# Patent

## Title
Print roll unit provided with pinch rollers and a drive roller

## Abstract

A print roll unit with a housing comprising a first cover portion attached to a second cover portion, the housing including a slot. A longitudinally extending core is rotatably mounted inside the housing and an ink supply is contained within the core. A substantially cylindrical former is positioned about the core and a roll of print media is wound about the former. At least two pinch rollers are arranged with respect to a drive roller so that a de-curling force is imparted to the print media as the print media exits the housing via the slot.

## Background
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is a Continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 11/540,574 filed Oct. 02, 2006, now issued as U.S Pat. No. 7,357,497 which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/336,773 filed Jan. 23, 2006, now issued as U.S Pat. No. 7,156,512, which is a Continuation of U.S application Ser. No. 11/144,805 filed Jun. 6, 2005, now issued as U.S Pat. No. 7,086,724, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 10/831,236 filed Apr. 26, 2004, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,077,515, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/1 12,743 filed on Jul. 10, 1998, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,951, all of which are herein incorporated by reference.


FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to digital cameras and in particular, the onboard processing of image data captured by the camera.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, digital cameras have become increasingly popular. These cameras normally operate by means of imaging a desired image utilising a charge coupled device (CCD) array and storing the imaged scene on an electronic storage medium for later down loading onto a computer system for subsequent manipulation and printing out. Normally, when utilising a computer system to print out an image, sophisticated software may available to manipulate the image in accordance with requirements.
Unfortunately such systems require significant post processing of a captured image and normally present the image in an orientation to which it was taken, relying on the post processing process to perform any necessary or required modifications of the captured image. Also, much of the environmental information available when the picture was taken is lost. Furthermore, the type or size of the media substrate and the types of ink used to print the image can also affect the image quality. Accounting for these factors during post processing of the captured image data can be complex and time consuming.
The present Applicant addresses these issues with a digital camera having an image processor takes account of the lighting conditions at the time of image capture, and confirms the type of ink and media, in order to enhance the quality of the printed image. This camera is described below and in many of the cross referenced documents incorporated herein by reference.
One particular feature of this camera is the instant production of personalised postcards using an inbuilt printhead. This requires a media cartridge that holds a reasonable amount of print media while remaining compact enough to keep the overall dimensions of the camera and cartridge acceptable to users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a media cartridge for supplying print media to a printhead, the cartridge comprising:
a roll of print media;
a casing with a rotatable core for supporting the media roll;
an ink supply within the core;
at least one ink outlet at one end of the core for establishing fluid communication between the ink supply and the printhead;
a drive roller assembly for engaging an external drive to feed the print media to the printhead; wherein,
the longitudinal axes of the core, and rollers of the drive roller assembly are parallel.
A media cartridge adopting this design is particularly compact, has a high media and ink capacity and relatively cost effective to manufacture. The majority of the components can be made from injection molded plastics and snap fitted together.
In some embodiments, the core is segmented with different coloured inks stored in each of the segments, wherein each of the segments has a respective ink outlet in the end of the core.
Preferably, the drive roller assembly comprises at least one media de-curling roller; such that, as the media is fed to the printhead, it wraps around a portion of the at least one de-curling roller to remove residual curl caused by storage as a roll.
Providing the media in a roll allows the cartridge to be small and compact. However, the curl imparted to the media from being stored as a roll can interfere with printing when the media substrate passes the printhead. Using a de-curling roller within the drive rollers can straighten the media enough for flat engagement with the platen opposite the printhead.
The invention will be described with respect to its use with a digital camera with an inbuilt printhead. However, it will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative and the invention has clear application in many other fields.
Preferably, the cartridge has one de-curling roller and two pinch rollers, wherein the pinch rollers maintain the media substrate wrapped around the required portion of the de-curling roller. In a further preferred form, one of the pinch rollers is driven. In some forms, the driven pinch roller has a geared axle that extends beyond the casing for engagement with an external drive source via a corresponding gear.
Preferably, and an outer cover enclosing the roll and the drive roller assembly, the outer cover comprising two interengaging side moldings that snap lock together to form a media outlet slot adjacent the drive roller assembly. Preferably, one side of the slot has a resilient guide extending away from the slot for resilient engagement with a paper path leading to the printhead upon installation of the cartridge. In particular embodiments, the printhead is controlled by an image processor and the cartridge further comprises an authentication chip for confirming the suitability of the ink and the media to the image processor.
In a particularly preferred form, the cartridge is configured for engagement with a cartridge interface such that the ink outlets establish fluid communication with the printhead, the image processor accesses the authentication chip, the geared axle of the drive roller engages the external drive and the resilient guide extending from the outlet slot engages the paper feed path, in a single installation action.
According to a related aspect, there is provided a digital camera for use with a media cartridge comprising a supply of media substrate on which images can be printed, and an information store with information relating to the media substrate, the camera comprising:
an image sensor for capturing an image;
an image processor for processing image data from the image sensor and transmitting processed data to a printhead; and,
a cartridge interface for accessing the information such that the image processor can utilise the information relating to the media substrate.
The camera accesses information about the media substrate so that the image processor can utilise the information to enhance the quality of the printed image.
Preferably, the media substrate has postcard formatting printed on its reverse surface so that the camera can produce personalised postcards, and the information store has the dimensions of the postcard formatting to allow the image processor to align printed images with the postcard formatting.
In a further preferred form the cartridge further comprises an ink supply for the printhead and the information store is an authentication chip that allows the image processor to confirm that the media substrate and the ink supply is suitable for use with the camera.

    
    
        According to a related aspect, there is provided a digital camera for sensing and storing an image, the camera comprising:
        an image sensor with a charge coupled device (CCD) for capturing image data relating to a sensed image, and an auto exposure setting for adjusting the image data captured by the CCD in response to the lighting conditions at image capture; and,
    
    


an image processor for processing image data from the CCD and storing the processed data; wherein,
the image processor is adapted to use information from the auto exposure setting relating to the lighting conditions at image capture when processing the image data from the CCD.
Utilising the auto exposure setting to determine an advantageous re-mapping of colours within the image allows the processor to produce an amended image having colours within an image transformed to account of the auto exposure setting. The processing can comprise re-mapping image colours so they appear deeper and richer when the exposure setting indicates low light conditions and re-mapping image colours to be brighter and more saturated when the auto exposure setting indicates bright light conditions.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which:
FIG. 1 illustrates the method of operation of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 2 illustrates a form of print roll ready for purchase by a consumer;
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view, partly in section, of an alternative form of a print roll;
FIG. 4 is a left side exploded perspective view of the print roll of FIG. 3; and,
FIG. 5 is a right side exploded perspective view of a single print roll.



DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiment is preferable implemented through suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that described in the present applicant's application entitled “A Digital Image Printing Camera with Image Processing Capability”, the content of which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross reference and the details of which, and other related applications are set out in the tables below.
The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit. Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing device leading to the production of various effects in any output image. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for the storage of important data and images.
In the preferred embodiment, the Artcam has an auto exposure sensor for determining the light level associated with the captured image. This auto exposure sensor is utilised to process the image in accordance with the set light value so as to enhance portions of the image.
Preferably, the area image sensor includes a means for determining the light conditions when capturing an image. The area image sensor adjusts the dynamic range of values captured by the CCD in accordance with the detected level sensor. The captured image is transferred to the Artcam central processor and stored in the memory store. Intensity information, as determined by the area image sensor, is also forwarded to the ACP. This information is utilised by the Artcam central processor to manipulate the stored image to enhance certain effects.
Turning now to FIG. 1, the auto exposure setting information 1 is utilised in conjunction with the stored image 2 to process the image by utilising the ACP. The processed image is returned to the memory store for later printing out 4 on the output printer.
A number of processing steps can be undertaken in accordance with the determined light conditions. Where the auto exposure setting 1 indicates that the image was taken in a low light condition, the image pixel colours are selectively re-mapped so as to make the image colours stronger, deeper and richer.
Where the auto exposure information indicates that highlight conditions were present when the image was taken, the image colours can be processed to make them brighter and more saturated. The re-colouring of the image can be undertaken by conversion of the image to a hue-saturation-value (HSV) format and an alteration of pixel values in accordance with requirements. The pixel values can then be output converted to the required output colour format of printing.
Of course, many different re-colouring techniques may be utilised. Preferably, the techniques are clearly illustrated on the pre-requisite Artcard inserted into the reader. Alternatively, the image processing algorithms can be automatically applied and hard-wired into the camera for utilization in certain conditions.
Alternatively, the Artcard inserted could have a number of manipulations applied to the image which are specific to the auto-exposure setting. For example, clip arts containing candles etc could be inserted in a dark image and large suns inserted in bright images.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 5, the Artcam prints the images onto media stored in a replaceable print roll 5. In some preferred embodiments, the operation of the camera device is such that when a series of images is printed on a first surface of the print roll, the corresponding backing surface has a ready made postcard which can be immediately dispatched at the nearest post office box within the jurisdiction. In this way, personalized postcards can be created.
It would be evident that when utilising the postcard system as illustrated FIG. 2 only predetermined image sizes are possible as the synchronization between the backing postcard portion and the front image must be maintained. This can be achieved by utilising the memory portions of the authentication chip stored within the print roll 5 to store details of the length of each postcard backing format sheet. This can be achieved by either having each postcard the same size or by storing each size within the print rolls on-board print chip memory.
In an alternative embodiment, there is provided a modified form of print roll which can be constructed mostly from injection moulded plastic pieces suitably snapped fitted together. The modified form of print roll has a high ink storage capacity in addition to a somewhat simplified construction. The print media onto which the image is to be printed is wrapped around a plastic sleeve former for simplified construction. The ink media reservoir has a series of air vents which are constructed so as to minimise the opportunities for the ink flow out of the air vents. Further, a rubber seal is provided for the ink outlet holes with the rubber seal being pierced on insertion of the print roll into a camera system. Further, the print roll includes a print media ejection slot and the ejection slot includes a surrounding moulded surface which provides and assists in the accurate positioning of the print media ejection slot relative to the printhead within the printing or camera system.
Turning to FIG. 3 there is illustrated a single point roll unit 5 in an assembled form with a partial cutaway showing internal portions of the print roll. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate left and right side exploded perspective views respectively. The print roll 5 is constructed around the internal core portion 6 which contains an internal ink supply. Outside of the core portion 6 is provided a former 7 around which is wrapped a paper or film supply 8. Around the paper supply it is constructed two cover pieces 9, 10 which snap together around the print roll so as to form a covering unit as illustrated in FIG. 3. The bottom cover piece 10 includes a slot 11 through which the output of the print media 12 for interconnection with the camera system.
Two pinch rollers 13, 14 are provided to pinch the paper against a drive pinch roller 15 so they together provide for a decurling of the paper around the roller 15. The decurling acts to negate the strong curl that may be imparted to the paper from being stored in the form of print roll for an extended period of time. The rollers 13, 14 are provided to form a snap fit with end portions of the cover base portion 10 and the roller 15 which includes a cogged end 16 for driving, snap fits into the upper cover piece 9 so as to pinch the paper 12 firmly between.
The cover pieces 9, 10 includes an end protuberance or lip 17. The end lip 17 is provided for accurate alignment of the exit hole of the paper with a corresponding printing heat platen structure within the camera system. In this way, accurate alignment or positioning of the exiting paper relative to an adjacent printhead is provided for full guidance of the paper to the printhead.
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 best utilized in the Artcam device, the details of which are set out in the following paragraphs.
Ink Jet Technologies
The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Of course many different devices could be used. However presently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.
The most significant problem with thermal inkjet is power consumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermal inkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.
The most significant problem with piezoelectric inkjet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of pagewide print heads with 19,200 nozzles.
Ideally, the inkjet technologies used meet the stringent requirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digital photography, new inkjet technologies have been created. The target features include:

    
    
        low power (less than 10 Watts)
        high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)
        photographic quality output
        low manufacturing cost
        small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)
        high speed (<2 seconds per page).
    
    


All of these features can be met or exceeded by the inkjet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. 45 different inkjet technologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part of separate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in the table below.
The inkjet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the inkjet type. The smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry.
Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection molded plastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. The print head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding.
CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS
The following table is a guide to cross-referenced patent applications filed concurrently herewith and discussed hereinafter with the reference being utilized in subsequent tables when referring to a particular case:












Docket




No.
Reference
Title







IJ01US
6,227,652
Radiant Plunger Ink Jet Printer


IJ02US
6,213,588
Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer


IJ03US
6,213,589
Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet


IJ04US
6,231,163
Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer


IJ05US
6,247,795
Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printer


IJ06US
6,394,581
Paddle Type Ink Jet Printer


IJ07US
6,244,691
Permanent Magnet Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer


IJ08US
6,257,704
Planar Swing Grill Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer


IJ09US
6,416,168
Pump Action Refill Ink Jet Printer


IJ10US
6,220,694
Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printer


IJ11US
6,257,705
Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic Ink Jet




Printer


IJ12US
6,247,794
Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printer


IJ13US
6,234,610
Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet Printer


IJ14US
6,247,793
Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic Ink Jet




Printer


IJ15US
6,264,306
Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink Jet Printer


IJ16US
6,241,342
Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer


IJ17US
6,247,792
PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating




Pressure Ink Jet Printer


IJ18US
6,264,307
Buckle Grip Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer


IJ19US
6,254,220
Shutter Based Ink Jet Printer


IJ20US
6,234,611
Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer


IJ21US
6,302,528
Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printer


IJ22US
6,283,582
Iris Motion Ink Jet Printer


IJ23US
6,239,821
Direct Firing Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer


IJ24US
6,338,547
Conductive PTFE Ben Activator Vented Ink Jet




Printer


IJ25US
6,247,796
Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printer


IJ26US
6,557,977
Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printer


IJ27US
6,390,603
Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printer


IJ28US
6,362,843
Thermal Elastic Rotary Impeller Ink Jet Printer


IJ29US
6,293,653
Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer


IJ30US
6,312,107
Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE and




Corrugated Copper Ink Jet Printer


IJ31US
6,227,653
Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet Printer


IJ32US
6,234,609
A High Young's Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet




Printer


IJ33US
6,238,040
Thermally actuated slotted chamber wall ink jet




printer


IJ34US
6,188,415
Ink Jet Printer having a thermal actuator comprising




an external coiled spring


IJ35US
6,227,654
Trough Container Ink Jet Printer


IJ36US
6,209,989
Dual Chamber Single Vertical Actuator Ink Jet


IJ37US
6,247,791
Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum Actuator




Ink Jet


IJ38US
6,336,710
Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink Jet


IJ39US
6,217,153
A single bend actuator cupped paddle ink jet




printing device


IJ40US
6,416,167
A thermally actuated ink jet printer having a series




of thermal actuator units


IJ41US
6,243,113
A thermally actuated ink jet printer including a




tapered heater element


IJ42US
6,283,581
Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet


IJ43US
6,247,790
Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet


IJ44US
6,260,953
Surface bend actuator vented ink supply ink jet




printer


IJ45US
6,267,469
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 45 examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more of the 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be made into inkjet print heads with characteristics superior to any currently available inkjet technology.
Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more of these examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below. The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In some cases, a printer may be listed more than once in a table, where it shares characteristics with more than one entry.
Suitable applications include: Home printers, Office network printers, Short run digital printers, Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWW printers, Video printers, Medical imaging, Wide format printers, Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems, Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.
The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrix are set out in the following tables.










ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS)











Actuator






Mechanism
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples





Thermal
An electrothermal heater heats the
Large force generated
High power
Canon Bubblejet


bubble
ink to above boiling point,
Simple construction
Ink carrier limited to water
1979 Endo et al GB



transferring significant heat to the
No moving parts
Low efficiency
patent 2,007,162



aqueous ink. A bubble nucleates
Fast operation
High temperatures required
Xerox heater-in-pit



and quickly forms, expelling the
Small chip area required for
High mechanical stress
1990 Hawkins et al



ink.
actuator
Unusual materials required
U.S. Pat. No.



The efficiency of the process is

Large drive transistors
4,899,181 Hewlett-



low, with typically less than

Cavitation causes actuator failure
Packard TIJ 1982



0.05% of the electrical energy

Kogation reduces bubble formation
Vaught et al U.S.



being transformed into kinetic

Large print heads are difficult to
Pat. No. 4,490,728



energy of the drop.

fabricate


Piezoelectric
A piezoelectric crystal such as
Low power consumption
Very large area required for actuator
Kyser et al U.S. Pat.



lead lanthanum zirconate (PZT) is
Many ink types can be used
Difficult to integrate with electronics
No. 3,946,398



electrically activated, and either
Fast operation
High voltage drive transistors required
Zoltan U.S. Pat. No.



expands, shears, or bends to apply
High efficiency
Full pagewidth print heads impractical
3,683,212 1973



pressure to the ink, ejecting drops.

due to actuator size
Stemme U.S. Pat.





Requires electrical poling in high field
No. 3,747,120





strengths during manufacture
Epson Stylus






Tektronix IJ04


Electro-
An electric field is used to
Low power consumption
Low maximum strain (approx. 0.01%)
Seiko Epson, Usui


strictive
activate electrostriction in relaxor
Many ink types can be used
Large area required for actuator due to
et all JP 253401/96



materials such as lead lanthanum
Low thermal expansion
low strain
IJ04



zirconate titanate (PLZT) or lead
Electric field strength
Response speed is marginal (~10 μs)



magnesium niobate (PMN).
required (approx. 3.5 V/μm)
High voltage drive transistors required




can be generated
Full pagewidth print heads impractical




without difficulty
due to actuator size




Does not require electrical




poling


Ferroelectric
An electric field is used to induce
Low power consumption
Difficult to integrate with electronics
IJ04



a phase transition between the
Many ink types can be used
Unusual materials such as PLZSnT are



antiferroelectric (AFE) and
Fast operation (<1 μs)
required



ferroelectric (FE) phase.
Relatively high longitudinal
Actuators require a large area



Perovskite materials such as tin
strain



modified lead lanthanum
High efficiency



zirconate titanate (PLZSnT)
Electric field strength of



exhibit large strains of up to 1%
around 3 V/μm can be



associated with the AFE to FE
readily provided



phase transition.


Electrostatic
Conductive plates are separated
Low power consumption
Difficult to operate electrostatic
IJ02, IJ04


plates
by a compressible or fluid
Many ink types can be used
devices in an aqueous environment



dielectric (usually air). Upon
Fast operation
The electrostatic actuator will



application of a voltage, the plates

normally need to be separated from



attract each other and displace

the ink



ink, causing drop ejection. The

Very large area required to achieve



conductive plates may be in a

high forces



comb or honeycomb structure, or

High voltage drive transistors may be



stacked to increase the surface

required



area and therefore the force.

Full pagewidth print heads are not





competitive due to actuator size


Electrostatic
A strong electric field is applied
Low current consumption
High voltage required
1989 Saito et al,


pull on ink
to the ink, whereupon electrostatic
Low temperature
May be damaged by sparks due to air
U.S. Pat. No.



attraction accelerates the ink

breakdown
4,799,068 1989



towards the print medium.

