Abstract: An element substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of print elements and a plurality of drive elements for driving the plurality of print elements. The element substrate comprises a generation circuit configured to generate a first drive signal that drives drive elements belonging to a first group among the plurality of drive elements, and a second drive signal that drives drive elements belonging to a second group among the plurality of drive elements, using a selector configured to switch a signal transmitted from outside of the element substrate and an output destination of the signal within one block period in driving the plurality of drive elements by dividing the plurality of elements into the plurality of blocks. The first drive signal and the second drive signal are generated at different timings.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a plurality of heads configured to print mutually different colors; and a control unit configured to control the heads. The control unit operates the first head, configured to print a first color distinguishable from a surface color of an adjustment paper, to print a first correction pattern for performing alignment correction of the first head on the adjustment paper, and operates the second head, configured to print a second color distinguishable from the first color, to print a second correction pattern for performing alignment correction of the second head on the adjustment paper so as to at least partially overlap a first color area that is an area formed by the first head.

Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus including an image recording head; a scanner; a conveyer; and a controller. The controller is configured to execute first and second recording modes in which the controller causes the image recording head to accelerate to first and second velocities, to move at the first and second velocities, and then to decelerate from the first and second velocities, while causing the image recording head to record the image at least during moving at the first and second velocities, respectively. In a case that the controller has determined, based on printing data, that the image is to be recorded during a first velocity changing period, the controller executes the second recording mode. The first velocity changing period includes a first acceleration and deceleration periods in which the image recording head accelerates and decelerates, respectively.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a carriage that mounts a liquid ejecting head provided with a nozzle surface in which nozzles to eject a liquid are formed, and is configured to move the liquid ejecting head between an ejection area used to cause the liquid ejecting head to eject the liquid onto a medium and a maintenance area used to perform maintenance of the liquid ejecting head, and a liquid receiving portion that has a size equal to or larger than the nozzle surface, is opposed to the nozzle surface located at a detachment position defined in the maintenance area, and receives the liquid discharged from the nozzles when detaching a liquid supply coupling portion detachably coupled to the liquid ejecting head.

Abstract: A method for automatically generating column layouts comprises obtaining, by a page layout computer, source code of an electronic document comprising content; in response to a request to activate a page layout of the electronic document and before receiving a first input indicating a modification to a layout of the electronic document, automatically inserting, by the page layout computer, a coded hierarchy into the source code of the electronic document specifying at least one column within which the content is automatically inserted into a particular column of the at least one column; receiving, by the page layout computer, the first input indicating the modification to the layout of the electronic document; based on the first input and by the page layout computer, modifying the coded hierarchy to represent the modification to the layout.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a key receiving a copy-start instruction and an input of a number of copies depending on a number of times that the key is operated; a scanner reading an image of a document and generating image data relating to the image; a printer recording the image on a sheet; a memory; and a controller. The controller controls the scanner and the printer to execute, depending on the number of times that the key is operated: (1) direct copy of storing parts of the image data relating to the image successively in the memory, and of reading the parts of the image data from the memory to record the image data on the sheet, or (2) memory copy of storing entirety of the image data in the memory, and of successively reading parts of the stored image data to record the image on the sheet.

Abstract: A method for automatically generating column layouts comprises obtaining, by a page layout computer, source code of an electronic document comprising content, in response to a request to activate a page layout of the electronic document and before receiving a first input indicating a modification to a layout of the electronic document, automatically inserting, by the page layout computer, a coded hierarchy into the source code of the electronic document specifying a single section and a single column including the content, receiving, by the page layout computer, the first input indicating the modification to the layout of the electronic document, based on the first input and by the page layout computer, modifying the source code, causing, by the page layout computer, generating an updated editing view of the electronic document that graphically represents the modification to the layout.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium has stored therein a program for causing a computer to execute a process. The process includes: when obtaining a character string including one unit of character information at one position in the character string, referring to presence/absence information indicating whether or not at least one character string, in a character string group including a plurality of character strings to which compression codes have been assigned, includes the one unit of character information at the one position; and searching the character string group for the obtained character string except for a case that the presence/absence information indicates that none of the character strings included in the character string group include the one unit of character information at the one position.

