Abstract: An out of ink signal mechanism for an inkjet printer having at least one inkbag is disclosed. The signal mechanism includes a printed circuit board having a circuit associated with each inkbag, a contact spring and at least one lifter. The contact spring is biased towards the printed circuit board so as to normally close the circuit. The lifter is arranged to contact the contact spring when the inkbag is out of ink so as to move the contact spring to open the circuit and thereby signal an out of ink condition of the printer head of the inkjet printer.

Abstract: An ink concentration detecting method and recording apparatus cause one of a cleaning liquid and ink of known ink concentration to flow through an ink passage through which the ink is to flow, detect a first ink concentration in the ink passage in an operation state in which ink of predetermined ink concentration flows through the ink passage, and detect a second ink concentration in the ink passage after the cleaning liquid is caused to flow through the ink passage to clear the ink passage or in a state in which the ink of known ink concentration is caused to flow through the ink passage. The method and apparatus detect ink concentration in the ink passage in the operation state based on the first ink concentration and the second ink concentration. Precise ink concentration of the ink to be supplied to an ink jet head is obtained.

Abstract: In an inkjet device that ejects ink on a medium with an inkjet head, data conversion software generates ejection data and timing control data from pattern data that describe patterns of ejection target pixels. A timing control board outputs a drive waveform generation trigger signal and a data transfer request signal to a drive waveform generator board and a memory board, respectively. The drive waveform generator board generates drive waveforms according to drive waveform generation trigger signal. The memory board transfers ejection data to the driver board according to the data transfer request signal. The driver board controls ink ejection of each nozzle based on the ejection data. Therefore, the inkjet device is capable of highly accurate positioning of ink ejection with almost no increase in the amount of data.

Abstract: A printhead module comprising at least first and second rows of print nozzles that extend along at least part of a pagewidth to be printed, each nozzle including first circuitry of a first type and second circuitry of a second type, such that, in plan view, the first and second circuitry are generally located at opposite ends of the nozzle, wherein the nozzles are orientated such that the first circuitry of the nozzles of the first row are closer to the first circuitry of the nozzles of the second row than to the second circuitry of the nozzles of the second row.

Abstract: A leakage detection apparatus and method for a multi-channel inkjet cartridge. The leakage detection apparatus includes a plurality of electrodes and a controller. Each of the electrodes is disposed in one of channels of the inkjet cartridge respectively, and contacts a reagent in the corresponding channel. The controller is coupled to the electrodes, and detects leakage between channels.

Abstract: An ink jet recording process having the steps of applying an image formation ink and a clear ink one over the other onto a recording medium with a recording head to form a mixed dot, and detecting dot omission, in which the presence or absence of dot omission of the clear ink is judged by measuring the diameter of the mixed dot. Also, an ink jet recording process having the steps of applying an image formation ink and a reactive clear ink one over the other onto a recording medium with a recording head to form a mixed dot, and detecting dot omission, the presence of absence of dot omission of the reactive clear ink is judged by measuring the image density of the mixed dot. Ink jet recording apparatus for conducting these ink jet recording processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A printer apparatus in which its apparatus main body's width dimension can be minimized, by achieving compact housing of a maintenance station for performing maintenance operations with effective use of the space existing at both ends of a printing region. There are maintenance stations separately arranged as left- and right-hand portions at both ends outside the printing region. The maintenance station provides: a capping mode for capping a nozzle of the printing head; a wiping mode for wiping the nozzle of the printing head; and an ink spitting mode for preventing clogging of the nozzle of the printing head, and also the maintenance station includes a waste ink collecting bath for collecting ink discharged during the ink spitting mode.

Abstract: A nozzle protecting device 30 of an ink jet type recording apparatus has a cap 46 which covers nozzles of a recording head and a cap support member 47 which is connected to the cap 45 via a spring member 80. The distance between the cap 46 and the cap support member 47 can be changed by elastic deformation of the spring member 80. A vent hole 54 is formed in the cap 46. A valve seat 56 which covers the terminal portion of the vent hole 54 is provided. A valve body 58 is rotatably attached to the lower portion of the cap 46. The valve body 58 selectively abuts on and parts from the valve seat 56 in accordance with the distance between the cap 46 and the cap support member 47. As a result, the inside of the cap 46 is opened and closed to air via the vent hole 54.

