Abstract: A method for monitoring the condition of an inkjet printhead. A test image is printed by the printhead and a second reference printhead. The density of ink dots in the test image is selected so that each dot just contacts adjacent dots while avoiding significant overlap. A defective nozzle can produce misplaced or undersized dots, creating abnormal spacing between adjacent dots. At the selected ink dot density, the abnormal spacing is most perceptible to the eye.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid by generation of bubble includes an ejection outlet for ejecting the liquid; a liquid path in fluid communication with the ejection outlet; a bubble generation region for generating the bubble in the liquid; a movable member having a fulcrum and a free end and disposed faced to the bubble generation region; wherein the movable member moves from the first position to the second position by pressure produced by the generation of the bubble, and a resistance against movement of the movable member, is smaller adjacent the free end than adjacent the fulcrum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inkjet printing include automated techniques for selecting and/or adjusting printing parameters. The techniques include methods for altering test pattern images received on a substrate for assessing certain characteristics, such as adhesion of a particular ink to a particular substrate. A computer selects certain printing parameters based on an assessment of the altered test pattern images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrostatic ink jet head that solves problems caused in a high-frequency driving operation. The electrostatic ink jet head of the present invention includes a nozzle, an ink liquid chamber that communicates with the nozzle, a diaphragm that is employed as a part of the ink liquid chamber and a common electrode, and an individual electrode that faces the diaphragm and is disposed outside the ink liquid chamber, with a predetermined distance being maintained between the individual electrode and the diaphragm. A pulse voltage is applied between the diaphragm and the individual electrode so as to deform the diaphragm by static electricity. The mechanical recovering force caused in the diaphragm prompts the ink droplets to be discharged through the nozzle. One or a plurality of droplets discharged in accordance with an applied pulse form one pixel.

Abstract: Performing an ejection testing method for nozzles in accordance with the present invention makes it possible to determine whether a plurality of nozzles contain inoperative nozzles incapable of ejecting ink drops, thus allowing the presence or absence of such inoperative nozzles to be confirmed without receiving test data for each of the nozzles.

Abstract: A nozzle guard (80) for an ink jet printer printhead With an array (14) of nozzles (10) and respective ink ejection means for ejecting ink onto a substrate to be printed, wherein the nozzle guard (80) is adapted to be positioned on the printhead to inhibit damaging contact with the exterior of the array (14) of nozzles (10).

Abstract: A jet, and a method thereof, use bubbles as virtual valves to eject droplets of different sizes. The jet is in fluid communication with a reservoir and has a substrate, an orifice layer, first nozzles, and second nozzles. The substrate has a manifold for receiving ink from the reservoir. The orifice layer is positioned on the top of the substrate to form first chambers and second chambers. First orifices of the first nozzles and second orifices of the second nozzles are formed on the orifice layer. The jet has at least one of following characteristics: (a) the first chambers are larger than the second chambers; (b) an interval between two heating units of the first nozzle is larger than an interval between two heating units of the second nozzle; and (c) the apertures of the first orifices are larger than the apertures of the second orifices.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head comprises discharge energy generating devices each generating energy to be utilized for discharging liquid as drops, and discharge ports arranged to face the discharge energy generating devices, respectively. For this head, the area of each discharge port is smaller than the area of each discharge energy generating device, and each of the discharge ports is arranged in the liquid. With the structure thus arranged, this liquid discharge head is made capable of discharging finer liquid droplets even at longer intervals of discharges, and also, capable of increasing the discharge speed of liquid droplets, thus making the repetition of discharge frequency extremely high, while meeting the demand that increases more for the arrangements of multiple nozzle, higher speed, and finer liquid droplet for the liquid discharge head.

Abstract: A liquid injector having a liquid eject outlet side reduced in size is provided. In a head block of the liquid injector, a pressurizing chamber is linearly aligned with a liquid eject outlet and liquid feed inlet.

Abstract: A print head has a reduced power size or increased print speed that can be operated at a lower voltage or higher speed and can maintain high-quality output printing free from thinned portions. During intervals between printing operations while a print paper is being fed, pulses are applied to all print electrodes to maintain a uniform potential difference between each of the print electrodes and a counter electrode so that an electric charge is supplied to the ink meniscus. Consequently, a sufficient Coulomb force to permit ink droplets to be ejected is obtained. Therefore, during printing operations, the supplied energy can be reduced and electric charge on the ink surface can be retained. Hence, ink droplets can be ejected stably without nonuniformities.

