Abstract: A hand held inkjet pen includes a housing, an ink reservoir, an inkjet printhead and a spacer. The ink reservoir is located within the housing. The inkjet printhead is located toward a distal end of the housing, and includes a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink received from the reservoir. The spacer is located at the distal end of the housing for contacting a media sheet. Force applied to the spacer selects an on state for controlling ejection of ink from the plurality of nozzles.

Abstract: A hand held personal digital assistant including: an information storage device; a display; a printer including a pagewidth printhead wherein said printhead is an inkjet printhead; a media feed mechanism for feeding print media past the printhead during printing; and a user interface allowing a user to: selectively retrieve and display information from said storage device on said display; print said information using said printer; and enter and store new information in said information storage device.

Abstract: A measurement and marking device includes a housing, a positional sensing assembly mounted in the housing, a printhead assembly mounted in the housing, and a controller mounted in the housing and communicating with the positional sensing assembly and the printhead assembly. The positional sensing assembly is adapted to sense a position of the housing relative to an object as the housing is moved along a surface of the object and the printhead assembly is adapted to print on the surface of the object as the housing is moved along the surface of the object. As such, the controller is adapted to operate the printhead assembly to print a mark on the surface of the object based on the position of the housing relative to the object as the housing is moved along the surface of the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge for use with a digital printing device. The cartridge includes a first casing portion for housing print media and a second casing portion for housing a supply of ink. The ink supply is formed by having the second casing portion segregated into distinct chambers for storing a supply of different colored inks, with each ink storage chamber having a corresponding ink outlet closed with a pierceable seal and is defined at least in part by a collapsible membrane.

Abstract: An embodiment of a manual printer is particularly well suited for forming images on the surface of uneven objects. The embodiment of the manual printer includes a microprocessor for controlling its operation. Image data is stored in RAM and the firmware for controlling the operation of the microprocessor is stored in ROM. A print head interface generates drive signals for a print head using data received from the microprocessor. A signal is generated by an emitter. A receiver in the manual printer receives the signal. The signal includes an x-component, a y-component, and a z-component. The microprocessor determines the position of the manual printer with respect to a reference location using the components of the signal. A distance sensor in the manual printer measures the distance of the print head from the surface of the object. A tilt sensor in the manual printer measures an angle between a longitudinal axis in the manual printer and the surface of the object.

Abstract: A personal digital assistant 901 stores personal information in an electronic and transportable from. The digital assistant includes a body section 902 connected to a display screen 904. The body 902 houses a memory, control circuitry for operating the personal digital assistant and an internal printer 500 for printing stored and/or displayed information. The printer 500 has a removable ink/print media cartridge 504 disposed in the hinge joint 905 connecting the body section 902 and the display screen 904.

Abstract: A hand held device that accepts a digital image, and transfers it to a wall, ceiling, floor, or any smooth surface. The hand held unit consists of a print element array in addition to a positioning mechanism that determines the absolute position of said device on the wall. Said positioning mechanism consists of a plurality of extruding tape, which in conjunction with the motion of the device over the surface, provides linear measurements from a plurality of fixed reference points to a fixed location on the device. The combination of said tapes provide sufficient information to triangulate the exact location and orientation of said device on the surface, subsequently providing sufficient information to impart the proper portion of said digital image to the surface, as said device moves across the surface. Repeated sweeping movements of said device over the surface will render further portions of the image, until it is complete.

Abstract: A personal digital assistant 901 stores personal information in an electronic and transportable form. The digital assistant includes a body section 902 connected to a display screen 904. The body 902 houses a memory, control circuitry for operating the personal digital assistant and an internal printer 500 for printing stored and/or displayed information. The printer 500 has a removable ink/print media cartridge 504 disposed in the hinge joint 905 connecting the body section 902 and the display screen 904.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention include a printer for printing graphical information on a surface. The printer includes a print head for printing indicia on the surface and an image sensor for recording an image of the surface. The recorded image contains a position-coding pattern that identifies a position on the surface. A processor converts the recorded image into a recorded position, and the print head then prints indicia on the surface based on a comparison of the recorded position with the graphical information to be printed.

Abstract: A handheld printing device and method for printing are disclosed. The handheld device comprises a print head, a graphical screen and at least one positioning sensor that co-operates with a micro controller circuit. The print head can be moved by hand directly to the area where the text or image is to be printed, and can be automatically steered to enable a faster printout, especially for printouts having text or images spread out over the printout surface with empty space in between. The manual movement of the print head is facilitated by the graphical screen of the device showing at each moment a portion of the picture corresponding in position to the printout in progress.

