Patents Issued in August 5, 2008
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Patent number: 7407238Abstract: A dispenser comprising: (1) a dispenser housing that includes: (a) a dispenser body that defines both an interior portion and an access opening, and (b) an access door that is mounted to selectively restrict access to the interior portion through the access opening; (2) a storage cartridge that is mounted on wheels to roll adjacent the dispenser body; and (3) a storage cartridge positioning system that is adapted to facilitate moving the storage cartridge into a “loading position” in which the storage cartridge is positioned to be loaded into the dispenser. The motion of the access door from an open position to a closed position may serve to urge the storage cartridge from the “loading position” into a “loaded position” in which the storage cartridge is disposed substantially within the dispenser housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Innovative Product AchievementsInventor: Robert M. Fitzgerald
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Patent number: 7407239Abstract: A mechanism for raising and lowering an appliance, such as a video display, in an interior of a vehicle has a carriage supporting the appliance that slides or rolls vertically up and down in tracks of a guide frame between stowed and elevated positions. A force assist manual lift or an automated lift can be used to raise (and lower) the appliance. The force assist lift can have one or more pivotally and over center mounted gas springs to assist raising the appliance. The automated lift can have a motor driving one or more cables, wound through sheaves, to raise and lower the appliance. The entire assembly is preferably concealed in a furniture quality container until it is raised through a top opening for use.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Actuant CorporationInventor: James R. Kunz
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Patent number: 7407240Abstract: A mullion is attached to a cabinet shell of a refrigerator through the use of a retainer that includes a laterally extending portion positioned between primary and secondary flanges of the cabinet shell, and a longitudinally extending portion that is interengaged with additional flange structure defined by the mullion. Clips formed on the retainer engage wall portions formed by the mullion flange structure to secure the retainer to the mullion. A tab formed on the retainer engages a keyhole formed in the secondary flange of the cabinet shell, thereby aiding in securing the retainer to the cabinet and preventing the mullion from undesirably shifting in either a horizontal or vertical manner.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Clint J. Collins, David J. Olberding, Jonathan J. Tiemeier
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Patent number: 7407241Abstract: In an ink-jet head device, a main tank, a sub tank and an ink-jet head are mounted in this order in a carriage, with the main tank placed at the top. The main tank, sub tank and ink-jet head are connected to one another by a three-way ink conduit. At a junction of the ink conduit is disposed a three-way switching valve, which selectively switch a path connecting the sub tank to the main tank and a path connecting the sub tank to the ink-jet head, without causing the ink-jet head and the main tank to communicate with each other. As a result, an ink-jet head device and an ink-supplying method are realized, in which the ink-jet head can maintain suitable negative pressure and in which consumption of ink is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Mutoh, Kaoru Higuchi
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Patent number: 7407242Abstract: The method for a printing device determines the maximum amount of colorant that is to be deposited on a specific region of print media to form an image with a reduced quantity of visual defects. The method entails inputting at least one colorant value on the specific region of print media. The at least one colorant value indicates a total amount of at least one colorant that is to be applied by the printing device. A colorant limit is derived for each color or combinations thereof according to a text ink limit algorithm and each derived color ink limit is applied to the image to limit the quantity of ink used by the printing device when one of the derived colorant limits is exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Michael J. Piatt, Joseph P. Mangan
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Patent number: 7407243Abstract: An image forming apparatus whereby recording liquid is jetted onto a recording medium so that an image is formed, the image forming apparatus includes an operations part configured to operate the apparatus in a predetermined special mode different from a normal mode in a case where a machine number stored in advance is a specific character string.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Kohichi Sadano
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Patent number: 7407244Abstract: A timing signal generator generates an ejection timing signal each time a printing paper travels a predetermined distance relative to a head, and a driving signal generator inputs a driving signal based on writing data to the head each time an ejection timing signal is generated. In the course of printing, when an interval between two continuous ejection timing signals is equal to or longer than twice a basic time period of input of driving signal which is fixed for a head, a non-ejection driving signal which is a driving signal indicating a non-ejecting operation is input to the head between two driving signals respectively associated the two continuous ejection timing signals. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably and properly perform ejection of ink based on writing data with a time period equal to or longer than the basic time period.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignees: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd., Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Kiyoomi Mitsuki, Seiji Mochizuki, Masahiro Nakamura, Nobutoshi Otsuka
