Lexmark International, Inc.

Carson A Fischer

John Glenn Edelen

Steven Wayne Bergstedt

Methods and apparatus for improving modularity in a micro-fluid ejection device and for providing instruction data to a plurality of data handling devices within a micro-fluid ejection device. The method includes generating device data and appending an address to the device data to generate instruction data. The address typically indicates at least one data handling device within the micro-fluid ejection device for which the device data is intended. The instruction data is provided to a plurality of data handling devices including at least one data controller. The data controller is operated to decode the address from the instruction data and select at least one data handling device to receive the device data based upon the decoded address. The device data is thereby input into each selected data handling device and subsequently used to operate the micro-fluid ejection device.

Enhanced communications protocol for improved modularity in a micro-fluid ejection device

Current control circuit for micro-fluid ejection heaters. In one embodiment, the current through a heater in a micro-fluid ejection device may be monitored and regulated to maintain a particular value or range of values. In such an embodiment, the heater current may be monitored and compared to a reference value. A signal may be induced based upon the divergence of the heater current from the value and the signal may be applied to the logic switch for the monitored heater. The logic switch may regulate the current through the heater based upon the induced signal. As a result of the regulation of the current, the induced signal may dynamically change thereby allowing fast regulation of the heater current.

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Georgetown, KY, United States of America

Carson A Fischer