# Patent

## Title
Device for image capture and processing

## Abstract

A device for image capture and processing for a print-on-demand camera includes image sensing circuitry. The device also includes memory circuitry for storing an image sensed by the image sensing circuitry. Analogue to digital conversion circuitry is interposed between the image sensing circuitry and the memory circuitry to digitize the image data from the sensing circuitry for storage in the memory circuitry. Decoding and processing circuitry is connected to the memory circuitry to decode and process the digitized image data stored in the memory circuitry. Drive circuitry is connected to the decoding and processing circuitry to drive at least one component of a printing mechanism of the print-on-demand camera.

## Background
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/729,150 filed on Dec. 8, 2003, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,794, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/112,774 filed on Jul. 10, 1998 (now abandoned), the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.


FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates substantially to the concept of a disposable camera having instant printing capabilities and in particular, discloses a printhead re-capping assembly for a digital camera system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, the concept of a “single use” disposable camera has become an increasingly popular consumer item. Disposable camera systems presently on the market normally include an internal film roll and a simplified gearing mechanism for traversing the film roll across an imaging system including a shutter and lensing system. The user, after utilizing a single film roll returns the camera system to a film development center for processing. The film roll is taken out of the camera system and processed and the prints returned to the user. The camera system can then be re-manufactured through the insertion of a new film roll into the camera system, the replacement of any worn or wearable parts and the re-packaging of the camera system in accordance with requirements. In this way, the concept of a single use “disposable” camera is provided to the consumer.
Recently, a camera system has been proposed by the present applicant which provides for a handheld camera device having an internal print head, image sensor and processing means such that images sense by the image sensing means, are processed by the processing means and adapted to be instantly printed out by the printing means on demand. The proposed camera system further discloses a system of internal “print rolls” carrying print media such as film on to which images are to be printed in addition to ink to supplying the printing means for the printing process. The print roll is further disclosed to be detachable and replaceable within the camera system.
Unfortunately, such a system is likely to only be constructed at a substantial cost and it would be desirable to provide for a more inexpensive form of instant camera system which maintains a substantial number of the quality aspects of the aforementioned arrangement.
It would be further advantageous to provide for the effective interconnection of the sub components of a camera system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a printhead re-capping assembly for a printer having a chassis, a platen assembly and a pagewidth printhead operatively mounted on the chassis to carry out a printing operation on print media passing over the platen assembly, the re-capping assembly comprising
a base structure that is mounted on the chassis;
at least one static solenoid that is mounted on the base structure and that is connected to an electrical power supply of the printer;
a support member that is actuable by the solenoid to be movable with respect to the chassis between an operative position and an inoperative position; and
a printhead capping member that is mounted on the support member such that when the support member is in the operative position, the capping member engages the printhead to cap the printhead and when the support member is in the inoperative position, the capping member is disengaged from the printhead.
The support member may be configured to be normally in the operative position and to move into the inoperative position when the solenoid is energized by the electrical power supply.
A biasing mechanism may be engaged with the support member to bias the support member into the operative position when the solenoid is de-energized.
The base structure and the solenoid may both be elongate to correspond with a length of the printhead.
The support member may also be elongate and may correspond generally with the printhead.
The capping member may include a length of sponge that is dimensioned to cover the printhead when the support member is displaced into its operative position.
A sealing member may be positioned on the support member to bound the length of sponge such that, when the length of sponge caps the printhead, the sealing member serves to seal a region about the printhead.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided in a camera system comprising: an image sensor device for sensing an image; a processing means for processing the sensed image; a print media supply means for the supply of print media to a print head; a print head for printing the sensed image on the print media stored internally to the camera system; a portable power supply interconnected to the print head, the sensor and the processing means; and a guillotine mechanism located between the print media supply means and the print head and adapted to cut the print media into sheets of a predetermined size.
Further, preferably, the guillotine mechanism is detachable from the camera system. The guillotine mechanism can be attached to the print media supply means and is detachable from the camera system with the print media supply means. The guillotine mechanism can be mounted on a platen unit below the print head.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the assembled camera of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view, partly exploded, of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the chassis of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chassis illustrating mounting of electric motors;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective of the ink supply mechanism of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 6 is rear perspective of the assembled form of the ink supply mechanism of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the assembled form of the ink supply mechanism of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the platen unit of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembled form of the platen unit;
FIG. 10 is also a perspective view of the assembled form of the platen unit;
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the printhead recapping mechanism of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a close up exploded perspective of the recapping mechanism of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective of the ink supply cartridge of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 14 is a close up perspective, view partly in section, of the internal portions of the ink supply cartridge in an assembled form;
FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of one form of integrated circuit layer of the image capture and processing integrated circuit of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 16 is an exploded view perspective illustrating the assembly process of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 17 illustrates a front exploded perspective view of the assembly process of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of the assembly process of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of the assembly process of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the insertion of the platen unit in the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 21 illustrates the interconnection of the electrical components of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 22 illustrates the process of assembling the preferred embodiment; and
FIG. 23 is a perspective view further illustrating the assembly process of the preferred embodiment.



DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS
Turning initially simultaneously to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 there are illustrated perspective views of an assembled camera constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment with FIG. 1 showing a front perspective view and FIG. 2 showing a rear perspective view. The camera 1 includes a paper or plastic film jacket 2 which can include simplified instructions 3 for the operation of the camera system 1. The camera system 1 includes a first “take” button 4 which is depressed to capture an image. The captured image is output via output slot 6. A further copy of the image can be obtained through depressing a second “printer copy” button 7 whilst an LED light 5 is illuminated. The camera system also provides the usual view finder 8 in addition to a CCD image capture/lensing system 9.
The camera system 1 provides for a standard number of output prints after which the camera system 1 ceases to function. A prints left indicator slot 10 is provided to indicate the number of remaining prints. A refund scheme at the point of purchase is assumed to be operational for the return of used camera systems for recycling.
Turning now to FIG. 3, the assembly of the camera system is based around an internal chassis 12 which can be a plastic injection molded part. A pair of paper pinch rollers 28, 29 utilized for decurling are snap fitted into corresponding frame holes eg. 26, 27.
As shown in FIG. 4, the chassis 12 includes a series of mutually opposed prongs eg. 13, 14 into which is snapped fitted a series of electric motors 16, 17. The electric motors 16, 17 can be entirely standard with the motor 16 being of a stepper motor type. The motor 16, 17 include cogs 19, 20 for driving a series of gear wheels. A first set of gear wheels is provided for controlling a paper cutter mechanism and a second set is provided for controlling print roll movement.
Turning next to FIGS. 5 to 7, there is illustrated an ink supply mechanism 40 utilized in the camera system. FIG. 5 illustrates a back exploded perspective view, FIG. 6 illustrates a back assembled view and FIG. 7 illustrates a front assembled view. The ink supply mechanism 40 is based around an ink supply cartridge 42 which contains printer ink and a print head mechanism for printing out pictures on demand. The ink supply cartridge 42 includes a side aluminium strip 43 which is provided as a shear strip to assist in cutting images from a paper roll.
A dial mechanism 44 is provided for indicating the number of “prints left”. The dial mechanism 44 is snap fitted through a corresponding mating portion 46 so as to be freely rotatable.
As shown in FIG. 6, the mechanism 40 includes a flexible PCB strip 47 which interconnects with the print head and provides for control of the print head. The interconnection between the Flex PCB strip an d an image sensor and print head integrated circuit can be via Tape Automated Bonding (TAB) Strips 51, 58. A moulded aspherical lens and aperture shim 50 (FIG. 5) is also provided for imaging an image onto the surface of the image sensor integrated circuit normally located within cavity 53 and a light box module or hood 52 is provided for snap fitting over the cavity 53 so as to provide for proper light control. A series of decoupling capacitors eg. 34 can also be provided. Further a plug 45 (FIG. 7) is provided for re-plugging ink holes after refilling. A series of guide prongs eg. 55–57 are further provided for guiding the flexible PCB strip 47.
The ink supply mechanism 40 interacts with a platen unit 60 which guides print media under a printhead located in the ink supply mechanism. FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the platen unit 60, while FIGS. 9 and 10 show assembled views of the platen unit. The platen unit 60 includes a first pinch roller 61 which is snap fitted to one side of a platen base 62. Attached to a second side of the platen base 62 is a cutting mechanism 63 which traverses the platen unit 60 by means of a rod 64 having a screw thread which is rotated by means of cogged wheel 65 which is also fitted to the platen base 62. The screw threaded rod 64 mounts a block 67 which includes a cutting wheel 68 fastened via a fastener 69. Also mounted to the block 67 is a counter actuator which includes a pawl 71. The pawl 71 acts to rotate the dial mechanism 44 of FIG. 6 upon the return traversal of the cutting wheel. As shown previously in FIG. 6, the dial mechanism 44 includes a cogged surface which interacts with pawl 71, thereby maintaining a count of the number of photographs by means of numbers embossed on the surface of dial mechanism 44. The cutting mechanism 63 is inserted into the platen base 62 by means of a snap fit via clips 74.
The platen unit 60 includes an internal recapping mechanism 80 for recapping the print head when not in use. The recapping mechanism 80 includes a sponge portion 81 and is operated via a solenoid coil so as to provide for recapping of the print head. In the preferred embodiment, there is provided an inexpensive form of printhead re-capping mechanism provided for incorporation into a handheld camera system so as to provide for printhead re-capping of an inkjet printhead.
FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of the recapping mechanism whilst FIG. 12 illustrates a close up of the end portion thereof. The re-capping mechanism 80 is structured around a solenoid including a 16 turn coil 75 which can comprise insulated wire. The coil 75 is turned around a first stationery solenoid arm 76 which is mounted on a bottom surface of the platen base 62(FIG. 8) and includes a post portion 77 to magnify effectiveness of operation. The arm 76 can comprise a ferrous material.
A second moveable arm 78 of the solenoid actuator is also provided. The arm 78 is moveable and is also made of ferrous material. Mounted on the arm is a sponge portion surrounded by an elastomer strip 79. The elastomer strip 79 is of a generally arcuate cross-section and act as a leaf spring against the surface of the printhead ink supply cartridge 42 (FIG. 5) so as to provide for a seal against the surface of the printhead ink supply cartridge 42. In the quiescent position an elastomer spring unit 87, 88 acts to resiliently deform the elastomer seal 79 against the surface of the ink supply unit 42.
When it is desired to operate the printhead unit, upon the insertion of paper, the solenoid coil 75 is activated so as to cause the arm 78 to move down to be adjacent to the end plate 76. The arm 78 is held against end plate 76 while the printhead is printing by means of a small “keeper current” in coil 75. Simulation results indicate that the keeper current can be significantly less than the actuation current. Subsequently, after photo printing, the paper is guillotined by the cutting mechanism 63 of FIG. 8 acting against Aluminium Strip 43, and rewound so as to clear the area of the re-capping mechanism 80. Subsequently, the current is turned off and springs 87, 88 return the arm 78 so that the elastomer seal is again resting against the printhead ink supply cartridge.
It can be seen that the preferred embodiment provides for a simple and inexpensive means of re-capping a printhead through the utilisation of a solenoid type device having a long rectangular form. Further, the preferred embodiment utilises minimal power in that currents are only required whilst the device is operational and additionally, only a low keeper current is required whilst the printhead is printing.
Turning next to FIGS. 13 and 14, FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded perspective of the ink supply cartridge 42 whilst FIG. 14 illustrates a close up sectional view of a bottom of the ink supply cartridge with the printhead unit in place. The ink supply cartridge 42 is based around a pagewidth printhead 102 which comprises a long slither of silicon having a series of holes etched on the back surface for the supply of ink to a front surface of the silicon wafer for subsequent ejection via a micro electro mechanical system. The form of ejection can be many different forms such as those set out in the tables below.
Of course, many other inkjet technologies, as referred to the attached tables below, can also be utilised when constructing a printhead unit 102. The fundamental requirement of the ink supply cartridge 42 is the supply of ink to a series of colour channels etched through the back surface of the printhead 102. In the description of the preferred embodiment, it is assumed that a three colour printing process is to be utilised so as to provide full colour picture output. Hence, the print supply unit includes three ink supply reservoirs being a cyan reservoir 104, a magenta reservoir 105 and a yellow reservoir 106. Each of these reservoirs is required to store ink and includes a corresponding sponge type material 107–109 which assists in stabilising ink within the corresponding ink channel and inhibiting the ink from sloshing back and forth when the printhead is utilised in a handheld camera system. The reservoirs 104, 105, 106 are formed through the mating of first exterior plastic piece 110 and a second base piece 111.
At a first end 118 of the base piece 111 a series of air inlet 113–115 are provided. Each air inlet leads to a corresponding winding channel which is hydrophobically treated so as to act as an ink repellent and therefore repel any ink that may flow along the air inlet channel. The air inlet channel further takes a convoluted path assisting in resisting any ink flow out of the chambers 104–106. An adhesive tape portion 117 is provided for sealing the channels within end portion 118.
At the top end, there is included a series of refill holes (not shown) for refilling corresponding ink supply chambers 104, 105, 106. A plug 121 is provided for sealing the refill holes.
Turning now to FIG. 14, there is illustrated a close up perspective view, partly in section through the ink supply cartridge 42 of FIG. 13 when formed as a unit. The ink supply cartridge includes the three colour ink reservoirs 104, 105, 106 which supply ink to different portions of the back surface of printhead 102 which includes a series of apertures 128 defined therein for carriage of the ink to the front surface.
The ink supply cartridge 42 includes two guide walls 124, 125 which separate the various ink chambers and are tapered into an end portion abutting the surface of the printhead 102. The guide walls 124, 125 are further mechanically supported by block portions eg. 126 which are placed at regular intervals along the length of the ink supply unit. The block portions 126 leave space at portions close to the back of printhead 102 for the flow of ink around the back surface thereof.
The ink supply unit is preferably formed from a multi-part plastic injection mould and the mould pieces eg. 110, 111 (FIG. 13) snap together around the sponge pieces 107, 109. Subsequently, a syringe type device can be inserted in the ink refill holes and the ink reservoirs filled with ink with the air flowing out of the air outlets 113–115. Subsequently, the adhesive tape portion 117 and plug 121 are attached and the printhead tested for operation capabilities. Subsequently, the ink supply cartridge 42 can be readily removed for refilling by means of removing the ink supply cartridge, performing a washing cycle, and then utilising the holes for the insertion of a refill syringe filled with ink for refilling the ink chamber before returning the ink supply cartridge 42 to a camera.
Turning now to FIG. 15, there is shown an example layout of the Image Capture and Processing integrated circuit (ICP) 48.
The Image Capture and Processing integrated circuit 48 provides most of the electronic functionality of the camera with the exception of the print head integrated circuit. The integrated circuit 48 is a highly integrated system. It combines CMOS image sensing, analog to digital conversion, digital image processing, DRAM storage, ROM, and miscellaneous control functions in a single integrated circuit.
The integrated circuit is estimated to be around 32 mm2 using a leading edge 0.18 micron CMOS/DRAM/APS process. The integrated circuit size and cost can scale somewhat with Moore's law, but is dominated by a CMOS active pixel sensor array 201, so scaling is limited as the sensor pixels approach the diffraction limit.
The ICP 48 includes CMOS logic, a CMOS image sensor, DRAM, and analog circuitry. A very small amount of flash memory or other non-volatile memory is also preferably included for protection against reverse engineering.
Alternatively, the ICP can readily be divided into two integrated circuits: one for the CMOS imaging array, and the other for the remaining circuitry. The cost of this two integrated circuit solution should not be significantly different than the single integrated circuit ICP, as the extra cost of packaging and bond-pad area is somewhat cancelled by the reduced total wafer area requiring the color filter fabrication steps.
The ICP preferably contains the following functions:













Function









1.5 megapixel image sensor



Analog Signal Processors



Image sensor column decoders



Image sensor row decoders



Analogue to Digital Conversion (ADC)



Column ADC's



Auto exposure



12 Mbits of DRAM



DRAM Address Generator



Color interpolator



Convolver



Color ALU



Halftone matrix ROM



Digital halftoning



Print head interface



8 bit CPU core



Program ROM



Flash memory



Scratchpad SRAM



Parallel interface (8 bit)



Motor drive transistors (5)



Clock PLL



JTAG test interface



Test circuits



Busses



Bond pads










The CPU, DRAM, Image sensor, ROM, Flash memory, Parallel interface, JTAG interface and ADC can be vendor supplied cores. The ICP is intended to run on 1.5V to minimize power consumption and allow convenient operation from two AA type battery cells.
FIG. 15 illustrates a layout of the ICP 48. The ICP 48 is dominated by the imaging array 201, which consumes around 80% of the integrated circuit area. The imaging array is a CMOS 4 transistor active pixel design with a resolution of 1,500×1,000. The array can be divided into the conventional configuration, with two green pixels, one red pixel, and one blue pixel in each pixel group. There are 750×500 pixel groups in the imaging array.
The latest advances in the field of image sensing and CMOS image sensing in particular can be found in the October, 1997 issue of IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices and, in particular, pages 1689 to 1968. Further, a specific implementation similar to that disclosed in the present application is disclosed in Wong et. al, “CMOS Active Pixel Image Sensors Fabricated Using a 1.8V, 0.25 μm CMOS Technology”, IEDM 1996, page 915.
The imaging array uses a 4 transistor active pixel design of a standard configuration. To minimize integrated circuit area and therefore cost, the image sensor pixels should be as small as feasible with the technology available. With a four transistor cell, the typical pixel size scales as 20 times the lithographic feature size. This allows a minimum pixel area of around 3.6 μm×3.6 μm. However, the photosite must be substantially above the diffraction limit of the lens. It is also advantageous to have a square photosite, to maximize the margin over the diffraction limit in both horizontal and vertical directions. In this case, the photosite can be specified as 2.5 μm×2.5 μm. The photosite can be a photogate, pinned photodiode, charge modulation device, or other sensor.
The four transistors are packed as an ‘L’ shape, rather than a rectangular region, to allow both the pixel and the photosite to be square. This reduces the transistor packing density slightly, increasing pixel size. However, the advantage in avoiding the diffraction limit is greater than the small decrease in packing density. The transistors also have a gate length which is longer than the minimum for the process technology.
These have been increased from a drawn length of 0.18 micron to a drawn length of 0.36 micron. This is to improve the transistor matching by making the variations in gate length represent a smaller proportion of the total gate length.
The extra gate length, and the ‘L’ shaped packing, mean that the transistors use more area than the minimum for the technology. Normally, around 8 μm2 would be required for rectangular packing. Preferably, 9.75 μm2 has been allowed for the transistors.
The total area for each pixel is 16 μm2, resulting from a pixel size of 4 μm×4 μm. With a resolution of 1,500×1,000, the area of the imaging array 101 is 6,000 μm×4,000 μm, or 24 mm2.
The presence of a color image sensor on the integrated circuit affects the process required in two major ways:

    
    
        The CMOS fabrication process should be optimized to minimize dark current Color filters are required. These can be fabricated using dyed photosensitive polyimides, resulting in an added process complexity of three spin coatings, three photolithographic steps, three development steps, and three hardbakes.
    
