Abstract: A detection apparatus for use in printing devices is disclosed including a container for storing a printing composition, a light source, a light detector, and a light waveguide. The waveguide conducts light from the source to the detector which is configured to enable printing by the device when the light from the source is detected. The detection apparatus may also, or alternatively, be configured to enable printing when either or both the container is coupled to the device in a printing orientation and/or the container with a printing composition having a particular characteristic is coupled to the device. In such configurations, the waveguide fails to conduct light from the source to the detector when the container is not in the printing orientation and/or the container with the particular characteristic is disconnected from the device.

Abstract: A direct current motor for use in a closed-loop control system is disclosed that includes a rotating commutator having a plurality of slots, a plurality of windings, the number of windings that conduct current corresponding to one less than the number of slots of the commutator, and a plurality of brushes that are configured so that application of a direct current voltage across the brushes results in a current flow in at least one of the windings which causes the commutator to rotate. Continuous application of the direct current voltage across the brushes causes the current to flow in a varying number of the current conducting windings as the commutator continues to rotate, the number periodically varying from all of the current conducting windings to the at least one current conducting winding.

Abstract: A kit and method for flushing an ink delivery system of an inkjet printing device so that different printing composition may be used in the printing device are disclosed. An embodiment of the kit includes a fluid module, a coupler, and a vacuum source. The fluid module stores a quantity of fluid for flushing the ink delivery system. The coupler is fluidly connectable to the fluid module and configured to be fluidly and removeably coupled to a first end of the ink delivery system. The vacuum source is configured to be fluidly and removeably coupled to a second end of the ink delivery system, and further configured to be manually actuable to create a vacuum that draws the fluid from the fluid module into the ink delivery system thereby flushing the ink delivery system.

Abstract: A fluid level detection system for determining the volume of fluid in a container, is disclosed. An embodiment includes a fluid container, a reference chamber, a pressure chamber, an air source, an air management system including at least one orifice, a pressure sensor, a time measurement device, and a computing device. The air management system selectively pressurizes the reference chamber or pressure chamber and selectively discharges the reference chamber or pressure chamber via the orifice. The time measurement device determines elapsed time (.DELTA.t.sub.R) for pressure in the reference chamber to drop from pressure (P.sub.R1) to pressure (P.sub.R2) and elapsed time (.DELTA.t.sub.P) for pressure in the pressure chamber to drop from pressure (P.sub.P1) to pressure (P.sub.P2). The computing device determines a volume of air in the pressure chamber based upon the reference chamber volume, elapsed time (.DELTA.t.sub.R), elapsed time (.DELTA.t.sub.P), and pressures (P.sub.R1), (P.sub.R2), (P.sub.P1), and (P.

Abstract: A detector for use in detecting at least one mark on a sheet of print media used in a printing device, the mark indicating at least one characteristic of the sheet of print media, is disclosed. The detector includes a source, a sensor, and a bandstop filter. The source generates a first light signal that is directed at the mark on the sheet of print media, the first light signal having a first predetermined wavelength. The sensor is configured to detect a second light signal from the mark on the sheet of print media, the second light signal arising in response to the first light signal and having a second predetermined wavelength. The bandstop filter is positioned between the sensor and the mark on the sheet of print media and is configured to block from the sensor the first predetermined wavelength of the first light signal generated by the source and transmit to the sensor other wavelengths of light, including the second predetermined wavelength of the second light signal.

Abstract: A media detector for use in a printing device and method of differentiating between glossy-finish and matte-finish print media are disclosed. An embodiment of the media detector includes a source, sensor, and polarized filter. The source transmits an unpolarized first light signal and is positioned so that this signal is transmitted toward a sheet of print media at a first angle with respect to a normal to a surface of the sheet of print media. The sensor is positioned to detect an intensity of a reflected light signal from the sheet of print media. The polarized filter is positioned between the sensor and the sheet of print media so that the intensity of the reflected light signal detected by the sensor is less for a polarized reflected light signal than for an unpolarized reflected light signal. Polarization of the reflected light signal is dependent upon the first angle.

Abstract: A module for a printing composition delivery system of a printing device that is a separable unit from the printing composition delivery system is disclosed. An embodiment of the module includes a printing composition supply station connector, a printing member connector, and a flexible conduit. The printing composition supply station connector is releasably attached to a printing composition supply station of the printing composition delivery system and has a coupler fluidly connectable to a printing composition supply of the printing composition supply station. The printing member connector is releasably attached to the printing device and has a coupler fluidly connectable to the printing member. The flexible conduit includes a first end fluidly connected to the coupler of the printing composition supply station connector and a second end fluidly connected to the coupler of the printing member connector to supply printing composition from the printing composition supply to the printing member.

Abstract: A direct current motor for use in a closed-loop control system is disclosed that produces a time varying signal indicative of a position of the motor. An embodiment of the motor includes a rotating commutator having a plurality of slots, a plurality of windings, the number of windings corresponding to one more than the number of slots of the commutator, and a plurality of brushes that are configured so that application of a direct current voltage across the brushes causes the commutator to rotate.A closed-loop control system is also disclosed that includes a direct current voltage source, a direct current motor in accordance with the present, a motor position signal source that generates a motor position signal for rotating the shaft of the direct current motor to a desired position, and a feedback circuit that corrects for any error in the desired position of the shaft of the direct current motor.

Abstract: A computer based network system includes a first node having a data value, medium for transmitting a network frame, and first and second node computers coupled to the medium. The first node computer is programmed to generate a numeric address based on at least a portion of a publication title, to load the data value and publication title into a data field of the network frame, to load the numeric address into a destination address field of the network frame, and to send the network frame on to the destination address via the medium.

Abstract: A direct current motor for use in a closed-loop control system is disclosed that includes a rotating commutator having a plurality of slots, a plurality of windings, the number of windings that conduct current corresponding to one less than the number of slots of the commutator, and a plurality of brushes that are configured so that application of a direct current voltage across the brushes results in a current flow in at least one of the windings which causes the commutator to rotate. Continuous application of the direct current voltage across the brushes causes the current to flow in a varying number of the current conducting windings as the commutator continues to rotate, the number periodically varying from all of the current conducting windings to the at least one current conducting winding.

Abstract: A print media alignment apparatus is disclosed. An embodiment includes a first member configured to apply a varying force to at least one print media sheet of a print media stack. This force varies from a minimum below a first print media stack height to a maximum at a second print media stack height. The alignment apparatus also includes a second member configured to apply a constant force to the print media stack irrespective of the stack height. Another embodiment includes a print media width adjuster configured to be moveable adjacent a print media stack having at least one sheet of print media, the print media stack defining a plane. The alignment apparatus also includes a wall on the width adjuster. The wall includes a wall first print media contact surface configured to slope at an angle with respect to the plane. The alignment apparatus further includes a member attached to the width adjuster, the member including a member print media contact surface configured to be perpendicular to the plane.

Abstract: A vertical axis service station adjustment device or tool for adjusting a position of an inkjet printhead service station with respect to a plane defined by a chassis of an inkjet printing device that includes at least one inkjet printhead is disclosed. An embodiment of the adjustment device includes a base, a pair of ramps, and an adjustment mechanism. The base is slideably mounted on the chassis so as to be capable of translation along the plane defined by the chassis. The ramps are coupled to the base and each define an angled track that supports the service station and with respect to which a member of the service station rides during translation of the base. The adjustment mechanism is coupled to the base and is actuable to translate the base along the plane, thereby moving the angled track of each ramp with respect to the member of the service station on that track, which results in movement of the service station in a direction that is at an angle to the plane defined by the chassis.