Abstract: An illustrative dye sublimation apparatus (also referred to as a dye sublimation machine) may have at least four stations, each station implementing a discrete step of a sublimation cycle. Multiple beds are rotatably mounted such that the beds pass through the stations to perform the corresponding steps. Therefore, the sublimation apparatus may perform multiple sublimation cycles simultaneously with the beds containing printed sheets and substrates at different steps of the multiple sublimation cycles. As the beds are rotatably mounted, the sublimation apparatus may allow for a fixed loading and unloading station proximate to a fixed, dedicated personnel station.

Abstract: A printing system comprises an ink deposition assembly and a media transport assembly. The ink deposition assembly comprises a printhead arranged to eject a print fluid to a deposition region of the ink deposition assembly. The media transport assembly comprises a vacuum source and a movable support surface. The movable support surface comprises valves having holes through the media support surface. The media transport assembly is configured to hold one or more print media against the movable support surface by vacuum suction communicated from the vacuum source through valves. The valves are each configured to transition between a closed state in which airflow through the hole of the respective valve is prevented and an open state in which airflow through the hole of the respective valve is allowed.

Abstract: A recording method includes a first drying step of evaporating 50 to 85 wt % of ink adhering on a recording medium, the ink being ejected from a recording head onto a surface of the recording medium back side of which is supported on a medium-supporting unit which faces the recording head, and a second drying step of drying the recording medium, which has been subjected to the first drying step, at the downstream side of the medium-supporting unit in a feeding direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes at least one processor configured to: acquire physical-property-value information of a recording medium; using information regarding a printing machine, perform an evaluation as to whether there is a possibility that the recording medium causes trouble for printing by the printing machine, the evaluation being performed with respect to at least one printing performance indicator based on the physical-property-value information; and output a result of the evaluation to a display device.

Abstract: According to an example, a computing apparatus may include a processing device and a machine readable storage medium on which is stored instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to access, from a sensing device, information pertaining to formation of a part of a 3D object in a layer of build materials upon which fusing agent droplets have been or are to be selectively deposited. The instructions may also cause the processing device to predict, based upon the accessed information, a quality of the part and output an indication of the predicted quality of the part.

Abstract: A sheet feed device includes a housing, a tray, a feed roller, an arm, a pad, and a protruding portion. The housing has a sheet conveyance path. The tray includes a bottom plate having a sheet support surface that supports a sheet. The sheet conveyance path extends upward from the sheet support surface. The feed roller rotates about a rotational axis and feeds the sheet supported on the sheet support surface in a first direction. The arm rotatably supports the feed roller. The arm swingably moves about an axis parallel to the rotational axis of the feed roller. The pad is disposed on the bottom plate. The pad has a higher friction coefficient than a friction coefficient of the sheet support surface. The protruding portion protrudes upward from the sheet support surface at a position shifted from the pad in a second direction opposite from the first direction.

Abstract: A sheet detecting apparatus includes a sheet supporting surface, a first sensor flag including a first flag portion, a first contact portion, and a third contact portion, a second sensor flag including a second flag portion, and a second contact portion, a first detection sensor configured to transit to a first state of outputting a first detection signal and to a second state of outputting a second detection signal, the first detection sensor transiting to one of the first state and the second state in response to a position of the first flag portion, and a second detection sensor configured to transit to a third state of outputting a third detection signal and to a fourth state of outputting a fourth detection signal, the second detection sensor transiting to one of the third state and the fourth state in response to a position of the second flag portion.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a sheet conveyance section, a roller pair unit, first and second guides, and a movable guide including an upstream portion extending upstream in the sheet conveying direction with respect to the nip portion and a downstream portion extending downstream in the sheet conveying direction with respect to the nip portion. The roller pair unit nips the sheet, warps the sheet in a case where a leading end of the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyance section comes into contact with the roller pair unit, and conveys the sheet. The first guide opposes a first side of the sheet and guides the sheet. The second guide opposes a second side of the sheet. The movable guide opposes the first side of the sheet and moves in such a manner that the downstream portion of the movable guide moves closer to or away from the second guide.