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Patent number: 7407245Abstract: A printing apparatus, a printing method, a computer program, and a computer system for decreasing ink consumption amount are provided. A printing apparatus comprises a print head being movable in a main scanning direction and printing medium feeding means for feeding a printing medium, and carries out printing on the printing medium by ejecting ink from the print head, wherein a skew of the printing medium is obtained by detecting, at a plurality of points, a leading edge that is fed first among the edges of the printing medium by the printing medium feeding means, and wherein a starting position, an ending position, or both of these for ejecting ink from the print head, which moves in the main scanning direction, is changed according to the skew that has been obtained.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Hironori Endo
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Patent number: 7407246Abstract: A method provides an optimized set of waveforms for driving a printhead in greyscale printing wherein the waveforms include a pulse train of N pulses, wherein N is an integer, each pulse having a length LN, a time P(N-1)(N) existing between two adjacent pulses. The method includes: optimising a cost function that compares at least one ink ejection parameter such as drop velocity, difference in drop velocity, driving voltage, split velocity, number of split drops or drop placement error, with a printing speed parameter such as printing speed, the length LN of each pulse or the time P(N-1)(N) between two adjacent pulses.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventor: Rudi Vanhooydonck
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Patent number: 7407247Abstract: A print controller for an inkjet printhead is provided. The print controller has contone decompression circuitry for decompressing a contone layer of compressed page data, bi-level decompression circuitry for decompressing a bi-level layer of the compressed page data, halftoner and compositor circuitry for halftoning the decompressed contone planes to associated bi-level versions and compositing the decompressed bi-level layer over the halftoned contone layers, and printhead interface circuitry for receiving the halftoned and composited data so as to generate print data suitable for printing by the printhead.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Simon Robert Walmsley
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Patent number: 7407248Abstract: An image processing method performs processing to generate image data based on input data and output the image data to an image forming device. The image forming device includes a printing head in which first nozzles for ejecting color ink drops are arranged in a symmetrical formation to forward and backward scanning directions and second nozzles for ejecting black or gray ink drops are arranged in an unsymmetrical formation with respect to the first nozzles. The image forming device is adapted to perform a uni-directional printing or a bidirectional printing with the printing head. In the image processing method, a black generation processing to the input data is performed, and when performing the black generation processing, a black-generation start level for the bidirectional printing is delayed to a shadow-side gradation level from a black-generation start level for the uni-directional printing.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Masanori Hirano, Masakazu Yoshida, Shigetoshi Hosaka
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Patent number: 7407249Abstract: An array type inkjet printer with a multi pass structure and a method of compensating an irregular nozzle defect thereof. The array type inkjet printer includes a scattering portion that is configured to provide a nozzle selection pattern in which a plurality of ink dots per color is arranged in a zigzag shape over a predetermined ink scattering area. The scattering portion is also configured to select a dimension of the ink scattering area along which the dots are arranged in the zigzag shape on the basis of resolution selected for printing of printing data. The inkjet printer further includes a head controller that is configured to control discharge of ink from a nozzle according to the zigzag arrangement of the dots in the nozzle selection pattern.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2007Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jin-wook Jeong
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Patent number: 7407250Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for multi-dimensional registration printing. One embodiment of the apparatus includes an image module, a print module, and an object registration module. The image module stores a digital representation of an image. The print module prints the image on a multi-dimensional surface of an object. The object registration module controls a multi-dimensional registration of the multi-dimensional surface of the object in proximity to a print head in accordance with the image. The printing system may use a print ribbon that includes an infrared absorbent, a resin, or both.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Pixal Wizard International, IncInventors: Mark R. Jones, Gerd B. Peters-Grellenberg
