Abstract: A system for controlling refilling of a print engine by a printing fluid refill unit, comprising: an information storage element incorporated in the refill unit for storing information on the amount of printing fluid contained in the refill unit; and 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 and for controlling the refilling of the print engine with the printing fluid contained in the refill unit based on the information read.

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, an ink storage compartment partially defined by a tubular flexible wall, and a constrictor mechanism for constricting the flexible tubular wall by a predetermined amount, the ink refill unit comprising: a body containing a quantity of ink; a docking portion for engaging the interface of the cartridge, the docking portion having an ink outlet for connection to an inlet port on the interface, and a plurality of constrictor actuators for actuating the constrictor mechanism as the ink refill unit engages the interface and releases the constrictor mechanism as the ink refill unit disengages the interface.

Abstract: A cradle unit for an inkjet printer comprising: a body complementary to a removable inkjet cartridge of a type having a pagewidth printhead and a refillable ink supply; and a controller for controlling the operation of the printhead to facilitate printing; wherein, said body is configured to receive a refill unit for supplying refill ink to the cartridge and includes a refill actuator for dispensing ink from said refill unit into said refillable ink supply.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly for a printing fluid refill cartridge, the dispensing assembly comprising: a body for storing printing fluid having an outlet through which the printing fluid is dispensed; and a plunger arranged to selectively change the storage capacity of the body and expel the printing fluid through said outlet by selective engagement of a movable retaining member with a series of grooves arranged along a surface of the plunger, thereby dispensing a selected amount of printing fluid from the outlet.

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising: a replaceable pagewidth printhead with an array of nozzles and printhead contacts for transmitting power and print data to the nozzles; and, corresponding contacts for supplying the power and print data to the printhead contacts; and, a selective biasing mechanism; such that, the printhead contacts and the corresponding contacts are biased into engagement during printing and released from biased engagement when installing or removing the printhead.

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

Abstract: A printhead maintenance assembly for an inkjet printhead, the printhead having a nozzle plate with an array of nozzles formed therein, the printhead maintenance assembly comprising: a capper to cover the array of nozzles when the printhead is not in use; and, a cleaner for engaging the nozzle plate and wiping across the nozzles; wherein, the cleaner is positioned between opposing sides of the capper.

Abstract: A print engine for an inkjet printer comprising: 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; wherein the cradle is configured to be secured to the inkjet printer to receive print media from a media input tray and to deliver printed media to a media output tray.

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; a plurality of integrated circuits extending the length of the printhead assembly, each integrated circuit having a plurality of nozzles formed in rows 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 integrated circuits are fixed and which distributes the ink from the body portion to the nozzles of the integrated circuits; wherein the integrated circuits are aligned in an abutting arrangement across the length of the ink distribution member.

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: a refill actuator for dispensing ink from an ink refill unit into said refillable ink supply.

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; an ink flow passage providing fluid connection between said printhead assembly and one of the ink storage compartments; and a bypass flow passage providing additional fluid connection between the ink flow passage and the ink storage compartment; 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 and the bypass flow passage to prime both the printhead assembly and the ink storage compartment with ink simultaneously.

Abstract: A printing fluid dispenser for a printing fluid refill cartridge comprising: a body storing printing fluid having an outlet through which the printing fluid is dispensed; and a selector arranged to select the amount of the printing fluid to be dispensed from the body.

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising: an outer casing with a hingedly mounted panel for access its interior; a cradle housed within the outer casing for supporting an ink cartridge, the cradle having a hingedly mounted lid that opens to allow the ink cartridge to be inserted and removed; wherein, the hinge axis of the lid and the hinge axis of the panel are parallel; and, the lid and the panel both open in the same direction.

Abstract: An ink refill unit for replenishing an ink cartridge in an inkjet printer, the ink refill unit comprising: a body containing ink; an ink outlet for engaging a complementary ink inlet in the cartridge; and, a visual indicator to provide a visual indication when a predetermined quantity ink has flowed from the refill unit into the cartridge.

Abstract: A refill unit for refilling an ink storage compartment supplying a printhead assembly with an array of nozzles, wherein during use, the ink storage compartment is maintained at a negative pressure to avoid inadvertent ink leakage from the nozzles, the refill unit comprising: a body containing a quantity of ink; an ink outlet; and a repressurizing arrangement; wherein, upon engagement of the refill unit with the ink storage compartment, the repressurizing arrangement causes part of the ink storage compartment to be inwardly depressed as the ink from the body is drawn into the ink storage compartment through the ink outlet by the negative pressure until pressure equalization; and, upon subsequent disengagement of the refill unit from the ink storage compartment, the repressurizing arrangement releases the inwardly depressed part of the ink storage compartment to re-establish the negative pressure.

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 is fixed and which distributes the ink from the body portion to the nozzles of the or each integrated circuit; wherein an electrical connector in electrical communication with the or each integrated circuit extends along the length of the printhead assembly for mating with a corresponding electrical connector of the inkjet printer.

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.