Patents Examined by Blaise Mouttet
  • Method and apparatus for preventing theft of replaceable printing components
    Patent number: 6739691
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates a marking engine for use in a marking machine. The marking engine is responsive to control signals for selectively depositing marking material on media. The marking engine includes a housing associated with the marking engine. The housing is configured for docking with the printing system. Also included is a radio frequency linking device mounted to the housing for providing a radio frequency link for transferring information between the marking engine and surveillance devices different from the marking machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Ray A. Walker
  • Image forming system and image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 6736476
    Abstract: When an image is sensed by a digital camera, image additional information as the image sensing conditions is stored together with the sensed image information. Also, information unique to that digital camera is stored together with the image additional information. The digital camera is connected to a printer by, e.g., an IEEE1394 I/F. The printer stores printing control information as various combinations of unique information such as its printing method, the types of ink, paper, and the like, print quality and print speed, and processing technique such as masking. In response to a print instruction, the printer reads the image information and image additional information from the digital camera, and selects the printing control information in accordance with the read information and the set printing mode. The printer prints an image using the selected printing control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirowo Inoue, Hisashi Ishikawa, Hiroshi Tajika, Miyuki Fujita, Yuji Konno, Kenji Takahashi, Norihiro Kawatoko
  • Printing apparatus, control method therefor, and computer-readable memory
    Patent number: 6733100
    Abstract: At least defective printing element information about a defective printing element among a plurality of printing elements is stored in an EEPROM. A complementary printing element for masking printing data corresponding to the defective printing element indicated by the defective printing element information and complementarily printing the printing data corresponding to the defective printing element is determined. The printing data of the defective printing element is printed using the determined complementary printing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Miyuki Fujita, Hiroshi Tajika, Yuji Konno, Norihiro Kawatoko, Tetsuya Edamura, Tetsuhiro Maeda
  • Scanning optical system
    Patent number: 6734890
    Abstract: A scanning optical system that emits a plurality of beams to a plurality of surfaces to be scanned, respectively. The scanning optical system includes a light source and a polygonal mirror. The plurality of beams incident on the polygonal mirror are inclined with respect each other in an auxiliary scanning direction. The scanning optical system further includes an imaging optical system that converges the deflected beams on the plurality of surfaces, respectively. The imaging optical system includes a front lens group and a plurality of rear lens groups. All the beams are incident on the front lens group, and then incident on the respective rear lens groups. Each of the plurality of rear lens groups has a shape which is designed in accordance with an angle of a beam incident thereon with respect to an optical axis of the front lens group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi Takeuchi, Daisuke Koreeda
  • Printing apparatus and test pattern printing method
    Patent number: 6726302
    Abstract: A plurality of dot pattern formation is performed for each of a plurality of print elements. By overlaying or contacting a plurality of dots printed by the plurality of formation, a density value of a dot pattern formed on a printing medium is increased, and a test pattern whose area is enlarged is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kaneji Yamada
  • Correction of positional misalignment in bidirectional printing by taking into account inclination of nozzle array
    Patent number: 6726303
    Abstract: A correction value, which is used to correct misalignment of recording positions in a main scanning direction, is determined using a representative nozzle sub-array as a reference. The representative nozzle sub-array is within a predetermined range around the center of a nozzle array provided on a print head. The correction value is set, based on a positional misalignment test pattern printed with the representative nozzle sub-array. The misalignment of recording positions in the main scanning direction in the course of bidirectional printing is corrected with the correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Otsuki
  • Method and apparatus for irradiating active energy ray
    Patent number: 6727508
    Abstract: A target object to be irradiated is transported into an irradiating chamber through a transport inlet for irradiation with an active energy beam under an inert gas atmosphere in an active energy beam irradiating section included in the irradiating chamber and, then is transported out of the irradiating chamber. When the object is subject to above steps, the gas flow resistance at the transport outlet is controlled such that the active energy beam irradiation is carried out under the condition of X/Y≧1, where X represents the gas amount passing through the transport inlet, and Y represents the gas amount passing through the transport outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Toyo Ink Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tominaga, Akihiko Kizaki, Yasuo Iida, Kunihiko Ozaki
  • Print head shutter
    Patent number: 6726306
    Abstract: A shutter for a print head of a print cartridge is provided. The shutter includes a cover movably attachable to the print cartridge. The cover is movable between a closed position to cover the print head and an open position to expose the print head. An arm is pivotally attachable to the print cartridge and is movably attached to the cover. A biasing device for biasing the cover in the closed position is attached to the arm and is attachable to the print cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Walter Keyes, David A. Bradley, Jr.
