Abstract: Image recording capable of controlling image recording condition in response to image contrast and sensitivity characteristics of a recording member includes a detector for detecting the surface condition of the recording member and control apparatus for determining image contrast from the output signals from the detector and controlling the image recording condition of a recording device in response to the image contrast thus determined.

Abstract: In a video printer, a suffer memory for memorizing picture data corresponding to one line includes a memory addressed by a first address and a second address. And the video printer includes a memory write circuit having a first address generation circuit for generating a first address depending upon gradation of picture data on the basis of inputted picture data and for supplying said first address to the memory and a second address generation circuit for generating an address signal depending upon the number of printing dots of the thermal head and for supplying said address signal to the memory. The video printer also includes a memory read circuit for successively generating the second address for each of the first address and supplying the second address to the memory.

Abstract: An image forming method and apparatus characterized in that current supply periods of time to light-emitting diodes constituting a light-emitting diode arrays are controlled corresponding to gradation levels while a constant current is being supplied to the light-emitting diodes, and in that the current supply period of time is adjusted at every gradation level corresponding to the variations in light intensity of the light-emitting diodes when the constant current is supplied to thereby correct for the variations in output light intensities of the light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording information with a light beam, having a beam deflector for deflecting the light beam in the direction of main scan by a sine wave oscillation. The deflection angle of the light beam from the beam deflector is amplified in the direction of the main scan by means of an afocal anamorphic optical system. This arrangement makes it possible to effect the main scan with the light beam which has been deflected by the light deflector while the angle of oscillation of the light deflector is within a smallest region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser scanning apparatus, which includes a drivingly rotatable subscanning drum and at least one nipping roller rotatable by the drum in pressing contact therewith and having an outer peripheral surface provided by an elastic member. The drum and the roller have their axes spaced at a constant distance from each other at all times for transporting a sheet when nipped therebetween, so that the sheet, while being transported, can be scanned with a laser beam in a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the sheet.

Abstract: An internal drum plotter including a laser source producing a laser beam output, apparatus for modulating the laser beam output to apply information content thereto, apparatus for supporting laser recording material in a generally circular cylindrical configuration about a cylinder axis and scanning apparatus for receiving the modulated laser beam and reflecting it onto the laser recording material, the scanning apparatus including a stabilized reflector arranged for rotation about the cylinder axis for reflecting the modulated laser beam directly onto the laser recording material, wherein the stabilized reflector is insensitive to wobble in the position thereof in directions perpendicular to the cylinder axis.

Abstract: A pen plotter employs a cable-driven carriage which carries the writing pen and includes a pen-lift mechanism. A shifting idler pulley system located at one side of the plotter returns a pair of drive cables from the opposite side of the carriage to a rotatable drive drum located on the opposite side. The idler pulleys are shiftable equally and in opposite directions toward and away from the pen carriage. One cable is connected to the carriage by being tensively trained about a pen-lift mechanism drive wheel on the carriage. Shifting the idler pulleys causes said drive wheel to rotate without affecting the lateral position of the pen carriage and, therefore, the shifter mechanism independently controls the up/down motion of the writing pen. One drive cable, therefore, accomplishes the functions of both pen carriage movement and writing pen up/down motion control.

Abstract: An automatic pen positioning system is operative within a graphic recording system having a plurality of recording pens moveably supported by a pen carriage. The pen carriage is moveably along a first path above a media which is moveable along a second path. A motor drive system moves a selected one of the plurality of pens into contact with the media during recording. A closed loop servo system is operative upon the pen motor drive and is controlled by a position information processor. A following error processor is coupled to the servo system and compiles a periodically sampled table of absolute position, commanded position and following error for the servo system during the initialization process in which each pen is moved toward the media at a constant velocity until it impacts the media impeding further pen motion. The following error processor determines the pen to media contact position of the engaged pen on the basis of the information derived from the servo system.

Abstract: An ink jet printer having an ink jet printing device for printing characters in a printing region on a surface of a substrate, the device being constructed to effect optimum printing at a predetermined distance from the device, and a device for holding a substrate having a surface which is to be printed upon in printing position relative to the printing device, the holding device including a referencing plate having a reference surface which lies in a plane which extends past the printing device at the predetermined distance therefrom, and the holding device further including a leaf spring mounted to bear against the side of the substrate opposite the surface to be printed upon for pressing the surface to be printed upon against the reference surface of the referencing plate.

Abstract: An improvement to graphics pen plotters including a pen gripping mechanism for gripping a cylindrical bodied pen in a generally vertical orientation for sensing the presence and type of a pen in the gripping mechanism with a single sensor. There is a multi-channel sensor adapted for producing and sensing a plurality, "n+1", of parallel light beams disposed one above the other to produce a binary number at an output thereof indicating the ones of the light beams sensed by the sensor. The sensor is disposed to shine the light beams at a position past which the pen is moved by the gripping mechanism. There is also a cylindrical reflective surface disposed about a portion of the body of the pen so as to be struck by the light beams when the pen is being gripped by the gripping mechanism at the position and reflect the light beams back towards the sensor to be sensed thereby.

