Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a plurality of ejecting unit groups each including nozzles configured to eject liquid. The ejecting unit group configured to eject a liquid to be used in the printing is referred to as a to-be-used ejecting unit group. The ejecting unit group configured to eject a liquid not to be used in the printing is referred to as the non-use ejecting unit group. In a print mode with a non-use nozzle group in which any of the plurality of kinds of liquids is not used, the driving elements of the to-be-used ejecting unit group is supplied with the in-printing micro-vibration pulse in a period without ejection of the ink, and the driving elements of the non-use ejecting unit group is not supplied with the micro-vibration pulse even in the period without ejection of the ink.

Abstract: There is provided droplet discharging apparatus including: nozzle configured to discharge liquid by energy generating element; first signal generator configured to generate, based on first and second data representing first and second driving waveforms, first time division multiplex signal; first separator configured to separate first or second driving waveform signal representing the first or second driving waveform from the first time division multiplex signal; second signal generator configured to generate, based on third and fourth data representing third and fourth driving waveforms, second time division multiplex signal; and second separator configured to separate third or fourth driving waveform signal representing the third or fourth driving waveform from the second time division multiplex signal. The energy generating element is driven by the first or second driving waveform signal separated by the first separator, or by the third or fourth driving waveform signal separated by the second separator.

Abstract: A driving circuit includes an amplification circuit configured to output an amplified modulation signal and a level shift circuit. The level shift circuit includes a second gate driver that outputs a third gate signal and a fourth gate signal, a third transistor that operates based on the third gate signal, and a fourth transistor that operates based on the fourth gate signal. The second gate driver outputs the third gate signal for controlling the third transistor to be conductive and the fourth gate signal for controlling the fourth transistor to be nonconductive in a second period in which a driving signal is fixed in a second potential that is higher than a first potential and lower than a third potential and the fourth gate signal for controlling the fourth transistor to be nonconductive.

Abstract: A driving circuit includes an amplification circuit that outputs an amplified modulation signal and a level shift circuit. In the level shift circuit, when a reference potential of the amplified modulation signal is shifted to a second potential from a first potential, a second gate driver outputs a third gate signal for controlling a third transistor to be nonconductive and a fourth gate signal for controlling a fourth transistor to be conductive, then outputs the third gate signal for controlling the third transistor to be conductive and the fourth gate signal for controlling the fourth transistor to be nonconductive, and thereafter outputs the third gate signal for controlling the third transistor to be nonconductive and the fourth gate signal for controlling the fourth transistor to be conductive.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a feedback control system. The feedback control system comprises a plant, configured to produce an output according to a control signal; a first summing block, configured to produce a first difference between an input signal and a measured output signal; a first controller, configured to generate the control signal, such that the first difference decreases to be less than a first threshold or is less than the first threshold; wherein the first controller comprises a memory configured to store a table, and the table contains information of a plurality of transfer functions corresponding to a plurality of operating conditions; wherein the first controller determines an operating condition under which the plant operates, and chooses to utilize a transfer function corresponding to the operating condition to generate the control signal according to the transfer function and the first difference.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus includes a first transistor in which a second terminal and a third terminal are electrically coupled to according to a first terminal, and a second transistor in which a fifth terminal and a sixth terminal are electrically coupled to according to a fourth terminal, a first contact portion where the first terminal is in contact is smaller than a second contact portion where the second terminal is in contact, the second contact portion is smaller than a third contact portion where the third terminal is in contact, a fourth contact portion where the fourth terminal is in contact is smaller than a fifth contact portion where the fifth terminal is in contact, and the fifth contact portion is smaller than a sixth contact portion where the sixth terminal is in contact.

Abstract: A liquid jet head and so on capable of enhancing the convenience while improving the performance are provided. The liquid jet head according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a jet section configured to jet liquid, at least one drive device which applies a drive signal having a predetermined drive waveform to the jet section to thereby cause the jet section to jet the liquid, and a waveform setting section configured to generate regular waveform configuration information for setting the drive waveform based on simplified waveform configuration information supplied from an outside of the liquid jet head.

