Abstract: Jigsaw connector pieces representing tasks to be performed are displayed on a computer screen, preferably hierarchically in a tree, to elucidate the relationships between tasks. To perform a task, a user positions an attachment jigsaw piece next to its corresponding connector piece. The user is then prompted to input or verify preferences in a properties panel. For example, a printer may be installed by interconnecting an attachment piece (corresponding to the printer to be installed) next to the printer connector piece in the tree. The user may be aided in the process of matching connector and attachment pieces through the use of matching colors and images on the pieces.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided for manipulating a presentation of a region of interest within visual information displayed on a display screen of a computer display system. The GUI includes: a first bounding shape surrounding the focal region; a second bounding shape surrounding the shoulder region; a base outline; a pickup point; a slide bar; a move area within the region of interest; at least one zoom area; and, a zoom button.

Abstract: A method for a user interface includes selecting information from a current location and placing the information in a queue for later placement at a destination, and then selecting a destination and placing the information at the destination. Responsive to the placing of the information in the queue, and until the placing of the information at the destination, the information is displayed in the current location and an appearance of a user display pointer shows that the queue has an entry. The queue is capable of holding second information concurrent with the first information.

Abstract: Scrolling through lengthy Web pages or other documents in search of particular data types or files is simplified. In a system for scrolling a displayed document using a scroll bar for indicating the position of the displayed data in the direction being scrolled, there is provided an implementation for determining the type of the displayed data being scrolled at a position, in combination with an implementation responsive to this determination for indicating within said scroll bar the type of data being scrolled at said position. A color indicator has been found to provide very effective indication.

Abstract: A processing system, for use with a user interface display including image elements for prompting user data entry, includes a binding database. The binding database includes elements for linking different first and second data item identifiers with corresponding different first and second prompt elements of a user interface display image. The first data item identifier identifies a set of allowable data items for entry by a user via the first prompt element. A database parser automatically examines the binding database to detect a change in binding database elements. A processor updates the set of allowable data items in response to any detected binding database change.

Abstract: Alternate access for physically impaired users to items normally displayed in drop down menus is provided by furnishing to users conventional means for displaying a sequential set of drop down menus, each having a plurality of selectable items together with conventional selection means scrolled along each of said menus. However, if the user feels unable to use or frustrated in using such scrolling menu techniques, he has the option to choose to display, as an alternative to this set of sequential menus, a hierarchical arrangement of selectable items corresponding to items in said set of menus. In the case where the menus in the sequential set of drop down menus sequentially vary from each other in scope, then the alternative hierarchical arrangement of selectable items may be a tree of items with sequential levels of varying scope respectively corresponding to the varying scope of said set of menus.

Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.

Abstract: Selection of a jump menu option on a wireless communication device presents the user with a dynamically defined, context sensitive menu that provides access to each previously visited card in the current navigation session. Access is additionally provided to cards containing help menus, personalized menus, and user tips. Help and tips menus can be context sensitive. The jump menu may be accessed by selecting a menu choice, icon, or soft-key presented on the display of the wireless device.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) is used for viewing a composite document comprised of separate documents having an ordered relationship. The GUI includes an area for displaying the separate documents and a control for use in selecting the separate documents for display in accordance with the ordered relationship. The GUI may also include a feature for altering the ordered relationship of the separate documents.

Abstract: A user interface system supports organization of hierarchies of image elements for incorporation in an XML (or other language) data specification. The system further supports generation of image representative code from the data specification and associated ancillary specifications including label, tool tip, help and history specification data, for example. A user interface system for composing a layout of an image page suitable for display on a display device includes a user interface image generator. The generator provides data representing a displayable image window indicating a hierarchical organization of items representing image elements available to be included in an image page. The hierarchical organization of items links a parent item representing a first image element with a child item representing a second image element to be contained within the first image element.

Abstract: In an interactive display interface, an implementation for highlighting all icons in any set of a plurality of said icons, wherein each icon in the set is within a predetermined distance of an approaching pointer or cursor. In other words, the point of the pointer or cursor may be considered to be surrounded by a circular halo with a radius of said predetermined distance. The user moves the cursor in a standard manner. However, if the icons that the moving cursor is approaching are so densely spaced that more than one, i.e. a plurality of icons come within the halo, then all of the icons within this set of the plurality of icons is highlighted to give the user a more distinct choice. The highlighting of each of said highlighted icons is ended when the pointer moves outside of said predetermined distance or halo radius. There is also an implementation for sequentially highlighting each icon in the set instead of simultaneously highlighting the set of icons.

