Abstract: A printing system with adaptive printhead temperature control, comprises a least one printhead for inkjet printing; heating means to heat said printhead or ink in said printhead to a predetermined temperature range; and control means to analyze content information of a print job to be printed, wherein said control means sets said predetermined temperature range and sets a heating power of said heating means at a given position of said printhead in accordance with content information relating to an entire print page of said print job, or a plurality of print pages of said print job.

Abstract: A method to control a printer carriage in which the printer carriage is controlled to move along a first axis at a first predetermined speed when a printhead, installed on the printer carriage, is ejecting printing fluid in a print zone. The printer carriage is moveable bidirectionally along the first axis in swaths to enable the printhead to print in the print zone. The printer carriage is also controlled to move along the first axis at a second predetermined speed, higher than the first predetermined speed, when the printhead is not ejecting printing fluid in the print zone.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a container or housing includes a body, a cavity and an aperture. A first and a second rotatable spindle are positioned within the cavity such that their long axes are substantially parallel, the first spindle to unwind unused wiping material, and the second spindle to wind used wiping material. A plurality of suspension devices connect to the body. A plurality of wipers are each connected to a discrete suspension device, each wiper including a wiping surface protruding through the aperture and each wiper to engage and wipe a discrete printhead during a wiping operation.

Abstract: Print quality feedback is provided about a printer. Printer operation is monitored to determine when printer parts are not operating correctly. Information indicating which printer parts are not operating correctly is stored. A test pattern is modified to produce an emulated test pattern. The emulated test pattern emulates how the test pattern would appear when printed by the printer. The emulated test pattern includes alterations made to the test pattern based on the information indicating which printer parts are not operating correctly.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a container or housing includes a body, a cavity and an aperture. A first and a second rotatable spindle are positioned within the cavity such that their long axes are substantially parallel, the first spindle to unwind unused wiping material, and the second spindle to wind used wiping material. A plurality of suspension devices connect to the body. A plurality of wipers are each connected to a discreet suspension device, each wiper including a wiping surface protruding through the aperture and each wiper to engage and wipe a discreet printhead during a wiping operation.

Abstract: Print quality feedback is provided about a printer. Printer operation is monitored to determine when printer parts are not operating correctly. Information indicating which printer parts are not operating correctly is stored. A test pattern is modified to produce an emulated test pattern. The emulated test pattern emulates how the test pattern would appear when printed by the printer. The emulated test pattern includes alterations made to the test pattern based on the information indicating which printer parts are not operating correctly.

Abstract: A hardcopy device such as an ink-jet printer comprises a printhead, a spittoon for receiving waste ink from the printheads, and a heater for quickly drying the ink waste products in the spittoon. A drum platen having a print media supporting area also has an elongate spittoon region extending across its circumferential surface, the contents of the spittoon region being arranged to be removed intermittently by an elongate scraper which, in one position of the drum, can be moved radially towards the drum to contact the spittoon region.

Abstract: An incremental printer comprising a plurality of printing elements arranged to print different portions of an image, the printer being arranged, prior to printing an image, to identify elements that are not required for printing the image and to implement an element servicing routine, the printer being arranged to exclude one or more of the identified elements from the servicing routine.

Abstract: The printheads of an inkjet printer have a service station movable in a direction transversely of a printhead scanning direction and comprising servicing modules for undertaking different functions, one of the modules being detachable from the rest. The detachable connection comprises a rotating hook and a fixed hook which automatically interengage and disengage.

Abstract: A program creates a unitary mask for use over a whole image, with one pattern. The mask need not be full image size; it may be tiled. In the field a printer forms a mask and prints with it, best in the same session, before another image needing another mask, whether due to different image activity or type, or operating conditions. Constraints are controlled to ensure solution. Printout can start before a mask (even the part needed to finish a top swath) is done, going columnwise in each swath. In other invention facets, a program forms a mask of size significant relative to the program and prints with it. Other facets check print conditions and form adapted masks; or find nozzles that cannot back up a known-failed nozzle and to back it up form masks with all able nozzles; or assess image activity and inject mask randomness accordingly.

Abstract: A hardcopy device such as an ink-jet printer comprises a printhead, a spittoon for receiving waste ink from the printheads, and a heater for quickly drying the ink waste products in the spittoon. A drum platen having a print media supporting area also has an elongate spittoon region extending across its circumferential surface, the contents of the spittoon region being arranged to be removed intermittently by an elongate scraper which, in one position of the drum, can be moved radially towards the drum to contact the spittoon region.

Abstract: An incremental printer comprising a plurality of printing elements arranged to print different portions of an image, the printer being arranged, prior to printing an image, to identify elements that are not required for printing the image and to implement an element servicing routine, the printer being arranged to exclude one or more of the identified elements from the servicing routine.

Abstract: An incremental printer comprising a plurality of printing elements grouped into redundant groups, each group being arranged to print substantially different portions of a given page of a printjob, the printer being adapted, when commencing a printjob, to control at least one redundant group of printing elements such that only a subset of the printing elements in that group are used to print, the printer being further arranged to subsequently increase the number of printing elements in that group which are used to print.

Abstract: Vapour removed from the drying chamber of a hardcopy apparatus is condensed and passed to a reservoir from which it is intermittently pumped into an ink supply cartridge. Cartridge supplies ink from a first bag via a first nozzle. As the first bag contracts, it allows a second bag to expand to receive the condensate from reservoir via a valving system and a second nozzle. In addition, a pump supplies air the second bag via piping; by switching over the valving system, it is the same pump which is used to transfer the condensate from reservoir to the cartridge.

Abstract: A device for applying solvent to an inkjet printhead, the device being arranged to be mounted in an inkjet printer and comprising an applicator adapted to hold solvent and a positioning mechanism arranged to bring the applicator into contact with a substantial portion of the nozzle area of the printhead at substantially the same time.

Abstract: The printheads of an inkjet printer have a service station movable in a direction transversely of a printhead scanning direction and comprising servicing modules for undertaking different functions, one of the modules being detachable from the rest. The detachable connection comprises a rotating hook and a fixed hook which automatically interengage and disengage.

Abstract: Absorbent pads are provided at various positions on a substrate of a service station. The substrate may be in the form of a device intended to be implemented during a capping operation of an ink ejection elements, e.g., printheads, pens, etc. The various positions on the substrate generally correspond to various locations on the ink ejection element that are known to accumulate ink and other debris. During use, the substrate is drawn near the ink ejection element to thereby cause contact between the absorbent pads and the various locations. The relative movement between the substrate and the ink ejection element is substantially vertical to thereby greatly reduce the possibility of the absorbent pad damaging the nozzles of the ink ejection element. Absorbent pads are also provided on upstanding members of the substrate to substantially remove ink and debris that may accumulate on the sides of the ink ejection element.

Abstract: An inkjet printing device comprising a plurality of printheads and a plurality of servicing modules, each module comprising first and second sets of servicing components and being arranged to service exclusively a given printhead, said first set comprising a spittoon and said first or said second set being independently replaceable.

Abstract: Vapour removed from the drying chamber of a hardcopy apparatus is condensed and passed to a reservoir from which it is intermittently pumped into an ink supply cartridge. Cartridge supplies ink from a first bag via a first nozzle. As the first bag contracts, it allows a second bag to expand to receive the condensate from reservoir via a valving system and a second nozzle. In addition, a pump supplies air the second bag via piping; by switching over the valving system, it is the same pump which is used to transfer the condensate from reservoir to the cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention introduces such refinement. Before proceeding to a relatively rigorous description or definition, this section offers some informal comments that are for orientation only and should not be taken as defining the invention.