Abstract: A method of processing image data produced by a solid state image sensor that is overlaid with a color filter array is based on range scaling, demosaicing, matrixing, range clipping and gamma correction being performed in two data collection passes. The demosaicing can be performed with pixels grouped in 2×2 blocks, or quads.

Abstract: A color temperature calibration method for calibrating the color temperature of a display device according to a set of target chromaticity coordinate values, includes: measuring colors displayed by a plurality of display cells of the display device to generate at least a set of measurement chromaticity coordinate values; and adjusting at least a first gain value of the display device according to the set of target chromaticity coordinate values and the set of measurement chromaticity coordinate values; where the first gain value corresponds to the color of a first color channel of the display device; and the first color channel is one of the red color channel, green color channel and blue color channel.

Abstract: A hue adjustor and method for adjusting hues for specific colors in an image are provided. The hue adjustor includes a CORDIC unit (coordinated rotation digital computer unit), a color partition operation unit and a hue rotation unit. The color partition operation unit is coupled to the CORDIC unit and used to compute a new hue angle corresponding to a chrominance signal when falling in an adjustment area that is generated based on a control signal. The hue rotation unit is coupled to the color partition operation unit and used to rotate the chrominance signal by the new hue angle.

Abstract: Color conversion apparatus and methods are provided for converting a first color value, such as an RGB, L*a*b* or XYZ color value, to a second color value, such as an RGB, CMY, CMKY, L*a*b*, L,C1C2, or XYZ color value, without saturation error.

Abstract: A color adjustment method for adjusting color characteristics of a display device includes: respectively utilizing a plurality of sets of digital color channel values to drive the display device, each set of digital color channel values respectively corresponding to a plurality of color channels; and regarding at least a portion of the sets of digital color channel values: respectively utilizing a plurality of candidate Gamma characteristics to drive the display device, and measuring colors displayed by the display device to generate a plurality of sets of candidate chromaticity coordinate values corresponding to the candidate Gamma characteristics; and selecting a set of target chromaticity coordinate values according to the sets of candidate chromaticity coordinate values, and determining a Gamma characteristic corresponding to the set of digital color channel values according to a target Gamma characteristic corresponding to the set of target chromaticity coordinate values to adjust the color characteristi

Abstract: Drawings in a desired range of pages are selected from drawings which make up a completion report retrieved by a completion report retrieving means. A tag data setting means sets tag data for the selected drawings. The tag data is stored as data related to the drawings in a tag data storing means. Desired drawings are retrieved according to the tag data.

Abstract: A method for producing images is provided. The method involves acquiring images, acquiring data corresponding to the location of the acquired images, and transferring the images and data to a frame grabber. The method also involves combining the images and data within the frame grabber to provide a plurality of imagery products.

Abstract: Image processing techniques are described that reduce the amount of bandwidth required to read an image from memory for display. According to the techniques, a processor stores low change rate display layers in a memory such that a processor can read the display layers from the memory using a reduced amount of processing resources. An overlay module blends low change rate display layers into a combined overlay layer. A processor reads the overlay layer from the memory and selectively processes the overlay layer based on processing information for the overlay layer recorded in memory. The processor then blends the overlay layer and a high change rate video display layer to update a single image for display according to a high change rate. In addition, the overlay module updates the overlay layer based on the low change rate display layers according to a low change rate.

Abstract: A graphics integrated circuit chip is used in a set-top box for controlling a television display. The graphics chip processes analog video input, digital video input, graphics input and audio input simultaneously. The system includes a video decoder having a chroma-locked sample rate converter. The chroma-locked sample rate converter converts the samples to those taken at a sample rate that is a multiple of the chroma subcarrier frequency and that is locked to chroma bursts of the analog video signal in a control loop. The video decoder also includes a line-locked sample rate converter that receives samples at a multiple of the chroma subcarrier frequency and converts the samples to samples with a sample frequency that is a multiple of the horizontal line rate of the video input. The line-locked sample rate converter measures the horizontal line rate to an accuracy of a fraction of a pixel and adjusts the sample rate and phase of the line-locked sample rate converter to produce accurate line-locked samples.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and an image processing method for amplifying an image signal are provided without reducing an image size and without lowering a sense of resolution. An edge-direction detecting arithmetic section (2) detects an edge minimum direction from extracted Bayer data (BAY). An assigning arithmetic section (4) assigns a coefficient in which weighting is applied in the edge minimum direction of the extracted Bayer data (BAY) at a higher distribution ratio than other directions to a spatial filter kernel. In other words, the coefficient of the spatial filter kernel is changed in accordance with the edge minimum direction. A pixel adding arithmetic section (5) performs a sensitization process of extracted Bayer data (BAY). Therefore, it becomes possible to selectively perform a low-pass filtering process in the edge minimum direction.