Abstract: If it is determined that a delivery permission flag of a network device being a delivery target of a software program is inactivated (OFF), a delivery server instructs a set-value management server to activate (ON) the delivery permission flag of the network device being the delivery target. The set-value management server activates the delivery permission flag of the network device in response to the instruction and notifies the completion to the delivery server. The delivery server performs delivery preparation for the software program in response to the notification of the completion and, after the delivery preparation, controls the delivery of the software program in response to a request from a network device with the delivery permission flag activated.

Abstract: A method for reporting motion information from an electronic device to a remote host device includes: using an optical sensor for sensing the motion information of the electronic device, the optical sensor being configured within the electronic device; and reporting a motion result of the electronic device to the remote host device based on the optical sensor when the electronic device has moved a predetermined distance each time.

Abstract: A system and method for printing an indicia on a graphic medium is described. A print mechanism is operable for marking multiple printouts of the indicia at a target position on the graphic medium, and for outputting a printed media product. The printed media product has a first output group of the marked printouts, and continuous with the output of the first group of printouts, at least one output group of the printouts marked subsequent to the first output group. A controller is operable for adjusting the print mechanism in response to an input related to an evaluation of the printouts marked on the first output group. The adjustment conforms a position at which the printouts are marked in the at least one subsequent output group spatially to the target position.

Abstract: In a storage device including a plurality of storage regions, in order to synchronize input/output control of data into/from the storage region, a writing sequence or a reading sequence of the data into or from the storage region is stored, one of the storage regions to be accessed is selected in accordance with the stored sequence, and the synchronization control of input/output processing into/from an intermediate buffer is carried out, which allows an intermediate buffer control mechanism to be applied to various intermediate buffers.

Abstract: A method of printing includes directing print media to a print zone between a printhead and a platen for printing; and adjusting a spacing between the printhead and the platen based on a combination of at least two of environmental conditions of the printing, a print mode of the printing, an orientation of the print media for the printing, and a characteristic of the print media for the printing.

Abstract: A sweep speed is determined for sweeping a printer head of a printer across a print medium for printing a swath of an image on the print medium. A distance by which to advance the print medium is at least partially determined in accordance with the determined sweep speed and the print medium is advanced by the determined distance.

Abstract: A pointer is guided by a user of a processing machine in succession to a number of locations of a working space of the processing machine. The pointer has first location determining devices which are arranged at predetermined pointer locations relative to a pointer coordinate system in fixed relationship to the pointer. Through interaction of the first location determining devices with second location determining devices arranged at predetermined locations relative to a machine coordinate system in fixed relationship to the processing machine, data describing a geometric relationship of the location determining devices relative to one another are acquired. These data are transmitted to a control device which determines the position of the pointer in the working space based on the characteristic data and based on the data subdivides the working space into a permitted movement range for a component of the processing machine and a complementary prohibited movement range.

Abstract: The present invention prevents density irregularity from appearing in a print result and to thereby improve image quality by controlling a motor so that the rotational speed of a drive shaft that feeds printing media is constant. The present invention provides a printing media feeding apparatus including a feeding section that includes a motor, a drive transmission mechanism which transmits a driving force of the motor, and a drive shaft to which the driving force is transmitted by the drive transmission mechanism. The drive shaft is rotated to feed the printing medium. A detection section is provided having at least a portion secured to the drive shaft and the detection section determines the rotational speed of the drive shaft and a controller controls the motor based on an input from the detection section so that the rotational speed the of the drive shaft is constant.

