Patents Issued in September 14, 2010
  • Patent number: 7794043
    Abstract: An ink jet recording head includes a large nozzle array including a plurality of ejection outlets for ejecting ink and a small nozzle array including a plurality of ejection outlets, each having an opening area smaller than an opening area of ejection outlets of the large nozzle array. The ink jet recording head is mountable to an ink jet recording apparatus which is capable of causing the ink jet recording head to eject ink for a purpose of maintenance of the ink jet recording head without image formation on a recording material, the large nozzle array is supplied with light ink such as yellow, light cyan or light magenta ink, and the small nozzle array is supplied with dark ink such as cyan, magenta or black ink. The number of ejections of the dark ink is greater than the number of ejections of the light ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shingo Nagata, Nobuyuki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7794044
    Abstract: A plurality of ejection portions are divided into groups, each containing at least one ejection portion, so that the suction-based recovery operation can be performed for each group independently. Since the number of ejection portions contained in each group differs, if an ink flow resistance varies among the different groups, simultaneous suction-based recovery operations can be done by using a common suction pump, without having to sequentially perform the suction-based recovery operations under an optimum pump driving condition. For this purpose, inner diameters of a plurality of ink discharge tubes running from a plurality of cap units, which cap a plurality of print head units having different numbers of ejection portions, to the common pump are differentiated. This allows different flows to be produced in different ink discharge systems, thus generating desirable ink flows for individual ink supply systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Yoshikawa, Hiroshi Tajika, Hitoshi Nishikori, Daisaku Ide, Takeshi Yazawa, Atsuhiko Masuyama, Akiko Maru, Hideaki Takamiya
  • Patent number: 7794045
    Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus capable of high-quality recording without smudging recording media and the interior of the recording apparatus even when a frameless recording operation using reactive ink that coheres with each other when mixed together is performed. The ink-jet recording apparatus includes a recording head having a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array, and an ink absorbent facing the nozzle arrays. The first nozzle array discharges a first ink, and the second nozzle array discharges a second ink. The first and second ink is a reactive ink that coheres with each other when mixed together. During the frameless recording operation on a front edge of the recording medium, some of the first and second ink discharged from the respective nozzle arrays of the recording head adheres to the front edge, and some of the ink adheres to separate positions on the ink absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Nakano
  • Patent number: 7794046
    Abstract: A fluid ejection system includes a receiver transport system configured to transport a receiver in a first direction, a first fluid ejection head including a first set of fluid ejection nozzles to deposit fluid drops on a first surface of the receiver, and a second fluid ejection head including a second set of fluid ejection nozzles to deposit fluid drops on a second surface of the receiver. The first set of fluid ejection nozzles are distributed in a first region that extends at least up to an edge of the first surface that is substantially parallel to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Baker
  • Patent number: 7794047
    Abstract: An imaging array and method of forming an imaging array includes a plurality of staggered imaging dies formed as a row of alternating open spaces and imaging dies. A plurality of driver dies can be adaptively arranged in the open spaces formed by the staggered imaging dies. The use of the open spaces between the staggered imaging dies allows for a color imaging array that occupies a waterfront of approximately 20 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Drake, Peter Nystrom
  • Patent number: 7794048
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead that has a support member for mounting it into a printer body adjacent a media feed path. A plurality of printhead IC's are mounted contiguously adjacent each other along the support member. Each of the printhead IC's has an array of nozzles, the array of nozzles on each printhead IC being identical and arranged into a series of nozzle rows such that most nozzles in each nozzle row are co-linear with the corresponding nozzle row in an adjacent printhead IC. The array of nozzles on each printhead IC is elongate and has an end portion of the array with the nozzles displaced downstream from the remainder of the array with respect to the media feed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 7794049
    Abstract: Provided is an elongate multi-chip printhead unit for a pagewidth printer. The unit includes a number of integrated circuits laid end-to-end, each having a multitude of micro-electromechanical nozzles for ejecting printing fluid. The unit also includes an ink distribution molding defining a plurality of elongate conduits for distributing printing fluid to the printhead. Also included is a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to relay data signals from a printer controller to respective ends of the integrated circuits, as well as busbars positioned to provide drive current to the micro-electromechanical nozzles of the printhead. The busbars are retained in position at one end by a socket, and at both ends by wrap-around wings of the PCB. The unit further includes a support member for holding the integrated circuits, molding, busbars and PCB in appropriate alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Norman Michael Berry, Akira Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 7794050