  • Electron beam-irradiating reaction apparatus
    Patent number: 6724003
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electron beam-irradiating reaction apparatus for irradiating a desired object to be treated, such as an exhaust gas, with an electron beam. Conventionally, a scanning tube of an electron beam irradiation device and a reaction device-for receiving the electron beam are rigidly connected. Therefore, excessive stress is applied to a connecting portion between the scanning tube and the reaction device and not only leakage of gas from the connecting portion, but also breakage of a metal window foil provided at an end portion of the scanning tube are likely to occur. In the present invention, to solve such problems, a flexible hermetic sealing member 23 is provided between a portion around the end portion of the scanning tube 12 and a peripheral edge 18a of an electron beam receiving window in a side wall of an electron beam reaction device 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Doi, Masao Nomoto, Kazuaki Hayashi, Masahiro Izutsu, Yoshiharu Kageyama, Kyoichi Okamoto
  • Method for reducing turn-off propagation delay in print head drivers
    Patent number: 6719387
    Abstract: An improved inkjet print head driver. The driver includes a source of predrive charge for a first, drive transistor coupled by its source and drain between an output node and a power supply, and having its gate coupled to the source of predrive charge. A second transistor is provided, adapted to receive an input signal at its gate. A third, control transistor is coupled by its source and drain between the gate of the first transistor and the second transistor, the second transistor being coupled by its source and drain between the third transistor and ground. Optionally, a resistor is coupled in parallel with the third transistor, i.e., across the source and drain of the third transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Md Abidur Rahman, Brett E. Smith
  • Ink jet element substrate and ink jet head that employs the substrate, and ink jet apparatus on which the head is mounted
    Patent number: 6705692
    Abstract: Provided is a recording head substrate on which are mounted energy generating elements that contribute to the formation of images by a recording head, and on which both light-receiving elements and light-emitting elements, or at least, light-receiving elements are mounted. In addition, provided is a recording head substrate on which are mounted energy generating elements that contribute to the formation of images by a recording head, and on which are mounted a plurality of head position detecting elements for detecting the position of the recording head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoichi Taneya, Hiroyuki Ishinaga
  • Magnetohydrodynamic power extraction and flow conditioning in a gas flow turbine
    Patent number: 6696774
    Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and a method which utilizes magnetohydrodynamic means for conditioning flow in a gas flow turbine or turbojet and for achieving power extraction to increase relative velocity. Moreover, the power, which is so extracted, can be recycled back into the system in order to further increase the power output and efficiency of the engine. The invention achieves the flow conditioning through use of an inlet annular flow passage. This assembly is placed upstream of the gas turbine inlet and has one or more superconducting magnets, which create a high magnetic field operative across the flow passage. Preferably, the magnetic field is a radial field. The walls of the passage include slots, which accommodate electron beams directed in a spiral path within the magnetic field to form locally ionized regions in the form of a helix within the annular flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventors: Steven J. Schneider, Isaiah M. Blankson
  • Apparatus for automating switching operations of a web offset printing press
    Patent number: 6691619
    Abstract: A web offset printing press has a single switch for automatically changing a previous printing to next printing in order to actuate web continuous supplement means 100, printing plate changing means 207, 208, folding device status switching means, and an ink supplement means 800 along predetermined steps in accordance with a signal from said switch when switching from a previous job to a next job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Saito, Hiroyuki Nagano
  • Liquid discharge head substrate, liquid discharge head, liquid discharge apparatus having these elements, manufacturing method of liquid discharge head, and driving method of the same
    Patent number: 6688729
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head substrate used for a liquid discharge head adapted to discharge liquid by applying discharge energy to the liquid includes a semiconductor substrate provided with an energy conversion element for converting electric energy into discharge energy. The semiconductor substrate is further provided with a function element made of a ferroelectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Sadayuki Sugama, Ichiro Saito, Hiroyuki Ishinaga, Akihiro Yamanaka, Masahiko Kubota
