Abstract: Consumable components associated with computerized apparatus are provided with memory. The memory is used to store, and provide downloading capability therefrom, upgrade versions of computer code. The upgrade versions of computer code are programs or subroutines of programs associated with a device selected from a group including, the consumable, the associated computerized apparatus, and interactional program code associated with both the consumable device and the associated computing apparatus.

Abstract: A method of cleaning spaced nozzles in a printhead of a drop-on-demand inkjet printer in which a slight negative pressure is desired in an ink reservoir in order to prevent ink drool from the nozzles, comprises: deforming a compliant pressure regulator membrane that covers an opening in an ink reservoir, inwardly at the opening, to decrease the ink holding volume of the reservoir; deforming a compliant valve membrane that covers an opening in the ink reservoir and caps an ink conduit projecting into the reservoir, outwardly at the opening and away from the ink conduit, to uncap the ink conduit in order that the ink conduit can provide ink delivery at a positive pressure into the reservoir and out through the nozzles to clean the nozzles; returning the compliant valve membrane inwardly towards the ink conduit to recap the ink conduit in order to terminate ink delivery into the reservoir; and returning the compliant pressure regulator membrane outwardly to increase the ink holding volume of the reservoir in ord

Abstract: A print head for a pagewidth printer includes a substrate that defines a plurality of ink inlet channels. A plurality of nozzle arrangements is positioned on the substrate. The nozzle arrangements are in fluid communication with the ink inlet channels and are the product of an integrated circuit fabrication process. The nozzle arrangements define a pattern which is the result of carrying out successive replications of one nozzle arrangement with predetermined rotations and multipliers on a reference grid.

Abstract: A gradation control system includes means for deriving 2n decoded data from lower n bits expressing a gradation per dot, means for grouping the 2n decoded data with respect to a plurality of dots, to produce 2n first bit planes, means for giving to an element a signal of pattern corresponding to each of the first bit planes for a time obtained by adding a time that depends on a decoded value of each of the first bit planes, to an initializing time, means for grouping, per bit weight, respective bits excluding the lower n bits that express the gradation per dot, to produce a second bit plane, and means for giving to the element a signal of pattern corresponding to the second bit plane for a time that depends on a weight of the second bit plane.

Abstract: A method of producing an object through solid freeform fabrication includes using two immiscible fluids to create a release envelope around the object.

Abstract: A bubble-jet type ink-jet printhead is provided. The bubble-jet type ink-jet printhead includes a substrate, a plurality of chamber walls arranged parallel to one another on the substrate for dividing a chamber into a plurality unit chambers having a predetermined height, which are ink flow areas, a bubble generating means, provided for each unit chamber, which includes two unit heaters spaced apart by a predetermined distance on the substrate, and a nozzle plate, combined above the substrate, in which a plurality of nozzles are formed, each nozzle corresponding to a region between the two unit heaters of each bubble generating means. In this case, ink is supplied from both sides of the unit chamber. The ink-jet printhead is constructed such that a unit chamber is provided for each nozzle and bubbles are generated chamber on both sides of a nozzle within the unit chamber, thereby effectively preventing a back flow of ink while facilitating adjustment of the size of ink droplet ejected through the nozzle.

Abstract: A printer includes an inkjet printhead having a plurality of nozzles. The nozzles include a thermal actuator and drive circuitry for operating the thermal actuator. The drive circuitry and actuator overlie a common area of the support substrate.

Abstract: A narrow ink jet printhead having efficient FET drive circuits that are configured to compensate for parasitic resistances of power traces. The ink jet printhead further includes ground busses that overlap active regions of the FET drive circuits.

Abstract: A piezo-electric inkjet printing system includes an array of transducers. The array includes at least a first transducer and a second transducer. The first transducer is coupled to a first foot, and elongates in response to a first stimulus, causing ink to eject from a first ink chamber. The second transducer is coupled to a second foot, and elongates in response to a second stimulus, causing ink to eject from a second ink chamber. The first transducer is mechanically isolated from the second transducer.

