Patents by Inventor David McLeod Johnstone

David McLeod Johnstone has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8840227
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a bi-layered nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzle apertures. The bi-layered nozzle plate being includes a lower first nozzle plate formed from a first material and an upper second nozzle plate disposed on the first nozzle plate, the second nozzle plate being formed from a second material. The first and second materials are different from each other and are each independently selected from the group consisting of: silicon nitride, silicon oxide and silicon oxynitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Witold Roman Wiszniewski, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8544989
    Abstract: A MEMS integrated circuit includes a silicon substrate having a frontside with a drive circuitry layer and a backside. A MEMS layer is disposed on the drive circuitry layer. The MEMS layer includes a plurality of MEMS devices electrically connected to the drive circuitry layer. Connector posts extends from the drive circuitry layer to a contact pad positioned in a roof of the MEMS layer and through-silicon connectors extending linearly from the contact pad, through the drive circuitry layer and the silicon substrate, towards the backside of the silicon substrate. Each through-silicon connector terminates at a backside integrated circuit contact, such that each integrated circuit contact is electrically connected to the drive circuitry layer via the contact pad positioned in the roof of the MEMS layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Zamtec Ltd
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8517515
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes: an ink supply manifold; printhead integrated circuits attached to the ink supply manifold, each printhead integrated circuit having a frontside including drive circuitry and a plurality of inkjet nozzle assemblies disposed on the drive circuitry; and a connector film for supplying power to the drive circuitry. An integrated circuit contact positioned in a backside recessed portion of each printhead integrated circuit is connected to the connector film. The integrated circuit contact is electrically connected to the drive circuitry via a connector rod extending through the printhead integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Zamtec Ltd
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8506055
    Abstract: A MEMS integrated circuit includes a silicon substrate having a frontside with a drive circuitry layer and a backside. A MEMS layer is disposed on the drive circuitry layer. The MEMS layer includes a plurality of MEMS devices electrically connected to the drive circuitry layer. Integrated circuit contacts are positioned at a backside of the substrate. The integrated circuit contacts are electrically connected to the drive circuitry layer via respective connector rods extending through the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Zamtec Ltd
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20130095638
    Abstract: A method of fabricating integrated circuits is provided in which sacrificial material is provided on a first surface of a substrate to define structural elements, integrated circuit material is provided on the sacrificial material to provide integrated circuit structures as defined by the structural elements, the sacrificial material is removed from the first surface of the substrate to provide partially fabricated integrated circuits defined by the integrated circuit structures, a carrier handle is attached to the partially fabricated integrated circuits, and the substrate is thinned from a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface to provide the fabricated integrated circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew Leon Vella, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8323993
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an inkjet printhead assembly having backside electrical connections. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing printhead integrated circuits, each having a backside recessed edge portion and connectors extending through the integrated circuit, each connector having a head connected to frontside drive circuitry and a base in the recessed edge portion; (b) positioning a connection end of a connector film in the recessed edge portion; (c) connecting each film contact to the base of a corresponding connector; and (d) attaching the backside of each printhead integrated circuit together with the connector film to an ink supply manifold so as to provide the inkjet printhead assembly having backside electrical connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Zamtec Limited
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8287094
    Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit has a frontside comprising drive circuitry and inkjet nozzle assemblies, a backside for attachment to an ink supply manifold and ink supply channels providing fluid communication between the backside and the inkjet nozzle assemblies. The backside has a recessed portion for accommodating part of a connector film, which supplies power to the drive circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Zamtec Limited
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8287095
    Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit comprising a silicon substrate defining a frontside and a backside, inkjet nozzle assemblies positioned at the frontside, drive circuitry for supplying power to the inkjet nozzle assemblies and through-silicon connectors extending from the frontside towards the backside. The through-silicon connectors provides electrical connections between the drive circuitry and corresponding integrated circuit contacts. The integrated circuit contacts are positioned for connection to a backside-mounted connector film supplying power to the drive circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Zamtec Limited
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8256877
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly comprising an ink supply manifold; printhead integrated circuits and a connector film for supplying power to drive circuitry in the printhead integrated circuits. Each printhead integrated circuit has a frontside comprising the drive circuitry and inkjet nozzle assemblies, a backside attached to the ink supply manifold, and ink supply channels providing fluid communication between the backside and the inkjet nozzle assemblies. A connection end of the connector film is sandwiched between part of the ink supply manifold and the printhead integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Zamtec Limited
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20120062653
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a bi-layered nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzle apertures. The bi-layered nozzle plate being includes a lower first nozzle plate formed from a first material and an upper second nozzle plate disposed on the first nozzle plate, the second nozzle plate being formed from a second material. The first and second materials are different from each other and are each independently selected from the group consisting of: silicon nitride, silicon oxide and silicon oxynitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Witold Roman Wiszniewski, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8101438
