controlling the actuating step to actuate the line feed motor in stepped increments, and controlling the j nozzles utilized in printing the image. For each stepped increment of the line feed motor, the line feeding device feeds the recording medium (m×1/n) pixels of the print head pixel resolution, where m and n are integer numbers and m is greater than n.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a functional device mounting board comprises a holder for holding a substrate on which functional devices are to be formed, a jet head for ejecting a droplet containing a functional material onto the substrate, and a data input unit for supplying droplet ejection information to the jet head. The jet head ejects the droplets onto the substrate based on the droplet ejection information so as to form the functional device in the functional device forming area. The functional device is formed by allowing a volatile ingredient of the droplet, while allowing a solid component of the droplet to remain on the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for reducing the print-job completion time in a printing system having at least one printhead that is intermittently refilled from an “off-axis” ink supply during non-printing intervals. A reduced refill time is determined from an estimation of the amount of ink expended since the printhead was previously refilled, and on a characterization of the ink refill behavior of the printing system. The refill behavior of the printing system may be quantified in data stored in a memory device integral with a replaceable ink supply.

Abstract: A method of detecting an under actuation condition within a micro electro-mechanical device in the form of an ink ejection nozzle having an actuating arm that moves an ink displacing paddle when heat inducing electric current is passed through the actuating arm and having a movement sensor associated with the actuating arm. The method comprises the steps of passing at least one current pulse having a predetermined duration through the actuating arm and detecting for a predetermined level of movement of the actuating arm. A fault is detected to exist by comparing the detected movement with the movement for desired operation, and where a fault is present, at least one further current pulse having an energy level greater than the fault detecting pulse may be passed through the actuating arm in an attempt to clear the fault.

Abstract: A scanning exposure apparatus includes a master stage for scanning a master, a substrate stage for scanning a substrate, a transfer device for supplying/recovering the substrate to/from the substrate stage, a positioning device for relatively positioning the substrate and the master, and a scanning velocity determination device for determining a scanning velocity so as to maximize the number of substrates that can be exposed per unit time.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer, when image forming operation(s) is or are interrupted, if print coverage(s) at recording paper prior to such interruption(s) is or are not more than prescribed value(s), recording medium or media undergo normal transport when operation(s) resume so as to permit image forming operation(s) which was or were underway at recording paper to resume. If print coverage(s) exceed prescribed value(s), recording paper is forcibly discharged when operation(s) resume.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving pressure sensor shock robustness in fluid containment devices by providing a mechanical filter configured to prevent high-frequency pressure shocks from damaging the pressure sensor. One approach includes a body of elastomeric material disposed on an external surface of the sensor. Another approach is a porous plug in a fluid pathway leading to the sensor. Yet another approach is to provide a seal structure with a labyrinth fluid path.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image recording apparatus comprising an input image memory, a temporary memory, a position memory to store a transfer start position in the input image memory and a transfer destination position in the temporary memory and an overlapping width between recording heads for each nozzle in a case where some of images recorded in the input image memory are transferred to the temporary memory, a scanner, a position calculation section which calculates the transfer start position and the transfer destination position and the overlapping width from read test pattern data, and an image transfer section which transfers the images of the input image memory to the temporary memory in accordance with the transfer start position of the position memory.

Abstract: A method for processing color image data for printing on a color ink jet printer includes reading color image data from a source image, the source image containing color image data of at least a first color area and a second color area. A border region is then identified between the first color area and the second color area. A pixel altering function alters pixels of the source image along the border region between the first color area and the second color area before the source image is converted into a plurality of halftone images. Finally, the halftone images are printed using ink of the first and second colors according to the first and second color areas.

Abstract: An air damper for use with an ink jet head has a main body having an ink reservoir portion, and a film sealed to the main body and covering the ink reservoir portion to define therewith an ink reservoir. A reinforcement plate is attached to the main body and overlies the film to prevent rupture of the film due to expansion thereof when the ink jet head is pressure-filled with ink. The reinforcement plate has a recessed portion opposed to and facing the film to permit limited expansion of the film caused by pressure fluctuations of ink in the ink reservoir.

Abstract: A pattern formation method for discharging a prescribed fluid onto a substrate form an ink-jet head and forming an arbitrary pattern. The method including the steps of discharging the fluid onto the substrate from an ink jet head and defining a pattern-forming region by subjecting the substrate to a specific treatment to prevent the fluid from spreading. The pattern forming region is formed after the fluid has been ejected so that the arbitrary pattern is formed in the fluid corresponding to the pattern-forming region. The treatment is one in which banks for preventing the fluid from flowing out are formed around the pattern-forming region. The method also includes removing the banks following the formation of the pattern.

Abstract: In an inkjet printing apparatus which holds a printhead for performing printing by using ink supplied from an ink tank via an ink supply channel, the ink tank has a tank-side terminal for detecting the presence state of ink in the ink tank. The printhead has a head-side terminal for detecting the presence state of ink in the printhead. The printing apparatus detects at least one of the presence state of ink in the ink tank, printhead, and ink supply channel by selecting a terminal used for detection between the tank-side terminal and the head-side terminal.

Abstract: A print head is provided with at least ink-pressurizing cells, heating elements, and ink-ejection nozzles. In addition, the print head includes substrate members which form side surfaces and one end surface of the ink-pressurizing cells, and which are provided with the heating elements; a nozzle-formed member which forms the other end surface of the ink-pressurizing cells, and in which the ink-ejection nozzles, which individually correspond to the ink-pressurizing cells, are formed; and a head frame which supports the nozzle-formed member.

Abstract: A liquid container for containing liquid includes a reflection member having a plurality of roof mirror assemblies arranged in a predetermined direction, each of the roof mirror assemblies having at least two reflecting surfaces positioned with a predetermined angle therebetween; wherein the reflection member is effective to divide incident light into a plurality of light beams by the plurality of roof mirror assemblies and to condensing at a predetermined position the beams sequentially reflected by the at least two reflecting surfaces of the roof mirror assemblies; wherein the reflection member is effective to divide incident light into a plurality of light beams by the plurality of roof mirror assemblies and to condensing at a predetermined position the beams sequentially reflected by the at least two reflecting surfaces of the roof mirror assemblies.

Abstract: An implementation of a technology is described herein for maintaining the operability of fluid-ejection mechanisms and their associated sockets.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling print nozzles of a full-line printing head in an inkjet printer for printing digital photographic images, in which, in order to prevent any image printing extending beyond the edge of a recording medium, the edge position of the recording medium that is moved relative to the printing head is sensed by way of a CCD line sensor, and ink droplets are discharged toward a recording medium, by way of the printing nozzles, in order to produce image pixels.

Abstract: A process of forming a flexible circuit board for ink jetting is provided. The process includes the steps of: providing an insulation tape; forming conductive traces on the insulation tape; and forming a photo-polymer layer filling between the conductive traces, wherein parts of the conductive traces are exposed to form a plurality of contacts. The material of the insulation tape can be polyimide, Teflon, polyamide, polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, polyester, polyamide polyethylene-terephthalate copolymer, or any combination of the above materials. The material of the photo-polymer layer can be solder mask or polyimide.