Abstract: An inkjet recording method and apparatus includes: forming a color image with color inks and an invisible ink by while scanning a first recording head multiple times on a same recording area of the recording medium, forming a thinned-out image, and jetting an invisible ink from a second recording head in accordance with an adhering amount of the color inks per unit area, wherein a nozzle pitch of the first recording head is from 10 to 50 ?m, the color inks contain pigments, organic solvent with high boiling point and water, a dot formed by the color inks has a size of 10 to 50 ?m, the recording medium has a transferred amount at 0.04 seconds of absorption time of 10 ml/m2 or more, a micro-porous layer containing inorganic fine particles and a hydrophilic binder and a 20-degree specular gloss of 20 to 45%.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium by using coloring materials of a plurality of colors including at least cyan, magenta and yellow, and the apparatus comprises: a cyan recording head which has a plurality of cyan recording elements for forming cyan recording pixels on the recording medium; a magenta recording head which has a plurality of magenta recording elements for forming magenta recording pixels on the recording medium; a yellow recording head which has a plurality of yellow recording elements for forming yellow recording pixels on the recording medium, a density of the plurality of yellow recording elements arranged in the yellow recording head being lower than each of a density of the plurality of cyan recording elements arranged in the cyan recording head and a density of the plurality of magenta recording elements arranged in the magenta recording head; and a recording control device which controls a recording operation in such a manner that a recording density of the

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a color filter having a plurality of colored pixels on a substrate by discharging an ink from an ink-jet head having a plurality of ink discharging nozzles while performing relative movement of the ink-jet head and the substrate, includes the step of dividing the plurality of ink discharging nozzles for discharging the ink having a same color into a plurality of nozzle groups, each nozzle group including every N nozzles, with N being a positive integer. In coloring one substrate by performing the relative movement a plurality of times, an ink discharging operation is performed such that inks are discharged by using only one nozzle group of the plurality of nozzle groups in the plural relative movements, and ink discharging nozzles which are used in a subsequent relative movement always include all of, or part of, ink discharging nozzles which have been used in a previous relative movement.

Abstract: In a data creating method for creating image data corresponding to each of a plurality of color inks applied to a black image area formed on the basis of image data on a black ink, with the plurality of color inks being a cyan ink, a magenta ink, and a yellow ink, an image data creating step creates image data corresponding to each of the plurality of color inks on the basis of the image data on the black ink. The image data creating step creates the image data on each of the plurality of color inks so that the rate of areas in which all the plurality of color inks are applied, in the black image area, is higher than that of areas to which only some of the plurality of color inks are applied. At least one of the cyan ink, the magenta ink, and the yellow ink contains a component that coagulates a color material of the black ink.

Abstract: A print control device includes a two-step print head, a print data assignment control section and a transportation control section. The two-step print head includes a plurality of printing elements of plural colors for performing color printing. The printing elements are divided into upper printing elements and lower printing elements for each different color separated by a boundary line. The print data assignment control section assigns print data of each color to the upper printing elements and the lower printing elements beginning adjacent the boundary line. The transportation control section controls a transportation amount of a printing medium in accordance with the number of the printing elements to which the print data is assigned.

