Patents Examined by Lamson Nguyen
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Patent number: 9744784Abstract: Printhead carriers and adapters are disclosed. An example disclosed printhead carrier includes a base to carry a printhead assembly; a first pivot mechanism to pivot the base about a first axis; and a second pivot mechanism to pivot a connector about a second axis different than the first axis, the printhead assembly to be removably coupled to the connector.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2016Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Robert P. Gotschewski, Timothy T. Anderson
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Patent number: 9744770Abstract: A cleaning pad for wiping an encoder strip in a printer has a body of absorbent material. The cleaning pad includes a hygroscopic lubricating liquid.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Eik-Shern Lee, Yuexiang Huang, Deyang Wang
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Patent number: 9738073Abstract: The present invention provides a printing head comprising a plurality of sub-heads each comprising a base and a plurality of diversion trenches provided in the base, and one end of each of the diversion trenches is connected to one of nozzles of the sub-head. Projections of all the diversion trenches on a first plane in a first projection direction are arranged at an equal interval, the first plane is a plane defined by an arrangement direction and a length direction of the diversion trenches in the sub-head, and the first projection direction is a moving direction of the printing head with respect to a printing surface during printing. The spacing of the diversion trenches in each of the sub-heads is greater than that of the projections of all the diversion trenches in the first plane on the first projection direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.Inventors: Qing Dai, Chunjing Hu, Ying Cui, Ze Liu, Shoulei Shi
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Patent number: 9738091Abstract: In order to provide a thermal printer capable of reliably performing an electric disconnection inspection for a heating element in the case of an optical identification code such as a bar code, reducing frequency of the electric disconnection inspection as necessary, and performing the electric disconnection inspection suitably for a use condition, a thermal printer includes: a platen roller that feeds a paper sheet; a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements for printing print data on a print area of the paper sheet fed by the platen roller; and a CPU that serves as an inspection unit that inspects whether or not there is an electric disconnection in the heating element and a control unit that controls operations of the inspection unit. The CPU is configured to change the inspection frequency.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: SATO HOLDINGS KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Koji Yoshizawa, Masayuki Iioka
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Patent number: 9738067Abstract: A liquid injection device includes a liquid injection head and a controller that generates a driving signal including first through fourth driving pulses in one liquid drop injection period and supplies the driving signal to the liquid injection head. The discharge time period of each of the first and second driving pulses is preferably set to about (½)×Tc. The start timing of the second driving pulse is preferably set to about m×Tc (m?1) after the start of the first driving pulse. The second ink drop is preferably set to be injected at a speed of the first ink drop or higher. The start timing of the third driving pulse is preferably set to about (n+(½))×Tc (n?1) after the start of the second driving pulse. The start timing of the fourth driving pulse is preferably set to about p×Tc (p?2) after the start of the third driving pulse. The fourth ink drop is injected at a speed of the third ink drop or higher.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: ROLAND DG CORPORATIONInventors: Keisuke Misawa, Takashi Makinose, Kenji Kawagoe
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Patent number: 9724914Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus includes a first piezoelectric element that includes a pair of electrodes including a first electrode and that is displaced according to a potential change of a driving signal in a case where the driving signal is supplied to the first electrode, a reference piezoelectric element that includes a pair of electrodes including a reference electrode, an internal space of which a volume changes in response to displacement of the reference piezoelectric element, and a detecting unit that detects a potential of the first electrode via a first wire and detects a potential of the reference electrode via a second wire in a first detection period which is a period after the first piezoelectric element is displaced due to the driving signal, in which the internal space is not filled with the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Kazuhito Fujisawa
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Patent number: 9718288Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer uses a target located on one side of media to position an image on the other side of the media. The printer backlights the media and uses a sensor that locates the target through the backlit media.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Jordi Hernandez Creus, Yngvar Rossow Sethne, Josep M. Aymerich i Bolta
