Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a nozzle inspection unit configured to inspect nozzle clogging of a nozzle, a discharged dot count unit configured to count a number of times a discharge signal is transmitted to the nozzle, a storage unit configured to store ink residual amount-related information containing an ink consumption amount for one dot, and an ink residual amount control unit configured to calculate an ink consumption amount based on the number of times the discharge signal is transmitted counted by the discharged dot count unit and the ink consumption amount for one dot, and to update the residual amount of the ink retained in the ink retaining unit. The printing apparatus removes the nozzle determined to be clogged by the inspection of the nozzle clogging by the nozzle inspection unit from the nozzles targeted for calculating the ink consumption amount.

Abstract: One example of a fluid ejection system includes a plurality of fluid ejection devices, a corresponding plurality of indicators, an operator interface, and a controller. Each indicator is on a corresponding fluid ejection device. The operator interface is to select a fluid ejection device. The controller is to turn on the corresponding indicator for the selected fluid ejection device.

Abstract: A method of controlling a system including a printhead for printing an image on at least one surface, wherein the at least one surface differs in shape from a nominal surface by a known tolerance, and wherein the printhead and the at least one surface move relative to each other along a predetermined print path comprising at least one swathe. Small dot patterns (referred to as “pathfinders”) are printed on a surface of the object in a preliminary printing pass, then the printed dot patterns are analyzed, for example with a machine vision system. The necessary corrections may then be calculated from this analysis and applied to a subsequent full printing pass.

Abstract: An integrated circuit to drive a plurality of fluid actuation devices includes an interface, a digital circuit, an analog circuit, and control logic. The digital circuit outputs a digital signal to the interface. The analog circuit outputs an analog signal to the interface. The control logic activates the digital circuit or the analog circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fluidic ejection device configured to detect whether one or more nozzles of the fluidic ejection device is in a normal state, a blocked nozzle state, or an accumulated fluid state. The fluidic ejection device includes an optical blockage detector having a light emitting device configured to emit a light signal, and a light sensor configured to detect the light signal. The optical blockage detector detects the normal state, the blocked nozzle state, and the accumulated fluid state based on the detected light signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing plotting device accuracy in aid of a process for qualifying plotter systems. The system and process involve an ideal (virtual) test pattern consisting of digital data defining a nominal grid augmented by geometric features (e.g., closed two-dimensional geometric shapes which respectively surround intersections or vertices of the nominal grid). The plotting device under test is commanded to print a test plot having a pattern that matches the test pattern, but the test plot may deviate from the test pattern. To measure the amount of deviation, first an image of the test plot on the printed medium is captured using an accurate optical scanner. Then a mathematical measurement process, implemented in a computer vision application (e.g., a software package), is employed to detect deviations of the test plot from the test pattern. A statistical analysis is then performed to determine whether the deviations are within specifications.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes a controller configured to perform: causing a voltage application circuit to apply a voltage between a liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles and an electrode; driving the liquid ejection head for causing a certain nozzle to eject liquid toward a cap in a state where the plurality of nozzles face the cap; receiving a signal from a signal output circuit; determining, based on the received signal, whether the certain nozzle has ejected liquid normally; determining, based on the received signal, whether a leakage current has occurred between the certain nozzle and the electrode; and specifying the certain nozzle as a leakage nozzle if the leakage current has occurred between the certain nozzle and the electrode.

Abstract: For a plurality of types of print media, a pre-trained model is prepared, the pre-trained model being generated by machine learning based on spectroscopic information of an unprinted area on the print medium and an identifier indicating the type of the print medium and using the identifier as a trainer. The spectroscopic information of the unprinted area on the print medium to print on is acquired. The acquired spectroscopic information is applied to the pre-trained model. Using a result thereof, auxiliary information about the type of the print medium is outputted. A specification of the type of the print medium using the outputted auxiliary information is accepted. When the type of the print medium is thus specified, printing is performed using a print condition suitable for the print medium.