Abstract: A hardware-implemented function evaluator performs mathematical calculations at high speeds to generate data values in place of an LUT. The disclosed embodiments can generate a small number of output values from a large number of input values. The calculations can use functions that are monotonically increasing such as, for example, square root, power curves, and trigonometric functions.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a pulse which generates an internal signal. The apparatus includes a latch circuit latching an input signal to output a first signal. A clock period detector detects a period of an external clock signal to output a period detecting signal and a delay controller adjusts a delay time of the first signal to output a second signal in response to the period detecting signal. A signal generator receives the first signal and the second signal to output a pulse signal.

Abstract: A circuit and a method for maintaining the aspect ratio of images when there is a difference in format between image sources and display panels is provided. Lines are added in the vertical direction both at the top and at the bottom of the display panel in order to make the display panel have the same aspect ratio as the input image. A line enable signal is used to expand the vertical lines to maintain aspect ratio. Previously, the period of line enable signals could not be programmed to vary sufficiently to yield the necessary expansion to allow the aspect ratio of the display panel image to match the aspect ratio of the source image. This design allows the period of the line enable signal to vary enough to match all reasonable aspect ratios of input images.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for printing swaths of an image in an inkjet printer with reduced memory usage for delay buffer. The present invention provides methods for allocating a memory space of M1, and M2, for the delay buffer, where M1 equals N*S*(P+1)/2, and M2 equals N*S*(P?1)/2, wherein N is the number of nozzles in a color bank of a printhead, S is the horizontal swath resolution and P is the minimum number of pass required to print the image. The proposed methods lower the hardware requirement of the physical memory by saving up to about 50% of the physical memory by implementing a memory space of M1 and more than 50% of physical memory may be saved by implementing a memory space of M2.

Abstract: The printer 10 executes an ink end detection process A while a print job is underway and an ink end detection process B when a print job has been completed. In the ink end detection process A, the printer 10 applies a first drive signal to detect that the amount of ink housed in the ink cartridge CA is equal to or less than a prescribed amount. In the ink end detection process B, the printer 10 applies a second drive signal to detect that the amount of ink housed in the ink cartridge CA exceeds the prescribed amount.

Abstract: A liquid droplet transporting apparatus includes a first electrode which is arranged on a surface of a substrate, a second electrode which is arranged apart from the first electrode on the surface of the substrate, an insulating layer which is arranged to cover each of the first electrode and the second electrode, and a liquid repellent property on a surface of the insulating layer changes according to an electric potential difference between the electrode and an electroconductive liquid droplet on the surface, and a third electrode which cooperates with the second electrode to detect the liquid droplet on the second electrode. Consequently, it is possible to transport a liquid droplet between two areas, and also to detect as to in which area out of the two areas, the liquid droplet exists.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid drop expelling head including: a driving element generating a pressure wave at a liquid within a pressure chamber, and expelling a liquid drop from a nozzle which communicates with the pressure chamber; and a control section applying a driving waveform based on image information to the driving element, and controlling a preparatory waveform, which vibrates a meniscus of the nozzle, on the basis of one of a liquid drop expulsion standby time and a liquid drop amount of a first drop at a time of starting expulsion again.

Abstract: A printing head of a liquid discharge type includes a printing head structure, in which head chips, each of which has overlapped nozzle regions formed before and after an effective nozzle region, are disposed such that a front end position of an effective nozzle region of a head chip and a rear end position of an effective nozzle region of another head chip, the head chips being adjacent to each other, are aligned with each other with difference in level.

