Abstract: Provided are a large-area nano-scale active printing device, a fabricating method of the same, and a printing method using the same. The printing device may include a substrate, first interconnection lines extending along a first direction, on the substrate, an interlayered dielectric layer provided on the first interconnection lines to have holes partially exposing the first interconnection lines, second interconnection lines provided adjacent to the holes in the interlayered dielectric layer to cross the first interconnection lines, and wedge-shaped electrodes provided at intersections with the first and second interconnection lines and connected to the first interconnection lines. The wedge-shaped electrodes protrude upward at centers of the holes.

Abstract: A liquid droplet jetting apparatus configured to jet liquid droplets, includes: a channel structure; an energy applying device including a plurality of first contact points; a wiring board arranged to face the surface of the energy applying device and connected to the energy applying device. The wiring board includes second contact points electrically connected to the first contact points, respectively and signal wiring lines connected to the second contact points, respectively. Further, the liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes a sealing material arranged, between the wiring board and the energy applying device, to surround at least a part of an area in which the first and second contact points are arranged, and a recess-protrusion portion formed in an area, of the wiring board, which is positioned between the sealing material and the second contact points, and which is other than an area in which the second contact points are arranged.

Abstract: A flexible printed wiring member includes a flexible insulating base layer; a patterned copper layer disposed on the insulating base layer, the patterned copper layer including: a first portion including unplated copper leads; and a second portion including a plated metal layer disposed on the patterned copper layer; a first insulating cover layer disposed over the unplated copper leads in the first portion, the first insulating cover layer terminating at a first edge located proximate a boundary between the first portion and the second portion of the patterned copper layer; and a second insulating cover layer disposed over the first insulating cover layer, the second insulating cover layer terminating at a second edge located within the second portion of the patterned copper layer.

Abstract: A flexible circuit includes a sprocket opening and electrically conductive lines connected to a print head.

Abstract: A recording head is configured to selectively eject ink droplets from nozzles. A head board is configured to control the recording head to operate based on a high-frequency signal outputted from a control board. A carriage is configured to move in a reciprocating manner, with the recording head and the head board mounted thereon. A belt-like cable connects the control board and the head board so that the high-frequency signal can be transmitted therebetween. The cable has such flexibility that the cable can change a posture following reciprocating movement of the carriage. The cable has a first surface facing in a thickness direction of the cable. The cable has a reflective layer at a part of each of both end portions of the first surface with respect to a longitudinal direction of the first surface. The reflective layer is configured to reflect an electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: A die attach composition is used for bonding a silicon chip on a flat substrate. The die attach composition includes a cross-linkable epoxy resin having a rigid backbone, an epoxy siloxane resin, a fumed silica filler, an amine curing agent, and a silane coupling agent. The die attach composition is particularly useful in bonding silicon heater chips on flat ceramic substrate in forming an inkjet printhead assembly. The die attach composition allows accurate placement of silicon heater chips on flat ceramic substrate and exhibits good ink resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inkjet head including a fluid channel substrate on which individual liquid chambers are arranged, the individual liquid chambers being partitioned by liquid chamber partition walls; an oscillation plate that is formed on a surface facing openings of nozzles; actuators; wiring layer patterns that supplies driving signals to the actuators, the wiring layer patterns being formed above the corresponding liquid chamber partition walls; and a supporting substrate in which concave oscillation chambers are formed, the concave oscillation chambers being partitioned by supporting substrate partition walls. A width in the short direction of the supporting substrate partition wall is smaller than a width in the short direction of the liquid chamber partition wall and greater than a width of the wiring layer pattern.

Abstract: A liquid jet head has side walls forming grooves and drive electrodes formed on wall surfaces of the side walls. A reinforcing plate includes through holes communicating with the grooves and being elongated in a longitudinal direction of the grooves. A nozzle plate includes nozzles communicating with the through holes of the reinforcing plate. A cover plate has a supply port for supplying liquid to the grooves and a discharge port for discharging liquid from the grooves.

