Patents Examined by Sharon A. Polk
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Patent number: 11072181Abstract: Aspects of a disclosure relates to a liquid discharge device enables previously disabled liquid discharge through a head after a cartridge including a first liquid chamber is replaced and before the liquid level in a second liquid chamber of a tank reaches a predetermined level or higher. Another aspects of the disclosure relates to a liquid discharge device that deactivates an alarm after a cartridge including a first liquid chamber is replaced and before the liquid level in a second liquid reaches a predetermined level or higher.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenta Horade, Mikio Ogawa, Toshiro Ueda
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Patent number: 11072178Abstract: Systems, methods, software for adaptive flushing. In one embodiment, an adaptive flushing system obtains bit plane data from a plurality of bit planes, and arranges the bit plane data into one or more pixel blocks. For a pixel block, the adaptive flushing system identifies a flush record for the pixel block that indicates a flush eligibility status for each of the pixels in the pixel block, and updates the flush record to indicate the flush eligibility status as flush-ineligible for each of the pixels in the pixel block having a jetting symbol specified in the bit planes. The adaptive flushing system selects a candidate pixel(s) from the pixel block as a candidate for flushing, and modifies the bit plane data in one or more of the bit planes to include a flush symbol at the candidate pixel when the candidate pixel has a flush eligibility status that is flush eligible.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Walter F. Kailey, David Ward
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Patent number: 11072166Abstract: Systems, methods, software for monitoring usage of a recording medium in an image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, a usage monitor receives a raster image, and identifies thresholds that distinguish different intensity levels reproduced by different drop sizes of the recording material. The usage monitor identifies a set of pixel values for a block of pixels from the raster image, performs a vectorized comparison of the set of pixel values to each of the thresholds to generate sets of comparison bits, determines a number of set bits in each of the sets of comparison bits, and updates a threshold counter for each of the thresholds based on the number of set bits. The usage monitor may then compute drop counts for different drop sizes based on the threshold counter for each of the thresholds.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Walter F. Kailey, David Ward
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Patent number: 11065885Abstract: Provided is a recording method including: a first applying step of applying anionic first processing liquid on a medium; a second applying step of applying cationic second processing liquid on the medium, causing the first processing liquid and the second processing liquid to react with each other, and generating mixed liquid, subsequently to the first applying step; and a first drying step of drying the mixed liquid subsequently to the second applying step, in which the mixed liquid is cationic.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Yutaka Kobashi
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Patent number: 11065883Abstract: A die may, in an example, include at least one cross-die recirculation channel formed into the die to recirculate an amount of printing fluid therethrough, the cross-die recirculation channel including a first-sized inlet port and a first-sized outlet port formed on a first side of the die, at least one chamber recirculation channel formed into the die and fluidically coupled to the cross-die recirculation channel to recirculate an amount of printing fluid therethrough, the chamber recirculation channel including a second-sized inlet port and a second-sized outlet port, at least one pump formed within the chamber recirculation channel to recirculate the amount of printing fluid therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Chien-Hua Chen, Jeffrey R. Pollard, Michael W. Cumbie, Si-Lam Choy
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Patent number: 11059297Abstract: In one example, an integrated circuit device for a replaceable printer component to communicate information about the component to a printer controller when a component with the integrated circuit device is installed in a printer. The integrated circuit device includes a controller, a memory operatively connected to the controller to store and/or generate information about the component, a single pair of conductors to supply power to the controller and to carry data signals to and from the controller, a detector to detect incoming data signals with a signal property associated with the component, and two electrical contacts each connected to one of the conductors to connect the integrated circuit device to a printer controller when a component with the integrated circuit device is installed in a printer.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2017Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Paul Jeran, Bartley Mark Hirst, Dee Chou
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Patent number: 11061354Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes an image forming section, a heater, a first calculation section, storage, and a second calculation section. The image forming section ejects ink onto a sheet in which first to M-th regions are defined (M is an integer of at least 2). The heater heats an n-th region of the sheet using an n-th heat source (n is an integer of at least 1 and no greater than M). The storage stores therein temperature information indicating a first heating temperature for the n-th region. The second calculation section calculates a second heating temperature for the n-th region based on the temperature information and the ink ejection amount to the n-th region calculated by the first calculation section.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2020Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventors: Takeshi Watanabe, Hiroyuki Ueda, Hiroatsu Tamai, Takatoshi Nishimura, Noriaki Ozawa, Toyotsune Inoue, Susumu Hiroshima
