Combined Patents (Class 347/2)
  • Patent number: 8794724
    Abstract: A method of surface marking an article, especially a building product, is provided. One described method includes the steps of laser marking a first graphic design element on a surface of an article and ink-jet printing a second graphic design element in registry with the first graphic design element on the surface of the article to create a high quality overall graphic design. Also provided are articles made according to this method, and systems for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl J. Costin, Sr., Darryl J. Costin, Jr., Scott Fellin, Chase Carter
  • Patent number: 8789939
    Abstract: An ink and print media cartridge for a printer device includes a print media housing assembly configured for insertion and removal to and from the printer device, the print media housing assembly having a top molding coupled to a bottom molding and a print media storage volume defined therebetween; an ink housing assembly attached to an outer surface of the bottom molding, the ink housing assembly defining an ink chamber with the outer surface of the bottom molding; a spring provided between the top molding and the bottom molding, the spring positioned to bear on one side against the top molding and on an opposite side against print media stored in the print media storage region; and a feed mechanism provided within the print media housing, the feed mechanism having a drive gear protruding externally from the print media housing. The drive gear is positioned to engage with a complimentary drive mechanism of the printer device upon insertion of the print media housing into the printer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Tobin Allen King, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8791971
    Abstract: A method of producing a print on a recording medium includes receiving positive and negative image data for the print to be produced. A selected region of the recording medium is discharged. First-sign charged fluid is deposited in a selected first-sign charged-fluid pattern on the selected region of the recording medium, the first-sign charged-fluid pattern corresponding to the positive image data. Second-sign charged fluid is deposited in a selected second-sign charged-fluid pattern on the selected region of the recording medium, the second-sign charged-fluid pattern corresponding to the negative image data and the second sign being different from the first sign. Charged dry ink having charge of the second sign is deposited onto the recording medium. The deposited dry ink is attracted to the first-sign charged-fluid pattern and adheres to the recording medium in the first-sign charged-fluid pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael Alan Marcus, Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh
  • Publication number: 20140204135
    Abstract: A method for creating a printed image on a rotating, three-dimensional body or bottle eccentrically on a turntable, includes providing an inkjet printing unit having inkjet nozzles along a straight line for printing at a clock rate, rotating the body about a rotation axis parallel to the line using a motor, prescribing a fundamental frequency f0(t) for activating the motor, for example based on a constant angular velocity, activating the motor with the fundamental frequency f0(t), prescribing an average or constant body radius R0, determining a radius change ?R(t) of the body during rotation, calculating a correction value k(t) for the printing unit clock rate, where k(t)=1+?R(t)/R0, and activating the printing unit with a frequency f(t) for the clock rate, where f(t)=f0(t)·k(t), for example permitting printing on eccentrically rotating bottles with a constant print resolution while avoiding image imperfections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventor: JOERG-ACHIM FISCHER
  • Patent number: 8764138
    Abstract: A computer network system and method for printing purchase transaction receipts includes a novel printer physical structure, data structure, and control logic for printing on both sides of a register receipt, business rules designed to facilitate the two sided printing, and print paper designed to facilitate two sided printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Catalina Marketing Corporation
    Inventors: Baxter Byerly, Jeff Mount
  • Patent number: 8757744
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a multi-function system which receives media printed with ink having thermo-reactive properties with the ink being visually transparent on that media, and which processes that media such that the ink becomes visually perceptible. One embodiment of the present system comprises an input tray for receiving printed media into a transport path along which the media travels. A cooling element resides in proximity to that transport path for changing a temperature T of the media to T?TL. A temp-normalizing element is positioned along the transport path downstream of the cooling element for changing a temperature of the media such that the media's temperature T can be normalized back to a temperature range TL<T<TH prior to the media being deposited into an output tray. A user interface enables a user to perform various functions. Various embodiments of a user interface are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael John Wilsher, Christopher D. Olliffe, Duncan Ian Stevenson, Brian Reid
  • Publication number: 20140168294
    Abstract: A transport apparatus includes: a transport unit that transports a transport target; an optical detection unit, including a light irradiation unit capable of irradiating the transport target with light and a light-receiving unit that receives light, that detects the transport target; and an output unit that compares a light receiving result from the light-receiving unit with a set value that has been set in advance and outputs a result of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro ABE, Mitsutaka IDE, Tomoya MUROTANI
