Printhead leak determination

In some examples, a system includes a printhead including a printer fluid nozzle, an air valve in fluid communication with a channel of the nozzle to: (1) create back pressure in the channel when the air valve is closed and printer fluid is ejected through the nozzle and (2) release back pressure in the channel when the air valve is open, an ejector to eject printer fluid through the nozzle to form a meniscus of printer fluid in the channel when the air valve is closed, a pressure sensor to measure pressure within the channel, and an indicator in electrical communication with the pressure sensor. The indicator can, for example, indicate whether there is an air leak in the channel by determining whether the pressure in the channel is within a predetermined pressure range after a predetermined idle time following the formation of the meniscus in the nozzle.

BACKGROUND

Inkjet printers can be used to print text, pictures, or other graphics by propelling droplets of printing fluid onto paper or other printer media. Such printers can include one or more printing fluid reservoirs to feed printer fluid to one or more printheads. Such reservoirs can contain different kinds of printing fluids, such as different colored printing fluids, so as to allow the printer to print in both monochrome as well as color graphics. In some printers, printheads can be removably connected to a main printer fluid line in order to allow an operator to replace, clean, or remove the printhead from the printer.

NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE

In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” The term “approximately” as used herein to modify a value is intended to be determined based on the understanding of one of ordinary skill in the art, and can, for example, mean plus or minus 10% of that value.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain implementations of the present disclosure are directed to improved systems and techniques for determining air leaks in inkjet printheads. For example, in one implementation, a system can include a printhead having a nozzle, and an air valve to selectively hold and release back pressure in a channel of the nozzle. In such an implementation, the system can further include an ejector to eject printer fluid through the nozzle to form a meniscus of printer fluid in the channel when the air valve is closed. The system can further include a pressure sensor to measure pressure within the channel and an indicator to indicate whether there is an air leak in the channel. In some implementations air operator is able to determine whether there is an air leak by observing the indicator and/or by observing that the printhead is dripping printer fluid.

Certain implementations of the present disclosure can exhibit advantages compared to existing techniques for determining air leaks in inkjet printheads. For example, in some implementations, an operator can perform an air leak test in minutes rather than hours. That is, in some implementations, the air leak test can be performed using the system described herein in about 15 minutes compared to about 6 hours using existing techniques. In addition, in some implementations, an amount of printer fluid and flush fluid wasted to perform an air leak test can be significantly reduced. For example, some existing techniques can waste between 1.5 to 2 liters of ink for each color along with 20 liters of flush fluid for each color. Moreover, an air leak test can be performed using certain systems and methods described herein without relying on an external vacuum pump or separate printhead caps. Other advantages of implementations presented herein will be apparent upon review of the description and figures.

FIG. 1illustrates a diagram of a system10that can be used to determine whether there is an air leak in a printhead. As described in further detail below, system10includes: (1) a printhead12having a nozzle14, (2) an air valve16in fluid communication with a channel18of nozzle14to create back pressure in channel18when air valve16is closed and printer fluid is ejected through nozzle14and to release back pressure in channel18when air valve16is open, (3) an ejector20to eject printer fluid through nozzle14to form a meniscus of printer fluid in channel18when air valve16is closed, (4) a pressure sensor22to measure pressure within channel18, and (5) an indicator24in electrical communication with pressure sensor22to indicate whether there is an air leak in channel18. Each component of system10will be described in further detail below.

The term “printer” as used herein can, for example, refer to both standalone printers as well as other machines capability of printing. For example, the term “printer” as used herein can refer to an all-in-one device that provides printing as well as non-printing functionality, such as a combination printer, 3D printer, scanner, and fax machine. One implementation of a suitable printer for use with the system described herein is shown inFIG. 6and is described in further detail below. In addition, the term “print” can, for example, refer to any suitable technique, such as ejecting, spraying, propelling, depositing, or the like.

The industry term “inkjet printer” is used for convenience and is not intended to refer to only ink-based printers. That is, the term “inkjet printer,” can for example refer to a printer that prints any suitable printer fluid. The term “printer fluid” as used herein can, for example, refer to printer ink as well as suitable non-ink fluids. For example, printer fluid can include a pre-conditioner, gloss, a curing agent, colored inks, grey ink, black ink, metallic ink, optimizers and the like. Suitable inks for use in inkjet printers can, for example, be water based inks, latex inks or the like. In some implementations, printer fluid can be in the form of aqueous or solvent printing fluid and can be any suitable color, such as black, cyan, magenta, yellow, etc.