Abstract: In an interactive display interface, an implementation switching to an alternate smaller sized cursor when the original sized cursor does not have the minimum clearance between the target icon and other adjacent icons to permit a clear user selection of the target icon. A predetermined minimum clearance factor is set. As the cursor moves toward the target icon, there is a determination made as to whether the arrangement of the target icon with respect to its adjacent icons exceeds the minimum clearance factor. If not, there is an implementation for reducing the size of the cursor so that the minimum clearance factor is exceeded.

Abstract: In an interactive display interface, an implementation for setting up around each of the selectable items, e.g. icons, a perimeter zone or halo at a predetermined distance from the perimeter of the item or icon. Thus, when an icon with such a halo is approached by an on-screen pointer, e.g. cursor, there are means for moving an adjacent icon which is within this halo to a screen position beyond this predetermined distance, i.e halo. The moved adjacent icons are subsequently returned to their original positions after a set period of time or after the pointer or cursor has moved beyond the approached icon.

Abstract: A handheld device (100), a graphical handwriting user interface (“HUI”), a method of interfacing handwritten text and a program product therefor. A lower portion of a touch-enabled display is designated as a handwriting input area (104). Recognized text is displayed at the top of the screen. As each handwritten word is entered (142) into the designated screen input area, a check is made (144) to determine when the handwritten entry is complete by pressing a space key or by a special pen gesture. When the handwritten entry is complete, the handwriting recognition engine matches (146) the handwritten input against words in the system dictionary as supplemented by the user dictionary and a confidence score is attached (148) to the top scoring word.

Abstract: A chart recorder or other applicable instrument uses the chart or other recording medium for programming purposes, thereby obviating the need for additional keypads and/or displays. By placing this chart onto the recorder, and by moving the pen to select among the available options, the unit is automatically programmed in accordance with the selections, without the need for controls other than those used for pen and/or chart movement. Since the position of the chart is known due to the spatial alignment with the start position, and the position of the marker is always known, selection of the programming features is unambiguous according to the invention. In addition to circular chart recorders, the invention applies to strip-chart recorders, plotters, printers, and other pieces of equipment wherein the position of a marker and/or paper or other substrate is known or determinable.

Abstract: A chart recorder or other applicable instrument uses the recording medium for programming purposes, thereby obviating the need for additional keypads and/or displays. By placing the recording medium onto the recorder, and by moving the pen and/or medium to select among the available options, the unit is automatically programmed in accordance with the selections. Position is known due to the spatial alignment with a start position, resulting in an unambiguous programming. In addition to circular chart recorders, the invention applies to strip-chart recorders, plotters, printers, and other pieces of equipment wherein the position of a marker and/or paper or other substrate is known or determinable. An advantage of the invention is that the chart is produced in confirmation of the settings, thereby leaving a user or operator with a printed record of the way in which the unit was programmed.

Abstract: Various methods for laminating a high quality transparency which consist of the steps: creating an imaged receiver sheet (140) with a first support layer (150); laminating an imageless second receiver sheet (160) with an second support layer (170) to the imaged receiver sheet (140) thereby encapsulating the image (290); removing the first support layer (150) thereby forming an image sheet (180); laminating the image sheet (180) to a clear plastic base (190), and removing the second support layer (170).

Abstract: A lead screw assembly (251) for preventing axial movement of a lead screw (250) within a write engine system (200) includes a threaded shaft (252) having a ball end (263) and a first member attached to the ball end (263). A second member is arranged to be magnetically attracted to the first member and spaced apart from the first member so as to prevent mechanical friction between the first and second members. The first and second members prevent substantial axial movement of the threaded shaft (252) while it rotates. The first member may comprise a magnet insertably attached to the ball end (263) such that the ball end (263) is annularly surrounded by the first member. An end cap (268) may be attached to provide an axial-stop for the lead screw (250).

