Abstract: A printer includes a print head including nozzles that eject ink on a recording medium sheet, first and second rollers provided on a sheet feeding path for feeding the sheet therealong, a platen provided between the first and second rollers for guiding the sheet on the sheet feeding path, and a guide roller disposed between the nozzles and the second roller on the feeding path. A rotation axis of the guide roller is fixed with respect to the feeding path. The guide roller disposed as above restricts the movement of the sheet in a direction away from the platen and thereby prevents the sheet from floating on the platen.

Abstract: A printing system comprises at least two input sources for storing a printable medium prior to printing. The printing system also includes at least two output destinations for holding or processing the printable medium after the printing. A user interface supports a user's selection of one of the output destinations for any sheet of a print job in at least one of the input sources prior to the printing. A central processing unit determines a pattern of media feeds for each output set to achieve a desired appearance characteristic for the output set or the print job associated with the output destinations. The central data processing unit creates media feed instructions based on the pattern of media feeds.

Abstract: Imaging by providing a plurality of webs, receiving a print job having one or more print images to be printed on the plurality of webs, and printing the one or more print images substantially simultaneously on one or more of the plurality of webs.

Abstract: An ink image producing machine has (a) imaging devices, including at least one ink jet print head and an image receiving station for producing an ink image on a heated substrate; (b) a substrate handling assembly including holding devices for holding supplies of substrates, and transport feeding devices for transporting and feeding substrates in a substrate direction towards the image receiving station; (c) a first substrate heating assembly located upstream of the image receiving station for initially heating each substrate being fed and transported from the holding devices; and (d) a second substrate heating assembly located downstream of the first substrate heating assembly and upstream of said image receiving station, relative to the substrate feeding direction, for controllably re-heating each substrate, initially heated by the first substrate heating assembly, to a desired ink image receiving temperature.

Abstract: A printer cartridge suitable for use in a cartridge-based printer houses and dispenses a roll of label media. The cartridge includes a housing having a top wall and a bottom wall. A yoke pivotally mounted between the top and bottom walls for pivotable movement about a pivot axis includes a label media supply shaft for holding a roll of label media. The label media supply shaft has a longitudinal axis spaced from, and parallel, to the pivot axis. A label media drive roller is rotatably mounted between the top and bottom walls, and a biasing means biases the yoke toward the label media drive roller to maintain the roll of label media in contact with the label media drive roller and defines a beginning of a media path. In one embodiment, the yoke is adjustable to accommodate different label media widths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for accurately indexing print receiving media of various types. A media indexing system is provided that includes a roller capable of indexing a print receiving medium in response to an indexing operation. A relationship exists between a commanded indexing operation of the roller and resultant indexing of a first type of print receiving medium. A type of print receiving medium is supplied to the media indexing system. The type of the print receiving medium is generally identified. A desired amount by which the print receiving medium should be indexed is identified. A commanded indexing operation of the roller to index by the desired amount is modified based on the type of the print receiving medium and the relationship. The print receiving can be indexed by substantially the desired amount.

Abstract: A method of printing an image on a printing portion of a printing paper using a printer so as to eliminate visible margins. The sheet of printing paper is conveyed within the printer by nipping margins of the sheet. After printing, the printing portion is detached from the printing paper along a cut line. Namely, a print having no margins and no nip markings is formed. Therefore, cutting position controlling mechanisms and paper cutting mechanisms as used in conventional printers are not necessary, and the structure of the printer is thereby made simple. Accordingly, since margins can be eliminated by using a simple structure, photographic printers and the like in particular are made compact and inexpensive.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having a paper feeding unit with a feed roller that moves paper supplied from a paper tray to a printing unit, and an exit roller that releases the paper on which the printing operation is performed by the printing unit, the printing apparatus including a temperature sensor sensing an ambient temperature of the printing apparatus; and a driving controller controlling the driving of the feed roller and the exit roller according to the ambient temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: The present invention compensates a printed image for distortions caused by mechanical image stretch. One embodiment comprises a memory configured to store compensation data, the compensation data corresponding to distortion in a printed image caused by mechanical image stretch, and a processor configured to generate a compensated image data by combining data corresponding to the image and the compensation data, and configured to communicate the compensated image data to a printing system.