  • Publication number: 20140168293
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pre-aligning print head(s) to alignment adapter(s) to increase print resolution of printed matter, and to reduce offline time of a printing system due to print head alignment, include the use of an alignment adapter to which a print head is pre-aligned and which includes precision alignment features which precisely engage cooperating precision alignment features on the print head carriage mounting plate of the print head carriage. Print head(s) can be pre-aligned and fine-tuned to alignment adapter(s) even while the printing system is still in print production. Pre-aligned print head/alignment adapter assemblies can then be quickly mounted on the print head carriage using the cooperating precision alignment features of the adapter and print head carriage mounting plate. Duplicate sets of print head mounting sockets can include print heads aligned at different relative offsets (e.g., half a pixel) to increase the print resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: VISTAPRINT TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Moreau, Harald Feistenauer, Hung Viet Ngo, Patrick Stepanek
  • Publication number: 20140160188
    Abstract: An image recording device, wherein the image recording device is provided with a support member for supporting a recording medium, a print head for recording an image at a first position facing the support member, and a maintenance unit arranged at a position different from that of the support member in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the direction in which the print head and the support member face each other in the first position. The image recording device is further provided with a guide mechanism for guiding movement of the print head between a first position, a second position in which the print head faces the maintenance unit, and a third position which is a different position from those of the support member and the maintenance unit in an orthogonal direction, and a space allowing for a manual task on the print head is present at the facing position of the print head at the third position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihisa WANIBE, Naoyuki OKUMURA
  • Patent number: 8746820
    Abstract: Disclosed is a nail print apparatus including: a photographing section which photographs a plurality of fingers and a nail section of each finger to obtain a finger image; a finger type detecting section which detects a type of each finger from the finger image; a first storage controlling section which stores the type of finger detected by the finger type detecting section corresponded with the nail image; a design specifying section which receives specification of a design image to be printed; a second storage controlling section which stores the design image specified on the design specifying section; a combined nail image generating section which combines the design image with the nail image for each type of finger to generate a combined nail image; and a print controlling section which controls printing of the combined nail image on the nail chip sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Murata
  • Patent number: 8721066
    Abstract: An image recording device includes a recording unit, a feeding mechanism, a guide member, and a lock portion. The feeding mechanism is configured to feed a first feeding object along a feeding path. The feeding path has a straight path and a curved path. The recording unit faces the straight path. The guide member defines the curved path and is rotatable between an exposed position and a closed position. The lock portion is movable between a locked position at which the guide member is locked in the closed position and an unlocked position at which the lock is released. The guide member has a recess formed therein and the feeding mechanism further feeds a second feeding object to the recess along the straight path. When the second feeding object is disposed in the recess, the lock portion is disposed at the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Asada, Satoru Nakakita
  • Patent number: 8708482
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head is accommodated in a first casing. A supporting section is accommodated in a second casing. The first casing is pivotally movable relative to the second casing about a predetermined axis. Pivotal movement allows the first casing to take a first position at which an ejection surface confronts the supporting section and a second position at which the ejection surface is farther away from the supporting section than at the first position. The predetermined axis is closer to a first side surface than to a second side surface, and extends in parallel with the first side surface. The second side surface is formed with: a first opening through which a first medium tray is inserted or removed; a second opening through which a first tank is inserted or removed; and a third opening through which a waste-liquid tank is inserted or removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8695495
    Abstract: Disclosed is a nail print apparatus including a storage unit in which a plurality of sets of data relating to a plurality of design parts constituting each of a plurality of design images are stored, a photographing unit which obtains a finger image by photographing a finger, a nail region information detection unit which extracts a nail region from the finger image and detects an area, a length in horizontal direction and a length in vertical direction of the nail region, a design selection unit which selects one design image from the design images which are stored in the storage unit, a part layout calculation unit which reads out the one design image and calculates a print size and a print position of each of the design parts, and a print unit which performs a printing to the nail region according to printing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shogo Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8684480