Abstract: An image having high quality is output, in which density unevenness due to a deflection in an ejecting direction is reduced, in an inkjet printer for forming an image by ejecting small droplets at a high frequency and high density. Thereby, in a mask pattern employed for multi-pass printing, a print permission rate of an ejection port positioned at the end of a ejection port array is set higher than those of ejection ports positioned at the other parts of the ejection port array. Thus, even if extremely small droplets are ejected at a high frequency and high-density, the generated density unevenness is reduced, and an image excellent in uniformity and having high definition can be output at a high speed.

Abstract: An image is output, the image having high quality in which density unevenness due to an end-deviation is excellently reduced in all colors in forming an image with use of a bidirectional inkjet printing head provided with ejection port arrays of a plurality of colors for small droplets of ink. Thereby, distributions of print permission rates of mask patterns to be used in performing a multi-pass printing are made different from each other in accordance with a distance between the two ejection port arrays for the same kind of ink. Thus, the degree of the end-deviation depending on the distance between the two ejection port arrays can be suppressed for every ejection port array.

Abstract: A print assembly is provided having an elongate carrier that is mountable on a support structure of a printer, printhead integrated circuits mounted on the carrier, and control circuitry positioned on the carrier and operatively connected to the printhead integrated circuits to control operation thereof. The printhead integrated circuits are provided in a number and configuration such that the printhead integrated circuits define an elongate printing zone of at least 914 mm. Each printhead integrated circuit incorporates nozzle arrangements each having a nozzle, an ink chamber, an ink inlet, an actuator, and a drive circuit to achieve the ejection of ink from the nozzle arrangement. the nozzle arrangements and control circuitry are configured so that the printhead integrated circuits are controlled by the control circuitry to print more than one billion drops of ink per second.

Abstract: A sublimation printer device using a cut-sheet printing paper, including: a data processing section in charge of data processing for generating printing data; a printing processing section that performs image printing to the printing paper based on the printing data provided by the data processing section; a paper feed and eject section that feeds the printing paper to the printing processing section, and ejects the printing paper through with the image printing by the printing processing section; aperture detection means for detecting an aperture formed to a margin portion of the printing paper provided to the printing processing section by the paper feed and eject section; and a control section that exercises control over the other components in terms of operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides inkjet print nozzle calibration systems and methods for calibrating an inkjet print nozzle. The systems may include an inkjet print nozzle adapted to dispense ink onto a substrate in response to a firing pulse voltage, a light source adapted to illuminate the dispensed ink, an imaging system adapted to measure a transmittance of light through the dispensed ink, and a controller adapted to controllably adjust the inkjet print nozzle based on the measured light transmittance. The methods may include dispensing ink onto a surface with an inkjet print nozzle set at a firing pulse voltage, measuring a light transmittance characteristic of the dispensed ink, determining a volume of ink dispensed based on the transmittance characteristic, and adjusting a fire pulse voltage of the inkjet print nozzle based on a difference between the determined volume of ink dispensed and an expected volume level of ink dispensed.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus comprises an inkjet recording head, an ink-testing unit having an ink-test chamber, a pressure-vibration generating unit that generates a pressure vibration in the ink-test chamber, a pressure-vibration detecting unit that detects the pressure vibration, an ink inlet that introduces ink into the ink-test chamber and an ink outlet through which ink is discharged from the ink-tester chamber. Failures of ink ejection can be prevented by detecting cavitation cores by the ink-test chamber and removing ink containing the cavitation cores from ink supplied to the inkjet recording head.

