Abstract: The invention is a fluid ejection device, such as a printhead, that has a substrate with a first surface mating to an orifice layer, preferably through a stack of thin-film layers. The orifice layer defines a fluid chamber interfacing to an orifice opening or nozzle. The substrate has a second surface having a truncated pyramidal structure; either polyhedral or triangular ridge shaped defining an opening through the substrate to the fluid chamber. The substrate further has an ejection element, preferably disposed as a resistor in the stack of thin-film layers. When energy is transferred from the ejection element to the fluid in the fluid chamber, fluid is ejected from the orifice opening. The fluid ejection device may have one or a plurality of fluid chambers and one or a plurality of frustums of a truncated polyhedral, truncated pyramidal, truncated conical or truncated triangular cross-sectional ridge structures defining openings from the second surface of the substrate to the fluid chambers.

Abstract: The invention is a fluid ejection device, such as a printhead, that has a substrate with a first surface mating to an orifice layer, preferably through a stack of thin-film layers. The orifice layer defines a fluid chamber interfacing to an orifice opening or nozzle. The substrate has a second surface having a truncated pyramidal structure; either polyhedral or triangular ridge shaped defining an opening through the substrate to the fluid chamber. The substrate further has an ejection element, preferably disposed as a resistor in the stack of thin-film layers. When energy is transferred from the ejection element to the fluid in the fluid chamber, fluid is ejected from the orifice opening. The fluid ejection device may have one or a plurality of fluid chambers and one or a plurality of frustums of a truncated polyhedral, truncated pyramidal, truncated conical or truncated triangular cross-sectional ridge structures defining openings from the second surface of the substrate to the fluid chambers.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is composed of an image memory comprising a plurality of memory elements, and a processor unit comprising a plurality of processor elements. By suitably engineering the arrangement of the image memory of memory elements, the arrangement of the processor unit of processor elements and the connections among the memory elements and processor elements, it is possible to realize, through a simple construction, high-speed image processing such as image density conversion, image color conversion, image masking, image spatial filtering, image enlargement, image reduction, image rotation, image compression, image extension and image color correction. Also provided are an image processing apparatus for a color image, composed of a plurality of image memories and a plurality of processor elements, and a generalized, multifunctional data parallel processing apparatus capable of processing a large volume of data at high speed.

Abstract: A method of determining thermal turn on energy is disclosed. The method comprises heating a fluid ejection device to a predetermined temperature that is below a fluid ejection temperature; applying firing pulse bursts to a resistor of said fluid ejection device, the pulses in each of said bursts having a predetermined reference pulse energy and a predetermined pulse frequency to eject a predetermined count of fluid droplets; and incrementally varying the drop count from said predetermined count while sampling the temperature of the fluid ejection device after said pulse bursts are applied.

Abstract: Pillars are formed in a fully integrated thermal inkjet printhead to prevent particles from entering into a nozzle chamber along an ink refill channel. The pillars are formed after a step of applying a thin film structure to a substrate. At one step, pits are etched through the thin film structure. At another step, material for an orifice layer is deposited into the pits. At another step, a firing chamber is etched into the orifice layer. At another step, a trench is etched into the backside of the wafer in the vicinity of the filled pits. The material filling each pit is not removed and remains in place to define the respective pillars. Two or more pillars are formed within the trench for each inkjet nozzle chamber. Alternatively pillars are formed by depositing material into the underside trench and performing photoimaging processes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ink jet printhead having an integrated filter. The ink jet printhead includes a first substrate, a second substrate and an orifice layer. The first substrate defines an ink fluid supply conduit for the printhead. The second substrate of the printhead is affixed to an upper surface of the first substrate. The second substrate includes a plurality of individually addressable ink energizing elements, and defines a plurality of fluid filter openings that are in fluid communication with the ink fluid supply conduit of the first substrate. The fluid filter openings function as an ink fluid filter for the printhead. The orifice layer is coupled to an upper surface of the second substrate. The orifice layer defines a firing chamber in fluid communication with the fluid filter openings of the second substrate. The firing chamber is positioned over the ink energizing elements of the second substrate, with each firing chamber opening through a nozzle aperture in an exterior surface of the orifice layer.

