Abstract: The present invention is drawn to photo-curable ink-jet ink compositions, systems, and methods. One exemplary ink-jet ink composition includes a liquid vehicle, a milled pigment which has been milled in a milling solvent having minimal to no gas solvency for the milled pigment, and a photo initiator. In this embodiment, the composition can be ink-jettable at frequencies of at least 29 KHz without requiring degassing during printing.

Abstract: In a printing system including a plurality of inkjet printing units and an ink tank commonly used thereby, wherein the ink tank is capable of notifying an amount of ink consumed thereby and has a memory for storing information relating to the ink consumption amount in a updatable manner, the memory access by the printing units is properly arbitrated. The printing system is provided with a storage section for storing the ink consumption amount notified from the respective printing units, a process section for reading the information from the memory and carrying out the calculation together with the stored ink consumption amount, a process section for updating the content in the memory based on the calculated value, and a process section for suspending the calculation relating to the amount of ink consumption in one printing unit, when the calculation is being carried out about any other printing units.

Abstract: A method of registering an image onto a sheet of media on an imaging surface of a printer having a printhead for imaging onto the sheet, comprising: detecting a position of said sheet of media being advanced onto the imaging surface using a first sensor positioned along said media path upstream of the printhead; and firing the printhead at a time based on the detected position and a calibrated distance between the sensor and the printhead.

Abstract: An adjustment pattern, which is composed of a reference pattern made of plural independent liquid droplets and a pattern to be measured made of plural independent liquid droplets ejected under an ejection condition different from the reference pattern, is formed on a water-repellent conveying belt. Then, light is applied to the adjustment pattern to receive the regular reflection light from the adjustment pattern, so that the adjustment pattern is scanned. The distance between the respective patterns is measured based on the measured result. Finally, liquid droplet ejection timing of the recording head is corrected based on the result thus measured.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a carriage in which recording heads having nozzles for ejecting liquid droplets are mounted and is configured to form an image on a recording medium being transported. The image forming apparatus includes a pattern forming unit that forms an impact position displacement adjustment pattern formed of plural independent liquid droplets on a water repellent member; a reading unit that includes a light emitting unit for emitting light onto the adjustment pattern and a light receiving unit for receiving specular reflection light from the adjustment pattern; and an impact position correcting unit that corrects an impact position of a liquid droplet to be ejected from the recording head based on a read result by the reading unit. The reading unit is disposed on the carriage and is arranged close to the side of a guide member that guides movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A disclosed liquid-jet device includes a liquid-jet head configured to jet liquid droplets; a pattern formation control unit configured to control the liquid-jet head and thereby to form a test pattern composed of separate liquid droplets on a water-repellent part; a detecting unit including a light-emitting element configured to illuminate the test pattern on the water-repellent part and a light-receiving element configured to receive specularly reflected light from the illuminated test pattern and to output a detection signal proportional to the received specularly reflected light; and a landing position adjusting unit configured to adjust landing positions of the liquid droplets based on the detection signal from the light-receiving element.

Abstract: A method for controlling a liquid jet head includes: a first step of applying a specified voltage to the liquid jet head to eject a droplet; a second step of measuring the speed of the droplet by using a laser beam; a third step of comparing the speed of the droplet measured and a reference value; and a fourth step of re-setting the voltage according to a comparison result.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a control unit determines that dirt is present on the linear scale when a detecting unit detects a change in a moving direction of a moving member while the moving member is moving at a constant speed.

Abstract: A media handling system for delivering media sheets to be printed from a staging location to a drum along a media path, including: at least one drive roller positioned along the media path between the staging location and the drum; a sensor positioned along the media path between the at least one drive roller and the drum; and, an encoder that provides an output responsive to the sensor; wherein, when the at least one drive roller advances a media sheet from the staging location to engage the drum, the sensor detects a position of the advancing media sheet prior to engaging the drum, and the rate of further advancing of the media sheet to engage the drum by the at least one drive roller is dependent upon the encoder output.

