Abstract: A liquid ejector includes a structure defining a chamber. The chamber includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes a nozzle orifice. A drop forming mechanism is located on the second surface of the chamber opposite the nozzle orifice. A first liquid feed channel and a second liquid feed channel are in fluid communication with the chamber. A first segment of a segmented liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the first liquid feed channel and a second segment of the segmented liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the second liquid feed channel.

Abstract: A fluid-ejecting device with simplified connectivity is disclosed herein. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a common lead is provided such that a plurality of electrical contacts on a fluid-ejecting chip are connected to the common lead, which is located on a single-layer-flex circuit. Because a common lead is provided at an edge of the single-layer-flex circuit adjacent the fluid-ejecting chip, fewer signals need to be routed through the single-layer-flex circuit to such edge, thereby reducing the complexity of such circuit. Further, bond sites at the edge of the single-layer-flex circuit adjacent the fluid-ejecting device are arranged in a manner that minimizes the required length of wire bonds for connecting such contacts to the contacts on the fluid-ejecting chip.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for automatic fluid ejector alignment and performance evaluation and modification in one or multiple planes. A fluid ejector fires a drop through a drop detection module. A signal indicating drop presence or absence is sent to a computer. The computer analyzes the data, and makes a compensation determination of a preferred method of using the fluid ejector. The compensation determination may include electronically modifying the image data to be printed, physically manipulating the fluid ejector, completely skipping the fluid ejector during printing operations, or in some other way modifying the fluid ejector or image data such that apparent printed image error due to fluid ejector alignment or performance error is reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing or preventing fluid misplacement by a fluid-ejecting head having a plurality of fluid ejectors are disclosed. Each of the fluid ejectors has a transducer activated in some sequence in response to input signals to eject a fluid droplet from the fluid ejector. The systems comprise electronics which integrate delay time buffers into the sequence of fluid ejector firing electronics. Adjusting the delay time buffers will adjust the angle between printed data (e.g. vertical lines) and the direction of the head motion. Several methods for determining the delay times that produce the optimal fluid placement are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and Apparatus for protection of semiconductor micromechanical devices that use circuits with dynamic logic addressing is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a fail-safe circuit is provided for an ink jet print head integrated circuit which prevents a catastrophic consequence of the dynamic logic addressed integrated circuit losing its charge.

Abstract: A method and Apparatus for protection of semiconductor micromechanical devices that use circuits with dynamic logic addressing is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a fail-safe circuit is provided for an ink jet print head integrated circuit which prevents a catastrophic consequence of the dynamic logic addressed integrated circuit losing its charge.

Abstract: A programmable circuit and method of programming that provide an easily fabricated circuit that does not require specialize manufacturing or packaging techniques. The circuit provides for temporarily setting the circuit outputs which can then be used for testing. The circuit also provides for permanently setting the output by applying sufficient voltage and current to the transistor that permanent spiking of the metallized contact layer through the junction occurs.

Abstract: A programmable circuit and method of programming that provide an easily fabricated circuit that does not require specialize manufacturing or packaging techniques. The circuit provides for temporarily setting the circuit outputs which can then be used for testing. The circuit also provides for permanently setting the output by applying sufficient voltage and current to the transistor that permanent spiking of the metallized contact layer through the junction occurs.

Abstract: A programmable circuit and method of programming that provide an easily fabricated circuit that does not require specialize manufacturing or packaging techniques. The circuit provides for temporarily setting the circuit outputs which can then be used for testing. The circuit also provides for permanently setting the output by applying sufficient voltage and current to the transistor that permanent spiking of the metallized contact layer through the junction occurs.

Abstract: An ink jet printer including an ink jet printhead and a printhead temperature sensing device including a fusible link circuit with a preview feature and a method for programming or calibrating therefore. The ink jet printhead includes a fusible link circuit including a fusible link, with a threshold above which the fusible link will be forced to an open condition with the application of a threshold condition applied thereto and a circuit, coupled to the fusible link, including an input and an output, generating an output signal on the output in response to a signal being applied to the input, wherein the output signal provides an output state which simulates the open condition of the fusible link as a preview feature. The fusible link circuit includes the preview feature so that the output of the temperature sensing device which must be calibrated, programmed, or have its output set to a predetermined value, can be simulated or previewed to determine whether the correct output has been achieved.

Abstract: A fusible link circuit including a preview feature and a method for programming or calibrating therefore. The fusible link circuit includes a fusible link, including a threshold above which the fusible link will be forced to an open condition with the application of a threshold condition applied thereto and a circuit, coupled to the fusible link, including an input and an output, generating an output signal on the output in response to a signal being applied to the input, wherein the output signal provides an output state which simulates the open condition of the fusible link as a preview feature. The fusible link circuit includes the preview feature so that the output of any circuit, which must be calibrated, programmed, or have its output set to a predetermined value, can be simulated or previewed to determine whether the correct output is obtainable without destroying the fusible links.

Abstract: The invention describes a temperature sensing system which provides a digital signal representative of the temperature of an ink jet printhead during a predetermined time period. In one embodiment, a temperature controlled oscillator is formed on the printhead, the oscillator including a resistor whose resistance varies proportional to printhead temperature variations. An analog signal from the resistor representative of printhead temperature is converted by the oscillator into a digital output signal whose frequency varies with variations in the resistor and, therefore, with the printhead temperature. The oscillator outputs are counted in an electrical counter over a sampling period. The accumulated count is converted into a digital code representing the printhead temperature.

Abstract: An ink-jet printhead accepts a series of digital addresses as image data. Each digital address causes an individual ejector in the printhead having the particular address to be activated. The frequency of operation of the printhead can be directly related to the frequency at which addresses are submitted to the printhead. A scheduler polls image data for spot placements which require simultaneous activation of a plurality of ejectors in a set of interdependent ejectors, and then reschedules the activation of ejectors to avoid conflicts.