Abstract: An ink-jet printing head and an ink-jet printing apparatus can reduce fluctuation of density of an ink ejected from each nozzle by ejecting ink of different densities from the same nozzle without varying size of an ink droplet, or by controlling ejection of a mixture ink, in which a plurality of inks are mixed, for forming an image. The ink-jet printing head includes a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting ink, a plurality of ink passages communicated with the plurality of ejection openings, ink ejecting energy generating elements provided in the plurality of ink passages, a mixing liquid chamber connected to the plurality of ink passages in common, a plurality of individual liquid chambers supplying ink to the mixing liquid chamber, and a valve mechanism provided between the individual liquid chamber and the mixing liquid chamber and controlling supply amount of the inks supplied from the individual liquid chambers.

Abstract: There is provided an output control circuit provided in an integrated circuit that enables any arbitrary internal signal to be specified and output from any output terminal, and hence enable the monitoring of a large number of internal signals even if only a small number of output terminals are provided. A plurality of external output terminals output a plurality of signals existing in the integrated circuit. A plurality of signal output circuits are provided, to which the plurality of internal signals are mutually input. Each of the signal output circuits comprises a signal group select circuit that selects a predetermined signal group from the plurality of internal signals, a logic circuit that carries out logical operations on the selected signal group, and an external output circuit that outputs signals resulting from the logical operations via one of the external output terminals.

Abstract: An ink-jet printing head and an ink-jet printing apparatus can reduce fluctuation of density of an ink ejected from each nozzle by ejecting ink of different densities from the same nozzle without varying size of an ink droplet, or by controlling ejection of a mixture ink, in which a plurality of inks are mixed, for forming an image. The ink-jet printing head includes a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting ink, a plurality of ink passages communicated with the plurality of ejection openings, ink ejecting energy generating elements provided in the plurality of ink passages, a mixing liquid chamber connected to the plurality of ink passages in common, a plurality of individual liquid chambers supplying ink to the mixing liquid chamber, and a valve mechanism provided between the individual liquid chamber and the mixing liquid chamber and controlling supply amount of the inks supplied from the individual liquid chambers.

Abstract: Image data developed on print buffers can be read at consecutive or adjacent addresses and transferred to recording heads at high speed. An I/F DMA block transfers image data to DRAM at discrete addresses to develop the image data on DRAM. Thereafter, a head DMA block reads the image data in DRAM at addresses consecutive in a mount direction of the recording heads and transfers the read image data to the recording heads.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing apparatus in which printing elements used in the printing of each raster can be set at will. The printing apparatus has a carriage equipped with a printhead having a plurality of printing elements arranged in a predetermined direction, and the carriage is made to scan across a printing medium in a direction that intersects the direction in which the printing elements are arranged, thereby performing printing on the medium. The printing elements are divided into a plurality of blocks each consisting of a predetermined number of successive printing elements, print data that has been transmitted in raster form is stored in a receive buffer, and data that has been stored in the receive buffer is divided and stored in a print buffer having a plurality of areas corresponding to the blocks of printing elements.

Abstract: This invention provides a low-cost, economical printing apparatus and printing system. For example, characteristic information of a printhead which is described, printed, adhered, or formed on a printhead or its accessory (e.g., a packaging paper box) in a format identifiable to human or an electronic device is man-machine-interactively inputted to a host or electronically inputted to the host by a barcode reader or the like. The printing apparatus discriminates whether or not a command sent from the host via an interface is a command that includes characteristic information of the printhead, and control is made to write the characteristic information of the print head into a non-volatile memory (EEPROM) in accordance with the discriminating result. The printhead is controlled in accordance with the characteristic information written into the non-volatile memory to execute a print process.

Abstract: An image processing system having an input/output unit for inputting or outputting a video signal, and a scanner for reading an original image or a printer for printing the video signal, in which the aspect ratio of the image is converted at the input or output of the video signal between the input/output unit and the scanner or the printer.

Abstract: An interface in accordance with IEEE 1284 has a signal output stage which is a totem pole circuit. The totem pole circuit may be damaged if its output signal line is left grounded for an extended period of time or if outputs are being delivered at both ends of the signal line. Drive by the totem pole circuit is limited to a case where a signal to be output is at a low level and to a length of time equivalent to, say, one clock period from the moment the signal makes a transition from the low to a high level. A high impedance is established at all other times during which the high level is in effect, with the high level being maintained by a pull-up resistor connected to the output signal line. As a result, the totem pole circuit will not be damaged even if the output line is grounded while at the high level.

Abstract: A recording head has a plurality of recording elements which are divided into a plurality of blocks and each block is driven in a time division fashion. The recording head has a signal generation circuit for generating an output signal for selecting a drive block in response to an input signal for designating the drive block from a main body of a recording apparatus. The number of signal lines of the input signal is smaller than the number of signal lines of an output signal. One such recording head is provided for each of a plurality of colors to record a color image. Signal lines of an input signal are common to the respective recording heads. Thus, the number of signal lines between the recording heads and the main body of the recording apparatus is reduced and cost reduction and space saving are attained.