Abstract: An improved, large-format digital inkjet print engine that includes a group of co-operating print engine subassemblies that embody various novel elements that both discreetly and cumulatively advance the current art. The group of subassemblies and sensors cooperate to produce high quality graphic images using a plurality of different colors of ink and different types of print media at speeds several times faster than similar conventional inkjet printers. In addition, the use of cooperating elements permit the manufacture of complex, large-format digital color inkjet print engines that are less expensive to fabricated, operated, and serviced. The present invention finds use in large-format digital color printing and imaging, where successful repeatable printing requires precise placement of droplets of ink, toner or other marking material on a print medium such as paper, vinyl, film, or similar substrate.

Abstract: In the first embodiment, gradation reproduction with a same ink is performed by (i) setting as a unit of gradation reproduction a group of N contiguous pixels (where N is an integer of at least 2) arranged in the main scan direction or the sub scan direction; (ii) setting the volume of ink ejectable onto at least one pixel location of the N pixels to a value different from the volume of ink ejectable onto other pixel locations; and (iii) controlling the volume of ink at each pixel location of the N pixels to reproduce M gradation levels (where M is an integer of at least N+2) for each group of the N pixels. In the second embodiment, low-resolution image data are generated based on high-resolution image data when the print control device outputs printing data to the printing device, assuming that each group of high-resolution pixels adjacent to each other constitute one low-resolution pixel. The low-resolution image data are used to eject ink drops onto each high-resolution pixel.

Abstract: A method for determining the skew of a printhead of a printer. At least three images are printed which are at least partially aligned substantially along the printhead scan direction with the middle image printed from one of the upper and lower portions of the printhead and with the adjacent images printed from the other of the upper and lower portions of the printhead. A sensor is moved in the printhead scan direction over the images. A function is calculated from the sensor output, wherein the calculated function indicates the skew of the printhead.

Abstract: In an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink collection unit is disposed on a moving path of a recording head for receiving ink drops ejected from the recording head to which a flushing drive signal is supplied. The ink collecting unit is formed with an aperture through which the ink drops ejected from the recording head pass, and an air flow passage.

Abstract: An ink cartridge of the present invention has a storage element, in which plural pieces of specific information relating to an ink cartridge are stored at specific addresses that respectively occupy minimum bits required for storage. Namely the storage capacities required for storing the respective pieces of specific information are different from one another. For example, a piece of information on the year of manufacture is registered in a data length of 7 bits, a piece of information on the month of manufacture is registered in a data length of 4 bits, and a piece of information on the date of manufacture is registered in a data length of 5 bits. A piece of information on the time (hour) of manufacture is registered in a data length of 5 bits, and a piece of information on the time (minute) of manufacture is registered in a data length of 6 bits.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an ink discharge port of an ink jet recording head, which is provided with the ink discharge port for discharging an ink liquid droplet for adhesion thereof to a recording medium, a liquid chamber for retaining ink to be supplied to the discharge port, an ink flow path communicated with the discharge port and the liquid chamber, an energy generating element provided for a part of the ink flow path, and an ink supply port for supplying ink from outside to the liquid chamber, comprises the step of processing and forming the wall face inside the ink discharge surface of the ink discharge port in a surface condition having irregularity of 0.3 micrometer or more and 1 micrometer or less as the standard deviation value for the surface roughness thereof.

Abstract: An ink-jet cartridge constructed with an ink-jet printing head and an ink tank is positioned and filed on an upper surface of a base in a condition where ink ejection opening forming surface of the head is oriented upwardly. The ink ejection opening forming surface is contacted with a lower end portion of an elastic member which is movable in a direction of arrow a or arrow b. By sucking through suction hole or the like of the elastic member, vacuum pressure is introduced into a space between the elastic member and the ink ejection opening forming surface to discharge bubbles residing in liquid passages or floating up to the ink ejection openings.

