Drive Signal Application Patents (Class 347/57)
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Patent number: 8398196Abstract: A printer control unit (3) is described for controlling the size of droplets emitted by a nozzle of a printhead (8) in an inkjet printer. The control unit (3) receives information about an image to be printed by the printer, for example from a raster image processor (5), the information including droplet size information regarding the size of droplet required to be emitted by the nozzle to print the image. Print parameter information for printing the image is determined on the basis of the received droplet size information, the print parameter information including information for use in setting the printer such that droplets emitted by the nozzle during the printing of the image have the required droplet size.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Inca Digital Printers LimitedInventor: Philip Russell James Smith
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Patent number: 8398208Abstract: A ceramic printed circuit board (PCB) and an inkjet printhead assembly using the ceramic PCB. A ceramic PCB in which a plurality of layers are stacked includes a plurality of terminals to receive an electric signal from an external source, a plurality of circuit patterns connected to the plurality of terminals to transmit the electric signal, and a termination resistor having a predetermined thickness disposed between the plurality of circuit patterns, wherein the termination resistor is mounted between the plurality of stacked layers.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LtdInventors: Jun-ho Lee, Seong-nam Jeon
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Patent number: 8371668Abstract: A recording element substrate which is provided with a first recording element group and a second recording element group, each group including a plurality of recording elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2009Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ryo Kasai, Tatsuo Furukawa, Nobuyuki Hirayama, Tomoko Kudo
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Patent number: 8360556Abstract: A wiring board to be connected to an object includes: contact points to be connected to the object; wires connected to the contact points; and a substrate on which the contact points and the wires are formed. The substrate has a first portion which has openings and overlaps with the object when the wiring board is connected to the object, and a second portion which is continuous to the first portion. The contact points include first contact points formed in the first portion on one surface of the substrate facing the object, and second contact points formed in the second portion, on the other surface of the substrate, at areas which do not overlap with the first contact points when the substrate is bent so that the first portion is overlapped with the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2011Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yusuke Suzuki, Atsushi Ito
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Patent number: 8353577Abstract: A method of controlling a direction of droplet ejection from an inkjet nozzle having a plurality of moveable paddles, the method includes the steps of: (i) actuating a first thermal bend actuator via respective first drive circuitry such that a respective first paddle bends towards a floor of the nozzle chamber; (ii) actuating a second thermal bend actuator via respective second drive circuitry such that a respective second paddle bends towards a floor of the nozzle chamber; and (iii) thereby ejecting a droplet of ink. Actuation of the first and second thermal bend actuators is independently controlled via the first and second drive circuitry so as to control the direction of droplet ejection.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2010Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Zamtec LtdInventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Emma Rose Kerr, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, Vincent Patrick Lawlor, Misty Bagnat
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Publication number: 20130010033Abstract: A driving circuit which includes a plurality of MOS transistors electrically connected in parallel between a first node and a second node, and drives a load electrically connected between the first node and a third node by the plurality of MOS transistors, wherein the plurality of MOS transistors include at least two MOS transistors having channel lengths different from each other and thus having threshold voltages different from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Wataru Endo, Masanobu Oomura
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Patent number: 8342655Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a recording element substrate including an energy generating element, a wiring substrate including wiring, a support substrate for supporting the recording element substrate and the wiring substrate so that a side end portion of the recording element substrate and a side end portion of the wiring substrate are adjacent to each other, and a sealing member, wherein the side end portion of the wiring substrate has a step portion, a distance between a second portion of the step portion on the side opposite to the support substrate and the side end portion of the recording element substrate is larger than a distance between a first portion of the step portion on the side of the support substrate and the side end portion of the recording element substrate, and a part of the wiring is formed in the first portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shimpei Otaka, Takayuki Ono
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Patent number: 8294946Abstract: Various embodiments and methods related to a printer are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Gary G. Lutnesky, Sang O. Bradley, Raymon D. Burrows, Andreas H. Queisser, Dennis T. So, Kevin E. Swier