    Abstract: A printhead nozzle is provided having a substrate having drive circuitry and an inlet for ejection fluid, a fluid chamber having an outlet for ejection fluid, the fluid chamber arranged on the substrate to receive ejection fluid from the inlet, and a heating element connected to the drive circuitry, the heating element having a relatively reduced volume proximate the drive circuitry and being arranged to be heated by the drive circuitry to cause the ejection fluid in the fluid chamber to be ejected through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7794051
    Abstract: A printhead assembly for use as a page width printhead in a printing system includes a casing assembly for housing drive electronics. A printhead module is mounted in the casing. The printhead module includes a fluid channel member. Printhead tiles are carried by the fluid channel member, the printhead tiles having printhead integrated circuits incorporating printing nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King, Janette Faye Lee
  • Patent number: 7794052
    Abstract: A printhead module for a printhead assembly of a pagewidth ink jet printer. The printhead module comprises: an upper micromolding locating a printhead integrated circuit, wherein the upper micromolding includes a first series of ink inlets in fluid communication with the printhead integrated circuit; a lower micromolding including a second series of ink inlets which are in fluid communication with the first series of ink inlets; and a mid-package film located between the upper and lower micromoldings, wherein the mid-package film includes a plurality of holes through which ink passes from the second series of ink inlets to the first series of ink inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7794053
    Abstract: Inkjet printheads with high nozzle areal density are disclosed. Various structures are shown where the areal density of nozzles is greater than 200 million per square meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7794054
    Abstract: A droplet printing apparatus using capillary electric charge concentration includes a reservoir which contains a solution, a capillary nozzle comprising a back-end part and a front-end part disposed substantially opposite the back-end part, a target member spaced apart from the front-end part of the capillary nozzle at a predetermined distance, and a voltage supplier which supplies a voltage to the solution, wherein the back-end part is immersed in the solution and transmits the solution to the front-end part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Beom-seok Lee, Jeong-gun Lee, In-seok Kang, Jin-seok Hong, Dustin Moon
  • Patent number: 7794055
    Abstract: A thermal bend actuator, having a plurality of elongate cantilever beams, is provided. The actuator comprises: a first active beam for connection to drive circuitry, the first beam being defined by a tortuous beam element, the tortuous beam element having a plurality of contiguous beam members; and a second passive beam mechanically cooperating with the first beam. When a current is passed through the first beam, the first beam expands relative to the second beam, resulting in bending of the actuator. The plurality of contiguous beam members comprises a plurality of longer beam members extending along a longitudinal axis of the first beam, and at least one shorter beam member extending across a transverse axis of the first beam and interconnecting longer beam members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7794056
    Abstract: An inkjet nozzle assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a nozzle chamber comprising a floor and a roof. The roof has a nozzle opening defined therein, and a moving portion moveable towards the floor. The assembly further comprises a thermal bend actuator, having a plurality of cantilever beams, for ejecting ink through the nozzle opening. A first active beam of the actuator defines at least 30% of a total area of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7794057
    Abstract: A fluid ejection device having firing cells, signal lines configured to receive a series of pulses, and an address generator configured to receive pulses from the series of pulses and generate a set of address signals in response to the received pulses, wherein the set of address signals is adapted to enable the firing cells for activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Trudy L. Benjamin, James P Axtell
  • Patent number: 7794058
    Abstract: In order to hermetically seal more surely a gap between a back surface of a liquid discharge substrate and a front surface of a support member, and an electrode portion etc., without adversely affecting discharge performance, a liquid discharge head includes a first sealing resin coated on a portion between the liquid supply port and the pad on the support surface so as to surround a tip end portion at the liquid supply port of the support member and a second sealing resin for sealing a gap between the support member and the liquid discharge substrate, and a peripheral part of the liquid supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Seida, Riichi Saito
  • Patent number: 7794059
