Abstract: An impulse ink jet apparatus provides bar coding using one or more ink jet chambers having a plurality of orifices in each chamber. A transducer is coupled to each chamber for ejecting droplets from each of the plurality of orifices in the chamber in response to the state of energization of the transducer.

Abstract: A coincidence-preventing circuit prevents the graininess of image which results form coincidental arrival of a clock pulse and a load pulse at a circuit, such as a down counter, the output from which controls the timing and density of the image produced on a recording medium by an ink jet.

Abstract: An optical recording medium made up of a substrate and an electromagnetic radiation sensitive layer consisting essentially of a sulfur compound as a matrix and a substance (such as, for example, Te, Pb, Au, Sn, As, Bi, In, C) which is subjected to heat action from absorption of electromagnetic radiation and brings about optical changes by such heat action.

Abstract: An LED array module for use in an LED array printhead is fabricated on a frame of tape-automated bonding (TAB) tape that provides all of the wiring for connecting the chips together, for connecting the module to one or more external circuit boards and for testing the module; thereby protecting the delicate components and allowing the module to be completely tested prior to excising it from the TAB frame and mounting it to the printhead support member.

Abstract: A method for connecting a nozzle tube of an ink jet nozzle of an ink jet printer with a piezoelectric element utilizing a bonding agent, which comprises steps of applying a coating of a material having a relatively low adhesive property to the bonding agent on at least a portion of the piezoelectric element being disposed adjacent to the nozzle tube, and securing the piezoelectric element to the nozzle tube with the bonding agent being applied between the coating and the nozzle tube. The degradation of the characteristics of the piezoelectric element due to the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the piezoelectric element and the bonding agent can be avoided.

Abstract: A method of adjusting stimulation amplitude in continuous ink jet printers to provide satellite-free printing includes the steps varying the stimulation amplitude between the underdrive and overdrive stimulation conditions, charging the resulting ink jet filaments at their break off points with sawtooth voltage of period equal to the stimulation period, detecting and storing the resultant drop charging events and setting the operating stimulation amplitude based on the inception point inflection in the resulting stimulation amplitude versus detected charge relation.

Abstract: A method of driving an ink jet recording apparatus which is provided with a recording head having a discharge port for discharging ink droplets, a discharge energy acting chamber communicating with the discharge port, and a piezo-electric element for generating discharge energy for ink droplet discharge mechanically coupled to the discharge energy acting chamber, and in which an electrical signal is supplied to the piezo-electric element thereby to vary the volume of the discharge energy acting chamber and cause ink droplets to be discharged from the discharge port to accomplish recording, is characterized in that when the length from the discharge port to that portion of the recording head which reflects a pressure wave produced by the supply of the electrical signal is l and the speed of sound in the ink is c, the electrical signal supplied to the piezo-electric element is of a composite wave-configuration of at least two pulse wave-configurations, i.e.

Abstract: A monolithic thermal ink jet printhead is presented. This monolithic structure makes page-width array thermal ink jet printheads possible. The monolithic structure can be manufactured by standard integrated circuit and printed circuit processing techniques. A nickel-plating process constructs a nozzle on top of resistors, thereby eliminating adhesion and alignment problems. A rigid substrate supports a flexible cantilever beam upon which the resistors are constructed. The cantilever beam, together with the ink itself, buffers the impact of cavitation forces during bubble collapsing and results in a better resistor reliablility. The monolithic printhead allows a smoother ink supply since the ink is fed directly from the backside to the resistor through an opening in the rigid substrate. The orifice structure is constructed by a self-aligned, two-step plating process which results in compound bore shape nozzles.

Abstract: In a low resolution color printer having a color set, a set of shaded colors is generated thereby expanding the color set of the printer. The method for generating the shaded colors determines if a critical line is to be printed. Then a check is made to determine if a shaded color is to be printed. If a pattern of a shaded color is to be printed, including a non-critical line, a first algorithm is used to generate a print buffer by interspersing a dark (quasi-black) colored pixel among the colored pixels, the blending effect resulting in a shaded color. If a critical line of a shaded color is to be printed, a second algorithm is utilized (to overcome a deficiency of the first algorithm) to insure an interspersing of the dark pixels with colored pixels. Otherwise, the pattern is printed in the designated color.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head comprising an ink flow path communicating with an ink jet nozzle and an electro-mechanical converting element provided along said ink flow path, an ink acting surface on which energy generated by said electro-mechanical converting element acts the surface being inclined with respect to an ink flow direction and toward said ink jet nozzle.

