CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a Continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 12/941,714 filed Nov. 8, 2010, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/778,561 filed Jul. 16, 2007, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,847,836, which is a Continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/636,226 filed Aug. 8, 2003, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,256,824, which is a Continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,746 filed Jul. 10, 1998, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,419, all of which are herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus and, in particular, discloses a process for Utilising Eye Detection Methods in a Digital Image Camera.
The present invention relates to the field of digital image processing and in particular, the field of processing of images taken via a digital camera.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Recently, digital cameras have become increasingly popular. These cameras normally operate by means of imaging a desired image utilising a charge coupled device (CCD) array and storing the imaged scene on an electronic storage medium for later down loading onto a computer system for subsequent manipulation and printing out. Normally, when utilising a computer system to print out an image, sophisticated software may available to manipulate the image in accordance with requirements.
Unfortunately such systems require significant post processing of a captured image and normally present the image in an orientation to which it was taken, relying on the post processing process to perform any necessary or required modifications of the captured image. Further, much of the environmental information available when the picture was taken is lost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for processing an image previously captured by a camera and stored in a memory of the camera comprises the steps of sensing the position of an eye in the captured image; generating eye position information; and processing said captured image using the eye position information. The step of processing involves detecting a face within the capture image, and applying a morph to the detected face to modify the captured image. The step of processing further involves a step of applying a graphical object at a location within the image and relative to the detected face.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which:
FIG. 1 illustrates the method of operation of the preferred embodiment; and
FIG. 2 illustrates one form of image processing in accordance with the preferred embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiment is preferably implemented through suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that described in the concurrently filed application entitled “A Digital Image Printing Camera with Image Processing Capability”, the content of which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross reference and the details of which, and other related applications are set out in the tables below.
The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit. Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing device leading to the production of various effects in any output image. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for the storage of important data and images.
In the preferred embodiment, the Artcam device is modified so as to include an eye position sensor which senses a current eye position. The sensed eye position information is utilised to process the digital image taken by the camera so as to produce modifications, transformations etc. in accordance with the sensed eye position.
The construction of eye position sensors is known to those skilled in the art and is utilised within a number of manufacture's cameras. In particular, within those of Canon Inc. Eye position sensors may rely on the projection of an infra red beam from the viewfinder into the viewer's eye and a reflection detected and utilized to determine a likely eye position.
In the preferred embodiment, it is assumed that the eye position sensor is interconnected to the ACP unit of the Artcam device as discussed in the aforementioned Australian Provisional Patent Application which is converted to a digital form and stored in the Artcam memory store for later use.
Turning now to FIG. 1, the eye position information 10 and the image 11 are stored in the memory of the Artcam and are then processed 12 by the ACP to output a processed image 13 for printing out as a photo via a print head. The form of image processing 12 can be highly variable provided it is dependant on the eye position information 10. For example, in a first form of image processing, a face detection algorithm is applied to the image 11 so as to detect the position of faces within an image and to apply various graphical objects, for example, speech bubbles in a particular offset relationship to the face. An example of such process is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein, a first image 15 is shown of three persons. After application of the face detection algorithm, three faces 16, 17 and 18 are detected. The eye position information is then utilised to select that face which is closest to an estimated eye view within the frame. In a first example, the speech bubble is place relative to the head 16. In a second example 20, the speech bubble is placed relative to the head 17 and in a third example 21, the speech bubble is placed relative to the head 18. Hence, an art card can be provided containing an encoded form of speech bubble application algorithm and the image processed so as to place the speech bubble text above a pre-determined face within the image.
It will be readily apparent that the eye position information could be utilised to process the image 11 in a multitude of different ways. This can include applying regions specific morphs to faces and objects, applying focusing effects in a regional or specific manner. Further, the image processing involved can include applying artistic renderings of an image and this can include applying an artistic paint brushing technique. The artistic brushing methods can be applied in a region specific manner in accordance with the eye position information 10. The final processed image 13 can be printed out as required. Further images can be then taken, each time detecting and utilising a different eye position to produce a different output image.
It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.
The present invention is further best utilized in the Artcam device, the details of which are set out in the following paragraphs although it is not restricted thereto.
Ink Jet Technologies The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Of course many different devices could be used. However presently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.
The most significant problem with thermal inkjet is power consumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermal inkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.
The most significant problem with piezoelectric inkjet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of pagewide print heads with 19,200 nozzles.
Ideally, the inkjet technologies used meet the stringent requirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digital photography, new inkjet technologies have been created. The target features include:
low power (less than 10 Watts)
high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)
photographic quality output
low manufacturing cost
small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)
high speed (<2 seconds per page).
All of these features can be met or exceeded by the inkjet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. 45 different inkjet technologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part of separate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in the table below.
The inkjet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems
For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the inkjet type. The smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry.
Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection molded plastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. The print head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding.
CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS The following table is a guide to cross-referenced patent applications filed concurrently herewith and discussed hereinafter with the reference being utilized in subsequent tables when referring to a particular case:
Docket Patent
No No. Title
IJ01US 6,227,652 Radiant Plunger Ink Jet Printer
IJ02US 6,213,588 Electrostatic Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ03US 6,213,589 Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
IJ04US 6,231,163 Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printing
Mechanism
IJ05US 6,247,795 Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printing
Mechanism
IJ06US 6,394,581 Paddle Type Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ07US 6,244,691 Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ08US 6,257,704 Planar Swing Grill Electromagnetic Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
IJ09US 6,416,168 Pump Action Refill Ink Jet Printing
Mechanism
IJ10US 6,220,694 Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printing
Mechanism
IJ11US 6,257,705 Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic
Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ12US 6,247,794 Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printing
Mechanism
IJ13US 6,234,610 Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet Printing
Mechanism
IJ14US 6,247,793 Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic Ink
Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ15US 6,264,306 Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
IJ16US 6,241,342 Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
IJ17US 6,247,792 PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating
Pressure Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ18US 6,264,307 Buckle Grill Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
IJ19US 6,254,220 Shutter Based Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ20US 6,234,611 Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
IJ21US 6,302,528 Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ22US 6,283,582 Iris Motion Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ23US 6,239,821 Direct Firing Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
IJ24US 6,338,547 Conductive PTFE Bend Actuator Vented Ink
Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ25US 6,247,796 Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ26US 6,557,977 Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printing
Mechanism
IJ27US 6,390,603 Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ28US 6,362,843 Thermal Elastic Rotary Impeller Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
IJ29US 6,293,653 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
IJ30US 6,312,107 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE
Corrugated Heater Ink Jet Printing
Mechanism
IJ31US 6,227,653 Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
IJ32US 6,234,609 High Young's Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
IJ33US 6,238,040 Thermally Actuated Slotted Chamber Wall Ink
Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ34US 6,188,415 Ink Jet Printer having a Thermal Actuator
Comprising an External Coil Spring
IJ35US 6,227,654 Trough Container Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
with Paddle
IJ36US 6,209,989 Dual Chamber Single Actuator Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
IJ37US 6,247,791 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum
Actuator Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ38US 6,336,710 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink
Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ39US 6,217,153 Single Bend Actuator Cupped Paddle Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
IJ40US 6,416,167 Thermally Actuated Ink Jet Printing
Mechanism having a Series of Thermal
Actuator Units
IJ41US 6,243,113 Thermally Actuated Ink Jet Printing
Mechanism including a Tapered Heater
Element
IJ42US 6,283,581 Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
IJ43US 6,247,790 Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic
Ink Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ44US 6,260,953 Surface Bend Actuator Vented Ink Supply Ink
Jet Printing Mechanism
IJ45US 6,267,469 A Solenoid Actuated Magnetic Plate Ink Jet
Printing Mechanism
Tables of Drop-on-Demand Inkjets Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation of individual inkjet nozzles have been identified. These characteristics are largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an eleven dimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix include entries developed by the present assignee.
The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of inkjet types.
Actuator mechanism (18 types)
Basic operation mode (7 types)
Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)
Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)
Actuator motion (19 types)
Nozzle refill method (4 types)
Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)
Nozzle clearing method (9 types)
Nozzle plate construction (9 types)
Drop ejection direction (5 types)
Ink type (7 types)
The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains 36.9 billion possible configurations of inkjet nozzle. While not all of the possible combinations result in a viable inkjet technology, many million configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical to elucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain inkjet types have been investigated in detail. These are designated IJ01 to IJ95 above.
Other inkjet configurations can readily be derived from these 45 examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more of the 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be made into inkjet print heads with characteristics superior to any currently available inkjet technology.
Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more of these examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below. The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In some cases, a printer may be listed more than once in a table, where it shares characteristics with more than one entry.
Suitable applications include: Home printers, Office network printers, Short run digital printers, Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWW printers, Video printers, Medical imaging, Wide format printers, Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems, Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.
The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrix are set out in the following tables.
ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS)
Actuator
Mechanism Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples
Thermal An electrothermal heater Large force generated High power Canon Bubblejet
bubble heats the ink to above Simple construction Ink carrier limited to water 1979 Endo et al
boiling point, transferring No moving parts Low efficiency GB patent
significant heat to the Fast operation High temperatures required 2,007,162
aqueous ink. A bubble Small chip area High mechanical stress Xerox heater-in-
nucleates and quickly required for actuator Unusual materials required pit 1990 Hawkins
forms, expelling the ink. Large drive transistors et al U.S. Pat. No.
The efficiency of the Cavitation causes actuator 4,899,181
process is low, with failure Hewlett-Packard
typically less than 0.05% Kogation reduces bubble TIJ 1982 Vaught
of the electrical energy formation et al U.S. Pat. No.
being transformed into Large print heads are 4,490,728
kinetic energy of the drop. difficult to fabricate
Piezoelectric A piezoelectric crystal Low power consumption Very large area required for Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No.
such as lead lanthanum Many ink types can be actuator 3,946,398
zirconate (PZT) is used Difficult to integrate with Zoltan U.S. Pat. No.
electrically activated, and Fast operation electronics 3,683,212
either expands, shears, or High efficiency High voltage drive 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No.
bends to apply pressure to transistors required 3,747,120
the ink, ejecting drops. Full pagewidth print heads Epson Stylus
impractical due to actuator Tektronix
size IJ04
Requires electrical poling in
high field strengths during
manufacture
Electrostrictive An electric field is used Low power consumption Low maximum strain (approx. Seiko Epson,
to activate Many ink types can be 0.01%) Usui et all JP
electrostriction in relaxor used Large area required for 253401/96
materials such as lead Low thermal expansion actuator due to low strain IJ04
lanthanum zirconate Electric field Response speed is marginal (~10 μs)
titanate (PLZT) or lead strength required High voltage drive
magnesium niobate (PMN). (approx. 3.5 V/μm) transistors required
can be generated Full pagewidth print heads
without difficulty impractical due to actuator
Does not require size
electrical poling
Ferroelectric An electric field is used Low power consumption Difficult to integrate with IJ04
to induce a phase Many ink types can be electronics
transition between the used Unusual materials such as
antiferroelectric (AFE) and Fast operation (<1 μs) PLZSnT are required
ferroelectric (FE) phase. Relatively high Actuators require a large
Perovskite materials such longitudinal strain area
as tin modified lead High efficiency
lanthanum zirconate Electric field
titanate (PLZSnT) exhibit strength of around 3 V/μm
large strains of up to 1% can be readily
associated with the AFE to provided
FE phase transition.
Electrostatic Conductive plates are Low power consumption Difficult to operate IJ02, IJ04
plates separated by a compressible Many ink types can be electrostatic devices in an
or fluid dielectric used aqueous environment
(usually air). Upon Fast operation The electrostatic actuator
application of a voltage, will normally need to be
the plates attract each separated from the ink
other and displace ink, Very large area required to
causing drop ejection. The achieve high forces
conductive plates may be in High voltage drive
a comb or honeycomb transistors may be required
structure, or stacked to Full pagewidth print heads
increase the surface area are not competitive due to
and therefore the force. actuator size
Electrostatic A strong electric field is Low current High voltage required 1989 Saito et
pull on ink applied to the ink, consumption May be damaged by sparks due al, U.S. Pat. No.
whereupon electrostatic Low temperature to air breakdown 4,799,068
attraction accelerates the Required field strength 1989 Miura et
ink towards the print increases as the drop size al, U.S. Pat. No.
medium. decreases 4,810,954
High voltage drive Tone-jet
transistors required
Electrostatic field attracts
dust
Permanent An electromagnet directly Low power consumption Complex fabrication IJ07, IJ10
magnet attracts a permanent Many ink types can be Permanent magnetic material
electromagnetic magnet, displacing ink and used such as Neodymium Iron Boron
causing drop ejection. Rare Fast operation (NdFeB) required.
earth magnets with a field High efficiency High local currents required
strength around 1 Tesla can Easy extension from Copper metalization should be
be used. Examples are: single nozzles to used for long
Samarium Cobalt (SaCo) and pagewidth print heads electromigration lifetime and
magnetic materials in the low resistivity
neodymium iron boron family Pigmented inks are usually
(NdFeB, NdDyFeBNb, NdDyFeB, infeasible
etc) Operating temperature limited
to the Curie temperature
(around 540 K)
Soft magnetic A solenoid induced a Low power consumption Complex fabrication IJ01, IJ05,
core magnetic field in a soft Many ink types can be Materials not usually present IJ08, IJ10
electromagnetic magnetic core or yoke used in a CMOS fab such as NiFe, IJ12, IJ14,
fabricated from a ferrous Fast operation CoNiFe, or CoFe are required IJ15, IJ17
material such as High efficiency High local currents required
electroplated iron alloys Easy extension from Copper metalization should be
such as CoNiFe [1], CoFe, single nozzles to used for long
or NiFe alloys. Typically, pagewidth print heads electromigration lifetime and
the soft magnetic material low resistivity
is in two parts, which are Electroplating is required
normally held apart by a High saturation flux density
spring. When the solenoid is required (2.0-2.1 T is
is actuated, the two parts achievable with CoNiFe [1])
attract, displacing the
ink.
Magnetic The Lorenz force acting on Low power consumption Force acts as a twisting IJ06, IJ11,
Lorenz force a current carrying wire in Many ink types can be motion IJ13, IJ16
a magnetic field is used Typically, only a quarter of
utilized. Fast operation the solenoid length provides
This allows the magnetic High efficiency force in a useful direction
field to be supplied Easy extension from High local currents required
externally to the print single nozzles to Copper metalization should be
head, for example with rare pagewidth print heads used for long
earth permanent magnets. electromigration lifetime and
Only the current carrying low resistivity
wire need be fabricated on Pigmented inks are usually
the print-head, simplifying infeasible
materials requirements.
Magnetostriction The actuator uses the giant Many ink types can be Force acts as a twisting Fischenbeck, U.S. Pat. No.
magnetostrictive effect of used motion 4,032,929
materials such as Terfenol- Fast operation Unusual materials such as IJ25
D (an alloy of terbium, Easy extension from Terfenol-D are required
dysprosium and iron single nozzles to High local currents required
developed at the Naval pagewidth print heads Copper metalization should be
Ordnance Laboratory, hence High force is used for long
Ter-Fe-NOL). For best available electromigration lifetime and
efficiency, the actuator low resistivity
should be pre-stressed to Pre-stressing may be required
approx. 8 MPa.
