Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a guiding shaft as a guiding portion that extends in a main scanning direction, a carriage, which is provided with a recording head that ejects ink, and which moves in the main scanning direction by sliding along the guiding shaft, and pressing units, which is provided in the carriage, and which presses the guiding shaft in a sub-scanning direction, and a sliding resistance is changed using the pressing units.

Abstract: This application discloses a method for controlling jet printing positions, including: detecting a color code of an inputted paper by a color code sensor, and outputting a pulse signal when the color code is detected; configuring an expectation window where the pulse signal is expected to be generated; initiating jet printing after a predetermined delay period when the pulse signal is detected in the expectation window; and initiating jet printing after correction when no pulse signal is detected in the expectation window or the pulse signal is detected outside the expectation window. The method may improve the quality of jet printing.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus and printing control method are provided in which when a moving speed of a printing object is changed, a difference in writing start position is reduced and printing quality is improved. The apparatus includes an ink container, a nozzle connected to the container for ejecting ink, a charging electrode to charge the ejected ink, a deflecting electrode to deflect the charged ink, a gutter to collect ink not used for printing, a writing start timing control circuit to generate a first line clock signal, a printing width control circuit to generate a second line clock signal, and a control part. The control part controls print start timing based on the first clock signal, and when the printing object reaches the printing start timing, the control part performs a width adjustment of a character string of printing content based on the second clock signal.

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.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a power supply potential output section that outputs a first power supply potential, a first and a second switch drive section that generate a first and a second switch drive signal according to a modulation signal of an original drive signal, a first and a second switch that operate according to the first and the second switch drive signal, a rectifying device that is arranged between an output terminal of the power supply potential output section and a terminal of the first switch drive section, a connection node that is electrically connected to the first switch and the second switch, a capacitance element that is arranged between the terminal and the connection node, a signal conversion section that converts a signal which is generated at the connection node, into a drive signal, and a piezoelectric element that is transformed by the drive signal.

Abstract: An inkjet recording device includes a tray receives a recording medium. A tray guide is movable between a first position and a second position. A first sensor outputs a first signal indicative of the position of the tray guide. A recording portion records an image on the recording medium. A cleaning mechanism cleans the recording portion. A first conveyor portion conveys the tray. A first drive source rotates in a forward direction of rotation and a reverse direction of rotation. A power transmitting portion transmits a force generated by the first drive source to both the cleaning mechanism and the first conveyor portion. A control section drives the first drive source in the forward direction of rotation using a first predetermined amount if the control section determined that the first sensor has detected that the tray guide is not in the second position under the cleaning operation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a printer includes an image forming unit, a coloring conversion unit, and a deterring unit. The image forming unit forms an image from a temperature-sensitive ink whose color is changed depending on a temperature on a medium. The coloring conversion unit converts a coloring state of the image of the temperature-sensitive ink by heating or cooling the image of the temperature-sensitive ink. The deterring unit provided between the coloring conversion unit and the image forming unit deters an air heated or cooled by the coloring conversion unit from flowing toward the image forming unit.

Abstract: A printer for inkjet printing on a flexible substrate. It has a print-head for printing on the flexible substrate in a printing area, and a transport and tensioning mechanism for transporting the flexible substrate in a feed direction relative to the printing area and applying tension to it. The tension applied to the flexible substrate causes a substrate elongation. The printer is arranged to measure the substrate elongation caused by the tension applied to the flexible substrate and compensate for the substrate elongation by at least one of modifying the defined transport of the flexible substrate, and translating the print-head relative to the printing area.

Abstract: Techniques related to color analysis are disclosed herein. In an example, substrate locations on a printed pattern are selected based on a set of measurements related to substrate-height. Further, color of the printed pattern is determined at the selected locations.

Abstract: A method for analyzing positional deviation of head modules of an inkjet head having head modules connected and joined with each other includes: dividing a printing pattern and thereby creating division patterns; obtaining conversion factors of the nozzles of each division pattern; changing the number of nozzles used in calculation and thereby obtain a minimum value of a standard error of a positional deviation shift amount; changing the number of divisions of the division patterns and performing the calculation of the conversion factor and the standard error with the changed division patterns; determining the number of divisions and the number of nozzles with which the value of the standard error is minimal; and creating an analysis chart with the determined number of divisions and calculating the positional deviation shift amount based upon an average value of the positional deviation shift amounts of nozzles corresponding to the determined number of nozzles.

Abstract: An inkjet printer is provided that includes a control device configured to determine ink discharge moments to sequentially discharge ink droplets from a specific one of nozzles, in such a manner that a time interval between any two successive ones of the ink discharge moments is longer than a predetermined time period required for an operation to be executed by an inkjet head when forming a single dot, based on gap variation information related to a variation, in a scanning direction, of a gap between an ink discharge surface and a recording sheet held in a wave shape.

