Abstract: A printer controller for supplying dot data to a printhead module having a plurality of nozzles for expelling ink, the printhead module including a plurality of thermal sensors, each of the thermal sensors being configured to respond to a temperature at or adjacent at least one of the nozzles, the printer controller being configured to modify operation of at least some of the nozzles in response to the temperature rising above a first threshold.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising a processor and memory storing: secret information accessible via a first address, the secret information comprising a string of bit values; an inverse-string accessible via a second address, the inverse-string comprising a string of bit values, wherein each of the bit values in the inverse-string is the logical inverse of a bit value at a corresponding bit position in the secret information, the integrated circuit being programmed with code configured to: (i) receive a request for the secret information; and (ii) test whether the bit-values of the inverse string are the inverse of the bit-values at respective corresponding bit positions of the secret information.

Abstract: A printer controller for supplying one or more control signals to a printhead module, the printhead module including at least one row that comprises a plurality of sets of n adjacent nozzles, each of the nozzles being configured to expel ink in response to a fire signal, such that: (a) a fire signal is provided to nozzles at a first and nth position in each set of nozzles; (b) a fire signal is provided to the next inward pair of nozzles in each set; (c) in the event n is an even number, step (b) is repeated until all of the nozzles in each set has been fired; and (d) in the event n is an odd number, step (b) is repeated until all of the nozzles but a central nozzle in each set have been fired, and then the central nozzle is fired.

Abstract: A printhead module having a plurality of nozzles for expelling ink, the printhead module including a plurality of thermal sensors, each of the thermal sensors being configured to respond to a temperature at or adjacent at least one of the nozzles, the printhead module being configured to modify operation of the nozzles in response to the temperature rising above a first threshold.

Abstract: A printhead is provided having at least one row that comprises a plurality of sets of n adjacent printing nozzles. Each nozzle is configured to expel ink in response to a fire signal, such that, for each set of nozzles, a fire signal is provided in accordance with the sequence: [nozzle position 1, nozzle position n, nozzle position 2, nozzle position (n?1), . . . , nozzle position x].

Abstract: A printhead module capable of printing a maximum of n of channels of print data, the printhead being configurable into: a first mode, in which the printhead is configured to receive print data for a first number of the channels; and a second mode, in which the printhead is configured to receive print data for a second number of the channels, wherein the first number is greater than the second number.

Abstract: A printhead module having a plurality of rows of nozzles configured to extend, in use, across at least part of a printable pagewidth, the nozzles in each row being grouped into at least first and second fire groups, the printhead module being configured to sequentially fire, for each row, the nozzles of each fire group, such that each nozzle in the sequence from each fire group is fired simultaneously with respective corresponding nozzles in the sequence in the other fire groups, wherein the nozzles are fired row by row such that the nozzles of each row are all fired before the nozzles of each subsequent row.

Abstract: A pagewidth inkjet printer is provided having a pagewidth printhead which has a plurality of printhead modules mounted end to end on a carrier to extend across a pagewidth with each printhead module incorporating a plurality of inkjet nozzles and the nozzles of at least one of the printhead modules being rotationally displaced relative to the carrier, and a printer controller for communicating ink dot data to the inkjet nozzles in accordance with a cumulative correction factor for each printhead module. The printer controller measures the amount of rotational displacement of the rotationally displaced printhead module to determine the cumulative correction factor to at least partially compensate for the rotational displacement.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead is provided having a plurality of printhead modules arranged across a pagewidth to be printed. Each printhead module has a plurality of rows of ink ejection nozzles. At least some of the rows include at least one displaced row portion. The displaced row portions of at least some of the rows are different in length than the displaced row portions of at least some of the other rows.

Abstract: A printer controller able to compensate for inoperative or dead nozzles in a printhead. The printhead includes a plurality of sets of nozzles for printing a corresponding plurality of channels of dot data. The printhead is operated or controlled by the printer controller able to determine one or more operative nozzles capable of printing a dot on print media near a position at which the inoperative nozzle would have printed a dot had it been operative. The printer controller may also compensate for an inoperative nozzle in the printhead by using color redundancy.