Abstract: Endless web laser printer having enhanced copy registration. Compensation is made for the position of the laser beam along the scan line when the image scanning is to begin. The extra delay in starting the image scan is translated to an equal and extra delay for feeding the paper to the image transfer station. Up to one full line of misregistration can be corrected. Dividing the scan line into segments decreases the possible number of extra delay time quantities consistent with the perceivable improvement in registration tolerance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing inking resolution in an ink-mosaic recording device. In order to increase the inking resolution in a simple manner, a recording head is periodically deflected transversely to a direction of ejection of the drop of fluid, and the ejection is synchronized with this deflection. Thus a transverse speed component may be superimposed on the drop so that an encountering point on the recording carrier is shiftable. With a same number of transducers and constant transducer spacing, the recording points may be positioned closer to one another.

Abstract: A method for producing a light-transmissive phase change ink printed substrate is described which comprises providing a substrate, and then printing on at least one surface of the substrate a predetermined pattern of a light-transmissive phase change ink which initially transmits light in a non-rectilinear path. The pattern of solidified phase change ink is then reoriented to form an ink layer of substantially uniform thickness. This ink layer will, in turn, produce an image which then will transmit light in a substantially rectilinear path.In one aspect of the invention, the substrate is light transmissive, and the reoriented printed substrate exhibits a high degree of lightness and chroma, and transmits light in a substantially rectilinear path. In this way, the reoriented printed substrate can be used in a projection device to project an image containing clear, saturated colors.

Abstract: An ink writing head comprising ink ejection channels and piezoelectric transducer elements allocated to the ink ejection channels, these transducer elements being supplied with writing fluid via supply lines, contains transducer elements comprising a first piezoelectrically excitable layer and a supporting layer firmly joined to the excitable layer. The piezoelectrically excitable layer comprises deflectable regions that are respectively subdivided into a peripheral and into a central region. For generating the needed excursion of the membrane, the regions of the membrane are driven such that the peripheral region is shortened, preferably by transversal contraction, and the central region is lengthened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing supports intended for the optical recording and reading of information. A layer containing a diazo compound is deposited onto a metallized substrate. Recording is obtained by exposing the support to light through a mask, the exposed zones of the layer of diazo compound being decomposed. Dry development in ammonia vapors shows up transparent zones and opaque zones corresponding to the information.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by employing a transfer recording medium having a transfer recording layer whose transfer characteristics change upon application of heat energy and light energy thereto comprises: a recording section including a thermal head for applying heat energy to the transfer recording medium disposed along a conveying route of the transfer recording medium and a light source for applying light energy to the transfer recording medium; a transfer section for transferring onto the recording medium an image formed on the transfer recording medium in the recording section; and a device disposed upstream of the transfer section in the advancing direction of the transfer recording medium and adapted to make portions of the transfer recording layer other than an image-forming area non-transferrable.

Abstract: In a prior art thermal printing method, the heating elements of a thermal printing head are driven in such fashion that the temperature of each and every individual heating element is first measured individually and successively before this heating element is charged with a current pulse whose intensity of current is dimensioned dependent on the measured temperature. In order to increase the printing speed, the temperatures of all heating elements (R1 . . . Rn) are first successively measured in the novel method fo the present invention in every drive cycle and are extrapolated to isochronic cooling temperature values dependent on the cooling characteristic of the heating elements (R1 . . . Rn). The heating elements (R1 . . . Rn) are then charged with current pulses whose pulse durations are individually dimensioned for every heating element (R1 . . . Rn) dependent on the cooling temperature value calculated for this heating element (R1 . . . Rn).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising an exposure light source, a printer head which comprises a group of micro-shutters each controlling the transmission or interruption of light from the exposure light source, and an image bearing so disposed to be irradiated with light signals transmitted through the printer head. The group of micro-shutters are arranged in a matrix comprising a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. The group of micro-shutters are formed by a substrate having thereon a plurality of segment electrodes each forming a shutter and connected to a drain of a thin film transistor, another substrate having thereon a common electrode, and a liquid crystal interposed between the substrates. The image forming apparatus further comprises means for applying a scanning signal to the gate of the thin film transistor and applying an electric signal corresponding to image information in synchronism with the scanning signal.