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Patent number: 8287072Abstract: A method for using a processor to process image data received from an image data source in preparation for multipass printing, comprising multitoning the image data to produce a multitoned image, using the multitone level of a pixel in the multitoned image to select a plane of a print mask, using the location of the pixel in the multitoned image to select a cell of output pixels in the selected plane of the print mask, and copying the selected cell of output pixels to corresponding locations within a print buffer.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Christopher Rueby, Douglas W. Couwenhoven
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Patent number: 8251473Abstract: To achieve high-quality printing by controlling an ink-travelling direction by an electrostatic force so that the ink can be accurately applied on a printing medium, the ink is landed on a desired position of the printing medium effectively without disturbing the ink ejection, independent of a difference in the thickness of the printing medium. An electric field between a printing head and the printing medium is generated by applying a voltage to a platen of conductive material positioned immediately below the printing medium. At this point, the voltage applied to the platen is adjusted so that the electric field of a preferable intensity can be generated on a face of the printing head where ejection openings are formed irrespective of the thickness of the printing medium.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Jiro Moriyama, Hidehiko Kanda, Atsuhiko Masuyama, Masahiko Umezawa, Hideaki Takamiya
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Patent number: 8226213Abstract: A method of actuating a thermal bend actuator having an active beam fused to a passive beam. The method comprises passing an electrical current through the active beam so as to cause thermoelastic expansion of the active beam relative to the passive beam and bending of the actuator. The current is delivered in an actuation pulse having a pulse width of less than 0.2 microseconds.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Zamtec LimitedInventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Misty Bagnat, Vincent Patrick Lawlor, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 8226190Abstract: A recording element substrate includes a recording element, a first voltage conversion circuit configured to receive a first control signal and to output the first control signal with an increased amplitude, a second voltage conversion circuit configured to receive a second control signal and to output the second control signal with an increased amplitude, a PMOS transistor connected to one end of the recording element, and an NMOS transistor connected to the other end of the recording element, wherein the PMOS transistor has a gate connected to an output of the first voltage conversion circuit, and the NMOS transistor has a gate connected to an output of the second voltage conversion circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Hirayama, Tatsuo Furukawa, Masataka Sakurai, Ryo Kasai, Tomoko Kudo
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Publication number: 20120154489Abstract: To carry out temperature control of ink in an appropriate manner, the invention includes a head having nozzles; driving elements for carrying out an operation to eject ink from the nozzles on the basis of a drive signal; transistors for generating the drive signal, the transistors emitting heat when the drive signal is generated; and a Peltier element provided correspondingly with respect to the transistors; wherein temperature control of ink inside the head is carried out according to a first heat conduction mode in which heat emitted by the transistors is conducted to the ink inside the head, and a second heat conduction mode in which heat emitted by the transistors is conducted to one of the junctions of the Peltier element, whereby a transition is made to heat absorption at another junction of the Peltier element and heat is conducted to the ink inside the head.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventor: Teruo NAKAYAMA
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Patent number: 8197021Abstract: A recording head includes electrothermal transducers associated with temperature sensing elements. A method for driving the recording head includes supplying driving energy to the electrothermal transducer, and evaluating a temperature change in a temperature fall interval, occurring after supplying of driving energy to the electrothermal transducer, based on temperature information acquired from the temperature sensing element. The method further includes changing a setting value of the driving energy supplied to the electrothermal transducer, determining an energy value for driving the electrothermal transducer based on the evaluated temperature change and an energy value supplied to the electrothermal conversion element, and recording data on a recording medium by driving the electrothermal transducer according to the determined energy value.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2011Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takatsuna Aoki, Hiroshi Takabayashi, Seiichiro Karita
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Element substrate, and printhead, head cartridge, and printing apparatus using the element substrate
Patent number: 8191996Abstract: This invention relates to a printhead element substrate having a plurality of electrothermal transducers and a plurality of switching elements which drive the plurality of electrothermal transducers. The element substrate has a level converter which is shared by adjacent electrothermal transducers and steps up an input driving signal, and a switch circuit which supplies the driving signal output from the level converter to one of the adjacent electrothermal transducers. The switch circuit switches the supply destination of the driving signal in accordance with an external input selection signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2010Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koichi Omata, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Souta Takeuchi, Takaaki Yamaguchi, Kousuke Kubo -