Abstract: A pen exchange mechanism is disclosed, by which a plurality of pen chuck mechanisms holding pens on a carriage are disposed, and a slider is engaged with the carriage at a position corresponding to a pen, which should print, among said pens, printing being effected while driving a pen chuck mechanism at a position corresponding to the slider together with the pen by means of a pen driving mechanism.

Abstract: Provided is a recording material comprised of a substrate and a metallic recording layer, with the metallic recording layer comprising alternating layers of Bi and Se metal. At least five such alternating layers are used to comprise the recording layer, with from 13 to 17 layers being preferred. The resulting recording material exhibits improved sensitivity, excellent storage stability and archivability, as well as good signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for sensing whether a pen is in the grasp of a pen claw of a drawing arm or a plotter or other graphics mechanism. More specifically, the present invention comprises a pen claw movable between an upward position and an downward writing position, the pen claw being connected to a detector which detects both upward and the downward movements of the pen claw. The pen is provided with an annular ring extending therefrom and the plotter mechanism has a stop provided thereon.

Abstract: In a printer apparatus wherein information relating to character patterns to be printed is received from an external source and is analyzed and converted into intermediate coded data, which are stored into a temporary memory and are thereafter successively read from the temporary memory to produce bit-map image data representative of the character patterns to be printed for each page of printed output, whereupon the bit-map image data is stored into a bit-map memory by referring to a font memory and the character patterns are printed on the basis of the bit-map image data read from the bit-map memory for each page of printed output, a method of conveniently converting the information received from the external source into the intermediate coded data, storing the intermediate coded data into the temporary memory and thereafter storing bit-map image data into the bit-map memory in accordance with the intermediate coded data read from the temporary memory.

Abstract: A laser printer, wherein a laser beam emitting element is positioned close to a photosensitive element, employs a solid state deflective element for deflecting the laser beam. A laser beam optical path runs through a space between the laser beam emitting element and a reflective element, from which the optical path turns back to the photosensitive element beyond the laser beam emitting element. Thus, the laser beam can be efficiently deflected within a rather small capacity so that the printer can be small-sized. Additionally, since the printer has no mechanical moving parts, it is light-weight, efficient in operation, and free from mechanical adjustment requirements.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprising a keyboard which inputs characters, symbols, etc., to the apparatus and a display which displays the input characters, symbols, etc. A CPU supplies to a printing head dot pattern information in accordance with the information on the input character, symbols, etc., stored in a main memory. It also inverts the dot pattern information upside down, as needed. The printing head may print onto a lettering tape.

Abstract: A non-contact LED-array image printer is provided having a scanning print head driven by a zero backlash threaded lead screw. The LED array is mounted on a substrate bearing an interface control circuit which receives video data through a ribbon cable, and the LED array is imaged by a lens onto an exposure plane on a platen parallel to the direction of scan. Means are provided for conveniently adjusting object and image distances relative to the image plane. The photosensitive medium is driven in registration in forward and reverse directions biased against the exposure platen defining the image plane. A gear, clutch and brake mechanism is provided to ensure that the photosensitive medium remains in taut registration across the exposure platen.

Abstract: A synchronizing signal generating system for a laser scanner comprises a source for emitting a first laser beam for scanning and a second laser beam for synchronization of scans by the first laser beam, a polygonal mirror for causing the first laser beam to scan a medium and for causing the second laser beam to scan a grating which has bright portions and dark portions alternately arranged along a scanning direction of the second laser beam, a converging optical system for converging the second laser beam transmitted through the grating, a light receiving system for receiving the second laser beam converged by the converting optical system and for generating a synchronizing signal, and a circuit for controlling the source responsive to the synchronizing signal so as to synchronize a scan timing of the first laser beam. The converging optical system comprises a plurality of lenses or concave mirrors provided for a length corresponding to a scan length of the second laser beam on the grating.

Abstract: A xerographic copying/printing machine in which the photoreceptor has a row of discrete image marks along one side margin, a CCD type array spaced opposite to and aligned with the row of photoreceptor marks to provide successive blocks of image signals representing the instantaneous pattern of marks viewed by the array on each scan, a light bar spaced opposite the other side of the photoreceptor and aligned with the array for illuminating the array sensors through the marks, and a circuit for converting the image signal output of the array to clock signals representative of photoreceptor speed and position.

Abstract: A nonimpact print apparatus employing, for example, a printhead comprising a bank of light emitting diodes (LED's) provides correction for nonuniformities in light output of the LED's. A binary type of driver is provided for activating each LED in response to the presence of a data bit and a strobe pulse determines the period of activation. Certain LED's are additionally activated both before and after data activation using respective strobe pulses for correction for relative differences in emissions between such LED's and other LED's not requiring correction. The use of correction pulses prior to and subsequent to activation for the data pixel provides for more symmetrical exposure corrected dot-like image elements.