Abstract: In an antenna device, a radiation slot formed in a metal plate includes a main slot part on one diagonal line of the metal plate and first and second branch slot parts. The first and second branch split parts extend along two adjacent sides of the metal plate and are connected to one end of the main slot part. A power feeder line and a ground line are formed in the vicinity of another end of the main slot part. The length and relative position of each slot part is set such that the plane of polarization of an electric wave radiated from the main and first slot parts and the plane of polarization of an electric wave radiated from the main and second slot parts are orthogonal to each other and the two electric waves differ in phase by 90 degrees.

Abstract: Disposing an additional sleeve-shaped structure, which is also called a sleeve, on a first radiator of both resonant radiators of a dipole antenna so that a cavity is formed between the additional radiator and a second resonant radiator of the dipole antenna. An effective bandwidth of the dipole antenna is increased significantly by a capacitance effect caused by the cavity so that more channels can be received by a general digital television broadband antenna while the dipole antenna is applied on the digital television broadband antenna.

Abstract: A vibration isolation system (100) for a payload (102). The vibration isolation system provides a level of vibration isolation for all vibration translational and rotational components, while minimizing the moment of the payload mass relative to the isolation system. The system includes a base (104) and a plurality of vibration isolators (114). Each vibration isolator includes a semi-rigid first support member (202) having first portion (204) positioned below the base and an opposing second portion (206) positioned above the base, and a second support member (208) having a first portion (210) fixed to the base and an opposing second portion (212) extending above the base. An elastomeric coupling (228) couples the first support member to the second support member at a height that is approximately equal to a height of a center of gravity (302) of a combined mass of the base and the payload above the base.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is described a sign display panel made up of a controller connected in a serial communication network with a set of display units. Each of the display units receives messages from the controller and detects errors in the messages. The controller sends a series of communication integrity messages to the set of display units. When a display unit receives the communication integrity message, it sends it to the next display unit or back to the controller. If a display unit does not receive a communication integrity message within a set time interval, the display unit sends an error message that is received by the controller.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an ornamental system, apparatus and method that is dynamically modifiable. Embodiments of the ornament system comprise a processor, at least one ornamental member and a data controller. The processor is a computer which stores user input data for transmission and transmits a request for the transmission of data files. The ornamental member is configured to receive and display image data stored in a database, wherein the stored data can be changed at anytime. Embodiments of the present invention can be coupled to other ornamental systems across a wide area network, wherein users can share data files for display.

Abstract: A system including environmental controls that at least enhance the experience of giving or viewing a presentation. Controls are available which enable the presenter to have direct control of the presentation environment. Presenters can also practice a presentation before actually giving it, transmit a presentation, either pre-recorded or live, from a remote location(s), record a presentation for later distribution, view a pre-recorded or live presentation from a remote location(s), or upload a video or audio message to a website. The system also includes a stylus, a remote control, and an interface device to enable a handheld computing device to be used as a remote, or even as the source for presentations themselves. The system includes a combination of an Integrated Information Presentation Device (PowerPodium), an Integrated Presentation Environment Assembly with Controls (Presentation Booth), an Information Display Device System (PDA Device), a stylus and a remote control.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus which occupies a small space and which is capable of supplying image information having high definition and high resolution. An information processing apparatus of the invention employs a head mount display (HMD) utilizing compact flat panel displays as a display device for displaying information. The use of a head mount display as the display device of the information processing apparatus prevents any reduction in a work space. It also makes it possible to change the size of a virtual display screen freely. In addition, the information processing apparatus of the invention is capable of displaying a plurality of pieces of information on the virtual display screen at a time.

Abstract: A control circuit of a power supply delivering a supply current to an inductor connected in series with the horizontal deflection yoke of a cathode ray tube display, the inductor being the primary coil of a transformer operatively connected for delivering a rectified low-pass filtered biasing voltage to the anode of the display, the low-pass filtering having a first time constant corresponding to the duration of a plurality of pictures, the control circuit having feedback circuitry for generating a monitoring voltage substantially proportional to the biasing voltage and for controlling the supply current to keep the monitoring voltage equal to a reference voltage; and feedforward circuitry for measuring the cathode current and for adding to the monitoring voltage a compensation voltage corresponding to the cathode current, low-pass filtered with a second time constant corresponding to the duration of a small number of lines and high-pass filtered with the first time constant.

