Abstract: To avoid the image artifacts of a uniform drop-per-pixel, a drop assignment overlap is introduced. Larger and lower drops are printed simultaneously to represent uniform gray level. The regions at which the first number of drops and the second number of drops are put down overlap. Thus, a pattern in which a uniform number of drops is put down at every pixel is eliminated, and a pattern of overlapping first and second drops is obtained.

Abstract: When a recording starting point of a color photosensitive material reaches a position on which light beams are focused by a condenser lens and a reflecting mirror, a light beam is emitted from a red organic EL element of a light source by a controller, and red image data corresponding to a plurality of lines is transferred to a DMD. In accordance with the image data, on-off control of micromirrors of the DMD is carried out, and the red light beam emitted from the light source is made incident on the DMD. When the micromirrors are on, the incident light beam is reflected toward the reflecting mirror. The light beam is focused onto a recording surface of the color photosensitive material by the condenser lens and the reflecting mirror, and red exposure is carried out. Subsequently, green exposure and blue exposure are carried out in the same way.

Abstract: A pulse width position modulator (PWPM) includes a digital delay circuit that outputs multiple subclocks according to a native pixel clock. The multiple subclocks are each skewed within different time periods of the native pixel clock period. A skew pulse generator receives the multiple subclocks from the digital delay circuit and outputs multiple subpixels according to different logical combinations of the multiple subclocks thereby providing increased subpixel output resolution using the native pixel clock. A clock skew synchronizer aligns the subpixels with a line synchronization signal. The clock skew synchronizer allows lines in a printed image to be aligned with the line synchronization signal within subpixel resolution without using high frequency sampling circuity.

Abstract: An 8-bit (256 gradient) image is represented using a driver IC of 6-bit (64 gradient) construction to drive a plurality of arrayed optical shutter elements. The image data are divided into 64 gradient sections, synchronized by shift clock signals, and transmitted in four cycles to the shift register. The optical shutter element is not turned OFF at the 64th pulse, but is continuously driven without transmitting to the comparator the standard clock signal of the 64th pulse, which controls the ON time of the optical shutter element. In this way, an image of a higher number of gradient levels can be represented using a driver IC of a low number of bits, thereby providing a solid state scanning type optical recording device which suppresses noise generation by reducing the load on the driver IC when driving at multi-level gradient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing original image data that is bit mapped in a main-scanning direction X and a sub-scanning direction Y first multiplies linearly aligned dots in the main-scanning direction X of the original bit mapped image data by a positive integer Dy to generate Dy lines of linearly aligned dots adjoining each other in the sub-scanning direction Y as a first group of the subscanning direction Y. Other functions include second multiplying following linearly aligned dots in the main-scanning direction X of the original bit mapped image data by a positive integer Ry to generate Ry lines of linearly aligned dots adjoining each other in the sub-scanning direction Y as a second group of the sub-scanning direction Y, and multiplying further following linearly aligned dots in the main-scanning direction X of the original bit mapped image data by repeating the above first and second multiplying steps.

Abstract: A lens for reading an image of a document includes three positive lenses, three negative lenses, a diaphragm, and at least one cemented lens that includes one of the positive lenses and one of the negative lenses cemented together. The document reading lens includes at least one aspheric surface. The lens adjacent to the diaphragm has the aspherical surface, and at least one cemented lens is arranged to be adjacent to the diaphragm.

Abstract: In a method and a circuit arrangement for driving laser diodes arranged in close proximity to one another in a laser recording device, video signals modulated with the information to be recorded generate driver currents for the laser diodes. The light powers output by the laser diodes drop due to crosstalk between the laser diodes. For compensation of the crosstalk, correction units are connected between first laser diodes that form crosstalk sources and second laser diodes that form crosstalk sinks. In the correction units, the driver currents of the first laser diodes are converted into correction signals according to the transfer functions of the correction units, the correction signals correcting the driver currents of the second laser diodes such that the crosstalk is compensated. For determining the transfer functions of the correction units, the time curves of the light powers in the crosstalk sinks are measured and approximately electrically simulated as transfer functions.

