Patents Examined by Leonard Liang
  • Patent number: 8042934
    Abstract: An inkjet printer that includes a printhead configured to eject ink. The printhead is housed in a housing. A capping device is pivotally fastened with respect to the housing to be pivotal into and out of capping engagement with the printhead. The mechanism includes an arm pivotally mounted with respect to the housing and a capping leg extending transversely from the arm to cap the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8029127
    Abstract: The inkjet apparatus for double-side recording, comprises: liquid ejection heads which are disposed on either side of a recording medium and face each other across the recording medium, the liquid ejection heads ejecting liquid onto recording surfaces of the recording medium; conveyance devices which hold the recording medium in such a manner that a normal of each of the recording surfaces is substantially horizontal, and convey the recording medium in a horizontal direction in such a manner that the recording surfaces face ejection surfaces of the liquid ejection heads; and end supporting devices which support an upper end and a lower end of the recording medium, as the conveyance devices convey the recording medium in a horizontal direction while holding the recording medium in such a manner that the normal of each of the recording surfaces is substantially horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Takatsuka
  • Patent number: 8025350
    Abstract: A printing and display device is provided having a base unit for placement on a surface, a flat panel display unit, an arm extending between the base unit and the flat panel display unit so that the flat panel display unit is supported on the surface by the base unit, and a printer arranged within the flat panel display unit. The base unit has a receptacle for removably receiving a printing fluid cartridge. Printing fluid from the received cartridge is supplied from the base unit to the printer via hoses in the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8016408
    Abstract: A printing device includes a liquid spraying head unit and a light radiation head unit. The liquid spraying head unit is configured and arranged to spray a photo-curable liquid to a printing medium. The light radiation head unit is configured and arranged to radiate curing light rays to the photo-curable liquid on the printing medium to cause the photo-curable liquid to be cured. The light radiation head unit includes a light emitting body and a reflector. The light emitting body is arranged on a light source arrangement surface extending non-parallel to the printing medium. The reflector is configured and arranged to reflect the curing light ray emitted from the light emitting body toward the photo-curable liquid sprayed on the printing medium. The reflector is arranged on a reflector arrangement surface facing the light source arrangement surface and extending non-parallel to the printing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Keigo Sugai
  • Patent number: 8011781
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of forming an image, which allows a high quality image to be formed on an intermediate transfer body including a surface layer with an ink-repelling property, and then to be transferred at a high transfer rate, and provides an image forming apparatus therefor. In the embodiment of the present invention, an ink image is formed on the intermediate transfer body, on the surface of which an oil and a water-soluble surfactant having surface tension in a range between more than 0 times and not more than 1.1 times of that of the oil are present. Subsequently, the formed ink image is transferred to a recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Taniuchi, Akihiro Mouri
  • Patent number: 8007095
    Abstract: A system for reading a coded marker of an ink stick has been developed. The system includes an optical detector that detects light reflected from different areas of the generates signals in response to detecting light having at least two signal strengths that is reflected from different areas of the coded marker. A controller processes the signals from the optical detector to identify a code word encoded into the coded marker of the ink stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Carl Tidrick
  • Patent number: 7370959
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing an ink-jet recording sheet including a support and a colorant receiving layer disposed on the surface of the support, and an ink-jet recording sheet prepared by the method. The method including: coating a coating solution including inorganic fine particles, a water-soluble resin and a boron compound on the surface of the support to form a coated layer; and cross-linking and hardening the coated layer to form a colorant receiving layer. The cross-linking and hardening is performed by applying a solution containing a metal compound and having a pH of 8 or higher to the coated layer or a coated film at one of: (1) simultaneous as coating the coating solution; (2) during drying of the coated layer and before the coated layer shows a falling rate of drying; or (3) after the coated layer is dried to form the coated film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kobayashi, Kazuyuki Koike
  • Patent number: 7350914
    Abstract: A recording apparatus is provided in which a space can be secured on a desk without performing a troublesome operation, and penetration of dust or foreign matter into a main body can be prevented when the apparatus is not used, and a sheet jam caused by closing of a sheet-discharge-port cover does not occur when the apparatus is used. In the apparatus, a magnet unit is provided at a sheet feeding cover covering a sheet feeding opening, and a metal member is provided at a sheet-discharge-port cover for covering a sheet discharge port. By attraction of the metal member of the sheet-discharge-port cover by the magnet unit of the sheet feeding cover, and a locked state is provided, to provide a shell structure. Linked with opening of the sheet feeding cover, the sheet-discharge-port cover is automatically opened by its own weight. A DC jack is disposed at a right side of the printer main body, and an I/F (interface) connector is disposed within a detachable side cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasufumi Tanaami, Shoichi Kan
  • Patent number: 7347543
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is featured with excellent operability of storage at the time of non-use, as well as excellent operability of charging the battery, in addition to such advantages as thin and battery-driven, and preferably suitable for portable use. A cradle provided for this image forming apparatus functions as a placement stand when an ink jet printer, which is provided with a battery charger mounted thereon, is inserted in the direction designated appropriately at the time of non-use. When the ink jet printer having the battery charger thus mounted thereon is contained in the cradle, the contact point portion of the battery charger and the contact terminal portion of the cradle are electrically connected. Therefore, the battery incorporated in the battery charger is charged when the AC adopter cable is inserted into the CDL-DCin jack of the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Kan, Yasufumi Tanaami
  • Patent number: 7338154
    Abstract: An image printing apparatus including a conveyance-printing section for printing on a recording medium sheet; a first printing device including a plurality of black printing heads for jetting image-setting black ink drops onto the recording medium sheet; a second printing device including a plurality of color printing heads for jetting image-setting color ink drops onto the recording medium sheet; first light radiating devices which radiate ultraviolet rays to harden the image-setting black ink drops; and second light radiating devices which radiate the ultraviolet rays to harden the image-setting color ink drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Hasebe, Saburo Shimizu, Takeo Arai, Satoshi Masumi, Tetsu Sekine, Shuta Hamada