Abstract: In order to reduce aliasing as much as possible in a display apparatus that has a delta arrangement type screen, an image filter for performing a neighborhood operation is incorporated as a previous stage of a screen driving circuit. The image filter realizes low pass filtering including space frequency limitation in the diagonal direction that is suitable for a display on the delta arrangement type screen. Coefficients that constitute the filter matrix are optimized so that frequency components that exceed a Nyquist limit in the delta arrangement are suppressed. Coefficients that give optimal filter characteristics for any scale of filter matrix are defined by an expression.

Abstract: A display includes in each of display areas: a reflective area containing a non-light-emitting display element for effecting a display by means of a liquid crystal display element reflecting external light; and a light-emitting area containing a light-emitting display element for effecting a display by means of an organic EL element directly modulating external light, the reflective area and the light-emitting area being ordered in some manner. The display further includes a first substrate and a second substrate positioned opposite to each other, and the light-modulating element and the light-emitting element are both provided between the first substrate and the second substrate. Thus, a display and a method of manufacturing thereof can be offered which allows for reduction in size and cost and delivers excellent visibility from outdoors to indoors.

Abstract: An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes at least one shield electrode between a cathode layer and an OLED drive circuit. The OLED drive circuit has at least one thin-film transistor (TFT), and the shield electrode is disposed to correspond to the thin-film transistor and closer to the cathode layer, covering an entire region between the source and drain of the thin-film transistor. The shield electrode is either grounded or tied to the gate of the thin-film transistor, to thereby minimize parasitic capacitances in the pixels of the display to enhance the display performance. The presented architecture enables high density drive circuit integration in amorphous silicon or other technologies, yet preserving a high display aperture ratio.

Abstract: A display device includes a plurality of scanning lines (X1-Xm), a plurality of signal lines (Y1-Yn), a scanning driver (5) which sequentially supplies to the scanning lines selection signals that select the scanning lines, a data driver (3) which supplies a designation current to the plurality of signal lines within a selection period when the scanning lines are being selected, a plurality of pixel circuits which supplies a driving current corresponding to a current value of the designation current that flows to the signal lines, a plurality of optical elements (E1,1-Em,n) which emit light in accordance with the driving current supplied by the plurality of pixel is circuits and a power supply (6) which outputs to the plurality of pixel circuits a driving current reference voltage to supply the driving current.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide an electro-optical device including first pixel portions each including an active element and second pixel portions each not including any active element, the first and second pixel portions being provided in an image display region of a substrate, a first driving device for driving the first pixel portions in an active driving method and a second driving device for driving the second pixel portions in a passive driving method. Accordingly, the invention can realize a display by using both an active driving method and a passive driving method with a simple structure.

Abstract: A color-changing device which includes an enclosure at least a portion of which is material which is desired to change color. There is also included an illumination device, such as an LED or collection of LEDs which can illuminate the material. There can also be included a controller which can take some form of input, such as from a network, or a sensor, and can convert that input into a signal to control the illumination. There is also included a method for performing such color change.

Abstract: The present invention provides a driving circuit with protection function for driving a set of external electrode fluorescent lamps (EEFL) . The drive circuit includes, a transformer connected to the set of EEFLs, a switching network connected to the transformer which delivers power to the transformer, a sensing circuit connected to the set of EEFLs which detects disconnection if one light source is disconnected, and a controller connected to the switching network which controls the switching network to reduce the total current supplied to the EEFLs which remain connected, if the sensing circuit detects that one EEFL is disconnected. Appropriate protection can therefore be implemented when the EEFL is disconnected on one end or both ends.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gray level dynamic switching. The method is applied to driving a display with at least one pixel. In the method of the present invention, a gray level sequence SG is provided. SG sequentially represents two or more desired gray levels Go(1), . . . , Go(T) of the pixel at consecutive time frames 1, . . . , T and comprises a current gray level Go(t) and a previous gray level Go(t?1) corresponding to time frames t and t?1, respectively. Then, the pixel is driven with an optimized driving force Vd(t) to change the pixel forward to a state corresponding to Go(t) according to Go(t) and Go(t?1). In the present invention, the optimized driving voltage Vd(t) is determined by equations of Vd(t)=Vo(t?1)+ODV and Vd(t)=a×Gd(m)3+b×Gd(m)2+c×Gd(m)+d, wherein the voltage ODV is a minimum voltage capable of obtaining one gray level transition in a determined response time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a driving circuit of a liquid crystal display and a driving method thereof. The method includes receiving a M-bit image data from an image data input terminal and extracting N most significant bits (MSB)of the M-bit image data to form a N-bit image data. The N-bit image data is delayed by one frame period to form a N-bit delayed image data. The N-bit delayed image data is compared with P MSB of a current M-bit image data to determine whether to generate a first data voltage according to a first image value selected from a reference table, or to generate a second data voltage according to the current M-bit image data.

