Abstract: A printer controller for supplying dot data to a printhead in a predetermined order, the printhead comprising at least first and second printhead modules, each of which comprises a plurality of printing nozzles and being disposed adjacent each other such that a printing width of the printhead is wider than a printing width of either of the printhead modules, the printer controller being configured to order and time supply of the dot data to the printhead modules in accordance with their respective widths, such that a difference in relative widths of the printhead modules is at least partially compensated for.

Abstract: A printhead comprising: a first and second elongate printhead modules, the printhead modules being disposed end to end on either side of a join region, wherein the first printhead module and the second printhead module are vertically offset at the join region; and, at least first and second printer controllers configured to receive print data and process the print data to output dot data for the printhead. The first printer controller outputs dot data to both the first printhead module and the second controller; and the second printer controller outputs dot data to the second printhead module, wherein the dot data output by the second printer controller includes dot data generated by the second printer controller and at least some of the dot data received from the first printer controller.

Abstract: A method of accounting for dead nozzle remapping in a multi-nozzle printhead, including remapping a fixative intended for a dot to be printed by the dead nozzle.

Abstract: A printer controller configured to generate dot data for supply to a printhead that includes at least first and second longitudinally extending printhead chips that are positioned adjacent each other either side of a join region such that a printing width of the printhead is wider than the length of either printhead chip, the printer controller being configured such that, in the event that the printhead chips to which dot data is being supplied are of sufficiently unequal relative length, the dot data is supplied more frequently, or at a higher rate, to the longer of the two printhead chips.

Abstract: A printer having of a printhead having first and second elongate printhead modules, the printhead modules being parallel to each other and being disposed end to end on either side of a join region, wherein the first printhead module is longer than the second printhead module. At least first and second printer controllers configured to receive print data and process the print data to output dot data for the printhead, wherein the first printer controller outputs dot data to both the first printhead module and the second controller; and the second printer controller outputs dot data to the second printhead module, wherein the dot data output by the second printer controller includes dot data it generates and at least some of the dot data received from the first printer controller.

Abstract: In a system comprising a plurality of consumers of one or more common resources, a method of tracking usage of the one or more common resources, comprising the steps of: from each consumer, broadcasting to each of the other consumers a value indicative of an amount of the one or more resources consumed; at each of the consumers, receiving the broadcasted values from the other consumers; and in each consumer, storing a record of the total of the values that the consumer broadcasted and the values received from the other consumers.

Abstract: A method of enabling authenticated communication of information between at least a primary entity and each of one or more secondary entities, each of the one or more secondary entities having an identifier associated with it, the method including the steps of: allocating first secret information to the primary entity; for each of the one or more secondary entities, determining second secret information, the second secret information being the result of a one way function applied to that second secret entity's identifier and the first secret information; and allocating the second secret information to the or each secondary entity.

Abstract: A printer controller configured to generate dot data for supply to a printhead that includes at least first and second longitudinally extending printhead chips that are positioned adjacent each other either side of a join region such that a printing width of the printhead is wider than the length of either printhead chip, the printer controller being configured such that, in the event that the printhead chips to which dot data is being supplied are of sufficiently unequal relative length, the dot data is supplied more frequently, or at a higher rate, to the longer of the two printhead chips.

Abstract: A printer controller for supplying dot data to a printhead in a predetermined order, the printhead comprising at least first and second printhead modules, each of which comprises a plurality of printing nozzles and being disposed adjacent each other such that a printing width of the printhead is wider than a printing width of either of the printhead modules, the printer controller being configured to order and time supply of the dot data to the printhead modules in accordance with their respective widths, such that a difference in relative widths of the printhead modules is at least partially compensated for.

Abstract: A plurality of integrated circuits, each of the integrated circuits comprising a processor and non-volatile memory, and including code for running identical software processes, wherein each of the integrated circuits also includes secret information used by the software process, the secret information in each chip being located in a different location in the memory relative to a plurality of the other chips.

Abstract: A method of accounting for dead nozzle remapping in a multi-nozzle printhead, including remapping a fixative intended for a dot to be printed by the dead nozzle.

Abstract: A printer controller for supplying dot data to a printhead in a predetermined order, the printhead comprising at least first and second printhead modules, each of which comprises a plurality of printing nozzles and being disposed adjacent each other such that a printing width of the printhead is wider than a printing width of either of the printhead modules, the printer controller being configured to order and time supply of the dot data to the printhead modules in accordance with their respective widths, such that a difference in relative widths of the printhead modules is at least partially compensated for.

Abstract: A method for outputting a portion of a dither matrix stored in a memory, comprising the step of: (a) determining a start position and an end position in the memory; (b) reading a plurality of dither values of the dither matrix from the memory, commencing at the start position; and (c) outputting a portion of the plurality of dither values read in step (b).