Surface Ink under positive pressure Low power consumption Requires supplementary force Silverbrook, EP
tension is held in a nozzle by Simple construction to effect drop separation 0771 658 A2 and
reduction surface tension. The No unusual materials Requires special ink related patent
surface tension of the ink required in surfactants applications
is reduced below the bubble fabrication Speed may be limited by
threshold, causing the ink High efficiency surfactant properties
to egress from the nozzle. Easy extension from
single nozzles to
pagewidth print heads
Viscosity The ink viscosity is Simple construction Requires supplementary force Silverbrook, EP
reduction locally reduced to select No unusual materials to effect drop separation 0771 658 A2 and
which drops are to be required in Requires special ink related patent
ejected. A viscosity fabrication viscosity properties applications
reduction can be achieved Easy extension from High speed is difficult to
electrothermally with most single nozzles to achieve
inks, but special inks can pagewidth print heads Requires oscillating ink
be engineered for a 100:1 pressure
viscosity reduction. A high temperature difference
(typically 80 degrees) is
required
Acoustic An acoustic wave is Can operate without a Complex drive circuitry 1993 Hadimioglu
generated and focussed upon nozzle plate Complex fabrication et al, EUP
the drop ejection region. Low efficiency 550,192
Poor control of drop position 1993 Elrod et
Poor control of drop volume al, EUP 572,220
Thermoelastic An actuator which relies Low power consumption Efficient aqueous operation IJ03, IJ09,
bend actuator upon differential thermal Many ink types can be requires a thermal insulator IJ17, IJ18
expansion upon Joule used on the hot side IJ19, IJ20,
heating is used. Simple planar Corrosion prevention can be IJ21, IJ22
fabrication difficult IJ23, IJ24,
Small chip area Pigmented inks may be IJ27, IJ28
required for each infeasible, as pigment IJ29, IJ30,
actuator particles may jam the bend IJ31, IJ32
Fast operation actuator IJ33, IJ34,
High efficiency IJ35, IJ36
CMOS compatible IJ37, IJ38,
voltages and currents IJ39, IJ40
Standard MEMS IJ41
processes can be used
Easy extension from
single nozzles to
pagewidth print heads
High CTE A material with a very high High force can be Requires special material IJ09, IJ17,
thermoelastic coefficient of thermal generated (e.g. PTFE) IJ18, IJ20
actuator expansion (CTE) such as PTFE is a candidate Requires a PTFE deposition IJ21, IJ22,
polytetrafluoroethylene for low dielectric process, which is not yet IJ23, IJ24
(PTFE) is used. As high CTE constant insulation standard in ULSI fabs IJ27, IJ28,
materials are usually non- in ULSI PTFE deposition cannot be IJ29, IJ30
conductive, a heater Very low power followed with high IJ31, IJ42,
fabricated from a consumption temperature (above 350° C.) IJ43, IJ44
conductive material is Many ink types can be processing
incorporated. A 50 μm long used Pigmented inks may be
PTFE bend actuator with Simple planar infeasible, as pigment
polysilicon heater and 15 mW fabrication particles may jam the bend
power input can provide Small chip area actuator
180 μN force and 10 μm required for each
deflection. Actuator actuator
motions include: Fast operation
1) Bend High efficiency
2) Push CMOS compatible
3) Buckle voltages and currents
4) Rotate Easy extension from
single nozzles to
pagewidth print heads
Conductive A polymer with a high High force can be Requires special materials IJ24
polymer coefficient of thermal generated development (High CTE
thermoelastic expansion (such as PTFE) is Very low power conductive polymer)
actuator doped with conducting consumption Requires a PTFE deposition
substances to increase its Many ink types can be process, which is not yet
conductivity to about 3 used standard in ULSI fabs
orders of magnitude below Simple planar PTFE deposition cannot be
that of copper. The fabrication followed with high
conducting polymer expands Small chip area temperature (above 350° C.)
when resistively heated. required for each processing
Examples of conducting actuator Evaporation and CVD
dopants include: Fast operation deposition techniques cannot
1) Carbon nanotubes High efficiency be used
2) Metal fibers CMOS compatible Pigmented inks may be
3) Conductive polymers such voltages and currents infeasible, as pigment
as doped polythiophene Easy extension from particles may jam the bend
4) Carbon granules single nozzles to actuator
pagewidth print heads
Shape memory A shape memory alloy such High force is Fatigue limits maximum number IJ26
alloy as TiNi (also known as available (stresses of cycles
Nitinol - Nickel Titanium of hundreds of MPa) Low strain (1%) is required
alloy developed at the Large strain is to extend fatigue resistance
Naval Ordnance Laboratory) available (more than Cycle rate limited by heat
is thermally switched 3%) removal
between its weak High corrosion Requires unusual materials
martensitic state and its resistance (TiNi)
high stiffness austenic Simple construction The latent heat of
state. The shape of the Easy extension from transformation must be
actuator in its martensitic single nozzles to provided
state is deformed relative pagewidth print heads High current operation
to the austenic shape. The Low voltage operation Requires pre-stressing to
shape change causes distort the martensitic state
ejection of a drop.
Linear Linear magnetic actuators Linear Magnetic Requires unusual IJ12
Magnetic include the Linear actuators can be semiconductor materials such
Actuator Induction Actuator (LIA), constructed with high as soft magnetic alloys (e.g.
Linear Permanent Magnet thrust, long travel, CoNiFe [1])
Synchronous Actuator and high efficiency Some varieties also require
(LPMSA), Linear Reluctance using planar permanent magnetic materials
Synchronous Actuator semiconductor such as Neodymium iron boron
(LRSA), Linear Switched fabrication (NdFeB)
Reluctance Actuator (LSRA), techniques Requires complex multi-phase
and the Linear Stepper Long actuator travel drive circuitry
Actuator (LSA). is available High current operation
Medium force is
available
Low voltage operation
BASIC OPERATION MODE
Operational
mode Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples
Actuator This is the simplest mode Simple operation Drop repetition rate is Thermal inkjet
directly of operation: the actuator No external fields usually limited to less than Piezoelectric
pushes ink directly supplies required 10 KHz. However, this is not inkjet
sufficient kinetic energy Satellite drops can fundamental to the method, IJ01, IJ02,
to expel the drop. The drop be avoided if drop but is related to the refill IJ03, IJ04
must have a sufficient velocity is less than method normally used IJ05, IJ06,
velocity to overcome the 4 m/s All of the drop kinetic IJ07, IJ09
surface tension. Can be efficient, energy must be provided by IJ11, IJ12,
depending upon the the actuator IJ14, IJ16
actuator used Satellite drops usually form IJ20, IJ22,
if drop velocity is greater IJ23, IJ24
than 4.5 m/s IJ25, IJ26,
IJ27, IJ28
IJ29, IJ30,
IJ31, IJ32
IJ33, IJ34,
IJ35, IJ36
IJ37, IJ38,
IJ39, IJ40
IJ41, IJ42,
IJ43, IJ44
Proximity The drops to be printed are Very simple print Requires close proximity Silverbrook, EP
selected by some manner head fabrication can between the print head and 0771 658 A2 and
(e.g. thermally induced be used the print media or transfer related patent
surface tension reduction The drop selection roller applications
of pressurized ink). means does not need May require two print heads
Selected drops are to provide the energy printing alternate rows of
separated from the ink in required to separate the image
the nozzle by contact with the drop from the Monolithic color print heads
the print medium or a nozzle are difficult
transfer roller.
Electrostatic The drops to be printed are Very simple print Requires very high Silverbrook, EP
pull on ink selected by some manner head fabrication can electrostatic field 0771 658 A2 and
(e.g. thermally induced be used Electrostatic field for small related patent
surface tension reduction The drop selection nozzle sizes is above air applications
of pressurized ink). means does not need breakdown Tone-Jet
Selected drops are to provide the energy Electrostatic field may
separated from the ink in required to separate attract dust
the nozzle by a strong the drop from the
electric field. nozzle
Magnetic pull The drops to be printed are Very simple print Requires magnetic ink Silverbrook, EP
on ink selected by some manner head fabrication can Ink colors other than black 0771 658 A2 and
(e.g. thermally induced be used are difficult related patent
surface tension reduction The drop selection Requires very high magnetic applications
of pressurized ink). means does not need fields
Selected drops are to provide the energy
separated from the ink in required to separate
the nozzle by a strong the drop from the
magnetic field acting on nozzle
the magnetic ink.
Shutter The actuator moves a High speed (>50 KHz) Moving parts are required IJ13, IJ17, IJ21
shutter to block ink flow operation can be Requires ink pressure
to the nozzle. The ink achieved due to modulator
pressure is pulsed at a reduced refill time Friction and wear must be
multiple of the drop Drop timing can be considered
ejection frequency. very accurate Stiction is possible
The actuator energy
can be very low
Shuttered The actuator moves a Actuators with small Moving parts are required IJ08, IJ15,
grill shutter to block ink flow travel can be used Requires ink pressure IJ18, IJ19
through a grill to the Actuators with small modulator
nozzle. The shutter force can be used Friction and wear must be
movement need only be equal High speed (>50 KHz) considered
to the width of the grill operation can be Stiction is possible
holes. achieved
Pulsed A pulsed magnetic field Extremely low energy Requires an external pulsed IJ10
magnetic pull attracts an ‘ink pusher’ at operation is possible magnetic field
on ink pusher the drop ejection No heat dissipation Requires special materials
frequency. An actuator problems for both the actuator and the
controls a catch, which ink pusher
prevents the ink pusher Complex construction
from moving when a drop is
not to be ejected.
AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES)
Auxiliary
Mechanism Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples
None The actuator directly fires Simplicity of Drop ejection energy must be Most inkjets,
the ink drop, and there is construction supplied by individual nozzle including
no external field or other Simplicity of actuator piezoelectric
mechanism required. operation and thermal
Small physical size bubble.