The term “printer media” as used herein can, for example, refer to any form of media onto which system10is designed to print. For example, printer media can be in the form of computer paper, photographic paper, a paper envelope, or similar paper media. Such printer media can be a standard rectangular paper size, such as letter, A4 or 11×17. It is appreciated that printer media can in some implementations be in the form of suitable non-rectangular and/or non-paper media, such as clothing, wood, or other suitable materials. For example, in some implementations, the term “printer media” as used herein can refer to a bed of build material for use in three-dimensional (3D) printing.

Nozzle14can be designed to control a direction or characteristics of printer fluid flow as it exits printhead12. For example, nozzle14can be designed to control the rate of flow, speed, direction, mass, shape, and/or the pressure of the stream that emerges from them. As described in further detail below, in some implementations of system10, printer media can, during printing, be moved under nozzle14of printhead12. And printhead12can be designed to print text, pictures, or other graphics onto the printer media by propelling droplets of liquid printing fluid through nozzle14and onto the printer media. In some implementations, nozzle14can be a separate piece removably attached to printhead12such that a single channel18is formed through printhead12and nozzle14. In some implementations, nozzle14is a single piece of material with printhead12and may alternatively be referred to as a nozzle portion of printhead12.

Air valve16can be opened or closed in order to selectively hold and release back pressure in channel18of nozzle14. For example, in some implementations, air valve16can be in fluid communication with channel18of nozzle14to create back pressure in channel18when air valve16is closed and printer fluid is ejected through nozzle14via ejector20. In addition, air valve16can be in fluid communication with channel18of nozzle14to release back pressure in channel18when air valve16is opened. Air valve16can be directly connected to channel18or can be indirectly connected to channel18via an integrated air line channel formed in nozzle14and/or printhead12or through a separate air line channel, such as an air line tubing. In some implementations, air valve16can be manually opened and closed, e.g., by an operator turning a knob or other component of air valve16. In some implementations, air valve16can be electronically opened and closed, e.g., via a solenoid or other mechanism. It is appreciated that air valve16can be designed so as to vent air if a pressure within channel18is outside of an acceptable range of pressures (e.g., too high or too low).

As provided above, pressure sensor22is to measure pressure within channel18. Pressure sensor22can, for example, be in the form of an absolute pressure sensor to measure pressure relative to a vacuum, a gauge pressure sensor to measure pressure relative to atmospheric pressure, a vacuum pressure sensor to measure pressures below atmospheric pressure. Pressure sensor22can be designed to generate an electrical signal as a function of the pressure imposed. In some implementations, pressure sensor22can be in the form of a piezoelectric sensor which relies upon the piezoelectric effect in certain materials such as quartz to measure a strain upon the sensor due to pressure. In some implementations, pressure sensor22is in the form of a piezoresistive strain gauge which uses the piezoresistive effect of bonded or formed strain gauges to detect strain due to applied pressure. Such a pressure sensor can, for example, be in the form of Silicon (Monocrystalline), Polysilicon Thin Film, Bonded Metal Foil, Thick Film, and Sputtered Thin Film. As described in further detail below, pressure sensor22can, for example, be in electronic communication with another component of system10, such as indicator24in order to provide actions based on the pressure readings. In some implementations, such as the implementation illustrated inFIG. 4, pressure sensor22is in electronic communication with a controller, which can, in some implementations, allow advanced processing of pressure sensor measurements.

As provided above, indicator24is in electrical communication with pressure sensor22to indicate whether there is an air leak in channel18. In some implementations, indicator24is to indicate whether there is an air leak in channel18based on whether the pressure in channel18recorded by pressure sensor22is within a predetermined pressure range after a predetermined idle time following the formation of the meniscus in nozzle14. It is appreciated that the predetermined idle time can be calculated dependent on aspects of system10, e.g., a size of channel18, material properties of the printer fluid, etc. In some implementations, the predetermined idle time is in a range from about 5 to about 10 minutes. For example, in a first implementation, the predetermined idle time is about 5 minutes and in a second implementation, the predetermined idle time is about 10 minutes. In some implementations, the pressure in channel18is to fall outside of the predetermined pressure range if the meniscus collapses due to an air leak in channel18. The predetermined pressure range can likewise be calculated dependent on aspects of system10, e.g., dimensions of one or more components of system10, material properties of the printer fluid, etc. For example, in some implementations, the predetermined pressure range corresponds to substantially no change in the back pressure within channel18during the predetermined idle time.

