Abstract: A printer is configured to provide local network access for at least one other local electronic device. The printer includes a printing apparatus for printing on a recording medium; a media advance system for moving the recording medium into position to be printed on by the printing apparatus; a port for connection to an external modem; a wireless communication device; and a controller including router firmware for wirelessly directing and routing data for the at least one other local electronic device between computer networks.

Abstract: A multifunction printer includes a printing apparatus including: a printing device; a media advance system for advancing recording medium for printing on by the printing device; a controller for controlling the operation of the multifunction printer; an image capture platform; a lid having a closed position in which the lid covers the image capture platform, and an open position in which a front edge of the lid is raised above the image capture platform; a holder for a smart mobile device, the holder being mounted proximate the front edge of the lid; and a proximity device for identifying a particular smart mobile device that is placed in the holder.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a support member operable to be disposed within a tubular member that includes a threaded connection with a pin member. The tubular member is coupled to an expansion device that is operable to radially expand the tubular member and a pin catcher that is operable to engage the pin member as the expansion device and pin catcher move axially through the tubular member.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a media input tray including a surface for holding media; and a media output tray including a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, the media output tray includes a first position such that the first edge is located at a first distance h1 from the surface of the media input tray and the second edge is located at a second distance h2 from the surface of the media input tray; and a second position such that the first edge is at a third distance h3 from the surface of the media input tray and the second edge is located at a fourth distance h4 from the surface of the media input tray, wherein h4>h2, h4>h3, and h3>h1.

Abstract: A water treatment system for producing a sodium hypochlorite solution to control bacteria levels in well water containing: a pH adjuster; a container containing solid calcium hypochlorite for producing a calcium hypochlorite solution; and a container containing solid sodium carbonate for producing the sodium hypochlorite solution and a method of controlling bacteria levels in well water by using intermittent injections of a sodium hypochlorite solution with alternating pH values.

Abstract: A multifunction printer includes a) a printing apparatus having: i) a printer chassis having a media input region, a printing region, and a media support element; ii) a carriage configured to move a printhead in a carriage scan direction along the printing region; and iii) a plurality of rollers configured to transport a recording medium from the media input region, across the media support element and to the printing region; and b) a scanning apparatus to convert an image into digitized data, the scanning apparatus including a base that is affixed to the printer chassis, wherein the base of the scanning apparatus comprises a guide for the recording medium.

Abstract: A multifunction printer includes a printing apparatus including: a printing device for printing on recording medium; a media advance system for moving the recording medium into position to be printed on by the printing device; and a scanning apparatus including: a platen including: a transparent portion; a first surface for supporting items to be scanned; a second surface opposite the first surface; a scan bar assembly disposed proximate the second surface of the platen; a frame including an uppermost surface that is disposed proximate to the second surface of the platen; and a lid disposed proximate the first surface of the platen, wherein a distance between the lid and the first surface of the platen is less than a distance between the lid and the frame when the lid is closed.

Abstract: A method of scanning an oversized document includes positioning the oversized document at a first position on a first surface of a platen which is supported by a frame; wherein a distance between a lid and the first surface of the platen is less than a distance between the lid and the frame; scanning the oversized document in its first position to provide a first scan; moving the oversized document to a second position on the first surface of the platen, wherein the second position overlaps the first position; scanning the oversized document in its second position to provide a second scan; using a controller of the multifunction printer to select a stitching edge of the first scan and the second scan; and stitching together the first scan and the second scan at the stitching edge to form a composite scanned image of the oversized document.

Abstract: A method of assembling an inkjet printhead, the method comprising the steps of providing a die mount substrate including a die mount surface, an ink receiving surface, a first end wall having a latchable projection and a second end wall having an extension; providing a printhead die including at least one nozzle array and a plurality of bond pads; attaching the printhead die to the die mount surface of the die mount substrate; providing a wiring member; adhering a portion of the wiring member to the die mount surface of the die mount substrate; electrically interconnecting the wiring member to the bond pads of the printhead die; providing a printhead frame including an ink delivery surface, a latch and a bracket; inserting the extension from the second end wall of the die mount substrate into the bracket; providing a sealing member between the ink receiving surface and the ink delivery surface; and closing the latch to engage the latchable projection of the die mount substrate.

Abstract: A pivotable duplexing unit is attached to the wall of a printer using a hinge having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the base. A latch and catch holds the pivotable duplexing unit in a closed position relative to the wall of the printing apparatus. The wall includes a support member for the hinge, and the pivotable duplexing unit further includes a pin for pivoting in a support member of the hinge. The support member includes a bearing surface that is substantially parallel to the base. The pin member includes an end that makes pivotable contact with the bearing surface.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprising a pivotable cleanout member attached to the housing using a hinge having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the base. A latch holds the pivotable cleanout member in a closed position relative to the wall of the printing apparatus. On an opposite end of the cleanout member is a hinge mechanism that includes a pin member. The other part of the hinge is in the printer housing and includes a support member portion of the hinge mechanism.