Abstract: A level shift circuit that outputs a level shift amplification modulation signal obtained by shifting a potential of an amplification modulation signal output by an amplifier circuit is provided, a potential of a first voltage supplied to one end of a first transistor of the amplifier circuit is larger than a potential of a second voltage supplied to a bootstrap circuit which is a reference of a third voltage supplied to one end of a third transistor included in the level shift circuit, and a second gate driver included in the level shift circuit outputs a third gate signal that switches an operation of the third transistor and a fourth gate signal that switches an operation of a fourth transistor, in a period during which a potential of a drive signal is between the potential of the first voltage and the potential of the second voltage.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus includes an integrated circuit that has a first output terminal outputting a first control signal and a second output terminal outputting a second control signal, a first transistor in which a second terminal and a third terminal are electrically coupled to each other is made according to the first control signal input to a first terminal, and a second transistor in which a fifth terminal and a sixth terminal are electrically coupled to each other is made according to the second control signal input to a fourth terminal, a shortest distance between the first output terminal and the first terminal is shorter than that between the first output terminal and the second terminal, and a shortest distance between the second output terminal and the fourth terminal is shorter than that between the second output terminal and the fifth terminal.

Abstract: A first switching circuit, a second switching circuit, a first bootstrap circuit that is coupled to the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit, and a smoothing circuit and outputs a drive signal are provided, in which the second switching circuit includes a second gate driver that outputs a third gate signal and a fourth gate signal, a third transistor of which the first voltage is supplied, and which is driven based on the third gate signal, a fourth transistor which is driven based on the fourth gate signal, and a second bootstrap circuit that includes a second capacitive element supplying a third voltage to the second gate driver and coupled to a second output point and the second gate driver, and a second diode of which the first voltage is supplied and which is coupled to the second capacitive element.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: an acquisition unit that acquires first vibration information on an inspection target ejecting portion out of the ejecting portions concerning a vibration generated in a first detection period included in a first period in which the liquid ejecting apparatus forms a first printed image on the medium, and acquires second vibration information on the inspection target ejecting portion concerning a vibration generated in a second detection period corresponding to the first detection period, the second detection period being included in a second period that starts after completion of the first period, in which the liquid ejecting apparatus forms a second printed image related to the first printed image on the medium. The liquid ejecting apparatus also includes an inspection unit that inspects a ejection state of the liquid from the inspection target ejecting portion based on the first vibration information and the second vibration information.

Abstract: A toner container includes a container body, an opening, a cover, a toner discharge port, a shutter, a cylindrical structure, protrusions, and an identifier. The shutter is attached to the cover and includes a main shutter covering the toner discharge port. The main shutter moves between a closed position to close the toner discharge port and an open position to open the toner discharge port. The protrusions are on both sides of the cover and protrude in a direction orthogonal to a toner container mounting direction. The identifier is on the cover to indicate a toner color. The cylindrical structure's leading end is downstream of leading ends of the protrusions in the mounting direction. The main shutter's leading end is downstream of the protrusions' leading ends in the mounting direction when the main shutter is in the closed position. The protrusions are downstream of the identifier in the mounting direction.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a recording element substrate including a discharge port. A channel member is configured to supply the recording element substrate with a liquid. An electric wiring board is configured to supply the recording element substrate with power. A plate-like protective member is directly or indirectly fixed to the channel member. In a case where a direction in which the recording element substrate is viewed from the channel member is defined as downward, the protective member includes a first bent portion configured to be bent in a transverse direction of the liquid discharge head. The first bent portion is located at a position that is above an upper end of the channel member and below a midpoint of a line segment connecting the upper end of the channel member and an upper end of the protective member.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy device includes at least one piezoelectric pump and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to generate a first control signal to control operation of the at least one piezoelectric pump, the control signal having a first root mean square (RMS) voltage, transmit the first control signal to the at least one piezoelectric pump, identify at least one of a change of state of the at least one piezoelectric pump or an expiration of a duration of time associated with operation of the at least one piezoelectric pump, responsive to identifying the at least one of the change of state or the expiration of the duration of time, generate a second control signal having a second RMS voltage less than the first RMS voltage, and transmit the second control signal to the at least one piezoelectric pump.

Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus has a switch control circuit that controls whether to cause each of a first switch circuit, a second switch circuit, a third switch circuit, and a fourth switch circuit to output a driving signal. The switch control circuit has a fifth switch circuit, a sixth switch circuit, and a seventh switch circuit. The fifth switch circuit switches between output of the first data to the second switch circuit and output of the second data to the second switch circuit. The sixth switch circuit switches between output of the first data to the third switch circuit and output of the third data to the third switch circuit. The seventh switch circuit switches between output of the first data to the fourth switch circuit and output of the fourth data to the fourth switch circuit.

Abstract: In a method of controlling a liquid ejecting apparatus, where the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a pressure chamber that communicates with a nozzle that ejects a liquid, a drive element that changes a pressure of the liquid in the pressure chamber, and a drive circuit that supplies the drive element with an ejection pulse that generates a change in the pressure that ejects the liquid from the nozzle, the method includes specifying a viscosity of the liquid in the nozzle and a surface tension of the liquid in the nozzle from a residual vibration when the pressure of the liquid in the pressure chamber is changed, and controlling a waveform of the ejection pulse according to the viscosity and the surface tension.

Abstract: Printheads and methods of operation. In one embodiment, a printhead includes a plurality of jetting channels comprising first jetting channels configured to jet a first print fluid and second jetting channels configured to jet a second print fluid, and a driver circuit communicatively coupled to actuators of the jetting channels. The driver circuit receives a drive waveform comprising first jetting pulses provisioned for the first print fluid and second jetting pulses provisioned for the second print fluid, and gating signals comprising a first active gating signal designated for jetting the first print fluid and a second active gating signal designated for jetting the second print fluid. The driver circuit selectively applies the first jetting pulses to actuators of the first jetting channels based on the first active gating signal, and selectively applies the second jetting pulses to actuators of the second jetting channels based on the second active gating signal.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: an amplifier circuit that outputs an amplified modulated signal by driving a transistor; a demodulation circuit that includes an inductance element and outputs the driving signal, in which the inductance element includes a first side portion provided with a first terminal, a second side portion positioned facing the first side portion and provided with the second terminal, a third side portion intersecting with the first side portion and the second side portion, a lead member coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal, and a shortest distance between the transistor and the third side portion is equal to or shorter than a shortest distance between the transistor and the first side portion, and is equal to or shorter than a shortest distance between the transistor and the second side portion.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes: a channel substrate having a nozzle and a channel communicating with the nozzle; a driving element arranged on the channel substrate; and a driving signal generating circuit which generates a driving signal to drive the driving element. The driving signal includes a non-discharge driving signal by which the driving element is driven so that liquid in the channel is not discharged from the nozzle. The non-discharge driving signal includes at least one first slight-vibration waveform and at least one second slight-vibration waveform. The first slight-vibration waveform is a waveform by which the driving element is displaced by a first displacement amount. The second slight-vibration waveform is a waveform by which the driving element is displaced by a second displacement amount that is larger than the first displacement amount. The at least one second slight-vibration waveform follows after the at least one first slight-vibration waveform.

Abstract: There are provided a liquid jet head and so on capable of enhancing the convenience. The liquid jet head according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a jet section, a plurality of drive boards, at least one drive device, a waveform setting section, a control switch section, an external control line in which first control communication is performed, an internal control line in which second control communication is performed, and a plurality of drive control lines in which third control communication is individually performed. The waveform setting section generates second waveform configuration information for setting the drive waveform based on first waveform configuration information transmitted from the outside of the liquid jet head using the first control communication.

