Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a color printing system that is responsive to color information for forming images on media. The color printing system includes a determining device that determines colorant usage for a plurality of colorants. The determining device detects a balanced condition wherein colorant usage is within a nominal range and an imbalanced condition wherein colorant usage exceeds the nominal range. The color printing system also includes a colorant balancing device. The colorant balancing device responds to the imbalanced condition for altering colorant usage for compensating for the imbalanced condition.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for accomplishing inkjet printing. One aspect of the present invention is an inkjet printhead for use in an inkjet printing system for depositing ink on media. The inkjet printhead has a plurality of drop generators disposed on the printhead that are responsive to first and second select signals for selectively depositing ink on media. The inkjet printhead includes a plurality of contacts for receiving first and second select signals from the inkjet printing system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ink supply container for containing ink. The ink supply container is configured for providing ink to an ink jet printing system. The ink container includes a first feature indicative of an ink family of a plurality of ink families associated with ink contained in the container. Also included is a second feature spaced from the first feature. The second feature is indicative of an ink color of a plurality of ink colors associated with ink in the container.

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: The present invention is a replaceable marking media container for use in an off-axis printing system. The printing system includes a printer portion responsive to electrical signals from the replaceable ink container for controlling printer parameters. The replaceable marking media container includes a plurality of electrical contacts with each of the plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected with a memory element. The memory element contains information for controlling printing system parameters. Included in the replaceable ink container a housing having an outer surface facing outwardly and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a cavity within the housing. The plurality of electrical contacts are attached within the cavity, so disposed and arranged, to engage corresponding electrical contacts associated with the printing system.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an inkjet pen having a fluid inlet configured for connection to a corresponding fluid outlet associated with a supply of ink. The ink-jet pen includes a printhead responsive to control signals for selectively depositing ink. Also included is a printhead housing supporting the printhead. The printhead housing has a configurable fluid inlet portion that is configured for receiving a fluid configuration portion for configuring the configurable fluid inlet portion for connection to the supply of ink. The fluid inlet portion and the fluid configuration portion each configured to have complementary interconnect portions that when press fit together mate to configure the printhead for connection to the ink supply.

Abstract: The present invention is a replaceable ink container for use in a printing system. The printing system is of the type having a printhead mounted in a scanning carriage and a supply station for receiving the replaceable ink container. The supply station is in fluid communication with the printhead. The replaceable ink container includes a fluid outlet configured for engaging corresponding fluid inlet portions on the supply station. Also included is a first and second guide feature disposed on an outer surface of the replaceable ink container. The first and second guide features are disposed and arranged to engage corresponding first and second guiding features disposed on opposite ends of the supply station to guide the replaceable ink container into the supply station to fluidically couple the fluid outlet and corresponding fluid inlet.

Abstract: A variety of adaptive ink delivery systems for an existing ink-jet printing system are usable in lieu of an original equipment ink cartridge. Each adaptive ink delivery system has an ink reservoir in communication with a fluid outlet configured to couple with the fluid inlet on the printing system. Each ink delivery system also has an electrical adapter connector which mates with an electrical connector on the printing system. Each ink delivery system has an information storage device to exchange enabling information with a controller of the printing system. The information storage device may be an emulation circuit that provides enabling information to the printing system regardless of the actual condition of the ink reservoir. The adaptive supplies allow the information storage device and/or the replacement ink reservoir to be located on or optionally remotely from the printing system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ink container for providing ink to an ink jet printing system. The ink container includes an outer shell, the outer shell defining an elongate opening therein. Also included is a chassis having a fluid outlet and air inlet defined therein. The fluid outlet is in communication with an ink reservoir that is fluidically coupled to the chassis. The chassis has a shape that is complementary with the elongate opening of the outer shell. With the chassis inserted into the outer shell pressurized air provided at the air inlet pressurizes the outer shell that in turn pressurizes the ink reservoir to provide a source of pressurized ink at the fluid outlet.

Abstract: The present invention is a printhead for ejecting fluid droplets. The printhead includes a chamber member defining a chamber. The chamber member has a chamber volume associated therewith. The chamber member defines an orifice and a fluid inlet through which fluid flows to the chamber. Also included is a heating member for heating fluid within the chamber. The chamber ejects a fluid droplet having a volume equal to the chamber volume in response to activation of the heating member.

Abstract: The present invention is a printing device of the type having a replaceable consumable for forming images on print media. The printing device includes a device for determining a replacement condition for the replaceable consumable. Also included is a storage device containing consumable image information. The printing device forms an image on print media of the replaceable consumable upon the occurrence of the replacement condition.

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: Disclosed is a replaceable ink container for providing ink to an ink-jet printing system. The ink container includes a pressure vessel for pressurizing ink. The ink container has a non-operating state and an operating state. Within the operating state, the pressure vessel has an internal gauge pressure maintained within an operating range so that pressurized ink is provided to the printing system. The ink container also includes a gas vent apparatus communicating between an inside surface of the pressure vessel and an outside atmosphere to allow continuous venting in both the operating and non-operating states. In one preferred embodiment the vent apparatus includes a porous member that is located between a pressurized region of the ink container and an outside atmosphere. This porous member provides a flow path for gas therethrough.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a replaceable ink cartridge for providing ink to an ink-jet printer. The replaceable ink cartridge includes a memory associated with the replaceable ink container. The memory has a single data terminal and a reference terminal. The memory is responsive to control signals provided to a single data terminal relative to the reference terminal by the ink-jet printer for providing a data signal representative of stored information to the single data terminal relative to the reference terminal. The data signal is sensed by the ink-jet printer for adjusting printer operation.