Abstract: A connection module including a base including a forward set of points located in a forward plane and a rearward set of points located in a rearward plane, the forward and rearward planes defining a junction therebetween. The connection module further includes a cable including a plurality of contacts located thereon, each contact being shaped and located to engage one of the points. The connection module has a backing element including a piece of sheet-like material, a set of contact protrusions on the piece of material, and at least one stiffening element on the piece of material. Each of the contact protrusions is shaped and located to engage the cable and urge one of the contacts into engagement with one of the points. The stiffening element is generally aligned with the junction when the contact protrusions engage the cable and urge the contacts into engagement with one of the points.

Abstract: A method for reducing horizontal banding on media in an ink jet printer involves the step of moving the media repeatedly back and forth along a media movement path during a printing scan of at least one print head, the printing scan defined by movement of the print head across the media movement path as ink is ejected from the print head onto the media.

Abstract: A printer assembly and a method for determining the position of a printer component, such as a printer paper-feed roller, during a move of the printer component from an initial position toward a desired final position. An analog encoder is operatively connected to the printer component, and a threshold device is connected to the analog output of the analog encoder. The position of the printer component is determined from the digital output of the threshold device and a digitization of the analog output of the analog encoder.

Abstract: A method of printing a print image on a print medium using a printer includes providing a text printing mode, wherein a first predetermined number of bits identify a selected character to be printed. A host based printing mode is provided wherein selected bits each indicate whether a corresponding pixel should be printed. The printer is initialized to print in either one of the text printing mode and the host based printing mode. A second predetermined number of bits of a data stream associated with the print image to be printed are received within the printer. The second predetermined number of bits is examined to determine a presence of a command therein. The printer is enabled to print in an enabled printing mode. The enabled printing mode includes either the text printing mode or the host based printing mode, dependent upon the examination of the second predetermined number of bits. The printer is used to print on the print medium in the enabled printing mode.