Abstract: A peripheral component interconnect-extended system that includes a bus bridge. The bus bridge includes an input queue adapted to receive a first request for data from a requesting device coupled to a first bus. The first bus is coupled to the bus bridge, and the first request containing a sequence identification information. The bus bridge also includes a data storage device to contain information to control the bus bridge, and a processor that associates a first unique identification code to the first request.

Abstract: A pagewidth inkjet printhead is provided. The printhead comprises: (a) a plurality of nozzles formed on a frontside of a substrate, each nozzle having a respective nozzle inlet; and (b) a plurality of ink supply channels. Each ink supply channel is configured for supplying ink from a backside of the substrate to a corresponding group of nozzle inlets. Further, each ink supply channel is dimensioned for receiving ink from one or more outlets in a molded ink manifold. Relatively wide ink supply channels allow the printhead to be directly bonded to a molded ink manifold, facilitating alignment and avoiding leaks.

Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit is provided. The printhead integrated circuit comprises: (a) a plurality of nozzles formed on a frontside of a substrate, the nozzles being arranged in rows extending longitudinally along the substrate, each nozzle having a respective nozzle inlet; and (b) a plurality of ink supply channels extending longitudinally along a backside of the substrate. Each ink supply channel is configured for supplying ink from the backside to at least one corresponding row of nozzle inlets. Further, each ink supply channel is interrupted along its length by one or more transverse bridges. The transverse bridges provide the printhead integrated circuit with strength in a transverse direction.

Abstract: A pagewidth inkjet printhead is provided. The printhead comprises (a) a plurality of nozzles formed on a frontside of a substrate, each nozzle having a respective nozzle inlet; and (b) a plurality of ink supply channels. Each ink supply channel is configured for supplying ink from a backside of the substrate to a corresponding group of nozzle inlets. Further, each ink supply channel has an aspect ratio of less than 4:1, the aspect ratio being defined by the ratio of the channel depth to the channel width. A low aspect ratio allows facile backside etching of the ink supply channels.

Abstract: An inkjet printer unit comprising: a media input tray for supplying print media for printing; a print engine for printing an image on said print media; and a media output tray for collecting the printed media; wherein the print engine comprises a removable inkjet cartridge of a type having a pagewidth printhead and an ink supply and a cradle having a body adapted to receive the removable inkjet cartridge and to control the operation of the printhead for printing;

Abstract: A printing fluid refill unit for a print engine, comprising an information storage element for storing information on the amount of printing fluid contained in the refill unit and for connecting with an information reader incorporated in the print engine for reading the information stored by the storage element when the refill unit is mounted to the print engine, wherein the information stored by the storage element enables the reader to control the refilling of the print engine with the printing fluid contained in the refill unit.

Abstract: A capping assembly for capping a pagewidth printhead of an inkjet printer comprising: a body configured to extend the length of the printhead; a capping element housed within said body and having a rim portion adapted to cap at least a portion of the printhead; a displacement assembly housed within the body for moving the capping element between a first position where the rim portion of the capping element extends from said body, and a second position where the rim portion of the capping element is contained within the body; wherein, the displacement assembly is controlled by an electromagnet which determines the position.

Abstract: A refill unit 155 for refilling a ink storage compartment 46 that supplies ink to a printhead 22. The ink storage compartment 46 having an interface 61 for receiving the refill unit 155. The interface 61 having an inlet valve 18 biased to its closed configuration. The refill unit 155 has an inlet valve actuator 152 for opening the inlet valve 18 as the refill unit 155 engages the ink interface 61 so that the ink in the body is in fluid communication with the ink storage compartment 46. By configuring the refill unit so that it opens the inlet valve on the ink cartridge at the same time that it docks with the cartridge, the risk of dust or other contaminants getting into the cartridge is reduced. This improves the performance and operational life of the printhead nozzles.

Abstract: A cartridge unit for an inkjet printer comprising: a body portion having one or more ink storage compartments; and a pagewidth printhead assembly mountable to said body and configured to receive ink from the one or more compartments and to distribute the ink along the length of the printhead assembly.

Abstract: A cartridge unit for an inkjet printer comprising: a body portion having one or more ink storage compartments; a pagewidth printhead assembly mountable to said body portion and configured to receive ink from the one or more compartments for printing; and a capper unit mountable to said body portion so as to extend along the length of the printhead assembly, the capper unit housing a capping element which is movable with respect to the capper unit to contact a surface of the printhead assembly.