Abstract: The present invention prevents necessary image data from deviating from a print medium and thereby executes a good printing operation without a loss of necessary image data. For this purpose, when performing a so-called marginless printing, in which ink is applied also to an area overrunning from the print medium to form an image without leaving a blank margin at edges of the print medium, the overrunning widths of the area are made adjustable.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a sheet carrying body carrying a sheet thereon in a predetermined direction, a pattern selecting unit selecting one of a plurality of patterns that includes a first pattern and a second pattern, the first pattern including a plurality of marks aligned at intervals of a predetermined distance within a first range, the second pattern including a plurality of marks aligned at intervals of a predetermined distance within a second range shorter than the first range, a forming unit configured to form the selected pattern on the sheet carrying body and form an image on the sheet being carried on the sheet carrying body, a deviation determining unit determining a positional deviation of the image based upon the pattern formed, and a correcting unit performing positional deviation correction for the image to be formed on the sheet based upon the positional deviation determined.

Abstract: The invention provides systems, methods, and computer program products for the display of product information in or about a store. In particular, systems and methods are provided that use information from an in-store communication network to display product information on a rewritable paper at designated points within or about a store including product displays. A system and method for communicating through the in-store communication network printing and erasing instructions from a system controller to a printer located on a product display for printing and erasing the product information on the rewritable paper positioned about a display surface of the product display.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that can be connected to an image-forming apparatus, a method, and a program used for the information processing apparatus are disclosed. The information processing apparatus comprises a control unit for controlling print-setting information set for document data to be printed, a recognition unit for recognizing information about a first function specified by the print-setting information by translating the print-setting information controlled by the control unit, an obtaining unit for obtaining information about a second function of the image-forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus, a determination unit for determining whether or not the image-forming apparatus can perform the first function recognized by the recognition unit based on the second-function information obtained by the obtaining unit, and a modification unit for modifying the print-setting information controlled by the control unit based on the determination result.

Abstract: A fastener (35) includes a base (33), an orientation block (36), a located block (37) and two magnets (38, 39). The base includes a mounting portion (40) and a securing portion (50). The orientation block is slidably and rotatably connected to the securing portion. The located block is rotatably engaged in the mounting portion. One of the two magnets is disposed adjacent to the securing portion, the other magnet is disposed in the located block. The two magnets are attracted to each other configured for adjusting a distance between the orientation block and the located block.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by conveying the recording medium in a direction orthogonal to a scanning direction of a carriage having a recording head includes a first detecting unit mounted on the carriage and configured to detect the recording medium; a second detecting unit placed upstream from the first detecting unit in the direction that the recording medium is conveyed and configured to detect the recording medium; and a control unit configured to control operations of the image forming apparatus based on a detection result from the first detecting unit or the second detecting unit.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a handheld image translation device configured to detect an edge of a target print medium to prevent unintended deposition of a printing substance are described herein. The handheld image translation device, which may be a printing device, may include a print head, a position module, and a print module. The print head may be configured to deposit one or more printing substances onto a first surface such as a target print surface. The position module may be configured to receive data from navigation sensors indicating a first surface characteristic of the first surface, and to determine whether at least a portion of the print head is positioned over a second surface having a second surface characteristic different from the first characteristic, wherein the determination is made by detecting a characteristic other than the first surface characteristic as indicated by data received from the navigation sensors.

Abstract: The present invention prevents necessary image data from deviating from a print medium and thereby executes a good printing operation without a loss of necessary image data. For this purpose, when performing a so-called marginless printing, in which ink is applied also to an area overrunning from the print medium to form an image without leaving a blank margin at edges of the print medium, the overrunning widths of the area are made adjustable.

Abstract: A holder (35) includes a base (33), an orientation block (36), a located block (37) and two magnets (38, 39). The base includes a mounting portion (40) and a securing portion (50). The orientation block is fixed in the mounting portion. The located block is slidably engaged in the securing portion. One of the magnets is disposed adjacent to the securing portion, the other of the magnets is disposed in the located block. The magnets are attracted to each other and configured for adjusting a distance between the orientation block and the located block.

