Abstract: Systems and methods for improved fluid dispensing process control using a machine learning tool are disclosed. In an example method, successive portions of viscous fluid are dispensed by a dispensing device according to operating parameters to train a machine learning tool to associate defect classifications with images of dispensed portions and/or operating parameters associated with dispensing the dispensed portions. The trained machine learning tool is then used in a closed loop fashion in production to detect and correct for defects associated with the dispensed portions to improve quality and production efficiency.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet printer (50) has an ink droplet generator (52) and a controller (58) that varies a modulating voltage applied to the ink droplet generator (52) and measures corresponding breakup times of a jet of ink into ink droplets to obtain a portion of a characteristic of breakup time against modulating voltage. The controller (58) obtains a variation range, varies the modulating voltage over the variation range to obtain the portion of the characteristic, calculates a gradient from the portion of the characteristic, compares the gradient with a predetermined gradient and, depending on whether the calculated gradient is less than or greater than the predetermined gradient, generates an adjusted variation range that is displaced in a first sense or a second, opposite sense, respectively, relative to the variation range.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a shift register parallelizes a serial data signal serving to transfer data including multiple symbols on the basis of a first clock. A first circuit generates, on the basis of the first clock, a second clock being a clock signal for transferring a parallel data signal having a width of the first number of bits. A first flip-flop group sequentially fetches data of the first number of bits from the serial data signals parallelized by the shift register on the basis of the second clock. The first flip-flop group then outputs the fetched data of the first number of bits as a parallel data signal. A second circuit adjusts a phase of the second clock such that the first flip-flop group fetches data of the first number of bits beginning with bit data located at a head of each symbol of the multiple symbols.

Abstract: An apparatus corrects a measurement value obtained by measuring a first image formed using a recording element that ejects ink, to identify a density characteristic of the recording element. The apparatus includes a first acquisition unit configured to acquire a second image obtained by measuring the first image, an identification unit configured to identify a boundary between regions in the second image, each of the regions corresponding to one of a plurality of head modules including the recording element, and a first correction unit configured to correct a measurement value of the second image based on the identified boundary.

Abstract: A device for ink supply during digital printing includes at least one print head having an inlet and an outlet. A feed tank for an ink medium is connected to the inlet of the at least one print head via a feed line. A return tank for the ink medium is connected to the outlet of the at least one print head via a return line. A gas volume is formed in the feed tank and/or in the return tank. The ink medium is conveyable through the at least one print head by a pressure of the gas volume in the feed tank and/or in the return tank.

Abstract: Printhead priming can, in various examples, employ a conduit and a divider such that a predetermined portion of a pressurized gas in the conduit is provided to an environment surrounding the divider and a remaining portion of the pressurized gas in the conduit is provided to a printhead at a pressure sufficient to prime an ink supply.

Abstract: A liquid application apparatus includes a first container, an applicator, a squeezer, a second container, a retreat passage, a filter, an on-off valve, and a sensor. The first container stores a pretreatment liquid before image forming. The retreat passage communicates the first container with the second container. The filter is disposed on the retreat passage to remove foreign substances from the liquid. The on-off valve is disposed between the second container and the filter on the retreat passage. The sensor is disposed at the first container to detect a liquid level of the first container in at least two positions different in height and obtain a flow rate of the liquid in the retreat passage based on a period during which the liquid level moves between the positions when the on-off valve is opened and the liquid stored in the first container is transferred to the second container.

