Abstract: A method and system for detecting the alignment of print heads relative to one another in an ink jet printer having a plurality of print heads arranged side-by-side in a first direction (Y) on a carriage, each print head having a conductive nozzle plate which defines an edge that extends in said first direction (Y), wherein a sensor is used for determining the position of a reference mark formed on the print head, the sensor being used to measure the capacitance between the nozzle plate, serving as the reference mark, and the sensor, said alignment detection including the steps of moving the carriage) relative to the sensor in said first direction (Y) into a first position (“b”) where said sensor) extends across the edge of one print head and a second position (“d”) where the sensor extends across the edge) of another print head, measuring the capacitances in said first and second positions, and comparing the measured capacitances, thereby determining the relative position of said print heads in a second dire

Abstract: A voltage monitor 21 monitors the power supply voltage V0 of the printer 1, and writes to the low voltage error log when the time t0 passed after the power supply voltage V0 drops to or below a threshold voltage V1 reaches a first time t1. If the voltage drops to a logic circuit reset voltage V2 before the elapsed time t0 reaches the first time t1, the low voltage error log is not recorded.

Abstract: An ink-jet image forming apparatus includes an ink-jet head including a nozzle unit having a length in a main scanning direction corresponding to a width of a printing medium, a platen to move to a printing location in which the platen faces the nozzle unit and supports a rear side of the printing medium, and to a maintenance location different from the printing location for a maintenance operation, a cam locus to guide the platen and having an interval adjusting portion disposed in a portion corresponding to the printing location of thereof to adjust an interval between the platen and the nozzle unit.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: an ink jet head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging inks; a cap body having an inner space and adapted to cover open surfaces of the nozzles such that the inner space forms a sealed space; a sucking device which is connected to the inner space of the cap body and sucks the ink from the nozzles; a cap body driver which switches a position of the cap body between a first position where the cap body is in contact with the open surfaces of the nozzles and a second position where the cap body is separated from the open surfaces of the nozzles; and a controller which controls a timing when the cap body driver switches the position of the cap body from the first position to the second position, on the basis of an ink amount to be sucked from the nozzles.

Abstract: A maintenance device installed in a liquid-ejecting apparatus including a movable carriage that has a liquid ejection head performs maintenance of the liquid ejection head and includes at least one maintenance component that reciprocates between an operating position at which the maintenance component engages with the carriage or the liquid ejection head and a standby position at which the maintenance component is disengaged from the carriage and the liquid ejection head; a power transmission mechanism that transmits power input from a rotational drive source to output power for reciprocating the maintenance component between the operating position and the standby position, the power transmission mechanism having a clutch unit on a power transmission path of the power transmission mechanism; and a retaining mechanism including a stopper that moves in association with the movement of the carriage such that the stopper engages with at least one movable body provided on the power transmission path between the ma

Abstract: Example embodiments of wiping are shown and described.

Abstract: An ink jet head is formed with a nozzle surface having a liquid repellent characteristic. The nozzle surface comprises a condensation product made from a hydrolyzable silane compound having a fluorine containing group and a hydrolyzable silane compound having a cationic polymerizable group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inkjet print head (1) comprising at least one nozzle chamber (2), having a nozzle aperture (3) defined in one wall thereof for the ejection of printing fluid out of said aperture (3), and a printing fluid supply channel interconnected with said nozzle chamber (2). A printing fluid droplet tail release guide arrangement (4) is arranged at a predetermined position at an edge of a circumference of said aperture (3). The present invention further relates to a method for increasing droplet placement accuracy in an inkjet print head having at least one nozzle chamber with a nozzle aperture defined in one wall thereof for the ejection of printing fluid out of said aperture. The method comprises the step of providing a printing fluid droplet tail release guide arrangement at a predetermined position at an edge of a circumference of said aperture.

