Patents Examined by Julian Huffman
  • Patent number: 9962931
    Abstract: Examples include estimation of pen to paper spacing (PPS). Examples include an alignment pattern printed on a medium at a target speed, an optical scan procedure performed on the printed alignment pattern to determine values of cross-media misalignment for first and second portions of the alignment pattern, determination of a dynamic swath height error (DSHE) effect value based on the values of cross-media misalignment, and estimation of an amount of PPS based on the determined DSHE effect value and the target print speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jordi Sender Beleta, Montserrat Sorano Pallarol, Marcos Casaldaliga Albisu, M. Isabel Borrell Bayona
  • Patent number: 9962954
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes: a plurality of heat elements that are to be heated by applying an electrical power; a printing controller that applies a first electrical power to heat elements not to be used for printing, the first electrical power depending on the number of heat elements not to be used for printing among the plurality of heat elements; and a thermal head that prints using the plurality of heat elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichi Tatsuta, Junya Tanaka, Misato Ishikawa, Shunsuke Hattori, Takahiro Omori, Tetsuya Kugimiya, Kazuaki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9962937
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes first and second recording element boards having recording elements for generating energy to be utilized for ejection of liquid, first and second support members for respectively supporting the first and second recording element boards, and a flow channel forming member carrying thereon the first and second support members arranged side by side. The edge of the first recording element board located at the side of the second recording element board projects toward the second recording element board from the edge of the first support member located at the side of the second support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shingo Okushima, Seiichiro Karita, Takatsuna Aoki, Noriyasu Nagai
  • Patent number: 9962946
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting system has a liquid ejecting apparatus, a liquid storing container, and a conduit. When the liquid storing container is pulled out from the case of the liquid ejecting apparatus, the visual recognition portion provided on the liquid storing container is exposed from the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Munehide Kanaya, Tokujiro Okuno, Hideo Shimamura
  • Patent number: 9962944
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a second flow-path-member comprising a second flow-path in communication with first and third flow-paths provided in first and second flow-path-members, the second flow-path-member stacked with the third flow-path-members in a stacking direction. A boundary between the first and second flow-path is tightly sealed by a first sealing-member. A boundary between the second and third flow-path is tightly sealed by a second sealing-member. The second flow-path-member includes a first substrate for positioning itself to the third flow-path-member in first and second directions intersecting with the stacking direction, and a second substrate for positioning itself to the third flow-path-member in the stacking direction. The first substrate is pressed against in the first and second directions by one of the first and second sealing-member. The second substrate is pressed against in the stacking direction by another one of the first and second sealing-member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Kanegae
  • Patent number: 9961234
    Abstract: A replaceable item for a host device, such as a print substance cartridge for a printing device, stores multiple identities. For each identity, the replaceable item stores multiple authentication values, or passwords. The replaceable item selects an identity, and in response to a request for an authentication value from the host device, sends the requested authentication value for the selected identity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Panshin, Jefferson P. Ward, Erik D. Ness
  • Patent number: 9956783
    Abstract: A fluidic dispensing device includes a first fluid supply containing a primary fluid and a second fluid supply containing a humidification fluid. A plurality of primary nozzles in fluid communication with the first fluid supply eject the primary fluid and a plurality of humidification nozzles in fluid communication with the second fluid supply eject the humidification fluid for controlling a humidity of an environment adjacent the plurality of primary nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lucas D. Barkley, Michael A. Marra
  • Patent number: 9952270
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a shaft insertable into a target area, and an electronic component configured to generate a signal. The electronic component may be on or within the shaft. The electronic device may also include at least one antenna on or within the shaft. The electronic device may also include a receiver operatively coupled to the antenna. The receiver may monitor an electrical characteristic of the antenna to identify an effect of an electromagnetic field on the electrical characteristic of the antenna. The electronic device may also include a processor communicatively coupled to the receiver. At least one of the receiver and the processor may predict an effect of the electromagnetic field on the signal generated by the electronic component, based at least in part on the effect of the electromagnetic field on the electrical characteristic of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell P. Dresher