Abstract: A process of recording using fluid ink which is substantially non-adhesive but can be imparted with an adhesiveness on application of an energy such as electrochemical energy or heat energy. The ink is obtained by impregnating a crosslinked substance such as guar gum or polyvinyl alcohol compound with a liquid dispersion medium such as water. The fluid ink, preferably formed into a layer in advance, is supplied with a pattern of energy to be provided with an adhesive pattern, which is then transferred to a recording medium, such as plain paper, directly or by the medium of an intermediate transfer medium to form an ink pattern corresponding to the energy pattern applied.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and correcting misregistration of color separation planes in a multicolor printing process include the functions of: (i) printing on a test sheet, with a first color printing subsystem, a first array of M parallel lines which are uniformly spaced N adjustment steps apart and (ii) printing on the same test sheet with a second color printing subsystem, a second array of M parallel lines, which are uniformly spaced N+1 adjustment steps apart and which are predeterminedly juxtaposed, with respect to the lines of the first line array, so that when registration is correct, base registration lines of the first and second arrays are aligned.Upon visually inspecting the alignment of marks on said first and second line series, the operator can effect automated position shifting of the second subsystems printout color plane in an amount and direction based on which juxtaposed mark pair of said two arrays are in best alignment.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet which comprises a transparent support and, provided thereon, at least one ink-receiving layer which is a light transmission layer containing an emulsion polymerized composition can form a color image of high resolution and high color density and the recorded sheet is suitable for overhead projector.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the stimulation amplitude of a continuous ink jet printer to operate in a satellite-free, drop break off region includes a test charge electrode located downstream from the nominal information charging zone, an electrometer for detecting drop charge imported by the test charge electrode and a control circuit for gradually varying stimulation between the underdrive to overdrive regions. An information storage and processing system stores and computes the stimulation amplitude corresponding to the overdrive inception point during such stimulation ramping and a nominal operating stimulation amplitude is selected based on the computed inception point stimulation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for printing and dispensing chemical reagents in precisely controlled volumes onto a medium at a precisely controlled location. A jetting tube, comprising an orifice at one end and a fluid receiving aperture at the other end, is concentrically mounted within a cylindrical piezo-electric transducer. The fluid receiving aperture is connected to a reservoir containing a selected reagent by means of a filter. The reservoir may be pressurized by a regulated air supply. An electrical signal of short duration is applied to the transducer. The pulse causes the transducer and the volume defined by the jetting tube to expand, thereby drawing in a small quantity of reagent fluid. The cessation of the pulse causes the transducer and the volume of the jetting tube to de-expand, thereby causing at least a substantially uniformly sized droplet of reagent fluid to be propelled through the orifice.

Abstract: A recording and readout information system having atomic scale densities comprises a recording medium having a carrier and means to form a pattern of atomic particles on the surface of the carrier. The atomic particles having an affinity for the carrier and can adhere to the surface to form a relatively adhesive and stable bond. The pattern of atomic particles produced on the carrier are representative of recorded information, e.g. binary represented information, of ultra high density based upon the size and spacing of such particles, which is in the range, for example, of 5 .ANG. (0.5 nm) to 10 .ANG. (1 nm). A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a recording medium with an adsorbent carrier, means to form a pattern of adsorbate atomic particles on the surface of the adsorbent carrier, the adsorbate atomic particles having an adsorptive affinity for the adsorbent carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clean air hood for disposition above the print head of a fluid jet printing apparatus having an orifice plate on one side of the print head for forming a plurality of droplet streams. The droplet streams flow past charge and deflection electrode means as well as a fluid catcher whereby uncharged droplets are deposited on a substrate. The clean air hood includes an interior baffle for directing clean air through the hood for issuance through a pair of laterally spaced slots along opposite sides of the hood whereby the air curtains formed thereby straddle the print head. In operation, the air curtains flow along opposite sides of the print head and opposite sides of the droplet streams ot maintain a clean air region about the electrode means and dampen any tendency of particulate matter carried by the substrate from migrating into the region of the electrodes. The print bar is rotated 180.degree.

