Abstract: A resolution quality redefinition control system for a multi function scanner/printer controls a plurality of functions executable such as scanning, printing, copying and faxing. Multiple resolution qualities may be selected by a user for any of the functions through a user input in communication with the controller. A designated quality resolution may not be appropriate for a designated function, however. Some of the functions have an optimal resolution and/or a significant range of resolutions. When the designated quality resolution is not appropriate for a designated function, the controller re-defines the designated quality resolution as an execute resolution for each execution of one of the functions.

Abstract: A method of calculating at least a component of ink drop velocity in an ink jet printer includes jetting at least one first ink drop from a printhead firing plane. It is detected when the first ink drop is a first predetermined distance away from a reference plane. A first time period between the jetting and the detecting of the first ink drop is measured. At least one second ink drop is jetted from the printhead firing plane. It is detected when the second ink drop is a second predetermined distance away from the reference plane. A second time period between the jetting and the detecting of the second ink drop is measured. A difference between the first predetermined distance and the second predetermined distance is divided by a difference between the first time period and the second time period.

Abstract: An ink detection sensor for an ink jet printer includes two terminals defining a substantially linear gap therebetween. An ink support device supports ink in the gap between the terminals. An electrical measuring device detects a change in an electrical resistance between the terminals when ink is supported in the gap by the ink support device.

Abstract: A printhead alignment sensor for an ink jet printer includes two terminals defining a substantially linear gap therebetween. An ink support device supports ink in the gap between the terminals. An electrical measuring device detects a change in an electrical resistance between the terminals when ink is supported in the gap by the ink support device.

Abstract: An ink detection sensor for an ink jet printer includes two terminals defining a substantially linear gap therebetween. An ink support device supports ink in the gap between the terminals. An electrical measuring device detects a change in an electrical resistance between the terminals when ink is supported in the gap by the ink support device.

Abstract: A printhead alignment sensor for an ink jet printer includes two terminals defining a substantially linear gap therebetween. An ink support device supports ink in the gap between the terminals. An electrical measuring device detects a change in an electrical resistance between the terminals when ink is supported in the gap by the ink support device.

Abstract: A method of detecting malfunctioning ones of a plurality of nozzles of a printhead in an ink jet printer includes providing a sensor having at least two terminals defining at least one gap therebetween. An attempt is made to jet ink from a first of the nozzles into the at least one gap. A resistance between at least two of the terminals is measured to determine whether the ink has been jetted into the at least one gap. The attempting and measuring steps are repeated for each remaining nozzle.

Abstract: A method of calculating at least a component of ink drop velocity in an ink jet printer includes jetting at least one first ink drop from a printhead firing plane. It is detected when the first ink drop is a first predetermined distance away from a reference plane. A first time period between the jetting and the detecting of the first ink drop is measured. At least one second ink drop is jetted from the printhead firing plane. It is detected when the second ink drop is a second predetermined distance away from the reference plane. A second time period between the jetting and the detecting of the second ink drop is measured. A difference between the first predetermined distance and the second predetermined distance is divided by a difference between the first time period and the second time period.

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: Printer (1) is provided with a mode to edit and print forms without reference to or interruption of a host computer and with immediate printing of one or more of the forms. Page data for the forms is preferably stored in flash memory (21) in a high level printer language. Preferably, at initiation of the forms mode at least the first listed document is immediately prepared by the control data processor (17) of the printer in bit mapped form for printing. Documents can be listed on the control panel by name for ready selection for printing.

Abstract: Electromigration within heater resistors of printheads is prevented by taking into account a resistance degradation characteristic of the heater resistors. In one method a burn in operation of the printhead heater resistors is provided in order to bring the heater resistor resistance to a substantially stable resistance value. Alternatively, a method of controlling firing of a heater resistor within a printhead of an ink jet printer involves establishing a desired current density or maximum acceptable current density for the heater resistor. A resistance of the heater resistor is thereafter monitored during printing operations. Based at least in part upon the monitored resistance, a firing voltage across the heater resistor is adjusted in order to maintain the desired current density through the heater resistor or in order to hold current density through the heater resistor at or below the maximum acceptable current density.

Abstract: A printed image alignment apparatus in a printer that prints a defined portion on a media, the apparatus being an alignment control in connection to the printing device of the printer and which selectively adjusts the alignment of the printed portion on the printed media, and the alignment control being on the exterior surface of the printer. The alignment control is preferably one or more pushbuttons on the exterior surface of the printer that adjust the horizontal and/or vertical alignment of the printed portion on the printed media. The apparatus further preferably includes a reset of default alignment values, and a slow print mode wherein the printing of the media is slowed such that the alignment control selectively adjusts the alignment of the printed portion between printing on individual media and which is reset to regular print speed after a predetermined duration of alignment control inactivity.