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Patent number: 7407251Abstract: Reliable and quick adjustment of, for example, a print start position is achieved through accurate recognition of the positional relationship between a medium and a reference position used when printing. As regards performing printing by forming dots on a medium using a movable print head, the print head is moved by a first set amount from a reference position used when printing and it prints a first reference pattern on the medium, a position of an edge of the medium on the reference position side in the direction of movement of the print head is detected, and the print head is moved to a position that is apart by a second set amount from the position of the edge that has been detected and it prints a second reference pattern.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Takashi Akase
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Patent number: 7407252Abstract: Methods and apparatus for correcting defects, such as rounded corners and line end shortening, in patterns formed via lithography are provided. Such defects are compensated for “post-rasterization” by manipulating the grayscale values of pixel maps.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2004Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Chabreck, Samuel C. Howells, John J. Hubbard, Robin L. Teitzel
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Patent number: 7407253Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head formed with nozzles for jetting light curable ink onto a recording medium, a light irradiator having a light source for emitting light to cure the ink, and an illuminance detecting device for intermittently detecting an illuminance of the light emitted from the light source, at a predetermined interval. The inkjet recording apparatus further includes a temperature adjusting device for adjusting a temperature of the light source, and a control section for determining that the ink cannot be cured, if the illuminance detected by the illuminance detecting device is not higher than a reference value in a condition where the temperature of the light source has been adjusted into a predetermined range by the temperature adjusting device.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic Inc.Inventors: Takeshi Yokoyama, Koji Matsushima
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Patent number: 7407254Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes an inspection body that has a non-conductive substrate, a droplet receiving portion for receiving a droplet that is provided on the substrate, and a plurality of electrodes that are exposed on an inner surface portion of the droplet receiving portion. The droplet receiving portion has a size that corresponds to a droplet size in a state when a discharged droplet impacts normally. The inspection apparatus also includes a detector that is connected to the electrodes of the inspection body and detects a conductivity in the droplet receiving portion. The inspection apparatus makes it possible to inspect easily and in a short time period the discharge performance of a droplet discharge head of a droplet discharge apparatus. A droplet discharge inspection method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Toshimasa Mori
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Patent number: 7407255Abstract: A test sheet is set in a droplet discharge device at a first distance. At least one droplet is discharged toward the test sheet from a nozzle formed in the droplet discharge device to form at least one first dot on the test sheet. The test sheet is set in the droplet discharge device at a second distance differing from the first distance. At least one droplet is discharged toward the test sheet from the nozzle to form at least one second dot on the test sheet. A nozzle position error or a nozzle discharge angle error are calculated from the position of the first dot, the position of the second dot, the first distance, and the second distance. Testing inkjet heads in this manner allows accurate testing for errors in nozzle position or discharge angle.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoto Iwao, Shin Ishikura
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Patent number: 7407256Abstract: A method to compensate for a degradation of print image quality generated by a defective nozzle, from which no ink or less than a design specification required amount of ink is ejected, in an inkjet image forming device includes moving a printer head a moving distance in a scanning direction, shifting image data corresponding to nozzles of the printer head in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the printer head by the number of nozzles corresponding to the moving distance of the printer head, and printing an image by driving the nozzles according to the shifted image data, and an apparatus to compensate for a degradation of print image quality generated by a defective nozzle, from which no ink or less than a design specification required amount of ink is ejected.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eun-bong Han