Abstract: A level shift circuit includes first and second level shifters which respectively output first and second output signals that are produced by level shifting two kinds of input clock signals whose high level periods do not overlap. The level shift circuit also includes control transistors and control lines which, together, prevent a feedthrough current from flowing into the second level shifter when the first output signal is high level, and prevent a feedthrough current from flowing into the first level shifter when the second output signal is high level, so as to suspend the level shift operation of the first and second level shifters. With the level shift circuit, power consumption during a specific time period in a non-active period of the clock signal can be eliminated, where the specific time period of one clock signal is the active period of the other clock signal.

Abstract: A display device includes a light source that emits a plurality of color lights, and a liquid crystal panel that controls transmission or reflection of the color light from the light source. One field is divided into a plurality of subfields: fr, fg and fb. A specific color light is emitted for at least a partial time of each subfield. An image corresponding to the specific color light is displayed on the liquid crystal panel. Durations of the subfields fr, fg and fb are set to be different from any other subfield in same field. A reflection-type gradation displaying is executed based on a combination of the durations of the subfields.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, plural pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix on a second substrate, a counter electrode provided on one of first substrate and the second substrate and plural switching elements connected to the respective plural pixel electrodes, a display drive control unit for driving the liquid crystal disposed between each of the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode, a lighting unit having LEDs emitting light of respective red, green and blue colors, and a lighting device control unit for making each LED of color perform time-division light emission in synchronization with the switching of each of the switching elements.

Abstract: A rack mount server or device with an integrated display that has an adjustable viewing angle. An adjustable viewing angle allows rack mount servers and devices to be stacked and still maintain viewability of their display screens.

Abstract: A method, and a system for carrying out that method, for deterministically matching first elements of a first set of objects or events with second elements of a second set of objects or events. Matching first and second elements are associated with common values of an identification code pn having |pn| characters, and where the identification code can be insufficient to uniquely identify the first elements, and portions of the identification code values associated with the first and second elements can be unknown.

Abstract: A secondary input system for a pen-based computer allows users to control a graphical user interface without the use of a stylus. The secondary input system may be in the form of a pointing system. A display surface may be attached to a housing in which the display surface is sensitive to input of a pen device. The pointing system includes a secondary input system on housing in which the input device is responsive to movement of a finger of a user for controlling the graphical user interface. The input device may be a point stick device, a touchpad, or other device that provides two-dimensional movement of a graphical object on the display surface. The secondary input system may be automatically activated or deactivated based on proximity sensing of a stylus or pen with respect of the display surface.

Abstract: A touch panel apparatus includes a touch panel for recognizing a contact position and a touch panel controller for computing a coordinate value corresponding to the contact position on the touch panel, wherein an activation force is set to a value between 80 g˜150 g, and the touch panel controller compensates for an error of the coordinate value due to double touching of the touch panel.

Abstract: A position code is applied on a surface to code positions in one or more directions. The code is based on a main number series which has the property that the place in the main number series of each number sequence of a first predetermined length is unambiguously determined. A position is determined based on one or more such number sequences of the first predetermined length. The orientation of the position code is discriminable from the main number series, but only for number sequences of a second predetermined length that exceeds the first predetermined length.

Abstract: A wireless coordinate input system for a display system includes a stylus that transmits ultrasonic energy to a plurality of ultrasonic receiving stations in a projection plane. In an embodiment, the stylus may include one ultrasonic transmitter used for determination of three-dimensional coordinates of the stylus relative to the projection plane. The stylus may also include a second ultrasonic transmitter controlled by a pressure-activated switch. When the stylus is pressed against the projection plane, the second transmitter turns on and is used for determination of two-dimensional coordinates of the stylus in the projection plane. The stylus may also include a higher frequency burst transmitter used to generate a time reference. One or more of the ultrasonic receiving stations may also include an ultrasonic transmitter for calibration.

