Abstract: A method of correcting for malfunctioning ink ejection elements in a printing system using a single pass over a recording medium which includes obtaining a standard printmask, identifying ink ejection elements which are malfunctioning, ascertaining an original color measurement value for each pixel which will be printed with the malfunctioning ink ejection elements, determining a replacement color measurement value closest in value to the original color measurement value which does not use the malfunctioning ink ejection elements for each pixel which will be printed with the malfunctioning ink ejection elements and modifying the standard printmask by adjusting the number and color of ink drops deposited based on the replacement color measurement value for each pixel which will be printed with the malfunctioning ink ejection elements to create a modified printmask.

Abstract: A printing system for ejecting rows and columns of ink drops onto a medium which includes a mechanism for scanning a carriage through a print zone over the medium, a printhead mounted on the carriage, the printhead having ink ejection elements arranged in first and second columns of ink ejection elements arranged perpendicular to a scanning direction and a controller for causing the carriage to scan the printhead in a first scanning direction while controlling the ejection of drops of ink from the first column of ink ejection elements at a first ejection frequency and the ejection of drops of ink from the second column of ink ejection elements at a second ejection frequency and causing the carriage to scan the printhead in a second scanning direction opposite to the first scanning direction while controlling the ejection of drops of ink from the first column of ink ejection elements at the second ejection frequency and the ejection of drops of ink from the second column of ink ejection elements at the first e

Abstract: A print cartridge support structure holds one or more print cartridges in a stationary position while applying ink on media. A printhead servicing station is located outside of the print zone and has one or more servicing modules dedicated for interaction with one of the nozzle arrays of a print cartridge when such nozzle array is positioned in aligned proximity with its dedicated servicing module. The printhead servicing modules may include wipers, scrapers, cleaning fluid applicators, ink receiving receptacles and cappers. A motorized device may be used to relocate the print cartridge and/or the servicing modules to be in close proximity for servicing the printhead during a period when the nozzle arrays are not applying ink to the media.

Abstract: A method of operating a printing system having a media advance direction and a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the media advance direction and a first plurality of ink drop generators and a second plurality of ink drop generators by moving the first plurality of ink drop generators along the transverse direction while ejecting first ink droplets onto the media in a dot grid pattern having a first resolution in the transverse direction and moving the second plurality of ink drop generators along the transverse direction while ejecting second ink droplets onto the media in a second dot grid pattern having a second resolution in the transverse direction. The first and second resolutions being non-integer multiples of each other.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for predicting and avoiding bad bonds or connections when performing electrical connection of two electrical conductors by using a laser light beam attached to an optical fiber system which directs the light to the spot to be bonded. The method provides for rapid detection of damaged optical fibers before bad bonds or connections occur. Disclosed is a method for predicting and avoiding bad bonds or connections when performing solderless electrical connection of two contact elements by using a laser light beam attached to a optical fiber system which directs the light to the spot to be bonded.

Abstract: A method for incremental printing with an inkjet swath printer by ejecting drops of an ink from a printhead while scanning the printhead over a print medium, including determining a first edge and a second edge of each pixel in each row with respect to a first scanning direction. Moving the printhead in the first scanning direction while ejecting the drops of ink on the first edge of the pixels at a first firing frequency and on the second edge of the pixels at a second firing frequency and moving the printhead in a second direction opposite to the first scanning direction while ejecting the drops of ink on the second edge of the pixels at the first firing frequency and on the first edge of the pixels at the second firing frequency.

Abstract: Described is an electronic device for performing certain operations and includes a continuous operating unit providing operations benefitting from a backup battery for providing backup power to the continuous operating unit. The battery is installed in the electronic device at the time of manufacture and is connected to the continuous operating unit through a switch which is in the open position at the time of manufacture of the electronic device. An input device allows a user to input signals to the electronic device. A central processing unit is connected to the continuous operating unit and receives the input signals from the input device. The central processing unit contains firmware for performing the operations of the electronic device and the central processing unit closes the switch when a predetermined parameter is received from the input device.

