Abstract: A Method of Making a High Precision Microelectromechanical Capacitor with Programmable Voltage Source includes steps for forming a monolithic MEMS device having a capacitance actuator, a trim capacitor, and a high precision, programmable voltage source. The trim capacitor has a variable capacitance value, preferably for making fine adjustments in capacitance. The capacitance actuator is preferably mechanically coupled to and electrically isolated from the trim capacitor and is used to control the capacitance value of the trim capacitor. The capacitance adjustment of the trim capacitor is non-destructive and may be repeated indefinitely. The trim capacitor may be adjusted by mechanically changing the distance between its electrodes. The programmable voltage source provides a highly accurate and stable output voltage potential corresponding to control signals for controlling the capacitance actuator.

Abstract: An electronic imaging system and method are provided that include an image capturing component, such as a digital camera, an image rendering component, such as a printer, digital projector, video screen, etc., each of which requires an intelligence circuit for operation, and an intelligence module detachably connectable to either of the imaging components for providing the required control circuit. The intelligence module includes a microprocessor and memory, and each of the image capturing and rendering components of the system includes a memory for storing operating instructions. The intelligence module downloads the operating instructions of the particular imaging component it is connected to in order to operate the same. The use of a single control module to operate a broad spectrum of digital imaging components advantageously simplifies the circuitry of the components, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances reliability by minimizing processing steps and circuit interfaces.

Abstract: A printer and method of generating hard copy comprising only one ejection step from either a thermal printing mechanism using one print head or a thermal printing mechanism using first and second thermal printing heads. The thermal printing mechanism with one printing head operates bilaterally. Alternatively, the thermal printing mechanism simultaneously operates dual thermal printing heads with only one ejection for release of a thermally sensitive hard copy output media.

Abstract: A thermal ink jet printer for printing an image on a receiver and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a print head defining a first chamber and a second chamber therein. The first chamber contains a working fluid and the second chamber contains an ink body. A flexible membrane separates the first chamber and the second chamber. A first transducer in the first chamber induces a first pressure wave in the working fluid that flexes the membrane into the second chamber to pressurize the ink body and eject an ink drop from the second chamber through an outlet. A second transducer in the first chamber induces a second pressure wave that flexes the membrane into the second chamber to damp the first pressure wave transmitted into the second chamber.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus and method of assembly therefor for cleaning an inkjet print head. The cleaning apparatus comprises a web supply for supplying a cleaning web therefrom and a web receiver for receiving the web. A web drive drives the web from the web supply to the web receiver. The web drive pulls the web from the web supply with a first tension force and also pulls the web onto the web receiver with a second tension force greater than the first tension force, so that the web is wrinkle-free while the web slidably engages an exterior surface of the print head to clean the print head. The web remains wrinkle-free to ensure that the surface of the web will contact the surface of the print head without gaps in contact coverage. This enhances cleaning effectiveness compared to a cleaning web having wrinkles.

Abstract: A continuous color ink jet print head (40) for an electronic printing device is composed of a nozzle (42), pressurized ink sources (46, 48), and a print head surface (50) having channels (61, 62, 64, 66) disposed therein such that each channel (61, 62, 64, 66) is in communication with the nozzle (42). The continuous color ink jet print head (40) also includes a microvalve (52, 56) disposed within each of the channels (61, 62, 64, 66) such that each channel (61, 62, 64, 66) is connected through the microvalve (52, 56) to a pressurized ink source (46, 48), thereby permitting ink from the pressurized ink source (46, 48) to flow through the channel (61, 62, 64, 66) and thereafter be ejected from the nozzle (42) when the pressurized ink source (46, 48) has attained a particular threshold pressure.

Abstract: Printer ink cartridge and method of assembling same. The cartridge comprises a shell formed by a wall defining a cavity in the shell for storing ink. Disposed in the shell is a print head for ejecting ink drops through ink ejection orifices formed in the shell. The shell also defines an inlet port through the wall for allowing access to the cavity. An elastomeric seal or septum is matingly disposed in the port for sealing the port, the septum having a slit centrally therethrough for receiving an ink supply needle. A removable barrier is interposed between the cavity and the septum during manufacture of the cartridge. The barrier covers the port for isolating the ink in the cavity from the septum in order to avoid chemical interaction between the ink and the septum. During refilling of the cartridge, the ink supply needle is received through the slit and pushes the barrier from the port to allow refill ink to be supplied into the cavity.