Abstract: A method for determining the quality of a break-off of an ink jet of a CIJ printing machine is disclosed. In one aspect, this method includes: generating a first line of N1 drops, all charged by the charge means, at the same voltage V1. Also included is: generating at least one drop G1, charged by the charge means, at a second voltage (VG1), followed by at least one drop G2, charged by the charge means, at a third voltage (VG2) lower than V1; generating a second line of N2 drops, all charged by the charge means, at a same voltage V2; and measuring, using an electrostatic sensor, the charge variation of a non-deflected jet of drops including at least the first line of drops and the second line of drops, separated by the drops G1 and G2, during the passage of the jet in front of the sensor.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided that is capable of very accurately and efficiently reducing uneven color caused by variation in ejection characteristics among nozzles that eject ink and that occurs in a color image that is formed by mixing a plurality of different kinds of ink. A patch is printed by ejected ink from a plurality of nozzles, a region is specified so as to perform color correction in a test color image that is printed on a printing medium, a plurality of different color correction processing is performed on color signals that correspond to a color correction region, a plurality of color correction patches are printed, a color correction patch to be used is selected from among the plurality of different color correction patches and table parameters that correspond to the nozzles are created based on the selected color correction processing.

Abstract: A voltage is applied between first and second deflecting electrodes from a deflecting voltage controller, whereby an electric field is formed between the first and second deflecting electrodes in a direction perpendicular to electrode surfaces. An electric line of force is generated from a direction perpendicular to the electrode surface of the first deflecting electrode and made perpendicularly incident on the electrode surface of the second deflecting electrode. Since the first and second deflecting electrodes are parallel to each other, a plurality of parallel electric lines of force are formed perpendicularly to the electrode surfaces of the first and second deflecting electrodes. Droplets after passing charged electrodes fly in a region where this deflecting electric field is formed, whereby charged droplets are deflected in a direction in which the charged droplets approach the second electrode having opposite charging polarity. The charged droplets form a printing pattern.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a conveying section that accelerates a long-length recording medium to a predetermined speed, conveys the long-length recording medium, and decelerates the long-length recording medium to a stopped state; a recording section that records an image on the recording medium, and forms a first test pattern on the recording medium after the image is recorded at a time of deceleration of the recording medium; a reading section that reads the image that the recording section has recorded and the first test pattern that the recording section has formed; an image converting section that converts inputted image data into image data that the recording section outputs; a maintenance section that performs maintenance of the recording section; and a controller that decides, on the basis of first data obtained by reading the first test pattern, whether or not the maintenance is needed and the content thereof.

Abstract: A dot position measurement method and a dot position measurement apparatus provide a plurality of common line blocks and averaging measurement values of positions of lines in each common line blocks when correcting the measurement positions in each line block by taking a common line block (reference line block) as a reference position, and it is possible to reduce effects of random positional variation in a main scanning direction of an image reading apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided a method of acquiring a correction value of a liquid discharging apparatus that includes a first nozzle row, a second nozzle row, a third nozzle row, and a fourth nozzle row, the method includes: acquiring the amount of deviation (heterogeneous row error) of a dot formed by the third nozzle row in the predetermined direction, acquiring the amount of deviation (overlapping area error) between the dot formed by the third nozzle row and a dot formed by the fourth nozzle row in the predetermined direction, and acquiring a correction value which causes discharge data assigned to the fourth nozzle row to shift in the predetermined direction based on the heterogeneous row error and the overlapping area error.

Abstract: A method for controlling droplet ejection, wherein droplets ejected from an inkjet print head are to be received on a recording substrate and wherein the print head and the recording substrate are moveable relative to each other, includes determining a set of droplet ejection moments, the set of droplet ejection moments determining when a droplet may be ejected from the print head; moving the inkjet print head and the recording substrate relative to each other; predicting an actual relative position of the print head and the recording substrate at a droplet ejection moment; and determining whether or not a droplet is to be ejected at the droplet ejection moment depending on the predicted actual relative position and depending on the predetermined pattern. Thus, droplets may be ejected from the print head only at stable droplet ejection moments resulting in an increased stability of operation of the print head.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to adjust ink ejection amounts from nozzles in a downstream nozzle array on a basis of a bypassing air flow degree. The bypassing air flow degree is calculated based on an ejection density of ink ejected from nozzles in an upstream nozzle array on a recording medium and indicates a generation degree of a bypassing air flow generated when a transfer air flow generated by transfer of the recording medium bypasses a self-generated air flow generated by ink ejected from the nozzles in the upstream nozzle array. The downstream nozzle array is a nozzle array located downstream in a transfer direction among a plurality of nozzle arrays. The upstream nozzle array is a nozzle array located upstream in the transfer direction among the plurality of nozzle arrays.