Abstract: The present invention discharges ink from a plurality of inkjet heads and is used when performing drive whereby one droplet or a plurality of droplets are discharged onto and united on one pixel. A drive signal includes a drive waveform comprising N number (N being an integer of at least 2) of drive waveform elements and is configured so as to fulfil the relationship 1.1 Tc?Ts?1.4 Tc, when Tc is the natural vibration cycle determined from the inkjet head structure and Ts is the time from the start point of the drive waveform to the start point of the subsequent drive waveform. As a result, velocity deviation caused by the resonant frequency of a piezoelectric actuator driving the inkjet head can be suppressed when driving an inkjet head using multiple gradations.

Abstract: In some examples, a circuit includes a data line, an input line, a first memory element, and a decoder to receive an address and to enable the first memory element for access in response to the address. The selector is responsive to the data line to select the first memory element, where the selector is to select the first memory element responsive to the data line having a first value, and where the data line is to communicate data of a second memory element in response to the second memory element being enabled for access. The input line is to communicate data of the first memory element in response to the first memory element being selected by the selector.

Abstract: A liquid discharge method of discharging a liquid from a nozzle of a liquid discharge head by applying a drive pulse to a drive element of the liquid discharge head includes an acquisition step of acquiring a state of a dot formed on a recording medium by the liquid discharged from the nozzle, as a recording condition, and a driving step of applying the drive pulse that varies depending on the recording condition acquired in the acquisition step, to the drive element. The drive pulse may include a first potential, a second potential different from the first potential, and a third potential different from the first potential and the second potential. The second potential may be to be applied after the first potential, and the third potential may be to be applied after the second potential.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of supplying an n-channel transistor, operating as a voltage regulator, with a supply voltage and providing a control voltage to the n-channel transistor. The n-channel transistor is controlled by the control voltage to output an operating voltage of a printhead at a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a head and a switching device. The head includes a piezoelectric element and a pressure chamber configured to discharge liquid. The switching device is configured to select application or non-application of a drive voltage waveform to the piezoelectric element. The drive voltage waveform includes a discharge waveform to pressurize and discharge the liquid in the pressure chamber and a damping waveform to suppress residual vibration in the pressure chamber. The damping waveform is disposed after the discharge waveform in time series. The switching device includes a switch and a diode. The switch is configured to be turned on in a falling waveform element of each of the discharge waveform and the damping waveform. The diode is connected in parallel with the switch in a direction opposite to the falling waveform element of each of the discharge waveform and the damping waveform.

Abstract: A print head drive circuit that drives a print head including an ejection portion having a piezoelectric element and a changeover switch, with a selection signal including a first information block and a second information block for selecting whether or not to drive the piezoelectric element, and a switching timing signal for changing a logic level to control a switching timing of the changeover switch, outputs the first information block in which a logic level of the selection signal changes without changing a logic level of the switching timing signal in a first period, changes the logic level of the switching timing signal, and does not change the logic level of the selection signal in a second period, and outputs the second information block in which the logic level of the selection signal changes without changing the logic level of the switching timing signal in a third period.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharger and circuitry. The liquid discharger includes a nozzle to discharge liquid. The circuitry is configured to generate and output a common drive waveform including a plurality of drive pulses for discharging the liquid; select one or more of the plurality of drive pulses from the common drive waveform and apply the one or more of the plurality of drive pulses to a pressure generating element of the liquid discharger; and adjust, with different adjustment values, application waveform shapes of at least two of the plurality of drive pulses applied to the pressure generating element.

