Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining ink jet printing system parameters by selecting an appropriate linearizing transformation for application to images to be printed on a printing system for a specific substrate. These transformations can be any transformation capable of being applied in graduated increments and having a corresponding incremental visual influence on the printed output. The present invention allows the user to determine multiple parameters for the printer, including for example, tone scale correction, determination of upper ink limits, amount of under color removal, and allows the user to identify the proper ink level for optimum quality of graphics and/or text printing.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for linearizing the tone scale of individual colors in a multi-color printing system, by deriving a prescribed tone scale of individual colors in a single or multi-color printing system. Full linear ink gradations are printed on multiple substrates, and a linearization table is generated with multiple points for each of the multiple substrates and/or ink gradations. A polynomial curve is fitted to the points of each linearization table to generate polynomial curves. At least one point in the polynomial curves is selected, that shows high variation from one curve to a next curve, and coefficients of a group of polynomial curves are plotted as functions of the value of the at least one point. The range of prediction can be as narrow or as broad as an application requires. Finally, a prescribed tone scale table is derived from the polynomial curves and the at least one point.

Abstract: A method for improving tone reproduction in a digital printing system is provided. First, an image to be printed is defined. The image will have areas of minimal ink density and areas of medium to high ink density. A randomized dot placement scheme is used for dispersing ink drops in the minimal ink density areas of the image. An ordered structure scheme is used for dispersing ink drops in the medium to high ink density areas of the image.

Abstract: A system and method are proposed for the printing of all possible colors, including all permutations of primary inks used to make processed colors, in equal increments and of a size easily measurable with a device that will convert the colors into standard color coordinates. These colors are categorized and used to determine the ability of the output device to reproduce a source color. Each color printed within the gamut of an output device is identified and correlated to independent color coordinates. The primary color recipe necessary to reproduce a reference color within the gamut of the output device is identified. The magnitude of deviation of out of gamut source colors is determined, and the closest in gamut colors are specified through methods of interpolation and nearest neighbor. Furthermore, the alteration in gamut size can be predicted based upon image manipulation processes associated with the workflow.

Abstract: In a continuous ink jet printing system, bleed and pullback are minimized by selecting an ink set having a particular print order, with each ink having its components selected to equalize the surface tensions of the inks. By equalizing the surface tensions, the percentage of density of the primary ink which can be printed increases, thereby increasing the secondary and tertiary color gamut.

Abstract: A continuous linear array ink jet system and method is capable of depositing a predetermined amount of printing fluid of at least one color onto a linear array of pixels to form a predetermined image to be printed on a substrate. The invention comprises a chamber in fluidic connection to a source of pressurized print fluid. A plurality of orifices are situated in fluidic connection with the chamber to form an array of streams of print fluid from the plurality of orifices. Stimulation is used to synchronize break-up of the streams of print fluid into uniform streams of uniformly spaced drops. The printed density of the linear array of pixels is controlled by controlling the number of uniformly spaced drops on each pixel of the linear array of pixels, dependent on color density to be printed, whereby a totality of printed pixels forms a continuous tone value required to form the predetermined image to be printed.

Abstract: A portable printer comprises a lid member forming a portion of the printer top wall, when in a closed position. The lid member is latchable in a first open position to provide a view stand for print media. The lid member is movable to a second open position to prevent re-feed of continuous web material.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a printed circuit board includes the steps of producing data in a printing-scan format representative of a designed area circuit pattern; with such data, printing a mask pattern, corresponding to said circuit pattern, on the metal surface of a dielectric substrate; and etching to remove unmasked portions of the metal layer.

Abstract: A dispensing system for metering precise quantitites of liquid to a use site in droplet streams. The system includes a reservoir containing a quantity of liquid to be dispensed, a droplet generator for producing a stream of uniformly sized droplets of the liquid in the reservoir; and a device for controlling the droplet generator to produce a droplet stream containing a predetermined number of droplets. The control device can include an operator-settable counter for selectively varying the quantity of dispensed liquid by adjusting the number of produced droplets or by adjusting the size of droplets comprising the droplet stream.

Abstract: Printer apparatus of the kind having a housing, a print zone and a serial printing device for printing along line sectors of print media that are successively advanced into and out of the print zone includes an integral subsystem for handling discrete sheets of print media. This subsystem includes (a) transport member having a peripheral surface that is movable around an endless path past a sheet ingress zone, the print zone and a sheet egress zone; (b) a drive for moving the transport member surface around the endless path; (c) a sheet supply station formed within the housing and including a device for positioning the face of a sheet-stack adjacent the path of the transport member at a position upstream of the sheet ingress zone; and (d) engagement device for effecting periodic feeding engagements between the transport means and successive face sheets of a positioned stack.

Abstract: A thermal drop-on-demand print cartridge includes a base member, with an ink ingress opening and a heater slit, and a cover member that is mounted on the base member to define an ink supply channel from the ingress opening to the heater slit and an orifice array aligned with the heater slit. An ink reservoir is coupled to the base member for providing ink into the ingress opening and a heater and an electrode chip is mounted in the heater slit. The heater/electrode chip has a plurality of planar resistor elements formed on the chip edge that extends through the heater slit and electrodes are formed on chip sides that extend normally away from the resistor elements.