Abstract: A customer replaceable unit installable in a printing apparatus comprises a component requiring high voltage electric power for operation, a low voltage power input, and that cooperates with the low voltage power input in order to transform low voltage electric power from the low voltage power input into high voltage electric power for use by the component. The customer replaceable unit may also include a low voltage signal input, and the high voltage power supply unit controls output of the high voltage electric power in response to signals received at the low voltage signal input. The signals received at the low voltage signal input are independent of a type of the component in the customer replaceable unit, and the high voltage power supply unit provides an appropriate high voltage for the type of the component, thereby allowing modification of the type of component without having to provide a different low voltage signal.

Abstract: A hybrid image forming includes a first printing unit detachably mountable in the hybrid image forming apparatus and having a first printhead to print an image while performing a reciprocating motion in a width direction of a printing medium, and a second printing unit detachably mountable in the hybrid image forming apparatus and having a length at least as long as the width of the printing medium, and a mounting part to which each of the first printing unit and the second printing unit is detachably mountable.

Abstract: A micro-fluid ejection head structure having multiple arrays of fluid ejection actuators. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first array of fluid ejection actuators for ejecting a first fluid therefrom, and a second array of fluid ejection actuators for ejecting a second fluid therefrom. The first array of fluid ejection actuators is disposed in a first location on the substrate, and the second array of fluid ejection actuators is disposed in a second location on the substrate. A thick film layer having a thickness is attached adjacent the semiconductor substrate. The thick film layer has fluid flow channels formed therein solely for the first array of fluid ejection actuators. A nozzle plate is attached to the thick film layer opposite the semiconductor substrate. The nozzle plate has fluid flow channels formed therein for both the first array of fluid ejection actuators and the second array of fluid ejection actuators.

Abstract: In order to provide a liquid ejection head which enables ejection of a droplet at a higher frequency, according to the invention, a piezoelectric vibrator 18 has a multilayer structure. In the multilayer structure, an upper piezoelectric layer 24 and a lower piezoelectric layer 25 are laminated one on another. A drive electrode 23 is formed at a boundary between the upper piezoelectric layer 24 and the lower piezoelectric layer 25 and is electrically connected to a source for supplying a drive signal. An upper common electrode 26 is formed on the surface of the upper piezoelectric layer 24. A lower common electrode 27 is formed on the surface of the lower piezoelectric layer 25. An inertance of a nozzle orifice 10 and an inertance of an ink supply port 5 are set so as to become greater than an inertance of a pressure generating portion 6, 13, 16.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a black and color inkjet cartridge testing and refilling device and method of use thereof. The device includes a testing station and a refilling station to be used in conjunction with a user-friendly interface able to guide a user through the steps associated with refilling an inkjet cartridge. The device is able to store waste ink, contain an significant supply of refill ink, and even house stickers and clips to be placed on refilled cartridges to prevent drying. The device is able to guide a user through an initial determination of the capacity to refill the type of cartridge desired. The automated control system also helps users through easy cleaning procedures, test printing procedures, and purge operations.

Abstract: A packaging structure of an inkjet head for transporting thereof with a liquid stored therein, the inkjet head including an ink inlet of ink supplied from an ink source and a nozzle communicated with the ink inlet for discharging the ink to a recording medium, comprises a first packaging member including a cap for covering an opening of said nozzle, the first packaging member being detachably attached to the opening of said nozzle, and a second packaging member including an ink absorbing material for covering said ink inlet, the second packaging member being detachably attached to said ink inlet.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus including a cavity unit, a supply-passage forming portion, and a filter member. The cavity unit has nozzle groups each of which includes at least one nozzle from which a droplet of a liquid is ejected. At least two of the nozzle groups are differentiated from each other in the cross-sectional area of the nozzles. The supply-passage forming portion integrally includes liquid supply passages that correspond to the respective nozzle groups, and are open in a same surface of the supply-passage forming portion. The filter member integrally includes filtering portions, and is closely attached to the surface of the supply-passage forming portion such that the filtering portions respectively cover openings of the passages.