    Abstract: A nozzle is provided for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle includes a wafer assembly defining an ink supply channel. A chamber roof layer is supported by the wafer assembly. The chamber roof layer defines a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink supply channel and a nozzle aperture through which ink in the nozzle chamber can be ejected. A thermal actuator is sandwiched between the wafer assembly and the chamber roof layer. The thermal actuator includes a heater element which, upon actuation, ejects ink from the nozzle chamber out through the nozzle aperture. The chamber roof layer defines an external patterned surface surrounding the nozzle aperture, the patterned surface being configured to inhibit dust particles from sticking to the chamber roof layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7794060
    Abstract: Provided is a unit cell arrangement for an inkjet printhead. The unit cell arrangement includes a substrate that defines an ink inlet and sidewalls supporting a roof portion on the wafer substrate to form an ink chamber. The roof portion defines at least one nozzle rim. The unit cell also includes a heater element suspended in the chamber between the sidewalls for thermal cavitation of ink in the chamber to facilitate ink ejection via the nozzle rim. Further included is a rectifying valve arranged in the ink inlet to provide decreased hydraulic resistance to ink flowing into the chamber than ink flowing out of the chamber in order to reduce fluidic cross talk between chambers of similar unit cells on the substrate and to improve ink refill times of the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Mehdi Azimi, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7794061
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead with an array of droplet ejectors arranged in adjacent rows, each nozzle having a nozzle, a chamber for containing printing fluid and a corresponding actuator for ejecting the printing fluid through the nozzle. Each of the chambers has a respective inlet to refill the printing fluid ejected by the actuator. A printing fluid supply channel extends parallel to the adjacent rows for supplying printing fluid to the actuator of each droplet ejector in the array via the respective inlets. The inlets for one of the adjacent rows configured for a refill flowrate that is substantially the same as the refill flowrate through the inlets for another of the adjacent rows. The invention configures the nozzle array so that several rows are filled from one side of an ink supply channel. This allows a greater density of nozzles on the printhead surface because the supply channel is not supplying just one row of nozzles along each side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7794062
    Abstract: An ink-jet printer head comprises a plurality of pressure chambers, a plurality of restricting passages which are arranged in parallel and are respectively connected to the plurality of pressure chambers, and a dummy restricting passage provided to be located adjacent a restricting passage located at an end in a direction in which the restricting passages are arranged. The pressure chambers other than the pressure chamber located at an end in which the pressure chambers are arranged are respectively configured to at least partially overlap with passages connected to their adjacent pressure chambers as viewed from above, and the dummy connecting passage forms an inner space at least partially overlapping with the pressure chamber located at the end as viewed from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Ito
  • Patent number: 7794063
    Abstract: An ink-jet head includes a channel unit which includes a plurality of pressure chambers, a vibration plate stacked on the channel unit, and a piezoelectric material layer arranged on the vibration plate. The piezoelectric material layer includes a first portion functioning as a piezoelectric actuator, and a second portion functioning as a piezoelectric transformer which amplifies a driving signal to be supplied to the piezoelectric actuator. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a small-size ink-jet head with a built-in piezoelectric amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7794064
    Abstract: A liquid-jet head includes a passage-forming substrate. A plurality of pressure generating chambers communicating with nozzles. Piezoelectric elements each include a lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer and an upper electrode. Leads for the upper and lower electrodes are drawn out. In the liquid-jet head, the lower electrode is a common electrode continuously provided in the region facing the pressure generating chambers. At least an end on one side of the lower electrode in a direction perpendicular to an arrangement direction of the pressure generating chambers is positioned in the region facing the pressure generating chambers. The lead electrode for the lower electrode is provided outside of a region corresponding to a space between the pressure generating chambers. The lead electrode for the lower electrode is connected through a common lead portion extended from the lower electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7794065
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes an elongate ink feed structure defining a plurality of longitudinally extending ink supply passages and a plurality of spaced apart sets of outlet holes with the holes of each set being in fluid communication with respective ink supply passages. A plurality of printhead modules is serially arranged along the ink feed structure in fluid communication with respective sets of outlet holes. Each printhead module includes an elongate printhead configured to eject ink supplied from the ink feed structure and angled with respect to the ink feed structure so that the printheads are oriented obliquely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the ink feed structure. A capping arrangement is configured to cap the printheads when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7794066
