Abstract: An inkjet printing system includes a replaceable printhead having plural nozzles for ejecting ink droplets, a service station for capping and wiping the plural nozzles, and a replaceable ink cartridge housing a supply of ink and further including a cartridge memory for recording service station-control data. A processor is coupled to the ink cartridge memory and is responsive to service station-control data read from the cartridge memory to derive a service station control value. The printhead further includes a memory which records printhead-related parameters, and the processor is responsive thereto and service station-control data read from said cartridge memory to control the service station. The control data may be service station parameters, one or more subroutines to control the service station and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An ink-jet image forming apparatus is formed from a plurality of nozzles which eject ink corresponding to image information, a plurality of cap members which cover the nozzles and an ink suction pump that is connected to the cap member which suctions ink in the cap member. The pump is formed by a cylinder formed from an interior space and two ink suction ports that go through to the interior space and a piston arranged as movable in this interior space. Each ink suction port is connected to a different cap member and the piston is moved between the two ink suction ports.

Abstract: An ink jet printer includes an ink jet head having nozzles, which can be covered with a suction cap. A pump can suck ink out of the head to purge it. A controller can vary the suction pressure or the suction cycle period of the pump in accordance with a purge mode. Automatic purges can be performed at predetermined time intervals for the maintenance of the printer. A manual purge can be performed for recovery from defective ejection of ink from the head. Another purge can be performed just after an ink cartridge is replaced for the printer. The controller controls the pump in such a manner that at least one of the automatic purges, the manual purge and the purge after cartridge replacement differ from each other in at least one of the suction period and pressure. Depending on the using condition of the printer, it is possible to prevent defective ejection of ink due to the clogging of the nozzles and/or the bubbling of ink.

Abstract: An electrostatographic recording apparatus and method includes a primary charger establishing a uniform primary electrostatic voltage level on an image recording member. A recorder imagewise modulates the electrostatic charge on the image recording member to form a latent electrostatic image. A development station develops the electrostatic image with toner. A controller controls the primary charger by periodically adjusting a signal to the primary charger in response to a signal related to charger efficiency. The charger efficiency is determined as the ratio of the charger's grid voltage to a voltage level established on the recording member. To calculate changes to the grid, voltage control patches are printed on the member and the densities used to determine changes to setpoint values for the charger.

Abstract: An in-port capable of receiving a cartridge containing a plurality of thermal sheets of standardized size, a platen roller, and a thermal head are generally sequentially aligned in a direction. A thermal sheet picked up from the cartridge is turned at about 180 degrees along the platen roller, and fed out through an out-port arranged in the same side as the in-port. Thus, a very compact, front-in/front-out printer can be realized. Therefore, a card-size printer for the printing sheet of size B7, which can be inserted into a 3.5 inch-file bay, can be provided.

Abstract: A method for achieving multiple exposure levels for IOI (IMAGE-ON-IMAGE) xerography when imaging a second color through a first toner layer previously developed on the photoreceptive member. In the example illustrated the data from the previous image paths (magenta and yellow) is analyzed. If the signal indicates that a magenta or yellow bit is present, the cyan output bit information passes to the ROS unchanged, or at full intensity. If however, the magenta and yellow are not present, a modified pattern providing an appropriate reduced exposure signal is sent to the ROS. The process of laser attenuation is blended with halftoning logic to avoid image degradation due to the attenuation.

Abstract: First and second cap members seal nozzle openings of first and second ink jet recording heads and are disposed on a side of a slider facing the nozzle openings. The slider is rotatably supported at the center portion in the longitudinal direction by a supporting member which is rotatable about a rotation shaft elongated in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the carriage, and which is vertically movable in accordance with the movement of the carriage. When the carriage is moved, the slider swings about the shaft in a manner similar to a seesaw, whereby the two cap members are sequentially fitted into the recording heads.

Abstract: A liquid capping system for sealing the ink-ejecting nozzles of an inkjet printhead during periods of printing inactivity uses a vicious, inkjet ink compatible, sealing liquid that is applied to the printhead surface to seal the nozzles and prevent the ink in the printhead from drying. An inkjet printing mechanism houses the printhead and has a service station that stores the sealing liquid. To selectively apply the sealing liquid to the printhead, the service station has an applicator mechanism including a dispenser member and a sealing wiper that transfers the sealing liquid from the dispenser member to the printhead. The sealing wiper may also clean the printhead face or be dedicated to only sealing the printhead. A method is provided for sealing an inkjet printhead using a liquid capping system, including the step of spitting the printhead to clear the sealing liquid from the nozzles before returning to printing.

