Abstract: An ink jet printhead chip that is the product of an integrated circuit fabrication technique includes a wafer substrate having a front surface and a rear surface. A plurality of ink passages are defined through the wafer substrate, so that each ink passage defines an inlet at a rear surface of the wafer substrate and an outlet at a front surface of the wafer substrate. Each ink passage is in fluid communication with an ink supply at the rear surface of the wafer substrate. A plurality of actuators are positioned on the rear surface of the wafer substrate and are operatively arranged with respect to the ink passages to generate an ink flow through each passage, from the rear surface to the front surface, when activated.

Abstract: A scanning device adapted to scan an interface surface provided on a product item, the interface surface having disposed thereon coded data indicative of an identity of the product item, the product item being provided in a sensing region, the scanning device including: a beam generator for emitting at least one beam; first and second acousto-optic deflectors for deflecting the beam in first and second orthogonal directions to thereby generate a raster scan pattern over a scanning patch; a sensor for sensing at least some of the coded data on the interface surface of the product item as the product item passes through the sensing region; and a processor for determining, using at least some of the sensed coded data, product identity data indicative of the identity of the product item.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a support structure. An ink reservoir arrangement is mounted on the support structure. An array of printhead chips is mounted on the ink reservoir arrangement to receive ink from the ink reservoir arrangement. An ink transfer roller is rotatably mounted on the support structure operatively with respect to the array of printhead chips so that the printhead chips can carry out a printing operation on the transfer roller. A retaining mechanism is mounted on the support structure to bear against the ink transfer roller. A sheet of print medium is receivable between the retaining mechanism and the transfer roller so that ink printed on the transfer roller is transferred to the sheet of print medium. A feed mechanism feeds the sheet of print medium between the ink transfer roller and the retaining mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and generating images includes a printing unit. The printing unit includes a carrier that is dimensioned to approximate a PCMCIA memory card. A media supply is receivable in the carrier. A page width print head assembly is mounted in the carrier to print images on the media. The page width print head assembly includes at least one print head chip and a suitable printing microprocessor that is configured to control operation of the print head chip. An ink supply mechanism is operatively arranged with respect to the print head assembly to supply the print head assembly with ink. A media feed mechanism is positioned in the carrier to feed media to and from the print head chip. The apparatus includes an image recordal apparatus that includes a housing in which the carrier is received. The housing is dimensioned to define a sleeve for the carrier so that at least half the carrier is received in the housing.

Abstract: A closure member for each of the plurality of ink passages in an ink jet printhead chip that is the product of an integrated circuit fabrication technique includes a wafer substrate having a front surface and a rear surface. A plurality of ink passages are defined through the wafer substrate, so that each ink passage defines an inlet at a rear surface of the wafer substrate and an outlet at a front surface of the wafer substrate. Each ink passage is in fluid communication with an ink supply at the rear surface of the wafer substrate. A plurality of actuators are positioned on the rear surface of the wafer substrate, each being operatively arranged to facilitate the displacement of a corresponding closure member between open and closed position.

Abstract: A printhead chip for an inkjet printhead includes a wafer substrate that incorporates drive circuitry and defines a plurality of ink inlet channels. A plurality of nozzle arrangements is positioned on the wafer substrate. Each nozzle arrangement includes side walls and a roof wall positioned on the substrate to define a nozzle chamber such that one of the ink inlet channels opens into the nozzle chamber. The roof wall defines an ink ejection port. A substantially planar, elongate actuator is positioned in the nozzle chamber to overlie the respective ink inlet channel. The actuator incorporates a heater layer that comprises an electrical circuit that is connected to the drive circuitry layer at one end of the actuator and at least one expansion layer that is fast with the heater layer.

Abstract: A sensing device for generating orientation data when positioned or moved relative to a surface, the orientation data being indicative of an orientation of the sensing device relative to the surface, the surface having coded data disposed upon it, the coded data being indicative, when sensed by the sensing device, of the orientation, the sensing device including: a housing; orientation sensing means configured to generate the orientation data using at least some of the coded data; and communications means configured to communicate the orientation data to a computer system.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a housing that defines a receiving formation for a media tray assembly. A chassis is positioned in the housing. A media tray assembly is displaceably engageable with the chassis to permit the tray assembly to be received in, and withdrawn from, the receiving formation. The media tray assembly and the housing define a print medium feed path. The media tray assembly includes a media tray in which a stack of print medium sheets can be stored. A feed mechanism is positioned on the media tray to feed the sheets from the tray. A printhead assembly is positioned downstream of the media tray to carry out a printing operation on the sheets as the sheets are fed from the tray.

Abstract: A fluid-dispensing chip has a wafer substrate that incorporates drive circuitry. A nozzle assembly is positioned on the wafer substrate. The nozzle assembly has nozzle chamber walls and a roof wall that define a nozzle chamber and a fluid ejection port in the roof wall and an electrostatic actuator. The actuator has a first planar electrode positioned on the wafer substrate. A second planar electrode is positioned in the nozzle chamber and is displaceable towards and away from the first planar electrode to eject fluid from the fluid ejection port. The first planar electrode and the second planar electrode are connected to the drive circuitry so that a potential difference can be applied between the planar electrodes to displace the second planar electrode towards and away from the first planar electrode. At least one of the nozzle chamber walls and the wafer substrate define a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber and a fluid supply source.