Abstract: An image record processing method comprises: (1) generating a plurality of record jobs corresponding to a plurality of image information data transmitted from at least one of an image information source; (2) performing record processing to achieve heat development; the processing including: (2-1) performing one of the record jobs with a heat development recording apparatus, to thus form a latent image through exposure of a heat development recording material; and (2-2) heating the heat development recording material having the latent image formed thereon, and (3) sequentially performing the record processing with respect to each of the remaining record jobs, wherein, when the heat development recording apparatus receives a predetermined operation instruction from an operation input section while the record processing is being performed, at least a part of the processing of the operation instruction is performed simultaneously with at least a part of the record processing.

Abstract: If the width of a rectangle to be drawn by a drawing command is less than or equal to a first reference value that is previously determined dependently on the length of one record of cache memory, the drawing command for the rectangle is held in a rectangular drawing command storage area in a RAM. If several rectangles held in the rectangular drawing command storage constitute a lateral-direction gradation pattern, a drawing command group that draws the rectangles is converted into a secondary drawing command that repeatedly draws in an auxiliary scanning direction a virtual-image of one line that constitutes the lateral-direction gradation pattern and that extends in the main scanning direction. There is no need to overwrite the record in the cache memory while generating drawing data based on the secondary drawing command because the width of the virtual-image is less than or equal to the width of one record in the cache memory.

Abstract: The invention comprises a printer that has a conveyor (200) for holding photosensitive media, a lens positioned adjacent the conveyor, and an optical combiner (120) positioned with respect to the lens so as to direct light through the lens to the photosensitive media. The invention includes an optical printer (100) positioned to direct an optical exposure to the optical combiner, and a digital printer (110) positioned to direct a digital exposure (630) to the optical combiner. A controller is connected to the optical printer and the digital printer, and the optical printer and the digital printer are controlled by the controller so as to direct both the optical exposure and the digital exposure simultaneously to the optical combiner, which, in turn, passes the combined digital exposure through the lens to the photosensitive media.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a system for modulating a plurality of micro-electromechanical (MEM) devices. The system includes a means for providing an amplitude modulation signal to each MEM device at a base frequency and a means for providing a width modulation signal at the base frequency. In addition, the system includes a clock means for providing a higher-frequency clock signal with a frequency that is a multiple of the base frequency. In this embodiment, the width modulation signal for each MEM device indicates at least one position on the higher-frequency clock signal.

Abstract: A tape printing apparatus includes: a print unit for printing on a printing tape; a support information storage region which stores in advance multiple pieces of support information about the tape printing apparatus itself and the printing tape; a selection key for selecting any one piece of support information from the multiple pieces of support information stored in the support information storage region; a display screen for displaying the support information; and a control unit. The control unit reads the one piece of support information, which is selected by the selection key, from the support information storage region and causes the read information to be displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: Multiple components of an image produced by an image output device including a raster output scanner are registered by delaying an output high addressable bit stream for a time following each raster start of scan. A multiplicity of error values are added resulting in a total error integer component and a factional component. Following the start of scan, a line sync generator delays for a number of first clock signals proportional to the integer component. After the delay, the line sync generator signals a buffer to input a video input byte. A parallel to serial shift register converts the input video byte into a high addressable bit stream. A delay register further delays the bit stream by the fractional component, which further refines where, along the raster, the bit stream will commence. Suitably, the system corrects for the errors in run time as the fast scan line is scanned.