    Abstract: There is provided a posture detecting device including: a detecting mechanism movable in a scanning direction relatively to a medium to detect a detection target; and a posture determining mechanism determining a tilt of the medium from a reference posture based on a detection result of the detection target, wherein as the detection target, the medium has a plurality of first detection targets each extending in an intersecting direction intersecting with the scanning direction at a predetermined angle and arranged at equal intervals in the scanning direction; and a plurality of second detection targets each extending in the scanning direction and arranged at equal intervals in the intersecting direction, under a condition that the medium is in the reference posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroto Sugahara
  • Patent number: 8681359
    Abstract: A nail printer and printing method for printing on nails of fingers in a short time. Printing of nails starts a predetermined time after a print start command is given by a print switch or a both-hand switch. When nails of thumbs or fingers of both right and left hands are printed with an image, a print switch is operated by one of the hands, the thumbs or fingers of the both hands are fixed at a predetermined printing position within a printed finger receiver and then the nails of both the thumbs or fingers are printed with a design or pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Bitoh
  • Publication number: 20140071190
    Abstract: A marking apparatus for marking histology embedding cassettes includes a marking device for marking plastic surfaces, a gripping means to grip and release a cassette, and a movement organ to rotate the gripping means with respect to a first rotation axis perpendicular to a second rotation axis. The first axis is arranged such that it is situated in an ideal plane that is parallel to and interposed between the ideal planes in which the perpendicular surfaces of a cassette, gripped by the gripping means, are located, so that, upon rotation with respect to the first axis the first and the second perpendicular surfaces can alternately be located in front of the marking device. The second axis being arranged with respect to the gripping means such that, upon rotation with respect to the second axis, the oblique surface of the cassette can be in front of the marking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: Mario CINTI
  • Publication number: 20140022291
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing wall covering with relief, such as for example wallpaper, in a continuous process in a less expensive way (in the case of limited print runs) and with fewer limitations with regard to the size of the repeat of the pattern, comprising: step a providing a base; step b applying a heat-expandable material to this base in a continuous process using an analogue printing technique; step c applying one or more liquids, which influence the expansion of the expandable material, in a desired pattern in a continuous process using a digital printing technique; step d heating the base with the expandable material which has been applied thereto and the one or more liquids applied thereto to a temperature at which the expandable material expands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventor: Joris Martha Alfons Van Den Steen
  • Publication number: 20130342593
    Abstract: Ceramic inkjet inks comprising ceramic inorganic pigments having average particle size between 0.1 and 0.8 ?m, an organic medium and a dispersant, the dispersant being the reaction product of a polyethyleneimine with a homo- or co-polyester based on lactic acid, and method for decorating green or fired ceramic bodies by the use of the above ceramic inkjet inks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Dario Fornara, Alan Nappa, Tamara Verzotti, Paolo Prampolini, Stefano Crespi, Giovanni Floridi, Giuseppe Li Bassi
  • Publication number: 20130342592
    Abstract: An inkjet printer configured to print on a three-dimensional object is provided. The inkjet printer may include a print head that ejects a conductive ink. The inkjet printer may also include an assembly configured for adjusting a position of an object relative to the print head. The adjustment assembly may include a fixture configured to hold an object, such as a circuit board, that is to be printed on. The fixture may be configured to hold the object such that multiple surfaces thereof, which may be nonplanar, are exposed. A tilt adjustment mechanism may be coupled to the fixture and configured to adjust a tilt angle of the object. Further, a rotational adjustment mechanism may be coupled to the fixture and configured to adjust an angular position of the circuit board. Accordingly, the surfaces of the object may each be upwardly oriented such that the print head may print thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas MERZ
  • Publication number: 20130314460
    Abstract: An apparatus for printing an image onto a curved surface of a three dimensional article. The apparatus principally includes a support fixture, an ink jet print head having a plurality of nozzles, and an articulatable robotic arm. One of the support fixture and the print head are mounted to and carried by the robotic arm. The robotic arm is moveable so as to cause relative movement of the print head along a series of scanning paths that follow the surface contour of the curved surface of the article. A controller is coupled to the robotic arm and is configured to cause articulation of the robotic arm. The controller causes the robotic arm to continuously locate the print head relative to the curved surface and to cause the plurality of nozzles to eject printing medium at predetermined locations along the scanning paths so as to form the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: EXATEC, LLC
    Inventor: Craig Orr
  • Publication number: 20130307888