Abstract: A positioning device for positioning a positioning element has a motor (18) that drives the positioning element (10) and has a measuring device that directly measures the positioning travel of the positioning element for controlling the motor (18). For this, a traction cable (32) is joined to the positioning element and is wound onto a drum (36). For measuring the positioning travel of the positioning element, the rotational position of the drum (36) is measured by means of an encoder (42).

Abstract: An inkjet carriage unit is disclosed that includes a main body, a sensor holding part detachably attached to the main body, and an encoder sensor attached to the sensor holding part.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus is capable of performing a non-margin recording operation without a margin on a recording medium and providing a waiting time between a moment of termination of a movement of a carriage in one of opposite directions and a moment of initiation of a subsequent movement of the carriage in the other direction, if the non-margin recording operation is performed during the movement of the carriage in the above-indicated one direction. The carriage is moved in the other direction (returned) at a speed lower than that of the movement in the above-indicated one direction, so that the back surface of an edge portion (e.g., leading end portion) of the recording medium is protected from contamination with an ink mist produced from the ink droplets.

Abstract: When torque of a DC motor is dropped down to zero at a stop position, force is generated by deformation of a member for transmitting the torque of the DC motor. The force moves the driven body which is in the stopped state, which results in a shift of the driven body from the stop position. Therefore, a process for stopping the driven body is performed according to the amount of shift by an encoder which periodically outputs a pulse signal according to movement of the driven body, a unit for acquiring velocity information and position information of the driven body based on the pulse signal, a controlling unit for controlling a moving unit based on the velocity information and the position information, and a unit for calculating the amount of shift, which is caused by the force generated by the deformation of the member for transmitting the torque, at the stop position of the driven body.

Abstract: An actuating control device for use between a printer head and an actuating and transmitting device includes a path planning unit, a feedback unit, a proportional-integral controller and a feed forward controller. The path planning unit issues a position command value and a speed command value. The feedback unit generates a position feedback signal and a speed feedback signal according to the position and the speed of the printer head. The proportional-integral controller generates a first control signal according to the difference between the position command value and the position feedback signal and the difference between the speed command value and the speed feedback signal. The feed forward controller generates a second control signal according to a computation on the speed command value. The printer head is driven to move by the actuating and transmitting device in response to the first control signal and the second control signal.

Abstract: Provided is a printer apparatus, including: a thermal print head that performs printing by contacting a heat-sensitive color-developing layer of a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet that includes a printable surface made from the heat-sensitive color-developing layer on one surface of a sheet-like base material, and a heat-sensitive adhesive layer on another surface of the sheet-like base material; a thermal-activation thermal head that activates the heat-sensitive adhesive layer by heating; a cutter device that cuts the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet; a transporting unit that transports the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet; and a controlling unit that controls the thermal print head, the thermal-activation thermal head, and the cutter device.

Abstract: An image printing apparatus is capable of printing an image at various resolutions, such as 300- and 360-dpi systems. To drive a printhead at a printing position corresponding to the resolution of printing data, information on whether to discharge ink separately in the forward and return passes of the printhead is stored in the storage area of a RAM in advance in correspondence with the main scanning position of the printhead. Data (0 or 1) stored in the RAM is read out by using, as a RAM address input, a count value output from a printhead position detection unit that represents the current position of the printhead. Only when the readout data is 1, a printing position pulse is generated to print an image at an arbitrary resolution. By setting ink discharge positions separately in the forward and return passes, an image can be printed at a high precision.

Abstract: When torque of a DC motor is dropped down to zero at a stop position, force is generated by deformation of a member for transmitting the torque of the DC motor. The force moves the driven body which is in the stopped state, which results in a shift of the driven body from the stop position. Therefore, a process for stopping the driven body is performed according to the amount of shift by an encoder which periodically outputs a pulse signal according to movement of the driven body, a unit for acquiring velocity information and position information of the driven body based on the pulse signal, a controlling unit for controlling a moving unit based on the velocity information and the position information, and a unit for calculating the amount of shift, which is caused by the force generated by the deformation of the member for transmitting the torque, at the stop position of the driven body.

