Abstract: A controller controls a first heating stage to heat a printing medium to a first temperature in a printing region when printing latex ink on the printing medium, and controls a second heating stage to heat the printing medium to a second temperature greater than the first temperature in a curing region to cure the latex ink on the medium. The controller controls a cooling stage located between the first and second heating stages to cool the printing medium after the printing medium has been heated by the first heating stage and prior to heating of the printing medium by the second heating stage.

Abstract: A printer, method, computer program or cutter accessory for cutting media while printing is provided.

Abstract: A printing device and method for printing a latex ink on a printing medium is disclosed. The printing device comprises a heating stage for heating the medium at least during printing the latex ink on said medium, a further heating stage for curing the latex ink on the medium and a controller arrangement for individually controlling the heating stage and the further heating stage, whereby the controller arrangement is arranged to reduce the heat output of the heating stage during a non-printing mode of the printing device and to reduce the heat output of the further heating stage during a non-curing mode of the printing device.

Abstract: Calibrating a media drive, comprising advancing media with a media drive while detecting media advances within the printer, determining an error in the media advances, and calibrating the media drive so as to at least partly compensate for the determined error.

Abstract: A sputtering target assembly and a method for manufacturing are disclosed. The sputtering target assembly comprises a cylindrical sputtering target section having a length greater than approximately thirty-six inches and being comprised of one or more cylindrical ring targets; a cylindrical backing tube positioned inside of the cylindrical sputtering target; at least one electrically conductive shim that makes an electrical connection between the cylindrical sputtering target and the cylindrical backing tube; and an attachment layer comprised of an elastomer positioned between the cylindrical sputtering target and the cylindrical backing tube for attaching the cylindrical sputtering target to the cylindrical backing tube.

Abstract: Calibrating a media drive, comprising advancing media with a media drive while detecting media advances within the printer, determining an error in the media advances, and calibrating the media drive so as to at least partly compensate for the determined error.

Abstract: A printing device and method for printing a latex ink on a printing medium is disclosed. The printing device comprises a heating stage for heating the medium at least during printing the latex ink on said medium, a further heating stage for curing the latex ink on the medium and a controller arrangement for individually controlling the heating stage and the further heating stage, whereby the controller arrangement is arranged to reduce the heat output of the heating stage during a non-printing mode of the printing device and to reduce the heat output of the further heating stage during a non-curing mode of the printing device.

Abstract: A printer is made by one firm; a RIP made/programmed by a separate RIP firm processes and sends to the printer image data; a two-bit data pipeline passes data through the RIP; a drop table converts data in the pipe to printer resolution. RIP firms set up the table with output dot-per-pixel structure different from the pipe. Ideally the table is in the printer but formed by the RIP; the RIP has precooked printmask instructions, and the printer, popup instructions to refine mask instructions; the instructions hide nozzle-out error and fix which pass prints each pixel; a computer, monitor etc. receive/create data and pass them to the RIP. Another aspect: a printer has a plural-bit data pipe, and interface to accept an external table to convert data from the pipe to numbers of dots per pixel. The interface best accepts a printmode recipe too.

Abstract: While powerful in diffusion at one resolution to print photos at a finer resolution, the invention is not thus limited. It defines superpixels (“spels”) for each desired colorimetric level, generates/receives image data, renders by finding levels for image positions, and prints an image using selected spels. One invention aspect finds a randomized value at each found level and uses the value to select the spel from plural ones for each level. Another aspect derives/maintains a randomized-value matrix; and maps a matrix location to an image position, to select a random value at that location and spel for that position. Another uses the value in common for all planes to select a spel for each plane at the found level—compatible spels for different planes, to coordinate color placement in planes. Another controls defining/selecting for a blue-noise property of spels in aggregate. In another, spels defined for a level vary in value to yield nonintegral color quanta.

Abstract: The printing apparatus comprises a printer and a laminator; media that advances and is printed in the printer is fed to the laminator device. The apparatus comprises means for loading in the laminator device the leading edge of the media leaving the printer, said loading means comprising a carrier, on which no printing is performed, attached to the leading edge of the media and to take-up means downstream of the laminator device, such that said carrier travels through the laminator device. Said carrier may comprise a length of lamination film, or a sheet or strips and means for their attachment to the media. The loading method comprises providing a carrier travelling through the laminator and attached to the leading edge of the media and to take-up means, and causing the carrier to advance leading the media through the laminator.

Abstract: Media printed in a printer is fed in an integrated operation to a laminator to be at least partly laminated, the media between the printer and the laminator device forming a loose media buffer. Synchronization is provided between the advance of the media in the printer and in the laminator. This is done preferably using counting devices associated to the printer and the laminator, or buffer shape sensors, or control indicia on the media. The apparatus may perform a resetting operation of the media buffer.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention lowers boundary artifacts by depleting selectively at a boundary, only in high-color-saturation areas. In another aspect, printmasking defines depletion regions. In yet another, a printer treats different drop-to-pass allocations as of opposite sign. Some preferred embodiments exploit the multilayer Shakes mask system: each mask represents a number of drops to fire, and masks are additive, depending on image content. In preferred embodiments the high-value mask is used in opposition, reducing the number of drops to fire. Bits are set in this mask at pixels close to boundaries, to define depletion regions that negate artifact-causing boundary coalescence. An adaptive version measures nonuniformity in an area-fill test pattern, and uses results to define localized depletion bits for high-value mask(s).

