Patents Examined by Stephen D. Meier
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Patent number: 7878613Abstract: Mask patterns to be used for multi-pass printing make it possible to make a print with a higher quality at a higher speed. Specifically, by performing a swapping process with adjacency forbiddance, two points in the horizontal direction, or the scanning direction of a printing head, are selected in a buffer in which codes for each scan pass are set depending on printing ratios of a gradation mask. Subsequently, codes are swapped between the two points. By this swap, adjacencies between print permitting areas are eliminated in the mask pattern. As a result, when driving frequencies set for the printing head is kept constant, the scanning speed can be doubled at minimum.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hitoshi Nishikori, Hiroshi Tajika, Yuji Konno, Yoshito Mizoguchi, Daisaku Ide, Takeshi Yazawa, Satoshi Seki, Hirokazu Yoshikawa, Hideaki Takamiya, Fumiko Yano
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Patent number: 7880757Abstract: In an image forming device, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) head is attached to a slide member. The slide member includes a slidable base side member and a leading end side member which can move with respect to the base side member in a direction that is different from a sliding direction of the base side member. The LED head is provided on the leading end side member, and a positioning pin is provided on the LED head. The LED head is positioned with respect to a photoconductive drum by the positioning pin.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Nakano, Hideatsu Shimamoto
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Patent number: 7874661Abstract: An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device is provided. The ink stick comprises a three dimensional ink stick body having an exterior surface. The ink stick includes one or more coded markers formed in the exterior surface from a leading end to a trailing end of the ink stick body parallel to a feed direction of the ink loader, each coded marker including a coded pattern of indicia for being optically read as the coded marker passes a sensor in the feed channel. The coded pattern of indicia may include areas of varying widths and/or varying reflective properties for generating a coded signal pattern indicating variable control/attribute information to a control system of an imaging device.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2006Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Robert Carl Tidrick
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Patent number: 7874636Abstract: To clean a print head of an ink jet printer, an ink gun is connected to an ink chamber, a solvent chamber, a vacuum source, and an ink collection gutter, which is capable of being connected in a controlled manner to a vacuum source. During cleaning, an interruption of a hydraulic connection between the gun and the ink chamber is ordered. Next, the gun is connected to the vacuum source. Finally, the solvent chamber is hydraulically connected to the vacuum source via a conduit which includes the ink gun.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: MARKEM-IMAJEInventors: Max Perrin, Daniel Chalamet
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Patent number: 7877040Abstract: A supporting apparatus for supporting a movable member such that the movable member is movable along a predetermined path. The apparatus includes a main frame which defines a reference plane parallel to the predetermined path; at least one base member which is supported by the main frame and which supports the movable member such that the movable member is movable on the at least one base member along the predetermined path; at least one positioning device which positions the at least one base member relative to the main frame in at least one first direction parallel to the reference plane and a second direction perpendicular to the reference plane, such that the at least one base member is permitted to be displaced relative to the main frame in a third direction opposite to the second direction; and at least one biasing device which biases the at least one base member toward the main frame in at least the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2006Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kiyoshi Ueda
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Patent number: 7872662Abstract: A printer includes an upper unit which opens and closes about a fulcrum lying at a rear position of a lower unit, and a paper path which is opened by opening the upper unit. A sensor unit is attached to the lower unit and includes a lower sensor holder and an upper sensor holder which are disposed in opposition to each other via the paper path. The paper path can be opened by pivoting the upper sensor holder relative to the lower sensor holder. When the upper unit is closed, the upper sensor holder is also closed in accordance with a closing pivoting motion of the upper unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Teruyuki Ochiai, Hiroyasu Ishii, Osamu Watanabe, Yukihiro Tamura, Yoshimi Urushibata, Kazuhiro Fushimi
