Abstract: A method of hindering optical detection of a pattern of data being stored, moved or processed by at least one active circuit in an integrated circuit, the active circuit including at least first and second active devices that change state within a period of time, such that each device exhibits low resistance in one state and high resistance in another state, the method comprising controlling timing of the change of state of the first active device relative to the second active device so as to prevent the devices having simultaneous intermediate resistances between the low and high resistances, thereby to reduce optical emission by the at least one active circuit compared to causing the changes of state of the two devices to happen simultaneously.

Abstract: A printhead with a series of overlapping printhead segments, all controlled by a print engine controller that adjusts for the temperature variable overlap between the segments to reduce visually perceptible artefacts. The controller sums a current dither value from a dither matrix with an overlap signal to provide an output value which is then compared in a comparator with an input continuous tone data value providing an output compensated dither value to control nozzles in the overlap region of the segments. Alternatively it uses a software program to provide the compensated dither matrix. A temperature sensor measures the degree of overlap of the segments to generate the overlap signal. The degree of overlap may be determined for various temperatures and stored in a ROM.

Abstract: A method of generating halftone print data for overlapping end portions of a pair of consecutive printhead segments in an array of two or more printhead segments. Generally an end portion of a first printhead segment overlaps an end portion of a second printhead segment, in which each printhead segment includes a plurality of ink ejection nozzles. The method includes generating a dither value from a dither matrix, and then combining the dither value with an overlap signal, which represents an extent of overlap of the end portions, to produce an output value. A mathematical operation is then performed on continuous tone print data using a comparator, based on the output value, to produce the half tone data.

Abstract: A dithering unit for a multi-segment printhead having a plurality of printhead segments that are positioned in a printhead to span a print area so that portions of consecutive printhead segments overlap in common print areas, with each printhead segment defining a lead-in area in one common print area and a lead-out area in a consecutive common print area, the dithering unit being configured to communicate with an interface to receive image data from the interface and a memory device to receive data relating to the characteristics of the multi-segment printhead, the dithering unit being configured to generate a set of dither matrices for each printhead segment so that each set has at least a lead-in dither matrix associated with the lead-in area and a lead-out dither matrix associated with the lead-out area, to generate lead-in/lead-out dither matrices for each common print area based on characteristics of the printhead segments of each common print area, to generate a variable probability value that is depen

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: Provided is a page expansion and printing method for a pagewidth inkjet printer. The method features the step of receiving a page description having a bi-level black layer and a contone CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow black) layer from a host and storing said page description in a memory. The method also includes the steps of decompressing the respective layers in parallel, halftoning the contone CMYK layer to bi-level CMYK, compositing the bi-level black layer over the bi-level CMYK layer, and transmitting the image to a memory buffer for printing by the pagewidth printer.

Abstract: A method performed by a quality assurance integrated circuit for a print controller, the quality assurance integrated circuit comprising a memory; a system clock for generating a clock signal; clock trim circuitry for trimming the frequency of the clock signal; and a processor. the method includes, in the processor, in response to receiving an external signal, determining the number of cycles of the clock signal during a predetermined number of cycles of the external signal or the number of cycles of the external signal during a predetermined number of cycles of the clock signal and to output the determined number of cycles to an external circuit; and in response to receiving a trim value based on the determined number of cycles from the external circuit, storing the trim value in the memory and controlling the clock trim circuitry to trim the frequency of the clock signal using the trim value.

Abstract: A tag printed on a print medium that comprises a substantially circular locator component used to represent a location of a tag reading device with respect to the tag. The tag also includes an orientation component, positioned within the circumference of the locator component, and used to represent an orientation of the tag reading device with respect to the tag. The tag also includes a data component comprising a plurality of data segments that are positioned both within and outside of the circumference of the locator component, the data component used to represent data to be read by the tag reading device.

Abstract: Provided is a method for encoding an orientation-independent dot based data package template for printing on a carrier. The method includes the step of allocating a number of background entries for printing as background dots on the carrier to define a constant background pattern detectable by a reader. The background pattern has an orientation component to indicate an orientation of the carrier to said reader. The method also includes the step of allocating a number of data entries for printing as data dots in a data area on the carrier for detection by the reader. The pattern and data area defines an arbitrary shaped data package indicating how the data itself is stored as dots within the data package.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing module for a pen-shaped page-width printer which prints business card-sized media. The module has at least one connector, having a four wire serial bus to connect the module to additional modules of the pen-shaped printer; and an image processor. The processor is configured to dynamically convert an image from an L*a*b* color space to a CMY color space whilst printing said media.