  • Patent number: 9952065
    Abstract: A position sensor device to determine a position of a moving device comprises a detection unit to detect a signal generated by the moving device and an evaluation unit to determine a first position (?0(t1)) specifying the position of the moving device at a first time (t1). An error distance determination unit determines a velocity of the movement of the moving device and at least one error distance (?err1, ?err2, ?err3) specifying a distance by which the moving device moves on between the first time (t1) and a second time (t2) in dependence on the velocity and a propagation delay time (Tpd). A position correction unit is configured to determine a corrected position (?corr) in dependence on the at least one error distance (?err1, ?err2, ?err3) and the first position (?0(t1)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Ruggero Leoncavallo, Kurt Riedmueller
  • Patent number: 9945694
    Abstract: A rotary angle sensor used to determine a relative angular position as compared to a reference position, comprising a housing (1), at least one rotor (3, 4) that is rotatably mounted inside said housing (1), one circuit board (2) containing electrical and/or electronic components as well as one or multiple stators corresponding to the number of used rotors (3, 4). The rotary angle sensor is supposed to be improved in such a manner that a particularly precise alignment of the first rotor (3) in relation to the stator is ensured and that it is inexpensive to manufacture. This is achieved by a first rotor (3) that is interlocked with the housing (1) without any play while a pre-loaded spring washer (14) is positioned on the latching arms (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Elpermann, Stefan Peters
  • Patent number: 9944098
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a data processing portion that creates image data that corresponds to printing of a predetermined unit, a transport portion that transports a printing medium, and a printing portion that executes the printing of the predetermined unit on the printing medium on the basis of the image data, in which the data processing portion determines whether or not the creation of image data precedes the printing, causes the printing portion to execute a first printing process for printing of a lower end portion of an image of a printing target in a case in which the creation of image data is precedent, and causes the printing portion to execute a second printing process for printing of the lower end portion in a case in which the creation of image data is not precedent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kanako Ide
  • Patent number: 9944080
    Abstract: In one example, a fluid flow structure includes a micro device embedded in a molding having a channel therein through which fluid may flow directly into the device and/or onto the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Chien-Hua Chen, Michael W. Cumbie
  • Patent number: 9937712
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus which includes a modulation circuit which generates a modulated signal obtained by performing pulse modulation with respect to a source signal as a source of a driving signal; a boosting circuit which outputs a voltage boosted by at least a first capacitor; a pair of transistors which generates an amplified-modulated signal based on the modulated signal; a low pass filter which generates a driving signal by smoothing the amplified-modulated signal; a voltage generating circuit which outputs an offset voltage from an output terminal; and a second capacitor which is electrically connected to the output terminal, in which at least the boosting circuit and the voltage generating circuit are integrated in an integrated circuit, and a distance between the first capacitor and the integrated circuit is shorter than a distance between the second capacitor and the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Dai Nozawa
  • Patent number: 9938773
    Abstract: An artificial toolface reference system includes a power supply providing current to a ground lead and a reference lead. A ground point is coupled to the ground lead and in electrical connection with the ground. A reference wellbore includes a reference conductor in electrical connection with the ground. The reference conductor is in electrical connection with the reference lead. A guidance sensor positioned outside the reference wellbore includes at least one magnetometer. The power supply may be used to provide a current through the reference conductor, the ground, and the ground point such that a reference magnetic field is generated along the reference conductor. The guidance sensor may measure the reference magnetic field with a magnetometer. An artificial magnetic toolface may be calculated therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Clinton James Moss, Douglas Thacher Ridgway, Troy Martin, Arthur La Porta
  • Patent number: 9937711
