Abstract: The ink cartridge of the present invention uses a directional fibrous collection enclosed within a bushing to temporally retain the ink therein, wherein at least one controlled capillary portion is provided. The controlled capillary portion can be formed by the bushing or by a predetermined shape located in the cartridge. The capillary forces of the controlled capillary portion are stronger than the one of other portion of the directional fibrous collection. The flow rate of the ink can be precisely controlled by the directional fibrous collection, and the controlled capillary portion can efficiently drain out the ink to the printhead and there is no bubble left therein.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a packaging method and the structure of an inkjet cartridge print head chip. The main technique disclosed herein is to package a chip substrate that can resist the corrosion of the ink at the ink cartridge outlet. A preferred embodiment is to package the chip substrate at the ink outlet at the same time when the inkjet cartridge is formed through plastic molding. Another preferred embodiment is to package the chip substrate at the ink cartridge outlet using ultrasonic or heat welding and then glue the print head on the chip substrate. These means can solve the problem of ink leakage in conventional ink cartridge because of the corrosion of ink to the glue between the print head chip and the ink cartridge.

Abstract: A function test device for optical print head heaters in thermal bubble printers, which includes: a test end power supply to provide the power needed for the test device; a linear optical coupling device serially connected between a pulse power supply for driving a print head circuit and the print head heater to detect variation of a triggering current; and an amplification circuit to amplify an output signal of the linear optical coupling device and send the signal to a microprocessor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for seamless integration of multiple video projectors. In addition to edge blending, projection artifacts in dark or black image regions caused by residual grays from non-perfect projector black levels are reduced. Overlapped and non-overlapped areas of the image are defined and then the minimum black level of the video signal in non-overlapped areas is boosted without affecting the bright portion of the video signal in order to create uniform black level. The bright portion of the image is then smoothed in the overlapped area with seamless edge blending techniques. The resultant projected image may be passed through a neutral density filter to lower the base black level of the now uniform overlap and non-overlap black regions. The image may also pass through a physical mask which is hard edged or graded and aligned to less than the overall overlap region and that when used, smooths the edge of transition between the non-overlapped and overlapped regions.

Abstract: A method and a structure for measuring the temperature of heating elements of an ink-jet printhead are provided, wherein an extra metal layer or semiconductor layer is formed on the ink-jet chip having driving elements to precisely measure the temperature of each individual heating element. The structure includes: an ink-jet device including a heating element for heating liquid ink; a transistor driver for driving a transistor to control heating of the heating element; and a temperature-sensing layer located between the ink-jet device and the transistor driver and under the heating element, the temperature-sensing layer having two terminals, one connecting to the transistor and the other connecting to an electrode terminal connected to a printer, wherein the ink-jet device connects to the transistor driver through the temperature-sensing layer.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead chip structure and a method of estimating the working life through the detection of any defect on the chip structure. The method includes laying a metallic layer such as a tantalum layer over the chip and then shaping the metallic layer into a protective layer circuit. A portion of the metal protective layer covers the heating elements embedded in the chip. In printing, the heating elements heat up the ink to produce jets of ink. However, a portion of the heat is transferred to the metal protective layer thereby raising its temperature. Heat on the metal protective layer combined with any strayed residual ink bubbles that impinge upon the surface of the metal protective layer causes the metal to age. Since resistance of the metal protective layer will increase proportionally to the amount of aging, a measurement of the resistance is capable of estimating how much longer a given chip is suitable for use.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to form a reliable silicon nitride spacer between the lower edges of the floating gate and the control gate of a split-gate flash memory cell. This is accomplished by forming a floating gate with vertical sidewalls, forming a high temperature oxide layer followed by silicon nitride layer over the floating gate including the vertical sidewalls, ion implanting the nitride layer and then selectively etching it to form a robust silicon nitride spacer of well defined rectangular shape.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printhead chip comprising the steps of first forming a resistive layer and a conductive layer over a substrate, wherein the resistive layer and the conductive layer act as a heater and a conductive line respectively. Thereafter, at least one insulating layer is deposited over the conductive layer and the resistive layer. Next, at least one metallic layer is deposited over the insulating layer without performing any intermediate photolithographic or etching operations, and then the metallic layer is patterned to form a contact opening. The contact opening passes through the metallic layer and the insulating layer while exposing a portion of the conductive layer. Subsequently, a metal plug is formed in the contact opening so that the metallic layer and the conductive layer are connected, thereby forming an electric circuit. Finally, a thick film is formed over the metallic layer acting as an ink channel for the printhead.

