Abstract: A pointer position detection system for use in determining the position of a pointer relative to a tablet comprising a signal generating system coupled to the tablet for transmitting a driving signal, a movable pointer responsive to the transmitted driving signal, the pointer including a signal processor responsive to the driving signal for processing information contained in the driving signal and for generating a processed signal indicative thereof, the pointer further including a storage circuit for storing energy from the driving signal, the storage circuit being coupled to the signal processor, the pointer further including a transmitter system coupled to the signal processor for transmitting the processed signal, the transmitter system being adapted to transmit the processed signal using the stored energy in the storage circuit from the driving signal, and a signal detector for detecting the transmitted processed signal.

Abstract: A pointer position detection system for use in determining the position of a pointer relative to a tablet comprising a signal generating system coupled to the tablet for transmitting a driving signal, the signal generating system including a set of conductors for radiating the driving signal and the driving signal including information as to the particular conductor being activated by the signal generating system, a movable pointer responsive to the transmitted driving signal, the pointer including a signal processor responsive to the information and the amplitude of the driving signal on a selected plurality of successive conductors for generating a positional signal and causing the positional signal to be transmitted a selected time after receipt of the information and the amplitudes and further including a transmitter system coupled to the signal processor for transmitting the positional signal, and a signal detector system for detecting the transmitted positional signal.

Abstract: A high accuracy digitizer system for determining the position of a pointer relative to a tablet comprising a tablet having a positional grid thereon, a processor for determining the coarse position of the pointer relative to the tablet, and an error correction system for generating the true position of the pointer relative to the tablet. In a particular embodiment, the pointer includes an electromagnetic transducer for inducing a signal in the positional grid and the processor is coupled to the positional grid for sensing the signal and generating the coarse position of the pointer. The error correction system receives the coarse position from the processor and generates a true position, the positional grid containing positional inaccuracies therein and the error correction system correcting for such inaccuracies.

Abstract: An improved service station for a printer having a print head comprising a service station for preventing clogging of the nozzles of said print head and a bracket coupled to the service station and rotatably supporting the service station along an extended pivot for restricting movement of the service station to a first selected direction, whereby proper alignment and positioning of the service station with the print head is maintained. The print head moves along a second selected direction toward the service means and the bracket is coupled to the service station along the second selected direction to provide uniform support along the second selected direction. In a particular embodiment, the bracket is an extended hinge-type bracket and is coupled to the service station and a side wall of the printer along the length of the bracket along the second selected direction.

Abstract: An ink jet cartridge comprising an ink chamber, at least one aperture coupling a pressure relief chamber to the ink chamber, the aperture having a small internal diameter for creating a negative pressure on any ink in the lower portion of the ink chamber and a plurality of microparticles positioned in the pressure relief chamber for forming a plurality of small interstices which form a capillary path in the pressure relief chamber, the microparticles creating a negative pressure on any ink in the lower portion of the ink chamber and the selected size of the microparticles resulting in a capillary path of selected size for controlling the magnitude of the negative pressure in the lower portion of the ink chamber. The pressure relief chamber is positioned below the ink chamber, the ink chamber including an opening to couple the ink cartridge to an ink jet head and the aperture is positioned at the lower portion of the ink chamber.

Abstract: An improved ink cartridge comprising an ink chamber, a pressure relief chamber coupled to the ink chamber, and at least one air bleed hole coupling the pressure relief chamber to the ink chamber, the air bleed hole having a capillary dimension for creating a negative pressure on any ink in the air chamber. The pressure relief chamber is positioned below the ink chamber, the ink chamber including an opening to couple the ink cartridge to an ink head, the opening including an automatic shutoff valve, and the air bleed hole is positioned at the bottom of the ink chamber.

Abstract: An improved ink delivery system for an ink jet printer having a print carriage that traverses across a print medium comprising an ink source, a print head, and a coupler for coupling the ink source to the print head, the coupler including a pair of flexible tubes for carrying the ink and a Y-coupler for coupling to the pair of flexible tubes and the ink source, the Y-coupler causing the pair of flexible tubes to initially diverge. A check valve is provided to prevent back siphoning.

Abstract: A high efficiency passive pointer digitizer system comprising first and second sets of orthogonal and substantially coplanar conductors, a signal generator for generating a driving signal selectively along the first set of conductors, a movable pointer inductively coupled to the first and second sets of conductors, the pointer including a tuned circuit responsive to the driving signal for radiating a positional signal, a signal detector for detecting a positional signal induced in the second set of conductors by the tuned circuit responding to the driving signal, and a signal processor coupled to the signal generator and the signal detector for determining the location of the pointer relative to the conductors.

Abstract: An improved sensor system for a printer having a print carriage comprising an ink source, a print head, and a coupler for coupling the ink source to the print head, the coupler including a tube for carrying the ink and sensors for detecting voids in the ink carried by the tubes and positioned in close proximity to the ink source and the print head. A controller is coupled to the sensors and responsive to signals therefrom to stop the print carriage when voids are simultaneously detected by the sensors.