Abstract: A system comprising: a wireless communications system for transmitting data from a data capturing device to a data processing device. The wireless communications system has a transmitter in communication with the data capturing device and a receiver in communication with the data processing device. The transmitter has a finite transmission range. The system also includes a buffer in communication with the data capturing device for temporarily storing at least some of the captured data which is only transmitted to the receiver when the receiver is located within the transmission range of the transmitter.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead which comprises a plurality of nozzles and one or more heater elements corresponding to each nozzle. Each heater element is configured to heat a bubble forming liquid in the printhead to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble therein. The generation of the bubble causes the ejection of a drop of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through the respective corresponding nozzle, to effect printing. Each heater element is formed of solid material, more than 90% of which, by atomic proportion, is constituted by at least one element, from the periodic table of elements, having an atomic number below 50.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead chip includes a substrate that incorporates drive circuitry. A plurality of nozzle arrangements is positioned on the substrate. Each nozzle arrangement includes nozzle chamber walls that define a nozzle chamber and an ink ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. The nozzle chamber is in fluid communication with an ink supply channel through the substrate for supplying the nozzle chamber with ink. A closure is operatively positioned with respect to the ink supply channel. The closure is displaceable between a closed position in which the closure closes the ink supply channel and an open position in which ink is permitted to flow into the nozzle chamber. An actuator is connected to the drive circuitry and the closure so that, on receipt of an electrical signal from the drive circuitry, the actuator can act to displace the closure between the closed and open positions. An ink reservoir is in fluid communication with each ink supply channel.

Abstract: A modular printhead for a digital printer wherein the modules (2) may be mechanically aligned using specifically designed frame (3) supporting the modules (2). The frame (3) having a plurality of mounting sites (19) for mounting respective printhead modules (2) to the frame (3); wherein, at least one of the mounting sites (19) having mechanical adjustment mechanism (15, 16, 17 and 18) for reducing input movements to effect minute adjustments of the position of the printhead module (2) with respect to the frame (3). All of the mounting sites (19) and adjustment mechanisms (15, 16, 17, 18) being integral with the frame (3) and being defined by means of cut outs from the material of the frame.

Abstract: A three dimensional object creation system that prints objects layer by layer, the system including a plurality of printheads, the system printing at least part of each of multiple layers simultaneously, wherein the printheads are configured such that at least one of the layers may be printed with a first set of materials and at least one other of the layers may be printed with a second set of materials, and wherein the first and second sets are not the same.

Abstract: An ink distribution assembly (10) for a page width ink jet printhead (12) in the form of at least one printhead chip (14) having sets of ink inlet openings (18), each set for receiving an ink of a particular colour. A carrier (22) with a printhead side (30) that is engageable with the printhead (12) and an opposed ink supply side (28) and defining feed openings (48) through the carrier (22). The ink supply side (28) of the carrier (22) defines a number of discrete feed formations (60) being configured to receive ink of a particular colour. The printhead side (30) of the carrier (22) defines ink supply formations and passages in fluid communication between the ink supply formations and one of the feed formations. A cover (78) is engageable with the carrier (22) at the ink supply side (28) and is shaped to define a roof for the feed formations (60) and defines ink pathways (86) in fluid communication with respective feed formations (60).

Abstract: A method for composition and transmission of an electronic mail message including: printing a document to facilitate composition and transmission of the electronic mail message; composing the electronic mail message on the document utilizing a sensing device adapted to read coded data in the document; transmitting interaction data from the sensing device to a computer system, the interaction data representing interaction of the sensing device with the coded data to allow the message to be electronically captured in the computer system; and transmitting the message to at least one recipient address.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead includes a substrate. A plurality of nozzle arrangements are arranged on the substrate. Each nozzle arrangement has side walls and a roof wall that define a nozzle chamber and an inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. An actuator is provided that includes an ink ejection mechanism. The actuator is operable to activate the ink ejection mechanism so that the ink ejection mechanism is displaceable between a quiescent condition and an operative condition such that ink is ejected from the nozzle chamber while the ink ejection mechanism is so displaced. The ink ejection mechanism is configured so that the ink ejection mechanism serves to obstruct a flow path from the nozzle chamber and into the inlet at at least one position between and including the quiescent and operative conditions.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead with thermal bend actuators for ejecting ink from the nozzle apertures and drive circuitry for operating each thermal bend actuator in a normal mode wherein drive signals to the actuator ejects ink from the chamber, or a pre-heat mode wherein drive signals to the actuator heats ink in the chamber but does not eject ink from the chamber. The invention uses the drive signal to the bend actuator to generate heat to raise the temperature of the ink in the chamber, but controls the signal so that the actuator will not respond in a manner that will eject ink. After a brief pre-heat cycle, the drive circuitry can switch to normal operating mode and the bend actuators will eject ink for printing. With the ink temperature and viscosity within normal operating range, the print quality is not compromised.

Abstract: A printhead assembly for a pagewidth drop on demand ink jet printer includes an array of printhead modules extending across the pagewidth. A flexible printed circuit board carries data and power to the modules and also extends across the pagewidth. A pair of busbars is electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board to carry power to it. The busbars also extend across the pagewidth.

Abstract: A printhead assembly for a pagewidth drop on demand ink jet printer, comprising an array of printhead modules extending substantially across said pagewidth, a flexible printed circuit board carrying data and power to said modules, the flexible printed circuit board also extending substantially across said pagewidth, a pair of busbars electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board and carrying power thereto, the busbars also extending substantially across said pagewidth, wherein said flexible printed circuit board contacts individual fine pitch flex PCBs on each printhead module.