Abstract: A cut-processing apparatus generates tool move control data to reciprocate the tool, and sheet feed control data to feed the sheet; stores an amount of tool move loss due to backlash in the carriage gear train occurring at tool move direction shift, and an amount of sheet feed loss due to backlash in the sheet feed gear train occurring at sheet feed direction shift; and corrects the tool move control data based on the stored amount of tool move loss at tool move direction shift, and the sheet feed control data based on the stored amount of sheet feed loss at sheet feed direction shift.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for cleaning the ink ejection nozzles of an inkjet printer head of a mail handling machine, comprising, on the one hand, a scraping means arranged in a path of travel of the mail items opposite the ink ejection nozzles and actuated by a mail item as it advances beneath the printer head, and, on the other hand, a means for cleaning this scraping means. Advantageously, the scraping means is articulated between a position of scraping in which the scraping means is arranged in the path of travel of the mail items, and a position of rest in which the scraping means is withdrawn from this path of travel.

Abstract: To provide a liquid discharger and a method to discharge liquid in which lowering of the precision of the assembly and the discharge accuracy of the high-viscosity liquid caused by thermal deformation, such as thermal expansion, is suppressed when the discharge heads of the inkjet apparatus are heated to accurately discharge the high-viscosity liquid, a liquid discharger having discharge heads to pressurize functional liquid contained in cavities communicating with nozzles and discharge the functional liquid from the nozzles, a mounting plate having openings to mount the discharge heads, a tank to contain the functional liquid discharged from discharge heads, and a liquid supply channel to supply the functional liquid from the tank to the discharge heads, the discharge heads mounted to the openings of the mounting plate at a same temperature as the temperature the functional liquid is discharged from the discharge heads.

Abstract: An ink jet module is provided. The ink jet module comprises: (a) a first micromolding having a first inner face and a first outer face, the first inner face defining a plurality of elongate grooves, each groove being in fluid communication with a respective first inlet in the first outer face; (b) a second micromolding having a second inner face opposing the first inner face, the second inner face having a plurality of arrays of second inlets, each array of second inlets corresponding to each elongate groove, the second inlets in each array being positioned to receive fluid flowing tortuously from its respective first inlet, through its respective elongate groove to each of the second inlets; and (c) a film sandwiched between the first inner face and the opposing second inner face, the film having a plurality of arrays of openings therethrough, each array of openings being positioned to allow fluid flow from each elongate groove to each corresponding array of second inlets.

Abstract: A printhead for printing images, the printhead comprising a plurality of ink reservoirs (3) and groups of nozzles (361, 362, 363), the groups of nozzles (361, 362, 363) arranged such that a nozzle (1) in a group (361, 362, 363) shares an ink reservoir (3) with another nozzle (1) of the group (361, 362, 363), each group (361, 362, 363) being associated with a respective ink reservoir (3).

Abstract: An inkjet printhead having a plurality of pressure chambers each of which is fluidly connected on the one hand, via an ink supply path, to a common ink reservoir and on the other hand to a nozzle, wherein an actuator is provided for each pressure chamber for pressurizing the ink contained therein so as to eject an ink droplet through the nozzle in accordance with a print signal, and an acoustic wave attenuator is arranged to control the acoustic reflection and transmission properties of the ink supply path.