Abstract: A media sensing device may include an electromagnetic radiation source, a light guide located on an opposite side of a media feed path respective to the electromagnetic radiation source, and a photodetector to detect electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source and directed by the light guide. The photodetector detects the presence of media upstream from a heated pressure roller (HPR) in response to the media obstructing the detection of electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source.

Abstract: A recording method includes a first drying step of evaporating 50 to 85 wt % of ink adhering on a recording medium, the ink being ejected from a recording head onto a surface of the recording medium back side of which is supported on a medium-supporting unit which faces the recording head, and a second drying step of drying the recording medium, which has been subjected to the first drying step, at the downstream side of the medium-supporting unit in a feeding direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: Provided is a double-channel paper feeding mechanism and a sheet medium processing device. The double-channel paper feeding mechanism includes a fixed frame, a movable frame and a connection mechanism. The fixed frame is provided with a first channel plate and a second channel plate. A first portion of the first channel plate and a first portion of the second channel plate form a conveying channel. An opening for inserting the movable frame is formed between second portions of the two channel plates. The movable frame is provided with a third channel plate and a fourth channel plate. When the movable frame is mounted on the fixed frame, the second portion of the first channel plate and the third channel plate are arranged oppositely and form a first input channel in connection with the conveying channel, the second portion of the second channel plate and the fourth channel plate form a second input channel in connection with the conveying channel.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a paper discharging tray constituted of a first tray and a second tray which are capable of being displaced along a medium discharging direction, the paper discharging tray can be stored in the recording apparatus, a motor which drives the paper discharging tray and a transmission unit which transmits power of the motor to the paper discharging tray includes a first gear which comes into contact with the first tray and transmits the power of the motor to the first tray and a second gear which comes into contact with the second tray and transmits the power of the motor to the second tray.

Abstract: The disclosure enables mutual relationships among operation statuses of each motor to be ascertained without using synchronous serial communication between multiple motor control devices. The motor control system is equipped with: a motor driver having a trigger determination part for determining whether or not a trigger condition is satisfied, a trigger notification part for transmitting a trigger notification indicating that the trigger condition is satisfied to motor drivers by asynchronous communication, and a trace result information generation part for causing a storage part to store a trigger data number for identifying operation data when the trigger condition is satisfied; and motor drivers each having a trace result information generation part for causing a storage part to store a slave trigger time at which the trigger notification is received, a trigger data number for identifying operation data corresponding to the slave trigger time, and a master trigger time.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for mitigating print head dry out. In an example embodiment, a system can be implemented, which includes an arrangement of cross rollers and a registration transport for transporting one or more sheets for printing, and a steering mechanism that drives the sheet(s) into the opposing registration print edges of print heads on the registration transportation, wherein the cross rollers only engage when the sheet is being registered to the appropriate edge of the print heads, thereby allowing the print heads to be exercised prior to drying out. When one or more of the sheets are out of the nip, the nip disengages, thereby allowing the next sheet to be stirred on the opposing edge of the registration print heads. The opposing registration print heads comprise an inboard registration edge and an outboard registration edge.

Abstract: Provided is a printing apparatus enabling a user to easily perform jam processing. The printing apparatus includes a printing unit, a cassette in which a plurality of sheets to be printed by the printing unit are mounted, and which is capable of being drawn out from the device by a user, a roller pair which is capable of being in an abutting state and a separate state and transports the sheet supplied from the cassette by interposing the sheet, in the abutting state, and a mechanism which changes the roller pair from the abutting state to the separate state as the cassette is drawn out.

Abstract: An example disclosed printer configured to peel media from a backing includes a peeler assembly that is engageable between a peeling position, wherein the printer is configured to peel the media from the backing, and a non-peeling position, wherein the printer is not configured to peel the media from the backing; a sensor configured to send a signal corresponding to a position of the peeler assembly; and a printer controller configured to receive the position of the peeler assembly from the sensor and configured to adjust at least one print setting in response to receiving the signal corresponding to the position of the peeler assembly.

