Patents by Inventor Wen-Li Su
Wen-Li Su 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).
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Patent number: 7377634Abstract: A method of producing and using photo media to print a glossy, photo-quality image. The image is printed onto the back of a coated transparent base. Thereafter, an opaque backing is applied to cover the printed image. The resulting print is viewed from the front, which provides the photo-quality, attractive appearance primarily because of the substantial gloss depth and uniformity attributable to the transparent base. The transparent base and backing protect the ink-receiving coating and make the resulting print very durable. The image is light fast because the ink is sandwiched between the transparent base and the backing, thereby sealing the ink from oxygen. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the backing is applied as a liquid using substantially the same mechanism as used for printing the image.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Inventors: Jason Quintana, Greg S. Smith, Wen-Li Su
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Patent number: 7108349Abstract: A printer according to the present techniques includes a print head having at least one nozzle for ejecting an ink drop and a sensing element for detecting the ink drop. The print head includes a charge shield for imparting an electrical charge into the ink drop during ejection from the nozzle and for shielding electrical noise generated in the print head.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2005Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Sam Sarmast, Wen-Li Su
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Patent number: 6969159Abstract: A sensor configuration for use in detecting ink droplets ejected from an ink drop generator is provided. The sensor configuration includes a sensing element configured to receive a biasing voltage which creates an electric field from the sensing element to the ink drop generator. The sensor configuration also includes a sensing amplifier coupled to the sensing element, whereby the sensing element in imparted with an electrical stimulus when at least one ink droplet is ejected in the presence of the electric field, and thereafter passes in close proximity to the sensing element without substantially contacting the sensing element. Sensor configurations with a separate electrically biasing element which may or may not contact the ink droplets are also provided. Additionally, a printing mechanism having such sensor configurations and a method of making ink drop detection measurements are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Wen-Li Su, Sam Sarmast, Patrick J. Therien
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Patent number: 6951379Abstract: A printer according to the present techniques includes a print head having at least one nozzle for ejecting an ink drop and a sensing element for detecting the ink drop. The print head includes a charge shield for imparting an electrical charge into the ink drop during ejection from the nozzle and for shielding electrical noise generated in the print head.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2003Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Sam Sarmast, Wen-Li Su
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Publication number: 20050212848Abstract: A printer according to the present techniques includes a print head having at least one nozzle for ejecting an ink drop and a sensing element for detecting the ink drop. The print head includes a charge shield for imparting an electrical charge into the ink drop during ejection from the nozzle and for shielding electrical noise generated in the print head.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2005Publication date: September 29, 2005Inventors: Sam Sarmast, Wen-Li Su
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Patent number: 6935717Abstract: A sensor configuration for use in detecting ink droplets ejected from an ink drop generator is provided. The sensor configuration includes a sensing element configured to receive a biasing voltage which creates an electric field from the sensing element to the ink drop generator. The sensor configuration also includes a sensing amplifier coupled to the sensing element, whereby the sensing element in imparted with an electrical stimulus when at least one ink droplet is ejected in the presence of the electric field, and thereafter passes in close proximity to the sensing element without substantially contacting the sensing element. Sensor configurations with a separate electrically biasing element which may or may not contact the ink droplets are also provided. Additionally, a printing mechanism having such sensor configurations and a method of making ink drop detection measurements are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Wen-Li Su, Sam Sarmast, Patrick J. Therien
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Publication number: 20050128277Abstract: A method of producing and using photo media to print a glossy, photo-quality image. The image is printed onto the back of a coated transparent base. Thereafter, an opaque backing is applied to cover the printed image. The resulting print is viewed from the front, which provides the photo-quality, attractive appearance primarily because of the substantial gloss depth and uniformity attributable to the transparent base. The transparent base and backing protect the ink-receiving coating and make the resulting print very durable. The image is light fast because the ink is sandwiched between the transparent base and the backing, thereby sealing the ink from oxygen. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the backing is applied as a liquid using substantially the same mechanism as used for printing the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2005Publication date: June 16, 2005Inventors: Jason Quintana, Greg Smith, Wen-Li Su
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Publication number: 20050109924Abstract: A light source to emit light, and sensors to sense the light after passing through windows, are configured to perform encoding and indexing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2003Publication date: May 26, 2005Inventors: David Christenson, Wen-Li Su
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Patent number: 6866382Abstract: A method of producing and using photo media to print a glossy, photo-quality image. The image is printed onto the back of a coated transparent base. Thereafter, an opaque backing is applied to cover the printed image. The resulting print is viewed from the front, which provides the photo-quality, attractive appearance primarily because of the substantial gloss depth and uniformity attributable to the transparent base. The transparent base and backing protect the ink-receiving coating and make the resulting print very durable. The image is light fast because the ink is sandwiched between the transparent base and the backing, thereby sealing the ink from oxygen. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the backing is applied as a liquid using substantially the same mechanism as used for printing the image.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2001Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Jason Quintana, Greg S. Smith, Wen-Li Su
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Publication number: 20040201640Abstract: A printer according to the present techniques includes a print head having at least one nozzle for ejecting an ink drop and a sensing element for detecting the ink drop. The print head includes a charge shield for imparting an electrical charge into the ink drop during ejection from the nozzle and for shielding electrical noise generated in the print head.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Sam Sarmast, Wen-Li Su
