Abstract: A fluid-ejection assembly of one embodiment is disclosed comprising first and second arrays of fluid-ejection mechanisms, first and second service stations, and first and second drive mechanisms. The first array ejects fluid onto media; the first service station is to service the first array. The second array ejects fluid onto the media; the second service station is to service the second array. The first drive mechanism moves the first array between a first position to eject fluid onto the media and a second position at the first service station, while the second array ejects fluid onto the media in place of the first array. The second drive mechanism moves the second array between a third position to eject fluid onto the media and a fourth position at the second service station while the first array ejects fluid onto the media in place of the second array.

Abstract: A method of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that ejects fluid over a current swath of media in one pass by a first fluid-ejection component, according to a first intended pass of a multiple-pass approach for the current swath. Fluid is also ejected over the current swath of media in the one pass by a second fluid-ejection component, according to a second intended pass of the multiple-pass approach for the current swath.

Abstract: A method of servicing a pen comprising a printhead, having a plurality of nozzles, mounted in an inkjet printing device, comprising a servicing area and a drop detector comprising the following steps performing a drop detection on the printhead to check if any of the nozzles of the printhead are malfunctioning; storing the result of the more recent drop detection operation, together with the results of the previous drop detections to keep a history of the health status of each nozzle; deciding whether or not to execute a recovery service in the servicing area to attempt to recover the current malfunctioning nozzles, based on the more recent status of the nozzles and on the history of the health status of the nozzles.

Abstract: A printing system has an imaging subsystem, an application subsystem, and a decoupler separating the imaging subsystem from the application subsystem. A method of imaging is also provided. In a placing action, an image is placed on a transfer roll in a first environment. In a moving action, the transfer roll is moved to a second environment. In a transferring action, the image is transferred to a media.

Abstract: A method of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that ejects fluid over a current swath of media in one pass by a first fluid-ejection component, according to a first intended pass of a multiple-pass approach for the current swath. Fluid is also ejected over the current swath of media in the one pass by a second fluid-ejection component, according to a second intended pass of the multiple-pass approach for the current swath.

Abstract: The present invention includes as one embodiment a cleaning system for an inkjet printhead, including a wiper and a media detection device coupled to the wiper for activating engagement of the wiper with the printhead when no media is detected and for deactivating the wiper when media contacts the media detection device.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for checking a plurality of printer nozzles in a printer device comprises: a print head comprising a plurality of nozzles; a means for detecting at least one droplet of ink ejected from at least one nozzle of said plurality of nozzles; and a means for performing a sequence of measurements on a first output signal of said detecting means, wherein a determination of performance of said print head is made by analysing detected output signals produced by one or a plurality of ink droplets passing the detector, the one or plurality of ink droplets containing a predetermined minimum volume of ink, and said sequence of measurements being measured at a plurality of time intervals.

Abstract: The present invention includes as one embodiment a cleaning system for an inkjet printhead, including a wiper and a media detection device coupled to the wiper for activating engagement of the wiper with the printhead when no media is detected and for deactivating the wiper when media contacts the media detection device.

Abstract: An inkjet printing device for printing plots comprises a printhead, which has a plurality of nozzles each nozzle having at least a working status and a failing status, a servicing unit capable of applying recovery functions to said plurality of nozzles, detection means for checking if a nozzles is in a working status or in a failing status, memory means and a plurality of functions executable by said device to improve image quality. Said memory means, responsive to said detection means, contains data on how the status of a nozzle is varying over time. Said device further comprises means to select and execute at least one of said plurality of functions, responsive to the data stored in said memory means.

Abstract: An arbitrary 3D or 2D shape is formed by construction from colorant in a volume—which may be cylindrical, annular, or of arbitrary cross-section, depending on form of the invention. In some forms, a 2D-extended array of colorant-ejecting nozzles is disposed in a particular linear direction relative to the volume, and a programmed processor controls ejection of colorant from the nozzles to pass through the volume. A 2D colorant-retrieving frame (ideally back-to-back with the array) is disposed in a second linear direction opposite to the one particular direction, from the array, to recover the colorant and thus erase the image—which can then be refreshed, with animation changes if desired, by the writing array. Colorant is moved through the volume by gravity, or by continuous ejection of material from the array and suction at the frame to form a suspending fluid flow—the array moving at equal but opposite velocity so that the image is stationary.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method of aligning plural staggered pens in a printer with a first pen and a second pen of the plural pens defining a macro-pen, the first and second pens being staggered, the method includes aligning the first and second pens of the macro-pen and aligning a third pen with the macro-pen.

Abstract: A method for detecting clogged or otherwise anomalous nozzles in an ink jet printing device having a printer head containing at least one nozzle configured to eject droplets of ink, the method including sending an instruction to the printer head to eject droplets of ink, generating an output signal from a detecting means configured to detect a passage of droplets past the detecting means and applying an algorithm to the output signal which is configurable to check a correct functioning of the nozzles.