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 recording condition, and a driving step of applying the drive pulse to the drive element. The drive pulse includes 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 is to be applied after the first potential, and the third potential is to be applied after the second potential. In the liquid discharge method, in the driving step, the drive pulse having the first potential that varies depending on the recording condition acquired in the acquisition step is applied to the drive element.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes an imaging apparatus, a carriage, and a processing section. A sensor in the imaging apparatus has a plurality of pixels placed in a row direction and a column direction in the form of a matrix. The imaging apparatus is disposed in the carriage so that the row direction of the sensor and the direction in which the plurality of nozzles constituting each nozzle row are placed become parallel. The processing section causes ink to be discharged from a nozzle row to be adjusted to print a test pattern. By using a two-dimensional scale as a reference in detection of landing deviation, the processing section detects the landing deviation caused by the nozzle row to be adjusted, according to the imaged test pattern.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for providing a service station routine. Some embodiments of a system include a service station for receiving a handheld jet dispensing apparatus and a memory component that stores logic. When the logic is executed by a processor, the logic may cause the system to, in response to the service station receiving the handheld jet dispensing apparatus, identify the handheld jet dispensing apparatus, where identifying the handheld jet dispensing apparatus includes determining a time of a previous maintenance to the handheld jet dispensing apparatus. In some embodiments, the logic causes the system to determine whether the time of the previous maintenance meets a predetermined threshold, in response to determining that the time of the previous maintenance meets a predetermined threshold, determine a desired maintenance routine to execute and execute the desired maintenance routine, and record a current time as the time of the previous maintenance.

Abstract: A printing system is disclosed. The printing system includes at least one physical memory device to store uniformity compensation logic and one or more processors coupled with the at least one physical memory device to execute the uniformity compensation logic to receive print image measurement data corresponding with each of a plurality of pel forming elements, generate a first set of intermediate images based on the print image measurement data, determine whether historical sets of intermediate images are available, generate first transfer functions corresponding to each of the pel forming elements based on the first set of intermediate images and the historical sets of intermediate images upon a determination that the historical sets of intermediate images are available and transmit the first transfer functions for each of the pel forming elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a workpiece processing apparatus that performs a predetermined processing on a workpiece. The workpiece processing apparatus includes: a workpiece table configured to place the workpiece thereon; a processor configured to process the workpiece placed on the workpiece table; a movement mechanism configured to relatively move the workpiece table and the processor; a position measuring device configured to measure a position of the movement mechanism; a detector configured to detect a position of the workpiece placed on the workpiece table; and a corrector configured to calculate a positional correction amount of the workpiece table based on a measurement result of the position measuring device and a detection result of the detector.

Abstract: A print head drive circuit drives a print head including an ejecting portion ejecting a liquid in response to a drive signal propagating through a drive signal line and a storage portion storing ejecting portion-related information changing in accordance with use of the ejecting portion, in which processing of reading the ejecting portion-related information changing in accordance with the use from the storage portion is performed before the drive signal for ejecting the liquid from the ejecting portion is supplied to the print head.

Abstract: A print apparatus is disclosed. In some examples, the print apparatus comprises a print head to deposit print agent onto a substrate; a detector to detect a fiducial; a first light source to back-illuminate the substrate, such that light from the first light source is to be detected by the detector through the substrate; and processing apparatus.

Abstract: A droplet ejecting apparatus includes a workpiece table configured to place a workpiece thereon, a droplet ejecting head configured to eject droplets onto the workpiece placed on the workpiece table, a Y-axis linear motor configured to move the workpiece table in a main scanning direction (Y-axis direction), a position detector configured to detect a position of a carriage mark, and a control unit configured to calculate the positional deviation amount in the main scanning direction between a detection position detected by the position detector and a reference position of the carriage mark and correct a droplet ejecting timing of the droplet ejecting head based on the positional deviation amount.