Abstract: The bag includes a selected volume of gas having a selected volume of dead space. The dead space being provided to accommodate expansion of the gas in the event of atmospheric and temperature changes. The dead space is within a range of 9% to 9.5% of the combined volume of the bag. The selected volume of air is sufficient such that complete drainage of an ink supply line to the printhead is allowed.

Abstract: A media position sensing system for a plotter in which a media is driven along at least one edge thereof comprising a plurality of apertures in the media positioned within the width of the edge and an optical detector positioned along the edge for sensing the appearance of the apertures in order to sense a selected position of the media. In a particular embodiment, the width of the apertures are less than one-half the width of the edge and are offset spaced from one another across the width of the edge to present an effective detection capability equivalent to a single aperture having a width equal to the width of the edge. The apertures extend along the length of the media a distance approximately equal to the width of the edge and are located near the end of the length of the media for sensing the end of the media.

Abstract: A lubrication system for thermally-imaged films comprising a thermally-active imaging film including a thermally-active imaging layer, a lubrication layer including poly(tetra-fluoroethylene) particulates coupled to said thermally-active imaging layer, and a temperature control for controlling the temperature of the lubrication layer to prevent distortion. In a particular embodiment, the lubrication layer comprises a polymeric binder having about three percent poly(tetra-fluoroethylene) particulates therein and the imaging layer includes a polymer matrix having a heat activated image producing compound therein. The temperature control prevents a heat buildup in the lubrication layer in excess of 230 millijoules per pixel.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for a pencil carriage in which a motor is coupled to a lead holder to move the lead holder relative to a drawing media surface, a pusher mechanism moves a lead carried by an internal of the lead holder relative to the position of the lead holder and the drawing media surface independently of the movement of the lead holder and a plotter control and sensors coupled thereto are provided for synchronizing the operation of the motor and the pusher mechanism to control the position of the lead relative to the lead holder and the drawing media surface. In a particular embodiment, the pusher mechanism includes a pusher rod for engaging the lead, a movable rack and a pinion gear engaged therewith, the movable rack being coupled to the pusher rod to move the lead, and a motor for driving the pinion gear.

Abstract: A media stripper mechanism for a plotter in which the media is supported by a support having a recess therein adapted to be covered by the media. A stripper is positioned external of the support and is adapted to be extended a preselected distance into the recess. A mover is provided for moving the stripper into the recess prior to the covering thereof by the media, whereby the media is stripped from the support by the stripper.

Abstract: A media cutter mechanism for a plotter in which the media is supported by a rotating support having one or more continuous recesses therein positioned to be at least partially covered by the media, the media being stationary with respect to the rotating support. One or more cutters are positioned external of the support and are movable a preselected distance into the recesses. Movers are provided for moving the cutters into the recesses to cut the media covering the recesses. In a particular embodiment, a plurality of individual cutters are employed and a plurality of commonly driven individual cams interact with the cutters for individually moving the individual cutters into the recesses. A controller is provided for controlling the individual cams to cut the media into preselected widths. In addition, a driver is provided for commonly driving the individual cutters.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for a plotter carriage adaptable for use in either a pen plotter or a pencil plotter mode in which a coupler engages both a support for a pen holder and a support for a lead holder and a motor and an actuator arm coupled to the motor are provided for driving the coupler relative to a drawing media surface. An interlock and a sensor are provided to enable the motor, actuator arm and coupler to be coupled to a pencil actuator mechanism and to determine whether the plotter carriage is being used in a pen plotter or a pencil plotter mode.

Abstract: A pen force gage for a pen plotter for determining whether the force of a pen positioned by a pen support onto the surface of a drawing media in the pen plotter falls within an acceptable range. The pen force gage includes structure for aligning or positioning the gage within the pen plotter so as to enable the gage to measure the force of the pen; a pivotable arm configured at one end to interact with the pen support as the pen moves toward the surface of the media and at the other end to support a movable weight to determine the force to be applied by the pen on the surface of the media; and an indicator and a reference mark for determining whether the force falls within the acceptable range.

Abstract: A lead loader mechanism for a pencil plotter in which a lead stocker contains a plurality of leads for use in a pencil plotter, at least one lead actuator mechanism is coupled to the lead stocker and is adapted to release the leads, and a support is provided for holding at least one lead holder and for engaging the lead actuator mechanism to release the leads into the lead holder. In a particular embodiment, the lead stocker has at least one lead storage chamber therein and the lead actuator mechanism is mounted on the lead stocker below the lead storage chamber and is adapted to be changed from a first condition in which the leads are prevented from leaving the lead storage chamber to a second condition in which the leads are free to leave the lead storage chamber, and the support is adapted to cause the lead actuator mechanism to change from the first condition to the second condition.

Abstract: A media loader for a media roll having a pair of endcaps. The media loader has a handle portion, a support portion adapted to partially encircle the endcap and a flexible midportion having an opening narrower than a selected portion of the endcap and adapted to flex to allow the passage therethrough of the selected portion of the endcap. The support portion is substantially the same cross-sectional size as the selected portion of the endcap but is adapted to remain stationary when the endcap rotates therein. The handle portion is adapted to accept therethrough portions of the endcap of larger cross-sectional size than the selected portion of the endcap while the flexible midportion is sufficiently stiff so as not to flex under the weight of the media loader.