Abstract: A liquid droplet forming method is used with an apparatus that includes a liquid jet recording head having a plurality of blocks of thermal elements, each of which blocks includes a plurality of the thermal elements arranged on a substrate at a pitch of at least ten thermal elements per millimeter, with each thermal element ejecting a liquid droplet from the head upon application thereto of a drive signal pulse. Each drive signal pulse comprises a multi-part signal that includes a first part that pre-heats the liquid to an extent that a droplet is not ejected followed by a second part which heats the pre-heated liquid to an extent that a bubble is formed and a liquid droplet is ejected from the head. The plural blocks of thermal elements are driven in accordance with the generated drive signal pulses in a time-division manner such that no two blocks are driven simultaneously.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus has a large plurality of heat energy generating elements corresponding to a like plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink. The heat energy generating elements cause a change in the state of the ink by heating the ink in response to a drive signal, thereby ejecting ink droplets from corresponding ejection ports. A selection signal sequentially selects from among plural groups of plural heat energy generating element and an information storing device stores recording information, portions of which correspond respectively to selected groups of the heat energy generating elements. A drive circuit supplies drive signals to the selected groups of heat energy generating elements, the drive signals for each group being supplied in accordance with the corresponding stored portion of the recording information.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus comprises a recording unit for recording on a recording medium and control means for controlling the recording unit to twice eject droplets to the same position on the recording medium so that the tone of the recording is emphasized. In another aspect of the disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes a storage unit for storing recording material, an image forming unit in which an image is formed without contacting the recording material and a discharge unit for discharging the recording material on which the image has been formed. A transporting mechanism transports the recording material from the storage unit, through the image forming unit to the discharge unit along a U-shaped transporting path.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus includes a first off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification, and a second off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification higher than that of the first off-axis alignment optical system, wherein the apparatus is operable in a global alignment mode using the second off-axis alignment optical system. In another aspect, an alignment apparatus which includes a first off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification, a second off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification higher than that of the first off-axis alignment optical system, and a TTL alignment optical system, wherein the alignment apparatus is operable in a global alignment mode using the second off-axis alignment optical system and is operable in another global alignment mode using the TTL optical alignment system.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus includes a first off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification, and a second off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification higher than that of the first off-axis alignment optical system, wherein the apparatus is operable in a global alignment mode using the second off-axis alignment optical system. In another aspect, an alignment apparatus includes a first off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification, a second off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification higher than that of the first off-axis alignment optical system, and a TTL alignment optical system, wherein the alignment apparatus is operable in a global alignment mode using the second off-axis alignment optical system and is operable in another global alignment mode using the TTL optical alignment system.

Abstract: An information read-out and recording apparatus includes an optical information read-out device for converting optical information into electrical information signals. A serial-input/parallel-output shift register stores information signals from the optical information read-out device and a latch circuit stores information from the shift register for supply to a recording device. The recording device records on a recording medium in accordance with the output of the latch circuit, which parallelly stores the contents of the shift register after a predetermined number of bits of information have been serially stored in the shift register.

Abstract: A multi-electron-beam pattern drawing apparatus having a plurality of electron beam sources and a plurality of electron beam sensors, provided on a common base member, is disclosed. The electron beam sources can be selectively driven for different uses, such as a pattern drawing (exposure) purpose and position detecting purpose, for example. In another aspect, the apparatus is provided with a function for correcting the pattern drawing magnification.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus including a first off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification, and a second off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification higher than that of the first off-axis alignment optical system, wherein the apparatus is operable in a global alignment mode using the second off-axis alignment optical system. In another aspect, there is provided an alignment apparatus which includes a first off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification, a second off-axis alignment optical system having a magnification higher than that of the first off-axis alignment optical system, and a TTL alignment optical system, wherein the alignment apparatus is operable in a global alignment mode using the second off-axis alignment optical system and is operable in another global alignment mode using the TTL optical alignment system.

Abstract: A charged-particle beam pattern drawing apparatus for drawing, by use of a charged-particle beam, a desired circuit pattern on a workpiece having a surface coated with a sensitive material, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a data source having data stored therein related to the circuit pattern, a plurality of charged-particle beam producing sources for emitting charged-particle beams toward the workpiece, in accordance with the data supplied thereto from the data source, and a plurality of deflecting electrodes each being provided for a corresponding one of the charged-particle beam producing source, for deflecting the charged-particle beams from the charged-particle beam producing sources independently of each other and in accordance with the data supplied from the data source.

