Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a micro-fluid ejection head for a micro-fluid ejection device. The head includes a semiconductor substrate, a fluid ejection actuator supported by the semiconductor substrate, a nozzle member containing nozzle holes attached to the substrate for expelling droplets of fluid from one or more nozzle holes in the nozzle member upon activation of the ejection actuator. The substrate further includes a thermal insulating barrier layer between the semiconductor substrate and the fluid ejection actuator. The thermal insulating barrier layer includes a porous, substantially impermeable material having a thermal conductivity of less than about 1 W/m-K.

Abstract: A plurality of land sections, each enclosed by two slits, are formed in a ground wire provided on a side of a flexible wiring board to which a piezoelectric element is connected. Since the ground wire and the land sections are connected by only a thin connection section, the solder deposited on the land sections does not flow to the ground wire.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element structure comprises a supporting substrate, and a piezoelectric film supported on the supporting substrate, in which the piezoelectric film contains a first layer, and a second layer having zirconium, each provided with perovskite structure, and formed to be in contact with each other or laminated through an intermediate layer, and the temperature is set at 500° C. or more at the time of thin film formation so as to provide the piezoelectric film, and a quick cooling is given from the thin film formation temperature at least to 450° C. with a cooling speed of 30° C./min or more for the formation thereof. The piezoelectric film thus formed is in a small thickness as compared with the conventional piezo-electric film, but presents a large piezoelectric constant, hence making it possible to perform efficient microprocessing thereof reliably.

Abstract: A print media and printing fluid cartridge is provided which is arranged to be removably mounted in juxtaposition to a printer of a digital photofinishing system. The cartridge has a tubular core to which a roll of print media is removably and rotatably mounted so as to be fed on demand to the printer and within which a plurality of printing fluid first cartridges are removably located so as to feed a plurality of printing fluids to the printer on demand, and a print media delivery arrangement for coupling with a print media drive mechanism of the digital photofinishing system so as to feed the print media from the roll on demand.

Abstract: An ink jet cartridge which includes an ink jet housing including a first valve and a primer portion coupled to the ink jet housing and covering the first valve is disclosed The primer portion includes a priming bulb and a second valve in the priming bulb, air flowing into the ink jet housing via the first valve when the priming valve is actuated, air flowing into the priming portion via the second valve when the priming bulb is released.

Abstract: A resealed inkjet printer cartridge and method of manufacture in which an ink cartridge is reconditioned, recharged and resealed by a process which substantially eliminates “air lock” or interruption of ink flow to the printer head due to entrained air; which provides for welding together recharged cartridge subassemblies without the use of consumable adhesive or glue; and having a keyless cap adapted for use in various keyed cartridge receptacle inkjet printers.

Abstract: In a phase-change ink image producing machine, better control flow of molten solid ink may be provided by a solid ink valve system including a valve plate with one or more valve ports, an umbilical connector, and a valve positioned between the valve plate and the umbilical connector. Ink flow between the valve plate and the umbilical connector may be asynchronously regulated by actuating the valve. Such actuation may be performed by heating and cooling the valve, by applying electric current to a coil that surrounds a valve element of the valve and to a wire provided in the valve element and/or by asynchronously actuating a valve associated with the valve port.

Abstract: An air babble trapping apparatus which traps an air bubble in ink includes: a filter having through holes formed in the substrate and an insulating layer with a low wettability formed in a surface of the substrate; and an electric potential control unit which controls an electric potential difference between the electroconductive substrate and the ink. When the electric potential difference is set to be zero, the air bubble in the ink is adhered to a surface of the filter because of the low wettability of the insulating layer. When the electric potential difference is set to be a predetermined value, the air bubble adhered to the surface of the filter is released since the wettability of the surface of the insulating layer of the filter is increased due to an electrowetting phenomenon.

Abstract: A magenta ink composition, wherein when the a* value in accordance with the CIE standard that is calculated from a visible absorption spectrum is 80 in a diluted aqueous solution with a dilution ratio of 10,000 or less, the b* value is ?29 or less.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a dye-based inkjet ink set and, more particularly, to a dye-based inkjet ink set suitable for printing on polyamide fabric. The present invention also pertains to a method for printing a polyamide fabric with the dye-based inkjet ink set, and a polyamide fabric so printed.