Abstract: System for reproducing images and method thereof. An image acquisition device belonging to the system acquires the image and converts the image into indicia, which is defined by a digitally encoded compressed representation of the image in the form of one or more data image files. The image files are downloaded to a first printer which prints the indicia onto a first recording medium. The indicia printed on the first recording medium may overlay the image without interfering with enjoyment of the image because the indicia is printed in an invisible dye. In order to produce a quality reproduction of the original image, a sensor, which is disposed in sensing relationship to the indicia on the first recording medium, senses the indicia and generates a digital output signal in response to the indicia sensed thereby.

Abstract: An improved continuous ink jet printing system which continually recirculates its ink through an ion-exchange treatment is disclosed. The system includes collecting guttered ink for reconstitution and recirculation and propelling said collected and recircultating ink through an ion-exchange column and then to an ink supply reservoir and on through the nozzle bores of continuous ink jet print heads.

Abstract: A thermal ink jet printer having enhanced heat removal capability and method of assembling the printer. The thermal inkjet printer includes a thermal inkjet print bead adapted to hold an ink body therein. A heating element is adapted to be in fluid communication with the ink body for generating heat to heat the ink body. A vapor bubble forms in the ink body to eject an ink drop when the heating element causes the ink body to reach a predetermined temperature. Presence of the vapor bubble forces on ink drop out the printer to form an image on a recording medium. A conductive heat removal structure is in thermal communication with the heating element and is also in fluid communication with the ink body. Heat generated by the heating element is transferred from the heating element and into the heat removal structure. The heat removal structure then surrenders the heat to the ink body, which functions as an “infinite” heat sink.

Abstract: An inkjet printer cartridge adapted for enhanced cleaning thereof, and method of assembling the printer cartridge. An inkjet printer cartridge comprises a cartridge body defining a chamber therein. A substrate is coupled to the cartridge body and has a hole therethrough in communication with the chamber. An orifice plate is coupled to the substrate and has an orifice therethrough aligned with the hole. A platform is coupled to the substrate and surrounds the orifice plate. The platform defines a relatively smooth surface thereon having a predetermined surface roughness for sealably engaging a cap belonging to a print head cleaning service station movable into engagement with the printer cartridge. The surface of the platform may have a surface roughness of between approximately 0.5 microinches and approximately 2.0 microinches. Moreover, the surface of the platform is also level for sealably engaging the cap.

Abstract: A multi-functional scanner and method of assembling same. In this regard, the invention provides a combination scanning, editing and display apparatus contained in a single housing. The scanner is configured as a flatbed scanner with a display screen mounted in a cover belonging to the scanner. The display screen is touch sensitive for editing images and electronically inputting text. The scanner has electronic input connections such as CD disk, CDR disk, DVD disk, floppy, electronic memory cards, and smart cards to display images directly from these devices or store images directly in memory. The scanner is capable of interrogating an output device (e.g., printer) that may be connected to the scanner for determining type of output device and format of output.

Abstract: Ink jet printer system for printing an image on a web overlaying a removable substrate and method of assembling the printer. The ink jet printer system comprises an ink jet print head for jetting ink onto the web to form an image on the web. A feeder mechanism is coupled to the print head for feeding the web and substrate past the print head during printing. A first roller is aligned with the feeder mechanism and is adapted to engage the substrate for removing the substrate from the web. A second roller is aligned with the first roller, the second roller being adapted to layer a covering onto the printed image as the first roller removes the substrate from the web. A third roller is aligned with the second roller for supplying the covering to the second roller. In this manner, a layered web is defined. Moreover, a steaming core is provided to bundle-up the layered web, so that a steaming roll is defined thereby.

Abstract: A self-cleaning printer system (400) with cleaning liquid (300) and cleaning mechanism (140) with a rotating disk cleaning assembly (32) can be used to remove contaminants from a print head (16) in the self-cleaning ink jet printer system (400). A rotating disk cleaning assembly (32) is disposed relative to the surface (15) of a print head (16) for directing a flow of cleaning liquid (300) along the surface (15) and to direct sliding contact of a disk (190) to clean the contaminants from the surface (15). The rotating disk cleaning assembly (32) is configured to introduce cleaning liquid (300) to the print head surface (15) to facilitate and augment cleaning by the disk (190). Flow of the cleaning liquid (300) is facilitated by vacuum pump (36) which directs cleaning liquid (300) from a cleaning liquid reservoir (270) to the rotating disk cleaning assembly (32).

