Abstract: A dual-mode augmented/virtual reality near-eye wearable display for use with a curved lens element. The lenses are provided with one or more transparent waveguide elements that are disposed within the thickness of the lenses. The waveguide elements are configured to couple display images directly from image sources such as emissive display imagers to an exit aperture or plurality of exit aperture sub-regions within a viewer's field of view. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of image sources are disposed on the peripheral surface of the lenses whereby each image source has a dedicated input image aperture and exit aperture sub-region that are each “piecewise flat” and have matched areas and angles of divergence whereby a viewer is presented with the output of the plurality of image source images within the viewer's field of view.

Abstract: A dual-mode augmented/virtual reality near-eye wearable display for use with a curved lens element. The lenses are provided with one or more transparent waveguide elements that are disposed within the thickness of the lenses. The waveguide elements are configured to couple display images directly from image sources such as emissive display imagers to an exit aperture or plurality of exit aperture sub-regions within a viewer's field of view. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of image sources are disposed on the peripheral surface of the lenses whereby each image source has a dedicated input image aperture and exit aperture sub-region that are each “piecewise flat” and have matched areas and angles of divergence whereby a viewer is presented with the output of the plurality of image source images within the viewer's field of view.

Abstract: A printer includes: an inkjet printhead assembly; a sled slidably arranged with respect to the printhead assembly, the sled supporting a platen module, a capper module and a wiper module; a sliding mechanism for sliding the sled relative to printhead assembly so as to selectively align one of the platen, capper and wiper modules with the printhead assembly; and a lift mechanism for lifting an aligned module linearly away from the sled and towards the printhead assembly. The platen module is positioned between the capper and wiper modules on the sled, such that the capper and wiper modules are positioned at opposite sides of the printhead assembly during printing.

Abstract: A printer includes: an inkjet printhead assembly; a sled slidably arranged with respect to the printhead assembly, the sled supporting a platen module, a capper module and a wiper module; a sliding mechanism for sliding the sled relative to printhead assembly so as to selectively align one of the platen, capper and wiper modules with the printhead assembly; and a lift mechanism for lifting an aligned module linearly away from the sled and towards the printhead assembly. The platen module is positioned between the capper and wiper modules on the sled, such that the capper and wiper modules are positioned at opposite sides of the printhead assembly during printing.

Abstract: A printing assistance apparatus for a media width printhead, the apparatus having: an elongate platen having a surface for supporting media across the media width during printing on the media by fluid ejection nozzles of the printhead; and a wick element positioned within the platen for wicking fluid ejected by the nozzles from the supporting surface, the wick element having an elongate body positioned within the platen and a plurality of pads projecting from the body along the longitudinal length body toward the printhead, the pads being separated by notches.

Abstract: Method of shaping media for printing by a media width printhead, the method having transporting media into a print zone defined by a plurality of fluid ejection nozzles of the printhead with input rollers at an angle to a plane parallel with the print zone; transporting media out of the print zone with output rollers at an angle to said parallel plane; and supporting and shaping the media as the media is transported through the print zone with an elongate platen, the platen having a series of upstream ribs disposed upstream of the print zone with respect to the media transport direction and a series of downstream ribs disposed downstream of the print zone with respect to the media transport direction, wherein the ribs are configured so that the transported media is in contact with the ribs in the print zone and adopts a constrained curved path past the nozzles.

Abstract: A system for guiding media past a media width printhead. The system includes: a media width printhead having printhead ICs defining respective print zones; input and output rollers; and an elongate platen for guiding the media as the media is transported through the print zone. The platen has a series of upstream ribs and downstream ribs configured for contacting the media and guiding the media through the print zone. The platen has an aperture such that each printhead IC of the printhead is positioned opposite the aperture, and the print media is suspended between the upstream and downstream ribs across an entire width of the print zone of each printhead IC.

Abstract: A system for shaping media for printing by a media width printhead is provided having a media width printhead of fluid ejection nozzles defining a media width print zone, input rollers disposed for transporting media into the print zone at an angle to a plane parallel with the print zone, output rollers for transporting media out of the print zone at an angle to a plane parallel with the print zone, and an elongate platen for supporting and shaping the media as the media is transported through the print zone. The platen has a series of ribs disposed upstream of the print zone and a series of ribs disposed downstream of the print zone. The ribs are configured so that the transported media adopts a constrained curved path past the nozzles through contact with the ribs in the print zone.

