Abstract: A coincidence circuit for detecting when n-bit binary input data coincides with the current value of an n-bit counter. A plurality of "1" detecting circuits determine, when a corresponding input bit is one, whether a corresponding counter bit is also one. A first-coincidence detecting circuit determines the first time that all the "1" input bits have corresponding "1" clock bits. Each "1" detecting circuit includes an inverter and a NOR gate. The first-coincidence detecting circuit includes an OR gate and a latch circuit.

Abstract: In an image recording apparatus capable of recording a halftone image, a gradation to bit-train converting table converts gradation data representing a gradation of tone at a picture element of an image into bit-train data whose bit pattern is based on the gradation data. For the gradation data representing a gradation in excess of a threshold gradation, the table converts the gradation data into such bit-train data that bits of the bit-train data corresponding to the gradation data are intermittently omitted after a train of bits corresponding to the threshold gradation is outputted. A bit-train to pulse-train converting section converts the bit-train derived from the gradiation to bit-train converting table into pulse-train signal of a pulse pattern analogous to that of the bit-train data. The pulse signal of such a discontinuous pulse pattern is applied to a heating element of a thermal head, which is provided corresponding to the picture element whose gradation data is under process.

Abstract: A thermal recording method and apparatus for printing picture information with use of a thermal head, in which picture information corresponding to one unit to be printed is divided into a plurality of blocks using counters, etc., and the rate of black data contained in each of the divided blocks is detected to know the distribution of black data contained in the one unit, whereby printing is carried out with the minimum number of printing determined by the distribution of black data in the one unit.

Abstract: A copying machine includes an optical sensor of the line scanning type for converting an image into electrical signals, a thermal recording head controlled in accordance with the image signals, and a heat-sensitive paper web on which the image is formed by heat generated from the thermal recording head. The platen moves with respect to the read unit and the read unit will read in both forward and reverse directions of the platen, and the magnification value can be varied. The total width of energized heating elements and the movement length and speed of the platen may be controlled in accordance with the size of the original. The total number of heating elements energized at any one time is limited, and the machine includes input and output terminals for sending image information externally and for receiving and recording image information other than directly from the read unit.

Abstract: A reading mechanism of a plane reading device is provided with a rack and pinion drive mechanism with a step motor as the driving source. Backlash and vibration are prevented by applying a biasing force on the reading mechanism in a direction opposite that of the movement thereof.

Abstract: A recording apparatus in which recording is made several times each line in a partitioning manner part after part on each recording line for which there exists picture data to be printed. The system determines whether there exists picture data to be printed on each line or not. A sub-scanning speed per line is set such that when the determination is made that one or more successive lines immediately before a recording line for which there exists picture data to be printed is or are an entire blank line or successive entire blank lines for which there exists no picture data to be printed, the sub-scanning speed for the entire blank line or successive ones of the successive entire blank lines adjacent to the recording line is selected to be substantially equal to that at the recording line. The sub-scanning speed of other entire blank line or lines for which there exists no picture data is selected to be a speed which is sufficiently higher than that for the recording line.

Abstract: A multicolor transfer heat-sensitive recording apparatus for thermally transfer-recording images onto a recording paper 1, comprises a first and a second thermal head for selectively heating ink donor sheets of different color, first and second drive feed units for drivingly feeding the recording paper and the ink donor sheets and a pulse generator for feeding pulses to the first and second drive feed units. The first and second drive feed units include first and second backing rollers, first and second stepping motors (such as synchronous inductor motors) drivingly connected to the backing rollers and first and second drivers for driving the stepping motors, respectively. The pulse generator simultaneously feeds for a predetermined duration a single pulse to the first driver for driving the first roller and a number of pulses to the second driver for driving the second roller.

Abstract: A multicolor reading device is provided with a high intensity illuminating light source and a plurality of filters sequentially arranged in front of the source to provide monochromatic light of differing hues. The light is transmitted from the source to the platen by optical fibers or the like which are bundled on the source side and arranged in a line at the platen.

Abstract: An apparatus for exciting a step motor such as a step motor employed as a drive source for conveying original documents in a reading device such as a facsimile system. To vary the feed pitch in the auxiliary scanning direction of the original, staircase waveform exciting currents are applied through A-phase and B-phase exciting coils of the step motor. The apparatus of the invention provides for equal step sizes of the two waveforms and waveforms which are precise complements of one another. Currents flowing in the two exciting coils are sensed and voltages representing the sensed currents are divided in ratios determined by division ratio control signals read from a ROM. The divided signals are compared with a reference signal to provide pulse drive signals of constant currents during each step.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive transfer type recording device is provided with a thermal head having heat generating elements and a backing roll operatively positioned relative to the heat generating elements to accommodate the passage of an ink donor sheet and a recording sheet therebetween under pressure. A separation roll is spaced from the backing roll to provide for the passage of said ink donor sheet and said recording sheet therebetween at a pressure substantially less than the pressure exerted on the sheets upon passage between the backing roll and the heat generating elements. The ink donor sheet is directed about the separation roll at a relatively sharp angle to separate the recording sheet from the ink donor sheet with a complete transfer of the ink from the ink donor sheet to the recording sheet as a result of the reduced pressure on the sheets at the separation roll.