Abstract: A recording apparatus that records images on a recording medium by use of an ink jet recording head to discharge ink from discharge ports comprises a cap covering the discharge port surface of the ink jet recording head having discharge ports formed thereon, being capable of receiving ink discharged from the discharge ports, idle suction means for exhausting ink received by the cap to the outside, predischarge means for pre-discharging ink from the ink jet recording head to the inside of the cap at designated time intervals aside from recording operation, accumulating means for accumulating the amount of ink consumption by the predischarge, first comparison means for comparing the amount of ink consumption accumulated by the accumulating means with a first threshold value per predischarge, first predischarge control means for controlling to reduce the amount of ink discharge for predischarge to follow in accordance with the comparison result provided by the first comparison means, second comparison means for

Abstract: A planetary gear mechanism is assembled into a pump unit frame with an ink supply pump, a buffer purge pump, a suction pump, a motor shaft gear, and a wiper member. The buffer purge pump and the suction pump are configured to be selectively driven by switching rotational direction of a motor having the motor shaft gear. The planetary gear mechanism transmits drive force from the motor shaft gear to the buffer purge pump or the suction pump in accordance with rotational direction. The buffer purge pump and the wiper member are selectively driven by the rotations of the motor rotating in the same direction in phase-dependent on the rotations of the motor.

Abstract: A printer includes a position detecting mechanism for detecting and calibrating a position of a carriage on a track, and a print head installed on the carriage for printing a document. The position detecting mechanism has a first portion installed at a calibration position neighboring the track, and a second portion installed on the carriage. The calibration position is positioned within a document printing range of the print head so that the second portion is capable of passing by the first portion during a printing process.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and methods for manufacturing an optical member, such as a color filter, using a scanning ink-jet head, where all nozzles of the ink-jet head precisely scan formation regions of pixels. In accordance with the invention, the accuracy of discharge position of ink from each nozzle is increased, the utilization of the nozzle (printing efficiency) is heightened, variations in color from pixel to pixel are controlled, and optical characteristics of an optical member is thus made uniform in plan view. In the method for manufacturing a color filter, a plurality ink-jet heads 22, each head having a plurality of nozzles 27, performs a main scan and a sub scan.

Abstract: A fluid ejection assembly includes a substrate and a plurality of fluid ejection devices each mounted on the substrate. The substrate includes a frame formed of a first material and a body formed of a second material such that the body substantially surrounds the frame and forms a first side and a second side of the substrate with each of the fluid ejection devices being mounted on the first side of the substrate.

Abstract: A passivation layer for a thermal ink jet printhead is provided. The material of the passivation layer can be a Co-based alloy with 25-30 wt % Cr or an Fe-based alloy with ≦10 wt. % Co, ≦20 wt. % Cr, ≦10 wt. % Mn. The passivation layer is amorphous and the surface is substantially atomically smooth or has a controlled surface roughness. The passivation layer displays resistance to cavitation and chemical corrosion and is conformally disposed over a resistor by sputtering or other physical vapor deposition techniques.

Abstract: A highly accurate, downsized ink-jet recording head producible at low cost by using a thin-film deposition technology is provided.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead containing at least one ink channel communicating with a nozzle and defined between two opposed side walls; a membrane interconnecting the side walls; and actuating elements arranged adjacent to the membrane for deflecting the same, wherein the side walls and the membrane are formed by a one-piece member.

Abstract: A multilayer piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric layered body having a driving-side external electrode and a connection-side external electrode disposed at one side surface of the piezoelectric layered body, in which a plurality of actuator units are formed by dividing the piezoelectric layered body by a slit extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the piezoelectric layered body. A cutaway portion is provided in the one side surface of the piezoelectric layered body where the driving-side external electrode and the connection-side external electrode are located so that the cutaway portion is substantially parallel to driving internal electrodes and a connecting internal electrode. The cutaway portion has a width that allows it to reach a location above the bottom end of the slit from the bottom surface of the piezoelectric layered body but that does not allow it to reach the driving internal electrodes.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet printer in which a continuous ink stream is deflected at the printhead nozzle bore without the need for charged deflection plates or tunnels. The printhead includes a primary ink delivery channel which delivers a primary flow of pressurized ink through an ink staging chamber to the nozzle bore to create an undeflected ink stream from the printhead. A secondary ink delivery channel adjacent to the primary channel is controlled by a thermally actuated valve to selectively create a lateral flow of pressurized ink into the primary flow thereby causing the emitted ink stream to deflect in a direction opposite to the direction from which the secondary ink stream impinges the primary ink stream in the ink staging chamber.