Abstract: Alignment of an ejector module in a printhead is achieved along a lateral direction by arranging first and second partially overlapping pluralities of nozzles, determining an alignment pair between first and second nozzles within their respective pluralities, and assigning the alignment pair as boundaries for print actuation. The first and second ejector modules are disposed in a printhead array along a lateral direction and include first and second nozzles eject fluid on command. The first nozzles are disposed with a first spacing therebetween in the first ejector module. The second nozzles at one end of the second ejector module that overlap the first nozzles are disposed with a second spacing that differs from the first spacing. An alignment pair between first and second nozzles of their respective pluralities is determined to minimize an alignment spacing between each other as compared to remaining nozzles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing intercolor bleed to improve print quality is provided. This technique includes the detection of an edge between a black portion color portion of an image to be printed, the edge being disposed in a region of color pixels and black pixels to be printed in a first configuration of drops, modifying the first configuration of drops to obtain a second configuration of drops, and printing the image by ejecting the drops from a printhead based on the second configuration.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are disclosed for printing color filters for flat panel displays and avoiding mura effects by depositing a plurality of ink drops on a substrate within a column of pixel wells and intentionally varying the size and/or the relative lateral position of the ink drops deposited in the pixel wells. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: A printer controller for supplying dot data to a printhead module comprising at least first and second rows configured to print ink of a similar type or color, at least some nozzles in the first row being aligned with respective corresponding nozzles in the second row in a direction of intended media travel relative to the printhead, the printhead module being configurable such that the nozzles in the first and second pairs of rows are fired such that some dots output to print media are printed to by nozzles from the first pair of rows and at least some other dots output to print media are printed to by nozzles from the second pair of rows, the printer controller being configurable to supply dot data to the printhead module for printing.

Abstract: In the present apparatus, nozzle openings of a pair of adjacent nozzle rows among a plurality of nozzle rows are shifted relative to each other with respect to a direction in which the nozzle rows extend. Liquid of the lightest color is supplied to the nozzle row nearest to an end of a liquid ejecting head with respect to a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the nozzle rows extend, and liquid of the darkest color is supplied to the nozzle row at a middle part of the liquid ejecting head with respect to the direction in which the nozzle rows extend. A controller controls the liquid ejecting head to eject liquids through the nozzle openings of all the plurality of nozzle rows of the liquid ejecting head while the liquid ejecting head is moving for forward and backward scanning strokes. The deterioration of image quality and the increase of approach regions due to the increase of the length of the liquid ejecting head can be prevented.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided with multiple achromatic color inks having different densities and at least one chromatic color ink. Diversity of dots are created with the multiple achromatic color inks on a printing medium according to image data to form a black and white image where dots are inconspicuous. Dots of the at least one chromatic color ink are created according to lightness of an image to be mixed with the dots of at least one of the multiple achromatic color inks. This technique gives a high-quality monochromatic image with hue, where dots are inconspicuous. In the case of the printing apparatus provided with multiple chromatic color inks, a ratio of densities of these multiple chromatic color inks to one another is set to express a high-quality monochromatic image with desired hues. The printing apparatus provided with three different color inks, cyan, magenta yellow, as the multiple chromatic color inks, enables color images to be printed.

Abstract: The present invention is a recording method for recording by ejecting liquid onto a medium. The medium is carried in a carrying direction, the medium carried is supported by a protruding section of a support member having a recessed section and the protruding section, and liquid is ejected from nozzles in opposition to the recessed section and the protruding section. Also, with the recording method of the present invention, when recording to a front end in the carrying direction of the medium, the medium is carried to position the front end between the recessed section and nozzles in opposition to the recessed section, and liquid is ejected from nozzles in opposition to the recessed section and nozzles in opposition to the protruding section. This recording method allows recording to be performed quickly and without making peripheral areas dirty when recording to the front end of a medium without creating margins.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of processing document image data for printing. The method comprises rasterizing all objects in the document image data into a bitmap format including designating black portions of the objects as composite black pixels. Color objects are identified in the document image data that contain color or are adjacent to color. All composite black pixel designations in the identified color objects are maintained as composite black pixel designations without substitution to true black pixel designations. Print data is generated in which the composite black pixel designations will be half-tone printed on a print medium as a portion of composite black ink and a portion of true black ink.