Abstract: An ink composition including a colorant, a cyclic amide compound, a cyclic dicarbonyl compound, and water, an ink cartridge including the same, and an inkjet recording apparatus including the same. The ink composition maintains high solubility and stability of a colorant, even when used in small amounts, thereby enhancing not only a storage stability but also a fusing property of the ink composition on a print medium, and thus reinfroces a rubbing resistance of the ink composition on the print medium. The ink composition is easily dried on the print medium, and thus bleeding between colors is minimized, thereby improving printed image quality because little or solvent having a high boiling point is used in the ink composition.

Abstract: An ink for ink-jet recording is provided which enables high quality printing at a fast speed. The ink is also suitable for use in an ink-jet recording head employed in a line head method. The ink for ink-jet recording includes at least a coloring agent, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol propyl ether and water. The amount of ethylene glycol with respect to the total ink amount is about 5 wt. % to about 30 wt. %, and the amount of propylene glycol propyl ether with respect to the total ink amount is about 30 wt. % to about 50 wt. %. Further, the total amount of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol propyl ether with respect to the total ink amount is about 45 wt. % to about 60 wt. %.

Abstract: A method of controlling, by an adaptive control method, an electric motor as a drive source of an operating apparatus that operates, based on a driving force produced by the electric motor, under an arbitrary one of a plurality of operating conditions, and exhibits different dynamic characteristics corresponding to the plurality of operating conditions.

Abstract: A droplet ejection apparatus includes: a base; a plotting system having a droplet ejection head that ejects functional liquid as a droplet, a carriage that holds the droplet ejection head, and a stage that holds a work at which the droplet is plotted; and an optical system having a light source that outputs a laser beam and an optical path, which is constituted between the light source and the droplet and through which the laser beam passes to irradiate the droplet; wherein: the plotting system and the optical system are established on the base sharing the upper surface of the base as a reference surface, and pattern is plotted and fixed through cooperation control of both systems.

Abstract: According to an ink-jet recording device and an ink-jet recording method by discharging and impacting an ink containing a charged fine particle as a small droplet due to an electrostatic force onto a recording medium and curing the ink by irradiation with an actinic energy ray immediately after the image formation by ink discharge, a fixing step by heating becomes unnecessary; a situation that the ink is volatilized by heat does not take place so that it becomes gentle against the set-up environment; and it becomes possible to realize high-speed recording with high definition and easy handling by electrostatic discharge and impacting of a small ink droplet.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a housing, and a media support mounted to the housing for supporting at least one sheet of print media. A guide device couples the media support with the housing. The guide device defines a guide path having a proximal end and a distal end. The media support is configured to move along the guide path. The media support is moved in a direction from the proximal end toward the distal end when the media support is moved from a stowed position to an extended position. A pivot mechanism is located near the distal end of the guide path to facilitate a pivoting of the media support so as to be inclined in relation to the guide path when the media support is pivoted from the extended position to an operating position.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus, an automatic draft conveying apparatus, a paper feeding apparatus, and an image forming apparatus capable of preventing self-oscillation of a conveying roller. When rigidity of an oscillation system of the conveying roller is K [N/m], the distance between a supporting point of an arm and a section of the arm to which an axis of the conveying roller is attached is L [mm], and arm angle, which is formed between a sheet and a line segment connecting the supporting point of the arm to the section of the arm to which the axis of the conveying roller is attached on an assumed plane perpendicular to a direction of the axis of the conveying roller, is ?[deg], ??(Pse×K?0.5)×(1/L) is satisfied, where Pse=37500.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recording apparatus that helps to achieve a reduction in size and cost. The recording apparatus has a U-turn sheet feeding mechanism for reversing and feeding a recording medium and a duplex transport mechanism for reversing the recording medium and performing printing on both sides thereof, in which the same transport path serves as a transport path for transporting the recording medium from a U-turn sheet feeding roller to a main transport roller for transporting the recording medium to a printing portion and as a transport path for reversal in duplex transport. Further, a transport roller provided in the transport path from the U-turn sheet feeding roller to the main transport roller for transporting the recording medium to the printing portion is the same as a transport roller for duplex transport. A single transport roller serves both as the U-turn transport roller and as the duplex transport roller.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a digital workflow process that is suitable for creating a product having a desired appearance according to a customer's instructions. Embodiments of the digital workflow process includes a digital prepress and printing workflow process for generating, manipulating, and processing image data and for printing such image data on a selected substrate. Embodiments of the present invention also include processes for creating an artwork file that designates opaque or transparent white inks and transparent color inks to be printed. Several embodiments also incorporate a metallic layer into the design for achieving specific design objectives.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording paper with a paper substrate that has a coating on at least one side, wherein the coating contains binder and inorganic pigment, and wherein: (a) the substrate has a density in the range of 0.6 to 1.0 g/cm3 and a Cobb60 value in the range of 19-25 g/m2; (b) the coating consists solely of a single layer formed as a recording layer, which is applied directly to the substrate; (c) the pigment present in the recording layer consists of colloidal synthetic boehmite with a mean crystal size in the range of 10-50 nm; and (d) the binder present in the recording material consists of silanized polyvinyl alcohol to the extent of 80-100 wt. %.