Abstract: A printer includes: a paper transport unit; a print unit including a print head; a downstream sensor mounted on the print head; an upstream sensor disposed upstream of the downstream sensor; and a control unit. The control unit makes the paper transport unit transport paper at a first speed of low speed and a second speed of high speed. The control unit obtains first and second transport distances with which the paper has been transported since being detected by the upstream sensor and till being detected by the downstream sensor, while transporting the paper at the first and second speeds. The control unit calculates a response delay time of the upstream sensor from a difference between the first transport distance and the second transport distance, and corrects a remaining printable distance on a paper rear end side on the basis of the response delay time.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for compensating for media indexing errors in a printing device. In one embodiment, the method comprises identifying a desired amount by which the print receiving medium should be indexed in order to print at the next location for the image being printed. The method further comprises determining an ideal indexing command for causing the indexing command based upon a compensation factor in order to compensate for imperfections in the indexing system. In this embodiment, the ideal indexing command is adjusted only once per indexing of the print receiving medium by the desired amount, and the adjusted ideal indexing command is utilized to move a roller and to index the receiving medium by the desired amount in order to print at the next location for the image being printed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a media handling device for handling sheets of media contained in a stack.

Abstract: Media is transported to an imaging region using a vacuum feeder. A vacuum head is positioned onto the media and a vacuum is applied to the vacuum head to hold the media against the vacuum head. The vacuum head is then relocated to the imaging region carrying with it the media. In one embodiment, the vacuum head holds the media slightly above the surface of the imaging region. After the media is imaged, the vacuum head moves the media to an output region. In the output region the vacuum is removed from the vacuum head allowing the media to detach from the vacuum head and remain in the output region. In another embodiment, the vacuum is removed from the vacuum head allowing the media to detach from the vacuum head and remain in the imaging region. A second vacuum head is positioned in the imaging region onto the media and a vacuum is applied to the second vacuum head to hold the media against the second vacuum head. The second vacuum head is then relocated to the output region carrying with it the media.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus performs a print operation by controlling an ink jet recording head to eject ink drops there from against front and back surfaces of a recording sheet at a print position. The apparatus includes a transporting mechanism for transporting a portion of the recording sheet to a location outside of the apparatus after a completion of the print operation on the front surface of the recording sheet and just before printing of the back surface of the recording sheet.

Abstract: A high-speed printer is provided. The printer includes a media assembly for supporting a media roll that supplies the sheet of media and also for controlling a flow rate of the sheet of media through the printer. The sheet of media is received by the feedback control system, which is used to detect a slack position of the sheet of media. The slack position is used by the media assembly to determine a flow rate of the sheet of media through the printer. In addition, the printer also includes a roller system for receiving the sheet of material from the feedback control system and to feed the sheet of media to a print carriage.

Abstract: A disk adapter A is equipped with first and second adapter halves 1 and 2 to be detachably disposed in a disk-placing dented portion 54 provided in a disk tray 53 of a label printer 51. One of the adapter halves 1 and 2 is movable relative to the other thereof in accordance with a movement of a disk pushing member 55 provided in the disk tray 53. When the disk tray 53 is inserted into a printer main body 52, the aforementioned one of the adapter halves is moved in a direction that the one of the adapter halves approaches the other thereof by the disk pushing member 55, whereby the optical disk D is held by and between both the adapter halves 1 and 2.

