Abstract: A digital dispense system and methods for preparing samples for analysis. The digital dispense system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed. A cartridge translation mechanism is provided for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction. A sample tray translation mechanism moves a sample tray back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction.

Abstract: A digital dispense system and method for preparing samples for analysis. The system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed, a cartridge translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction; and a sample holder translation mechanism for moving a sample back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction. A digital display device is attached to the fluid droplet ejection system for displaying fluid volume information to a user. The fluid volume information is selected from relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing cartridge includes a housing body having a proximal end wall, a distal end wall, a fluid chamber, and a hollow throat portion. The fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the hollow throat portion, and the distal end wall provides a distal termination of the hollow throat portion. A fluid jetting chip is located on, and is attached to, the distal end wall. The hollow throat portion includes a fluid channel. The fluid channel has an interior wall that has a plurality of elongate protrusions.

Abstract: An apparatus for a fluidic ejection device and a fluidic ejection device containing the apparatus. The apparatus includes a pivot member having at least a first position and a second position, a shaft attached on a first end thereof to the pivot member and on a second end distal from the first end to a capping structure, wherein pivot of the pivot member pivots the capping structure from a first capped position to a second uncapped position adjacent an ejection head of the fluidic ejection device.

Abstract: A location-based address adapter for use in a system to facilitate communication between a host computer and one peripheral device of a plurality of peripheral devices includes a body and an electrical circuit. The body is removably attached to one peripheral device at a time. The electrical circuit includes a communications interface circuit and an adapter memory circuit. The communications interface circuit has a respective pass-through wired connection between each of a plurality of input connectors and a plurality of output connectors to facilitate bi-directional communications between the host computer and the peripheral device. The adapter memory circuit stores a unique physical location address for association with a physical location associated with the peripheral device to which the body is attached. The unique physical location address is a non-network based address.

Abstract: A location-based address adapter for use in a system to facilitate communication between a host computer and one peripheral device of a plurality of peripheral devices includes a body and an electrical circuit. The body is removably attached to one peripheral device at a time. The electrical circuit includes a communications interface circuit and an adapter memory circuit. The communications interface circuit has a respective pass-through wired connection between each of a plurality of input connectors and a plurality of output connectors to facilitate bi-directional communications between the host computer and the peripheral device. The adapter memory circuit stores a unique physical location address for association with a physical location associated with the peripheral device to which the body is attached. The unique physical location address is a non-network based address.

Abstract: A fluidic dispensing device includes a fluid reservoir containing fluid. A stir bar is located in the fluid reservoir and has a magnet. A generator generates a rotating magnetic field to interact with the magnet. A controller determines a range of a predetermined phase lag between an angular rotational position of the stir bar and an angular rotational position of the rotating magnetic field, determines a status of a present phase lag based on the range of the predetermined phase lag, and takes predetermined action based on the status.

Abstract: A fluidic dispensing device includes a fluid reservoir containing fluid. A stir bar is located in the fluid reservoir and has a magnet. A generator generates a rotating magnetic field to interact with the magnet. A controller determines a range of a predetermined phase lag between an angular rotational position of the stir bar and an angular rotational position of the rotating magnetic field, determines a status of a present phase lag based on the range of the predetermined phase lag, and takes predetermined action based on the status.

Abstract: A system for printing an image. A printer includes a controller for motion in an X axis, components for motion in the X axis, a print head for printing image data in a swath, and a communication module for receiving image data and communications indicating that printing the swath is authorized and that printing is completed. A substrate unit includes a controller for motion in a Y axis, components for motion in the Y axis, and a communication module for receiving image data from a source. The communication module sends at least a portion of the image data to the printer.

Abstract: An apparatus for a fluidic ejection device and a fluidic ejection device containing the apparatus. The apparatus includes a pivot member having at least a first position and a second position, a shaft attached on a first end thereof to the pivot member and on a second end distal from the first end to a capping structure, wherein pivot of the pivot member pivots the capping structure from a first capped position to a second uncapped position adjacent an ejection head of the fluidic ejection device.

Abstract: A system for printing an image. A printer includes a controller for motion in an X axis, components for motion in the X axis, a print head for printing image data in a swath, and a communication module for receiving image data and communications indicating that printing the swath is authorized and that printing is completed. A substrate unit includes a controller for motion in a Y axis, components for motion in the Y axis, and a communication module for receiving image data from a source. The communication module sends at least a portion of the image data to the printer.

Abstract: A printer that includes a motor assembly for moving a print head relative to a medium, and a processor for receiving a data structure for a pixel to be printed on the medium. The data structure includes perception data and classification data for the pixel. The processor adjusts at least one printing parameter of the printer based upon the classification data.