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Patent number: 9713923Abstract: A printhead is provided having an elongate support having a plurality of internal webs protruding from a base section to define a plurality of parallel fluid supply channels, a shim supported by the support and defining a plurality of rows of openings through which fluid from respective supply channels is supplied, and a plurality of elongate printhead modules supported serially on the shim. Each module defines a plurality of fluid supply passages through which fluid passes to fluid ejection nozzles from respective rows of the openings. Either end of each module defines complementary formations such that adjacent modules nest together.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Memjet Technology LimitedInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
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Patent number: 9715644Abstract: One embodiment comprises a system that includes a first print head that applies a colorant to a medium based on a first bitmap that indicates printable features for the medium, and a second print head that applies a clear protectant to the medium based on a second bitmap. The system receives the first bitmap, and replicates the printable features in the first bitmap to generate the second bitmap. The system identifies boundaries of the printable features in the second bitmap, and expands the boundaries of the printable features in the second bitmap where the clear protectant is applied to the medium. The system directs the first print head to apply the colorant to the medium to form the printable features based on the first bitmap, and directs the second print head to apply the clear protectant to the printable features formed on the medium based on the second bitmap.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: John Thomas Varga, Alexandru Virgil Panek
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Patent number: 9707776Abstract: Method and means of printing on a web. The method means comprise in a normal mode: feeding the web in a machine direction; printing on the web with a printer; and drying or curing the printing with a dryer or curer located downstream, with respect to the machine direction, of the printer; and in a pause mode: pausing printing on the web; feeding the web in the machine direction while printing on the web is paused by a distance such that a portion of the web located between the printer and the dryer or curer, the portion having printing thereon that has not yet been cured or dried, is fed through the dryer or curer to dry or cure the printing; and thereafter pausing feeding of the web in the machine direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: SICPA HOLDING SAInventors: Sylvain Gady, Sebastien Mazerolle, Nicolas Uebelhart
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Patent number: 9701143Abstract: [Object] To provide a method and apparatus for discharging a liquid material, which can solve the problems regarding the occurrence of a satellite and accuracy of a landing position. [Solving Means] In a method for discharging a liquid material in the state of a liquid droplet through a discharge orifice by applying inertial force to the liquid material, the method is characterized in comprising the steps of measuring a distance A from a lower end of the discharge orifice to a lower end of the liquid material having flowed out from the discharge orifice at the time when the liquid material having flowed out from the discharge orifice separates from the discharge orifice, and setting a distance B between the lower end of the discharge orifice and a work surface to be approximately the same as the distance A. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: MUSASHI ENGINEERING, INC.Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima
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Patent number: 9703249Abstract: When fixing is not necessary in a printing apparatus including a fixing unit, a sheet to be conveyed is allowed to avoid the fixing unit. Specifically, a fixing unit-bypass path is provided on a conveying path corresponding to the fixing unit. Further, when a surface treatment material is not applied to a sheet from a surface treatment material applying head, that is, when fixing processing is not performed by the fixing unit, a sheet is conveyed along a fixing unit-bypass path. Since a sheet is conveyed along an bypass path when fixing processing is not performed as described above, it is possible to prevent a sheet from being affected by heat or the like while the sheet passes through the fixing unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kota Uchida, Kengo Nieda, Ryosuke Araki, Shinya Asano, Kanto Kurasawa, Mika Masuda, Yusuke Nakaya
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Patent number: 9701135Abstract: A terminal receives contents to be written on a note by a user, a server stores and manages print data generated by a plurality of users and outputs the print data to an image forming apparatus which outputs the print data in the form of an adhesive note. The image forming apparatus includes a de-curl unit for correcting the curl of a recording medium and causes the recording medium on which printing is performed to be popped out through an outlet. The server communicates with a plurality of terminals and includes a control unit which generates a virtual conference space by assigning a storage address to the virtual conference space when a request of generating a virtual conference space and identification information on an image forming apparatus to be used in the virtual conference space from among the plurality of terminals is received.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: S-PRINTING SOLUTION CO., LTD.Inventors: Soo Hwan Bae, Naveen Maheshwari, Jeong Jin Park, Yu Jin Oh, Eun-Young Cho