Abstract: A display (3) displays a menu, and a centralized commander (5) has a central decision switch (6), a first scan switch (7) surrounding the decision switch and operable for an inching scan on the menu in a vertical direction, and a second scan switch (9) surrounding the first scan switch and operable for a traverse scan on the menu in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A field sequential pulse width modulated display system (10) comprises a digital micromirror device (DMD) (24) having a plurality of micromirrors that each selectively pivot to reflect light onto a screen (28) to illuminate a corresponding pixel. A driver circuit (30) controls the DMD (24) responsive to sequences of pulse width segments formed by a processor (31). The processor (31) forms the pulse width segment sequences to alter the pixel brightness for a given one of a set of primary colors within a range of brightness values between adjacent pixel brightness boundaries, with each segment for each color interleaved with the segments for the other colors.

Abstract: Each gamma characteristic adjusting unit in a gamma correcting circuit selects a reference voltage from basic voltages generated by a basic voltage generating circuit based on correction adjustment data and selects a reference-voltage output terminal from reference-voltage output terminal candidates of a gamma correction resistor circuit as a target from which the reference voltage is to be output. As double adjustments based on such two-stage selection are possible, the adjustment range for the gamma characteristic can be made wider.

Abstract: In a light emitting display device which is actively driven by TFTs, light emitting display pixels are driven efficiently. In a light emitting display panel 10, a large number of light emitting display pixels 10a are arranged in a matrix pattern and measuring pixels 10b are arranged forming a line along one dataline. A constant current is supplied from a constant current source 11 to the measuring pixels 10b, and the forward voltage VF of the EL element in the measuring pixel 10b is obtained by a voltage detecting terminal 12. The value of the drive voltage supplied to the light emitting display pixels 10a is controlled based on the forward voltage VF. Thus, a drive TFT (Tr2) constructing the light emitting display pixel 10a can drive an EL element E1 in the state where a drop voltage (VD) of the degree by which a constant current characteristic can be ensured is ensured, and a power loss generated in the drive TFT can be effectively restrained.

Abstract: The apparatus has an evaluated value calculating means 102 for calculating the complexity of the object shape and the complexity of the modeling structure of the object CAD data input by the CAD data inputting means 101; a searching means 104 for searching the reference CAD data in the reference CAD data base 103 in accordance with the condition of said complexity; an evaluated value calculating means 106 for calculating the complexity of the object shape and the complexity of the modeling structure based on the searched reference CAD data; and a displaying means 105 for evaluated values obtained by the means 102 and the means 106 on the graphic representation defining its horizontal axis for the complexity of the object shape and its vertical axis for the complexity of the modeling structure. It will be appreciated that the man-hour for evaluating large amount of various models can be reduced by means of not using a CAD system.

Abstract: A graphical data-compressor for compressing received arbitrary graphical data for subsequent transmission; where the graphical data-compressor comprises an input for receiving the received arbitrary graphical data, the input being linked to an analyzer for analysis of the received arbitrary graphical data into constituent geometrical parts, the analyzer being linked to an analytic scene describer, for description of said constituent geometrical parts as an analytic description of the received arbitrary graphical data, the analytic scene describer being linked to a transmitter, the transmitter being for transmission of the analytic description.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for analyzing and imaging three-dimensional volume data sets. In one embodiment of the invention, a ribbon section is produced which may include a plurality of planes projected from a polyline. The polyline may include one or more line segments preferably formed within a plane. The projected planes intersect the three-dimensional volume data set and the data located at the intersection may be selectively viewed. The polyline may be edited or varied by editing or varying the control points which define the polyline. In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for quickly tracking a physical phenomena represented within the three-dimensional volume data set. A plurality of planes may be successively displayed in the three-dimensional volume data set from which points are digitized related to the structure of interest to create a spline curve on each plane.

Abstract: A method for modeling geological structures includes identifying fault planes in a geologic structure, and creating a set of substantially vertically oriented pillars along the fault plane. The pillar grids are then combined into a common three-dimensional grid pillar network, and a two-dimensional plane is defined that intersects the middle node of the pillars. Planes are identified that are oriented in the substantially horizontal direction and horizontal node points are created, and such a process is repeated for other node levels. A skeleton grid is then created by drawing a substantially vertically oriented pillar through each corresponding grid intersection, and then primary horizons as defined by interpretation of seismic data are inserted into the skeleton grid. And, a final scale resolution is created by dividing the spaces bounded between actual horizons and fault planes, and eventual actual part of the outer boundary into one or more horizontally oriented fine layers.