  • Patent number: 7325916
    Abstract: An apparatus for digitally generating an image includes a printer for generating a desired image either on a final substrate or a carrier sheet with the image then being transferred from the carrier sheet onto the final substrate. The generated image is “built up” on the carrier sheet or substrate to form a sign, thereby eliminating the need for the weeding process. According to one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a printer that allows the digital application of adhesive onto an image, substantially placing an adhesive in register with the image, for subsequent application of the image with adhesive placed thereon. According to a further aspect of the present invention, a layer of adhesive is applied over a substrate. An image is built atop of the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Gerber Scientific International, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Baker, Jr., Mark E. Guckin, David J. Logan, Russell F. Croft
  • Patent number: 7314265
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a carriage for carrying a recording head and being scanningly movable in the apparatus; a guide shaft for guiding the carriage in a predetermined scanning direction; a drive transmitting portion for transmitting a driving force for scanning movement of the carriage; an elongated member in which information relating to a position of the carriage in the predetermined direction is recorded, the elongated member being elongate in the predetermined direction, and the elongated member being disposed across the carriage from the guide shaft; and a detecting member, provided in the carriage, for detecting information relating to the position in the predetermined direction recorded in the elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noriko Sato
  • Patent number: 7311395
    Abstract: Inkjet printing of barcodes is enhanced by several methods. In a printhead having two staggered columns of nozzles, using only the even (or odd) column enhances resolution of a vertical barcode element. Filling interior portions of the barcode element with the odd (or even) column improves barcode appearance. Barcode swelling, due to ink migration after application, is reduced by use of a depletion matrix to lessen the quantity of ink applied. Application of the depletion matrix to the edges of the barcode elements resists swelling where resolution is most required. Where a printing mask is applied to the edges of the barcode elements, the edges may be printed only by one column of printhead nozzles, or only during one direction of printhead movement, or both. Alternately, removal of one or more pixels along the edge of a barcode element allows each barcode element to swell to the desired size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Lluis Vinals-Matas, Josep-Maria Serra, Antoni Murcia
  • Patent number: 7311396
    Abstract: The invention relates to a barcode marking method and apparatus for an electro-luminescence display device. According to the barcode marking method and apparatus for an electro-luminescence display device of the present invention includes, an information barcode is marked on the electro-luminescence display devices by using the ink jetted from the ink-jet head while moving at least any one of the stage and the ink-jet head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Ho Kwon, Byung Soo Kim, Jin Ho Sunwoo, Yoon Heung Tak
  • Patent number: 7303273
    Abstract: A system and method for drying a printed medium includes a heated roll and a transport mechanism which moves the printed medium against the heated roll to dry the printed medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jalme Grady Jurrens, Eric Lee Burch
  • Patent number: 7296864
    Abstract: In a printing apparatus which performs printing by using a printhead having a printing element unit for performing printing and a memory block, the control circuit of the printing apparatus main body outputs a command for acquiring specific information from information held by the memory block. Upon reception of this command, the command control unit of a carriage control unit generates an access signal containing an address for reading out information designated by the command from the memory block. The command control unit accesses the memory block by the access signal, and acquires specific information corresponding to the command from the memory block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kimiyuki Hayasaki
  • Patent number: 7293869
    Abstract: The apparatus has a carriage that holds a head, a carriage-driving mechanism having a motor, and a holding mechanism configured to press a recording medium to a medium-holding base. The holding mechanism has a pair of arm members and a pushing member secured to the arm members. A spring urges the holding mechanism toward the medium-holding base. The carriage can move to a first region and farther to as second region. In the first region, the head can read data from the recording medium. The apparatus has a sliding member that moves together with the carriage while the carriage remains in the second region. When the carriage moves to the second region and moves together with the carriage, the pushing member moves away from the medium-holding base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Sanada, Toshiharu Sekino
  • Patent number: 7290873
    Abstract: Ink jet recording is performed using an ink that is adjusted such that the thickness dependence rate determined by dividing the difference in optical density between images having an ink layer thickness of 30 ?m and 15 ?m by the ink layer thickness difference of 15 ?m is less than 0.043 per unit layer thickness of 1 ?m or ?Eab* between the same hues is 8 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akemi Ouchi, Tsutomu Maekawa, Hidetoshi Fujii, Kunihiro Tamahashi, Yutaka Shoji
  • Patent number: 7287850
    Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus includes a printer portion provided in a main body and having a printing head, a recording paper holder provided in a portion of the main body near to the printer portion, a holder cover openably attached to the paper holder, a platen provided on the holder cover and facing the printing head when the holder cover covers the paper holder, and a paper sensor provided on the holder cover, located near to the platen, and detecting the recording paper. The apparatus may includes a water-drop proof cover removably attached on the main body, covering a portion of the outer surface region of the main body which faces the printed recording paper discharged out from a recording paper discharge port formed in the portion of the outer surface region, and housing the printed recording paper discharged out from the paper discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoyuki Matsui, Atsushi Oshiro, Masatoshi Ohtaka
  • Patent number: 7284804
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for interleaved printing of individual ink objects at target print sectors disbursed around an annular surface on a circular spinning media such as on a CD, dynamically during the radial printing process, are described. Mechanisms for interleaving printing during the radial printing process, enabling the use of commercially available ink jet pens for radial printing directly on CD devices at greater than 2× rotation speeds, and thus reducing pen limitations in firing frequency and recovery time, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Elesys, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Q. Jones, Michael R. Thompson, Carl E. Youngberg