Patent number: 8191995Abstract: The present invention relates to a printhead for thermal inkjet printing and the printing method thereof. The printhead includes: a substrate having a plurality of orifices with a firing element in each of said plurality of orifices, wherein said plurality of orifices are arranged in a single column, and said printhead is disposed at an angle to a horizontal direction along which said printhead scans; and firing circuits for energizing said plurality of firing elements to eject ink on a printing medium by respectively transmitting a plurality of firing signals to said plurality of firing elements. According to the present invention, the print speed and resolution can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd.Inventors: Francis Chee-Shuen Lee, Wei-Fu Lai
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Patent number: 8172368Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a plurality of firing cells and a fire line adapted to conduct an energy signal including energy pulses. Each firing cell in the plurality of firing cells includes a firing resistor, a drive switch, a first data switch, and a second data switch. The drive switch is configured to enable the firing resistor to respond to the energy signal. The first data switch is configured to receive data signals that represent an image and to latch the data signals to provide latched data signals. The second data switch is configured to receive the latched data signals and control the drive switch to enable the firing resistor to respond to the energy signal and heat fluid to be ejected based on the latched data signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Trudy Benjamin, James P. Axtell
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Patent number: 8167411Abstract: This invention is directed to an element substrate including a plurality of print element arrays in which print elements are arranged at different arrayed densities. The element substrate can efficiently transfer data to each print element. The element substrate includes the following arrangement. More specifically, the first print element array having a relatively large number of print elements, and the second print element array which is equal in length to the first print element array and has a relatively small number of print elements are juxtaposed. The element substrate includes one shift register which holds data for driving the print element of the second print element array, and a plurality of shift registers for dividing and holding data for driving the print elements of the first print element array.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Souta Takeuchi, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Koichi Omata, Takaaki Yamaguchi, Kousuke Kubo
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Patent number: 8162444Abstract: There is provided a printing head which improves durability and increases reliability by reducing stress occurring in a bonding part between an electrode pad and an inner lead at cooling. The electrode pad and the inner lead are electrically connected in such a manner that in the bonding portions between the electrode pad and a stud bump, only a part of contacting portions between the electrode and the stud bump is bonded.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinya Miura, Junichiro Iri
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Patent number: 8162443Abstract: A method of ejecting droplets of liquid from a paired drop ejector, the method includes the steps of providing a chamber having a dividing wall that forms a first and second portion and the first portion includes a first nozzle mated with a first heater and the second portion includes a second nozzle mated with a second heater; providing liquid to the first portion and second portions of the chamber through an open end of the enclosure; providing a first electrical pulse to the first heater to provide thermal energy for ejecting a droplet of liquid from the first nozzle; and providing a second electrical pulse to the second heater to provide thermal energy for ejecting a droplet of liquid from the second nozzle; wherein the second electrical pulse is delayed relative to the first electrical pulse by a first predetermined delay time.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Yonglin Xie
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Patent number: 8157357Abstract: The present invention provides a higher density, higher resolution, higher durability and lower cost circuit substrate. In a circuit substrate in which a circuit including: a plurality of heat generating elements in which a pair of electrodes opposing each other to form a predetermined gap is provided on a resistor 16 and a portion where a resistor layer is positioned between the electrodes is taken as a resistor portion; and first and second wiring layers 12 and 15 for energizing the pair of electrodes of each heat generating element; is mounted on a substrate 10, the substrate is formed of Si, the first wiring layer is formed of a metal material containing at least Si, the first wiring layer is electrically connected to the substrate, the second wiring layer is provided on the first wiring layer through a metal film 14 for preventing Si from diffusing and a resistor is provided over the second wiring layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Keiichi Sasaki
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Publication number: 20120081469Abstract: A stationary pagewidth inkjet printhead has one or more nozzle rows extending along a longitudinal axis of the printhead. Each nozzle is configured to fire a droplet of ink at a plurality of predetermined different dot positions along the longitudinal axis, such that a printed dot density exceeds a nozzle density of the printhead.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Emma Rose Kerr, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, Vincent Patrick Lawlor, Misty Bagnat
