Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a system comprises a processing unit for executing a software program, a storage unit and a display unit for displaying information for the software program, the processing unit saving the instant displayed information and associated data relating to the software program into the storage unit when instructed, the processing unit maintaining the information to be displayed and superimposing supplementary information over the information on the display unit while the information and associated data are being saved.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for encoding image data, includes a filter unit for performing a filtering operation on the image data in a layer fashion to generate a plurality of subbands including coefficient data segmented on a per frequency band basis, an intermediate data storage unit for storing intermediate data generated in the middle of the filtering operation of the filter unit, a coefficient storage unit for storing the coefficient data generated in the filtering operation of the filter unit, and a coefficient rearranging unit for performing a rearranging operation to rearrange the coefficient data stored on the coefficient storage unit so that the coefficient data is output in a predetermined order. The intermediate data storage unit writes and reads data thereon at a speed higher than the coefficient storage unit and being smaller in storage capacity than the coefficient storage unit.

Abstract: an image processing circuit includes a memory storing an image data, which includes a plurality of line data disposed regularly a first module performing a plurality of thinning processes, at each of which a plurality of line data are readout from the memory, and at each of which one line data is processed by using the readout line data, wherein the processed line data is restored in the memory, and wherein the first image processing module outputs a first signal after the thinning processes for a certain times are completed, and a second module, which start its operation in response to the first completion signal, performing a similar image-process performed by the first module, wherein the second image processing module outputs a second completion signal after the thinning processes for the entire image data stored in the memory are completed.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the angular position of an object are disclosed. As one example, a method for determining the angular position of an object is disclosed, which includes the steps of obtaining data representing an image of a surface area of the object, the image including a plurality of dots, determining a set of coordinates for each dot of the plurality of dots, selecting a predetermined number of dots of the plurality of dots, comparing the predetermined number of dots with a plurality of dots stored in a dot map, responsive to the comparing step, if the predetermined number of dots substantially match the plurality of dots stored in the dot map, selecting the predetermined number of dots, and forming a coordinate transformation matrix representing a transformation from a coordinate frame associated with a position of the predetermined number of dots at the surface of the object to a coordinate frame associated with a position of the image of the surface area of the object.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a method, service, apparatus, etc., that automatically generates a coloring book image that includes line drawings defining a small number of color coherent, clearly discriminated, closed regions while preserving the basic semantic properties of the original image. These regions hence can be filled in with colored inks, crayons, paints, etc. The method inputs a color image that can be a photograph, scanned image, etc. The method begins by transforming the color image into a chrominance-luminance space and then performs low pass filtering on the color image that preserves the chrominance edges of the features within the color image. Next, the method segments the color image into the features based on locations of the chrominance edges of the features. Then, the method can merge selected features into other features.

Abstract: A method, computer-usable medium, and system for processing graphical data for display on a multi-component display is disclosed. Embodiments improve the display quality of multi-component displays by modifying graphical data to preemptively compensate for distortion caused by interstitial layers and/or display screens of the multi-component display, thereby enabling display of graphical objects from multi-component displays with improved optical characteristics. For example, where components of a multi-component display blur displayed images, graphical data used to display graphical objects may be modified to sharpen the graphical objects before display. The pre-sharpening amplifies the high frequency components of the displayed graphical objects to compensate for the dampening caused by passing the graphical objects through the components of the multi-component display.

Abstract: A graphics processing graphics processing apparatus, which includes an RGB color space to a luminance color, blue color difference and red color difference (YCbCr) color space converter module configured to convert one or more pixel data from the RGB color space to the YCbCr color space using a set of approximated color space coefficients. The graphics processing apparatus further includes a hue and saturation control module coupled to the RGB to YCbCr color space converter module. The hue and saturation control module is configured to modify the hue and saturation of the pixel data in the YCbCr color space. The graphics processing apparatus further includes a YCbCr to RGB color space converter module configured to convert the pixel data from the YCbCr color space to the RGB color space.

Abstract: Image display techniques for eliminating mura defects, which collects reference data and adjusts the gray levels. The image display systems comprising a plurality of pixels, a memory, and an ASIC. Each of the pixels relates to a mura compensation coefficient set. The mura compensation coefficient sets of the pixels are generated by a coefficient generator. The memory stores the mura compensation coefficient sets of the pixels. The ASIC reads the mura compensation coefficient sets from the memory. With different mura compensation coefficient sets, the ASIC serves as different mura compensation function sets. Each mura compensation function set relates to one of the aforementioned pixels and is used for transforming an original gray level to a mura-eliminated gray level to drive the corresponding pixel.