  • Method and apparatus for preventing theft of replaceable printing components
    Patent number: 6685298
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates a marking engine for use in a marking machine. The marking engine is responsive to control signals for selectively depositing marking material on media. The marking engine includes a housing associated with the marking engine. The housing is configured for docking with the printing system. Also included is a radio frequency linking device mounted to the housing for providing a radio frequency link for transferring information between the marking engine and surveillance devices different from the marking machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Ray A. Walker
  • Ink tank and ink jet recording apparatus provided with the same
    Patent number: 6685296
    Abstract: An ink tank is provided which can efficiently perform detection of information in an ink tank such as an ink residual amount in the ink tank with a simple configuration in which it is unnecessary to set wiring or the like. A solid semiconductor element, which is provided with an acquiring unit for acquiring environmental information of the outside, an information storing unit, a discriminating unit for comparing acquired information and stored information to make a determination, and an information communicating unit for displaying the acquired information or communicating the acquired information to the outside, is embedded in an outer wall of an ink tank such that the solid semiconductor element is exposed to an internal side and an external side of the ink tank from the outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Muga Mochizuki, Ichiro Saito, Hiroyuki Ishinaga, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Masahiko Kubota, Ryoji Inoue, Takaaki Yamaguchi
  • Ion beam therapy system and a method for operating the system
    Patent number: 6683318
    Abstract: An ion beam therapy system and method for operating the system includes a source of ions (300), an accelerator system (400) and an ion beam transport system (60) for directing an ion beam to a plurality of treatment stations (100) to treat patients. The ion beam transport system (60) includes a gantry (8) carrying a vertical deflection system (45) and horizontal deflection system (55) positioned upstream from a last bending magnet (65) so as to provide a parallel scanning mode by an edge focusing effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Gesellschaft fuer Schwerionenforschung mbH
    Inventors: Thomas Haberer, Michael Kraemer, Gerhard Kraft, Wilma Kraft-Weyrather, Dieter Schardt, Michael Scholz, Ulrich Weber, Aleksiy Dolinski, Hartmut Eickhoff, Bernhard Franczak, Udo Krause, Juergen Klabunde, Ludwig Dahl, Marius Pavlovic, Ulrich Ratzinger, Bernhard Schlitt, Joerg Pawelke, Rainer Hinz, Wolfgang Enghardt
  • Droplet plate architecture
    Patent number: 6682874
    Abstract: A process for fabricating a droplet plate for the printhead of an ink-jet printer, which process provides design flexibility, precise dimension control, as well as material robustness. Also provided is a droplet plate fabricated in accord with the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company L.P.
    Inventors: Ravi Ramaswami, Victor Joseph, Colin C. Davis, Ronnie J. Yenchik, Daniel A. Kearl, Martha A. Truninger, Roberto A. Pugliese, Jr., Ronald L. Enck
  • Printing apparatus with measuring circuit for diagnosis of condition of each electromechanical transducer
    Patent number: 6682162
    Abstract: A printing apparatus including at least one ink duct provided with an electromechanical transducer, a driver circuit provided with a pulse generator and operatively associated with the transducer to energize the transducer, a measuring circuit operatively associated with the transducer for measuring an electrical signal generated by the transducer in response to energizing by the pulse generator, a device for breaking the circuits in such a manner so that when the drive circuit is open, the measuring circuit is closed, wherein measurement of the electrical signal takes place when the printing apparatus is in a printing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Oce-Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Mathieu Marie Simons, Mark Alexander Groninger
  • Fluid ejection device and method of operating
    Patent number: 6679576
    Abstract: A fluid ejection device has an orifice plate with an orifice therein, and a heating element that heats fluid and ejects the fluid through the orifice that is associated with the heating element. The orifice has an exit area O, and the heating element has an effective surface area R, wherein a ratio R/O is below about 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul Crivelli