Abstract: An apparatus configured to receive and manipulate a cochlear implant type electrode array, where at least the front portion of the electrode, includes an outer, detachable casing or tube, where the casing is attached along the circumference of main axis of an electrode array. Predetermined portions of outer removable casing are slid off and/or removed from the electrode array by the apparatus, during electrode array insertion surgery. The removable casing, temporarily encasing the electrode array, provides a variety of functions, including, imparting additional rigidity to thin, flexible type electrode arrays, straightening pre-curved electrodes, and the like. The linear structure, provided by certain embodiments, combined with the additional rigidity, provides a surgeon additional control of an electrode array during cochlea implantation surgery.

Abstract: A print media moving apparatus includes a web guide positioned immediately upstream relative to a roller. The web guide has an arcuate surface including three sections with the second section located between the first and third sections. The arcuate surface includes a peak in the second section. The roller, having a diameter and rotational axis, includes three sections with the second section located between the first and third section as viewed along the rotational axis. The diameter of the roller in the first and third sections is greater than in the second section. The three sections of the web guide correspond to the three sections of the roller such that the contour of the arcuate surface causes the print media, after leaving the web guide, to contact the first and third sections of the roller prior to contacting the second section of the roller.

Abstract: A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A heat source provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to permanently deform the receiver medium to form a reference mark. A light source illuminates the receiver medium, and a sensor is used to sense light from the light source that is transmitted through the receiver medium or reflected from the receiver medium thereby providing a sensed light level signal. The sensed light level signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium by detecting a change in the sensed light level signal that is characteristic of the physical deformation associated with the reference mark.

Abstract: A printing system includes at least one print module for printing on a receiver media; a mechanism for moving the receiver media past the at least one print module; at least a first and second optical encoder sensor for measuring at least one of displacement and velocity of the receiver media which provides an output signal to a controller; wherein the controller, in response to the signals received from the at least two optical encoder sensors, controls the operation of the at least one print module.

Abstract: A printing system includes at least one print module for printing on a receiver media; a mechanism for moving the receiver media past the at least one print module; at least a first and second optical encoder sensor for measuring at least one of displacement and velocity of the receiver media which provides an output signal to a controller; wherein the controller, in response to the signals received from the at least two optical encoder sensors, controls the operation of the at least one print module.

Abstract: A print media moving apparatus includes a web guide positioned immediately upstream relative to a roller. The web guide has an arcuate surface including three sections with the second section located between the first and third sections. The arcuate surface includes a peak in the second section. The roller, having a diameter and rotational axis, includes three sections with the second section located between the first and third section as viewed along the rotational axis. The diameter of the roller in the first and third sections is greater than in the second section. The three sections of the web guide correspond to the three sections of the roller such that the contour of the arcuate surface causes the print media, after leaving the web guide, to contact the first and third sections of the roller prior to contacting the second section of the roller.

Abstract: A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A heat source provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to form a hole through the receiver medium thereby forming a reference mark. A light source illuminates a first side of the receiver medium, and a sensor located on a second side of the receiver medium senses light transmitted through the receiver medium thereby providing a sensed light level signal. The sensed light level signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium by detecting light transmitted through the hole through the receiver medium associated with the reference mark.

Abstract: A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A heat source provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to permanently alter a fluorescent agent in the receiver medium, thereby forming a reference mark characterized by a reduced level of fluorescence. A stimulating light source illuminates the receiver medium at a downstream position along the media path, the stimulating light source having a spectrum adapted to stimulate the fluorescent agent to fluoresce thereby producing emitted light. A sensor is used to sense the emitted light from the receiver medium thereby providing a sensed light level signal. The sensed light level signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium by detecting the reduced level of fluorescence associated with the reference mark.

Abstract: A media inverting system is described for a cut sheet printing system. A first media transport advances a media sheet in a first direction, the media sheet having a first side that contacts the first media transport and an opposing second side. A rotatable member having a rotation axis that is substantially parallel to the first direction receives the media sheet from the first media transport and rotates to advance the media sheet around the rotatable member. A rotatable member force mechanism is switchable between a first state where the second side of the media sheet is held to the rotatable member, and a second state where the media sheet is released. A second media transport receives the media sheet from the rotatable member and advances the media sheet in an inverted orientation in a second direction that is substantially parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: Inkjet printing methods are provided that deflect and guide a condensation reducing airflow between a printing module and a receiver without disrupting inkjet drop placements.