    Abstract: A printing method includes printing on an outside surface of a packaging material which has an inside surface, the outside surface and an opening. The printing is performed in a state of the opening being closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kunihiko MATSUHASHI
  • Publication number: 20130295352
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a laminate product comprising at least a laminate layer with a decor sheet, wherein, for forming the laminate layer, at least a decor sheet is formed by providing in a decor application process a decor in the form of a motif on a decor carrier, wherein this decor carrier consists of a continuous material web, wherein the decor is applied by means of one or more digital printers and wherein the global decor during the processing of the material web is controlled in a varying manner, by means of controlling the one or more printers, as a function of varying external data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Bernard THIERS, Laurent MEERSSEMAN
  • Patent number: 8567939
    Abstract: A printing system that has a media transport system configured to transport media along a media path, a printhead assembly fixed relative to the media path and a plurality of service modules for the printhead assembly. Each of the service modules is independently movable relative to the media path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Zamtec Ltd
    Inventors: Robert Rosati, David Petch, David Burney, Jim Sykora, Kenneth A Regas, Andy Bound, Neil Doherty, Scott Dennis, Ben Jones, Oksana Buyda, Locson Tonthat, Andrew Buyda, Patrick Kirk, Loren Hunt, Jason Dewey, Jim Trinchera, Bill Cressman, Ron Zech
  • Patent number: 8564840
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure provides a halftoning method for annular rasters comprising: using annular rasters with uniformly spaced raster lines and uniformly spaced pixels within the raster lines; angularly tiling wedge shaped halftone cells around at least a partial circumferential print medium wherein an integer number of wedge tiles fills a disc space; wherein the annular rasters are considered in arcs and wherein pixel thresholds in the wedge shaped halftone cells are considered in arcs so as to conform to the annular rasters upon tiling the wedge shaped halftone cells; and, setting the number of pixel thresholds in each arc raster of the cell to an integer value near a desired writing resolution to enable seamless tiling wherein the number of thresholds increase as a function of a wedge cell radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Paul Loce, Edgar A. Bernal
  • Publication number: 20130265350
    Abstract: A method of surface marking an article, especially a building product, is provided. One described method includes the steps of laser marking a first graphic design element on a surface of an article and ink-jet printing a second graphic design element in registry with the first graphic design element on the surface of the article to create a high quality overall graphic design. Also provided are articles made according to this method, and systems for carrying out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Darryl J. COSTIN, SR., Darryl J. COSTIN, JR., Scott FELLIN, Chase CARTER
  • Patent number: 8540333
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording unit, a discharge roller, a release mechanism, and a controller. The discharge roller is located downstream of the recording unit and includes a discharge driving roller and a discharge driven roller that apply a discharge force to the recording medium in a discharge direction. The release mechanism switches the discharge driven roller between a nip position, at which the discharge driven roller is brought into contact with the discharge driving roller when the recording medium is transported, and a release position, at which the discharge driven roller is spaced from the discharge driving roller when the holding tray is transported. The controller controls the transport roller, the discharge roller, and the release mechanism. The controller controls the discharge driving roller to be rotated a predetermined amount in the discharge direction before moving the discharge driven roller from the release position to the nip position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shintaro Komuro, Kazuhisa Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20130241978
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement (1) for integrating one or more ink jet printheads (6) with an existing primary web or sheet press or the like, the mounting arrangement (1) including a printhead gantry (4) adapted for positioning intermediate the reel stand/splicer (2) and printing unit (3) of the primary press, a mounting carriage (7) fitted to the printhead gantry (4) and adapted to receive and position the printhead (6) to intercept the paper, including cardboard (or other substrates) (5) fed from the reel stand/splicer (2), a drying arrangement (13) adapted to dry the ink jet printing, rollers (10) adapted to intercept and direct the paper feed from the feed roller (2) past the printhead (6) and drying arrangement (13), and a tensioning arrangement to return the ink jet printed paper to the primary press under appropriate tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: PMP J Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Peter John Clark
  • Publication number: 20130215164
    Abstract: An image forming device including: a conveyance unit; plural detecting sensors; a lens tilt calculating unit; a head; a storage unit; and a tilt correction controller, wherein the plural detecting sensors includes a third detecting sensor allowed to deviate from the base line between the first detecting sensor and the second detecting sensor, the storage unit stores position aberration of the third detecting sensor from the base line, and the lens tilt calculating unit calculates the tilt angle of each of the lenticular lenses based on the detecting signals of the plural detecting sensors and the position aberration of the third detecting sensor stored on the storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya MAYUMI, Ryo IMAI, Naoki YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 8505039
