Abstract: A non-transitory storage medium is disclosed herein. An example of the non-transitory storage medium includes instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to actuate a pick assembly of a media handling system to select a sheet of medium from a media stack and lower the media stack a predetermined amount and subsequently raise the media stack the predetermined amount upon failure to pick the sheet of medium from the media stack. The non-transitory storage medium may include additional instructions as disclosed herein. A media handling system and method of media handling are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention involve modifying non-volatile data fields in the integral memory components of consumable cartridges (and, in some embodiments, data fields in the utilizing device memory) such that the consumable cartridges become compatible with only a small subset of utilizing devices, thereby substantially reducing their potential value to a thief or unauthorized borrower.

Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer having geometric features which reduce drop placement error of main and satellite drops ejected from the nozzles of the printhead. Nozzles that are tilted along an axis corresponding to the direction of scanning of the printhead while printing have reduced drop placement error in the orthogonal direction to the scanning, and create a breakoff velocity for the satellite drop that can cause the main and satellite drops to be placed in a coincident location on the medium in one of the directions of scanning, thus forming desireable round printed spots and reducing drop placement error in the scan direction. These improvements can be repeatably achieved for all nozzles. Nozzles with non-circular and asymmetric bores also reduce drop placement errors, particularly when these types of nozzles are also tilted.

Abstract: When black regions are adjacent to color regions, the adjacent black regions are encoded (rendered) at the resolution of the color regions (e.g., 300 dpi) even though the printer has the capability of printing black at a higher resolution (e.g., 600 dpi). To make full use of the 600 dpi resolution of the printer, the black pixels are separated from the color pixels. The 300 dpi resolution black pixel field is converted to a 600 dpi black image field. A window surrounding a selected group of (600 dpi) black/white target pixels is chosen. The pixels in the window are applied to a logic circuit having a plurality of logical conditions. As a result of the logic processing, values of each of the target pixels can be changed to a different pixel value to avoid jagged edges in the printed images, thereby providing a pseudo-600 dpi resolution for the target pixels. The logical operations are performed until all of the pixels have values determined by the logic circuit.

Abstract: Multiple algorithms are applied to expand input image data of a variety of lower resolutions to output image data of a variety of higher resolutions with enhanced text quality, particularly in the black datapath controlling an output device such as an inkjet or laser printer. Enhancement techniques include edge smoothing, bit stripping for large drop weight pens, and drop-weight based ink depletion. Embodiments provide algorithms that convert 600×600 dpi input resolution data to 1200×600 dpi output resolution image data or 300×300 to 600×300 dpi resolution (i.e., asymmetric 2:1 ratio resolution conversion along mutually perpendicular axes), including text edge smoothing, while causing minimal change to gray scaled (halftoned) data within images. The techniques can be applied to other resolutions as well. Some embodiments include unidirectional bitstripping that preserves 1200 dpi edges while applying output pixels at only 600 dpi from 1200 dpi resolution output image data.

Abstract: Multiple algorithms are applied to expand input image data of a variety of lower resolutions to output image data of a variety of higher resolutions with enhanced text quality, particularly in the black datapath controlling an output device such as an inkjet or laser printer. Enhancement techniques include edge smoothing, bit stripping for large drop weight pens, and drop-weight based ink depletion. Embodiments provide algorithms that convert 600×600 dpi input resolution data to 1200×600 dpi output resolution image data or 300×300 to 600×300 dpi resolution (i.e., asymmetric 2:1 ratio resolution conversion along mutually perpendicular axes), including text edge smoothing, while causing minimal change to gray scaled (halftoned) data within images. The invention applies to other resolutions as well. Some embodiments include unidirectional bitstripping that preserves 1200 dpi edges while applying output pixels at only 600 dpi from 1200 dpi resolution output image data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system in an inkjet printer for determining the amount of a fixer to be applied to a medium. The system comprises a fixer generation circuit where the fixer generation circuit determines an amount of a fixer to be applied to a dot location on a medium based on an amount of ink to be applied to the dot location. A bloom encoder circuit is also disclosed for identifying amounts of fixer to be deposited adjacent to dot locations containing ink.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a test pattern used in the alignment of an ink-jet pen which deposits fixer fluid, or other clear ink precursor fluid, on print media uses the change in reflectivity caused by overprinting a series of positional-calibration indicia with colorant to obtain data with respect to deviations in a carriage-scan x-axis and a paper scan y-axis. Thus the invention measures distances between pens or nozzles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a test pattern used in the alignment of an ink-jet pen which deposits fixer fluid, or other clear ink precursor fluid, on print media uses the change in reflectivity caused by overprinting a series of positional-calibration indicia with colorant to obtain data with respect to deviations in a carriage-scan x-axis and a paper scan y-axis. Thus the invention measures distances between pens or nozzles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a test pattern used in the alignment of an ink-jet pen which deposits fixer fluid, or other clear ink precursor fluid, on print media uses the change in reflectivity caused by overprinting a series of positional-calibration indicia with colorant to obtain data with respect to deviations in a carriage-scan x-axis and a paper scan y-axis. Thus the invention measures distances between pens or nozzles.

Abstract: Printhead longevity is extended by more uniformly utilizing individual printhead printing elements. A preferred algorithm moves an active zone of printing elements uniformly down the printhead on successive print passes. If insufficient printing elements are available to print the next pass, the active zone is moved to a point near the top of the printhead determined by a modulo function.