Abstract: A recording apparatus records an image on a recording medium by scanning by a recording head. Mask data for masking record data is set in registers, a record timing signal synchronized with the scan of the recording head is counted up by a counter, and the mask data set in the registers is selected by selectors in accordance with the count. The selected mask data is logically ANDed with the record data to drive the recording head. A load to software is reduced and the recording is attained while the record data is masked with a simple construction.

Abstract: A color ink jet printing apparatus including a single suction mechanism having a capping member designed to cap any one of the printheads of the apparatus and carrying out a suction recovery of that capped printhead. A plurality of additional caps which are not associated with the suction mechanism are provided for capping the printhead. Various printing moving schemes are devised to provide quick and efficient positioning of selected printheads opposing the suction mechanism to speedily service that printhead.

Abstract: A printing apparatus capable of printing by moving a carriage mounting a printing head to a recording paper detects a movement of the carriage for a predetermined distance by an encoder, clocks the time for the carriage to move in the distance, and obtains the moving speed of the carriage in accordance with the clocked time. Time intervals for printing by the printing head are determined by the carriage moving speed, and a printing is performed at a constant printing density in an acceleration/deceleration area in addition to the area where the carriage is moving at a constant speed.

Abstract: A recording apparatus employs a control unit to compensate for any variations in the feed speed of a recording medium. The recording apparatus includes a recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium in accordance with the image data; a speed detection unit for detecting the actual feed speed of the recording medium or of a feed unit for feeding the recording medium; and a control unit for controlling the record timing of the recording unit in accordance with a difference between a reference feed speed and the actual feed speed of the recording medium or feed unit detected by the speed detection unit.

Abstract: A printing apparatus has a control unit for controlling the driving of a print head in accordance with a temperature measured by a sensor which is provided on a movable carriage for mounting the print head. The control unit controls a sensor such that the sensor measures the temperature when the carriage is in a position where the heat from motors or the like in the printing apparatus does not affect the sensor on the carriage.

Abstract: A recovery method of an ink jet apparatus includes the steps of discharging ink for recovery from a plurality of discharge openings prior to recording, detecting a discharge condition for each discharge opening, and selectively discharging ink for recovery from the discharge openings detected to be unsatisfactory.

Abstract: An ink jet apparatus has an ink jet head with a heat generating resistance element, which head discharges ink droplets by causing a state change in ink using heat generated by the resistance element, conveying means for conveying a recording medium to be recorded upon in a conveyance direction so that a predetermined recording image is formed on the recording medium by ink droplets from the head, heat exchanging means for exchanging heat with the head, this exchanging means being attached to the side of the head where the element is provided, and heating means for heating the exchanging means, the heating means being part of the heat exchanging means. It also includes a cooling means for cooling the heat exchanging means, temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the heat exchanging means, and control means for controlling driving of the heating means and cooling means according to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head includes a plurality of heat generating elements for ejecting ink using thermal energy; a conductive line commonly connected to an end of each of the heat generating elements and to another end of adjacent heat generating element; a driving circuit for selectively providing positive or negative current to the common lines, the driving circuit actuates the heat generating elements by applying a high level potential and a low level potential to adjacent lines, respectively.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus records by discharging ink from plural recording heads toward a recording medium. Each of the recording heads has a heat pipe mounted thereon, and protruding therefrom so as to have a length which is greater than the recording width of the corresponding recording head. The protruding portions of each heat pipe extending from the recording heads have a heat discharging member attached thereto. That member constitutes a single blower fan for applying an air stream to the heat discharging members corresponding to the recording head, and plural air stream control means for applying the air stream produced by the blower fan to the heat discharging members individually or independently.

Abstract: In a recording apparatus employing a magnetic linear encoder that includes a magnetized scale and a magnetic head movable along the scale, in order to enable efficient mounting of the scale on the recording apparatus and to enable tension adjustment of the scale, support members are provided for detachably supporting the scale, as is a device for providing tension during the mounting of the scale on side plates of the recording apparatus. Also, the magnetized portion of the scale is positioned behind the carriage. Further, the magnetic head is provided with dust shield members which are in contact with, but rendered slidable with respect to, the scale.

Abstract: A recording apparatus, which is provided with a carriage supporting a recording head or reciprocating along a platen, includes a magnetized scale of a magnetic linear encoder positioned along a moving direction of the carriage, and a magnetic head of the magnetic linear encoder, mounted on the carriage and adapted for reading the magnetized pattern of the scale. The scale is provided with at least two magnetized lines of mutually different pitches of magnetization, for recording position information relating to the recording operation, and position information relating to other functions.