Abstract: A print head includes: an integrated circuit apparatus that switches whether or not to supply drive signals to a plurality of piezoelectric elements, and includes a first circuit block that switches whether or not to supply the drive signal, a second circuit block that switches whether or not to supply the drive signal, a third circuit block that switches whether or not to supply the drive signal, a fourth circuit block, and a first buffer area, a second buffer area, and a third buffer area in which no circuit element is located, in which the first buffer area is located between the first circuit block and the fourth circuit block, the second buffer area is located between the second circuit block and the fourth circuit block, and the third buffer area is located between the third circuit block and the fourth circuit block.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is disclosed. The printing apparatus comprises a printhead and a controller. The printhead is to spit a printing fluid comprising a first mode and a second mode. The first mode corresponds to using a first energy level to spit the printing fluid and the second mode corresponds to using a second energy level to spit the printing fluid. The second energy level comprises a higher energy level than the first energy level. The controller is to determine a decap risk zone associated with the printing fluid, determine in view of the decap risk zone a decap location, and instruct the printhead to spit using the second mode at the decap location.

Abstract: A device for generating an output signal, formed as a pulse sequence, with a sensor and a controller. The sensor generates a sensor signal based on a measurand determined by the sensor. The controller determines a number of pulses of a timing signal that are generated chronologically between two pulse edges of the sensor signal, the timing signal being generated by a timing signal generator. The controller also generates an intermediate timing signal formed as a pulse sequence, where the period duration of the intermediate timing signal is equal to the period duration of the timing signal multiplied with a factor that is equal to the determined number of pulses of the timing signal, divided by a predetermined divisor. The controller generates the output signal based on the intermediate timing signal.

Abstract: In some examples, a circuit includes a data line, an input line, a first memory element, and a decoder to receive an address and to enable the first memory element for access in response to the address. The selector is responsive to the data line to select the first memory element, where the selector is to select the first memory element responsive to the data line having a first value, and where the data line is to communicate data of a second memory element in response to the second memory element being enabled for access. The input line is to communicate data of the first memory element in response to the first memory element being selected by the selector.

Abstract: In some examples, a circuit for use with a memory element and a nozzle for outputting fluid, includes a data line, a fire line, and a selector responsive to the data line to select the memory element or the nozzle. The selector is to select the memory element responsive to the data line having a first value, and to select the nozzle responsive to the data line having a second value different from the first value. The fire line is to control activation of the nozzle in response to the nozzle being selected by the selector, and to communicate data of the memory element in response to the memory element being selected by the selector.

Abstract: The printing medium M after color printing is performed on the front surface M1 (recording surface) by the color printing unit 32 can be conveyed while the front surface M1 and the back surface M2 of the printing medium M are inverted twice by the only rollers 471 to 478 (rotary bodies) in contact with the back surface M2 (non-recording surface) of the printing medium M (inverting conveying part 47). In this way, without providing air turn bars, a time to convey the printing medium M from the color printing unit 32 to the white printing unit 33 can be secured while the printing medium M is firmly supported by the rollers 471 to 478 in contact with the back surface M2 of the printing medium M.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a liquid ejecting device, such as an inkjet print head or the like, includes a load detection circuit to generate load number information corresponding to the number of actuators to be concurrently driven for an intended liquid ejection. A signal processing circuit is configured to compare a common drive waveform to a target common drive waveform, and then generate a common drive signal to drive the actuators based on the load number information and the comparison of the common drive waveform and the target common drive waveform. A switching circuit is configured to selectively apply portions the generated common drive signal to an actuator according to intended output of the liquid ejection device.

Abstract: A system for producing three-dimensional objects forms fluid paths within the support structure to facilitate the removal of the support structure following manufacture of the object. The system includes a first ejector configured to eject a first material towards a platen to form an object, a second ejector configured to eject a second material towards the platen to form support for portions of the object, at least one portion of the support having a body with at least one fluid path that connects at least one opening in the body to at least one other opening in the body, and a fluid source that connects to the at least one fluid path of the support to enable fluid to flow through the at least one fluid path to remove at least an inner portion of the support from the object.

Abstract: A drive circuit includes a first voltage output circuit coupled to a first terminal and outputting a first voltage signal, a second voltage output circuit coupled to a second terminal and outputting a second voltage signal, and a drive signal output circuit coupled to the first terminal and outputting a drive signal. In a first mode, the second voltage output circuit outputs the second voltage signal and the drive signal output circuit outputs the drive signal whose voltage value varies. In a second mode, the second voltage output circuit outputs the second voltage signal and the drive signal output circuit outputs the drive signal which is constant at a third voltage value. In a third mode, the first voltage output circuit outputs the first voltage signal and the second voltage output circuit outputs the second voltage signal.