Abstract: An image forming device and an image forming method capable of suppressing a deviation of ink landing position generated by transfer unevenness of a transfer belt and also suppressing a deviation of ink landing position at a fine level generated by the different causes by generating correction profile data specifying a correction value of ink ejection timing from contents of the deviation of landing position of each pixel calculated by reading a test pattern image printed by an inkjet printer by a scanner unit and by performing ink ejection timing correction using the correction profile data.

Abstract: A controlling device may perform an image process on specific image data so as to generate processed image data, select a process mode from a plurality of process modes, including a first process mode and a second process mode, and perform the image process according to the selected process mode. The first process mode may be for performing the image process by performing, in order to compensate variability of discharging amounts of the liquid droplets discharged from the plurality of nozzles, a specific process on a target pixel within target image data using correction data for a target nozzle. The target nozzle may be to form a dot at a position on a print medium corresponding to the target pixel. The second process mode may be for performing the image process by performing the specific process on the target pixel within target image data without using the correction data for the target nozzle.

Abstract: A defective recording element detecting apparatus includes: an image signal acquiring device which acquires read image signals obtained by reading, a linear test pattern recorded by an image recording apparatus having: a recording head and a medium conveying device which causes relative movement between a recording medium and the recording head in a signal decomposing device which sequentially assigns reading pixel numbers 0 to n to the acquired read image signals, divides the reading pixel numbers by an analysis pitch unit PS to obtain remainders, and decomposes the read image signals into an image signal of each of the obtained remainders; a fluctuation signal calculating device which calculates a fluctuation signal of each of the remainders; and an identifying device which identifies a defective recording element among the plurality of recording elements based on the fluctuation signal of each of the remainders.

Abstract: A discharge defect of a nozzle in an apparatus that forms an image on a medium by discharging liquid from a liquid discharge head based on image data is accurately detected. A discharge defect of a nozzle is detected by comparing data (reference data) of a reference image with read data obtained by reading an output image. In this case, a mark for matching the read pixel and the nozzle position with each other is recorded on the medium, and the correspondence relationship is specified by reading the mark. In addition, data items that are converted to have the nozzle resolution by performing a filtering process corresponding to the human visual characteristics for both the data of the reference image and the data of the read image are compared with each other, thereby detecting a discharge defect of a nozzle.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer, a pattern for density correction that indicates a constant density image is printed on printing paper with a head having a plurality of outlet rows, and pattern image data that indicates the pattern is acquired. A target outlet that ejects ink toward a linear region having a missing part in the pattern is detected, and a reference outlet that is included in the same outlet row as the target outlet and located close to the target outlet is specified. A density correction value of the target outlet among density correction values that are acquired based on a density profile of the pattern is replaced with a representative value of a density correction value of the reference outlet. Through this, even if an ink ejection failure occurs in any of the outlets, appropriate density correction values can be obtained for a plurality of outlets.

Abstract: Various particle transport systems and components for use in such systems are described. The systems utilize one or more traveling wave grids to selectively transport, distribute, separate, or mix different populations of particles. Numerous systems configured for use in two dimensional and three dimensional particle transport are described.

Abstract: A group timing delay device shifts the timing of drop formation waveforms supplied to drop formation devices of one of first and second nozzle groups so that print drops from the nozzle groups are not aligned relative to each other along a nozzle array direction. A charging device includes a common charge electrode associated with liquid jets from the nozzle groups and a source of varying electrical potential between the charge electrode and liquid jets which provides a charging waveform that is independent of a print and non-print drop pattern. The charging device is synchronized with the drop formation devices and the group timing delay device to produce a print drop charge state on print drops of a drop pair, a first non-print drop charge state on non-print drops of the drop pair, and a second non-print drop charge state on third drops.