Abstract: A paper discharge unit for an inkjet printer which ejects a sheet on which image printing is completed by an ink cartridge out of a printer main body. The paper discharge unit for an inkjet printer includes paper discharge rollers rotatably mounted in the printer main body to feed the printing-completed sheet out of the printer main body; and paper discharge guides disposed downstream of the paper discharge rollers in a direction the sheet is fed, and guiding upward the front end portion of the sheet ejected from the paper discharge rollers to prevent the rear end portion of the sheet from being lifted. Accordingly, the front end portion of the sheet is deformed by the paper discharge guides to restrain the end portion of the sheet facing a nozzle part of the ink cartridge from being in contact with the nozzle part when the sheet is ejected, so that image printing becomes possible up to the end portion of the sheet, to thereby improve the printing efficiency of the inkjet printer.

Abstract: A paper feeding device of an inkjet printer includes a motor generating a drive force, a pickup drive shaft rotated by the motor, a pivoting link housing disposed on the pickup drive shaft, a pickup roller connected to the ling housing, and a clutch enlinking the pickup drive shaft and the link housing enabling the link housing to pivot by a predetermined angle by rotation of the pickup drive shaft.

Abstract: The sheets are supplied interfolded by two folding rollers, on a table on which they are piled up forming a stack. When the stack achieves a predetermined height a first plurality of separators and a second plurality of separators, arranged for all the length of the stack and from opposite sides are inserted into the stack to provide the disengagement of the stack already formed from a stack being formed, leaving between them of a wing of sheet hanging. The stack formed is then withdrawn quickly from the stack being formed by means of a table, which translates vertically, and is subject to a blow of air for stretching a possible last sheet. Then, the stack formed is left on a longitudinal conveyor belt located underneath. At the same time, a sheet stretching board moves under the stack of interfolded sheets, for all its length, for provisional support thereof and for stretching completely the wing hanging from the stack being formed with a portion of wing that exceeds sheet stretching board.

Abstract: A mobile document handling system includes a mobile document handling system for use with a laptop computer that includes a main housing portion that has a bottom wall designed for resting on a horizontal support surface such as a table. The main housing portion defines an interior space. A input slot is positioned adjacent to a first edge of the main housing portion. The input slot is for selectively receiving at least one sheet of paper. A printing means is operationally couplable to the laptop computer. The printing means is for printing a graphic representation of information from the laptop computer onto the paper. An output slot is positioned adjacent to a second edge of the main housing portion. The output slot is for facilitating egress of the paper from the system after printing.

Abstract: Apparatus for keeping a receiving material flat against a plate during the application of an ink image thereto, wherein the plate is provided with V-shaped channels which extend in the direction in which the receiving material is movable stepwise over the plate. Ribs which separate the channels from one another are provided with suction openings in order to draw, by negative pressure, bubbles which have been formed by moisture absorption in the receiving material, into the channels in order to prevent the bubbles from coming into contact with ink application means movable over the plate. The outermost channels are provided with suction openings in the channel walls in order to keep wrinkles and corrugations at the sides of the receiving material out of contact with the ink application means.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises a conveying roller for conveying a recording medium, a conveying motor for generating driving force to drive the conveying roller, a driving transmitter for transmitting the driving force of the conveying motor to the conveying roller, a detector for detecting a rotation angle of the conveying roller, and a controller for controlling driving and stopping of the conveying roller on the basis of a signal from the detector, wherein a conveying quantity of the recording medium at a time of recording operation is an integer multiple of a conveying quantity of the recording medium corresponding to one period of a torque change or a speed change caused by the conveying motor or the driving transmitter, so that stop accuracy of the recording medium is not influenced by a torque (speed) ripple of the conveying motor or the transmitter.

Abstract: A printer, comprising a print head disposed along a first paper route (30), a pair of rollers (35) allowing recording paper to feed in a first direction (in the direction of an outlet (12)) and a second direction (in the direction of an inlet (11)), a second paper route (40) formed, in arc shape, along the outer periphery of the first roller (36) of the pair of rollers, branched from the first paper route on the second direction side of the first roller, and merged to the first paper route on the first direction side of the first roller, and route switching members (43, 67) disposed near the branched position and switching the route of the recording paper fed in the second direction to either of the first paper route and the second paper route.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed herein for enabling dual-loading of print media through a printzone of a printing device. Further characteristics and features of the present invention are additionally disclosed herein, as are exemplary alternative embodiments. This abstract is not to be used in the interpretation of any of the claims.

