Abstract: A service station for a print system includes a dedicated controller and a network interface configured to couple the service station to a central controller of the print system and to other components of the print system over a network. The dedicated controller is configured to allow the service station to perform a task in response to receiving a command indicative of the task over the network from the central controller of the print system without the central controller knowing the details of the task.

Abstract: Commands from a central controller of a printing system are received at a first component of a printing system. The commands include component ready commands and non-component ready commands. The component ready commands are routed unaltered to a second component of the printing system.

Abstract: A fluid short management assembly for a plurality of fluid-ejection devices of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that includes one or more monitoring mechanisms and a controller. The monitoring mechanisms monitor one or more fluid short conditions for each fluid ejection device. The fluid short conditions are selected from the group essentially consisting of: an over-current condition, an over-voltage condition, and an over-temperature condition. The controller turns off those of the fluid-ejection devices failing any of the fluid short conditions without affecting other of the fluid ejection devices not failing any of the fluid short conditions.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for lifting an imaging head are disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid short management assembly for a plurality of fluid-ejection devices of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that includes one or more monitoring mechanisms and a controller. The monitoring mechanisms monitor one or more fluid short conditions for each fluid ejection device. The fluid short conditions are selected from the group essentially consisting of: an over-current condition, an over-voltage condition, and an over-temperature condition. The controller turns off those of the fluid-ejection devices failing any of the fluid short conditions without affecting other of the fluid ejection devices not failing any of the fluid short conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for ink management utilizing a master controller, which receives configuration information from one or more ink pens, reservoirs, printheads, or ink level measurement devices. The controller receives master controller commands; reads data from system sensors; reads and writes data to and from smart chips associated with elements in the system and a non-volatile memory associated with an ink management controller; and independently takes action in response to data from a smart chip or sensor.