Abstract: A group timing delay device is provided to shift the timing of drop formation waveforms supplied to drop formation devices of nozzles of one of first and second groups so that print drops formed from nozzles of the first and second groups are not aligned relative to each other along a nozzle array direction. A charging device includes a common charge electrode associated with liquid jets formed from the nozzles of the first and second group and a source of varying electrical potential between the charge electrode and liquid jets. The source of varying electrical potential provides a charging waveform that is independent of print and non-print drop patterns. The charging device is synchronized with the drop formation device and the group timing delay device to produce a print drop charge state on print drops and a non-print drop charge state on non-print drops.

Abstract: An image data processing device processes image data. The image data processing device includes an image data storing unit, a correction data producing unit, and an image density value addition unit. The image density value is either a first density value that is greater than or equal to a prescribed value or a second density value that is less than the prescribed value. The ink droplet is ejected on the first subject pixel whereas the ink droplet is unejected on the second subject pixel. The correction data producing unit produces correction data including a plurality of correction density values. The image density value addition unit adds the correction density value to the second density value of the corresponding pixel. The correction data producing unit produces a first correction density value and a second correction density value as the correction density value.

Abstract: Drop formation devices are provided with drop formation waveforms to modulate liquid jets to cause portions of the liquid jets to form print drops having a jet breakoff length Lp in a print drop breakoff length range Rp and non-print drops having a jet breakoff length Lnp in a non-print drop breakoff length range Rnp. A timing delay device shifts the timing of the waveforms supplied to drop formation devices of first and second nozzle groups so that print drops formed from first and second nozzle groups are not aligned relative to each other. A charging device includes a charge electrode that is positioned relative to the breakoff length Lp and breakoff length Lnp such that there is a difference in electric field strength at the two breakoff lengths to produce a print drop charge state on print drops and a non-print drop charge state on non-print drops.

Abstract: Drop formation devices are provided with a sequence of drop formation waveforms to modulate the liquid jets to selectively cause portions of the liquid jets to break off into print drops having a print drop volume Vp and non-print drops having a non-print drop volume Vnp. The print and non-print drop volumes are distinct from each other. A timing delay device shifts the timing of drop formation waveforms supplied to drop formation devices of first and second nozzle groups so that print drops from the first and second nozzle groups are not aligned relative to each other. A charging device includes a charge electrode that is positioned in the vicinity of break off of liquid jets to produce a print drop charge state on drops of volume Vp and to produce a non-print drop charge state on drops of volume Vnp.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of generating scalable patterned features on a substrate. The methods includes ejecting a succession of droplets; applying a force to the droplets in a manner such that the droplets travel along a designated path; altering the properties of one or more of the droplets in a manner so as to adjust the size of the droplets; and depositing the droplets on the substrate to generate patterned features on the substrate. The present invention also provides apparatuses for generating scalable patterned features on a substrate.

Abstract: A method for printing with curable ink is presented. The method comprises the steps of: generating an image wise pattern of spaced apart ink droplet locations for representing the image; and separating the pattern into at least first and second different interleaved portions, each portion comprising a plurality of droplet locations and the droplet locations of each interleaved portion being spaced apart from each other and spaced apart from the droplet locations of the remaining interleaved portions. In a first printing pass, ink droplets are deposited on the substrate at the drop locations of the first interleaved portion. Then, in a final printing pass, ink droplets are deposited on the substrate at the droplet locations of the second interleaved portion. The deposited ink droplets are then cured by exposing the deposited ink droplets to curing radiation in a first partial curing step between first and final printing passes and in a final curing step.