Abstract: A method of printing an image using a printing system including at least first and second overlapping printhead segments, the method includes the steps of: feeding media past the printhead segments along a media feed direction; determining an extent of wander of the media in a direction perpendicular to the media feed direction; selecting a stitching method based on the determined extent of wander; and printing the image using the first and second printhead segments. The printing step includes stitching the first and second printhead segments using the selected stitching method.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detection unit to detect a toner attached to an image carrying surface at a detection position. The first control unit controls the image forming unit such that a first check image including a patch pattern and a line pattern is formed. The relationship determination unit determines a correlation between a width of the line pattern and a density of an image to be formed based on a density of the patch pattern and a width of the line pattern. The determination unit determines an allowable range based on the determined correlation. The second control unit controls the image forming unit such that a second check image including the line pattern is formed. The line width determination unit determines a width of the line pattern based on a detection status relating to the line pattern. The monitoring unit monitors a formation status of the image by comparing the determined width and the determined allowable range.

Abstract: An object is to enable highly accurate density unevenness correction while suppressing a reduction in productivity of printing accompanying correction value calculation for density unevenness correction. In the image processing apparatus, density correction information that specifies an output tone value for implementing a target density for an input tone value for each nozzle and which does not include the influence by a non-ejectable nozzle that cannot eject ink normally is acquired. In a case where a non-ejectable nozzle is detected during printing processing, output tone values corresponding to the detected non-ejectable nozzle and peripheral nozzles thereof among output tone values specified in the density correction information are changed.

Abstract: Methods for printing using printing systems comprising a flexible intermediate transfer member (ITM) disposed around a plurality of guide rollers at which encoders are installed, and an image-forming station at which ink images are formed by droplet deposition by print bars onto the ITM, can include measuring a local velocity of the ITM under one of the print bars, determining a stretch factor for a portion of the ITM based on a relationship between an estimated stretched length fixed physical distance between print bars, controlling an ink deposition parameter according to the stretch factor so as to compensate for stretching of the reference portion of the ITM.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a liquid discharge head; a relative movement mechanism performing relative movement between the liquid discharge head and a medium; a velocity signal output circuit; and a controller performing a constant velocity discharge operation and an acceleration/deceleration discharge operation. In the constant velocity discharge operation, the controller determines a discharge timing based on information about a representative value of relative velocity obtained based on a plurality of pieces of preceding velocity information. Further, in the acceleration/deceleration discharge operation, the controller obtains approximate information in which a change in the relative velocity is approximated based on distribution of the relative velocity, and the controller determines a discharge timing based on the approximate information.

Abstract: In a board that includes a plurality of contact portions that are arranged to contact corresponding apparatus-side terminals when the board is mounted in a printing apparatus, some contact portions are disposed in a first region, and the remaining contact portions are disposed in a second region. The some contact portions include a first contact portion, a second contact portion, a third contact portion, and a fourth contact portion. The remaining contact portions include a fifth contact portion. The some contact portions are arranged in a first pattern in the first region and the remaining contact portions are arranged in a second pattern in the second region, and the first pattern is asymmetrical to the second pattern with respect to a first virtual line.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid ejection apparatus, including: a head; a signal output circuit; a discharge mechanism; a controller; and a memory in which association information is stored. The controller is configured to: diagnose a degree of defectiveness of the head based on a signal from the signal output circuit; and receive, from a user, an input of discharge amount information. In response to the input of the discharge amount information, the controller is configured to: control the discharge mechanism to discharge a liquid by a discharge amount corresponding to the discharge amount information; and change the association in the association information based on the discharge amount corresponding to the discharge amount information and a discharge amount that corresponds to the degree of the defectiveness of the head.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head, comprising an insulating member arranged on a substrate, a resistive heating element arranged in the insulating member and configured to generate thermal energy used to discharge a liquid, a bubble chamber provided above the insulating member and configured to generate bubbles of the liquid based on the thermal energy, and a temperature detection element capable of detecting a temperature in the bubble chamber, wherein the temperature detection element is arranged between the resistive heating element and the bubble chamber and in a conductive layer closest to the bubble chamber in a plurality of conductive layers provided with respect to the insulating member.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that performs a color matching process according to a color reproduction characteristic of an objective device, the image processing apparatus including: a printing unit configured to perform printing; a reading unit configured to be capable of reading a first color characteristic chart, which is printed by the objective device, and a second color characteristic chart, which is printed by the printing unit; and a processing unit configured to perform the color matching process, based on first scanned image data, which is obtained by reading the first color characteristic chart by use of the reading unit, and second scanned image data, which is obtained by reading the second color characteristic chart by use of the reading unit.