Abstract: A sealing sheet is configured to restrain at least one of leakage of liquid in and out. The sealing sheet includes: a film member which is impermeable to the liquid and configured to cover a region that needs to be sealed; and electrical wires which are arranged on the film member. An electrical signal corresponding to change in electrical resistance due to contact with the liquid is obtainable from the electrical wires.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printer engine, a storage unit, a print data interpreting unit, and a print control unit. The print data interpreting unit interprets print data and identifies both a first job type and a second job type. The first job type specifies any one of a special print job using special toner and a normal job using normal toner, and the second job type specifies a print function to be used. The print control unit makes a decision to permit or prohibit accumulation of print data in view of security based on the first job type and the second job type, accumulates the print data in the storage unit when the decision to permit the accumulation of the print data is made, and prohibits the accumulation of the print data when the decision to prohibits the accumulation of the print data is made.

Abstract: A printing apparatus conducts inspection associated with printing by changing a relative positional relationship between a line print head and a sheet feeding position for a sheet in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the sheet is fed, forming an image on the sheet using the line print head a plurality of times, and reading the formed images using a reading unit.

Abstract: There is provided a method for appropriately coping with a case where a unique portion of a sheet is detected at the time of performing printing on a second surface of the sheet in both-side printing. If the unique portion position end mark is detected and it is determined that it is on the other side surface of the sheet, a length of the unique portion area is calculated. In addition, among images that are already printed by the printing onto the one side surface of the sheet, an image on the one side surface of the sheet corresponding to the calculated unique portion area is detected. Next, a group of the detected image on the one side surface and the image on the other side surface corresponding to the detected image are extracted as reprint data, which is stored in a predetermined memory.

Abstract: A recent inkjet printing apparatus includes a large-capacitance capacitor to stabilize a heater power supply. The presence of this capacitor requires a long time to drop the heater voltage at the time of power shutdown or the like. For this reason, an unwanted heater current may flow during the drop. To solve this problem, in this embodiment, a high voltage logic circuit is provided near a printing element, and a terminal is provided so that a signal can directly be input to this circuit. Heater driving control is performed via the terminal. This makes it possible to reliably control the heater regardless of the logic power supply state even if the logic voltage abruptly drops at the time of power shutdown or the like.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus including: a head having an ejection face and configured to eject liquid toward a recording medium; a capping mechanism which switches the ejection space being opposite the ejection face between capped and uncapped states; a conveyor which conveys the recording medium along a conveyance path; a sensor which senses whether the recording medium is present at a sensing position located on an upstream portion of the conveyance path; and a controller configured to: control the capping mechanism and the conveyor; determine whether the conveyor is normal, based on driving of the conveyor for a first period from the start of the driving of the conveyor in the capped state; and when the recording medium is sensed by the sensor within the first period, stop the driving of the conveyor even before the first period passes from the start of the driving of the conveyor.

Abstract: An inkjet printer maintenance system that includes a processing unit adapted for running a print application corresponding to an image to be printed in response to a print input. The processing unit is further adapted to run a print driver that is capable of receiving a pixel data and information based on the print input. The inkjet printer maintenance system further includes a controller unit communicably coupled to the processing unit for receiving a print data from the print driver. Furthermore, the inkjet printer maintenance system includes a plurality of printhead enclosures communicably coupled to the controller unit. One or more printhead enclosures are adapted to receive the print data and information corresponding to a printing configuration for a printing operation. The information includes information about one of activating and deactivating multiple firing. Further disclosed is a method for maintenance of an inkjet printer.

Abstract: A liquid ejection device includes a drive waveform generator generating a drive waveform signal; a modulator performing pulse modulation on a signal from the drive waveform generator to provide a modulated signal; a digital power amplifier performing power amplification on the modulated signal to provide an amplified digital signal; a lowpass filter smoothing the amplified digital signal to provide a drive signal of an actuator; a compensator advancing the phase of the drive signal to provide a negative feedback signal; and a subtractor providing a differential signal between the drive waveform signal and the negative feedback signal as an input signal to the modulator. The liquid ejection device can be used as a liquid ejection surgical instrument.

Abstract: Examples are provided of controlling sheet media dryers. A controller operates a fan at plural duty cycles and correlates a resulting air pressure to each to define empirical data pairs. A parabolic curve fit to the empirical data is used to derive additional data pairs, and a lookup table is defined using the empirical and derived data pairs. The controller uses the lookup table to operate the fan during normal operations of a sheet media dryer.