Abstract: A handheld mobile communications device comprising: a support structure; radio signal processing circuitry positioned on the support structure and configured to receive and transmit radio signals; an image sensor positioned on the support structure for electronically capturing an image; image processing circuitry positioned on the support structure and operatively connected to: the image sensor to receive the electronically captured image; and the radio signal processing circuitry; a receptacle for receiving a detachable printing mechanism, and a slot for receiving manually inserted print media to be printed on by the printing mechanism.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carrier units and a position determining unit. The image carrier units form toner images in a sequential manner, and each of the plurality of image carrier units includes an image carrier and a supporting member to support the image carrier. The position determining unit includes a holding member having a plurality of openings for receiving the supporting members of the respective image carriers and a pressure mechanism. Each of the plurality of openings has a predetermined shape to sustain a weight of a corresponding one of the plurality of image carrier units through a corresponding one of the supporting members in a vertical direction and to grip the corresponding one of the supporting members in a horizontal direction. The pressure mechanism presses the supporting members held through the plurality of openings of the holding member to fix the image carriers at respective specific positions.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal head which has heating elements arranged in a main scanning direction, a transport unit for transporting a thermal recording material in a sub scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and a skewing unit for skewing the thermal recording material so that its ends in the main scanning direction form an angle with respect to the sub scanning direction at a predetermined recording position. The thermal recording material that has been skewed so that its ends form the angle is supplied to the recording position, and the thermal recording on the thermal recording material is performed with the thermal head while the thermal recording material that remains skewed is transported in the sub scanning direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recording an image onto a label layer of an optical disc by a laser beam. First, the method of the invention divides the label layer into a plurality of unit regions. For each of the unit regions, the method of the invention determines a recording pattern corresponding to each unit region in accordance with the data related to the image to be recorded. Finally, the method of the invention controls the laser beam to irradiate a relative energy on each unit region, so as to form the corresponding recording pattern. Thereby, the whole of the recording patterns formed on the label layer exhibits the image.

Abstract: A technique suppresses the influence of the components that can give rise to fluctuations in the magnetic field and arranged near the motor for driving the polygon mirror on the operation of driving the motor without obstructing the trend of downsizing image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus comprises a motor that drives a polygon mirror for forming a scanning pattern on the photosensitive surface of a photosensitive material by scanning light, a development section that forms a toner image on the photosensitive surface by means of magnets that can reciprocate relative to the photosensitive surface and a magnetic body that is arranged in a predetermined region between the motor and the development section and shields the magnetic force of the magnets of the development section to prevent it from influencing the motor.

Abstract: An optical disc drive includes an optical mechanism and a preheating mechanism. The optical mechanism optically writes a label to an optically writable label area of an optical disc inserted into the optical disc drive, by heating pixels on the optically writable label area of the optical disc. The preheating mechanism, separate from the optical mechanism, preheats the optical disc prior to the optical mechanism heating the pixels on the optically writable label area of the optical disc.