Abstract: In the position detection device, a timing fence is formed with a plurality of slits which are arranged in its elongated direction. An elongated metal member is provided for supporting the timing fence so that the timing fences will extend in the scanning direction of the image recording head. An encoder is provided for counting the slits on the timing fence while the carriage moves. A gap between the encoder and the elongated metal member can be adjusted properly and uniformly through rotating eccentric collars of the adjustment members inserted into the elongated through-holes in the elongated metal member.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus performing recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium is provided with a conveying belt for conveying the recording medium by the attraction of static electricity, an electrode provided to be in contact with the recording medium conveyed by the conveying belt, and a power source capable of charging the electrode with the charge which has the polarity opposite to the charge carried by the conveying belt. The main droplet and satellite split from the ink droplet are impacted on the recording medium to prevent the adhesion of the satellite to the discharging port of the discharging surface of the recording head, thus maintaining desirable recording for a long time.

Abstract: Pressure is applied to a resilient seal around the venting portion of a print head while the nozzles are elevated in the vertical position above the ink, thereby forcing ink out of the nozzles and purging the in-flow paths of air.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer of the invention comprises a print head having nozzles for ejecting an ink material therefrom, a carriage supporting the print head, and a adjust mechanism adjusting a relative position between the print head and the carriage. According to the invention, the relative position of nozzles with respect to the carriage can be adjusted by the adjust mechanism after the print head has been attached to the carriage. Therefore, great precision is not required when attaching the print head to the carriage, simplifying its assembling.

Abstract: A fixing mechanism for fixing a ink on a recording medium which is discharged by a recording device includes a first fixing area onto which heat sufficient to fix the ink is applied to the recording medium, a second fixing area which is closer to the recording device than the first fixing area and where a lower heat than the heat applied to the recording medium in the first fixing area is applied to the recording medium, and a conveyor for conveying the recording medium into the second fixing area and conveying it out of the first fixing area.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus comprising first feeding device for feeding a sheet, second feeding device disposed at a downstream side of the first feeding device and adapted to pinch and feed the sheet, control device for controlling so as to drive the first and second feeding device to feed the sheet in a predetermined direction until a leading end of the sheet passes through a nip of the second feeding device and exceeds the nip by a predetermined distance toward a downstream side while the sheet is being urged against the first feeding device, and urging device for urging the sheet against the first feeding device in such a manner that the sheet returned in the reverse direction by the second feeding device is slipped with respect to the first feeding device without flexing the sheet.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer, an intermediate pulse having a small amplitude is applied in the vicinity of the mid point of the driving cycle of a piezoelectric element, in other words, in the time period from the start of application of a main pulse corresponding to a single printed dot until the start of application of a main pulse corresponding to the next printed dot. The intermediate pulse having such a small amplitude can prevent a wave which results in variations in printed dots in ink in an ink channel from being generated by the main pulse. As a result, an inkjet recording apparatus capable of maintaining picture quality without increasing the load during driving the piezoelectric element can be provided.

Abstract: A suction pump 42 includes a casing 52 and a pair of piston members 53, 54. The casing 52 has a suction port 52a connected to a suction cap 41 via a channel 55 and a discharge port 52b for discharging ink sucked in through the suction port 52a. The pair of piston members 53, 54 are independently movable within the casing 52 and define between themselves a pump chamber 52e having a volume changeable with relative position of the piston members 53, 54. First, the piston members 53, 54 are driven to increase the volume of the pump chamber 52e so that ink from a recording head in sealing connection with the suction cap fills the suction cap and the channel. Then while maintaining the ink in the suction cap 41 and the channel 55, the piston member 53, 54 are driven to reduce the size of the pump chamber 52e to a minimum to discharge the ink from the pump chamber 52e.

Abstract: Four nozzle heads are mounted in the front panel with aligned in the X direction. Each of the nozzle heads has a plurality of nozzles aligned in the Y direction. The panel heater is attached to the front panel at the opposite side from the nozzle heads. The panel heater is divided into twelve heating regions, four heating regions in the X direction and three heating regions in the Y direction. Each of heating regions has a smaller wattage density toward the center both in the X direction and Y direction.

Abstract: A narrow body inkjet print cartridge has internal components in an internal reservoir which receives ink through an inlet connected to an external ink supply. The internal components include an upstanding diaphragm mechanically coupled to an inlet valve for controlling ink replenishment from the external ink supply, and an upstanding filter which is spaced apart from the diaphragm, thereby limiting The width of one or more print cartridges placed side-by-side in a printer carriage.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method records an image on a recording medium by adhering inks of a plurality of hues on the recording medium.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus including an ink jet recording head 1 that is shuttled by a carriage 4 and jets ink droplets in synchronism with a print signal, a capping device 8 to which a negative pressure of a sucking pump 10 is supplied, a first ink tank 12 that communicates with the atmosphere through an opening 14 and contains a printing ink, a second ink tank 13 that contains ink in a degassed condition, a selector valve 16 that selectively connects the first and second ink tanks to the recording head, and a controller 20 that controls the selector valve 16. Ink in the first ink tank 12 or the second ink tank 13 is discharged out of the recording head 1 by causing the capping device 8 to apply negative pressure to the recording head 1 during a cleaning operation of the recording head 1.