Patents by Inventor William Paul Cook

William Paul Cook 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: 7085507
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a waste toner system that collects waste toner in a waste toner container. An amount of waste toner collected in the container is increased by using a motor-driven toner distributing member that distributes accumulated toner within the container. The waste toner system may detect the accumulation of waste toner by monitoring a motor control circuit while the toner distributing member is being driven. For example, the system may detect excess accumulation by comparing the monitored values of a speed control signal with one or more reference values corresponding to nominal accumulation conditions. Whether or not the motor is speed controlled, the apparatus may use a shared motor that drives one or more image forming process members and the toner distributing member. A drive arrangement may be used to selectively drive the toner distributing member based on motor direction to avoid interfering with image forming operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Paul Cook, Tom E Stickler, Larry Steven Foster, David Erwin Rennick
  • Publication number: 20040245236
    Abstract: A resistive heater adapted for heating a fuser belt is provided. The heater comprises a substrate, a first resistive trace formed over the substrate, and a second resistive trace formed so as to at least partially overlap the first resistive trace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: William Paul Cook, Steven Jeffrey Harris, John William Kietzman, Gregory Hardin McClure, Mark Kevin DeMoor, Jerry W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6785011
    Abstract: A laser beam position sensing arrangement using two similar sensors where, instead of the first sensor being aligned normal to the beam scan path, the angle which bisects the two sensors is aligned normal to the beam scan path. The average of times T1 and T2 at which the laser beam is incident the respective sensors is used for the horizontal or start of scan value, and the difference (T2−T1) is proportional to the vertical or process direction value. From the difference between the two determined times, the longitudinal beam position may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc
    Inventor: William Paul Cook
  • Patent number: 6616256
    Abstract: An n-bit serial shift register in an ink jet print head operates in a print mode or a test mode. When the shift register is operating in the print mode, n bits of print data are serially scanned into n number of bit registers and are then latched out to heater addressing logic circuitry in the print head to control a print operation. When the circuit is operating in the test mode, x bits of test point data from x number of test nodes in the print head are loaded in parallel into x number of the n number of bit registers, and are then serially scanned out to a test data output. In this manner, a single shift register may be used to scan in print data and scan out test data, thereby providing observability and controllability of the internal logic nodes of the print head while minimizing logic size and the number of input/output connections on the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Paul Cook, John Glenn Edelen, George Keith Parish, Kristi Maggard Rowe, Susan Marie Zearfoss
  • Patent number: 6588872
    Abstract: A system is described for compensating for misalignments in an ink jet printer having an ink jet print head cartridge that includes a heater chip. The system includes determining alignment adjustment information related to the misalignments in the ink jet printer, loading the alignment adjustment information into a volatile memory device on the heater chip, and accessing the alignment adjustment information from the volatile memory device. The system also includes generating nozzle control signals based at least in part on the alignment adjustment information. The nozzle control signals are selectively provided to resistive heating elements in the heater chip, thereby heating ink in ink chambers adjacent the heating elements and ejecting ink droplets toward a print medium. The timing of the nozzle control signals is adjusted based upon the amount of misalignment in the various components of the printer and print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Edward Anderson, William Paul Cook, George Keith Parish, Susan Marie Zearfoss
  • Patent number: 6582049
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead position detection system includes a light emitting device emitting at least one beam of light having a first edge and a second edge nonparallel to the first edge. An inkjet printhead includes a light detecting device detecting the at least one beam of light as the inkjet printhead scans across the light. A time period between when the light detecting device crosses the first edge of the at least one light beam and when the light detecting device crosses the second edge of the at least one light beam is dependent upon a position of the inkjet printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: William Paul Cook
  • Patent number: 6502926
    Abstract: The invention provides a printhead for an ink jet printer and a method for making a printhead for an ink jet printer. The printhead includes a printhead body having a chip surface side, an ink surface side opposite the chip surface side and a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). A semiconductor chip containing ink ejector devices is adhesively attached to the chip surface side of the printhead body. A stiffener is adhesively attached to the ink surface side to provide body stiffening during curing of the adhesive. The semiconductor chip has a second CTE and the stiffener has a third CTE wherein the second and third CTE's have a similar value. The invention provides an improved structure for printheads which resist warpage and/or breakage of the semiconductor chips during the manufacturing process used to make the printheads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Paul Cook, Stephen Francis DeFosse, Curtis Ray Droege, Hrishikesh Pramod Gogate, Eric Spencer Hall