Abstract: A mobile phone includes an image capture device; a communication module for connecting to a distal sever via a base station system, the server transmitting a specific piece of the geographic information to the mobile phone via the base station system after identifying a location of the communication module; and a data-combining module for combining an image captured by the image capture device and the specific piece of the geographic information within the mobile phone such that when the image is printed in a photo format, the photo includes the specific piece of the geographic information.

Abstract: A remote-operation authenticating unit determines whether to permit a remote operation of the video-phone terminal apparatus by other video-phone terminal apparatus via a video phone communication. A remote operation unit receives, from the other video-phone terminal apparatus, a request for a control including at least a shutter control of the image capturing device to shoot an image, and executes the control in response to the request. An image converting unit converts the image into an image for the video phone communication. A communicating unit transmits the image for the video phone communication to the other video-phone terminal apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: a mobile terminal having a camera; a further terminal; a communication network operative coupled to the mobile terminal and to the further terminal; the communication network having remote mobile phone camera operation functionality such that the further terminal in the communications network remotely controls the camera in the mobile terminal.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for maintaining eye contact during person to person video telecommunication includes disposing a video camera directly behind an OLED video display screen and synchronizing the video camera with the illumination levels of the display screen. This configuration allows the camera to observe the user from a natural face-on perspective, and effectively reconnects the eye-lines of the users, and restores all natural face-to-face emotional cues ordinarily disrupted by eye-line dissociation. Some embodiments include the use of this technique for stand-alone monitors, handheld devices, laptop computers, and the potential use in conjunction with autostereoscopic display technology, including wide look around or head and eye-tracking, for 3 dimensional eye-to-eye telecommunication.

Abstract: A method of dynamic interactive region-of-interest panoramic immersive communication involves a capturing a panoramic image and a specification of a size and a location of a region-of-interest in the panoramic image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polarized stereoscopic display method and a device thereof. In one embodiment, the device comprises a first signal processing part for signal processing the first image and producing a first input image that is input to a first projector so that a first output beam output from the first projector corresponding to the first image is output from the first projector with a 90 degree phase difference with respect to a second output beam outputted from the second projector corresponding to the second image. The first signal processing part may comprise an image rotating part for rotating an inputted image by 90 degree, a resizing part combined with an output terminal of the image rotating part for resizing the image rotated by 90 degree corresponding to a screen and output it to the first projector.

Abstract: An inspection system (200) is for inspecting power generation equipment (202) and includes a remote receiving device (134) which receives images captured and transmitted by an inspection apparatus (100). A recording device (142) records the images thereby providing a permanent record of the inspection. The inspection apparatus (100) comprises: a flashlight assembly (102) including a power supply (110), an elongated housing (104) having first and second ends (105,107), a lens body (120) coupled to the first end (105), and a lens cover (114) covering the lens body (120). The inspection apparatus (100) further includes an imaging system (122) having a camera (130), such as a wireless video camera, which is disposed within the lens body opening (121), an illumination assembly (106) which generally surrounds the camera (130), and a protective cover (116) for the illumination assembly (106). An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a solid image-pickup device having an image area and an optical black area for performing photoelectric conversion and including a function of varying an amplification ratio, and a first signal clamp circuit clamps the analog output signal that is outputted from the solid image-pickup device to adjust into an input range of the analog signal processing circuit with an analog reference signal which is unaffected by a defective pixel in the optical black area. The clamped signal is processed to extract signal components which are photoelectrically converted by the analog signal processing circuit by the image area. The output signal from the analog signal processing circuit clamps the signal in the optical black area by using output signals of at least the number of pixels larger than the number of pixels in a horizontal direction in the optical black area by the second signal clamp circuit.

