Abstract: A controller for controlling a microfluidic device. A first computing device receives commands from a user interface in a relatively high level protocol using a standardized command language, converts the commands from the standardized command language into a relatively mid-level protocol, sends the commands in the relatively mid-level protocol, receiving data, converts the data into the standardized command language, and sends the data to the user interface according to the standardized command language. A second computing device receives the commands from the first computing device in the relatively mid-level protocol, converts the commands from the relatively mid-level protocol to at least one relatively lower level protocol that is understood by a microfluidic device that is connected to the controller, receives data from the microfluidic device, and sends the data to the first computing device.

Abstract: A location-based address adapter for use in a system to facilitate communication between a host computer and one peripheral device of a plurality of peripheral devices includes a body and an electrical circuit. The body is removably attached to one peripheral device at a time. The electrical circuit includes a communications interface circuit and an adapter memory circuit. The communications interface circuit has a respective pass-through wired connection between each of a plurality of input connectors and a plurality of output connectors to facilitate bi-directional communications between the host computer and the peripheral device. The adapter memory circuit stores a unique physical location address for association with a physical location associated with the peripheral device to which the body is attached. The unique physical location address is a non-network based address.

Abstract: A location-based address adapter for use in a system to facilitate communication between a host computer and one peripheral device of a plurality of peripheral devices includes a body and an electrical circuit. The body is removably attached to one peripheral device at a time. The electrical circuit includes a communications interface circuit and an adapter memory circuit. The communications interface circuit has a respective pass-through wired connection between each of a plurality of input connectors and a plurality of output connectors to facilitate bi-directional communications between the host computer and the peripheral device. The adapter memory circuit stores a unique physical location address for association with a physical location associated with the peripheral device to which the body is attached. The unique physical location address is a non-network based address.

Abstract: A system tracks the exact amount of ink remaining in printhead cartridges used in printers connected to a network. Each printer stores a history of cartridges that have been used in the printer. Each cartridge stores a status indicator that indicates whether the cartridge has been used before in any printer. When a printer receives a previously-used cartridge, the printer broadcasts a request for information about that cartridge from the other printers. Each printer having the matching printhead identification number in its history reports over the network the last recorded ink dot count associated with the matching printhead identification number. The requesting printer chooses the most up-to-date response based on the highest dot count or the latest time-stamp. The requesting printer then updates its memory using the dot count from the most up-to-date response and begins counting dots from that updated count for subsequent print jobs performed using the installed cartridge.

Abstract: A system tracks the exact amount of ink remaining in printhead cartridges used in printers connected to a network. Each printer stores a history of cartridges that have been used in the printer. Each cartridge stores a status indicator that indicates whether the cartridge has been used before in any printer. When a printer receives a previously-used cartridge, the printer broadcasts a request for information about that cartridge from the other printers. Each printer having the matching printhead identification number in its history reports over the network the last recorded ink dot count associated with the matching printhead identification number. The requesting printer chooses the most up-to-date response based on the highest dot count or the latest time-stamp. The requesting printer then updates its memory using the dot count from the most up-to-date response and begins counting dots from that updated count for subsequent print jobs performed using the installed cartridge.

Abstract: A system tracks the exact amount of ink remaining in printhead cartridges used in printers connected to a network. Each printer stores a history of cartridges that have been used in the printer. Each cartridge stores a status indicator that indicates whether the cartridge has been used before in any printer. When a printer receives a previously-used cartridge, the printer broadcasts a request for information about that cartridge from the other printers. Each printer having the matching printhead identification number in its history reports over the network the last recorded ink dot count associated with the matching printhead identification number. The requesting printer chooses the most up-to-date response based on the highest dot count or the latest time-stamp. The requesting printer then updates its memory using the dot count from the most up-to-date response and begins counting dots from that updated count for subsequent print jobs performed using the installed cartridge.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a microfluidic device. A first computing device receives commands from a user interface in a relatively high level protocol using a standardized command language, converts the commands from the standardized command language into a relatively mid-level protocol, sends the commands in the relatively mid-level protocol, receiving data, converts the data into the standardized command language, and sends the data to the user interface according to the standardized command language. A second computing device receives the commands from the first computing device in the relatively mid-level protocol, converts the commands from the relatively mid-level protocol to at least one relatively lower level protocol that is understood by a microfluidic device that is connected to the controller, receives data from the microfluidic device, and sends the data to the first computing device.

Abstract: A method of operating an ink jet printer with an included printer controller, where the ink jet printer prints using a replaceable print head that includes a nozzle plate and an ink reservoir. The printer controller tracks a usage of ink from the ink reservoir and a number of completed nozzle plate wiping operations. The print controller determines, prior to initiating each nozzle plate wiping operation, whether to initiate an inter-layer spitting operation instead of the nozzle plate wiping operation. The printer controller initiates the determined one of the wiping operation and the spitting operation.

Abstract: A method of operating an ink jet printer with an included printer controller, where the ink jet printer prints using a replaceable print head that includes a nozzle plate and an ink reservoir. The printer controller tracks a usage of ink from the ink reservoir and a number of completed nozzle plate wiping operations. The print controller determines, prior to initiating each nozzle plate wiping operation, whether to initiate an inter-layer spitting operation instead of the nozzle plate wiping operation. The printer controller initiates the determined one of the wiping operation and the spitting operation.

Abstract: A system for printing an image. A printer includes a controller for motion in an X axis, components for motion in the X axis, a print head for printing image data in a swath, and a communication module for receiving image data and communications indicating that printing the swath is authorized and that printing is completed. A substrate unit includes a controller for motion in a Y axis, components for motion in the Y axis, and a communication module for receiving image data from a source. The communication module sends at least a portion of the image data to the printer.