Abstract: A method for forming an image includes providing a media support adapted to receive media; providing a recording head comprising a plurality of recording channels, wherein each recording channel is adapted to form an image pixel column while scanning over the media; providing an image data file comprising one or more arrangements of image data columns; assigning first image data from a single image data column to a first recording channel of the recording head; operating the first recording channel to form a first image pixel column solely in accordance with the assigned first image data; assigning second image data from each image data column of a plurality of the image data columns to a second recording channel of the recording head; operating the second recording channel to form a second image pixel column in accordance with the assigned second image data; and operating the recording head to form the image.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is disclosed an image forming apparatus comprising a constitution driven/controlled independently for each recording head. The apparatus rewrites image data or parameters or changes a driving voltage at a desired timing, and realizes a uniform or appropriate density of an image formed by control of an ink spout amount based on a temperature detection signal of the recording head detected by a temperature detection unit disposed in each recording head. The apparatus is capable of remarkably narrowing a mutual conveying interval among a plurality of conveyed recording mediums.

Abstract: A method of producing ink drops (54, 56) in a printing apparatus (20) sends print-nonprint data from a controller (38) to at least one inkjet nozzle (28). The print-nonprint data includes data on a current ink drop and data on at least one previous ink drop. A set of waveforms (114, 116) is provided to the at least one nozzle and a waveform based on the print-nonprint data is selected. The selected waveform is supplied to an ink droplet formation device associated with the at least one nozzle and an ink drop is produced from the at least one nozzle.

Abstract: A printhead includes a drop generator configured to selectively form a large volume drop and a small volume drop from liquid emitted through a nozzle associated with the drop generator, the large volume drop and the small volume drop traveling along an initial drop trajectory, and a gas flow deflection system including a gas flow that interacts with the large volume drop and the small volume drop in a drop deflection zone such that at least the small volume drop is deflected from the initial drop trajectory, the gas flow being provided by a gas flow source connected in fluid communication with a gas flow duct, the gas flow deflection system including a gas flow pressure oscillation dampening structure located between the gas flow source and the drop deflection zone.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, by correcting the measurement positions of each line block with a reference line block serving as a reference point, the effect of disruption of the read image lattice caused by the image reading apparatus can be diminished, whereby the effect of paper deformation can be reduced, making highly accurate dot position measurement possible.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for forming an image with orthogonality corrected image data. A recording head includes a plurality of recording channels which form an image on media. Each recording channel forms an image pixel column. An image data file includes a plurality of image data columns. Different portions of each of a first image data column and a second image data column are assigned to different recording channels. First image data from a portion of the first image data column is substituted with zero image data and is assigned along with image data from another portion of the second image data column to a first recording channel which forms a first image pixel column. The first image data can also be assigned to a second recording channel which forms a second image pixel column. The second image data column is formed while scanning along a direction different than the scanning direction employed to form the first image pixel column.

Abstract: A method for forming an image in a skewed recording apparatus comprising a recording head comprising a plurality of recording channels, the method includes providing an image data file comprising a plurality of image data columns; assigning different portions of each image data column to different recording channels; substituting first image data from a first image data column assigned to a first recording channel with second image data from a second image data column assigned to a second recording channel; and operating the recording head to form the image.

Abstract: A method relating to ascertaining and adjusting friction between media pages in a document feeder. The method includes: detecting slipping of a media page when traversing from a stack of media pages to passing through a path defined by the document feeder; and sending a signal to a fluid-containing cartridge to spray small drops of fluid onto the slipping media page soon after the slipping is detected while the media page passes through the document feeder. A system and apparatus are also associated with the above method.

Abstract: A correction information creation device including: a recording head; a rotating body; a first detector that detects a period of a pulse signal generated in accordance with rotation of the rotating body; a first calculation section that calculates a period of a clock signal; a second detector that detects a space between corrective images that are formed synchronously with a period of the clock signal, while the rotating body is being rotated at a predetermined rotation speed, by two sets of image formation elements of the recording head; a second calculation section that calculates a distance between a measurement position of a peripheral surface of the rotating body and the axial center of the rotating body; and a memory that stores the calculated distance to serve as information for correcting the period of the clock signal.

