Patents Issued in February 6, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030025728
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to create an intermediate language or source code file from a server-side resource or dynamic web page file using a hierarchically specified set of user controls. The source code can then be compiled into an executable class allowing for rapid generation of web page control objects that perform server-side functions, including the rendering of client responses. The code generation scheme of the present invention is capable of creating control objects connected in a hierarchy to handle event processing and the setting of attributes to the specific objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: David S. Ebbo, Scott D. Guthrie
  • Publication number: 20030025729
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for displaying a markup of a graphical image. A first client receives an identification of a second client to participate in a chat session. A graphical image is displayed on the first client where a command is selected to markup the graphical image. In response to the command, markup information is stored in a markup file. Such markup information comprises a markup entity, a source reference that identifies the graphical image, and an orientation that indicates how the graphical image should be displayed with regard to the markup entity. The markup file is transmitted across the network to the second client through the chat session, wherein the markup entity is caused to be displayed in the orientation on the graphical image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Davis
  • Publication number: 20030025730
    Abstract: A method of automatically modifying the appearance properties 23 of a user interface element 20 when its state 22 changes without writing program code and automatically modifying a property 23 of a user interface element 20 in response to a change in a separate user interface element 20 without writing program code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Declan M. Brennan
  • Publication number: 20030025731
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for researching highlighted passages and/or notations in an electronic book. A user can highlight passages and/or notations in an electronic book, which are stored in a search profile and automatically researched utilizing commercial search engines invoked with profile criteria. The results from the search engines are evaluated based on search criteria so that the most relevant Web sources and sites are identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alicia Anne Chastain, Christopher Joseph Paul, David Mark Wendt
  • Publication number: 20030025732
    Abstract: A system and a method for providing customized graphical user interfaces and/or screen layouts in computer systems. A web browser is nested in an application. XML text files are used to describe one or more user interfaces. The application software uses the information (e.g., source code) in the XML files to generate the user interface. For dynamic updates this may be done “on the fly,” allowing changes to the files and the addition/deletion of files even at run-time. The general layout of a user interface is defined in an HTML-based template. The details of the user interface are generated by software which retrieves a selected XML display/editor template text file, populates the XML display/editor text with current system data, converts the XML data to HTML, and then populates the HTML template to produce an HTML-based text for display. The user interface is then generated from the HTML-based display text by the web browser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Scot D. Prichard
  • Publication number: 20030025733
    Abstract: A display system for an appliance incorporates an electronic interface screen, such as an LCD touch screen, through which a wide range of information concerning operational, diagnostic and other data concerning the appliance can be displayed. The screen is divided into a number of panels for displaying different sets of information. Selecting one of the panels results in the panel becoming enlarged so as to fill the entire LCD screen while, at the same time, displaying an additional layer of detailed information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: John F. Broker, Douglas W. Gardner, Alan V. Neubauer, Brian L. Ness, Kim L. Wright
  • Publication number: 20030025734
    Abstract: A method, computer program product and system are provided for performing automated linking between sheets of a drawing set depicting an electronic representation of an electrical wiring diagram. The method, computer program product, and system automatically transform drawings into a format that provides enriched electronic display and navigation among drawings. Connections and relationships among large sets of drawings are automatically discovered and extracted by utilizing complex graphical recognition and logical inference. Links are then created that represent the connections and relationships between common elements of the drawings. As such, the present invention automatically produces an interactive electronic representation of a drawing set that allows a user to quickly and accurately view, highlight and/or alter a portion of a drawing and all of the drawings that connect to or also depict that portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Molly L. Boose, Lawrence S. Baum, John H. Boose, Carey Chaplin
  • Publication number: 20030025735
