Abstract: Described herein is a multi-user retail photo kiosk system that includes multiple touch screen and Graphic User Interface (GUI) controlled consumer photo editing, photo print and product selection, and photo order placement terminals and multiple photo printers. The user photo kiosk terminals can receive images. Billing and payment is accomplished using barcoded receipts provided at the user terminal for payments for purchased photo products. A printer array incorporating various printers capable of producing prints or various sizes and formats can be configured as a horizontal counter or as a vertical tower and includes means to alert the user that their photo print order is complete. In addition, the system automatically notifies operators if equipment service, maintenance, media refilling, and/or post printing finishing procedures are required.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a modular photo kiosk system that produces prints that include printed templates, guides, and instructions for use with matching designated user provided photo. The systems are configurable so that they can be easily combined to adapt the kiosk system to meet the productivity, capacity, product range, inventory control, and physical conditions of a selected retail environment. The kiosk can include remote access for customers and kiosk owners to place remote orders and manage kiosk inventory and further include a secured product display area featuring photo products for sale. A further aspect of the technology described herein comprises a software application for use by clerks for monitoring, maintaining, and operating the photo kiosk system.

Abstract: A method of providing photofinishing services to a user including choices of photofinishing services, retailers, retail locations, delivery, and payment options, using a computer processor, communications network, and user interface. The user can send one or more digital images to the selected retailer and retail location via the communications network. Once the user selects the type and amount of photo products to be made from the provided digital images, the user can select any additional retail products, selects a delivery means, and payment option. The processor can coordinate the communications for production of the photofinishing order, billing, and any other retail purchase selected by the user. The processor also communicates the additional retail items to the retail staff and/or personal shopper and coordinates the production of the photofinishing order.

Abstract: Described herein is a multi-user retail photo kiosk system that includes multiple touch screen and Graphic User Interface (GUI) controlled consumer photo editing, photo print and product selection, and photo order placement terminals and multiple photo printers. The user photo kiosk terminals can receive images. Billing and payment is accomplished using barcoded receipts provided at the user terminal for payments for purchased photo products. A printer array incorporating various printers capable of producing prints or various sizes and formats can be configured as a horizontal counter or as a vertical tower and includes means to alert the user that their photo print order is complete. In addition, the system automatically notifies operators if equipment service, maintenance, media refilling, and/or post printing finishing procedures are required.

Abstract: Described herein is a multi-user retail photo kiosk system that includes multiple touch screen and Graphic User Interface (GUI) controlled consumer photo editing, photo print and product selection, and photo order placement terminals and multiple photo printers. The user photo kiosk terminals can receive images. Billing and payment is accomplished using barcoded receipts provided at the user terminal for payments for purchased photo products. A printer array incorporating various printers capable of producing prints or various sizes and formats can be configured as a horizontal counter or as a vertical tower and includes means to alert the user that their photo print order is complete. In addition, the system automatically notifies operators if equipment service, maintenance, media refilling, and/or post printing finishing procedures are required.

Abstract: Described herein is a multi-user retail photo kiosk system that includes multiple touch screen and Graphic User Interface (GUI) controlled consumer photo editing, photo print and product selection, and photo order placement terminals and multiple photo printers. The user photo kiosk terminals can receive images. Billing and payment is accomplished using barcoded receipts provided at the user terminal for payments for purchased photo products. A printer array incorporating various printers capable of producing prints or various sizes and formats can be configured as a horizontal counter or as a vertical tower and includes means to alert the user that their photo print order is complete. In addition, the system automatically notifies operators if equipment service, maintenance, media refilling, and/or post printing finishing procedures are required.

Abstract: An inkjet printer adapted to sense type of supplied consumable receiver media, inks, printhead, and cleaning fluid. A transponder attached to a consumable is coupled to a memory device capable of storing information characteristic of the consumable. A transceiver is disposed within the inkjet printer, with antennae disposed for polling an individual transponder attached to each consumable. The transponder is capable of receiving a first RF frequency electromagnetic field from the transceiver and deriving power and address information from the first frequency, then generating a second RF frequency electromagnetic field in response, where the second electromagnetic field is characteristic of the data stored in memory. As instructed by a machine control logic processor, the transceiver can both read manufacturing data from the transponder about the consumable and write usage and processing data to the transponder for storage in memory.

Abstract: An ink cartridge incorporating a memory chip includes a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall and plural side walls defining the exterior of the cartridge for enclosing a supply of ink. The bottom wall having an aperture formed therein to provide an opening through the exterior surface of the bottom wall. A pocket-like structure is formed within the bottom wall and/or on an inside surface of the bottom wall. A substrate including a memory chip is received in the pocket-like structure, the substrate including at least one electrical contact that faces the aperture so as to be accessible by a contact member external to the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted in a printer's cartridge receiving receptacle.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for an inkjet printer includes a housing for supporting an ink supply in a cavity within the cartridge housing and a color or ink type discrimination structure connected to the cartridge housing, the color discrimination structure being when assembled a generally cylindrical structure having a keyway formed therein wherein the color or ink type discrimination structure may be oriented through rotation about the central axis of the cylindrical structure in one of plural allowable orientations when the cartridge housing is assembled or after assembly to define a color or ink type of ink in the cartridge. Thus, the same structure or parts may be used in different cartridges containing ink of different colors but yet provide color discrimination.