Abstract: Pillars are formed in a fully integrated thermal inkjet printhead to prevent particles from entering into a nozzle chamber along an ink refill channel. The pillars are formed after a step of applying a thin film structure to a substrate. At one step, pits are etched through the thin film structure. At another step, material for an orifice layer is deposited into the pits. At another step, a firing chamber is etched into the orifice layer. At another step, a trench is etched into the backside of the wafer in the vicinity of the filled pits. The material filling each pit is not removed and remains in place to define the respective pillars. Two or more pillars are formed within the trench for each inkjet nozzle chamber. Alternatively pillars are formed by depositing material into the underside trench and performing photoimaging processes.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect for an inkjet printhead comprising an ink-ejecting semiconductor die is described. The ink-ejecting die further comprises a substrate having an opposing upper surface, lower surface, and a thin film stack. The upper surface of the substrate is beveled on at least one edge such that a lower portion of the bevel is below an upper portion of the bevel. A conductive material trace is disposed on top of at least a portion of the upper surface and the thin film stack and on the bevel towards the lower portion of the bevel. An electrical conductor is coupled to the conductive material trace at a predetermined location below the upper portion of the bevel.

Abstract: A process for creating and an apparatus employing shaped orifices in a semiconductor substrate. A first layer of material is applied on the semiconductor substrate then a second layer of material is then applied upon the first layer of material. An orifice image is then transferred to the first layer of material and a fluid-well image is transferred to the second layer of material. That portion of the second layer of material where the orifice image is located is then developed along with that portion of the first layer of material where the fluid well is located to define an orifice in the substrate.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect for an inkjet printhead comprising an ink-ejecting semiconductor die is described. The ink-ejecting die further comprises a substrate having an opposing upper surface, lower surface, and a thin film stack. The upper surface of the substrate is beveled on at least one edge such that a lower portion of the bevel is below an upper portion of the bevel. A conductive material trace is disposed on top of at least a portion of the upper surface and the thin film stack and on the bevel towards the lower portion of the bevel. An electrical conductor is coupled to the conductive material trace at a predetermined location below the upper portion of the bevel.

Abstract: The invention is a fluid ejection device, such as a printhead, that has a substrate with a first surface mating to an orifice layer, preferably through a stack of thin-film layers. The orifice layer defines a fluid chamber interfacing to an orifice opening or nozzle. The substrate has a second surface having a truncated pyramidal structure; either polyhedral or triangular ridge shaped defining an opening through the substrate to the fluid chamber. The substrate further has an ejection element, preferably disposed as a resistor in the stack of thin-film layers. When energy is transferred from the ejection element to the fluid in the fluid chamber, fluid is ejected from the orifice opening. The fluid ejection device may have one or a plurality of fluid chambers and one or a plurality of frustums of a truncated polyhedral, truncated pyramidal, truncated conical or truncated triangular cross-sectional ridge structures defining openings from the second surface of the substrate to the fluid chambers.

Abstract: A process for creating and an apparatus employing shaped orifices in a semiconductor substrate. A first layer of material is applied on the semiconductor substrate then a second layer of material is then applied upon the first layer of material. An orifice image is then transferred to the first layer of material and a fluid-well image is transferred to the second layer of material. That portion of the second layer of material where the orifice image is located is then developed along with that portion of the first layer of material where the fluid well is located to define an orifice in the substrate.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is composed of an image memory comprising a plurality of memory elements, and a processor unit comprising a plurality of processor elements. By suitably engineering the arrangement of the image memory of memory elements, the arrangement of the processor unit of processor elements and the connections among the memory elements and processor elements, it is possible to realize, through a simple construction, high-speed image processing such as image density conversion, image color conversion, image masking, image spatial filtering, image enlargement, image reduction, image rotation, image compression, image extension and image color correction. Also provided are an image processing apparatus for a color image, composed of a plurality of image memories and a plurality of processor elements, and a generalized, multifunctional data parallel processing apparatus capable of processing a large volume of data at high speed.