    


There are 15,000 analog signal processors (ASPs) 205, one for each of the columns of the sensor. The ASPs amplify the signal, provide a dark current reference, sample and hold the signal, and suppress the fixed pattern noise (FPN).
There are 375 analog to digital converters 206, one for each four columns of the sensor array. These may be delta-sigma or successive approximation type ADC's. A row of low column ADC's are used to reduce the conversion speed required, and the amount of analog signal degradation incurred before the signal is converted to digital. This also eliminates the hot spot (affecting local dark current) and the substrate coupled noise that would occur if a single high speed ADC was used. Each ADC also has two four bit DAC's which trim the offset and scale of the ADC to further reduce FPN variations between columns. These DAC's are controlled by data stored in flash memory during integrated circuit testing.
The column select logic 204 is a 1:1500 decoder which enables the appropriate digital output of the ADCs onto the output bus. As each ADC is shared by four columns, the least significant two bits of the row select control 4 input analog multiplexors.
A row decoder 207 is a 1:1000 decoder which enables the appropriate row of the active pixel sensor array. This selects which of the 1000 rows of the imaging array is connected to analog signal processors. As the rows are always accessed in sequence, the row select logic can be implemented as a shift register.
An auto exposure system 208 adjusts the reference voltage of the ADC 205 in response to the maximum intensity sensed during the previous frame period. Data from the green pixels is passed through a digital peak detector. The peak value of the image frame period before capture (the reference frame) is provided to a digital to analogue converter(DAC), which generates the global reference voltage for the column ADCs. The peak detector is reset at the beginning of the reference frame. The minimum and maximum values of the three RGB color components are also collected for color correction.
The second largest section of the integrated circuit is consumed by a DRAM 210 used to hold the image. To store the 1,500×1,000 image from the sensor without compression, 1.5 Mbytes of DRAM 210 are required. This equals 12 Mbits, or slightly less than 5% of a 256 Mbit DRAM. The DRAM technology assumed is of the 256 Mbit generation implemented using 0.18 μm CMOS.
Using a standard 8F cell, the area taken by the memory array is 3.11 mm2. When row decoders, column sensors, redundancy, and other factors are taken into account, the DRAM requires around 4 mm2.
This DRAM 210 can be mostly eliminated if analog storage of the image signal can be accurately maintained in the CMOS imaging array for the two seconds required to print the photo. However, digital storage of the image is preferable as it is maintained without degradation, is insensitive to noise, and allows copies of the photo to be printed considerably later.
A DRAM address generator 211 provides the write and read addresses to the DRAM 210. Under normal operation, the write address is determined by the order of the data read from the CMOS image sensor 201. This will typically be a simple raster format. However, the data can be read from the sensor 201 in any order, if matching write addresses to the DRAM are generated. The read order from the DRAM 210 will normally simply match the requirements of a color interpolator and the print head. As the cyan, magenta, and yellow rows of the print head are necessarily offset by a few pixels to allow space for nozzle actuators, the colors are not read from the DRAM simultaneously. However, there is plenty of time to read all of the data from the DRAM many times during the printing process. This capability is used to eliminate the need for FIFOs in the print head interface, thereby saving integrated circuit area. All three RGB image components can be read from the DRAM each time color data is required. This allows a color space converter to provide a more sophisticated conversion than a simple linear RGB to CMY conversion.
Also, to allow two dimensional filtering of the image data without requiring line buffers, data is re-read from the DRAM array.
The address generator may also implement image effects in certain models of camera. For example, passport photos are generated by a manipulation of the read addresses to the DRAM. Also, image framing effects (where the central image is reduced), image warps, and kaleidoscopic effects can all be generated by manipulating the read addresses of the DRAM.
While the address generator 211 may be implemented with substantial complexity if effects are built into the standard integrated circuit, the integrated circuit area required for the address generator is small, as it consists only of address counters and a moderate amount of random logic.
A color interpolator 214 converts the interleaved pattern of red, 2× green, and blue pixels into RGB pixels. It consists of three 8 bit adders and associated registers. The divisions are by either 2 (for green) or 4 (for red and blue) so they can be implemented as fixed shifts in the output connections of the adders.
A convolver 215 is provided as a sharpening filter which applies a small convolution kernel (5×5) to the red, green, and blue planes of the image. The convolution kernel for the green plane is different from that of the red and blue planes, as green has twice as many samples. The sharpening filter has five functions:

    
    
        To improve the color interpolation from the linear interpolation provided by the color interpolator, to a close approximation of a sinc interpolation.
        To compensate for the image ‘softening’ which occurs during digitization.
        To adjust the image sharpness to match average consumer preferences, which are typically for the image to be slightly sharper than reality. As the single use camera is intended as a consumer product, and not a professional photographic products, the processing can match the most popular settings, rather than the most accurate.
        To suppress the sharpening of high frequency (individual pixel) noise. The function is similar to the ‘unsharp mask’ process.
        To antialias Image Warping.
    
    


These functions are all combined into a single convolution matrix. As the pixel rate is low (less than 1 Mpixel per second) the total number of multiplies required for the three color channels is 56 million multiplies per second. This can be provided by a single multiplier. Fifty bytes of coefficient ROM are also required.
A color ALU 113 combines the functions of color compensation and color space conversion into the one matrix multiplication, which is applied to every pixel of the frame. As with sharpening, the color correction should match the most popular settings, rather than the most accurate.
A color compensation circuit of the color ALU provides compensation for the lighting of the photo. The vast majority of photographs are substantially improved by a simple color compensation, which independently normalizes the contrast and brightness of the three color components.
A color look-up table (CLUT) 212 is provided for each color component. These are three separate 256×8 SRAMs, requiring a total of 6,144 bits. The CLUTs are used as part of the color correction process. They are also used for color special effects, such as stochastically selected “wild color” effects.
A color space conversion system of the color ALU converts from the RGB color space of the image sensor to the CMY color space of the printer. The simplest conversion is a 1's complement of the RGB data. However, this simple conversion assumes perfect linearity of both color spaces, and perfect dye spectra for both the color filters of the image sensor, and the ink dyes. At the other extreme is a tri-linear interpolation of a sampled three dimensional arbitrary transform table. This can effectively match any non-linearity or differences in either color space. Such a system is usually necessary to obtain good color space conversion when the print engine is a color electrophotographic.
However, since the non-linearity of a halftoned ink jet output is very small, a simpler system can be used. A simple matrix multiply can provide excellent results. This requires nine multiplies and six additions per contone pixel. However, since the contone pixel rate is low (less than 1 Mpixel/sec) these operations can share a single multiplier and adder. The multiplier and adder are used in a color ALU which is shared with the color compensation function.
Digital halftoning can be performed as a dispersed dot ordered dither using a stochastic optimized dither cell. A halftone matrix ROM 216 is provided for storing dither cell coefficients. A dither cell size of 32×32 is adequate to ensure that the cell repeat cycle is not visible. The three colors—cyan, magenta, and yellow—are all dithered using the same cell, to ensure maximum co-positioning of the ink dots. This minimizes ‘muddying’ of the mid-tones which results from bleed of dyes from one dot to adjacent dots while still wet. The total ROM size required is 1 KByte, as the one ROM is shared by the halftoning units for each of the three colors.
The digital halftoning used is dispersed dot ordered dither with stochastic optimized dither matrix. While dithering does not produce an image quite as ‘sharp’ as error diffusion, it does produce a more accurate image with fewer artifacts. The image sharpening produced by error diffusion is artificial, and less controllable and accurate than ‘unsharp mask’ filtering performed in the contone domain. The high print resolution (1,600 dpi×1,600 dpi) results in excellent quality when using a well formed stochastic dither matrix.
Digital halftoning is performed by a digital halftoning unit 217 using a simple comparison between the contone information from the DRAM 210 and the contents of the dither matrix 216. During the halftone process, the resolution of the image is changed from the 250 dpi of the captured contone image to the 1,600 dpi of the printed image. Each contone pixel is converted to an average of 40.96 halftone dots.
The ICP incorporates a 16 bit microcontroller CPU core 219 to run the miscellaneous camera functions, such as reading the buttons, controlling the motor and solenoids, setting up the hardware, and authenticating the refill station. The processing power required by the CPU is very modest, and a wide variety of processor cores can be used. As the entire CPU program is run from a small ROM 220[.], program compatibility between camera versions is not important, as no external programs are run. A 2 Mbit (256 Kbyte) program and data ROM 220 is included on integrated circuit. Most of this ROM space is allocated to data for outline graphics and fonts for specialty cameras. The program requirements are minor. The single most complex task is the encrypted authentication of the refill station. The ROM requires a single transistor per bit.
A Flash memory 221 may be used to store a 128 bit authentication code. This provides higher security than storage of the authentication code in ROM, as reverse engineering can be made essentially impossible. The Flash memory is completely covered by third level metal, making the data impossible to extract using scanning probe microscopes or electron beams. The authentication code is stored in the integrated circuit when manufactured. At least two other Flash bits are required for the authentication process: a bit which locks out reprogramming of the authentication code, and a bit which indicates that the camera has been refilled by an authenticated refill station. The flash memory can also be used to store FPN correction data for the imaging array. Additionally, a phase locked loop rescaling parameter is stored for scaling the clocking cycle to an appropriate correct time. The clock frequency does not require crystal accuracy since no date functions are provided. To eliminate the cost of a crystal, an on integrated circuit oscillator with a phase locked loop 224 is used. As the frequency of an on-integrated circuit oscillator is highly variable from integrated circuit to integrated circuit, the frequency ratio of the oscillator to the PLL is digitally trimmed during initial testing. The value is stored in Flash memory 221; This allows the clock PLL to control the ink-jet heater pulse width with sufficient accuracy.
A scratchpad SRAM is a small static RAM 222 with a 6T cell. The scratchpad provided temporary memory for the 16 bit CPU. 1024 bytes is adequate.
A print head interface 223 formats the data correctly for the print head. The print head interface also provides all of the timing signals required by the print head. These timing signals may vary depending upon temperature, the number of dots printed simultaneously, the print medium in the print roll, and the dye density of the ink in the print roll.
The following is a table of external connections to the print head interface:












Connection
Function
Pins

















DataBits[0–7]
Independent serial data to the eight segments of the print
8



head


BitClock
Main data clock for the print head
1


ColorEnable[0–2]
Independent enable signals for the CMY actuators,
3



allowing different pulse times for each color.