Abstract: A nozzle check suitable for production of a three-dimensional shaped object is performed. A production method of a three-dimensional shaped object M configured to laminate unit layers (L1, L2, . . . ), in which a nozzle checking step inspects at least a part of nozzles (6) for ejecting ink for forming a particular unit layer, which is performed after having started production in a case where a timing of the nozzle check is before forming the particular unit layer and this unit layer is a lowermost layer (L1), and is performed after having formed a unit layer that is located directly under the particular unit layer in a case where the timing of the nozzle check is before forming the particular unit layer and this layer is not the lowermost layer (L1).

Abstract: A printer comprising a controller to control printing operations, a 1st user interface and at least one second user interface, connection to connect the 2nd user interface with the controller and wireless connection for exchanging data between the 2nd user interface and the controller when the second user interface is not connected with the printer, the controller being programmed to: detect whether the 2nd user interface is connected or not with the printer; display a different information on at least the first user interface depending on whether the 2nd user interface is connected or not.

Abstract: A printing apparatus provides a conveyance operation in which a conveyance unit conveys a print medium in a conveyance direction, and includes a control unit to control a printing unit such that, in a case where an image is to be printed onto a print medium of a first type in a first state in which the print medium of the first type is supported by a first conveyance member and not supported by a second conveyance member, the printing unit uses a printing element included in a first region from which a distance to the print medium of the first type in a height direction perpendicular to a surface where the printing elements are arrayed is a first distance, and does not use a printing element included in a second region from which a distance to the print medium of the first type in the height direction is a second distance greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the operational status of a nozzle in an inkjet printhead having a piezoelectric actuator configured to cause the ejection of ink through the nozzle, the system comprising: a driving circuit configured to apply a driving signal to the piezoelectric actuator during a first time period; and a sensing circuit configured to measure the current within the piezoelectric actuator as a function of time during a second time period after the first time period; wherein the system is configured to determine the operational status of the nozzle in dependence on the time taken for the measured current to reach a predetermined condition during the second time period, or on the slope of the measured current as a function of time during the second time period.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing products having custom graphic designed are disclosed. A method may comprise printing a first order identifier graphic on a substrate material, the first order identifier graphic associated with a first order for a first set of products, printing a first set of one or more graphic designs on the material, the graphic designs associated with the first order, combining the material with one or more product components to form the first set of products, each of the products of the first set of products being associated with the first customer order and at least one of the products of the first set of products comprising the first order identifier graphic, performing a print quality inspection on the print test graphic, and after determining the print test graphic failed the print quality inspection, culling each of products associated with the first order.

Abstract: A head alignment apparatus for determining a reference position using position synchronization and aligning a plurality of head modules according to the reference position, and a substrate treating system including the same are provided. The head alignment apparatus may include, a reference position determining unit for determining a first reference position of a head transfer, in which a plurality of inkjet head modules are installed; and a mounting position determining unit for determining a second reference position of the inkjet head module based on the first reference position so that the inkjet head module can be moved from a current position to a second reference position, wherein the reference position determining unit determines a first reference position using a first image sensor installed on the same plane as the inkjet head module and a second image sensor installed facing the inkjet head module.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method of measuring the amount of fountain solution employed in a digital offset lithography printing system. Fountain solution thickness is measured using a diffractive optical element (DOE) configured with grating surfaces varying in a periodic fashion to hold an amount of fountain solution. When radiated with a light source the combination of the grating surface and the fountain solution therein reduces the scattering of the surface structure (“contrast”) that gives rise to a diffraction pattern. The diffractive optical element can be placed on the printing blanket of the lithography printing system or on a separate substrate.

Abstract: A printer is described comprising a movable functional element, a chargeable energy-storing device and a charger to charge the chargeable energy-storing device using energy discharged from the movable functional element.