Abstract: When filling a printing head with ink, ink in a sub-tank is circulated through a forward path port, a forward path, the printing head, a return path, a return path port, and the sub-tank by pumping ink from the forward path port side to the printing head side by a circulation pump in a state where a plurality of nozzles is sealed by bringing a contact member of a capping device into contact with a nozzle formation surface. Thereafter, sealing of the plurality of nozzles by the capping device is released while pressurizing the sub-tank by a pressure adjusting device.

Abstract: According to one example of the present invention, there is provided an image processor for generating data to control an inkjet printing system. The image processor comprises an image analyzer to identify within an image to be printed an area of substantially solid color and to define within the identified area a frame portion and an intra-frame portion, and a printer control data generator to generate printing system control data to cause a printing system to print a frame portion and an intra-frame portion of the identified area.

Abstract: The storage apparatus includes a controller which performs a communication process with respect to a host apparatus; a storage unit in which data from the host apparatus are written; and a storage controller which performs access control with respect to the storage unit. The controller receives a command packet and a data packet from the host apparatus. In the case where the write enable bit of the data packet is set to be in a writing permitted state, the controller performs the update commanding of the address information and the write commanding of the data of the data packet. In the case where the write enable bit is set to be in a writing non-permitted state, the controller performs the update commanding of the address information and does not perform the write commanding of the data of the data packet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a driving device of a liquid-jet head having a piezoelectric device arranged for each of nozzles and having mutually facing electrodes. The driving device includes switching devices connected in parallel to each other, one of the electrodes being connected to first ends of the switching devices for selectively ON/OFF controlling the switching devices while the other electrode is connected to a reference potential, a driving signal source to generate a driving signal connected to second ends of the switching devices, and a control unit to switch the driving signal to ON or OFF control the switching devices. At least one of the switching devices has electrically conducting properties for not ejecting a liquid drop from the nozzle with a driving signal being applied to the switching device in an ON-controlled status, and the switching devices are all ON-controlled for causing the nozzles to eject liquid drops.

Abstract: There is provided an inkjet printing apparatus which can output a stable image without density unevenness by performing appropriate drive control to print elements based upon an appropriate representative temperature of a chip whatever image data is printed on a print medium. For this purpose, detection temperatures of a plurality of temperature sensors are lined up in high temperature order, and coefficients by which the respective detection temperatures are multiplied, are determined to be associated with that order at the lining-up, determining a representative temperature by the weighted average method. The common drive pulse associated with to the individual chip based upon the representative temperature thus obtained, to be applied thereto. Thereby even if temperature variations of print elements on the chip exist, it is possible to appropriately control the entire chip in temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus individually selects a width and a length corresponding a margin setting from among respective widths and lengths of a plurality of candidates of print medium which are obtained by a sensor detecting the size of the print medium. Then, the apparatus causes a print unit to print an image in a size corresponding to the selected width and length and the margin setting.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus which performs printing by using special ink for generating special glossiness on a printed material and color inks, the apparatus includes a controller that, when an image in which an index value indicating a degree of the special glossiness is low and an image in which the index value is high are to be printed adjacently, controls to print the image in which the index value is low by substituting other inks for the special ink.

Abstract: A printing system including a staggered inkjet printhead including at least two inkjet nozzle arrays arranged along first and second print lines in an alternating pattern, wherein the inkjet nozzle arrays along a particular print line alternate with non-printing regions. A media guide including first and second rollers is used for guiding receiver media along a media path past the first and second print lines of the inkjet printhead. A center roller having a contoured media guide surface is positioned between the first and second rollers for guiding the recording media along the media path between the first and second print lines, wherein the diameter of the center roller is smaller for portions of its length corresponding to the inkjet nozzle arrays of the first print line than it is for at least some portion of its length corresponding to the non-printing regions of the first print line.

Abstract: A supply source indicator indicates whether an ink cartridge is received from a subscriber source. An ink order identifier indicates a combination of ink colors for different chambers in a color pert of a printer. When print data is received, the supply source indicator and the ink order identifier are accessed to determine whether the ink cartridge is received from a subscriber source.

Abstract: An electronic instrument is adapted to communicate with another electronic instrument. The electronic instrument includes an acquisition section, a storage section, an inquiry section and a processing section. The acquisition section is configured to acquire identification information from a managed article used by the electronic instrument, the identification information being read-only information uniquely assigned to the managed article. The storage section is configured to store the identification information acquired by the acquisition section. The inquiry section is configured to inquire another electronic instrument as to whether the identification information acquired by the acquisition section is already stored in another electronic instrument. The processing section is configured to perform processing in response to a result of inquiry by the inquiry section.