Abstract: A method for reducing printing defects in inkjet printing includes determining a respective colorant density for each colorant of a plurality of colorants for a region to be printed; determining a colorant dry-time signal strength as a function of a combined colorant density value based on the respective colorant densities of the plurality of colorants for the region to be printed; determining a respective colorant swath contraction strength for each colorant as a function of the respective colorant density; selecting a dry-time threshold which if met by the colorant dry-time signal strength indicates that a dry-time defect may occur; selecting a respective colorant density threshold for each colorant which if met by the respective colorant density indicates a visible swath contraction may occur; and determining a printing action to be taken based on whether the dry-time threshold is met and whether at least one respective colorant density threshold is met.

Abstract: A method for reducing printing defects in inkjet printing includes determining a respective colorant density for each colorant of a plurality of colorants for a region to be printed; determining a colorant dry-time signal strength as a function of a combined colorant density value based on the respective colorant densities of the plurality of colorants for the region to be printed; determining a respective colorant swath contraction strength for each colorant as a function of the respective colorant density; selecting a dry-time threshold which if met by the colorant dry-time signal strength indicates that a dry-time defect may occur; selecting a respective colorant density threshold for each colorant which if met by the respective colorant density indicates a visible swath contraction may occur; and determining a printing action to be taken based on whether the dry-time threshold is met and whether at least one respective colorant density threshold is met.

Abstract: A method for operating a portable large format inkjet printer includes determining an output image size of an output image to be printed on a stationary flat media; selecting a source image to serve as the output image; displaying a preview of the output image superposed with an output image grid defining a plurality of output image area portions; selecting a serial order of printing each of the output image area portions; selecting a next output image area portion based on the serial order; printing the selected next output image area portion at a media print area of the stationary flat media; and repeating the acts of selecting the next output image area portion and printing, for each of the plurality of output image area portions, until an entirety of the output image area has been printed at the media print area of the stationary flat media.

Abstract: A method for operating a portable large format inkjet printer includes determining an output image size of an output image to be printed on a stationary flat media; selecting a source image to serve as the output image; displaying a preview of the output image superposed with an output image grid defining a plurality of output image area portions; selecting a serial order of printing each of the output image area portions; selecting a next output image area portion based on the serial order; printing the selected next output image area portion at a media print area of the stationary flat media; and repeating the acts of selecting the next output image area portion and printing, for each of the plurality of output image area portions, until an entirety of the output image area has been printed at the media print area of the stationary flat media.

Abstract: A portable large format inkjet printer for printing an image at a media print area of a stationary flat media includes an inkjet print engine having a printhead carrier system configured to dynamically scan an inkjet printhead over the media print area in each of two orthogonal directions during the printing of the image. An alignment frame is configured to fixedly mount the inkjet print engine to facilitate a manual positioning of the alignment frame and the inkjet print engine in unison. The alignment frame has an open interior window within which the inkjet printhead is moved and from which all printing occurs. At least one alignment panel is mounted to the alignment frame. Each respective alignment panel has an alignment indicia configured to facilitate accurate manual positioning of the portable large format inkjet printer at a desired printing position at the media print area.

Abstract: Method and devices for reducing printing artifacts. In one embodiment, a method includes directing ink onto a medium, the medium having a trailing edge; tracking the position of the medium in relation to a nip roller; adjusting the direction of ink onto the medium a first time when the trailing edge of the medium is in close proximity to the nip roller; and adjusting the direction of ink onto the medium a second time.

Abstract: A method for calibrating the printing of a lenticular image with respect to the lenticules of a lenticular sheet includes the step of printing a test pattern including a plurality of patches on a lenticular sheet with an ink jet printer. The patches are sensed though the lenticules with a sensing device and the sensed data is analyzed to determine a calibration factor that is used to subsequently print a lenticular image on the lenticular sheet. In a further embodiment, the method comprises aligning a lenticular sheet in the ink jet printer; sensing the lenticules on said lenticular sheet with the sensing device; analyzing the sensed data in the processing unit to determine the lenticule spacing; calculating a calibration factor based upon the analysis; and using the calibration factor to subsequently print a lenticular image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating media indexing errors in a printing device are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises feeding a calibration media through a printing device, sensing the position of the media as it moves through the printing device, sensing positions of a media indexing component as the media moves through the printing device, determining media indexing position errors based upon the sensed positions, and calculating a compensation factor to be applied based upon the errors. In some embodiments, parameters of a line and/or other function are determined from the error data and the parameters are utilized to calculate a compensation factor. Moreover, in some embodiments, it is determined what range the data fits within, and a predetermined compensation factor is determined based upon the range.