Abstract: A print assembly for a mobile telecommunications device is provided. The print assembly includes a media-width printhead for printing on a printing medium having a positional indicator thereon, and a media feed assembly for feeding the medium past the printhead. Also included is a capper assembly movable between a capped position covering the printhead and an uncapped position exposing the printhead, with the capper assembly being adapted for engagement with the medium to displace said capper assembly from the capped position to the uncapped position. The Print assembly further includes a print controller having a reader configured to operatively read the positional indicator to provide the print controller with a signal indicative of a position of the medium relative to the printhead, said controller being configured to derive a feed speed of the medium from the signal, and to correlate printing of the printhead with such feed speed.

Abstract: An elongate pagewidth inkjet printhead includes a plurality of nozzles sharing a common ink reservoir. The nozzles are arranged to form a grid of pods with each pod including a plurality of rows of nozzles. The pods are arranged to form serially arranged podgroups along the length of the printhead. The printhead is configured to perform either low speed printing whereby nozzles in alternating podgroups concurrently eject ink or high speed printing whereby nozzles in all podgroups concurrently eject ink.

Abstract: A two-dimensional (2D) tag for reading with an optical reader. The tag has a plurality of dot positions, a locator component used to locate the tag by the reader, an orientation component used to sense an orientation of the reader relative to the tag, and a data area to be read by the reader. The tag is represented by a tag format structure that contains an entry for each of the plurality of dot positions. An entry in the tag format structure can specify whether the dot position is part of the locator component or whether the dot position is part of the data area.

Abstract: A modular multimedia pen has a camera module and a printer module. The camera module has an image sensor and a central processing unit. The central processing unit has program memory, image storage memory and an image processing unit for transforming the captured image into an L*a*b* format for printing by the printer module.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a body housing a print engine configured to transport print media. The print engine includes a replaceable ink cartridge for storing ink, and a printhead assembly configured to eject the ink upon the print media. A retractable cover is pivotally mounted relative to the body and is able to be pivoted to form a guide which can guide print media to the print engine for printing. A capping mechanism is configured to cap the printhead assembly.

Abstract: A camera unit includes a display configured to display an image to be captured. An image sensor is configured to digitally capture the displayed image. A card reader is configured to read a removable card carrying distortion information. A printer is configured to print a distorted image on print media, the distorted image being a version of the captured image which has been distorted in accordance with the distortion information.

Abstract: An interactive apparatus is disclosed. The interactive apparatus has an audio recording mode and an audio playback mode. Further, the interactive apparatus includes a writing tool for manually writing on an encoded writing medium, an audio input device for recording audio, an audio output device for playing the recorded audio. Moreover, the interactive apparatus has an optical unit for reading coded data on the encoded writing medium and for determining a position on the encoded writing medium of the writing tool. Activation of the audio recording mode enables synchronous creation of writing on said encoded writing medium and recording of audio, and recognition of a playback-enabling graphical element on the encoded writing medium activates the audio playback mode and enables playback of the recorded audio.

Abstract: A method is provided for firing nozzles in a pagewidth inkjet printhead. The nozzles share a common ink reservoir and are arranged in rows. The method includes the step of firing all of the nozzles in a first row prior to firing any of the nozzles in another row. Typically, the method further includes the step of firing all of the nozzles in the other row prior to re-firing any of the nozzles in the first row.

Abstract: A method of integrating audio and an encoded writing medium using an interactive apparatus is disclosed. The method comprises activating an audio recording mode of the interactive apparatus. The interactive apparatus comprises a writing tool, an audio input device, and an audio output device. Furthermore, while recording audio, the method comprises synchronously writing on the encoded writing medium with the writing tool to create a playback-enabling graphical element corresponding to the recorded audio.

Abstract: A method of enabling recorded audio to be associated with a location on a surface is provided. The surface has coded data printed thereon, which is indicative of a plurality of locations on the surface. The method comprises the steps of: interacting with the surface using an optical sensing device comprising a microphone; recording audio using the microphone; reading some of the coded data during the interaction; determining a position of the sensing device using the read coded data; and communicating, to a computer system, position data indicative of the position of the sensing device and audio data corresponding to the recorded audio, thereby enabling the computer system to associate the audio data with the position.