Patents Examined by Michael Konczal
  • Current detection structure
    Patent number: 9557352
    Abstract: A current detection structure includes a plurality of busbars arranged in parallel, and a plurality of magnetic detection elements each provided for corresponding one of the plurality of busbars so as to measure a strength of a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the corresponding busbar. The plurality of magnetic detection elements are mounted on a single circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI METALS, LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuya Akimoto, Hisashi Tate, Naofumi Chiwata, Ken Okuyama, Naoki Futakuchi, Yukio Ikeda, Kazuhisa Takahashi, Shinya Hayashi, Takahiro Futatsumori
  • Liquid supplying apparatus, liquid ejecting apparatus, and liquid container unit
    Patent number: 9555639
    Abstract: A liquid supplying apparatus configured to supply a liquid to a liquid ejecting section that is configured to eject the liquid, the liquid supplying apparatus comprising a liquid containing portion configured to contain the liquid, and a fluid communication member in fluid communication with the liquid containing portion and having one end that is exposed to air, the fluid communication member further having a liquid visual recognition portion through which the liquid inside the fluid communication member is visually recognizable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenao Suzuki, Munehide Kanaya, Naomi Kimura, Koki Hayashi, Koji Nishimaki, Shoma Kudo
  • Inkjet nozzle device with roof actuator connected to lateral drive circuitry
    Patent number: 9550359
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead integrated circuit includes: a substrate having a silicon layer; a nozzle plate disposed on the silicon layer; and embedded inkjet nozzle devices. Each inkjet nozzle device includes a nozzle chamber having a roof actuator; drive circuitry laterally disposed relative to the nozzle chamber; a connection arm extending parallel with the nozzle plate from the actuator towards the drive circuitry; and a metal via interconnecting each connection arm and the drive circuitry, the metal via extending perpendicularly to the nozzle plate. The drive circuitry is positioned proximal the nozzle plate relative to a plane of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Memjet Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ronan Padraig Sean O'Reilly, Gregory John McAvoy, Emma Rose Kerr, Vincent Patrick Lawlor, Misty Bagnat, Brian Kevin Donohoe, Eimear Ryan
  • Nanocomposite inkjet printer with integrated nanocomposite-ink factory
    Patent number: 9539802
    Abstract: An apparatus for depositing nanocomposite material comprising a nanocomposite-ink factory and inkjet printer. The nanocomposite-ink factory producing nanocomposite-ink and the inkjet printer receiving the nanocomposite-ink. The inkjet printer having a printhead and a positioning mechanism. The printhead having one or more nozzles to dispense nanocomposite-ink droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Vadient Optics, LLC
    Inventor: George Williams
  • Systems and methods for detecting unauthorized population of surface-mount devices on a printed circuit board
    Patent number: 9519018
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a circuit board may include a connector configured to electrically couple a device to the circuit board. The connector may include a conductive element configured to be electrically coupled to a first voltage and a detection pad configured to be electrically coupled to a second voltage via a resistor, such that when a device pin of a device is electrically coupled to the conductive element, the detection pad is electrically coupled to the conductive element via the device pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: James Lewis Petivan, Alan R. Dellinger
  • Current detection structure
    Patent number: 9513317
    Abstract: A current detection structure includes a busbar to flow a current therethrough, a magnetic detection element to detect a strength of a magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the busbar, and a current detecting portion to determine the current flowing through the busbar based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic detection element. A through-hole is formed penetrating the busbar such that a current path is formed on both sides of the through-hole. The magnetic detection element is disposed in the through-hole. The current detecting portion determines the current flowing through the busbar based on a strength of a synthetic magnetic field detected by the magnetic detection element. The synthetic magnetic field is produced by combining a magnetic field that is generated by a current flowing through the current path on the both sides of the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Okuyama, Naofumi Chiwata, Katsuya Akimoto, Naoki Futakuchi, Yukio Ikeda, Kazuhisa Takahashi
  • Method for creating tamper-evident labels
    Patent number: 9498947