Abstract: A maintenance apparatus for a printhead, the apparatus having a first porous member for contacting the printhead to absorb fluid from the printhead; and a second porous member for contacting the first porous member to absorb fluid from the first porous member.

Abstract: A maintenance apparatus for a printhead, the apparatus having a rotatable shaft; a porous material about the shaft; and a mechanism for rotating the shaft so that the porous material rotates against the printhead, the porous material being configured to absorb fluid from the printhead during the rotation.

Abstract: A printer having a media width printhead a sled slidably arranged with respect to the printhead a media platen module supported by the sled a capper module supported by the sled a wiper module supported by the sled and a selection mechanism for selectively sliding the sled to align one of the platen, capper and wiper modules with the printhead, and for moving the aligned module to a position in proximity of the printhead.

Abstract: A maintenance system for a printhead, the system having a sled slidably arranged with respect to the printhead a media platen module supported by the sled a capper module supported by the sled a wiper module supported by the sled; and a selection mechanism for selectively sliding the sled to align one of the platen, capper and wiper modules with the printhead, and for moving the aligned module to a position in proximity of the printhead.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a printhead having the steps of bringing a porous material within a predetermined distance from fluid ejection nozzles of the printhead at a non-printing phase of the printhead; and holding the porous material at the predetermined distance during the non-printing phase, wherein the predetermined distance is selected to allow a fluid flow path to form between the nozzles and porous material which causes transfer of fluid egested by the nozzles to the porous material and then induces the flow path to break off.

Abstract: A maintenance apparatus for a printhead, the apparatus having a rotatable shaft; a porous material about the shaft; and a mechanism for rotating the shaft so that the porous material rotates against the printhead, the porous material being configured to absorb fluid from the printhead during the rotation.

Abstract: A maintenance apparatus for a media width printhead is provided. The printhead has rows of fluid ejection nozzles extending along the media width for ejecting fluid onto media as the media travels past the printhead along a media travel direction. The apparatus has a seal for sealing against the printhead surface having the nozzle rows and forming a sealed space about the nozzle rows, a wick element positioned within the seal for wicking fluid ejected by the nozzles from the sealed space, and an alignment mechanism for aligning the seal with the printhead so that a portion of an outer surface of the wick element sloped in the media travel direction closest to the printhead is positioned upstream with respect to a centerline along the length the nozzle rows and a portion of the sloped outer surface of the wick element furthest from the printhead is positioned downstream.

Abstract: A maintenance apparatus for a printhead, the apparatus having a seal for sealing against a surface of the printhead which has fluid ejection nozzles, the seal being configured to form a sealed space about the nozzles; and a porous material positioned within the seal to be in proximity of the nozzles in the sealed space, fluid egested by the nozzles contacting, and being transferred to, the porous material in the sealed space.

Abstract: A maintenance apparatus for a printhead, the apparatus having: a porous member for rotatably contacting the printhead to absorb particulates from the printhead; and a scraper for contacting the porous member to remove the absorbed particulates from the porous member during the rotation.

Abstract: A maintenance apparatus for a printhead, the apparatus having a first porous member for contacting the printhead to absorb fluid from the printhead; and a second porous member for contacting the first porous member to absorb fluid from the first porous member.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a printhead, the method having, when printing with the printhead, translating a modular sled relative to the printhead so as to align a media platen module supported by the sled with the printhead; after printing with the printing, translating the sled relative to the printhead so as to align a wiper module supported by the sled with the printhead and operating a wiper roller of the wiper module so as to wipe a printing face of the printhead; and after the wiping and prior to commencement of printing with the printhead, translating the sled relative to the printhead so as to align a capper module supported by the sled with the printhead so as to cap the printing face of the printhead.

Abstract: Method of shaping media for printing by a media width printhead, the method having transporting media into a print zone defined by a plurality of fluid ejection nozzles of the printhead with input rollers at an angle to a plane parallel with the print zone; transporting media out of the print zone with output rollers at an angle to said parallel plane; and supporting and shaping the media as the media is transported through the print zone with an elongate platen, the platen having a series of upstream ribs disposed upstream of the print zone with respect to the media transport direction and a series of downstream ribs disposed downstream of the print zone with respect to the media transport direction, wherein the ribs are configured so that the transported media is in contact with the ribs in the print zone and adopts a constrained curved path past the nozzles.