Abstract: A micro-fluid ejecting head for use in a micro-fluid ejecting apparatus includes a plurality of micro-fluid ejection devices, a plurality of driver devices for driving the plurality of micro-fluid ejection devices, and a nonvolatile programmable memory matrix. The memory matrix contains embedded programmable memory devices for storing information related to operation of the micro-fluid ejecting head. The memory matrix is configured to communicate with a controller which is external of the micro-fluid ejecting head. The information stored in the memory matrix may include identification information for the micro-fluid ejecting head, alignment characteristics of the micro-fluid ejecting head, information regarding properties of fluid used by the micro-fluid ejecting head, fluid level information, and fluid use information. The external controller accesses the information stored in the memory matrix and controls the plurality of driver devices based on the information accessed from the memory matrix.

Abstract: A micro-fluid ejecting device includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of fluid ejection elements formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of nonvolatile programmable memory devices for storing information related to the operation of the micro-fluid ejecting device. The programmable memory devices, which are at least partially embedded in the semiconductor substrate, each include a source region and a drain region formed in the semiconductor substrate. The source and drain regions have a conductivity type which is opposite the conductivity type of the semiconductor substrate. An insulative layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate over the source region and drain region. A floating gate region is formed on the insulative layer and is spatially disposed between the source region and drain region. The floating gate region is electrically insulated from the source and drain regions by the insulative layer. Electrical contacts are connected to the source region and the drain region.

Abstract: Inkjet printheads and actuator chips, such as an inkjet printhead actuator chip having a substrate, ink vias formed in the substrate, and columnar arrays of actuators in operational communication with the ink vias. At least one of the ink vias has at least one of a different length, width and a via to via pitch than another one of the ink vias. Imaging devices for use with the printheads are also disclosed.

Abstract: Heater chips for use with a printing device, such as heater chips that include a first heater array, positioned substantially adjacent a first via, and a second heater array, positioned substantially adjacent a second via. The heater chip can also include a region, positioned between the first heater array and the second heater array, and a temperature sensing element operable to sense the temperature of the region, where the temperature sensing element is substantially centrally disposed with respect to the region. According to one embodiment of the invention, the temperature sensing element comprises a temperature sensing resistor.

Abstract: Heater chips for use with a printing device, such as heater chips that include a first heater array, positioned substantially adjacent a first via, and a second heater array, positioned substantially adjacent a second via. The heater chip can also include a region, positioned between the first heater array and the second heater array, and a temperature sensing element operable to sense the temperature of the region, where the temperature sensing element is substantially centrally disposed with respect to the region. Additionally, the first heater array and the second heater array are operable to receive heating responsive to the temperature of the region sensed by the temperature sensing element to regulate the temperature of the region. According to one embodiment of the invention, the temperature sensing element comprises a temperature sensing resistor and the heating may occur via non-nucleating heating.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide an inkjet print head having a housing defining an ink reservoir, a nozzle portion including a nozzle plate deforming an ink chamber in fluid communication with the ink reservoir, and forming a fluid flow path between the ink chamber and the ink reservoir, and a substrate coupled to the nozzle plate and having a surface substantially positioned over the nozzle plate. At least one heating element can be coupled to the substrate, and can be positioned adjacent the surface to heat a portion of the ink chamber. In some embodiments, the inkjet print head comprises a control circuit coupled to the at least one heating element for controlling the heating element, and a temperature sense element positioned substantially between the at least one heating element and the control circuit or in at least partially overlapping relationship with the heating element.

Abstract: Printheads configured to operate in accordance with a plurality of print modes. For example, one of the plurality of print modes can be selected in accordance with a bit of address data received by the printhead. In an exemplary embodiment, the selection of print mode can be accomplished by switching one or more actuator (e.g., heater) circuit addresses on the printhead.

Abstract: A heater chip that includes a circuit element, and a bus that can be used to power the circuit element. The heater chip also includes a feedback circuit that is coupled to the power bus. Particularly, the feedback circuit can be configured to indicate if the bus is powered the circuit element.