Abstract: A safety device for a printer has a first switch and a second switch that separately determines whether a door of the printer is open or closed. When the door is open (in the state that causes danger), the safety device stops driving systems of the printer with software when the second determining device determines that the door is open and stops the driving systems with hardware when the first determining device determines that door is open. Therefore, the safety device can completely stop the driving systems.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image formation apparatus, in which there is used a function-separated type layered photoconductor including an electroconductive support on which an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer are successively overlaid, with the thickness of the undercoat layer, Tul, and the thickness of the charge transport layer, Tctl, satisfying a particular relationship of Tul>Tctl/3 or Tul>Tctl/2.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to automatically select an optimum printing device according to the characteristics of a page in units of pages to print the page, thereby reducing the load on the operator in print processing. For this purpose, it is determined in units of pages whether data to be printed contains color information. If color information is present, a color flag is set to ON. When the color flag is ON, print data prepared and developed in a page buffer is sent to a color printer. When the color flag is OFF, the print data prepared and developed in the page buffer is sent to a monochromatic printer.

Abstract: A beam scanning printer which includes a light mixing device for mixing green, red and blue rays radiated from three LEDs with each other and directing the mixed beam to a common converging optical system along a common optical axis is provided. Through the common converging optical system, a beam spot that is common to the three colors is formed. The common beam spot is scanned through a polygonal mirror across a photosensitive material in a main scanning direction as the photosensitive material is moved in a sub scanning direction transverse to the main scanning direction, to record a full-color image on the photosensitive material.

Abstract: The image forming device has a recording unit which records an image data line by line while scanning a recording medium with a laser; a memory circuit for storing the image data corresponding to a plurality of lines of the image data; an operation circuit for dividing the image data stored in the memory circuit per line into blocks and generating an image data block having the number of pixels corresponding to an amount of skew with respect to a main scan line direction of the laser from the recording unit; and a control circuit for selecting pixel data from the image data block in corresponding two blocks of the adjacent two lines and combining the image data block and the selected pixel data to produce a line data to be supplied to the recording unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a receipt interface I/F, a hard disk, and a printer section. The receipt interface I/F receives pages of image data transmitted and a partial print request signal requesting that only a part of the image data be printed, both transmitted through a communication line. The hard disk stores both the image data and the partial print request signal. The printer section prints a part of the image data stored in the hard disk, in response to the partial print request signal that the receipt interface I/F has received.

Abstract: When image data from an external device is image data for proof printing, the number of pages of image data is calculated. Further, the percentage of a character image region and the percentage of a photographic image region in all the image data are determined. A reduction in toner consumption is determined according to the number of pages, the percentage of the character image region and the percentage of the photographic image region, and a document is then printed.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a photoconductive drum provided with a photoconductive layer on its surface. A charger uniformly charges the surface of the drum while an exposing unit exposes the charged surface of the drum to thereby form a latent image on the drum. A developing device develops the latent image with toner by feeding the toner to the drum to thereby produce a corresponding toner image and collects residual toner left on the drum after image transfer. An image transferring device transfer the toner image from the drum to an intermediate image transfer body. An air conditioning unit sends dehumidified, air-controlled air to a space around said photoconductive element.

Abstract: A dot-matrix printer for printing on a printing medium comprises a dot-forming section for forming dots on the printing medium; and a referenced data section to be referred to during movement of the dot-forming section, a character string to be printed being indicated as data having a predetermined resolution. Where M dots per a unit length are formable on the printing medium in a moving direction of the dot-forming section, and upon printing an N-character string per the unit length, M and N both being natural numbers, if (M÷N) is not a natural number, the resolution in the moving direction is made to be L per N-character string, L being a least common multiple of M and N, and while the dot-forming section moves across the unit length, the dot-matrix printer prints while referring to the referenced data section for L times.

Abstract: A method of accurately detecting the value of a dot of sensed image data, said image data comprising an array of dots and said sensed image data comprising a sampling of said image data at a rate greater than the pitch frequency of said array of dots so as to produce an array of pixels, said method comprising the steps of: determining an expected middle pixel of said array of pixels, said middle pixel corresponding to an expected central location of a corresponding dot; utilizing the sensed value of said middle pixel and the sensed value of a number of adjacent pixels as an index to a lookup table having an output corresponding to the value of a dot centred around the corresponding location of said pixel.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium, which comprises a transparent substrate having dependence on polarization and a photosensitive layer provided on the substrate, by providing light energy of polarized light transmitted through the substrate into the photosensitive layer, comprises a rotary drum on which the recording medium is mounted, and a laser head emitting laser light as the polarized light, the polarizing direction of the laser light is made coincident with the polarizing direction of the substrate.