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Patent number: 7871147Abstract: An image forming apparatus, for ejecting liquid from openings to form an image on a printing medium, includes a head cap for covering the opening surface through which the openings open when a liquid ejection head in which the openings are formed is not in use and for protecting the openings from external air, a rechargeable battery for activating the image forming apparatus, a fuel cell for charging the rechargeable battery, and a liquid path along which water generated as the fuel cell is activated is introduced into the head cap. With this arrangement, when the liquid ejection head is not activated, the moisture retention in the head cap can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takumi Suzuki
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Patent number: 7866810Abstract: An improved large-format inkjet printer that is capable of providing more efficient and higher quality printing on a variety of print media, including for example, paper, fabric, corrugated media, and plywood. The improved printer provides improvements to the platen assembly, rail assembly, service station assembly, printhead assembly and vacuum assembly to provide improved printing capability. In addition the printer provides a table assembly that can be integrated into the platen assembly to provide a secure and flush surface for supporting various types of print media.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Kevin Campion, Aaron Barclay, Chad Beery, Christian Vasbo, Corrine Ruether, Joe Kubes, Rick Bigaouette, Randy Johnston, Pete Ladas, Pete Schmidt, John Knaack
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Patent number: 7866796Abstract: A solenoid valve making use of certain materials which is capable of operation at high frequencies and which can be made as a compact unit. The plunger (1) is made from a material having a saturation flux density greater than 1.4 Tesla preferably more than 1.6 Tesla, a coercivity at less than 0.25 ampere per centimeter and a relative magnetic permeability in excess of 10.000; and the nozzle bore leading from the valve head chamber (14) to the nozzle orifice (12) has a length to diameter ratio of less than 8:1 preferably between 2:1 to 4:1 and the nozzle orifice (12) has a diameter substantially the same as that of the nozzle bore. The invention also relates to method for operating a drop on demand ink jet printer incorporating such a valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc.Inventors: David Andrew Horsnell, Matthew Brian Tomlin, Ammar Lecheheb, Oliver John Prime, Michael John Fox, Christopher Michael Bates
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Patent number: 7866791Abstract: A printhead is provided having at least first and second rows of print nozzles. Each nozzle has first circuitry of a first type arranged on an opposite side of the nozzle as second circuitry of a second type. The respective positions of the first and second circuitry of each nozzle of the first row are rotated 180 degrees relative to the respective positions of the first and second circuitry of each nozzle of the second row.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Mark Jackson Pulver, Michael John Webb, John Robert Sheahan, Simon Robert Walmsley
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Patent number: 7862146Abstract: Provided is a pagewidth printhead assembly. The assembly includes two printheads arranged on opposite sides of a print media path for duplex printing, and a printhead actuating mechanism configured to move the printheads relative to each other. The assembly also includes a capping member and a capping member actuating mechanism for moving the capping member between an uncapped position outside the media path and a capped position inside the media path for capping both printheads.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Norman Micheal Berry, Akira Nakazawa, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7862140Abstract: A method including performing correction of an ink ejection amount for a certain area based on a correction value for a first type row region, and performing correction of an ink ejection amount for another area. The certain area includes a plurality of the first type row regions adjacent to each other in a transport direction. The other area is located on the upstream side in the transport direction from the certain area, and includes a plurality of second type row regions and a plurality of the first type row regions in the transport direction. The second type row region is a region in which a dot row is formed in the movement direction by performing the movement-and-ejection operation another predetermined number of times that is more than the predetermined number of times. A ratio of the second type row regions increases as the distance from the certain area increases.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Masahiko Yoshida, Bunji Ishimoto, Toru Miyamoto, Tatsuya Nakano, Hirokazu Nunokawa, Yoichi Kakehashi
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Patent number: 7857433Abstract: A piezoelectric inkjet printhead includes a fluid path forming substrate having a pressure chamber, a piezoelectric actuator formed on the fluid path forming substrate to provide a drive force to the pressure chamber to eject ink, and a damping layer formed on the piezoelectric actuator to dampen a residual vibration of the piezoelectric actuator.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jae-woo Chung, Hwa-sun Lee, Ji-hoon Kim