Abstract: An inkjet recording head includes: plural element substrates from which ink is ejected; and a flexible wiring substrate which includes a first wiring area, a second wiring area and a bending portion, the first wiring area including plural openings in which the element substrates are placed and which includes, in the periphery thereof, electrode terminals electrically connected to the element substrates, and the bending portion being bent between the first wiring area and the second wiring area. The flexible wiring substrate includes a slit which extends between the plural openings and reaches the bending portion or a position further than the bending portion from an end portion of the flexible wiring substrate on the side on which the first wiring area is provided, at a position opposite to the bending portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of a printhead are disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus configured to supply a liquid, including: a liquid container to store the liquid; an installing section which is formed with an opening and to which the liquid container is installable; and an urging member which urges the liquid container installed to the installing section toward the opening, and the installing section comprises a guide section extending from the opening in an insertion direction of the liquid container from the opening, a stopper which protrudes from the guide section in a direction perpendicular to an removal direction of the liquid container from the installing section; the liquid container comprises an guide objective section guided by the guide section, and a protrusion formed on the guide objective section and which abuts against the stopper to move the liquid container in the direction perpendicular to the removal direction when the liquid container is moved in the removal direction.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head, a carriage having an opening on which the recording head is mounted in a state that the liquid ejection surface of the recording head faces the opening, the carriage being configured to reciprocate, a ground member that is mounted on the carriage so as to ground the recording head, and a sensor unit that is mounted on the carriage so as to perform sensing by using reciprocation of the carriage and has a ground mechanism which is connected to the ground member, wherein the ground member is disposed at a position in contact with the recording head mounted on the opening.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a print element board and an electric wiring board electrically connected to a bump of the print element board using an interconnecting wire. The bump has a first surface and a second surface. The height of the second surface from a surface of a base plate is higher than that of the first surface. The first surface has a protrusion formed therein, and the bump is connected to the interconnecting wire in the second surface.

Abstract: A liquid droplet ejecting head is disclosed. The liquid droplet ejecting head includes an electromechanical transducer element; a first substrate which includes a first wiring member; a reinforcing member which is mounted on the first substrate; and a second substrate which includes a second wiring member and which is mounted on the reinforcing member, wherein liquid droplets are ejected when driving power is supplied to the electromechanical transducer element via the first wiring member and the second wiring member.

Abstract: A print head has a jet stack having an array of jets, an array of transducers arranged on the jet stack such that each transducer corresponds to a jet in the array of jets, and a flexible circuit substrate arranged adjacent the array of transducers such that contact pads on the flexible circuit substrate make electrical connection to at least some of the array of transducers, the flexible circuit substrate being embossed so that the contact pads extend out of a plane of the flexible circuit substrate.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head module is disclosed. The liquid ejection head module includes first and second head units disposed in a first direction. The first and second head units have first and second rows of liquid ejecting heads that have a plurality of nozzles disposed in the first direction. The first and second rows of liquid ejecting heads are disposed in a second direction crossing the first direction. The first and second head each have a projecting portion. A connector is disposed on each of the first and second head units and each connector is disposed so that the connecting port is open at a side opposite from a liquid ejecting side.

Abstract: A circuit device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a circuit board which has one or more wiring layers formed on a base material and has an insulating layer laminated on a surface of the base material opposite to the one or more wiring layers, and a guiding member which is configured to encircle at least a part of an end face of the circuit board so that a space is formed with the end face and to guide movement of a dried body which is supplied to the formed space.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inkjet head includes a nozzle plate, a piezoelectric member, a substrate, a frame member, and a wiring circuit. The nozzle plate has nozzles. The piezoelectric member has pressure chambers associated with the nozzles, sidewalls configured to pressurize the pressure chambers, and electrode wiring lines that are connected to electrodes provided on the respective sidewalls and alternately provided on one of both end sides of each of the pressure chambers which is different from the end side of respective adjacent pressure chambers. Further, the piezoelectric member applies a drive pulse voltage to the sidewalls from the electrodes to pressurize the pressure chambers. The piezoelectric member is bonded to the substrate. The frame member is bonded to the substrate and the nozzle plate to surround the piezoelectric member. The wiring circuit is provided on the substrate and has the electrode wiring lines.