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Publication number: 20120081470Abstract: A method of controlling a direction of droplet ejection from an inkjet nozzle having a plurality of moveable paddles, the method includes the steps of: (i) actuating a first thermal bend actuator via respective first drive circuitry such that a respective first paddle bends towards a floor of the nozzle chamber; (ii) actuating a second thermal bend actuator via respective second drive circuitry such that a respective second paddle bends towards a floor of the nozzle chamber; and (iii) thereby ejecting a droplet of ink. Actuation of the first and second thermal bend actuators is independently controlled via the first and second drive circuitry so as to control the direction of droplet ejection.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Emma Rose Kerr, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, Vincent Patrick Lawlor, Misty Bagnat
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Publication number: 20120081471Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink-jet chip, adaptive for a printing device, at least comprising: a plurality of ink-jet heating elements and an ink-jet signal generating circuit. The ink-jet signal generating circuit at least includes: a counter electrically connected with the printing device, for receiving a counter control signal and a pulse signal, and generating a plurality of counter signals corresponding to the counter control signal and the pulse signal; and a decoder electrically connected with the counter, for receiving and decoding the plurality of counter signals, for generating a plurality of address signals, and selecting a corresponding ink-jet heating element basing on the plurality of address signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: Wen Hsiung LIAO, Rong Ho YU, Cheng Ming CHANG, Hsien Chung TAI
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Publication number: 20120081463Abstract: An inkjet nozzle assembly having: a nozzle chamber for containing ink, the nozzle chamber including a floor and a roof having a nozzle opening defined therein; and a plurality of moveable paddles defining part of the roof. The plurality of paddles are actuable to cause ejection of an ink droplet from the nozzle opening. Each paddle includes a thermal bend actuator, and each actuator is independently controllable via respective drive circuitry such that a direction of droplet ejection from the nozzle opening is controllable by independent movement of each paddle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Emma Rose Kerr, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, Vincent Patrick Lawlor, Misty Bagnat
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Patent number: 8141984Abstract: A liquid discharge substrate includes a first substrate having an element, on a first surface, that generates energy for discharging liquid; a plurality of first electrodes electrically connected to the element and passing from the first surface to a second surface of the first substrate opposite to the first surface; a second substrate that is in contact with the second surface to support the first substrate; and second electrodes provided between the first substrate and the second substrate and electrically connected to the plurality of first electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shuzo Iwanaga
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Patent number: 8141993Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus including a head that ejects fluid, a first fluid storing section for storing the fluid that is located below the head, a second fluid storing section for storing the liquid that is located above the first fluid storing section, a pumping mechanism capable of moving the fluid from the first fluid storing section to the second fluid storing section through the head, and a controller that alternates between a first control mode wherein the pumping mechanism moves the fluid from the first fluid storing section to the second fluid storing section and a second control mode in which the fluid is allowed to flow from the second fluid storing section to the first fluid storing section through the head. Upon receiving an instruction to turn off the power, the controller shifts to the second control mode and then turns off the power.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Toshio Kumagai, Jun Shimazaki
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Patent number: 8132895Abstract: This invention is directed to a head substrate capable of high-quality printing even when the environmental temperature, print duty, and printhead itself change, a printhead, a head cartridge, and a printing apparatus using the printhead. The head substrate includes a plurality of heaters, a constant electric current source which generates a constant electric current used to drive the heaters, and a reference current generation circuit which generates a reference current for generating the constant electric current. The head substrate also includes a MOSFET which drives the heaters by the constant electric current obtained by driving the constant electric current source in accordance with the reference current, and a switch which determines the time for which the reference current is generated. The open-close time of the switch can be externally controlled.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Keiji Tomizawa, Masaki Oikawa
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Patent number: 8128206Abstract: A liquid ejection substrate used to eject a liquid includes a substrate having an element row including a plurality of elements provided in a row, where each of the elements generates energy, drive circuits that drive and control the elements, a signal line that is shared by and connected to the drive circuits, the signal line being provided along the element row, and a heating portion generating heat used to heat the substrate, wherein the heating portion is provided so that the heating portion does not overlap the signal line with reference to a direction perpendicular to a face of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takaaki Yamaguchi, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Koichi Omata, Kousuke Kubo
