Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for combining an in-vehicle navigation system with a sound system in a vehicle. The combination permits the navigation system to project audible maneuver instructions to a driver. While projecting the audible maneuver instruction to the driver the vehicle navigation system moves the location of the projection of the maneuver instruction from a first location to a second location. The first location does not coincide with the content of the maneuver instruction and the second location does coincide with the content of the maneuver instruction. Thus, a system is provided wherein the driver perceives the audible maneuver instruction as moving in a direction which coincides with the content of the instruction.

Abstract: A radar system has a transceiver and a ferroelectric phased array antenna. The antenna includes a plurality of radiating elements each connected to a ferroelectric phase shifter. The transceiver and the phase shifters are coupled for conveyance of radio frequency signals therebetween. A beam control computer calculates phase shifter control voltages which are applied to a beam correction computer. A temperature sensor is coupled to each phase shifter to provide feedback temperature values to the beam correction computer. A data table in the beam correction computer provides phase shifter correction voltages as a function of control voltage amplitudes and temperature values. The beam correction computer uses the data table in determining temperature corrected phase shifter control voltages which are applied to the associated phase shifters.

Abstract: In a navigation device for a motor vehicle in which a standby operation is provided with limited power consumption, the standby operation is maintained for a period of time after the vehicle ignition and/or the navigation device is switched off, the period of time depending on the previous operating state of the navigation device. The navigation device is switched off afterwards.

Abstract: A method for use in locating a mobile transmitter in an emergency situation comprises the steps of (a) upon determining that the emergency situation exists, monitoring a bandwidth of a reverse voice channel (RVC) signal transmitted by the mobile transmitter; (b) determining whether the bandwidth exceeds a predetermined threshold; (c) if the bandwidth exceeds the predetermined threshold, measuring the location of the mobile transmitter; and (d) if the bandwidth does not exceed the predetermined threshold, performing a predetermined action to increase the bandwidth and subsequently measuring the location of the mobile transmitter.

Abstract: A PCMCIA modem card which is connectable a host computer and utilizes an integrated, extendable antenna for wireless transmission and reception, is provided with a circuit board. The circuit board is provided with a cavity interior. The cavity extends to a first end of the circuit board. The modem card is further provided with communications circuitry which is formed on the circuit board. The modem card is further provided with an antenna structure which is in electrical communication with the communications circuitry. The antenna structure is translatable from a first position wherein the antenna structure is substantially disposed within the cavity and a second position wherein the antenna structure is extended from the cavity.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus has improved gain, and its characteristics are barely affected by changes in the external environment in which it used, such as when it is placed close to a ground conductor. A surface-mount antenna and a monopole antenna are fed by a single feeding point, and the direction of an open end of the surface-mount antenna, taking a ground end of a radiation electrode as a reference, runs opposite to the direction of the open end of the monopole antenna, taking the feeding terminal as a reference.

Abstract: An antenna reflector assembly includes a reflector having a reflecting surface and an electrical heater for heating the reflecting surface. An ambient condition sensor senses an ambient temperature and/or an ambient moisture associated with an ambient environment and applies electrical power to the heater dependent upon the ambient temperature and/or the ambient moisture. A test device is connected to a source of electrical power. The test device includes a circuit breaker for cutting off an input current to the test device when the input current exceeds a predetermined threshold current. A ground fault circuit interrupter detects a ground fault condition and cuts off an electrical current associated with the ground fault condition. A current indicator senses a current through the heater and provides an indication thereof. At least one voltage indicator senses a voltage and provides an indication thereof.

Abstract: In a directional coupler comprising two separated dielectric guides, reflection and loss in the separation position (separated faces) is reduced. Furthermore, the beam of an antenna device comprising a primary emitter and a dielectric lens can be tilted quickly even by a low-torque motor. A moving portion and a fixed portion each comprise dielectric guides, and in addition, grooves are provided in opposing end faces of conductive plates thereof, at a distance from the electrode faces of the dielectric guides of approximately an integral multiple of half the wavelength of the transmitted waves. Furthermore, the dielectric guide of the directional coupler portion is a normal NRD guide, and the dielectric guide of another portion is a hyper NRD guide.

Abstract: The invention concerns an antenna with high scanning capacity. The antenna comprises a panel (30) of static radiating elements which are controlled to transmit in variable directions relative to a direction (38) perpendicular to the plane of the panel. Reflectors (34, 44) amplify the scanning effected by the panel (30) of radiating elements. The reflectors (34, 44) are segments of paraboloids with the same axis (38) and the same focus (40), for example.

