Abstract: A thermal print head in a thermal printer for printing a digital image, the digital image being composed of lines of multi-bit pixels, the print head having a plurality of thermal resistors, adapted to be simultaneously addressed in parallel by a corresponding plurality of shift register elements, the print head being pulsed a plurality of times to print one line of the image. The print head is driven by providing a table of additive complement values, one additive complement value for each of the possible values of a multi-bit pixel, successively adding each of the complement values to each of the pixel values in a line to create a succession of sums, each sum having an overflow bit, and applying the overflow bits to the shift register elements to drive the print head.

Abstract: A method of saving power in a color organic electroluminescent display of the type having color emitting elements with different light emitting efficiencies, includes the steps of: determining the color of the elements having the highest efficiency; converting a color digital image to be displayed on the display to a monochrome image; and displaying the monochrome image using the determined color elements.

Abstract: A method of saving power in a color organic electroluminescent display of the type having color emitting elements with different light emitting efficiencies, includes the steps of: providing a organic electroluminescent color display having colored light emitting elements and white light emitting elements; converting at least a portion of a color digital image to be displayed on the display to a monochrome image; and displaying the monochrome image portion using only the white light emitting elements.

Abstract: An inkjet printer adapted to sense type of supplied consumable receiver media, inks, printhead, and cleaning fluid. A transponder attached to a consumable is coupled to a memory device capable of storing information characteristic of the consumable. A transceiver is disposed within the inkjet printer, with antennae disposed for polling an individual transponder attached to each consumable. The transponder is capable of receiving a first RF frequency electromagnetic field from the transceiver and deriving power and address information from the first frequency, then generating a second RF frequency electromagnetic field in response, where the second electromagnetic field is characteristic of the data stored in memory. As instructed by a machine control logic processor, the transceiver can both read manufacturing data from the transponder about the consumable and write usage and processing data to the transponder for storage in memory.

Abstract: A touch screen display, includes an electroluminescent display; a touch screen, and a transparent sheet that functions as an element of both the electroluminescent display and the touch screen.

Abstract: A method of saving power in a color organic electroluminescent display of the type having color emitting elements with different light emitting efficiencies, includes the steps of: providing a organic electroluminescent color display having colored light emitting elements and white light emitting elements; converting at least a portion of a color digital image to be displayed on the display to a monochrome image; and displaying the monochrome image portion using only the white light emitting elements.

Abstract: A method of saving power in a color organic electroluminescent display of the type having color emitting elements with different light emitting efficiencies, includes the steps of: determining the color of the elements having the highest efficiency; converting a color digital image to be displayed on the display to a monochrome image; and displaying the monochrome image using the determined color elements.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent display, including: a transparent substrate having two faces; light emitting elements of an electroluminescent display formed on one face of the substrate for emitting light through the substrate; and touch sensitive elements of a touch screen formed on the other face of the substrate.

Abstract: A touch screen display, includes an electroluminescent display; a touch screen, and a transparent sheet that functions as an element of both the electroluminescent display and the touch screen.

Abstract: A system for controlling information received in a moving vehicle comprises a sensor for sensing if the vehicle is in motion; a processor electrically connected to the sensor for receiving motion data from the sensor, and for directing operations of the vehicle; an electronic component within the vehicle which delivers information to a user of the electronic component, wherein the information being either delivered or received is either disabled or modified by the processor according to the motion data received from the sensor.

Abstract: An inkjet printer adapted to sense type of supplied consumable receiver media, inks, printhead, and cleaning fluid. A transponder attached to a consumable is coupled to a memory device capable of storing information characteristic of the consumable. A transceiver is disposed within the inkjet printer, with antennae disposed for polling an individual transponder attached to each consumable. The transponder is capable of receiving a first RF frequency electromagnetic field from the transceiver and deriving power and address information from the first frequency, then generating a second RF frequency electromagnetic field in response, where the second electromagnetic field is characteristic of the data stored in memory. As instructed by a machine control logic processor, the transceiver can both read manufacturing data from the transponder about the consumable and write usage and processing data to the transponder for storage in memory.

Abstract: Temporary take-up drum for removing curl from rolled receiver paper. A thermal printer mechanism arrangement with a thermal printer head (9), a paper supply roll (11), and a temporary print take-up drum (12). The paper supply roll (11) rolls in a direction allowing the paper (13) to pass between the thermal printer head (9) and the platen roller (10). A temporary take-up drum (12) receives the receiver paper (13) and rotates in a direction opposite from that of the paper supply roll (11).

Abstract: Printer defining a reduced exterior envelope thereof and method of providing same. In one embodiment of the invention, a print head is movable from a first position spaced-apart from the platen to a second position adjacent the platen, such that the platen and the print head define a clearance therebetween when the print head is in the first position. A dye donor cartridge, which has an elongate neck portion defining a longitudinal axis therealong, is insertable through the aperture and into the housing to a position adjacent the print head. The neck portion is sized to be received through the clearance for interference-free insertion of the cartridge. Moreover, the cartridge includes a dye donor take-up spool that has an elliptically-shaped transverse cross section defining a major axis and is capable of being oriented such that the major axis of the take-up spool is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the neck portion.

Abstract: Dye cartridge adapted to reduce an exterior envelope of a printer and method of providing same. The printer comprises a housing having a front sidewall that has an aperture therethrough. A platen and a print head are disposed in the housing. The print head is movable from a first position spaced-apart from the platen to a second position adjacent the platen, such that the platen and the print head define a clearance therebetween when the print head is in the first position. A dye donor cartridge, which has an elongate neck portion defining a longitudinal axis therealong, is insertable through the aperture and into the housing to a position adjacent the print head. The neck portion, which is formed by a pair of spaced-apart parallel tines, is sized to be received through the clearance for interference-free insertion of the cartridge. Moreover, the cartridge includes a dye donor supply spool and also includes a dye donor take-up spool which is disposed in the neck portion.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for pulling the web backward through a thermal print station between prints. A web advance mechanism is adapted to move web in opposed forward and reverse directions past the print station. A core upon which a web supply roll is spiral wound with an end of the web extending from the roll to the print station rests on a support having a high friction inclined surface. The inclined surface is oriented such that (i) advancement of the web past the print station in the forward direction tensions the web resulting in rotation of the core such that it climbs up the inclined surface and (ii) advancement of the web past the print station in the reverse direction causes the tension in the web to relax, resulting in rotation of the core by gravity such that it rolls down the inclined surface, whereby slack in the web is taken up by the roll.