Abstract: There are provided a recording head for ejecting a liquid droplet from a nozzle based on an ejecting signal to form a pattern on a recording medium, a humidity detecting portion for detecting an absolute humidity in the vicinity of the nozzle, a humidifier for humidifying the vicinity of the nozzle, and a humidifying portion driving control portion (control board) for controlling the humidifier based on the absolute humidity detected by the humidity detecting portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printing method comprising a selecting method of selecting defective print elements to be corrected on the basis of, for example, the positional relationship among the defective print elements in a print head so that if there are a plurality of defective print elements such as non-ejection nozzles, not all pixels otherwise printed by the defective print elements are to be corrected but efficient corrections can be achieved on the basis of correlations with the lifetimes of other normal print elements, as well as a correcting method of making up for print data corresponding to the defective print elements selected, and a printing apparatus using the printing method.

Abstract: A process for producing pigment particles with a polymer chain formed on the surfaces of the particles by grafting, the process including (1) causing a dispersant composed of a polymer compound having a polymerization initiation group to be contained in either one solvent of a first solvent and a second solvent, (2) obtaining a solution dissolving a pigment in the first solvent, (3) mixing the solution with the second solvent to precipitate pigment particles having the polymerization initiation group on the surfaces thereof, and (4) forming a polymer chain through grafting from the polymerization initiation group on the surfaces of the pigment particles.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a head substrate having a fuse ROM without increasing the size. To achieve the object, a head substrate includes an ink supply port which has a long hole shape elongated in a first direction, a plurality of printing elements arrayed along the first direction on both sides of the ink supply port, a plurality of first driving elements, arrayed along the first direction at positions spaced apart further away from the ink supply port than the plurality of printing elements, for driving the plurality of printing elements, a plurality of fuse ROMs which store information, and a plurality of second driving elements for driving the plurality of fuse ROMs. A signal line used for driving the plurality of first driving elements and second driving elements is shared. The plurality of second driving elements are arranged on the same array as the first driving elements at positions adjacent to both ends of each array of the plurality of first driving elements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for cleaning an ink cartridge. The method includes the steps of: introducing a cleaning fluid into an ink cartridge to be cleaned and drawing the cleaning fluid out of the ink cartridge through a nozzle of the cartridge by vacuum pressure.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus includes: an ink-jet head including a plurality of nozzle openings from which ink is ejected and an ink ejection surface in which the plurality of nozzle openings are formed; a waste-ink receiving mechanism which receives the ink ejected from the plurality of nozzle openings; a set of (a) a wiper configured to wipe the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface and (b) an absorbing member configured to absorb the ink received by the waste-ink receiving mechanism and to be brought into contact with the ink ejection surface such that the absorbing member adheres the ink thereto; and a driving mechanism configured to drive at least one of the ink-jet head and the set of the wiper and the absorbing member, such that the wiper and the absorbing member are, one of together and independently, moved relative to the ink ejection surface while being opposed thereto, and such that the absorbing member adheres the ink to the ink ejection surface and the wiper wipes the ink adhered by the abso

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head mounted on a carriage movable along a recording material, a guide member for guiding the carriage, a bearing member which is mounted to the carriage so as to be movable relative to the carriage in a vertical direction, and a slidable member mounted slidably in a carriage movement direction between the carriage and the bearing member. The slidable member is slid in the carriage movement direction to switch a height position of the carriage with respect to the guide member, whereby a gap between the recording head and the recording material is switched.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet print head that allows for a fast printing of high-density, high-quality images without increasing cost and size of the print head. To this end, the ink jet print head has orifices for ejecting ink of a first volume and orifices for ejecting ink of a second volume, the second volume being smaller than the first volume. Further, the number of orifices for first-volume ink per unit length is greater than the number of orifices for second-volume ink per unit length.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes an elongate support defining a plurality of parallel ink supply channels. A shim is mounted on the support and defines a plurality of rows of openings through which ink from respective supply channels can be provided. A plurality of elongate printhead modules is mounted serially on the shim. Each module includes a carrier that carries a printhead. Each carrier defines a plurality of ink supply passages through which ink passes to its printhead from respective rows of the openings. Either end of each carrier defines complementary formations so that adjacent pairs of the carriers nest together.

Abstract: To provide an ink jet recording head by which a recording operation with a high recording quality can be performed without causing deformation or breakage of a recording element substrate and the manufacture cost is reduced.