Abstract: There is provided an antenna system applicable to an in-vehicle satellite tracking antenna system. A feed probe (1) is inserted into a ground plate (4) from a lower surface of the ground plate (4) toward an upper surface to protrude from the upper surface. A semicylindrical sub-reflector (2) forming a primary radiator together with the feed probe (1) is arranged on the upper surface of the ground plate (4) in the vicinity of the feed probe (1), and a main reflector (3) is arranged on the ground plate (4) such that mirror surfaces of the reflectors face to each other across the feed probe (1). The main reflector (3) is parabolic in at least one axis, and has a predetermined focal point or a predetermined focal line.

Abstract: A low cost glass mount vehicle antenna system utilizes, in a preferred embodiment, an over-coupled quasi-TEM mode transmission line coupler having two simple stamped or printed plates stacked over an L shape internal ground plane. The two conductive plates are located on opposite sides of the glass. With proper open circuit terminations on two of the four coupler ports, the backwards and forward coupling signals are redirected/combined and are effectively fed diagonally between the other two ports, thereby achieving through-glass coupling. The over-coupling achieves this efficient through-glass coupling effect at two spaced-apart frequencies (e.g. 800 MHz and 1800 MHz). The coupler is of a low impedance type and can be used with a variety of collinear array and elevated-feed antennas. It features high efficiency, low backwards radiation, and mechanical simplicity.

Abstract: An antenna system is provided for receiving horizontal and vertical components of a transmitted RF signal and for minimizing the magnitude of one of the components prior to application to an RF utilization means, such as a TV receiver. The system includes a vertical antenna for primarily receiving the vertical components of the RF signal. A horizontal antenna serves to primarily receive the horizontal components of the RF signal. An adjustable time delay serves to adjust the time delay between the vertical and horizontal components. An adjustable phase adjuster serves to adjust the phase between the vertical and horizontal components. A combiner combines the adjusted horizontal and vertical components to obtain therefrom a combined RF signal for application to the RF utilization means.

Abstract: Since the mobile satellite communication antenna according to the present invention has the antenna board provided on the top surface of the rotary member in the state in which a part of the antenna board protrudes outward in the radial direction from the outer periphery of the rotary member, the antenna board doubles as a member for preventing the belt from coming off and reduces the number of parts, which can provide an antenna which is inexpensive and compact and is easily assembled.

Abstract: An omni directional coverage multibeam antenna relief on a ground surface having simple conical shapes to provide beam steering. One advantage of such a system is that the projected area is always constant and broadside to the intended direction resulting in limited scan loss effects. In the case of a cylinder as the conical shape, z-axis symmetry provides a constant antenna aperture projection in any azimuthal direction. Using this geometry, high level, side lobes are reduced considerably because of the natural aperture tapering from dispersion effects. Coverage area and power can be controlled by changing the ground surface angle and by selectively activating different antenna beam positions around the circumference of the ground surface, and by selectively changing the phase relationship between a given set of antenna beams.

Abstract: A short axial-mode helical antenna (10) includes a winding (12) including a conductor (20) helically wound about an axis (8). A first portion (22) of the winding is wound with a first pitch (&agr;) on a segment of a cone (41) having a smaller diameter (D1) at a plane (31) adjacent a ground plane (14), and a larger diameter (D2) at a second plane (32) parallel with the ground plane and remote therefrom. A second portion (24) of the winding (12) is wound with a second pitch (&bgr;) on a segment of a second cone (42) coaxial with the first cone, and having its smaller diameter (D3) at a third plane (33) parallel with the first and second planes. The antenna provides higher gain than a straight uniform, tapered-end, continuous taped, or nonuniform-diameter helical antenna of equal length, and consequently has less mutual coupling when mounted in an array.

Abstract: The present invention aims at supplying an electric current to a helical antenna in a non-contacting manner. A dielectric tube is provided on an outer surface thereof with a feeding input terminal, strip conductors and hybrid ICs. The dielectric tube is provided on an inner surface thereof with a base conductor and slots. A helical antenna is inserted into the portion of an inner space of the dielectric tube which is opposed to the slots. The strip conductors cross the slots via the wall of the dielectric tube. The slots are connected electromagnetically to the helical antenna radiation elements in a non-contacting manner. The slots are connected electromagnetically to the strip conductors. A microwave drives the helical antenna radiation elements via the input terminal, hybrid ICs strip conductors and slots.