    Abstract: A method for creating a tamper-evident label is described. Embodiments of the method or process typically include four steps. In a first step, an ultraviolet cured ink mask can be printed onto a substrate by an inkjet printer. In a second step, once the printing is done and the mask has been formed, the substrate can be anodized in a weakened anodizing bath. In a third step, the ultraviolet cured ink can be removed from the substrate leaving a portion of the substrate unanodized. To remove the ultraviolet cured ink, the substrate can be heated to an elevated temperature and a cleaning solution and/or solvent can be applied to the ultraviolet cured ink mask. In a fourth step, the substrate can be anodized for a second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventor: Robert C. Jordan
  • Passive actuators for printhead cleaning using mobile maintenance carts
    Patent number: 9498960
    Abstract: A maintenance system for a three-dimensional object printer includes a platform having a plurality of wheels that enable the platform to move along a first track, and having a maintenance mechanism connected to the platform so as to be movable normal to the first track. The maintenance mechanism includes a lifting member that extends laterally from the platform, and a maintenance tool configured to move with the lifting member. A lifting platform is positioned laterally offset from a location of the first track where an ejector head is positioned opposite the first track, and is configured to engage with the lifting member to lift the maintenance tool and enable the maintenance tool to perform a maintenance operation on the ejector head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Bradway, Matthew D. Savoy
  • Printhead condition detection system
    Patent number: 9493002
    Abstract: A fluid printhead including at least one fluid ejection element. The fluid ejection element includes a fluid chamber, a throat portion through which fluid is provided to the fluid chamber, and a heater element disposed within the fluid chamber. The fluid ejection element also includes a printhead condition detection system. The printhead condition detection system includes a first electrode at least a portion of which is disposed within the fluid chamber, the first electrode configured to receive a step voltage, a second electrode disposed within the throat portion, and a sense circuit electrically connected to the second electrode that generates an output based on the application of the step voltage to the first electrode as an indication of printhead condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: John Glenn Edelen, Steve Bergstedt
  • Process and apparatus for capacitive seat occupant sensing for motor vehicles
    Patent number: 9494629
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for capacitive seat-occupancy recognition for vehicle seats. The apparatus which is based on the method comprises a reference capacitor that possesses a capacitance with respect to a first reference potential of a vehicle, an electrode integrated into a seat sensor that possess a capacitance with respect to a first reference potential, an at least parasitically-present capacitance of the sensor electrode with respect to a second reference potential or the vehicle ground, a first switch that connects the reference capacitor and a reference-voltage source of known voltage connected with the reference potential, a second switch that connects the sensor electrode with reference capacitor, and a third switch that connects the sensor electrode with the reference potential and the at least parasitically-present capacitance with the vehicle ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: I.G. BAUERHIN GMBH
    Inventors: Axel Farr, Jochen Michelmann
  • Ink set and image printing method
    Patent number: 9487668
    Abstract: An ink set includes a first ink that contains a white material and a first resin; and a second ink that contains a color material other than the white material and a second resin, wherein the first resin includes a component (A) causing cracks when resin of 0.5 g is dropped onto a slide glass and is dried at a temperature of 50° C. and a humidity of 0% RH for 10 minutes, and wherein the second resin includes a component (B) of at least one of polyolefin wax and ethylene vinyl acetate resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Ippei Okuda, Tsuyoshi Sano
  • Ink jet printer and printing method
    Patent number: 9475312
    Abstract: An ink jet printer includes a transport mechanism that transports a medium in a first direction; and a carriage that includes a plasma irradiation mechanism, which emits plasma generated in a discharge portion from a plasma irradiation port and then irradiates at least a part of the medium with the plasma, and a head which ejects ink onto the part of the medium which is irradiated with the plasma, and that moves in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, in which the plasma irradiation mechanism is provided on one side of the head in the second direction, and the discharge portion of the plasma irradiation mechanism is disposed so as not to come in contact with the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Kitada, Takuya Miyakawa, Takashi Saiba, Kiyofumi Kitawada, Atsushi Denda, Maki Nariai
  • Liquid discharge substrate, liquid discharge head, and recording device
    Patent number: 9463618
    Abstract: A liquid discharge substrate includes a plurality of discharge elements disposed on a substrate, a first transistor electrically connected to the plurality of discharge elements, and a plurality of second transistors. The first transistor is disposed between the plurality of discharge elements and the plurality of second transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunari Fujii, Masanobu Ohmura, Tatsuhito Goden, Wataru Endo
