Abstract: A printing method includes applying at least one of a plurality of pigmented colored inks to a receiving surface. A colorless ink is applied to the receiving surface. A majority of the colorless ink is ejected from of first nozzles on a printhead used for ejecting the colorless ink. At least 30% of an area on the receiving surface, which is passed over by the first nozzles, is covered with the colorless ink during a single pass of the printhead over the area.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking responses to InfiniBand RDMA Reads. When an RDMA Read or Read request is issued by a transmit module, a receive module is informed of the packet sequence numbers (PSN) associated with the expected RDMA Read responses. The receive module maintains a linked list for each queue pair that issues RDMA Reads. Each entry in the linked list corresponds to one RDMA Read for the associated queue pair, and identifies the first and last PSN and includes a link to the next entry in the linked list. When the final RDMA Read response is received, the receive module notifies the transmit module, which can then retire the RDMA Read from its retry queue.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing flow control, at the link and/or transport layers, for InfiniBand receive traffic. A shared memory structure may be used for combined queuing of virtual lane and queue pair traffic. Each virtual lane is allocated a number of memory buffers; a packet is dropped if buffering it would cause its virtual lane to exceed its allocation of buffers. For each active queue pair, a linked list of buffers is maintained in the structure. Each queue pair is dedicated zero or more of its virtual lane's buffers, and may also use a set of buffers shared among multiple queue pairs. Thresholds are established in a queue pair's dedicated set of buffers and/or the shared set of buffers. As each threshold number of buffers is used, a queue pair can advertise fewer message credits. RNR-NAKs are issued when no more buffers are available to a queue pair.

Abstract: A printing method includes applying at least one of a plurality of pigmented colored inks to a receiving surface. A colorless ink is applied to the receiving surface. A majority of the colorless ink is ejected from of first nozzles on a printhead used for ejecting the colorless ink. At least 30% of an area on the receiving surface, which is passed over by the first nozzles, is covered with the colorless ink during a single pass of the printhead over the area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are method and systems for printing a reactive ink and a fixer or second reactive ink onto a substrate from a single orifice plate, wherein orifice plate comprising at least two orifices; wherein at least one orifice prints a first reactive ink, and other orifice prints a fixer or second reactive ink. The reactive inks and the fixer reacts to form a precipitate which soluble in at least one of the fixer or the inks.

Abstract: A system and method for mapping outbound communications (e.g., encapsulated Ethernet packets) from InfiniBand queue pairs (QP) and/or virtual lanes (VL) to ports through which they are to be transmitted to an external communication system. A memory is shared between the InfiniBand receive side and transmit side. A shared control structure facilitates management of a linked list for each queue pair. A linked list is composed of entries in the control structure; each entry stores a value identifying the next control entry in the list and a memory bucket associated with the entry. Each queue pair terminating has a head pointer identifying the first control entry and memory bucket, and a tail pointer identifying the last control entry and memory bucket of a linked list. When a communication is reassembled, pointers defining a sub-list comprising the communication are passed to a network transmit module.

Abstract: A system and method for processing interleaved Sends of encapsulated communications and responses to RDMA Reads in a single InfiniBand queue pair receive queue. The queue is implemented as one or more linked lists of memory buckets, and stores Send commands (containing encapsulated communications or RDMA Read descriptors for retrieving a communication) until their associated communications are assembled and forwarded to a transmit module. The queue grows as new InfiniBand packets are received, and shrinks as communications (e.g., Ethernet packets) are forwarded. A next packet pointer identifies the next Send command whose communication should be assembled. If it is an encapsulated communication, the communication is forwarded. Otherwise, RDMA Read requests are issued and the responses bypass the tail of the queue and are assembled in an assembly area at the head of the queue.

Abstract: A system and method for shared buffering of InfiniBand virtual lanes and queue pairs. Instead of allocating dedicated memory space (e.g., a set of FIFO queues), a shared memory dynamically accommodates traffic received on different virtual lanes and/or queue pairs of an InfiniBand network. A multi-port RAM comprises memory buckets or elements for storing contents of InfiniBand packets. For each queue pair and/or virtual lane, matching head and tail pointers identify the first and last elements of a linked list of traffic buffered from that queue pair or virtual lane. A multi-port control structure mirrors the RAM. For each node in a queue pair or virtual lane's linked list, a corresponding entry in the control structure relates to the corresponding memory element and stores an identifier of the memory element and control entry corresponding to the next node in the linked list.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a wiper apparatus and method for cleaning a printhead are provided. In one embodiment, the wiper apparatus includes a wiper having a leading contact surface, a trailing contact surface, and a capillary passageway that extends at least partially along an axis that intersects the leading contact surface and the trailing contact surface.

Abstract: A system and a method for improving printing performance are provided. One method of improving printing performance performing a first print operation utilizing a printhead comprising a plurality of resistors by ejecting ink from a plurality of chambers each associated with at least one of at least some of the plurality of resistors, selectively energizing at least some of the plurality of resistors at an energy level insufficient to eject ink from the plurality of chambers, and performing a second print operation utilizing the printhead.

