Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ink-jet printer that can wipe off ink adhering to an ink ejection face and besides can clean a lip of a cap in such a manner that foreign materials adhering to the lip can surely be removed. An ink-jet printer includes a cap, a wiper, a cap cleaning blade, and an ink supplier. The cap is contactable with and separable from an ink ejection face of an ink-jet head, and includes a lip that is brought into close contact with the ink ejection face. The wiper is movable in parallel to and relative to the ink ejection face. The cap cleaning blade is provided integrally with the wiper, and, while being in contact with the lip, cleans the lip in association with the wiper moving relative to the ink ejection face. The ink supplier supplies ink wiped off by the wiper to the cap cleaning blade.

Abstract: The ink jet printer comprises a printhead (22) movable in front of a printing medium (30) and provided with an ink cartridge (25) integral with it; the cartridge is filled with ink from a main, high capacity tank (35), which is connected at intervals to the cartridge (25) by means of a capillary element. During each connection, the capillary element (101) is brought into contact with the sponge (41) inside the cartridge, while a peristaltic pump (134) mounted integral upon the main tank provides a pressure suitable for generating a sufficient flow of ink to refill the cartridge (25) in a short time frame. To perform the refilling, the cartridge is brought at the end of its stroke into a service station (5) mounted on the body of the main tank (35), which is moved against the cartridge by means of a motor-driven linkage, controlled by a refilling management programme, in response to the signals of a cartridge ink level sensor.

Abstract: The inkjet maintenance device cleans a printhead with a wiper on a first platform and cleans the wiper with a scraper on a second platform. Two slits with different shapes disposed on a base of the maintenance device allow the first platform and the second platform to slide respectively. In a single stroke of maintenance, the first platform and the second platform are simultaneously pushed substantially horizontally while the first platform further moves substantially vertically relative to the second platform, which allows the scraper on the second platform to clean the wiper of the first platform in the same stroke when the wiper cleans the printhead.

Abstract: An ejecting apparatus is provided for readily controlling ejection even when the number of nozzles is increased. In each of N heads in an ejecting apparatus, DA equals a distance between a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array, and a distance between the second nozzle array in one arbitrary head of the N heads and the first nozzle array in another head adjacent to this arbitrary head in the Y-axis direction is substantially equal to an integer multiple of DA.

Abstract: A droplet discharge method for discharging a liquid material from a discharge device and arranging the liquid material in a specified quantity on a substrate, the discharge device includes a nozzle for discharging the liquid material in droplets, and the droplet discharge method include the steps of cleaning the nozzle using the liquid material, and arranging at least a part of the liquid material used for cleaning on the substrate.

Abstract: A printing head, having symmetrically-arranged ejection openings, can suppress deterioration in image quality as caused by manufacturing errors or problems in mounting accuracy thereof. Specifically, in the case the printing head inclines, for example, by 0.5 degrees at a line connecting corresponding ejection openings of ejection opening arrays relative to the scanning direction, deviations occur in the dots formed through one of the ejection opening arrays with reference to the dots formed through another ejection opening array. However, the deviations can be minimized by arranging adjacently small-ejection opening arrays for cyan and magenta with a spacing reduced between those ejection opening arrays.

Abstract: A printhead is provided for an inkjet printer. The printhead includes a wafer assembly defining spaced groups of ink supply channels. Groups of ink ejection nozzle arrangements extend from the wafer assembly and are in fluid communication with respective ink supply channel groups. Each group of nozzle arrangements includes a pair of rows of nozzle arrangements. Each nozzle arrangement includes an ink ejection head from which an actuator tail extends and is arranged so that actuator tails of one group of nozzle arrangements are interleaved with actuator tails of any adjacent groups of nozzle arrangements.