Abstract: In a method and a device for controlling the display on a display area of a display device in a transportation device, data are generated for the display of a background region and data for the display in a subregion of the display area. The display in the subregion covers the display of the background region, and the display content in the subregion displays at least a portion of the display content of the background region covered by the subregion in a different manner than in the background region.

Abstract: An image automatic display device for reading automatic operation data as one of pieces of input data has a display image data generation device and a display image data generation operation processing unit. The display image data generation device generates image data to be displayed on a display device on the basis of image data read out from an image input device. The display image data generation operation processing unit controls the display image data generation device by using user operation input data inputted through a viewer operation input device and the automatic operation data. The automatic operation data has a plurality of sets of values of various parameters used for generating an image to be displayed. A user performs an operation through the viewer operation input device, so that a desired set to be applied for image generation is designated in the automatic operation data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for registering hemispheric images obtained using a fisheye lens for panoramic viewing, relating to spatial alignment and colour balancing of complement half-side images derived from the hemispheric images. The systems and methods for spatial alignment determine the displacement of the digitized recorded images using a single translation and rotation model of distortion, which further evaluates the centre of projection, and the extent of translation and rotation. The system and method for colour balancing iteratively increase (or decrease) the values of pixels near the edge (discontinuity) between the two half-sides of an image, each time taking into consideration the average difference of pixel colour across a smaller strip of the edge near the pixel. This invention removes the colour differential but does not remove any detail underlying the features of the image.

Abstract: In general, the present disclosure describes various techniques for overlaying or combining a set of rendered graphics surfaces onto a single graphics frame. One example device includes a first processor that selects a surface level for each of a plurality of rendered graphics surfaces prior to the device outputting any of the rendered graphics surfaces to a display. The device further includes a second processor that retrieves the rendered graphics surfaces, overlays the rendered graphics surfaces onto a graphics frame in accordance with each of the selected surface levels, and outputs the graphics frame to the display.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for zooming on a display device, instead of zooming just on the pixels in the display, zooming is effected on discernable objects comprising pixel in the displayed image. Initially, spaces between the discernable objects is reduced, and then the discernable objects are increased in size until the objects reach a minimum surface area, which is the minimum size, based on the size and resolution of the display, recognizable by a user. Zooming is then suspended until the user selects one of the objects. Zooming is then allowed to continue on only the selected object until the maximum zooming factor is reached.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to a display device. The display device may comprise a display capable of displaying at least one design drawing. At least one storage location may be capable of storing at least one design drawing to be displayed. Display programmed logic circuitry may be capable of causing the display to display the at least one design drawing based at least in part on one or more scale parameters, such that the at least one design drawing is displayed on the display so as to allow measurements to be taken directly from the display. The displayed design drawing may be altered by means of a user interface to adjust, for example, the scale, viewable area, rotation, etc. The display device may portable, and it may useful for deployment in, for example, the engineering, real estate, mapping, surveying, construction, and other fields.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes an liquid crystal display panel having a frame response time of less than 5 milliseconds, drive electronics configured to drive the liquid crystal display panel to black between images that are provided to the liquid crystal display panel at a rate of at least 90 images per second, and a backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel. The backlight includes a right eye solid state light source and a left eye solid state light source capable of being modulated between the right eye solid state light source and a left eye solid state light source at a rate of at least 90 Hertz.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal drive device comprising a first gradation voltage generating circuit having a plurality of first wirings led out from a first string resistor thereof, a second gradation voltage generating circuit having a plurality of second wirings led out from a second string resistor thereof having a resistance value higher than the first string resistor and respectively connected to voltage-follower connected op amplifiers, a plurality of DV converters to which the first wirings and the op amplifiers are respectively connected, and an output op amplifier connected to the DA converters respectively.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a recording device for printing a recording medium, a conveyance unit arranged below the recording device to face the recording device and adapted to convey the recording medium, and an elevator for moving the conveyance unit upward and downward. The elevator includes an eccentric cam having an eccentrically located rotation axis line. The conveyance unit has a contact surface to be held in contact with the circumferential surface of the eccentric cam and is moved upward and downward by the rotation of the eccentric cam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for subdividing and printing regions of a substrate with multiple print heads or multiple print head assemblies which substantially decreases printing time is described. The method includes a feathering method which reduces overlap artifacts which is useful in any printing situation where adjacent regions are printed that could be misaligned, offset, or have slightly different colors.