Abstract: A pressure control device for regulating the ink pressure of a multi-reservoir ink cartridge. The pressure regulator employs an external spring or springs plate assembly mounted between two neighboring ink reservoirs. The external surfaces of the spring or assembly are attached to the respective side face of the reservoirs. Each ink reservoir has at least a side face formed from a flexible non-elastic material. When all of the ink reservoirs are full, the spring or assembly is in a relaxed state. By withdrawing a small quantity of ink from each ink reservoir, atmospheric pressure exerts forces on the ink reservoirs leading to a small contraction. The resulting distortion of the spring or assembly produces a force that resists further contraction of the reservoirs. Since the pressures inside the reservoirs are smaller than external atmospheric pressure, a back-pressure that prevents any leakage of ink from the reservoirs is created.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printhead chip comprising the steps of first forming a resistive layer and a conductive layer over a substrate, wherein the resistive layer and the conductive layer act as a heater and a conductive line respectively. Thereafter, at least one insulating layer is deposited over the conductive layer and the resistive layer. Next, at least one metallic layer is deposited over the insulating layer without performing any intermediate photolithographic or etching operations, and then the metallic layer is patterned to form a contact opening. The contact opening passes through the metallic layer and the insulating layer while exposing a portion of the conductive layer. Subsequently, a metal plug is formed in the contact opening so that the metallic layer and the conductive layer are connected, thereby forming an electric circuit. Finally, a thick film is formed over the metallic layer acting as an ink channel for the printhead.

Abstract: A silicon nitride self-lubricating layer forms the upper surface of a data storage device, such as a rotating disk or a non-rotating memory device, e.g., a credit card-type memory device using a memory strip. The silicon nitride self-lubricating layer can replace the carbon protective overcoat and liquid lubricant used in conventional data storage devices. The silicon nitride self-lubrication layer provides the desired lubrication and protection between the slider and the data storage device. The silicon nitride layer also will not evaporate under high temperatures found in an optical data storage system. In addition, a data storage device may include a plastic polymer layer over which an iron oxide material is deposited. The use of a plastic polymer layer and iron oxide recording layer is particularly advantageous because a low temperature deposition process can be used with the iron oxide material.

Abstract: A margin inspector for IC wafers includes an upper plate and a supporting portion. The upper plate, which is formed as a transparent plate, has a plurality of concentric circular segments thereon for establishing a set of reference lines to examine the periphery ring of the wafer located under the upper plate while in examining operation. The supporting portion connected with the upper plate is used to form a working space, between the supporting portion and the upper plate, for accommodating the wafer to be examined. By applying these inspecting lines, any deviation on the washout periphery ring of the wafer can be easily and correctly located by eyesight.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for lowering particle count after tungsten etch back, in which method a plasma ashing step is performed after a brush cleaning step to eliminate polymer residues that remain on the metal barrier layer after tungsten etch back. Another tungsten etch back process is further performed to remove a tungsten oxide film that is formed by reacting the tungsten layer with an O2 gas used in the plasma ashing step.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a high-density ink-jet print head that utilizes a common high-density nozzle plate as a base for aligning a multiple of ink-jet printing modules. The high-density nozzle plate has wide body, high-density, high-resolution nozzles. The nozzle plate is fabricated using conventional electrochemical machining or laser machining techniques. The nozzle plate is able to provide not only a base for aligning each ink-jet printing module, but also the alignment necessary for the whole group of the ink-jet printing modules so that all modules are aligned properly. Therefore, the alignment operation can be carried out without the need for sophisticated alignment equipment and the alignment accuracy is high.