Required field strength increases as
Miura et al, U.S.





the drop size decreases
Pat. No. 4,810,954





High voltage drive transistors required
Tone-jet





Electrostatic field attracts dust


Permanent
An electromagnet directly attracts
Low power consumption
Complex fabrication
IJ07, IJ10


magnet
a permanent magnet, displacing
Many ink types can be used
Permanent magnetic material such as


electromagnetic
ink and causing drop ejection.
Fast operation
Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB)



Rare earth magnets with a field
High efficiency
required.



strength around 1 Tesla can be
Easy extension from single
High local currents required



used. Examples are: Samarium
nozzles to pagewidth
Copper metalization should be used



Cobalt (SaCo) and magnetic
print heads
for long electromigration lifetime



materials in the neodymium iron

and low resistivity



boron family (NdFeB,

Pigmented inks are usually infeasible



NdDyFeBNb, NdDyFeB, etc)

Operating temperature limited to the





Curie temperature (around 540 K)


Soft magnetic
A solenoid induced a magnetic
Low power consumption
Complex fabrication
IJ01, IJ05, IJ08,


core electromagnetic
field in a soft magnetic core or
Many ink types can be used
Materials not usually present in a
IJ10 IJ12, IJ14,



yoke fabricated from a ferrous
Fast operation
CMOS fab such as NiFe, CoNiFe,
IJ15, IJ17



material such as electroplated iron
High efficiency
or CoFe are required



alloys such as CoNiFe [1], CoFe,
Easy extension from single
High local currents required



or NiFe alloys. Typically, the soft
nozzles to pagewidth
Copper metalization should be used



magnetic material is in two parts,
print heads
for long electromigration lifetime



which are normally held apart by

and low resistivity



a spring. When the solenoid is

Electroplating is required



actuated, the two parts attract,

High saturation flux density is



displacing the ink.

required (2.0-2.1 T is achievable





with CoNiFe [1])


Magnetic
The Lorenz force acting on a
Low power consumption
Force acts as a twisting motion
IJ06, IJ11, IJ13,


Lorenz force
current carrying wire in a
Many ink types can be used
Typically, only a quarter of the
IJ16



magnetic field is utilized.
Fast operation
solenoid length provides force in a



This allows the magnetic field to
High efficiency
useful direction



be supplied externally to the print
Easy extension from single
High local currents required



head, for example with rare earth
nozzles to pagewidth
Copper metalization should be used



permanent magnets.
print heads
for long electromigration lifetime



Only the current carrying wire

and low resistivity



need be fabricated on the print-

Pigmented inks are usually infeasible



head, simplifying materials



requirements.


Magnetostriction
The actuator uses the giant
Many ink types can be used
Force acts as a twisting motion
Fischenbeck, U.S.



magnetostrictive effect of
Fast operation
Unusual materials such as Terfenol-D
Pat. No. 4,032,929



materials such as Terfenol-D (an
Easy extension from single
are required
IJ25



alloy of terbium, dysprosium and
nozzles to pagewidth
High local currents required



iron developed at the Naval
print heads
Copper metalization should be used



Ordnance Laboratory, hence Ter-
High force is available
for long electromigration lifetime



Fe-NOL). For best efficiency, the

and low resistivity



actuator should be pre-stressed to

Pre-stressing may be required



approx. 8 MPa.


Surface
Ink under positive pressure is held
Low power consumption
Requires supplementary force to effect
Silverbrook, EP


tension
in a nozzle by surface tension.
Simple construction
drop separation
0771 658 A2 and


reduction
The surface tension of the ink is
No unusual materials
Requires special ink surfactants
related patent



reduced below the bubble
required in fabrication
Speed may be limited by surfactant
applications



threshold, causing the ink to
High efficiency
properties



egress from the nozzle.
Easy extension from single




nozzles to pagewidth




print heads


Viscosity
The ink viscosity is locally
Simple construction
Requires supplementary force to effect
Silverbrook, EP


reduction
reduced to select which drops are
No unusual materials
drop separation
0771 658 A2 and



to be ejected. A viscosity
required in fabrication
Requires special ink viscosity
related patent



reduction can be achieved
Easy extension from single
properties
applications



electrothermally with most inks,
nozzles to pagewidth
High speed is difficult to achieve



but special inks can be engineered
print heads
Requires oscillating ink pressure



for a 100:1 viscosity reduction.

A high temperature difference





(typically 80 degrees) is required


Acoustic
An acoustic wave is generated and
Can operate without a
Complex drive circuitry
1993 Hadimioglu et



focussed upon the drop ejection
nozzle plate
Complex fabrication
al, EUP 550,192



region.

Low efficiency
1993 Elrod et al,





Poor control of drop position
EUP 572,220





Poor control of drop volume


Thermoelastic
An actuator which relies upon
Low power consumption
Efficient aqueous operation requires a
IJ03, IJ09, IJ17,


bend
differential thermal expansion
Many ink types can be used
thermal insulator on the hot side
IJ18 IJ19, IJ20,


actuator
upon Joule heating is used.
Simple planar fabrication
Corrosion prevention can be difficult
IJ21, IJ22 IJ23,




Small chip area required for
Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as
IJ24, IJ27, IJ28




each actuator
pigment particles may jam the bend
IJ29, IJ30, IJ31,




Fast operation
actuator
IJ32 IJ33, IJ34,




High efficiency

IJ35, IJ36 IJ37,




CMOS compatible voltages

IJ38, IJ39, IJ40




and currents

IJ41




Standard MEMS processes




can be used




Easy extension from single




nozzles to pagewidth




print heads


High CTE
A material with a very high
High force can be generated
Requires special material (e.g. PTFE)
IJ09, IJ17, IJ18,


thermoelastic
coefficient of thermal expansion
PTFE is a candidate for low
Requires a PTFE deposition process,
IJ20 IJ21, IJ22,


actuator
(CTE) such as
dielectric constant
which is not yet standard in ULSI
IJ23, IJ24 IJ27,



polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is
insulation in ULSI
fabs
IJ28, IJ29, IJ30



used. As high CTE materials are
Very low power
PTFE deposition cannot be followed
IJ31, IJ42, IJ43,



usually non-conductive, a heater
consumption
with high temperature (above 350° C.)
IJ44



fabricated from a conductive
Many ink types can be used
processing



material is incorporated. A 50 μm
Simple planar fabrication
Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as



long PTFE bend actuator with
Small chip area required for
pigment particles may jam the bend



polysilicon heater and 15 mW
each actuator
actuator



power input can provide 180 μN
Fast operation



force and 10 μm deflection.
High efficiency



Actuator motions include:
CMOS compatible voltages



1) Bend
and currents



2) Push
Easy extension from single



3) Buckle
nozzles to pagewidth



4) Rotate
print heads


Conductive
A polymer with a high coefficient
High force can be generated
Requires special materials
IJ24


polymer
of thermal expansion (such as
Very low power
development (High CTE conductive


thermoelastic
PTFE) is doped with conducting
consumption
polymer)


actuator
substances to increase its
Many ink types can be used
Requires a PTFE deposition process,



conductivity to about 3 orders of
Simple planar fabrication
which is not yet standard in ULSI



magnitude below that of copper.
Small chip area required for
fabs



The conducting polymer expands
each actuator
PTFE deposition cannot be followed



when resistively heated.
Fast operation
with high temperature (above 350° C.)



Examples of conducting dopants
High efficiency
processing



include:
CMOS compatible voltages
Evaporation and CVD deposition



1) Carbon nanotubes
and currents
techniques cannot be used



2) Metal fibers
Easy extension from single
Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as



3) Conductive polymers such as
nozzles to pagewidth
pigment particles may jam the bend



doped polythiophene
print heads
actuator



4) Carbon granules


Shape
A shape memory alloy such as
High force is available
Fatigue limits maximum number of
IJ26


memory alloy
TiNi (also known as Nitinol -
(stresses of hundreds of
cycles



Nickel Titanium alloy developed
MPa)
Low strain (1%) is required to extend



at the Naval Ordnance
Large strain is available
fatigue resistance



Laboratory) is thermally switched
(more than 3%)
Cycle rate limited by heat removal



between its weak martensitic state
High corrosion resistance
Requires unusual materials (TiNi)



and its high stiffness austenic
Simple construction
The latent heat of transformation must



state. The shape of the actuator in
Easy extension from single
be provided



its martensitic state is deformed
nozzles to pagewidth
High current operation



relative to the austenic shape. The
print heads
Requires pre-stressing to distort the



shape change causes ejection of a
Low voltage operation
martensitic state



drop.


Linear
Linear magnetic actuators include
Linear Magnetic actuators
Requires unusual semiconductor
IJ12


Magnetic
the Linear Induction Actuator
can be constructed with
materials such as soft magnetic


Actuator
(LIA), Linear Permanent Magnet
high thrust, long travel,
alloys (e.g. CoNiFe [1])



Synchronous Actuator (LPMSA),
and high efficiency using
Some varieties also require permanent



Linear Reluctance Synchronous
planar semiconductor
magnetic materials such as



Actuator (LRSA), Linear
fabrication techniques
Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB)



Switched Reluctance Actuator
Long actuator travel is
Requires complex multi-phase drive



(LSRA), and the Linear Stepper
available
circuitry



Actuator (LSA).
Medium force is available
High current operation




Low voltage operation



















BASIC OPERATION MODE











Operational






mode
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples





Actuator directly
This is the simplest mode of
Simple operation
Drop repetition rate is usually limited
Thermal inkjet


pushes ink
operation: the actuator directly
No external fields required
to less than 10 KHz. However, this
Piezoelectric inkjet



supplies sufficient kinetic energy
Satellite drops can be
is not fundamental to the method,
IJ01, IJ02, IJ03, IJ04



to expel the drop. The drop must
avoided if drop velocity is
but is related to the refill method
IJ05, IJ06, IJ07, IJ09



have a sufficient velocity to
less than 4 m/s
normally used
IJ11, IJ12, IJ14, IJ16



overcome the surface tension.
Can be efficient, depending
All of the drop kinetic energy must be
IJ20, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24




upon the actuator used
provided by the actuator
IJ25, IJ26, IJ27, IJ28





Satellite drops usually form if drop
IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32





velocity is greater than 4.5 m/s
IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36






IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40






IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44


Proximity
The drops to be printed are
Very simple print head
Requires close proximity between the
Silverbrook, EP 0771



selected by some manner (e.g.
fabrication can be used
print head and the print media or
658 A2 and related



thermally induced surface tension
The drop selection means
transfer roller
patent applications



reduction of pressurized ink).
does not need to provide
May require two print heads printing



Selected drops are separated from
the energy required to
alternate rows of the image



the ink in the nozzle by contact
separate the drop from the
Monolithic color print heads are



with the print medium or a
nozzle
difficult



transfer roller.