Abstract: A print engine (10) having a maximum physical sheet capacity (MAX_C), and being operable at an operational sheet capacity (OP_C) equal to or less than the maximum physical sheet capacity, includes a marking device (12) which applies marks to sheets of media supplied thereto and outputs the same. A feeding device (14) supplies the sheets to the marking device (12), and a finishing device (16) receives the sheets from the marking device (12). Also included is a user interface (18). The user interface (18) has an indicator (100) which communicates to an operator of the print engine (10): the maximum physical sheet capacity of the print engine (10); the operational sheet capacity at which the print engine (10) is currently operating; and, a measurement of actual sheets which are at least one of contained in or received in a support device of the print engine (10), wherein the support device is the feeding device (14) or the finishing device (16).

Abstract: In a printing apparatus in which a sheet handling device for conducting plural kinds of post processing is connected to a subsequent stage of an image forming device, a plurality of sheet feeding apparatuses disposed in the sheet handling device have a sheet residual amount detecting sensor and a sheet exhaustion detecting sensor. When the sheet residual amount detecting sensor detects that the number of sheets in an inserter is smaller than a predetermined number, the image forming device transports a sheet after it is confirmed by the sheet exhaustion detecting sensor that a sheet remains in the inserter.

Abstract: A printing device includes a print media advancement subsystem for providing accurate and timely print media advancement in the printing device. The print media advancement subsystem includes a vacuum chamber for generating a vacuum force through a platen for holding a print media stationary. In response to receiving a print media advance signal from a controller in the printing device, a sealing plate forming a side of the vacuum chamber is removed from the vacuum chamber. When the sealing plate is removed, the vacuum chamber is substantially open to the atmosphere, causing the vacuum chamber to pressurize. The pressurization of the vacuum chamber results in removal of the vacuum force from the print media, allowing the print media to advance along the top surface of the platen with minimal friction.

Abstract: A kiosk printer for unattended operation is equipped with a presenter to prevent a user from prematurely trying to remove a printed document. The presenter has motor driven feed rollers and a document sensor for determining when the printing document is in the presenter document path. The presenter has a home position adjacent to the printer document exit path. When printing starts, the document enters the presenter feed rollers and is sensed by a document sensor. A drive motor moves the presenter at the same rate as the printing document. When the presenter reaches a feed position it stops and the document sags and forms a document loop as printing continues. When printing stops, the presenter feed rollers feed the document from the kiosk to a user. When the printed document has exited the presenter, the presenter returns to the home position awaiting succeeding printed document.

Abstract: An inverter (1) for thin, flat products (2), especially printing substrates in a printing machine, with belts (7, 8) positioned over two deflection pulleys (3, 4, 5, 6) that are set together at 180° between the deflection pulleys (3, 4, 5, 6). Such inverter is configured so that the product (2) and the belts (7, 8) move precisely in their reference positions. This is achieved by the fact that, in the transport direction (9), after a setting region (10) at least three guide rolls (11, 12, 13) are mounted on the supporting strand sides (7′, 8′) of belts (7, 8) in alternating arrangement and at least one of the guide rolls (11, 12 13) has a retaining collar (14) on at least one side and at least one guide roll (18) is arranged before the setting region (10). Further, at least one guide device (19, 20, 21) is arranged to guide product (2) to facilitate inversion.

Abstract: A laser beam printer including a front face. The front face defines an opening for allowing attaching/detaching a paper feed cassette, an opening for allowing attaching/detaching a process unit, and an opening allowing manual paper feed. Accordingly, the laser beam printer has excellent operability since it allows the user to perform any operation from its side. At the same time, valuable space at the lateral and upper sides of the laser beam printer is available for effective use.

