Abstract: An ink jet printer and a head device of the ink jet printer wherein there are provided a plurality of printer heads each having N nozzles that are arrayed in the sub-scanning direction at an interval of K pixels for a pre-set resolution, where K/N is an irreducible fraction. The printer heads are each arranged so that the nozzles are disposed along the main scanning direction depending on the colors of the emitted ink. The printer heads are also arranged with a shift of L pixels relative to one another in the sub-scanning direction. During one scanning in the main scanning direction of the printer head, only one color ink is recorded (deposited) on the same line of a recordable member to prevent the second color ink from being recorded before drying of the first color ink to achieve printing of a picture of high picture quality. By arranging the printer heads with a step-like shift of L pixels so that L<N, the head device may be rendered smaller in size than the conventional head device.

Abstract: A method of recording an image in which a multicolor image is recorded by moving in a subscanning direction a head having recording elements arrayed in a main scanning direction to make variable the density or area ratio of each pixel in correspondence with an image density, and by combining the colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, wherein each color is recorded by dots arranged at a fractional dot cycle in the sub canning direction, so as to prevent color moire due to misregistration.

Abstract: Xerographic printing system using a Raster Output Scanning (ROS) system incorporating a two wavelength (.lambda.) laser diode source for the ROS and a charge retentive member in the form of a belt or drum structure which is responsive to the two wavelengths. The printing system utilizes a CAD development system in addition to two DAD developments during the second pass for enabling the addition of a gamut broadening color resulting in process color imaging with an enhanced gamut.

Abstract: In forming an image with plural recording heads corresponding to plural inks of different densities, the image data are so distributed that the image is formed with the ink of low density until the image density reaches a predetermined density level, but is formed with the inks of low and high densities when the image density exceeds the predetermined density level, and the distributed data are corrected according to the detection of temperature relating to the recording heads, whereby a desired recorded image can be obtained even in the presence of a variation in the head temperature. Also the image data are distributed in such a manner that, when the remaining amount of one of the plural inks becomes low, the recording is conducted with the remaining ink, whereby a desired image can be obtained even when the remaining amount of one of the plural inks with different densities becomes low.

Abstract: An ink jet recorder includes a head having ink ejection orifices, a cap for covering the orifices, a suction device for sucking ink from the head covered with the cap, a moving device for moving the cap with respect to the head, and a control device for controlling the moving and suction devices. In order to restore the ink jet head to its initial condition, the suction device is driven to suck the ink collecting between the cap and the head covered with the cap. Thereafter, the control device moves the cap by a slight distance, within the range where the cap is in close contact with the head, a plurality of times in such a direction that the cap retracts from the head. Each time the cap has moved by the distance, the suction device is driven. When the cap separates from the head, air is prevented from being entrained into the ink ejection orifices. Ink is prevented from spilling from the orifices.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus including a polarization plane rotary unit arranged between a semiconductor laser and an objective lens, and a polarizing film arranged between the polarization plane rotary unit and the objective lens. The polarization plane rotary unit includes liquid crystal, two glass plates sandwiching the liquid crystal, and transparent electrodes patterned to a predetermined configuration on an inner face of these glass planes. The polarization plane rotary unit permits passage of the laser beam without rotating the plane of polarization of the entire laser beam at the time of recording, and permits passage of the laser beam with the plane of polarization of the center portion of the laser beam rotated and the plane of polarization of the remaining outer portion of the laser beam not rotated at the time of reproduction. Only the outer portion of the laser beam is focused on a magneto-optical disk in a reproduction mode, so that a main beam of a small spot is formed by mutual interference.

Abstract: A printer for transferring colorant from a donor web to a receiver web, includes a rotatable platen roller and a printhead having an energy transfer portion engaging the donor web and pressing the donor web into engagement with the receiver web and the receiver web into the surface of the rotatable platen roller to form a nip so that as the rotatable platen rotates, both the receiver web and the donor web are translated. Applied energy to the printhead is transferred from the energy transfer portion of the printhead to the donor web to transfer colorant to the receiver web at the nip. The movement of the receiver web is sensed for controlling the rotation of the rotatable platen roller and energy application.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a plurality of electron emitting devices and luminescent members are arranged into a matrix formed on one surface of a substrate. As rows of electron emitting devices are successively driven, each luminescent member emits light according to a voltage applied to it or other members in accordance with an image information signal when irradiated with a light beam from one of the electron emitting devices mated with it.

Abstract: An ink cartridge retains a plurality of solid inks, each of which is to be heated and dissolved so that the dissolved ink is used for recording record information. The ink cartridge is provided with: a cartridge main body in which the solid inks are aligned and retained; and a plurality of gap members disposed in the cartridge main body for prescribing a gap between each pair of the aligned solid inks adjacent to each other in the cartridge main body.

Abstract: An ink jet recorder includes an ink jet head, a cap for covering the head, and a suction pump for sucking through the suction port of the cap the ink remaining between the head and cap. The cap surface can turn on an axis between a position in parallel with the jet surface of the head and a position inclined with respect to the jet surface. The cap is biased to incline at least before the cap surface contacts with the jet surface. The turning axis is positioned between a first reference plane and a second reference plane. The first plane includes the cap surface at the parallel position. The second plane is parallel with the first plane, and includes the point on the cap surface which contacts first with the jet surface. The vertical position of the cap surface does not shift between the start and end of the contact. The cap suction port is positioned below the jet ports in the jet surface.