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Patent number: 7407257Abstract: A mobile device including: (a) an inkjet printhead; (b) a print media feed path for directing a print medium past the printhead in a feed direction during printing; (c) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between: a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead; and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print medium, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; (d) a force transfer mechanism connected to the capper and configured such that a force provided by an edge of the print medium as it moves relative to the feed path is transferred to the capper by the force transfer mechanism, thereby to at least commence movement of the capper from the capped position to the uncapped position prior to the print medium reaching the capper.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Gregory Michael Tow
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Patent number: 7407258Abstract: In an ink jet recording apparatus, it is detected whether or not an ejection has been performed at least one time while printing an image, with respect to each nozzle, within a predetermined period (preliminary on-paper ejection cycle corresponding to the checking area C1), and the nozzle which has performed the ejection at least one time is excluded from a target of preliminary ejection within a second predetermined period (preliminary on-paper ejection cycle corresponding to the checking area C2) subsequent to the above predetermined period. As for the nozzle not excluded from the preliminary ejection target, the preliminary ejection is performed at least one time onto paper (preliminary on-paper ejection area R2) as to each nozzle at a predetermined timing within the second predetermined period (preliminary on-paper ejection cycle corresponding to the checking area C2). Accordingly, printing is not interrupted by a head recovery processing, and also unnecessary preliminary ejection can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Canon Finetech Inc.Inventors: Yasunori Nakahara, Junichi Sakurai
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Patent number: 7407259Abstract: A printhead assembly comprising a printhead and an ink distribution system is provided. The ink distribution system comprises: (a) a longitudinal distribution housing having a plurality of ducts extending longitudinally therealong, each duct corresponding to a different ink; (b) a longitudinal cover cooperating with the housing, the cover comprising a plurality of ink inlet ports, each ink inlet port corresponding to one of said ducts and being in fluid communication therewith; and (c) a laminated ink distribution structure fixed to said distribution housing and configured for distributing ink from said ducts to said printhead. The assembly is suitable for a full color pagewidth printer.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7407260Abstract: A scanning type printing device is capable of operating in a multiple printing stage mode. When operating in a multiple printing stage mode, this printing device is controlled such upon receipt of a delay signal, further printing is executed, but only the strip of the image-receiving member, whereon printing is in progress until the image portion associated with that strip is completely printed. This is done in order to overcome or at least reduce gloss variations in a printed image when printing in progress is temporarily interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Oce-Technologies B.V.Inventor: Hans Reinten
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Patent number: 7407261Abstract: An image processing apparatus for a pagewidth inkjet printer that includes an array of printhead chips that span a print area includes an elongate support structure for supporting the array of printhead chips. A plurality of printed circuit boards are mounted end-to-end on the support structure. Each printed circuit board includes a memory device. An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is connected to the memory device. The ASIC is configured to accept data to be written to the memory device and to write data from the memory device to a number of respective printhead chips. A serial bus is connected to the ASIC to write data to the ASIC. A microcontroller is connected to the ASIC so that the microcontroller can write data to the memory device, via the ASIC. A plurality of connectors is provided. Each connector is interposed between a respective ASIC and respective printhead chips.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2004Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7407262Abstract: A pagewidth printhead assembly for an inkjet printer comprising: a body portion for receiving ink from one or more ink sources and distributing the ink along the length of the printhead assembly; a plurality of integrated circuits extending the length of the printhead assembly, each integrated circuit having a plurality of nozzles formed in rows thereon, each of the nozzles being arranged in use to deliver the ink onto passing print media; and an ink distribution member upon which the integrated circuits are fixed and which distributes the ink from the body portion to the nozzles of the integrated circuits; wherein the integrated circuits are aligned in an abutting arrangement across the length of the ink distribution member.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2004Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Akira Nakazawa, Christopher Hibbard, Paul Ian MacKey, Norman Micheal Berry, Garry Raymond Jackson
