Abstract: A printing apparatus including a discharge head that performs scanning movement with respect to a print medium and discharges ink to a surface of the print medium, a signal output unit which includes a reference scale in which optical density changes stepwise along a scanning movement direction of the discharge head and a reading unit that optically reads the reference scale and outputs a signal according to the optical density and in which the reference scale and the reading unit move relatively with each other along with the movement of the discharge head, and a stain detection unit that detects stain of the signal output unit based on a detection result of a strength level of the signal.

Abstract: A process for measuring and correcting the amount of mis-registration between first and second print heads of a digital printing machine without physical adjustment of the print heads. The process comprises a step of printing a calibration test page comprising overlapping registration targets created by the first and second print heads. The overlapping registration targets each comprise a target region comprising X and Y co-ordinates. The process further comprises a step of scanning the calibration test page to produce a bitmap image. The process further comprises a step of processing the bitmap image to produce a mis-registration score for each target region. The process further comprises a step of producing X and Y registration correction amounts for the second print head based upon the mis-registration scores. The process further comprises a step of adjusting the print data to the second printhead based upon the X and Y registration correction amounts.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a plurality of line heads disposed along a conveyance direction of a recording sheet and including a plurality of nozzles to discharge ink droplets, the plurality of nozzles disposed in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording sheet; a plurality of edge sensors corresponding to respective line heads, to detect a lateral edge of the recording sheet; a plurality of actuators corresponding to the respective line heads, to move to the respective line heads laterally in a sheet width direction; a head position adjustor to determine movement amounts of the respective line heads in accordance with outputs of the plurality of edge sensors; and a failure determiner to obtain outputs of the plurality of edge sensors simultaneously and identify a failure of the plurality of edge sensors based on a combination of the outputs from the plurality of edge sensors.

Abstract: A drive circuit for driving a plurality of nozzles to discharge ink droplets. The testing chart comprises a contrast chart including a first line segment group having first line segments formed by causing the drive circuit to output a reference drive signal for a density serving as reference, thereby to make discharge from a first number of driven nozzles, the first line segments extending in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction and arranged at predetermined intervals, and a second line segment group having second line segments formed by causing the drive circuit to output a drive signal for driving only a selected number of nozzles as target of correction less than the first number of driven nozzles, the second line segments being formed between the first line segments while changing the correction values for correcting the drive signal of the drive circuit.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head including a head which discharges ink from a nozzle surface on which a nozzle is included based on data, a signal line which sends data to the head via a connector, a carriage on which the head is mounted, and a first concave section and second concave section which accommodate the signal line and are included toward the outside of the carriage, in which the signal line is connected to the connector lined up with a terminal in the Y direction, and a position of a folded portion of the signal line which is accommodated in the first concave section and the second concave section overlaps with a fourth portion to a fifth portion which are a section of the carriage, and overlaps with a first portion to a second portion which are a section of the head in the X direction.

Abstract: A system and method for testing printheads is disclosed. The system comprises an optical sensor mounted on a movable carriage. The optical sensor is moved past a nozzle to be tested on the printhead while the nozzle ejects ink. The output signal of the optical sensor can be used to determine when the trajectory of the ejected ink is improper.

Abstract: A medium identification device identifies a type of a recording medium used for image formation. The medium identification device includes: a two-dimensional image sensor that captures an image of the recording medium; and an identifying unit that obtains a glossiness evaluation value indicating glossiness of the recording medium, a surface roughness evaluation value indicating surface roughness of the recording medium, and a coloring evaluation value indicating coloring of the recording medium, using image data of a specular reflection region reflecting specular reflection light from the recording medium and image data of a diffused reflection region reflecting diffused reflection light from the recording medium, the regions being in the image of the recording medium, and identifies the type of the recording medium by combining determination using the glossiness evaluation value, determination using the surface roughness evaluation value, and determination using the coloring evaluation value.

Abstract: A cleaning pad for wiping an encoder strip in a printer has a body of absorbent material. The cleaning pad includes a hygroscopic lubricating liquid.