    Abstract: A printhead structure is provided comprising a moulding, silicon wafer and a plurality of microelectromechanical ink ejection devices. The moulding at least defines a fluid reservoir and a first passage in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The silicon wafer at least defines a second passage spaced from the first passage and a third passage arranged to provide fluid communication between the first and second passages. The microelectromechanical ink ejection devices are in fluid communication with the second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King, Garry Raymond Jackson
  • Patent number: 7794067
    Abstract: In an ink cartridge, a negative pressure generating mechanism is disposed between an ink storage region and an ink supply port, and has a wall surface having two through-holes for ink flow, and a valve member contacted with and separated from the through-hole by receiving a pressure in an ink supply port side. Ink flowing via the through-hole is supplied via the through-hole to the ink supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Miyazawa, Atsushi Kobayashi, Satoshi Shinada
  • Patent number: 7794068
    Abstract: A method of regulating a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to an inkjet printhead is provided. The method comprises withdrawing a volume of ink from an ink chamber and simultaneously bubbling air bubbles into the chamber via a bubble outlet to balance the withdrawn volume of ink. Each air bubble is defined by an air cavity trapped inside a film or a body of ink. The bubble outlet is dimensioned to control a Laplace pressure of the air bubbles, thereby regulating a hydrostatic pressure of the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: John Douglas Peter Morgan, Miao Wang, Patrick John McAuliffe, David John Worboys, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7794069
    Abstract: An ink cartridge includes an ink chamber configured to store ink and a light blocking layer disposed within the ink chamber. The light blocking layer is fluid and is insoluble to the ink, which may be a water-based ink. A density of the light blocking layer is less than a density of ink stored in the ink chamber. The light blocking layer may comprise an oil or a plurality of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroto Sugahara
  • Patent number: 7794070
    Abstract: An inkjet printer that has a printhead and a plurality of printing fluid reservoirs, each of the printing fluid reservoirs storing a different type of printing fluid. A refill interface on the printer allows the printing fluid reservoirs to be refilled by docking with a range of refill dispensers. Each of the refill dispensers in the range contains one of the types of printing fluid stored in one of the printing fluid reservoirs. The docking interface has docking formations for engagement with complementary formations on each of the refill dispensers in the range respectively such that the refill interface can dock with only one of the refill dispensers at any one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7794071
    Abstract: Provided is an ink supply bag for a printhead cartridge. The supply bag includes two profiled panels arranged generally coplanar and co-terminally attached to form an ink holding chamber, along with a folded leaf spring biasing said chamber into an expanded position. The supply bag further includes a connector assembly operatively arranging said chamber in fluid communication with ink supply channels of the printhead cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Christopher Hibbard, Kia Silverbrook, Akira Nakazawa, Garry Raymond Jackson, John Douglas Peter Morgan
  • Patent number: 7794072
    Abstract: A solid ink delivery system for use with a solid ink stick for use in solid ink printers is provided. The solid ink delivery system is used for delivering the stick to a melting station for melting the stick so that the ink may be transferred to media to form an image on the media. The delivery system includes a guide for guiding the stick in a prescribed path. The guide defines a loading position to permit the stick to be placed in the guide and a delivery position adjacent the melt station. The stick advances from the loading position to the delivery position in the prescribed path and a portion of the prescribed path is arcuate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ernest Isreal Esplin, Michael Alan Fairchild
  • Patent number: 7794073
    Abstract: A light guide 3c of the printing shear detection sensor 3 is shaped so that the width of a side cross section when viewed in the conveying direction of a recording paper sheet P indicated by arrow B may be gradually smaller with an increasing degree of change from the top toward the bottom. The light emitted from the light emitting device 3a is incident on the light guide 3c from above, passes through the light guide 3c while being reflected on the side surface of the light guide 3c, is emitted toward the recording paper sheet P from the bottom of the light guide 3c, converged and projected on the recording paper sheet P as slit-like light. The light reflected on the recording paper sheet P is incident on the light receiving device 3b and thus, the printing shear detection pattern formed on the recording paper sheet P can be detected with high accuracy. The light guide 3c can be manufactured with using an inexpensive molding die at low costs, distinct from the conventional condenser lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignees: Funai Electric Co., Ltd., Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikio Shoki
  • Patent number: 7794074