Abstract: In some examples, a fluid dispensing device includes a reservoir containing a fluid, fluidic actuators, and an interface to receive a data packet comprising information to control activation of the fluidic actuators, the data packet comprising a random number generated by a random number generator.

Abstract: In a printing method using an ink jet head, a chemical liquid may be discharged onto a substrate from a plurality of nozzles of the ink jet head. Discharging numbers of the chemical liquid from the plurality of nozzles may be identified and a cumulative discharging number of the chemical liquid from the plurality of nozzles may be calculated. The cumulative discharging number of the chemical liquid may be compared with a previously set limit discharging number of the ink jet head. A replacement time of the ink jet head may be determined if the cumulative discharging number of the chemical liquid exceeds the previously set limit discharging number.

Abstract: A print supply, the print supply containing a print material and to connect to a printing device to provide the print material to the printing device that includes a container to maintain the print material, an integrated circuit coupled to the box to interface electrically with the printing device, and a load cell communicatively coupled to the integrated circuit to detect a weight of the print liquid supply.

Abstract: A method for controlling an information processing apparatus includes a notifying step of, if an error is occurring in a printing apparatus under non-completion of an initial setting process for the printing apparatus when a predetermined program is operating on the information processing apparatus, executing a notification process for notifying a user of the error occurring in the printing apparatus on the basis of error information, the initial setting process being a process executed in response to the user turning on the printing apparatus for a first time after the printing apparatus is unpacked, and not executing the notification process if an error is occurring in the printing apparatus under completion of the initial setting process for the printing apparatus when the predetermined program is operating on the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: A printer includes an ink tank, a print head performing printing by using ink in the ink tank; a light source irradiating an inside of the ink tank with light; a sensor detecting light incident from the ink tank during a period in which the light source emits light; and a processing section detecting an amount of ink in the ink tank based on an output of the sensor. The light source is turned on by an amount of light based on a result of the sensor detecting light reflected from an area where the ink does not exist.

Abstract: A liquid droplet discharging apparatus includes: a discharging head having: a liquid channel including a nozzle; and an energy applying part which applies, to liquid inside the liquid channel, discharge energy for discharging a liquid droplet from the nozzle; a signal outputting circuit which outputs signals depending on whether the nozzle satisfies a predetermined discharging performance; and a controller. The controller determines whether the nozzle satisfies the predetermined discharging performance, and estimates viscosity of the liquid inside the discharging head based on: viscosity estimation data in which discharge energy information and viscosity information are associated with each other, and a result of the determination performed in a case that the controller controls the energy applying part based on the discharge energy information and that the discharge energy is thereby applied to the liquid inside the liquid channel.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a drive signal output circuit configured to output a drive signal, a power unit configured to supply a power source voltage to the drive signal output circuit, and a first housing that accommodates the drive signal output circuit, and the power unit. The power unit includes a power supply circuit configured to convert an alternating voltage into a first direct voltage and a second direct voltage, and output the first direct voltage, a substrate on which the power supply circuit is provided, a solid state battery configured to output a third direct voltage corresponding to a stored electric charge, a charging circuit configured to store an electric charge in the solid state battery based on the second direct voltage, and a second housing that accommodates the power supply circuit, the solid state battery, and the charging circuit.

Abstract: A controller acquires image recording data for recording a plurality of passes; determines a first movement distance of a carriage for recording each of the plurality of passes; determines a non-usage ratio that is a ratio of a number of unused nozzles in a last pass of the plurality of passes to a total number of the plurality of nozzles arranged in a conveyance direction; determines a second movement distance in a particular pass which is recorded before the last pass, the second movement distance being a movement distance of the carriage assuming that the particular pass is recorded without using nozzles of a first ratio smaller than or equal to the non-usage ratio; and in response to determining that the second movement distance is shorter than the first movement distance, performs image recording of the particular pass without using the nozzles of the first ratio.