IJ01-IJ07,
IJ09, IJ11
IJ12, IJ14,
IJ20, IJ22
IJ23-IJ45
Oscillating The ink pressure Oscillating ink Requires external ink Silverbrook, EP
ink pressure oscillates, providing much pressure can provide pressure oscillator 0771 658 A2 and
(including of the drop ejection a refill pulse, Ink pressure phase and related patent
acoustic energy. The actuator allowing higher amplitude must be carefully applications
stimulation) selects which drops are to operating speed controlled IJ08, IJ13,
be fired by selectively The actuators may Acoustic reflections in the IJ15, IJ17
blocking or enabling operate with much ink chamber must be designed IJ18, IJ19, IJ21
nozzles. The ink pressure lower energy for
oscillation may be achieved Acoustic lenses can
by vibrating the print be used to focus the
head, or preferably by an sound on the nozzles
actuator in the ink supply.
Media The print head is placed in Low power Precision assembly required Silverbrook, EP
proximity close proximity to the High accuracy Paper fibers may cause 0771 658 A2 and
print medium. Selected Simple print head problems related patent
drops protrude from the construction Cannot print on rough applications
print head further than substrates
unselected drops, and
contact the print medium.
The drop soaks into the
medium fast enough to cause
drop separation.
Transfer Drops are printed to a High accuracy Bulky Silverbrook, EP
roller transfer roller instead of Wide range of print Expensive 0771 658 A2 and
straight to the print substrates can be Complex construction related patent
medium. A transfer roller used applications
can also be used for Ink can be dried on Tektronix hot
proximity drop separation. the transfer roller melt
piezoelectric
inkjet
Any of the IJ
series
Electrostatic An electric field is used Low power Field strength required for Silverbrook, EP
to accelerate selected Simple print head separation of small drops is 0771 658 A2 and
drops towards the print construction near or above air breakdown related patent
medium. applications
Tone-Jet
Direct A magnetic field is used to Low power Requires magnetic ink Silverbrook, EP
magnetic accelerate selected drops Simple print head Requires strong magnetic 0771 658 A2 and
field of magnetic ink towards the construction field related patent
print medium. applications
Cross The print head is placed in Does not require Requires external magnet IJ06, IJ16
magnetic a constant magnetic field. magnetic materials to Current densities may be
field The Lorenz force in a be integrated in the high, resulting in
current carrying wire is print head electromigration problems
used to move the actuator. manufacturing process
Pulsed A pulsed magnetic field is Very low power Complex print head IJ10
magnetic used to cyclically attract operation is possible construction
field a paddle, which pushes on Small print head size Magnetic materials required
the ink. A small actuator in print head
moves a catch, which
selectively prevents the
paddle from moving.
ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD
Actuator
amplification Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples
None No actuator mechanical Operational Many actuator mechanisms have Thermal Bubble
amplification is used. The simplicity insufficient travel, or Inkjet
actuator directly drives insufficient force, to IJ01, IJ02,
the drop ejection process. efficiently drive the drop IJ06, IJ07
ejection process IJ16, IJ25, IJ26
Differential An actuator material Provides greater High stresses are involved Piezoelectric
expansion expands more on one side travel in a reduced Care must be taken that the IJ03, IJ09,
bend actuator than on the other. The print head area materials do not delaminate IJ17-IJ24
expansion may be thermal, The bend actuator Residual bend resulting from IJ27, IJ29-IJ39,
piezoelectric, converts a high force high temperature or high IJ42,
magnetostrictive, or other low travel actuator stress during formation IJ43, IJ44
mechanism. mechanism to high
travel, lower force
mechanism.
Transient A trilayer bend actuator Very good temperature High stresses are involved IJ40, IJ41
bend actuator where the two outside stability Care must be taken that the
layers are identical. This High speed, as a new materials do not delaminate
cancels bend due to ambient drop can be fired
temperature and residual before heat
stress. The actuator only dissipates
responds to transient Cancels residual
heating of one side or the stress of formation
other.
Actuator A series of thin actuators Increased travel Increased fabrication Some
stack are stacked. This can be Reduced drive voltage complexity piezoelectric
appropriate where actuators Increased possibility of ink jets
require high electric field short circuits due to IJ04
strength, such as pinholes
electrostatic and
piezoelectric actuators.
Multiple Multiple smaller actuators Increases the force Actuator forces may not add IJ12, IJ13,
actuators are used simultaneously to available from an linearly, reducing efficiency IJ18, IJ20
move the ink. Each actuator actuator IJ22, IJ28,
need provide only a portion Multiple actuators IJ42, IJ43
of the force required. can be positioned to
control ink flow
accurately
Linear Spring A linear spring is used to Matches low travel Requires print head area for IJ15
transform a motion with actuator with higher the spring
small travel and high force travel requirements
into a longer travel, lower Non-contact method of
force motion. motion transformation
Reverse The actuator loads a Better coupling to Fabrication complexity IJ05, IJ11
spring spring. When the actuator the ink High stress in the spring
is turned off, the spring
releases. This can reverse
the force/distance curve of
the actuator to make it
compatible with the
force/time requirements of
the drop ejection.
Coiled A bend actuator is coiled Increases travel Generally restricted to IJ17, IJ21,
actuator to provide greater travel Reduces chip area planar implementations due to IJ34, IJ35
in a reduced chip area. Planar extreme fabrication
implementations are difficulty in other
relatively easy to orientations.
fabricate.
Flexure bend A bend actuator has a small Simple means of Care must be taken not to IJ10, IJ19, IJ33
actuator region near the fixture increasing travel of exceed the elastic limit in
point, which flexes much a bend actuator the flexure area
more readily than the Stress distribution is very
remainder of the actuator. uneven
The actuator flexing is Difficult to accurately model
effectively converted from with finite element analysis
an even coiling to an
angular bend, resulting in
greater travel of the
actuator tip.
Gears Gears can be used to Low force, low travel Moving parts are required IJ13
increase travel at the actuators can be used several actuator cycles are
expense of duration. Can be fabricated required
Circular gears, rack and using standard More complex drive
pinion, ratchets, and other surface MEMS electronics
gearing methods can be processes Complex construction
used. Friction, friction, and wear
are possible
Catch The actuator controls a Very low actuator Complex construction IJ10
small catch. The catch energy Requires external force
either enables or disables Very small actuator Unsuitable for pigmented inks
movement of an ink pusher size
that is controlled in a
bulk manner.
Buckle plate A buckle plate can be used Very fast movement Must stay within elastic S. Hirata et al,
to change a slow actuator achievable limits of the materials for “An Ink-jet Head
into a fast motion. It can long device life . . . ”, Proc. IEEE
also convert a high force, High stresses involved MEMS, February 1996,
low travel actuator into a Generally high power pp 418-423.
high travel, medium force requirement IJ18, IJ27
motion.
Tapered A tapered magnetic pole can Linearizes the Complex construction IJ14
magnetic pole increase travel at the magnetic
expense of force. force/distance curve
Lever A lever and fulcrum is used Matches low travel High stress around the IJ32, IJ36, IJ37
to transform a motion with actuator with higher fulcrum
small travel and high force travel requirements
into a motion with longer Fulcrum area has no
travel and lower force. The linear movement, and
lever can also reverse the can be used for a
direction of travel. fluid seal
Rotary The actuator is connected High mechanical Complex construction IJ28
impeller to a rotary impeller. A advantage Unsuitable for pigmented inks
small angular deflection of The ratio of force to
the actuator results in a travel of the
rotation of the impeller actuator can be
vanes, which push the ink matched to the nozzle
against stationary vanes requirements by
and out of the nozzle. varying the number of
impeller vanes
Acoustic lens A refractive or diffractive No moving parts Large area required 1993 Hadimioglu
(e.g. zone plate) acoustic Only relevant for acoustic et al, EUP
lens is used to concentrate ink jets 550,192
sound waves. 1993 Elrod et
al, EUP 572,220
Sharp A sharp point is used to Simple construction Difficult to fabricate using Tone-jet
conductive concentrate an standard VLSI processes for a
point electrostatic field. surface ejecting ink-jet
Only relevant for
electrostatic ink jets
ACTUATOR MOTION
Actuator
motion Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples
Volume The volume of the actuator Simple construction High energy is typically Hewlett-Packard
expansion changes, pushing the ink in in the case of required to achieve volume Thermal Inkjet
all directions. thermal ink jet expansion. This leads to Canon Bubblejet
thermal stress, cavitation,
and kogation in thermal ink
jet implementations
Linear, The actuator moves in a Efficient coupling to High fabrication complexity IJ01, IJ02,
normal to direction normal to the ink drops ejected may be required to achieve IJ04, IJ07
chip surface print head surface. The normal to the surface perpendicular motion IJ11, IJ14
nozzle is typically in the
line of movement.