Abstract: A photographic image printer, method of printing, and a software program for printing digital images which analyzes pending orders, determines the image printing sequence, and allocates print media intelligently to enable high printing productivity and low media waste. An apparatus made in accordance with the present invention permits can also provide In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided non-chemistry printing device which requires little floor space.

Abstract: An ink cartridge incorporating a memory chip includes a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall and plural side walls defining the exterior of the cartridge for enclosing a supply of ink. The bottom wall having an aperture formed therein to provide an opening through the exterior surface of the bottom wall. A pocket-like structure is formed within the bottom wall and/or on an inside surface of the bottom wall. A substrate including a memory chip is received in the pocket-like structure, the substrate including at least one electrical contact that faces the aperture so as to be accessible by a contact member external to the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted in a printer's cartridge receiving receptacle.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for an inkjet printer includes a housing for supporting an ink supply in a cavity within the cartridge housing and a color or ink type discrimination structure connected to the cartridge housing, the color discrimination structure being when assembled a generally cylindrical structure having a keyway formed therein wherein the color or ink type discrimination structure may be oriented through rotation about the central axis of the cylindrical structure in one of plural allowable orientations when the cartridge housing is assembled or after assembly to define a color or ink type of ink in the cartridge. Thus, the same structure or parts may be used in different cartridges containing ink of different colors but yet provide color discrimination.

Abstract: An ink cartridge incorporating a memory chip includes a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall and plural side walls defining the exterior of the cartridge for enclosing a supply of ink. The bottom wall having an aperture formed therein to provide an opening through the exterior surface of the bottom wall. A pocket-like structure is formed within the bottom wall and/or on an inside surface of the bottom wall. A substrate including a memory chip is received in the pocket-like structure, the substrate including at least one electrical contact that faces the aperture so as to be accessible by a contact member external to the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted in a printer's cartridge receiving receptacle.

Abstract: A photographic image printer, method of printing, and a software program for printing digital images which analyzes pending orders, determines the image printing sequence, and allocates print media intelligently to enable high printing productivity and low media waste. An apparatus made in accordance with the present invention permits can also provide. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided non-chemistry printing device which requires little floor space.

Abstract: A method of printing images on a cut sheet with which analyzes pending orders, determines the image printing sequence, and allocates print media intelligently to enable high printing productivity and low media waste.

Abstract: A photographic image printer, method of printing, and a software program for printing digital images which analyzes pending orders, determines the image printing sequence, and allocates print media intelligently to enable high printing productivity and low media waste. An apparatus made in accordance with the present invention permits can also provide In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided non-chemistry printing device which requires little floor space.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for an ink jet printer includes alignment features in the form of recesses formed on front and back side walls of the cartridge surface near the bottom thereof. An ink cartridge receiver assembly includes a plurality of receptacles for receiving a corresponding plurality of ink cartridges containing ink of different.colors. The receptacles are defined by identical spacer walls and the spacer walls include locating structures which cooperate with the alignment features on the cartridge to properly align the cartridge as it is inserted into the receptacle. The cartridges have identically curved surfaces that interface with complementary curved spacer walls.

Abstract: An inkjet printer adapted to sense type of supplied consumable receiver media, inks, printhead, and cleaning fluid. A transponder attached to a consumable is coupled to a memory device capable of storing information characteristic of the consumable. A transceiver is disposed within the inkjet printer, with antennae disposed for polling an individual transponder attached to each consumable. The transponder is capable of receiving a first RF frequency electromagnetic field from the transceiver and deriving power and address information from the first frequency, then generating a second RF frequency electromagnetic field in response, where the second electromagnetic field is characteristic of the data stored in memory. As instructed by a machine control logic processor, the transceiver can both read manufacturing data from the transponder about the consumable and write usage and processing data to the transponder for storage in memory.

Abstract: MEMS inkjet nozzle cleaning and closing mechanism. An inkjet nozzle closing mechanism (1) having a slider (2) attached to the face of a nozzle plate (5). The nozzle plate (5) has a front face (5a) and a reservoir side which abuts the ink flow. A gear (10) and rack (4) are incorporated to actuate the movement of the slider (2). The slider (2) has cutouts (6) which cause the orifices (11) to be in either an open or closed state depending upon the position of the slider (2). The horizontal motion of the slider (2) wipes away any ink residue which causes build-up which may eventually block the orifices (11).

Abstract: A photographic image printer, method of printing, and a software program for printing digital images which analyzes pending orders, determines the image printing sequence, and allocates print media intelligently to enable high printing productivity and low media waste. An apparatus made in accordance with the present invention permits can also provide In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided non-chemistry printing device which requires little floor space.