Abstract: A method of functionalizing the surface of material, such as a semiconductor or insulator is described. The method includes scribing the surface of the material in the present of a reactive species to produce acribed portions of the surface. The reactive species reacts with the scribed portions of the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tape printing apparatus for printing an image on an image receiving tape. In order to detect characteristics of the tape thus avoiding representation means on a tape cassette, it is proposed to have detecting means for detecting-markings provided on the image receiving tape, which provide information on a characteristic of the tape; and the tape printing apparatus is controlled in accordance with the detected characteristics. Alternatively, it is proposed to have monitoring means for monitoring the speed of the image receiving tape, which detect marking on the image receiving tape whereby the printing means is controlled in dependence on the detected speed. Consequently, the exact tape speed is considered for printing purposes, even when slippage between driving means and tape occurs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tape holding case housing a supply of image receiving tape and includes an angled surface to bend the surface of the tape approximately 90°, the angled surface being provided upstream of the printing position of the tape. The tape holding case also includes a casing that is designed to attach the tape holding case to an identically shaped tape holding case.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tape holding case housing a supply of image receiving tape and includes an angled surface to bend the surface of the tape approximately 90°, the angled surface being provided upstream of the printing position of the tape. The tape holding case also includes a casing that is designed to attach the tape holding case to an identically shaped tape holding case.

Abstract: The invention refers to a tape printing apparatus (2) used with tape cassettes (20, 220, 243, 260, 443). In order to make insertion and removal easier, the tape cassette is provided with a surface controlling the position of a printhead (22, 222, 322, 422) and/or a platen. When the cassette is inserted, printhead and platen are automatically separated such that the tape (24) can be introduced between them, and afterwards moved in the operative position. Further, an over center mechanism is proposed for moving printhead and platen. The tape cassette (443) can provide a 90.degree. bend in the tape (24) upstream the printing position, and the motor (42) can be located besides the zone for accommodating the image receiving tape (24). The cassette can be made attachable to other cassettes, and the means for attaching can guide and hold the cassette in the tape printer.

Abstract: A tape printing device comprises a print head, means for causing relative movement between an image receiving tape and the print head, and control circuitry for controlling the print head. The print head has a set of selectively activable printing elements arranged along a longitudinal axis of the print head. The control circuitry prints each pixel by activating the same printing elements on successive print cycles to limit the peak current of the print head. Each group of printing elements lie at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the print head to prevent staggering in the printed image. The tape printing device uses an arrangement of group switches and switches for individual printing elements to reduce the required number of switches which reduces the cost of the apparatus. Current is controlled to prevent accidental activation of printing elements to reduce the number of errors in the printed image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a label printing method and apparatus which includes a housing providing a zone for receiving printing tape on which an image is to be printed, a data input device for inputting information defining the image to be printed as a label, a printing mechanism including a group of printing elements to which pixel data defining the image to be printed is passed sequentially on a group-by-group basis by a printhead controller and a motor operable to drive the printing tape past the printing mechanism.

Abstract: A printing device (2) for printing an image receiving medium has a printing mechanism and a keyboard (4) having a plurality of data entry keys (6) for entering data for controlling the printing mechanism and a user key (16). Storage means for holding data accessible in response to the data entered at the keyboard (4) is provided. A controller defines an image to be printed on an image receiving medium in dependence on the data accessed in response to the data entered at the keyboard (4) so that the controller operates selectively in one of a plurality of modes of operation. The modes of operation include a normal mode of operation in which at least some of the keys (6) have predetermined functions associated therewith to access predetermined data associated with the predetermined functions.