Abstract: An inkjet head includes a common ink puddle section, a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzle orifices, an ink flow channel substrate having grooves communicating from the common ink puddle section to the nozzle orifices, and being formed alternatively in front and back surfaces of the ink flow channel substrate, to end sections of the grooves the nozzle plate being fixed, a chamber plate being stacked on the ink flow channel substrate, and having pressure generation chambers corresponding to the nozzle orifices, a diaphragm stacking on the chamber plate opposite from the ink flow channel substrate, a pressure generator provided on the diaphragm for the respective pressure generation chambers to generate a change in an internal pressure. Preferably, a volumetric capacity of the pressure generation chambers is changed in accordance with a change in the pressure, to eject an ink droplet from the nozzle orifice.

Abstract: A liquid-jet head effective in prevention of imperfect eject such as occlusion of a nozzle, a method of fabricating the liquid-jet head, and a liquid-jet apparatus are provided. In a liquid-jet head having a passage-forming substrate on which a pressure-generating chamber communicating with a nozzle orifice is formed, a plurality of piezoelectric elements provided on one side of the passage-forming substrate via a vibration plate, each of the piezoelectric elements comprising a lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer and an upper electrode, the passage-forming substrate is provided with a communicating path communicating with one end in a longitudinal direction of the pressure-generating chamber so as to penetrate the passage-forming substrate. In addition, a penetrated portion for supplying a liquid to the communicating path is formed in a region of the vibration plate opposite to the communicating path by laser processing.

Abstract: An ink container that includes a first ink chamber for containing ink, a second ink chamber fluidically connected to the first ink chamber for receiving ink from the first ink chamber, a one-way valve for permitting a flow of ink from the first ink chamber to the second ink chamber, an ink supply conduit connected to the second ink chamber, and a mechanism for selectively pressurizing the second ink chamber.

Abstract: An ink cartridge refilling station incorporates a receptacle for receiving an ink cartridge, a supply of ink and a refilling mechanism for automatically adding ink to the ink cartridge from the supply of ink. An ink cartridge, for use with the cartridge refilling station, includes a reservoir for holding a supply of ink and an input port communicating with the reservoir, the port being configured to receive ink from the automated ink refilling station.

Abstract: In a liquid cartridge, a surface of a valve lid side of a valve member communicates with a liquid supplying part, a surface of a first part of a wall face side of a liquid containing section communicates with the liquid containing section, in regard to the valve member, and a surface of a second part communicates with the liquid supplying part, and if the pressure of the liquid supplying part is smaller than the pressure of the liquid containing section, the valve member is pressed to the valve lid side, the liquid containing section and the liquid supplying part communicate with each other over the first and second parts of the valve member, the valve member is formed of a material softer than the wall face of the liquid containing section, and a projection is provided on a surface being in contact with the valve member in regard to the wall face of the liquid containing section along an outer circumference surrounding the first and second parts of the valve member, being in pressure contact with the valve m

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a printing device includes a sub-assembly for positioning ink on a print media. The printing device also includes a conditioning sub-assembly having a plurality of components, wherein the plurality of components has a first configuration to transfer conditioning material to the print media as the print media is fed through the printing device and a second configuration that does not transfer conditioning material to the print media as the print media is fed through the printing device.

Abstract: Individual droplets of a liquid composition landing on a printing medium during one pass (one scan) are connected to the respective adjacent droplets and integrated with them to form a flat coat layer. Thus, the surface of the coat layer is almost flat, thus increasing the amount of regularly reflected light. This increases the degree of gloss. When the liquid composition is ejected during two passes, a smaller number of droplets of the liquid composition can be connected together than in the case of one pass. Thus, the droplets are not completely integrated and start to be insolubilized before the second scan. In this manner, the individual droplets are insolubilized while maintaining their original shapes. The resultant coat layer has a surface with many concaves and convexes. Consequently, the degree of gloss decreases.