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Patent number: 7407263Abstract: A head unit 103 for use in a droplet ejection apparatus is provided with a plurality of droplet ejection heads for ejecting one or more kind of liquid material of a predetermined color onto a base in the form of droplets. Each of the droplet ejection heads includes at least one nozzle array constituted from a plurality of nozzles linearly aligned. The liquid material is adapted to be ejected through the plurality of nozzles of the plurality of droplet ejection heads in the form of droplets. The plurality of droplet ejection heads include at least two sets of two adjacent droplet ejection heads which are arranged in a consecutive manner in a first direction parallel to each of the nozzle arrays.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Tomomi Kawase
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Patent number: 7407264Abstract: In a liquid discharging method for discharging droplets from a plurality of droplet discharging portions of a liquid discharging head, an actual pattern is created to indicate the discharging states of the droplets from the liquid discharging portions, and information about a defective liquid discharging portion having discharging failure is obtained by checking the discharging states. According to the information, the defective liquid discharging portion is prohibited form discharging, and discharging of droplets from a liquid discharging portion near the defective liquid discharging portion is controlled to reduce the influence of discharging failure of the defective discharging portion, and to correct image information on a recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Soichi Kuwahara, Hiroshi Udagawa
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Patent number: 7407265Abstract: A nozzle assembly is provided for an inkjet printer. The nozzle assembly includes a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet channel. An endless wall extends from the substrate assembly in alignment with the ink inlet channel. A nozzle is provided which, together with the endless wall, defines a nozzle chamber arranged to receive ink from the ink inlet channel and further defines a nozzle opening through which ink can be ejected. A lever arm extends from the nozzle. A thermal bend actuator is coupled to the lever arm and is further coupled to an anchor extending from the substrate assembly external to the wall. The thermal bend actuator is configured to move the nozzle so that the volume of the nozzle chamber varies and ink contained therein is ejected out through the nozzle opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2007Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7407266Abstract: An image forming system includes a mounting portion in which an expendable provided with a memory in which distinguishment information representing whether the expendable is compatible is stored is removably installed. The distinguishment information stored in the memory of the expendable installed in the mounting portion is read out, and operation of a predetermined object is controlled on the basis of a control information according to the distinguishment information when the distinguishment information read out represents that the expendable is compatible.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Riso Kagaku CorporationInventors: Kaoru Kimura, Tomohiro Ogawa, Sigeyuki Chuugun
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Patent number: 7407267Abstract: The liquid droplet ejection head comprises: a base plate which has a common supply flow channel formed throughout an entire dimension in a lengthwise direction of the base plate; a plurality of short head modules which are assembled on the base plate to form a long head, each of the plurality of short head modules including ejection ports ejecting droplets of liquid and a liquid flow channel supplying the liquid to the ejection ports from the common supply flow channel; and a positioning mechanism through which the short head modules are detachably installed on the base plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Katsumi Enomoto, Toshiya Kojima
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Patent number: 7407268Abstract: A cartridge alignment mechanism. A cartridge, detachably installed in a carriage, comprises an abutting surface symmetrical to a symmetrical plane and corresponding to an abutting datum surface, and first and second alignment surfaces respectively corresponding to first and second datum surfaces. The cartridge disposed in the carriage cause the first and second datum surfaces to abut the first and second alignment surfaces to align the cartridge in the Y and Z directions, and the abutting datum surface abuts the abutting surface in Z-direction to align the cartridge in X-direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Qisda CorporationInventor: Chih-Hung Chen
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Patent number: 7407269Abstract: An ink jet printhead chip includes a substrate. Drive circuitry is positioned in the substrate. A plurality of nozzle arrangements is positioned on the substrate. Each nozzle arrangement includes nozzle chamber walls and a roof wall that define a nozzle chamber and an ink ejection port in the roof wall in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. An ink pusher is operatively positioned with respect to the nozzle chamber and is displaceable through a range of between 1 micron and 5 microns to eject ink from the ink ejection port. An actuator is connected to the drive circuitry and the ink pusher to displace the ink pusher on receipt of an electrical signal from the drive circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2002Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7407270Abstract: Provided are a liquid jet head and a liquid jet apparatus in which it is possible to securely connect drawn wires and connection wires and to improve reliability. Connection portions 91 of drawn wires 90 drawn from piezoelectric elements 300 and pad portions 101 of a drive IC 100 for driving the piezoelectric elements 300 are connected by connection wires 110 formed by wire bonding and extended in directions intersecting drawing directions of the connection portions 91. Accordingly, the connection wires 110 and the drawn wires 90 are suitably connected.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Yutaka Furuhata