Abstract: A method is provided for the solderless electrical connection of two contact elements by using a laser light beam attached to a fiber optic system which directs the light to the spot to be bonded. By using a fiber optic system the laser beam is optimally converted into thermal energy and bad connections due to underheating or destruction of the contacts due to overheating does not occur. The method and apparatus provides rapid, reproducible bonding even for the smallest of contact geometries. For example, the method of the invention results in solderless gold to gold compression bonding of conductive leads contained in a polymer flex circuit tape, such as a polyimide, without damaging the tape. A strong solderless gold to gold bond can be formed between the gold plated copper lead on the flex circuit tape and a gold plated pad on a semiconductor chip without the need for a window in the flex circuit and without any damage to the tape.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for the solderless laser welding of two materials by using a laser light beam attached to a fiber optic system which directs the light to a region where the laser beam can shine through one of the materials to create a seam weld. By using a fiber optic system the laser beam is optimally converted into thermal energy and weld flaws due to underheating or destruction of the materials due to overheating does not occur. The method and apparatus provide rapid, reproducible laser welding even for the smallest of contact geometries. For example, the method results in solderless gold-to-gold compression laser welding of a silicon substrate to the material contained in a polymer flex circuit tape, such as a polyimide, without damaging the tape. A strong solderless gold-to-gold bond can be formed between a gold bond line, or complex weld seam pattern, on the flex circuit tape and a mating gold bond line or weld seam pattern on a semiconductor chip.

Abstract: Disclosed is a print cartridge for an inkjet printer includes a flexible circuit having a nozzle member formed therein, the nozzle member including a plurality of ink orifices and the flexible circuit having window openings therein. The window openings expose electrical leads on the flexible circuit. A substrate containing a plurality of heating elements and associated ink ejection chambers, and having electrodes to which the electrical leads are bonded, is mounted on the back surface of the nozzle member. Each heating element is located proximate to an associated ink orifice. The back surface of the nozzle member extending over two or more outer edges of the substrate. A print cartridge body having a headland portion located proximate to the back surface of the nozzle member and including an inner raised wall circumscribing the substrate. The inner raised wall having an adhesive support surface formed thereon and having wall openings therein. The wall openings having an adhesive support surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating an inkjet printer having one or more inkjet print cartridges installed in the printer, wherein the printer is capable of operating under varying operating conditions and in a plurality of different printmodes, including obtaining a value for the common parasitic resistances and a base operating voltage setting for the inkjet printer when a predetermined number of possible resistors on the print cartridge are firing during a given period of time, determining an actual number of resistors firing on the print cartridge during the given period of time, adjusting the base operating voltage setting to a selected voltage setting based on the results of said obtaining step and said determining step and operating the printer using the selected operating voltage setting for the print cartridge.

Abstract: A method for minimizing cross-contamination of print cartridges in an inkjet printing system due to aerosol drift by employing a bi-directional spitting scheme coupled with a configuration of the print cartridges. The method includes a carriage for traversing across a print medium and a spittoon, the carriage having a plurality of N receptacles, the receptacles identified from left to right as positions 1 through N, includes mounting a reactive print cartridge in either positions 1 and N, or both, on the carriage, the reactive print cartridges having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting reactive droplets and mounting a plurality of print cartridges in the remaining positions on the carriage, the print cartridges having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inkjet printhead including a substrate having a plurality of individual ink ejection elements formed on a first surface of said substrate, said ink ejection elements electrically connected to bond pads on said substrate, a barrier layer formed on said first surface of said substrate, said barrier layer defining a plurality of individual ink ejection chambers, said barrier layer further providing isolation of the bond pads on the substrate and a flexible circuit having electrical traces formed thereon, said electrical traces having leads attached to said bond pads; said flexible circuit overlaying and affixed to said barrier layer such that a plurality of nozzles formed in a nozzle member portion of said flexible circuit, such that said nozzles align with said ink ejection chambers and said ink ejection elements.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead which includes a substrate having a plurality of individual ink ejection chambers defined by a barrier layer formed on a first surface of said substrate and having an ink ejection element formed on the first surface of said substrate in each of said ink ejection chambers, said ink ejection elements electrically connected to electrodes on said substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is an energy control system and method for an inkjet printer cartridge for controlling the droplet firing energy. One embodiment of the present invention includes calibrating an inkjet print cartridge having a printhead die divided into sections. This method includes selecting an operational range of the inkjet print cartridge, measuring the electrical characteristics of the electrical components over this operational range, calculating an optimal calibration value for the electrical characteristics of each section, and storing these optimal calibration values. In addition, the present invention allows operation of an inkjet printer having a print cartridge for determining optimal operating settings for the print cartridge.