Abstract: Many holes are formed in a platen that supports a paper. A suction fan generates suction force through these holes to thereby bring the paper into close contact with a surface of the platen. Ink ejection regions to which printing heads eject ink are set on a paper supporting side of the platen. The holes are formed in other regions in the platen than regions corresponding to vicinities of longitudinal ends of the ink ejection regions.

Abstract: Many holes are formed in a platen that is so disposed as to confront a printing head. A suction fan disposed under the platen generates suction force through the holes formed in the platen to thereby bring a paper into close contact with a surface of the platen. On a back surface of the platen, disposed is an airflow restriction plate formed with openings that correspond to a part of the holes in the platen. Before a leading edge of the paper arrives at the platen, the airflow restriction plate closes the holes. In association with a conveyance of the paper, the airflow restriction plate moves in a paper conveyance direction on the back surface of the platen and, at the same time, opens the closed holes sequentially from upstream in the paper conveyance direction. This can restrict inflow of air into the holes located downstream, in the paper conveyance direction, of the leading edge of the paper.

Abstract: It is provided a rewritable printing method and its printer in which a heat sensitive medium with a leuco type coating applied is used to rewrite the information repeatedly, printing can be performed in the same way as the conventional technique, and the medium easily as the transmission means of the information, thereby extremely contributing to the improvement of environmental issues relating to the use of paper.

Abstract: A thermal processor having a contaminant removal system. The system includes a heated drum for heat developing exposed heat developable media which emit airborne contaminants during the development; a plurality of rollers located about a circumferential segment of the drum to hold an exposed media in contact with the drum; an enclosure for enclosing the heated drum and plurality of rollers, the enclosure including a first upper curved member spaced from and enclosing the rollers and the upper portion of the drum and a second lower curved member spaced from and enclosing the lower portion of the drum, the first and second curved members having first ends spaced from each other and defining a film entrance region, and further having second ends spaced from each other and defining a film exit region; wherein the first upper curved member includes a curved duct having a first opening above the rollers and a second opening configured to direct gaseous fluids away from the film exit from the drum.

Abstract: A mirror mount adjusts the curvature of a cylindrical mirror along the optical axis of the mirror, typically the wobble correction mirror, to adjust the scanline bow for an optical scanner. By adjusting the curvature in the mirror mount of the cylindrical axis of the mirror in the plane parallel to the mirror, the scanline bows among multiple ROS's can be approximately equalized. A mirror mount has two fixed abutments on the upper edge of the cylindrical mirror and two moveable abutment points along the lower edge of the mirror. The mirror mount adjusts the curvature of the cylindrical mirror vertically for a horizontal beam to adjust the scanline bow for a single beam and approximately equalize the scanline bow for multiple. ROS units in the printing system. During the bow adjustment the cross sectional shape of the cylindrical mirror is maintained so that the cross scan spotsize is maintained during the adjustment.

Abstract: An optical scanner for writing an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier includes a scanning optical system that forms an optical scanning path, a pair of optical detecting units arranged at two positions on the optical scanning path for detecting a write-start position and a write-end position to measure a time for scanning from the write-start position to the write-end position, and an optical housing that houses at least the scanning optical system and the optical detecting units. The optical detecting units are mounted on the optical housing via an intermediate member having a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than that of the optical housing.

Abstract: A label printer system includes a disk storage medium including a thermally-sensitive layer formed on at least a portion of an upper surface. A rotational drive rotates the disk storage medium and a transverse drive moves a laser substantially transversely with respect to the disk storage medium. A memory includes a symbol set and a label printer driver. A processor uses the label printer driver to control the rotational drive and the transverse drive in order to thermally write the symbol set to the thermally-sensitive layer of the disk storage medium, using the laser.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus illuminates a pixel formation member with optical energy according to image data specifying a value for each pixel in the image. Some of the optical energy emitted to form a pixel is distributed over surrounding pixels; similarly, a pixel may receive peripheral optical energy that was emitted to form surrounding pixels. The amount of peripheral optical energy thus received is calculated, and the amount of optical energy emitted to form the pixel is adjusted to compensate for the peripheral optical energy, so that the total optical energy received by the pixel has the intended value. Image irregularities are thereby avoided, even if the image formation apparatus employs multiple light-emitting elements with different energy emission distributions.