Abstract: A drop detector is calibrated to determine a location of a detection zone thereof relative to a carriage and to each of one or more fluid-ejection mechanisms disposed within the carriage. Drop detect data is acquired for nozzles of each mechanism by indexing the carriage in relation to the detection zone and attempting to eject fluid from the nozzles, based on the location of the detection zone relative to the carriage and to each mechanism. It is determined whether the drop detector remains properly calibrated, based on the drop detect data, and repeating the method at calibrating the drop detector where the drop detector is no longer properly calibrated. It is also determined which of the nozzles are properly ejecting fluid therefrom, based on the drop detect data, and attempting to recover the nozzles that are improperly ejecting fluid therefrom.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including: an imaging mechanism; a drum for advancing media sheets past the imaging mechanism for printing; an encoder coupled to the drum; a controller coupled to the encoder; and, a memory coupled to the controller and containing controller executable code and at least one table including a plurality of data entries each indicative of one of a plurality of sequential drum positions and at least one associated action; wherein, the controller executable code, when executed by the controller, causes the controller, for each data entry in the table, to: communicate data indicative of the indicated drum position to the encoder; receive an indication that the drum has rotated to the communicated drum position; responsively to the received indication, initiate the indicated associated action; and communicate data indicative of another of the data entries' associated drum position to the encoder responsively to the received indication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing dots on a printing medium, wherein the method includes the steps of printing a calibration test pattern, scanning the printed calibration test pattern, determining a spatial fire correction value for a number of print positions across the printing medium, based on the scanned calibration test pattern, and adjusting the fire position for each of these print positions. The method and apparatus may be used to preserve the alignment of the printed dots under various operating conditions of the printing process such as bidirectional printing, throw distance variations, multiple print head scan speeds, etc.

Abstract: The invention provides an image printing apparatus including: a printing unit that performs printing on a print target medium; a moving unit that can move in a predetermined main scan direction; an edge-detecting unit that is mounted on the moving unit and outputs, by utilizing photoelectric conversion, a voltage that changes across each edge of the print target medium; a position-detecting unit that detects the position of the moving unit; a reference stage that has one edge and another edge in such a manner that the reference stage has a predetermined reference width therebetween, the reference stage being formed in such a manner that the edge-detecting unit outputs a voltage that changes across each edge of the reference stage; and a calibrating unit that commands the moving unit to move in such a manner that the edge-detecting unit passes through each edge of the reference stage, commands the position-detecting unit to detect the position of the moving unit at a point at which a voltage outputted by the e

Abstract: A method of fabricating a printhead having a hydrophobic ink ejection face is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a partially-fabricated printhead comprising a plurality of nozzle chambers and a relatively hydrophilic nozzle surface, the nozzle surface at least partially defining the ink ejection face; (b) depositing a layer of relatively hydrophobic polymeric material onto the nozzle surface, the polymeric material being resistant to removal by ashing; and (c) defining a plurality of nozzle openings in the nozzle surface, thereby providing a printhead having a relatively hydrophobic ink ejection face. Steps (b) and (c) may be performed in any order.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a printhead having a hydrophobic ink ejection face, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a partially-fabricated printhead comprising a plurality of nozzle chambers and a nozzle plate having relatively hydrophilic nozzle surface, the nozzle surface at least partially defining the ink ejection face of the printhead; (b) defining a plurality of nozzle openings in the nozzle plate; (c) depositing a hydrophobic polymeric layer onto the nozzle surface; (d) depositing a protective metal film onto the polymeric layer; (e) subjecting the printhead to an oxidizing plasma; and (f) removing the protective metal film, thereby providing a printhead having a relatively hydrophobic ink ejection face. Step (b) may be performed immediately after any of steps (a), (c) or (d).

Abstract: An inkjet printhead comprising a plurality of nozzle assemblies is provided. Each nozzle assembly has a moving portion for ejection of ink. The printhead includes a seal membrane joining the moving portions to the printhead.

Abstract: A printer with the inkjet heads comprises a slideway, a printing mechanism and a maintaining mechanism. The printing mechanism comprises a first inkjet cartridge, a second inkjet cartridge, a first container, and a second container. The second inkjet cartridge has a driving mechanism. The maintaining mechanism comprises a first scraper, a second scraper, a sled and a clutch. When the driving mechanism activates the sled, the sled then drives the scrapers to the cleaning position so as to clean the inkjet heads, respectively, and when the printing mechanism activates the clutch in order to control the sled to drive the scrapers to leave the wiping position.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus in which a liquid functional material is ejected onto a recording medium by at least one ink-jet head including a plurality of ejection nozzles to form an image, and the image is fixed by irradiation from an active-energy ray irradiation source, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one pair of positive and negative electrodes which are provided at an upstream position on a side of the head with respect to the active-energy ray irradiation source, and which have a potential difference of 50 V or more.