Electrostatic pull on
The drops to be printed are
Very simple print head
Requires very high electrostatic field
Silverbrook, EP 0771


ink
selected by some manner (e.g.
fabrication can be used
Electrostatic field for small nozzle
658 A2 and related



thermally induced surface tension
The drop selection means
sizes is above air breakdown
patent applications



reduction of pressurized ink).
does not need to provide
Electrostatic field may attract dust
Tone-Jet



Selected drops are separated from
the energy required to



the ink in the nozzle by a strong
separate the drop from the



electric field.
nozzle


Magnetic pull
The drops to be printed are
Very simple print head
Requires magnetic ink
Silverbrook, EP 0771


on ink
selected by some manner (e.g.
fabrication can be used
Ink colors other than black are
658 A2 and related



thermally induced surface tension
The drop selection means
difficult
patent applications



reduction of pressurized ink).
does not need to provide
Requires very high magnetic fields



Selected drops are separated from
the energy required to



the ink in the nozzle by a strong
separate the drop from the



magnetic field acting on the
nozzle



magnetic ink.


Shutter
The actuator moves a shutter to
High speed (>50 KHz)
Moving parts are required
IJ13, IJ17, IJ21



block ink flow to the nozzle. The
operation can be achieved
Requires ink pressure modulator



ink pressure is pulsed at a
due to reduced refill time
Friction and wear must be considered



multiple of the drop ejection
Drop timing can be very
Stiction is possible



frequency.
accurate




The actuator energy can be




very low


Shuttered
The actuator moves a shutter to
Actuators with small travel
Moving parts are required
IJ08, IJ15, IJ18, IJ19


grill
block ink flow through a grill to
can be used
Requires ink pressure modulator



the nozzle. The shutter movement
Actuators with small force
Friction and wear must be considered



need only be equal to the width of
can be used
Stiction is possible



the grill holes.
High speed (>50 KHz)




operation can be achieved


Pulsed
A pulsed magnetic field attracts
Extremely low energy
Requires an external pulsed magnetic
IJ10


magnetic pull
an ‘ink pusher’ at the drop
operation is possible
field


on ink pusher
ejection frequency. An actuator
No heat dissipation
Requires special materials for both the



controls a catch, which prevents
problems
actuator and the ink pusher



the ink pusher from moving when

Complex construction



a drop is not to be ejected.



















AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES)











Auxiliary






Mechanism
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples





None
The actuator directly fires the ink
Simplicity of construction
Drop ejection energy must be supplied
Most inkjets,



drop, and there is no external field
Simplicity of operation
by individual nozzle actuator
including



or other mechanism required.
Small physical size

piezoelectric and






thermal bubble.






IJ01-IJ07, IJ09, IJ11






IJ12, IJ14, IJ20, IJ22






IJ23-IJ45


Oscillating ink
The ink pressure oscillates,
Oscillating ink pressure can
Requires external ink pressure
Silverbrook, EP 0771


pressure
providing much of the drop
provide a refill pulse,
oscillator
658 A2 and related


(including
ejection energy. The actuator
allowing higher operating
Ink pressure phase and amplitude must
patent applications


acoustic
selects which drops are to be fired
speed
be carefully controlled
IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17


stimulation)
by selectively blocking or
The actuators may operate
Acoustic reflections in the ink
IJ18, IJ19, IJ21



enabling nozzles. The ink pressure
with much lower energy
chamber must be designed for



oscillation may be achieved by
Acoustic lenses can be used



vibrating the print head, or
to focus the sound on the



preferably by an actuator in the
nozzles



ink supply.


Media
The print head is placed in close
Low power
Precision assembly required
Silverbrook, EP 0771


proximity
proximity to the print medium.
High accuracy
Paper fibers may cause problems
658 A2 and related



Selected drops protrude from the
Simple print head
Cannot print on rough substrates
patent applications



print head further than unselected
construction



drops, and contact the print



medium. The drop soaks into the



medium fast enough to cause drop



separation.


Transfer
Drops are printed to a transfer
High accuracy
Bulky
Silverbrook, EP 0771


roller
roller instead of straight to the
Wide range of print
Expensive
658 A2 and related



print medium. A transfer roller
substrates can be used
Complex construction
patent applications



can also be used for proximity
Ink can be dried on the

Tektronix hot melt



drop separation.
transfer roller

piezoelectric inkjet






Any of the IJ series


Electrostatic
An electric field is used to
Low power
Field strength required for separation
Silverbrook, EP 0771



accelerate selected drops towards
Simple print head
of small drops is near or above air
658 A2 and related



the print medium.
construction
breakdown
patent applications






Tone-Jet


Direct
A magnetic field is used to
Low power
Requires magnetic ink
Silverbrook, EP 0771


magnetic
accelerate selected drops of
Simple print head
Requires strong magnetic field
658 A2 and related


field
magnetic ink towards the print
construction

patent applications



medium.


Cross
The print head is placed in a
Does not require magnetic
Requires external magnet
IJ06, IJ16


magnetic
constant magnetic field. The
materials to be integrated
Current densities may be high,


field
Lorenz force in a current carrying
in the print head
resulting in electromigration



wire is used to move the actuator.
manufacturing process
problems


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
possible
Magnetic materials required in print



pushes on the ink. A small
Small print head size
head



actuator moves a catch, which



selectively prevents the paddle



from moving.



















ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD











Actuator






amplification
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples





None
No actuator mechanical
Operational simplicity
Many actuator mechanisms have
Thermal Bubble Inkjet



amplification is used. The actuator

insufficient travel, or insufficient
IJ01, IJ02, IJ06, IJ07



directly drives the drop ejection

force, to efficiently drive the drop
IJ16, IJ25, IJ26



process.

ejection process


Differential
An actuator material expands
Provides greater travel in a
High stresses are involved
Piezoelectric


expansion
more on one side than on the
reduced print head area
Care must be taken that the materials
IJ03, IJ09, IJ17-IJ24


bend actuator
other. The expansion may be
The bend actuator converts
do not delaminate
IJ27, IJ29-IJ39, IJ42,



thermal, piezoelectric,
a high force low travel
Residual bend resulting from high
IJ43, IJ44



magnetostrictive, or other
actuator mechanism to
temperature or high stress during



mechanism.
high travel, lower force
formation




mechanism.


Transient
A trilayer bend actuator where the
Very good temperature
High stresses are involved
IJ40, IJ41


bend actuator
two outside layers are identical.
stability
Care must be taken that the materials



This cancels bend due to ambient
High speed, as a new drop
do not delaminate



temperature and residual stress.
can be fired before heat



The actuator only responds to
dissipates



transient heating of one side or the
Cancels residual stress of



other.
formation


Actuator
A series of thin actuators are
Increased travel
Increased fabrication complexity
Some piezoelectric


stack
stacked. This can be appropriate
Reduced drive voltage
Increased possibility of short circuits
ink jets



where actuators require high

due to pinholes
IJ04



electric field strength, such as



electrostatic and piezoelectric



actuators.


Multiple
Multiple smaller actuators are
Increases the force available
Actuator forces may not add linearly,
IJ12, IJ13, IJ18, IJ20


actuators
used simultaneously to move the
from an actuator
reducing efficiency
IJ22, IJ28, IJ42, IJ43



ink. Each actuator need provide
Multiple actuators can be



only a portion of the force
positioned to control ink



required.
flow accurately


Linear Spring
A linear spring is used to
Matches low travel actuator
Requires print head area for the spring
IJ15



transform a motion with small
with higher travel



travel and high force into a longer
requirements



travel, lower force motion.
Non-contact method of




motion transformation


Reverse
The actuator loads a spring. When
Better coupling to the ink
Fabrication complexity
IJ05, IJ11


spring
the actuator is turned off, the

High stress in the spring



spring releases. This can reverse



the force/distance curve of the



actuator to make it compatible



with the force/time requirements



of the drop ejection.


Coiled
A bend actuator is coiled to
Increases travel
Generally restricted to planar
IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35


actuator
provide greater travel in a reduced
Reduces chip area
implementations due to extreme



chip area.
Planar implementations are
fabrication difficulty in other




relatively easy to
orientations.




fabricate.


Flexure bend
A bend actuator has a small
Simple means of increasing
Care must be taken not to exceed the
IJ10, IJ19, IJ33


actuator
region near the fixture point,
travel of a bend actuator
elastic limit in the flexure area



which flexes much more readily

Stress distribution is very uneven



than the remainder of the actuator.

Difficult to accurately model with



The actuator flexing is effectively

finite element analysis



converted from an even coiling to



an angular bend, resulting in



greater travel of the actuator tip.


Gears
Gears can be used to increase
Low force, low travel
Moving parts are required
IJ13



travel at the expense of duration.
actuators can be used
Several actuator cycles are required



Circular gears, rack and pinion,
Can be fabricated using
More complex drive electronics



ratchets, and other gearing
standard surface MEMS
Complex construction



methods can be used.
processes
Friction, friction, and wear are





possible


Catch
The actuator controls a small
Very low actuator energy
Complex construction
IJ10



catch. The catch either enables or
Very small actuator size
Requires external force



disables movement of an ink

Unsuitable for pigmented inks



pusher that is controlled in a bulk



manner.


