Abstract: An ejection chip is disclosed, and comprises a substrate, a flow feature layer, a nozzle plate, and one or more valves. The substrate includes one or more fluid channels and one or more fluid ports each in communication with at least one of the one or more fluid channels. The flow feature layer is disposed over the substrate, and the flow feature layer include one or more flow features each in communication with at least one of the one or more fluid ports. The nozzle layer is disposed over the flow feature layer, and the nozzle layer includes one or more nozzles each in communication with at least one of the one or more flow features so that one or more fluid paths are defined by the one or more fluid channels, the one or more fluid ports, the one or more flow features, and the one or more nozzles. The one or more valves selectively impede flow of fluid through the one or more fluid paths.

Abstract: An ejection chip is disclosed, and comprises a substrate, a flow feature layer, a nozzle plate, and one or more valves. The substrate includes one or more fluid channels and one or more fluid ports each in communication with at least one of the one or more fluid channels. The flow feature layer is disposed over the substrate, and the flow feature layer include one or more flow features each in communication with at least one of the one or more fluid ports. The nozzle layer is disposed over the flow feature layer, and the nozzle layer includes one or more nozzles each in communication with at least one of the one or more flow features so that one or more fluid paths are defined by the one or more fluid channels, the one or more fluid ports, the one or more flow features, and the one or more nozzles. The one or more valves selectively impede flow of fluid through the one or more fluid paths.

Abstract: An ejection chip is disclosed, and comprises a substrate, a flow feature layer, a nozzle plate, and one or more valves. The substrate includes one or more fluid channels and one or more fluid ports each in communication with at least one of the one or more fluid channels. The flow feature layer is disposed over the substrate, and the flow feature layer include one or more flow features each in communication with at least one of the one or more fluid ports.

Abstract: An ejection chip is disclosed, and comprises a substrate, a flow feature layer, a nozzle plate, and one or more valves. The substrate includes one or more fluid channels and one or more fluid ports each in communication with at least one of the one or more fluid channels. The flow feature layer is disposed over the substrate, and the flow feature layer include one or more flow features each in communication with at least one of the one or more fluid ports.

Abstract: A micro-fluid ejection head has fluid ejection elements formed as thin film layers on a substrate. Fluid flow features on the substrate channel fluid from a fluid source to ejection chambers surrounding the ejection elements. A pump on the substrate circulates the fluid from the source to the ejection chambers and back again to the source. The flow refreshes the fluid in the chambers to minimize deleterious effects of evaporation. A controller coordinates the flow rate of the pump and other variables to optimize system productivity. Other embodiments contemplate pump locations, pump types, pump enumeration, and fluidic features, such as pathways, diffusers, chokes and dimensions, to name a few.

Abstract: A micro-fluid ejection head has fluid ejection elements formed as thin film layers on a substrate. Fluid flow features on the substrate channel fluid from a fluid source to ejection chambers surrounding the ejection elements. A pump on the substrate circulates the fluid from the source to the ejection chambers and back again to the source. The flow refreshes the fluid in the chambers to minimize deleterious effects of evaporation. A controller coordinates the flow rate of the pump and other variables to optimize system productivity. Other embodiments contemplate pump locations, pump types, pump enumeration, and fluidic features, such as pathways, diffusers, chokes and dimensions, to name a few.

Abstract: A method of generating an authentication code for a consumable includes assigning an identification number to the consumable; processing an input including at least the identification number, using a first algorithm, to generate a preliminary number different from the identification number; and compressing the preliminary number using a compression algorithm, different from the first algorithm, that utilizes the identification number to generate an authentication value for use in authenticating the consumable.

Abstract: Methods for authenticating a property of an article in electrical communication with a verifier system including, for example, reading an identification code from the article, generating a challenge phrase from a verifier system, writing a challenge phrase to a first memory location on the article, reading a response phrase from the second memory location on the article, wherein the second memory location is configured to respond with a combinational logic gate output of the second memory location and the first memory location, generating a message authentication code by encrypting the identification code using a predetermined algorithm, generating a comparison code, wherein the comparison code is a combination logic gate output of the message authentication code and the challenge phrase, and determining if the comparison code is equivalent to the response phrase. Articles configured for use with the same.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a consumable used in an imaging device includes the steps of providing the consumable with a memory; monitoring usage of the consumable; determining whether the consumable has reached a usage threshold; and, if the consumable has reached the usage threshold, then performing the further steps of: renewing the consumable; generating an authentication code signifying the renewing of the consumable; and storing the authentication code in the memory.