Abstract: A method for modifying an input digital image having one or more color channels corresponding to one or more color inks and a protective ink channel corresponding to a substantially clear protective ink, each channel having an (x,y) array of pixel values, to form a modified digital image including computing a first value responsive to corresponding pixel values of the one or more color channels; computing a second value responsive to the corresponding pixel value of the protective ink channel; and modifying the corresponding pixel value of the protective ink channel responsive to the first and second values.

Abstract: A printhead having a hydrophobic ink ejection face is provided. At least part of the ink ejection face is coated with a hydrophobic polymeric material selected from the group comprising: polymerized siloxanes and fluorinated polyolefins.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is provided. The nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle chamber having a roof, the roof having a moving portion moveable relative to a static portion and a nozzle opening defined in the roof, such that movement of the moving portion relative to the static portion causes ejection of ink through the nozzle opening. The nozzle assembly also comprises an actuator for moving the moving portion relative to the static portion, and a mechanical seal interconnecting the moving portion and the static portion. The mechanical seal comprises a polymeric material selected from the group comprising: polymerized siloxanes and fluorinated polyolefins.

Abstract: A head for a liquid discharging apparatus includes a cavity unit having a cavity plate in which pressure chambers are formed and a vibration plate and a base plate which are joined to upper and lower surfaces of the pressure chambers respectively. In a joining surface of the cavity plate and the vibration plate and in a joining surface of the cavity plate and the base plate, test grooves are formed corresponding to column portions which partition mutually adjacent pressure chambers among the plurality of pressure chambers, and communication grooves capable of supplying air communicate with the respective test grooves. By supplying air to the respective test grooves through the communication grooves and detecting a change in supply pressure thereof, it is possible to test a joint state of the cavity plate with the vibration plate and with the base plate at the column portions.

Abstract: A fluid ejecting head includes a fluid storage chamber that temporarily stores a fluid, which is supplied from a fluid supply port, a plurality of pressure chambers, to which the fluid stored in the fluid storage chamber is supplied through a plurality of fluid supply paths, respectively, a plurality of driving elements that change pressure in the pressure chambers, respectively, and a plurality of nozzle openings, from which the fluids contained in the pressure chambers are ejected when the driving elements are driven, respectively. A specific driving element most distant from the fluid supply port among the driving elements has a maximum capability to discharge the air bubbles in the fluid from the nozzle opening among the driving elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet recording head which, when a smaller liquid droplet is obtained, can suppress or reduce stagnation of liquid in a second discharge port portion, prevent an offset meniscus in a discharge port, reduce unstable satellite(s) and realize stable discharging with less image deterioration and less floating mist. In the present invention, two heaters 1a and 1b are provided for each bubble generating chamber and the heaters 1a and 1b are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to a center or a center of gravity of a second discharge port portion. In a plan view viewed from a direction perpendicular to a main surface of an element substrate, at least one of two heaters is positioned to straddle an inner area of the second discharge port portion and an outer area out of the second discharge port portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for ejecting droplets using charge concentration and liquid bridge breakup. The droplet ejection apparatus includes a reservoir storing a liquid; a capillary nozzle having a lower end submerged in the liquid stored in the reservoir and an upper end exposed outside the surface of the liquid, the capillary nozzle transferring the liquid to the upper end using capillary force; a potentiostat for applying a voltage to the liquid; a substrate mount on which a substrate is disposed to face the upper end of the capillary nozzle; and a distance adjusting unit for reciprocatingly moving the substrate between first and second positions with respect to the capillary nozzle, wherein the first position denotes a position where a distance between the upper end of the capillary nozzle and the surface of the substrate is less than a effective distance.

