Abstract: A physical unclonable function (PUF) having magnetic and non-magnetic particles is disclosed. Measuring both magnetic field and image view makes the PUF difficult to counterfeit. PUF may be incorporated into a user-replaceable supply item for an imaging device. A PUF reader may be incorporated into an imaging device to read the PUF. Other systems are disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly for a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a sealed enclosure, a MEMS component disposed within the sealed enclosure, and a transformer arrangement. The transformer arrangement includes a first wire coil disposed outside the sealed enclosure, and a second wire coil disposed within the sealed enclosure and coupled to the MEMS component, the first and second wire coils being mutually inductively coupled to each other. Upon applying energy to the first wire coil outside the sealed enclosure, electrical energy is induced in the second wire coil within the sealed enclosure which is used to drive the MEMS component.

Abstract: An imaging device scan unit, including an oscillator oscillating in a predetermined oscillation pattern; a light source generating a light beam for deflection by the oscillator and including a forward sweep portion when the oscillator moves in a first direction of the oscillation pattern and a reverse sweep portion when the oscillator moves in a second direction different from the first direction thereof; and components defining at least two optical paths for the light beam, the forward sweep portion of the light beam passes through a first optical path and the reverse sweep portion of the light beam passes through a second optical path, the second optical path reverses a sweep direction of the reverse sweep portion of the light beam such that the forward sweep portion and the reverse sweep portion of the light beam are in the substantially same direction when exiting the scan unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are golf clubs for reducing the spin imparted to a golf ball, the golf club having a gripping portion around which a golfer can position his hands to swing the golf club, a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the gripping portion extends from the first end of the shaft; and a club head extending from the second end of the shaft, the club head having a surface for striking the golf ball, and wherein the surface comprises a high-frictional material to reduce the rotation of a golf ball upon impact with the surface. The striking surface of the golf club may be treated in a variety of manners, including but not limited to placement of an insert into a cavity of a golf club head, material selection, surface material variation, and physical patterning of the surface on a micro-and/or nano-scale.

Abstract: An imaging device scan unit, including an oscillator oscillating in a predetermined oscillation pattern; a light source generating a light beam for deflection by the oscillator and including a forward sweep portion when the oscillator moves in a first direction of the oscillation pattern and a reverse sweep portion when the oscillator moves in a second direction different from the first direction thereof; and components defining at least two optical paths for the light beam, the forward sweep portion of the light beam passes through a first optical path and the reverse sweep portion of the light beam passes through a second optical path, the second optical path reverses a sweep direction of the reverse sweep portion of the light beam such that the forward sweep portion and the reverse sweep portion of the light beam are in the substantially same direction when exiting the scan unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are golf clubs for reducing the spin imparted to a golf ball, the golf club having a gripping portion around which a golfer can position his hands to swing the golf club, a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the gripping portion extends from the first end of the shaft; and a club head extending from the second end of the shaft, the club head having a surface for striking the golf ball, and wherein the surface comprises a high-frictional material to reduce the rotation of a golf ball upon impact with the surface. The striking surface of the golf club may be treated in a variety of manners, including but not limited to placement of an insert into a cavity of a golf club head, material selection, surface material variation, and physical patterning of the surface on a micro- and/or nano-scale.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus for a printer or similar instrument. A multiharmonic oscillator is used to provide a composite motion of a laser beam or other light beam to scan an imaging surface. The multiharmonic oscillator may have multiple sections each having a different resonant frequency. One section includes a reflector that intercepts the light beam, and drive electronics move the reflector so the light beam scans the imaging surface. Linear and complex non-linear motions of the light beam may be achieved. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology may be used to fabricate the oscillator.

Abstract: Micro-fluid ejection devices, such as inkjet printheads, such as those that use a laser to eject fluid. One such micro-fluid ejection device includes a passageway plate defining a fluid chamber filled with fluid and a fluid channel to supply the fluid chamber with fluid, a top plate provided on the passageway plate, a fluid ejection hole formed through the top plate at a position corresponding to the fluid chamber, a condenser lens provided on a bottom surface of the passageway plate at a position corresponding to the fluid chamber, and laser beam irradiator capable of irradiating a laser beam through the condenser lens and into fluid contained in the fluid chamber, wherein the fluid is nucleated by the laser beam such that a vapor bubble forms and displaces a portion of the fluid, thereby ejecting a fluid droplet through the fluid ejection hole. Method of using such devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser diode/pre-scan assembly associated with a printhead for a laser printer is presented. The laser diode/pre-scan assembly includes a pair of collimation lenses that are de-centered from the axes of a pair of laser beams to direct the pair of beams inwardly in a process direction and into a single pre-scan lens. A corresponding method of constructing a laser diode/pre-scan assembly for a laser printer is also presented.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning a scanner assembly in a laser scanning unit for an image forming device. A MEMS torsion oscillator is attached to a spherical base that is received by a socket in a laser scanning unit. The pivotal center of the scanner coincides with the center of the spherical base such that the center of the scanner does not move as the scanner is aligned in the skew, process, and scan directions. In various embodiments, the aligned relationship of the spherical base to the socket is maintained by an adhesive, a through-bolt, or a plurality of spring-biased adjustment screws. The configuration and location of the adjustment screws is such that adjustment of the scanner assembly is accomplished without blocking the laser beam used for alignment.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus for a printer or similar instrument. A multiharmonic oscillator is used to provide a composite motion of a laser beam or other light beam to scan an imaging surface. The multiharmonic oscillator may have multiple sections each having a different resonant frequency. One section includes a reflector that intercepts the light beam, and drive electronics move the reflector so the light beam scans the imaging surface. Linear and complex non-linear motions of the light beam may be achieved. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology may be used to fabricate the oscillator.