    Abstract: A user interface for use with a plurality of electronic devices, each having a representative icon and display layout and content, includes; a display screen; a touch screen overlaying the display screen; a wireless communication interface for communicating with the electronic devices; and a controller connected to the communication interface, the touch screen and the display screen, the controller including means for, receiving and displaying the icons representing the electronic devices on the display screen, sending a communication to a selected electronic device in response to selection of one of the icons via the touch screen, receiving and displaying the screen layout and content of the selected electronic device, and communicating user inputs from the touch screen to the selected electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Leslie G. Polgar, Ronald S. Cok
  • Publication number: 20030025736
    Abstract: In a method, apparatus and computer software product for monitoring the operation of program-controlled devices, the formal parameters resulting from a use of input aids are logged as are the logical parameters triggered in programs of the program-controlled device as a result of the use of the input aids, and the formal and logical parameters are linked to form a monitoring profile. A data output is determined from the monitoring profile according to designated criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Rainer Kuth
  • Publication number: 20030025737
    Abstract: The present invention involves a new system and process for automatically and dynamically laying out elements within an overall window of a graphical user interface by using dynamically resizable frames, i.e., “FlowFrames” disposed within the window. FlowFrames are automatically and dynamically sized and positioned within the window, while one or more other frames, i.e., “child frames,” representing one or more conventional controls, nested within the FlowFrames are also sized and positioned within the window as the window is generated or resized. In particular, each FlowFrame arranges its children horizontally in a row, but dynamically wraps them to one or more additional rows and positions them in accordance with predefined relationships between the children, where they cannot all fit into the same row. Further, the size of each FlowFrame is computed hierarchically from its children up to the overall window and then back down to the individual children.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Steven Adam Breinberg
  • Publication number: 20030025738
    Abstract: A user interface for use with a plurality of electronic devices, each having a representative icon and display layout and content, includes; a display screen; a touch screen overlaying the display screen; a wireless communication interface for communicating with the electronic devices; and a controller connected to the communication interface, the touch screen and the display screen, the controller including means for, receiving and displaying the icons representing the electronic devices on the display screen, sending a communication to a selected electronic device in response to selection of one of the icons via the touch screen, receiving and displaying the screen layout and content of the selected electronic device, and communicating user inputs from the touch screen to the selected electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Leslie G. Polgar, Ronald S. Cok
  • Publication number: 20030025739
    Abstract: The present invention provides a time recorder with a card feed rate adjustment function making it possible to print data for arrival and departure times to and from a job side at a correct position within a print column by adjusting a feed rate for a time card according to extension or shrinkage of the time card or characteristics of the time card such as a printing state within the print column. An adjustment value is computed by reading a start point and an end point printed on a time card TA or TB inserted into the time recorder with the mark sensors 10, 11 and counting a feed rate for the time card TA or TB from the start point to the end point with the encoder sensor 12, and a feed rate for the car is adjusted according to the computed adjustment value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yamagishi, Hirosada Watanabe, Masayuki Mochizuki, Daisuke Fujita
  • Publication number: 20030025740
    Abstract: A system for ink short protection for signaling to inkjet printheads includes a differential signaling driver having a first and a second terminal, a differential signaling receiver having a first and a second terminal, a first capacitor in series between the first terminals, a second capacitor in series between the second terminals, and circuitry for reducing charge accumulation on the capacitors. A method for ink short protection and a printing mechanism having such an ink short protection system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: David A. Rehmann, Steven B. Elgee
  • Publication number: 20030025741
    Abstract: In inkjet printers, it becomes possible to precisely estimate a remaining ink level in detailed scales with a low-cost and simple structure using a sensor. Specifically, a relatively inexpensive sensor that can examine whether the remaining ink level is below a predetermined value or not is employed in combination with a counter (C2) that retains information about ink consumption in printing and other operations. When the sensor has detected an absence of ink in which ink level is below the predetermined level and it is judged that the sensor has detect a presence of ink, the value of the counter (C2) is made a threshold value (T2) corresponding to a level (N) at which the sensor detects the absence of ink and then this threshold value is used to determine the remaining ink level (L).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Masao Maeda