Abstract: A print engine is provided for a printer unit. The print engine includes a cradle unit and a replaceable cartridge unit received within the cradle unit in a releasable manner. The print engine further includes print media transport means which can transport print media. The cartridge unit includes a body. An ink storage module assembly includes a plurality of ink storage modules and is configured to be received in the body from one side. A printhead assembly is configured to be mounted to the body at an opposite side and is configured to print upon the transported print media.

Abstract: A method of printing includes associating a pixel area of a recording medium with a nozzle and a time interval during which a fluid drop ejected from the nozzle can impinge the pixel area of the recording medium. The time interval is divided into a plurality of subintervals. Some of the plurality of subintervals are grouped into blocks. One of two labels is associated with each block. The first label defines a printing drop and the second label defines non-printing drops. No drop forming pulse is associated between subintervals of each block having the first label. A drop forming pulse is associated between each subinterval of each block having the second label. A drop forming pulse is associated between other subintervals between each pair of consecutive blocks. Drops are caused to be ejected from the nozzle based on the associated drop forming pulses.

Abstract: A printhead reservoir has an input ink port and a chamber to receive ink from an ink source through the input ink port. The reservoir also has a filter in a path between the input ink port and the chamber. A printhead includes a reservoir having an input ink port, a chamber to receive ink from an ink source through the input port and a filter in a path between the input port and the storage plate. The printhead also includes an array of jets to draw ink from the chamber and control circuitry to control the jets so as to selectively output ink through the jets onto a substrate. A reservoir has a filter to receive ink, a vented chamber to collect ink received from the filter and at least one jet to receive ink from the vented chamber. The vented chamber is between the ink filter and the fluid path to the jets in order to remove the filter portion of the pressure drop to the jets.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus including a main tank, a sub tank, a supply device, and a recording head is provided. The main tank stores ink. The sub tank includes a storage chamber that houses an absorber for absorbing the ink and a supply port that communicates with the storage chamber at an upper portion of the sub tank. The supply device supplies the ink from the main tank to the sub tank through the supply port of the sub tank. The recording head discharges the ink supplied from the sub tank and performs recording while reciprocating over a recording medium. The sub tank further includes a gap inside the storage chamber that guides the ink supplied by the supply device toward a lower portion of the absorber.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods that utilize material-handling systems in which material in the systems has enhanced stability, e.g., during conveyance of the material from a reservoir to a printhead through a conduit, the conduit having a conduit wall defining an inner conduit space and including a material line for carrying the printing material in the inner conduit space, wherein the inner conduit space is configured to carry a heated liquid, being heated from a liquid heater, to contact the material line.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ink distribution structure for an inkjet printer. The distribution structure has a laminated stack for supplying ink to a plurality of printhead integrated circuits. The stack includes five distinct layers. A first layer has an even number of discrete ink holes per printhead integrated circuit, each group of discrete ink holes arranged in a rectangular array with four aligned rows of ink holes parallel to a respective integrated circuit. The first layer has underside recesses each for discretely communicating with one of the ink holes of the two center-most rows of four holes. A second layer has a pair of slots each for receiving ink from one of the underside recesses of the first layer, the second layer also having ink holes which are aligned with the outer two groups of ink holes of the first layer. A third layer has an even number of ink holes corresponding with each integrated circuit, the outermost of these holes aligned with outermost holes of the first and second layers.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has a flexible ink bag accommodated in a casing. A plate fixed to the ink bag moves together with deflation of the ink bag as the ink is consumed. A pin attached to the plate slides in a groove formed in a lever pivotally connected to the casing. A reflecting plate inside the casing reflects detection light projected from the outside through an opening in the casing to indicate that ink remains in the ink bag. As the ink nears complete consumption, the lever pivots to a position blocking the detection light from the reflecting plate thereby indicating that the ink has been used up.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording device for supplying ink to a recording head from at least one ink cartridge having a bottom wall, and first and second side walls connected to each other through the bottom wall and facing each other, the ink cartridge further having an ink supply port at the bottom wall, a first retaining member extending from the first side wall and a recess provided in the vicinity of the second side wall, the retaining member having a first engagement portion displaceable toward and away from the first side wall.