    Abstract: A method of curing radiation-curable fluid is described. In one example, the method includes emitting radiation from an array of light-emitting diodes towards ink to be cured. LEDs are cheap, light weight, highly efficient in their conversion of electrical power, and give effectively instant switching to full power. Another advantage is that the emission spectrum of an LED is sharply peaked around the nominal frequency. Thus LEDs give several advantages over conventional radiation sources such as mercury lamps. A low oxygen environment is preferably provided at the radiation source to accelerate the curing reaction. Also described are inks which are specially formulated to respond to the radiation emission spectrum of an LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignees: INCA Digital Printers Limited, Sericol Limited
    Inventors: Jindrich Vosahlo, Carole Noutary
  • Patent number: 7794075
    Abstract: Ultraviolet ray irradiation devices are attached to a carriage having a print head that ejects ultraviolet curable ink, and include a plurality of ultraviolet light sources and that irradiate ultraviolet rays onto an ink coating ejected on a print sheet by a print head. An ultraviolet ray that is irradiated onto the print sheet in the vicinity of the print head has a wavelength longer than an ultraviolet ray that is irradiated onto the print sheet apart from the vicinity of the print head along the moving direction of the carriage. The ultraviolet ray irradiation devices are capable of sufficiently curing ultraviolet curable ink without the problem of only the surface of the ink being cured in a print process (for example, a monochrome print process) when the ink coating adhered to the recording medium is relatively thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Keitaro Nakano, Takashi Oyanagi, Kazushige Inoue
  • Patent number: 7794076
    Abstract: The ultraviolet ray irradiation devices are attached to a carriage having a print head that ejects the ultraviolet curable ink, and include a plurality of ultraviolet light sources that irradiate ultraviolet rays onto ink coating ejected on a print sheet by the print head. An ultraviolet ray of the ultraviolet light source that irradiates the ultraviolet ray onto the print sheet in the vicinity of the print head has a wavelength shorter than an ultraviolet ray of the ultraviolet light source that irradiates the ultraviolet ray onto the print sheet apart from the vicinity of the print head along the moving direction of the carriage. The ultraviolet ray irradiation device is capable of sufficiently curing a plurality of ultraviolet curable ink adhered on a recording medium without incurring a problem of blurring or color mixing for a multiple-color printing process such as a full-color printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Keitaro Nakano, Takashi Oyanagi, Kazushige Inoue
  • Patent number: 7794077
    Abstract: An inkjet printer with a print head carriage is disposed above the printing bed for displacing a print head unit in a transverse feed direction, a print head unit with at least one print head being provided for every color to be printed and having at least one nozzle row oriented in the forward feed direction of the print medium. Another print head unit is provided for applying white ink, whereby the row length of the color print head unit and the row length of the other print head unit at least partially overlap with one another, and whereby of the nozzles of the nozzle row of the color print head unit, only those nozzles lying outside of the overlap region between the row length of the color print head unit and the row length of the other print head unit activated for applying white ink are activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Durst Phototechnik Digital Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Falser, Peter Duracher, Franz Obertegger
  • Patent number: 7794078
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of printing a substrate using an inkjet printer which includes a holder to rotatably receive a roll on which the substrate is wound, a downstream print zone and an inkjet printhead for printing the substrate at the print zone, a transport means for engaging and transporting the substrate to the print zone during which transport the substrate is unwound from the roll, and a guide element which is situated downstream of the roll in front of the transport means to guide the substrate from the roll to the transport means, the method including the steps of transporting the substrate over a predetermined distance with control of the transport means, during which transport the guide element is moved from a first position which the guide element occupies prior to the transport, to a second position such that the distance over which the substrate extends between the roll and the transport means is smaller as a result of the movement and after the substrate has been transported over th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Oce-Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen J. G. Coenen, Barry B. Goeree
  • Patent number: 7794079
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a printhead assembly is described that can allow dynamic nozzle and drop placement adjustment in one or more directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Von Essen, John A. Higginson, Andreas Bibl, Deane A. Gardner, Micheal Rocchio, Stephen R. Deming, Daniel Alan West
  • Patent number: 7794080
    Abstract: The invention provides a magnetic connector for use between members to magnetically connect members such as members between eyewear. Magnetic connector has first and second magnets positioned in or on first and second eyewear members, respectively. Magnets are positioned substantially parallel to each other in a plane and rotate about an axis. A magnetic field of attraction is created between magnets when magnets are in sufficient proximity to each other thereby substantially connecting members. When magnets disengage or fall out of alignment due to force or pressure against members, magnets disengage and allow members to break away without damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Eyenovate, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Zelazowski