Abstract: An in-vivo device may include an optical system, and a method for viewing in-vivo sites. A dome or cover may cover an end of the device, protecting optical elements such as illumination devices or imagers, which may be behind the dome. The dome may be forward projecting and may have a convex shape. The field of view of the imager may be for example forward looking. Illumination element(s) and a receiving unit or imager may be disposed behind a single optical window, which for example may enable obtaining of images free of backscatter and stray light. The convex shape of the dome may be defined such that it may have a shape having an isolated area. At least one illumination element and at least one receiving unit may be geometrically positioned (for example in the isolated area) such that rays from the illumination elements, some of which are internally reflected from the internal and/or external surface of the optical window, will not be incident on the receiving unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling registration sensors are provided, in which a transfer unit transfers an electrostatic latent image onto a printing medium, at least one registration sensor senses image alignment errors by irradiating light to the transfer unit to sense reflected light, a sensor data storage unit stores characteristics data of the respective registration sensors, and a sensor control unit controls the registration sensors based on the characteristics data of the respective registration sensors, wherein the registration sensors are placed into the transfer unit. Accordingly, time for performing an algorithm of color registration can be reduced, and registration can be achieved correctly in a short time, irrespective of a set frame of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A portable wireless tracking device that uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to monitor the location and physical condition of emergency personnel at the scene of an emergency incident. RFID technology uses radio-transmitting interrogators to send out radio waves to preprogrammed receiver computer chips which respond to the radio query with another radio signal. If the frequency is not correct, the receiver or interrogator will not recognize it. The invention also uses wireless remote stations that are placed in high rise buildings or other large commercial or infrastructure locations to provide facility managers and emergency responders with a reliable wireless emergency management and communications system. The remote stations can include broadband video, audio, two-way radio, as well as chemical and air flow data from life safety devices that can be used to monitor, direct, communicate and share with public safety agencies.

Abstract: A method of generating a synthetic perspective image that matches the viewing perspective and internal geometry of a known image sensor, for example, a forward-looking infrared sensor or a synthetic aperture radar sensor, without using specialized hardware and without the computational difficulty inherent in standard image generating means is provided. The synthetic perspective image is generated in a forward mapping process, which solves the problems of complete mapping of the perspective image and of hidden surfaces, in a manner that provides sufficient speed and adequate quality or accuracy for standard reference images to be used in registering with the sensor images.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring remotely located objects with a system comprised of at least one master data collection unit, any number of remote sensor units, and a central data collection server are described. The master unit is configured to monitor any object, mobile or stationary, including monitoring multiple remote sensor units associated with the objects being monitored. The master unit may be in a fixed location, or attached to a mobile object. The master unit is configured for monitoring objects that enter and leave the area where it is located. The master unit may act as a parent controller for one or more child devices, wherein the child devices can be remote sensors or monitors of various measurable conditions including environmental conditions, substance identification, product identification and biometric identification. The master unit is able to discover new remote sensor units as they enter or leave the area where the master unit is located.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring remotely located objects with a system comprised of at least one master data collection unit, any number of remote sensor units, and a central data collection server are described. The master unit is configured to monitor any object, mobile or stationary, including monitoring multiple remote sensor units associated with the objects being monitored. The master unit may be in a fixed location, or attached to a mobile object. The master unit is configured for monitoring objects that enter and leave the area where it is located. The master unit may act as a parent controller for one or more child devices, wherein the child devices can be remote sensors or monitors of various measurable conditions including environmental conditions, substance identification, product identification and biometric identification. The master unit is able to discover new remote sensor units as they enter or leave the area where the master unit is located.

Abstract: A video-based human, non-human, and/or motion verification system and method may include a video sensor adapted to obtain video and produce video output. The video sensor may include a video camera. The video-based human verification system may further include a processor adapted to process video to verify a human presence, a non-human presence, and/or motion. An alarm processing device may be coupled to the video sensor, the alarm processing device being adapted to receive video output or alert information from the video sensor.

Abstract: A method for adjusting images displayed on a television set, the television set being coupled to receive image information from an image-generating electronic device. The method includes displaying on the television set, using test image information from the image-generating electronic device, a test image. The method also includes receiving, from a human operator, user input. The method further includes employing the user input to form scaled test image information that corresponds to a scaled test image, the scaled test image representing a scaled version of the test image. The method yet also includes displaying on the television set, using the scaled test image information, the scaled test image on the television set in lieu of the test image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the performances of a camera including illumination, signal levels, signal to noise ratio, resolution, spectrum, color vectors and displaying the measured values in alphanumeric, waveforms, graphs and vectors onto a displayed scene generated by a camera under test, thereby enabling the user to better comprehend the meaning and verify the camera specifications and their fitness.