Abstract: A stepping motor exciting system in which the excitation current is set at one of four stepwise values. When the motor is to be driven in a stepwise manner, the excitation current is in the form of a pseudo-trapezoidal wave which is derived in terms of two of possible four values. When the motor is to be driven in a linear manner, the excitation current is in the form of a pseudo-sinusoidal wave which is derived in terms of all four possible values. A ROM stores these sequences of excitation currents and controls the exciting system in accordance with the driving mode desired.

Abstract: An exciting circuit for a stepper motor requiring only a single decoder device yet being capable of controlling the speed of the stepper motor using plural different modes of excitation. A memory stores digital data representing a predetermined sequence of activation of the exciting coils. A counter drives the address input port of the memory in accordance with its output count. A clock signal generator supplies clock pulses to the counter in one of two patterns, representative of high and low speeds. The first of the patterns contains clock pulses spaced at equal intervals with a frequency such that the stepper motor can follow the corresponding changes in activation of the exciting coils of the motor. In the second pattern, the clock signals are supplied in bursts, the internal frequency of which is higher than the stepper motor can follow. In this latter case, portions of the normal excitation sequence are effectively omitted, thereby driving the motor at a different speed.

Abstract: A step motor provided with a plurality of coils and driven in a one-two phase excitation mode is provided with a current setting device by which the current flowing in the coils is changed when switching from one to two phase excitation, to linearize the time dependence of the rotation angle of the motor.

Abstract: A plurality of image sensors cover overlapping regions and provide output signals which are selected during nonoverlapping times and combined into a synthetic video signal. The timing of all sensor selections except the first are keyed to the first so that adjustment of the first starting time can move the entire scanning interval.

Abstract: A step motor driving circuit having A-phase and B-phase exciting windings which are independently supplied with exciting current in a sequence of four states per step of the step motor. The driving circuit is capable of applying a large or a small current to each phase winding and the currents are applied in a sequence to result in a trapezoidal shaped exciting current. During a first state only one phase is excited and it is excited with the large current. During the second state the one phase is excited with the large current and the other phase with the small current. During the third state both phases are excited with large currents. During the fourth state the one phase is excited with the small current and the other phase with the large current.

Abstract: In a transfer type heat sensitive recording device a recording section is provided in which the thermal transfer of data is effected by applying thermal pulses to an ink donor sheet having a recording sheet superimposed thereon. Upon leaving the recording section, the recording sheet is separated from the ink donor sheet and upon completion of the separation, the drive for the ink donor sheet is terminated. A recording sheet discharge device is operatively driven from the ink donor sheet conveying device through a drive force accumulating mechanism so that upon stopping of the ink donor sheet conveying device, the torque accumulated by the drive force accumulating mechanism will be sufficient to continue the operation of the recording sheet discharging device until the recording sheet is fully discharged.

Abstract: A copying machine includes an optical sensor of the line scanning type for converting an image into electrical signals, and a thermal recording head controlled in accordance with the image signals. The platen moves with respect to the read unit and the read unit will read in both forward and reverse directions of the platen, and the magnification value can be varied. The total width of energized heating elements and the movement length and speed of the platen may be controlled in accordance with the size of the original. The total number of heating elements energized at any one time is limited, and the machine includes input and output terminals for sending image information externally and for receiving and recording image information other than directly from the read unit.

Abstract: A multicolor recording apparatus is provided with plural recording stations for recording in a like number of colors. A single sheet transport path extends through all of the stations, such that recording may be carried out in all colors. A number of sheet supply stations are provided at different points along the transport path, so that recording may take place in one, several or all of the available colors.

Abstract: A copying machine includes an optical sensor of the line scanning type for converting an image into electrical signals, and a thermal recording head controlled in accordance with the image signals. The platen moves with respect to the read unit and the read unit will read in both forward and reverse directions of the platen, and the magnification value can be varied. The total width of energized heating elements and the movement length and speed of the platen may be controlled in accordance with the size of the original. The total number of heating elements energized at any one time is limited, and the machine includes input and output terminals for sending image information externally and for receiving and recording image information other than directly from the read unit.

Abstract: A copying machine includes an optical sensor of the line scanning type for converting an image into electrical signals, and a thermal recording head controlled in accordance with the image signals. Either the platen or read unit are movable and the read unit will read in both forward and reverse directions of movement, and the magnification value can also be varied. The total width of energized heating elements and the movement length of the read unit or platen may be controlled in accordance with the size of the original. The total number of heating elements energized at any one time is limited, and the machine includes input and output terminals for sending image information externally and for receiving and recording image information other than directly from the read unit. A cutter is provided for cutting the recording paper web immediately prior to discharge.