Abstract: A printer cradle for receiving an ink cartridge having a rotor element includes a drive roller. An electrical motor drives the drive roller. A flipper gear assembly is operatively engaged with the drive roller to be driven by the drive roller between an engaged position in which it engages the rotor element and a disengaged position in which it is disengaged from the rotor element. A controller arrangement has a controller board housing a print engine controller configured to control the motor to actuate or disengage the rotor element.

Abstract: A method for ink jet printing with light-curing ink, which includes the steps of printing a first ink dot of a color, irradiating the first ink dot with light, printing a second ink dot with the same color and which at least partially overlaps with the first ink dot, and irradiating the second ink dot with light.

Abstract: The inkjet drawing device and method form an image on an image recording medium relatively transported in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to a main scanning direction by using photocurable ink with an inkjet head moving in the main scanning direction. The device and method cause the inkjet head to eject the photocurable ink as an ink droplet imagewise to perform direct drawing, irradiate an upper portion of the image recording medium with active light from a stationary, point or substantially point active light source by using a scanning mirror that scans and moves in the main scanning direction at a backward position distant from a position subjected to the drawing by the inkjet head by a predetermined distance toward a sub-scanning transport downstream side of the image recording medium and cure the photocurable ink ejected onto the image recording medium imagewise to form the image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include a handheld printer manipulated back and forth by an operator during use to print an image on a media. The media includes reference indicia upon which users maneuver the printer whenever a location of the printer is unknown or needs updating or validating. A controller of the printer correlates the location of a printhead to the image and when lost communicates to a direction indicator to provide user notification of where to move the housing to reacquire the location. Embodiments of the reference indicia include guide and location patterns, with the guide pattern pointing to the location pattern. Other indicia include related tick marks of substantially equal size and shape with substantially equal spacing there between. Supply items for applying on the media include a substrate with reference indicia thereon that matches stored reference indicia in the printer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include a handheld printer manipulated by an operator to print an image on a media. A controller correlates a location of a printhead to the image and causes printing or not. A position sensor provides input to the controller. Its signal typifies pixels in a matrix frame indicating a current position frame and, over time, a previous position frame. The controller compares the two frames to find a presence of the previous in the current. To improve computational efficiency, the controller reduces a relative size of both frames before comparing. Specific reduction techniques contemplate converting a matrix frame of pixels indicative of previous and current locations into smaller matrices, including one-dimensional forms. Possible search areas within the current frame to look for the previous frame utilize knowledge about the movement history of the printer. Position sensor signal validity and controller architectures are other noteworthy features.

Abstract: A side-view mirror attachment for a pair of spectacles constructed of a pair of mirrors each having a hemispherical shape, a center frame that has two opposite ends each fixedly connected to one of the pair of mirrors, and a mounting device for either detachably or permanently mount the attachment to a pair of spectacles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rim which can increase a lens holding capacity by a simple structure and can apply a new decoration to a spectacle. In a rim (1) of a spectacle in which a fitting groove (3) is formed in such a manner as to be fitted to a fitting portion (5a) formed so as to protrude to a side surface of a lens (5) and hold the lens (5), a concave groove (4) is formed in a bottom portion of the fitting groove (3) along a top portion (5b) of the fitting portion (5a). A absorbing material may be filled in the concave groove (4) or a paint may be filled in or applied to the concave groove (4).

Abstract: Watchband eyeglasses including a combination of flexible Pince-Nez reading glasses that rest securely on the wearer's nose, and a wrist-worn case for housing the reading glasses when not in use. Various embodiments of the case are disclosed including: (1) a bracelet or, (2) a universal attachment for any existing metal, plastic or fabric watchband; or (3) a dual-function case that is itself also a watchband. In all such embodiments the case incorporates a unique storage compartment or sleeve that facilitates carrying of the eyeglasses at all times, to make them more accessible.