Abstract: An ink delivery system and method for continuously replenishing ink to a printhead cartridge is described. A primary ink reservoir is connected to a vented intermediate tank using a hollow needle that pierces a septum in the primary ink reservoir. The intermediate ink tank is connected via tubing to a print ink container in the printhead cartridge. Ink is gravity fed from the primary ink reservoir to the intermediate ink tank. When the primary reservoir is empty, the ink level in the intermediate tank will drop. The level of ink in the intermediate tank is monitored with level sensors that provide a signal indicating when the primary reservoir needs to be replaced. An operator can replace the primary reservoir without suspending printer operations because the intermediate ink tank provides the required volume of ink at the back pressure needed by the printhead cartridges.

Abstract: An ink jet recording device including a head unit and a support member. The head unit includes a head member that ejects ink in a predetermined direction and a head-unit-side connection member formed with a first channel in fluid connection with the head member for supplying ink to the head member. The support member detachably supports the head unit. The support member includes a support-member-side connection member formed with a second channel. While the support member supports the head unit, the support-member-side connection member and the head-unit-side connection member are connected to each other with the second channel and the first channel in fluid communication. Also, the connection members extend in a substantial linear relationship at an angle.

Abstract: A method for bonding inkjet printer cartridge elements utilizes adhesive film to bond an inkjet cartridge element to an inkjet printer cartridge body. The adhesive film is preformed to a desired shape and formed with selected openings to match with troughs located on the ink cartridge element bonding spot of the inkjet printer cartridge body. The adhesive film is placed on the bonding spot between the inkjet cartridge element and the inkjet printer cartridge body, and pressure or heat is then applied to bond the inkjet cartridge element, adhesive film and inkjet printer cartridge body tightly and securely.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has a container main body 2 having a through hole 60 for making an ink storage chamber and an atmospheric open chamber 501 to communicate with each other, and an atmospheric open valve 601 having a valve body 65 capable of opening and closing the through hole 60 of the container main body 2 and an elastic member 62 capable of pressing the valve body 65 in a closed direction. In an assembling structure of the atmospheric open valve 601 in the atmospheric open chamber 501, the valve body 65 is placed at such a position blocking the opening of the through hole 60, the elastic member 62 is positioned in the atmospheric open chamber 501 as a bend piece shaped like<is expanded, and the elastic member 62 in the positioned state presses at one end part the valve body 65 in the closed direction and is fixed at an opposite end part to the inside of the atmospheric open chamber 501.

Abstract: An aperture provided in a bottom wall of an ink cartridge is designed to break the surface tension of the ink as the ink proceeds toward an outlet port. For example, serrated edges, tapering conformations, cruciform dividing walls, different diameter regions in the outlet passage, etc. are all designed to prevent the formation of large bubbles or preclude the migration of air bubbles to the region of the outlet passage where the print needle of an associated printer extends.

Abstract: A structure which includes a container for reserving a predetermined amount of ink to be supplied to a printing head and in which a supply system is configured such that ink is intermittently supplied to the container from an ink tank as an ink supply source makes it possible to reduce the time for charging the container with ink. A member for holding ink and generating a negative pressure originating from an elastic force is provided in the container. With connecting the tank and the member, the pressure in the container is reduced to cause the member to expand, thereby introducing ink into the same. This introduction is stopped by regulating the expansion with a displaceable unit. A negative pressure is generated in the member by canceling regulation by the unit to put it in equilibrium with an ink meniscus holding ability of the printing head.

Abstract: An inkjet recording device including a tank incorporated inside an inkjet recording head and divided into a large-capacity main chamber and first and second vertically-arranged needle-receiving chambers. Each needle-receiving chamber includes a connecting hole for communication with the main chamber and an opening for receiving a needle. First and second needles that pass through corresponding first and second resilient joints that seal the opening are inserted into the corresponding first and second needle-receiving chambers. The upper first needle is connected to a pump for discharging air through a first tube, and the lower second needle is connected to a main tank for supplying ink through a second tube. In each needle-receiving chamber, the connecting hole is positioned above the opening, and/or the connecting hole is made small. When the connecting hole is above the opening, the inkjet recording device reduces the tendency of ink to solidify near holes of the needles used to supply ink.