Abstract: The image processing method for specifying dot arrangements for respective ink components according to image data, when forming an image on a recording medium by means of dots of inks of n colors, where n is any positive integer, the method comprises the steps of: calculating color correlation and spatial frequency components from the image data; specifying a dot overlap function for controlling overlapping between dots of the ink components, according to the calculated color correlation and spatial frequency components; calculating an ink recording rate of each of the inks from the image data; specifying the dot arrangement of a first ink component by means of a prescribed method, according to the ink recording rate; and determining a dot arrangement for the inks of the n colors, in such a manner that, taking k to be an integer where 2?k?n, the dot arrangement of the kth ink component is specified according to the ink recording rate of the kth ink component, and the previously specified dot arrangement and d

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in multi-pass printing, which, through the selective ordering of the application of inks to a print media, promote increased dot gain when desired and decreased dot gain when desired. For example, an adaptable print mode method is provided to select between a dark dot gain print mode and an object definition print mode. The dark dot gain print mode causes at least one dark color ink to be selectively applied to a dry portion of a print media. Thereafter, at least one light color ink is selectively applied to the portion of the print media while it is still wet from the application of the dark color ink(s). Conversely, the object definition print mode is configured to cause at least one light color ink to be selectively applied to a dry portion of the print media, and thereafter at least one dark color ink is selectively applied to the portion of the print media while it is still wet from the application of the light color ink(s).

Abstract: A high resolution ink jet printer includes a rotating drum and a pair of ink jet heads scanned along a substrate carried by the drum in a direction parallel to the axis of the drum. The heads are driven by a lead screw coupled to the drum drive shaft and a control unit controls the rate of drop ejection from the printheads at a rate corresponding to the rate of encoder signals received from an encoder coupled to the drum drive draft. One printhead receives and ejects drops of black, magenta, cyan and yellow high-density inks and the other printhead ejects drops of black, magenta and cyan low-density inks along with another ink which may be a different color or black ink of a different density. High resolution and high print quality are assured by accurate control of the distance between the drum support shaft and the drum surface and also between the drum support shaft and a carriage support rail on which the printhead is supported as it moves adjacent to the drum surface.

Abstract: To provide an image processing apparatus capable of always providing a high image quality recording image. A storage unit stores pattern information used for recording a target image on a recording medium at the unit of a pixel by means of a plurality of recording elements provided on the individual of the recording head (a plurality of pattern information items about use/no use of each recording agent in the recording elements together with a reference information item for deciding the pattern information used in recording the target pixel corresponding thereto. A correction unit corrects the information in the storage unit on the basis of the measured result of the density of the given image (test pattern) recorded in advance on the recording medium.

Abstract: A printing cartridge is releasably engageable with a printing device having a linear reader for reading a barcode (1232) and a central processor capable of interpreting data carried on a barcode. The printing cartridge (1100) includes a housing (1104). Media and media colorant supply arrangements are positioned within the housing and contain a supply of media and a supply of media colorant, respectively. Feed mechanisms are positioned in the housing for feeding the media and the media colorant to a printing mechanism. A barcode (1232) is depicted on the housing, the barcode being readable by the linear reader (1236) and defining a code representing data relating to the media and the media colorant.

Abstract: An array printhead and an image forming apparatus having the same. The array printhead includes a first member, a second member, and a third member. The first, second, and third members sequentially overlap and couple to each other. The first member supplies ink of different colors to the second member and the second member separately receives the ink of different colors supplied from the first member and allows the ink to flow to the third member. The third member includes a plurality of head chips. A plurality of supply grooves are formed in a side of the third member on which the plurality of head chips are mounted. The plurality of supply grooves includes a plurality of supply holes that provide the ink of different colors supplied from the second member to the plurality of head chips. The plurality of supply holes are located on an axis different from axes of other adjacent supply holes with respect to a direction perpendicular to a width direction of a print medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image-forming method, including performing image formation on the basis of pixel data by using at least a yellow recording agent, a magenta recording agent, and a third recording agent. A color represented on a recording medium by the third recording agent on a color space of CIE-L*a*b* has lightness higher than lightness of a color reproduction region represented on the recording medium by a combination of the yellow recording agent and the magenta recording agent, and has a hue angle in the color reproduction region. A difference in hue angle on the color space between a color represented by the yellow recording agent and a color represented by the magenta recording agent is in a range of 60 to 113°.

Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit that has an elongate wafer substrate with three or more columnar arrays of nozzle arrangements fabricated on the elongate wafer substrate. Each columnar array extends parallel to the longitudinal extent of the elongate wafer substrate. Each of the columnar array of nozzle arrangements providing ink drops of a different color. Three columnar arrays of transistor drive circuits fabricated on the wafer substrate adjacent the columnar arrays of nozzle arrangements for activating said columnar arrays of nozzle arrangements; wherein, consecutive nozzle arrangements are spaced such that a series of dots can be printed with a resolution of over 1000 dpi.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a plurality of print heads, a moving member that can be moved and that is provided with the plurality of print heads, and a feed mechanism for feeding a medium to be printed. Dots for correcting a feed amount by which the feed mechanism feeds the medium to be printed are formed on the medium to be printed by ejecting ink from a predetermined print head, among the plurality of print heads, while moving the moving member. The predetermined print head is a print head other than the print head, among the plurality of print heads, that is the most susceptible to vibration caused by moving the moving member.

Abstract: An inkjet printer capable of inhibiting color tone change on a recording-finished image with an easy structure. The inkjet printer has: a plurality of recording heads for jetting ink having different colors from each other, wherein an image is recorded by moving the plurality of the recording heads over a recording medium conveyed along a conveyance direction, along a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction; each recording head has a plurality of nozzles for jetting the ink as minute liquid drops; the plurality of nozzles are arrayed at intervals of predetermined number of pixels along the conveyance direction in each recording head; and each nozzle of one recording head is arranged at a position shifted from each nozzle of the other recording head along the conveyance direction so as to dispose each nozzle of the one recording head within the interval between the nozzles of the other recording head.

Abstract: A color ink-jet printer including a black-ink ejecting portion operable to eject droplets of a black ink, an other-color-ink ejecting portion operable to eject droplets of one of yellow, magenta and cyan inks, a first control portion operable to control the black-ink ejecting portion such that a total volume of at least one droplet of the black ink which forms each black ink dot is equal to a selected one of a plurality of different total volume values, and a second control portion operable to control the other-color-ink ejecting portion such that a total volume of at least one droplet of the ink of a color other than black, which forms each dot of that color, is equal to another of the different total volume values which is smaller than the value selected for the black ink. The first and second control portions are operable to select the respective different total volume values according to a presently selected print mode, or a gray-scale value at each picture element of an image to be printed.

Abstract: A method and system for outputting data from a computer to an output device, such as a computer, defines a master document in which variable and static data areas are defined. A variable data area is marked and variable data is inserted thereinto to provide a data stream with variable and static data. The marking is used to remove the variable data from the static data. The separated variable and static data is transmitted to the output device such as the printer. The static data is stored at the printer and is not sent to the printer for subsequent documents. The variable data is joined with the static data document by document in the printer.

Abstract: A method of improving black print quality in a color printer having at least one color ink and black ink includes determining a location on a substrate where a black pixel is to be printed, printing a droplet of color ink at the location, and printing a droplet of black ink with the color droplet. If the color printer includes cyan, magenta and yellow, then a droplet of cyan ink, magenta ink or yellow ink may be printed with the droplet of black ink. For images containing black at a plurality of locations, the cyan, magenta and yellow droplets may be equally distributed among the plurality of locations. Alternatively, the cyan, magenta and yellow droplets may be distributed in accordance with a digital halftone screen.

Abstract: A method of correcting color shift caused by printing with an imaging system using a first cartridge and a second cartridge different from the first cartridge includes determining individual cartridge characterization data based on each of the first cartridge and the second cartridge individually; determining combined cartridge characterization data that characterizes a usage combination of the first cartridge and the second cartridge; and determining color correction data based on the individual cartridge characterization data and the combined cartridge characterization data.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink ejection type printhead having a plurality of ink ejection devices and a central axis, the ink ejection devices arranged in a series of groups, each of the groups generally extending along at least partially curved radial lines.