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Patent number: 7407271Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead which comprises a plurality of nozzles and one or more heater elements corresponding to each nozzle. Each heater element is configured to heat a ejectable liquid in the printhead to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble therein. The generation of the bubble causes the ejection of a drop of the ejectable liquid (such as ink) through the respective corresponding nozzle, to effect printing. Each heater element is configured such that the energy applied to it to heat the ejectable liquid to cause the ejection of a drop is less than that required to heat a volume of the ejectable liquid equal to the volume of such a drop, from an ambient temperature (being the temperature at which the ejectable liquid enters the printhead) to the temperature of such a drop when it is ejected. The printhead thus has a self-cooling function.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7407272Abstract: An ink jet head substrate, an ink jet head and method of manufacturing the ink jet head substrate. The ink jet head substrate includes a supporting structure and at least one heat-generating resistor disposed on the supporting structure to generate a thermal energy to eject ink and made of metal carbon nitride. The metal carbon nitride is represented as a chemical formula of MxCyNz where M is metal, X is within about 20 through 80, Y is within about 3 through 25, and Z is within about 10 through 60, when X+Y+Z=100. Further, the heat-generating resistor has a resistivity of 300˜2000 ??·Cm.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jae-Sik Min, Sung-Joon Park, Young-Ung Ha
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Patent number: 7407273Abstract: A piezo-driven micro-droplet jet generator comprises an ejection seat, having an ejection plate with a plurality of ejection holes; a membrane, having a front side facing the ejection seat and a rear side; a piezoelectric plate, placed at the rear side of the membrane, at least partly touching the membrane and, when electric voltage is applied, driving a vibrating movement of the membrane towards the ejection plate; a base plate, at four corners thereof fastened to the ejection seat and to the membrane; and a flow path inside the ejection seat, allowing liquid to be let into a space inside the ejection seat; wherein liquid between the membrane and the ejection plate upon the vibrating movement undergoes pressure, being ejected through the plurality of ejection holes.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Tien-Ho Gau, Yu-Yin Peng, Chin-Pin Chien
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Patent number: 7407274Abstract: An ink container for containing ink to be supplied to an ink jet head to which the ink container is detachably mountable, inclues an ink supply port for supplying the ink to the ink jet head; a air vent for fluid communication with ambience; a claw-like projection provided on a first side of the ink container; a latching lever provided on a second side opposite from the ink container, the latching lever being resiliently supported on the ink container and having a latching claw.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1997Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Inoue, Sadayuki Sugama, Soichi Hiramatsu, Toshihiko Ujita, Akihiro Yamanaka, Yasuo Kotaki, Keiichiro Tsukuda
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Patent number: 7407275Abstract: An ink container for containing ink to be supplied to an ink jet head to which the ink container is detachably mountable, includes an ink supply port for supplying the ink to the ink jet head; a air vent for fluid communication with ambience; a claw-like projection provided on a first side of the ink container; a latching lever provided on a second side opposite from the ink container, the latching lever being resiliently supported on the ink container and having a latching claw.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Inoue, Sadayuki Sugama, Soichi Hiramatsu, Toshihiko Ujita, Akihiro Yamanaka, Yasuo Kotaki, Keiichiro Tsukuda
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Patent number: 7407276Abstract: An ink jet printer includes an ink supply system and a printhead with nozzles for ejecting ink drops. The printer determines the average size of the ejected ink drops by comparing the number of ink drops ejected in a predetermined time with the quantity of ink delivered through the printers ink supply system during that time. If the determined average ink drop size does not match predetermined ink drop size criteria, the printer adjusts the activation signals for the ink jet nozzles to alter the ink drop size. A solid ink printer determines the quantity of ink delivered through the ink supply system by counting the number of whole or partial ink sticks that pass a predetermined point in the ink supply system. The counter detects a sensing element formed on an external surface of the ink stick. Exemplary detectors include a mechanical arm, or a thermistor to detect a change in the printer melt plate temperature due to a change in the cross sectional area of an ink stick being melted.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Scott J. Korn