Abstract: To provide an inkjet recording head which is excellent in water repellency and wearing resistance and attains high printed-image quality, the inkjet recording head includes a nozzle having: a hole for discharging a recording liquid including an ink; and a portion capable of repelling the ink at the periphery of the hole, wherein the portion contains a crosslinked resin formed from a polymerizable composition having a fluorine-containing polymerizable polymer, and the fluorine-containing polymerizable polymer has: a first structural unit having a fluorine atom; and a second structural unit having a radical-polymerizable group.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly is provided comprising an elongate support structure and carrier units positioned on the support structure. The support structure has a base, two sidewalls extending from the base and ink supply channels defined between the base and sidewalls. The sidewalls and channels define a slot extending along the support structure such that the channels are in fluid communication with the slot. The carrier units each have a body carrying a printhead segment. The carrier units are positioned and secured in the slot so that the respective printhead segments are placed in fluid communication with the channels and into alignment with one another. The adjacent portions of the carrier unit bodies are configured to interlock in a complementary arrangement so that a continuous printing zone is defined by the aligned printhead segments.

Abstract: A printhead chip includes a substrate that incorporates drive circuitry and that defines nozzle chambers and nozzle chamber inlets on an inlet side of the substrate. A structural layer on an ink ejection side at the substrate defines ink ejection ports in fluid communication with respective nozzle chambers. Closure members on the ink inlet side are displaceable in a plane substantially parallel to the inlet side between open positions in which ink can enter the nozzle chambers and closed positions in which the inlets are closed. Micro-electromechanical drive mechanisms are connected to the drive circuitry and engaged with the closure members to displace the closure members between the open and closed positions on receipt of an electrical signal from the drive circuitry.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead chip includes a substrate that defines a plurality of ink supply channels. A drive circuitry layer is positioned in the substrate. A plurality of nozzle arrangements is positioned on the substrate. Each nozzle arrangement includes a nozzle chamber structure arranged on the substrate and defining walls of a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with a respective ink supply channel. A deformable roof structure is arranged on the nozzle chamber structure. The roof structure is deformable on receipt of an actuating signal from the drive circuitry, reciprocally to reduce and enlarge a volume of the nozzle chamber. The roof structure defines an ink ejection port such that, upon such reduction and enlargement, a drop of ink is ejected from the ink ejection port.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead is provided having an ink supply channel, a plurality of actuators each having a conductive heater, a paddle, and an arm interconnecting the heater and paddle, and a plurality of ink ejection chambers each having a first wall in which a first aperture for ink ejection is defined, a second wall in which a second aperture is defined through which the arm of an associated actuator passes so that the heater is outside the chamber and the paddle is inside the chamber, and a third wall in which a third aperture is defined through which ink from the ink supply channel is communicated. The arm of each actuator incorporates a protruding shield configured to restrict the flow of ink through the associated second aperture.

Abstract: The electrostatic ink jet head includes a head substrate, a first drive electrode and a second drive electrode which are formed as a double-layer electrode structure for each of the individual electrode units, an ink guide and an insulating substrate in which a through-hole is formed at a position corresponding to the ink guide. In this electrostatic ink jet head, ejection/non-ejection of the ink is controlled according to a superposed voltage obtained by applying voltages of the same polarity to the first drive electrode and the second drive electrode according to image data.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead having a plurality of nozzles 3 and a bubble forming chamber 7 corresponding to each nozzle respectively. At least one heater element 10 disposed in each bubble forming chamber 7 to heat a bubble forming liquid 11 to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble 12 therein. The generation of the bubble 12 causes the ejection of a drop 16 of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle 3, to effect printing. The gas bubble collapses to a collapse point 17 spaced from the heater element 10, and the heater element has two planes of symmetry intersecting along the nozzle axis. A heater element with two planes of symmetry intersecting along the nozzle axis will generate a symmetrical bubble centrally aligned with the aperture. This gives the nozzle an ejected drop trajectory along the nozzle axis.

Abstract: To ensure satisfactory reliability even if the wiring pattern is formed of a wiring material having an enhanced electromigration resistance, by providing a protective layer for protecting heating elements from dry etching for forming a wiring pattern, on the ink chamber side or other liquid chamber side of each heating element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printhead module. The printhead module comprises a body defining a plurality of ink chambers. There is also provided a rib cage comprising a plurality of ribs and for mounting to the body. A gap is defined between each adjacent pair of ribs and a channel is defined transverse to the ribs. The printhead module further comprises a film for covering the rib cage and a printhead integrated circuit for mounting to the film in a location coincident with the channel. In use, ink passes from the ink chambers, along the gaps and into the channel before being fed to the printhead integrated circuit.