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a printhead integrated circuit configured for backside electrical connections. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a wafer comprising a plurality of partially-fabricated nozzle assemblies on a frontside of the wafer and through-silicon connectors extending from the frontside towards a backside of the wafer; (b) depositing a conductive layer on the frontside of said wafer and etching to form an actuator for each nozzle assembly and a frontside contact pad over a head of each through-silicon connector; (c) performing further MEMS processing steps to complete formation of nozzle assemblies ink supply channels through-silicon connectors; and (d) dividing the wafer into individual printhead integrated circuits. Each printhead integrated circuit thus formed is configured for backside-connection to the drive circuitry via the through-silicon connectors the contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8075096
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead with first and second nozzle plates. The first nozzle plate is comprised of a first material spanning a plurality of nozzles. The first nozzle plate has a plurality of cavities filled with a filler such that an upper surface of the first nozzle plate and an upper surface of the filler together define a contiguous planar surface. The second nozzle plate is comprised of a second material disposed on the planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Witold Roman Wiszniewski, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20110292121
    Abstract: A MEMS integrated circuit includes a silicon substrate having a frontside with a drive circuitry layer and a backside. A MEMS layer is disposed on the drive circuitry layer. The MEMS layer includes a plurality of MEMS devices electrically connected to the drive circuitry layer. Connector posts extends from the drive circuitry layer to a contact pad positioned in a roof of the MEMS layer and through-silicon connectors extending linearly from the contact pad, through the drive circuitry layer and the silicon substrate, towards the backside of the silicon substrate. Each through-silicon connector terminates at a backside integrated circuit contact, such that each integrated circuit contact is electrically connected to the drive circuitry layer via the contact pad positioned in the roof of the MEMS layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20110292128
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes: an ink supply manifold; printhead integrated circuits attached to the ink supply manifold, each printhead integrated circuit having a frontside including drive circuitry and a plurality of inkjet nozzle assemblies disposed on the drive circuitry; and a connector film for supplying power to the drive circuitry. An integrated circuit contact positioned in a backside recessed portion of each printhead integrated circuit is connected to the connector film. The integrated circuit contact is electrically connected to the drive circuitry via a connector rod extending through the printhead integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David Mcleod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20110292120
    Abstract: A MEMS integrated circuit includes a silicon substrate having a frontside with a drive circuitry layer and a backside. A MEMS layer is disposed on the drive circuitry layer. The MEMS layer includes a plurality of MEMS devices electrically connected to the drive circuitry layer. Integrated circuit contacts are positioned at a backside of the substrate. The integrated circuit contacts are electrically connected to the drive circuitry layer via respective connector rods extending through the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7934798
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead comprising a reinforced bi-layered nozzle plate structure spanning across a plurality of nozzles is provided. Typically, the nozzle plate structure comprises: a first nozzle plate spanning a plurality of nozzles, the first nozzle plate having a plurality of cavities defined therein; photoresist filling the cavities; and a second nozzle plate covering said the first nozzle plate and the photoresist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Witold Roman Wiszniewski, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20110018940
    Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit has a frontside comprising drive circuitry and inkjet nozzle assemblies, a backside for attachment to an ink supply manifold and ink supply channels providing fluid communication between the backside and the inkjet nozzle assemblies. The backside has a recessed portion for accommodating part of a connector film, which supplies power to the drive circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20110020964
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an inkjet printhead assembly having backside electrical connections. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing printhead integrated circuits, each having a backside recessed edge portion and connectors extending through the integrated circuit, each connector having a head connected to frontside drive circuitry and a base in the recessed edge portion; (b) positioning a connection end of a connector film in the recessed edge portion; (c) connecting each film contact to the base of a corresponding connector; and (d) attaching the backside of each printhead integrated circuit together with the connector film to an ink supply manifold so as to provide the inkjet printhead assembly having backside electrical connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20110018941
    Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit comprising a silicon substrate defining a frontside and a backside, inkjet nozzle assemblies positioned at the frontside, drive circuitry for supplying power to the inkjet nozzle assemblies and through-silicon connectors extending from the frontside towards the backside. The through-silicon connectors provides electrical connections between the drive circuitry and corresponding integrated circuit contacts. The integrated circuit contacts are positioned for connection to a backside-mounted connector film supplying power to the drive circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20110018939
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly comprising an ink supply manifold; printhead integrated circuits and a connector film for supplying power to drive circuitry in the printhead integrated circuits. Each printhead integrated circuit has a frontside comprising the drive circuitry and inkjet nozzle assemblies, a backside attached to the ink supply manifold, and ink supply channels providing fluid communication between the backside and the inkjet nozzle assemblies. A connection end of the connector film is sandwiched between part of the ink supply manifold and the printhead integrated circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Rónán Pádraig Seán O'Reilly, David McLeod Johnstone, Kia Silverbrook