Buckle plate
A buckle plate can be used to
Very fast movement
Must stay within elastic limits of the
S. Hirata et al, “An



change a slow actuator into a fast
achievable
materials for long device life
Ink-jet Head . . . ”,



motion. It can also convert a high

High stresses involved
Proc. IEEE MEMS,



force, low travel actuator into a

Generally high power requirement
February 1996,



high travel, medium force motion.


pp 418-423.






IJ18, IJ27


Tapered
A tapered magnetic pole can
Linearizes the magnetic
Complex construction
IJ14


magnetic
increase travel at the expense of
force/distance curve


pole
force.


Lever
A lever and fulcrum is used to
Matches low travel actuator
High stress around the fulcrum
IJ32, IJ36, IJ37



transform a motion with small
with higher travel



travel and high force into a
requirements



motion with longer travel and
Fulcrum area has no linear



lower force. The lever can also
movement, and can be



reverse the direction of travel.
used for a fluid seal


Rotary
The actuator is connected to a
High mechanical advantage
Complex construction
IJ28


impeller
rotary impeller. A small angular
The ratio of force to travel
Unsuitable for pigmented inks



deflection of the actuator results
of the actuator can be



in a rotation of the impeller vanes,
matched to the nozzle



which push the ink against
requirements by varying



stationary vanes and out of the
the number of impeller



nozzle.
vanes


Acoustic lens
A refractive or diffractive (e.g.
No moving parts
Large area required
1993 Hadimioglu et



zone plate) acoustic lens is used to

Only relevant for acoustic ink jets
al, EUP 550,192



concentrate sound waves.


1993 Elrod et al, EUP






572,220


Sharp
A sharp point is used to
Simple construction
Difficult to fabricate using standard
Tone-jet


conductive
concentrate an electrostatic field.

VLSI processes for a surface


point


ejecting ink-jet





Only relevant for electrostatic ink jets



















ACTUATOR MOTION











Actuator






motion
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples





Volume
The volume of the actuator
Simple construction in the
High energy is typically required to
Hewlett-Packard


expansion
changes, pushing the ink in all
case of thermal ink jet
achieve volume expansion. This
Thermal Inkjet



directions.

leads to thermal stress, cavitation,
Canon Bubblejet





and kogation in thermal ink jet





implementations


Linear,
The actuator moves in a direction
Efficient coupling to ink
High fabrication complexity may be
IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ07


normal to
normal to the print head surface.
drops ejected normal to
required to achieve perpendicular
IJ11, IJ14


chip surface
The nozzle is typically in the line
the surface
motion



of movement.


Linear,
The actuator moves parallel to the
Suitable for planar
Fabrication complexity
IJ12, IJ13, IJ15, IJ33,


parallel to
print head surface. Drop ejection
fabrication
Friction
IJ34, IJ35, IJ36


chip surface
may still be normal to the surface.

Stiction


Membrane
An actuator with a high force but
The effective area of the
Fabrication complexity
1982 Howkins U.S. Pat. No.


push
small area is used to push a stiff
actuator becomes the
Actuator size
4,459,601



membrane that is in contact with
membrane area
Difficulty of integration in a VLSI



the ink.

process


Rotary
The actuator causes the rotation of
Rotary levers may be used
Device complexity
IJ05, IJ08, IJ13, IJ28



some element, such a grill or
to increase travel
May have friction at a pivot point



impeller
Small chip area




requirements


Bend
The actuator bends when
A very small change in
Requires the actuator to be made from
1970 Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No.



energized. This may be due to
dimensions can be
at least two distinct layers, or to
3,946,398



differential thermal expansion,
converted to a large
have a thermal difference across the
1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No.



piezoelectric expansion,
motion.
actuator
3,747,120



magnetostriction, or other form of


IJ03, IJ09, IJ10, IJ19



relative dimensional change.


IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ29






IJ30, IJ31, IJ33, IJ34






IJ35


Swivel
The actuator swivels around a
Allows operation where the
Inefficient coupling to the ink motion
IJ06



central pivot. This motion is
net linear force on the



suitable where there are opposite
paddle is zero



forces applied to opposite sides of
Small chip area



the paddle, e.g. Lorenz force.
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




austenic phase is planar
accurate


Double bend
The actuator bends in one
One actuator can be used to
Difficult to make the drops ejected by
IJ36, IJ37, IJ38



direction when one element is
power two nozzles.
both bend directions identical.



energized, and bends the other
Reduced chip size.
A small efficiency loss compared to



way when another element is
Not sensitive to ambient
equivalent single bend actuators.



energized.
temperature


Shear
Energizing the actuator causes a
Can increase the effective
Not readily applicable to other
1985 Fishbeck U.S. Pat. No.



shear motion in the actuator
travel of piezoelectric
actuator mechanisms
4,584,590



material.
actuators


Radial
The actuator squeezes an ink
Relatively easy to fabricate
High force required
1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No.


constriction
reservoir, forcing ink from a
single nozzles from glass
Inefficient
3,683,212



constricted nozzle.
tubing as macroscopic
Difficult to integrate with VLSI




structures
processes


Coil/uncoil
A coiled actuator uncoils or coils
Easy to fabricate as a planar
Difficult to fabricate for non-planar
IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35



more tightly. The motion of the
VLSI process
devices



free end of the actuator ejects the
Small area required,
Poor out-of-plane stiffness



ink.
therefore low cost


Bow
The actuator bows (or buckles) in
Can increase the speed of
Maximum travel is constrained
IJ16, IJ18, IJ27



the middle when energized.
travel
High force required




Mechanically rigid


Push-Pull
Two actuators control a shutter.
The structure is pinned at
Not readily suitable for inkjets which
IJ18



One actuator pulls the shutter, and
both ends, so has a high
directly push the ink



the other pushes it.
out-of-plane rigidity


Curl inwards
A set of actuators curl inwards to
Good fluid flow to the
Design complexity
IJ20, IJ42



reduce the volume of ink that they
region behind the actuator



enclose.
increases efficiency


Curl
A set of actuators curl outwards,
Relatively simple
Relatively large chip area
IJ43


outwards
pressurizing ink in a chamber
construction



surrounding the actuators, and



expelling ink from a nozzle in the



chamber.


Iris
Multiple vanes enclose a volume
High efficiency
High fabrication complexity
IJ22



of ink. These simultaneously
Small chip area
Not suitable for pigmented inks



rotate, reducing the volume



between the vanes.


Acoustic
The actuator vibrates at a high
The actuator can be
Large area required for efficient
1993 Hadimioglu et


vibration
frequency.
physically distant from
operation at useful frequencies
al, EUP 550,192




the ink
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
No moving parts
Various other tradeoffs are required to
Silverbrook, EP 0771



actuator does not move.

eliminate moving parts
658 A2 and related






patent applications






Tone-jet



















NOZZLE REFILL METHOD











Nozzle refill






method
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples





Surface tension
After the actuator is energized, it
Fabrication simplicity
Low speed
Thermal inkjet



typically returns rapidly to its
Operational simplicity
Surface tension force relatively small
Piezoelectric inkjet



normal position. This rapid return

compared to actuator force
IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14



sucks in air through the nozzle

Long refill time usually dominates the
IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45



opening. The ink surface tension

total repetition rate



at the nozzle then exerts a small



force restoring the meniscus to a



minimum area.


Shuttered oscillating
Ink to the nozzle chamber is
High speed
Requires common ink pressure
IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17


ink pressure
provided at a pressure that
Low actuator energy, as the
oscillator
IJ18, IJ19, IJ21



oscillates at twice the drop
actuator need only open
May not be suitable for pigmented



ejection frequency. When a drop
or close the shutter,
inks



is to be ejected, the shutter is
instead of ejecting the ink



opened for 3 half cycles: drop
drop



ejection, actuator return, and



refill.


Refill
After the main actuator has
High speed, as the nozzle is
Requires two independent actuators
IJ09


actuator
ejected a drop a second (refill)
actively refilled
per nozzle



actuator is 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
High refill rate, therefore a
Surface spill must be prevented
Silverbrook, EP 0771


pressure
pressure. After the ink drop is
high drop repetition rate
Highly hydrophobic print head
658 A2 and related



ejected, the nozzle chamber fills
is possible
surfaces are required
patent applications



quickly as surface tension and ink


Alternative for:



pressure both operate to refill the


IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14



nozzle.


IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45



















METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET











Inlet back-flow






restriction method
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples





Long inlet
The ink inlet channel to the nozzle
Design simplicity
Restricts refill rate
Thermal inkjet


channel
chamber is made long and
Operational simplicity
May result in a relatively large chip
Piezoelectric inkjet



relatively narrow, relying on
Reduces crosstalk
area
IJ42, IJ43



viscous drag to reduce inlet back-

Only partially effective



flow.


Positive ink pressure
The ink is under a positive
Drop selection and
Requires a method (such as a nozzle
Silverbrook, EP 0771



pressure, so that in the quiescent
separation forces can be
rim or effective hydrophobizing, or
658 A2 and related



state some of the ink drop already
reduced
both) to prevent flooding of the
patent applications



protrudes from the nozzle.
Fast refill time
ejection surface of the print head.
Possible operation of



This reduces the pressure in the


the following:



nozzle chamber which is required


IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12



to eject a certain volume of ink.


IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22,



The reduction in chamber


IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ41



pressure results in a reduction in


IJ44



ink pushed out through the inlet.