Linear, The actuator moves parallel Suitable for planar Fabrication complexity IJ12, IJ13,
parallel to to the print head surface. fabrication Friction IJ15, IJ33,
chip surface Drop ejection may still be Stiction IJ34, IJ35, IJ36
normal to the surface.
Membrane push An actuator with a high The effective area of Fabrication complexity 1982 Howkins U.S. Pat. No.
force but small area is the actuator becomes Actuator size 4,459,601
used to push a stiff the membrane area Difficulty of integration in
membrane that is in contact a VLSI process
with the ink.
Rotary The actuator causes the Rotary levers may be Device complexity IJ05, IJ08,
rotation of some element, used to increase May have friction at a pivot IJ13, IJ28
such a grill or impeller travel point
Small chip area
requirements
Bend The actuator bends when A very small change Requires the actuator to be 1970 Kyser et al
energized. This may be due in dimensions can be made from at least two U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398
to differential thermal converted to a large distinct layers, or to have a 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No.
expansion, piezoelectric motion. thermal difference across the 3,747,120
expansion, actuator IJ03, IJ09,
magnetostriction, or other IJ10, IJ19
form of relative IJ23, IJ24,
dimensional change. IJ25, IJ29
IJ30, IJ31,
IJ33, IJ34,
IJ35
Swivel The actuator swivels around Allows operation Inefficient coupling to the IJ06
a central pivot. This where the net linear ink motion
motion is suitable where force on the paddle
there are opposite forces is zero
applied to opposite sides Small chip area
of the paddle, e.g. Lorenz requirements
force.
Straighten The actuator is normally Can be used with Requires careful balance of IJ26, IJ32
bent, and straightens when shape memory alloys stresses to ensure that the
energized. where the austenic quiescent bend is accurate
phase is planar
Double bend The actuator bends in one One actuator can be Difficult to make the drops IJ36, IJ37, IJ38
direction when one element used to power two ejected by both bend
is energized, and bends the nozzles. directions identical.
other way when another Reduced chip size. A small efficiency loss
element is energized. Not sensitive to compared to equivalent single
ambient temperature bend actuators.
Shear Energizing the actuator Can increase the Not readily applicable to 1985 Fishbeck
causes a shear motion in effective travel of other actuator mechanisms U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,590
the actuator material. piezoelectric
actuators
Radial The actuator squeezes an Relatively easy to High force required 1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No.
constriction ink reservoir, forcing ink fabricate single Inefficient 3,683,212
from a constricted nozzle. nozzles from glass Difficult to integrate with
tubing as macroscopic VLSI processes
structures
Coil/uncoil A coiled actuator uncoils Easy to fabricate as Difficult to fabricate for IJ17, IJ21,
or coils more tightly. The a planar VLSI process non-planar devices IJ34, IJ35
motion of the free end of Small area required, Poor out-of-plane stiffness
the actuator ejects the therefore low cost
ink.
Bow The actuator bows (or Can increase the Maximum travel is constrained IJ16, IJ18, IJ27
buckles) in the middle when speed of travel High force required
energized. Mechanically rigid
Push-Pull Two actuators control a The structure is Not readily suitable for IJ18
shutter. One actuator pulls pinned at both ends, inkjets which directly push
the shutter, and the other so has a high out-of- the ink
pushes it. plane rigidity
Curl inwards A set of actuators curl Good fluid flow to Design complexity IJ20, IJ42
inwards to reduce the the region behind the
volume of ink that they actuator increases
enclose. efficiency
Curl outwards A set of actuators curl Relatively simple Relatively large chip area IJ43
outwards, pressurizing ink construction
in a chamber surrounding
the actuators, and
expelling ink from a nozzle
in the chamber.
Iris Multiple vanes enclose a High efficiency High fabrication complexity IJ22
volume of ink. These Small chip area Not suitable for pigmented
simultaneously rotate, inks
reducing the volume between
the vanes.
Acoustic The actuator vibrates at a The actuator can be Large area required for 1993 Hadimioglu
vibration high frequency. physically distant efficient operation at useful et al, EUP
from the ink frequencies 550,192
Acoustic coupling and 1993 Elrod et
crosstalk al, EUP 572,220
Complex drive circuitry
Poor control of drop volume
and position
None In various ink jet designs No moving parts Various other tradeoffs are Silverbrook, EP
the actuator does not move. required to eliminate moving 0771 658 A2 and
parts related patent
applications
Tone-jet
NOZZLE REFILL METHOD
Nozzle refill
method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples
Surface After the actuator is Fabrication Low speed Thermal inkjet
tension energized, it typically simplicity Surface tension force Piezoelectric
returns rapidly to its Operational relatively small compared to inkjet
normal position. This rapid simplicity actuator force IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14
return sucks in air through Long refill time usually IJ16, IJ20,
the nozzle opening. The ink dominates the total IJ22-IJ45
surface tension at the repetition rate
nozzle then exerts a small
force restoring the
meniscus to a minimum area.
Shuttered Ink to the nozzle chamber High speed Requires common ink pressure IJ08, IJ13,
oscillating is provided at a pressure Low actuator energy, oscillator IJ15, IJ17
ink pressure that oscillates at twice as the actuator need May not be suitable for IJ18, IJ19, IJ21
the drop ejection only open or close pigmented inks
frequency. When a drop is the shutter, instead
to be ejected, the shutter of ejecting the ink
is opened for 3 half drop
cycles: drop ejection,
actuator return, and
refill.
Refill After the main actuator has High speed, as the Requires two independent IJ09
actuator ejected a drop a second nozzle is actively actuators per nozzle
(refill) actuator is refilled
energized. The refill
actuator pushes ink into
the nozzle chamber. The
refill actuator returns
slowly, to prevent its
return from emptying the
chamber again.
Positive ink The ink is held a slight High refill rate, Surface spill must be Silverbrook, EP
pressure positive pressure. After therefore a high drop prevented 0771 658 A2 and
the ink drop is ejected, repetition rate is Highly hydrophobic print head related patent
the nozzle chamber fills possible surfaces are required applications
quickly as surface tension Alternative for:
and ink pressure both IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14
operate to refill the IJ16, IJ20,
nozzle. IJ22-IJ45
METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET
Inlet
back-flow
restriction
method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples
Long inlet The ink inlet channel Design simplicity Restricts refill Thermal inkjet
channel to the nozzle chamber Operational rate Piezoelectric inkjet
is made long and simplicity May result in a IJ42, IJ43
relatively narrow, Reduces relatively large chip
relying on viscous crosstalk area
drag to reduce inlet Only partially
back-flow. effective
Positive ink The ink is under a Drop selection Requires a Silverbrook, EP
pressure positive pressure, so and separation method (such as a 0771 658 A2 and
that in the quiescent forces can be nozzle rim or related patent
state some of the ink reduced effective applications
drop already protrudes Fast refill time hydrophobizing, or Possible
from the nozzle. both) to prevent operation of the
This reduces the flooding of the following:
pressure in the nozzle ejection surface of IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12
chamber which is the print head. IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22,
required to eject a IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ41
certain volume of ink. IJ44
The reduction in
chamber pressure
results in a reduction
in ink pushed out
through the inlet.
Baffle One or more baffles The refill rate is Design HP Thermal Ink
are placed in the inlet not as restricted as complexity Jet
ink flow. When the the long inlet May increase Tektronix
actuator is energized, method. fabrication piezoelectric ink
the rapid ink Reduces complexity (e.g. jet
movement creates crosstalk Tektronix hot melt
eddies which restrict Piezoelectric print
the flow through the heads).
inlet. The slower refill
process is unrestricted,
and does not result in
eddies.
Flexible flap In this method recently Significantly Not applicable to Canon
restricts disclosed by Canon, reduces back-flow most inkjet
inlet the expanding actuator for edge-shooter configurations
(bubble) pushes on a thermal ink jet Increased
flexible flap that devices fabrication
restricts the inlet. complexity
Inelastic
deformation of
polymer flap results
in creep over
extended use
Inlet filter A filter is located Additional Restricts refill IJ04, IJ12, IJ24, IJ27
between the ink inlet advantage of ink rate IJ29, IJ30
and the nozzle filtration May result in
chamber. The filter Ink filter may be complex
has a multitude of fabricated with no construction
small holes or slots, additional process
restricting ink flow. steps
The filter also removes
particles which may
block the nozzle.