Abstract: A driver circuit for an matrix type inkjet printhead having a plurality of first heater resistors arranged in a matrix comprising a plurality of groups of heater resistors. The driver circuit comprises a plurality of first switches and a plurality of second switches. Each of the plurality of first switches is coupled to a heater resistor in each of the plurality of groups and is responsive to one of a plurality of first control signals to supply a current to the associated heater resistor. Each of the plurality of second switches is associated with one of the plurality of first switches, and comprises an input, an output and a gate. The input of each of the plurality of second switches is coupled to one of the plurality of first control signals, and the output of each of the plurality of second switches is coupled to the plurality of first switches for one of the plurality of groups of heater resistors.

Abstract: The invention described in the specification relates to an apparatus for supplying electrical information to a printer controller in order to identify the one or more cartridges installed in a printer. The apparatus comprises a carriage which is laterally translatable relative to the movement of print media through the printer, carriage translation means, and a replaceable cartridge attached to the carriage. The apparatus further comprises an indicia device which is attached to the replaceable cartridge and which has optically readable indicia thereon containing encoded information which contains information identifying the type of cartridge installed in the printer. The apparatus also includes an optical code reader which reads and transmits the encoded information to a printer controller as the cartridge moves in a lateral direction relative to the code reader.

Abstract: A sensor and method for detecting the presence of a protective tape on a printer cartridge in contact with a printer cartridge interface, preferably a printer carrier cable, in a printer. The sensor includes at least a first contact and a second contact between the printer cartridge and printer carrier cable, and a protective tape on the printer cartridge. The protective tape bridges an electrical connection between the first contact and second contact when the printer cartridge is in contact with the printer carrier cable. The first and second contact are either both on the printer cartridge or on the printer cartridge interface, or one contact is one the printer cartridge while the other is on the printer cartridge interface. The protective tape is an electrically-conductive material, or alternately is non-conductive and can include either a metal strip or a conductive adhesive that bridges an electrical connection between the first contact and second contact.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing a user to program characteristics of at least one light emitting diode (LED) in order to convey information about the operational status of an appliance, such as a printer. The user of the printer selects one of a plurality of display mode options for the LED for a particular operational status condition of the printer. For each display mode option, there is a range of parameters that can be programmed by the user. Display mode setting information for the particular operational status condition (and chosen parameters) is stored based on a selected display mode option. The display mode option may be tested for a particular set of parameters to allow the user to adjust the parameters to his/her liking. Moreover, a combination of display mode options may be programmed for an operational status condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for providing information to a printer controller in order to identify the type of printer cartridge installed in a thermal ink jet printer. The apparatus includes a printer cable containing a set of electrically-conductive wires connected to contacts in a printer cable connector. The contacts of the printer cable connector make physical connection to an identification circuit on the printer cartridge. The identification circuit includes an electrical conductor which is at an electrical reference potential. When none, or one or more contacts on the cable connector are in electrical contact with the electrical conductor of the identification circuit, a signal corresponding to the identification of the printer cartridge is produced which is used by the printer controller to determine the type of printer cartridge installed in the printer.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing a user to program characteristics of at least one light emitting diode (LED) in order to convey information about the operational status of an appliance, such as a printer. The user of the printer selects one of a plurality of display mode options for the LED for a particular operational status condition of the printer. For each display mode option, there is a range of parameters that can be programmed by the user. Display mode setting information for the particular operational status condition (and chosen parameters) is stored based on a selected display mode option. The display mode option may be tested for a particular set of parameters to allow the user to adjust the parameters to his/her liking. Moreover, a combination of display mode options may be programmed for an operational status condition.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an ink jet printer including a printhead and a printhead driver. The printhead includes a substrate, a nozzle plate having a plurality of ink emitting orifices, a plurality of jetting heaters on the substrate and respectively associated with the plurality of ink emitting orifices, and at least one substrate heater associated with the substrate. Each of the jetting heaters and the substrate heaters include first and second terminals. The printhead driver has a plurality of energizable outputs including at least one power line output and at least two enable line outputs. One power line output is electrically connected to a first terminal of each of a jetting heater and a substrate heater. Two of the enable line outputs are coupled to a second terminal of the jetting heater and a second terminal of the substrate heater.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for inhibiting electrically induced ink build-up on flexible, integrated circuit connecting leads, for thermal ink jet printer heads is disclosed, and relates to a thermal ink jet printer having a print head comprising an integrated circuit chip, a nozzle plate including a plurality of ink ejecting nozzles therein and overlying a heater resistor for each of the nozzles. Each of the associated heater resistors has associated active circuitry on the chip. On the chip there are a plurality of auxiliary functions requiring power, for example a substrate (silicon chip) heater, a shift register containing print head identification, fault detection circuit connections, etc.