Abstract: Drop-on-demand ink jet printer capable of directional control of ink drop ejection and method of assembling the method. The method comprises a print head body having an ink ejection orifice adapted to poise an ink meniscus thereat about a center axis passing through the orifice. A deflector is coupled to the print head body and is adapted to be in communication with the poised meniscus for lowering surface tension of a region of the poised meniscus. The poised meniscus deflects away from the region of lower surface tension and away from the center axis to define a deflected meniscus, whereby an ink drop separated from the deflected meniscus travels at an angle with respect to the center axis, so that the ink drop can strike a receiver at any one of a plurality of predetermined locations on a print line.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pump [10] for pumping various primary fluids. A body is formed from silicon dies [102,104]. A primary fluid channel [110] is formed in the body and a primary fluid supply [122] is coupled to the primary fluid channel [110] to supply a primary fluid to the primary fluid channel [110]. A mechanism for introducing a secondary fluid to an interface region of the primary fluid channel [110] is formed in the body. An energy delivery device is formed in the body to deliver energy to an interface between region between the primary fluid and the secondary fluid to create a thermal gradient along the fluid interface. The thermal gradient results in a surface tension gradient along the interface. The primary fluid will move to compensate for the surface tension gradient. Various semiconductor fabrication processes can be used to form the elements on the body.

Abstract: A printer capable of forming an image on a receiver substrate according to type of receiver substrate, and a method of assembling the printer. An identifier containing identifier information is associated with each component of the receiver substrate which, for example, comprises paper and, optionally, laminate media. A sensor is disposed to read the identifier information so that an image forming operation can be adjusted based on identified receiver substrate components and media. For example transponder, serving as the identifier, is coupled to a memory device capable of storing information characteristic of media type. A transceiver, serving as the sensor, is disposed within the printer. The transceiver includes antennae disposed for polling an individual transponder attached to each media type. The transponder receives a first radio frequency field from the transceiver and, deriving power and address information from the first frequency, then generates a second radio frequency field in response.

Abstract: A method for singulating a semiconductor silicon wafer (10) comprising a plurality of semiconductor dice (20) arranged along a multiplicity of intersecting streets (30). Initially, a layer of photoresist (15)is patterned on the backside of the wafer (10). The semiconductor silicon wafer (10) is then etched using dry etching methods. As such, slots (22) are etched through the silicon of the wafer (10) aligned to the streets (30) forming a perforation. Simultaneously, tethers (40) are formed between the slots (22) interconnecting the adjacent dice (20) in order to maintain the wafer (10) mechanically intact. Furthermore, a membrane comprising integrated circuitry on the silicon wafer (10) is formed. The dice (20) of the wafer (10) are then separated for various purposes along the perforations. This is accomplished by applying pressure, such as manual pressure, to the wafer (10) so as to sever the tethers (40) which interconnect the dice (20) at their region (50) of reduced dimension.

Abstract: An asymmetric heat-type inkjet printer includes an inkjet printhead having at least one nozzle for continuously ejecting a stream of ink that forms a train of ink droplets, a heater disposed adjacent to the nozzle for selectively thermally deflecting the droplet forming stream of ink either toward a printing medium, or an ink gutter that captures and recirculates the ink. To increase the angle of deflection that the intermittently operated heater imposes on the droplet-forming stream of ink, a steering fluid assembly is provided in communication with the inkjet nozzle for co-extruding a thin film of fluid around the ink which has a higher volatility and a lower thermal diffusivity than the liquid forming the ink. When the ink is water based, the steering fluid may be, for example, polyethylene oxide based surfactant, or isopropanol.

Abstract: A printer having precision ink drying capability and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a print head that is adapted to eject a plurality of ink drops through outlet orifices defined by the print head. The ink drops form a plurality of ink marks at a plurality of locations on a recording medium positioned opposite the outlet orifices. A plurality of heaters is disposed near the print head for heating the ink marks on the recording media in order to dry the ink marks. Drying the ink marks fixes the ink to the recording media. A plurality of sensors, that are disposed near the print head are also coupled to respective ones of the heaters for sensing the locations of the ink marks on the recording media. In addition, a controller interconnects each of the heaters to respective ones of the sensors for selectively energizing the heaters according to the locations of the ink marks sensed on the recording media by the sensors.