Abstract: A scan bar assembly includes an illuminating unit including a first length; a photosensor array including a second length; and a first spacer member and a second spacer member, each of the first and second spacer members including: an inner side that is proximate the photosensor array; and an outer side that is distal to the photosensor array, wherein a distance between the inner side of the first spacer member and the inner side of the second spacer member is greater than the second length and less than the first length.

Abstract: A printing system includes a printing device for printing onto a recording medium; a media advance system for moving the recording medium into position to be printed on by the printing device when the printing system is in an operating mode; a connector for receiving AC line voltage; a power supply for converting the AC line voltage into a plurality of DC voltages; a wireless communication device for receiving image data; a controller for controlling printer operation when the printing system is in the operating mode, and for turning off at least one of the plurality of DC voltages when the printing system is in a low power mode; and an energy storage device for powering the wireless communication device when the printing system is in the low power mode.

Abstract: A method of operating a printing system, the method includes charging an energy storage device; determining that printing has not occurred for a predetermined period of time; switching the printing system into a low power mode in which power provided through an AC line is disconnected from a printing device and a wireless communication device when the predetermined period of time has elapsed; providing power to the wireless communication device from an energy storage device when the printing system is in the low power mode; receiving image data through the wireless communication device when the printing system is in the low power mode; switching the printing system into an operating mode upon receiving image data when in the low power mode; providing power from the AC line to the printing device when the printing system is in the operating mode; and printing an image.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus includes: a transparent platen having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, the first and second edges being separated along a scan direction; a frame including: a holder for the transparent platen; and a control panel located proximate the first edge of the transparent platen; a scan bar assembly including a scan element; a motor for moving the scan bar assembly along the scan direction; and a circuit board connected to the control panel, the circuit board including: a plurality of electrical components; a first edge located adjacent a side of the frame; and a second edge opposite the first edge, wherein the second edge of the circuit board is configured to overlap the first edge of the transparent platen.

Abstract: A scan bar assembly includes a scan element including a length direction; and a motor including an axle, wherein the axle of the motor is not parallel to the length direction of the scan element.

Abstract: A system comprising a housing having an upper end in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and a lower end releasably coupled to an expandable tubular. A piston is disposed within and sealingly engaged with the housing. An expansion cone is coupled to the piston and is operable to radially expand the expandable tubular as it moves longitudinally therethrough. A pressure chamber is disposed within the housing and defined by the piston and the expansion cone. A first pressure relief port is disposed within the housing and is operable to allow fluid communication between the pressure chamber and an annulus external to the housing. A second pressure relief port is disposed within the expansion cone and is operable to allow fluid communication between the pressure chamber and a portion of the expandable tubular below the expansion cone.

Abstract: An inkjet carriage printer includes a carriage for transporting an inkjet printhead in a carriage scan direction across the print region in reciprocating fashion, the carriage including an encoder sensor; a linear encoder disposed along the carriage scan direction; and a controller for controlling the motor on the basis of signals provided by the encoder sensor, the controller includes: a first motion control mode for damping carriage vibrations during a period when the carriage is in the print region; and a selectable second motion control mode for dislodging air bubbles for removal from the inkjet printhead, wherein the selectable second motion control mode is configured to decrease damping in order to set the carriage into oscillation.

Abstract: A method of operating an inkjet printer including an inkjet printhead having an ink inlet, the inkjet printhead mounted on a motor-driven carriage having an encoder sensor, the method including sending a signal from the encoder sensor to a controller to indicate a position of the motor-driven carriage; determining a velocity of the motor-driven carriage; implementing a first motion control mode during a period when the inkjet printhead is printing, wherein the first motion control mode includes a first signal for damping vibrations in order to provide a substantially constant velocity of the carriage; selectively implementing a second motion control mode when the inkjet printhead is not printing, wherein the second motion control mode includes a second signal for enhancing vibrations of the carriage in order to dislodge air bubbles in the printhead; and removing air corresponding to the air bubbles from the printhead.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly comprising an array of nozzles fed by a corresponding ink inlet. An ink chamber corresponding to the array of nozzles is fluidly connected to the ink inlet. An air extraction chamber includes an air chamber, a one-way relief valve having an open position that allows venting of the air chamber to ambient, and a closed position that does not allow venting of the air chamber to ambient. A piston in the form of a disk forces air to be vented from the air chamber through the one-way relief valve in its open position. It also applies a reduced air pressure to a membrane while the one-way relief valve is in its closed position.