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Patent number: 11059294Abstract: A liquid absorber includes a plurality of small chips. Individual ones of the small chips include a first substrate containing fibers, a second substrate containing fibers, an absorbent resin supported between the first substrate and the second substrate, and an ion exchange resin supported between the first substrate and the second substrate. At least one of the absorbent resin and the ion exchange resin is exposed at an end face of the small chips.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Shogo Nakada, Shinobu Yokokawa, Yoichi Miyasaka, Shigemi Wakabayashi
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Patent number: 11052660Abstract: A liquid absorber includes a liquid absorption member and a case. The liquid absorption member absorbs liquid. The liquid absorption member includes materials that include a fiber and a liquid-absorbent resin. The liquid absorption member is stored in the case. The case has an opening portion. The materials of the liquid absorption member are bonded together in at least a portion of a surface of the liquid absorption member. The surface is a surface adjacent to the opening portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Masahiko Nakazawa, Shogo Nakada, Yoichi Miyasaka
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Patent number: 11052678Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a dryer configured to attenuate cockle in the substrates under the heater of the dryer and reduce ink transfer from ink images during duplex printing without adversely affecting the cooling of the substrates exiting the dryer. The dryer has at least two plenums with at least one plenum opposite a heater and at least one plenum opposite an air vent. A platen covers the plenum opposite the air vent and the platen has a plurality of protuberances arranged in a non-linear arrangement so the protuberances contact substrates being carried by a plurality of endless belts over the plenum to prevent the substrates from contacting a surface of the platen. Another platen covers the plenum opposite the heater and this platen has non-linear members on its surface to support the substrates and reduce cockle while the ink is dried by the heater.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2020Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: John Baker, Paul J. McConville, Linn C. Hoover, David S. Derleth, Michael J. Linder
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Patent number: 11052661Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head which ejects liquid from a nozzle that is disposed on a nozzle surface, a first wiping portion which is able to wipe away the liquid that is adhered to the nozzle surface, and a second wiping portion which is able to hold the liquid that is adhered to the nozzle surface by contacting the nozzle surface, wherein it is possible to perform a first maintenance operation in which the nozzle surface is wiped using the first wiping portion and a second maintenance operation in which the second wiping portion is caused to contact the nozzle surface due to the second wiping portion being biased by the first wiping portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Shigenori Nakagawa, Keiji Matsumoto
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Patent number: 11046093Abstract: Systems and methods for evenly heating a drum dryer of a print system. In one embodiment, the dryer is configured to rotate about an axis oriented in a lateral direction, to receive a radiant energy source disposed inside the drum that extends between each lateral end of the drum in the lateral direction, and to receive a reflective assembly inside the drum that includes an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion surrounds the radiant energy source and removably attaches the reflective assembly to a lateral end of the drum. The outer portion extends from the inner portion in a radial direction of the drum that is perpendicular to the lateral direction. The outer portion includes a reflective surface that reflects radiant energy from the lateral end to the central portion of the drum in contact with the web.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: John Davis Allison, Stuart James Boland, Scott R. Johnson, Lucas Michael Stahler, Casey Ethan Walker
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Patent number: 11046071Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a fluid ejection die is described. The die includes a number of actuator sensors disposed on the fluid ejection die to sense a characteristic of a corresponding actuator. Each actuator sensor is coupled to a respective actuator and multiple coupled actuator sensors and actuators are grouped as primitives on the fluid ejection die. The die also includes an actuator evaluation die per primitive to evaluate an actuator characteristic of any actuator within the primitive. The die also includes a number of disable devices. Each disable device 1) is coupled to a respective actuator of the number of actuators and 2) disables a corresponding actuator when the corresponding actuator is determined to be malfunctioning.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2017Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Eric Martin, Daryl E Anderson, James Michael Gardner