Abstract: A system for providing technical support to a customer relating to an imaging cartridge used in an imaging apparatus includes a memory, diagnostic software, and technical support software. The memory is associated with the imaging cartridge, and stores diagnostics data. The diagnostic software is associated with a type of the imaging apparatus. The diagnostic software executes to read the diagnostics data from the memory and generate a diagnostic code based thereon. The technical support software executes to perform an analysis of the diagnostic code and to determine an action to be taken based on the analysis of the diagnostic code.

Abstract: A method for providing technical support to a customer relating to an imaging cartridge used in an imaging apparatus includes receiving a request from the customer for assistance relating to the imaging cartridge; executing diagnostic software associated with a type of the imaging apparatus based on the request to generate a diagnostic code pertaining to the imaging cartridge; receiving the diagnostic code from the customer; performing an analysis of the diagnostic code; and determining an action to be taken based on the analysis of the diagnostic code.

Abstract: A method for detecting whether a cartridge installed in an imaging apparatus is potentially counterfeit includes determining whether a usage threshold has been reached by the cartridge; determining whether the cartridge was previously installed in the imaging apparatus; and determining that the cartridge is potentially counterfeit if the usage threshold has been reached and the cartridge was not previously installed in the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a consumable used in an imaging device includes the steps of providing the consumable with a memory; monitoring usage of the consumable; determining whether the consumable has reached a usage threshold; and, if the consumable has reached the usage threshold, then performing the further steps of: renewing the consumable; generating an authentication code signifying the renewing of the consumable; and storing the authentication code in the memory.

Abstract: A method of estimating an amount of ink contained in an ink reservoir includes the steps of determining a cumulative actual ink drop count of ink drops expelled from the ink reservoir; and determining an evaporation amount associated with the ink reservoir, wherein before a time threshold the evaporation amount is ignored, and upon reaching the time threshold the evaporation amount is used to compensate for an evaporation loss for the ink reservoir by adjusting the cumulative actual ink drop count to form an evaporation compensated drop count.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a consumable used in an imaging device includes the steps of providing the consumable with a memory; monitoring usage of the consumable; determining whether the consumable has reached a usage threshold; and, if the consumable has reached the usage threshold, then performing the further steps of: renewing the consumable; generating an authentication code signifying the renewing of the consumable; and storing the authentication code in the memory.

Abstract: A method of estimating an amount of ink contained in an ink reservoir includes the steps of determining a cumulative actual ink drop count of ink drops expelled from the ink reservoir; and determining an evaporation amount associated with the ink reservoir, wherein before a time threshold the evaporation amount is ignored, and upon reaching the time threshold the evaporation amount is used to compensate for an evaporation loss for the ink reservoir by adjusting the cumulative actual ink drop count to form an evaporation compensated drop count.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for driving a three-phase motor from an AC energy source includes a converter connected between the energy source and an inverter. The inverter includes two inverter circuits controlled by a logic circuit. The outputs of the inverter circuits have a phase angle therebetween of 60° and are connected directly to two inputs of the motor. The remaining motor input can be connected to either the first or second line of the energy source. Both the frequency and the magnitude of the voltage waveforms can be varied to control the speed of the motor.

Abstract: An integrated transmission is effectively achieved within a series-excited motor by varying the number of winding turns in the field coil in relation to the speed-torque demand on the motor. At low motor speed, all of the field winding is engaged to produce the maximum available electromagnetic field, thereby increasing the motor's available torque and efficiency. When there is a high torque demand at high speed, only a portion of the field winding is engaged so that a reduced electromagnetic field is produced, thereby allowing a higher current in the motor, thereby allowing a higher torque to be produced. Thus the series motor with integrated transmission will have the same speed-torque characteristics as a system with a series motor and a conventional transmission. The integrated transmission can be implemented with relatively inexpensive relays and, if desired, by adding additional winding turns in the series field.

Abstract: A low-cost means to drive a three-phase motor from a DC energy source. The low cost is achieved by requiring only two inverter circuits instead of the conventional three inverter circuits. The third input phase to the motor is grounded. Balanced three-phase power is developed across the three stator coils of the motor, resulting in normal three-phase operation, including control of rotational direction. This is accomplished by appropriately selecting the phase angle of the two active phases.

Abstract: Disclosed is a DC parameter motor tester based on current time response, which tester does not require coupling of the motor (14) to some mechanical device or measuring other noise sensitive parameters taken from only a few discrete data points. As is disclosed, the steady state speed of the motor is determined from the frequency composition of the commutation noise and ripple in the steady state current by performing a fast fourier transform on the steady state current to determine its power-spectral-density which shows the frequency composition of the steady state current waveform by giving the power in the waveform at each frequency. The frequency at which the most power exists is divided by the number or twice the number, depending upon the construction of the motor, of commutation segments in the motor to determine the motor's frequency of rotation or velocity at measured power input.