Small inlet The ink inlet channel Design simplicity Restricts refill IJ02, IJ37, IJ44
compared to the nozzle chamber rate
to nozzle has a substantially May result in a
smaller cross section relatively large chip
than that of the nozzle, area
resulting in easier ink Only partially
egress out of the effective
nozzle than out of the
inlet.
Inlet shutter A secondary actuator Increases speed Requires separate IJ09
controls the position of of the ink-jet print refill actuator and
a shutter, closing off head operation drive circuit
the ink inlet when the
main actuator is
energized.
The inlet is The method avoids the Back-flow Requires careful IJ01, IJ03, 1J05, IJ06
located problem of inlet back- problem is design to minimize IJ07, IJ10, IJ11, IJ14
behind the flow by arranging the eliminated the negative IJ16, IJ22, IJ23, IJ25
ink-pushing ink-pushing surface of pressure behind the IJ28, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33
surface the actuator between paddle IJ34, IJ35, IJ36, IJ39
the inlet and the IJ40, IJ41
nozzle.
Part of the The actuator and a Significant Small increase in IJ07, IJ20, IJ26, IJ38
actuator wall of the ink reductions in fabrication
moves to chamber are arranged back-flow can be complexity
shut off the so that the motion of achieved
inlet the actuator closes off Compact designs
the inlet. possible
Nozzle In some configurations Ink back-flow None related to Silverbrook, EP
actuator of ink jet, there is no problem is ink back-flow on 0771 658 A2 and
does not expansion or eliminated actuation related patent
result in ink movement of an applications
back-flow actuator which may Valve-jet
cause ink back-flow Tone-jet
through the inlet. IJ08, IJ13, 1J15, IJ17
IJ18, IJ19, IJ21
NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD
Nozzle
Clearing
method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples
Normal All of the nozzles are No added May not be Most ink jet
nozzle firing fired periodically, complexity on the sufficient to systems
before the ink has a print head displace dried ink IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12
chance to dry. When IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22
not in use the nozzles IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ45
are sealed (capped)
against air.
The nozzle firing is
usually performed
during a special
clearing cycle, after
first moving the print
head to a cleaning
station.
Extra In systems which heat Can be highly Requires higher Silverbrook, EP
power to the ink, but do not boil effective if the drive voltage for 0771 658 A2 and
ink heater it under normal heater is adjacent to clearing related patent
situations, nozzle the nozzle May require applications
clearing can be larger drive
achieved by over- transistors
powering the heater
and boiling ink at the
nozzle.
Rapid The actuator is fired in Does not require Effectiveness May be used with:
succession rapid succession. In extra drive circuits depends IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ11
of actuator some configurations, on the print head substantially upon IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22
pulses this may cause heat Can be readily the configuration of IJ23-IJ25, IJ27-IJ34
build-up at the nozzle controlled and the inkjet nozzle IJ36-IJ45
which boils the ink, initiated by digital
clearing the nozzle. In logic
other situations, it may
cause sufficient
vibrations to dislodge
clogged nozzles.
Extra Where an actuator is A simple Not suitable May be used with:
power to not normally driven to solution where where there is a IJ03, IJ09, IJ16, IJ20
ink pushing the limit of its motion, applicable hard limit to IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ27
actuator nozzle clearing may be actuator movement IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32
assisted by providing IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42
an enhanced drive IJ43, IJ44, IJ45
signal to the actuator.
Acoustic An ultrasonic wave is A high nozzle High IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17
resonance applied to the ink clearing capability implementation cost IJ18, IJ19, IJ21
chamber. This wave is can be achieved if system does not
of an appropriate May be already include an
amplitude and implemented at very acoustic actuator
frequency to cause low cost in systems
sufficient force at the which already
nozzle to clear include acoustic
blockages. This is actuators
easiest to achieve if
the ultrasonic wave is
at a resonant
frequency of the ink
cavity.
Nozzle A microfabricated Can clear Accurate Silverbrook, EP
clearing plate is pushed against severely clogged mechanical 0771 658 A2 and
plate the nozzles. The plate nozzles alignment is related patent
has a post for every required applications
nozzle. The array of Moving parts are
posts. required
There is risk of
damage to the
nozzles
Accurate
fabrication is
required
Ink The pressure of the ink May be effective Requires May be used
pressure is temporarily where other pressure pump or with all IJ series ink
pulse increased so that ink methods cannot be other pressure jets
streams from all of the used actuator
nozzles. This may be Expensive
used in conjunction Wasteful of ink
with actuator
energizing.
Print head A flexible ‘blade’ is Effective for Difficult to use if Many ink jet
wiper wiped across the print planar print head print head surface is systems
head surface. The surfaces non-planar or very
blade is usually Low cost fragile
fabricated from a Requires
flexible polymer, e.g. mechanical parts
rubber or synthetic Blade can wear
elastomer. out in high volume
print systems
Separate A separate heater is Can be effective Fabrication Can be used with
ink boiling provided at the nozzle where other nozzle complexity many IJ series ink
heater although the normal clearing methods jets
drop ejection cannot be used
mechanism does not Can be
require it. The heaters implemented at no
do not require additional cost in
individual drive some inkjet
circuits, as many configurations
nozzles can be cleared
simultaneously, and no
imaging is required.
NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION
Nozzle
plate
construction Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples
Electro- A nozzle plate is Fabrication High Hewlett Packard
formed separately fabricated simplicity temperatures and Thermal Inkjet
nickel from electroformed pressures are
nickel, and bonded to required to bond
the print head chip. nozzle plate
Minimum
thickness constraints
Differential
thermal expansion
Laser Individual nozzle No masks Each hole must Canon Bubblejet
ablated or holes are ablated by an required be individually 1988 Sercel et
drilled intense UV laser in a Can be quite fast formed al., SPIE, Vol. 998
polymer nozzle plate, which is Some control Special Excimer Beam
typically a polymer over nozzle profile equipment required Applications, pp.
such as polyimide or is possible Slow where there 76-83
polysulphone Equipment are many thousands 1993 Watanabe
required is relatively of nozzles per print et al., U.S. Pat. No.
low cost head 5,208,604
May produce thin
burrs at exit holes
Silicon A separate nozzle High accuracy is Two part K. Bean, IEEE
micro- plate is attainable construction Transactions on
machined micromachined from High cost Electron Devices,
single crystal silicon, Requires Vol. ED-25, No. 10,
and bonded to the precision alignment 1978, pp 1185-1195
print head wafer. Nozzles may be Xerox 1990
clogged by adhesive Hawkins et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181
Glass Fine glass capillaries No expensive Very small 1970 Zoltan
capillaries are drawn from glass equipment required nozzle sizes are U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212
tubing. This method Simple to make difficult to form
has been used for single nozzles Not suited for
making individual mass production
nozzles, but is difficult
to use for bulk
manufacturing of print
heads with thousands
of nozzles.
Monolithic, The nozzle plate is High accuracy Requires Silverbrook, EP
surface deposited as a layer (<1 μm) sacrificial layer 0771 658 A2 and
micro- using standard VLSI Monolithic under the nozzle related patent
machined deposition techniques. Low cost plate to form the applications
using VLSI Nozzles are etched in Existing nozzle chamber IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ11
litho- the nozzle plate using processes can be Surface may be IJ12, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20
graphic VLSI lithography and used fragile to the touch IJ22, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28
processes etching. IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32
IJ33, IJ34, IJ36, IJ37
IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41
IJ42, IJ43, IJ44
Monolithic, The nozzle plate is a High accuracy Requires long IJ03, IJ05, IJ06, IJ07
etched buried etch stop in the (<1 μm) etch times IJ08, IJ09, IJ10, IJ13
through wafer. Nozzle Monolithic Requires a IJ14, IJ15, IJ16, IJ19
substrate chambers are etched in Low cost support wafer IJ21, IJ23, IJ25, IJ26
the front of the wafer, No differential
and the wafer is expansion
thinned from the back
side. Nozzles are then
etched in the etch stop
layer.
No nozzle Various methods have No nozzles to Difficult to Ricoh 1995
plate been tried to eliminate become clogged control drop Sekiya et al
the nozzles entirely, to position accurately U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,413
prevent nozzle Crosstalk 1993 Hadimioglu
clogging. These problems et al EUP 550,192
include thermal bubble 1993 Elrod et al
mechanisms and EUP 572,220
acoustic lens
mechanisms
Trough Each drop ejector has Reduced Drop firing IJ35
a trough through manufacturing direction is sensitive
which a paddle moves. complexity to wicking.