Abstract: A fluid jet device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The fluid jet device includes a substrate, a resistor layer and an orifice layer. The resistor layer is formed on the substrate. The resistor layer includes tantalum, silicon and nitrogen. The orifice layer is disposed on over the substrate to form a manifold between the orifice layer and the substrate. The manifold is used for containing a fluid. The orifice layer has a nozzle communicated with to the manifold. When the resistor layer is charged, the resistor layer heats the adjacent fluid to generate a bubble therein so as to allow the fluid to be pushed out of the nozzle.

Abstract: The piezoelectric actuator has: a diaphragm made of silicon; an insulating layer formed on a front surface of the diaphragm; a plurality of individual electrodes formed on a surface of the insulating layer; a plurality of piezoelectric bodies formed respectively on surfaces of the plurality of individual electrodes; and a plurality of common electrodes which are respectively arranged across the plurality of piezoelectric bodies from the plurality of individual electrodes, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric bodies are polarized in a direction from the individual electrodes toward the plurality of common electrodes.

Abstract: A pressure regulating mechanism which includes a pressure regulating chamber that introduces a liquid from a liquid supply source through an inlet port, stores the liquid, and discharges the stored liquid to an object through an outlet port, an on/off valve, a pressure receiving member that is provided to seal an opening surface of the pressure regulating chamber, a reduced-pressure space portion adjacent to the regulating chamber with a pressure that may be reduced to be less than the pressure of the pressure regulating chamber, and a partition wall disposed between the pressure regulating chamber and reduced-pressure space portion, wherein gas is capable of passing through the partition wall using the a difference in pressure between the reduced-pressure space and pressure regulating chamber and discharged to the reduced-pressure space portion.

Abstract: A cartridge unit for an inkjet printer is provided which has a body portion having ink storage compartments, a pagewidth printhead configured to receive ink from the compartments and distribute the ink to nozzles arranged in use to deliver the ink onto passing print media, and a capping assembly for capping the printhead. The capping assembly has a body configured to extend the length of the printhead, a capping element housed within the body and movable with respect thereto between first and second positions. The first position is where a portion of the capping element extends from the body and the second position is where the capping element is contained within the body. The capping element is biased into the first position. The ink storage compartments comprise absorption material which stores the ink therein under capillary action for supply to the nozzles of the printhead.

Abstract: An ink container 10 comprises a serial arrangement of three chambers 32, 34, 36. The ink container 10 defines an ink supply port 42, 56, 60 for each chamber 32, 34, 36. The ink supply port 60 of one chamber 32 is displaced from alignment with a porous member in the chamber 32.

Abstract: A liquid storage container includes: a liquid storage bag which at least includes first and second sealing joint portions obtained by joining flexible members in a sealing manner; a liquid lead-out member which is mounted on the first sealing joint portion of the liquid storage bag; a case which holds the liquid storage bag and the liquid lead-out member and supports the liquid lead-out member; and a reception portion which is formed in the case to receive the second sealing joint portion displaced when a liquid is led out from the liquid storage bag.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a slide member slidably supported at a cartridge holder and a lock claw member rotatably supported at the cartridge holder. The slide member slides along an insertion direction of an ink cartridge with respect to the cartridge holder between a first slide position and a second slide position. When the slide member is located at the second slide position, the lock claw member is located at a first rotation position. At this time, the ink cartridge is incapable of being removed from the cartridge holder. When the slide member moves to the first slide position from the second slide position, the lock claw member is located at the second rotation position. At this time, the ink cartridge is removable from the cartridge holder.

Abstract: An image producing machine including (a) an imaging member having a surface; (b) a printhead for forming an image onto the imaging surface; (c) a substrate supply system for feeding substrates to receive the formed image; and (d) a static eliminating container that includes a closed end; an open end; at least one cylindrical member having an interior surface defining a chamber for containing a quantity of solid phase-change ink pastilles. The static eliminating apparatus includes (i) a conductive interior portion for contacting the quantity of solid phase change ink pastilles being contained and moved therein; (ii) a groundable conductive exterior portion; and (iii) a conductive connector for connecting the conductive interior portion to the groundable conductive exterior portion, thereby enabling dissipation of static build up from frictionally moving the quantity of solid phase-change ink pastilles within the interior chamber.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device comprises an ink stick body having a leading surface, a trailing surface, and a top surface. The top surface has a front edge that is rearwardly offset from a top edge of the leading surface, and a back edge that is at least partially rearwardly offset from the top of the trailing surface. A leading canted face extends between the top edge of the leading surface and the front edge of the top surface. A trailing canted face extends between the top edge of the trailing surface and the back edge of the top surface. The back edge includes a key that is complementary to an insertion opening key of an ink loader.