Abstract: An inter-terminal connection structure includes: a first terminal; a second terminal which is separated from the first terminal; a first connection member which is in contact with the first terminal; a second connection member which includes a coil portion, a first arm portion extending from one end of the coil portion to be in contact with the second terminal, a second arm portion extending from the other end of the coil portion to be in contact with the first connection member; a container main body which has a bottom face and a side face on which the second terminal is mounted; and a positioning member which includes a first protruding portion to be inserted into the coil portion of the second connection member, and a second protruding portion which determines a relative angle between the first and second arm portions.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a recording element board provided with an energy generating element, an electrical wiring board to supply the energy generating element with an electrical signal, a supporting member to support the recording element board and the electrical wiring board, a plurality of wires to connect a plurality of terminals provided on the recording element board and a plurality of terminals provided on the electrical wiring board, and a sealing member. The plurality of wires include a plurality of transmitting wires contributory to transmission of the electrical signal and a plurality of non-transmitting wires non-contributory to the transmission and formed at a higher position than that of the transmitting wires from a surface of the supporting member which supports the recording element board. The sealing member is arranged to cover the plurality of transmitting wires as well only some parts of the plurality of non-transmitting wires.

Abstract: A method of forming an inkjet nozzle chamber includes the steps of: (a) depositing a layer of chamber material onto a substrate, the layer of chamber material defining a depth of the nozzle chamber; (b) removing a predetermined region of the layer of chamber material to define sidewalls of the nozzle chamber and an internal volume of the nozzle chamber; (c) depositing a sacrificial material to fill the internal volume contained within the sidewalls; (d) depositing a roof layer onto the sacrificial material and the sidewalls; (e) etching the roof layer to define a nozzle opening therein; and (f) removing the sacrificial material contained in the internal volume so as to form the nozzle chamber.

Abstract: A printhead including a body; an actuator attached to the body, and an enclosed space between the actuator and the body forms a chamber; an opening defined by the body for releasing pressure in the chamber; and a seal attached to the opening to seal the chamber while permitting pressure to be released.

Abstract: An inkjet printer that has a print zone, a media path extending through the print zone along a paper axis, a printhead carriage with a plurality of printhead mounting sites for mounting a plurality of printhead modules adjacent the print zone such that the printhead modules collectively span the media path and a plurality of interfaces for supplying ink to, and receiving ink from each of the printhead modules respectively.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a liquid droplet ejecting head includes sequentially in a laminated manner: a nozzle substrate; an ink tank substrate; a liquid supply substrate; and a frame substrate. The nozzle substrate is formed so that at least three or more nozzle rows are arranged in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the nozzle row; the driving circuit member is provided to oppose to an outer surface of the frame substrate so as to correspond to a region between two adjacent nozzle rows located at the 4N+2-th position and the 4N+3-th position (N is 0 or a natural number); and the driving circuit member is commonly used to drive the electro-mechanical converting element and to drive the electro-mechanical converting element used for another one or two nozzle rows adjacent to at least one of the two nozzle rows.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided, the apparatus including a printhead die, a base coupled to the printhead die, a flexible circuit mounted on the base and electrically connected to the printhead, and an adhesive sandwiched between the base and the flexible circuit. The base defines a trench with a sidewall having scallops formed therein. The adhesive is disposed in the trench to secure the flexible circuit to the base.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes: an ink chamber configured to store ink therein; a base board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the second surface being formed with a void recess; and a pyroelectric portion mounted on the first surface of the base board and opposing the void recess via the base board.

Abstract: An ink-jet head includes a nozzle plate having nozzles, a vibrating plate on the nozzle plate, liquid chambers formed of spaces partitioned by division walls, a piezoelectric element having a common electrode, a piezoelectric body and an individual electrode layered in this order on a surface of the vibrating plate, a first insulator film having a first opening and a second insulator film having a second opening layered in this order on the first surface, a first wire drawn from the individual electrode via the first opening and the second opening, a third insulator film having a third opening on the first wire; and a second wire drawn via the third opening, where the third insulator film is formed in a first region of the second insulator film and is not formed in a second region excluding a region including the first wire formed above the liquid chamber.

