Abstract:
A method of processing a digital image comprising: using a digital camera, capturing the image utilising an adjustable focusing technique; storing the focusing settings within a memory of the digital camera; utilising the focusing settings as an indicator of the position of structures within the image; processing the image within a processor of the camera utilising the said focus settings to produce a manipulated image having effects specific to said focus settings; and printing out the image using a printer inbuilt to the camera body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/112,750 filed on Jul. 10, 1998, now Issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,948. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus and, in particular, discloses a process for utilizing autofocus information in a digital image camera. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recently, digital cameras have become increasingly popular. These cameras normally operate by means of imaging a desired image utilizing a charge coupled device (CCD) array and storing the imaged scene on an electronic storage medium for later down loading onto a computer system for subsequent manipulation and printing out. Normally, when utilizing a computer system to print out an image, sophisticated software may be available to manipulate the image in accordance with requirements. 
     Unfortunately such systems require significant post processing of a captured image and normally present the image in an orientation in which is was taken, relying on the post processing process to perform any necessary or required modifications of the captured image. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for enhanced processing of images captured by a digital camera utilising autofocus settings. 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of generating a manipulated output image by means of a digital camera, the method comprising the steps of: 
     capturing a focused image using an automatic focusing technique generating focus settings; 
     generating a manipulated output image by applying a digital image manipulating process to the focused image, the digital image manipulating process utilizing the focus settings. 
     Preferably the focus settings include a current position of a zoom motor of the digital camera. 
     In a preferred embodiment the digital image manipulating process includes a step of locating an object within the focused image utilizing the focus settings. 
     The method may include the step of printing out the manipulated image by means of a printing mechanism incorporated into the digital camera. 
     It is preferred that the digital image manipulating process selectively applies techniques to the focused image on the basis of the focus settings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
           FIG. 1  illustrates the method of the preferred embodiment; and     FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of the ARTCAM type camera.       

     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiment is preferably implemented through suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that described in the concurrently filed application, Applicant&#39;s reference ART01, U.S. Ser. No. 09/113,060 entitled “A Digital Camera with Image Processing Capability” filed concurrently herewith by the present applicant the content of which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross reference and the details of which, and other related applications are set out in the tables below.  FIG. 2  shows a block diagram thereof. 
     The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit such as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing device  30  leading to the production of various effects in any output image  40 . The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards  9  hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP)  32  which is interconnected to a memory device  34  for the storage of important data and images. 
     In the preferred embodiment, autofocus is achieved by processing of a CCD data stream to ensure maximum contrast. Techniques for determining a focus position based on a CCD data stream are known. For example, reference is made to “The Encyclopedia of Photography” editors Leslie Stroebel and Richard Zakia, published 1993 by Butterworth-Heinemann and “Applied Photographic Optics” by London &amp; Boston, Focal Press, 1988. These techniques primarily rely on measurements of contrast between adjacent pixels over portions of an input image. The image is initally processed by the ACP in order to determine a correct autofocus setting. 
     This autofocus information is then utilized by the ACP  32  in certain modes, for example, when attempting to locate faces within the image, as a guide to the likely size of any face within the image, thereby simplifying the face location process. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an example of the method utilized to determine likely image characteristics for examination by a face detection algorithm  10 . 
     Various images eg.  2 ,  3  and  4  are imaged by the camera device  28 . As a by product of the operation of the auto-focusing the details of the focusing settings of the autofocus unit  5  are stored by the ACP  32  in the memory device  34 . Additionally, a current position of the zoom motor  38  is also utilized as zoom setting  6 . Both of these settings are determined by the ACP  32 . Subsequently, the ACP  32  applies analysis techniques in heuristic system  8  to the detected values before producing an output  29  having a magnitude corresponding to the likely depth location of objects of interest  21 ,  31  or  41  within the image  2 ,  3  or  4  respectively. 
     Next, the depth value is utilised in a face detection algorithm  10  running on the ACP  32  in addition to the inputted sensed image  11  so as to locate objects within the image. A close output  29  corresponding to a range value indicates a high probability of a portrait image, a medium range indicates a high probability of a group photograph and a further range indicates a higher probability of a landscape image. This probability information can be utilized as an aid for the face detection algorithm and also can be utilised for selecting between various parameters when producing “painting” effects within the image or painting the image with clip arts or the like, with different techniques or clip arts being applied depending on the distance to an object. 
     It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
     The present invention is further best utilized in the Artcam device, the details of which are set out in the following paragraphs although it is not restricted thereto. 
     Ink Jet Technologies 
     The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Of course many different devices could be used. However presently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable. 
     The most significant problem with thermal inkjet is power consumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermal inkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out. 
     The most significant problem with piezoelectric inkjet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of pagewidth print heads with 19,200 nozzles. 
     Ideally, the inkjet technologies used meet the stringent requirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digital photography, new inkjet technologies have been created. The target features include:
         low power (less than 10 Watts)   high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)   photographic quality output   low manufacturing cost   small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)   high speed (&lt;2 seconds per page).       