Abstract: An ink priming system for a cartridge unit of the type having a pagewidth printhead assembly in fluid communication with one or more ink storage compartments, the system comprising: a priming inlet provided on said printhead assembly for receiving a supply of ink for priming the cartridge unit; and an ink flow passage providing fluid connection between said printhead assembly and one of the ink storage compartments; wherein the ink supplied to the priming inlet of the printhead assembly flows from the printhead assembly to the ink storage compartment via the ink flow passage to prime both the printhead assembly and the ink storage compartment with ink simultaneously.

Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer, the printhead comprising: a printhead integrated circuit formed on a wafer substrate using lithographically masked etching and deposition techniques; an integrated circuit support structure for mounting in the printer adjacent a media feed path; and, a polymer sealing film between the integrated circuit support structure and the printhead integrated circuit for fixing the printhead integrated circuit to the integrated circuit support structure.

Abstract: A method of controlling refilling of a printing unit by a printing fluid refill cartridge, comprising the steps of: storing information on an amount of printing fluid contained in the refill cartridge in an information storage element incorporated therein; mounting the refill cartridge to the printing unit; reading the information on the amount of printing fluid with an information reader incorporated in the printing unit; and controlling the refilling of the printing unit with printing fluid contained in the refill cartridge based on the information read.

Abstract: A cartridge for an inkjet printer, the cartridge comprising: at least one ink storage compartment; an ink feed system for supplying ink from the or each ink compartment to a printhead; and, a maintenance station for engaging the printhead to perform one or more maintenance functions.

Abstract: A cradle for holding an ink cartridge within an inkjet printer, the cartridge having a plurality of ink storage compartments, the cradle comprising: a plurality of interfaces respectively corresponding to the ink storage compartments; wherein, each of the interfaces is configured to receive an ink refill unit for replenishing the corresponding ink storage compartment.

Abstract: A pagewidth printhead assembly for an inkjet printer comprising: a body portion for receiving ink from one or more ink sources and distributing the ink along the length of the printhead assembly; one or more integrated circuits extending substantially the length of the printhead assembly, the or each integrated circuit having a plurality of nozzles formed thereon, each of the nozzles being arranged in use to deliver the ink onto passing print media; and an ink distribution member upon which the or each integrated circuit are fixed and which distributes the ink from the body portion to the nozzles of the or each integrated circuit; wherein the body portion has one or more connectors formed thereon for securing the printhead assembly to the one or more ink sources to facilitate ink flow therebetween.

Abstract: A pagewidth printhead assembly for an inkjet printer comprising: a body portion for receiving ink from one or more ink sources and having one or more channels formed therein for distributing the ink substantially along the length of the printhead assembly; one or more integrated circuits extending substantially the length of the printhead assembly, each integrated circuit having a plurality of nozzles, each of the nozzles being arranged in use to deliver the ink onto passing print media; and an ink distribution member upon which each integrated circuit is fixed and which distributes the ink from the body portion to each of the integrated circuits; wherein the ink distribution member comprises a first layer which directs the ink from the one or more channels of the body portion for delivery to each integrated circuit, and a second layer attached to said first layer for receiving and securing each integrated circuit in a position to receive the ink from the first layer.

Abstract: An ink refill unit for replenishing an ink cartridge in an inkjet printer, the ink cartridge having an interface for engaging the ink refill unit, the ink refill unit comprising: a body containing a quantity of ink; and, an ink outlet for engaging an ink inlet in the interface; wherein a feature of the ink refill unit and a feature of the interface form a pair of complementary features that have a keyed connection with each other when the ink refill unit engages the interface.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a cradle unit of an inkjet printer having a body complementary to a removable inkjet cartridge of a type having a pagewidth printhead and an ink supply and a controller for controlling the operation of the printhead to facilitate printing; the cover assembly comprising: at least one port formed therein through which a refill unit is received for refilling the ink supply of the cartridge.

Abstract: A refill unit 155 contains a body of ink for refilling a negatively pressurized ink storage compartment 46 that in thurn supplies ink to a printhead assembly 22. The ink storage compartment supplies the printhead 22 via a normally open outlet valve 16. When refill unit 155 releasably engages the ink storage compartment 46, an outlet valve actuator 159 closes the outlet valve 16 as the refill unit 155 engages the ink storage compartment 46. The ink storage compartment is maintained at a negative pressure to avoid ink leakage from the printhead. However, during an ink refill process, the negative pressure is removed when the ink storage volume is filled to capacity. Without the negative pressure in the ink storage compartment, there is a high risk of ink leakage. It is possible to re-establish the negative pressure by slightly increasing the compartments capacity immediately after refilling, but until the negative pressure is re-established, there is a high likelihood of leakage.