Abstract: In order to minimize the effects of heating on performance and reliability in a phase change ink jet system, the ink jets comprise a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 0.03 g cal/sec cm.sup.2 (.degree.C./cm). The material may comprise stainless steel or aluminum. The reservoir of the system comprises the same material.

Abstract: A driving method for a thermal head which has a plurality of thermal resistance elements arranged in a line. The thermal resistance elements are electrically separated into first and second blocks. Then, a heat pulse is applied to all the necessary thermal resistance elements in the first block. Next, a heat pulse is applied to all the necessary thermal resistance elements in the second block. These applying operation are alternately repeated in sequence until the required density is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved method and apparatus for preventing unevenness in thermal printers. Generally unevenness in thermal printers is a result of temperature variations between the heat generating elements thereof. The present invention seeks to prevent unevenness in printing by compensating the driving current of each heat generating element in response to its temperature. The temperature of the heat generating elements is determined by driving each element to a predetermined temperature while heating and determining the time interval which elapses between heatings. Further, thermal characteristics of the printing head can be used to compensate the driving current. Lastly, the driving current can be compensated with data which represents the time interval between printing successive lines of data.

Abstract: A method for inspecting whether a print pattern composed of a number of dots is acceptable, an apparatus for inspecting such a print pattern, and an automatic print sorting system are disclosed. A print pattern of an acceptable print sample and a print pattern printed on an article to be inspected are compared with respect to dot distribution, dot density, and other factors. The print patterns on all articles on a high-speed production line can be automatically inspected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing platen mapping for known clearance pen movement in a graphics plotter system having a platen over which paper is moved longitudinally to create one axis, penholding apparatus moved transversely across the platen and the paper to create the other axis, and a controlled raising and lowering mechanism connected to the penholding apparatus for lowering a pen being held therein into contact with, for raising it from contact with the paper, and for providing a relative vertical position value signal. Vertical sensing apparatus is connected to the penholding apparatus for sensing the top surface of the platen. First logic is operably connected to the vertical sensing appartus and to receive the vertical position value signal from the controlled raising and lowering mechanism for calculating and saving a plurality of deviation values indicating the distance deviation of the platen top surface from parallel at a plurality of spaced points across the platen.

Abstract: A thermal ink jet printing system includes a drop detector which is used in a feedback loop to optimize operational drive pulse parameters. By optimizing the drive pulse, drop velocity can be set within an optimal range above a inflection point in the transfer function of a print head drop generator. This provides near maximal drop velocity while minimizing heat dissipation at the heater resistors which would otherwise impair reliability and print head life. The drive circuitry includes a microcontroller including a pulse controller, a test generator and an algorithm function. During a maintenance procedure, for example, during start-up, the test generator causes the pulse controller to test each of many drop generators with a series of fixed-voltage rectangular pulses of digitally increasing pulse width. The pulse width at which a drop is first detected and the velocity of each drop detected is correlated with the width of the pulse which generated that drop.

Abstract: A method of preparing a dry transfer sheet for transferring indicia such as characters and designs to a receiving surface of a receiving member. The transfer sheet is prepared by thermal printing of the desired indicia on a thermal printer, by using a heat-sensitive ink ribbon which has an ink layer consisting of a thermally fusible ink composition. The printer has a print head for heating selected portions of the ink layer. The ink ribbon and the carrier sheet are set on the printer, such that the ink ribbon is interposed between the print head and the carrier sheet.

Abstract: An ink jet priming system for an ink jet printer having a reservoir containing ink for ink jets connected thereto and a reservoir opening for receiving ink is described. The ink jet priming system is provided with a seal for selectively closing the reservoir opening. Pressurized air is supplied to the reservoir from a tank connected thereto through an opening in the seal. The flow of air to the reservoir is controlled so that there is an initial low pressure air flow to force ink into the jets followed by a high pressure flow to force the discharge of the streaming discharge of the ink. A gutter assembly, connected to a disposable waste container is provided for receiving and collecting the ink discharged during the priming process. The ink jet priming system can be used with a moving print head that contains two or more separate reservoirs each with a separate reservoir opening.