Abstract: A color filter ink used for color filter production using an inkjet method includes a colorant and a liquid medium for dissolving and/or dispersing the colorant therein. When a product containing a cured epoxy adhesive is left undisturbed and sealed in the liquid medium for 6 days at an environmental temperature of 70° C. and under atmospheric pressure, the epoxy adhesive has a swelling ratio of 35% or less. Further, when a product containing a cured urethane adhesive is left undisturbed and sealed in the liquid medium for 6 days at an environmental temperature of 70° C. and under atmospheric pressure, the urethane adhesive has a swelling ratio of 160% or less.

Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes a recording head configured to jet liquid droplets; a pattern forming unit configured to form, on a water-repellent surface of a water-repellent sheet member, an adjustment pattern used for correcting shifts in landing positions of the liquid droplets, wherein the adjustment pattern includes plural liquid droplets that are separated from each other, and the water-repellent surface having a water-repellent property is formed on at least a part of a surface of the water-repellent sheet member; a reading unit including a light emitting unit configured to irradiate light onto the adjustment pattern and a light receiving unit configured to receive specular reflection light from the adjustment pattern; and a landing position correction unit configured to correct, based on a reading result obtained by the reading unit, the shifts in the landing positions of the liquid droplets that are jetted from the recording head.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to photo-curable ink-jet ink compositions, systems, and methods. One exemplary ink-jet ink composition includes a liquid vehicle, a milled pigment which has been milled in a milling solvent having minimal to no gas solvency for the milled pigment, and a photo initiator. In this embodiment, the composition can be ink-jettable at frequencies of at least 29 KHz without requiring degassing during printing.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a support drum which rotates while supporting a recording medium on a support surface thereof. A guide shaft of the recording apparatus is spaced apart from the support surface by a predetermined distance and extends in parallel to a direction perpendicular to a rotation direction of the support drum. A carriage which is guided by the guide shaft is reciprocally moved along the support surface. A recording head mounted on the carriage ejects an ultraviolet curing ink toward the recording medium. An ultraviolet ray irradiation unit irradiates ultraviolet rays to the ultraviolet curing inks which are ejected from the recording head. In operation, the carriage is moved along the guide shaft so as to form an image formed by the ultraviolet curing ink and a coat ink over the overall surface of the recording medium supported by the support drum.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a support drum that rotates while supporting a recording medium on a support surface thereof. A guide axis extends in parallel with a rotation axis of the support drum along the support surface. A carriage that is guided by the guide axis moves back and forth along the support surface. A recording head for ejecting ultraviolet curing type ink toward a recording medium is supported on the support surface. The recording head has head units and is mounted on the carriage. Each head unit ejects a different type of ultraviolet curing type ink to a different position along an extending direction of the guide axis. An ultraviolet emission unit of the recording apparatus includes ultraviolet light sources that generate ultraviolet light having at least an intensity, wavelength, or emission time that is different from those of the other ultraviolet light sources.

Abstract: An optical scanning unit used in an image forming apparatus having a latent image carrier includes a light emitter, a rotary deflector, an inclination adjustment unit, and a controller. The light emitter emits a light beam. The rotary deflector deflects and scans the light beam onto a surface of the latent image carrier. The inclination adjustment unit adjusts an inclination of a scan line corresponding to the light beam relative to a reference scan line on the latent image carrier. The controller changes at least one of a linear velocity of the latent image carrier and a rotation speed of the rotary deflector so as to change a ratio between the linear velocity of the latent image carrier and a scan speed of the light beam, and controls the inclination adjustment unit based on the ratio to keep the scan line from inclining relative to the reference scan line.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method pertains to detecting a position of a sheet of media that has been loaded onto the print surface, determining from the detected position a current loading error with which the media sheet has been loaded onto the print surface, and calculating a loading offset that can be used to adjust the position at which a future media sheet will be loaded onto the print surface.