Abstract: For eliminating waste of ink and achieving high charging efficiency with a reduced charging time where a printing head is equipped with a second tank for reserving a predetermined amount of ink and a supply system is configured to supply ink from a first tank to the second tank intermittently, a second tank having a variable internal volume is provided, and the internal volume is varied to cause the second tank itself functions as an actuator for charging ink and performing a venting process. Specifically, the internal volume is forcibly reduced to cause a reverse flow of a gas residing in the second tank along with ink into the first tank, which makes it possible to generation of waste ink that is released to the outside. A normal charging operation can be completed simply by causing a change in the opposite direction (the direction of increasing the internal volume).

Abstract: In a structure which includes a second tank for reserving a predetermined amount of ink to be supplied to a printing head and in which a supply system is configured such that ink is intermittently supplied to the second tank from a first tank, a high charging efficiency to and shortened processing time for charging the second tank, and high overall usability of ink are achieved. In an orientation upon using the printing apparatus, a port of a channel located at the second tank side for supplying ink from the first tank to the second tank is arranged relatively high position and an outlet port for supplying ink from the second tank to the head is arranged relatively low position in relation to the direction of gravity, and a port of the channel located at the first tank side is arranged at the bottom of the first tank.

Abstract: To eliminate influence of air bubbles introduced into an ink jet head along with ink, an ink circulation pathway is provided which includes first to third ink channels. The first ink channel is connected between the sub-tank and a buffer tank to supply ink in the sub-tank to the buffer tank. The buffer tank is provided in a head unit to be mounted on an ink jet printer body. The second ink channel is connected between the buffer tank and the sub-tank. Any air or bubbles that have accumulated at the upper portion of the buffer tank can be discharged to the sub-tank by the pumping operation of a buffer purge pump disposed in the second ink channel. The third ink channel is connected between an ink cartridge and the sub-tank, and ink stored in the ink cartridge is supplied to the sub-tank through the third ink channel by the pumping operation of a ink supply pump disposed in the third ink channel when the ink stored in the sub-tank has gone below a certain fixed amount.

Abstract: The invention provides curable ink compositions that are inkjet printable and that adhere to a variety of substrates, for example, glass and polymer. The ink compositions of the invention can be formulated so to provide cured inks that are very flexible or very rigid depending upon the desired application. The invention provides a cure-on-demand curable ink composition comprising a homogeneous mixture of at least one of: (a) a compound having 2 reactive silyl groups, and (b) a compound having at least 3 reactive silyl groups; acid generating catalyst; and pigment or pigment chip. The invention also provides methods of making and using the ink compositions and imaged articles.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink set, a process for forming a colored portion and an ink-jet recording apparatus which are used for obtaining higher-quality ink-jet recorded articles. The ink set comprises an aqueous ink containing at least an ultrafinely particulate pigment as a coloring material and an aqueous liquid composition containing fine particles, dispersed therein and electrically charged at the surface in a polarity opposite to the ink.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of preparing an inkjet ink imaged lithographic printing plate, comprising the steps of: imagewise applying onto a substrate coated with an inkjet ink reactive coating composition comprising a diazonium material, an inkjet ink to produce an imaged coated substrate wherein the inkjet ink imaged regions are oleophilic and more developer-insoluble than non-imaged regions; and contacting said imaged and non-imaged regions of said an imaged coated substrate and an aqueous developer to selectively remove said coating from said developer soluble non-imaged regions. The present invention also includes a lithographic printing plate, such as an inkjet ink imaged lithographic printing plate, which is prepared by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: Method for high definition printing to be dip transferred to a three-dimensional article comprises four color process printing a digital image from a digital image file onto a water soluble polymer film with solvent based ink to form a printed water soluble film and dip transfer printing the solvent based ink image through transcription on the surface of the article. The method is suitable for printing three-dimensional articles of a variety of shapes with high definition, photographic-quality images. The method is particularly suitable for decorating articles with complex images such as camouflage patterns.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to stably correct and control the image write position of a recording medium in a horizontal scanning direction (main scanning direction) at low cost and high precision in an image forming apparatus having a function of detecting the end of a recording medium by a photosensor, and correcting and controlling the image write position in the horizontal scanning direction on the basis of the detection result. In the arrangement of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the light amount of a sheet end detection unit is adjusted by itself such that the end of a recording medium can always be detected at an appropriate light amount regardless of the state of the sheet end detection unit. The image write position in a direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the recording medium convey direction is corrected and controlled on the basis of a high-precision end detection result.