Abstract: A supply source indicator indicates whether an ink cartridge is received from a subscriber source. An ink order identifier indicates a combination of ink colors for different chambers in a color pen of a printer. When print data is received, the supply source indicator and the ink order identifier are accessed to determine whether the ink cartridge is received from a subscriber source.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inkjet recording apparatus includes a plurality of inkjet heads of a multi-drop method, a first controller, and a second controller. The first controller controls ejection of ink drops from a first inkjet head for ejecting a first ink for which print resolution is required, in a manner that a number of ink dots formed in a main scanning direction is great, and that the number of ink drops ejected for each one of the ink dots is small. The second controller controls ejection of the ink drops from a second inkjet head for ejecting a second ink for which coverage over a recording surface of the recording medium is required, in a manner that a number of ink dots formed in the main scanning direction is small, and that the number of ink drops ejected for each of the ink dots is great.

Abstract: A main frame supports a printer head. A first movable frame supports a platen and a first paper feeding roller, and is pivotally connected to one end of the main frame via a first pivot shaft to permit itself to be opened or closed relative to the main frame. A second movable frame supports a second paper feeding roller, and is pivotally connected to the other end of the main frame via a second pivot shaft to permit itself to be opened or closed relative to the main frame. When the first movable frame and the second movable frame are closed relative to the main frame, the printer head is opposite to the platen to form a printing position; and the first paper feeding roller is tangent to the second paper feeding roller.

Abstract: A densitometer includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and at least one sensor. The LEDs are activated one at a time in a sequential, repeatable order. Photonic energy from each LED is reflected off an entity and is incident upon the sensor(s). Circuitry samples or acquires signaling from the sensor(s) in accordance with the respective LED activations. Signaling from the densitometer can be used in controlling ink-jetting printers or other apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus which causes a liquid to be discharged through a first nozzle by applying a driving signal to a first driving element, and causes a liquid to be discharged through a second nozzle by applying the driving signal to a second driving element, and which, with respect to the first nozzle, determines on the basis of an image formed by causing the liquid to be discharged through the first nozzle whether or not the first nozzle causes a liquid discharge failure, and, with respect to the second nozzle, determines on the basis of a detection signal which is obtained by applying the driving signal to the second driving element whether or not the second nozzle corresponding to the second driving element causes a liquid discharge failure.

Abstract: A printing apparatus capable of continuously printing images on a recording medium, each of the images including a variable image of which an aspect is variable for each of the images to be continuously printed and a fixed image of which an aspect is the same for each of the images to be continuously printed, the printing apparatus includes a storage unit that associates and stores therein image data of the fixed image and a template having at least information about a position of printing an image, and a printing control unit that, when a control command which includes information for designating the template and instructs a printing of the variable image is input, superimposes the variable image and the fixed image associated with the designated template, on the basis of the template and print the superimposed image.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a reference drive signal generation section that generates a reference drive signal, a signal modulation section that modulates the reference drive signal to generate a modulation reference drive signal, a signal amplification section that amplifies the modulation reference drive signal using switching elements to generate a modulation drive signal, a signal conversion section that converts the modulation drive signal to a drive signal, and a head which includes a piezoelectric element that deforms in response to the drive signal, a pressure chamber that expands and contracts due to the deformation of the piezoelectric element and has a Helmholtz resonance frequency of a period Tc, and a nozzle opening portion that communicates with the pressure chamber. A period of an alternating current component contained in the modulation drive signal is a divisor of a section of one of the drive signal.

Abstract: The advantage of the invention is to provide an inkjet recording method and the like in which an unprinted portion due to a multipath method is not left in a back end portion of a printed image and the value as a printed material is not undermined in a case where a printing operation by a multipath method is temporarily stopped in the middle and the printing operation is resumed after feeding a recording medium. A printing operation is temporarily stopped after conducting a back end portion line formation process for forming a raster line so as to prevent an unprinted portion due to an multipath method from being left in a back end portion of a printed image which has been printed halfway when temporarily stopping the printing operation in the middle.

Abstract: To provide a technique when printing using a light-shielding ink and a special glossy ink, the printing device includes an affixing part for affixing ink to a printing medium, and a controller for controlling ink volumes of a colored ink, a light-shielding ink having light-shielding properties, and a special glossy ink having special gloss. The controller has a field discriminating part for discriminating an overlap field of a light-shielding ink field and a special glossy ink field; and a part for allowing, in the overlap field, the ink volume of light-shielding ink to be brought lower than the ink volume of the light-shielding ink determined in accordance with the image data, irrespective of the overlap field.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid, a hollow needle that communicates with the liquid ejection head, a moving mechanism that moves the hollow needle or a liquid cartridge such that the hollow needle penetrates a sealing member of the liquid cartridge, a reader that reads a data stored in a memory, and a controller that controls a speed of the hollow needle relative to the sealing member based on the data read by the reader.