In some implementations, indicator24can include one or more indicators to alert an operator regarding pressure readings within channel18. For example, indicator24can include different color light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for different pressure levels. In such an implementation, an orange light can be used to indicate that about −250 mmH2O was reached within channel18, a green light can indicate that pressure in channel18is maintained within the predefined range after about 5 minutes of idleness (which can thereby indicate that air bubbles have not been introduced to the line), and a red light can indicate that the pressure in channel18is not within the pre-defined range after about 5 minutes of idle (which can thereby indicate that air bubbles have been introduced to the line). An example of such an indicator implementation is illustrated and described below with respect toFIG. 5. Although many examples of indicator24refer to visual indicators such as light-emitting diodes used to indicate pressure conditions of printhead12, it is appreciated that other forms of indicators can be used. For example, in some implementations, indicator24can produce an audible alert due to pressure conditions (e.g., by producing a first audible alert when a pressure has stabilized within printhead12and a second audible alert if the meniscus breaks).

Ejector20of printhead12can be designed to print printing fluid onto printer media. Printhead12can, for example, be designed to print via a thermal inkjet process. For example, in certain thermal inkjet processes, printing fluid droplets are ejected from a printhead12via a pulse of current that is passed through an ejector20in the form of a heater positioned in printhead12. Heat from the heater causes a rapid vaporization of printing fluid printhead12to form a bubble, which causes a large pressure increase that propels a droplet of printing fluid onto the printer media. In some implementations, printhead12can be designed to print Na a piezoelectric inkjet process. In certain piezoelectric inkjet processes, a voltage is applied to an ejector20in the form of a piezoelectric material located in a printing fluid-filled chamber. When a voltage is applied, the piezoelectric material changes shape, which generates a pressure pulse that forces a droplet of printing fluid from the printhead onto printer the media. It is appreciated that other forms of ejector20can be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

As described above, the meniscus is to be formed by ejecting printer fluid via ejector20. The exact amount of printer fluid ejected by ejector20can be calculated dependent on aspects of system10, e.g., dimensions of one or more components of system10, material properties of the printer fluid, etc. For example, in some implementations, ejector20is to eject approximately 1000 drops of printer fluid through the nozzle opening to form the meniscus of printer fluid. Because a meniscus is formed due to surface tension of printer fluid, it is appreciated that too much printer fluid ejected by ejector20may result in breaking the meniscus. In some implementations, the meniscus of printer fluid is to be formed when a back pressure in channel18is in a range from about −40 mmH2O to about −300 mmH2O. For example, in some implementations, the meniscus of printer fluid is formed with a back pressure of about −100 mmH2O. An example of a stable meniscus within system10is illustrated inFIG. 2below.

FIG. 2illustrates another example of system10including printer fluid26and an attached reservoir28. For illustration, various aspects of the system ofFIG. 1are referred to with respect to the apparatus ofFIG. 2and common reference numbers are used between the figures. However, it is appreciated that the use of common reference numbers are for illustration and are not intended to suggest that one or more aspects of the various apparatuses described herein are required in every implementation described herein. That is, suitable aspects of the systems ofFIGS. 1 and 2can be implemented in other systems described herein and vice versa.FIG. 2further illustrates a meniscus30formed in printer fluid26at a bottom of nozzle14due to back pressure caused by ejection of printer fluid by ejector20while air valve16is closed. Meniscus30will generally be maintained in such a system as long as air valve16remains closed and there is no other source of air leak within printhead12to dissipate the back pressure within channel18.

Reservoir28is designed to store a supply of printer fluid26for use in system10. Reservoir28can be in a form suitable for long-term storage, shipment, or other handling. Reservoir28can, for example, be a rigid container with a fixed volume (e.g., a rigid housing), a deformable container (e.g., a deformable bag), or any other suitable container for the printing fluid supply. Reservoir28can be stored within a housing of system10. For example, in some implementations, a cover or housing panel of a printer can be removed to allow a user to access and/or replace reservoir28. In some implementations, reservoir28can be located outside of a housing of system10and can, for example, be fluidly connected to system10via an intake port on an exterior surface of a housing of system10.

