Abstract: A barcode on a medium is received. It is determined whether misalignment of a printhead of the printer is present based on bars in the barcode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a normal consumption state, a low consumption state, and a fluid applicator unit. The fluid applicator unit may selectively provide a first set of drops of fluid to perform a printing routine in a print mode. The fluid applicator unit may also selectively provide a second set of drops of fluid to perform a service routine in a maintenance mode. An amount of the first set of drops of fluid to perform the printing routine and an amount of the second set of drops of fluid to perform the service routine may be less in the low consumption state than in the normal consumption state.

Abstract: In a method for printing a plurality of pixels, each pixel of a plurality of pixels is printed by controlling an inkjet print head to provide for each pixel at least two ink drops at different positions in a print head movement direction, the print head having a plurality of trenches supplying ink to a plurality of sets of nozzles. The at least two ink drops forming first pixels of said plurality of pixels are fired from the same trench.

Abstract: A barcode on a medium is received. It is determined whether misalignment of a printhead of the printer is present based on bars in the barcode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, first printing is caused in response to a print job, applying ink upon a media utilizing a first row of printheads and a second row of printheads. The first row of printheads includes a plurality of printhead types. The second row of printheads is adjacent to the first row and includes at least one printhead of each of types. Failure of a first printhead within the first row is detected. The status of printheads included within the second row is analyzed. Second printing is caused applying ink upon the media utilizing the second row of printheads, and not the first row of printheads, in response to determining that printheads within the second row are operable to complete the print job.

Abstract: In one embodiment, first printing is caused in response to a print job, applying ink upon a media utilizing a first row of printheads and a second row of printheads. The first row of printheads includes a plurality of printhead types. The second row of printheads is adjacent to the first row and includes at least one printhead of each of types. Failure of a first printhead within the first row is detected. The status of printheads included within the second row is analyzed. Second printing is caused applying ink upon the media utilizing the second row of printheads, and not the first row of printheads, in response to determining that printheads within the second row are operable to complete the print job.

Abstract: A multipass printing method includes determining at the end of a printing pass if at least some dot depositing elements of at least one printhead require a servicing operation. In case the determination is positive, the method includes printing at least one incomplete printing pass in which at least the dot depositing elements of the at least one printhead that require a servicing operation are not operated to print. At the end of the incomplete printing pass, the method includes servicing at least the dot depositing elements of the at least one printhead and printing at least one compensating printing pass, which adds to the information to be printed in the compensating printing pass at least part of the information that failed to be printed by the dot depositing elements of the at least one printhead in the at least one incomplete printing pass.

Abstract: Images selected for printing are assigned respective print-speed modes so that at least first and second of said images are assigned to a relatively fast print mode and at least a third image is assigned to a relatively slow print mode. The images are arranged as a function of print-speed mode so that said first and second images are in a first row and so that said third is in a second row. The images are then printed on real print media, with the first row being printed using a relatively fast print speed and the second row being printed at a relatively slow print speed.

Abstract: In a method for printing a plurality of pixels, each pixel of a plurality of pixels is printed by controlling an inkjet print head to provide for each pixel at least two ink drops at different positions in a print head movement direction, the print head having a plurality of trenches supplying ink to a plurality of sets of nozzles. The at least two ink drops forming first pixels of said plurality of pixels are fired from the same trench.

Abstract: A roll-based printer and method of loading the same. An example method includes sliding a roll of print media onto a print media spindle so that the roll of print media is positioned closer to a first end of the print media spindle than a second end of the print media spindle and loading the spindle onto a supporting assembly so that the spindle is rotatably supported by the supporting assembly and the first end of the print media spindle is at the end of the printer which is opposite to an end of the printer having a media detecting unit for detecting the presence of print media being fed to the printer. The example method includes feeding the print media to the printer from the loaded spindle, detecting the position of an edge of the print media fed to the printer and adjusting a starting position of the print head based on the detected position of an edge of the print media.

Abstract: Images selected for printing are assigned respective print-speed modes so that at least first and second of said images are assigned to a relatively fast print mode and at least a third image is assigned to a relatively slow print mode. The images are arranged as a function of print-speed mode so that said first and second images are in a first row and so that said third is in a second row. The images are then printed on real print media, with the first row being printed using a relatively fast print speed and the second row being printed at a relatively slow print speed.

Abstract: Print image-quality defects are diagnosed by printing an image and one or more diagnostic patterns concurrently.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes an actuator, moveable to actuate a fluid pump, an optical sensor, a flag, affixed to the actuator and positioned to block the optical sensor with motion of the actuator, and a controller, coupled to the actuator and the optical sensor. The controller is configured to determine a volume of fluid pumped by the pump by detecting a change in a degree of blockage of the sensor by the flag.

Abstract: A multipass printing method comprises determining at the end of a printing pass if at least some dot depositing elements of at least one printhead require a servicing operation; in case the determination is positive, printing at least one incomplete printing pass in which at least the dot depositing elements of said at least one printhead that require a servicing operation are not operated to print; at the end of said incomplete printing pass, servicing at least said dot depositing elements of said at least one printhead; and printing at least one compensating printing pass adding to the information to be printed in said compensating printing pass at least part of the information that failed to be printed by said dot depositing elements of said at least one printhead in said at least one incomplete printing pass.

Abstract: A roll-based printer and method of loading the same is presented. The method comprises: sliding a roll of print media onto a print media spindle so that the roll of print media is positioned closer to a first end of the print media spindle than a second end of the print media spindle; loading the spindle onto a supporting assembly so that the spindle is rotatably supported by the supporting assembly and the first end of the print media spindle is at the end of the printer which is opposite to an end of the printer having a media detecting unit for detecting the presence of print media being fed to the printer; feeding the print media to the printer from the loaded spindle; detecting the position of an edge of the print media fed to the printer; and adjusting a starting position of the print head based on the detected position of an edge of the print media.