Abstract: One method of fabricating a fluid ejection device comprises forming a heating element on a first surface of a substrate. Adjacent the heating element, a hole is formed through the first surface to define a fill channel. The fill channel is filled with a filler material, and after filled, a fluid chamber is formed over the heating element. The filler material is removed. The fluid chamber is fluidically coupled with the fill channel, and is capable of ejecting fluid heated by the heating element.

Abstract: The present invention is a printing system comprising an inkjet printhead that is capable of being operated in close proximity of a print media. The printhead has an orifice layer with orifices disposed thereto for selectively ejecting fluid in response to excitation signals. The printhead further comprises a carrier having an upper surface that defines a countersunk recess configured to receive a fluid ejecting substrate and an encapsulant that at least partially encapsulates a portion of the fluid ejecting substrate. The encapsulant is molded to form a planar surface with the orifice layer. The planar surface offers the following advantages: (1) the effect of trajectory error is reduced (2) the printhead can be efficiently cleaned by the cleaning mechanism of the printing system, and (3) ink leakage of the printhead during storage is eliminated.

Abstract: Described herein is a monolithic printhead formed using integrated circuit techniques. Thin film layers, including ink ejection elements, are formed on a top surface of a silicon substrate. The various layers are etched to provide conductive leads to the ink ejection elements. At least one ink feed hole is formed through the thin film layers for each ink ejection chamber. A trench is etched in the bottom surface of the substrate so that ink can flow into the trench and into each ink ejection chamber through the ink feed holes formed in the thin film layers. The trench completely etches away portions of the substrate near the ink feed holes so that the thin film layers form a shelf in the vicinity of the ink feed holes. In one embodiment, the shelf supports the ink ejection elements. An orifice layer is formed on the top surface of the thin film layers to define the nozzles and ink ejection chambers.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a valve which is controlled by a magnetic actuator. More specifically, the actuator is a polarized, magnetic actuator, that is, a magnetic actuator containing both a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. The actuator can be an inexpensive commercial relay having a pivoting armature that pushes a compliant diaphragm against a valve seat to close the valve. Preferably, the armature is configured as a “see-saw,” such that as the valve is opened, an opposing end of the see-saw also displaces the diaphragm. In this manner, fluid pressure in a valve chamber is relatively constant, and there are no significant pressures which prevent the valve from opening and closing. The preferred application of the valve is to actively drive printer ink supply, such that ink can be selectively drawn using the valve from a remote ink supply into a local ink reservoir, mounted near a print head.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a valve which is controlled by a magnetic actuator. More specifically, the actuator is a polarized, magnetic actuator, that is, a magnetic actuator containing both a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. The actuator can be an inexpensive commercial relay having a pivoting armature that pushes a compliant diaphragm against a valve seat to close the valve. Preferably, the armature is configured as a “see-saw,” such that as the valve is opened, an opposing end of the see-saw also displaces the diaphragm. In this manner, fluid pressure in a valve chamber is relatively constant, and there are no significant pressures which prevent the valve from opening and closing. The preferred application of the valve is to actively drive printer ink supply, such that ink can be selectively drawn using the valve from a remote ink supply into a local ink reservoir, mounted near a print head.

Abstract: A printhead has a substrate with a first surface, an opposite substantially parallel second surface, and an edge surface extending from the first surface to the second surface. The substrate further includes a fluid channel that extends from the edge surface inward away from the edge surface and through a recess in the first surface. The printhead further has a heating element disposed over the first surface, and a firing chamber disposed over the heating element. The fluid channel directs fluid to the firing chamber through the recess, where the fluid is heated by the heating element and ejected therefrom.

Abstract: Pillars are formed in a fully integrated thermal inkjet printhead to prevent particles from entering into a nozzle chamber along an ink refill channel. The pillars are formed after a step of applying a thin film structure to a substrate. At one step, pits are etched through the thin film structure. At another step, material for an orifice layer is deposited into the pits. At another step, a firing chamber is etched into the orifice layer. At another step, a trench is etched into the backside of the wafer in the vicinity of the filled pits. The material filling each pit is not removed and remains in place to define the respective pillars. Two or more pillars are formed within the trench for each inkjet nozzle chamber. Alternatively pillars are formed by depositing material into the underside trench and performing photoimaging processes.