  • Publication number: 20030025742
    Abstract: In inkjet printers, it becomes possible to precisely estimate a remaining ink level in detailed scales with a low-cost and simple structure using a sensor. Specifically, a relatively inexpensive sensor that can examine whether the remaining ink level is below a predetermined value or not is employed in combination with a counter (C2) that retains information about ink consumption in printing and other operations. When the sensor has detected an ink level beyond the predetermined value or the presence of ink, and the counter (C2) exceeds the threshold value (T2) corresponding to the ink-out level (N), the remaining ink level is increased to correct the counter error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Masao Maeda
  • Publication number: 20030025743
    Abstract: In inkjet printers, it becomes possible to accurately detect changing an ink tank and according to the detection precisely estimate a remaining ink level in detailed scales with a low-cost and simple structure using a sensor. Specifically, a relatively inexpensive sensor that can examine whether the remaining ink level is below a predetermined value or not is employed in combination with a counter (C2) that retains information about ink consumption in printing and other operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Masao Maeda
  • Publication number: 20030025744
    Abstract: In an inkjet head, both tones and smoothing can be represented suitably by means of a small number of drive waveforms. There are provided: a drive waveform generator unit (46) for generating drive waveforms for emitting a ink particle to form dots of a same size within one cycle that is an integral fraction of the cycle for one pixel, a print data generator unit (42) for generating print data of a plurality of bits for selecting said drive waveform in said cycle for one pixel; and a head drive unit (47) for driving the nozzles of said head by selecting said drive waveform in accordance with said print data. In order to adjust the head drive frequency and head carrier movement speed in such a manner that adjacent dots of the same size are caused to overlap by one half or more within one pixel, the cycle of the drive waveform (DRV) is taken as an integral fraction of one cycle of the print control signals (for one pixel), and hence one pixel can be represented by a plurality of dots of the same size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nou
  • Publication number: 20030025745
    Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus adjusts at least one of a preliminary discharge time representing a time until the subsequent preliminary discharge is performed a compensated time determined on the basis of the time elapsed since the previous preliminary discharge, so that the preliminary discharge is performed at a predetermined preliminary discharge hole. Accordingly, the ink jet recording apparatus is capable of recording on different kinds of recording media in a manner suitable for each of them without using a complex control process, and of performing the preliminary discharge according to the size of the recording media. In addition, a reduction in the throughput is prevented by using the ink jet recording apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiro Kawatoko, Hiroshi Tajika, Yuji Konno, Takayuki Ogasahara, Tetsuya Edamura, Atsuhiko Masuyama
  • Publication number: 20030025746
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for prolonging the life of a print head while printing repeated patterns on a substrate. A repeating pattern to be printed is first analyzed. An algorithm creates at least one set of masks based on the analysis of the repeating pattern. The masks created by the algorithm are used to print subsequent patterns. The algorithm operates to prolong the life of the print head by substantially evenly distributing the number of times each print head is used, and substantially prevents overuse of one nozzle with respect to another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Ramon Vega
  • Publication number: 20030025747
    Abstract: An inkjet device comprising a printhead and a media advance mechanism, the printhead being arranged to print swaths aligned in a first direction, each swath having a width in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction, said media advance mechanism being arranged to feed a print medium relative to said print head to position said swaths in the second direction on the print medium, the device being arranged to print an image having a length in said second direction and comprising a plurality of swaths spaced apart in said second direction, said device being further arranged to reduce the width of one or more of said plurality of swaths in dependence upon said image length in order to reduce the total time to feed said print medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Maria Dinares, Pere Josep Canti, Elizabath Zapata
  • Publication number: 20030025748
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet printing apparatus which sufficiently heats a head even in a low-temperature environment, which enables a proper image to be printed by stably ejecting ink, and which can be inexpensively and simply constructed. According to the present invention, if the detected temperature of a printhead is lower than a first heating threshold temperature higher than the first heating threshold, a heating mode in which the printhead can be heated is set before a printing operation. Further, when the heating mode is set and the detected temperature of the printhead is lower than the heating threshold temperature, a heating unit heats the printhead. Consequently, even in a low-temperature environment, the heating operation keeps ink good and suitable for printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiro Kawatoko, Hiroshi Tajika, Miyuki Fujita, Yuji Konno, Takayuki Ogasahara, Tetsuya Edamura, Tetsuhiro Maeda, Atsuhiko Masuyama