Abstract: An ejector chip (e.g., a heater chip) has at least one fluid (e.g., ink) via, and an elongated actuator (e.g., a resistive heating element) between an edge of the chip and the via. The chip also has a conductive trace connected to the actuator. The chip also has a bondpad central to the length of the actuator to reduce a length of the conductive trace.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead heater chip includes a resistor layer, a dielectric layer on the resistor layer and a cavitation layer on the dielectric layer. A grounded-gate MOSFET electrically attaches to the cavitation layer to protect the dielectric layer from breakdown during an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event. Protection typically embodies the safe distribution of ESD current to ground during user printhead installation. Locations of the grounded-gate MOSFET(s) include terminal ends of one or more columns of ink ejecting elements formed by the resistor layer. Also, the MOSFET source electrically connects to the gate while the drain attaches to the cavitation layer. The drain attaches via first and second metallization lines, including attachment generally above the cavitation layer. The dielectric layer is diamond like carbon layer and is about 2000 angstroms thick. Inkjet printheads and printers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for making a fluid ejector head for a micro-fluid ejection device. In one embodiment, the process comprises depositing a thin film resistive layer on a substrate to provide a plurality of thin film heaters. The thin film resistive layer comprises a tantalum-aluminum-nitride material consisting essentially of AlN, TaN, and TaAl alloys, and containing from about 30 to about 70 atomic % tantalum, from about 10 to about 40 atomic % aluminum and from about 5 to about 30 atomic % nitrogen.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead heater chip has an ink via asymmetrically arranged in a reciprocating direction of inkjet printhead movement. The ink via has two sides and a longitudinal extent substantially parallel to a print medium advance direction. A column of fluid firing elements exists exclusively along a single side of the two sides. The heater chip and ink via each have a centroid and neither resides coincidentally with one another. Preferably, the heater chip centroid resides externally to a boundary of the ink via. In other aspects, the column of fluid firing elements can be a sole column or plural and may be centered in the reciprocating direction. The ink via can be a sole via or plural. The heater chip can be rectangular and the ink vias can be closer to either the long or short ends thereof. Inkjet printers for housing the printheads are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead. The inkjet printhead includes a temperature-sensing resistor with a low voltage end which is connected to a ground structure that at least partially encloses the temperature sensing resistor.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide an inkjet print head having a housing defining an ink reservoir, a nozzle portion including a nozzle plate defining an ink chamber in fluid communication with the ink reservoir, and forming a fluid flow path between the ink chamber and the ink reservoir, and a substrate coupled to the nozzle plate and having a surface substantially positioned over the nozzle plate. At least one heating element can be coupled to the substrate, and can be positioned adjacent the surface to heat a portion of the ink chamber. In some embodiments, the inkjet print head comprises a control circuit coupled to the at least one heating element for controlling the heating element, and a temperature sense element positioned substantially between the at least one heating element and the control circuit or in at least partially overlapping relationship with the heating element.

Abstract: A method informs a user of an ink jet printer of the end of life of a consumable. The consumable supplies ink to a printhead having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and an associated plurality of ink jetting actuators, each of the plurality of ink jetting actuators being addressable. The printhead includes a plurality of address lines for facilitating selection of one or more of the plurality of ink jetting actuators. The method includes the steps of defining a notice threshold that is associated with a corresponding amount of ink remaining in the consumable; providing control logic for selectively controlling the plurality of address lines; determining whether the amount of ink remaining in the consumable has reached the notice threshold; and upon reaching the notice threshold, reducing an image density of images formed by the printhead by selectively disabling at least one of the plurality of address lines.

Abstract: An improved heater chip for an ink jet print head, the chip including an active heater array and an inactive heater array located adjacent to and extending away from the end of the active heater array. The inactive heater array provides a region adjacent the end of the active heater array that is substantially planar, and also provides a plurality of current paths which reduces energy differences between heater resistors adjacent the end of the active heater array and other heater resistors in the heater array.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate for a micro-fluid ejection head. The substrate includes a plurality of fluid ejection actuators disposed on the substrate. Each of the fluid ejection actuators includes a thin heater stack comprising a thin film heater and one or more protective layers adjacent the heater. The thin film heater is made of a tantalum-aluminum-nitride thin film material having a nano-crystalline structure consisting essentially of AlN, TaN, and TaAl alloys, and has a sheet resistance ranging from about 30 to about 100 ohms per square. The thin film material contains from about 30 to about 70 atomic % tantalum, from about 10 to about 40 atomic % aluminum and from about 5 to about 30 atomic % nitrogen.

Abstract: Power is provided from one portion of a printer, such as a printer electronics module, to another portion of the printer, such as a printhead. Logic signals produced in a first electronic module of the printer are transmitted to a second electronics module of the printer. A power signal is derived from the logic signals without interfering with the magnitude or duration of logic signals, and the logic power signal is applied to power the second electronic module without having a separate dedicated power line.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate for a microfluid ejection head. The substrate includes a plurality of fluid ejection actuators disposed on the substrate. A plurality of driver transistors are disposed on the substrate for driving the plurality of fluid ejection actuators. Each of the driver transistors have an active area ranging from about 1000 to less than about 15,000 ?m2. A plurality of logic circuits including at least one logic transistor are coupled to the driver transistors. The driver and logic transistors are provided by a high density array of MOS transistors wherein at least the logic transistors have a gate length of from about 0.1 to less than about 3 microns.

Abstract: A programmable memory on an inkjet printhead chip. The memory comprises a memory array that has a plurality of memory elements, and a bipolar device that isolates a memory element from another memory element in the memory array.