Abstract: An impact printing apparatus is also disclosed with printing pin actuation timing correction dependent upon scanning speed or platen shape, striking duration timing dependent upon scanning rate, or printing pin actuation timing dependent upon stored shift amounts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a damaged encoder strip are described. An encoder strip is scanned in two separate operations at two separate times, a first operation and a second operation. The number of markings sensed in each separate operation is counted. A circuit compares the count of markings in each separate operation. If the count differs between the two operations, the circuit determines that the encoder strip is damaged, and the circuit develops a signal indicating this damage. In an embodiment, the first operation is performed during a calibration, and the second operation is performed during a power-on, or upon operator command.

Abstract: A digital printer has a printhead (10) for printing on a substrate and an encoder (14) which emits pulses (122) to indicate the relative distance moved by the printhead. A timer device for the digital printer emits output print pulses (151) for effecting printing and a count module (130) for receiving pulses (122) from the encoder (14) and emitting a print signal after a predetermined number of encoder pulses (122) to effect the emission of the output print pulse. The timer device is adapted to add a delay between the emission of the print signal and the emission of the output print pulse (151). In examples described, the pitch of the printed droplets can be closely controlled.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet printing apparatus and method that can print a high-grade image without being affected by a variation in moving speed of a printing head. To accomplish this, an encoder is used which outputs a pulse each time a printing head and a printing medium are moved a specified amount relative to each other. Driving timings with which ink is ejected from the printing head are adjusted depending on the time interval between the pulses.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inkjet printing device of a franking machine intended to print postal indicia on a mail piece to be franked, displaced with respect to this device in a direction of displacement, the postal indicia comprising at least an amount of franking, a date of deposit and an authentication code and the printing device comprising, on the one hand, a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets, disposed in two rows extending transversely to the direction of displacement, these two rows of nozzles being spaced apart from each other by a distance in this direction and, on the other hand, a control means for selectively controlling the ejection of these ink droplets as a function of the postal indicia to be printed, said control means being arranged so that, during printing, each of the critical postal data such as the amount of franking, the date of deposit or the authentication code, is printed from one row of nozzles.

Abstract: A printer controller, printer control method, and data storage medium detect a real-time command pattern in the print data to prevent unintended real-time commands from being executed by the printer. The evaluating unit detects whether a command data stream for printing image data sent to a printer contains a specific data sequence. When the specific data sequence, such as the data sequence of a real-time command, is present in the command data stream, the generating unit generates a plurality of command data stream segments not containing the specific data sequence but producing printing image data identical to the image data of the original data stream to the printer; the sending unit then sends the plurality of command data stream segments generated by the generating unit to the printer.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal head which extends in a main scan direction. Feeder rollers move thermal recording paper relative to the thermal head in a sub scan direction, for image recording to the recording paper in a surface recording manner. In the thermal printer, at least one position detector includes a contact lever, rotatable about a rotational center. There is an edge contact surface for being pressed by a lateral edge of the recording paper. An encoding panel projects from the contact lever and away from the recording paper, and is shiftable in response to rotation of the contact lever. A detection pattern is formed on the encoding panel, and extends in a shifting direction thereof. An encoding sensor of two-phase outputting encoding is disposed in a shifting path of the detection pattern, for photoelectrically detecting a shifted position of the detection pattern.

Abstract: A recording deice includes a cylinder (1) of heat-sensitive ink ribbon (2), a rewinding cylinder (5), and a marking header (19). The device prevents unused segments of ribbon being left between markings. The device has a moving support (6) guiding the ribbon (2) along an additional path (16), a braking mechanism (10, 11, 12, 14) for the cylinder (1). When the ribbon (2)is tractioned and the cylinder is braked, the support (6) is forced to move against the action of an elastic element (13), reducing the additional path (16). Thus, after a marking (a-b) the ribbon and the support (6) move back to (c) so that the next marking (b-d) is made immediately after the first marking (a-b). The braking mechanism, after one or more markings, are released, unrolling a length of ribbon (2) from the cylinder, then braking again, with the process repeated.