Abstract: A pattern of a first ink is formed on a recording medium using a first nozzle, a difference between smoothness of a surface at an edge portion of the pattern of the first ink in a predetermined direction and smoothness of a peripheral area of the pattern of the first ink on the recording medium is increased by applying another imparting material different from the first ink on the pattern of the first ink and a first adjustment pattern is formed, a second adjustment pattern of a predetermined imparting material is formed on the recording medium using a second nozzle, and a detection unit detects information by measuring specular reflected light when areas respectively including the first and the second adjustment patterns are each irradiated with light.

Abstract: A built-in self-test (BIST) circuit is disclosed which integrates the functions of pins for test input data TDI, test output data TDO and an analog input signal VPP into a single digital/analog input/output module, and internally produces a test trigger signal STROBE and a digital-analog conversion signal ANA. In addition, when there is a need to power the test chip with a voltage or current, a data generation circuit of the BIST circuit can generate a digital-analog conversion signal to change an operating mode of the digital/analog input/output module and hence enable the transmission of analog data. According to the present invention, the testing can be performed with only two pins, which leads to an improvement in test efficiency and a reduction in test cost.

Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for aligning a wafer for fabrication. A first image of a first portion of a wafer is received from a first image capturing device. A second image of a second portion of the wafer is received from a second image capturing device, wherein an image capturing device transform defines a first relationship between the first image capturing device and the second image capturing device. A first fiducial pattern in the first image and a second fiducial pattern in the second image are identified, based on the image capturing device transform, a fiducial transform that defines, based on a specification for the wafer, a second relationship between the first fiducial pattern and the second fiducial pattern, and a threshold value configured to identify low contrast fiducial patterns on wafers. An alignment of the wafer is determined based on the identified first and second fiducial patterns.

Abstract: Provided are a wiping mechanism, a liquid droplet jetting apparatus, and a wiping method capable of securing an absorption capacity of a wiping member which absorbs a liquid adhered to a nozzle surface while preventing infiltration of bubbles into a nozzle when the nozzle surface is wiped by the wiping member. The nozzle surface is wiped by the wiping member which has one surface 200A that comes into contact with the nozzle surface in which a plurality of nozzles through which liquid droplets are jetted are formed, and has a plurality of voids M that form capillaries from the one surface 200A side to the other surface 200B side, the voids M being greater in size on the other surface 200B side than on the one surface side 200A among the plurality of voids M.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for printing a receipt. Receipt data may be generated at a point-of-sale terminal. At least one value adding message including a graphical image may be automatically selected and dynamic content for the value adding message may be automatically generated. A receipt may be printed by a point-of-sale printer, the receipt including the receipt data, the graphical image, and the dynamic content, wherein the dynamic content is printed in a window embedded within the graphic image.

Abstract: An examining apparatus, examining method and an image recording apparatus which analyze the state of a print image irrespective of variation in contrast performance of an optical unit of a reading device are provided. An examining apparatus includes: a reading device configured to read an image recorded by a recording head to output a reading result and including at least one optical unit including an image capturing element and a lens; an analyzing device configured to analyze a state of the recording head or a state of the image by comparing the reading result to a threshold; an index acquiring device configured to acquire an index indicating contrast performance for each divided reading region obtained by dividing a reading region of the reading device into a plurality of regions; and a correcting device configured to correct the threshold for the divided reading region based on the acquired index.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium P, a second storage unit that stores the history information about the maintenance of the image forming unit, and a control unit that, when the history information stored in the second storage unit is updated, sets a test image formation cycle of forming a test image used to adjust the image forming unit in accordance with the updated history information.

Abstract: An inkjet recording device is described in which maintenance is performed by a maintenance unit upon a recording head. The maintenance unit is located on a base unit. The base unit includes a wall portion supporting a plurality of gear shafts protruding in a width direction from the wall portion.