Abstract: In a body mount-type information display apparatus, a display unit (103) is attached to the head of a user, whereas a control circuit unit (105) is attached to the waist or the shoulder. The display unit enables a light beam from the outside to enter the eyes of the user as well as another light beam representing an image produced by the control circuit unit. The user can accordingly observe the image including required pieces of information for the work together with the outside view. This image may be menu-type information or an image in harmony with an object such as a building. In order to display the image in harmony with the object, the direction, the visual angle, and the size of the image are processed according to the positional relationship between the user and the object. Available input means include magnetic and optical pointing devices and a CCD camera for reading a bar code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an image defined by fluid bubbles in a medium fluid. Alphanumeric digits and/or graphic images in a fluid medium are formed by injecting into the fluid medium a multitude of fluid bubbles having a density different than that of the medium fluid. Using non-gaseous fluids, the fluid bubbles take on a natural shape which is not confined by any structures as it travels through the medium fluid. The rate at which the fluid bubbles rise or fall through a medium fluid is directly dependent on the viscosity of the individual fluids and the difference between the fluid viscosities. The viscosity of the medium fluid also influences the rate of formation of bubbles which are being created. The control and timing circuitry determines the time interval wherein each horizontal row of bubbles is created. The rows of bubbles then create a 2-D or 3-D image, conducive for various applications as signs or displays.

Abstract: An apparatus for L pixel data corresponding to 1 line input from a memory section to an upper and a lower address electrode driving sections, respectively in response to a control signal supplied from a timing control section. The data interfacing apparatus includes upper and lower data interfacing sections, and an input/output control section. The upper and the lower data interfacing sections includes a couple of temporality storing sections including a storing area for temporarily storing L/2 pixel data, an input selecting section for inputting 3N pixel data into the storing area over M (where M is a least integer which is greater than quotient of L divided by 3N) times in response to M input selecting control signals which are sequentially generated, and an output selecting section for outputting the L/2 pixel data stored in the storing area by P units over Q {=(L/2)/P} times in response to Q output selecting control signals which are sequentially generated, respectively.

Abstract: The cover sheet of a PALC display panel is spaced from the ribs of the channel member.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel in which pixels are arranged in rows and columns. Each of the pixels includes a pixel electrode, and a thin-film transistor having a gate electrode and a drain electrode. Gate signal lines arranged in the rows are connected to the gate electrodes of the thin-film transistors. Drain signal lines arranged in the columns are connected to the drain electrodes of the thin-film transistors. The liquid crystal display device further includes a gate drive circuit for driving the gate signal lines, and a drain drive circuit for driving the drain signal lines. The drain drive circuit receives a plurality of grey-scale reference voltages from an external circuit, interpolates a plurality of intermediate voltages between each pair of adjacent ones of the grey-scale reference voltages, selects voltages from the grey-scale reference voltages and the intermediate voltages, and applies the selected voltages to the drain signal lines.

Abstract: The present invention: (1) divides a selection period into a plurality of sub-selection periods (t11, t21, t31, t41), and distributes these sub-selection periods throughout the period in one frame; (2) further divides a sub-selection period into a plurality of divided sub-selection periods ((s1, s2), (s3, s4), (s5, s6), (s7, s8)), and switches electric potentials of the selection signals between divided sub-selection period in order to eliminate the effects of spikes in voltage from the scanning signals to be applied to adjacent scanning electrodes, and applies these features to commonly known multi-line driving method.

Abstract: A driver circuit for driving a capacitive load has a first electrode and a second electrode. The driver circuit includes: a first charging section, connected with the first electrode, for applying a charge to the first electrode during a. first period and receiving a charge from the first electrode during a second period; a second charging section, connected with the second electrode, for receiving a charge from the second electrode during the first period and applying a charge to the second electrode during the second period; a first section for prohibiting a movement of a charge between the first charging section and the first electrode during a third period between the first period and the second period; a second section for prohibiting a movement of a charge between the second charging section and the second electrode during the third period; and a third section for allowing a movement of a charge between the first electrode and the second electrode during a fourth period included in the third period.

Abstract: In response to a read instruction, the confidentiality of a data entry to be read from memory is determined by referencing the state of a confidentiality flag corresponding to that data entry. If the data entry is determined to be confidential, then specified codes of the data stored in the RAM are converted into different codes, i.e., the data entry is scrambled. The data entry is then displayed using the converted codes.

