Abstract: A set of ink sticks for a phase change ink jet printer includes a plurality of ink sticks. Each ink stick is formed of a three dimensional ink stick body with a perimeter. Each of the ink stick bodies has one or more key elements formed in its perimeter. Each of the key elements has a uniform shape and size. The key elements are in different positions on the perimeter of each ink stick, and particularly the key elements of some of the ink sticks are on a different side of the ink stick than are the key elements on others of the ink sticks in the set. Corresponding keys on the openings through which the ink sticks are inserted into their appropriate feed channel exclude ink sticks of the set that do not have the appropriate perimeter key element.

Abstract: A solid ink feed system for a phase change printer includes a solid ink feed channel that has formed in it a feed channel key that either blocks a solid ink stick from complete insertion into the feed channel, or blocks passage of an ink stick along the length of the feed channel, unless the ink stick has a key element corresponding to the feed channel key. A solid ink stick is formed of a three dimensional ink stick body with a key element that extends along a surface of the ink stick body through the rear of the ink stick body.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer includes an ink stick body. Nesting elements are formed in the ink stick body for nesting the ink stick body with an adjacent ink stick body. One end surface of the ink stick body has a projecting nesting element, and the opposite end surface has a recessed nesting element having a complementary shape and position. When two ink sticks with such nesting elements abut one another in a feed channel of a solid ink feed system, the projecting nesting element of one ink stick fits into the recessed nesting element of the adjacent ink stick to reduce movement of the ink sticks relative to each other, and to reduce skewing of the ink sticks in the feed channel.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is formed of two or more imaging subarrays. Each imaging subarray is formed of a printed wiring board containing semiconductor imaging chips. The end chip of each board projects beyond the edge of the board. The imaging subarrays are joined together so that the projecting end chips may be closely spaced from one and another, without the circuit boards contacting one another. Glass tie bars formed of a low thermal expansion glass secure the boards to one another. A light curable adhesive secures each tie bar to the printed wiring board.

Abstract: A fluid container, particularly a replaceable ink container for an ink jet printer, and the method for opening that container reduce the likelihood of ejecting ink into the environment when a user opens the container. The ink container includes a housing formed of several container walls, with a fluid port through one of the container walls. An expansion element formed of a deformable wall portion of one of the container walls has an opening element attached to it so that the expansion element can be moved from an inner position to an outer position to expand the volume of the interior of the housing, thus lowering the pressure in the interior of the housing. The user opens a vent opening after expanding the expansion element to equalize the pressure in the interior of the ink container and the ambient external environment before opening the fluid port.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing system, and more particularly to a user interface for navigating and controlling a printing system to generate documents received from one or more input units including a computer network, scanner, modem, etc. Since the operator or user wishes to offer a wide variety of printing options to customers and complete customer orders as quickly as possible, minimizing the interruption of print jobs is a very important priority. By replenishing supplies such as stock and toner in a timely fashion, the utilization of the printing systems can be maximized. In order for the operator to more efficiently utilize the printing system to perform a large number of print jobs with as few interruptions as possible, the present invention provides a user friendly navigational tool, which can provide the operator with information regarding the amount of printing supplies currently available in the printing system.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink printer includes a three dimensional ink stick body that has formed in it guide means. The guide means is formed in a first portion of the ink stick body, for guiding the ink stick along a defined path in the ink stick feed system. An ink stick feed system includes a longitudinal guide rail in a first portion of a feed channel. The width of the longitudinal guide rail is substantially less than the width of the feed channel the guide means in the ink stick is a longitudinal guide element having a shape that is substantially complementary of the shape of the longitudinal guide rail of the feed channel.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer includes a three dimensional ink stick body that has a lateral center of gravity, a substantially horizontal perimeter, and opposed end surfaces. An ink stick guide element is formed in the bottom of the ink stick body, and the ink stick is adapted to travel through the feed channel along a feed channel guide rail. A portion of the ink stick perimeter forms a visually recognizable symbol, and a portion of the ink stick perimeter that is transverse to the feed direction of the channel has an insertion key element. Nesting elements are formed in the leading and trailing end surfaces of the ink stick body to nest with one another when ink sticks abut in the feed channel.

Abstract: A solid ink feed system for a phase change printer includes a solid ink feed channel that has formed in it a feed channel key that either blocks a solid ink stick from complete insertion into the feed channel, or blocks passage of an ink stick along the length of the feed channel, unless the ink stick has a key element corresponding to the feed channel key. A solid ink stick is formed of a three dimensional ink stick body with a key element that extends along a surface of the ink stick body through the rear of the ink stick body.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer includes at least first and second three dimensional ink stick body portions. Each ink stick body portion includes a perimeter section that is substantially the same as a corresponding section of a keyed insertion opening in the solid ink feed system. Each ink stick body portion also includes a joint perimeter section that is the complement of the joint perimeter section of the other ink stick body portion, so that the first and second ink stick body portions fit together.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a digital scanner for scanning images. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for accurately scanning documents and for processing digital data to provide digital images stored in memory, which can be retrieved for printing on support material or for displaying on a display screen. The present invention updates user settings based on the use of the digital scanner by an operator.