Printer fluid26can be flowed from printing fluid reservoir28to printhead12via a pump, plunger, or another suitable actuator. For example, in implementations where reservoir28is a flexible bag, an actuator can be used to compress reservoir28to force fluid26out of reservoir28and into printhead12or an intermediary fluid path connecting reservoir28and printhead12. In some implementations, reservoir28can be positioned above printhead12so as to allow a gravitational force to assist in providing printer fluid26from reservoir28to printhead12. Although reference is made herein to printer fluid26being transferred from reservoir28to printhead12, it is appreciated that in some implementations, system10can be designed to flow printer fluid26from printhead12to reservoir28for storage or another desired purpose.

In this implementation of system10, air valve16is in fluid communication with printhead12via separate tubing32. Such tubing can allow air valve16to be conveniently accessible by an operator or other user, it is appreciated that such tubing can be flexible or relatively rigid in accordance with aspects of system10, e.g., dimensions of one or more components of system10, material properties of the printer fluid, etc. As illustrated inFIG. 2, tubing32and reservoir28can both be connected to a same portion of printhead12at channel18. However, tubing32and reservoir28can connect to channel18at any suitable location based on the functionality of reservoir28and air valve16.

FIG. 3illustrates a flowchart for an example method34relating to determining whether there is an air leak in a printhead. The description of method34and its component steps make reference to elements of system10for illustration, however, it is appreciated that this method can be used for any suitable system described herein or otherwise.

Method34includes a step36of forming a meniscus30of printer fluid26within printhead channel18by ejecting a predetermined volume of printer fluid26from an opening of channel18. Back pressure can, for example, be formed within printhead12by sealing air valve16connected to channel18to allow back pressure to build in channel18. As described above, the exact amount of printer fluid ejected by ejector20can be calculated dependent on aspects of system10, e.g., dimensions of one or more components of system10, material properties of the printer fluid, etc. For example, in some implementations, ejector20is to eject approximately 1000 drops of printer fluid through the nozzle opening to form the meniscus of printer fluid.

Method34includes a step38of determining whether there is an air leak in channel18based on whether meniscus30collapses within a predetermined idle time after meniscus30is formed. In some implementations, it can be determined whether meniscus30collapses by monitoring whether printhead12drips printer fluid26. In some implementations, it can be determined whether meniscus30collapses by observing indicator24in electronic communication with pressure sensor22that dynamically measures the pressure within channel18.

In view of the present disclosure, in some implementations, air leak testing of printhead12can be performed by applying a carefully controlled vacuum to printhead12at a level that will form and hold meniscus30in nozzle14of printhead12. The sub pressure of system10caused by the vacuum can, for example, be monitored for a period of time. If due to air leakage the sub pressure of system10drops outside of a predetermined range, meniscus30will break and printhead12will begin dripping printer fluid26. In some implementations, indicator24is provided to assist in detection of pressure or leakage within printhead12.

Although the flowchart and description ofFIG. 3refers to a specific order of performance, it is appreciated that this order may be rearranged into another suitable order, may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence, or a combination thereof. Likewise, suitable additional and/or comparable steps may be added to method34to achieve the same or comparable functionality.

FIG. 4illustrates a diagram of an example system in, the form of a printhead array40. As described in further detail below, printhead array40includes a main printer fluid line42to circulate printer fluid through printhead array40, an air valve16to, control back pressure within main printer fluid line42, a plurality of printheads12in fluid communication with main printer fluid line42, wherein each of the plurality of printheads12includes respective ejectors20to eject printer fluid through respective nozzles14in each printhead12, a pressure sensor to measure back pressure within main printer fluid channel18, a controller44to signal to each ejector20to eject printer fluid through nozzle14to form a respective meniscus30in each of the plurality of printheads when the air valve is closed, and an indicator24to determine and indicate whether there is an air leak in printhead array40based on pressure readings from pressure sensor22over a predetermined idle time after the respective meniscuses are formed in the plurality of printheads12. For illustration, various aspects of the systems ofFIGS. 1 and 2are referred to with respect to the system ofFIG. 4and common reference numbers are used between the figures. However, it is appreciated that the use of common reference numbers are for illustration and are not intended to suggest that one or more aspects of the various systems described herein are required in every implementation described herein. That is, suitable aspects of the systems ofFIGS. 1, 2, and4can be implemented in other systems described herein and vice versa.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, system10includes a single pressure sensor22and a single air valve16connected to main printer fluid line42. However, these components may be replicated and/or located in other suitable locations of system10. For example, in some implementations, separate pressure sensors22are located within channels18of each respective printhead12of system10. Likewise, in some implementations, air valve16is fluidly connected to respective printheads12through alternative channels without passing through main printer fluid line42. It is appreciated that main printer fluid line42can be integrated into a printer cartridge or other housing for receiving printheads12. For example, in some implementations, main printer fluid line42can be a channel formed into a plastic housing of a printer cartridge. In some implementations, main printer fluid line42can be in the form of flexible tubing or other non-integrated fluidic connections between printheads12.