  • Publication number: 20030025749
    Abstract: A method of generating with an inkjet printer system a halftone image from image data comprising a plurality of contone data values, said system comprising a printhead arranged to print drops on a print medium whilst moving relative to said print medium in first and second directions, said method comprising the steps of: generating a first plurality of halftone data, each of said first halftone data being generated from a first proportion of a corresponding contone data value; generating a second plurality of halftone data, each of said second halftone data being generated from a second proportion of a corresponding contone data value; printing drops corresponding to said first plurality of halftone data in said first direction; and, printing drops corresponding to said second plurality of halftone data in said second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Paul R. Krouss
  • Publication number: 20030025750
    Abstract: Printing is performed by depositing dots of ink having the same color but different colorant loads. A higher drop weight is used for the lower colorant load ink, and a lower drop weight is used for the higher colorant load ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen W. Bauer
  • Publication number: 20030025751
    Abstract: A printing apparatus capable of selectively forming any of N types of dots which are different in at least one of an ink amount and a dot-formed position in a pixel area on a print medium. The printing apparatus comprises a drive signal generator. The drive signal generator is configured to generate drive signals for driving the ejection drive elements to form one of the N types of dots in each pixel area in response to a print signal including two types of mask selection data for selecting one type of masking signal from a plurality of type of masking signals corresponding to the N types of dots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Koichi Otsuki
  • Publication number: 20030025752
    Abstract: On the basis of name of a printing medium, which is supplied from a printing medium specifying section, a recording pattern producing section determines whether the printing medium to be printed is a medium in which an ink easily penetrates or that in which an ink hardly penetrates, determines hue changing degree due to bidirectional printing for each pixel from position information of CMYK image data and a scanning pattern, and changes the densities of CMY so that the output density of a hue having a larger hue changing degree in the input image data is lowered, and that of a hue having a smaller hue changing degree is raised. As a result, a total amount of inks ejected from a head of an ink recording section is controlled with respect to the color which is early impacted and that which is lately impacted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tohru Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20030025753
    Abstract: A thermal head is provided with a plurality of heater elements which are arranged in a main scanning direction. The heater elements are selectively energized according to black and white information for the pixels to be formed by the respective heater elements. Each heater element corresponding to a pixel the black and white information for which is white is heated to an auxiliary temperature according to the black and white information for pixels adjacent to the pixel in the main scanning direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20030025754
    Abstract: A chip structure in an ink-jet head including plural ink feed openings arranged in a longitudinal direction and a method for fabricating the chip structure are disclosed. The structure of plural ink feed openings increases the structure strength of the chip in order to resist the stress during the procedure for preventing the chip from breaking, and increasing the ink supplying rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Microjet Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tse-Chi Michael Mou, Fu-San Lin, Chin-Yi Chou, Ying-Lun Chang, Cheng-Hung Yu
  • Publication number: 20030025755
    Abstract: A method of improving a sealing between a purge mechanism and a printhead includes the steps of providing a purge cap with a perimetrical sealing lip; and exercising the perimetrical sealing lip of the purge cap against the sealing surface of the printhead. The exercising is effected by generating a repetitive relative movement between the sealing surface of the printhead and the perimetrical sealing lip of the purge cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Laura Garcia Baxter, John Edward Borsuk, Ronald Todd Sellers
  • Publication number: 20030025756
    Abstract: A servicing cassette for an inkjet printhead includes wiper blades which may be manually or automatically switched when worn or having reached the end of their intended service life without the necessity of replacing the entire servicing cassette. The wiper blades are mounted on a rotary support in the cassette which is held by a latch to confine rotation of the support and wiper blades to a single direction and which holds the wiper blades in stationary position relative to the cassette when servicing an associated inkjet printhead. A wiper switching actuator is affixed to printer structure and engages a wiper switching arm on the rotary blade support to rotate the support and move a second wiper or wiper pair into servicing position by relatively moving the servicing cassette and the actuator when the intended service life of the first wiper or wiper pair has been reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Charlene Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20030025757