Abstract: A device for moving a sheets transversely to its conveying direction with a toothed belt for driving a spindle, whose conveyor rollers for grasping the sheet are attached with a blocking device with at least two toothed gears on the drive belt, whereby the toothed gears have blocking members that strike each other based on a certain gear transformation ratio of the two toothed gears following a certain number of rotations of the toothed gears and which block the movement of the toothed gears.

Abstract: A feeding device has a loading unit for allowing one of a plurality of recording media and a storage case having a plurality of recording media contained therein to be selectively loaded thereon, a feeding roller for feeding the recording media from the loading unit, and ribs for preventing the storage case from floating to restrict the position of the storage case relative to the feeding roller.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting movement of a sheet of media including a light emitting element and a light sensing element for detecting at least part of the light emitted from the light emitting element and reflected by the sheet, the light sensing element providing an output. The sensor further includes a processor receiving the output of the light sensing element and detecting movement of the sheet based upon the output.

Abstract: A device for controlling the transport of a printing product by a print-related machine includes at least one locally stationary photoelectric detector having a light transmitter, by which light is directed at a surface of the printing product, and at least one light receiver for detecting the light remitted from the surface, a device for evaluating the remitted light, the evaluating device having computational equipment connected to adjustment elements for controlling the effect of a cyclically operating transporting device, the light transmitter including a light source for transmitting coherent light, and the light receiver including an element for recording the spatial distribution of the stray light, a timing device provided for synchronizing the instant of time of the recording with the cycle of the transporting device, and the evaluation device having a comparator for the local distribution of the stray light at the instant of time of the recording provided with a prescribed distribution.

Abstract: An image-recording device including a pair of rollers on a side of a recording region at which a recording sheet is supplied thereto and a pair of rollers on a side of the recording region at which the recording sheet is ejected therefrom. The recording sheet is nipped between the rollers and is thereby conveyed. The roller arranged to be in contact with the recording sheet on a side opposite to a surface thereof on which an image is formed has a rigid body including a metal material and having a cylindrical surface. The surface of the roller is subjected to ceramic or urethane coating to generate a friction force, required for conveyance of the recording sheet, between the surface and the recording sheet, which passes between the roller and a roller arranged opposite to the roller.

Abstract: A print medium exit system in a printer includes a kicker device ejecting a sheet of print medium out of the printer. A clutch mechanism prevents actuation of the kicker device when the clutch mechanism is engaged by the sheet of print medium.

Abstract: A printing aid includes a printing position-determining member 22 for determining a position of a material to be printed 30 on a printing position of a printer device, and a placement member for material to be printed 21 for placing the material to be printed at a portion corresponding to the printing position determined by the printing position-determining member. This makes it possible to print on various types of materials to be printed with the printer device.

Abstract: Sheet ejecting apparatuses, which are connected to a recording apparatus, are selectively operated during the operation of the printer. When a sheet transported in a recording unit reaches a paper ejecting sensor, the recording unit outputs a predetermined signal to an image control unit. When the predetermined signal is inputted, the image control unit outputs a sheet ejection notice command of the sheet to a sheet ejecting apparatus, which is selected by the operator. The sheet ejecting apparatus to which the paper ejection notice command is inputted starts a drive motor and the like to eject the recording paper.

Abstract: In a printer having a continuously moving web, a method is disclosed for accelerating the moving web in the areas where printing is not to occur such that the throughput of the print can be increased without sacrificing print quality.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed herein for enabling dual-loading of print media through a printzone of a printing device. Further characteristics and features of the present invention are additionally disclosed herein, as are exemplary alternative embodiments. This abstract is not to be used in the interpretation of any of the claims.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a printing apparatus including a marking device, the marking device being capable of placing an image on a sheet fed therein, and outputting the sheet; a feed path, by which sheets are fed from a sheet supply to the marking device; a duplex path, by which sheets output from the marking device are re-fed to the marking device; a first sensor, outputting a first position signal relating to a location of a side edge as each sheet passes through the feed path; a second sensor, outputting a second position signal relating to a location of a side edge as each sheet passes through the duplex path; and an image placement controller associated with the marking device, the image placement controller retaining first position signals for a plurality of sheets passing through the feed path and second position signals for a plurality of sheets passing through the duplex path, and calculating new average paper positions for each sheet in response to at least one of the first positi