Abstract: A writing instrument comprising a liquid reservoir for containing a liquid, a liquid spray head for spraying liquid, the spray head serving to spray the liquid onto a medium from a distance, and a processor unit serving to activate the spray head. The instrument further comprises measurement means for measuring the distance between the spray head and the medium, and movement detector means for detecting movement of the spray head relative to the medium, the processor unit being adapted to cause the liquid spray head to be activated when both the measurement means detect that the distance between the spray head and the medium is less than a predetermined maximum value, and simultaneously the movement detector means detect movement of the spray head relative to the medium.

Abstract: An ink jet printing device (40) is adapted for being manually positioned by a user on the skin (54) of a human being or animal, for printing tattoos (55) thereon, and comprises an outer support case (41) having a front part (42) which is suitable for cooperating in contact with the skin (54), and which in turn includes an aperture (44) for defining a given portion (54a) of the skin that is to be printed.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for a compact printer module comprises a stationary printhead, an ink reservoir, a motive means and an image storing means, all housed within an elongate body. The motive means carries a printable media past the printhead which prints a full width image in a single pass. A power supply is also preferably housed within the elongate body. The body is preferably cylindrical and approximately the size of a large pen. The printhead is suitably a monolithic drop-on-demand inkjet printer.

Abstract: A capping system for a printhead includes a handheld printjet printing device having a printhead and a cap including a flexible wiper. The cap is structured to be manually placed on the printing device so that the wiper wipes the printhead during placement thereon.

Abstract: A part of the outer casing on the upper surface of a recording apparatus is arranged to be a cover capable of being opened and closed. When the recording apparatus is in operation (in use), the part of this outer casing becomes the sheet feeding tray which is open to stack recording sheets. The recording apparatus is provided with a linear antenna suitable for transmitting and receiving radio waves of ultra-short wave frequency band. The antenna is arranged on the right side of the recording apparatus, observed from the front side thereof, along the edge of the end portion of the cover that dually functions as the sheet feeding tray.

Abstract: A method and system for position-aware freeform printing in which a source image space in a source medium and a target image space in a target medium are specified. A selected image in the source image space is copied and/or optionally processed and transferred to the target image space. A controller captures the selected source image and stores the image in a memory. The image is optionally processed and the processed and optionally formatted image is output. The controller may format the processed image to fit into the target image space by controlling the rendering of the processed image onto the target medium as the printing device is moved over the target image space in a freeform direction. The controller predicts the freeform direction that the print head will travel by detecting the motion previously traveled and adjusting the image to compensate for the predicted freeform direction.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery charging apparatus, which is attachable/removable to/from an ink jet printer, and which electrically charges a secondary battery to supply electric power to the ink jet printer. The battery charging apparatus has a connector to supply the electric power from the battery to the ink jet printer, a power source voltage detection unit to determine an electric charging condition for electrically charging the battery, a serial communication unit to receive a battery charging control signal from the ink jet printer, and a microcomputer to control electric charging of the battery in correspondence with the received charging control signal and the electric charging condition.

Abstract: An electronic stamp or method for performing stamps where one or several sets of phototransistors (8), with associated light emitting diodes (9), are mounted on a print head (3) that is hand-operated along beams (5) with the aid of a lever (4) coupled to an upper stamp housing (1). The phototransistors (8) generate signals used by a micro controller circuit (12) in order to in real time calculate positioning parameters about the print head (3), and thus be able to steer and control a stream of ink drops intended to form a predetermined printout pattern.

Abstract: A portable, compact electronic device is disclosed which is adapted for communication with a personal digital assistant. The electronic device includes a housing having an opening adapted for receiving a medium adapted for printing or scanning and at least one coiled structure formed from a coilable material. At least one guide positions the coilable material as it is extended from the coiled structure. The printing or scanning medium is moved through an opening in the housing by rotating elements. An activation means is utilized to perform printing or scanning of the medium, under the controlled extension and retraction of the coilable material from the coiled structure.

Abstract: A writing instrument, e.g., a pen, incorporates at least three color ink chambers: cyan (C), yellow (Y), and magenta (M). The ink from the three chambers can be mixed in varying ratios to provide an output ink of any conceivable color. Ink jet nozzles, preferably thermal ink jet nozzles, are used to output the ink from the chambers. The ink may be output to a mixing chamber, onto a roller ball or other transfer member, or directly to the writing medium. Consequently, the ink output by the pen can be adjusted by the user to any desired color.