Abstract: A server device includes a communication unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to perform determining whether or not the residual amount of recording material in a cartridge is equal to or less than a first threshold, and determining whether or not the estimated number of cartridges is equal to or less than a second threshold. In response to determining that the recording material is not more than the first threshold and the number of cartridges is not more than the second threshold, the control unit transmits to an external device via the communication unit an order instruction to deliver a cartridge to the user of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A replaceable printer component includes a memory device to store a tag encryption mask and data. The data is stored in a plurality of blocks of the memory device wherein each block is defined by a tag. The tag encryption mask indicates an encryption status of each block of the memory device defined by the tag. The replaceable printer component includes a communication link to communicatively link the memory device to a printer controller when the replaceable printer component is installed in a printing system. The tag encryption mask is stored within a header of the memory device. Each tag defines a type and a length of the data stored in the blocks.

Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards the implementation of a FPGA where a printing core may be dynamically reconfigured with respect to a currently used printing type. Example embodiments are also directed towards print handling, direct memory access printing, and the use of an internal FPGA timer.

Abstract: A liquid container that is detachably mountable on a liquid consuming device comprises a liquid container body that is at least partly formed from a material having flexibility and is configured to contain a liquid; an operation member that is located at one end of the liquid container body and is configured to include a holdable grip surface; and a liquid supply portion that is configured to have a liquid supply port at one end. The operation member is configured such that the grip surface is offset relative to the liquid supply port in an axial direction of the liquid supply portion.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a transport mechanism section which has a support surface that supports and transports a workpiece, a printing mechanism section which has an ink jet head that executes printing on the workpiece that is transported by the transport mechanism section, a detecting section which is provided further on the upstream side in the transport direction than the ink jet head and detects an upper surface position of the workpiece, an adjustment section which adjusts a separation distance between the support surface and the ink jet head, and a control section. In addition, the control section selects a first mode for printing and a second mode for stopping printing by adjusting the separation distance by operating the adjustment section based on a detection result of the detecting section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that enables a user to check results of test printing quickly. An MFP as the image forming apparatus is connected to an external finisher as a post-processing apparatus that performs post processing on printed recording media. The MFP and the external finisher are controlled independently of each other. The MFP is comprised of a printer controller configured to execute test printing of a printing object, and a conveyance controller configured to perform control such that when executing the test printing, printed recording media are not conveyed to the external finisher.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control unit that generates a valid region signal corresponding to the length of a paper sheet of a regular size in the conveyance direction thereof, and performs control to form an image on the paper sheet based on the valid region signal, wherein, when an image is formed on a long paper sheet having a longer length than the paper sheet of the regular size, the control unit generates the valid region signal in each channel, performs control for generating the next valid region signal in a period during which the valid region signal is not generated in any of the channels, generates a continuous valid region signal corresponding to the long paper sheet by combining the valid region signals in the channels, and performs control to form an image by reading out image data based on the continuous valid region signal.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes an ink tank, a recording head, a monitor, an operation panel, and a controller. The ink tank forms an ink chamber and including an injection inlet. The recording head ejects ink from the ink chamber to record an image on a sheet. The operation panel receives user input. The controller controls operation of the recording head, the monitor, and the operation panel. The controller performs receiving a completion signal indicating completion of ink injection, decision processing deciding whether an initial processing has been completed, and inquiry processing based on receipt of the completion signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an inkjet head comprises a pressure chamber configured to house ink; an actuator configured to be arranged corresponding to the pressure chamber; a plate configured to have a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber; and a driving circuit configured to drive the actuator, wherein the drive circuit applies an auxiliary pulse signal which contains an expansion pulse for expanding the volume of the pressure chamber and a contraction pulse for contracting the volume of the pressure chamber in such a degree as not to eject an ink drop from the nozzle to the actuator before enabling the ink drop to be ejected from the nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber by applying the expansion pulse and the contraction pulse as a drive pulse signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ink cartridge, ink cartridge chip, and short-circuit detection method of chip. The ink cartridge chip comprises: a short-circuit detection terminal, which is disposed between a connecting terminal to be detected and one or more connecting terminals other than the connecting terminal to be detected; a short-circuit detection and processing unit, which is connected to a voltage division and power supply unit and one or more connecting terminals other than the connecting terminal to be detected; and a voltage division and power supply unit, which is connected to the short-circuit detection and processing unit and the connecting terminal to be detected, for dividing voltage from the connecting terminal to be detected and transmitting an obtained low voltage to the short-circuit detection and processing unit. The present disclosure is able to reduce costs and satisfy long-term use of short-circuit detection in the ink cartridge chips.