Abstract: A printer including a feeding unit configured to perform repeated feeding of a medium for a predetermined feeding distance in a predetermined feeding direction, a print head configured to print on a printing surface of the medium in a printing zone set each time the feeding unit performs a feeding of the medium for the feeding distance, and a printing pass setting unit configured to set the printing zone containing a plurality of printing passes. The printing pass setting unit sets the printing passes such that boundaries between the printing passes extend diagonally relative to a width direction of the medium that is perpendicular to the feeding direction. The printing pass setting unit can set the printing passes such that the boundaries between the printing passes extend in waveform in the width direction with oscillation of the waveform being in the feeding direction.

Abstract: A testing method includes sorting inkjet heads into a plurality of groups on the basis of known information about ink flow, preparing basic driving waveform data corresponding to each of the groups and modification data that partially modifies the basic driving waveform data to individually store them in advance in a storing section, creating individual waveform information that instructs combinations of the basic driving waveform data with the modification data with respect to an inkjet head to be tested to apply a modified driving waveform, and repeating the modification of the individual waveform information until a recording state becomes good.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus of one aspect of the invention comprises nozzles are arranged on an ink ejection surface in a matrix in a first direction in which a recording medium is conveyed and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The plurality of nozzles are grouped into a plurality of nozzle sets, each of the plurality of nozzle sets includes nozzles arranged along the second direction. The plurality of nozzle sets are spaced from one another in the first direction by first distances, each of the first distances is an integral multiple of a distance that is obtained by multiplying a unit distance by 2n-1. The unit distance corresponds to a highest resolution among first resolutions with respect to the first direction of an image to be formed on the recording medium.

Abstract: Provided is an inkjet printing apparatus for performing a printing with a first nozzle array for ejecting a first color ink and a second nozzle array for ejecting a second color ink. The apparatus reduces density unevenness stemming from a sudden error in conveyance of a printing medium. When the apparatus performs a scan with respect to the printing medium for printing in which using ranges of nozzles in the first and second nozzle arrays are restricted to parts thereof, the restricted using ranges of the first and second nozzle arrays are shifted from each other. Thereby, the density unevenness stemming from the error in conveyance occur in positions which are different between the first and second colors, Thus, it possible to make the overall density unevenness less obvious by making gradients of variations in brightness and chroma of an image smaller.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus according to the invention includes a recording unit which jets ink from a nozzle array formed by plural nozzles communicated with each ink chamber, an ink tank in which the ink is stored, and an ink circulation unit which circulates the ink between the recording unit and the ink tank. In the image recording apparatus, control contents are determined in controlling the ink circulation unit based on analysis result of job information, notified by a host apparatus, for performing recording process of recording data, nozzle array temperature detection information on detected temperature in each ink chamber, and ink tank temperature detection information on detected temperature of the ink in the ink tank, and the ink circulation unit is controlled based on the determined control contents.

Abstract: A liquid container that has a container body storing a liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus and that is detachably mounted on a container mounting portion of the liquid consuming apparatus, wherein a liquid supply port for sending out the liquid to be supplied to the liquid consuming apparatus is formed on a front end surface in an insertion direction of the container body having a substantially rectangular shape, wherein a circuit board having a contact point with the liquid consuming apparatus is formed on one side surface perpendicular to one corresponding short side of the front end surface in the insertion direction, and wherein a container fixation structure for releasably regulating a movement of the container body in a direction opposite to the insertion direction thereof in cooperation with an apparatus fixation structure formed on the container mounting portion is formed on the other side surface perpendicular to the other corresponding short side of the front end surface in the ins