Abstract: An image capturing system comprises an image capturing terminal and a host computer. The image capturing terminal includes an image capturing section configured to capture images, an image data processor configured to generate image data according to the data obtained from the image capturing section, a receiver configured to receive progress information describing a progress of a predetermined program transmitted from the host computer, and a recorder configured to record the progress information received by the receiver in a recording medium. The host computer includes a progress information generator configured to generate the progress information, and a transmitter configured to transmit the progress information generated by the progress information generator. The recorder is configured to record the progress information at the time of capturing an image by the image capturing section in the recording medium, relating it to the image data generated by the image data processor.

Abstract: A motion vector detecting apparatus includes a block setting unit, and a correlation operation unit. The block setting unit may be adapted to set a block on a first image. The first image has a distortion caused by an optical system. The block has a size that depends on the distortion. The correlation operation unit may be adapted to calculate a correlation between the block and a second image. The second image differs in capturing-time from the first image. The correlation operation unit may also be adapted to obtain a first motion vector associated with the block with reference to the correlation.

Abstract: For applying a motion filter of a video stabilization system to a sequence of video frames, an estimate of a motion in the current video frame compared to a first video frame of the sequence of video frames is received. Based on the received motion estimate and on at least one state variable of the motion filter, a correction value for the motion in the current video frame is computed. The at least one state variable is updated in the computation. In case the computed correction value exceeds a system constraint of the video stabilization system, the at least one state variable is adjusted in accordance with an extent by which the system constraint is exceeded. The correction value is then recomputed based on the motion estimate and on the adjusted state variable.

Abstract: An image stabilizer includes a pair of first parallel guide rods mounted to a stationary member extending in a first direction; a first moving stage supported by the first parallel guide rods to be movable in the first direction; a pair of second parallel guide rods mounted to the first moving stage extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a second moving stage which holds an image-stabilizing optical element and supported by the second parallel guide rods to be movable in the second direction; first and second biasing devices which bias the first and second moving stages in the first and second directions; first and second driving devices which drive the first and second moving stages in the first and second directions. The pair of first and second parallel guide rods lie in a common plane orthogonal to an optical axis.

Abstract: A pickup device driving apparatus includes: a movable part which moves a pickup device in a first direction while a direction of a pickup surface is held; a linear actuator which moves an axis in a second direction different from the first direction; a direction changing part which has a bearing part provided in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, rotates on the bearing part, and changes a bias force applied in the second direction by the axis of the linear actuator to a bias force applied in the first direction, and applies the bias force to the movable part; and a weight part which is provided in the direction changing part to cancel a rotation moment of the bearing part generated in the direction changing part by the inclination of the movable part.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor and a digital cameral capable of executing accurate image-shooting adjustment even in a low illumination environment. A charge coupled device type of image sensor includes red, green and blue pixel cells provided with color filter segments and control cells not provided with color filter segments. When a controller determines that the illumination of a scene to be picked up is short, a digital signal processor generates estimated luminance and contrast values for automatic exposure and automatic focus controls in accordance with the outputs of the control cells. An exposure value and the focal position of a lens are adjusted in accordance with those estimated values. The scene is shot in the form of a still picture in response to a shutter release signal.

Abstract: An image signal processor comprising an image signal receiver and a white balance processing block is provided. The image signal receiver receives an image signal. The image signal is generated by an imaging device when the imaging device captures an optical image of an object. The imaging device captures the optical image of the object through a photographic optical system. The photographic optical system has a focus optical system. The focus optical system focuses the optical image on a light receiving surface of the imaging device. The photographic optical system is housed in a lens unit with a detector. The detector finds an object distance based on a location of the focus optical system in the photographic optical system. The white balance processing block carries out a white balance process for the image signal, based on a photographing magnification of the photographic optical system, the object distance, and the light intensity of the optical image as the image signal is generated.