Abstract: An isolation system comprising: a substantially rectangular stationary frame; an imaging assembly including a curved platen for supporting image media and an exposure assembly for imagewise exposing a supported image media to produce exposed image media, wherein the imaging assembly has a substantial rectangular footprint and is sized to fit within the stationary frame; and a cable and spring assembly for suspending the imaging assembly from the frame to substantially isolate the imaging assembly from sources of external vibration.

Abstract: An apparatus for registering film in a drum scanner assembly comprising: a horizontally oriented concave curved film platen having first and second horizontal edge regions and third and fourth curved side edge regions connected between first and second edge regions, the concave, curved film platen having a curved surface defining a curved film path from the first edge region to the second edge region; a plurality of slider assemblies having film engagement members mounted relative to the platen to engage film fed into the film platen, the film engagement members being independently slidable within the slider assemblies; and means for simultaneously moving the slider assemblies according to the size of film to be fed onto the film platen such that all of the film engagement members are aligned across the platen in a direction perpendicular to the film path; wherein as film is fed onto the film platen from the first edge region along the curved film path toward the second edge region, the leading edge of the fi

Abstract: In an internal drum scanner assembly having a curved platen for supporting media during exposure by a laser image scanner, media positioning apparatus comprising: a media feed device for feeding media onto the curved platen; and an assembly for pushing the media out of the feed device into the scanning region of the platen so that a borderless image can be produced on the media.

Abstract: A computer-aided telecommunication system and method for communication and financial transactions which employs an on-line website to allow those skilled and unskilled in computer operation to communicate with others and conduct diverse financial transactions at any time and from any computer or electronic device adapted for access to the Internet. Subscribers and others can conduct real-time visual communication with remotely located parties, exchange still and moving images, distribute written information, make purchases, and manage accounts at a lower cost than alternative forms of communication. The system comprises a minimum of one control station and many remote e-mail/ATM stations placed in secure monitored locations. Each subscriber is assigned a unique access code and e-mail address, and undergoes identity confirmation procedures prior to system use.

Abstract: In an information processing system provided with a camera and a microphone, for transmitting and receiving information of a user to and from another information processing system through a transmission lime, image data of the user obtained by a camera is stored in a memory in advance. When one user communicates another user, image data of the one user is obtained by the camera and is synthesized with the image data stored in the memory in advance by image-processing. The clothes, hair, background, make-up etc. of the one user are made different to reality and the image data are transmitted to the another user in the communication.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for creating interactive virtual tours. In one embodiment, panoramic imaging systems characterized by a 360-degree lateral field of view and a vertical field of view that is usually less than 180 degrees are utilized and polynomial-based interpolation algorithms are used to correct distortions in the input panoramic images, video or rendered scenes, permitting the use of an arbitrary panoramic imaging system characterized by the ability to generate a seamless 360-degree panoramic view of the imaged scene in each single image frame.

Abstract: A device to test reflective concave surfaces, such as telescope mirrors, and refractive convex surfaces for astigmatism, by providing a dot with which to examine an image of a point source which is formed by such surfaces. The dot is preferably held in the light path with a thin piece of optical glass. An additional embodiment has a plurality of dots, also preferably mounted on a piece of glass, with which to examine an optical system. The devices can also be used to test for asphericity of the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for capturing a digital panoramic image, by projecting a panorama onto an image sensor by means of a fish-eye objective lens having a constant field angle relative to its optical axis, the image sensor being rectangular in shape. According to the present invention, the fish-eye objective lens is provided to project onto the image sensor, without reducing the field of view, a distorted panoramic image (ID1) that covers a number of pixels on the image sensor higher than the number of pixels that would be covered by an image disk. Advantages: improvement in the definition in a useful zone of the image, particularly to improve the quality of digital zooms.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a photography system that includes a digital camera and a digital printer. The digital photography system comprises a digital camera for capturing images and a digital printer for producing hardcopy prints. The camera includes an image sensor for capturing images; a memory for storing a plurality of the captured images; an image display for displaying the stored images. The printer includes a marking apparatus adapted to provide the images on a print; an electrical interface for transferring images from the camera to the printer; and user controls for controlling the digital photography system to provide a slide show operating mode to display each of the plurality of captured images for a set time interval as a current image on an image display, and responsive to a user engaging a print order user control during the set time interval, providing a print order indicating that the currently displayed image is to be printed.