Abstract: A first roller is driven, by a conveying motor rotating in a normal direction and in a reverse direction, to rotate in a forward direction and in a backward direction, respectively. The first roller and a second roller convey a sheet in a conveying direction by rotating in the forward direction. The transmission unit transmits a driving force of the conveying motor to the second roller and includes a first rotary member. The transmission unit has such play that when the conveying motor is switched from rotation in a normal direction to rotation in a reverse direction, rotation of the second roller in a backward direction is delayed by a predetermined time period from rotation of the first roller in the backward direction. The predetermined time period is greater than a time period corresponding to one tooth of the first rotary member.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus includes: a media tray; a roller pair capable of selectively conveying the media tray and a sheet; a recording device disposed downstream of the roller pair in a conveying direction and configured to eject ink droplets; lower contact portions disposed downstream of the roller pair in the conveying direction; and an upper contact portion configured to cooperate with the lower contact portions to corrugate the sheet. The media tray has a downstream edge portion in a tray inserting direction in which the media tray is inserted. The downstream edge portion has at least one inclined portion inclining obliquely upward toward an upstream side in the tray inserting direction. The at least one inclined portion contacts the upper contact portion to move the upper contact portion upward.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to characterizing a media curler for a printing. Test curls can be imposed on media having input curls with known input values using a media curler to be characterized. The media curler can impose the test curls based on curler settings of the media curler. Resulting output values from an interaction between the test curls and the input curls can be measured and the curler settings can be characterized based on the known input values and the resulting output values so that the media curler can be configured to respond to incoming media having a known input curl by applying curler setting to achieve a desired output curl.

Abstract: A mounting system for an encoder is disclosed. The mounting system prevents rotation about the encoder shaft's axis of rotation. The mounting system allows translation in a plane perpendicular to the encoder shaft's axis of rotation.

Abstract: The conveying device has contact portions that extend in a conveyance direction of the conveying belt and which contact with the same surface of the print medium that is attracted by suction to the conveying belt. This realizes a conveying device that assures a high quality printing. Even when a print medium with warped or undulated portions is fed, the conveying device can hold the print medium flat on the conveying belt and the ribs by suction through the suction holes in the conveying belt and through the platen, keeping the distance between the print head and the print medium constant, assuring a stable printing operation.

Abstract: A paper sensor comprises a moveable grill. The paper sensor is arranged for location within an air flow in a printer, and comprises the grill as a paper-engaging body provided with a plurality of through holes such that air can flow freely through the grill. The grill is operable to move between a first position and a second position. The paper sensor is arranged so that in use a sheet of paper introduced adjacent the grill engages the grill and reduces the air flow through one or more of the holes in the grill, creating a pressure differential across the grill, that pressure differential causing the grill to move from the first position to the second position, and thereby indicating the presence of paper. A printer comprising a paper sensor, and a method of sensing paper is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sheet transport device includes a shaft member that extends in an axial direction orthogonal to a sheet transport direction, and a roller that includes plural components which are assembled together so as to surround the shaft member. The components have a shape such that a joint between the components is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the roller which is formed by assembling the components together. The joint extends from one end to another end of the outer peripheral surface in the axial direction while bending or curving at least at a portion in the middle thereof.

Abstract: Calibrating a media drive, comprising advancing media with a media drive while detecting media advances within the printer, determining an error in the media advances, and calibrating the media drive so as to at least partly compensate for the determined error.

Abstract: An image recording device includes a tray having a recess, a recording unit, a drive roller, a first driven roller, a second driven roller, a first urging member and a second urging member. The first driven roller is movable between a first basic position to contact the drive roller and press with a first force and a first nip position to press a first portion, corresponding to the recess, with a third force. The second driven roller is movable between a second basic position to contact the drive roller and press with a second force and a second nip position to press a second portion, not corresponding to the recess, with a fourth force. A difference between the first force and the second force is smaller than a difference between the third force and the fourth force, and the third force is smaller than the fourth force.