Abstract: Ink jet printing apparatus includes a linear array of jet modules each having an inlet for receiving ink, an outlet for re-circulating the ink, a nozzle for discharging ink in the form of droplets, and a perturbation device for causing a continuous stream of ink droplets to be discharged from the respective nozzle. The apparatus further includes an ink supply system having an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold, and a plurality of connecting passageways connecting the jet modules in parallel between the inlet and outlet manifolds. The connecting passageways connect the inlet of each jet module to the inlet manifold and the outlet of each jet module to the outlet manifold, such as to define a T-connection of each jet module with the inlet and outlet manifolds. Such a construction reduces the mass of each jet module thereby permitting printing at higher frequencies and with smaller ink droplets.

Abstract: An ink delivery system comprises a first container. A second container, at least a portion of which is flexible, contains a supply of ink to be supplied to a print head of a printer. The second container is received within the first container and the second container defines an outlet opening arranged to be accessible externally of the first container. A propellant is interposed between an interior surface of the first container and an external surface of the second container to effect discharge of the ink through the outlet opening of the second container on demand.

Abstract: The ink jet recording device includes an ink jet recording head and an ink circulation system. The ink circulation system has an ink tank, an ink feeding unit, an ink supplying system and an ink recovery system. The ink feeding unit is provided in the ink tank, and has both a function to supply ink from the ink tank to the recording head through the ink supplying system and a function to stir the ink stored in the ink tank. The ink circulation system circulates the ink by supplying the ink to the recording head through the ink supplying system and recovering the ink supplied to the recording head through the ink recovery system.

Abstract: A replaceable printer component comprises a printer component and a memory. The printer component is configured for removable installation into, and for electronic communication with, a printer. The memory is configured for storing a first unique identifier that represents one or more printers for which use of the printer component is exclusively authorized.

Abstract: An ink cartridge (1) for supplying the ink in an ink reserving chamber (3) via an ink supply port (4) into a recording head (21) has a differential pressure valve mechanism (5) disposed between an ink flow port (7) and the ink supply port (4) in the ink reserving chamber (3), whereby the ink is supplied an adequate amount to the recording head (21) by opening or closing the differential pressure valve mechanism (5) in accordance with an ink pressure of the recording head (21). As a result, it is possible to supply the ink at a substantially constant pressure to the recording head without regard to the variation in the amount of ink or the movement of the carriage.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide an inkjet printhead within which a removable ink cartridge can be installed. Upon installation, the ink cartridge can be coupled to one or more wicks in the printhead for establishing fluid communication between one or more chambers in the ink cartridge and nozzles through which ink exits the printhead during operation. The wick can extend from a cartridge receptacle to a filter in order to transport ink from the removable cartridge to the filter. In some embodiments, the wick is retained in place within the printhead by a cap, which can be coupled to one or more filter towers. The wick can have upstream and downstream interfaces that can be the same or different in shape and/or size.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively controlling supplied power to an ink melt heater for maintaining a desired ink melt rate despite a varying ambient parameter affecting an actual melt rate. A predetermined amount of power is supplied to the ink melt heater intended to cause the desired ink melt rate. The ambient parameter is detected by the ink melt heater. A determination is made if the detected ambient parameter will cause a variance in the actual ink melt rate from the desired ink melt rate. If a variance is so determined, the supplied power is adjusted from the predetermined amount to an adjusted amount for realizing desired ink melt rate. The ambient parameter preferably comprises sensing a factor representative of at least one of local environmental air temperature to the printing system or adjacent ink temperature to the heat plate.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus has an ink discharge head that discharges droplets of ink supplied from an ink tank via an ink supply channel. The apparatus includes a filter unit including a filter which removes foreign matters, the filter unit being arranged in the ink supply channel; a filter front chamber with a variable capacity formed upstream from the filter in the filter unit; an air bubble trap region which accumulates air bubbles formed in the ink, the air bubble trap region being formed at top of the filter front chamber; and a control device which controls the variable capacity of the filter front chamber.