Baffle
One or more baffles are placed in
The refill rate is not as
Design complexity
HP Thermal Ink Jet



the inlet ink flow. When the
restricted as the long inlet
May increase fabrication complexity
Tektronix



actuator is energized, the rapid ink
method.
(e.g. Tektronix hot melt
piezoelectric ink jet



movement creates eddies which
Reduces crosstalk
Piezoelectric print heads).



restrict the flow through the inlet.



The slower refill process is



unrestricted, and does not result in



eddies.


Flexible flap
In this method recently disclosed
Significantly reduces back-
Not applicable to most inkjet
Canon


restricts inlet
by Canon, the expanding actuator
flow for edge-shooter
configurations



(bubble) pushes on a flexible flap
thermal ink jet devices
Increased fabrication complexity



that restricts the inlet.

Inelastic deformation of polymer flap





results in creep over extended use


Inlet filter
A filter is located between the ink
Additional advantage of ink
Restricts refill rate
IJ04, IJ12, IJ24, IJ27



inlet and the nozzle chamber. The
filtration
May result in complex construction
IJ29, IJ30



filter has a multitude of small
Ink filter may be fabricated



holes or slots, restricting ink flow.
with no additional



The filter also removes particles
process steps



which may block the nozzle.


Small inlet
The ink inlet channel to the nozzle
Design simplicity
Restricts refill rate
IJ02, IJ37, IJ44


compared to
chamber has a substantially

May result in a relatively large chip


nozzle
smaller cross section than that of

area



the nozzle, resulting in easier ink

Only partially effective



egress out of the nozzle than out



of the inlet.


Inlet shutter
A secondary actuator controls the
Increases speed of the ink-
Requires separate refill actuator and
IJ09



position of a shutter, closing off
jet print head operation
drive circuit



the ink inlet when the main



actuator is energized.


The inlet is
The method avoids the problem of
Back-flow problem is
Requires careful design to minimize
IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06


located
inlet back-flow by arranging the
eliminated
the negative pressure behind the
IJ07, IJ10, IJ11, IJ14


behind the
ink-pushing surface of the

paddle
IJ16, IJ22, IJ23, IJ25


ink-pushing
actuator between the inlet and the


IJ28, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33


surface
nozzle.


IJ34, IJ35, IJ36, IJ39






IJ40, IJ41


Part of the
The actuator and a wall of the ink
Significant reductions in
Small increase in fabrication
IJ07, IJ20, IJ26, IJ38


actuator
chamber are arranged so that the
back-flow can be
complexity


moves to
motion of the actuator closes off
achieved


shut off the
the inlet.
Compact designs possible


inlet


Nozzle
In some configurations of ink jet,
Ink back-flow problem is
None related to ink back-flow on
Silverbrook, EP 0771


actuator does
there is no expansion or
eliminated
actuation
658 A2 and related


not result in ink back-
movement of an actuator which


patent applications


flow
may cause ink back-flow through


Valve-jet



the inlet.


Tone-jet






IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17






IJ18, IJ19, IJ21



















NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD











Nozzle Clearing






method
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples





Normal
All of the nozzles are fired
No added complexity on the
May not be sufficient to displace dried
Most ink jet systems


nozzle firing
periodically, before the ink has a
print head
ink
IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12



chance to dry. When not in use


IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22



the nozzles are sealed (capped)


IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ45



against air.



The nozzle firing is usually



performed during a special



clearing cycle, after first moving



the print head to a cleaning



station.


Extra power
In systems which heat the ink, but
Can be highly effective if
Requires higher drive voltage for
Silverbrook, EP 0771


to ink heater
do not boil it under normal
the heater is adjacent to
clearing
658 A2 and related



situations, nozzle clearing can be
the nozzle
May require larger drive transistors
patent applications



achieved by over-powering the



heater and boiling ink at the



nozzle.


Rapid
The actuator is fired in rapid
Does not require extra drive
Effectiveness depends substantially
May be used with:


succession
succession. In some
circuits on the print head
upon the configuration of the inkjet
IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ11


of actuator
configurations, this may cause
Can be readily controlled
nozzle
IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22


pulses
heat build-up at the nozzle which
and initiated by digital

IJ23-IJ25, IJ27-IJ34



boils the ink, clearing the nozzle.
logic

IJ36-IJ45



In other situations, it may cause



sufficient vibrations to dislodge



clogged nozzles.


Extra power
Where an actuator is not normally
A simple solution where
Not suitable where there is a hard limit
May be used with:


to ink
driven to the limit of its motion,
applicable
to actuator movement
IJ03, IJ09, IJ16, IJ20


pushing
nozzle clearing may be assisted by


IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ27


actuator
providing an enhanced drive


IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32



signal to the actuator.


IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42






IJ43, IJ44, IJ45


Acoustic
An ultrasonic wave is applied to
A high nozzle clearing
High implementation cost if system
IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17


resonance
the ink chamber. This wave is of
capability can be
does not already include an acoustic
IJ18, IJ19, IJ21



an appropriate amplitude and
achieved
actuator



frequency to cause sufficient force
May be implemented at very



at the nozzle to clear blockages,
low cost in systems which



This is easiest to achieve if the
already include acoustic



ultrasonic wave is at a resonant
actuators



frequency of the ink cavity.


Nozzle
A microfabricated plate is pushed
Can clear severely clogged
Accurate mechanical alignment is
Silverbrook, EP 0771


clearing plate
against the nozzles. The plate has
nozzles
required
658 A2 and related



a post for every nozzle. The array

Moving parts are required
patent applications



of posts

There is risk of damage to the nozzles





Accurate fabrication is required


Ink pressure
The pressure of the ink is
May be effective where
Requires pressure pump or other
May be used with all


pulse
temporarily increased so that ink
other methods cannot be
pressure actuator
IJ series ink jets



streams from all of the nozzles.
used
Expensive



This may be used in conjunction

Wasteful of ink



with actuator energizing.


Print head
A flexible ‘blade’ is wiped across
Effective for planar print
Difficult to use if print head surface is
Many ink jet systems


wiper
the print head surface. The blade
head surfaces
non-planar or very fragile



is usually fabricated from a
Low cost
Requires mechanical parts



flexible polymer, e.g. rubber or

Blade can wear out in high volume



synthetic elastomer.

print systems


Separate ink
A separate heater is provided at
Can be effective where
Fabrication complexity
Can be used with


boiling heater
the nozzle although the normal
other nozzle clearing

many IJ series ink



drop e-ection mechanism does
methods cannot be used

jets



not require it. The heaters do not
Can be implemented at no



require individual drive circuits,
additional cost in some



as many nozzles can be cleared
inkjet configurations



simultaneously, and no imaging is



required.



















NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION











Nozzle plate






construction
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples





Electroformed
A nozzle plate is separately
Fabrication simplicity
High temperatures and pressures are
Hewlett Packard


nickel
fabricated from electroformed

required to bond nozzle plate
Thermal Inkjet



nickel, and bonded to the print

Minimum thickness constraints



head chip.

Differential thermal expansion


Laser ablated
Individual nozzle holes are
No masks required
Each hole must be individually formed
Canon Bubblejet


or drilled
ablated by an intense UV laser in
Can be quite fast
Special equipment required
1988 Sercel et al.,


polymer
a nozzle plate, which is typically a
Some control over nozzle
Slow where there are many thousands
SPIE, Vol. 998



polymer such as polyimide or
profile is possible
of nozzles per print head
Excimer Beam



polysulphone
Equipment required is
May produce thin burrs at exit holes
Applications, pp.




relatively low cost

76-83






1993 Watanabe et al.,






U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,604


Silicon
A separate nozzle plate is
High accuracy is
Two part construction
K. Bean, IEEE


micromachined
micromachined from single
attainable
High cost
Transactions on



crystal silicon, and bonded to the

Requires precision alignment
Electron Devices,



print head wafer.

Nozzles may be clogged by adhesive
Vol. ED-25, No. 10,






1978, pp 1185-1195






Xerox 1990 Hawkins






et al., U.S. Pat. No.






4,899,181


Glass
Fine glass capillaries are drawn
No expensive equipment
Very small nozzle sizes are difficult to
1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No.


capillaries
from glass tubing. This method
required
form
3,683,212



has been used for making
Simple to make single
Not suited for mass production



individual nozzles, but is difficult
nozzles



to use for bulk manufacturing of



print heads with thousands of



nozzles.


Monolithic,
The nozzle plate is deposited as a
High accuracy (<1 μm)
Requires sacrificial layer under the
Silverbrook, EP 0771


surface
layer using standard VLSI
Monolithic
nozzle plate to form the nozzle
658 A2 and related


micromachined
deposition techniques. Nozzles
Low cost
chamber
patent applications


using VLSI
are etched in the nozzle plate
Existing processes can be
Surface may be fragile to the touch
IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ11


lithographic
using VLSI lithography and
used

IJ12, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20


processes
etching.


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
High accuracy (<1 μm)
Requires long etch times
IJ03, IJ05, IJ06, IJ07


etched
stop in the wafer. Nozzle
Monolithic
Requires a support wafer
IJ08, IJ09, IJ10, IJ13


through
chambers are etched in the front
Low cost

IJ14, IJ15, IJ16, IJ19


substrate
of the wafer, and the wafer is
No differential expansion

IJ21, IJ23, IJ25, IJ26



thinned from the back side.



Nozzles are then etched in the



etch stop layer.


No nozzle
Various methods have been tried
No nozzles to become
Difficult to control drop position
Ricoh 1995 Sekiya et


plate
to eliminate the nozzles entirely,
clogged
accurately
al U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,413



to prevent nozzle clogging. These

Crosstalk problems
1993 Hadimioglu et al



include thermal bubble


EUP 550,192



mechanisms and acoustic lens


1993 Elrod et al EUP



mechanisms


572,220


Trough
Each drop ejector has a trough
Reduced manufacturing
Drop firing direction is sensitive to
IJ35



through which a paddle moves.
complexity
wicking.