Abstract: A liquid discharging substrate on which a plurality of discharging elements are arrayed, comprising a driving portion configured to drive the plurality of discharging elements, a detecting portion including a metal pattern arranged via an insulating member on a corner region of the substrate, and configured to detect damage to the corner region when the metal pattern breaks, and a controlling portion configured to stop the driving portion when the detecting portion detects that the corner region has been damaged.

Abstract: According to an embodiment the present invention, a printing apparatus detects a distance between a printhead and a print medium using a sensor while using a print medium for sensor calibration and changing a height from a print position to a carriage, stores first distance information indicating a relationship between the height and a signal representing a result of detecting the distance for each of heights in a memory, obtains second distance information indicating a relationship between the height and the signal representing the result of detecting the distance for each of the heights while using a predetermined print medium and changing the height, compares the first and second distance information, and corrects the first distance information stored in the memory, based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure a drop detection device is described. The device includes an emitter member having a number of emitter cavities to relay a number of beams towards a number of detector cavities in a detector member. The device also includes a detector member that is spaced from the emitter member. The detector member includes a number of detector cavities to receive a number of beams from the number of emitter cavities. The device also includes a number of ribs coupled to both the emitter member and the detector member. The number of ribs space and align the emitter member and detector member and align the number of emitter cavities with the corresponding number of detector cavities.

Abstract: Thermal printheads need a power and/or a data cable to deliver energy to the thermal printhead to print. With a wireless thermal printhead, however, a printer can run without using a power or a data cable. By removing the cable, benefits include shrinking the printer size, increasing durability of the printer and making it easier to change a thermal printhead.

Abstract: An ink tank includes: a reservoir that stores ink; a supply port that supplies ink stored in the reservoir to a printer; a supply port sealing member that seals the supply port; an air port that communicates between an inside of the reservoir and an atmospheric space above an upper side of a liquid surface of the ink; and an air port sealing member which a needle tube is capable of inserting and pulling out of, and which seals the air port in a state where the needle tube is not inserted.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a medium setting section on which a recording medium (M) is set; a recording section that records an image on the recording medium set on the medium setting section; and a medium moving section that reciprocates the medium setting section with respect to the recording section. The recording section includes a pretreatment section that supplies a pretreatment liquid to the recording medium when the medium setting section moves in a first direction, a leveling section that is provided on a further downstream side with respect to the pretreatment section in the first direction and levels a recording surface of the recording medium when the medium setting section moves in the first direction, and a supplying section that supplies ink to a leveled recording surface when the medium setting section moves in a second direction.

Abstract: Processes for manufacturing surface elements are disclosed. The surface elements can comprise a decorative upper layer and a supporting core. Processes for manufacturing such surface elements can comprise obtaining a decor at least by digitization of a number of archetypes selected from woods and minerals by making a high resolution digital picture of said archetypes, storing said decor digitally, manufacturing a plurality of supporting cores, each being of rectangular shape and each having a size essentially equaling only one desired end user format and provided with an upper side and a lower side, editing said decor to fit said shape and size of each one of said plurality of supporting cores, and digitally applying different patterns on each of said plurality of supporting cores, wherein said patterns are selected and parted from said decor and said decor is used to control said digitally applying the different patterns.

Abstract: Inspection processing is performed. The inspection processing includes a first driving step of driving a piezoelectric element corresponding to an inspection target nozzle, a first detection step of detecting vibration that is generated in ink in a pressure chamber corresponding to the inspection target nozzle by the driving in the first driving step, a second driving step of driving together the piezoelectric element corresponding to the inspection target nozzle and a piezoelectric element corresponding to at least one nozzle of nozzles adjacent to the inspection target nozzle, and a second detection step of detecting vibration that is generated in the ink in the pressure chamber corresponding to the inspection target nozzle by the driving in the second driving step.