Abstract: A print system has: a client apparatus for outputting print data; a printer server apparatus for receiving the print data from the client apparatus, and controlling an output of the print data received from the client apparatus in time; and a printer apparatus for receiving the print data from the printer server apparatus, converting the print data received from the printer server apparatus and printing the converted print data. The printer apparatus has a print property and converts and prints the print data received from the printer server apparatus according to the print property.

Abstract: An inkjet printer in a multi-function device includes a scanner that reads an image of a document, a sheet transport path along which a recording sheet is transported, a print unit having a printhead that ejects ink onto the recording sheet, a discharge portion from which the recording sheet is discharged, and ink cartridges that store ink to be supplied to the printhead. The sheet transport path and the discharge portion are disposed under the scanner, and the ink cartridges are disposed under the discharge portion. Main components of the inkjet printer, such as the ink cartridges, a main board for controlling operation of the printer, and a waste ink absorber, are arranged so that they do not overlap one another in the plan view of the ink-jet printer. With this structure, the ink-jet printer as well as the multi-function device are made thin and compact.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus comprises a rotary drum for attracting a recording medium to the surface thereof on which a plurality of through holes are formed, the rotary drum for attracting the recording medium via the plural holes by reducing pressure therein, a laser head for emitting a laser beam toward the recording medium on the rotary drum to record an image thereon; and a dummy sheet having an attracting area in which a plurality of through holes are formed, the area having a size substantially equal to the recording medium, the dummy sheet placed between the recording medium and the surface of the rotary drum such that the recording medium is placed on the attracting area and such that the plural through holes of the attracting area and the plural through holes of the rotary drum are superposed.

Abstract: The digital synthesizer comprises a system control unit, a read control unit, and a write drive control unit, and based on a magnification fine adjustment value set using a magnification fine adjustment panel, in the copy mode, a magnification of an image in the main scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a write reference clock frequency for modulating a laser beam for image formation so that a desired pixel density is obtained and also a magnification of the image in the auxiliary scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a scan speed when reading an image from a document, while in the printer mode, a magnification of an image in the main scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a write reference clock frequency and also a magnification of the image in the auxiliary scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a rotational speed of a polygon mirror for scanning a photosensitive mirror with a write beam.

Abstract: An aspheric optical element corrects the non-linearity of the scan line in a ROS. The optical element can be either the wobble correction mirror, the last optical element in the ROS, or the output window, subsequent to the ROS. The optical element deflects the scan beam to cancel the non-linearity of the scan line caused by the residual errors in the ROS lens design. The aspheric optical element can also correct scan line bow.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print head (2) controllably driven according to print data; a heater device (HU) for applying thermal energy to a recording medium (1) in order to fix ink applied on its surface layer by the print head onto its fixing layer (11); and a controller (7) for producing the print data from image data. The controller (7) includes a deformation compensating section (9) for compensating for displacement between a target image and a fixed image due to size change in the vertical and/or lateral direction of the recording medium occurring in association with application of the thermal energy thereto.

Abstract: The present invention attempts to minimize irregularity in recording caused by a variation in transport of a carriage. One of a plurality of kinds of timing, according to which a recording signal is applied, set relative to a signal indicating the position of the carriage is selected in order to record data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms an image by scanning a recording medium with a plurality of light beams that are modulated by individual image forming signals respectively corresponding to the light beams. A beam detecting device detects the plurality of light beams at preset positions and outputs corresponding detection signals. At least one delay device delays each of the detection signals from the beam detecting device by an arbitrary time period which is predetermined individually for each of the detection signals. A reference clock signal generating device generates a plurality of reference clock signals on the basis of delayed detection signals output from the at least one delay device. The image forming apparatus performs an image forming operation according to the plurality of reference clock signals.