  • Publication number: 20020180821
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead position detection system includes a light emitting device emitting at least one beam of light having a first edge and a second edge nonparallel to the first edge. An inkjet printhead includes a light detecting device detecting the at least one beam of light as the inkjet printhead scans across the light. A time period between when the light detecting device crosses the first edge of the at least one light beam and when the light detecting device crosses the second edge of the at least one light beam is dependent upon a position of the inkjet printhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: William Paul Cook
  • Publication number: 20020145640
    Abstract: A system is described for compensating for misalignments in an ink jet printer having an ink jet print head cartridge that includes a heater chip. The system includes determining alignment adjustment information related to the misalignments in the ink jet printer, loading the alignment adjustment information into a volatile memory device on the heater chip, and accessing the alignment adjustment information from the volatile memory device. The system also includes generating nozzle control signals based at least in part on the alignment adjustment information. The nozzle control signals are selectively provided to resistive heating elements in the heater chip, thereby heating ink in ink chambers adjacent the heating elements and ejecting ink droplets toward a print medium. The timing of the nozzle control signals is adjusted based upon the amount of misalignment in the various components of the printer and print head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Frank Edward Anderson, William Paul Cook, George Keith Parish, Susan Marie Zearfoss
  • Publication number: 20020101482
    Abstract: The invention provides a printhead for an ink jet printer and a method for making a printhead for an ink jet printer. The printhead includes a printhead body having a chip surface side, an ink surface side opposite the chip surface side and a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). A semiconductor chip containing ink ejector devices is adhesively attached to the chip surface side of the printhead body. A stiffener is adhesively attached to the ink surface side to provide body stiffening during curing of the adhesive. The semiconductor chip has a second CTE and the stiffener has a third CTE wherein the second and third CTE's have a similar value. The invention provides an improved structure for printheads which resist warpage and/or breakage of the semiconductor chips during the manufacturing process used to make the printheads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: William Paul Cook, Stephen Francis DeFosse, Curtis Ray Droege, Hrishikesh Pramod Gogate, Eric Spencer Hall
  • Publication number: 20020097283
    Abstract: An ink cartridge carrying a supply of ink includes a base assembly forming an ink reservoir. A first ink tank is provided having a foam core for carrying the ink, the foam core being coupled in fluid communication with the ink reservoir. A second ink tank is provided having a bladder for carrying the ink, the bladder being coupled in fluid communication with the ink reservoir and coupled in fluid communication with the first ink tank via said ink reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Benjamin Alan Askren, William Paul Cook
  • Patent number: 6412894
    Abstract: An ink cartridge carrying a supply of ink includes a base assembly forming an ink reservoir. A first ink tank is provided having a foam core for carrying the ink, the foam core being coupled in fluid communication with the ink reservoir. A second ink tank is provided having a bladder for carrying the ink, the bladder being coupled in fluid communication with the ink reservoir and coupled in fluid communication with the first ink tank via said ink reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Alan Askren, William Paul Cook
  • Patent number: 6328424
    Abstract: A refillable cartridge for inkjet printing devices having an ink cartridge carrier is characterized in that it is filled with an ink supply and tested prior to shipment, is open to ambient pressure during shipment and storage, requires no handling of the ink supply line during installation on, or removal from, a cartridge carrier, and permits simultaneous fluid and electrical connections to the cartridge as it is installed. Partitions divide the interior of the cartridge into a free ink reservoir, a foam-filled ink reservoir and an air buffer region. An ink passage permits ink flow in either direction between the ink reservoir and the foam-filled ink reservoir. A tab circuit is secured to one side wall of the cartridge and this wall is provided with an opening through which a hollow ink supply needle, mounted on the cartridge carrier, may extend so as to supply replenishment ink to the free ink reservoir during printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Allen Denton, William Paul Cook
  • Patent number: 6224198