Abstract: A hybrid printing device for printing on a surface, the device comprising a printing means adapted to print on the surface and a sensing means adapted to sense the position of the printing device in relation to positioning indicia located on the surface wherein the printing means is further adapted to be responsive to the detected position of the device in relation to the detected position. The device operates by detecting the position whereby a print control means responds and signals to the printing head to function to build the image on the printing surface. The invention preferably uses optical glyphs pre-printed on the page to provide position information to the sensing means. The device may operate as a peripheral where the print head is controlled in response to the detected position. Alternatively, the print head may be triggered by print control data itself embedded in the optically detected glyph information.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable communication apparatus capable of minimizing the ink tank incorporated therein and easily and simply printing the data stored therein even while it is carried. For this purpose there is disclosed a configuration incorporating a printing mechanism and adapted to execute ink filling and waste ink collection for the printing mechanism at the battery charging operation of the portable communication apparatus.

Abstract: An expandable/contractible type portable printer is provided, including: an expandable/contractible casing including an enclosure and opposite outer jackets expandably and contractibly mounted at opposite sides of the enclosure; a printing unit disposed in the casing for printing on a recording sheet by jetting ink onto the recording sheet from a printing head mounted on a carriage which is reciprocatively movable in a primary scanning direction; and a sheet feed unit disposed in the casing for feeding the recording sheet in a secondary scanning direction, the opposite outer jackets being coupled to the enclosure by a rack-and-pinion mechanism so as to be expandable and contractible with respect to the enclosure evenly in opposite lateral directions.

Abstract: A hand held inkjet pen includes a housing, an ink reservoir, an inkjet printhead and a spacer. The ink reservoir is located within the housing. The inkjet printhead is located toward a distal end of the housing, and includes a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink received from the reservoir. The spacer is located at the distal end of the housing for contacting a media sheet. Force applied to the spacer selects an on state for controlling ejection of ink from the plurality of nozzles.

Abstract: There is disclosed an assembly of a portable data entry device and a portable printer. The printer is hand-held and carries the data entry device. The data entry device includes a scanner and is located at the front portion of the printer. The printer has a space for accommodating a label roll and a print module which are located at the rear portion of the printer. The printer can be used with different data entry devices by use of adapters.

Abstract: A handheld mobile image sensing and printing device includes a support structure. A color image sensor is positioned on the support structure for sensing a color image. A color printing mechanism is positioned on the support structure and is operatively connected to the image sensor to print the image sensed by the image sensor. A remote communications arrangement is positioned on the support structure and is operatively connected to the image sensor to transmit data representing the image and to receive data representing images to be printed by the printing mechanism.

Abstract: An image to be printed is stored in an image storage memory of approximately 1.3 Mbytes. An image access unit accesses the image and transfers the image to a printhead interface on command from the central processing unit. The printhead interface transforms the image to a 1600 dpi dithered bi-level CMY image for printing by a monolithic printhead.

Abstract: A personal digital assistant 901 stores personal information in an electronic and transportable form. The digital assistant includes a body section 902 connected to a display screen 904. The body 902 houses a memory, control circuitry for operating the personal digital assistant and an internal printer 500 for printing stored and/or displayed information. The printer 500 has a removable ink/print media cartridge 504 disposed in the hinge joint 905 connecting the body section 902 and the display screen 904.

Abstract: A hand held device that accepts a digital image, and transfers it to a wall, ceiling, floor, or any smooth surface. The hand held unit consists of a print element array in addition to a positioning mechanism that determines the absolute position of said device on the wall. Said positioning mechanism consists of a plurality of extruding tape, which in conjunction with the motion of the device over the surface, provides linear measurements from a plurality of fixed reference points to a fixed location on the device. The combination of said tapes provide sufficient information to triangulate the exact location and orientation of said device on the surface, subsequently providing sufficient information to impart the proper portion of said digital image to the surface, as said device moves across the surface. Repeated sweeping movements of said device over the surface will render further portions of the image, until it is complete.

Abstract: A handheld imaging apparatus includes an image acquisition device and an ink jet printing in an integral housing. The printing drive may include a single motor that drives both a print carriage and a paper drive member for printing images created by the imaging acquisition device.