Abstract: A method of generating print data includes the step of receiving compressed page data having a layer of continuous tone data and a layer of bi-level data. The continuous tone data and the bi-level data are decompressed. The continuous tone data is halftoned and the bi-level data is composited over the continuous tone data.

Abstract: A printhead for printing images, the printhead comprising a plurality of ink reservoirs (3) and groups of nozzles (361, 362, 363), the groups of nozzles (361, 362, 363) arranged such that a nozzle (1) in a group (361, 362, 363) shares an ink reservoir (3) with another nozzle (1) of the group (361, 362, 363), each group (361, 362, 363) being associated with a respective ink reservoir (3).

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a section which forms an image by ejecting an ultraviolet radiation curable ink from an ink jet recording head onto a recording material and a section which exposes ultraviolet radiation to an ink image formed on the recording material, and the ink jet recording apparatus has a plurality of recording modes having a different image recording speed in each mode, and further an exposure intensity of ultraviolet radiation exposing to the ink is variable. An ink jet recording method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system which shortens the scanning time with an ink jet head for forming a pattern of filter elements of a color filter, picture element pixels of an electroluminescence (EL) device, or the like. An apparatus for producing a color filter can include a plurality of filter elements arranged on a substrate. The apparatus can further include a plurality of heads each having a nozzle row having a plurality of nozzles arranged, an ink supply device for supplying a filter element material to the heads, a carriage supporting the heads arranged thereon, a main scanning driving device for moving the carriage by main scanning in the X direction, and a sub-scanning driving device for moving the carriage by sub-scanning in the Y direction. The carriage supports the plurality of heads each of which is inclined at an in-plane inclination angle ?.

Abstract: In color conversion definition creating method and color conversion definition creating apparatus for creating a color conversion definition defining a relation of data conversion between RGB data for a printer and CMYK data for printing to perform printing in which a color of an image outputted by a printer receiving the RGB data and outputting the image is reproduced, a data conversion algorithm 60, in which color conversion parameters customized by a skilled person in color customizing are set up, is used to determine a curve of K on a gray axis (a first K-function creating section 54), and the data conversion algorithm 60 is altered into a color conversion algorithm faithful in colorimetry as to K to determine values of K of the whole color spaces (a second K-function creating section 54). With respect to C, M and Y besides K, values are determined so that calorimetric values are matched.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting edge locations where intercolor bleeding would likely be a problem, and reducing the amount of ink printed at those locations. The method operates on image data including a set of pixels with each pixel having multiple separation values. Upon receipt of the image data, the data is analyzed to identify those pixels located at an edge. A coverage value is computed from the separation values for those pixels identified as being located at an edge. Based on the coverage value, a reduction factor is determined. The reduction factor is used to multiply the separation values for the pixels located at the edge to yield reduced pixel values.

Abstract: A plurality of nozzles forms the first row of nozzles, the second row of nozzles, the third row of nozzles and the fourth row of nozzles, which extend in parallel with a sub scanning direction. A black ink is adapted to be supplied to one row of nozzles. Color inks are adapted to be supplied to the other rows of nozzles, the color inks being different for each of the other rows of nozzles. Positions of the second row of nozzles to the fourth row of nozzles are shifted by ? or ? of an arrangement pitch of the nozzles, in the sub scanning direction, for each of the rows of nozzles, with respect to positions of the first row of nozzles. In a high-speed black mode, the color inks are ejected from corresponding nozzles, in connection with ink ejection of the black ink from corresponding nozzles.

Abstract: Methods and systems for maintaining color consistency in print-on-demand applications are disclosed. Initially, a plurality of default color settings applicable to a plurality of print-on-demand operations can be established. Thereafter, color consistency can be selectively imposed across a plurality of print-on-demand operations based on the plurality of default color settings applicable to the plurality of print-on-demand operations. Finally, a print-on-demand media product can be rendered in response to selectively imposing color consistency across the plurality of print-on-demand operations. An end-to-end print-on-demand workflow is therefore disclosed herein that describes how to create and print color books while maintaining color consistent at each step of in the work follow.