Abstract: There is provided an inkjet printing apparatus. The inkjet printing apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive an instruction to perform check processing, and a controlling unit configured to cause a printing unit to eject a first coloring material ink, a second coloring material ink, and a clear ink so as to print a check pattern used for the check processing, wherein the printing unit prints the check pattern in which the clear ink, the first coloring material ink, and the second coloring material ink are applied to a check pattern forming area of the print medium in this order, and in the check pattern, the clear ink is colored in the second color and the first color in a direction from a surface side of the print medium toward a back side of the print medium in this order.

Abstract: Electronic systems, such as printing systems, often use components that have a memory. The integral memory can be used to store information about the component. In some printing systems this memory includes storing a portion that stores a value indicative of an amount of a consumable that has been used. Discloses is a method and system for updating a memory that is integral to a component within a printing system. The value stored in the memory can be read to determine an amount of a consumable used. Alternatively, when a specific value is stored in the memory the printing system can deactivate the component.

Abstract: The invention is focusing on an inkjet printer as well as on a method for operating an inkjet printer, in which for at least one color at least two inks of the of the same color, but of varying color intensity are used, namely one ink of a lighter color intensity Jh and an ink of a darker color intensity Jd, where preferably to following applies: Jd=2x*Jh, with x for example being 2, 3 or 4. Then 2x is in these case 22=4, or 23=8, or 24=16; whereat several ink drops are printed on one pixel on top of one another in quick succession, namely 0 . . . (2x?1) ink drops so that with the darker ink 2x brightness levels can be accomplished, and with the lighter ink likewise 2x brightness levels, what from altogether 2x*2x=22x different brightness levels are resulting; and where the individual drops unite together during their flight or do not come loose from each other, resulting in only one single color drop per pixel on the printing substrate.

Abstract: Processes for manufacturing surface elements are provided. The surface elements can comprise a decorative upper layer and a supporting core. Processes for manufacturing such surface elements can comprise manufacturing a supporting core having an upper side, treating said upper side of said supporting core, including at least one of the steps of ground coating with a primer, sanding and providing said upper side with a surface structure, applying a digitally printed décor comprising inks of at least four colors directly on top of the ground coating by an ink-jet type printer, said digitally printed decor being one of wood or mineral, and providing and curing a protecting and at least partly translucent wear layer on the upper side of the supporting core.

Abstract: A printer includes an expendable supply, a detector that detects at least one of a power-on operation, a resume from an energy-saving mode and a new installation of an expendable supply, a determiner that determines whether or not a recommended limit of the expendable supply has passed, a warning generator that generates a warning for notifying that a usable limit of the expendable supply will come soon if the recommended limit has already passed, and a memory storage that stores a warning cycle and a last warning generation. When the recommended limit has passed and the power-on operation, the resume or the new installation is detected, the warning generator generates a warning [1] when the last warning generation is not stored in the memory storage, or [2] when the last warning generation is stored in the memory storage and the warning cycle has elapsed from the last warning generation.

Abstract: Light redirected by liquid droplets ejected from nozzles (30) of a plurality of columns (26, 226, 227) of nozzles (30) is sensed to detect a vertical trajectory of the liquid droplets for each of the nozzles (30).

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a discharge unit including a piezoelectric element that is displaced in response to a drive signal, a pressure chamber of which an inner pressure is increased or decreased by the piezoelectric element, and a nozzle which is in communication with the pressure chamber and discharges liquid filling the pressure chamber, depending on an increase or a decrease in the inner pressure of the pressure chamber, a detection unit that detects residual vibration occurring in the discharge unit according to a potential change of the drive signal that is supplied to the piezoelectric element, and a determination unit that determines a discharge state, in which the detection unit outputs a first detection signal and a second detection signal, and the determination unit determines the discharge state, based on the first detection signal and the second detection signal.