Abstract: An ink jet device utilizing hot melt ink, said device including an ink reservoir, a heater arranged to heat ink contained in the ink reservoir, and a ventilation conduit which is connected to a ventilation opening in a top wall of the ink reservoir, said ventilation conduit containing a channel running upwards through a heated area. The ink jet device includes an ink melting unit for supplying melted ink to the ink reservoir, said ink melting unit being arranged to enable melted ink to flow into the ink reservoir from above, said channel of the ventilation conduit being in thermal contact with the ink melting unit.

Abstract: Self-dispersed pigment ink formulations and systems employing the same are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a dye-based inkjet ink set that includes a red disperse dye and, more particularly, to a dye-based inkjet ink set suitable for printing on polyester and polyester blends fabrics. The present invention also pertains to a method for printing polyester and polyester blends fabrics with the dye-based inkjet ink set, and a polyester and polyester blends fabrics so printed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of printing on a media comprising: providing a printhead 300 comprising a plurality of nozzles (301, . . . , 310, . . . , 319, . . . ) defining a print zone, at least one 310 of the nozzles of the print zone being faulty, the print head comprising within the print zone one or more healthy zones 371, 372; submitting a first region 281 of the media to N print zone passes; and, submitting a second region 282 of the media to M print zone passes using a healthy zone to overlap a faulty nozzle, at least two of the M passes being separated by an advance of the media relative to the printhead; producing alternate first and second regions when printing on the media; whereby M>N and N>0.

Abstract: In an image recording apparatus equipped with plural printing heads each for jetting ink drops having a photo-setting property towards a recording medium, a conveyance unit for conveying the recording medium to the printing heads, and each of plural light radiation devices for radiating light to the ink drops landed on the recording medium to harden, is arranged at the downstream side of each of the plural printing heads, one having largest light energy, which is located at the most downstream position among the plural light radiation devices is determined at least to satisfy the light energy necessary for hardening of the ink drops jetted by any one of the printing heads positioned upstream thereof, and the light energy becomes smaller gradually for every light radiation device in the order from the light radiation device at the most downstream position to those at more upstream positions.

Abstract: In a hardcopy device, a print media advance mechanism for moving a print media past a printhead and including a device for adjusting the size of successive advance movements in dependence n printing parameters, the adjusting device is capable of adjusting said size to have an increased resolution, at least in a part of said range. In some embodiments the hardcopy device is set in dependence or one or more of: print mode being employed, ink density, print media width and whether a sheet or roll media is being employed. In some embodiments, a printing operation is preceded by calibrating operation in which a plurality of patterns are printed corresponding to different sizes of media advance and a user selects the optimal value based on visual inspection of the patterns; the different sizes are distributed within a range of values in a non-linear manner.

Abstract: A recording medium discharge apparatus includes a discharge pusher for discharging a recording medium; and a discharge tray in which the recording medium discharged through the discharge pusher is stacked. The discharge pusher is configured to be capable of conducting electric current, thereby eliminating the static electricity from the recording medium discharged to the discharge tray. For the electric conduction of the discharge pusher, the discharge pusher includes a conductive material. Alternately, an elastic member is made of a conductive material in such a way that a part of the elastic member is extended to a surface of the discharge pusher which comes into contact with the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the invention includes an image carrier, an exposure device performing exposure for forming a toner image on a surface of the image carrier and having at least a first exposure light source and a second exposure light sources a sensor for detecting specified patterns, which are formed on the image carrier at a specified time with use of the first and second exposure light sources, a storing unit for storing a correlation, which is attained from a detection result by the sensor, between the first and second exposure light sources, and a controller for controlling the first and second exposure light sources based on the correlation.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a main frame of the image forming device having a body, a drum shaft which is positioned and supported by the body of the main frame of the image forming device, a photoconductive drum which is provided removably in the main frame of the image forming device and supported rotatably on the drum shaft, and an optical writing head which includes positioning pins and is positioned relatively with respect to the photoconductive drum. By contacting the positioning pins against a circumferential body of the drum shaft, the optical writing head is positioned relatively with respect to the photoconductive drum.