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Patent number: 8128205Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a plurality of firing cells, a clocked latch switch, and a data latch switch. Each firing cell includes a heater used to fire ink through a nozzle, a drive switch, and a memory cell used to store a control value used to control the drive switch. The memory cell includes a data switch. A clocked latch switch receives a data-in signal and latches the data-in signal. All of the firing cells in the plurality of firing cells use the data-in signal latched by the clocked latch switch. The data latch switch latches the data-in signal to the data switch of at least two, but not all of the firing cells in the plurality of firing cells.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2007Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Trudy Benjamin, Kevin Bruce
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Patent number: 8113611Abstract: Micro-fluid ejection apparatuses and devices, and methods related to communication in and with the same. One such micro-fluid ejection apparatus includes a controller configured to generate a data signal, and a transmitter configured to convert the data signal to a current signal. The apparatus further includes a conductor capable of carrying the current signal, and a receiver configured to receive the current signal from the conductor and to convert the current signal to a second data signal. The micro-fluid ejection apparatus is configured to operate on the second data signal. In one embodiment, the micro-fluid ejection apparatus may be a printing apparatus, such as an inkjet printing apparatus. In some embodiments, the current signal comprises a pair of corresponding differential current signals and/or current transfer logic signals offset from a base amperage level.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Steven Wayne Bergstedt, John Glenn Edelen
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Patent number: 8109586Abstract: Embodiments of a fluid ejection device are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2007Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Trudy Benjamin
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Patent number: 8100508Abstract: A printing head is provided in which a distance between an ejection port face of the printing head and a print medium is reduced to improve an ink ejection accuracy during a printing operation. The printing head of the present invention is a back shooting-type printing head. The heater and an electrode connected thereto are formed at the back face of the substrate. The electrode and an in-support-base wiring for supplying electricity to the heater via the electrode are connected to each other at the back face side of the substrate. The substrate and the support base have therebetween a liquid chamber wall member including therein a space. The substrate, the support base, and the liquid chamber wall member constitute a liquid chamber that communicates with the ejection port and that stores ink supplied to the ejection port.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Riichi Saito, Yasutomo Watanabe, Akira Yamamoto, Shuzo Iwanaga
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Patent number: 8100505Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a substrate, a nozzle forming member for forming on a principal surface of the substrate a nozzle comprising a flow passage of liquid and an orifice for ejecting the liquid, and a dummy pattern. The dummy pattern has substantially the same dimension as at least a part of the nozzle and is formed so that a cross-section of the dummy pattern is exposed at an end surface of the nozzle forming member.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomotsugu Kuroda, Toru Yamane, Mikiya Umeyama, Masaki Oikawa, Yuichiro Akama, Chiaki Muraoka, Keiji Tomizawa
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Publication number: 20120007923Abstract: A printhead is provided having vapor bubble generators which each have a chamber having a fluid ejection port and a heater, and circuitry configured to provide current pulses to the heater to generate vapor bubbles in fluid within the chamber. The pulses have a heating pulse of a first voltage and duration immediately followed by an ejection pulse of a second voltage and duration, the second voltage being higher than the first voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Inventors: Angus John North, Samuel James Myers, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 8087757Abstract: A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current. A drive transistor provides an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator upon receipt of a control pulse. Each energy pulse has energy of less than 200 nanojoule.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2011Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 8075102Abstract: A substrate for an ink jet head is provided with a plurality of energy generating members generating energy used for discharging an ink, an electrode pad which is arranged near a side of the substrate, and is for electrically connecting to an outside of the substrate, a plurality of electrode wirings for electrically connecting the plurality of energy generating members and the electrode pad, and a plurality of resistance elements which are respectively provided at the plurality of electrode wirings. Resistance values of the plurality of resistance elements differ from one another according to resistance values of the electrode wirings provided with the respective resistance elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2009Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takuya Hatsui, Hirokazu Komuro, Kazuaki Shibata