Abstract: In electrostatic inkjet recording in which an ink droplet is ejected by acting electrostatic force on ink that contains colorant particles, the electric conductivity of the colorant particles in the ink is saturated. Thus, variations in ink dot diameter caused by the ejection delay and a decrease in frequency responsivity are avoided, so that high-quality image recording with good frequency responsivity can be realized.

Abstract: A method for printing indicium on an article including steps of providing a supply of ink including a multi-signal transmission ink which is adapted to provide an optically visual signal when viewed in normal daylight and adapted to provide a different signal which is adapted to be machine readable; and printing at least a portion of the indicium on the article by halftone printing the multi-signal transmission ink. The portion is adapted to be visually observable in normal daylight. The portion is adapted to be read as a non-halftoned signal by a machine even though the portion is halftone printed.

Abstract: An ink set for ink jet using at least 3 or more of liquids, wherein the first liquid contains a colorant, a water soluble solvent and water, the second liquid contains a coagulant which coagulates components constituting the first liquid, a water soluble solvent and water, and the third liquid contains a compound capable of forming a chelate structure with the coagulant in the second liquid, a water soluble solvent and water; an ink jet recording method using the ink set; and an ink jet recording apparatus equipped with a recording head which injects the fore-mentioned ink set for ink jet from the recording head.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a section which forms an image by ejecting an ultraviolet radiation curable ink from an ink jet recording head onto a recording material and a section which exposes ultraviolet radiation to an ink image formed on the recording material, and the ink jet recording apparatus has a plurality of recording modes having a different image recording speed in each mode, and further an exposure intensity of ultraviolet radiation exposing to the ink is variable. An ink jet recording method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The ink jet recording apparatus includes an image forming device for forming an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink containing a solvent and color particles dispersed in the solvent, a fixing device for fixing the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming device, a collecting device for selectively collecting air containing the solvent from an atmosphere in proximity to the fixing device, and a removing device for removing the solvent from the solvent-containing air collected by the collecting device.

Abstract: The invention provides an image receptor medium which includes a biaxially oriented, melt-processed image receptive film comprising a) an immiscible blend of at least one semicrystalline polymer component and at least one ink absorptive polymer component and b) at least one inorganic filler. The image receptor medium may further include one or more additional layers such as support or adhesive layers.

Abstract: A hand-held and/or hand-operated random movement printing device is controlled by at least one processor. The printing device provides a control to determine the position of an ink-jet print head assembly on a print medium. Specifically the assembly prints a pattern that it uses to determine its position.

Abstract: An improvement in or relating to spectacles comprising a frame made of a formable material that may be shaped at elevated temperatures, and lenses that are attached to the frame so as to cover a major part of a user's visual field, wherein the formable material is fixed in form and soft and bendable when in an unformed, original state, and is formable at elevated temperatures to form the frame in a configuration that is shaped to the user'face. When the material returns to a temperature of the original state, the frame retains the configuration and is somewhat bendable. The frame includes attachments for positioning the lenses in a predetermined position on the frame to obtain a predetermined distance relative to the eyes and eye lashes of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods of connecting components of eyeglasses or other brittle structures are disclosed. Fasteners such as screws can have compressible elements between them and a glass structure, for example, to disperse force and deter fracturing of the glass. Compressible elements can also conform to irregular cavities and surfaces to improve connections between components.