Abstract: A system for printing print data that is multiplexed with a television-broadcast signal. By displaying a print button only when printing is possible, it is not possible for the user to determine whether there is no print data itself or there is no printing display because there is no printer. In this system, not only is print data detected, but the printer is also detected. When print data is detected but the printer is not detected, a display indicating that printing of the print data is not possible is performed to notify the user that printing is not possible because there is no printer even though there is print data.

Abstract: A self-photograph system that produces a strip having a number of photographs. The system includes a camera for capturing one ore more images of a user, at least one printer for printing one or more captured images, and photographic paper loaded in each of the printers, the paper having one or more weakened fold lines that divide the paper into at least two contiguous print areas, with a captured image printed in at least two such print areas, the printed images arranged on the paper either horizontally or vertically.

Abstract: In a camera provided with image-pickup elements for receiving light to form an image of a subject, for converting the light into electric signals and for producing image information of the image of the subject by the electric signals; there are further provided a print information producing device to produce print information for printing the image information; and a transmitor to transmit the image information and the print information.

Abstract: This invention is to simplify operations for photographing a subject and acquiring radio tag information. In this invention, when a radio tag information registration photographing mode is selected, and it is detected that the photographing button (shutter button) is pressed halfway, a radio tag detector generates a radio wave that excites a radio tag. Whether a response from the radio tag is received is then determined. When a response is received from the radio tag, and a radio tag ID can uniquely be decided, a status “photographing OK” is indicated. When the photographing button in the half-pressed state is pressed completely, image sensing processing is executed. Radio tag information and obtained image information are stored in an information format, in which they are paired.

Abstract: The luminous elements of the three colours red, green and blue of a plasma video display have different time responses. Therefore, a coloured trail/edge appears behind and in front of the edges of a moving object. In order to reduce the disturbing character of such coloured trails/edges, correcting the video data for blue and red phosphor elements to compensate for the different time responses discolour them. Then only a discoloured trail/edge appears which is less disturbing.

Abstract: The present invention is relative to a controlling method for a wireless camera in a wireless camera system. This wireless camera system (300) includes a wireless camera (210) capable of transmitting image signals over a wireless route, a cabled camera (310) for transmitting image signals over a cable, and a receiving apparatus (400) for receiving the image signals transmitted from each camera and for controlling the camera. The wireless camera superposes a response signal to a control signal from the receiving apparatus on the image signals to send the resulting signals to the receiving apparatus over a wireless route.

Abstract: The electronic camera has a release switch, an image pickup part, an extraction processing part, and an image composition part. The image pickup part performs continuous shooting according to an operation to the release switch to generate data of plural images in a multi-shooting mode. The extraction processing part changes an extracting rate according to the number of images generated and extracts data of a predetermined number of images from the generated data. The image composition part arranges the extracted image data to generate a composite image. Therefore, when the predetermined number of images are extracted at such intervals that intervals at which the images have been shot become substantially uniform, the first and last frame images in the composite image will coincide with ones which have been shot at the beginning and end of the continuous shooting. That is, the total shooting time can be arbitrarily set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus serves for converting a low resolution first image to a high resolution second image. The apparatus is includes a light sensor for receiving incident light radiated from a scene. The light sensor has a number of cells, each defining a predetermined area, and is arranged for cyclically scanning the low resolution first image a number of times while at least one driver moves the light sensor an identical number of times in at least one direction. For each step the light sensor is moved a distance corresponding to the extent of the area covered by the cell in the direction of movement while the total distance covered corresponds to the extent of the cell in the movement direction. Thereby a number of subareas are defined. A computer serves to establish a representation of the high resolution second image by calculating the representation of the received incident light from the scene at each subarea by software program.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an imaging system and method for operating an imaging system is provided. The imaging system has a metadata source adapted to generated a metadata signal in response to a manual metadata input action and a trigger system for generating a trigger signal in response to a trigger condition. An image capture system adapted to capture images is provided. A processor is operable to cause an image to be recorded only when the processor receives both a trigger signal and a metadata signal that uniquely correspond to the image.