Abstract: A driver circuit of a thermal print head is disclosed including: a plurality of gating groups respectively coupled to a plurality of strobe signals of different timings in which each gating group includes a plurality of gate units respectively coupled to a plurality of heating elements; and a register module coupled to the plurality of gating groups for providing each gate unit with a corresponding color level data; wherein each gate unit controls a coupled heating element according to a corresponding strobe signal and a received color level data.

Abstract: A thermal print head is disclosed including plural driver circuits, each for driving plural heating elements; and a strobe signal generator for generating a plurality of strobe signals of different timings in which each strobe signal is coupled to a part of the plurality of driver circuits. The plural driver circuits operate simultaneously according to the plurality of strobe signals.

Abstract: A drawing control method for producing label pattern is disclosed.

Abstract: The printed product comprises a carrier of a main image applied thereon transmitted by an ordered screen having a specified angle and lineature and at least one additional latent image which is hidden from visualization and transmitted by a deformed-structure screen. Said latent image can be visualized when it is applied to the printed product of a test pattern embodied in the form of a transparent substrate which is provided with a linear screen applied thereto and which angle and lineature are identical to specified angle and lineature. Depending on the type of the screen deformation the latent image is displayable with preserved tints or in the form of contour lines. The method for producing of the printed product consists in introducing distortions in the ordered screen by shifting the centers of the screen grid structure or by inserting modified elements into the ordered screen said elements being embodied in the form of transition between the types of said ordered screen elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a user interface method for switching modes in a combined terrestrial DMB terminal. When an event according to other mode (B) occurs, a user's key input is confirmed. It is checked if the key input aims at mode switching, and if so, a current service mode is switched to the other mode (B). Otherwise, it is further checked if the key input is a key input for immediate execution. When the key input for immediate execution aims at immediate execution following audio termination, an audio service in the current service mode (A) is terminated, and then the current service mode is switched to the other mode (B). When the key input for immediate execution aims at immediate execution without the audio termination, a video service in the current service mode (A) is terminated, and then the current service mode is switched to the other mode (B).

Abstract: A management arrangement for transmitting video data from a content delivery server to a mobile communications terminal. The arrangement of the invention is characterized in that it has: a database of possible routes and of possible timetables; a portal for determining a route and a timetable from among the possible routes and timetables, as a function of information supplied by the terminal, and concerning the planned journey of the terminal; means for determining a set of base stations situated along the route determined in this way; and means for transmitting a piece of said data to each of said base stations, each piece being determined as a function of the timetable determined by the portal.

Abstract: A vehicle drive assistant system which converts, into birds' eye images, images photographed by a plurality of image pickup devices loaded on a vehicle and for photographing the surrounding of the vehicle, generates a synthesized bird's-eye view by synthesizing each of the obtained bird's-eye images and displays a generated synthesized bird's-eye view on a display unit, the vehicle drive assistant system comprising a means for, when each overlapping portion in which two bird's-eye views overlap each other is synthesized, setting a border line which allows two regions to be alternately disposed with respect to the overlapping portion and adopting a bird's-eye view in a region separated by the border line in the overlapping portion while adopting the other bird's-eye view in the other region separated by the border line so as to synthesize the overlapping portion.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method for displaying stereoscopic digital motion picture images are provided. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the method includes receiving at a digital video projector one or more frames of left-eye data and one or more frames of right-eye data, receiving at the digital video projector an input reference signal indicating whether each frame of data comprises left-eye data or right-eye data, receiving at the digital video projector a display reference signal indicating whether left-eye data or right-eye data should be projected at a particular time, and projecting the left-eye data and right eye data, as indicated by the display reference signal, separated by periods of dark time.

Abstract: This invention discloses a system and method for displaying 3-D stereoscopic images, in which stereoscopic image data are processed separately by two graphic processing channels. The operation of the two channels is synchronized, so that the processed stereoscopic images are outputted simultaneously to be displayed either by a polarization system or a head-mounted LCD system. Such a display system allows a viewer's left eye to see only a left image and the right eye to see only the right image, yet seeing the same pair of stereoscopic images at the same time, to create a natural 3-D image illusion.