Abstract: A printing apparatus capable of maintaining print sheet conveying performance while keeping apparatus cost low and apparatus size small is provided. The printing apparatus includes a conveying mechanism and a print unit. The conveying mechanism includes a conveying roller which is a driving roller, a plurality of pinch rollers which are passive rollers disposed facing the conveying roller, and a plurality of pinch roller axles supporting the pinch rollers. The print unit prints onto a sheet conveyed by the conveying rollers and the plurality of pinch rollers. The conveying mechanism includes one or more first pinch roller sets including two pinch rollers and a first pinch roller axle supporting the two pinch rollers, and one or more second pinch roller sets including three pinch rollers and a second pinch roller axle supporting the three pinch rollers.

Abstract: A motor control device includes a first control unit and a second control unit. The first control unit includes an issuing unit that issues a command that schedules a next operation of a motor according to an instruction from a controller. The second control unit includes a receiving unit that receives the command, a detecting unit that detects a state of the motor, a determining unit that makes a determination as to whether to drive the motor to perform the operation according to the state detected by the detecting unit, and an executing unit that drives the motor to perform the operation scheduled by the command as determined by the determination.

Abstract: A printer including a printer housing further including a cavity and a print media tray arranged to fit within the cavity.

Abstract: There is provided a recording apparatus including: a recording head having recording elements arranged in a first direction; a first transporting mechanism having a first supply roller and a first discharge roller to transport the first recording medium; a second transporting mechanism arranged between the first supply and discharge rollers in the first direction to transport the second recording medium, the second transporting mechanism holding an overlap portion, of the second recording medium, overlapping in the first direction with a portion of a recording range in which the recording elements of the recording head are arranged; and a controller controlling the recording head to perform recording on the second recording medium by using only a part of the recording elements which are located to overlap with the overlap area of the second recording medium.

Abstract: A printing apparatus capable of maintaining print sheet conveying performance while keeping apparatus cost low and apparatus size small is provided. The printing apparatus includes a conveying mechanism and a print unit. The conveying mechanism includes a conveying roller which is a driving roller, a plurality of pinch rollers which are passive rollers disposed facing the conveying roller, and a plurality of pinch roller axles supporting the pinch rollers. The print unit prints onto a sheet conveyed by the conveying rollers and the plurality of pinch rollers. The conveying mechanism includes one or more first pinch roller sets including two pinch rollers and a first pinch roller axle supporting the two pinch rollers, and one or more second pinch roller sets including three pinch rollers and a second pinch roller axle supporting the three pinch rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a print head, multiple roller pairs to convey a sheet, a direct sensor, and a control unit. The print head prints on a conveyed sheet. The multiple roller pairs nip the sheet at an upstream side of the print head to convey the sheet, nip the sheet at a downstream side of the print head, and nip the sheet at an upstream side of a first roller pair to convey the sheet. The direct sensor measures a surface of the conveyed sheet at a measurement position between a nip position of the first roller pair and a nip position of a third roller pair to obtain information relating to a movement state of the sheet. The control unit controls to correct at least one of driving control of the print head and conveying control of the sheet, based on the information obtained by the direct sensor.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices, methods and other means, including those related to printers, as well as computer readable media for storing code to execute instructions for a device, and other systems for providing and supporting mobile printing and other types of devices. The circuit boards of a device can each be dedicated to different types of functionality and be installed into the device without the use of fasteners.

Abstract: A method for automatically adapting a write cycle to a movement of a web-shaped medium in a digital printing machine, as a function of the thickness of the web-shaped medium guided around first and second transport or guide rollers, includes providing the first and second transport or guide rollers having a known diameters, the diameter of the second being different from the diameter of the first. A rotational speed ratio N(T) between the first and second transport or guide rollers (9, 11) is determined while the printing material (6) is guided around the transport or guide rollers (9, 11). The write cycle is determined at least with the use of the previously determined rotational speed ratio N(T).