Abstract: The method includes forming first size drops by applying drop forming pulses during a unit time period ?0; forming second size drops by applying drop forming pulses during a second size drop time period, ?m, which is a multiple, m, of the unit time period; forming the corresponding plurality of drop forming energy pulse sequences so as to form non-print drops and print drops; delaying the timing of the drop forming energy pulses sent to the transducers of the second group relative to the drop forming energy pulses sent to the transducers of the first group by a delay time ?L, characterized by ?L being equal to d*?0 where d is 1½ to 9½, when printing at a first speed and ?L is approximately equal to f*?0 times where f is 1½ to 9½, f is greater than d when printing at a speed slower than the first speed.

Abstract: A method of forming print drops includes forming drops of a first size by applying drop forming energy pulses during a unit time period, ?0; forming drops of a second size by applying drop forming energy pulses during a second drop time period, ?m, wherein the second drop time period is a multiple, m, of the unit time period, ?m=m*?0, m?2; providing timing between drops for printing consecutive pixels is ?i=a*?0 where a is an integer?m; forming non-print drops and print drops according to the liquid pattern data; delaying the timing of the pulses for the drop forming energy pulses sent to the drop forming transducers of group number g relative to the drop forming energy pulses sent to the transducers of a first group by a delay time ?L, where ?L=g*(INT(a/n)+1/n)*?0+?b where g is an integer<n.

Abstract: Dot positions are measured by recording dots on a recording medium in a measurement line pattern including a plurality of lines of rows of the dots respectively corresponding to a plurality of recording elements. The measurement line pattern is read where a longitudinal direction of the plurality of lines is directed to a sub-scanning direction of an image reading apparatus. A plurality of averaging regions is allocated to different positions of line blocks, the lines arranged in a main scanning direction. The image signal is averaged in the allocated averaging regions, and average profile images are created for positions in terms of the main scanning direction. Positions of both edges of each line are determined according to the average profile images. Line positions in the averaging regions are determined according to the edge positions. Line positions in the line blocks are determined according to the line positions in the averaging regions.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus that is capable of setting a proper deflection amount for deflecting an ink discharge direction even when the distance between the ink discharge surface and the ink landing surface of print paper varies and method of using same. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a head in which a plurality of nozzle-incorporated ink discharge sections are arrayed, discharge direction deflection means for deflecting the discharge direction of an ink discharged from a nozzle of each ink discharge section in the direction of ink discharge section arrangement, distance detection means for detecting the distance between the ink discharge surface of the head and the ink landing surface of print paper and discharge deflection amount determination means for determining the ink discharge deflection amount (discharge angle) to be provided by the discharge direction deflection means in accordance with the results of detection by the distance detection means.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus that is capable of setting a proper deflection amount for deflecting an ink discharge direction even when the distance between the ink discharge surface and the ink landing surface of print paper varies and method of using same. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a head in which a plurality of nozzle-incorporated ink discharge sections are arrayed, discharge direction deflection means for deflecting the discharge direction of an ink discharged from a nozzle of each ink discharge section in the direction of ink discharge section arrangement, distance detection means for detecting the distance between the ink discharge surface of the head and the ink landing surface of print paper, and discharge deflection amount determination means for determining the ink discharge deflection amount (discharge angle) to be provided by the discharge direction deflection means in accordance with the results of detection by the distance detection means.

Abstract: An inkjet printer that has an array of ink chambers, each with a nozzle, a droplet stem anchor and a thermal actuator. The thermal actuator generates a vapor bubble in the ink chamber to eject ink through the nozzle. The thermal actuator has a plurality of heater elements connected in parallel with a cross bracing structure extending between the heater elements. The cross bracing structure also providing the droplet stem anchor. During use, the vapor bubble generated by the thermal actuator grows until it vents to atmosphere through the nozzle and the ink ejected from the nozzle is attached to the droplet stem anchor by an ink stem until the stem breaks and the ejected ink forms a separate drop.