     All of these features can be met or exceeded by the inkjet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. Fortyfive different inkjet technologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part of separate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in the table below. 
     The inkjet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems 
     For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the inkjet type. The smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry. 
     Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection molded plastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. The print head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding. 
     CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS 
     The following table is a guide to cross-referenced patent applications filed concurrently herewith and discussed hereinafter with the reference being utilized in subsequent tables when referring to a particular case: 
                                     Docket No.   Reference   Title                   IJ01US   6227652   Radiant Plunger Ink Jet Printer       IJ02US   6213588   Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer       IJ03US   6213589   Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet       IJ04US   6231163   Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer       IJ05US   6247795   Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printer       IJ06US   6394581   Paddle Type Ink Jet Printer       IJ07US   6244691   Permanent Magnet Electromagnetic Ink Jet               Printer       IJ08US   6257704   Planar Swing Grill Electromagnetic Ink Jet               Printer       IJ09US   6416168   Pump Action Refill Ink Jet Printer       IJ10US   6220694   Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printer       IJ11US   6257705   Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic Ink               Jet Printer       IJ12US   6247794   Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printer       IJ13US   6234610   Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet Printer       IJ14US   6247793   Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic Ink               Jet Printer       IJ15US   6264306   Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink Jet               Printer       IJ16US   6241342   Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet               Printer       IJ17US   6247792   PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating               Pressure Ink Jet Printer       IJ18US   6264307   Buckle Grip Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer       IJ19US   6254220   Shutter Based Ink Jet Printer       IJ20US   6234611   Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer       IJ21US   6302528   Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printer       IJ22US   6283582   Iris Motion Ink Jet Printer       IJ23US   6239821   Direct Firing Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet               Printer       IJ24US   6338547   Conductive PTFE Ben Activator Vented Ink Jet               Printer       IJ25US   6247796   Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printer       IJ26US   6557977   Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printer       IJ27US   6390603   Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printer       IJ28US   6362843   Thermal Elastic Rotary Impeller Ink Jet Printer       IJ29US   6293653   Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer       IJ30US   6312107   Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE and               Corrugated Copper Ink Jet Printer       IJ31US   6227653   Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet Printer       IJ32US   6234609   A High Young&#39;s Modulus Thermoelastic Ink               Jet Printer       IJ33US   6238040   Thermally actuated slotted chamber wall ink jet               printer       IJ34US   6188415   Ink Jet Printer having a thermal actuator               comprising an external coiled spring       IJ35US   6227654   Trough Container Ink Jet Printer       IJ36US   6209989   Dual Chamber Single Vertical Actuator Ink Jet       IJ37US   6247791   Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum               Actuator Ink Jet       IJ38US   6336710   Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink               Jet       IJ39US   6217153   A single bend actuator cupped paddle ink jet               printing device       IJ40US   6416167   A thermally actuated ink jet printer having a               series of thermal actuator units       IJ41US   6243113   A thermally actuated ink jet printer including a               tapered heater element       IJ42US   6283581   Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet       IJ43US   6247790   Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic               Ink Jet       IJ44US   6260953   Surface bend actuator vented ink supply ink               jet printer       IJ45US   6267469   Coil Acutuated Magnetic Plate Ink Jet Printer                    
Tables of Drop-on-Demand Inkjets
 
     Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation of individual inkjet nozzles have been identified. These characteristics are largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an eleven dimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix include entries developed by the present assignee. 
     The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of inkjet types.
         Actuator mechanism (18 types)   Basic operation mode (7 types)   Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)   Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)   Actuator motion (19 types)   Nozzle refill method (4 types)   Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)   Nozzle clearing method (9 types)   Nozzle plate construction (9 types)   Drop ejection direction (5 types)   Ink type (7 types)       

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