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Patent number: 7857435Abstract: A method of purging ink from an inkjet printhead is provided. The printhead is in fluid communication with an ink reservoir via an ink conduit. The method comprises compressing part of the ink conduit using a hammer mechanism, thereby purging ink from the printhead and flooding an ink ejection face of the printhead.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2006Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Vesa Karppinen, David William Jensen, David John Worboys, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7859555Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to this invention prevents adverse effects on peripheral circuits and speeds up data transfer by preventing a mutual interference among signals. In the image forming apparatus, a transfer controller which converts into a differential serial data pair (data+/?) multiplex data td [6:0] multiplexed from head data vd [7:0], a head control signal vctl [3:0], a data enable signal dten, and a control enable signal cten, converts as well a clock signal clk into a differential clock signal pair (clk+/?), and transfers those differential serial data pair and differential clock signal pair to an LED head via a cable. The LED head receives both of the differential serial data pair and the differential clock signal pair to separate those pairs into head data hd [7:0], head control signal hctl [3:0], and data transfer clock hclk.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2006Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Oki Data CorporationInventor: Tadashi Kasai
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Patent number: 7857428Abstract: An inkjet printhead with an array of elongate ink chambers, each having a nozzle, an actuator for ejecting ink through the nozzle and a sidewall opening allowing ink to refill the chamber; wherein, the opening is in one of the long sides of the ink chamber. Configuring the ink chambers so that they have side inlets reduces the ink refill times. The inlets are wider and therefore refill flow rates are higher.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7857441Abstract: There is provided an ink pressure regulator for regulating a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to an inkjet printhead. The regulator comprises: an ink chamber having an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printhead via an ink line; an air inlet open to atmosphere; a bubble outlet for bubbling air bubbles into the chamber, each air bubble comprising an air cavity trapped inside a film or a body of ink; and an air channel connecting the air inlet and the bubble outlet. The bubble outlet is dimensioned to control a Laplace pressure of air bubbles drawn into the chamber as result of supplying ink to the printhead, thereby regulating a hydrostatic pressure of the ink.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2006Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: John Douglas Peter Morgan, Miao Wang, Patrick John McAuliffe, David John Worboys, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7854504Abstract: A handheld print-on-demand digital device. The device comprises a pagewidth inkjet printhead and a platen assembly operatively positioned relative to the printhead. The platen assembly comprises: a planar platen member for supporting print media; a print media transport roller located on a first side of the platen member for feeding print media past said printhead; and a cutting mechanism located on a second opposite side of the platen member for severing the print media. The cutting mechanism includes a transport assembly driven by a threaded rod. The transport assembly has a body for traversing across the print media and a cutting edge fixed to the body for severing the print media during a traverse of the body.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2009Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd.Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7850276Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for implementing a radial sled printer device that substantially simplifies the complexity and reduces system costs and size for radial printing devices, both for devices that print and those that also record and print a label on circular media. In an embodiment, a print head is radially mounted in a substantially fixed position over a platter such that said platter moves as a sled under the print head for dispensing ink object along a radius or a line parallel to a radius as the media spins, effecting labeling of the media. In an alternate embodiment, a print head is radially mounted in a fixed position over an optical recording drive such that said drive moves as a sled under the print head for dispensing ink object along a radius as the media spins, affecting recording and labeling the media in a single insertion of the media.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2005Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Elesys, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Lugaresi, Clayton G. Gardner, George L. Bradshaw, Randy Q. Jones, Jan E. Unter
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Patent number: 7850299Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a conveying mechanism that is provided in this apparatus body and conveys a sheet, a recording head that ejects an ink to the medium conveyed by this conveying mechanism and records an image on the medium, and a sheet guide that is spaced apart from and opposed to this recording head, guides the sheet, and is provided to be freely inserted into and taken out from the apparatus body.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masashi Hiroki, Satoshi Kaiho