Abstract: A cursor control device for computers includes a ball whose surface is marked with a regular pattern based on the Platonic solids. The ball surface is illuminated and the rotations are measured precisely from the observed motions of the Platonic solids. The precision of measurement enables the rotation to be measured about other axes and transformed to the desired coordinates without undue deterioration of accuracy. In one embodiment, a nonplanar retainer exposes adjacent faces of a trackball for three components of rotation. In another embodiment, the ball rotation is measured inside a mouse, and the high accuracy of detection of rotation enables collection of transformed rotations from a sensor mounted to the side for a more compact design.

Abstract: An equipment operation panel capable of being readily mounted on an outer surface of an equipment and facilitating connection thereof to a control unit in the equipment. A first flexible circuit board is formed on a front surface thereof with contacts of switches and a contact of a variable resistor and provided thereon with light emitting diodes. The first flexible circuit board includes a lead-out section from which a connection wire pattern is led out. A spacer layer is laminated on the circuit board. A second flexible circuit board is laminated on the spacer layer and provided thereon with contacts of switches and a movable-side electrode of the variable resistor. A cover sheet member is laminated on the second flexible circuit board. Thus, the equipment operation panel is constructed into a laminate structure and mounted on an outer surface of a casing of the equipment through an adhesive layer.

Abstract: An input device comprising an overlay for a display screen comprising an optically conductive material is described. The overlay has a central region for transmitting first electromagnetic radiation corresponding to an object in contact with the overlay at a first location, and a light conduit along the edge of the central region for receiving and transmitting the first electromagnetic radiation. The light conduit is configured to inhibit transmission of the first electromagnetic radiation back into the central region of the overlay. At least one detector is coupled to the light conduit for receiving the first electromagnetic radiation and generating a signal indicative thereof. Location circuitry receives the signal and generates location data indicative of the first location.

Abstract: A light pen for a computer having an elongated body member which contains a photoluminescent material (PLM). The PLM absorbs ambient light of one wavelength, and radiates light of another wavelength in response. The radiated light is directed so as to be projected from a tip of the light pen as required.

Abstract: The transfer of video and graphic data from a frame buffer to a display system is interleaved in a manner which permits operation with a reduced memory bandwidth. For those scan lines of a display in which the video information appears, video data is retrieved from the frame buffer during the horizontal blanking time of the scan. Graphical data is retrieved from the memory during the active portion of horizontal scan line. By alternating the retrieval of data in this manner, a lower bandwidth operation can be employed, thereby reducing the expenses of the memory. An address translator permits video and graphic data that is stored in different respective formats to be retrieved with a consistent addressing approach. The use of multiple color look-up tables permits full-color video to be displayed even if limited-color graphics are being employed.

Abstract: A control means 101 is responsive to the shape of data inputted by inputting means 32 to control designating means 102 to switch interleaving patterns of addresses of a memory 18 designated for accessing means 103a to 103d. The designating means 102 designates to the accessing means 103a to 103d addresses of the memory 18 to be accessed under control by the control means 101. The accessing means 103a to 103d simultaneously access plural addresses of the memory 18 designated by the designating means 102. By switching to an appropriate interleaving pattern of simultaneously accessible addresses for accessing the memory with a minimum number of accessing operations for performing predetermined data processing operations, the efficiency of data processing may be improved.

Abstract: There is provided an active matrix type display in which thin film transistors having required characteristics are provided selectively in a pixel matrix portion and a peripheral driving circuit portion. In a structure having the pixel matrix portion and the peripheral driving circuit portion on the same substrate, N-channel type thin film transistors having source and drain regions formed through a non-self-alignment process and low concentrate impurity regions formed through a self-alignment process are formed in the pixel matrix portion and in an N-channel driver portion of the peripheral driving circuit portion. A P-channel type thin film transistor in which no low concentrate impurity region is formed and source and drain regions are formed only through the self-alignment process is formed in a P-channel driver portion of the peripheral driving circuit portion.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for delivering video from a client to a server over a communication medium with a limited bandwidth. An initial image quality that allows the video to be displayed in real time at the client is determined based on a predetermined frame rate and the limited bandwidth. Video having the initial image quality is transmitted to the client. While transmitting the video to the client, the server receives a message from the client that indicates selection of a second frame rate that is slower than the predetermined frame rate. In response to the message from the client, the server determines a second image quality that allows the video to be displayed in real time at the client based on the second frame rate and the limited bandwidth. The second image quality is higher than the initial image quality. The video with the second image quality is then transmitted to the client. A “snapshot” feature is also provided. A predetermined user input is received at the client.