Abstract: The possibility of information acquired from a recording device not being correct can be detected. A management server 20 has an information reader 63 that reads related information stored in nonvolatile memory 74 of an ink cartridge 13, an information acquisition unit 62 that acquires related information by communication from a coupon printer CP, and a information comparison unit 64 that compares the related information read by the information reader 63 with the related information acquired by the information acquisition unit 62.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head that ejects a liquid thereby performing recording on a recording medium, and a support member disposed so as to oppose the recording head. The support member includes a deposit recess located at a position corresponding to the respective end portion of the recording medium in the width direction intersecting with the transport direction, for receiving the liquid ejected to a region deviated from the recording medium in a marginless recording process, and a support region provided upstream of the deposit recess in the transport direction so as to support a back surface of the recording medium, and most upstream nozzles in the transport direction are not used in the marginless recording process.

Abstract: According to an embodiments, a power supply device includes: a first voltage generator that operates to output a first voltage; a second voltage generator that operates to output a second voltage higher than the first voltage; a third voltage generator that, from the second voltage generated by the second voltage generator, operates to generate a third voltage equal to the first voltage and to output the third voltage therefrom; and a selector that operates to select as an output whichever has a higher voltage from the output of the first generator and the output of the second generator, wherein each of the output of the second voltage generator and the output selected by the selector are supplied to a load.

Abstract: A liquid container detachably mountable to a recording apparatus to which a plurality of liquid containers are detachably mountable, wherein the recording apparatus includes apparatus electrical contacts corresponding to the liquid containers, respectively, photoreceptor means for receiving light, and an electric circuit connected with a line which is commonly connected with the apparatus electrical contacts, the liquid container includes a container electrical contact electrically connectable with one of the apparatus contacts; an information storing portion capable of storing at least individual information of the liquid container; a light emitting portion; a controller for controlling emission of light of the light emitting portion in response to a correspondence between a signal indicative of individual information supplied through the container electrical contact and the information stored in the information storing means.

Abstract: An inkjet printer forms ink images from image data including colors in a device independent color space. A color profile associated with the printer maps a plurality of colors in the device independent color space and to a plurality of ink colors formed from a plurality of inks in the printer. The plurality of ink colors only includes colors that are formed with an ink mass density that is below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for verifying a chip having a memory. Remanufacturers of imaging devices, such as inkjet printers or electrostatic printers, often have to use a replacement chip in order to reuse an imaging cartridge. It is desirable to have a system and method for determining if the replacement chip is suitable for use with a specific imaging cartridge. Also, it may be desirable to confirm that the chip was manufactured by a specific manufacturer. The disclosed system and method allow the remanufacturer a reliable and efficient way to verify chips.

Abstract: A printer apparatus in the present invention includes a feeding mechanism having a feed roller provided at substantially the same height as an upper face of a medium support means and a plurality of roller assemblies having a pinch roller disposed above the feed roller and a printing medium placed on the medium support means is pinched between the feed roller and the pinch roller to be fed in the front and rear direction. The roller assembly is structured of an assembly main body and a roller member which includes the pinch roller and is attachable/detachable with respect to the assembly main body, and a clamp state can be changed by exchanging the roller member depending on material and/or thickness of the printing medium.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a program that detects a condition of an inkjet nozzle includes receiving measurement information from a sensor positioned to detect a drive bubble in an ink chamber of an inkjet nozzle; and modifying a program that determines a condition of said inkjet nozzle.

Abstract: Images are printed up to the edges of printing paper while preventing ink droplets from depositing on the platen. According to the present invention, an area R for ejecting image-forming ink droplets is specified for a region lying beyond the edges of a printing paper P. The pixels of an external upper edge portion Rfp, extending beyond the upper edge Pf, and the pixels of an internal upper edge portion Rfq, disposed downstream of the external upper edge portion Rfp, are recorded solely by the nozzles disposed opposite the downstream slot of the platen. When dots are recorded, blank spaces are prevented from forming in the edge portions of the printing paper, and ink droplets are prevented from depositing on the platen when the printing paper P deviates from its intended position.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer prints a swath of ink across the paper in a first direction. The printer moves the media with respect to the print head in a backwards direction and prints a second swath of ink across the media in a second opposite direction. The printer then moves the media with respect to the print head in a forwards direction by a different amount. The printer then repeats printing the two swaths as describe above.