As described above, controller44is to signal to each ejector20to eject printer fluid through its respective nozzle14to form a respective meniscus30in each of the plurality of printheads12when air valve16is closed. In some implementations, controller44can control alternative or additional aspects of system10. For example, in some implementations, air valve16and/or pressure sensor22can be connected to controller44to allow controller44to open or close air valve16in accordance with system parameters or according to a schedule. As but one example, controller44can signal to air valve16to open if undesirably high or low pressure is sensed within printhead12. It appreciated that the various components of controller44can be housed within a common housing or can be in separate housings connected via one or more signal paths. As another example, in some implementations, a memory resource46of controller44and/or a processing resource48of controller44can be in a separate housing external of a computing device connected to system10via a plug or another signal path.

Suitable processing resources48of controller44can, for example, be in the form of a central processing unit (CPU), a semiconductor-based microprocessing resource, a digital signal processing resource (DSP) such as a digital image processing unit, other hardware devices or processing elements suitable to retrieve and execute instructions stored in a computer-readable medium, or suitable combinations thereof. Suitable processing resources can, for example, include single or multiple cores on a chip, multiple cores across multiple chips, multiple cores across multiple devices, or suitable combinations thereof. Suitable processing resources can be functional to fetch, decode, and execute instructions as described herein. As an alternative or in addition to retrieving and executing instructions, suitable processing resources can, for example, include at least one integrated circuit (IC), other control logic, other electronic circuits, or suitable combination thereof that include a number of electronic components for performing the functionality of instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. Suitable processing resources can, for example, be implemented across multiple processing units and instructions may be implemented by different processing units in different areas of controller44.

Suitable memory resources46of controller44can include any chine-readable storage medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system such as a computer/processor based system or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or other system that can fetch or obtain the logic from computer-readable medium and execute the instructions contained therein. Suitable machine-readable storage mediums can, for example, be in the form of non-transitory storage mediums. The term “non-transitory” as used herein can, for example, refer to mediums that do not encompass a transitory signal but instead are made up of one or more memory resource components configured to store relevant machine-readable instructions. Such mediums can, for example, be in the form of electronic, magnetic, optical or other physical storage mediums to store information, such as computer instructions.

As used herein, the term “machine-readable storage medium” can, for example, include Random Access Memory resource (RAM), flash memory resource, a storage drive (e.g., a hard disk), any type of storage disc (e.g., a Compact Disc Read Only Memory resource (CD-ROM), any other type of compact disc, a DVD, etc.), and the like, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, mediums can correspond to a memory resource including a main memory resource, such as a Random Access Memory resource (RAM), where software may reside during runtime, and a secondary memory resource. The secondary memory resource can, for example, include a nonvolatile memory resource where a copy of machine-readable instructions are stored. It is appreciated that instructions and data can be stored on separate machine-readable storage mediums. For purposes of clarity, multiple memory resources can be identified as a single memory resource and multiple processing resources can be identified as a single processing resource.

FIG. 5illustrates an example printhead array40including printer fluid26and an attached reservoir28.FIG. 5illustrates respective meniscuses30formed at the bottom of respective nozzles14due to back pressure caused by ejection of printer fluid by respective ejectors20while air valve16is closed. For illustration, various aspects of the systems ofFIGS. 1 and 2are referred to with respect to the system ofFIG. 4and common reference numbers are used between the figures. However, it is appreciated that the use of common reference numbers are for illustration and are not intended to suggest that one or more aspects of the various apparatuses described herein are required in every implementation described herein. That is, suitable aspects of the systems ofFIGS. 1, 2, and 5can be implemented in other systems described herein and vice versa.

In this implementation, indicator24includes a first indicator light50that activates if pressure readings from pressure sensor22indicate that back pressure within main printer fluid line42was substantially maintained over a predetermined idle time. Indicator24further includes a second indicator light52that activates if pressure readings from pressure sensor22indicate that back pressure was not substantially maintained over the predetermined idle time. Indicator24further includes a third indicator light54that activates once a predetermined back pressure has been achieved within main printer fluid line42.