Abstract: A driving circuit drives an image sensing device by a plurality of driving schemes. A memory stores pixel defect information as information about a pixel defect in the image sensing device in correspondence with each driving scheme. A signal processing circuit corrects the pixel defect by referring to the pixel defect information in the memory in accordance with the driving scheme with which the driving circuit drives the image sensing device.

Abstract: An electronic camera in which an analog signal output from a CCD image sensor is AD-converted and digital processing is performed on the AD-converted by an A/D converter in an analog front end, and the AD-converted signal DMA-transferred to a RAM through line memories in a signal processor. The signal processor controls a basic operating clock signal generated from a clock signal generation circuit so that the frequency of the clock signal is reduced during a read period in which processing including AD conversion of the analog signal output from the CCD image sensor is performed.

Abstract: A camera which can accurately inform a photographer of the number of times image taking is possible is disclosed. The camera comprises an image-pickup device which photoelectrically converts an object image to an electric signal, an image processing circuit which applies image processing to the image data obtained by using the image-pickup device and generates processed image data, a recording circuit which records the processed image data in a recording medium, a control circuit which causes the image processing circuit to perform image processing on the image data obtained through one-time image taking under a plurality of different conditions to generate a plurality of the processed image data, and an information output unit which outputs information on the remaining number of times image taking is possible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a CMOS imager with a reset scheme, by which a CMOS imager generates a sub-kTC noise so that read noise does not depend on the sense node capacitance. By using a column feedback circuit, reset noise can be suppressed to a negligible amount so that photogate APS or CCD-like circuits can achieve noise performance to very efficient value. This scheme allows increasing sense node capacitance without increasing the noise and also achieves a large full-well value without sacrificing read noise performance. The feedback circuit in one of the embodiment of the present invention is located at the column side of the circuit. This design provides a minimal change to the pixel. As a result quantum efficiency or pixel size is not compromised. The present invention allows a CMOS imager to capture scene with high intra-scene contracts under low illumination with high dynamic range.

Abstract: An electronic camera enabling printing of a higher-quality composite image, in which a digital still camera modifies imaging conditions so as to match a frame image selected by a user before imaging, thereby achieving a higher-quality composite image.

Abstract: An image reproduction apparatus includes a flash memory which adds recording time information to an image and records the image, and a control unit which classifies images in the memory on the basis of the added time information, limits the number of classified images for each date to one, and causes a display unit to display a calendar image as a list of images.

Abstract: A camera device comprises a movable optical system, a driving unit which drives the optical system, and a control unit which controls the driving unit to move the optical system to a predetermined state by an initialization processing based on a startup program which does not comprise an operating system and then controls the driving unit based on the control program comprising the operating system.

Abstract: The invention provides an image-sensing device for auto-judging exposure time, which includes a photoelectric sensing element, a measuring unit, and a row-column selector. The photoelectric sensing element is composed of a plurality of sensing units arranged in arrays to sense the light source and convert the sensed light energy into a current signal for outputting. Besides, a measuring unit is employed to measure the current signal and a corresponding exposure time is calculated according to the sensed current signal. Also, the row-column selector can divide the sensing units into several sections by setting up the row-column selector to select a specific section for highlight exposure. Therefore, not only can the invention instantly measure the sensed optical current sensed by the photoelectric sensing element to achieve the effect of auto-judging exposure time, but the invention also is selective in exposure, low in production cost and small in volume.