Abstract: An ink-jet apparatus is disclosed having a vacuum type print media transport subsystem for moving the print media through a printing zone. A transport belt is provided with an array of perforations such that vacuum flow is restricted. The perforations only pass vacuum induced airflow through the belt when over vacuum ported platen regions. In an alternative embodiment, belt lifting is controlled and substantially eliminated via vacuum ports associated with non-perforated regions of the transport belt.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus performs a print operation by controlling an ink jet recording head to eject ink drops therefrom against front and back surfaces of a recording sheet at a print position. The apparatus includes a transporting mechanism for transporting a portion of the recording sheet to a location outside of the apparatus after a completion of the print operation on the front surface of the recording sheet and just before printing of the back surface of the recording sheet.

Abstract: A method of correcting a conveyance error of a continuous sheet having a train of segments each including a respective segment mark and being conveyed for printing in accordance with the number of steps is disclosed. The method counts steps between consecutive segment marks during conveyance of the sheet to thereby output an actual number of steps, compares the actual number of steps with a preselected number of steps determined by a distance between the consecutive segment marks, and corrects, based on the result of comparison, the start of a new line at even positions of a single segment during subsequent conveyance. An apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus (10) for printing an image on a receiving substrate (20), the printing apparatus including:

Abstract: A feeding apparatus, a printing apparatus and a feeding control method can simplify control software significantly on a printing apparatus side and can provide freedom of design in the feeding apparatus. A communication port is provided for communication between the feeding apparatus and the printer. The feeding apparatus performs paper feeding operation after receiving a paper feeding command from the printer. When a sheet is fed in the printer, a feeding operation completion signal is transmitted to the printer. On the other hand, rotation of a feeding roller is resumed at a slightly earlier timing than a rotation start timing of a transporting roller. Therefore, back tension on the sheet by the feeding roller is minimized, and positioning the top of the sheet by the transporting roller is enhanced reliably.

Abstract: In a print position setting method, a sequence of the following operations of printing toner mark 4 by the obverse side printer, of detecting the toner mark 4 by a mark sensor 9, and feeding a printing sheet a distance ranging from a toner mark detecting position 12 to a page leading edge position 6 when the printing operation starts, is automated.

Abstract: A networked printing system has the capability of selecting a particular paper feeding slot of a printer by designating a paper name assigned to that particular paper feeding slot. Thus, an optimum printing operation is performed by the printer assigned that paper name. A controller communicates with the respective printers and produces a paper name information table. A paper name list is then produced according to this paper name information table. In accordance with the paper name list, a list of selectable paper names is displayed on a printing operation control screen. If a particular paper name is selected by a user from this list, then a printer assigned the selected paper name is retrieved from the paper name information table, and the retrieve printer is employed as the destination to which printing information is output.

Abstract: A printing machine for booklet-like medium (2) is disclosed as having a booklet resting surface (4) to which a sheet insertion passage (5) is opened, a booklet pressing unit (10) which presses booklet-like medium, which is centrally unfolded on the booklet resting surface at a bound portion (2b) and whose sheet (2a1) of a page to be printed and inserted through the sheet insertion passage, against the booklet resting surface, a print page positioning unit (40) composed of a pair of sheet hazing rollers (42a, 42b) for positioning the sheet (2a1), of the page to be printed, at a given print position, and a print head section (18) having a pair of right and left print heads (19a, 19b) mounted at both sides of the sheet (2a1) of the page to be printed, respectively.

Abstract: A print head transport mechanism of a postage meter for printing postal indicia which are of greater height than a printing height of a print head comprises a carriage to traverse the print head in a first direction over a band of a print receiving area and a guide to displace the print head from a home position to an index position during a second traverse of the print head in a reverse direction whereby the print head traverses over a second band, adjacent the first band, of the print receiving area during the second traverse.