    Abstract: Two lines extending in the main scanning direction build a set of lines (L1, L2) each of which is formed by a plurality of dots. Assignment is alternately executed to preceding scanning and subsequent scanning so as to allow each of the lines (L1, L2) formed by a number of pixels (P1, P2, P4, P3, P5, P6, P8, P7, - - - ) to extend along a snake movement-like route. Thus, dots located adjacent to each other in the auxiliary scanning direction are not formed by same scanning, and a quantity of ink spreading on a recording medium without penetration of the ink through the latter can be reduced. Consequently, there few arises stripe and fluctuation in density, whereby an excellent quality of image having sharp edge portions can be obtained without any occurrence of a problem attributable to the presence of unfixed ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Makoto Shioya, Yasuyuki Tamura
  • Publication number: 20030025758
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead having a series of nozzles for the ejection of ink wherein each said nozzle has a rim formed by the deposition of a rim material layer over a sacrificial layer and a subsequent planar removal of at least said rim material layer so as to form said nozzle rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20030025759
    Abstract: When a printing apparatus performs printing using dark and light inks, a large variation in density caused by a rapid decrease in ink applying rate is prevented, thereby enabling proper density reproduction. More specifically, when for example, green hues of different densities are printed, light cyan ink is used between points corresponding to a variation of color from white to green. Furthermore, after the maximum saturation point, light cyan ink is used in addition to the dark cyan ink. This prevents the total applying rate from decreasing rapidly near the maximum eaturation point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Shigeyasu Nagoshi, Okinori Tsuchiya
  • Publication number: 20030025760
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a curing epoxy resin composition permitting water repellent and ink repellent surface treatment. The epoxy resin composition contains (A) an alkylsiloxane-containing epoxy resin, (B) a cationic polymerization catalyst, and (C) a polyfunctional epoxy compound having a molecular weight of 300 or more, and a static viscosity of 1,000 cps or more at 25° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Isao Imamura, Hiromichi Noguchi, Akihiko Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20030025761
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead has a series of ink ejection nozzles for the ejection of ink, each of the nozzles interconnecting a nozzle chamber with an external atmosphere. Each nozzle has a first meniscus rim around which an ink meniscus normally forms, and an extended ink flow prevention rim spaced outwardly from the first meniscus rim and substantially encircling the first meniscus rim, arranged to prevent the flow of ink across the surface of the inkjet printhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20030025762
    Abstract: A separable key element operably secured to a printer component base for receiving a key from a printer component to be received therein. The key indicates a required characteristic of the printer component thereby allowing only compatible printer components to be installed onto the printer component base. The key element can matingly engage the printer component base in a unique configuration such that only compatible key elements can be secured to the printer component base. Moreover, the key element can include a display surface for visually identifying the required characteristic of the printer component. In a preferred embodiment, the printer component is a detachable ink reservoir and the printer component base is secured to the carriage of an inkjet printer, thereby providing an on-axis ink reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Scott D. Sturgeon, David C. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030025763
    Abstract: An on-axis ink reservoir that is pivotally secured to the carriage of an inkjet printer thereby defining an engaged position, in which the ink reservoir is in fluid communication with a printhead secured to the carriage, and an open position, in which the ink reservoir pivots away from the printhead to allow easy access to the printhead without the need to remove the ink reservoir from the carriage. Preferably, the ink reservoir is detachably secured to an ink-reservoir mounting portion, the printhead is detachably secured to a printhead mounting-portion, and these two mounting portions are pivotally secured together. More preferably, the ink-reservoir mounting portion includes a plurality of ink reservoirs, and the printhead mounting-portion includes a plurality of printheads. A latching mechanism is provided to operably secure the two mounting portions together in the engaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Scott D. Sturgeon, Jeffrey T. Hendricks, David C. Johnson, Charles R. Steinmetz, Daniel W. Petersen
  • Publication number: 20030025764