    Abstract: An inkjet printer includes plural inkjet heads that are aligned in a head alignment direction to form a head row, a blower that blows air to the head row from one side along the head alignment direction, and an aspirator that is disposed on an extended line of the head row and on the other side along the head alignment direction for aspirating air through its aspirator port. The aspirator includes a tubular duct that extends from the aspirator port toward the head row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: RISO KAGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinichiro Otsuka
  • Patent number: 9937740
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes an ink tank forming an ink chamber and including an injection inlet, a cover, a cover sensor, a recording head, a monitor, and a controller. The cover is movable between a covering position and an exposing position. The cover sensor is positioned to output a signal depending on the position of the cover. The controller controls operation of the recording head, the monitor. The controller receives either a first positional signal or a second positional signal of the cover sensor, and based on receipt of the first positional signal after receipt of the second positional signal from the cover sensor, performs a decision process deciding whether an operation regarding ink injection into the ink chamber is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mana Honoki
  • Patent number: 9931857
    Abstract: An expendable supply includes a memory that stores a timing of a last warning after a recommended limit. A warning generator of a printer determines whether to generate a warning upon occurrence of certain operations. The warning generator generates a warning when the last warning generation time is not stored in the memory of the expendable supply upon detection by a printer detector, or upon the last warning generation included in a first time period is stored in the expendable supply memory at the detection by the detector and the first time period has elapsed at the detection by the detector. A warning is not generated upon the timing of the last warning generation included in the first time period is already stored in the expendable supply memory upon detection by the detector and the first time period having not elapsed at the detection by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: RISO KAGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Ohtaka, Tomoki Matsumura, Naoto Tajima
  • Patent number: 9931853
    Abstract: An ink storage apparatus for a printing system includes at least one ink container defining a storage volume for holding a predetermined volume of printing ink, the ink container being elongate and having a substantially uniform cross-sectional profile perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof. The cross-sectional profile is elliptical or oval. The ink storage apparatus in a printing system includes at least one ink container defining a storage volume for holding a predetermined volume of printing ink, and an agitator device arranged within the storage volume of the ink container for agitating the ink. The agitator device includes at least one agitator member which is configured to rotate about an axis. The agitator member includes a paddle element having a generally planar rectangular configuration, and a plurality of fin elements which are configured or arranged to extend out of a plane of the paddle element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: OCE-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Antonius J. J. Van Gerven, Lamberdina J. A. M. Driessen-Olde Scheper, Hermanus J. P. M. Philipse
  • Patent number: 9931867
    Abstract: A printer ribbon supply spindle assembly is provided. The ribbon spindle has multiple segments contiguous to each other. The spindle assembly includes a commutator disposed circumferentially on the first segment of the ribbon spindle and two carbon brushes connected to a voltage source and disposed generally in electrical contact with and on either side of the commutator. The voltage source, the carbon brushes, and the commutator complete an electrical circuit. C-shaped conductive springs are disposed over each of the multiple segments. The c-shaped conductive springs compress when covered by a printer ribbon and become in electrical contact with the commutator and adjacent compressed c-shaped springs, forming additional parallel circuits. An electronic element is disposed at the center of the c-shaped conductive springs. Measuring a change in the circuit due the additional parallel circuits with the electronic element indicates the printer ribbon width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Datamax-O'Neil Corporation
    Inventors: Yaw Horng Yap, Teck Siong Soh, Boon Kheng Lim, Aravindkumar Harinarayanan
  • Patent number: 9931836
    Abstract: Provided is an ink jet recording apparatus including: a base metal pigment ink composition; and a first nozzle that ejects the base metal pigment ink composition, in which the base metal pigment ink composition contains a flat base metal pigment of which a 50% average particle diameter D50 is in a range of 100 nm to 1 ?m, and an organic compound of which a surface tension at 20° C. is 35 mN/m or greater, and an ejection interval T1 after the base metal pigment ink composition is ejected from the first nozzle and before the base metal pigment ink composition is ejected again from the first nozzle is within 100 ?s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Toyoda, Masaru Terada