There is no nozzle Monolithic
plate.
Nozzle slit The elimination of No nozzles to Difficult to 1989 Saito et al
instead of nozzle holes and become clogged control drop U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068
individual replacement by a slit position accurately
nozzles encompassing many Crosstalk
actuator positions problems
reduces nozzle
clogging, but increases
crosstalk due to ink
surface waves
DROP EJECTION DIRECTION
Ejection
direction Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples
Edge Ink flow is along the Simple Nozzles limited Canon Bubblejet
(‘edge surface of the chip, construction to edge 1979 Endo et al GB
shooter’) and ink drops are No silicon High resolution patent 2,007,162
ejected from the chip etching required is difficult Xerox heater-in-
edge. Good heat Fast color pit 1990 Hawkins et al
sinking via substrate printing requires U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181
Mechanically one print head per Tone-jet
strong color
Ease of chip
handing
Surface Ink flow is along the No bulk silicon Maximum ink Hewlett-Packard
(‘roof surface of the chip, etching required flow is severely TIJ 1982 Vaught et al
shooter’) and ink drops are Silicon can make restricted U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728
ejected from the chip an effective heat IJ02, IJ11, IJ12, IJ20
surface, normal to the sink IJ22
plane of the chip. Mechanical
strength
Through Ink flow is through the High ink flow Requires bulk Silverbrook, EP
chip, chip, and ink drops are Suitable for silicon etching 0771 658 A2 and
forward ejected from the front pagewidth print related patent
(‘up surface of the chip. High nozzle applications
shooter’) packing density IJ04, IJ17, IJ18, IJ24
therefore low IJ27-IJ45
manufacturing cost
Through Ink flow is through the High ink flow Requires wafer IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06
chip, chip, and ink drops are Suitable for thinning IJ07, IJ08, IJ09, IJ10
reverse ejected from the rear pagewidth print Requires special IJ13, IJ14, IJ15, IJ16
(‘down surface of the chip. High nozzle handling during IJ19, IJ21, IJ23, IJ25
shooter’) packing density manufacture IJ26
therefore low
manufacturing cost
Through Ink flow is through the Suitable for Pagewidth print Epson Stylus
actuator actuator, which is not piezoelectric print heads require Tektronix hot
fabricated as part of heads several thousand melt piezoelectric
the same substrate as connections to drive ink jets
the drive transistors. circuits
Cannot be
manufactured in
standard CMOS
fabs
Complex
assembly required
INK TYPE
Ink type Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples
Aqueous, Water based ink which Environmentally Slow drying Most existing inkjets
dye typically contains: friendly Corrosive All IJ series ink jets
water, dye, surfactant, No odor Bleeds on paper Silverbrook, EP
humectant, and May 0771 658 A2 and
biocide. strikethrough related patent
Modern ink dyes have Cockles paper applications
high water-fastness,
light fastness
Aqueous, Water based ink which Environmentally Slow drying IJ02, IJ04, IJ21, IJ26
pigment typically contains: friendly Corrosive IJ27, IJ30
water, pigment, No odor Pigment may Silverbrook, EP
surfactant, humectant, Reduced bleed clog nozzles 0771 658 A2 and
and biocide. Reduced wicking Pigment may related patent
Pigments have an Reduced clog actuator applications
advantage in reduced strikethrough mechanisms Piezoelectric ink-jets
bleed, wicking and Cockles paper Thermal ink jets
strikethrough. (with significant
restrictions)
Methyl MEK is a highly Very fast drying Odorous All IJ series ink
Ethyl volatile solvent used Prints on various Flammable jets
Ketone for industrial printing substrates such as
(MEK) on difficult surfaces metals and plastics
such as aluminum
cans.
Alcohol Alcohol based inks Fast drying Slight odor All IJ series ink
(ethanol, can be used where the Operates at sub- Flammable jets
2-butanol, printer must operate at freezing
and others) temperatures below temperatures
the freezing point of Reduced paper
water. An example of cockle
this is in-camera Low cost
consumer
photographic printing.
Phase The ink is solid at No drying time- High viscosity Tektronix hot
change room temperature, and ink instantly freezes Printed ink melt piezoelectric
(hot melt) is melted in the print on the print medium typically has a ink jets
head before jetting. Almost any print ‘waxy’ feel 1989 Nowak
Hot melt inks are medium can be used Printed pages U.S. Pat. No.
usually wax based, No paper cockle may ‘block’ 4,820,346
with a melting point occurs Ink temperature All IJ series ink
around 80° C. After No wicking may be above the jets
jetting the ink freezes occurs curie point of
almost instantly upon No bleed occurs permanent magnets
contacting the print No strikethrough Ink heaters
medium or a transfer occurs consume power
roller. Long warm-up
time
Oil Oil based inks are High solubility High viscosity: All IJ series ink
extensively used in medium for some this is a significant jets
offset printing. They dyes limitation for use in
have advantages in Does not cockle ink jets, which
improved paper usually require a
characteristics on Does not wick low viscosity. Some
paper (especially no through paper short chain and
wicking or cockle). multi-branched oils
Oil soluble dies and have a sufficiently
pigments are required. low viscosity.
Slow drying
Micro- A microemulsion is a Stops ink bleed Viscosity higher All IJ series ink
emulsion stable, self forming High dye than water jets
emulsion of oil, water, solubility Cost is slightly
and surfactant. The Water, oil, and higher than water
characteristic drop size amphiphilic soluble based ink
is less than 100 nm, dies can be used High surfactant
and is determined by Can stabilize concentration
the preferred curvature pigment required (around
of the surfactant. suspensions 5%)
Ink Jet Printing A large number of new forms of ink jet printers have been developed to facilitate alternative ink jet technologies for the image processing and data distribution system. Various combinations of ink jet devices can be included in printer devices incorporated as part of the present invention. Australian Provisional Patent Applications relating to these ink jets which are specifically incorporated by cross reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.
Austra- US Patent/
lian Patent
Provi- Application
sional and Filing
Number Filing Date Title Date
PO8066 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,227,652
and Apparatus (IJ01) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8072 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,213,588
and Apparatus (IJ02) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8040 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,213,589
and Apparatus (IJ03) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8071 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,231,163
and Apparatus (IJ04) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8047 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,247,795
and Apparatus (IJ05) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8035 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,394,581
and Apparatus (IJ06) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8044 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,244,691
and Apparatus (IJ07) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8063 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,257,704
and Apparatus (IJ08) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8057 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,416,168
and Apparatus (IJ09) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8056 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,220,694
and Apparatus (IJ10) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8069 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,257,705
and Apparatus (IJ11) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8049 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,247,794
and Apparatus (IJ12) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8036 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,234,610
and Apparatus (IJ13) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8048 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,247,793
and Apparatus (IJ14) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8070 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,264,306
and Apparatus (IJ15) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8067 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,241,342
and Apparatus (IJ16) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8001 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,247,792
and Apparatus (IJ17) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8038 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,264,307
and Apparatus (IJ18) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8033 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,254,220
and Apparatus (IJ19) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8002 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,234,611
and Apparatus (IJ20) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8068 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,302,528
and Apparatus (IJ21) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8062 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,283,582
and Apparatus (IJ22) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8034 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,239,821
and Apparatus (IJ23) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8039 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,338,547
and Apparatus (IJ24) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8041 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,247,796
and Apparatus (IJ25) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8004 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 09/113,122
and Apparatus (IJ26) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8037 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,390,603
and Apparatus (IJ27) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8043 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,362,843
and Apparatus (IJ28) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8042 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,293,653
and Apparatus (IJ29) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8064 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,312,107
and Apparatus (IJ30) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9389 23 Sep. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,227,653
and Apparatus (IJ31) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9391 23 Sep. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,234,609
and Apparatus (IJ32) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0888 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,238,040
and Apparatus (IJ33) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0891 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,188,415
and Apparatus (IJ34) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0890 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,227,654
and Apparatus (IJ35) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0873 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,209,989
and Apparatus (IJ36) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0993 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,247,791
and Apparatus (IJ37) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0890 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,336,710
and Apparatus (IJ38) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP1398 19 Jan. 1998 An Image Creation Method 6,217,153
and Apparatus (IJ39) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP2592 25 Mar. 1998 An Image Creation Method 6,416,167
and Apparatus (IJ40) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP2593 25 Mar. 1998 Image Creation Method 6,243,113
and Apparatus (IJ41) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3991 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method 6,283,581
and Apparatus (IJ42) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3987 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method 6,247,790
and Apparatus (IJ43) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3985 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method 6,260,953
and Apparatus (IJ44) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP3983 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method 6,267,469
and Apparatus (IJ45) (Jul. 10, 1998)
Ink Jet Manufacturing Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor fabrication techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable manufacturing techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.