Abstract: A production apparatus, for producing a probe array, comprises a liquid discharging device for discharging a liquid containing a probe capable of being specifically bonded to a target substance in order to form a spot on the carrier, a detector for detecting whether the spot is formed or not by observing a surface state on the carrier, and a controller for controlling the liquid discharge device to again discharge the liquid to form the spot on the carrier if the detector detects that the spot has not been formed on the carrier.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting device including an ejecting head having an ejecting nozzle through which the ejecting head ejects a liquid in the form of a liquid droplet, a liquid droplet receiving portion having an outlet that is open for forming a meniscus using the liquid droplet ejected from the ejecting head, and a meniscus determining unit for determining whether or not the meniscus is formed at the outlet.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus that is capable of setting a proper deflection amount for deflecting an ink discharge direction even when the distance between the ink discharge surface and the ink landing surface of print paper varies and method of using same. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a head in which a plurality of nozzle-incorporated ink discharge sections are arrayed, discharge direction deflection means for deflecting the discharge direction of an ink discharged from a nozzle of each ink discharge section in the direction of ink discharge section arrangement, distance detection means for detecting the distance between the ink discharge surface of the head and the ink landing surface of print paper, and discharge deflection amount determination means for determining the ink discharge deflection amount (discharge angle) to be provided by the discharge direction deflection means in accordance with the results of detection by the distance detection means.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus that is capable of setting a proper deflection amount for deflecting an ink discharge direction even when the distance between the ink discharge surface and the ink landing surface of print paper varies and method of using same. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a head in which a plurality of nozzle-incorporated ink discharge sections are arrayed, discharge direction deflection means for deflecting the discharge direction of an ink discharged from a nozzle of each ink discharge section in the direction of ink discharge section arrangement, distance detection means for detecting the distance between the ink discharge surface of the head and the ink landing surface of print paper, and discharge deflection amount determination means for determining the ink discharge deflection amount (discharge angle) to be provided by the discharge direction deflection means in accordance with the results of detection by the distance detection means.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus that is capable of setting a proper deflection amount for deflecting an ink discharge direction even when the distance between the ink discharge surface and the ink landing surface of print paper varies and method of using same. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a head in which a plurality of nozzle-incorporated ink discharge sections are arrayed, discharge direction deflection means for deflecting the discharge direction of an ink discharged from a nozzle of each ink discharge section in the direction of ink discharge section arrangement, distance detection means for detecting the distance between the ink discharge surface of the head and the ink landing surface of print paper and discharge deflection amount determination means for determining the ink discharge deflection amount (discharge angle) to be provided by the discharge direction deflection means in accordance with the results of detection by the distance detection means.

Abstract: In an ink-jet printing a succession of ink droplets are projected along a longitudinal trajectory at a target substrate. A group of droplets is selected from the succession in the trajectory, and this the group of droplets is combined by electrostatically accelerating upstream droplets of the group and/or decelerating downstream droplets of the group into a single drop.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a liquid ejection head has at least one ejection hole, and a conveyor moves a recording medium relative to the ejection head. A deflector deflects liquid droplets ejected from the ejection hole in a direction including at least a component of a direction substantially parallel to relative conveyance direction of the recording medium. A deflection angle setter sets two or more deflection angles such that when dots mutually adjacent in the direction substantially parallel to the relative conveyance direction of the medium are formed in an overlapping fashion, directions of flight of droplets ejected consecutively are deflected such that their directions of flight become different from each other. Droplet landing time differential between the first droplet and the second droplet becomes equal to or greater than quasi-fixing time period from a landing time of the first liquid droplet until the first liquid droplet becomes quasi-fixed.