Abstract: By mounting a camera to rotate with a rotating component to be viewed it is possible to review the whole component illuminated by a light source. Generally the component will be specifically marked with target markings to highlight its profile to allow images produced by the camera to be compared for distortion and displacement. Such in situ monitoring arrangements also allow profiling of the surface, and by projection of a grid or matrix onto a component surface any distortion in that matrix is indicative of variations in the surface or through use of astigmatic techniques variations in the incident image pattern can be utilised in order to determine distance variations.

Abstract: The invention provides a substrate surface imaging method and apparatus that compensates for non-linear movement of the substrate surface during an imaging sequence. In one aspect of the invention, the imaging method and apparatus compensate for the non-linear substrate surface movement by adjusting the image receiver trigger points to correspond to image positions on the substrate surface. In another aspect, the invention provides synchronous imaging where the distance between each image position is determined by counting the number of stepper motor steps between image positions. In still another aspect, the invention provides for asynchronous substrate imaging by determining an image trigger time between each image position and using the image trigger time to trigger the receiver at the appropriate time to accurately image the substrate surface.

Abstract: An apparatus to evaluate an illuminated panel comprises a camera to acquire a real-time digital color image of the illuminated panel and a stored digital color image of a standard illuminated panel. A monitor is provided to alternately display the real-time image and the stored image to detect any differences in the illuminated panel.

Abstract: A video storage uplink system includes a controller, a power input, an external input, a first and second memory partition, a switching interface, a communications unit and a data retrieval interface. The external camera input is configured to receive image data acquired by a plurality of video cameras mounted to the exterior of an aircraft. The switching interface is configured to receive airborne status signals from a squat switch mounted to the landing gear. The first memory partition stores image data received when the aircraft is on the ground. The second memory partition stores image data received when the aircraft is airborne. The communications unit is configured to transmit image data stored in the first and second memory partition. Alternatively, the data retrieval interface, provides access to data stored in the first and second memory partition via a physical connector. Using crash protected solid state memory partitions allow data retrieval for air or ground accident investigations.

Abstract: Pan, tilt and zoom sensors are coupled to a broadcast camera in order to determine the field of view of the broadcast camera and to make a rough estimate of a target's location in the broadcast camera's field of view. Pattern recognition techniques can be used to determine the exact location of the target in the broadcast camera's field of view. If a preselected target is at least partially within the field of view of the broadcast camera, all or part of the target's image is enhanced. The enhancements include replacing the target image with a second image, overlaying the target image or highlighting the target image. Examples of a target include a billboard, a portion of a playing field or another location at a live event. The enhancements made to the target's image can be seen by the television viewer but are not visible to persons at the live event.

Abstract: An image-data output device that outputs image data and a signal for an output control device to load the image data, the output control device taking control of outputting the image data to a device, is provided and includes: a first signal generating section that generates a vertical synchronizing signal for the output control device to load the image data; a second signal generating section that generates a horizontal synchronizing signal; a third signal generating section that generates an outputting-image-data synchronizing signal for the output control device to load the image data, the outputting-image-data synchronizing signal having a suspension period in a duration that the vertical synchronizing signal is effective and the horizontal synchronizing signal is ineffective; a first output terminal that outputs the vertical synchronizing signal to the output control device; and a second output terminal that outputs the outputting-image-data synchronizing signal to the output control device.

Abstract: What is proposed is a method for the color correction of digital image data generated by spectral absorption of white light in color filters of a first representation means. Color film material, in particular, is taken into consideration as the first representation means. For this purpose, firstly the primary color values R, G, B of the image data on the color film are detected. Said primary color values R, G, B are corrected in order to generate secondary color values R?, G?, B? which are related to a second representation means, for example a monitor. This correction involves taking account of the absorption of light in secondary densities of the colorants of the film material which form the color filters of the first representation means. For this purpose, a plurality of absorption spectra are generated for different densities of the colorants.