Abstract: Equipment (2, 15) is used for the reception of multimedia presentations and for their playback to the user, said equipment comprising a storage and presentation apparatus such as a computer (16) or television (3) and a terminal of a bidirectional communications system such as a mobile phone (4) or cordless phone (19). The multimedia information is loaded dynamically, and keys needed to descramble scrambled transmissions are delivered to the user via a bidirectional communications system. In the terminal equipment a local agent (14) which uses only a little of system capacity takes care of information loading and checks the available resource. Bidirectional communications can also be used for making payments to the producer and/or distributor of the multimedia service in the form of operations similar to telebank services.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing an electronic programming guide that allows a television viewer to access and interact with television scheduling information. The electronic programming guide provides the viewer with a grid which lists channels, titles and show times. To help the viewer locate information about shows the viewer is interested in, the guide can filter the data prior to display. Only the data that meets certain filter criteria will be displayed. The filter criteria are set by the viewer. The filter criteria can be changed by manipulating a variable selection element such as a slider.

Abstract: The invention enables a body of information to be easily manipulated (e.g., summarized, rearranged, edited, selectively accessed or searched) to facilitate use of the information by a user. The body of information is represented by at least two sets of temporally related data. Manipulation of a second one of the sets of data in a predetermined manner is accomplished indirectly through direct manipulation of a first one of the sets of data in the predetermined manner. Where the body of information is represented by more than two sets of temporally related data, the additional sets of data can also be manipulated in a similar fashion.

Abstract: A method and a shell extension computer program product for implementing drag and drop operations for large objects without blocking an operating system interface of the computer system. Monitoring for a drop operation by an application is performed by an operating system interface shell. Responsive to an identified drop operation, a transfer structure is sent to the application by the shell extension program. The transfer structure includes a destination directory. Responsive to the application receiving the transfer structure, the data object is transferred to the destination directory and the operating system interface shell is bypassed during the data object transfer.

Abstract: A integrated content guide for multiple sources is provided with hyper-text type links to allow for the selection of various programs. The hyper-text links are provided for a transmitted and then stored digital bit stream. This allows for the embedding within the content guide what could be additional commercial information. The embedding may also be as to additional information for other related television or radio shows or the like. Information can be additional television shows, related information or activities on on-line services or automatic telephone ordering of products or services being displayed.

Abstract: A polygon outline shape processing device uses transformed vertex information from a geometric transformation device and, for each scan-line, converts polygon X, Y vertex information, mapping pattern vertex information and polygon Z-value information into polygon outline information. A horizontal interpolation device interpolates for the polygon interior, for each scan-line, using the polygon outline information provided by the polygon outline shape processing device. A hidden surface removal device performs a hidden surface removal operation as a result of comparing Z values of dots on a scan-line with Z values of corresponding dots previously stored in a Z-value line memory. A pixel drawing device determines mapping pattern information of dots on a scan-line, using polygon interior information provided by the horizontal interpolation device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing the complexity of hidden surface removal in 3D grapghic systems. A fuzzy projection (FF) of a surface (SU) as seen from a number of viewpoints (VP) in a bounding box (BB) is stored in a buffer (FA) having elements (FE). A combination of all the patches (PT) of the surface (SU) viewed form a fuzzy region (FR) where surfaces can be either visible, hidden, or unable to be determined with certainty as to whether or not visible/hidden. A non-fuzzy region (NF) describes those patches (PT) that are always visible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing video graphics processing that includes anti-aliasing begins when a video graphics processor receives vertex parameters of an object-element and walks a first edge of the object element and a second edge of the object element. The video graphics processor walks the first and second edges based on calculations involving a decision corner and an error term. The calculations indicate which direction to walk on a pixel by pixel basis, i.e., whether the walking should be in the major direction or the minor direction. The calculations also identify pixels that contain fragment pixel information, i.e., the pixels along the edges of the object element. For each fragment pixel, subpixel masks are created for each object element that is present in the fragmented pixel. From the subpixel masks, subpixel sequences are determined, which are used to produce pixel information of the fragment pixel.

Abstract: The user determines his/her desired color state in accordance with the color maps prepared in accordance with the color system corresponding to the human visual sense. The LUT characteristic values Lmin, amin, bmin, astep, and bstep are adjusted into adjusted values L′min, a′min, b′min, a′step, and b′step based on the user's designated color adjustment amounts &Dgr;L, &Dgr;C, &Dgr;RG, and &Dgr;YB. Then, based on the adjusted LUT characteristic values and the inputted Lab color data (Lx, ax, bx), discrimination number sets (Lgrid, agrid, bgrid) are determined for eight lattice points surrounding the inputted color data. With using CMY data sets (Ci, Mi, Yi) for the eight lattice points, an interpolation calculation is achieved to calculate a CMY control data set (Cx, Mx, Yx) for the inputted color data set (Lx, ax, bx).