Abstract: A contact lens providing high visual acuity with the comfort of a soft lens includes a thin layer of hard lens material at the front surface of the contact lens; and a second soft lens material layer at the posterior portion of the lens. The soft lens provides a contact area substantially in contact with the central region of the cornea. The first layer is bonded on top of the second layer directly or through a third elastic material layer. Manufacturing methods overcome problems of swelling of the soft lens component during hydration.

Abstract: A method of maintaining circadian rhythm of a subject comprising selectively substantially blocking retinal exposure of the subject to light having a wavelength shorter than a specified wavelength during the night, and an apparatus for carrying out the claimed method comprising an optical filter that selectively at least substantially blocks light having a wavelength shorter than the specified wavelength.

Abstract: Alteration of a fixation or peripheral stimulus displayed on a computer-driven display allows a human subject to maintain extended visual fixation upon the resulting dynamic stimulus. The fixation is presented upon the display and the stimulus is altered to allow resensitization of the subject's retina, thereby allowing prolonged visual fixation upon the resulting dynamic target. A dynamic stimulus may utilize a frequency doubling illusion.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods measure, diagnose, and/or treat one or both eyes of a patient. Adaptive optics systems (such as those having a deformable mirror) may be configured to an aspherical or multi-spherical presbyopia-mitigating prescriptive shape to allow objective and/or subjective measurements of a candidate prescription. A plurality of viewing distances allow subjective and/or objective evaluations of performance using a light spot or a test viewing image. Measurements of aberrations at selected viewing conditions (including distances and/or brightness) with correlating pupil sizes may also be provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for determining an optical surface model for an optical tissue system of an eye are provided. Techniques include inputting a Fourier transform of optical data from the optical tissue system, inputting a conjugate Fourier transform of a basis function surface, determining a Fourier domain sum of the Fourier transform and the conjugate Fourier transform, calculating an estimated basis function coefficient based on the Fourier domain sum, and determining the optical surface model based on the estimated basis function coefficient. The approach is well suited for employing Fourier transform in wavefront reconstruction using Zernike representation.

Abstract: An improved projector device and the cooling device therefor are provided. The provided projector device includes a light source including a lead wire, a first foil having a first front-end and a first rear-end, and a second foil having a second front-end and a second rear-end, and includes a first blower configured on a first side of the light source and generating a first air to cool the bulb portion and the second foil of the light source, and a second blower configured on a second side of the light source and generating a second air to cool the lead wire as well as the first foil.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system adapted to project a cylindrical, spherical, conical or other three-dimensional display surface onto every direction in the distance or receive images from every direction at such a three-dimensional imaging surface. The optical system is adapted to project a three-dimensional object surface 3 onto a full circle in the distance, and comprises at least one rotationally symmetric reflective surface 2.

Abstract: A digital planetarium apparatus includes an original image generator, an intermediate image generator, and a fish-eye lens. The original image generator is formed of two video projectors and generates semicircular images in display devices inside the respective video projectors. The intermediate image generator optically focuses the two semicircular images generated by the original image generator to thereby generate a circular image. The fish-eye lens projects the circular image generated by the intermediate image generator.

Abstract: A lighting device used for an image display device including a light modulator that modulates light emitted from a light source device includes: a diffractive optical element on which the light emitted from the light source device is made incident and that generates diffractive light from the light made incident thereon and lights the light modulator with the diffractive light; and a light shielding member that is arranged between the diffractive optical element and the light modulator and shields 0-th order light emitted to the light modulator.

Abstract: A light-quantity adjusting function of a diaphragm used for light quantity control for improving the contrast of a projected image is controlled to cancel light quantity variation due to variation of the driving power of the light source for increasing the service life. This control keeps the quantity of light coming into a display element at a constant value and achieves both service life extension of the light source and image projection having no brightness fluctuation.