Abstract: A print engine is provided for a printer. The print engine includes a pair of opposed print head assemblies between which print media path is defined and which is configured to perform duplex printing on print media fed along the print media path. Each print head assembly includes a pinch roller which can feed the print media along the print media path. Each print head assembly also includes a pair of printhead modules, in turn, each including a printhead configured to eject ink onto the pinched and fed print media. The ink is ejected onto a printing zone of the print media which is located proximal to the pinching zone of the pinch rollers.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet printing apparatus and a method for controlling temperature for the ink jet printing apparatus wherein the temperature of a print head, which may lower during printing, is controlled before printing without using any sub-heater to allow a favorable ejection condition to be established without reducing the head temperature below a predetermined value. Thus, scan width information and dot count information are acquired before a carriage starts scanning to determine the heating temperature of the print head on the basis of the information.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead that has a plurality of nozzles 3, each defining a nozzle aperture 5 with a nozzle axis normal to, extending through the center of the nozzle aperture. A bubble forming chamber 7 corresponds to each of the nozzles respectively. An inlet 31 to supply the bubble forming chamber with liquid 11, the inlet being spaced from the nozzle axis. A heater element 10 is disposed in each of the bubble forming chambers respectively. The heater element configured as a beam suspended at its ends for immersion in the liquid supplied by the inlet such that heating the heater element forms a gas bubble that ejects a drop of the liquid through the nozzle corresponding to that heater element. The heater element nucleates the gas bubble at a point closer to the nozzle axis than the spacing between the inlet and the nozzle axis. The heater element is configured to nucleate the gas bubble at a point that is laterally offset from the inlet.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head comprising a liquid discharge substrate in which a first liquid supply port being a penetration port for supplying a liquid is formed and is provided with a first electrode receiving electric energy for discharging the liquid on a surface thereof on one side, a supporting member which is opposed to the first electrode and a second liquid supply port being a penetration port for supplying the liquid is formed to communicate with the first liquid supply port, the supporting member provided with a second electrode for transmitting the electric energy to the first electrode on a surface opposed to the first electrode, and a conductive first intermediate member abutting with both of the first electrode and the second electrode to electrically connect the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein an abutting surface of the first intermediate member abutting with the first electrode is flattened.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a passage-forming substrate, a plurality of pressure-generating elements, and an IC chip. The passage-forming substrate has a nozzle opening, and a pressure-generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening. The plurality of pressure-generating elements are provided on a surface of the passage-forming substrate with a diaphragm interposed therebetween. The pressure-generating elements have electrodes and cause pressure change in the pressure-generating chamber. The IC chip is mounted on the surface of the passage-forming substrate with the pressure-generating elements. In this liquid ejecting head, the electrodes of the pressure-generating elements include individual electrodes, and at least the individual electrodes are electrically connected to the driver circuit via the through electrode.

Abstract: An ink-jet print head and a method of making the same comprising the steps of sequentially laminating a heating layer and an electric conductive layer on a substrate, patterning the electric conductive layer to expose a predetermined area of the top surface of the heating layer, forming a protective layer on the top surfaces of the electric conductive layer and exposed heating layer, and laminating an ink chamber barrier and a nozzle plate on the top surface of the protective layer, thereby forming an ink chamber. The protective layer is provided by forming a cavitation layer by alternately laminating at least two types of thin film layers of different materials over the exposed heating layer and the electric conductive layer to resist fractures and oxidization resulting from use.

Abstract: An inkjet head includes: a first nozzle that jets pigmented ink; a first pressure chamber coupled to the first nozzle; a first actuator that selectively applies a jetting pressure to the pigmented ink in the first pressure chamber; a second nozzle that jets dye ink; a second pressure chamber coupled to the second nozzle; and a second actuator that selectively applies a jetting pressure to the dye ink in the second pressure chamber. The first nozzle has a diameter D1 and the second nozzle D2. The first actuator has a first portion that applies the jetting pressure to the first pressure chamber, which has a size L1. The second actuator has a second portion that applies jetting pressure to the second pressure chamber, which has a size of L2. D1, D2, L1 and L2 satisfy the following formula: ?xD1+yL1??xD2+yL2, where x and y are predetermined coefficients.