Abstract: An ink jet applicator includes an ink jet head having nozzle via which liquid droplets are jetted, a seal mechanism sealing the nozzle using a pressure vessel; a solution supply mechanism supplying a solution to the nozzle at a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: Provided is a pagewidth printhead assembly. The assembly includes a plurality of printhead integrated circuits (ICs) each having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements for operatively ejecting printing fluid onto a printing medium, each IC defining a plurality of discrete supply channels for supplying the nozzle arrangements with fluid. Each IC has a bonding surface with a plurality of trenches etched therein, the trenches having a width of less than 10 microns to attract a liquid adhesive by capillary action. The assembly also includes an ink manifold having a mounting surface, the bonding surface of each printhead IC bonded to the mounting surface with an adhesive tape comprising a liquid-based adhesive, the adhesive tape having a plurality of laser-drilled holes defined therein, said holes being positioned to coincide with the supply channels, and said adhesive is received, at least partially, in the plurality of etched trenches.

Abstract: An ink jet applicator includes an ink jet head having nozzle via which liquid droplets are jetted, a seal mechanism sealing the nozzle using a pressure vessel; a solution supply mechanism supplying a solution to the nozzle at a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A head cap for protecting an ink ejecting face of an ink-jet head may be provided with a plate member. The plate member may be opposed to the ink ejecting face. The head cap may include a flexible, continuous lip, which projects from one surface of the plate member. Recesses may be formed in the one surface of the plate member. Through-holes may be formed through the bottom walls of the recesses, respectively. Films may further be used where each covers the associated through-hole and is joined partially to a circumferential edge portion of the associated recess.

Abstract: A liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes a jetting head unit which has a nozzle which jets droplets of a liquid, and a heat generating section, a suction port which is formed in the jetting head unit, and which opens near the nozzle, and a suction device which sucks air around the nozzle from the suction port, and cools down the heat generating section of the jetting head unit by the air which is sucked. Since the heat generating portion is cooled down by the air sucked from the suction port by the suction device, it is possible to reduce a possibility of the heat of the heat generating section being transferred to the jetting head unit, and destabilizing an operation of the jetting head unit. Moreover, since the suction port opens near the nozzle, it is possible to suck fine liquid droplets together with air around the nozzle.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus according to this invention has an ink-head unit, a head holder, and a wiper unit. The ink-head unit extends in a direction that intersects at right angles to the direction a recording medium is transported, for a distance equal to or longer than the width of the recording medium. The head holder holds the ink-head unit. The ink-head unit has a nozzle surface having nozzles for ejecting ink. The wiper unit has a wiper blade, which wipes the nozzle surface.

Abstract: A maintenance station of inkjet printer includes a supporter, an ink cup pivoted on the supporter and configured to receive waste ink, a driver and a preventing arm. The ink cup has a circular board and a ring. The circular board is pivoted on the supporter. The ring has a belt fixed on the outer edge of the circular board and a plurality of elastic arms. Each of the elastic arms has a base extended vertically from the belt and an inclined portion bent from the end of the base inclinedly. The driver is configured to push the inclined portion to rotate the ink cup. The preventing arm is configured to press the inclined portion to permit the ink cup to be rotated and push the inclined portion to prevent the ink cup from being rotated.

Abstract: An inkjet apparatus and method are provided. The inkjet printing apparatus includes a dual row of ink orifices in an integral inkjet printhead. The method provides ink streams with more nozzles per inch in the widthwise direction on a paper without alignment problems and without the need to utilize very small droplets of ink.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head comprising a head body capable of ejecting liquid in from pressure generating chamber through nozzles by driving the pressure generating chamber, a plurality of head members adhered to the head body, the head members comprising a head casing having a channel for supplying the liquid to the pressure generating chamber and a plurality of notches for allowing a first and second adhesive to be filled in a plurality of gaps between the head members adhered to the head body, and a fixed member which is adhered to the liquid ejecting surface of the head members, wherein the first and second adhesive have different viscosities.

Abstract: A highly-efficient ultrasonic wave ink-jet head includes a piezoelectric transducer and a Fresnel lens provided on a supporting layer. A chamber structure is fabricated on the supporting layer by lithography etching, and further bonded with an ink-storing groove to form an ink-jet head. The design provides a total reflection of ultrasonic waves generated on the opposite side of the piezoelectric transducer through the deviation of acoustic impedance of ultrasonic waves at different media. The sound energy of the ultrasonic wave can be effectively reused. Moreover, the phase of the reflected ultrasonic wave is consistent with that of the direct ultrasonic wave generated by the piezoelectric transducer. This forms a highly-efficient ultrasonic wave ink-jet head.