Abstract: Image recording apparatus including manual medium insertion tray manually loaded with recording medium, the tray being connected to rear end portion of housing such that the tray is pivotable in vertical direction about horizontal axis of first hinge portion located below first hinge portion provided for image reading device, between its operative position in which the second recording medium is fed to feeding path leading to image recording device, and its retracted position, the tray placed in the operative position having upwardly inclined posture extending outwardly from the rear end portion of the housing, while the tray placed in the retracted position having posture extending generally downwards into accommodating space formed within the housing and on rear side of U-turn sheet transfer path connecting the sheet supply cassette and the feeding path, the tray being pivotable between the operative and retracted positions through rear opening formed in the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus and printing media cassette thereof. The loading position of a loading plate of the printing media cassette can be varied based on the printing medium size by a capacity adjustment unit. The capacity adjustment unit may operate in association with the size adjustment guide so as to define the loading position based on the size of the printing media. The image forming apparatus can include the printing media cassette detachably received in the body thereof.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a record head which forms an image on a recording medium; a conveyance mechanism which has an outer circumferential surface opposing the record head and conveys the recording medium placed on the outer circumferential surface; and a media attracting unit which causes the recording medium to be attracted onto the outer circumferential surface and includes a first electrode which is provided to oppose an inner circumferential surface of the conveyance belt which surface is opposite to the outer circumferential surface of the conveyance belt, a second electrode which opposes the outer circumferential surface of the conveyance belt and is detached from the outer circumferential surface, and a voltage supply unit which applies a voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A paper outputting apparatus for supporting a plurality of papers output from a paper output port of a printing apparatus includes a supporting bracket, two paper output slides slidably mounted on the supporting bracket, and a paper pressing slide slidably mounted on the supporting bracket. When a sheet of paper slides out from the paper output port, the two paper output slides slide to an outside of the paper output port from the supporting bracket. The paper pressing slide moves toward the paper in the paper output port to resist against the paper. The paper is curved by the paper pressing slide and slides out from the paper output port along the two paper output slides.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses a label producing apparatus comprising: a housing; a feeding device that feeds a label tape; a printing device that prints desired print; an optical sensor comprising a light projecting device and a light receiving device capable of outputting a detected voltage value; a light-on control portion that controls said optical sensor so that said light projecting device is turned on; an initial value storage device that stores a predetermined initial threshold value; a threshold value correction portion that calculates a corrected threshold value using said initial threshold value; a mark detecting portion that detects a positioning mark by an arrival of said detected voltage value at said corrected threshold value after calculation of said corrected threshold value; a feeding control portion that controls said feeding device; and a print control portion that controls a print operation of said printing device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printer including a transverse tension sensor for detecting that a sheet being discharged has deviated in a paper width direction orthogonal to a discharging direction. The conveyance of the sheet is stopped based on a detection signal of the transverse tension sensor.

Abstract: A roll holder includes a shaft portion configured to hold a roll member formed by winding a strip-shaped material. A pair of wall portions is configured to restrain axial movement of the roll member held by the shaft portion. Also, a reduction unit is provided in the roll holder to reduce frictional resistance against a force by which the strip-shaped material is drawn from the roll member whose axial movement is restrained by the wall portions.

Abstract: With a printing device in which a printing medium is moved relatively, and which prints on the printing medium, the surface of the medium is illuminated, a plurality of illuminated regions of the medium moving in this illuminated state are imaged to acquire a plurality of images. A region to be matched having a characteristic region within a first image is set out of the images, a similar region having the highest similarity to the characteristic region is determined within a second image that is different from the first image. The estimated movement amount of the medium is calculated from the positional relation between the region to be matched and the similar region. Error information indicating error in the estimated movement amount of the medium attributable to the angle of light directed at the medium is acquired, and the estimated movement amount is corrected.

Abstract: A mounting system for an encoder is disclosed. The mounting system prevents rotation about the encoder shaft's axis of rotation. The mounting system allows translation in a plane perpendicular to the encoder shaft's axis of rotation.