Abstract: A system and method for providing dynamic rate flow control. An originating entity sets requested and target rates of communication within a communication sent to a destination entity. The requested and target rates may be expressed in terms of a “time to next communication” (e.g., a period of delay between transmission of successive communications). Intermediate devices (e.g., switches, routers) may decrease a target rate (thereby increasing the time between communications) but not the requested rate. Through a feedback process, the destination entity (or an intermediate entity) reports the target rate, and possibly the requested rate, back to the originator, which may accept and implement a reduced rate of communication, select a different communication channel, etc.

Abstract: A gray inkjet ink having a black colorant and at least one cyan, magenta, or yellow colorant. By adjusting the amount of cyan, magenta, or yellow colorant in the inkjet ink, a gray inkjet ink having a neutral, warm, cool, or sepia tone is produced. At least one gray inkjet ink is used in a black ink set or an eight-color ink set to produce black and white images having high resolution. Methods of producing black and white images having desired gray tones are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gray inkjet ink having a black colorant and at least one cyan, magenta, or yellow colorant. By adjusting the amount of cyan, magenta, or yellow colorant in the inkjet ink, a gray inkjet ink having a neutral, warm, cool, or sepia tone is produced. At least one gray inkjet ink is used in a black ink set or an eight-color ink set to produce black and white images having high resolution. Methods of producing black and white images having desired gray tones are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing fluid droplets onto a surface in which at least one of a group of nozzles is substantially aligned with a first of parallel line segments on the surface moving in a first direction relative to the nozzles; at least one droplet is ejected from the first nozzle onto a target on the first segment; the group of nozzles is moved in a second direction having a component orthogonal to the first direction to respectively align first and second nozzles in the group with a second segment and with the first segment; the and fluid droplets are ejected from the nozzles onto targets on the segments, the center to center spacing of the targets along the segments equaling one or a multiple of the center to center spacing of the nozzles orthogonal to the segments.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling hot swapped circuit boards to receive multiple power voltages from a backplane and supply the multiple power voltages to devices on the circuit board in a predictable sequence. An apparatus according to the invention would include a circuit board having an electrical connector, a sequencing circuit, and an element. The electrical connector of the circuit board receives the multiple power voltages from another circuit board, such as a backplane or motherboard. The sequencing circuit receives the multiple power voltages from the electrical connector. When a part of the sequencing circuit receives a signal indicating that the sequencing circuit has received a first power voltage, the sequencing circuit provides a second power voltage to the element electrically coupled to the sequencing circuit.

Abstract: A thermal ink jet printer for printing an image on a receiver and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a print head defining a first chamber and a second chamber therein. The first chamber contains a working fluid and the second chamber contains an ink body. A flexible membrane separates the first chamber and the second chamber. A first transducer in the first chamber induces a first pressure wave in the working fluid that flexes the membrane into the second chamber to pressurize the ink body and eject an ink drop from the second chamber through an outlet. A second transducer in the first chamber induces a second pressure wave that flexes the membrane into the second chamber to damp the first pressure wave transmitted into the second chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing fluid droplets onto a surface in which at least one of a group of nozzles is substantially aligned with a first of parallel line segments on a surface moving in a first direction relative to said nozzles; at least one droplet is ejected from said first nozzle onto a target on said first segment; said group of nozzles is moved in a second direction having a component orthogonal to said first direction to respectively align first and second nozzles in said group with a second segment and with said first segment; and fluid droplets are ejected from said nozzles onto targets on said segments, the center to center spacing of said targets along said segments equaling one or a multiple of the center to center spacing of said nozzles orthogonal to said segments.

Abstract: A system and method for providing dynamic rate flow control. An originating entity sets requested and target rates of communication within a communication sent to a destination entity. The requested and target rates may be expressed in terms of a “time to next communication” (e.g., a period of delay between transmission of successive communications). Intermediate devices (e.g., switches, routers) may decrease a target rate (thereby increasing the time between communications) but not the requested rate. Through a feedback process, the destination entity (or an intermediate entity) reports the target rate, and possibly the requested rate, back to the originator, which may accept and implement a reduced rate of communication, select a different communication channel, etc.

Abstract: A system and method for segregating communication traffic to prevent a first type of communications (e.g., best-effort, connection-less, UDP) from limiting or restricting the amount of bandwidth available to a second type (e.g., flow-controlled, connection-oriented, TCP). Either or both types of communications are conducted in separate sets of channels corresponding to an Ethernet quality or class of service, an InfiniBand virtual lane, an ATM virtual circuit or other logical channel.

Abstract: A thermal ink jet printer having enhanced heat removal capability and method of assembling the printer. The thermal inkjet printer includes a thermal inkjet print bead adapted to hold an ink body therein. A heating element is adapted to be in fluid communication with the ink body for generating heat to heat the ink body. A vapor bubble forms in the ink body to eject an ink drop when the heating element causes the ink body to reach a predetermined temperature. Presence of the vapor bubble forces on ink drop out the printer to form an image on a recording medium. A conductive heat removal structure is in thermal communication with the heating element and is also in fluid communication with the ink body. Heat generated by the heating element is transferred from the heating element and into the heat removal structure. The heat removal structure then surrenders the heat to the ink body, which functions as an “infinite” heat sink.