Abstract: A temperature control system for an inkjet printhead assembly includes a printhead assembly having ink ejection elements energizable by an electrical pulse having an amplitude and pulse width, a sensor coupled to the printhead assembly for generating a signal representative of a printhead temperature. A controller reads a nominal operating pulse width, pulse width calibration data and the signal from the sensor. The controller calculates an adjusted pulse width using the nominal operating pulse width, the pulse width calibration data and the signal from the sensor. The controller uses the adjusted pulse width to control the printhead temperature.

Abstract: A print cartridge having a plurality of ink drop generators for ejecting droplets of ink on a print media, the print cartridge having a plurality of operating frequencies, including lower stable operating frequencies, higher stable operating frequencies and substantially less stable operating frequencies between the lower and higher stable operating frequencies. The plurality of operating frequencies being expressed as Fmax/n, where n is an integer, where the print cartridge is not operated for values of n which represent the substantially less stable operating frequencies. A supply of ink is in fluid communication with the plurality of ink drop generators.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluidic coupling that releasably and fluidically connects to the inlet port of an inkjet print cartridge. The fluidic coupling acts as a seal for the print cartridge and a means of lubricating and protecting the inlet port from drying, leaking ink, and air ingestion while the print cartridge is in transit and in storage. The fluidic coupling also provides an auxiliary ink reservoir for the print cartridge. The fluidic coupling further provides an ink conduit to the printhead from an external ink supply. First first and second end portions define an internal chamber, the internal chamber providing an internal fluid conduit for ink between the first and second ends of the body; and a fluidic coupling affixed to the first end of the body and in fluidic communication with the internal chamber.

Abstract: A printing method that includes supplying ink from an ink reservoir through an ink channel that connects the ink reservoir with ink ejection chambers formed on a first surface of a substrate. The ink channel is connected at a first end to the ink reservoir and at a second end to a separate inlet passage for refilling each of the ink ejection chambers with ink. A group of the ink ejection chambers in adjacent relationship forms one of a plurality of primitives on the first surface of the substrate in which only a maximum of one of the ink ejection chambers is energized at a time. An ejection element within one of the ink ejection chambers is energized to cause the plurality of ink drops to be ejected onto a media surface at a single pixel location in a single pass of the substrate over the media surface.

Abstract: A printer for printing rows and columns of ink dots onto a medium is disclosed with the printer comprising a scanning carriage for scanning across the medium; a printhead mounted on the scanning carriage, the printhead including a plurality of primitives, each primitive having a plurality of ink ejection elements for ejecting ink therefrom, each primitive having a primitive size defined by the number of ink ejection elements within the primitive; a primitive select circuit electrically coupled to the ink ejection elements of the primitives and including a plurality of primitives lines for energizing the ink ejection elements; an address select circuit electrically coupled to the ink ejection elements of the primitives and including a plurality of address lines for addressing the ink ejection elements, so that ink ejection elements located at a particular physical position within their respective primitives have the same address line; and an address line sequencer for setting a firing order in which the a