    Abstract: There is provided a tray including a tray main body that can be nipped by a driving roller rotatably driven and a plurality of driven rollers driven to rotate by making contact with the driving roller, the tray main body having a plate shape, a concave portion in which a thin plate shaped body can be set, the concave portion being formed in the tray main body, a fitting convex portion that is fitted in a fitting hole formed in the thin plate shaped body, the fitting convex portion being provided in the concave portion, and a plurality of elastic pieces for holding the thin plate shaped body by elastically making contact with an inner edge of the fitting hole, the elastic pieces being provided along an outer edge of the fitting convex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Narihiro Oki, Hidetoshi Kodama, Seiji Kawabata
  • Patent number: 8500268
    Abstract: This invention concerns vision control panels and a method of UV inkjet printing vision control panels. A substantially imperforate light permeable material is partially printed with a ‘print pattern’ comprising a base layer and a design layer comprising a design colour layer. The method is limited to digital UV inkjet printing of all the superimposed layers required to make such panels. Optionally, the method uses a novel printhead array with a novel order of ink color supply and/or novel software to enable the required build-up of ink layers, for example of black, optional silver, white, cyan, magenta, yellow and process black colors. Printing is preferably arranged so that the base layer and design color layer are printed in the minimum number of passes of the printhead assembly of the digital UV inkjet printer to achieve the desired effect, preferably in one pass of the printhead assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Contra Vision Limited
    Inventor: George Roland Hill
  • Patent number: 8492456
    Abstract: The present invention provides ink compositions for ink-jet printing. The ink compositions comprise by weight from about 0.1 to 5% by weight of a water-soluble polyurethane; from about 0.1 to 15% by weight of a 1,2-alkyldiol having 5-9 carbon atoms; and from about 0.5 to 6% by weight of a pigment. The present invention also provides a process for printing an image on a print medium that comprises applying an inventive ink composition thereto by means of an ink-jet printer. The present invention further provides ink-jet cartridges containing inventive ink compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Xiaohe Chen, George M. Sarkisian
  • Publication number: 20130182020
    Abstract: A digital camera includes an image capture assembly; a print media transport assembly; a pagewidth ink jet printhead; a roll of print media; an internal chassis serving as a frame on which the image capture assembly, the print media transport assembly, and the printhead are directly supported; and an external casing completely encasing therewithin the internal chassis. The external casing is openable, and the internal chassis together with the assemblies and printhead supported thereon are removable from the external casing. The internal chassis is provided as an integral frame configured with pre-molded fittings adapted to receive and support the assemblies and printhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8485624
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a droplet dispensing control method includes detecting an amount of positional deviation between a stage on which a substrate is mounted and a template as a template positional deviation amount and detecting an amount of positional deviation between a movement direction of the stage and a nozzle array direction as a nozzle positional deviation amount. The method further includes calculating a stage movement direction correction value and an ejection timing correction value of the imprint material as correction values for eliminating the positional deviation of the landing position of the imprint material. The method further includes controlling the movement direction of the stage using the stage movement direction correction value and controlling the ejection timing of the imprint material using the ejection timing correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shinji Mikami, Ikuo Yoneda
  • Publication number: 20130162703
    Abstract: A method of printing an image on a receiver includes receiving image data for the image. A processor automatically produces data for a polymer pattern and a salt pattern using the image data. A polymer is deposited on the receiver according to the polymer pattern using a polymer-deposition unit. A salt is deposited on the receiver according to the salt pattern using a salt-deposition unit different from the polymer-deposition unit. Liquid ink is deposited on the receiver according to the image data using an inkjet print engine, and at least some of the ink is deposited over the deposited polymer or the deposited salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs
  • Patent number: 8469475
    Abstract: A method of making edible substrates that have an image registered on them in a consistent manner. The method comprises the steps of providing an edible substrate sheet, and an image source, wherein the image source has at least one image. Further, a trigger pulse signal is provided, which relays the frequency of a process element that is communicated to an image disposal device. The image disposal device uses the trigger pulse signal to determine when to dispose an image from the image source. Then an image is disposed on the edible substrate sheet with the image disposal device to form an image-disposed edible substrate sheet. And then a portion of the edible substrate sheet that comprises an image is separated into an individual piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Kellogg North America Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Wes Martin