BankEnable[0–1]
Allows either simultaneous or interleaved actuation of two
2



banks of nozzles. This allows two different print



speed/power consumption tradeoffs


NozzleSelect[0–4]
Selects one of 32 banks of nozzles for simultaneous
5



actuation


ParallelXferClock
Loads the parallel transfer register with the data from the
1



shift registers



Total

20









The print head utilized is composed of eight identical segments, each 1.25 cm long. There is no connection between the segments on the print head integrated circuit. Any connections required are made in the external TAB bonding film, which is double sided. The division into eight identical segments is to simplify lithography using wafer steppers. The segment width of 1.25 cm fits easily into a stepper field. As the print head integrated circuit is long and narrow (10 cm×0.3 mm), the stepper field contains a single segment of 32 print head integrated circuits. The stepper field is therefore 1.25 cm×1.6 cm. An average of four complete print heads are patterned in each wafer step.
A single BitClock output line connects to all 8 segments on the print head. The 8 DataBits lines lead one to each segment, and are clocked into the 8 segments on the print head simultaneously (on a BitClock pulse). For example, dot 0 is transferred to segment0, dot 750 is transferred to segment1, dot 1500 to segment2 etc simultaneously.
The ParallelXferClock is connected to each of the 8 segments on the print head, so that on a single pulse, all segments transfer their bits at the same time.
The NozzleSelect, BankEnable and ColorEnable lines are connected to each of the 8 segments, allowing the print head interface to independently control the duration of the cyan, magenta, and yellow nozzle energizing pulses. Registers in the Print Head Interface allow the accurate specification of the pulse duration between 0 and 6 ms, with a typical duration of 2 ms to 3 ms.
A parallel interface 125 connects the ICP to individual static electrical signals. The CPU is able to control each of these connections as memory mapped I/O via a low speed bus.
The following is a table of connections to the parallel interface:















Connection
Direction
Pins









Paper transport stepper motor
Output
4



Capping solenoid
Output
1



Copy LED
Output
1



Photo button
Input
1



Copy button
Input
1



Total

8










Seven high current drive transistors eg. 227 are required. Four are for the four phases of the main stepper motor, two are for the guillotine motor, and the remaining transistor is to drive the capping solenoid. These transistors are allocated 20,000 square microns (600,000 F) each. As the transistors are driving highly inductive loads, they must either be turned off slowly, or be provided with a high level of back EMF protection. If adequate back EMF protection cannot be provided using the integrated circuit process chosen, then external discrete transistors should be used. The transistors are never driven at the same time as the image sensor is used. This is to avoid voltage fluctuations and hot spots affecting the image, quality. Further, the transistors are located as far away from the sensor as possible.
A standard JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) interface 228 is included in the ICP for testing purposes and for interrogation by the refill station. Due to the complexity of the integrated circuit, a variety of testing techniques are required, including BIST (Built In Self Test) and functional block isolation. An overhead of 10% in integrated circuit area is assumed for integrated circuit testing circuitry for the random logic portions. The overhead for the large arrays the image sensor and the DRAM is smaller.
The JTAG interface is also used for authentication of the refill station. This is included to ensure that the cameras are only refilled with quality paper and ink at a properly constructed refill station, thus preventing inferior quality refills from occurring. The camera must authenticate the refill station, rather than vice versa. The secure protocol is communicated to the refill station during the automated test procedure. Contact is made to four gold plated spots on the ICP/print head TAB by the refill station as the new ink is injected into the print head.
FIG. 16 illustrates a rear view of the next step in the construction process whilst FIG. 17 illustrates a front view.
Turning now to FIG. 16, the assembly of the camera system proceeds via first assembling the ink supply mechanism 40. The flex PCB is interconnected with batteries 84 only one of which is shown, which are inserted in the middle portion of a print roll 85 which is wrapped around a plastic former 86. An end cap 89 is provided at the other end of the print roll 85 so as to fasten the print roll and batteries firmly to the ink supply mechanism.
The solenoid coil is interconnected (not shown) to interconnects 97, 98 (FIG. 8) which include leaf spring ends for interconnection with electrical contacts on the Flex PCB so as to provide for electrical control of the solenoid.
Turning now to FIGS. 17–19 the next step in the construction process is the insertion of the relevant gear trains into the side of the camera chassis. FIG. 17 illustrates a front view, FIG. 18 illustrates a rear view and FIG. 19 also illustrates a rear view. The first gear train comprising gear wheels 22, 23 is utilised for driving the guillotine blade with the gear wheel 23 engaging the gear wheel 65 of FIG. 8. The second gear train comprising gear wheels 24, 25 and 26 engage one end of the print roller 61 of FIG. 8. As best indicated in FIG. 18, the gear wheels mate with corresponding pins on the surface of the chassis with the gear wheel 26 being snap fitted into corresponding mating hole 27.
Next, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the assembled platen unit 60 is then inserted between the print roll 85 and aluminium cutting blade 43.
Turning now to FIG. 21, by way of illumination, there is illustrated the electrically interactive components of the camera system. As noted previously, the components are based around a Flex PCB board and include a TAB film 58 which interconnects the printhead 102 with the image sensor and processing integrated circuit 48. Power is supplied by two AA type batteries 83, 84 and a paper drive stepper motor 16 is provided in addition to a rotary guillotine motor 17.
An optical element 31 is provided for snapping into a top portion of the chassis 12. The optical element 31 includes portions defining an optical view finder 32, 33 which are slotted into mating portions 35, 36 in view finder channel 37. Also provided in the optical element 31 is a lensing system 38 for magnification of the prints left number in addition to an optical pipe element 39 for piping light from the LED 5 for external display.
Turning next to FIG. 22, the assembled unit 90 is then inserted into a front outer case 91 which includes button 4 for activation of printouts.
Turning now to FIG. 23, next, the unit 90 is provided with a snap-on back cover 93 which includes a slot 6 and copy print button 7. A wrapper label containing instructions and advertising (not shown) is then wrapped around the outer surface of the camera system and pinch clamped to the cover by means of clamp strip 96 which can comprise a flexible plastic or rubber strip.
Subsequently, the preferred embodiment is ready for use as a one time use camera system that provides for instant output images on demand. It will be evident that the preferred embodiment further provides for a refillable camera system. A used camera can be collected and its outer plastic cases removed and recycled. A new paper roll and batteries can be added and the ink cartridge refilled. A series of automatic test routines can then be carried out to ensure that the printer is properly operational. Further, in order to ensure only authorised refills are conducted so as to enhance quality, routines in the on-integrated circuit program ROM can be executed such that the camera authenticates the refilling station using a secure protocol. Upon authentication, the camera can reset an internal paper count and an external case can be fitted on the camera system with a new outer label. Subsequent packing and shipping can then take place.
It will be further readily evident to those skilled in the art that the program ROM can be modified so as to allow for a variety of digital processing routines. In addition to the digitally enhanced photographs optimised for mainstream consumer preferences, various other models can readily be provided through mere re-programming of the program ROM. For example, a sepia classic old fashion style output can be provided through a remapping of the colour mapping function. A further alternative is to provide for black and white outputs again through a suitable colour remapping algorithm. Minimum colour can also be provided to add a touch of colour to black and white prints to produce the effect that was traditionally used to colourize black and white photos. Further, passport photo output can be provided through suitable address remappings within the address generators. Further, edge filters can be utilised as is known in the field of image processing to produce sketched art styles. Further, classic wedding borders and designs can be placed around an output image in addition to the provision of relevant clip arts. For example, a wedding style camera might be provided. Further, a panoramic mode can be provided so as to output the well known panoramic format of images. Further, a postcard style output can be provided through the printing of postcards including postage on the back of a print roll surface. Further, cliparts can be provided for special events such as Halloween, Christmas etc. Further, kaleidoscopic effects can be provided through address remappings and wild colour effects can be provided through remapping of the colour lookup table. Many other forms of special event cameras can be provided for example, cameras dedicated to the Olympics, movie tie-ins, advertising and other special events.
The operational mode of the camera can be programmed so that upon the depressing of the take photo a first image is sampled by the sensor array to determine irrelevant parameters. Next a second image is again captured which is utilised for the output. The captured image is then manipulated in accordance with any special requirements before being initially output on the paper roll. The LED light is then activated for a predetermined time during which the DRAM is refreshed so as to retain the image. If the print copy button is depressed during this predetermined time interval, a further copy of the photo is output. After the predetermined time interval where no use of the camera has occurred, the onboard CPU shuts down all power to the camera system until such time as the take button is again activated. In this way, substantial power savings can be realized.
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 integrated circuit with MEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the inklet type. The smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a integrated circuit 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
IJ01
Radiant Plunger Ink Jet Printer


IJ02US
IJ02
Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer


IJ03US
IJ03
Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet


IJ04US
IJ04
Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer


IJ05US
IJ05
Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printer


IJ06US
IJ06
Paddle Type Ink Jet Printer


IJ07US
IJ07
Permanent Magnet Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer


IJ08US
IJ08
Planar Swing Grill Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer


IJ09US
IJ09
Pump Action Refill Ink Jet Printer


IJ10US
IJ10
Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printer


IJ11US
IJ11
Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer


IJ12US
IJ12
Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printer


IJ13US
IJ13
Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet Printer


IJ14US
IJ14
Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer


IJ15US
IJ15
Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink Jet Printer


IJ16US
IJ16
Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer


IJ17US
IJ17
PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer


IJ18US
IJ18
Buckle Grip Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer


IJ19US
IJ19
Shutter Based Ink Jet Printer


IJ20US
IJ20
Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer


IJ21US
IJ21
Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printer


IJ22US
IJ22
Iris Motion Ink Jet Printer


IJ23US
IJ23
Direct Firing Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer


IJ24US
IJ24
Conductive PTFE Ben Activator Vented Ink Jet Printer


IJ25US
IJ25
Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printer


IJ26US
IJ26
Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printer


IJ27US
IJ27
Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printer


IJ28US
IJ28
Thermal Elastic Rotary Impeller Ink Jet Printer


IJ29US
IJ29
Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer


IJ30US
IJ30
Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE and Corrugated Copper Ink Jet