Abstract: A thermal head has a heat storage layer provided on an insulating substrate and a heat generating resistance layer provided on the heat storage layer. An individual electrode and a common electrode are formed on the heat generating resistance layer, and a protective film layer covers the electrodes and the heat generating resistance layer. A resin covering layer is formed on the surface of the protective film layer by applying and drying fluorine-based resin particles dissolved in a solvent on the surface.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source device having light emitting members of a number N (N is an integer not less than 2) disposed with a tilt with respect to a sub-scan direction and a main-scan direction, a deflecting device for scanningly deflecting light beams of the number N from the light emitting members, an input optical system for directing the light beams from the light source means to the deflecting device, an imaging optical system for directing the deflected light beams to a surface to be scanned, a synchronism signal detecting device for detecting a portion of a light beam scanningly deflected by the deflecting surface and producing writing start timing signals for the light beams upon the surface to be scanned, and a synchronism detecting optical system for directing the deflected light beams to the synchronism signal detecting device, wherein the synchronism signal detecting device detects a light beam emitted from a light emitting member among the light emitting members of the n

Abstract: A circuit for driving a plurality of light emitting units includes a current biasing unit that biases a light emitting current with an overshoot current and supplies the resultant current to each of the light emitting units. The light emitting current is determined based on an amount of light emitted from each of the light emitting units.

Abstract: A line head, includes: a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are provided; a lens array that includes a plurality of lenses; and a cover member that is optically transmissive, is opposed to the lens array, and is provided at the other side of the substrate with respect to the lens array.

Abstract: A line head, includes: a plurality of light emitting elements that are grouped into light emitting element groups, and an array that includes a plurality of imaging optical systems provided with respect to each light emitting element group which focus light beams emitted from the light emitting element groups toward a latent image-forming surface being conveyed in a second direction normal to or substantially normal to a first direction, wherein the plurality of imaging optical systems face positions on the latent image-forming surface mutually different in the second direction, and the respective imaging optical systems are constructed in accordance with differences in facing positions on the latent image-forming surface in the second direction.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal displays images of a video conference to enable a feeling of natural conversation ambience to the participants. The terminal captures an image of the terminal user and receives images of other video conference participants. The terminal displays one of the received images closest to the camera, and the captured image farthest from the camera to encourage the user to focus his line of sight to the camera. Also, a sight location indicator is displayed as a further aid to directing the line of sight. Looking at the camera provides a natural conversation ambience to the participants.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a virtual camera system and an instant communication method. The virtual camera system comprises a multimedia imaging unit, a virtual camera unit, an instant communication unit and a display unit, wherein the multimedia imaging unit outputs a video data; the virtual camera unit is coupled to the multimedia imaging unit for receiving and processing the video data, and outputting a processed video data; the instant communication unit is coupled to the virtual camera unit for receiving the processed video data and transmitting the processed video data to a remote electronic device through an instant messenger network; and the display unit provides a screen for displaying the processed video data.

Abstract: A two-way communication system in which a plurality of communication terminal devices are mutually connected via a network, wherein the communication terminal devices include: a camera; and a terminal main unit; and wherein the camera includes an imaging unit configured to image a subject to output image data; and wherein the terminal main unit includes a remote control signal reception unit configured to receive a remote control signal, a communication unit configured to transmit image data to another communication terminal device, and a mute control unit configured to selectively switch the image data transmitted from the communication unit to image data output from the imaging unit or mute image data, based on a remote control signal for mute control received at the remote control signal reception unit.

Abstract: An image communicating display apparatus includes: an imaging unit that picks up and processes an image signal of an object; a voice input unit that receives a voice signal of the object; an encoder that receives and encodes the image and voice signals and generates information on the object; a decoder that decodes the encoded image and voice signals and an encoded external signal; a network transceiver that transmits the encoded image and voice signals and the information on the object; a controller that controls the encoder, decoder and network transceiver, and outputs a voice guidance instruction signal based on information on a remote party received through the network transceiver; a display unit that displays the decoded image signal; and a voice output unit that outputs the decoded voice signal and outputs a voice guidance announcement based on the voice guidance instruction signal.