Abstract: Provided is a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead. The arrangement includes a substrate defining an ink inlet channel and ink chamber with a CMOS layer deposited on top of the substrate, and a nozzle wall, roof and rim positioned on top of the substrate via which ink is operatively ejected from the chamber. The arrangement also includes an anchor atop the CMOS layer, said anchor linked to a stiffening beam by means of an actuator beam, the stiffening beam suspended from the CMOS layer by means of a passive beam and a carrier. Further included is a diffusion barrier about the ink chamber to inhibit the diffusion of hydroxyl ions through the CMOS layer.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head, a platen, an absorption member, an electrode, and a potential difference generating device. The liquid ejecting head has a conductive nozzle plate that ejects liquid toward a front face of a recording object. The platen is arranged at a position opposed to the nozzle plate with the recording object placed between the platen and the nozzle plate. The absorption member is arranged at a position opposed to the nozzle plate and located farther from openings of the nozzle plate than the recording object in a direction in which the liquid is ejected. The potential difference generating device generates a difference in potential between the nozzle plate and the electrode by applying voltage to the electrode so as to form an electric field, whereby liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head is electrically attracted toward the electrode.

Abstract: To achieve high-quality printing by controlling an ink-travelling direction by an electrostatic force so that the ink can be accurately applied on a printing medium, the ink is landed on a desired position of the printing medium effectively without disturbing the ink ejection, independent of a difference in the thickness of the printing medium. An electric field between a printing head and the printing medium is generated by applying a voltage to a platen of conductive material positioned immediately below the printing medium. At this point, the voltage applied to the platen is adjusted so that the electric field of a preferable intensity can be generated on a face of the printing head where ejection openings are formed irrespective of the thickness of the printing medium.

Abstract: A pagewidth printhead has a controller. The printhead also has a plurality of microelectromechanical nozzle arrangements controlled by the controller. Each nozzle arrangement includes side walls located on a wafer substrate with a roof portion attached to said walls to define a printing fluid chamber, the roof portion defining an ejection port. Each arrangement also includes an inlet defined in the substrate to supply the fluid chamber with printing fluid, and a plurality of heater elements suspended between the side walls in the fluid chamber, so that when electrical actuation energy is applied to respective heater elements a vapour bubble is formed in the fluid leading to a pressure increase in the chamber thereby ejecting the fluid via the ejection port. The controller is configured to actuate respective heater elements individually to facilitate weighted ink drop volumes to be ejected from the nozzle arrangement.

Abstract: A liquid droplet ejecting head, comprising: a plurality of pressure chambers; nozzles communicating respectively with the plurality of pressure chambers; a vibrating plate that forms portions of the plurality of pressure chambers; a piezoelectric body disposed above the vibrating plate; individual electrodes formed respectively for each of the plurality of pressure chambers at one of a bottom surface and a top surface of the piezoelectric body, the individual electrodes being one polarity of the piezoelectric body; a common electrode, formed at the other surface of the one of a bottom surface and a top surface of the piezoelectric body, so as to extend over the plurality of pressure chambers, the common electrode being the other polarity of the piezoelectric body; electrical connecting portions electrically connected to the individual electrodes; and first electrode members electrically isolated from the common electrode, is provided.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head comprising a head body capable of ejecting liquid in from pressure generating chamber through nozzles by driving the pressure generating chamber, a plurality of head members adhered to the head body, the head members comprising a head casing having a channel for supplying the liquid to the pressure generating chamber and a plurality of notches for allowing a first and second adhesive to be filled in a plurality of gaps between the head members adhered to the head body, and a fixed member which is adhered to the liquid ejecting surface of the head members, wherein the first and second adhesive have different viscosities.

Abstract: A drop generator is operated to form large-volume and small-volume droplets by providing a droplet generator having a nozzle and an adjustable stimulation device; supplying liquid to the droplet generator such that a stream of diameter D emanates from the nozzle; activating the stimulation device to produce a first set of perturbations on the liquid stream, the perturbations having a period x such as to cause the liquid stream to form into small-volume droplets; selectively adjusting the stimulation device to produce a second set of perturbations on the liquid stream, the second set of perturbations having a period Nx such as to cause a segment of the liquid stream to form into a large-volume droplet, whereby the large-volume droplet is N times the volume of the small-volume droplets; and further adjusting the stimulation device to produce a third set of perturbations on the liquid stream during the period Nx.

