Abstract: A method of storing and outputting a count for an imaging device. The method includes storing the count in a memory storage device. A continuous active signal is detected from an input, the input including continuous active signals and continuous steady-state signals. Also, a count request is receivable from a remote device. The count in the memory storage device is incremented when the continuous active signal from the input is detected. Finally, the count is outputting to the remote device.

Abstract: A broadcast printing system includes a first data communication network including a client device and one or more local imaging devices. A remote imaging device is coupled to the first data communication network through a second data communication network. In response to a single print request generated by an application process hosted on the client device, a print job is transmitted to the local imaging device according to a local print protocol and a print job is transmitted to the remote imaging device according to a protocol suitable for transmitting print jobs in a public data communication network such as the Internet Printing Protocol.

Abstract: A semi-solid ink composition for marking porous media is described. The ink composition can provide large dot size, low smear, fast drying, and sharp edge definition images when printed on a porous medium, such as a corrugated container. The semi-solid ink composition has the combined properties of both liquid and solid inks.

Abstract: A printing network including at least one user workstation and a printer is described. The user workstation transmits print jobs with image controller commands having data which is representative of a network address of the user workstation. An image controller at the printer receiving the print job executes the image controller commands in the print jobs to extract the network address of the user workstation. Processes in the printer store the extracted network address of the user workstation in association with data representative of the print job. The printer transmits messages to the user workstation concerning the status of the print job using the network address extracted from the print job.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for halftoning over a region of output pixels by defining large, or macro, halftone cells corresponding to regions of contiguous pixels and partitioning the macro halftone cells into smaller halftone cells. The gray, or hue, level within a macro halftone cell is determined by the number of pixels which are darkened within the macro halftone cell. Selection of the number of pixels to be darkened in response to input data can be effected in a manner to achieve automatic gamma correction.

Abstract: An ink jet comprises a restrictor with an asymmetrical opening that creates a vortex in the ink flowing into an ink jet chamber. The vortex is created as the ink in an ink manifold is transferred from the ink manifold to the ink jet chamber. The asymmetrical geometry of the opening, in which a throat of the opening is laterally offset with respect to a vertical center line dividing the opening, creates a vortex in the ink flow within the ink jet chamber. The vortex creates a swirling motion which helps to sweep air bubbles trapped in the ink jet chamber toward an ink droplet ejection orifice so that an air bubble purge system can then easily expel the air bubbles through the ink droplet ejection orifice. By removing the trapped air bubbles, jet outages can be prevented.

Abstract: An ink development process for the preparation of pigmented solid inks including the steps of preparing a mill base and preparing an ink from the mill base. The mill base contains a pigment, and a solvent or oil as a wetting and dispersing media for the pigment. The mill base may contain a plasticizer. A hot melt pigmented ink is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-level printer is controlled to selectively enhance each pel, based on an error diffusion process. However, each channel (e.g., RGB red, green and blue color channels; Lab luminance, red direction and blue direction channels; or other suitable channel division) is processed individually according to a suitable kernel to provide a multi-color image. The printer is capable of providing a plurality of "actual" levels of enhancement to a pel for any particular channel. The "desired" image defines a "desired" level of enhancement for each pel in each channel. Correlation bins are defined for each actual level of enhancement for associating each "desired" level of enhancement for each pel in each channel with an actual level of enhancement. An error value based upon the selected actual level of enhancement and the desired level of enhancement is diffused to the neighboring pels according to a kernel.

Abstract: A drop detection apparatus has a thermosensitive substrate for receiving drops of ink and providing a signal representative of a change in the temperature in the thermosensitive substrate which is caused by the ink drops deposited on the thermosensitive substrate. The thermosensitive substrate is made from a pyroelectric material, such as, for example, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and lead zirconium titanate (PLZT). As a result, a drop detection apparatus has a substantially simplified structure for detecting drops of ink ejected from large numbers of jets. Furthermore, since a drop detection apparatus relies on the temperature difference between the thermosensitive substrate and the drop of ink which is substantially small in size, the drop detection apparatus can be made substantially small in size, therefore suitable for a small sized ink jet apparatus.

Abstract: Transducer arrays for use in multi-jet, drop-on-demand ink jet printers are formed of one or more thin plate-shaped layers of piezoelectric material. Electrodes are electrically coupled to the opposite facing flat plate surfaces of each layer, so as to provide an electric field in the direction orthogonal to the flat plate surfaces. The electric field causes the layer(s) of piezoelectric material to selectively contract or expand in the direction of the electric field. The selective expansion and contraction of the transducer is communicated, through a foot, to selectively contract and expand the volume of an ink-jet chamber. Contraction of the ink-jet chamber causes ink to be expelled through an orifice provided in communication with the ink-jet chamber. A plurality of transducers are arranged in a linear array corresponding to a linear array of ink-jet chambers and orifices.