  • Patent number: 8469471
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus enables the output of a high-quality image even when an expendable supply, such as ink, recording head, or recording sheet other than a specific expendable supply, such as one designated by a manufacturer, is used. The image forming apparatus includes a carriage for moving a recording head having plural recording nozzles in a horizontal scan direction. The recording head discharges ink onto a recording medium. A detection unit detects whether one or more expendable supplies required for image formation is a specific expendable supply. Upon detection of a non-specific expendable supply, a notifying unit notifies an operator and suggests that the image forming method be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kikuchi, Masanori Hirano
  • Patent number: 8459760
    Abstract: A method for printing on an article having a non-planar surface in an embodiment includes obtaining coordinates or a geometry for a non-planar surface of an article; determining a tangent orientation for a print head in three dimensions; and using the tangent orientation and positioning the print head relative to the non-planar surface of the article. Embodiments of apparatus for printing on articles having non-planar surfaces are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Uptergrove, Manish K. Senta
  • Patent number: 8454105
    Abstract: A beam marking system is disclosed for marking on beams with a marking device. The beam marking system includes a beam marking device configured to mark on the surface of a beam. A movable arm is coupled to the marking device. The movable arm has at least three movable components that collectively move the beam marking device along or about at least three axes. A controller is in electronic communication with the movable arm and the marking device. The controller controlling the movement of the at least three movable components of the movable arm and controlling the operation of the marking device. In some instances, the beam marking system can automatically mark beams, such as metal beams used in heavy construction projects in a rapid and accurate manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: James M. Smelser
  • Patent number: 8449108
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing evidence of printing in metering systems even in the event of a print head failure are provided. Along with generating a primary image for an indicium that evidences payment, a secondary image for the indicium, identical to a corresponding portion of the primary image but at a lower density, with physical boundaries that are within the boundaries of the primary image, is also generated. The primary image is printed by a first nozzle array, and the secondary image is printed by a second nozzle array. Because the primary image completely overlaps the secondary image, the secondary image is undetectable if the primary image is properly printed. The secondary image provides evidence of printing of the indicium that can be used to obtain a refund for the indicium in the event that the primary image was not printed due to failure of the first nozzle array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Miller, David J. Eaton, Peter T. Collings, Lun Chan, Easwaran Nambudiri, James A. Salomon
  • Publication number: 20130113850
    Abstract: A method for printing on a substrate, wherein the substrate is printed upon with a plate-based printing process, particularly with an offset printing process, and with a plateless printing process, particularly with an inkjet printing process, inline with the plate-based printing process. According to the invention, a printing resolution of the plateless printing process is determined depending on a printing speed of the plate-based printing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: manroland AG
    Inventor: manroland AG
  • Publication number: 20130106928
    Abstract: A nail art device is provided. The device includes a finger holder for fixing a finger; and a printer unit for printing an image on the nail of the finger fixed by the finger holder, wherein the printer unit includes a printer head provided on a printer head frame, a first moving unit for moving the printer head left and right, and a second moving unit for moving the printer head frame forwards and backwards, the second moving unit including a driving motor, a first driving member that is driven by the driving motor, a second driving member that is spaced apart from the first driving member, and facilitates contact by coming into close contact with the first driving member when printing an image on the nail, and simultaneously guides the forward-and backward movement of the first driving member, and a second driving member elevating module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Sang Young Lee
  • Patent number: 8419154
    Abstract: A motor control device includes: a first motor that provides a driving force for rotating a roll on which a roll paper is wound to supply the roll paper from the roll; a second motor that provides a driving force for driving a transport driving roller which is provided on a downstream side than the roll along a supply direction of the roll paper and used for transporting the roll paper; a load measuring unit that measures a relationship between a load on the first motor and a driving speed of the first motor when the second motor is not driven and the first motor is driven; and a motor control unit that simultaneously drives the first and second motors at a certain timing, provides to the first motor an interpolation output based on the measurement result of the load measurement unit and a driving speed of the second motor during the control, and transports the roll paper to the downstream side by driving the second motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Igarashi, Kenji Hatada