Abstract: A method for mapping a limited number of input data values to a larger number of output exposure values for an electro-optical exposure device in a printing system (10) for photosensitive medium (30) in which, based on a computed contrast ratio for the photosensitive medium (30), the electro-optical exposure device is profiled and its output exposure energy curve adjusted to obtain the desired exposure energy over the range of input values.

Abstract: A pixel clock generating apparatus comprises a data offset circuit and a pixel generator. The data offset circuit defines multiple data blocks, each data block consisting of a predetermined number of successive clocks, and produces phase data for each data block. The phase data represents an amount and a direction of phase shift to be carried out for a certain clock in each data block. The pixel generator receives the phase data from the data offset circuit and generates a phase-shifted pixel clock a predetermined number of times in each data block based on the phase data.

Abstract: A specific image is first recorded according to a plurality of dot recording schemes which have an identical resolution and which are different at least in sub-scan feed operations. Then a desired dot recording scheme is selected corresponding to a desired recorded image which has been selected out of a plurality of recorded images recorded according to the plurality of dot recording schemes, and scheme selection information for specifying the desired dot recording scheme is stored into a rewritable non-volatile memory. In actual image recording, the scheme selection information stored in the non-volatile memory is read out, and a desired image is recorded on a recording medium according to the desired dot recording scheme specified by the scheme selection information.

Abstract: A digital printing device is manually moved across a medium, and automatically prints an image on the medium by selectively engaging one or more print elements at positions corresponding to the image. Preferably, the printing device comprises a multi-element print head a pair of optical sensors which provide position and orientation data. A controller causes the print head to print the image responsive to the location and orientation determined by the optical sensors. The printing device may be hand-held and integrated into a personal digital assistant device.

Abstract: The digital synthesizer comprises a system control unit, a read control unit, and a write drive control unit, and based on a magnification fine adjustment value set using a magnification fine adjustment panel, in the copy mode, a magnification of an image in the main scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a write reference clock frequency for modulating a laser beam for image formation so that a desired pixel density is obtained and also a magnification of the image in the auxiliary scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a scan speed when reading an image from a document, while in the printer mode, a magnification of an image in the main scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a write reference clock frequency and also a magnification of the image in the auxiliary scanning direction is finely adjusted by controlling a rotational speed of a polygon mirror for scanning a photosensitive mirror with a write beam.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has functions of tilt adjustments to a mirror for reflecting a laser beam and outputting an image after registration of a plurality of images.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus forming an image by performing scanning by deflecting a light beam includes a data conversion part that converts multi-bit input image data into data specifying a pulse width or intensity of the light beam. The image data is input to the data conversion part a given number of times in succession, and the data conversion part performs a different data conversion for each of scanning lines of the given number based on the input image data.

Abstract: A scanning optical device has a light source, a deflector for deflecting light emitted from the light source, and an optical system for guiding the light emitted from the light source onto a surface to be scanned. The scanning optical device incorporates a mechanism for displacing a refraction section or/and a diffraction section of the optical system. A color image forming apparatus incorporates the scanning optical devices and image carrying members corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A code generator together with a pre-compiled library of proprietary printer functions having entry points accessible by a link editor. The code generator obtains design parameters for a printer driver, the design parameters including parameters relating to input functionality, output functionality, user interface functionality, and print data processing functionality. In addition, the code generator obtains a pointer to a printer port function that interfaces directly to a printer port. Preferably, the code generator also obtains an other pointer to an other function that uses a port or an operating system function to access a system resource.

Abstract: A method for processing a color image for printing reduces an amount of marking material used in the printed image. The color image includes multiple separations, including at least one non-black color separation and a black color separation, each defined by a bitmap of single bit pixels each having a pixel value and arranged in an array of scan lines.

Abstract: A printing apparatus forms image information and information associated therewith on a print medium. The printing apparatus receives image information from an image file stored in a recording medium, etc., and obtains information associated with the image information. The associated information includes attached information that is read out from the image file based on a file format using tags via an interface unit or added information that is input or selected in accordance with the image information. The image information is printed on the print medium, and the associated information is formed on a film sheet (laminate film), which is disposed over the image-printed surface, as a watermark. The associated information is not visible when the print medium is seen from the front, and can be seen when it is seen at an angle due to the difference in surface glossiness.