Abstract: A recess-mountable printer having a housing with a top, a base, a pair of sides, a back and a front. The front of the housing has a paper ejection slot which is designed to facilitate the ejection of paper from within the housing. The housing contains a paper tray which is adapted to receive and retain paper, a printhead which is adapted to print text, data and images on the paper, and an ink supply which is adapted to provide ink to the printhead. The recess-mountable printer is designed to be operable when mounted within a recess in a television, VCR, CD player or other mounting unit.

Abstract: A printing system. The system may include an ink dispenser, a switch to generate an initial position signal, a movement sensor to generate movement signals and a circuit that causes the dispenser to dispense ink in accordance with the image data, the initial position signal and the movement signal. The system may also include a connector, a power source, a microcontroller, a memory and an ink-curing component. Image data is then transferred to a surface by sweeping the printing system across the surface as the printing system tracks the status of each pixel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing and printing an image of a subject utilizes a tracking mechanism to allow an operator to print the captured image onto a selected surface by manually manipulating the apparatus across the surface. The apparatus is a print-capable digital camera which can print the captured image in one of a range of sizes. The printing process involves an operator placing the digital camera on the surface and scanning the surface in order for the digital camera to print a segment of the captured image according to the location of the digital camera. The tracking mechanism may be comprised of two trackball assemblies. The rotations of the trackballs generate location data which is utilized by digital signal processing circuitry to determine the position of the digital camera relative to a start-print position.

Abstract: An ink ejection type printhead having a plurality of ink ejection devices around a central axis, the ink ejection devices arranged in a series of groups generally extending along non parallel lines (1370-1381). The lines may be curved. The illustrated form of the printhead is suitable for use in a pen, or cartridge for a pen, as an alternative to a conventional nib or point of a pen or pencil.

Abstract: A molded body (20) of a printhead chip package (70) for use in a hand-held apparatus is provided. The molded body (20) has a bottom surface (22) adapted to be attached to the hand-held apparatus. A fluid reservoir (24) is formed in a central region of the molded body (20), and is bounded on its sides (26) by the molded body (20). A bottom (28) of the fluid reservoir (24) is at least partially open. A recessed cavity (30) is formed in the central region of the molded body (20) above the fluid reservoir (24), and is bounded on its sides (32) by the molded body (20). A top (34) of the recessed cavity (30) is at least partially open. A first part of a bottom (36) of the recessed cavity (30) is bounded by the molded body (20). A second part of the bottom of the recessed cavity (30) is open to a top opening (40) of the fluid reservoir (24). The recessed cavity (30) is adapted to receive a printhead chip (72) therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable, hand-held printing apparatus capable of maintaining high printing quality even when the movement of the apparatus becomes unstable due to looseness or wrinkles of a printing medium or even when the moving velocity of the apparatus changes. When a user moves the housing of this apparatus on a printing medium to print on the printing medium by using a printhead, the apparatus itself detects the moving velocity of the housing. On the basis of this detection result, the apparatus adjusts the supply timing of a driving signal for driving the printhead.

Abstract: A handheld inkjet printing mechanism is provided for printing a selected image on a print surface of a solid hard body or a semi-flexible body, such as on human skin for face-painting at carnivals, for temporary tattoos, body decorations and the like, on walls and furniture for printing designs, on packages and building materials for labeling purposes, etc. The printing mechanism has a chassis which supports a controller that stores the selected image. An inkjet printhead supported by the chassis selectively ejects inkjet ink onto the print surface in response to the controller as an operator moves the printing mechanism over the print surface to record the selected image thereon. A printhead-to-print surface spacing device controls the spacing between the printhead and the print surface while printing. A printing method using such a handheld printing mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: The inkjet stylus includes a nozzle for depositing ink onto a writing surface. The ink is drawn from an ink cartridge, which may contain a plurality of ink containers, each holding a different color ink. A switch mechanism is used to select different combinations of ink to produce different colors. A microcontroller controls the switch mechanism so as to select the combination of inks that will produce the desired color, and also controls how the ink is deposited on the writing surface using the nozzle. A battery powers the electronic devices in the inkjet stylus.

