Abstract: Alternative methods for refurbishing a single-use ink delivery container for a printing system are described. The refurbishing methods include electrical and mechanical reconfiguration or replacement of original elements on the ink delivery container. Each method utilizes an existing ink fluid outlet, electrical connector and an information storage device on the ink delivery container.

Abstract: A method for storing data in an electrical storage device associated with a printing component of an ink-jet printing system. The electrical storage device is responsive to printing system control signals for transferring information between the printing component and the ink-jet printing system. The electrical storage device includes a write once portion, a non-protected portion, and a protected portion. The write once portion or the protected portion contain information indicative of a refill ink in the printing component. Installation of the printing component into the printing system enables the printing system to alter information in the write once portion or the protected portion to indicate that the refill ink in the printing component has been used.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for printing a secure image on media using an inkjet printing device. The method includes printing an underlayer using an inkjet printing device that penetrates into a front surface of media. The underlayer is configured to define identification indicia. Included in the method is printing a secure image on top of the underlayer using an inkjet printing device. Examination of a back surface opposite the front surface allows viewing of the identification indicia for authenticating the secure image.

Abstract: A reservoir for an ink supply for an ink-jet printer is provided with a refill port through which it can be refilled. The reservoir may be coupled to a variable volume chamber via a check valve which allows the flow of ink from the reservoir to the chamber and limits the flow of ink from the chamber to the reservoir. The chamber is coupled to a fluid outlet which is normally closed to prevent the flow of ink. However, when the ink supply is installed in a printer, the fluid outlet establishes a fluid connection between the chamber and the printer. The chamber is part of a pump provided with the ink supply that can be actuated to supply ink from the reservoir to the printer. Alternatively, the reservoir may be coupled directly to the fluid outlet and an alternative method of transferring the ink to the printer provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an inkjet printing system that includes an inkjet printhead having a plurality of electrical contacts. The plurality of electrical contacts include address contacts and enable contacts for enabling drop generators and drive current contacts for providing drive current to enable drop generators for selectively ejecting ink therefrom. The printing system includes a printing device having a plurality of electrical contacts including address contacts, enable contacts and drive current contacts. The plurality of electrical contacts are configured to establish electrical contact with corresponding electrical contacts on the inkjet printhead upon insertion of the inkjet printhead into the printing device. The printing device provides periodic address signals and enable signals to the address and enable contacts one the printhead. In addition, the printing device selectively applies drive current to accomplish forming images on print media.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a marking engine for use in a marking machine. The marking engine is responsive to control signals for selectively depositing marking material on media. The marking engine includes a housing associated with the marking engine. The housing is configured for docking with the printing system. Also included is a radio frequency linking device mounted to the housing for providing a radio frequency link for transferring information between the marking engine and surveillance devices different from the marking machine.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a method for adapting an ink jet printing system for receiving an alternate supply of ink. The ink jet printing system has an ink jet printhead responsive to control signals for selectively depositing ink on media. Also included in the printing system is a docking station configured for receiving a replaceable ink container. The replaceable ink container includes a fluid outlet that is arranged to establish fluid communication with a fluid inlet associated with the docking station upon insertion of the replaceable ink container into the docking station. The replaceable ink container provides a supply of ink from the replaceable ink container to the ink jet printhead. The method includes disconnecting a fluid conduit extending between the fluid inlet and the ink jet printhead thereby interrupting the supply of ink from the replaceable ink container to the ink jet printhead.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a marking engine for use in a marking machine. The marking engine is responsive to control signals for selectively depositing marking material on media. The marking engine includes a housing associated with the marking engine. The housing is configured for docking with the printing system. The housing has an undocked position and a docked position wherein the housing is secured to a receiving station associated with the marking machine. Also included is a radio frequency linking device mounted to the housing so that there is substantially no relative movement between the radio frequency linking device and a corresponding radio frequency linking device associated with the receiving station when the marking engine is in the docked position with the marking machine. The radio frequency linking device provides a radio frequency link for transferring information between the marking engine and the marking machine.

Abstract: The present invention is an inkjet print cartridge for use in an inkjet printing apparatus for forming images on print media. The inkjet print cartridge includes an inkjet printhead that is responsive to print control signals for ejecting ink drops onto print media. The inkjet printhead has a manufacturing tolerances associated therewith producing a range of drop weights. The inkjet printhead has a corresponding drop weight from the range of drop weights. Included with the inkjet print cartridge is an information storage device that is associated with the inkjet printhead for storing information for identifying the corresponding drop weight.

Abstract: A large variety of ink delivery systems for an existing ink-jet printing system are provided. The ink delivery systems include ink reservoirs of varying configuration and size which are capable of accommodating a variety of ink use rates. Each ink delivery system also has an electrical connector and an information storage device which are suitable for the various ink use rates. The information storage device may be a memory device circuit that provides enabling information to the printing system.