Abstract: A fluid cartridge for dispensing fluid, such as liquid ink for a drop on demand ink jet printer, includes a housing that encloses a capillary chamber, and has an outlet port through the one wall of the housing into the capillary chamber. Capillary material in the capillary chamber is arranged so that it has a higher density adjacent the outlet port than away from the outlet port, to enhance the flow of the fluid toward the outlet port. The interior of the capillary chamber is structured to provide greater compression to the capillary material around the outlet port, and provide stability to retain the variable compression of the capillary material.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus for cleaning debris from orifices in an ink jet printhead nozzle plate includes a structure defining a cleaning cavity between two horizontally contacting rollers where cleaning liquid is loaded, agitated, and dynamically sealed in the cavity trough the rotation of the rollers. A relative movement is also provided between the nozzle plate and the cleaning structure so that the nozzle plate can be positioned above the cleaning cavity with the rotating rollers. The nozzle plate is spaced a small distance from the flow of the cleaning liquid that the cleaning fluid fills this small distance. The flow causes the cleaning fluid to engage the nozzle plate and remove debris from the nozzle plate and orifice nozzles. After the cleaning cycle has ended the cleaning fluid is discarded.

Abstract: An ink jet printer that includes a printhead for ejecting ink droplets, an ink container for supplying ink to the printhead, and an ink level sensor for measuring the level of ink in the ink container, includes an ink level sensor activator. The ink level sensor activator causes the ink level sensor to measure the level of ink in the ink container after the printhead has ejected a predetermined quantity of ink. The ink level sensor activator records the quantity of ink ejected by the printhead onto the print medium by measuring to the number of droplets of ink ejected, and/or by determining the number of pixels in an image to be printed for which ink is to be ejected. If the quantity of ink ejected has a predetermined threshold, the ink level sensor measures the quantity of ink in the ink container.

Abstract: A printer determines the characteristics of the ink of the replaceble ink cartridge by set of ink cartridges. Each ink cartridge is formed of a housing and includes marks on the exterior surface of the housing. The marks on the cartridge housing are arranged so that the marks on the several ink cartridges collectively form a pattern of marks. The printer electronically scans the pattern of marks, and automatically produces an indication in accordance with the pattern of marks to identify the brand and/or type of ink contained in the set of cartridges, the ink capacity of the cartridges, as well as to verify that an appropriate combination of cartridges has been installed. Printer performance characteristics, such as expected print yield, can be determined based on the indication produced by scanning the pattern of marks.

Abstract: A printhead cartridge identification system is disclosed which ensures that an ink jet printer operates only with ink jet cartridges compatible with the specific printer function. An ink container which supplies ink to an associated printhead has a light reflector incorporated into a transparent wall of the ink container housing. The cartridge, comprising the ink container and associated printhead, is mounted on a scan carriage. Periodically, the carriage is conveyed to an optical station comprising a light source and a photosensor. The light source is energized and a beam of light is directed towards the reflector.

Abstract: A fluid cartridge, such as a cartridge for filling with ink for use in ink jet printhead includes a wick chamber that has outer walls, and forms a wick chamber and a fluid chamber. The outer walls of the fluid chamber are formed to provide no fluid communication with the fluid chamber except through the wick chamber. The ink fluid cartridge is filled by evacuating gas from the ink chamber and from the wick chamber, and then supplying ink into the wick chamber until the ink substantially saturates the wick material, and flows into the ink chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the volume of ink droplets ejected from printhead nozzles over a larger printhead operating temperature range. Each nucleating electrical pulse applied to the heating elements in the printhead to eject an ink droplet is preceded by a plurality of non-nucleating pre-pulses. Based upon the printhead temperature sensed, a controller selects the pre-pulse width and time width between pre-pulses from a look-up table.

Abstract: A low ink sensing system is combined with an ink cartridge detection system to enable a more efficient ink jet printer. An ink container which supplies ink to an associated printhead is modified by the incorporation of two light directing elements, in the preferred embodiment, a faceted prism and a roof mirror, into a transparent wall of the container housing. The cartridge, comprising the ink container and associated printhead, is mounted on a scan carriage. Periodically, the carriage is conveyed to a sensing station comprising a pair of light sources and a commonly used photosensor. A first light source is energized and a beam of light is directed to a location where the roof mirror, would be positioned if the cartridge is present. If the cartridge is absent, lack of a reflected return signal is sensed, indicating a cartridge has not been inserted. Print operation is halted until a cartridge is inserted.

Abstract: A computer case assembly that requires few or no screws for assembly includes a chassis that comprises a frame with side panels forming device bays for computer accessory devices. At least one of the side panels includes substantially parallel horizontal protrusions along the interior surface of the panel. A mounting rail has a screwless attachment for applying the mounting rail to a computer accessory device. The mounting rail is configured to slide between the protrusions of the side panel, and includes a latch to engage the chassis frame members. The chassis also includes a rear panel and a motherboard panel attached to the rear panel. The motherboard panel and the attached rear panel may be moved into a position in which the rear panel is substantially flush with the rear of the chassis. When the rear panel is substantially flush with the rear frame members, a latch affixed to the motherboard panel engages one of the rear frame members.