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Patent number: 8075101Abstract: A recording head includes electrothermal transducers associated with temperature sensing elements. A method for driving the recording head includes supplying driving energy to the electrothermal transducer, and evaluating a temperature change in a temperature fall interval, occurring after supplying of driving energy to the electrothermal transducer, based on temperature information acquired from the temperature sensing element. The method further includes changing a setting value of the driving energy supplied to the electrothermal transducer, determining an energy value for driving the electrothermal transducer based on the evaluated temperature change and an energy value supplied to the electrothermal conversion element, and recording data on a recording medium by driving the electrothermal transducer according to the determined energy value.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takatsuna Aoki, Hiroshi Takabayashi, Seiichiro Karita
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Patent number: 8070248Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs an image forming operation by driving a ejecting element of a recording head with an ink ejecting drive voltage for ejecting ink, detects a temperature of ink to be flown into the recording head and a temperature of ink to be discharged respectively with a first temperature detection section and a second temperature detection section, and corrects the ink ejecting drive voltage on the basis of a temperature of ink being heat-transferred with the ejecting element, which is estimated with a predetermined conversion formula on the basis of the detected ink temperatures, for controlling an ink amount to be ejected.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignees: Ortek Corporation, Riso Kagaku CorporationInventor: Takeo Ogama
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Patent number: 8070263Abstract: There are provided a printing head substrate, an ink jet printing head and an ink jet printing apparatus, which accurately detect a temperature state in the central part of a heater array on the substrate and restrict an area of the substrate to a minimum. A printing head substrate has a plurality of heating elements, a plurality of ink supply openings, a logic circuit for driving the heating elements; a substrate temperature detecting element for detecting a temperature of the printing head substrate, and input and output pads for carrying out reception and supply of a signal between a printing apparatus, and the logic circuit and the substrate temperature detecting element, wherein a beam integral with the substrate is provided between the plurality of ink supply openings, and the substrate temperature detecting element is arranged on the beam.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2009Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ryoji Oohashi, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Koichi Omata, Hideo Tamura, Takaaki Yamaguchi, Kousuke Kubo, Yuuji Tamaru, Masafumi Takimoto
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Patent number: 8070262Abstract: This invention is directed to allow efficiently transferring data to each print element (heater) and efficiently laying out circuits in an element substrate including plural heater arrays in which different numbers of heaters are arranged. This substrate includes: a first array having a relatively large number of heaters; and a second array which is equal in length to the first array and has a relatively small number of heaters. These arrays are juxtaposed. The substrate further includes plural shift registers equal in number to the heater arrays of the substrate. The shift registers include a shift register which holds some data for driving the heaters of the first heater array, and data for driving the heaters of the second heater array. The shift registers further include a shift register which holds data other than some data for driving the heaters of the first heater array.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2009Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takaaki Yamaguchi, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Koichi Omata, Souta Takeuchi, Kousuke Kubo
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Patent number: 8061815Abstract: An inkjet printhead with an array of ink chambers, each having a nozzle, an actuator for ejecting ink through the nozzle, an inlet opening allowing ink to refill the chamber and a filter structure at the inlet opening. The filter structure has rows of obstructions extending transverse to the flow direction through the opening. The rows are spaced along the flow direction and the obstructions in each row being spaced such that they are out of registration with the obstructions in an adjacent row with respect to the flow direction. Filtering the ink as it enters the chamber removes the contaminants and bubbles but it also retards ink flow into the chamber. The present invention uses a filter structure that has rows of obstructions in the flow path. The rows are offset with respect to each other to induce turbulence. This has a minimal effect on the nozzle refill rate but the air bubbles or other contaminants are likely to be retained by the obstructions.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 8057014Abstract: A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current. A shift register comprising a plurality of successive registers is also included. The shift register receives input data in a first register, and shifts the input data to successive registers upon receipt of a shift signal. A transfer register latches data in one of the registers of the shift register. A control gate outputs a control pulse in response to data in the transfer register. A drive transistor provides an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator upon receipt of the control pulse.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 8047633Abstract: A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current, a shift register comprising a plurality of successive registers, the shift register receives input data in a first register, and shifts the input data to successive registers upon receipt of a shift signal, a transfer register for latching data in one of the registers of the shift register; a control gate for outputting a control pulse in response to data in the transfer register, and a drive transistor for providing an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator upon receipt of the control pulse. Each energy pulse has a pulse voltage of less than 10 Volt.