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Patent number: 7407277Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes an image recording head for jetting image recording ink onto a recording medium conveyed in a sub scanning direction, while the recording head reciprocally moving in the main scanning direction, the image recording head having an image recording nozzle array including a plurality of nozzles; an auxiliary recording head for jetting auxiliary recording ink for enhancing image recording, the auxiliary recording head having an auxiliary recording nozzle array including a plurality of nozzles, the auxiliary recording nozzle array being disposed along the sub scanning direction in parallel to the image recording nozzle array; and a control section for controlling the image recording nozzle array and the auxiliary recording nozzle array so as to change respective ink jetting areas by selecting nozzles, for respectively jetting ink, from the image recording nozzle array and the auxiliary recording nozzle array, according to a recording mode.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.Inventor: Tsutomu Yoneyama
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Patent number: 7407278Abstract: An offset printing apparatus for transferring a phase change ink onto a print medium having a phase change ink component for applying a phase change ink in a phase change ink image; an imaging member for accepting the phase change ink image from the phase change ink component, and transferring the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, and a transfix pressure member positioned in association with the imaging member, wherein the print medium passes through a nip formed between the imaging member and the transfix pressure member, and wherein the imaging member exerts pressure on the transfix pressure member so as to transfer and fuse the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, and further wherein the transfix pressure member includes a substrate; and an outer layer having a modulus of from about 8 to about 300 MPa, a thickness of from about 0.3 to about 10 mm, and wherein the pressure exerted at the nip is from about 750 to about 4,000 psi.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Jeffrey R. Kohne, Santokh S. Badesha, Edward B. Caruthers, Jr., Anthony Yeznach, Anthony S. Condello, Michael C. Gordon, James E. Williams
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Patent number: 7407279Abstract: For a cleaning the conveyor belt of the image forming apparatus, the adhesive surface of the sheet of the sheet roller abuts on the outer surface of the conveyor belt, and the conveyor belt is driven in a direction so that the sheet roller rotates to roll the sheet in order to conduct a cleaning. For a renewal of the sheet, the conveyor belt is driven in a direction so that the sheet roller to unroll the sheet, the sheet is unrolled for a predetermined length, adhered to the outer surface of the conveyor belt and cut off in order to renew the adhesive surface of the sheet of the sheet roller.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2003Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Atsuhisa Nakashima
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Patent number: 7407280Abstract: A lens for sunglasses is provided which is capable of blocking light incident also from the side, of sufficiently fitting the face of a wearer, and of being attached to any eyeglass frame. The polarizing lens for sunglasses is formed by subjecting a laminated plate having a laterally elongated shape to a bending process and has a curved lens surface which is convex in the front face and concave in the rear face. The curved lens surface is formed into an aspherical curved surface in which the degree of curvature along a lateral axis in the outer side with respect to the center of the lens surface is larger than those along the lateral axis in the inner side and along a vertical axis and continuously varies so as to gradually increase from the center of the lens surface toward the periphery thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Optical Ventures, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Posin, Ryuji Watanabe
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Patent number: 7407281Abstract: A pair of windshield eyeglasses (101) comprises: lenses (106) and a frame (102) for holding the lenses. Each of the lenses or the frame includes an edge formed with a windshield (107) for sealing a gap between the edge and a face of a user. The windshield extends from the edge and ranges from laterally inward side of the face to an upper intermediate portion and to a lower intermediate portion of the frame. By providing the windshield, the airflow along the user's face is changed to flow along the outside of the windshield. Therefore, the airflow along the face is prevented from entering between the eyeglass inner surface and the user's face. In particular, the airflow is effectively prevented from affecting the eyes from medial angles of eyes toward lateral angles of eyes. This eliminates interference with the natural flow of tears on the eye surface, making it possible to effectively prevent drying and inflammation in the eyes, or prevent foreign materials from coming into the eyes.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Madmix Japan Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masahiro Tagawa