  • Patent number: 7794081
    Abstract: A scanning laser ophthalmoscope comprises: a laser source that emits a laser beam; an irradiation optical system that scans the laser beam over a fundus two-dimensionally; a photoreceptor optical system that receives reflection from the fundus by using a photoreceptor element; an image processor that obtains an image of the fundus based on an output signal from the photoreceptor element; a monitor; and a controller that causes the monitor to display the obtained fundus image, wherein the image processor comprises a subtractive processing circuit that performs time-subtractive processing on the output signal from the photoreceptor element in a state where the output signal is input as an analog signal, and forms the fundus image based on the signal subjected to the subtractive processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujishiro, Junichi Akita
  • Patent number: 7794082
    Abstract: An ophthalmological measuring system for obtaining biometric data of an eye. with a view to the pre-operative determination of a replacement lens or supplementary lens or refractive operations. The invention includes a combination of a measuring instrument based on ultrasound, an optical measuring instrument, and an evaluation unit, measuring values of the optical measuring instrument and/or of the measuring instrument based on ultrasound being used by the evaluation unit for determining the biometric data of an eye. Furthermore, keratometric and/or pachymetric measurements can also be carried out. The combination of different measuring systems enables a complete examination or diagnosis of a patient on a measuring table, so that the patient does not need to be moved, or have to come back at a later date for more measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Roland Bergner, Ingo Koschmieder, Wilfried Bissmann
  • Patent number: 7794083
    Abstract: A fundus oculi observation device comprises: a first image forming part configured to optically acquire data and form a 2-dimensional image of a surface of a fundus oculi of an eye based on the data; a second image forming part configured to optically acquire data and form a tomographic image of the fundus oculi based on the data; a display; a controller configured to cause the display to display the 2-dimensional image and the tomographic image side by side; and a designating part configured to designate a partial region of the displayed tomographic image, wherein the controller finds a position within the 2-dimensional image corresponding to the designated partial region, and displays designated-position information in a superimposed state on the position within the 2-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Hisashi Tsukada, Koki Harumoto, Tsutomu Kikawa, Yasufumi Fukuma, Hiroyuki Otsuka
  • Patent number: 7794084
    Abstract: A single-plate image pickup element picks up an eye fundus image. A tricolor separation color filter includes R, G, and B filter elements arranged in a mosaic so as to correspond to the pixels of the image pickup element. Each virtual pixel value of color image data is calculated from light detection data of adjacent pixels. Thus, image data of a color still image is generated. The R filter elements transmit near-infrared light. Each virtual pixel value is calculated from light detection data of pixels corresponding to B or G filter elements that are adjacent to the R filters and have sensitivity to near-infrared light. Thus, image data of a near-infrared light monochrome moving image is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshifumi Masaki, Toshiaki Okumura, Shinya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7794085
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining the center of rotation of an eye of a person relative to a frame of reference associated with the person or with said person's eyeglasses, making it possible to determine the visual axis of the person along at least two non-parallel directions by viewing a target, and to define an optimum point of intersection of said axes as the center of rotation of the eye, at least two relative positions of said target and of the person's head being measured. In the invention, said target is constituted by a light source and is disposed at one end of a tubular support, with the other end being for disposing facing the person's eye, the support carrying a first position sensor, a second position sensor being for placing on the person's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventors: Thierry Bonnin, Bruno Decreton, Gildas Marin, Cécile Petignaud
  • Patent number: 7794086
    Abstract: An opthalmoscope. Implementations include a handle coupled to a head where the head includes a front section coupled with a diopter wheel and the front section includes a view window. A back section fixedly attached to the front section includes a diopter number viewer, a trigger button, and a digital imaging section. The digital imaging section may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The trigger button may be adjacent to the handle and may be positioned opposite the front section between the handle and the LCD screen. The back section may include a rounded projection rotatably coupled with a central hole in the diopter wheel extending from a diopter surface substantially parallel with and in close proximity to the diopter wheel. The diopter number viewer may extend from the diopter surface away from the diopter wheel and may include an opening configured to expose a diopter number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Marc Ellman
  • Patent number: 7794087