Abstract: An inkjet printer head including a nozzle part, a driving part, a printing liquid supplying part, an adhesive and a leak preventing part. The nozzle part includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A nozzle is formed in the first surface sprays a printing liquid. A receiving hole is formed in the second surface receives the printing liquid. The driving part is disposed on the second surface of the nozzle part and drives the nozzle part. The printing liquid supplying part supplies the printing liquid to the nozzle part. The adhesive bonds the printing liquid supplying part onto the second surface. The receiving hole is formed in the second surface. The leak preventing part is disposed between the printing liquid supplying part and the driving part. The leak preventing part is formed to cover an exposed surface of the adhesive.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter and an ink cartridge mounted on an ink-jet printer. An adapter comprises an inner chamber for accommodating the ink cartridge and a chip set on the adapter, wherein the said chip has a contact surface with the printer, the contact surface provided with an information contact and two electrical detecting contacts; a non-contact trigger switch is set on the back surface of the said chip opposite to the two electrical detecting contacts; the said non-contact trigger switch is electrically connected with two electrical detecting contacts respectively; the said non-contact trigger switch is triggered to become disconnected at least once by the non-contact trigger mechanism on the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is being inserted into the printer and is not triggered by the non-contact trigger mechanism so as to keep the connected status after the ink cartridge is inserted into the printer.

Abstract: A printer includes a printhead die including liquid ejectors separated by walls. Each liquid ejector includes a nozzle orifice and an associated drop forming mechanism. First and second liquid feed channels, extending in opposite directions, are in fluid communication with each liquid ejector. A liquid inlet includes a plurality of first and second segments in fluid communication with the first liquid feed channels and the second liquid feed channels, respectively. The first and second segments are located on opposite sides of the nozzle orifice. For a given liquid ejector, both of the first and second segments are directly in line with the liquid ejector. An electrical lead extends from each drop forming mechanism toward an edge of the printhead die. At least one of the electrical leads is positioned between neighboring segments of at least one of the first and second segments of the liquid inlet.

Abstract: A power supply-heater wiring and a heater-driving circuit wiring for a heater located on the right side of a supply port can be laid out utilizing a beam portion configured to separate supply ports from each other. Furthermore, a plurality of supply ports are provided to supply ink to channels and pressure chambers and separated from one another by beam portions. Thus, an ejection structure such as an ejection opening can be located on both sides of each of the supply ports. Even if the ejection structures are relatively densely arranged, the heaters and the like can have necessary and sufficient sizes and locations without being restricted by the arrangement. A wiring connecting the heater to the power supply wiring or driving circuit is also laid out on the beam portion serving as a partition wall for the supply ports.

Abstract: A circuit board of an ink cartridge is provided with a plurality of terminals, with the contact portions of the plurality of terminals forming a plurality of lines. The contact portions of two terminals used for detecting installation are positioned in a first line, and the contact portion of a power terminal is positioned between the two terminals. The first line may be positioned to a leading side when the ink cartridge is moved in a prescribed direction to effect installation in a printer. Alternatively, the first line may be the line closest to an opening of an ink delivery port. Alternatively, the first line may be the line closest to an ink delivery needle.

Abstract: A method of forming a structure such as a print head or a printer including the print head having a flex circuit with a plurality of deformed (i.e., contoured, shaped, or embossed) conductive flexible printed circuit (flex circuit) pads. A plurality of flex circuit pads can be aligned with a plurality of piezoelectric elements of an ink jet print head. Within a press such as a stack press, pressure can be applied to deform the plurality of flex circuit pads and to establish electrical contact between the plurality of flex circuit pads and the plurality of piezoelectric elements. Deforming the plurality of flex circuit pads in situ during the press operation can reduce costs by eliminating a separate embossing stage performed during the manufacture or formation of the flex circuit.

Abstract: A method and structure for an ink jet print head which includes the use of two or more flexible circuits and a piezoelectric element array. A first pad array is included on a first flex circuit to power a first portion of the piezoelectric element array of the print head, and a second pad array is included on a second flex circuit to power a second portion of the piezoelectric element array of the print head. Using two flex circuits requires only half as many traces to be formed on each flex circuit, which can relax spacing requirements and design tolerances.