Abstract: A drive circuit that drives a piezoelectric device including a drive signal selection control circuit which controls supply of the drive signal to the piezoelectric element, the drive circuit including a drive signal output circuit that outputs the drive signal, a power supply voltage signal output circuit that outputs a power supply voltage signal, and a power supply voltage control circuit that controls supply of the power supply voltage signal to the drive signal selection control circuit, in which the drive signal output circuit includes a modulation circuit, an amplification circuit, a demodulation circuit, a feedback circuit, and a discharge circuit, a first wiring electrically couples the drive signal selection control circuit and the power supply voltage control circuit to each other, and the discharge circuit is electrically coupled to a second wiring through which the drive signal output from the demodulation circuit propagates, through the feedback circuit.

Abstract: An ink printing process employs per-nozzle droplet volume measurement and processing software that plans droplet combinations to reach specific aggregate ink fills per target region, guaranteeing compliance with minimum and maximum ink fills set by specification. In various embodiments, different droplet combinations are produced through different print head/substrate scan offsets, offsets between print heads, the use of different nozzle drive waveforms, and/or other techniques. Optionally, patterns of fill variation can be introduced so as to mitigate observable line effects in a finished display device. The disclosed techniques have many other possible applications.

Abstract: A drive circuit for driving a first drive element having a first terminal and a second terminal and driving a second drive element having a third terminal and a fourth terminal, includes a first drive signal output circuit that is electrically coupled to the first terminal and outputs a first drive signal, and a second drive signal output circuit that is electrically coupled to the third terminal and outputs a second drive signal. The first drive signal output circuit includes a first reference voltage signal output circuit that outputs a first reference voltage signal. The first reference voltage signal output circuit is electrically coupled to the second terminal and the fourth terminal. The second drive signal output circuit is not electrically coupled to the second terminal and the fourth terminal. The first drive signal output circuit starts startup after the second drive signal output circuit.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a method of reducing inkjet aerosol in a fluid drop ejection system includes imaging fluid drops from an ejection event as the drops travel from an ejection nozzle toward a substrate, determining the momentum of each fluid drop from the imaging, comparing the momentum of each fluid drop with a threshold momentum, and determining that a fluid drop will become aerosol when its momentum does not exceed the threshold momentum.

Abstract: Method and devices for calibrating optical density reflective color fluids to be deposited on substrate are disclosed. Some methods comprise depositing a quantity of a keying color fluid on a first region of the substrate; applying a voltage level to a reflective color fluid application device; depositing, in response to the voltage level applied, a quantity of reflective color fluid on the first region of the substrate and on a second region of the substrate; performing reflectance measurements of the first region and of the second region; performing optical density calculations as a function of the reflectance measurements; varying the voltage level applied to the reflective color fluid application device in response to said optical density calculation until the optical density calculation is within a calibrated range of optical densities.

Abstract: A printing system is disclosed. The printing system includes a printer to print image data to a medium and a print controller including a halftone calibration module to dynamically generate calibrated halftones to compensate for optical density changes that occur at the printer.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system includes an inkjet head including first to n-th nozzles disposed in a row in a first direction, where the inkjet head discharges an ink onto a pixel printing target substrate, a transfer part which transfers the pixel printing target substrate toward the inkjet head in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a discharge waveform signal generator which generates different discharge waveform signals based on a pixel interval in the pixel printing target substrate and a transferring speed of the pixel printing target substrate, and a discharge waveform signal selector which selects first to n-th discharge waveform signals among the plurality of different discharge waveform signals based on discharge position error data respectively corresponding to the first to n-th nozzles, such that the first to n-th discharge waveform signals are selectively provided to each of the first to n-th nozzles.