Abstract: The present invention is a replaceable ink container for providing ink to an off-axis printing system. The printing system responsive to electrical signals from the replaceable ink container for controlling printer parameters. The ink container has a leading edge and a trailing edge relative to a direction of insertion of the ink container into the printing system. The replaceable ink container includes a fluid outlet disposed toward the leading edge. The fluid outlet is configured for fluid connection to a hollow needle associated with the printing system. The hollow needle extends in a direction opposite the insertion direction. Included in the ink container is a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on the ink container. The plurality of electrical contacts are configured for engagement with complementary electrical contacts associated with the printing system. Also included in the ink container is a guide member extending from the ink container along the insertion direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an inkjet printing system that includes an inkjet printhead having a plurality of electrical contacts. The plurality of electrical contacts include address contacts and enable contacts for enabling drop generators and drive current contacts for providing drive current to enable drop generators for selectively ejecting ink therefrom. The printing system includes a printing device having a plurality of electrical contacts including address contacts, enable contacts and drive current contacts. The plurality of electrical contacts are configured to establish electrical contact with corresponding electrical contacts on the inkjet printhead upon insertion of the inkjet printhead into the printing device. The printing device provides periodic address signals and enable signals to the address and enable contacts one the printhead. In addition, the printing device selectively applies drive current to accomplish forming images on print media.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pigmented fluid delivery system for an inkjet printing system. The pigmented fluid delivery system comprises a first printer component and at least a second printer component. The first printer component has a fluid outlet in fluid communication with a supply of pigmented fluid defined by particles suspended in a carrier fluid. The second printer component has a fluid inlet releasably connectable to the fluid outlet of the first printer component. The fluid inlet includes a filter compatible with the supply of pigmented fluid. The filter is an open weave screen defining a plurality of pores. The pores are sized to allow passage of the pigmented fluid while preventing clogging from flocculation of the particles and evaporation of the carrier fluid.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a replaceable printing component for an ink-jet printing system. The ink-jet printing system is of the type having at least one replaceable component. The replaceable component includes an electrical storage device that is responsive to printing system control signals for transferring information between the printing component and the ink-jet printing system. The replaceable printing component includes a non-protected and a protected electrical storage portion. The non-protected electrical storage portion is responsive to write control signals for storing information provided to the non-protected electrical storage portion. The protected electrical storage portion has a protected state in response to an occurrence of a write protect active signal. In the protected state the protected electrical storage device prevents storage of information in the protected electrical storage portion.

Abstract: The present invention is an ink supply for use in an inkjet printing system of the type having an ink jet printhead spaced from the ink supply. The ink jet printing system has an ink conduit configured for connection to each of the printhead and the ink supply for providing ink to the ink jet printhead. The ink supply includes an ink container for storing ink and a fine mesh disposed in a fluid path between the ink container and the ink conduit. The fine mesh has a mesh opening size which does not permit air to pass therethrough under normal nominal air bubble pressure experienced by the ink jet printing system in normal usage and storage.

Abstract: A device for determining drop volume for a drop ejection device is disclosed. The drop ejection device has a drop ejector and a reference drop ejector that exhibits less drop volume variation than the drop ejector. The drop ejection device includes a sensor responsive to impinging drops for producing a signal proportional to drop volume. The sensor is responsive to drops from the drop ejector to produce an electrical signal. The sensor is responsive to drops from the reference drop ejector to produce a reference electrical signal. Also included is a processing device responsive to the electrical signal and reference electrical signal for determining drop volume of the drop ejector relative to drop volume of the reference drop ejector.

Abstract: The present invention disclosure relates to a replaceable ink container for providing ink to an inkjet printing system. The inkjet printing system has a receiving station mounted to a scanning carriage. The receiving station has a fluid inlet and a pair of guide rails extending along either side of the fluid inlet. The replaceable ink container includes a fluid outlet configured for connection to the fluid inlet associated with the receiving station. Also included is a pair of outwardly extending guide rail engagement features. Each of the pair of guide rail engagement features are so disposed and arranged on the replaceable ink container for engagement with each of the pair of guide rails to guide the replaceable ink container in both horizontal and vertical directions into the receiving station.

Abstract: The present invention is a constant pressure ink supply for use in a printing system. The ink supply includes a flexible fluid reservoir for containing a quantity of fluid, and a spring which has an expanded position, and a contracted position. The spring is configured to operatively engage the flexible ink reservoir as the spring transitions from the expanded position to the contracted position and wherein the flexible fluid reservoir is biased by the spring as the spring contracts to produce fluid at a substantially constant fluid pressure at a fluid outlet.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a replaceable printing component for use in a printing system having at least one replaceable printing component. The replaceable printing component is of the type sold through a plurality of sales channels. The replaceable printing component includes a radio frequency link for receiving information indicative of a particular sales channel of a plurality of sales channels. Also included in the replaceable printing component is an electrical storage device for storing information indicative of the particular sales channel. The electrical storage device provides information indicative of the particular sales channel for reordering the replaceable printing component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a replaceable ink reservoir for installation into a printing system that has a moveable carriage for repositioning a printing portion relative to print media. The replaceable ink reservoir includes an ink reservoir that does not have an integral printing portion. Also included is an electrical storage device for storing information. The installation of the ink reservoir into the moveable carriage establishes both fluid communication between the ink reservoir and the moveable carriage and establishes electrical continuity between the electrical storage device and the moveable carriage.