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Patent number: 11046079Abstract: A liquid absorber includes a liquid absorption member, a case, and a cover. The liquid absorption member absorbs liquid. The liquid absorption member includes a fiber and a liquid-absorbent resin. The liquid absorption member is stored in the case. The cover covers the liquid absorption member. The cover includes through-holes through which the liquid is to pass. The cover includes a recessed portion recessed toward the liquid absorption member. The recessed portion is disposed at a location to which the liquid is to be discharged. The through-holes are disposed at least in the recessed portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Naotaka Higuchi, Masahiko Nakazawa, Shogo Nakada, Yoichi Miyasaka, Kaneo Yoda, Nobutaka Urano
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Patent number: 11040533Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes: a pressure chamber communicating with a nozzle, the pressure chamber extending along a first axis; a liquid storage chamber that stores liquid which is supplied to the pressure chamber, the liquid storage chamber partially overlapping the pressure chamber when viewed in a direction of a second axis, which intersects the first axis; and a first communication flow path and a second communication flow path extending in a direction of the second axis and allowing the pressure chamber and the liquid storage chamber to communicate with each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Hiroyuki Kobayashi
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Patent number: 11040539Abstract: The first printing system SY1 includes a printing apparatus 4 including an ink container and a server 2 coupled to the printing apparatus 4 via a network NW, wherein the server 2 acquires maintenance information including residual ink amount information indicating an residual amount of ink in the ink container of the printing apparatus 4, determines whether a maintenance process is configured to be performed based on the acquired maintenance information, and instructs the printing apparatus 4 to perform the maintenance process when it is determined that the maintenance process is configured to be performed.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Kohei Shiratori, Hiroyuki Kuramoto, Norihiko Yamada
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Patent number: 11040537Abstract: A head chip, liquid jet head, and liquid jet recording device are described. An actuator plate is adapted to apply pressure to the liquid, and includes a first surface, and a second surface facing to an opposite side to the first surface, ejection channels and non-ejection channels which have an opening on the first and/or second surface and are alternately arranged to be separated from each other, a common electrode disposed on a sidewall of the ejection channel, an individual electrode electrically separated from the common electrode and disposed on a sidewall of the non-ejection channel, a common electrode pad disposed on the first surface and adapted to electrically connect the common electrode and a wiring board to each other, and a bypass interconnection adapted to electrically connect the individual electrodes in the non-ejection channels adjacent to each other and failing to be exposed on the first surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: STI PRINTEK INC.Inventor: Satoshi Horiguchi
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Patent number: 11040536Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a plurality of nozzles from which a liquid is discharged in a gravity direction, a plurality of pressure chambers communicating with the plurality of nozzles, respectively, a common channel communicating with each of the plurality of pressure chambers, the common channel including a top surface and a bottom surface disposed below the top surface in the gravity direction, and a plurality of convex portions formed on the bottom surface of the common channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Ryohta Yoneta, Takahiro Yoshida
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Patent number: 11040542Abstract: An inkjet printer includes an endless transporting belt that transports a medium in a transport direction by supporting the medium and rotating, an ejecting unit that ejects ink onto the medium supported by the transporting belt, and a cleaning unit including a first brush for cleaning the transporting belt, a first cleaning liquid tank that stores cleaning liquid with which the first brush is impregnated, a second brush for cleaning the transporting belt, and a second cleaning liquid tank that stores the cleaning liquid with which the second brush is impregnated. The second cleaning liquid tank is disposed at a position lower than the first cleaning liquid tank in the vertical direction, and the cleaning unit is configured so that the cleaning liquid discharged from the first cleaning liquid tank is supplied to the second cleaning liquid tank.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2020Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Kentaro Tanabe, Sandro Robustelli, Rodolfo Cazzaniga
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Patent number: 11034175Abstract: A sliding mechanism is provided and includes a linear encoder for detecting a movement distance of a slider in relation to a support member. The sliding mechanism includes a slider that can move in relation to a support member, a slider that can move in relation to the support member as well as the slider, a linear scale fixed to the slider and a sensor fixed to the slider; and a linear encoder for detecting a movement distance of the slider in relation to the support member. In the sliding mechanism, the slider is transferred in relation to the support member and the slider, and subsequently the slider is transferred in relation to the support member and the slider, while the slider is kept in a state of being stopped.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.Inventor: Sho Koshiba