  • Patent number: 8422076
    Abstract: In a digital image printing system, an external device capable of storing digital image data, and a printing apparatus capable of printing the digital image data are mutually connectable, and capable of exchanging data. The printing apparatus includes a paper feeding unit having a multi-tray structure. The external device sends parameters, that is, paper size, paper type, page layout of the digital image data, and at least one digital image data to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus selects a tray from the paper feeding unit based on the parameters, and an aspect ratio of the digital image data, and prints the digital image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Toda
  • Publication number: 20130083096
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an authentication system includes a base unit to receive a replaceable supply device, a controller integrated into the base unit, known characteristic data accessible by the controller, and an authentication algorithm executable on the controller to authenticate the supply device if a known characteristic measured on the supply device matches the known characteristic data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Huston W. Rice, Erik D. Ness, David B. Novak
  • Patent number: 8408694
    Abstract: An apparatus for labelling containers, includes a storage unit, in which a supply of labelling material is accommodated, a labelling device which is disposed in the transport direction (T) of the labels and attaches the labelling material onto the containers, and a print device, which provides the labelling material with an imprint. The print device is disposed in the transport direction (T) of the labelling material between the storage unit and the labelling device and is positioned in the transport direction (T) of the labelling material at a distance from the labelling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Dieter Leykamm, Christoph Klenk
  • Patent number: 8390870
    Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises a writing unit adapted to write data on a recording medium, a selection unit adapted to select data to be written on the recording medium from a storage medium configured to store a plurality of data, and a display control unit adapted to cause a display device to display a display screen concerning printing before the data selected by said selection unit is copied from the storage medium onto the recording medium, wherein said display control unit causes the display unit to display the display screen if there is a restriction on the number of times of copying of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akitoshi Yamada, Mitsuhiro Ono, Masao Kato, Fumihiro Goto, Tetsuya Suwa, Fumitaka Goto, Yusuke Hashii, Arata Miyagi
  • Patent number: 8388079
    Abstract: There are provided n number of line-type inkjet nozzles (2) which include nozzles (4) that eject a liquid material and are arranged in a row, and which are arranged in parallel with each other so that positions of the nozzles (4) are shifted from each other by 1/n of a nozzle pitch (P1). Thus, an inkjet head (1) as a whole has a state equivalent to a state in which the nozzles (4) are arranged at 1/n of a nozzle pitch of one line-type inkjet nozzle (2). The inkjet head (1) is capable of adjusting a timing of ejecting the liquid material for each line-type inkjet nozzle (2). Accordingly, adjustment of a dot pitch such as fine coating and rough coating can be performed with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ishii Hyoki
    Inventors: Teruyuki Nakano, Yasuhiro Kozawa
  • Publication number: 20130038647
    Abstract: A nail print apparatus which prints on a nail and a printing control method of the nail print apparatus. In one implementation of the present invention, the nail print apparatus includes a imaging section; a nail region information detecting section which detects an outline and an area of the nail region; a print design image generating section; an element position judging section which judges whether or not a design element is contained within the nail region; and a printing section. The print design image generating section positions a design element in a position in the nail region which corresponds to a position on a standard nail model an element to a value in proportion with a ratio of the area of the nail region to an area of the standard nail model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shogo HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20130038648
    Abstract: A nail print apparatus which prints on a nail and a print controlling method. According to one implementation, a nail print apparatus includes an imaging section, a finger dimension obtaining section, a storage section, a model selecting section, a region specifying section and a printing section. The model selecting section selects one specific nail region extracting model based on a dimension of the finger obtained by the finger dimension obtaining section. The region specifying section specifies a nail region to be a specific nail region extracting model selected by the model selecting section to a region of the nail in the finger image obtained by the imaging section. The printing section applies ink on the specified nail region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirokiyo KASAHARA
  • Patent number: 8366223
    Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with an RFID tag having a feeding device that feeds a tag tape including an RFID tag circuit element having an IC circuit part and a tag antenna. The RFID circuit element is disposed on one side area along a width direction. To produce an RFID label a fixed inkjet head applies color printing to the one side area and a thermal head prints on another side area along the width direction. An apparatus antenna transmits and receives information to/from the RFID tag circuit element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Nagai