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Publication number: 20110261114Abstract: A jetting module includes a nozzle plate, a thermal stimulation membrane, and an enclosure. Portions of the nozzle plate define a nozzle. The thermal stimulation membrane includes a plurality of pores. The enclosure extends from the nozzle towards the thermal stimulation membrane to define a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle and the thermal stimulation membrane. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with each of the nozzle and the plurality of pores. The liquid chamber is spanned by a portion of the thermal stimulation membrane. A source provides a liquid under pressure through the thermal stimulation member with the pressure being sufficient to jet a stream of the liquid through the nozzle after the liquid flows through the thermal stimulation membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Michael F. Baumer, Yonglin Xie, Ali G. Lopez
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Patent number: 8033626Abstract: An ink jet printhead module adapted for use in a printing apparatus, the ink jet printhead module being capable of receiving address signals and chip selection signals from a printhead drive unit of the printing apparatus. The printhead module includes chip control circuits, each being capable of receiving the address signals and receiving a corresponding one of the chip selection signals. Each chip control circuit includes switching circuits and an ink jetting circuit set. Each switching circuit is capable of receiving a corresponding one of the address signals and the corresponding one of chip selection signals and outputting a switching signal. An ink jetting circuit set includes ink jetting circuits, each being capable of receiving the switching signal from the corresponding switching circuit electrically coupled to the ink jetting circuit and determining whether or not to jet out ink based on the received switching signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: International United Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hung-Lieh Hu, Jui-Hua Hu, Francis Chee-Shuen Lee, Wei-Fu Lai
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Patent number: 8035060Abstract: The invention provides for an inkjet printhead having a plurality of micro-electromechanical vapor bubble generators. Each bubble generator includes a nozzle in fluid communication with an ink chamber, and a heater positioned in thermal contact with ink in the chamber. Each generator also includes drive circuitry configured to provide a modulated pulse to the heater to generate a vapor bubble in the ink in said chamber, the pulse comprising a pre-heat series of a predetermined number of pulses separated by a predetermined period, followed by a trigger pulse of a period twice that of said predetermined period.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Angus John North, Samuel James Myers, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 8016389Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising: an array of nozzles arranged into rows, each row of nozzles is divided into a series of groups; and, drive circuitry for sending a drive pulse to each of the nozzles individually such that they eject a drop of printing fluid; wherein, the drive circuitry delays sending the drive pulses to one of the groups relative to at least one of the other groups.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2006Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: John Robert Sheahan, Mark Jackson Pulver, Brian Christopher Morahan, Alireza Moini, Timothy Peter Gillespie, Michael John Webb, Brian Robert Brown, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7997697Abstract: A droplet discharge head including a nozzle substrate having nozzle openings, a cavity substrate having discharge chambers that communicate with the nozzle openings and discharge droplets from the nozzle openings, a reservoir substrate having a reservoir concave portion that serves as a reservoir which communicates commonly with the discharge chambers. The reservoir substrate is provided between the nozzle substrate and the cavity substrate and a resin thin film is formed on a whole inner face of the reservoir concave portion and on a bottom face of a second concave portion. The second concave portion is provided in a peripheral of the reservoir concave portion and has a depth which is smaller than the depth of the reservoir concave portion. The resin thin film is cut circularly so as to surround the reservoir concave portion, and a part of the resin thin film serves as a diaphragm buffering pressure variation. serves as a diaphragm buffering pressure variation.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2007Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Katsuji Arawaka, Kazufumi Oya
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Patent number: 7988250Abstract: A printer includes a printhead and a source of liquid. The printhead includes a nozzle bore. The liquid is under pressure sufficient to eject a column of the liquid through the nozzle bore. The liquid has a temperature. A thermal modulator is associated with the nozzle bore. The thermal modulator is operable to transiently lower the temperature of the liquid as the liquid is ejected through the nozzle bore. An electrical pulse source is in electrical communication with the thermal modulator. The electrical pulse source is operable to provide a series of pulses to the thermal modulator that control the transient temperature lowering of the liquid. The series of pulses includes a first pulse applied at a first power level for transferring heat to the liquid, a second pulse applied at a second power level for transferring heat to the liquid, and a third pulse applied at a third power level for transferring heat to the liquid. The third power level is in between the first power level and the second power level.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Gilbert A. Hawkins, Siddhartha Ghosh, Christopher N. Delametter, Edward P. Furlani