Abstract: A media inverting system is described for a cut sheet printing system. A first media transport advances a media sheet in a first direction, the media sheet having a first side that contacts the first media transport and an opposing second side. A rotatable member having a rotation axis that is substantially parallel to the first direction receives the media sheet from the first media transport and rotates to advance the media sheet around the rotatable member. A rotatable member force mechanism is switchable between a first state where the second side of the media sheet is held to the rotatable member, and a second state where the media sheet is released. A second media transport receives the media sheet from the rotatable member and advances the media sheet in an inverted orientation in a second direction that is substantially parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A heat source provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to permanently alter a fluorescent agent in the receiver medium, thereby forming a reference mark characterized by a reduced level of fluorescence. A stimulating light source illuminates the receiver medium at a downstream position along the media path, the stimulating light source having a spectrum adapted to stimulate the fluorescent agent to fluoresce thereby producing emitted light. A sensor is used to sense the emitted light from the receiver medium thereby providing a sensed light level signal. The sensed light level signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium by detecting the reduced level of fluorescence associated with the reference mark.

Abstract: A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A heat source provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to form a hole through the receiver medium thereby forming a reference mark. A light source illuminates a first side of the receiver medium, and a sensor located on a second side of the receiver medium senses light transmitted through the receiver medium thereby providing a sensed light level signal. The sensed light level signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium by detecting light transmitted through the hole through the receiver medium associated with the reference mark.

Abstract: A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A heat source provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to permanently alter a physical property of the receiver medium thereby forming a reference mark. A sensor at a downstream position along the media path is adapted to sense the reference mark providing a sensed signal. The sensed signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium as the receiver medium passes through the second position along the media path by detecting a position of the reference mark.

Abstract: A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A heat source provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to permanently deform the receiver medium to form a reference mark. A light source illuminates the receiver medium, and a sensor is used to sense light from the light source that is transmitted through the receiver medium or reflected from the receiver medium thereby providing a sensed light level signal. The sensed light level signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium by detecting a change in the sensed light level signal that is characteristic of the physical deformation associated with the reference mark.

Abstract: A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A heat source provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to permanently alter a physical property of the receiver medium thereby forming a reference mark. A sensor at a downstream position along the media path is adapted to sense the reference mark providing a sensed signal. The sensed signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium as the receiver medium passes through the second position along the media path by detecting a position of the reference mark.

Abstract: A printing system including a staggered inkjet printhead including at least two inkjet nozzle arrays arranged along first and second print lines in an alternating pattern, wherein the inkjet nozzle arrays along a particular print line alternate with non-printing regions. A media guide including first and second rollers is used for guiding receiver media along a media path past the first and second print lines of the inkjet printhead. A center roller having a contoured media guide surface is positioned between the first and second rollers for guiding the recording media along the media path between the first and second print lines, wherein the diameter of the center roller is smaller for portions of its length corresponding to the inkjet nozzle arrays of the first print line than it is for at least some portion of its length corresponding to the non-printing regions of the first print line.

Abstract: A printing system including a staggered inkjet printhead including at least two inkjet nozzle arrays arranged along first and second print lines in an alternating pattern, wherein the inkjet nozzle arrays along a particular print line alternate with non-printing regions. A media guide including first and second media guide surfaces is used for guiding receiver media along a media path past the first and second print lines of the inkjet printhead. At least one of the media guide surfaces is contoured such that it is closer to the staggered inkjet printhead along portions of the associated print line that correspond to the associated inkjet nozzle arrays than it is for at least some portion of the associated print line that corresponds to the non-printing regions.

Abstract: A printing system including a staggered inkjet printhead including at least two inkjet nozzle arrays arranged along first and second print lines in an alternating pattern, wherein the inkjet nozzle arrays along a particular print line alternate with non-printing regions. A media guide including first and second rollers is used for guiding receiver media along a media path past the first and second print lines of the inkjet printhead. A center roller having a contoured media guide surface is positioned between the first and second rollers for guiding the recording media along the media path between the first and second print lines, wherein the diameter of the center roller is smaller for portions of its length corresponding to the inkjet nozzle arrays of the first print line than it is for at least some portion of its length corresponding to the non-printing regions of the first print line.

Abstract: A printing system including a staggered inkjet printhead including at least two inkjet nozzle arrays arranged along first and second print lines in an alternating pattern, wherein the inkjet nozzle arrays along a particular print line alternate with non-printing regions. A media guide including first and second media guide surfaces is used for guiding receiver media along a media path past the first and second print lines of the inkjet printhead. At least one of the media guide surfaces is contoured such that it is closer to the staggered inkjet printhead along portions of the associated print line that correspond to the associated inkjet nozzle arrays than it is for at least some portion of the associated print line that corresponds to the non-printing regions.