    Abstract: A partial mounting portion cover that extends above and partially over the front portion of a chamber for operably receiving a detachable printer component therein. The cover includes a substantially planar top surface positioned over the toe-end of the detachable printer component when the printer component is fully installed on the mounting portion, such that the cover extends over the printer component only by an amount that precludes the cover from interfering with a toe-heel installation process. Accordingly, so long as the installer mounts the toe-end of the detachable printer component first, the mounting portion cover does not interfere with the installation. However, if an installer attempts to install the printer component in another manner, the cover blocks the toe-end of the printer component from entering the chamber, thereby alerting the installer of the improper installation method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Scott D. Sturgeon, David C. Johnson, Lisa M. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20030025765
    Abstract: An ink jet printer head and fabrication method for an ink jet printer head are provided. The ink jet printer head includes a silicon plate, a thin-film electrode layer, an ink chamber barrier, and a nozzle plate, which are layered in order to form the ink jet printer head. A center portion of the electrode layer is etched a predetermined depth to form a heater portion, thereby increasing electric resistance due to a decreased depth or thickness of the heater portion. Since the heater portion and electrode portions are made of a single material, the process and cost of fabrication is reduced, and productivity is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Jae-Ho Moon, O-Keun Kwon
  • Publication number: 20030025766
    Abstract: An ink-jet printing head and an ink-jet printing apparatus can reduce fluctuation of density of an ink ejected from each nozzle by ejecting ink of different densities from the same nozzle without varying size of an ink droplet, or by controlling ejection of a mixture ink, in which a plurality of inks are mixed, for forming an image. The ink-jet printing head includes a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting ink, a plurality of ink passages communicated with the plurality of ejection openings, ink ejecting energy generating elements provided in the plurality of ink passages, a mixing liquid chamber connected to the plurality of ink passages in common, a plurality of individual liquid chambers supplying ink to the mixing liquid chamber, and a valve mechanism provided between the individual liquid chamber and the mixing liquid chamber and controlling supply amount of the inks supplied from the individual liquid chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sohei Tanaka, Shinji Takagi, Takeshi Ono, Masafumi Wataya, Noriyuki Suzuki, Masaaki Okada, Hiroyuki Hyotani, Midori Yasuda, Akira Ito
  • Publication number: 20030025767
    Abstract: A multi-nozzle ink jet head using piezoelectric elements and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. A head (1) has a nozzle member (10) in which a plurality of nozzles (12) are formed, a pressure chamber wall member (14) in which a plurality of pressure chambers (15) are formed, and piezoelectric type actuators that have a diaphragm (18) and a plurality of piezo elements (19) and apply pressure to each of the plurality of pressure chambers for ejecting ink from the nozzles. A rigid coating member (23, 25) is provided on inner surfaces of the pressure chamber walls or on parts of the diaphragm in contact with the pressure chamber wall member, thus increasing the rigidity of the pressure chamber walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Sakamoto, Shuji Koike, Tomohisa Shingai
  • Publication number: 20030025768
    Abstract: A multi-nozzle ink jet head formed through semiconductor processes is disclosed. The multi-nozzle head has ahead substrate (28) in which are formed a plurality of nozzles (27) and a plurality of pressure chambers (26), a diaphragm (40) that acts as a common electrode and covers the plurality of pressure chambers (26), piezoelectric body layers (41) that are provided in correspondence with the pressure chambers (26) on the diaphragm (40), and individual electrode layers (42) that are provided on the piezoelectric body layers and have individual electrode parts (42-3) corresponding to the pressure chambers and wiring parts (42-1, 42-2) for the individual electrode parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Shuji Koike, Yoshiaki Sakamoto, Tomohisa Shingai
  • Publication number: 20030025769
    Abstract: The ink replenishment frequency is increased in an inkjet head having nozzles for injecting ink. Independent dampers (13) are provided in ink supply passages (18) to impart an acoustic capacitance to the ink supply passages (18), and therefore a reciprocal action is generated between the pressure chambers (16) and the ink supply passages (18), whereby the operation of ink replenishment can be stimulated. Accordingly, the ink replenishment frequency can be increased by a factor of approximately {square root}3, without having to provide functional elements in the ink supply passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Tomohisa Shingai, Shuji Koike, Yoshiaki Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20030025770