Abstract: The liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid from nozzles includes: pressure chambers connecting to the nozzles; a common liquid chamber which is connected to the pressure chambers, is arranged across the pressure chambers from the nozzles, and is defined by at least a multi-layer wiring substrate which has a recess-shaped structure including a base section forming one of a ceiling and a floor of the common liquid chamber and a projecting section forming a side wall of the common liquid chamber; electrical wires which are formed at least partially inside the multi-layer wiring substrate; and a connection electrode which is provided in a top of the projecting section of the multi-layer wiring substrate.

Abstract: A fluid ejector includes a fluid ejection module and an integrated circuit element. The fluid ejection module includes a substrate having a plurality of fluid paths, a plurality of actuators, and a plurality of conductive traces, each actuator configured to cause a fluid to be ejected from a nozzle of an associated fluid path. The integrated circuit element is mounted on the fluid ejection module and is electrically connected with the conductive traces of the fluid ejection module such that an electrical connection of the module enables a signal sent to the fluid ejection module to be transmitted to the integrated circuit element, processed on the integrated circuit element, and output to the fluid ejection module to drive the actuator.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes: a recording element substrate and a plurality of electric connection units; and an electric wiring member that includes a plurality of input terminals, a plurality wirings held between films and electrically connected to the plurality of input terminals, and a plurality of lead lines conducted to the plurality of wirings. In this case, the plurality of wirings include a power line for supplying power to the energy generation elements and a signal line for supplying a signal to the energy generation elements. Relationships of A>B and B<D are satisfied, in which A is a largest width of the signal line, B is a largest width of the lead line connected to the signal line, and D is a largest width of the lead line connected to the power line.

Abstract: A fluid-ejection assembly includes a die, a substrate, ribs, and adhesive. The die has nozzles through which fluid is ejected. The substrate provides the fluid to the die. The ribs are within the substrate, and have rounded corners. The rounded corners are adapted to provide a predetermined characteristic. The adhesive affixes the die to the substrate.

Abstract: A wiring member for a liquid ejection head enables reducing the size of the liquid ejection head. A flexible printed circuit has on one end a plurality of individual electrode wiring terminals corresponding to individual element electrode terminals of piezoelectric elements; individual electrode wires corresponding to the individual electrode wiring terminals; a common electrode wiring terminal corresponding to a common electrode terminal of the piezoelectric elements; and a common electrode wire corresponding to the common electrode wiring terminal. The individual electrode wiring terminals, common electrode wiring terminal, and individual electrode wires are disposed on one side of the flexible printed circuit, and the common electrode wire is disposed on the other side of the flexible printed circuit.

Abstract: The liquid ejecting head includes a printing element board having a plurality of printing elements for producing energy used to eject liquid, a contact board having a contact terminal for electrically connecting to a liquid ejection printing apparatus, and a functional element, a plurality of lands which are provided on the face of the contact board where the functional element is mounted, and to which terminals of the functional element are connected, a wiring member that connects the printing element board to the contact board, a first terminal and a second terminal disposed on one edge of the contact board, a first wiring connecting the contact terminal to the first terminal, a second wiring connecting at least one of the plurality of lands to the second terminal, and insulating resin that covers the edge face of the second terminal positioned on the one edge of the contact board.

Abstract: A circuit substrate includes a first terminal connected to a storage device, a second terminal to which voltage higher than voltage which is applied to the first terminal is applied, and a third terminal. The third terminal is disposed adjacent to the first terminal and the second terminal and connected to an overvoltage detection section provided in a printer. A convex portion is provided on a substrate surface between the first terminal and the second terminal, and a configuration is made such that a liquid droplet easily spreads from the second terminal to the third terminal rather than the liquid droplet spreading from the second terminal to the first terminal.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a flexible wiring substrate of which one end is connected to a recording head side; and a holding member which holds a plurality of the flexible wiring substrates in a state of being laminated, the holding member has a regulating section which regulates both end portions of the plurality of the flexible wiring substrates in the width direction in a state of being laminated, a first film member which is disposed on one side of the plurality of the flexible wiring substrates and has flexibility, and a second film member which is disposed on the other side in the thickness direction in a state where an interval is secured which is greater than a total thickness of the plurality of the flexible wiring substrates with respect to the first film member and has flexibility.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including segments, a power supply pad and conductive patterns is provided. Each segment includes driving units for discharging a liquid. Each driving unit includes a driving circuit and an element driven by the driving circuit to apply discharging energy to the liquid. The conductive pattern includes a first conductive portion connected to the power supply pad, a second rectangular conductive portion, a third conductive portion connected to the driving units, and a connection portion which connects the second and third conductive portions. These conductive portions are elongated in a first direction. In a second direction, a length of the second conductive portion is greater than a length of the first conductive portion. The second conductive portion is connected to the first conductive portion at a first corner and to the connection portion at a second corner diagonal to the first corner.