Abstract: An improved sheet supply cassette for a compact printer of the kind having a housing, a sheet feed assembly for moving a sheet from a sheet supply region to, and through, a print zone and a device for printing on sheet media at the print zone. The sheet supply cassette is coupled to the bottom of the printer and includes top, bottom and side walls forming a sheet supply region. The bottom wall of the cassette has a hinge-type construction wherein cantilever spring means couple and upwardly bias a movable wall segment with respect to a fixed rear segment of the bottom wall so as to urge sheets into a feed position.

Abstract: A compact printer of the kind having a sheet media print path to and through a print zone and an assembly for printing on media at the print zone includes a sheet cassette that is coupled to the bottom of the printer housing and rotatable on an axis generally normal to the bottom of the printer between: (i) a position with cassette edges generally flush with the side walls of the printer and (ii) a position wherein the length dimension of a supported sheet media stack is operatively aligned with the print path.

Abstract: A sheet feed and transport system for a compact printer features an idler gear which is coupled to rotate with the drive train from the platen motor to the platen and which is selectively movable into engagement with a sheet feed roller's drive gear.

Abstract: A print media handling system for a compact printer having a housing, a cut-sheet supply station, a rotatable print platen constructed and located to feed top sheets from the supply station, through a print path ingress and out a print path egress. The sheet supply station of the print media handling system is mounted for movement to and from a sheet engaging relation with respect to the print platen. A continuous print-media inlet passage extends from a location, that is spaced from the sheet supply station, to the print path ingress and an actuator is provided synchronously enable the supply station and block the continuous media inlet passage, or vice versa. A first program control effects a predetermined start-print sequence for sheet print media, a second program control effects a predetermined start-print sequence for continuous print media; and the first or second program control is selected in response to the condition of the actuator.

Abstract: A sheet supply station for a compact printer of the type having a housing, a feed/transport member which is rotatably mounted within a forward portion of the housing and is adapted to sequentially move sheets from a supply location at the bottom of the housing, through the print zone and out an egress in the upper surface of the housing. The sheet supply station comprises: (a) a drawer, including a drawer face and a drawer bottom, which is constructed to support a sheet stack and slidably mounted for movement in and out of the rear wall of the printer between a withdrawn position enabling stack insertion and a closed position wherein the drawer face is approximately flush with the rear wall; (b) side guides for engaging and centering a sheet stack, which is supported on the bottom wall, during its movement into the housing from the withdrawn drawer position; and (c) an indexing wall located transverse to the drawer path to accurately position an inserted stack beneath the feed/transport member.

Abstract: Printer apparatus of the kind having a housing, a print zone and a serial printing device for printing along line sectors of print media that are successively advanced into and out of the print zone includes an integral subsystem for handling discrete sheets of print media. This subsystem includes (a) transport member having a peripheral surface that is movable around an endless path past a sheet ingress zone, the print zone and a sheet agress zone; (b) a drive for moving the transport member surface around the endless path; (c) a sheet supply station formed within the housing and including a device for positioning the face of a sheet-stack adjacent the path of the transport member at a position upstream of the sheet ingress zone; and (d) engagement device for effecting periodic feeding engagements between the transport means and successive face sheets of a positioned stack.

Abstract: Printer apparatus of the kind having: (i) print/cartridges for printing on successive line sectors of print media that are advanced into and out of the print zone; (ii) a platen means including a feed/transport periphery that is movable around an endless path past a sheet ingress zone, the print zone and a sheet egress zone; (iii) a sheet supply station for positioning a stack of sheet print media at a position upstream of the sheet ingress zone; and (iv) structure for effecting periodic feeding engagements between the platen and successive face sheets of a positioned stack, features a pressure roller, located proximate the sheet ingress zone at a position upstream of the print path, for biasing a sheet moving therepast into drive transmission relation with the platen. The printer can also comprise a downstream guide, located proximate the sheet egress zone at a position downstream of the print zone printing means.

Abstract: A high-speed ink jet printing apparatus adapted for use with a plurality of insertable print/cartridges and having a platen for transporting successive line portions of a print medium through a linear print zone, includes a carriage with a plurality of nests for supporting, positioning and electrically coupling respective print/cartridges in the printer, the nests being spaced along the transverse dimension of the linear print zone in a manner dividing it into a plurality of discrete transverse subportions of equal length. A traversing device reciprocates the carriage in forward and return directions parallel to the linear print zone. The movement of the traverse is approximately equal to the length of the print zone divided by the number of nest means of the carriage.

Abstract: A print output station for compact printer having a cut-sheet supply station located in the lower rear of the print housing and a transport platen for feeding successive sheets from the supply station, along a print path extending through a print zone and out a print path egress, includes: (a) a first wall having an inlet edge located proximate the print path egress for defining an inlet to a cut-sheet hopper zone; and (b) a lid forming an exterior housing portion overlying the first wall and mounted to pivot about an axis spaced from the leading edge to an open position so that the lid interior forms a rearward extension of the first wall means. The movable lid is constructed to function in the closed-lid position to prevent continuous print media from refeeding.