Abstract: There are disclosed an ink-receiving composite polymer material wherein a nonvolatile organic compound is caused to penetrate into and diffuse through an ink-receiving polymer forming, from any one surface side thereof, and a recording medium for ink-jet recording wherein a nonvolatile organic compound is caused to penetrate into and diffuse through an ink-receiving layer, from the surface thereof.

Abstract: A method for fashioning ink channels in a write head for a dot-matrix ink printer means, whereby form needles respectively coated by parting agent and cylindrically surrounded by piezo electric drive elements are aligned in a casting mold in accord with the desired course of the ink channels to be fashioned, are cast out with a casting compound and, after the curing of the latter, are removed upon formation of the respective ink channels partially surrounded by the allocated piezo electric drive elements, and isolation of the drive elements from a writing fluid in the ink channels is achieved in a way that is simple in terms of production engineering. An envelope coat is applied to the form needles coated with parting agent, being applied thereto before they are introduced into the casting mold, this envelope layer forming the inside channel wall of the appertaining ink channel after the removal of the form needles and of the parting agent.

Abstract: A method for fashioning ink channels in a write head for a dot-matrix ink printer means, whereby respective form needles cylindrically surrounded by piezo electric drive elements are aligned in a casting mold in accord with the desired course of the ink channels to be fashioned, are cast out with a casting compound and, after the curing of the latter, are removed upon formation of the respective ink channels partially surrounded by the allocated piezo electric drive elements, and insulation of the drive elements from a writing fluid in the ink channels is acheived in a way that is simple in terms of production engineering. The ink channels are filled with a liquid or dissolved plastic and are emptied after the inside channel walls are moistened with the plastic, so that a thin protective layer remains on the inside channel walls. The new method serves for the manufacture of ink printer heads that work based on the principle of individual drop ejection (drop on demand).

Abstract: A liquid jet apparatus comprises a recording head including a plurality of discharge ports for discharging the liquid therethrough, and a plurality of energy generating units respectively arranged correspondingly to the plural discharge ports for generating energy used for discharging the liquid. A driving unit is provided for driving the energy generating unit and has at least two selectable maximum driving frequencies, the driving unit being able to drive each energy generating unit at the maximum driving frequency. A drive control unit selects a maximum driving frequency from the selectable maximum frequencies.

Abstract: A transparency comprised of a supporting substrate and thereover a blend comprised of poly(ethylene oxide), and carboxy methyl cellulose together with a component selected from the group consisting of (1) hydroxypropyl cellulose; (2) vinylmethyl ether/maleic acid copolymer; (3) carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose; (4) hydroxyethyl celluose; (5) acrylamide/acrylic acid copolymer; (6) cellulose sulfate; (7) poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid); (8) poly(vinyl alcohol); (9) poly(vinyl pyrrolidone); and (10) hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. In addition, papers with the aforementioned coatings are disclosed herein.

Abstract: In the embodiment of the hot melt ink supply unit described in the specification, a block of solid hot melt ink has a peripheral surface formed with a key configuration and a handle is removably connected to the block by a threaded projection. After insertion of the block into a correspondingly keyed opening in a heated reservoir, the handle is turned to separate the handle portion from the block of solid ink. A container provided with a removable seal encloses the block of solid ink and handle to protect the ink from contamination.

Abstract: Relatively small fluid handling devices having a filter bonded on the surface containing the fluid inlets. An example of such a device is a thermal ink jet printhead. A substantially flat filter is placed at the ink inlet to the printhead by a fabrication process which laminates a wafer sized filter to the aligned and bonded wafers containing a plurality of printheads. The individual printheads are obtained by a sectioning operation, which cuts through the two or more bonded wafers and the filter. The filter may be a woven mesh screen or, preferably, an electroformed screen with a predetermined pore size. Since the filter covers one entire side of the printhead, the relatively large contact area prevents delamination and enables convenient leak-free sealing. The filter prevents the entrance of contaminants into the relatively large inlets of the printhead at an early stage of assembly and packaging.