Abstract: The composite printhead (1) is made up of an active module (7), consisting of a thin plate (8) of silicon, on which a plurality of chambers (14) is produced, housing corresponding heating resistors (10), electrically connected through an interconnection network to corresponding external contact pads (37, 42), and of a support element (3) for the active module, in turn consisting of a portion of plate (22) of a rigid, insulating material, provided with an elongated slot shape, ink feeding duct (5), traversing the thickness of the support element (3). The active module (7) is built separately from the support element (3) and later mounted integrally upon the support element (3). Also mounted later to the support (3) is a frame (16) surrounding the active module (7) to provide hydraulic sealing. Finally the module (7) and the frame (16) are covered with a metallic or resin lamina (17), bearing an array of nozzles (18) aligned with and facing the ejection chambers (14).

Abstract: A line head includes a nozzle plate, a frame-shaped outer frame, a plurality of head chips, and a head support member arranged within the outer frame. The linear expansion coefficients of the nozzle plate and the head support member are larger than that of the outer frame. The nozzle plate is joined onto the outer frame and a tensile stress is produced in the nozzle plate by the outer frame. The head support member is joined and fitted with the outer frame. When the head support member thermally expands relative to the outer frame, a compression stress is produced in the head support member while a strain of the head support member is restricted by the outer frame.

Abstract: A method for printing shingling print data in a shingling print pass of a multi-shingling-pass print swath. One step includes compacting the shingling print data by removing the deterministic voids associated with the shingling print algorithm. Another step includes expanding the compacted shingling print data based on the shingling print algorithm. An additional step includes printing the expanded shingling print data.

Abstract: In one printing scan of a plurality of printing scans of a multi-scan system, in which an ink dominant on the surface of a printing medium is set, the printing percentage of the ink relatively low in the degree of glossiness is set to be higher than that of the ink relatively high in the degree of glossiness. Thereby, the ink relatively low in the degree of glossiness becomes dominant in an overall image, so that the degree of glossiness is stabilized at a low level, even if the bi-directional printing operation is carried out, or the printing duty varies. Thus, the glossy-banding hardly occurs.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead integrated circuit includes a substrate that defines a plurality of ink passages. An array of control and drive circuits is positioned on the substrate, each control and drive circuit having a drive transistor that includes a series of parallel traces. An array of inkjet nozzles is arranged on the substrate, each inkjet nozzle including a nozzle chamber structure that defines a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with a respective ink passage and an ink ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. Each of a plurality of elongate actuators is anchored to the substrate at a fixed end and overlies and is spaced from, an associated control and drive circuit. Each actuator includes a heater element for differential thermal expansion and contraction and thus displacement of the actuator. Each heater element has a series of corrugations corresponding with respective traces of the drive transistor.

Abstract: An ink jet printer includes a carrier for mounting a first printhead and a second printhead. A first ink reservoir is coupled in fluid communication with the first printhead, and contains a chromatic dye-based ink. A second ink reservoir is coupled in fluid communication with the second printhead, and contains a chromatic pigment-based ink.

Abstract: The colors used for forming an image are limited in advance to a predetermined number of color patterns called representative colors; on the host side the image data received is divided into blocks, for each of which a representative color is determined in a representative color code conversion unit; the representative colors and their associated representative color codes are transmitted to the printer side; and on the printer side the representative color codes are converted into dot patterns in a pattern conversion unit for each pass before being output. The above procedure allows a series of processing—resolution conversion, masking/UCR processing, output ? correction and binarization processing—to be realized with a simple configuration.

