Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting sample data from a liquid droplet dispensation system is provided.

Abstract: An displacement amplifying mechanism that enlarges an amount of displacement of an actuator includes an accommodation chamber in which a liquid is sealed, a first wall portion that forms a wall surface of the accommodation chamber and applies a pressure to the liquid in accordance with displacement of the actuator, and a second wall portion that forms the wall surface of the accommodation chamber and is displaced in a first direction which is a direction away from the accommodation chamber in a state where an elastic force acting in a second direction approaching the accommodation chamber is generated by a pressure of the liquid when the first wall portion applies the pressure to the liquid, in which an area of the second wall portion in contact with the liquid is smaller than an area of the first wall portion in contact with the liquid.

Abstract: Printing systems are disclosed for preventing sediment buildup. In one implementation, a printing system is provided. The printing system includes a print area and a print head housing configured to enclose a print head spaced from the print area. The print head has a plurality of nozzles for expelling a printing liquid therefrom. The printing system further includes a pipe for interconnecting the print head with a reservoir, a pump for circulating the printing liquid from the reservoir to the print head and through the plurality of nozzles, and a processor. The processor may cause the pump to circulate the printing liquid to the print head and through the plurality of nozzles during a period of non-printing. In one embodiment, circulating the printing liquid includes flowing the printing liquid from the reservoir to the print head and from a retainer located below the plurality of nozzles back to the reservoir.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a nozzle; a pressure chamber; a flow channel which is connected to the pressure chamber; a flow channel wall portion that changes a flow channel resistance of the flow channel; and an actuator that displaces the flow channel wall portion. An displacement amplifying mechanism is provided between the actuator and the flow channel wall portion. The displacement amplifying mechanism includes an elastic material that is elastically deformed by displacement of the actuator, and an accommodation chamber that is partitioned from the flow channel by the flow channel wall portion and accommodates the elastic material. A first portion of the elastic material receiving a pressure from the actuator, a second portion of the flow channel wall portion being bent and deformed between the flow channel and the accommodation chamber by receiving a pressure from the elastic material, an area of the second portion being less than an area of the first portion.

Abstract: A bipolar electrochemistry printer and method are disclosed wherein electrolytic deposition onto a conductive substrate is accomplished by inducing ionic current in an electrolytic cell disposed above the substrate to undergo charge transfer at the conductive substrate, such that a portion of the substrate becomes a bipolar electrode. The ohmic current in the substrate undergoes a second charge transfer back to ionic current and returning to the cathode of the electrolytic cell. In an alternative embodiment the printing is similarly accomplished by electrolytic etching.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes: a photographing section that can photograph a subject from a plurality of viewpoints with parallax, and can photograph a 2D moving image of the subject obtained by photographing from at least one of the viewpoints and a 3D image of the subject obtained by photographing from the plurality of the viewpoints; a recording section that records the 2D moving image and the 3D image; a subject situation determination section that determines a timing suitable for photographing the 3D image while photographing the 2D moving image; and a photographing control section that controls the photographing section so as to photograph the 3D image when the subject situation determination section determines that the timing is suitable for photographing the 3D image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing and/or obtaining security services includes a database of information which relates to security services provided for at least one client. A computer that is Internet accessible hosts the database. The database includes security data received from at least one security officer computer. The security data is entered into the at least one security officer computer by a security officer providing security services at a client location, and the security data corresponds with security related events occurring at the client location. The database is accessible by navigating a web browser to a website that is in data communication with the database. An authorization code is provided that permits access to the database. At least a portion of the information in the database is retrievable by providing a request via the website.

Abstract: A micro-machined nozzle includes a substrate having a hole formed on a first side that extends partially through a thickness dimension of the substrate and a nozzle orifice formed on a second opposite side that communicates with the hole. The nozzle orifice has at least a portion of its interior wall serrated. A method of fabricating a micro-machined nozzle includes the steps of etching a first side of a silicon substrate to form a hole that extends partially through a thickness dimension of the substrate and etching a second opposite side of the silicon substrate to form a serrated nozzle orifice that communicates with the hole.

Abstract: System for requiring the contemporaneous application of time clock data and personal data to a time card to prevent or signal the fraudulent application of either type of data at a time which is substantially different from the other type of data, i.e., by up to about 15 minutes. The present system includes the use of time cards having at least one color-forming chemical which may be in the form of a discontinuous coating, time clock transfer elements which may be coated with at least one complimentary color-forming chemical, pre-application of a liquid coating to the data-receiving area of the time card, which liquid coating permits the desired color-forming reaction only while it is liquid and which dries under ambient conditions before about 15 minutes, and the use of a signature-applying implement containing a special ink including at least one color-forming chemical and/or a mixture thereof with a transparent dye or pigment.

Abstract: A personnel in and out indicator device which is programmable with information regarding the in or out status and time of arrival or departure of employees at a location. The device consists of a frame on which are mounted a series of manually operable personnel indicating switches. Each of such switches represents a particular person or persons in respect of which information is to be recorded or displayed. A further series of manually operable switches is exposed on the frame, each of these switches representing a particular time. A memory means is electrically associated with the personnel indicating and time indicating switches to receive and store information received from these switches.

Abstract: A double check or safety system for recording information of two types on a record sheet, such as a time clock card. One type of information is applied automatically to a first predetermined area of the record sheet when the sheet is inserted into a machine, such as the entrance time and exit time stamped onto the record sheet by a time clock. The other type of information is applied manually by the operator, such as a signature applied by the operator to a second predetermined area of the record sheet associated with the time stamp area.