Abstract: A hand-held printer system is designed for printing a stored image onto a surface or other media. In particular, various embodiments are adapted for hand-held printing onto the surface of a whiteboard. In embodiments, the printer system comprises a marking mechanism including at least one print head, a global position sensing system that senses a position of the at least one print head, and a control mechanism that actuates the at least one print head based on the sensed position. In other embodiments, the system comprises a local position sensing system that senses a position of the at least one print head relative to a drawing surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable communication apparatus capable of minimizing the ink tank incorporated therein and easily and simply printing the data stored therein even while it is carried. For this purpose there is disclosed a configuration incorporating a printing mechanism and adapted to execute ink filling and waste ink collection for the printing mechanism at the battery charging operation of the portable communication apparatus.

Abstract: A hand-held printer system is designed for printing a stored image onto a surface or other media. In particular, various embodiments are adapted for hand-held printing onto the surface of a whiteboard. In embodiments, the printer system comprises a marking mechanism including at least one print head, a global position sensing system that senses a position of the at least one print head, and a control mechanism that actuates the at least one print head based on the sensed position. In other embodiments, the system comprises a local position sensing system that senses a position of the at least one print head relative to a drawing surface.

Abstract: A portable printer which can print on a variety of surfaces is disclosed. The printer has a number of failsafe features which improve its operation and the quality of print. In particular, printing is inhibited in a certain number of situations. Alternatively or additionally, a maintenance sequence can be implemented when the printing unit is removed from a base location. A set of absorbent strips additionally or alternatively allow for the ink jet nozzles to be discharged within the print area.

Abstract: The liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes an ejecting head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid droplets and a plurality of liquid droplet ejecting devices arranged in correspondence with the plurality of nozzles, respectively, and driven with modulation in response to signals, a detection unit for detecting a condition of a virtual surface opposed to the ejecting head or an angle detection unit for detecting an angle made by a direction, in which liquid droplets are ejected from at least a part of the plurality of nozzles of the ejecting head, and a preset reference direction, and a unit for prohibiting liquid droplet ejection from at least a part of the plurality of nozzles of the ejecting head depending on a result of detection by the detection unit or an angle detected by the angle detection unit.

Abstract: An ink jet marker includes a writing instrument body with a cartridge disposed therein. A printing nozzle is coupled with said reservoir and receives control signals from an electrical control circuit to dispense ink droplets according to user input.

Abstract: A portable printer which can print on a variety of surfaces is disclosed. The printer has a number of failsafe features which improve its operation and the quality of print. In particular, printing is inhibited in a certain number of situations. Alternatively or additionally, a maintenance sequence can be implemented when the printing unit is removed from a base location. A set of absorbent strips additionally or alternatively allow for the ink jet nozzles to be discharged within the print area.

Abstract: An ink jet marker includes a writing instrument body with a cartridge disposed therein. A printing nozzle is coupled with said reservoir and receives control signals from an electrical control circuit to dispense ink droplets according to user input.

Abstract: A low cost digitally operated dispenser apparatus and method of operation and construction is obtained by combining flat sided, preferably rectangular tubular capillary tube having an orifice, with a flat elongated strip of piezoelectric material. Microdroplets are dispensed from an internal chamber within the capillary tube, or a separate feed supply, upon application of voltage pulses through electrodes connected to conductive layers on the piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric strip may be parallel to the flat capillary tube or perpendicular to it. On a variation, a fixture can be used to improve performance in combination with the capillary tube and piezoelectric strip. A standoff strip allows the piezoelectric operator to be thermally isolated from a flat rectangular capillary tube.

Abstract: An ink jet marker includes a writing instrument body with a cartridge disposed therein. A printing nozzle is coupled with said reservoir and receives control signals from an electrical control circuit to dispense ink droplets according to user input.

Abstract: A painting tool with a carriage having a control switch, control circuitry, and an ink jet pen connected to the carriage and control circuitry. An ink jet pen may be included in the carriage, and more than one switch may be provided, with one switch controlling hue, and the other controlling flow rate. An on-board power source may be included to provide cordless operation.

Abstract: A hand-held printer and a method thereof has an ink jet head with a plurality of aligned ink nozzles, a device for moving the ink jet head in the orthogonal direction to the aligned direction of the plurality of ink nozzles, a printer case that covers a movable range of the ink jet head and has an opening on the side facing the plurality of ink nozzles, and a handle provided on the printer case. The method for printing one print line using a hand-held printer with a handle includes the steps of: receiving print data corresponding to one print line and discharging ink from a plurality of ink nozzles aligned on an ink jet head of the hand-held printer while moving the ink jet head in the orthogonal direction to the aligned direction of the plurality of ink nozzles according to the print data.