Abstract: When a storage memory becomes full during processing of printing out of image data read from a page memory and transferred to both a storage memory and a printing portion at the same time for a first copy, a function of an image rotating portion is not effected for copies subsequent to the first copy, and, also, for pages of image data which are stored in the storage memory are printed out, and a page of image data processed at the time the storage memory became full is transferred from the page memory to the printing portion and is printed out.

Abstract: A head driving apparatus including a plurality of piezoelectric elements, a switch circuit, a head driving circuit, a controller, and a determination unit. The controller supplies a control signal to the switch circuit so as to ON-OFF control the switch units every jet timing based upon jetting data. The determination unit calculates a total number of the switch units to be turned ON simultaneously in accordance with the control signal, and supplies a restriction signal to the switch circuit when the total number exceeds a predetermined number. A part of the switch units are turned OFF in spite of the control signal supplied from the controller when the switch circuit receives the restriction signal from the determination unit.

Abstract: In an ink jet recording apparatus, a recording head is mounted on a carriage which reciprocately moves in a widthwise direction of recording paper. A subtank is mounted on the carriage for supplying ink. A main tank stores ink which is replenished to the subtank. An ink amount detector detects an amount of ink stored in the subtank. A replenishment controller controls replenishment of ink stored in the main tank to the subtank, in accordance with the ink amount detected by the ink amount detector.

Abstract: A head driving device of a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles, a head driving circuit generating driving signals, a plurality of pressure generating elements correspondingly provided for each of the nozzles, and applying pressure to liquid based on the driving signals so that liquid droplets are ejected from the nozzles, an integrated switching circuit selecting the driving signals for applying to the pressure generating elements at predetermined ejecting timing, a controller controlling a liquid ejecting operation, and a thermal detector provided in the integrated switching circuit, and detecting a temperature of the integrated switching circuit. The thermal detector outputs a digital signal to the controller when the temperature of the integrated switching circuit is increased to greater than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: There is disclosed a head driving device which drives a plurality of pressure generating elements for generating pressure fluctuation in a jetted object contained in each of associated pressure chambers formed in a jetting head of a jetting apparatus to eject the jetted object from each of nozzles communicated with the associated pressure chambers. In the device, a head driver generates a drive signal which is selectively applied to at least one of the pressure generating elements to be driven. A bias potential provider selectively applies a bias potential to at least one of the pressure generating elements not to be driven.

Abstract: A head driving device includes a liquid ejecting head formed with a nozzle orifice from which a liquid droplet is ejected, a driving signal generator generating a driving signal, a pressure generating element applying pressure to liquid based on the driving signal for ejecting the liquid droplet, a charge element charged at a reference voltage lower than a drive voltage for driving the pressure generating element, and applying a bias voltage to the pressure generating element, and a discharge circuit discharging a charge on the charge element to a ground when a voltage of the charge on the charge element is equal to or higher than a first voltage which is higher than the bias voltage.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus is operated under a basic recording mode for recording through use of a basic unit pixel which is associated with a unit recording area corresponding to a unit print cycle, and a high-resolution recording mode for recording through use of a fine unit pixel, a plurality of fine unit pixels being arranged within the unit recording area in a main scanning direction of the recording head. The print data is developed into the jetting data such that each bit therein indicates whether the recording is conducted or not in each associated fine unit pixel, when the high-resolution recording mode is selected.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus is operated under a basic recording mode for recording through use of a basic unit pixel which is associated with a unit recording area corresponding to a unit print cycle, and a high-resolution recording mode for recording through use of a fine unit pixel, a plurality of fine unit pixels being arranged within the unit recording area in a main scanning direction of the recording head. The print data is developed into the jetting data such that each bit therein indicates whether the recording is conducted or not in each associated fine unit pixel, when the high-resolution recording mode is selected.

Abstract: A method of detecting a consumption status of liquid contained in a liquid container, comprising steps of: preparing a detection device having a piezoelectric element and attaching the detection device on a desired position of the liquid container so that at least a part of the detection device contacting the liquid; measuring a residual vibration of the detection device; and detecting the consumption status of the liquid contained in the liquid container on the basis of a result of the measurement of the residual vibration.

Abstract: A heater plate, which has a wafer W mounted thereon and which includes a heater in its interior, is placed on a cooling block including a coolant chamber in its interior. The cooling block includes a gas introduction pipe passing therethrough. The gas introduction pipe is connected to a space between the heater plate and the cooling block to make it possible to supply He gas as thermal conduction gas to the space. A gas suction pipe 34 is connected to the space to make it possible to suck He gas.