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Patent number: 6769756Abstract: A sensor configuration for use in detecting ink droplets ejected from an ink drop generator is provided. The sensor configuration includes a sensing element configured to receive a biasing voltage which creates an electric field from the sensing element to the ink drop generator. The sensor configuration also includes a sensing amplifier coupled to the sensing element, whereby the sensing element in imparted with an electrical stimulus when at least one ink droplet is ejected in the presence of the electric field, and thereafter passes in close proximity to the sensing element without substantially contacting the sensing element. Sensor configurations with a separate electrically biasing element which may or may not contact the ink droplets are also provided. Additionally, a printing mechanism having such sensor configurations and a method of making ink drop detection measurements are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2001Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Wen-Li Su, Sam Sarmast, Patrick J. Therien
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Patent number: 6761429Abstract: A bulldozer-type cleaning system is provided for removing ink residue from an electrostatic drop detecting sensor which detects ink droplets contacting the detector. A scraper head scrapes the ink residue from the sensor, and then contacts a flexible, compliant cleaning member, illustrated as a coil spring. The spring is secured at each end and is stretched when pushed by the scraper head. This stretching flexation allows the spring to trap the ink residue between the coils. As the scraper head retracts, the resulting contracting flexation of the spring squeezes the ink residue from between the coils. Any ink residue remaining on the coils dries and then flakes off the coils when the spring is stretched again during the next cleaning stroke of the scraper head. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a cleaning system, and a method of cleaning a sensor are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2002Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Wen-Li Su, Patrick Therien
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Publication number: 20040056917Abstract: A sensor configuration for use in detecting ink droplets ejected from an ink drop generator is provided. The sensor configuration includes a sensing element configured to receive a biasing voltage which creates an electric field from the sensing element to the ink drop generator. The sensor configuration also includes a sensing amplifier coupled to the sensing element, whereby the sensing element in imparted with an electrical stimulus when at least one ink droplet is ejected in the presence of the electric field, and thereafter passes in close proximity to the sensing element without substantially contacting the sensing element. Sensor configurations with a separate electrically biasing element which may or may not contact the ink droplets are also provided. Additionally, a printing mechanism having such sensor configurations and a method of making ink drop detection measurements are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Wen-Li Su, Sam Sarmast, Patrick J. Therien
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Patent number: 6663207Abstract: Determining inkjet printer pen turn-on voltages is disclosed. An inkjet printer has a number of pens, and a number of sets of nozzles in each pen. Each set of nozzles of a pen is fired at each of a number of voltages, to obtain a voltage-value curve for each set of nozzles. A nozzle turn-on voltage for each set of nozzles is determined based on a maximum slope of its voltage-value curve. The turn-on voltage for each pen is determined based on the nozzle turn-on voltages of the voltage-value curves for its sets of nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Wen-Li Su, Christopher A Schantz, Jesse Fisher
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Patent number: 6612677Abstract: A sensor includes an ink drop sensing element integral to a printed circuit board. Sensing circuitry is coupled to the printed circuit board and may be configured to receive electrical signals from the sensing element. A method of manufacturing such an ink drop sensor and a printing mechanism having such an ink drop sensor are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Wen-Li Su, Patrick J. Therien, Steve O'Hara
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Publication number: 20030160838Abstract: A sensor configuration for use in detecting ink droplets ejected from an ink drop generator is provided. The sensor configuration includes a sensing element configured to receive a biasing voltage which creates an electric field from the sensing element to the ink drop generator. The sensor configuration also includes a sensing amplifier coupled to the sensing element, whereby the sensing element in imparted with an electrical stimulus when at least one ink droplet is ejected in the presence of the electric field, and thereafter passes in close proximity to the sensing element without substantially contacting the sensing element. Sensor configurations with a separate electrically biasing element which may or may not contact the ink droplets are also provided. Additionally, a printing mechanism having such sensor configurations and a method of making ink drop detection measurements are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2001Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventors: Wen-Li Su, Sam Sarmast, Patrick J. Therien
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Patent number: 6582044Abstract: Ink-jet pen drop firing elements having extended use—namely, printheads used with a plurality of replaceable reservoirs—are provided with a more accurate life span and performance gauge by monitoring energy accumulations over time and using monitored data for certain printer activity or maintenance.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2002Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Wen-Li Su, David Wetchler
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Patent number: 6568780Abstract: An environmental condition detection system for a hardcopy device, such as an inkjet printing mechanism, includes an environmental condition sensor having an optical property which changes in response to a change in an environmental condition, for instance humidity or temperature. The system also has an optical sensor which detects changes in the optical property and generates a signal for a controller that responds by changing an operating parameter of the hardcopy device. A hard copy device having such a environmental condition detection system is also provided, along with a method of determining an environmental condition within which a hardcopy device is operating.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Christopher A. Schantz, Wen-Li Su, Algird M. Gudaitis
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Patent number: 6561614Abstract: An ink drop detector includes a sensing target which is imparted with an electrical stimulus when struck by at least one ink drop burst which has been ejected from an ink drop generator. The detector also includes electronics coupled to the sensing target which characterize the electrical stimulus in terms of a mathematical phase. Methods for analyzing ink ejected from an ink drop generator, and a method for optimizing ink drop generator firing frequency are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Patrick J. Therien, Wen-Li Su
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Publication number: 20030081040Abstract: An ink drop detector includes a sensing target which is imparted with an electrical stimulus when struck by at least one ink drop burst which has been ejected from an ink drop generator. The detector also includes electronics coupled to the sensing target which characterize the electrical stimulus in terms of a mathematical phase. Methods for analyzing ink ejected from an ink drop generator, and a method for optimizing ink drop generator firing frequency are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2001Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Patrick J. Therien, Wen-Li Su