Abstract: An ink jet head unit including a head (2) in which a plurality of nozzle arrays (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are formed. Each of the nozzle arrays has a number of nozzle holes, and ink can be ejected from the nozzle holes. The head (2) is mounted on the head base, and flat cables (4a, 4b) are connected at one end to mounting parts (7a, 7b), which are interposed between a first pair of the nozzle arrays (2a, 2b) and a second pair of the nozzle arrays (2c, 2d). The flat cables are flexibly formed by covering transmission wires with an insulation film. The flat cables are connected to the head to transmit ink ejection signals for driving the head.

Abstract: A printhead assembly that has a casing with a series of module mounting sites, printed circuit board mounting sites and busbar support formations. A printhead module is mounted to each module mounting site respectively. Each printhead module has a printhead integrated circuit (IC). A plurality of printed circuit boards control the printhead IC's, one of the printed circuit boards being fixed to each of the printed circuit board mounting sites respectively. Busbars are secured in the busbar support formations for receiving data and power from the printed circuit boards. The printhead modules are electrically connected to the busbars to provide the printhead integrated circuits with power and data.

Abstract: A process for producing a liquid ejection head including a recording element substrate, an electrical wiring substrate provided with plural lead terminals, a support member provided with a concavity and a joining surface, and a sealant control wall arranged between a side surface of the recording element substrate and a side surface of the support member, the process including preparing a liquid ejection head in which the concavity and recording element substrate are mutually fixed, the joining surface and electrical wiring substrate are mutually fixed, and the lead terminals and connection terminal are mutually connected, and filling the sealant between the side surface of the recording element substrate and the side surface of the sealant control wall on the side of the recording element substrate followed by filling the sealant between a side surface of the sealant control wall on the side of the lead terminals and the lead terminals.

Abstract: A printhead assembly has a plurality of printhead modules, each with a plurality of printhead integrated circuits (ICs). The printhead modules also have a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the plurality of printhead ICs. An elongate support frame supports the printhead modules and a connector arrangement is supported by the end plate. The connector has a pair of holes, a first connector extending from the body portion between the holes and a second connector configured to engage with the holes.

Abstract: A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. An interior retains the ink while exit and return ports define openings through a housing to fluidly communicate the interior to the imaging device. The opening of the return port is larger than the opening of the exit port. The design slows the return of fluid to the housing which minimizes air bubbles or frothiness in the fluid. During use, ink depletes toward a bottom surface of the interior beneath which the ink is prevented from occupying. A housing section below the interior retains a portion of the exit port so that a bottom of the opening of the exit port is substantially horizontally aligned with the bottom surface. It prevents stranding ink beneath the exit port. Further embodiments include port configuration, construction, and modular components, to name a few.

Abstract: A MEMS integrated circuit includes a silicon substrate having a frontside with a drive circuitry layer and a backside. A MEMS layer is disposed on the drive circuitry layer. The MEMS layer includes a plurality of MEMS devices electrically connected to the drive circuitry layer. Connector posts extends from the drive circuitry layer to a contact pad positioned in a roof of the MEMS layer and through-silicon connectors extending linearly from the contact pad, through the drive circuitry layer and the silicon substrate, towards the backside of the silicon substrate. Each through-silicon connector terminates at a backside integrated circuit contact, such that each integrated circuit contact is electrically connected to the drive circuitry layer via the contact pad positioned in the roof of the MEMS layer.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device comprising firing cells including a first group of firing cells and a second group of firing cells and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to respond to the control signal to selectively initiate a first sequence adapted to enable the first group of firing cells for activation and a second sequence adapted to enable the second group of firing cells for activation.