    Abstract: An optotype presenting apparatus capable of presenting an optotype having a high degree of flexibility to an examinee's eye while a production cost of the apparatus is curbed comprises a main body comprising an optotype forming unit comprising first and second displays displaying optotypes, and a beam combiner combining optical paths of the displays, the optotype forming unit adjusting, if optotype light bundles have polarizing axes, the axes, and providing, if optotype light bundles have no polarizing axis, polarizing axes to the bundles, whereby the bundles form optotypes having the perpendicular polarizing axes, and a projection optical system for projecting the light bundles onto the eye at a test distance, an optotype selecting unit, and a display control unit controlling the displays to display binocular-vision-test optotypes if they are selected, and controlling one of the displays to display a visual-acuity-test optotype if it is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatefumi Oda
  • Patent number: 7794088
    Abstract: The camera support for cinematography equipment has end blocks and side beams forming a perimeter frame with an open central area. The perimeter frame is adapted to mount to a secondary support. Track rails extending along the side beams slidingly mount a trolley plate on rollers received in track slots and a camera is mounted to the trolley plate for sliding movement along the perimeter frame. The camera may be mounted above the trolley plate or below the trolley plate where it is accommodated by the open central area. The trolley plate is mounted on rollers received in slots designed by the track rails, and a magnetic friction device provides controlled resistance to translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventors: Philip Saad, Jeremiah Dalton
  • Patent number: 7794089
    Abstract: A liquid crystal projection system includes a light source module, a light management module, an image signal module and a projection lens. The light source module provides an illumination light beam of first polarization state. The light management module includes a color separator for separating the illumination light beam into a first color light beam and a bichromatic light beam, first and second reflectors for respectively reflecting the first color light beam and the bichromatic light beam, a phase plate for converting the polarization of the bichromatic light beam, a first PBS for receiving the first color light beam, a second PBS for receiving the bichromatic light beam, and a dichroic prism for separating the bichromatic light beam into second and third color light beams. The image signal module includes three image modulation units for transforming the polarizations of the first, second and third color light beams and modulating them into image light beams carrying corresponding image signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-chih Hsiung, Keng-hui Lin, Tsi-lung Wu, Wen-lang Hung
  • Patent number: 7794090
    Abstract: Application of dual photography is simplified by reducing the number of captured images needed to generate a light transport matrix T of (p×q) projection pixel array from (p×q) images to (p+q) images. Manipulation of the light transport matrix is also simplified by replacing the use of a matrix T with an index associating each projection pixel to only non-zero light transport values. By eliminating the use of zero-valued light transport coefficients, the memory and processing requirements for implementing dual photography are greatly reduced. This dual photography technique is applied to the calibration of projector-camera systems. A second method for calibrating projector-camera systems uses a known projection test pattern and a calibrated camera to associate projected markers on a real image to a captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kar-Han Tan, Jing Xiao, Anoop K. Bhattacharjya
  • Patent number: 7794091
    Abstract: An image offset adjustment apparatus for an LCD projector which is constructed to enable the adjustment of an image offset. The LCD projector includes a light source for emitting light, mirrors, and an LCD installed in front of the mirrors so that an image generated in the LCD is enlarged and projected on a screen. The image offset adjustment apparatus includes a projection lens section including a plurality of projection lenses having their respective LCDs at different circumferential positions to have different image offsets; a lens housing for housing the respective projection lenses adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction; rotation means for rotating the lens housing; and a controller for controlling the rotation means so that the lens housing can be controllably rotated to select one of the projection lenses and one of the image offsets as desired by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Chan Park, Hyun-Soo Kim, Ki-Tae Lee, Kang-Hoon Lee, Cheong-Sun Lee, Dae-Hyun Sim
  • Patent number: 7794092
    Abstract: The invention relates to a projection system comprising: a polychromatic light source and at least one imaging assembly illuminated by an associated polychromatic illumination beam, and comprising: two separate colored wheels, respectively called first and second colored wheel; and three separate imagers, respectively called first, second and third imagers. At least one part of the polychromatic beam, called first source beam, illuminating the first colored wheel which separates said source beam into a first monochromatic beam and into a two-tone beam, said first monochromatic beam illuminating the first imager and said two-tone beam being transmitted toward the second colored wheel. The second colored wheel being illuminated by said two-tone beam and separating said two-tone beam into second and third monochromatic beams, respectively illuminating said second and third imagers respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Valter Drazic, Khaled Sarayeddine