Abstract: A magnetoelectric apparatus for measuring the droplet frequency response at a printhead by applying a method comprising a metallic detecting plate and a magnetic ring, and a method using the foregoing apparatus to determine the maximum droplet frequency response of the printhead. When an ink drop jetted from the nozzle makes contact with the detecting plate, which is perpendicular to the nozzle plate of the printhead, a current flows through the detecting plate immediately, and is detected as a portion of an expected signal. As soon as the ink drop leaves the nozzle completely, the foregoing current no longer exists. However, the magnetic ring generates an induced current that flows in the same direction as that of the foregoing current to complement the absence thereof, wherein the induced current is also detected as another portion of the expected signal. The expected signal is then processed by a signal-processing routine for determining the maximum droplet frequency response of the inkjet printhead.

Abstract: An elastic crack tape in the form of continuous strip for repairing a crack on a wall. The tape includes a middle layer of net that has elastic material applied over two sides thereof. The elastic material extends into some meshes of the net to firmly associate with the net. The elastic material has elasticity sufficient to absorb deformation of the repaired wall caused by expansion or contraction of the wall due to changes in temperature, and thereby protects the middle layer of net from undesirable tearing or compression.

Abstract: A structure of ink slots on an ink-jet printhead chip. The structure includes a plurality of firing chambers and a plurality of ink reservoirs. Each of the firing chambers has a heater and is enclosed by a plurality of walls, so each of the firing chambers is isolated. The ink reservoirs are respectively connected to the firing chambers by ink slots and each of the ink reservoirs is also isolated. Additionally, distances of the ink slots are equal.

Abstract: The ink cartridge is provided with a pressure controller to regulate the inner pressure therein by atmospheric pressure while the ink stored in the ink cartridge is gradually drained off. The ink is stored in a container with negative pressure therein, and at least one through hole formed on the container is used to connect to the atmosphere, and at least one recess is formed on the inner wall of the through hole. The pressure controller has a plug movably disposed on the through hole and the recesses. The recesses are used as a channel to allow the entrance of the atmospheric air, and the plug can be automatically moved so as to enlarge the clearance between the plug and the through hole while the ink stored in the ink cartridge is gradually drained off. The inputted air can effectively reduce the negative pressure in the container, and therefore the printing process of the ink cartridge can be proceeding steadily.

Abstract: A wafer-fetching sensing device for wafer storage apparatus uses a planar detection means to replace a conventional linear detection means to detect if a wafer is properly positioned at a desirable access level before being moved out of an access opening of the wafer storage apparatus by a robot. Wafer tilting and damage incident that might otherwise happen thus may be avoided. Only a correctly positioned wafer will be fetched. A warning signal will be generated when the wafer is not properly positioned so that preventive action may be taken to avoid wafer damage. Production yield thus may be increased.

Abstract: A method to prevent threshold shifts in MOS transistors due to auto-doping from heavily doped polysilicon layers. Isolation regions are provided in a semiconductor substrate separating active areas. A gate oxide layer is formed over the surface of the semiconductor substrate. A polysilicon layer is deposited overlying the gate oxide layer. A tungsten silicide layer is deposited overlying the polysilicon layer. The tungsten silicide layer and the first polysilicon layer are etched to form MOS gates and bottom electrodes for dual polysilicon capacitors. An interpoly dielectric layer is deposited overlying entire surface of the semiconductor substrate. A doped polysilicon layer is deposited overlying the interpoly dielectric layer. A sealing oxide layer is deposited overlying the doped polysilicon layer to prevent out-diffusion of impurity ions into the semiconductor substrate and thereby preventing auto-doping. The tungsten silicide layer is annealed. Ions are implanted to form drain and source regions.