    Abstract: A multi-nozzle ink jet head having a diaphragm that effectively utilizes the force generated by thin-film piezoelectric elements is disclosed. The head (2) has a head substrate (28) in which are formed a plurality of nozzles (39) and a plurality of pressure chambers (29), a multi-layer diaphragm (23-1, 23-2), piezoelectric elements (27), and individual electrodes (26). By making the thickness of the common electrode layer (23-1) of the multi-layer diaphragm be thin but such that problems do not occur during multi-pin driving, optimization of the rigid layer becomes possible, and hence it is possible to use the force generated by the thin-film piezoelectric elements efficiently in ink ejection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Shuji Koike, Yoshiaki Sakamoto, Tomohisa Shingai
  • Publication number: 20030025771
    Abstract: An ink supply for an inkjet printing system, the ink supply having one or more areas of relatively high air diffusion through one or more structures comprising the ink supply. One or more air diffusion barrier structures shield the one or more areas of relatively high air diffusion from air diffusion, and a quantity of liquid unsaturated ink is disposed in the ink supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Thielman, Rhonda L. Wilson, Norman E. Pawlowski
  • Publication number: 20030025772
    Abstract: A printing apparatus containing a printhead, an ink reservoir and a flexible hose for transporting fluid ink from the ink reservoir to the printhead, wherein the flexible hose has a wall which, during the transportation of the ink, is in contact with the ink, said wall being made of a material which is impermeable or almost impermeable to water and air, and in additional is substantially resistant to carbon-containing ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Antonius P. M. M. Van Roy
  • Publication number: 20030025773
    Abstract: A liquid supplying device for supplying liquid to a recording head for discharging liquid comprises a liquid container for containing liquid to be supplied to the recording head, a first connecting portion for connecting the recording head and the liquid container, and a second connecting portion having one end thereof in the liquid container, and the other end thereof being open to the air outside. For this ink supplying device, the one end of the second connecting portion connected with the liquid container is positioned lower than the height of liquid discharge port of the recording head, and an interface between liquid and the air outside exists in the second connecting portion, and by the surface tension of meniscus formed on the interface, negative pressure is generated against the liquid discharge port of the recording head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Yutaka Koizumi, Yukuo Yamaguchi, Takeshi Yamakubo, Mikiya Umeyama
  • Publication number: 20030025774
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise geometric features in the fluid interconnect region of an ink container which inhibit residual ink from contacting a removable seal on the container or the fingers and clothing of the container installer. The features comprise a fluid accumulator and capillary break.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: David J. Benson, Kevin D. Almen, Michael S. Ardito, Ralph W. Kinser
  • Publication number: 20030025775
    Abstract: An inkjet ink of multicolor dye set with high light-fastness and high water-fastness comprises: a multicolor dye set, a surfactant, and an aqueous solvent. The multicolor dye set includes a cyan dye set, a magenta dye set, and a yellow dye set. The cyan dye set comprises direct blue 199 dye, acid blue 9 dye, and direct blue 86 dye. The magenta dye set comprises reactive red 180 dye, acid red 52 dye, and reactive red dye. The yellow dye set comprises acid yellow 23 and direct yellow 86 dye. When the multicolor dye set of the invention is applied in ink-jet printing process, the high-quality printed image possesses great light-fastness and water-fastness high chroma, broad color gamut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Yi-Jing Leu, In-Shan Sir, Yu-Chang Shen, Chia-Hsin Chien
  • Publication number: 20030025776
    Abstract: A thermal developing apparatus in which a photothermographic element having a latent image is interposed between a heated member and a plurality of guiding rollers and when the photothermographic element is conveyed and heated while the guiding rollers are rotated, the thermal developing is conducted, and the visible image is obtained, a plurality of guiding rollers are arranged so that the variation cycle of the radius of each guiding roller is not synchronized with each other on the photothermographichic element during the rotation of each guiding roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Makoto Sumi, Akira Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20030025777
    Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus using ink to be discharged from a plurality of ink discharge ports of recording means comprises holding means for holding recording means for recording on a recording sheet; conveying means for conveying the recording sheet; and recording sheet supporting member arranged in the position to face the recording means which is provided with supporting surface to support the non-recording surface of the recording sheet, and arranged in the direction intersecting the conveying direction of the recording sheet. The recording sheet supporting member is provided with a first extrusion and a second extrusion extended in the conveying direction of the recording sheet, at the same time, having the inclined surfaces becoming lower to the recording sheet supporting member from the supporting surface toward the upstream side in the conveying direction, and the angles of inclination are made different for the inclined surfaces of the first extrusion and the second extrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noriyuki Sugiyama