  • Printing apparatus, method for controlling printing apparatus, and storage medium
    Patent number: 9457590
    Abstract: There are provided a printing apparatus, a method for controlling the printing apparatus, and a storage medium. The printing apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a print medium; a print head that applies a color material on the print medium; an obtaining unit configured to obtain, in the case where a first surface of the print medium on which a first image is printed comes in contact with the conveying unit, information on a printing condition of the first surface that becomes a factor of changing a conveying speed of the print medium in the predetermined direction; and a control unit configured to control timing of applying a color material on a second surface of the print medium that is a surface at the opposite to the first surface according to the printing condition indicated by the information obtained by the obtaining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Koizumi, Yasutaka Mitani, Yosuke Ushigome, Yoshiaki Kaburagi, Takayuki Tanabe, Atsushi Takahashi, Yusuke Kadokura, Keiji Harada, Yoshiaki Takayanagi, Hideo Horigome, Susumu Hirosawa, Atsushi Sakamoto, Satoshi Masuda, Toshiki Takeuchi, Kengo Nieda
  • Liquid ejecting head and support member
    Patent number: 9457566
    Abstract: There are provided a liquid ejecting head and a support member that can achieve both of breakage avoidance of a print element substrate and deformation suppression of the support member. Therefore a plate thickness of an adhesion part in the support member is thinner that a plate thickness of a main surface other than the adhesion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomotsugu Kuroda, Yukuo Yamaguchi, Kiyomitsu Kudo, Satoshi Kimura, Naoko Tsujiuchi
  • Image decoloring apparatus
    Patent number: 9452628
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an image decoloring apparatus comprises a conveyance path configured to convey a sheet on which an image is formed with a coloring agent that is decolored by heat; a first heat roller configured to be arranged at the upstream side of the conveyance path; and a second heat roller configured to be arranged at the downstream side of the conveyance path. Each of the first heat roller and the second heat roller includes a cylindrical portion and a heat source. The thickness of the cylindrical portion constituting the first heat roller is larger than the thickness of the cylindrical portion constituting the second heat roller. In this way, the heat capacity of the first heat roller is also larger than the heat capacity of the second heat roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Katakura
  • Diagonal openings in photodefinable glass
    Patent number: 9446590
    Abstract: In one example, a method for making diagonal openings in photodefinable glass includes exposing part of a body of photodefinable glass to a beam of light oriented diagonally to a surface of the body at an angle of 5° or greater measured with respect to a normal to the surface of the body and removing some or all of the part of the body exposed to the light beam to form a diagonal opening in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Chien-Hua Chen, Silam J. Choy, Brett E. Dahlgren
  • Media treatment apparatus
    Patent number: 9440457
    Abstract: Media treatment apparatus to apply liquid treatment to media, the media treatment apparatus including a roller to receive liquid treatment and to transfer the liquid treatment, and a drop ejector to apply liquid treatment to the roller to transfer liquid treatment to an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Indigo B.V.
    Inventor: Alon Gazit
  • Shifting-operation detection unit
    Patent number: 9435426
    Abstract: In a shifting-operation detection unit, a first detection unit has a first resistor connected in series to a first switch and a second resistor connected in parallel to the first switch and the first resistor, a second detection unit has a third resistor connected in series to a second switch and a fourth resistor connected in parallel to the second switch and the third resistor, and the first detection unit and the second detection unit are connected in series to be connected to correspond to a power supply terminal and a ground terminal of an external device and apply a divided voltage of a voltage of the power supply terminal to the external device via an electric wire, the divided voltage having voltage values corresponding to a shift-up operation and a shift-down operation, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: KEIHIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Ebata, Nagatomo Harata
  • Liquid discharge apparatus, control method of liquid discharge apparatus, and device driver, and printing system
    Patent number: 9427959
    Abstract: The degree of thickening of ink for each of nozzles based on dot pattern data is calculated based on a thickening value Z(n+1)=Z(n)×a×bss×bmm×bll, and information the dot pattern data corresponding to the nozzle, which indicates that small dots are formed in when the thickening value is equal to or greater than a threshold is replaced with information indicating that middle dots which are larger than the small dots are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Junhua Zhang