Printer


IJ31US
IJ31
Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet Printer


IJ32US
IJ32
A High Young's Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer


IJ33US
IJ33
Thermally actuated slotted chamber wall ink jet printer


IJ34US
IJ34
Ink Jet Printer having a thermal actuator comprising an external coiled




spring


IJ35US
IJ35
Trough Container Ink Jet Printer


IJ36US
IJ36
Dual Chamber Single Vertical Actuator Ink Jet


IJ37US
IJ37
Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum Actuator Ink Jet


IJ38US
IJ38
Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink Jet


IJ39US
IJ39
A single bend actuator cupped paddle ink jet printing device


IJ40US
IJ40
A thermally actuated ink jet printer having a series of thermal actuator units


IJ41US
IJ41
A thermally actuated ink jet printer including a tapered heater element


IJ42US
IJ42
Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet


IJ43US
IJ43
Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet


IJ44US
IJ44
Surface bend actuator vented ink supply ink jet printer


IJ45US
IJ45
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 1 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 bubble
An electrothermal heater heats the
1)
Large force generated
6)
High power
16)
Canon



ink to above boiling point,
2)
Simple construction
7)
Ink carrier limited to water

Bubblejet 1979 Endo



transferring significant heat to the
3)
No moving parts
8)
Low efficiency

et al GB patent



aqueous ink. A bubble nucleates and
4)
Fast operation
9)
High temperatures required

2,007,162



quickly forms, expelling the ink.
5)
Small integrated circuit area required for
10)
High mechanical stress
17)
Xerox heater-in-



The efficiency of the process is low,

actuator
11)
Unusual materials required

pit 1990 Hawkins et



with typically less than 0.05% of the


12)
Large drive transistors

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



electrical energy being transformed


13)
Cavitation causes actuator failure
18)
Hewlett-



into kinetic energy of the drop.


14)
Kogation reduces bubble

Packard TIJ 1982







formation

Vaught et al U.S. Pat. No.






15)
Large print heads are difficult to

4,490,728







fabricate


 


Piezoelectric
A piezoelectric crystal such as lead
19)
Low power
23)
Very large area required for
28)
Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No.



lanthanum zirconate (PZT) is

consumption

actuator

3,946,398



electrically activated, and either
20)
Many ink types can be
24)
Difficult to integrate with
29)
Zoltan U.S. Pat. No.



expands, shears, or bends to apply

used

electronics

3,683,212



pressure to the ink, ejecting drops.
21)
Fast operation
25)
High voltage drive transistors
30)
1973 Stemme




22)
High efficiency

required

U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,120






26)
Full pagewidth print heads
31)
Epson Stylus







impractical due to actuator size
32)
Tektronix






27)
Requires electrical poling in high
33)
IJ04







field strengths during manufacture


 


Electro-strictive
An electric field is used to activate
34)
Low power
39)
Low maximum strain (approx.
44)
Seiko Epson,



electrostriction in relaxor materials

consumption

0.01%)

Usui et all JP



such as lead lanthanum zirconate
35)
Many ink types can be
40)
Large area required for actuator

253401/96



titanate (PLZT) or lead magnesium

used

due to low strain
45)
IJ04



niobate (PMN).
36)
Low thermal
41)
Response speed is marginal (~10 μs)





expansion
42)
High voltage drive transistors




37)
Electric field strength

required





required (approx. 3.5 V/μm)
43)
Full pagewidth print heads





can be generated without

impractical due to actuator size





difficulty




38)
Does not require





electrical poling


 


Ferroelectric
An electric field is used to induce a
46)
Low power
52)
Difficult to integrate with
55)
IJ04



phase transition between the

consumption

electronics



antiferroelectric (AFE) and
47)
Many ink types can be
53)
Unusual materials such as



ferroelectric (FE) phase. Perovskite

used

PLZSnT are required



materials such as tin modified lead
48)
Fast operation (<1 μs)
54)
Actuators require a large area



lanthanum zirconate titanate
49)
Relatively high



(PLZSnT) exhibit large strains of up

longitudinal strain



to 1% associated with the AFE to FE
50)
High efficiency



phase transition.
51)
Electric field strength





of around 3 V/μm can be





readily provided


 


Electrostatic
Conductive plates are separated by a
56)
Low power
59)
Difficult to operate electrostatic
64)
IJ02, IJ04


plates
compressible or fluid dielectric

consumption

devices in an aqueous environment



(usually air). Upon application of a
57)
Many ink types can be
60)
The electrostatic actuator will



voltage, the plates attract each other

used

normally need to be separated from the



and displace ink, causing drop
58)
Fast operation

ink



ejection. The conductive plates may


61)
Very large area required to



be in a comb or honeycomb



achieve high forces



structure, or stacked to increase the


62)
High voltage drive transistors



surface area and therefore the force.



may be required






63)
Full pagewidth print heads are not







competitive due to actuator size


 


Electrostatic
A strong electric field is applied to
65)
Low current
67)
High voltage required
72)
1989 Saito et al,


pull on ink
the ink, whereupon electrostatic

consumption
68)
May be damaged by sparks due to

U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068



attraction accelerates the ink towards
66)
Low temperature

air breakdown
73)
1989 Miura et



the print medium.


69)
Required field strength increases

al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,954







as the drop size decreases
74)
Tone-jet






70)
High voltage drive transistors







required






71)
Electrostatic field attracts dust


 


Permanent
An electromagnet directly attracts a
75)
Low power
80)
Complex fabrication
86)
IJ07, IJ10


magnet electromagnetic
permanent magnet, displacing ink

consumption
81)
Permanent magnetic material



and causing drop ejection. Rare earth
76)
Many ink types can be

such as Neodymium Iron Boron



magnets with a field strength around

used

(NdFeB) required.



1 Tesla can be used. Examples are:
77)
Fast operation
82)
High local currents required



Samarium Cobalt (SaCo) and
78)
High efficiency
83)
Copper metalization should be



magnetic materials in the neodymium
79)
Easy extension from

used for long electromigration lifetime



iron boron family (NdFeB,

single nozzles to pagewidth

and low resistivity



NdDyFeBNb, NdDyFeB, etc)

print heads
84)
Pigmented inks are usually







infeasible






85)
Operating temperature limited to







the Curie temperature (around 540 K)


 


Soft magnetic
A solenoid induced a magnetic field
87)
Low power
92)
Complex fabrication
98)
IJ01, IJ05, IJ08,


core electromagnetic
in a soft magnetic core or yoke

consumption
93)
Materials not usually present in a

IJ10



fabricated from a ferrous material
88)
Many ink types can be

CMOS fab such as NiFe, CoNiFe, or
99)
IJ12, IJ14, IJ15,



such as electroplated iron alloys such

used

CoFe are required

IJ17



as CoNiFe [1], CoFe, or NiFe alloys.
89)
Fast operation
94)
High local currents required



Typically, the soft magnetic material
90)
High efficiency
95)
Copper metalization should be



is in two parts, which are normally
91)
Easy extension from

used for long electromigration lifetime



held apart by a spring. When the

single nozzles to pagewidth

and low resistivity



solenoid is actuated, the two parts

print heads
96)
Electroplating is required



attract, displacing the ink.


97)
High saturation flux density is







required (2.0–2.1 T is achievable with







CoNiFe [1])


 


Magnetic
The Lorenz force acting on a current
100)
Low power
105)
Force acts as a twisting motion
110)
IJ06, IJ11, IJ13,


Lorenz force
carrying wire in a magnetic field is

consumption
106)
Typically, only a quarter of the

IJ16



utilized.
101)
Many ink types can be

solenoid length provides force in a



This allows the magnetic field to be

used

useful direction



supplied externally to the print head,
102)
Fast operation
107)
High local currents required



for example with rare earth
103)
High efficiency
108)
Copper metalization should be



permanent magnets.
104)
Easy extension from

used for long electromigration lifetime



Only the current carrying wire need

single nozzles to pagewidth

and low resistivity



be fabricated on the print-head,

print heads
109)
Pigmented inks are usually



simplifying materials requirements.



infeasible


 


Magnetostriction
The actuator uses the giant
111)
Many ink types can be
115)
Force acts as a twisting motion
120)
Fischenbeck,



magnetostrictive effect of materials

used
116)
Unusual materials such as

U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,929



such as Terfenol-D (an alloy of
112)
Fast operation

Terfenol-D are required
121)
IJ25



terbium, dysprosium and iron
113)
Easy extension from
117)
High local currents required



developed at the Naval Ordnance

single nozzles to pagewidth
118)
Copper metalization should be



Laboratory, hence Ter-Fe-NOL). For

print heads

used for long electromigration lifetime



best efficiency, the actuator should
114)
High force is available

and low resistivity



be pre-stressed to approx. 8 MPa.


119)
Pre-stressing may be required


 


Surface tension
Ink under positive pressure is held in
122)
Low power
127)
Requires supplementary force to
130)
Silverbrook, EP


reduction
a nozzle by surface tension. The

consumption

effect drop separation

0771 658 A2 and



surface tension of the ink is reduced
123)
Simple construction
128)
Requires special ink surfactants

related patent



below the bubble threshold, causing
124)
No unusual materials
129)
Speed may be limited by

applications



the ink to egress from the nozzle.

required in fabrication

surfactant properties




125)
High efficiency




126)
Easy extension from





single nozzles to pagewidth





print heads


 


Viscosity
The ink viscosity is locally reduced
131)
Simple construction
134)
Requires supplementary force to
139)
Silverbrook, EP


reduction
to select which drops are to be
132)
No unusual materials

effect drop separation

0771 658 A2 and



ejected. A viscosity reduction can be

required in fabrication
135)
Requires special ink viscosity

related patent



achieved electrothermally with most
133)
Easy extension from

properties

applications



inks, but special inks can be

single nozzles to pagewidth
136)
High speed is difficult to achieve



engineered for a 100:1 viscosity

print heads
137)
Requires oscillating ink pressure



reduction.


