Abstract: A printer is disclosed that includes one or more first print bars each having a first printhead carriage, one or more first printhead service stations for servicing each of the first printhead carriages, one or more second print bars each having a second printhead carriage, and one or more second printhead service stations for servicing each of said second printhead carriages. The printer also includes first circuitry for controlling the one or more first print bars and the one or more second print bars such that while the one or more first printhead carriages are being serviced the one or more second print bars are in operation. The printer further includes a second circuitry for recognizing the number of first and second print bars present in the printer and for formatting print jobs to utilize the recognized number of first and second print bars. A second printer having multiple print bars, where each print bar has an array of printheads arranged in a pagewide configuration is also disclosed.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed that includes one or more first print bars each having a first printhead carriage, one or more first printhead service stations for servicing each of the first printhead carriages, one or more second print bars each having a second printhead carriage, and one or more second printhead service stations for servicing each of said second printhead carriages. The printer also includes first circuitry for controlling the one or more first print bars and the one or more second print bars such that while the one or more first printhead carriages are being serviced the one or more second print bars are in operation. The printer further includes a second circuitry for recognizing the number of first and second print bars present in the printer and for formatting print jobs to utilize the recognized number of first and second print bars. A second printer having multiple print bars, where each print bar has an array of printheads arranged in a pagewide configuration is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conveying printer status information to a user are provided. One or more moving light sources are selectively illuminated to convey printer status information to the user and to attract the user's attention. Different illumination states correspond to different printer status and configuration information. The light source may be part of an optical sensor. In this manner, the light source may have dual functions: (1) to illuminate the print media during a calibration operation performed by the optical sensor; and (2) to selectively illuminate during a printing operation to convey printer status information to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conveying printer status information to a user are provided. One or more moving light sources are selectively illuminated to convey printer status information to the user and to attract the user's attention. Different illumination states correspond to different printer status and configuration information. The light source may be part of an optical sensor. In this manner, the light source may have dual functions: (1) to illuminate the print media during a calibration operation performed by the optical sensor; and (2) to selectively illuminate during a printing operation to convey printer status information to the user.

Abstract: An imaging inkjet cartridge system for an inkjet printing mechanism provides near photographic image quality, as well as crisp black text and line art. In a multi-pen carriage, typically for a tri-chamber full color (e.g. cyan, magenta and yellow) cartridge and a monochrome (e.g. black) cartridge, the monochrome cartridge may be replaced with an imaging inkjet cartridge. The full color cartridge carries full colorant concentrations of inks, while the imaging cartridge carries ink formulations having reduced colorant concentrations, such as cyan and magenta, with either a full or a reduced colorant concentration of black ink. The carriage may also carry all three cartridges (full color, black and imaging). Pens containing other color and concentration combinations may also be interchanged. A method is provided of retrofitting or upgrading an inkjet printing mechanism by replacing or interchanging cartridges, such as by replacing the monochrome cartridge with an imaging inkjet cartridge.

Abstract: A wiper according to the invention comprises two or more wiper blades arranged one behind the other in close proximity, where the two or more wiper blades are different from one another so as to have slightly different wiping swaths. The resulting wipers greatly increase the allowable alignment tolerance between the wiper and the nozzle member of a printhead, especially if the printhead is of the kind having raised adhesive beads dispensed near the ends of the nozzle member. In one embodiment, two different size wiper blades, arranged one behind the other, have slits formed near the ends of the wiper blades. The slits mechanically decouple those end portions of the wiper blades which ride over the adhesive beads from the remaining portions of the wiper blades to keep the remaining portions of the blades in contact with the nozzle member.

Abstract: A suspendable or hanging sheet receiving bin for a printer or plotter which includes a front wall, a back wall, and a bottom wall, all joined together in a bar or wire grid network to define a sheet receiving region. The sheet receiving region has a length dimension, a width dimension, and a depth dimension all defining at one end of the bin an opening for receiving paper fed from the output of the printer or plotter. The front wall of the bin includes a plurality of U-shaped or hook-shaped members having upwardly faced convex surfaces for receiving stacked sheets of paper falling into the opening of the bin and for enabling the sheets to be stacked uniformly and readily accessible to an operator for removal from the bin after the completion of the printing or plotting operation. Advantageously, the bin is provided with an adjustable tray or lever member which may be positioned at different locations along the depth dimension of the bin for receiving different length sheets from the plotter or printer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking cut sheets of printed media wherein the leading edge of sheets received from a printer or plotter are first passed vertically downward into a bin and then rotated through an angle away from the printer or plotter. The front side member of the bin has a convex, upwardly facing and smoothly contoured section thereof over which cut sheets are laid with a uniform weight distribution and then down into an adjacent sheet output collection tray. This method of sheet transport and stacking has the advantage of minimizing the crumpling and curling of the cut sheets during the sheet handling and accumulation process. In addition, this method rapidly and efficiently moves the cut sheets out of the way of upstream sheet feeding to thereby prevents paper jam and crushing of paper in the plotter or printer.