Abstract: Data access techniques involve: determining whether there is a copy operation that is being performed from a first LU to a second LU in response to receiving a write operation request for a first data block in the first logic unit (LU); detecting a copy status of data in the first data block in response to determining that there is the copy operation that is being performed; and determining a processing strategy of the write operation request during execution of the copy operation based on the copy status.

Abstract: There is provided a printer including: a carriage; a head; a position sensitive detector having a light-emitter and a light-receiver; and a controller. The head has: a first nozzle from which a printing ink is discharged, and a second nozzle from which a liquid scattering a light emitted from the light-emitter is discharged. The controller is configured to execute: formation of a scattering film on the object by discharging the liquid from the second nozzle onto the object; measurement of a distance between the head and the object, with the light emitted from the light-emitter and irradiated onto the scattering film; and adjustment, based on the measured distance, of a discharging condition of discharging the ink from the first nozzle, and performing printing on the object.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor package for a replaceable print liquid reservoir, the package including a number of heater circuits, each heater circuit including a heater element to dissipate heat and a number of control devices, each control device individually controllable to be electrically connected to the heater element, the heater element to dissipate a different amount of heat when electrically connected to different ones of the control devices.

Abstract: A printing system is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for controlling an information processing apparatus includes a notifying step of, if an error is occurring in a printing apparatus under non-completion of an initial setting process for the printing apparatus when a predetermined program is operating on the information processing apparatus, executing a notification process for notifying a user of the error occurring in the printing apparatus on the basis of error information, the initial setting process being a process executed in response to the user turning on the printing apparatus for a first time after the printing apparatus is unpacked, and not executing the notification process if an error is occurring in the printing apparatus under completion of the initial setting process for the printing apparatus when the predetermined program is operating on the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: A print head control circuit includes a first diagnosis signal propagation wiring for propagating a first diagnosis signal, a fifth diagnosis signal propagation wiring for propagating a fifth diagnosis signal indicating a diagnosis result, and a second voltage signal propagation wiring for propagating a second voltage signal. The fifth diagnosis signal propagation wiring and the second voltage signal propagation wiring are electrically coupled to each other via a fifth terminal and a seventh terminal, and the first diagnosis signal propagation wiring and the second diagnosis signal propagation wiring are located to be aligned. The first diagnosis signal propagation wiring and the second voltage signal propagation wiring are located to be adjacent to each other in a direction in which the first diagnosis signal propagation wiring and the second diagnosis signal propagation wiring are aligned.

Abstract: The present application provides a battery charging control method and apparatus, a battery management system, and a medium. The method includes: obtaining, based on a received charging request, a threshold value and an initial value of a charging parameter of a battery, wherein the threshold value of the charging parameter is determined based on an actual capacity value of the battery and an accumulated mileage of an electric vehicle where the battery is located; sending, under a condition that the initial value of the charging parameter is less than the threshold value of the charging parameter, a control command of charging the battery, so as to charge the battery; obtaining a value of the charging parameter of the battery in real time during the charging of the battery; sending a control command of stopping charging the battery, so as to stop charging.

Abstract: An object of one embodiment of the present disclosure is to accurately suppress a color shift. One embodiment of the present disclosure is a printing apparatus including: a print head having a nozzle column including a plurality of nozzles through which ink is ejected; an acquiring unit configured to acquire a measurement value by reading a tone patch pattern printed by the print head; and a setting unit configured to set a printing characteristic based on the measurement value and a target value, and the printing apparatus further includes a determination unit configured to determine whether or not reading has been performed normally based on a variation amount calculated by using the measurement value.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a cartridge installing unit for detachably installing a plurality of ink cartridges. The cartridge installing unit includes: a base having a placing surface and aligning the plurality of ink cartridges in a first direction on the placing surface; a moving force applying unit moving an ink cartridge of the plurality of ink cartridges from an installation position to a removal position separated from the installation position in a movement direction including a component of the first direction; and a regulating unit regulating the movement of the ink cartridge from the installation position to the removal position. The moving force applying unit moves the ink cartridge from the installation position to the removal position in a case that the ink cartridge is released from the regulation by the regulating unit.