Abstract: A projector includes a plane mirror that is disposed at one end side of an end portion of a screen and a projection optical system that is disposed at a position that is separated from a reflection surface side of the plane mirror. A light shielding plate is provided to at least one of two positions; one is between a fourth mirror and the plane mirror of the projection optical system, and the other is between the plane mirror and the screen.

Abstract: A mirror reflective element for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror substrate having a front surface and a rear surface. The mirror substrate has a first reflector portion and a second reflector portion, with the first reflector portion having a principal reflector portion of the mirror reflective element. The rear surface of the mirror substrate has a curved recess established thereat, and the second curved reflector portion is established at the curved recess. The curved recess has a radius of curvature that is less than a radius of curvature of the first reflector portion, whereby the curved recess, when coated by a reflector coating, provides a wide angle auxiliary reflector portion integrally formed with the mirror reflective element.

Abstract: A vehicle external rear view mirror assembly comprising a bracket and a mirror head, a pair of parallel outer arm assemblies (20, 20?) having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion having a rack (28, 28?), a pair of parallel inner arm assemblies (40, 40?) and extending into respective outer arm assemblies (20, 20?), each inner arm assembly (40, 40?) having a front portion and a rear portion, a pair of driving pinion gears (50, 50?), each engaging a respective rack (28, 28?), a pinion drive shaft (53), a drive motor (60), and a gear train, the drive motor (60) driving the inner arm assemblies (40, 40?) to move telescopically with respect to their respective outer arm assemblies (20, 20?), wherein each outer arm assembly (20, 20?) is recessed back from the distal end towards the bracket to allow the pinion drive shaft assembly to travel towards the bracket behind the front portion of the outer arm assembly (20, 20?).

Abstract: A photographic light diffuser for mounting to a camera with a hot shoe and an internal flash including a light diffuser and a diffuser mount removably attachable to the light diffuser. The diffuser mount is adapted to attach to the hot shoe while permitting operation of the internal flash.

Abstract: A backlight module (1) includes a light source (121), a light guide plate (122) and a grating plate (123). The light guide plate includes a light incident surface (1221), a bottom surface (1223) adjacent the light incident surface. The light source is provided adjacent to the light incident surface of the light guide plate. The grating plate is provided adjacent to the bottom surface of the light guide plate. The grating plate is configured for reflecting light beams and polarizing the light beams.

Abstract: The identification device comprises at least one electroluminescent wire that extends along the cable or duct to be identified. The electroluminescent wire is designed to be electrically supplied in a temporary manner, so as to display the path of the cable or duct. This device is applicable to the identification of electrical cables, or pneumatic and hydraulic ducts, or fibre-optic cables or cords.

Abstract: A light fixture (10) is provided having a housing (11), a light diffusor (12), a light source (13), and a heating source (14). The housing includes a mounting plate (17) adapted to be mounted to the ceiling of a structure in conventional fashion. The mounting plate includes a radial array of mounting arms (18) which form air intake openings (19) therebetween. The mounting plate is coupled to a tubular flow channel (21) having a central passage (22) extending therethrough. The bottommost portion of the flow channel includes threaded neck (24). A threaded locking plate (28) rotatably mates with the threaded neck. The locking plate includes a radial array of exhaust openings (32) extending therethrough. The heat source includes a heating element (38) and a motorized fan (39).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide plate, a bottom chassis, a liquid crystal display panel disposed on the light guide plate to display an image, a flexible printed circuit board connected to the liquid crystal display panel and outwardly bent toward a rear surface of the bottom chassis to be fixed to the rear surface, and at least one point light source disposed at an adjacent position to an incident surface of the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes an inclined portion from a lower side of the light guide plate toward an upper side of the light guide plate. Advantageously, the liquid crystal display apparatus may prevent the occurrence of the step-difference between the point light source and the light guide plate, thereby improving light efficiency and brightness.

