Abstract: A portable printing system and method comprising a temporary framework set up to support a number of scanning, printing and finishing operations, all precisely controlled by a computing device which combines a stored representation of the desired image with the specific requirements of the target area to produce a final image upon the target surface such as a wall or ceiling or other large area. The system contains a number of extendable structural elements, a specially adapted printing head and drive system with suitable ink capacity and range of motion for the application of large images, one or more distance sensors and the required software programs needed to combine these elements into the formation of a finished image upon the target surface. Base primers, profiling of the target surface and finishing operations to improve durability and surface finish can be used to improve the quality of the finished product.

Abstract: One aspect related to design of systems and methods for manufacture of products is configuration. More particularly, this relates to verification of an existing configuration and to reconfiguration of a product following manufacturing. The present invention contemplates an approach to designing a station capable of configuration verification and reconfiguration and of preventing shipment of a product if an undesirable configuration is detected. A preferred approach also includes guiding the operator to take possible remedial action. The preferred approach further includes storing various types of data needed for the verification and reconfiguration in a server, thereby making such data substantially instantly accessible for verification and reconfiguration purposes. Such data preferably includes software capable of adapting the functions of the station itself, i.e., the tasks to be performed at the configuration verification and reconfiguration station.

Abstract: A spotting pin 10 capable of spotting equal amounts of a solution in a sequential manner comprises a first member 11 having a solution holding portion 13 formed at the tip thereof for holding a predetermined amount of solution, and a second member 12 having a solution supply portion 14 for holding the solution by a capillary action, the second member adapted to slide along the first member. As the solution supply portion 14 is brought into contact with the solution holding portion 13, the solution enters the solution holding portion 13 from the solution supply portion 14 by a capillary action. As the solution supply portion 14 and the solution holding portion 13 are separated from each other, a predetermined amount of the solution can be carried in the solution holding portion 13. Then, as the solution holding portion 13 is brought into contact with a water-absorbing support 21, a spot 22 of a predetermined amount of the solution can be formed thereon.

Abstract: A dot mark forming method for obtaining a dot mark includes a liquid crystal mask in which the maximum length of each pixel is 50 to 2,000 &mgr;m and is irradiated with a homogenized laser beam. The energy density of a split laser beam passed through the liquid crystal mask is set to 1.0 to 15.0 J/cm2 and is condensed after the mask by a lens unit so that the maximum length of each dot becomes 1 to 15 &mgr;m. A single dot mask is formed on each laser irradiated point. The dot mark has a protrusion in the center which protrudes upward from the surface of the article to be marked. The length along the surface of the article is 1 to 15 &mgr;m and the height of the protrusion is 0.01 to 5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pattern generating apparatus for writing a pattern on a surface of an object, comprising: a stage having an object having a thickness (T) being provided with a surface, said surface being divided into a number of measurement points, where two adjacent measurement points being spaced a distance apart not exceeding a predetermined maximum distance; means to determine the gradient of the surface at each measurement point; means to calculate a 2-dimensional local offset (d) in the x-y plane for each measurement point as a function of the gradient, and the thickness (T) of object; and means to correct the pattern to be written on said surface by using the 2-dimensional local offset (d). The invention also relates to an apparatus for measuring the physical properties of a surface.

Abstract: The present invention enables the accurate management of the total number of spotting counts for each spotting pin. An IC chip is installed on the spotting pin to allow the IC chip to accumulate spotting-count information, and during each spotting time the information is loaded up and displayed.

Abstract: Identically shaped spots can be formed sequentially and stably by a spotting pin comprising a bar-like plunger 20. Four projections each formed in the shape of a top portion of a quadrangular pyramid are formed on the head of the plunger 20. The apexes 21 of the quadrangular pyramids constituting the projections are located inside a virtual plane extending from the peripheral wall of the plunger.

Abstract: The digital synthesizer comprises a system control unit, a read control unit, and a write drive control unit, and based on a magnification fine adjustment value set using a magnification fine adjustment panel, in the copy mode, a magnification of an image in the main scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a write reference clock frequency for modulating a laser beam for image formation so that a desired pixel density is obtained and also a magnification of the image in the auxiliary scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a scan speed when reading an image from a document, while in the printer mode, a magnification of an image in the main scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a write reference clock frequency and also a magnification of the image in the auxiliary scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a rotational speed of a polygon mirror for scanning a photosensitive mirror with a write beam.

Abstract: A system and method for making a personalized wallpaper border product, includes means for providing at least one personal digital image; a work station for receiving the at least one personal digital image and arranging the at least one personal digital image in a pattern suitable for printing on a wallpaper border strip; and an inkjet printer for printing the pattern on the strip.

Abstract: A device for positioning a printing head of a printer in response to recording carrier/substrate thickness includes a reflex sensor arranged in a protected space formed between a head-carrying carriage and an opposing printing head housing surface. During printer initialization or upon insertion of a recording carrier/substrate having a thickness greater than a predetermined thickness, the printing head is slightly displaced with respect to the carriage as a result of brief contact of the printing head print surface with the recording carrier that is supported on a printing abutment. The reflex sensor measures the displacement travel distance of the printing head and generates an input signal to an evaluation circuit. The evaluation circuit generates an output control signal to a carriage displacement drive in response to the measured displacement of the print head to automatically set the distance between the printing head and the recording carrier or printing abutment.