Abstract: In bi-directional imaging, such as bi-directional printing, a driving mechanism scans a light beam through a scan path across an imaging window. A controller enables transmission of video data to a modulator when the light beam is positioned for imaging on the imaging window. Video data is transmitted to the modulator when the light beam is traveling in a forward direction or a reverse direction across the imaging window, whereby a modulated light beam is capable of producing an image when traveling in the forward or reverse directions. The controller adjusts scan durations or image rasterization rates to ensure that each scan is properly aligned with the prior and subsequent scan.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus for a printer or similar instrument. A multiharmonic oscillator is used to provide a composite motion of a laser beam or other light beam to scan an imaging surface. The multiharmonic oscillator may have multiple sections each having a different resonant frequency. One section includes a reflector that intercepts the light beam, and drive electronics move the reflector so the light beam scans the imaging surface. Linear and complex non-linear motions of the light beam may be achieved. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology may be used to fabricate the oscillator.

Abstract: A laser diode/pre-scan assembly associated with a printhead for a laser printer is presented. The laser diode/pre-scan assembly includes a pair of collimation lenses that are de-centered from the axes of a pair of laser beams to direct the pair of beams inwardly in a process direction and into a single pre-scan lens. A corresponding method of constructing a laser diode/pre-scan assembly for a laser printer is also presented.

Abstract: Threshold current may be determined and one or more bias sources may be programmed in a laser drive circuit. For example, a laser diode emits light along first and second optical paths. A polarizer is positioned in the first optical path between the laser diode and a first detector, which outputs a first detector signal corresponding to the measured optical power of polarized light. A second detector monitors light along the second optical path and provides a second detector signal. A bias compensation circuit receives the first and second detector signals and provides a bias current control signal, which is utilized to program a bias current source supplied to the laser diode. Additionally, multiple polarizer devices may be utilized e.g., a first polarizer in a first optical path aligned with the laser beam and a second polarizer in a second optical path aligned substantially orthogonal to the polarization of the laser beam.

Abstract: Threshold current may be determined and one or more bias sources may be programmed in a laser drive circuit. For example, a laser diode emits light along first and second optical paths. A polarizer is positioned in the first optical path between the laser diode and a first detector, which outputs a first detector signal corresponding to the measured optical power of polarized light. A second detector monitors light along the second optical path and provides a second detector signal. A bias compensation circuit receives the first and second detector signals and provides a bias current control signal, which is utilized to program a bias current source supplied to the laser diode. Additionally, multiple polarizer devices may be utilized e.g., a first polarizer in a first optical path aligned with the laser beam and a second polarizer in a second optical path aligned substantially orthogonal to the polarization of the laser beam.

Abstract: Micro-fluid ejection devices, such as inkjet printheads, such as those that use a laser to eject fluid. One such micro-fluid ejection device includes a passageway plate defining a fluid chamber filled with fluid and a fluid channel to supply the fluid chamber with fluid, a top plate provided on the passageway plate, a fluid ejection hole formed through the top plate at a position corresponding to the fluid chamber, a condenser lens provided on a bottom surface of the passageway plate at a position corresponding to the fluid chamber, and laser beam irradiator capable of irradiating a laser beam through the condenser lens and into fluid contained in the fluid chamber, wherein the fluid is nucleated by the laser beam such that a vapor bubble forms and displaces a portion of the fluid, thereby ejecting a fluid droplet through the fluid ejection hole. Method of using such devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for improving the operation of an electrophotographic printer. The method includes providing an electrophotographic printer containing a laser scanning unit. A torsion oscillator for the laser scanning unit is enclosed in closed compartment. The closed compartment includes side walls having first and second side wall edges, a bottom wall attached on the first side wall edges, and a cover attached adjacent to the second side wall edges. The closed compartment is sufficient to reduce stray air currents from adjacent the torsion oscillator thereby improving the operation of the electrophotographic printer.

Abstract: A lens has a lens body (1), reinforcing extensions (3a, 3b) and a clear aperture (9) surrounded on top and bottom by lens body. The lens is suitable for spot scanning. The lens is made of a water absorbing material, such as most polymers, particularly acrylate polymers. Aluminum sheets as vapor barriers are attached on each side of the lens body. This results in excellent resistance to change or distortion in high humidity environments.

Abstract: An optical apparatus compensates for imaging errors associated with the sinusoidal angular scan rate of a light beam reflected from a bidirectional scanning torsion oscillator. The compensation is achieved by a combination of pre-scan optics positioned between the source of the light beam and the scanning torsion oscillator, and post-scan optics positioned between the scanning torsion oscillator and an imaging surface of an imaging device. Based on the optical characteristics of its components, the post-scan optical system causes deflection of the light beam in the scan direction. To compensate for the sinusoidal scan rate, the deflection caused by the post-scan optical system is greater at the opposing edge positions of the imaging surface than at a central position. In this manner, the scan rate of the light beam at the first and second edge positions is substantially equivalent to the scan rate at the central position.