Abstract: A white balance adjustment that conforms to the color temperature of light at the time of imaging is applied to image data. Specifically, a face-image area is detected from the image of a subject. A skin-tone area is detected from the detected face-image area, and the color temperature of light in the environment in which the image was sensed is detected from the detected skin-tone area. White balance gain conforming to the detected color temperature is calculated. Image data representing the image of the subject is subjected to a white balance adjustment using the white balance gain calculated.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for reducing flicker effects in electronic devices (e.g., a video camera, a camera-phone mobile device, a portable electronic device, etc.) by reducing an optical intensity of a video image received by the electronic device. It is determined by the electronic device whether a flicker light source is present and if predetermined conditions are met. As long as that is the case, an optical attenuation of a video image taken by the electronic device is provided using a predetermined criterion and a video signal of the video image is generated by the electronic device using an exposure time substantially equal to or a multiple of an inverse of a flicker frequency.

Abstract: A digital camera has a memory and a scan-mode. In this mode, the camera takes a sequence of still pictures. A next one of the pictures in the sequence is selected for being stored in the memory based on an amount of overlap regarding a picture content with a previous one of the pictures stored in the memory. The camera processes the pictures stored in the memory so as to create a composite picture.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for photographing an erect image in a portable communication terminal. In the method, a rotational angle of the portable communication terminal is measured while a photograph is taken. A photographing direction of the portable communication terminal is determined according to the measured rotational angle. The photographed image is rotated and stored such that the photographed image becomes an erect or upright image.

Abstract: An image pickup device has an image pickup element (20), a variable power lens (20) for changing image pickup magnification, a magnification converting lens (15) for converting the image pickup magnification into a predetermined multiple, a signal processing circuit (30) for outputting a signal from the image pickup element (20) as a picture image signal, an image recording section (31) for recording an image, and a control section (40). The signal processing circuit (30) outputs the image recorded to the image recording section (31) to a monitor when the magnification converting lens (15) is inserted onto an optical axis L. At the inserting time of the magnification converting lens, it is possible to prevent that a frame body of the magnification converting lens is displayed in the monitor.

Abstract: Input unit inputs RAW data. Print data generating unit generates print data from an image to be printed. The print data allows a print unit to print the image to be printed. Correct unit sets a color balance operation value or a luminance operation value based on the RAW data, and enforces a color balance correction corresponding to the color balance operation value or a luminance correction corresponding to the luminance operation value on the RAW data. Image generating unit generates an image as the image to be printed from the RAW data with the color balance correction or the luminance correction enforced thereon using a deimosaicking processing and a tone reproduction processing.

Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus for preventing linearity defect at the time of photographing in a high-sensitivity mode, when processing an image signal produced by a solid-state image pickup device under a predetermined condition, such as photographing in a super high-sensitivity mode, at a high temperature or with a long-time exposure, a signal processor increases a clamp level for clamping the image signal. A noise reducer then executes noise reduction for removing noise of random nature from the image signal before correcting the primary black level for the image signal, and thereafter the black level is corrected.

Abstract: In a signal processing apparatus for processing an image signal, a hue difference between adjoining pixels is detected by a color image edge detector, and an aperture control main gain circuit amplifies a luminance signal using a gain determined on the basis of the hue difference detected by the color image edge detector to enhance an edge pixel of an image.

Abstract: A smear-correcting device that corrects a smear of an image signal from a CCD having photoelectric conversion elements including a smear-correcting photoelectric conversion element, is provided and includes: a determining section determining whether a smear component is contained in an image signal from the photoelectric conversion elements other than the smear-correcting photoelectric conversion element, based on a corresponding smear-correcting signal from the smear-correcting photoelectric conversion element; a section correcting the smear of the image signal determined to contain the smear component, based on the corresponding smear-correcting signal; and an output section that outputs an image signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides providing a substrate, forming a sensor array on the substrate, forming a structured array of uncommitted logic surrounding the sensor array on the substrate, and providing electrical interconnects to the structured array of uncommitted logic, wherein the structured array of uncommitted logic forms functions that support the operation of the sensor array.