    Abstract: A system for intermittently refilling the cartridge reservoir in an ink jet printer from an off-board ink supply tests the ink flow path prior to initiating a refill operation. Air at a pressure greater than the ink feed pressure is applied to the ink flow path to check the integrity of the system. After venting the system to the atmosphere, a slow leak check is made by closing the system, pressurizing it at the feed pressure, turning off the pressure source and, after a short interval, checking the pressure to see if the feed pressure is being maintained. If the integrity check or the slow leak test should fail, the refill operation is aborted and an indicator is set to alert an operator that intervention is required. During the interval the system is being raised from atmospheric to feed pressure, the air displacement is measured and saved as an indication of whether the amount of ink in the off-board supply exceeds a given level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Paul Cook, Gary Allen Denton
  • Patent number: 6206511
    Abstract: A color ink jet printing device has an off-board ink reservoir for each color being printed. Each reservoir comprises at least two separately replaceable cartridges from which ink is supplied under positive pressure to refill replaceable printhead cartridges. A visual indicator is provided for each off-board cartridge to indicate when the cartridge is empty and this indicator is turned on if the ink supply in the cartridge is exhausted during a refill operation. Printing is not stopped until all off-board cartridges holding one color of ink are empty. At this time the empty cartridges that held any color ink, are replaced. After each operator intervention to replace empty cartridges, the volume of each color ink will be (N−1)/N of maximum reservoir capacity where N is an integer greater than one and represents the number of cartridges in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Paul Cook, Gary Allen Denton
  • Patent number: 6193349
    Abstract: An ink jet print cartridge is provided for use in an ink jet printer. The cartridge comprises a printhead including a heater chip. The printhead is adapted to generate ink droplets in response to the heater chip receiving energy pulses from a printer energy supply circuit. A peltier effect cooling cell is associated with the heater chip for cooling the heater chip. The cooling cell receives current from the printer energy supply circuit as a function of energy flow to the heater chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wilson Cornell, William Paul Cook, Gary Allen Denton, James Harold Powers
  • Patent number: 6158850
    Abstract: An apparatus and method insures that the ink supply in a disposable on carrier secondary ink tank and the ink supply in a semi-permanent base cartridge are compatible before a refilling operation is allowed to occur for an ink jet printer cartridge. A first memory is located in the base cartridge assembly and a second memory is located in the secondary ink tank. Compatibility information concerning properties such as the type, color and formulation of the ink supplies in the base cartridge assembly and secondary ink tank is saved in the first and second memories. Before a refilling operation is commenced, the compatibility information is examined to determine if the ink supplies in the secondary ink tank and base cartridge assembly are compatible. If the ink supplies are compatible, a flow control device is activated to allow the refilling operation to begin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: William Paul Cook
  • Patent number: 6155664
    Abstract: The invention ensures the proper operation of an inkjet printer by determining whether ink contained within a remote ink cartridge is compatible with ink contained within a printhead cartridge, and controlling the printer accordingly. The invention determines compatibility by comparing information related to characteristics of the ink contained in each cartridge. The printhead cartridge memory device stores information relating to characteristics of the printhead and the ink stored in a printhead cartridge reservoir. The remote ink cartridge memory device stores information relating to characteristics of the ink stored in a remote ink cartridge reservoir. Since the number of characteristics that can be stored is determined by the capacity of the memory devices, the present invention overcomes the limitations of prior devices which forced compatibility by mechanical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: William Paul Cook
  • Patent number: 6154238
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating the loading, transportation, and modulation of toner particles on a print head, as well as the transfer of toner particles onto a print medium. These methods and apparatus relate to the optimization of various elements on the print head to improve the speed and control of toner particles on the print head, as well as to the alteration of the electric field in the vicinity of the end of the print head, and to the use of a scanning print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Paul Cook, Gary Allen Denton, David Daniel Dreyfuss
  • Patent number: 6149266
    Abstract: A container having a fixed volume sealed from the atmosphere by an elastic septum is filled with liquid via a needle inserted through the septum, the needle providing a path for liquid flow into the fixed volume from an external source through the septum and a path for air flow from the fixed volume to atmosphere through the septum. The needle includes a stem having a hollow tube with a non-cylindrical section and a cover element cooperating with the non-cylindrical section of the tube to form an air passage and give the stem a cylindrical configuration even in the region of the non-cylindrical section of the tube. The configuration of the stem minimizes damage to the septum as the stem is inserted through or withdrawn from a septum, while the air passage permits air to exit from the container through the stem as liquid enters the container through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: William Paul Cook