Abstract: Eyeglasses with attachable digital audio player comprise a pair of eyeglasses having a pair of temples and a digital audio player (DAP). Each temple of the eyeglasses includes a plurality of sets of cross-shaped apertures and accommodating holes in communication with the cross-shaped apertures. The digital audio player comprises two halves, each having a plate, a plurality of projections protruded from an inner surface of each of the plates pass through the cross-shaped apertures and are received in the accommodating holes of the temples, and an outer surface of each of the plates is combined with each half of the digital audio player. The digital audio player is detachable from the eyeglasses and operates independently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spherical-shaped see through lenses used in eyewear. The lenses have a substantially constant thickness and a substantially constant radius of curvature of between 28–19 mm. The spherical lenses may be supported in a frame formed of either rigid or flexible material and attached to a strap assembly adaptable to be worn by the user. Optionally, each of the lenses may be supported by a flanged member and ventilation passages preferably extending through the frame and/or the lenses to allow air to circulate around the lenses.

Abstract: The present invention involves an integrated docking assembly for a portable multimedia unit in a vehicle. The assembly comprises a receiver frame configured to receive the portable multimedia unit and a locking mechanism configured to secure the portable multimedia unit in the receiver frame. The locking mechanism includes spring loaded locking tabs and a push member connected to the locking tabs for securing and releasing the portable multimedia unit.

Abstract: In a computing device, a method of updating over a network a set of executable instructions stored on an image-rendering device is disclosed, wherein the image-rendering device is operably associated with a projection device. The method includes detecting a version of the set of executable instructions on the image-rendering device, and sending an updated set of the executable instructions to the image-rendering device over the network.

Abstract: A projection display system includes a projection lens assembly that has multiple projection lens elements that are configured to receive light imparted with display information by a pixelated display device. The projection lens elements project the light toward a display screen. A pixel-shifting element is included within the projection lens assembly to cyclically shift between at least two positions within the projection lens assembly to form at a display screen at least two interlaced arrays of pixels. An electro-mechanical transducer is coupled to the pixel-shifting element to impart on it the cyclic shifting between positions.

Abstract: A project is often positioned so that its optical axis is at an imperfect orthogonal angle with respect to a projection screen. This position causes a keystone distortion as well as imperfect focus in the projected image. To correct these undesirable problems, initially, a lens and/or an image-forming plate is independently repositioned to bring the projected image into focus based upon user input data. The keystone distortion is also corrected by redrawing the image on an image-forming surface based upon additional user input data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for imperceptibly embedding structured light patterns in projected color images for display on planar and non-planar surfaces are disclosed. According to one method, an image exposure period for detecting an embedded structured light patterns in a projected image is selected based on analysis of pixel polarities for different pixel intensities of a pixel color. Pixel intensities for the color are varied in the user image so that pixel polarities encode the structured light patterns during image exposure period. The user image is projected with the structured light patterns onto the surface. Depth information is continuously acquired and used to adjust display of the user image.

Abstract: A projection optical system includes an optical modulation unit which outputs modulated light for displaying an image, an optical scanning unit on which the modulated light output from the optical modulation unit is incident, the optical scanning unit scanning the light from the optical modulation unit to obtain a two-dimensional image, and a plurality of curved reflecting surfaces on which the light scanned by the optical scanning means is sequentially incident, the plurality of curved reflecting surfaces sequentially reflecting the light scanned by the optical scanning means and projecting the light on a projected surface, wherein when an optical path of a ray connecting a center of a pupil of the projection optical system and a center of a projected image is set as a reference axis, the reference axis is inclined with respect to a normal to the projected surface.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, viewable imagines can be created in glass. Viewable images may be created in or on glass (or other at least partially transparent substrate), by using microstructures to scatter light from a projector, while the glass maintains transparent or translucent properties. In embodiments, the microstructures are integrated into glass in patterns.

Abstract: An illumination system includes a first light source, a second light source, a first light integrating device and a second light integrating device. Each light integrating device includes an input aperture at an input end for receiving input light and a turning mirror at an output end for reflecting light onto an output aperture where the output aperture is positioned in a direction perpendicular to the input aperture. The illumination system further includes a first reflective mirror and a second reflective mirror each coupled to direct light from the respective light source into the input aperture of the respective light integrating device. The illumination system includes a third light integrating device including an input aperture optically coupled to the output apertures of the first and second light integrating devices. The input aperture of the third light integrating device receives light collected by the first and second light integrating devices.