Abstract: An ?-value ?P1 corresponding to a Z-value of each pixel in an original image and an ?-nonuniformity setting ?-value a UP which is a nonuniform ?-value in a virtual plane are synthesized into an ?-value ?P2. The color ICP of the original image and the fog color CP are synthesized into a fog image, based on the ?-value ?P2. A plurality of ?-nonuniformity setting ?-values provided for the virtual planes different in nonuniformity pattern are synthesized. The nonuniformity patterns are changed depending on the virtual camera information and time information. An ?-value used to synthesize the ?-nonuniformity setting ?-values is set based on a Z-value of each pixel in the original image. A Z-value of each pixel in the original image is used as an index number of a lookup table and the index color texture mapping is applied to a virtual object to convert the Z-value into an ?-value.

Abstract: The present invention provides for accelerating the generation of graphical images that include shadow effects by, for example, reducing the amount of data transmitted and/or stored necessary to render graphics based on stencil shadow volumes. In one embodiment, an exemplary apparatus is configured to render shadows using stencil shadow volumes. The apparatus includes a memory to store a degree of shadowing for each sample. A co-processor, which is coupled to the memory, is configured to generate an indicator that represents a common degree of shadowing associated with the subset of samples. In some cases, the apparatus includes a graphics processing unit (“GPU”), which is coupled to the co-processor, that is configured to render one or more shadows for a computer-generated image based on the indicator.

Abstract: A data structure, termed a pyramid, representing levels of data is disclosed. A method to produce the data structure is also disclosed. The pyramid data structure includes a series of levels, termed floors. In turn, the each floor is comprised of numerous cells. The data structure may be cached or can be stored in a file or database for run-time access by distributed applications.

Abstract: A method and user interface are provided for independently and conveniently scaling y-values of multiple data sets whereby the data sets may be plotted against a common y-axis and provide satisfactory variability. A multiplier is selected by which data points in a data set are multiplied, allowing plots of multiple data sets to be graphed against a common range of y-axis values. The initial multiplier may be calculated and selected automatically by the computer on which the graphing is performed or may be manually selected by a user. If the results of the graphing are not satisfactory to the user, the user may change the multiplier for any data set. A spin button may be provided to enable the user to easily increment or decrement a multiplier in predefined steps, such as by factors of 10. Additionally, a computer-generated indicator may be displayed to assist the user in selecting a different multiplier.

Abstract: One embodiment of an edge connector for a field changeable graphics system includes a right angle edge connector having a plurality of contact pins adapted to engage contacts on a graphics card. The edge connector is adapted to interface the graphics card with the motherboard of a computing device, without directly mounting the graphics card to the motherboard. One advantage of the disclosed edge connector is that it is compatible with a plurality of graphics cards and systems, thereby enabling a computing device user to upgrade the existing device's graphics system. Thus, the user is not forced to purchase an entirely new computing device in order to take advantage of graphics innovations. A further advantage of the disclosed edge connector is that it enables upgrades to low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) features, without the need for additional costly devices capable of operating at LVDS data rates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for processing graphic operations on a plurality of data structures of an image with a graphics processing unit and memory. The disclosed techniques of the system and method create an accumulation buffer of the data structures for accumulating changes to the data structures. A separate buffer is then created from at least a portion of the data structures of the accumulation buffer. The disclosed techniques read the data structures from the separate buffer with the graphics processing unit. The graphics processing unit operates on the data structures read from the separate buffer with the operation. Then, the disclosed techniques write the results of the operation onto the portion of the accumulation buffer corresponding to the separate buffer.

Abstract: A 3-D rendering engine with embedded memory a graphics engine. A graphics engine is disclosed that includes a rendering engine for receiving graphics primitives and converting them to pixel information for transfer to a display, The rendering engine is operable to access memory locations with multiple memory access requests for a Read or a Write operation and operable in a first address space. A plurality of memory blocks are provided, each individually accessible and all configured in a virtual address space different than said first address space. A memory mapping device is provided for mapping each of the memory requests to the virtual address space. A pipeline engine is operable to pipeline the mapped memory access requests for both Read and Write operations in accordance with a predetermined pipelining scheme. The memory access requests are received in parallel and processed asynchronously, such that access to more than one of the memory blocks can occur at substantially the same time.

Abstract: A method, data processing system, and computer instructions for simulating direct frame buffer access. A request for access to a frame buffer memory is received from an application. A portion of system memory is allocated for use as the frame buffer memory in response to receiving the request. A pointer to the portion of system memory is returned to the application. The application writes data to the portion of system memory, treating the portion of system memory like the frame buffer memory.