Abstract: There is described a method for determining the relative location between a rectangle and a polygon. First, a box that bounds the polygon is created. An outside indicator is returned if the rectangle is outside the box. An intersect indicator is returned if the box is entirely inside the rectangle. If an odd/even fill process is in use then first the intersect indicator is returned if the rectangle intersects with the polygon or if a subpath bounding box is entirely inside the rectangle. Finally, if the location of the rectangle has not yet been returned, the location of a single point of the rectangle is returned. If a non-zero winding fill process is in use, first, the intersect indicator is returned if at least one corner of the rectangle is in a different side of the polygon than remaining corners of the rectangle.

Abstract: In a distributed computer system, a method for lossless compression of a graphical line within an application server allows the compressed line data to be transmitted over a low bandwidth transport mechanism to a graphical user interface for display on a workstation. The application server determines, from graphical line data representative of the graphical line, coordinate locations for the endpoints of each sub-path of the graphical line and attributes of each sub-path. The application server generates a compressed line data packet of variable length which includes the coordinate location data and attribute data for each sub-path of the graphical line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a display list permitting multiple states of the same type for a single primitive. By introducing a plurality of state variables of the same type in a predetermined order in a display list before a primitive description, different state variables of the same type are applied to different vertex descriptors of the primitive. In one embodiment, the state variables introduced are starting addresses of the groups of vertices addressable by vertex indices of the primitive. In a case where the primitive is a triangle, up to three different starting addresses might be introduced into the display list (one corresponding to each vertex of the triangle). By introducing multiple starting addresses, the vertex indices of the triangle description can be significantly shortened, the concern about variable length inputs can be eliminated, and each index is independent of its predecessor in the master display list.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying data by determining an information content factor for a given datum and determining an information content threshold. The given datum is displayed if the information content factor of the given datum exceeds the information content threshold.

Abstract: A graphic processor comprises a timing generator to output the signal for operation timing control according to the clock signal, the vertical sync signal and the horizontal sync signal, a drawing processor to output the graphic data of the object figures, a selection section to output the display buffer address signal under the control of the timing generator, a display buffer to which the graphic data output from the drawing processor is input and which outputs the display data signal under the control of the timing generator, a mask section to mask the display data signal output from the display buffer as required and a status register to control the mask section according to the display buffer address signal.

Abstract: A memory device in which a plurality of data can be read out by giving one address and a plurality of data can be read out without adding more address lines is provided, and therefore, the circuit integration is not degraded. The memory device includes: m memory array banks, each including row and column address decoders; a first circuit for receiving one address and generating m row addresses and n column addresses by shifting the one address by a predetermined value for each of the m row and n column addresses; and a second circuit for inputting each of the generated m row and n column addresses to the corresponding row and column address decoders of the m memory array banks.

Abstract: A label printer performs recording on a roll label comprising a number of label sheets bonded in succession on a release sheet. The printer utilizes an ink jet method to attain a smaller size and to print information accurately. The printer comprises a conveyance section for conveying the label roll to an ink jet print head, an ink supply section for supplying ink to the head, and a recovery unit for making the head performance stable. A conveyance surface of the label roll is made substantially horizontal, with the ink jet print head and the recovery unit disposed above the surface and the ink supply section disposed underneath the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method controls and varies a spacing between multiple print elements, such as ink jet print orifices, in a printing system. A signal representing at least one of an advance speed of a print medium in a feed direction in the printing system and an approximate drying time of an ink after being applied to the print medium is supplied to a controller. A device, responsive to the controller, varies the spacing between at least two print elements on the basis of at least one of the advance speed of the print medium and the approximate drying time of the ink.

Abstract: A carriage-mounted optical sensor for an ink-jet hard copy apparatus includes a unitary light tube member which holds the optical components in fixed positions relative to each other as well as relative to an outer protective casing which attaches to the carriage. The light tube member serves as a cap to capture two LEDs between itself and a protective casing, to capture an optical lens between itself and a photocell holder, and to directly engage the casing. An inner wall having light redirecting features provides an improved light path cylinder and the device obtains a more accurate representation of the test pattern mark shape, reflectance value, and position.