Abstract: A sign light to illuminate a sign such as a real estate sale sign. The sign light is configured to suspend between the crossarm of a sign post and the sign. The sign light includes a housing, a light source, and sign mounting hardware. The housing allows the sign light to suspend from a crossarm of a sign post. The housing includes an internal compartment. The light source is located within the internal compartment of the housing. The sign mounting hardware is directly coupled to the housing to provide a mounting location for a sign to hang from the mounting hardware. The housing and mounting hardware facilitate suspending the sign light between the crossarm of the sign post and the sign.

Abstract: A switch actuating holster and accompanying switched device. When the switched device is withdrawn from the holster, the holster causes the switch to be actuated. The switch has an A position and a B position. The holster has a magnet that is positioned adjacent to the switch of the electrical device. As the device is withdrawn from the holster, the magnet of the holster pulls the switch to a B position and against the stop. As the device is inserted into the holster, the magnet of the holster pushes the magnet of the device against a stop in the A position. The switch may also be manually actuated.

Abstract: A triangular red LED warning device comprises a compact box. A pair of oblique side red LED flashing boards, a base side red LED flashing board and a pair of supporting leg plates. The pair of oblique side red LED flashing boards are connected frictionally by a frictional tightening means at each one end to both ends of the base side red LED flashing board, and their each other ends are also connected detachably by means of an elastic connecting pin at neighborhood of the vertical angle, which is formed by the both oblique side boards. Thus, the triangular red LED flashing board can make various signal forms by frictional rotation and stoppage of the each oblique side board for a suitable degree against gravity, and can be freely folded to be received into a compact box after using.

Abstract: A decorative lighting apparatus comprising a structure, a plurality of light emitting elements configured to emit light, and a plurality of refractive elements each having a plurality of surfaces. The plurality of refractive elements is connected to the structure such that the plurality of light emitting elements emits light through the plurality of refractive elements to a viewer to refract the light in a plurality of directions.

Abstract: A deflection component for a luminaire is hollow and consists of two sections, of which a first section is parallel to the axis and a second section in contrast runs obliquely outwards.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a luminaire may include a housing that includes a support panel, a rotation ring supported by the support panel where the rotation ring is infinitely adjustable with a range of adjustments with respect to the support panel, a rotation drive unit configured to rotate the rotation ring with respect to the support panel, an aiming frame supported by the rotation ring, a tray system pivotally mounted to the aiming frame and configured to receive the bulb, and a tray drive configured to rotate the tray system about the pivotal mounting, whereby, in operation the rotational and angular orientation of the bulb may be adjusted while the bulb is on.

Abstract: A recessed lighting fixture includes a trim member and a light projector accessory having one or more lenses, one or more gobos including an image to be projected, a suitable attachment for the accessory to be attached to the recessed light fixture, and a focusing mechanism for focusing the image projected from the gobo.

Abstract: A LED lamp bulb structure is disclosed, wherein a lamp controller is installed inside a lamp head and the bottom surface thereof is fixed by an upper cover. At the bottom surface of the upper cover, a heat dispersing fin set, which has at least a heat conducting tube installed therein, and a lower cover are fixed therein. Furthermore, a bulb housing, which has a tray mounted therein, is screwed around the peripheral edge of the lower cover, and at the bottom of the tray, plural LED lamp sets corresponding to plural heat conducting tubes are outwardly extended. Therefore, the heat produced by the LED lamp set can have a heat exchange through plural heat conducting tubes and heat dispersing fin set for achieving a better heat dispersing efficiency and for more effectively dispersing the heat.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of enhancing illumination by a variety of lamp types through the use of reflective technologies, for example, replacement of expensive high intensity density of mercury vapor lamps with low wattage fluorescent tubes having at least one and in some cases, up to three reflective surfaces for focusing otherwise lost light toward a target illumination area. Further, the placement of light sources at the focal point of said reflective surfaces aids in optimizing the amount of light focused in a desired direction.