Abstract: A printer is provided having at least one elongate printhead module comprising at least one row of printing nozzles, and first and second printer controllers configured to process print data for output to the printhead module. The first and second printer controllers are connected to a common input of the printhead module.

Abstract: A printer controller for supplying dot data to an inkjet printhead is provided. The printhead comprises a plurality of first nozzles and a plurality of second nozzles supplied with a same colored ink. The first nozzles and second nozzles are configured in a plurality of sets, wherein each set of nozzles comprises one first nozzle and one corresponding second nozzle. Each nozzle in a set is configurable by the printer controller to print a dot of the ink onto a substantially same position on a print medium. The printer controller is programmed to supply dot data such that the first nozzles and the second nozzles each contribute dots to a line of printing.

Abstract: A printhead system comprising an inkjet printhead and a printer controller for supplying dot data to the printhead is provided. The printhead comprises a plurality of transversely aligned color channels, each color channel comprising at least one nozzle row extending longitudinally along said printhead. Each nozzle in a color channel ejects the same colored ink. The printhead is comprised of a plurality of printhead modules with each printhead module comprising a respective segment of each nozzle row. The printer controller is programmed to supply dot data such that each of the printhead modules fires a respective segment within a predetermined segment-time. At least one of the fired segments is contained in a different color channel from at least one other of the fired segments.

Abstract: A method of expelling ink from a printhead module is provided. The printhead module includes at least one row that has a plurality of sets of n adjacent nozzles. Each of the nozzles is configured to expel ink in response to a fire signal. The method includes providing a fire signal to nozzles at a first and nth position in each set of nozzles, and providing a fire signal to the next inward pair of nozzles in each set. In the event n is an even number, a fire signal is provided to each next inward pair until all of the nozzles in each set has been fired. In the event n is an odd number, a fire signal is provided to each next inward pair until all of the nozzles but a central nozzle in each set have been fired, and then firing the central nozzle.

Abstract: A printer is provided having a printhead of first and second elongate printhead modules and first and second printer controllers configured to receive print data and process the print data to output dot data to the printhead. The printhead modules are parallel to each other, are disposed end to end on either side of a join region, and are of different lengths. The first printer controller is arranged to output dot data to both the first and second printhead modules and the second printer controller is arranged to output dot data only to the second printhead module. One or more of the printhead modules has at least one row of print nozzles and at least two shift registers for shifting in the dot data to at least one row. Each print nozzle obtains the dot data from an element of one of the shift registers.

Abstract: A method of expelling ink from a printhead module including at least one row that comprises a plurality of adjacent sets of n adjacent nozzles, each of the nozzles being configured to expel ink in response to a fire signal, the method comprising providing, for each set of nozzles, a fire signal in accordance with the sequence: [nozzle position 1, nozzle position n, nozzle position 2, nozzle position (n?1), . . . , nozzle position x], wherein nozzle position x is at or adjacent the centre of the set of nozzles.

Abstract: A printhead IC for an inkjet printer, the inkjet printer having a PEC for sending print data to the printhead IC in accordance with a predetermined data transmission protocol, the printhead IC comprising: an array of nozzles for ejecting drops of printing fluid onto a media substrate; and, drive circuitry for driving the array of nozzles; wherein, the circuitry is configured to receive print data in any one of a plurality of different data transmission protocols.

Abstract: A printer is provided having at least one elongate printhead module comprising at least one row of printing nozzles, and first and second printer controllers configured to process print data for output to the printhead module.

Abstract: A replaceable cartridge for installation in a mobile device, the cartridge comprising: a printhead; one or more ink reservoirs for supplying ink to the printhead; and an integrated circuit for enabling validation of the cartridge upon installation of the cartridge into the mobile device, the integrated circuit including non-volatile memory for storing secret information.

Abstract: A printer controller for supplying data to a printhead integrated circuit is provided. The printhead integrated circuit has a row of aligned printhead nozzles. A sequential group of the nozzles at only one end of the printhead integrated circuit is offset from the other nozzles of the row. The printer controller is configured to control order and timing of the supplied data to compensate for the offset nozzles during printing.