Abstract: One aspect of the invention lowers boundary artifacts by depleting selectively at a boundary, only in high-color-saturation areas. In another aspect, printmasking defines depletion regions. In yet another, a printer treats different drop-to-pass allocations as of opposite sign. Some preferred embodiments exploit the multilayer Shakes mask system: each mask represents a number of drops to fire, and masks are additive, depending on image content. In preferred embodiments the high-value mask is used in opposition, reducing the number of drops to fire. Bits are set in this mask at pixels close to boundaries, to define depletion regions that negate artifact-causing boundary coalescence. An adaptive version measures nonuniformity in an area-fill test pattern, and uses results to define localized depletion bits for high-value mask(s).

Abstract: A method to improve image quality in a printing device by storing in a memory of the printer at least a medium definition for a first medium, in a format which structures data about said first medium; and using the data contained in said medium definition when printing onto said first media. A downloadable media profile (210) for a first medium contains values for a plurality of parameters. A printing device comprises the downloaded media profile (210), firmware components (230) for managing the printing process, passing means (250), responsive to said firmware components (230), for passing data from said profile (210) to said firmware components (230) when printing on said first media.

Abstract: The printing apparatus comprises a printer and a laminator; media that advances and is printed in the printer is fed to the laminator device. The apparatus comprises means for loading in the laminator device the leading edge of the media leaving the printer, said loading means comprising a carrier, on which no printing is performed, attached to the leading edge of the media and to take-up means downstream of the laminator device, such that said carrier travels through the laminator device. Said carrier may comprise a length of lamination film, or a sheet or strips and means for their attachment to the media.

Abstract: A printer is made by one firm; a RIP made/programmed by a separate RIP firm processes and sends to the printer image data; a two-bit data pipeline passes data through the RIP; a drop table converts data in the pipe to printer resolution. RIP firms set up the table with output dot-per-pixel structure different from the pipe. Ideally the table is in the printer but formed by the RIP; the RIP has precooked printmask instructions, and the printer, popup instructions to refine mask instructions; the instructions hide nozzle-out error and fix which pass prints each pixel; a computer, monitor etc. receive/create data and pass them to the RIP. Another aspect: a printer has a plural-bit data pipe, and interface to accept an external table to convert data from the pipe to numbers of dots per pixel. The interface best accepts a printmode recipe too.

Abstract: An anti-rotational system which restrains containers therein from rotating and contacting adjacent containers so as not to abrade the outer surface of the containers features an exterior box having at least one wall having a height at least as great as a height of the containers and a bottom structure. Furthermore, a plurality of pockets are formed within the exterior box structure. Each pocket has a rigid portion and an elastic portion. The rigid portion engages a maximum diameter of the container. The elastic portion flexes so as to allow the maximum diameter region of the container to pass thereby. Once the maximum diameter region of the container has passed by the elastic region, the elastic characteristics of the elastic region allows the elastic region to flex back towards its original position thus ensuring that the elastic portion contacts a smaller diameter of the container.

Abstract: A nozzle detection test pattern has been developed which can be sensed by an optical sensor located on an inkjet printer carriage. By having the same nozzle print ink drops on multiple pixels to form a single thickened test line during multiple passes of the printhead, it is possible to thereafter scan across such test line and automatically determine by the light contrast ratios which nozzles are not firing properly. A green light LED is used to illuminate the magenta, cyan and black test patterns as they are being sensed, and a blue light LED is used to illuminate the yellow test pattern as it is being sensed. A separate test pattern is used for each printhead ink color. The test pattern constitutes six rows with forty test lines on each row for a printhead having 240 active nozzles.

Abstract: A calibration technique for a plurality of different color ink printheads which includes printing and scanning a test pattern which incorporates two different calibration adjustments from the same test pattern, with one calibration adjustment at right angles to the scan axis. Further calibration precision is provided by incorporating a controlled color background for the test pattern that minimizes light reflection, as well as basing printhead alignment on the overall swath height of the printheads rather than the centers of the printheads.

Abstract: An anti-rotational system which restrains containers therein from rotating and contacting adjacent containers so as not to abrade the outer surface of the containers features an exterior box having at least one wall having a height at least as great as a height of the containers. Furthermore, longitudinal ribs connect to the walls and to the bottom structure of the exterior box to form an elastic portion. The longitudinal ribs form sets of ribs which contact a diameter of the container which is smaller than a maximum diameter of the container so as to secure the position of the container. The longitudinal ribs flex so as to allow the maximum diameter region of the container to pass thereby. Once the maximum diameter region of the container has passed by the longitudinal ribs, the elastic characteristics of the longitudinal ribs allow the longitudinal ribs to flex back towards their original position thus ensuring that the longitudinal ribs contact the smaller diameter of the container.