FIG. 6illustrates an implementation of a printer56including a system10to assist in detecting air leaks within a printhead. For simplicity, system10is depicted and referenced as the same system described above with respect toFIGS. 1-2 and 4-5, however it is appreciated that modifications to the system or alternative implementations of system10can be used. As described in further detail below, printer56includes a housing58that houses various internal parts of printer56, a printing cavity60in which system10and other components are located, first, second, and third media trays62,64, and66for holding a printer media68, buttons70to allow user input for printer56, and a display screen72to display information regarding printer56. It is appreciated that, in some implementations, printer56may include additional, fewer, or alternative components. As but one example, in some implementations, printer56may not include buttons70or display screen72and may instead be remotely controlled by an external computer or controller.

In use, printer media68is passed through a slot74of printer56and is then positioned under a printer cartridge76. Cartridge76includes an array of printheads12for ejecting printer fluid onto printer media68. Each printhead can, for example, be fluidly connected to respective printer fluid tanks to receive printer fluid from each tank. System10is designed for use with a fixed position print bar with a substrate-wide array of nozzles14. In such implementations, printer media68can, during printing, be moved under nozzles14of cartridge76. Cartridge76can be designed to print text, pictures, or other graphics80onto media68by propelling droplets of liquid printing fluid onto media68. For example, when the printhead is located at the desired width and length location, the printhead can be instructed to propel one or more droplets of printing fluid onto the substrate in order to print graphic80onto the substrate. The printhead and/or the substrate can then be moved to another position and the printhead can be instructed to propel additional droplets of printing fluid onto the substrate in order to continue printing the graphic onto the substrate.

Housing58of printer56is designed to house various internal parts of printer56, such as system10, a feeder module to feed printer media through printer56along feed direction82, a processor for controlling operation of printer56, a power supply for printer56, and other internal components of printer56. In some implementations, housing58can be formed from a single piece of material, such as metal or plastic sheeting. In some implementations, housing58can be formed by securing multiple panels or other structures to each other. For example, in some implementations, housing58is formed by attaching separate front, rear, top, bottom, and side panels. Housing58can include various openings, such as openings to allow media trays62,64, and66to be inserted into housing58, as well as vents78to allow airflow into the interior of printer56.

Media trays62,64, and66can be used to store printer media, such as for example printer paper. Each media tray can, for example, be designed to hold the same or a different size media. For example, media tray62can be designed to hold standard letter-sized paper, media tray64can be designed to hold A4 paper, and media tray66can be designed to hold 11×17 paper. It is appreciated that system10can be used in printers with only a single media tray or in some implementations, with no media trays.

Printer56can include one or more input devices to send operator inputs printer56. For example, as depicted inFIG. 6, such input devices can include buttons70, which can, for example, be designed to allow an operator to cancel, resume, or scroll through print jobs. Buttons70can also be designed to allow an operator to view or modify printer settings. It is appreciated that in some implementations, printer56can be remotely controlled by a remote computer or operator and may not include buttons70or other user inputs.

Printer56can include one or more output devices to provide output information from printer56to an operator. For example, as depicted inFIG. 6, such an output device can be in the form of a display screen72connected to a processor to display information regarding printer56, such as information regarding a current or queued print job, information regarding settings of printer56, or other information. It is appreciated that printer56may include other types of output devices to convey information regarding printer56, such as a speaker or other suitable output device.

In some implementations, display screen72and buttons70can be combined into a single input/output unit. For example, in some implementations, display screen72can be in the form of a single touchscreen that both accepts input and displays output. In some implementations, printer56does not include any input/output units and is instead connected to another device or devices for receiving input and sending output. For example, in some implementations, printer56can interface with a remote computer over the internet or within an internal network. The remote computer can, for example, receive input from a keyboard or other suitable input device, and output information regarding printer56via a monitor or other suitable output device.

While certain implementations have been shown and described above, various changes in form and details may be made. For example, some features that have been described in relation to one implementation and/or process can be related to other implementations. In other words, processes, features, components, and/or properties described in relation to one implementation can be useful in other implementations. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the systems and methods described herein can include various combinations and/or sub-combinations of the components and/or features of the different implementations described. Thus, features described with reference to one or more implementations can be combined with other implementations described herein. It is further appreciated that the choice of materials for the parts described herein can be informed by the requirements of mechanical properties, temperature sensitivity, moldability properties, or any other factor apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art. For example, one more of the parts (or a portion of one of the parts) can be made from suitable plastics, metals, and/or other suitable materials.