Abstract: A printing system that adjusts to drop volume characteristics of pens installed within an associated printer. Each pen has a characteristic drop volume representing the typical volume of ink expelled by the pen in forming ink drops used to form output pixels. Up to a maximum of N drops are used to form each pixel. A printer driver receives print data for the printer indicating saturation values for pixel data to be printed. Based on an expected pen drop volume, each saturation value maps to a corresponding number of ink drops for that value. To reduce data volume sent to the printer, the range of zero to N drops is subdivided into levels, each level representing some number of drops per pixel, and this level data is sent to the printer. If the characteristic drop volume of the pen is different from the expected volume, the subdivision of levels can be adjusted to compensate for differences in drop volumes.

Abstract: An inkjet printer uses a printhead that passes repeatedly across a print medium in individual swaths. The printhead has individual nozzles that are fired repeatedly during each printhead swath to apply an ink pattern to the print medium. Before any given swath, the printer analyzes factors that might require a reduction in print density. Anticipated printhead temperature is one factor that might require a reduction in print density. The printer monitors the print density and peak printhead temperature during each printhead swath. It then uses these values to calculate, prior to each new swath, a maximum permissible print density. If a reduction in print density is required, the printer temporarily disables selected nozzles to produce a reduced-height swath rather than pausing between swaths or reducing the printhead velocity relative to the page.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an optimum print density for an ink jet printer uses characteristics of a printer and its peripheral components such as an ink jet printhead, and an ink supply unit to reach an optimum print density. The ink jet printer receives a print command from a computer. The printer reads an ink drop volume parameter from a printhead memory device on the ink jet printhead and stores this parameter in a printer memory device on the ink jet printer. The processor in the printer determines an ink density compensation value for the ink jet printhead based on the ink drop volume parameter. The processor on the ink jet printer applies the ink density compensation value to the print command, thereby creating a depleted print command. Finally, the depleted print command is printed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of aligning different color print heads of an ink jet printer by printing a sequence of extended-area first alignment elements in a first color, then printing an overlaying sequence of extended-area second alignment elements in a second color. Each of the alignment elements includes an array of spaced apart printed lines. The first alignment elements are printed to nominal reference positions, and the second alignment elements are offset from the reference positions by differing amounts. The degree of overlap of the first and second color lines is readily visible, and the most thoroughly overlapped alignment element may be readily identified. The identity of this element may then be fed back to the printer to respond with electronic alignment measures.

Abstract: A printer automatically selects the print mode depending upon media type. The printer has a media handler to convey media through the printer and a media sensor to detect whether the media is transparent. The printer also has a printing mechanism configured to print a print file using a print mode that is selected based upon the type of media detected by the media sensor and whether the print file is intended for that media type.

Abstract: An on-page inkjet printhead spitting system purges the printhead nozzles across the printed page, and occasionally in the conventional service station spittoon. In addition to the image-forming droplets, extra purging droplets are fired to maintain pen health. To determine when to purge each nozzle, the number of times each nozzle is fired to print the image is counted or estimated, or printhead characteristics are monitored. The purging dots may be located on the page, in the spittoon, or both. On the page, the purging dots may be hidden from view, in the image background or over the image dots, or hidden in plain sight adjacent image dots, in speed bars, in a watermark type design, or in a repeating pattern. Use of this on-page spitting system conserves ink and improves throughput of the printing mechanism, without requiring any sacrifice in the print quality appearance to the naked eye.

Abstract: Method and system for increasing the effective resolution at which a lower resolution input pixel image is printed on a higher resolution dot matrix printer such an ink-jet or laser printer are described. Illustratively, a 300-dpi by 300-dpi input pixel image is prepared at the printer for printing at 600-dpi by 600-dpi, with otherwise jagged edges appropriately smoothed to produce high print quality. Each pixel and its predefined neighboring pixels in the input image are compared to stored image templates and when a match is found, the corresponding quad pixel, or super-pixel, to be output is altered from a mere replication of the input pixel, thereby to eliminate jagged edges. Memory space in the printer is reduced by storing templates that represent only a fraction of the problem patterns, the input pixel image being reoriented between comparisons in order to account for all possible cases.

Abstract: A passively-multiplexed resistor array has rows and columns of conductors. Resistors span the intersections of the conductors, and one or more selected resistors may be energized by energizing the corresponding row(s) and column(s). However, other, unselected, resistors may also be partially energized. By adding additional rows or columns of "minimizer" resistors, the maximum power in unselected resistors may be reduced. The minimizer resistors are electrically connected in the passively-multiplexed resistor array but do not perform the function of the other resistors in the array.

Abstract: A method for multiplying the speed-resolution product of a raster scanning or imaging device such as an inkjet printer, and a resulting pixel image data structure, are disclosed. Illustratively, a 300-dot per inch (dpi) by 600-dpi logical pixel image is mapped to a corresponding, non-overlapping physical dot image, and the printer's inkjets are fired responsive to the dot image to direct generally spherical ink droplets onto paper at 600-dpi resolution grid timing in order effectively to double the horizontal resolution of the printed pixel image, without increasing the firing rate of the print head. In order to accomplish this, and to avoid ink dot overlap, the printable pixel image is thinned before it is printed by a method that leaves no visible horizontal or vertical gaps by selectively turning off pixels within a `black` image that were on and that otherwise would result in ink dot overlap and slower print head speeds were the inkjets cycled at 600-dpi resolution timing.