Abstract: A pixel matrix printer 10 scales a pixel input image into a dot matrix output image printed on paper 10R by selectively depositing discrete pixel toner units onto the paper. A toner source array 12A carried by mounting head 12H is responsive to the input image to selectively deposit the discrete toner units. The toner source array has N uniformly spaced toner sources extending along an array axis which forms a known cant relative to the advance direction. A pixel scanner mechanism provides a scanning relative motion between the toner source array and the paper along the scan direction. Each scan cycle forms a raster of N matrix rows as the toner units are deposited. Successive cycles form successive rasters in registration with the paper advance collectively forming the output image on paper 10R. A raster advance mechanism provides advance relative motion between the toner source array and the paper along the advance direction.

Abstract: An indexing service station services interchangeable first and second inkjet cartridges when installed with a third inkjet cartridge in a dual-cartridge carriage of an inkjet printing mechanism. For printing graphics and text, the first cartridge usually prints black ink, while the third cartridge prints full-colorant concentrations of colored ink. For printing photographic type images, the black cartridge for printing text is replaced with the second cartridge which is an imaging cartridge. The imaging cartridge carries ink formulations having reduced colorant concentrations, which, when used in conjunction with the full color cartridge, provide near photographic image quality, as well as crisp black text and line art. The service station has three separate sets of servicing tools for independent servicing of the black, full color, and imaging cartridges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively simulating an apparent termination input impedance to a current driven data communication equipment (DCE) device is disclosed. The DCE device utilizes several components to implement the apparent termination impedance. A first component is a current driver for providing a source of current within the DCE device. The current source is configured to actively drive an input-output signal line within a communication link. The current driven DCE also includes a mechanism for sensing an input-output signal line voltage, a mechanism for converting the sensed voltage to a feed back current and an active termination for simulating an apparent termination impedance. The converting mechanism is coupled to a summation node which sums current provided from the current driver and current from the converting mechanism to force the desired termination impedance in the DCE device, whilst performing DCE current drive function.

Abstract: A translational inkjet printhead servicing station for an inkjet printing mechanism, particularly one having imaging printheads for creating photographic quality images, includes a collapsible spittoon having a mouth that collapses during a portion of the servicing routine to save space. Spit ledges extend into the spittoon mouth to capture ink droplets and ink aerosol by-products, with the captured ink draining from the ledges into a catch basin below. The service station includes a printhead wiper blade having a tip that removes ink residue from the printhead. A dual-direction wiper cleaning system removes liquid components of the ink residue from the wiping tip in two opposing directions. In one direction, the liquid ink residue is pulled away from the wiper tip under capillary forces created by a series of grooves formed on the surface of the wiper blade, while in the opposite direction, the liquid components are absorbed off the tip by a wiper scraper.

Abstract: An inkjet printer having an inkjet head and defining a structure having means including a structure defining a plurality of orifices for ejecting ink droplets. A cleaning cavity is spaced from the printing position for receiving cleaning fluid. An adjustable vane partially submerged in the cleaning fluid and spaced from the structure and a pump delivers the cleaning liquid at a desired velocity towards the adjustable vane so that the vane creates a flow of cleaning liquid past the structure in the cleaning cavity space. The adjustable vane is positioned so as to create a desired flow of cleaning liquid which engages the structure.

Abstract: A supply system for supplying liquid to an applicator assembly in an imaging apparatus is provided. The supply system includes a liquid retaining reservoir that is in fluid communication with an applicator assembly. The reservoir utilizes a collapsible bellows construction to contain maximum volume in minimal space. A moveable contact surface selectively contacts and squeezes the reservoir to speed flow of the liquid to the applicator assembly.

Abstract: A method for presenting a microfluidic displayed image of a plurality of pixels including providing at least one reservoir containing a meltable ink having a colorant; providing an array of ink delivery chambers from which hot-melted ink is delivered to form a display; and heating the meltable ink and delivering such meltable ink to the ink delivery chambers to form a display image.

Abstract: An ink jet printer includes a capping device. The device includes a cap having a brim for covering the ink jet surface of an ink jet head. The device also includes a holder for holding the cap. When held by the holder, the cap deforms elastically in such a manner that a protrusion protrudes the middle of the cap brim toward the jet surface. The cap has a cavity formed in it. When the brim of the cap held by the holder is pressed against the jet surface, the cap deforms elastically in such a manner that the brim covers the surface completely. The elastic deformation collapses the cavity, thereby reducing the force for pressing the cap against the head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a telephone which has, on account of its many functions, a multistage menu structure for operator prompting. In order that a user does not have to remember the entire menu, or the point where he is in the menu at a given time if he pauses when operating the unit, there is specified a process for communication between the telephone and the user which, by means of a program, indicates to the user when he inputs a help signal a program branch previously selected by him and the next options available to him within this program branch. Furthermore, a voice dialling system for carrying out such a process is specified.

Abstract: A technique for eliminating tone signal noise generated using a speakerphone, in which the communication path of a microphone is interrupted when a key is pressed, and then the communication path of the microphone is linked only after a constant time period after the key has been released, thereby eliminating the noise input through the microphone during usage of the speakerphone.