Abstract: A method of operating a continuous ink jet printing system which includes a nozzle arranged to be vibrated by a piezoelectric oscillator. The nozzle, in use, passes a stream of ink past a charging electrode. The continuity of charge detection is sensed by a charge detector disposed immediately downstream of the charging electrode. The amplitude of the stimulation voltage applied to the piezoelectric oscillator is set sufficiently low such that the level of charge detected by the charge detector is below a threshold value. The amplitude of the stimulation voltage is then increased in discrete steps until the charge detector detects intermittent and proper droplet charging. The amplitude of the stimulation voltage is then further increased from its level at the end of the second step by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for forming a color image by use of a plurality of color inks containing a cyan ink, wherein there is used an ink as the cyan ink which contains a metallophthalocyanine dye and/or a metal-free phthalocyanine dye and which contains free ions of divalent or higher metals at the concentration of 15 ppm or less, the methallophthalocyanine dye having a coordination metal selected from the metal atoms of the groups, IIA, IVB, VA, VIIA and VIII of the periodic Table of The Elements at the center of its skeleton, and the metal-free phthalocyanine dye having no coordination metal at the center of its skeleton, and also an ink to be used therefor.

Abstract: Microporous material substrate comprising (1) a matrix consisting essentially of linear ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, (2) a large proportion of finely divided water-insoluble siliceous filler, and (3) interconnecting pores is printed with printing ink.

Abstract: A pigment layer is provided on a surface of an article on which a marking is to be formed and is irradiated with patterned laser light to change internal molecular structure of pigment to thereby change its color. The marking can be multicolored by a suitable selection of pigment and laser energy density.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image on an image-receiving means comprises an inlet section for guiding the image-receiving section inserted along a path, a supporting section for supporting the image-receiving means inserted from the inlet section, a printing section, opposed to the supporting section through the image-receiving means, the printing section being movable between an operative position where the printing operation is achieved and an inoperative position where the image-receiving section passes smoothly through, and an adjusting section for adjusting the image-receiving means inserted from the inlet section when the printing section is moved to the inoperative position.

Abstract: In printing apparatus of the type which includes a ribbon having a backing layer and an ink donor layer supported on the backing layer, wherein the apparatus includes a first thermal printhead for transfer printing a first ink pattern from the ink donor layer to the backing layer at a first printing station, a second thermal printhead for transfer printing a second ink pattern from the ink donor layer to a workpiece at a second printing station, there is provided a process including the steps of: sensing a letter being fed to the second printing station; starting feeding the ribbon; starting printing at the first printing station; moving the second printhead from a non-printing position to a printing position; starting printing at the second printing station; stopping printing at the first and second printing stations; stopping feeding the ribbon; and moving the second printhead from the printing position to the non-printing position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which provide feedback control of ink viscosity in a drop marking system. The ink flow between two selected points is monitored and compared against a reference value by an electronic controller such as a microprocessor. In the event that a flow time deviation is sensed, appropriate action is taken to change the flow time. A temperature sensor input to the controller permits temperature compensation to maintain ink composition substantially constant.

Abstract: A method for halftone image recording, wherein dots are formed using two or more concentrations of ink, to express different image densities. Each picture element may comprise a plurality of cells, different predetermined members and patterns of which are actually printed in, to express different gradations. Different such patterns may be used for each ink concentration. Several such patterns, using only thin ink, may, for example, be used to express lower densities, several others, using only thick ink, for high densities, and still others, using dots of thin ink and dots of thick ink, for intermediate densities. For color image recording, different concentrations and different members of concentrations can be used for different colors.

Abstract: A recording apparatus according to the present invention records data on a member to be recorded by filling recording ink in a film having numerous minute orifices and by heating the ink rapidly with heating elements to spout ink from the orifices on the member to be recorded by means of the pressure of bubbles generated. The present recording apparatus further comprises a printing data control circuit for controlling the drive of the heating elements according to a recorded data. The printing data control circuit includes a plural printing control circuit for controlling the same heating elements to be driven for a plural number of times in accordance with a plural number printing control signal.

Abstract: For recording medical information on a strip chart by a strip chart recorder associated with a fetal monitoring device, a communication is initially entered into a data entry system which includes a switching membrane having a plurality of switches forming a switching network underlying the membrane. A microprocessor scans the network to identify the communication and thereafter supplies the same to a liquid crystal display for view by a user of the system prior to transmission of the communication to the recorder for recordation.