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Patent number: 9694591Abstract: An inkjet printing system is disclosed and comprises at least one fluid reservoir containing a fluid, a fluid line that fluidly couples the at least one fluid reservoir with an imaging device, and a fluid level sensing apparatus fluidly coupled with the at least one fluid reservoir. The fluid level sensing apparatus comprises: a bottom portion having a fluid volume VB; an intermediate portion vertically adjacent the bottom portion and having a fluid volume VI, the intermediate portion including a first fluid sensor spaced vertically from a second fluid sensor; and an upper portion vertically adjacent the intermediate portion and having a fluid volume Vu, wherein Vu>VI>VB. The inkjet printing system also comprises a pump fluidly coupled with the at least one fluid level sensing apparatus and configured to exert fluid pressure along the at least one fluid level sensing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Robert H. Muyskens, Michael A. Marra
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Patent number: 9694623Abstract: A drawing apparatus includes a drawing unit, a test-writing portion, and a control unit including a drawing tool identification unit. At least one drawing tool is loaded in the drawing unit and the drawing tool draws on a drawing target and a drawing medium different from the drawing target. A drawing medium is placed on the test-writing portion. The drawing tool identification unit acquires a test target image from an area on the drawing medium drawn with the drawing tool in the test-writing portion, and identifies a type of the drawing tool loaded in the drawing unit on the basis of the test target image.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Inventor: Hiroyasu Bitoh
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Patent number: 9694608Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus includes a discharge unit capable of discharging a liquid to a discharge region, a medium movement unit capable of moving in movement directions while supporting a medium onto which the liquid is discharged, a base unit that constitutes a movement path along which the medium movement unit moves, a detected unit, and a detector unit capable of detecting a position of the medium movement unit by detecting the detected unit. The detected unit and the detector unit are disposed so that the detected unit is detected by the detector unit when the medium movement unit is at a protrusion position at which a one direction-side end portion of the medium movement unit which is at a one direction side in the movement directions protrudes more toward the one direction side than does a one direction-side end portion of the base unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Sumito Anzai
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Patent number: 9694603Abstract: An example support structure assembly is described as including a brace, a media guide, and a compression member. An example brace includes a structure defining a mount area on a first surface of the brace and a first protrusion extending from a second surface of the brace. An example media guide includes a blade member, a hinge member, and a second protrusion extending away from the hinge member. An example compression member is coupled to the first protrusion of the brace and the second protrusion of the media guide to place a force on the media guide where a vector defines the force with a first component magnitude in a first direction towards the mount area that is greater than a second component magnitude in a second direction away from the mount area.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Keith Jariabka, Alvin Post
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Patent number: 9694609Abstract: A page-wide inkjet printer for determining a drying time of a print swath of ink deposited on a sheet of media by a fixed printhead spanning a width of a printing zone in a subscan direction. The printer has a controller communicatively coupled to each of the printhead and a moveable gloss sensor or a scan bar for processing a respective output response for the determining the drying time of the print swath.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2016Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: John Thomas Writt, Jose Paul Sacoto Aguilar
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Patent number: 9688085Abstract: A printer configured to perform printing on recording paper includes a body and a lid. The body includes a holder configured to accommodate the recording paper. The lid is attached to the body to be opened and closed relative to the body. An opening is formed at the bottom of the holder to allow attachment of a function module to the bottom of the holder.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITEDInventors: Yuji Yada, Tetsuhiro Ishikawa, Tatsuya Oguchi, Masahiro Tsuchiya, Sumio Watanabe
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Patent number: 9688080Abstract: There is provided an inkjet printing apparatus and an inkjet printing method that may obtain a printed matter that excels in glossiness. An inkjet printing apparatus 1 has an irradiation controller 20. The irradiation controller 20 turns on ones of a plurality of irradiation elements corresponding to passes before and inclusive of a (n?m)th pass (m is an integer smaller than n and greater than or equal to 1), and turns off or controls ones of the plurality of irradiation elements corresponding to a last (m)th pass to have a lower illuminance than the irradiation elements corresponding to the passes before and inclusive of the (n?m)th pass.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.Inventor: Masakatsu Okawa