There is no nozzle plate.
Monolithic


Nozzle slit
The elimination of nozzle holes
No nozzles to become
Difficult to control drop position
1989 Saito et al U.S. Pat. No.


instead of
and replacement by a slit
clogged
accurately
4,799,068


individual
encompassing many actuator

Crosstalk problems


nozzles
positions reduces nozzle clogging,



but increases crosstalk due to ink



surface waves



















DROP EJECTION DIRECTION











Ejection direction
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples





Edge
Ink flow is along the surface of
Simple construction
Nozzles limited to edge
Canon Bubblejet 1979


(‘edge
the chip, and ink drops are ejected
No silicon etching required
High resolution is difficult
Endo et al GB


shooter’)
from the chip edge.
Good heat sinking via
Fast color printing requires one print
patent 2,007,162




substrate
head per color
Xerox heater-in-pit




Mechanically strong

1990 Hawkins et al




Ease of chip handing

U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181






Tone-jet


Surface
Ink flow is along the surface of
No bulk silicon etching
Maximum ink flow is severely
Hewlett-Packard TIJ


(‘roof
the chip, and ink drops are ejected
required
restricted
1982 Vaught et al


shooter’)
from the chip surface, normal to
Silicon can make an

U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728



the plane of the chip.
effective heat sink

IJ02, IJ11, IJ12, IJ20




Mechanical strength

IJ22


Through
Ink flow is through the chip, and
High ink flow
Requires bulk silicon etching
Silverbrook, EP 0771


chip, forward
ink drops are ejected from the
Suitable for pagewidth print

658 A2 and related


(‘up shooter’)
front surface of the chip.
High nozzle packing density

patent applications




therefore low

IJ04, IJ17, IJ18, IJ24




manufacturing cost

IJ27-IJ45


Through
Ink flow is through the chip, and
High ink flow
Requires wafer thinning
IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06


chip, reverse
ink drops are ejected from the rear
Suitable for pagewidth print
Requires special handling during
IJ07, IJ08, IJ09, IJ10


(‘down
surface of the chip.
High nozzle packing density
manufacture
IJ13, IJ14, IJ15, IJ16


shooter’)

therefore low

IJ19, IJ21, IJ23, IJ25




manufacturing cost

IJ26


Through
Ink flow is through the actuator,
Suitable for piezoelectric
Pagewidth print heads require several
Epson Stylus


actuator
which is not fabricated as part of
print heads
thousand connections to drive
Tektronix hot melt



the same substrate as the drive

circuits
piezoelectric ink



transistors.

Cannot be manufactured in standard
jets





CMOS fabs





Complex assembly required



















INK TYPE











Ink type
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples





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,
No odor
Corrosive
IJ27, IJ30



surfactant, humectant, and
Reduced bleed
Pigment may clog nozzles
Silverbrook, EP 0771



biocide.
Reduced wicking
Pigment may clog actuator
658 A2 and related



Pigments have an advantage in
Reduced strikethrough
mechanisms
patent applications



reduced bleed, wicking and

Cockles paper
Piezoelectric ink-jets



strikethrough.


Thermal ink jets (with






significant






restrictions)


Methyl Ethyl
MEK is a highly volatile solvent
Very fast drying
Odorous
All IJ series ink jets


Ketone (MEK)
used for industrial printing on
Prints on various substrates
Flammable



difficult surfaces such as
such as metals and



aluminum cans.
plastics


Alcohol
Alcohol based inks can be used
Fast drying
Slight odor
All IJ series ink jets


(ethanol, 2-
where the printer must operate at
Operates at sub-freezing
Flammable


butanol, and
temperatures below the freezing
temperatures


others)
point of water. An example of this
Reduced paper cockle



is in-camera consumer
Low cost



photographic printing.


Phase
The ink is solid at room
No drying time-ink
High viscosity
Tektronix hot melt


change
temperature, and is melted in the
instantly freezes on the
Printed ink typically has a ‘waxy’ feel
piezoelectric ink


(hot melt)
print head before jetting. Hot melt
print medium
Printed pages may ‘block’
jets



inks are usually wax based, with a
Almost any print medium
Ink temperature may be above the
1989 Nowak U.S. Pat. No.



melting point around 80° C. After
can be used
curie point of permanent magnets
4,820,346



jetting the ink freezes almost
No paper cockle occurs
Ink heaters consume power
All IJ series ink jets



instantly upon contacting the print
No wicking occurs
Long warm-up time



medium or a transfer roller.
No bleed occurs




No strikethrough occurs


Oil
Oil based inks are extensively
High solubility medium for
High viscosity: this is a significant
All IJ series ink jets



used in offset printing. They have
some dyes
limitation for use in inkjets, which



advantages in improved
Does not cockle paper
usually require a low viscosity.



characteristics on paper
Does not wick through
Some short chain and multi-



(especially no wicking or cockle).
paper
branched oils have a sufficiently



Oil soluble dies and pigments are

low viscosity.



required.

Slow drying


Microemulsion
A microemulsion is a stable, self
Stops ink bleed
Viscosity higher than water
All IJ series ink jets



forming emulsion of oil, water,
High dye solubility
Cost is slightly higher than water



and surfactant. The characteristic
Water, oil, and amphiphilic
based ink



drop size is less than 100 nm, and
soluble dies can be used
High surfactant concentration required



is determined by the preferred
Can stabilize pigment
(around 5%)



curvature of the surfactant.
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.













Australian





Pro-


U.S. Patent/Patent


visional


Application and


Number
Filing Date
Title
Filing Date







PO8066
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,227,652




and Apparatus (IJ01)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8072
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,213,588




and Apparatus (IJ02)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8040
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,213,589




and Apparatus (IJ03)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8071
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,231,163




and Apparatus (IJ04)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8047
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,247,795




and Apparatus (IJ05)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8035
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,394,581




and Apparatus (IJ06)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8044
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,244,691




and Apparatus (IJ07)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8063
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,257,704




and Apparatus (IJ08)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8057
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,416,168




and Apparatus (IJ09)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8056
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,220,694




and Apparatus (IJ10)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8069
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,257,705




and Apparatus (IJ11)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8049
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,247,794




and Apparatus (IJ12)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8036
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,234,610




and Apparatus (IJ13)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8048
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,247,793




and Apparatus (IJ14)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8070
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,264,306




and Apparatus (IJ15)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8067
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,241,342




and Apparatus (IJ16)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8001
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,247,792




and Apparatus (IJ17)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8038
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,264,307




and Apparatus (IJ18)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8033
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,254,220




and Apparatus (IJ19)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8002
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,234,611




and Apparatus (IJ20)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8068
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,302,528




and Apparatus (IJ21)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8062
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,283,582




and Apparatus (IJ22)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8034
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,239,821




and Apparatus (IJ23)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8039
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,338,547




and Apparatus (IJ24)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8041
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,247,796




and Apparatus (IJ25)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8004
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
09/113,122




and Apparatus (IJ26)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8037
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,390,603




and Apparatus (IJ27)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8043
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,362,843




and Apparatus (IJ28)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8042
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,293,653




and Apparatus (IJ29)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8064
15 Jul. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,312,107




and Apparatus (IJ30)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO9389
23 Sep. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,227,653




and Apparatus (IJ31)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO9391
23 Sep. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,234,609




and Apparatus (IJ32)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0888
12 Dec. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,238,040




and Apparatus (IJ33)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0891
12 Dec. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,188,415




and Apparatus (IJ34)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0890
12 Dec. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,227,654




and Apparatus (IJ35)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0873
12 Dec. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,209,989




and Apparatus (IJ36)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0993
12 Dec. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,247,791




and Apparatus (IJ37)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0890
12 Dec. 1997
Image Creation Method
6,336,710




and Apparatus (IJ38)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP1398
19 Jan. 1998
An Image Creation
6,217,153




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(IJ39)


PP2592
25 Mar. 1998
An Image Creation
6,416,167




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(IJ40)


PP2593
25 Mar. 1998
Image Creation Method
6,243,113




and Apparatus (IJ41)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP3991
9 Jun. 1998
Image Creation Method
6,283,581




and Apparatus (IJ42)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP3987
9 Jun. 1998
Image Creation Method
6,247,790




and Apparatus (IJ43)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP3985
9 Jun. 1998
Image Creation Method
6,260,953




and Apparatus (IJ44)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP3983
9 Jun. 1998
Image Creation Method
6,267,469




and Apparatus (IJ45)
(Jul. 10, 1998)









Ink Jet Manufacturing

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor fabrication techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable manufacturing techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.