Abstract: The present application discloses several methods, techniques and systems for rendering source image data onto high brightness subpixel arrangements—for example, RGBW display panels. Additionally, these techniques have application for rendering data onto 3-color displays as well.

Abstract: A system is described for displaying images of a virtual three-dimensional book having one or more virtual pages. The system comprises a display system capable of executing a display program wherein images of the virtual three-dimensional book are produced on the display system. The display system may include a magnification function producing a virtual magnifier moveable over the virtual pages. The display system may also include a the “stretchy page” display method wherein one section of the page is directly magnified, while other adjacent sections may be directly magnified in a horizontal or vertical direction, but not both directions. Moreover, a virtual page may also be tilted about a central axis of the virtual page to accommodate viewing of a desired section on the display system. Finally, a computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for producing images of a virtual three-dimensional book is also disclosed.

Abstract: A posing system for three-dimensional characters and other models uses a stroke-based gestural language to position elements of the characters in a three-dimensional environment. A user draws a stroke in a two-dimensional interface in connection with a portion of model. The drawn stroke corresponds to an element of the model, such as a particular body part. A software program interprets the stroke and applies it to the placement or posing of the corresponding element. Additional elements are posed as necessary to further define the way in which the model as a whole should be posed. With a number of appropriate strokes for each of the elements, an animator can position the model in the scene.

Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for improving the off-normal axis viewing angle by applying different filters if one colored sub-pixel data is driven close to 100% luminance while other colored sub-pixel data is driven close to 50% luminance values. Systems and methods for adjusting the viewing characteristics of the display system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A plurality of first base images for a base color are formed in accordance with a predetermined adjustment value. A plurality of first correction images for a correction color to be a subject for correction are formed on the first base images in accordance with a predetermined adjustment value. The first correction images are displaced within a predetermined range. The first adjustment value is determined from changed adjustment values. The second base images for the base color are formed in accordance with the predetermined adjustment value while the second correction images for the correction color are formed in accordance with a plurality of adjustment values determined based on the first adjustment value. One second adjustment value having an extreme is determined from the plurality of adjustment value candidates. These processes are repeated to determine a final adjustment value. The adjustment value for the correction color is corrected to the determined final adjustment value.

Abstract: Provided is a thermal activation device including a thermal activation head (11) for thermally activating a heat-sensitive adhesive layer of a sheet material (3) having a printing layer provided on one surface of a sheet-like base material and having the heat-sensitive adhesive layer provided on the other surface thereof, and a platen roller (12) for holding and conveying the sheet material (3), the platen roller (12) being brought into press contact with the thermal activation head (11). Moreover, the thermal activation head (11) thermally activates the heat-sensitive adhesive layer asymmetrically with respect to a centerline in a width direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the sheet material (3). Furthermore, a plate spring (18) which urges the sheet material (3) to be pressed onto a peripheral surface of the platen roller (12) is provided, the plate spring (18) being located on an upstream side of the thermal activation head (11) in the conveying direction of the sheet material (3).

Abstract: A thermal head has a head substrate including exothermic bodies which generate heat when electricity is supplied thereto, a common electrode connected with first ends of the exothermic bodies, and independent electrodes connected with second ends of the exothermic bodies. A printed circuit board (PCB) includes driving elements controlling the electricity supplied to the exothermic bodies. The head substrate and PCB are attached on a heat sink such that an end surface of the head substrate adjoins an end surface of the PCB. The independent electrodes are wire-connected with the corresponding driving elements across a gap between the adjoining end surfaces to define a wire-connection unit, which is sealed with resin. An adhesive layer is partially disposed between the PCB and the heat sink such that a space is provided therebetween. The space communicates with the outside of the thermal head and with the gap.

Abstract: A thermal head includes a heat storage layer disposed on a substrate surface by lamination, a plurality of heating elements disposed on the heat storage layer, a plurality of individual electrodes, each connected individually to one end-portion of a heating element in the length direction of the resistance, and a common electrode electrically connected to the other end-portions of all heating elements in the length direction of the resistance, wherein the above-described substrate is a Si substrate having a resistivity of 20 m?·cm or less, the Si substrate is provided with an exposure region including no heat storage layer, and a contact portion is disposed on the exposure region, so as to keep the common electrode and the Si substrate surface in ohmic contact.