Abstract: An object to be marked is prepared. A laser beam of a wavelength that is transmitted by the material from which this object to be marked is formed is focused on the inner portion of said object to be marked, using an f&thgr;lens. A mark is formed in the region of the object to be marked where the laser beam is focused. The mark is positioned inside the object to be marked and does not extend to the surface thereof. Therefore, generation of dirt caused by marking, rupturing of the object to be marked, and the like, can be prevented.

Abstract: In a thermal transfer printer driven by a battery power source, to perform a print operation, the remaining capacity level of the battery power source (remaining battery capacity level) is detected by a voltage detector immediately before paper is fed out of a paper cassette and transferred for printing. The detected remaining battery capacity level is compared with a criterion level, which is a print-driving power required for one sheet of paper. If the remaining battery capacity level is lower than the criterion level, control is performed to stop the commencement of a print-driving operation. Thereby, the battery-driven printer averts printing from being terminated partway because of depletion in the battery power, and furthermore, enables printed sheets of the paper to utmost be increased.

Abstract: An image forming method and apparatus for ejecting a recording fluid constituted by a plurality of inks from a common ink ejection port while a mixing ratio of the plurality of inks is changed with respect to one pixel based on an image signal, and transporting the plurality of inks to an image receiving medium which is moved with respect to the ink ejection port to form an image.

Abstract: A double line electrode unit for use in an electro-coagulation printer contains a pair of electrode plates, negative electrodes and a prepreg (or an insulating layer). The negative electrodes are linearly arranged with prescribed intervals of distance therebetween on surfaces of the electrode plates respectively and are embedded in insulating resin materials being solidified. The insulating resin materials contain fillers that are selected from among prescribed materials of boron nitride, aluminum nitride, alumina and silica. In addition, connectors are arranged on other surfaces of the electrode plates in connection with the negative electrodes respectively.

Abstract: Every printing system has characteristic defects which detract from high quality printing. Xerographic printing systems show defects such as banding, mottled colors in large fill areas, trail-edge deletion and starvation where toner concentrations deplete at certain color edges, misregistration, and so on. Ink jet printing systems can show ink bleeding, streaking in the direction of head movement, and so on. If a printer defect occurs predictably, it is possible to pre-compensate for the defect by modifying the digital signal in such a way that the modifications cancel out or hide the expected defect. However, most printing defects, while statistically predictable, vary over time in the severity and extent of the defect. Some defects, such as misregistration, may vary in severity and direction with each print, because the defect is caused in part by paper feeding and shifting during printing. Other defects, such as trail-edge deletion, starvation, halo, tenting, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing image data representing plural colors for output to a color display device such as a printer or soft display. A block of digital image data signals is generated representing rasterized image data of at least two colors. The block of digital image data is compressed and stored in a compressed form. The compressed image data is then expanded losslessly and output to a color display device.

Abstract: An improved fabric handling device equipped with a hot melt ink jet shademarking system for the contactless shademarking of processed fabric is described as follows: a series of commercial ink jet printheads are mounted on a head mount beam attached to a fabric spreader or loom weaving apparatus, and are attached via umbilical lines to a hot melt ink reservoir and pressure regulating system. A control system is provided including an individual controller for each printhead. A central controller is operatively connected to and directs the individual controllers, the hot melt ink jet reservoir, and the pressure supply and pressure regulator. After receiving information from the operator regarding the fabric being shademarked, the central controller can automatically select an appropriate marking configuration for maximum visibility and minimum ink consumption.

Abstract: In a magnetic printing apparatus wherein a demagnetizer 2 as a latent image eraser, a magnetic head 3 constituting a latent image former, a developer 4, a transfer roller 5, a fixer 6, and a cleaner 7 are disposed in this order around a latent image carrier 1, a recording paper 15 including a stack of plural sheets of carbonless paper is fed, transported, and discharged, a single-component dry toner 8 is used, and pressure transfer is made by a transfer roller 5 at a load per unit roller length of 5 kgf/cm or more, thereby achieving printing and copying.

Abstract: A photographic printer that uses a plurality of small CRTs to print wide format images. Within the printer, the CRTs are positioned horizontally adjacent one another but vertically displaced so that image segments displayed by adjacent CRTs either abut or overlap one another. The printer decomposes each line of the image into horizontal image segments, buffers the image segments to compensate for the vertical displacement, and displays the image segments on the CRTs such that they are exposed horizontally aligned with one another on the photographic media. The printer stitches the image at the seams between adjacent segments to reduce the discontinuities in the horizontal image rows.

Abstract: An analog communication system includes a transmitter and at least one remote receiver for receiving an incoming signal carrying an analog component from a suitable transmitter. The transmitter and receiver are provided with circuitry for transmitting, receiving and recording and for playback of the analog componant of the transmitted signal at different rates. The system is adapted to transmit along messages at a high rate to conserve transmission time and to record and playback the message at a slower audible rate. The system circuitry includes a decoder which may be programmed to recognize an address code specific to a particular receiver or group of receivers or may be activated simply by the incoming signal without an address code, to emit the enable signal. The decoder includes rate memory for storing record and playback rates in memory sectors corresponding to the memory sector of RAM in which the message is stored.