138)
A high temperature difference







(typically 80 degrees) is required


 


Acoustic
An acoustic wave is generated and
140)
Can operate without a
141)
Complex drive circuitry
146)
1993



focussed upon the drop ejection

nozzle plate
142)
Complex fabrication

Hadimioglu et al,



region.


143)
Low efficiency

EUP 550,192






144)
Poor control of drop position
147)
1993 Elrod et al,






145)
Poor control of drop volume

EUP 572,220


 


Thermoelastic
An actuator which relies upon
148)
Low power
157)
Efficient aqueous operation
160)
IJ03, IJ09, IJ17,


bend actuator
differential thermal expansion upon

consumption

requires a thermal insulator on the hot

IJ18



Joule heating is used.
149)
Many ink types can be

side
161)
IJ19, IJ20, IJ21,





used
158)
Corrosion prevention can be

IJ22




150)
Simple planar

difficult
162)
IJ23, IJ24, IJ27,





fabrication
159)
Pigmented inks may be infeasible,

IJ28




151)
Small integrated

as pigment particles may be jam the bend
163)
IJ29, IJ30, IJ31,





circuit area required for

actuator

IJ32





each actuator


164)
IJ33, IJ34, IJ35,




152)
Fast operation



IJ36




153)
High efficiency


165)
IJ37, IJ38, IJ39,




154)
CMOS compatible



IJ40





voltages and currents


166)
IJ41




155)
Standard MEMS





processes can be used




156)
Easy extension from





single nozzles to pagewidth





print heads


 


High CTE
A material with a very high
167)
High force can be
177)
Requires special material (e.g.
181)
IJ09, IJ17, IJ18,


thermoelastic
coefficient of thermal expansion

generated

PTFE)

IJ20


actuator
(CTE) such as
168)
PTFE is a candidate
178)
Requires a PTFE deposition
182)
IJ21, IJ22, IJ23,



polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is

for low dielectric constant

process, which is not yet standard in

IJ24



used. As high CTE materials are

insulation in ULSI

ULSI fabs
183)
IJ27, IJ28, IJ29,



usually non-conductive, a heater
169)
Very low power
179)
PTFE deposition cannot be

IJ30



fabricated from a conductive material

consumption

followed with high temperature (above
184)
IJ31, IJ42, IJ43,



is incorporated. A 50 μm long PTFE
170)
Many ink types can be

350° C.) processing

IJ44



bend actuator with polysilicon heater

used
180)
Pigmented inks may be infeasible,



and 15 mW power input can provide
171)
Simple planar

as pigment particles may jam the bend



180 μN force and 10 μm deflection.

fabrication

actuator



Actuator motions include:
172)
Small integrated



Bend

circuit area required for



Push

each actuator



Buckle
173)
Fast operation



Rotate
174)
High efficiency




175)
CMOS compatible





voltages and currents




176)
Easy extension from





single nozzles to pagewidth





print heads


 


Conductive
A polymer with a high coefficient of
185)
High force can be
194)
Requires special materials
199)
IJ24


polymer
thermal expansion (such as PTFE) is

generated

development (High CTE conductive


thermoelastic
doped with conducting substances to
186)
Very low power

polymer)


actuator
increase its conductivity to about 3

consumption
195)
Requires a PTFE deposition



orders of magnitude below that of
187)
Many ink types can be

process, which is not yet standard in



copper. The conducting polymer

used

ULSI fabs



expands when resistively heated.
188)
Simple planar
196)
PTFE deposition cannot be



Examples of conducting dopants

fabrication

followed with high temperature (above



include:
189)
Small integrated

350° C.) processing



Carbon nanotubes

circuit area required for
197)
Evaporation and CVD deposition



Metal fibers

each actuator

techniques cannot be used



Conductive polymers such as doped
190)
Fast operation
198)
Pigmented inks may be infeasible,



polythiophene
191)
High efficiency

as pigment particles may jam the bend



Carbon granules
192)
CMOS compatible

actuator





voltages and currents




193)
Easy extension from





single nozzles to pagewidth





print heads


 


Shape memory
A shape memory alloy such as TiNi
200)
High force is available
206)
Fatigue limits maximum number
213)
IJ26


alloy
(also known as Nitinol - Nickel

(stresses of hundreds of

of cycles



Titanium alloy developed at the

MPa)
207)
Low strain (1%) is required to



Naval Ordnance Laboratory) is
201)
Large strain is

extend fatigue resistance



thermally switched between its weak

available (more than 3%)
208)
Cycle rate limited by heat



martensitic state and its high stiffness
202)
High corrosion

removal



austenic state. The shape of the

resistance
209)
Requires unusual materials (TiNi)



actuator in its martensitic state is
203)
Simple construction
210)
The latent heat of transformation



deformed relative to the austenic
204)
Easy extension from

must be provided



shape. The shape change causes

single nozzles to pagewidth
211)
High current operation



ejection of a drop.

print heads
212)
Requires pre-stressing to distort




205)
Low voltage operation

the martensitic state


 


Linear Magnetic
Linear magnetic actuators include the
214)
Linear Magnetic
218)
Requires unusual semiconductor
222)
IJ12


Actuator
Linear Induction Actuator (LIA),

actuators can be constructed

materials such as soft magnetic alloys



Linear Permanent Magnet

with high thrust, long travel,

(e.g. CoNiFe [1])



Synchronous Actuator (LPMSA),

and high efficiency using
219)
Some varieties also require



Linear Reluctance Synchronous

planar semiconductor

permanent magnetic materials such as



Actuator (LRSA), Linear Switched

fabrication techniques

Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB)



Reluctance Actuator (LSRA), and the
215)
Long actuator travel is
220)
Requires complex multi-phase



Linear Stepper Actuator (LSA).

available

drive circuitry




216)
Medium force is
221)
High current operation





available




217)
Low voltage operation



















BASIC OPERATION MODE











Operational mode
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples

















Actuator
This is the simplest mode of
223)
Simple operation
227)
Drop repetition rate is usually
230)
Thermal inkjet


directly pushes ink
operation: the actuator directly
224)
No external fields

limited to less than 10 KHz. However,
231)
Piezoelectric



supplies sufficient kinetic energy to

required

this is not fundamental to the method,

inkjet



expel the drop. The drop must have a
225)
Satellite drops can be avoided

but is related to the refill method normally
232)
IJ01, IJ02, IJ03,



sufficient velocity to overcome the surface

if drop velocity is less than 4 m/s

used

IJ04



tension.


228)
All of the drop kinetic energy
233)
IJ05, IJ06, IJ07,




226)
Can be efficient, depending

must be provided by the actuator

IJ09





upon the actuator used
229)
Satellite drops usually form if
234)
IJ11, IJ12, IJ14,







drop velocity is greater than 4.5 m/s

IJ16








235)
IJ20, IJ22, IJ23,









IJ24








236)
IJ25, IJ26, IJ27,









IJ28








237)
IJ29, IJ30, IJ31,









IJ32








238)
IJ33, IJ34, IJ35,









IJ36








239)
IJ37, IJ38, IJ39,









IJ40








240)
IJ41, IJ42, IJ43,









IJ44


 


Proximity
The drops to be printed are selected
241)
Very simple print head
243)
Requires close proximity between
246)
Silverbrook, EP



by some manner (e.g. thermally

fabrication can be used

the print head and the print media or

0771 658 A2 and



induced surface tension reduction of
242)
The drop selection

transfer roller

related patent



pressurized ink). Selected drops are

means does not need to
244)
May require two print heads

applications



separated from the ink in the nozzle

provide the energy required

printing alternate rows of the image



by contact with the print medium or a

to separate the drop from
245)
Monolithic color print heads are



transfer roller.

the nozzle

difficult


 


Electrostatic pull on ink
The drops to be printed are selected
247)
Very simple print head
249)
Requires very high electrostatic
252)
Silverbrook, EP



by some manner (e.g. thermally

fabrication can be used

field

0771 658 A2 and



induced surface tension reduction of
248)
The drop selection
250)
Electrostatic field for small nozzle

related patent



pressurized ink). Selected drops are

means does not need to

sizes is above air breakdown

applications



separated from the ink in the nozzle

provide the energy required
251)
Electrostatic field may attract dust
253)
Tone-Jet



by a strong electric field.

to separate the drop from





the nozzle


 


Magnetic pull on
The drops to be printed are selected
254)
Very simple print head
256)
Requires magnetic ink
259)
Silverbrook, EP


ink
by some manner (e.g. thermally

fabrication can be used
257)
Ink colors other than black are

0771 658 A2 and



induced surface tension reduction of
255)
The drop selection

difficult

related patent applications



pressurized ink). Selected drops are

means does not need to
258)
Requires very high magnetic



separated from the ink in the nozzle

provide the energy required

fields



by a strong magnetic field acting on

to separate the drop from



the magnetic ink.

the nozzle


 


Shutter
The actuator moves a shutter to block
260)
High speed (>50 KHz)
263)
Moving parts are required
267)
IJ13, IJ17, IJ21



ink flow to the nozzle. The ink

operation can be achieved
264)
Requires ink pressure modulator



pressure is pulsed at a multiple of the

due to reduced refill time
265)
Friction and wear must be



drop ejection frequency.
261)
Drop timing can be

considered






very accurate
266)
Stiction is possible




262)
The actuator energy





can be very low


 


Shuttered grill
The actuator moves a shutter to block
268)
Actuators with small
271)
Moving parts are required
275)
IJ08, IJ15, IJ18,



ink flow through a grill to the nozzle.

travel can be used
272)
Requires ink pressure modulator

IJ19



The shutter movement need only be
269)
Actuators with small
273)
Friction and wear must be



equal to the width of the grill holes.

force can be used

considered




270)
High speed (>50 KHz)
274)
Stiction is possible





operation can be achieved


 


Pulsed magnetic
A pulsed magnetic field attracts an
276)
Extremely low energy
278)
Requires an external pulsed
281)
IJ10


pull on ink
‘ink pusher’ at the drop ejection

operation is possible

magnetic field


pusher
frequency. An actuator controls a
277)
No heat dissipation
279)
Requires special materials for



catch, which prevents the ink pusher

problems

both the actuator and the ink pusher



from moving when a drop is not to be


280)
Complex construction



ejected.



















AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES)











Auxiliary






Mechanism
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples

















None
The actuator directly fires the ink
282)
Simplicity of
285)
Drop ejection energy must be
286)
Most inkjets,



drop, and there is no external field or other mechanism

construction

supplied by individual nozzle actuator

including piezoelectric and



required.
283)
Simplicity of operation



thermal bubble.




284)
Small physical size








287)
IJ01–IJ07, IJ09,









IJ11








288)
IJ12, IJ14, IJ20,









IJ22








289)
IJ23–IJ45


 


 


Oscillating ink
The ink pressure oscillates, providing
290)
Oscillating ink
293)
Requires external ink pressure
296)
Silverbrook, EP


pressure (including
much of the drop ejection energy.

pressure can provide a refill

oscillator

0771 658 A2 and related patent


acoustic stimulation)
The actuator selects which drops are

pulse, allowing higher operating speed
294)
Ink pressure phase and amplitude

applications



to be fired by selectively blocking or



must be carefully controlled



enabling nozzles. The ink pressure
291)
The actuators may
295)
Acoustic reflections in the ink
297)
IJ08, IJ13, IJ15,



oscillation may be achieved by

operate with much lower

chamber must be designed for

IJ17



vibrating the print head, or preferably

energy


298)
IJ18, IJ19, IJ21



by an actuator in the ink supply.
292)
Acoustic lenses can be





used to focus the sound on





the nozzles


 


 


Media proximity
The print head is placed in close
299)
Low power
302)
Precision assembly required
305)
Silverbrook, EP



proximity to the print medium.
300)
High accuracy
303)
Paper fibers may cause problems

0771 658 A2 and



Selected drops protrude from the
301)
Simple print head
304)
Cannot print on rough substrates

related patent



print head further than unselected

construction



applications



drops, and contact the print medium.



The drop soaks into the medium fast



enough to cause drop separation.


 


 


Transfer roller
Drops are printed to a transfer roller
306)
High accuracy
309)
Bulky
312)
Silverbrook, EP



instead of straight to the print
307)
Wide range of print
310)
Expensive

0771 658 A2 and



medium. A transfer roller can also be

substrates can be used
311)
Complex construction

related patent



used for proximity drop separation.
308)
Ink can be dried on the



applications





transfer roller


313)
Tektronix hot









melt piezoelectric









inkjet








314)
Any of the IJ









series


 


 


Electrostatic
An electric field is used to accelerate
315)
Low power
317)
Field strength required for
318)
Silverbrook, EP



selected drops towards the print
316)
Simple print head

separation of small drops is near or

0771 658 A2 and



medium.

construction

above air breakdown

related patent









applications








319)
Tone-Jet


 


 


Direct magnetic
A magnetic field is used to accelerate
320)
Low power
322)
Requires magnetic ink
324)
Silverbrook, EP


field
selected drops of magnetic ink
321)
Simple print head
323)
Requires strong magnetic field

0771 658 A2 and



towards the print medium.

construction



related patent









applications


 


 


Cross magnetic
The print head is placed in a constant
325)
Does not require
326)
Requires external magnet
328)
IJ06, IJ16


field
magnetic field. The Lorenz force in a

magnetic materials to be
327)
Current densities may be high,



current carrying wire is used to move

integrated in the print head

resulting in electromigration problems



the actuator.

manufacturing process


 


 


Pulsed magnetic
A pulsed magnetic field is used to
329)
Very low power
331)
Complex print head construction
333)
IJ10


field
cyclically attract a paddle, which

operation is possible
332)
Magnetic materials required in



pushes on the ink. A small actuator
330)
Small print head size

print head



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 amplification
334)
Operational simplicity
335)
Many actuator mechanisms have
336)
Thermal Bubble



is used. The actuator directly drives



insufficient travel, or insufficient force,

Inkjet



the drop ejection process.



to efficiently drive the drop ejection process
337)
IJ01, IJ02, IJ06,









IJ07








338)
IJ16, IJ25, IJ26


 


 


Differential expansion bend
An actuator material expands more
339)
Provides greater travel
341)
High stresses are involved
344)
Piezoelectric


actuator
on one side than on the other. The

in a reduced print head area
342)
Care must be taken that the
345)
IJ03, IJ09, IJ17–IJ24



expansion may be thermal,
340)
The bend actuator

materials do not delaminate
346)
IJ27, IJ29–IJ39,



piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, or other mechanism.

converts a high force low
343)
Residual bend resulting from high

IJ42,





travel actuator mechanism

temperature or high stress during
347)
IJ43, IJ44





to high travel, lower force

formation





mechanism.


 


 


Transient bend actuator
A trilayer bend actuator where the
348)
Very good temperature
351)
High stresses are involved
353)
IJ40, IJ41



two outside layers are identical. This

stability
352)
Care must be taken that the



cancels bend due to ambient
349)
High speed, as a new

materials do not delaminate



temperature and residual stress. The

drop can be fired before



actuator only responds to transient

heat dissipates



heating of one side or the other.
350)
Cancels residual stress





of formation


 


 


Actuator stack
A series of thin actuators are stacked.
354)
Increased travel
356)
Increased fabrication complexity
358)
Some



This can be appropriate where
355)
Reduced drive voltage
357)
Increased possibility of short

piezoelectric ink jets



actuators require high electric field



circuits due to pinholes
359)
IJ04



strength, such as electrostatic and



piezoelectric actuators.


 


 


Multiple
Multiple smaller actuators are used
360)
Increases the force
362)
Actuator forces may not add
363)
IJ12, IJ13, IJ18,


actuators
simultaneously to move the ink. Each

available from an actuator

linearly, reducing efficiency

IJ20



actuator need provide only a portion
361)
Multiple actuators can


364)
IJ22, IJ28, IJ42,



of the force required.

be positioned to control ink



IJ43





flow accurately


 


 


Linear Spring
A linear spring is used to transform a
365)
Matches low travel
367)
Requires print head area for the
368)
IJ15



motion with small travel and high

actuator with higher travel

spring



force into a longer travel, lower force

requirements



motion.
366)
Non-contact method of





motion transformation


 


 


Reverse spring
The actuator loads a spring. When
369)
Better coupling to the
370)
Fabrication complexity
372)
IJ05, IJ11



the actuator is turned off, the spring

ink
371)
High stress in the 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 actuator
A bend actuator is coiled to provide
373)
Increases travel
376)
Generally restricted to planar
377)
IJ17, IJ21, IJ34,



greater travel in a reduced integrated
374)
Reduces integrated

implementations due to extreme

IJ35



circuit area.

circuit area

fabrication difficulty in other





375)
Planar

orientations.





implementations are





relatively easy to fabricate.


 


 


Flexure bend
A bend actuator has a small region
378)
Simple means of
379)
Care must be taken not to exceed
382)
IJ10, IJ19, IJ33


actuator
near the fixture point, which flexes

increasing travel of a bend

the elastic limit in the flexure area



much more readily than the

actuator
380)
Stress distribution is very uneven



remainder of the actuator. The


381)
Difficult to accurately model with



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 travel
383)
Low force, low travel
385)
Moving parts are required
390)
IJ13



at the expense of duration. Circular

actuators can be used
386)
Several actuator cycles are



gears, rack and pinion, ratchets, and
384)
Can be fabricated

required



other gearing methods can be used.

using standard surface
387)
More complex drive electronics





MEMS processes
388)
Complex construction






389)
Friction, friction, and wear are







possible


 


 


Catch
The actuator controls a small catch.
391)
Very low actuator
393)
Complex construction
396)
IJ10



The catch either enables or disables

energy
394)
Requires external force



movement of an ink pusher that is
392)
Very small actuator
395)
Unsuitable for pigmented inks



controlled in a bulk manner.

size


 


 


Buckle plate
A buckle plate can be used to change
397)
Very fast movement
398)
Must stay within elastic limits of
401)
S. Hirata et al,



a slow actuator into a fast motion. It

achievable

the materials for long device life

“An Ink-jet Head . . . ”,



can also convert a high force, low


399)
High stresses involved

Proc. IEEE MEMS,



travel actuator into a high travel,


400)
Generally high power

Feb. 1996, pp 418–423.



medium force motion.



requirement
402)
IJ18, IJ27


 


 


Tapered
A tapered magnetic pole can increase
403)
Linearizes the
404)
Complex construction
405)
IJ14


magnetic pole
travel at the expense of force.

magnetic force/distance





curve


 


 


Lever
A lever and fulcrum is used to
406)
Matches low travel
408)
High stress around the fulcrum
409)
IJ32, IJ36, IJ37



transform a motion with small travel

actuator with higher travel



and high force into a motion with

requirements



longer travel and lower force. The
407)
Fulcrum area has no



lever can also reverse the direction of

linear movement, and can



travel.

be used for a fluid seal


 


 


Rotary impeller
The actuator is connected to a rotary
410)
High mechanical
412)
Complex construction
414)
IJ28



impeller. A small angular deflection

advantage
413)
Unsuitable for pigmented inks



of the actuator results in a rotation of
411)
The ratio of force to



the impeller vanes, which push the

travel of the actuator can



ink against stationary vanes and out

be matched to the nozzle



of the nozzle.

requirements by varying the







number of impeller vanes


 


 


Acoustic lens
A refractive or diffractive (e.g. zone
415)
No moving parts
416)
Large area required
418)
1993



plate) acoustic lens is used to


417)
Only relevant for acoustic ink jets

Hadimioglu et al,



concentrate sound waves.