Abstract: A printer includes an image area sensor for picking up a picture frame in photo film to output image data. A printing projecting lens focuses and records a print frame to color photographic paper. Three LED light sources generate light. A digital micromirror device (DMD) is disposed in a traveling path of the light, includes plural micromirrors arranged in at least one array. The plural micromirrors are individually shiftable between first and second positions different in a direction, and when in the first position, direct the light to the photo film by reflection, and when in the second position, direct the light to the printing projecting lens by reflection. A controller initially sets the plural micromirrors in the first position, to illuminate the picture frame in the photo film while the image area sensor is operated.

Abstract: A pulse width position modulator (PWPM) includes a digital delay circuit that outputs multiple subclocks according to a native pixel clock. The multiple subclocks are each skewed within different time periods of the native pixel clock period. A skew pulse generator receives the multiple subclocks from the digital delay circuit and outputs multiple subpixels according to different logical combinations of the multiple subclocks thereby providing increased subpixel output resolution using the native pixel clock. A clock skew synchronizer aligns the subpixels with a line synchronization signal. The clock skew synchronizer allows lines in a printed image to be aligned with the line synchronization signal within subpixel resolution without using high frequency sampling circuity.

Abstract: A specific image is first recorded according to a plurality of dot recording schemes which have an identical resolution and which are different at least in sub-scan feed operations. Then a desired dot recording scheme is selected corresponding to a desired recorded image which has been selected out of a plurality of recorded images recorded according to the plurality of dot recording schemes, and scheme selection information for specifying the desired dot recording scheme is stored into a rewritable non-volatile memory. In actual image recording, the scheme selection information stored in the non-volatile memory is read out, and a desired image is recorded on a recording medium according to the desired dot recording scheme specified by the scheme selection information.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for converting image data between planar format and a chunky format. A barrel shifter sorts the image bytes by color plane for output to a plurality of memory cells. Two addresses of each memory cell are not interconnected and function as a set of selection lines, whose binary values determine the number of positions that the data stored in the memory cells are shifted in response to the action of the barrel shifter. The sorted bytes are stored according to color format in the remaining, interconnected addresses of the memory cells. When the barrel shifter does not shift the bytes in a word, cyan bytes are stored in the memory cells. When the barrel shifter shifts the word one byte position, magenta bytes are output to the memory cells. Yellow and black bytes, respectively, are output for shifts of two bytes and three bytes, respectively. Each color plane is therefore stored in a separate memory cell and the chunky format data are converted to a planar format.

Abstract: In a laser beam printer, it is thought that the number of scanning lines for the unit length in a sheet carrying direction (a resolution of a sub scanning direction) can be changed by making processing speed in the sheet carrying direction changeable. Further, in a general printer, raster data is generated based on vector data or code data from a superior apparatus (expansion). Ordinarily, in the printer, the raster data corresponding to resolution of a printing unit is generated by the expansion, and the generated raster data is output to the printing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, method and computer program product, including a pattern detecting device configured detect whether or not a pattern is constructed with a lengthwise line of a single dot width on a basis of a pattern of respective multi-value data of a target pixel and circumferential pixels adjacent thereto in a main scanning direction; and a printing device configured to print size-reduced printing dots of the lengthwise line of the single dot width detected by the pattern detecting device.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for reducing or eliminating scan line magnification errors in digital copiers that use an input scanner and a raster output scanner. The input scanner integration period, and thus the input scan line rate, is synchronized with the rotation of the raster output scanner, and thus the output scan line rate. Synchronization might be achieved using either a one to one input scan line to output scan line ratio, or by scanning multiple output scan lines for each input scan line. Beneficially, the principles of the present invention are implemented by synchronizing the input scan rate of an input scanner with the rotation of a polygon of a raster output scanner using a start of scan detector.