Abstract: A head driving apparatus includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements, a switch circuit, a head driving circuit, a controller, and a determination unit. The piezoelectric elements applies pressure to liquid so as to jet a liquid droplet from nozzles. The switch circuit, which has a plurality of switch units corresponding to the piezoelectric elements, selects the piezoelectric elements which drive to jet the liquid droplet at predetermined jet timing. The head driving circuit supplies a drive signal to the switch circuit so as to drive the piezoelectric elements. The controller supplies a control signal to the switch circuit so as to ON-OFF control the switch units every jet timing based upon jetting data. The determination unit calculates a total number of the switch units to be turn ON simultaneously in accordance with the control signal, and supplies a restriction signal to the switch circuit when the total number exceeds a predetermined number.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can continue an execution of a job without canceling when an error occurs during an image forming operation. The image forming apparatus is capable of performing an optional operation in addition to an image forming operation. An image is formed on a print sheet based on given data according to a plurality of image formation levels including at least a complete output level and a limited output level, all setting items set by a user being reflected at the complete output level and a part of the setting items set by the user being changed or invalidated at the limited output level. Discrimination is made as to whether an error relates to the optional operation and whether the error is avoidable. When an error occurs during an image forming operation performed at the complete output level and the error is discriminates as avoidable by changing the image formation level, the complete output level is changed to the limited output level.

Abstract: There is disclosed a head driving device which drives a plurality of pressure generating elements for generating pressure fluctuation in a jetted object contained in each of associated pressure chambers formed in a jetting head of a jetting apparatus to eject the jetted object from each of nozzles communicated with the associated pressure chambers. In the device, a head driver generates a drive signal which is selectively applied to at least one of the pressure generating elements to be driven. A bias potential provider selectively applies a bias potential to at least one of the pressure generating elements not to be driven.

Abstract: A jetting head is provided with a plurality of rows of nozzles, a plurality of pressure generating elements associated with the respective nozzles to generate pressure to eject jetted objects from the nozzles. A head driver generates a drive signal and a ground signal to be supplied to each of the pressure generating elements. A plurality of flexible flat cables include signal lines connecting the head driver and the jetting head. The flexible flat cables are arranged such that a first signal line for supplying the drive signal to one of the nozzle rows is provided in one of the flat cables and a second signal line for supplying the ground signal to the one of the nozzle rows opposes to the first signal line while being provided in another one of the flat cables.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of driver ICs, which drives an associated print head, includes an analog voltage provider, which provides an analog voltage which is inversely proportional to a temperature of the driver IC, a reference temperature provider, which provides a digital value corresponding to a reference temperature, a D/A converter, which converts the digital value into a corresponding analog value, and a comparator, which compares the analog voltage with the analog value and outputs a comparison signal indicating whether the analog voltage is higher than the analog value. A temperature detector determines whether the temperature of at least one of print heads is higher than the reference temperature in accordance with the comparison signal.

Abstract: When a storage memory becomes full during processing of printing out of image data read from a page memory and transferred to both a storage memory and a printing portion at the same time for a first copy, a function of an image rotating portion is not effected for copies subsequent to the first copy, and, also, for pages of image data which are stored in the storage memory are printed out, and a page of image data processed at the time the storage memory became full is transferred from the page memory to the printing portion and is printed out.

Abstract: When a storage memory becomes full during processing of printing out of image data read from a page memory and transferred to both a storage memory and a printing portion at the same time for a first copy, a function of an image rotating portion is not effected for copies subsequent to the first copy, and, also, for pages of image data which are stored in the storage memory are printed out, and a page of image data processed at the time the storage memory became full is transferred from the page memory to the printing portion and is printed out.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head including a flow path unit having pressure generating chambers, a piezoelectric vibrator for pressurizing the pressure generating chambers, a semiconductor integrated circuit for supplying a drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator, and a member for absorbing the heat produced by the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An ink storage chamber has an indicator formed from magnetic material. A float member whose upper position is limited is housed in the ink storage chamber. Two magnetic-field detection system are provided at a position on the exterior of a sub-tank at which the detection system can detect a magnetic flux of the indicator simultaneously, such that the longitudinal direction of the detection system is oriented vertically with a specified ink level of the sub-tank sandwiched between the detection system. On the basis of signals output from the magnetic-field detection system, it is determined whether the ink level is in any one of an excessively low ink level state, a state in which injection of ink must be started, a state in which injection of ink must be stopped, and an excessively supplied state. Thus, an ink level in the sub-tank can be controlled within a specific range without involvement of an undesired increase in the number of sensors.

Abstract: In an ink jet recording apparatus, a recording head is mounted on a carriage which reciprocately moves in a widthwise direction of recording paper. A subtank is mounted on the carriage for supplying ink. A main tank stores ink which is replenished to the subtank. An ink amount detector detects an amount of ink stored in the subtank. A replenishment controller controls replenishment of ink stored in the main tank to the subtank, in accordance with the ink amount detected by the ink amount detector.