Abstract: An ink jet print cartridge having a compact electrical interconnect structure that includes a plurality of pairs of columnar arrays of electrical contact areas disposed on a rear wall of the print cartridge and electrically connected to ink drop generators arranged in primitive groups.

Abstract: Identification tag media originates in reel-form and feeds through a conventional inkjet printer. A modified media infeed tray holds a reel of such identification tag media positioned for collection by the printer media transport mechanism. The identification tag media passes by the inkjet print head to receive print imaging thereon in the form of identification indicia. Thus, length segments of identification tag media may be severed into identification tag bracelets and coupled to users by encircling limbs and joining as by use of clasps.

Abstract: A stack accessory for a printer attaches as a module to a printer and provides a source of media. Media originates from a stack within the module passing media from the bottom of the stack to the printer. The top of the stack remains open to replenish the media stack without interrupting printing operations. The stack accessory serves particularly well as an envelope feed mechanism supporting a large inventory of envelopes therein. Large scale and continuous envelope printing operations result. Overall, a stack accessory under the present invention converts a generally conventional printer into a high-volume printing device enjoying uninterrupted printing operations associated with replenishing a supply of media fed therethrough.

Abstract: The spacing between the printhead of an inkjet printer cartridge and the print medium is dynamically controlled by an apparatus that slightly rotates the carriage that holds the cartridge. In one embodiment, the rotation is effected by actuation of a cam that resides between the rotatable carriage and a fixed part of the printer. The printhead-to-paper spacing is thus optimized for highest print quality.

Abstract: An ink jet print cartridge having a compact electrical interconnect structure that includes a plurality of pairs of columnar arrays of electrical contact areas disposed on a front wall of the print cartridge.

Abstract: An ink jet print cartridge having a compact electrical interconnect structure that includes a plurality of pairs of columnar arrays of electrical contact areas disposed on a rear wall of the print cartridge and electrically connected to ink drop generators arranged in primitive groups.

Abstract: The leading edge of a sheet of print media is detected as the media is advanced through the printer. In response to the detection of the media, a reference signal is generated with the encoder strip that is used to control the position of the carriage assembly. When no media is present in the printer the leading edge detector physically interrupts the drive path that the media follows through the printer. When media is advanced into the detector, the detector is deflected by the advancing media and strikes the encoder strip to generate a reference signal. The printer controller correlates the reference signal with the presence of the media leading edge to begin a counting sequence that correlates the location on the media where printing begins.

Abstract: The spacing between the printhead of an inkjet printer cartridge and the print medium is dynamically controlled by an apparatus that slightly rotates the carriage that holds the cartridge. In one embodiment, the rotation is effected by actuation of a cam that resides between the rotatable carriage and a fixed part of the printer. The printhead-to-paper spacing is thus optimized for highest print quality.

Abstract: A print carriage drive assembly for an ink jet printer. The print carriage drive assembly includes a tensioned drive belt, and a compliant belt connect that applies a driving force to a print carriage at location that is displaced from the drive belt. The tensioned drive belt and the belt connect further isolate the print carriage from drive force variations.

Abstract: A modular duplex media handling system is used in conjunction with a simplex media handling print recording apparatus. The duplex media handling system is linked by a transmission to a print recording system drive motor. The drive motor drives feed rollers and metering rollers or the simplex media handling system. The transmission is media-activated to allow the duplex handling drive rollers to be disengaged, engaged for rotation in the same direction as the feed rollers, or engaged for rotation in the opposite direction as the feed rollers.

Abstract: An ink jet print cartridge with a body defining an ink chamber and an air outlet. A movable inertia element is connected to the body, and a compressor element is connected to the inertia element and the air outlet. When the pen is accelerated in a selected direction, such as along the carriage path of a printer during printing, the resulting motion of the inertia element operates the compressor to pump a small amount of air from the chamber. To avoid excessive pumping, which may expel ink unintentionally after the air has been expelled, a buoyant ink level detector in the cartridge may prevent air pumping when the ink is above a preselected level.

Abstract: A guide mechanism prevents an improperly oriented PC card from being inserted a significant distance into a PC slot. A pair of PC card guide mechanisms are coupled to a PC male connector. A PC card is received at the guides as the card is inserted and pushed toward the male connector. Each guide mechanism includes a proximal end that engages an edge of the male connector, and a distal flanged end that receives the PC card. A guide rail extends between the proximal and distal ends of each guide mechanism. At least one guide mechanism includes a flexible arm along its guide rail. At the tip of the arm is a keying mechanism responsive to the PC card orientation. When the PC card is properly oriented, the card slides over the keying mechanism pushing it aside to traverse the guide rail. When the PC card is improperly oriented, the card is blocked by the keying mechanism so as not to traverse the guide rail.