Abstract: A method of servicing a pen comprising a printhead, having a plurality of nozzles, mounted in an inkjet printing device, comprising a servicing area and a drop detector comprising the following steps performing a drop detection on the printhead to check if any of the nozzles of the printhead are malfunctioning; storing the result of the more recent drop detection operation, together with the results of the previous drop detections to keep a history of the health status of each nozzle; deciding whether or not to execute a recovery service in the servicing area to attempt to recover the current malfunctioning nozzles, based on the more recent status of the nozzles and on the history of the health status of the nozzles.

Abstract: To accurately position printheads (C,M,Y,K) of an inkjet printer 100 in the capping area of their service station (130), the position of service station insert members (e.g. 130K) is determined by an optical sensor (117) detecting a through hole (132K) in the cartridge lid (131), and the separation (j) of the optical sensor and the printheads (e.g. K) is precisely determined. The separation (j) is determined by using the printhead nozzles to print lines (144,146) in the directions of the scan and media axes, scanning the lines with the optical sensor (117), and calculating from the results the separation (j). The results of locating the four reference holes (132C, 132M, 132Y, 132K) of the service station insert members may be averaged.

Abstract: There is provided a method for determining the end of life of a pen having a printhead with a plurality of nozzles. The method includes performing a drop detection on the printhead to check if any nozzle of the printhead is malfunctioning and storing the result of the drop detection together with the results of previous drop detections to keep a history of the health status of each nozzle. The method also includes evaluating the history of the health status of each nozzle of the printhead, and deciding whether or not to mark the pen as an end of life pen.

Abstract: A fast and economical thermal inkjet printer prints on elongate print media, such as on a strip of paper from a roll, by moving a fluid jet print cartridge a determined dimension longitudinally of the length dimension of the paper strip while printing. In order to print a document that is wider than the width the print cartridge can print in a single scan of the paper, the cartridge is dithered among selected lateral positions within the width of the paper strip, and successively is scanned lengthwise of the paper strip to print in each successive longitudinal printing “swath.” A capstan of the printer advances the paper strip in steps of unit dimension along the length of the paper strip, which unit dimension may be substantially equal to the determined dimension of print cartridge movement while printing, so that documents having a length greater than the determined dimension can be printed in successive parts each of a length equal to this unit dimension.

Abstract: A method for servicing an inkjet printhead effects recovery against a particular printhead failure mode via implementation of a printhead servicing routine including, but not limited to, a bubble recovery routine, a contaminant purging routine, and/or a (standard) printhead servicing routine. In a preferred embodiment, the method for servicing an inkjet printhead takes into consideration nozzle health data, diagnostics, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, a bitmap or mask is employed to control firing of the nozzles during the servicing of the printhead. In a preferred embodiment, the servicing method includes the step of: firing the printing nozzles in a manner tending to force contaminants at the printing nozzles toward one end of the printhead.

Abstract: A security document includes a secure message which is obscured by a frangible layer of opaque material. The frangible layer of opaque material may be removed using light abrasion. The security document is printed on an especially prepared print media, which may include a substrate of paper, light card stock, or plastic film, for example. The printing method may be carried out using a common inkjet printer, or a printer of another type may be used to print such a security document. Methods of performing the printing operation are explained, and especially configured printing apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed. A covert printed security document, and method of making such a document is presented.

Abstract: Inkjet printing of barcodes is enhanced by several methods. In a printhead having two staggered columns of nozzles, using only the even (or odd) column enhances resolution of a vertical barcode element. Filling interior portions of the barcode element with the odd (or even) column improves barcode appearance. Barcode swelling, due to ink migration after application, is reduced by use of a depletion matrix to lessen the quantity of ink applied. Application of the depletion matrix to the edges of the barcode elements resists swelling where resolution is most required. Where a printing mask is applied to the edges of the barcode elements, the edges may be printed only by one column of printhead nozzles, or only during one direction of printhead movement, or both. Alternately, removal of one or more pixels along the edge of a barcode element allows each barcode element to swell to the desired size.

Abstract: In the course of the operation of a bi-directionally printing inkjet printer, travel of the printhead in the left-to-right direction results in the ability to apply colored ink droplets onto a pixel location in one sequence. However, when the printhead moves right-to-left, the sequence by which the colors may be applied is reversed. Therefore, hue shift alters the appearance of a pixel depending on the direction of printhead movement at the time of printing. In one implementation, a system and method of color data translation includes a first color mapping look-up table for left-to-right printhead travel and a second color mapping look-up table for right-to-left printhead travel. Accordingly, greater control over print output is obtained. In particular, hue shift between swaths, wherein each swath is associated with printhead travel in a particular direction, are avoided.