Abstract: A method is provided for rendering a color image with a plurality of separations with a multi-level successive-filling halftoning process using a single screen for a plurality of separations. For a separation to be processed, first, from the possible multiple levels for the separation, the set of levels that would be used and the number of dots corresponding to the different levels are decided. These decisions are based on the input level for the separation and input levels for the prior process separations. The location of the dots to be printed for the different levels for the separation is then decided by using the halftone screen, while simultaneously taking into account the placement of printed dots for the prior separations. The selection is done so as to best disperse dots and minimize overlap.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing color inkjet images includes an image processing unit which processes source color data to generate output color data together with a signal indicative of an order of ink squirts in which a plurality of inks of respective colors are squirted onto a given pixel, and an inkjet print unit which is configured to squirt the plurality of inks in different orders of ink squirts, and prints color images based on the output color data by squirting the inks in the order of ink squirts indicated by the signal.

Abstract: A method is described of operating an ink jet printhead having one or more manifolds each connected to more than one chamber, each chamber being associated with a nozzle and capable of ejecting drops therefrom: a number of different liquids larger than the number of manifolds is introduced into the printhead via the nozzles; and the volume of the liquid subsequently printed from each nozzle is less than the volume of the chamber associated with that nozzle, and also less than the volume of liquid introduced into that chamber. By this means the printhead prints more different liquids than is conventionally possible without mixing them.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead with a substrate having a plurality of inkjet nozzles formed in the substrate; the inkjet nozzles being arranged in groups, each group extending generally along a respective line along the substrate; wherein, at least two of the lines are intersecting, provides a printhead design that is well suited to use in a universal pen capable of changing the attributes of the marks it makes on a surface.

Abstract: In color ink-jet recording, even if a black image is recorded adjacent to a color image, the present invention prevents bleeding between black ink and color ink to achieve a high recording grade. In a divided recording method, as division patterns used to allot image data to each recording scan, different division patterns are provided for black image data and for color image data. The division patterns for black and another color used during the same scan have different allotment rates so that the amount of image data allotted to the same scan varies between black and the other colors. As a result, the amount of image data recorded during the same scan also varies between black and the other colors. This reduces the frequency with which the black ink and the color ink are provided adjacent to each other during the same scan.

Abstract: A liquid ejection recording head for effecting recording by ejecting first liquid and second liquid which is a different kind of liquid through different ejection outlets, while bidirectionally scanning a recording material in a scanning direction includes a group of first ejection outlet arrays each of which has a plurality of ejection outlets at predetermined intervals arranged in a direction different from the scanning direction, wherein corresponding ejection outlets in the respective ejection arrays are aligned in the scanning direction; a group, disposed adjacent the group of the first ejection outlet arrays, of second ejection outlet arrays arranged in a manner similar to the first ejection outlet array group; wherein the first ejection outlet arrays include a first ejection outlet array for ejecting the first liquid and a second ejection outlet array for ejecting the second liquid; wherein the second ejection outlet arrays include a third ejection outlet array for ejecting the first liquid and a fourt

Abstract: The present invention is a recording method for recording by ejecting liquid onto a medium. The medium is carried in a carrying direction, the medium carried is supported by a protruding section of a support member having a recessed section and the protruding section, and liquid is ejected from nozzles in opposition to the recessed section and the protruding section. Also, with the recording method of the present invention, when recording to a front end in the carrying direction of the medium, the medium is carried to position the front end between the recessed section and nozzles in opposition to the recessed section, and liquid is ejected from nozzles in opposition to the recessed section and nozzles in opposition to the protruding section. This recording method allows recording to be performed quickly and without making peripheral areas dirty when recording to the front end of a medium without creating margins.

Abstract: An automatic ticket dispenser of the type which prints onto a ticket, as or before it is dispensed, information including that as to time and date is provided. The ticket dispenser employs an electronic time clock advantageously with a battery back-up power supply and an electronic print head such as a dot matrix print head in the path of movement of tickets being dispensed. The ticket dispenser is of a type which is particularly suitable for use at entrances to parking areas and the like.