Abstract: A marking apparatus for applying a message to an article, the apparatus comprising: a processor arranged to generate a message for application to an article and to control the operation of the marking apparatus by, at least in part, executing an operational behavior script formed using a scripting language; and a printing arrangement for applying a generated message to an article.

Abstract: An assembly of at least one object and a machine for printing the object, the object having an outer surface substantially of revolution around an axis, and a handle. The machine includes four ink jet printheads, at least one object holder and a support on which the object holder is fastened. An actuator moves the support relative to the printheads in at least four print configurations, and the object holder drives rotation of the object around the axis in each printing configuration. A commander commands the object holder to rotate the object relative to the corresponding printhead around the axis from an initial printing position, in which the handle is located near the printhead on one side of the median plane of the printhead, to a final printing position, in which the handle is situated near the printhead on the other side of the median plane.

Abstract: An image processor, a printing apparatus, and an image processing method are provided that can reduce, when a plurality of types of inks are used to print an image, the color unevenness that is caused by the variation of ejecting characteristics among a pluralities of nozzles. To realize this, for a color formed by overlapping at least two colors of inks, parameters are prepared that are determined so as to reduce the color difference in the printing medium due to the variation of the ejecting characteristic among the respective pluralities of nozzles. During printing, the parameters are used to correct the first color signal owned by the individual pixels to the second color signal.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus controls ejection of a pigment ink, supplied from a cartridge, from a nozzle row having a plurality of nozzles. Time information regarding an elapsed time of the cartridge is obtained, and used nozzles, in the nozzle row, that eject the pigment ink are reduced based on the time information of the cartridge.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a liquid discharge head which includes a channel structure provided with a nozzle and a liquid channel, a driving element, and a driving unit; a light emitting part; a liquid receiving part receiving light passed through or reflected by the meniscus; and a controller. The controller controls the driving unit to apply at least one of several kinds of meniscus driving signals to the driving element in a state that the light emitting part emits the light to the nozzle, thereby vibrating the meniscus in the nozzle, and is configured to determine a recovery operation from among several kinds of recovery operations which have mutually different liquid discharge amounts to be discharged from the nozzle, on the basis of an amount of light which is received by the light receiving part in the case of vibrating the meniscus of the liquid.

Abstract: A method is provided for adapting settings, which are relative to each other, of printing heads of a printing unit of a printing machine. Data regarding settings, which are relative to each other, of at least two printing heads belonging to a first subset of printing heads are detected in a first partial detection process. Data regarding settings, which are relative to each other, of at least two printing heads belonging to a second subset of printing heads and not belonging to the first subset are detected in a second partial detection process. Data regarding at least one setting of at least one first printing head of the first subset and of at least one second printing head of the second subset, which settings are relative to each other, are detected in a complete detection process. At least the first partial detection process and the second partial detection process proceed at least partially simultaneously.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes an ink tank, a recording head, an ink sensor, a monitor, an operation panel, and a controller configured to control operation thereof. The controller receives a completion signal indicating completion of ink injection, and receives a first signal or a second signal from the ink sensor based on whether a predetermined amount of ink is sensed in the ink chamber. Based on the completion signal and receipt of the first signal, inquiry information is displayed on the monitor regarding whether ink injection into the ink chamber is completed. Based on the completion signal and receipt of the second signal, a notification is displayed on the monitor that is based on the ink sensor not sensing the predetermined amount of ink.

Abstract: A method for printing at least one carrier element, in particular at least one pack, in at least one printing operation includes sensing a position of the at least one carrier element, orienting at least one piece of information on the basis of the sensed position of the at least one carrier element, storing the at least one piece of information in at least one file, and printing the at least one piece of information onto the carrier element.

Abstract: One example discloses a peripheral supply component. The peripheral supply component includes a supply item (130) to provide resources on an installed peripheral component (110), wherein the supply item (130) is a consumable, upgradable, or replacement component on the installed peripheral component (110). An encoded component (140) is installed with the supply item (130), wherein the encoded component (140) is employed to generate a message event related to the peripheral component.