Abstract: An ink ejection system with a print head and an ink priming station is provided. The ink reservoir of the print head has a plurality of ink channels, a plurality of ball valves, a plurality of storing areas, and a plurality of priming holes. Each of the ball valves is located at an outlet of the respective ink channel and has a floating ball. The plurality of storing areas is aligned to the plurality of ink channels respectively for storing ink of different colors. The plurality of priming holes, which are located on a surface of the ink reservoir, is connected with the respective storing areas for balancing air pressure between interior of the ink reservoir and environment. As ink in the storing area excesses a predetermined height, the respective floating ball closes the respective ball valve to stop injecting ink to the respective storing area. The ink priming station has an air cover linked to a pump.

Abstract: Provided is a printhead assembly with a pressurised air supply having an elongate ink distribution arrangement that defines a number of inlets, a number of corresponding ink distribution channels and a number of outlets in fluid communication with respective ink distribution channels. The assembly also includes an elongate ink distribution assembly mounted on the ink distribution arrangement, the ink distribution assembly having a plurality of layers together forming a stack, the layers being configured to define a plurality of inlets in fluid communication with the outlets of the ink distribution arrangement and mounting formations with passages opening into the mounting formations, the passages being in the form of ink passage sets in fluid communication with respective ink distribution channels, at least one passage from each set opening into each mounting formation.

Abstract: An ink jet type printing apparatus in which an ink supply needle is located near one side in a direction perpendicular to the reciprocated directions of a carriage, a circuit board is mounted on a wall of an ink cartridge in the vicinity of the side on which an ink supply port is formed and plural contacts for connecting to external control means are formed on the exposed surface of the circuit board.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for an inkjet printer including an ink tank, a shelf, and a chip is provided. The ink tank has a handle, and two locking structures are disposed on the handle. One of the locking structures fits the shelf, and the other locking structure fits the printer. The ink tank has a pressure control valve mechanism for precisely controlling an internal negative pressure. The ink tank and the shelf are connected together with the locking structures. The chip is fixed on the shelf. Only the ink tank needs to be replaced. Thus, the resource is saved, and the cost is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ink cartridge for a printer, comprising a body having an opened surface and a predetermined shape to receive ink therein; a cover coupled with the body to define a desired space; and a chamber instrument comprising a filling chamber having a space for receiving a part of the ink in the body, a discharging chamber connected with the filling chamber, an ink transferring channel for moving the ink received in the filling chamber to the discharging chamber, an air guiding hold for guiding air to an inside of the cartridge, an air suction valve for selectively passing the guided air and a pressure regulating valve for regulating an internal pressure of the body.

Abstract: A method for sealing an ink cartridge is disclosed. A cover film is bonded to the ink cartridge in such a manner as to cover an ink inlet hole formed in the ink cartridge. An opening is formed in the cover film in such a manner as to communicate with the hole of the ink cartridge. The method includes preparing a seal film and bonding the seal film to the cover film with a bonding strength smaller than the bonding strength of the cover film with respect to the ink cartridge in such a manner that the seal film becomes peelable from the cover film, thereby sealing the opening of the cover film.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has a container, an air valve, and a floating ball. The container is utilized for storing ink. The container has at least an air channel and a flow path. The air valve is disposed at the air channel for preventing the ink from being outside the container via the air channel. The floating ball has density smaller than that of the ink. As the ink in the container is below a predetermined height, the floating ball blocks the flow path permanently.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink jet printhead comprising a monolithic printhead with an integral gutter system wherein said gutter system is provided with an end wall adjacent to the ink stream and wherein the side of the wall adjacent the ink direction is generally parallel to the ink direction through said print head.

Abstract: The surface properties, such as surface roughness and gloss, of a printed image on an ink-jet receiver comprising a voided polymer ink-receiving layer, especially a foamed polymer ink-receiving layer, can be improved (i.e. reduce surface roughness and increase gloss) by applying heat and/or pressure to the ink-jet receiver after printing of an image such as by the passage of the printed image through a fuser. Method of printing; ink-jet print, and use of a fusing device.