Australian





Pro-


U.S. Patent/Patent


visional
Filing

Application and


Number
Date
Title
Filing Date







PO7935
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,224,780




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM01)


PO7936
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,235,212




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM02)


PO7937
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,280,643




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM03)


PO8061
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,284,147




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM04)


PO8054
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,214,244




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM05)


PO8065
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,071,750




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM06)


PO8055
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,267,905




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM07)


PO8053
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,251,298




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM08)


PO8078
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,258,285




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM09)


PO7933
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,225,138




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM10)


PO7950
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,241,904




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM11)


PO7949
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,299,786




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM12)


PO8060
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
09/113,124




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM13)


PO8059
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,231,773




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM14)


PO8073
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,190,931




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM15)


PO8076
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,248,249




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM16)


PO8075
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,290,862




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM17)


PO8079
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,241,906




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM18)


PO8050
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
09/113,116




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM19)


PO8052
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,241,905




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM20)


PO7948
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,451,216




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM21)


PO7951
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,231,772




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM22)


PO8074
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,274,056




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM23)


PO7941
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,290,861




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM24)


PO8077
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,248,248




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM25)


PO8058
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,306,671




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM26)


PO8051
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,331,258




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM27)


PO8045
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,110,754




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM28)


PO7952
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,294,101




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM29)


PO8046
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of
6,416,679




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM30)


PO8503
11 Aug. 1997
A Method of
6,264,849




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM30a)


PO9390
23 Sep. 1997
A Method of
6,254,793




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM31)


PO9392
23 Sep. 1997
A Method of
6,235,211




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM32)


PP0889
12 Dec. 1997
A Method of
6,235,211




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM35)


PP0887
12 Dec. 1997
A Method of
6,264,850




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM36)


PP0882
12 Dec. 1997
A Method of
6,258,284




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM37)


PP0874
12 Dec. 1997
A Method of
6,258,284




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM38)


PP1396
19 Jan. 1998
A Method of
6,228,668




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM39)


PP2591
25 Mar. 1998
A Method of
6,180,427




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM41)


PP3989
9 Jun. 1998
A Method of
6,171,875




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM40)


PP3990
9 Jun. 1998
A Method of
6,267,904




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM42)


PP3986
9 Jun. 1998
A Method of
6,245,247




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM43)


PP3984
9 Jun. 1998
A Method of
6,245,247




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM44)


PP3982
9 Jun. 1998
A Method of
6,231,148




Manufacture of an Image
(Jul. 10, 1998)




Creation Apparatus




(IJM45)









Fluid Supply

Further, the present application may utilize an ink delivery system to the ink jet head. Delivery systems relating to the supply of ink to a series of ink jet nozzles are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications, the disclosure of which are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.













Australian


U.S. Patent/Patent


Provisional
Filing

Application


Number
Date
Title
and Filing Date







PO8003
15 Jul. 1997
Supply Method and
6,350,023




Apparatus (F1)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8005
15 Jul. 1997
Supply Method and
6,318,849




Apparatus (F2)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO9404
23 Sep. 1997
A Device and Method
09/113,101




(F3)
(Jul. 10, 1998)









MEMS Technology

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor microelectromechanical techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable microelectromechanical techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.













Australian


U.S. Patent/Patent


Provisional


Application


Number
Filing Date
Title
and Filing Date







PO7943
15 Jul. 1997
A device (MEMS01)



PO8006
15 Jul. 1997
A device (MEMS02)
6,087,638





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8007
15 Jul. 1997
A device (MEMS03)
09/113,093





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8008
15 Jul. 1997
A device (MEMS04)
6,340,222





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8010
15 Jul. 1997
A device (MEMS05)
6,041,600





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8011
15 Jul. 1997
A device (MEMS06)
6,299,300





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO7947
15 Jul. 1997
A device (MEMS07)
6,067,797





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO7945
15 Jul. 1997
A device (MEMS08)
09/113,081





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO7944
15 Jul. 1997
A device (MEMS09)
6,286,935





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO7946
15 Jul. 1997
A device (MEMS10)
6,044,646





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO9393
23 Sep. 1997
A Device and Method
09/113,065




(MEMS11)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0875
12 Dec. 1997
A Device (MEMS12)
09/113,078





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0894
12 Dec. 1997
A Device and Method
09/113,075




(MEMS13)
(Jul. 10, 1998)









IR Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of a disposable camera system such as those described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.













Australian


U.S. Patent/Patent


Provisional


Application and


Number
Filing Date
Title
Filing Date







PP0895
12 Dec. 1997
An Image Creation
6,231,148




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(IR01)


PP0870
12 Dec. 1997
A Device and Method
09/113,106




(IR02)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0869
12 Dec. 1997
A Device and Method
6,293,658




(IR04)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0887
12 Dec. 1997
Image Creation
09/113,104




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(IR05)


PP0885
12 Dec. 1997
An Image Production
6,238,033




System (IR06)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0884
12 Dec. 1997
Image Creation
6,312,070




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(IR10)


PP0886
12 Dec. 1997
Image Creation
6,238,111




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(IR12)


PP0871
12 Dec. 1997
A Device and Method
09/113,086




(IR13)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0876
12 Dec. 1997
An Image Processing
09/113,094




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(IR14)


PP0877
12 Dec. 1997
A Device and Method
6,378,970




(IR16)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0878
12 Dec. 1997
A Device and Method
6,196,739




(IR17)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0879
12 Dec. 1997
A Device and Method
09/112,774




(IR18)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0883
12 Dec. 1997
A Device and Method
6,270,182




(IR19)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0880
12 Dec. 1997
A Device and Method
6,152,619




(IR20)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP0881
12 Dec. 1997
A Device and Method
09/113,092




(IR21)
(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.













Australian


U.S. Patent/Patent


Provisional


Application


Number
Filing Date
Title
and Filing Date







PP2370
16 Mar. 1998
Data Processing
09/112,781




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(Dot01)


PP2371
16 Mar. 1998
Data Processing
09/113,052




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(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.













Australian


U.S. Patent/Patent


Provisional


Application and


Number
Filing Date
Title
Filing Date







PO7991
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
09/113,060




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART01)


PO7988
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
6,476,863




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART02)


PO7993
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
09/113,073




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART03)


PO9395
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing
6,322,181




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART04)


PO8017
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
09/112,747




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART06)


PO8014
15 Jul. 1997
Media Device
6,227,648




(ART07)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8025
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
09/112,750




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART08)


PO8032
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
09/112,746




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART09)


PO7999
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
09/112,743




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART10)


PO7998
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
09/112,742




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART11)


PO8031
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
09/112,741




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART12)


PO8030
15 Jul. 1997
Media Device
6,196,541




(ART13)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO7997
15 Jul. 1997
Media Device
6,195,150




(ART15)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO7979
15 Jul. 1997
Media Device
6,362,868




(ART16)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8015
15 Jul. 1997
Media Device
09/112,738




(ART17)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO7978
15 Jul. 1997
Media Device
09/113,067




(ART18)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO7982
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing
6,431,669




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART19)


PO7989
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing
6,362,869




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART20)


PO8019
15 Jul. 1997
Media Processing
6,472,052




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART21)


PO7980
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
6,356,715




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART22)


PO8018
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
09/112,777




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART24)


PO7938
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
09/113,224




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART25)


PO8016
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
6,366,693




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART26)


PO8024
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
6,329,990




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART27)


PO7940
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing
09/113,072




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART28)


PO7939
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing
09/112,785




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART29)


PO8501
11 Aug. 1997
Image Processing
6,137,500




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART30)


PO8500
11 Aug. 1997
Image Processing
09/112,796




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART31)


PO7987
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing
09/113,071




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART32)


PO8022
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
6,398,328




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART33)


PO8497
11 Aug. 1997
Image Processing
09/113,090




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART34)


PO8020
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing
6,431,704




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART38)


PO8023
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing
09/113,222




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART39)


PO8504
11 Aug. 1997
Image Processing
09/112,786




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART42)


PO8000
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing
6,415,054




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART43)


PO7977
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing
09/112,782




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART44)


PO7934
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing
09/113,056




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART45)


PO7990
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing
09/113,059




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART46)


PO8499
11 Aug. 1997
Image Processing
6,486,886




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART47)


PO8502
11 Aug. 1997
Image Processing
6,381,361




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART48)


PO7981
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing
6,317,192




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART50)


PO7986
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing
09/113,057




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART51)


PO7983
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing
09/113,054




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART52)


PO8026
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
09/112,752




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART53)


PO8027
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
09/112,759




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART54)


PO8028
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing
09/112,757




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART56)


PO9394
23 Sep. 1997
Image Processing
6,357,135




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART57)


PO9396
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing
09/113,107




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART58)


PO9397
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing
6,271,931




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART59)


PO9398
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing
6,353,772




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART60)


PO9399
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing
6,106,147




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART61)


PO9400
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing
09/112,790




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART62)


PO9401
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing
6,304,291




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART63)


PO9402
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing
09/112,788




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART64)


PO9403
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing
6,305,770




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART65)


PO9405
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing
6,289,262




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART66)


PP0959
16 Dec. 1997
A Data Processing
6,315,200




Method and Apparatus
(Jul. 10, 1998)




(ART68)


PP1397
19 Jan. 1998
A Media Device
6,217,165




(ART69)
(Jul. 10, 1998)

## Claims

1. A print roll unit comprising:
a housing comprising a first cover portion attached to a second cover portion, the housing including a slot;
a longitudinally extending core rotatably mounted inside the housing;
an ink supply contained within the core;
a substantially cylindrical former positioned about the core;
a roll of print media wound about the former; and,
at least two pinch rollers arranged with respect to a drive roller so that a de-curling force is imparted to the print media as the print media exits the housing via the slot.

2. The print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core includes an ink outlet at one end to establish fluid communication between the ink supply and an external printhead.

3. The print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink supply includes a plurality of elongate compartments for storing different coloured inks.

4. The print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive roller mechanically engages an external drive motor so as to be rotated and thereby transport the print media from the roll of print media to the slot.

5. The print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive roller has a geared axle that extends beyond the housing for engagement with the external drive motor via a corresponding gear.

6. The print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cover portion and the second cover portion include complementary formations to enable the cover portions to be snap-fitted together.

7. The print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slot is provided as a slot in one of the cover portions.

8. The print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two pinch rollers are passive rollers.

9. The print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive roller is mounted to the first cover portion and the pinch rollers are mounted to the second cover portion.

10. The print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pinch rollers are snap fitted to formations defined by the housing.

11. A camera comprising a print roll unit as claimed in claim 1 and a printer in fluid communication with the core and configured to print captured images on the print media with ink stored in the core.