Abstract: A quad-roll curler apparatus includes a first roll, a second roll, a third roll, and a fourth roll. The curler apparatus is adjustable to a first processing configuration wherein three of the four rolls are engaged to impart a curl in a sheet in a first direction. The curler apparatus is adjustable to a second sheet processing configuration wherein three of the four rolls are engaged to impart a curl in a sheet in a second direction that is different from the first direction.

Abstract: Methods of, and systems for, multi-lingual two-sided printing are provided. According to one embodiment, a method of multi-lingual two-sided printing is provided, the method comprising: initiating a transaction; identifying a first language for printing on a first side of two-sided media and a second language for printing on a second side of the two-sided media based on one or more aspects of the transaction; printing information on the first side of the two-sided media in the first language; and printing information on the second side of the two-sided media in the second language, wherein the first language is different from the second language. Variations including the printing of transaction information on a first side of two-side media and additional information on a second side of the two-sided media when an identified first language is not different from an identified second language are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for retaining a print medium during printing according to various exemplary embodiments can include a print medium protector pocket having a front sheet, a back sheet, and an opening. The pocket may be adapted to receive therein through the opening a print medium. A plurality of retaining mechanisms may be cut into the back sheet for releasably attaching the print medium and holding the print medium relative to the back sheet during a printing operation.

Abstract: A paper-feeding device and a multi-function printer (MFP) using the paper-feeding device are provided. The MFP includes a housing with the paper-feeding device installed thereon. The paper-feeding device includes an outer case, an inner case and a retainer. The outer case has first side-walls, openings and slots, in which each opening and each slot on the opening are correspondingly disposed on each first side-wall. The inner case is located beside the first side-walls of the outer case and has a second side-wall. The second side-wall has a position-limiting rib protruding towards the first side-walls. The retainer is located between the first side-walls and has a body, a protrusion and a pivot, in which the protrusion is disposed at a top-portion of the body and correspondingly located in the slots, and the pivot is located between the protrusion and a retaining-portion of the body and correspondingly locked in the openings.

Abstract: In speed control that is performed within a single operating cycle of a printer, three-level control of ON control, OFF control, and chopper control, is performed in place of the two-level control of ON control and OFF control, to effectively suppress speed variations due to load variations within a single operating cycle, even in small printers provided with DC motors having small output torques. In a printer comprising a DC motor 7, a paper feeding unit 5 that includes a paper feeding roller that uses the DC motor as the driving source, and a printing mechanism unit 2, for printing, in use of the printing mechanism unit 2, onto paper that is advanced by a specific amount by the paper feeding unit 5, an encoder 10 for outputting pulse signals according to the rotation of the DC motor 7 is provided.

Abstract: In a state where a second power transmission path of transmitting power from the second planetary gear to the cam driving gear through the intermediate gear is selected, when the intermediate gear is opposed to the non-tooth portion for the release position of the cam driving gear, the rotation direction of the driving motor is changed to select a first power transmission path of directly transmitting power from the first planetary gear to the cam driving gear, the non-tooth portion for the release position deviates from the opposed position of the intermediate gear, and the rotation direction of the driving motor is changed again to select the second power transmission path.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus wherein the controller is configured to adjust a distance between a first recording medium and a second recording medium fed subsequently to the first recording medium in a medium feeding direction on the basis of a length L1 of a trailing-end marginal area of the first recording medium, a length L2 of a leading-end marginal area of the second recording medium, and a length L0 of a feeding-path recording area on a medium feeding path in the medium feeding direction such that the first recording medium and the second recording medium are not overlapped with each other in the feeding-path recording area and such that respective image recorded areas of the first recording medium and the second recording medium are not disposed on the feeding-path recording area at the same time.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to characterizing a media curler for a printing. Test curls can be imposed on media having input curls with known input values using a media curler to be characterized. The media curler can impose the test curls based on curler settings of the media curler. Resulting output values from an interaction between the test curls and the input curls can be measured and the curler settings can be characterized based on the known input values and the resulting output values so that the media curler can be configured to respond to incoming media having a known input curl by applying curler setting to achieve a desired output curl.