Abstract: A print head control circuit includes a first propagation wiring for propagating a clock signal input to a first terminal, a second propagation wiring for propagating a signal which is input to a second terminal and indicates a diagnosis result of a temperature abnormality detection circuit, and a fourth propagation wiring for propagating a second voltage signal input to a fourth terminal. When the second propagation wiring and the fourth propagation wiring are electrically coupled to a print head, the second propagation wiring and the fourth propagation wiring are electrically coupled to each other via the second terminal and the fourth terminal. The first propagation wiring and the second propagation wiring are located to be aligned. The first propagation wiring and the fourth propagation wiring are located to be adjacent to each other in a direction in which the first propagation wiring and the second propagation wiring are aligned.

Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus includes a nozzle hole configured to discharge liquid; a liquid chamber provided so as to communicate with the nozzle hole; a piezoelectric element configured to change a pressure applied to the liquid in the liquid chamber to discharge the liquid from the nozzle hole; a driving waveform generation circuit configured to generate a driving waveform signal during a discharge control period having a predetermined cycle, to apply a driving waveform voltage to the piezoelectric element; a switch configured to selectively supply, to the piezoelectric element, a waveform included in the driving waveform signal; and a controller configured to perform voltage setting control for applying a predetermined voltage to the piezoelectric element, in a case where a non-discharge control period, having a predetermined cycle, causes the piezoelectric element to change by a voltage greater than or equal to an allowable voltage.

Abstract: A driving method enables a liquid feeding apparatus using a driving element in a membrane shape to feed a liquid at high liquid feeding accuracy. To this end, a voltage applied to the driving element is controlled in such a way as to repeat a first period in which a first voltage is applied and a second period which is a longer period than the first period and used to effect a change between the first voltage and a second voltage lower than the first voltage, and in such a way as to switch between application and non-application of the first voltage during the first period.

Abstract: Maintenance routines that can be used to maintain the operability of one or more DOD print heads in a card processing system. The maintenance routines can include, but are not limited to: a cover routine where a cover or cap is selectively and automatically located over the print head(s) to protect the print head(s); a shake pulse routine that energizes the nozzles of the print head(s) without causing an ejection of ink; a spit routine where the nozzles of the print head(s) are energized to eject one or more drops of ink; and a purge routine where the nozzles are not electrically energized but the pressure holding the ink in the nozzles of the print head(s) is reversed to push ink out of the nozzles.

Abstract: A control device includes circuitry to generate a drive waveform applied to an electromechanical transducer element that changes pressure in a liquid chamber communicating with a nozzle to discharge liquid. The drive waveform includes, in a pulse unit of one discharge cycle, a first discharge pulse waveform including a damping element to damp a vibration of the liquid, and a second discharge pulse waveform subsequent to the first discharge pulse waveform. The circuitry selects at least one of the first and second discharge pulse waveforms in the pulse unit, in accordance with a volume of the liquid to be discharged, to cause the nozzle to discharge different volumes of the liquid. A pulse interval between the first and second discharge pulse waveforms is from Phlm×(N±?) to Phlm×(N±¼), where Phlm represents a Helmholtz period of the liquid chamber and N represents an integer of 1 or greater.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system includes a piezoelectric drive and a control unit coupled to the piezoelectric drive and designed to control the piezoelectric drive based on a change of the admittance and/or the impedance of the piezoelectric drive.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for modifying a treating surface, having a body that defines a reservoir that has a standpipe. The reservoir stores a treatment composition. The body comprises a reservoir wall and a die wall that collectively define a reservoir volume. The standpipe is defined by a standpipe wall that extends into the reservoir from a standpipe base, wherein the standpipe base comprises a portion of the die wall. The standpipe base and the standpipe wall collectively define a standpipe volume. The ratio of the reservoir volume to the standpipe volume is from about 50:1 to about 3:1, preferably from about 20:1 to about 4:1, and more preferably about 8:1. Further, the ratio of the surface area of the die wall to the standpipe base is from about 1.1:1 to about 3:1.