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Patent number: 7407282Abstract: An eyeglass temple assembly has a main body combined with a foam earplug at an outer end. A moving element connected to an inner end of the main body has one end being provided with an annual toothed portion having an engaging segment therein. A connecting element connected to an eyeglass frame has one end provided with an annual toothed plate with a through hole so as to correspondingly and pivotally connect to the moving element. Curved grooves are provided along a perimeter between the through hole and the annual toothed plate on the connecting element so as to provide flexibility for the engaging segment of the connecting element to pass through the through hole of the connecting element. Whereby the eyeglass temple assembly can be used in combination with eyeglasses with functional lenses, so as to facilitate position adjustment of the eyeglasses by moving the eyeglasses up and down.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: BOR JYE Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chun-Nan Chen
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Patent number: 7407283Abstract: A goggle lens comprises a first surface (210) and a second surface (220) separated by a thickness (230, 240) of the goggle lens. The goggle lens is made up of a central region (121), a first lateral region (122) on a first side of the central region, and a second lateral region (123) on an opposite side of the central region. The first surface of the goggle lens is a portion of a first ellipse (211) and the second surface of the goggle lens is a portion of a second ellipse (221). The goggle lens complies with at least one of a MIL-PRF-31013 standard, a EA-L-1381B standard, and a FNS/PD 86-20 standard, all of which define particular specifications for impact resistance.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Fosta-Tek Optics, Inc.Inventors: Joseph John James Babineau, James Raymond LeBlanc, Aaron Ryan Cyr, Donald Henry Salafia, Paul Isabelle
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Patent number: 7407284Abstract: Methods of coating at least a portion of a curved surface of a lens with a polarizing liquid. One method includes providing a lens having a curved surface and a lens axis; and rotating the lens about a rotation axis such that a polarizing liquid flows over at least a portion of the curved surface; the rotation axis being offset from the lens axis. Other methods are included. Apparatuses include ophthalmic lenses having polarized coatings formed according to any of the disclosed methods.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Essilor International Compagnie Generale d'OptiqueInventors: Richard Muisener, Frederic Chaput, Herbert Mosse
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Patent number: 7407285Abstract: The present invention contemplates an ophthalmic adaptive-optics instrument to obtain patient-verified prescription of low and high-order aberrations. The present invention further contemplates a new and improved method and apparatus of customized corneal ablation using a patient-verified prescription of low and high-order aberrations. The patient-verified prescription of high-order aberrations characterizes the aberration correction needed for optimal visual acuity and enables customized corneal ablation to achieve optimal visual acuity for each individual patient.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2003Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Inventors: Ming Lai, Casimir Swinger, Meijuan Yuan
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Patent number: 7407286Abstract: A device for determining a chemical composition of a living eye including a light emitting unit configured to emit a light beam, a light guidance unit including at least one first focusing lens having an entry surface and an exit surface to be brought in optical contact with the eye and to illuminate at least part of the eye with the light beam emitted by the light emitting unit and to receive and guide at least a fraction of a light beam leaving the eye towards the light detecting unit. The light guidance unit is arranged to illuminate the part of the eye with the light beam having an oblique angle of incidence with respect to a visual axis of the eye, and includes a second focusing lens having an entry surface and an exit surface. Further, the exit surface of the first focusing lens has a curvature conformal to a wave front of the light beam leaving the exit surface and impinging on the part of the eye.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Universiteit MaastrichtInventors: Johny De Brabander, Franciscus Hermanus Maria Jongsma
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Patent number: 7407287Abstract: A pupil measuring apparatus comprises a mark 1d placed in a space where a background is observable from the two eyes E; a mark moving device 1e for moving the mark 1d between the two eyes E and the background; an illumination optical system 1g for illuminating the two eyes E from the background side; two cameras A, B for respectively imaging the two pupils PP; calculating means 2a to 2e for calculating areas or diameters of the respective pupils thus imaged, from video signals of the two cameras A, B; and a display 3 for providing an output of a graph of change in the areas or diameters calculated against a position of the mark 1d or a time associated with the position on a single screen.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.Inventor: Naotoshi Hakamata