Abstract: A system for printing an image. A printer includes a controller for motion in an X axis, components for motion in the X axis, a print head for printing image data in a swath, and a communication module for receiving image data and communications indicating that printing the swath is authorized and that printing is completed. A substrate unit includes a controller for motion in a Y axis, components for motion in the Y axis, and a communication module for receiving image data from a source. The communication module sends at least a portion of the image data to the printer.

Abstract: A printer that includes a motor assembly for moving a print head relative to a medium, and a processor for receiving a data structure for a pixel to be printed on the medium. The data structure includes perception data and classification data for the pixel. The processor adjusts at least one printing parameter of the printer based upon the classification data.

Abstract: A method for reducing printing defects in inkjet printing includes determining a respective colorant density for each colorant of a plurality of colorants for a region to be printed; determining a colorant dry-time signal strength as a function of a combined colorant density value based on the respective colorant densities of the plurality of colorants for the region to be printed; determining a respective colorant swath contraction strength for each colorant as a function of the respective colorant density; selecting a dry-time threshold which if met by the colorant dry-time signal strength indicates that a dry-time defect may occur; selecting a respective colorant density threshold for each colorant which if met by the respective colorant density indicates a visible swath contraction may occur; and determining a printing action to be taken based on whether the dry-time threshold is met and whether at least one respective colorant density threshold is met.

Abstract: A method for reducing printing defects in inkjet printing includes determining a respective colorant density for each colorant of a plurality of colorants for a region to be printed; determining a colorant dry-time signal strength as a function of a combined colorant density value based on the respective colorant densities of the plurality of colorants for the region to be printed; determining a respective colorant swath contraction strength for each colorant as a function of the respective colorant density; selecting a dry-time threshold which if met by the colorant dry-time signal strength indicates that a dry-time defect may occur; selecting a respective colorant density threshold for each colorant which if met by the respective colorant density indicates a visible swath contraction may occur; and determining a printing action to be taken based on whether the dry-time threshold is met and whether at least one respective colorant density threshold is met.

Abstract: A method for operating a portable large format inkjet printer includes determining an output image size of an output image to be printed on a stationary flat media; selecting a source image to serve as the output image; displaying a preview of the output image superposed with an output image grid defining a plurality of output image area portions; selecting a serial order of printing each of the output image area portions; selecting a next output image area portion based on the serial order; printing the selected next output image area portion at a media print area of the stationary flat media; and repeating the acts of selecting the next output image area portion and printing, for each of the plurality of output image area portions, until an entirety of the output image area has been printed at the media print area of the stationary flat media.

Abstract: A method for operating a portable large format inkjet printer includes determining an output image size of an output image to be printed on a stationary flat media; selecting a source image to serve as the output image; displaying a preview of the output image superposed with an output image grid defining a plurality of output image area portions; selecting a serial order of printing each of the output image area portions; selecting a next output image area portion based on the serial order; printing the selected next output image area portion at a media print area of the stationary flat media; and repeating the acts of selecting the next output image area portion and printing, for each of the plurality of output image area portions, until an entirety of the output image area has been printed at the media print area of the stationary flat media.

Abstract: A portable large format inkjet printer for printing an image at a media print area of a stationary flat media includes an inkjet print engine having a printhead carrier system configured to dynamically scan an inkjet printhead over the media print area in each of two orthogonal directions during the printing of the image. An alignment frame is configured to fixedly mount the inkjet print engine to facilitate a manual positioning of the alignment frame and the inkjet print engine in unison. The alignment frame has an open interior window within which the inkjet printhead is moved and from which all printing occurs. At least one alignment panel is mounted to the alignment frame. Each respective alignment panel has an alignment indicia configured to facilitate accurate manual positioning of the portable large format inkjet printer at a desired printing position at the media print area.

Abstract: A method of printing on a print medium includes using a first quantity of nozzles of a printhead to print a first set of scan lines of a plurality of scan lines at an edge of the print medium; using a second quantity of nozzles of the printhead to print a second set of scan lines of the plurality of scan lines in an interior region of the print medium; using a third quantity of nozzles to print a third set of scan lines of the plurality of scan lines to transition between the edge and the interior region, the third quantity of nozzles being greater in number than the first quantity of nozzles and less in number than the second quantity of nozzles; and printing each scan line of the plurality of scan lines forming the image with a same number of multiple passes of the printhead, regardless of the number of nozzles used for printing during a particular pass of the printhead.

Abstract: A method of printing on a print medium includes using a first quantity of nozzles of a printhead to print a first set of scan lines of a plurality of scan lines at an edge of the print medium; using a second quantity of nozzles of the printhead to print a second set of scan lines of the plurality of scan lines in an interior region of the print medium; using a third quantity of nozzles to print a third set of scan lines of the plurality of scan lines to transition between the edge and the interior region, the third quantity of nozzles being greater in number than the first quantity of nozzles and less in number than the second quantity of nozzles; and printing each scan line of the plurality of scan lines forming the image with a same number of multiple passes of the printhead, regardless of the number of nozzles used for printing during a particular pass of the printhead.

Abstract: A first method obtains a printer having a single-printhead horizontal resolution of H dpi. Dots are printed using first and second printheads in the same print pass. The first printhead is enabled and the second printhead is non-enabled during a first portion of a carrier-movement distance equal to 1/H, and the second printhead is enabled and the first printhead is non-enabled during a second non-overlapping portion of such distance. A printer and a printhead driver for performing the first method are described. A second method obtains a printer having a single-printhead resolution of H horizontal dpi by V vertical dpi. First print data for the first printhead and second print data for the second printhead of H/2 horizontal dpi by V vertical dpi are obtained, are horizontally interlaced creating H horizontal dpi by V vertical dpi, and are printed using the first and second printheads in the same print pass.