Abstract: An ink jet printer having an inking system that includes an ink jet cartridge, a large ink reservoir mounted inside the housing of the ink jet printer at a location which is remote from the ink jet cartridge and tubing connecting the ink reservoir to the ink jet cartridge. The large ink reservoirs may be pancake shaped, and may be stacked in side by side horizontal manner within the housing. A portion of the reservoir is transparent, and is visible to the operator for operator monitoring of ink level through openings in the printer housing placed in juxtaposition with the transparent portion of the large ink reservoirs.

Abstract: A column of ink ejection nozzles on an ink jet print head is arranged in a plurality of sub-columns. The number of sub-columns and the assignment of nozzles to the sub-columns is selected to reduce cross-talk between nozzles, to prevent overlap of ejection pulses between sub-columns, and to minimize the complexity of the electronics required to actuate the ink ejection nozzles for droplet deposition.

Abstract: A printer includes a rasterized laser illumination system. The printer may be an ink jet type and the application of laser light may be controlled digitally along with the ink droplet ejection. The media may be cut or etched with the laser, or heat may be applied to previously deposited ink.

Abstract: Textiles are treated with a polymer or copolymer of epihalohydrin and polyalkylene amine prior to ink jet printing onto the textile. A softener such as a quaternary ammonium salt may also be used, as may be a cationic binder.

Abstract: An ink jet cartridge includes two adjacent jet plates, each jet plate having an array of equally spaced nozzles. A small gap exists between the first and second jet plates which is devoid of any jet nozzles. The absence of nozzles in the gap is compensated for by the inkjet printer system such that the two jet plates function as a single nozzle array.

Abstract: A microwave applicator suitable for drying sheet material is configured as a dual slot antenna, with one portion of the slot coupled to a wave launching cavity, and the other portion of the slot coupled to an impedance matching cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding recording media through a printer comprises a roller unit which is coupled to the printer and which comprises a plurality of roller wheels.

Abstract: A printer ink cartridge includes a jet plate and memory storage element mounted different surfaces thereof. A connector circuit affixes to the jet plate and the memory storage element. The memory storage element stores information about ink expelled from the cartridge.

Abstract: A microwave ink drying apparatus for an ink jet printer includes a microwave applicator. The applicator may be attached to a movable print carriage. The applicator may further comprise a slot antenna. The slot antenna may be formed as a dual slot, with one portion of the slot coupled to a wave launching cavity, and the other portion of the slot coupled to an impedance matching cavity.

Abstract: An ink reservoir container for an ink jet printer comprises an ink outlet, a first mounting location for the ink outlet, and an alternative second mounting location for the ink outlet. The container is useful in a double plumbed ink jet printer.

Abstract: A method and system for compensating for nonfunctional ink jets in an ink jet printer. The ink-jet printer includes a printhead having a plurality of ink jets, each ink jet being assigned to print respective dots on a respective raster line of a recording medium in accordance with a print mask, wherein when an ink jet is detected as being defective, at least a portion of said print mask is replaced with a replacement mask such that one or more of the remaining ink jets of the plurality of ink jets compensates for the defective ink jet. The method includes: detecting when an ink jet is nonfunctional; and when an ink jet is determined to be nonfunctional, replacing at least a portion of the print mask with a replacement mask such that one or more of the remaining ink jets of the plurality of ink jets compensates for the nonfunctional ink jet.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a faulty piezoelectrically actuated ink ejector includes the piezoelectric element with an input signal, and sensing a response of the piezoelectric element to the input signal. Phase relationships and frequency dependent impedances may be analyzed and used to detect faulty ink ejectors. The detection circuit may include processing in the digital domain.

Abstract: An ink jet printer with intelligent components includes an ink jet cartridge and a roll of print media, each of which incorporate memory elements. Environmental sensors such as temperature and humidity sensors may also be provided. Data from the memory elements and environmental sensors is used to optimize printer operations, and to provide additional information to printer operators.

Abstract: A droplet deposition analysis system for an ink jet printer including a flexible transparent substrate. The printer may include a light source on one side of the substrate, and an optical detector on the other side of the substrate.

Abstract: A method and system for compensating for nonfunctional ink jets in an ink jet printer. The ink-jet printer includes a printhead having a plurality of ink jets, each ink jet being assigned to print respective dots on a respective raster line of a recording medium in accordance with a print mask, wherein when an ink jet is detected as being defective, at least a portion of said print mask is replaced with a replacement mask such that one or more of the remaining ink jets of the plurality of ink jets compensates for the defective ink jet. The method includes: detecting when an ink jet is nonfunctional; and when an ink jet is determined to be nonfunctional, replacing at least a portion of the print mask with a replacement mask such that one or more of the remaining ink jets of the plurality of ink jets compensates for the nonfunctional ink jet.

Abstract: An ink reservoir container for an ink jet printer comprises an ink outlet, a first mounting location being located on a print carriage for mounting the ink outlet, and an alternative second mounting location being located on the print carriage for mounting the ink outlet. The container is useful in a double plumbed print carriage of the ink jet printer.

Abstract: A printer ink cartridge includes a jet plate and a memory. The memory may store data related to the types of printers with which the ink jet cartridge can operate.

Abstract: An ink jet printer with intelligent components includes an ink jet cartridge and a roll of print media, each of which incorporate memory elements. Environmental sensors such as temperature and humidity sensors may also be provided. Data from the memory elements and environmental sensors is used to optimize printer operations, and to provide additional information to printer operators.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding recording media through a printer comprises a roller unit which is coupled to the printer and which comprises a plurality of roller wheels.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a nonfunctional element in an ink jet printhead is disclosed. The ink jet printer system includes: a switching power supply, coupled to the inkjet printhead, for supplying power to the printhead; an output capacitor, coupled to an output of the switching power supply, for storing a dc voltage therein; a bleed resistor, coupled in parallel to the output capacitor, for discharging current from the output capacitor; an output shifting circuit, coupled to the switching power supply, for shifting the dc voltage level across the output capacitor between a low state and a high state; and a sensor, coupled to the output of the switching power supply, for detecting when the switching power supply is switching, wherein an element of the printhead is tested by measuring a test current discharging from the output capacitor when the element is activated and comparing the measured test current with a reference current which discharges from the output capacitor through the bleed resistor.