Austra- US Patent/
lian Patent
Provi- Application
sional and Filing
Number Filing Date Title Date
PO7935 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,224,780
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM01)
PO7936 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,235,212
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM02)
PO7937 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,280,643
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM03)
PO8061 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,284,147
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM04)
PO8054 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,214,244
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM05)
PO8065 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,071,750
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM06)
PO8055 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,267,905
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM07)
PO8053 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,251,298
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM08)
PO8078 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,258,285
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM09)
PO7933 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,225,138
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM10)
PO7950 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,241,904
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM11)
PO7949 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,299,786
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM12)
PO8060 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 09/113,124
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM13)
PO8059 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,231,773
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM14)
PO8073 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,190,931
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM15)
PO8076 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,248,249
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM16)
PO8075 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,290,862
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM17)
PO8079 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,241,906
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM18)
PO8050 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 09/113,116
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM19)
PO8052 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,241,905
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM20)
PO7948 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,451,216
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM21)
PO7951 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,231,772
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM22)
PO8074 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,274,056
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM23)
PO7941 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,290,861
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM24)
PO8077 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,248,248
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM25)
PO8058 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,306,671
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM26)
PO8051 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,331,258
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM27)
PO8045 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,110,754
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM28)
PO7952 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,294,101
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM29)
PO8046 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,416,679
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM30)
PO8503 11 Aug. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,264,849
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM30a)
PO9390 23 Sep. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,254,793
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM31)
PO9392 23 Sep. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,235,211
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM32)
PP0889 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,235,211
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM35)
PP0887 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,264,850
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM36)
PP0882 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,258,284
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM37)
PP0874 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,258,284
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM38)
PP1396 19 Jan. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,228,668
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM39)
PP2591 25 Mar. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,180,427
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM41)
PP3989 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,171,875
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM40)
PP3990 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,267,904
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM42)
PP3986 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,245,247
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM43)
PP3984 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,245,247
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM44)
PP3982 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,231,148
of an Image (Jul. 10, 1998)
Creation Apparatus (IJM45)
Fluid Supply Further, the present application may utilize an ink delivery system to the ink jet head. Delivery systems relating to the supply of ink to a series of ink jet nozzles are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications, the disclosure of which are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.
Austra- US Patent/
lian Patent
Provi- Application
sional and Filing
Number Filing Date Title Date
PO8003 15 Jul. 1997 Supply Method 6,350,023
and Apparatus (F1) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8005 15 Jul. 1997 Supply Method 6,318,849
and Apparatus (F2) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9404 23 Sep. 1997 A Device and 09/113,101
Method (F3) (Jul. 10, 1998)
MEMS Technology
Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor microelectromechanical techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable microelectromechanical techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.
Austra- US Patent/
lian Patent
Provi- Application
sional and Filing
Number Filing Date Title Date
PO7943 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS01)
PO8006 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS02) 6,087,638
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8007 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS03) 09/113,093
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8008 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS04) 6,340,222
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8010 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS05) 6,041,600
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8011 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS06) 6,299,300
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7947 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS07) 6,067,797
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7945 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS08) 09/113,081
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7944 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS09) 6,286,935
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7946 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS10) 6,044,646
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9393 23 Sep. 1997 A Device and Method 09/113,065
(MEMS11) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0875 12 Dec. 1997 A Device (MEMS12) 09/113,078
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0894 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method 09/113,075
(MEMS13) (Jul. 10, 1998)
IR Technologies Further, the present application may include the utilization of a disposable camera system such as those described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.
Austra- US Patent/
lian Patent
Provi- Application
sional and Filing
Number Filing Date Title Date
PP0895 12 Dec. 1997 An Image Creation Method 6,231,148
and Apparatus (IR01) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0870 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR02) 09/113,106
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0869 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR04) 6,293,658
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0887 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 09/113,104
and Apparatus (IR05) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0885 12 Dec. 1997 An Image Production 6,238,033
System (IR06) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0884 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,312,070
and Apparatus (IR10) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0886 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,238,111
and Apparatus (IR12) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0871 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR13) 09/113,086
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0876 12 Dec. 1997 An Image Processing Method 09/113,094
and Apparatus (IR14) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0877 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR16) 6,378,970
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0878 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR17) 6,196,739
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0879 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR18) 09/112,774
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0883 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR19) 6,270,182
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0880 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR20) 6,152,619
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0881 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR21) 09/113,092
(Jul. 10, 1998)
DotCard Technologies Further, the present application may include the utilization of a data distribution system such as that described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.
Austra- US Patent/
lian Patent
Provi- Application
sional and Filing
Number Filing Date Title Date
PP2370 16 Mar. 1998 Data Processing 09/112,781
Method and (Jul. 10, 1998)
Apparatus (Dot01)
PP2371 16 Mar. 1998 Data Processing 09/113,052
Method and (Jul. 10, 1998)
Apparatus (Dot02)
Artcam Technologies Further, the present application may include the utilization of camera and data processing techniques such as an Artcam type device as described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.
Austra- US Patent/
lian Patent
Provi- Application
sional and Filing
Number Filing Date Title Date
PO7991 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/113,060
and Apparatus (ART01) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7988 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,476,863
and Apparatus (ART02) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7993 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/113,073
and Apparatus (ART03) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9395 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,322,181
and Apparatus (ART04) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8017 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,747
and Apparatus (ART06) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8014 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART07) 6,227,648
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8025 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,750
and Apparatus (ART08) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8032 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,746
and Apparatus (ART09) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7999 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,743
and Apparatus (ART10) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7998 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,742
and Apparatus (ART11) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8031 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,741
and Apparatus (ART12) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8030 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART13) 6,196,541
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7997 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART15) 6,195,150
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7979 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART16) 6,362,868
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8015 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART17) 09/112,738
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7978 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART18) 09/113,067
(Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7982 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,431,669
and Apparatus (ART19) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7989 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,362,869
and Apparatus (ART20) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8019 15 Jul. 1997 Media Processing Method 6,472,052
and Apparatus (ART21) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7980 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,356,715
and Apparatus (ART22) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8018 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,777
and Apparatus (ART24) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7938 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/113,224
and Apparatus (ART25) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8016 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,366,693
and Apparatus (ART26) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8024 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,329,990
and Apparatus (ART27) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7940 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,072
and Apparatus (ART28) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7939 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/112,785
and Apparatus (ART29) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8501 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,137,500
and Apparatus (ART30) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8500 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,796
and Apparatus (ART31) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7987 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,071
and Apparatus (ART32) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8022 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,398,328
and Apparatus (ART33) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8497 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/113,090
and Apparatus (ART34) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8020 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,431,704
and Apparatus (ART38) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8023 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,222
and Apparatus (ART39) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8504 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,786
and Apparatus (ART42) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8000 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,415,054
and Apparatus (ART43) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7977 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/112,782
and Apparatus (ART44) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7934 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,056
and Apparatus (ART45) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7990 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,059
and Apparatus (ART46) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8499 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,486,886
and Apparatus (ART47) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8502 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,381,361
and Apparatus (ART48) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7981 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,317,192
and Apparatus (ART50) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7986 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,057
and Apparatus (ART51) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO7983 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,054
and Apparatus (ART52) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8026 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,752
and Apparatus (ART53) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8027 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,759
and Apparatus (ART54) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO8028 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,757
and Apparatus (ART56) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9394 23 Sep. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,357,135
and Apparatus (ART57) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9396 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,107
and Apparatus (ART58) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9397 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,271,931
and Apparatus (ART59) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9398 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,353,772
and Apparatus (ART60) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9399 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,106,147
and Apparatus (ART61) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9400 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/112,790
and Apparatus (ART62) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9401 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,304,291
and Apparatus (ART63) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9402 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/112,788
and Apparatus (ART64) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9403 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,305,770
and Apparatus (ART65) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PO9405 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,289,262
and Apparatus (ART66) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP0959 16 Dec. 1997 A Data Processing Method 6,315,200
and Apparatus (ART68) (Jul. 10, 1998)
PP1397 19 Jan. 1998 A Media Device (ART69) 6,217,165
(Jul. 10, 1998)