Abstract: An electron beam head particularly suitably usable in an electron beam pattern drawing apparatus or otherwise is disclosed. The electron beam head includes an electron beam source and an electron beam detector which are provided on a common base member. Secondary electrons and/or reflected electrons caused when an electron beam emitted from the electron beam source impinges upon a workpiece or an object to be examined, are detected by the detector. These secondary electrons and/or reflected electrons can be efficiently collected and detected and, on the basis of which, the information concerning the position or otherwise related to the workpiece or the object to be examined can be detected precisely.

Abstract: In a small-sized printer having hammers provided within a type ring according to the invention, a direction in which the hammer is moved is changeable over selectively so that printing may be carried out in different positions. Also, electronic apparatus is provided which has a hammer mechanism as well as a battery or motor mounted in the type ring so as to miniaturize the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing a fine circuit pattern on a wafer, includes a radiation beam generating head for generating and emitting radiation beams with which the wafer is to be patternwisely exposed; a first moving system for moving the beam generating head in a first direction; and a second moving system for moving the wafer at least in a second direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction, while holding the wafer by attraction.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus address data accesses an address of a time table to vary an impact pressure and supplementary data of each typeface (or character) of a printing type wheel. Thse data are stored in various memories. Data input/output and its processing are controlled by a plurality of microprocessors connected to each other through an interface.

Abstract: In a small-sized printer having hammers provided within a type ring according to the invention, a direction in which the hammer is moved is changeable over selectively so that printing may be carried out in different positions. Also, electronic apparatus is provided which has a hammer mechanism as well as a battery or motor mounted in the type ring so as to miniaturize the apparatus.

Abstract: This invention discloses a recording apparatus having at least transistors, gates and a latch circuit for driving plural heating elements, and also discloses a recording head in which a conductive member is connected electrically to heating elements.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording unit having a plurality of dot forming portions disposed in a plane, a carriage which moves incrementally in a direction normal to the plane of dot forming portions, and a laser generator mounted on the carriage. The generator has a semiconductor which radiates a laser pulse in a direction substantially perpendicular to each dot forming portion of the recording unit.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of and apparatus for emitting a droplet from an orifice by generating a bubble in a small liquid chamber in response to a droplet generating instruction. The method and apparatus are particularly characterized having gradual contraction of the bubble to prevent excessive recession of the orifice in the liquid chamber which recession would hinder subsequent droplet generation.For achieving the above-mentioned functions the droplet generating apparatus, or the droplet emitting head, is provided with a structure which allows effective generation and annihilation of the bubble. The present invention also provides a novel apparatus having emission heads in a staggered block arrangement for improving alignment density of the devices and elements and time-division drive circuitry.

Abstract: An electronic instrument has a power switch provided on the upper surface of a keyboard. The keyboard comprises a substrate having transmitting electrodes and receiving electrodes and a flexible sheet having transparent electrodes in opposition to the transmitting and receiving electrodes. Between the substrate and flexible sheet there are arranged characters, symbols and the like. Cell, display device and logical operation elements are disposed gathered within a limited area of the substrate.

Abstract: A key signal entering device for thin electronic apparatus comprises paired electrodes provided on an insulating substrate, an anisotropically electroconductive sheet disposed on said electrodes and a layer of an electroconductive material disposed thereon. A key signal is generated by selectively pressing said device from above to modify the electroconductive area in the thickness direction of said anisotropically electroconductive sheet thereby electrically connecting said electrodes with said electroconductive layer. An alternative device comprises an anisotropically electroconductive sheet sandwiched between flexible sheets having electrodes arranged in mutually facing relationship, wherein a key signal is generated by pressing said flexible film to render said anisotropically electroconductive sheet conductive thereby electrically connecting electrodes on said flexible sheets.

Abstract: A numeral display device has a first board member provided with a first group of pattern electrodes arranged to define a plurality of digits, each forming a figure eight pattern, the digits being arranged in an upper row and a lower row wherein for each digit the segment for the decimal point is electrically connected with at least a segment in the figure eight pattern while the other segments in said figure eight pattern are connected to display particular information, a second board member placed in facing relationship with said first board member and provided with a second group of pattern electrodes arranged to define a plurality of digits each forming a figure eight shaped pattern, the digits being arranged in an upper row and a lower row wherein for each digit the segment for decimal point is connected with at least a segment in the figure eight pattern other than those corresponding to the segments connected with the decimal point segment in said first board member while the other numerical segments ar