Abstract: The liquid ejection head has: a surface acoustic wave propagation body in which a surface acoustic wave propagates; a nozzle orifice formed in the surface acoustic wave propagation body; a surface acoustic wave generation device which is provided on the surface acoustic wave propagation body around the nozzle orifice and excites the surface acoustic wave propagation body so that a surface acoustic wave is generated in the surface acoustic wave propagation body; a liquid supply device which supplies liquid to the nozzle orifice; and a guide member which is provided in a center of the nozzle orifice and has a tapered conical surface shape section that projects from an ejection surface of the nozzle orifice in an ejection direction, the liquid forming a curved liquid surface in the nozzle orifice in accordance with the tapered conical surface shape section due to surface tension, wherein the surface acoustic wave generates a capillary wave which propagates through the curved liquid surface in the nozzle orifice

Abstract: A droplet discharge apparatus comprising: a plurality of droplet discharge units, which further include: a plurality of droplet discharge heads for discharging droplets from nozzles; an inflow path provided with a common flow path for supplying liquid to the plurality of droplet discharge heads; and a liquid storage portion for supplying a stored liquid to the inflow path and generating negative pressure in the droplet discharge heads, liquid storage sections being communicated by a communication path, is provide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for refilling an ink reservoir associated with an ink jet printer cartridge containing foam material in the ink chamber of the cartridge. The method employs a two cycle process, the first filling cycle occurring under vacuum and the subsequent filling cycle operating under substantially atmospheric conditions. The method improves the page yield of the refilled cartridge, as compared to cartridges refilled with the same ink under vacuum alone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for refilling an ink reservoir associated with an ink jet printer cartridge containing foam material in the ink chamber of the cartridge. A fill fixture is provided with one or more needles to deliver ink to the cartridge wherein the needle(s) are protected by a needle guard which prevents the user from needle stick injuries and also prevents the needles from being damaged.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in order to hermetically seal more surely a gap between a back surface of a liquid discharge substrate and a front surface of a support member, and an electrode portion etc. without adversely affecting discharge performance, wherein a liquid discharge head includes, first sealing resin coated on a portion between the liquid supply port and the pad on the support surface so as to surround a tip end portion at the liquid supply port of the support member and second sealing resin for sealing a gap between the support member and the liquid discharge substrate, and a peripheral part of the liquid supply port.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a housing; a recording head which ejects droplets of ink; a carriage which is provided in the housing and which carries the recording head and reciprocates in opposite directions; an ink supply tube which is connected, at one end thereof, to a tube connection portion of the carriage so as to supply the ink to the recording head, and is fixed, at a fixed portion thereof, to the housing such that an intermediate portion thereof located between the one end thereof and the fixed portion thereof forms a curved portion convex in one of the opposite directions, wherein the ink supply tube has a flexibility assuring that when the carriage reciprocates, the ink supply tube follows reciprocation of the carriage while the curved portion thereof changes a shape thereof; a pivotable support member which is supported by the housing such that the support member is pivotable about a supporting point, wherein the support member includes an arm portion having a support portion that suppor

Abstract: A printhead module is provided having an ink delivery member supporting at least one printhead integrated circuit via an ink distribution member. The ink distribution member incorporates a laminated stack of layers for distributing ink from the ink delivery member to inkjet nozzles of the printhead integrated circuit via distribution apertures. The distribution apertures of each successive layer of the stack from the ink delivery member to the inkjet nozzles has a successively smaller diameter.

Abstract: This invention provides an ink extraction apparatus that is capable of boring a hole in an ink can by a simple means and of preventing leakage of ink when ink is extracted from the ink can.

Abstract: A computer-controlled, semi-automatic, refill system for inkjet cartridges includes a touch screen and audio system for providing on-screen graphic and auditory instructions. The system also includes a plurality of exhausting units, a plurality of refilling units, a weighing unit and a plurality of test printers. The system is adapted to refill a plurality of black, color and color photo inkjet cartridge models from a plurality of manufacturers.