Abstract: An impact printing apparatus is also disclosed with printing pin actuation timing correction dependent upon scanning speed or platen shape, striking duration timing dependent upon scanning rate, or printing pin actuation timing dependent upon stored shift amounts.

Abstract: In controlling a motor in a device which drives a mechanism using the motor as a power source, pre-driving of giving a predetermined driving parameter to the motor and driving the mechanism is executed. During the pre-driving, movement of the mechanism is monitored, and a command value to the motor, which is necessary for starting the mechanism, is obtained. Driving of the motor is controlled using feedback using the command value as the initial value of the driving parameter. High-speed accurate position control can be achieved independently of the individual difference in an object to be controlled and the frictional force of the mechanical portion or the difference in use environment.

Abstract: To control movement of a member to be driven by using a scale having a plurality of indices at a predetermined interval, and a sensor which is attached to the member to be driven along the scale and detects the indices, a time until the next index is detected is predicted on the basis of the output waveform of the sensor. Then, a signal concerning the current position of the member is generated on the basis of the predicted time. The current position of the member can be controlled with high precision even during acceleration/deceleration.

Abstract: A method for the directional attachment of a scale element of a position measuring system to an installation face of a first body. The method includes aligning a scale element on an installation face of a first body parallel to a measuring direction via an adjustment device provided on a second body, which has a scanning head provided thereon and is movable in the measuring direction in relation to the first body. Attaching the aligned scale element to the installation face, wherein the adjustment device is in an alignment position with respect to the second body during the attaching. Positioning the adjustment device into a position of rest with respect to the second body subsequent to the attaching, wherein the position of rest is different from the alignment position.

Abstract: A control circuit generates two sorts of printing timing signals on the basis of the position of the printing mechanism module detected by a detector, and sends the generated signals to respective drive circuits. Herein, the printing mechanism module is configured of two printing element assemblies each of which includes a plurality of printing elements, and both of which are mechanically coupled. The two drive circuits taking charge of the two printing element assemblies send printing input signals to the respective printing elements which are to be driven according to the two sorts of printing timing signals received by the drive circuits. The relative positions between the print dots of the two printing element assemblies can be adjusted for each direction of printing on a sheet by changing the difference between the times of the two sorts of printing timing signals.

Abstract: A bookbinding structure and method. The bookbinding structure is used to bind pages together in existing, commercially available binding machines. The bookbinding structure has a heat activated adhesive matrix for binding the pages. To attach a wrap-around book cover once the pages have been bound with the bookbinding structure, an adhesive on the outer surface of the bookbinding structure may be exposed by removing a release liner covering the adhesive. The book cover may then be adhered to the exposed adhesive either by a heat method or by applying pressure over the adhesive, depending on the particular type of adhesive of the bookbinding structure. The book cover may be printed with information and/or graphics prior to being wrapped around the pages of the book.

Abstract: To save time between printing passes of a unidirectional printer, the print medium is advanced in two phases separated in time by the fast return of the carriage. The print medium advance movements coincide, at least partly, with the periods of acceleration and deceleration which immediately precede and follow a printing pass and during which the carriage is changing from printing speed to return speed or vice versa. If the total print medium advance time exceeds these acceleration and deceleration times, the extra print medium advance occurs at a single end of the carriage movement.

Abstract: A printhead alignment sensor for an ink jet printer includes at least two terminals defining a gap therebetween. An electrical measuring device detects a change in an electrical parameter between two of the terminals when ink is in the gap between the at least two terminals.

Abstract: A printing system. The system may include an ink dispenser, a switch to generate an initial position signal, a movement sensor to generate movement signals and a circuit that causes the dispenser to dispense ink in accordance with the image data, the initial position signal and the movement signal. The system may also include a connector, a power source, a microcontroller, a memory and an ink-curing component. Image data is then transferred to a surface by sweeping the printing system across the surface as the printing system tracks the status of each pixel.