Abstract: A system construction section 24 receives mechanical modules, such as printer modules, and a scanner, produced by a mechanicals expendables production section 22, and assembles the mechanical modules and a built-in computer for driving and controlling the mechanical modules, so as to construct a printing system. Constructed printing systems 132, 134, and 136 are installed in a mini-labo 32, a drugstore 34, and a shopping mall 36. An expendables supply section 26 obtains a supply of expendables, which have been consumed in the respective printing systems 132, 134, and 136, from a mechanicals expendables production section 22. The supply of expendables from the mechanicals expendables production section 22, which produces genuine expendables suitable for the printer modules, ensures sufficient execution of the printing performances of the printing system.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of operating a thermal actuator for a micromechanical device, especially a liquid drop emitter such as an ink jet printhead, is disclosed. The disclosed thermal actuator comprises a base element and a cantilevered element extending from the base element and normally residing at a first position before activation. The cantilevered element includes a barrier layer constructed of a low thermal conductivity material, bonded between a deflector layer and a restorer layer, both of which are constructed of materials having substantially equal coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A system of classifying the type of incoming media entering an inkjet or other printing mechanism is provided to identify the media according to markings or identifying indicia on the back surface of the media opposite the printing surface which ultimately bears the printed image. The printing surface of the incoming media is optically scanned using a blue-violet light to obtain both diffuse and specular reflectance values. A spatial frequency signature for the incoming media is compared with known values for different types of media to classify the media according to major categories (transparencies, glossy photo media, premium or plain paper), and specific types of media within these categories (matte photo, premium, or high-gloss photo media). An optimum print mode is selected according to the determined media type to automatically generate outstanding images without bothersome user intervention. A printing mechanism constructed to implement this method is also provided.

Abstract: A gear assembly for a print device includes an input gear connected to a drive shaft of a motor, a first output gear and a second output gear. The first output gear operates a transfix roller in the print device and is spaced relative to the input gear to allow teeth of the input gear to mesh with teeth of the first output gear. The first output gear includes a first toothless portion that does not mesh with teeth of the input gear when the input gear is adjacent the first toothless portion. The second output gear operates a drum maintenance system in the print device and is spaced relative to the input gear to allow teeth of the input gear to mesh with teeth of the second output gear. The second output gear includes a second toothless portion that does not mesh with teeth of the input gear when the input gear is adjacent the second toothless portion. The gear assembly further includes a swing arm for rotating the first output gear when the input gear is adjacent the first toothless portion and the.

Abstract: An ink-jet printhead having a hemispherical ink chamber and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein the ink-jet printhead includes a substrate, in which a manifold for supplying ink, an ink chamber having a substantially hemispherical shape, and an ink channel for supplying ink from the manifold to the ink chamber are integrally formed; a nozzle plate having a multi-layered structure, in which a first insulating layer, a thermally conductive layer formed of a thermally conductive material, and a second insulating layer are sequentially stacked, and having a nozzle, formed at a location corresponding to the center of the ink chamber; a nozzle guide having a multi-layered structure and extending from the edge of the nozzle to the inside of the ink chamber; a heater formed on the nozzle plate to surround the nozzle, and an electrode formed on the nozzle plate to be electrically connected to the heater.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved paper coating system for ink jet printing applications. The system includes an ink jet printer containing an ink jet pen and a paper coating device for coating a print media with an effective amount of coating composition prior to printing thereon. The coating composition preferably includes from about 0.25 to about 20% by weight of a first component selected from the group consisting of polyvalent metal salt and organic acid, a second component consisting of from about 1 to about 20% by weight amine polymer, from about 0.25 to about 2.0% by weight surfactant and from about 25 to about 96% by weight glycol-based solvent having a surface tension ranging from about 25 to below about 45 dynes/cm. Since the coating composition is free from ethylene glycol-based components, the composition is safer to use and less harmful to humans and the environment. The composition has also been found to provide improved ink drying with less bleeding or smearing of image.

Abstract: A method of printing on a household surface can comprise the steps of selecting a household surface for ink-jet printing; preparing the household surface by applying a pre-coat material to the household surface, wherein the pre-coat material can be configured to adhere to the household surface and accept a water-based ink-jet ink composition to a degree greater than the household surface in an uncoated condition; optionally, allowing the pre-coat material to substantially dry on the household surface; and ink-jet printing a color-containing ink-jet ink onto the pre-coat material after the pre-coat material has substantially dried on the household surface.

Abstract: Production of a permanent ink-jet image with a fusible, wettable, toner and ink-jetted ink.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for in-line conditioning of swellable print media prior to printing. Treatment with an amphiphilic solvent increases the hydrophilicity of the media surface, thereby accelerating ink penetration and improving image quality in high throughput printing. In addition, ionic components in the treatment fluid can be used to accelerate precipitation of pigment or dye from the ink.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating a multi-color imaging system are provided. The multi-color imaging system is capable of applying different colorants to a substrate based on a plurality of input color values. The input color values control amounts of the colorants to be applied to the substrate by the imaging system. A subset of the input color values is selected and used to control the imaging system to apply one or more of the different colorants to the substrate, thereby forming a plurality of different color patches on the substrate. The subset of input color values is selected such that one of more of the different color patches is formed by application of a combination of at least two of the different colorants to the substrate. Color values are measured for each of the different color patches, and compared to reference color values, representing a calibrated condition of the imaging system. An error value is calculated.