EUP 550,192








419)
1993 Elrod et al,









EUP 572,220


 


 


Sharp
A sharp point is used to concentrate
420)
Simple construction
421)
Difficult to fabricate using
423)
Tone-jet


conductive point
an electrostatic field.



standard VLSI processes for a surface







ejecting ink-jet






422)
Only relevant for electrostatic ink







jets



















ACTUATOR MOTION











Actuator motion
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples

















Volume expansion
The volume of the actuator changes, pushing the ink
424)
Simple construction in the case
425)
High energy is typically required
426)
Hewlett-Packard



in all directions.

of thermal ink jet

to achieve volume expansion. This

Thermal







leads to thermal stress, cavitation, and

Inkjet







kogation in thermal ink jet
427)
Canon







implementations

Bubblejet


Linear, normal to integrated
The actuator moves in a direction
428)
Efficient coupling to
429)
High fabrication complexity may
430)
IJ01, IJ02, IJ04,


circuit surface
normal to the print head surface. The

ink drops ejected normal to

be required to achieve perpendicular

IJ07



nozzle is typically in the line of

the surface

motion
431)
IJ11, IJ14



movement.


Linear, parallel
The actuator moves parallel to the
432)
Suitable for planar
433)
Fabrication complexity
436)
IJ12, IJ13, IJ15,


to integrated
print head surface. Drop ejection may

fabrication
434)
Friction

IJ33,


circuit surface
still be normal to the surface.


435)
Stiction
437)
IJ34, IJ35, IJ36


Membrane push
An actuator with a high force but
438)
The effective area of
439)
Fabrication complexity
442)
1982 Howkins



small area is used to push a stiff

the actuator becomes the
440)
Actuator size

U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,601



membrane that is in contact with the

membrane area
441)
Difficulty of integration in a



ink.



VLSI process


Rotary
The actuator causes the rotation of
443)
Rotary levers may be
445)
Device complexity
447)
IJ05, IJ08, IJ13,



some element, such a grill or

used to increase travel
446)
May have friction at a pivot point

IJ28



impeller
444)
Small integrated





circuit area requirements


Bend
The actuator bends when energized.
448)
A very small change in
449)
Requires the actuator to be made
450)
1970 Kyser et al



This may be due to differential

dimensions can be

from at least two distinct layers, or to

U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398



thermal expansion, piezoelectric

converted to a large motion.

have a thermal difference across the
451)
1973 Stemme



expansion, magnetostriction, or other



actuator

U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,120



form of relative dimensional change.




452)
IJ03, IJ09, IJ10,









IJ19








453)
IJ23, IJ24, IJ25,









IJ29








454)
IJ30, IJ31, IJ33,









IJ34








455)
IJ35


Swivel
The actuator swivels around a central
456)
Allows operation
458)
Inefficient coupling to the ink
459)
IJ06



pivot. This motion is suitable where

where the net linear force on

motion



there are opposite forces applied to

the paddle is zero



opposite sides of the paddle, e.g.
457)
Small integrated



Lorenz force.

circuit area requirements


Straighten
The actuator is normally bent, and
460)
Can be used with
461)
Requires careful balance of
462)
IJ26, IJ32



straightens when energized.

shape memory alloys where

stresses to ensure that the quiescent





the austenic phase is planar

bend is accurate


Double bend
The actuator bends in one direction
463)
One actuator can be
466)
Difficult to make the drops
468)
IJ36, IJ37, IJ38



when one element is energized, and

used to power two nozzles.

ejected by both bend directions



bends the other way when another
464)
Reduced integrated

identical.



element is energized.

circuit size.
467)
A small efficiency loss compared




465)
Not sensitive to

to equivalent single bend actuators.





ambient temperature


Shear
Energizing the actuator causes a
469)
Can increase the
470)
Not readily applicable to other
471)
1985 Fishbeck



shear motion in the actuator material.

effective travel of

actuator mechanisms

U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,590





piezoelectric actuators


Radial
The actuator squeezes an ink
472)
Relatively easy to
473)
High force required
476)
1970 Zoltan


constriction
reservoir, forcing ink from a

fabricate single nozzles
474)
Inefficient

U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212



constricted nozzle.

from glass tubing as
475)
Difficult to integrate with VLSI





macroscopic structures

processes


Coil/uncoil
A coiled actuator uncoils or coils
477)
Easy to fabricate as a
479)
Difficult to fabricate for non-
481)
IJ17, IJ21, IJ34,



more tightly. The motion of the free

planar VLSI process

planar devices

IJ35



end of the actuator ejects the ink.
478)
Small area required,
480)
Poor out-of-plane stiffness





therefore low cost


Bow
The actuator bows (or buckles) in the
482)
Can increase the speed
484)
Maximum travel is constrained
486)
IJ16, IJ18, IJ27



middle when energized.

of travel
485)
High force required





483)
Mechanically rigid


Push-Pull
Two actuators control a shutter. One
487)
The structure is pinned
488)
Not readily suitable for inkjets
489)
IJ18



actuator pulls the shutter, and the

at both ends, so has a high

which directly push the ink



other pushes it.

out-of-plane rigidity


Curl inwards
A set of actuators curl inwards to
490)
Good fluid flow to the
491)
Design complexity
492)
IJ20, IJ42



reduce the volume of ink that they

region behind the actuator



enclose.

increases efficiency


Curl outwards
A set of actuators curl outwards,
493)
Relatively simple
494)
Relatively large integrated circuit
495)
IJ43



pressurizing ink in a chamber

construction

area



surrounding the actuators, and



expelling ink from a nozzle in the



chamber.


Iris
Multiple vanes enclose a volume of
496)
High efficiency
498)
High fabrication complexity
500)
IJ22



ink. These simultaneously rotate,
497)
Small integrated
499)
Not suitable for pigmented inks



reducing the volume between the

circuit area



vanes.


Acoustic
The actuator vibrates at a high
501)
The actuator can be
502)
Large area required for efficient
506)
1993


vibration
frequency.

physically distant from the

operation at useful frequencies

Hadimioglu et al,





ink
503)
Acoustic coupling and crosstalk

EUP 550,192






504)
Complex drive circuitry
507)
1993 Elrod et al,






505)
Poor control of drop volume and

EUP 572,220







position


None
In various ink jet designs the actuator
508)
No moving parts
509)
Various other tradeoffs are
510)
Silverbrook, EP



does not move.



required to eliminate moving parts

0771 658 A2 and









related patent









applications








511)
Tone-jet



















NOZZLE REFILL METHOD











Nozzle






refill


method
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples

















Surface
After the actuator is energized, it
512)
Fabrication
514)
Low speed
517)
Thermal inkjet


tension
typically returns rapidly to its normal

simplicity
515)
Surface tension force relatively
518)
Piezoelectric



position. This rapid return sucks in
513)
Operational

small compared to actuator force

inkjet



air through the nozzle opening. The

simplicity
516)
Long refill time usually
519)
IJ01–IJ07, IJ10–IJ14



ink surface tension at the nozzle then



dominates the total repetition
520)
IJ16, IJ20, IJ22–IJ45



exerts a small force restoring the



rate



meniscus to a minimum area.


Shuttered
Ink to the nozzle chamber is provided
521)
High speed
523)
Requires common ink pressure
525)
IJ08, IJ13, IJ15,


oscillating
at a pressure that oscillates at twice
522)
Low actuator

oscillator

IJ17


ink
the drop ejection frequency. When a

energy, as the
524)
May not be suitable for
526)
IJ18, IJ19, IJ21


pressure
drop is to be ejected, the shutter is

actuator need only

pigmented inks



opened for 3 half cycles: drop

open or close



ejection, actuator return, and refill.

the shutter, instead





of ejecting the





ink drop


Refill
After the main actuator has ejected a
527)
High speed, as the
528)
Requires two independent
529)
IJ09


actuator
drop a second (refill) actuator is

nozzle is actively

actuators per nozzle



energized. The refill actuator pushes

refilled



ink into the nozzle chamber. The



refill actuator returns slowly, to



prevent its return from emptying the



chamber again.


Positive
The ink is held a slight positive
530)
High refill rate,
531)
Surface spill must be prevented
533)
Silverbrook, EP


ink
pressure. After the ink drop is

therefore a high
532)
Highly hydrophobic print head

0771 658 A2 and


pressure
ejected, the nozzle chamber fills

drop repetition

surfaces are required

related patent



quickly as surface tension and ink

rate is possible



applications



pressure both operate to refill the




534)
Alternative for:



nozzle.




535)
IJ01–IJ07, IJ10–IJ14








536)
IJ16, IJ20, IJ22–IJ45



















METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET











Inlet back-flow restriction method
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples

















Long inlet channel
The ink inlet channel to the nozzle
537)
Design simplicity
540)
Restricts refill rate
543)
Thermal inkjet



chamber is made long and relatively
538)
Operational simplicity
541)
May result in a relatively large
544)
Piezoelectric



narrow, relying on viscous drag to
539)
Reduces crosstalk

integrated circuit area

inkjet



reduce inlet back-flow.


542)
Only partially effective
545)
IJ42, IJ43


 


Positive ink pressure
The ink is under a positive pressure,
546)
Drop selection and separation forces can 
548)
Requires a method (such as a
549)
Silverbrook, EP



so that in the quiescent state some of

be reduced

nozzle rim or effective hydrophobizing,

0771 658 A2 and



the ink drop already protrudes from
547)
Fast refill time

or both) to prevent flooding of the

related patent



the nozzle.



ejection surface of the print head.

applications



This reduces the pressure in the




550)
Possible



nozzle chamber which is required to





operation of the



eject a certain volume of ink. The





following:



reduction in chamber pressure results




551)
IJ01–IJ07, IJ09–IJ12



in a reduction in ink pushed out




552)
IJ14, IJ16, IJ20,



through the inlet.





IJ22,








553)
IJ23–IJ34, IJ36–IJ41








554)
IJ44


 


Baffle
One or more baffles are placed in the
555)
The refill rate is not as restricted as the
557)
Design complexity
559)
HP Thermal Ink



inlet ink flow. When the actuator is

long inlet method.
558)
May increase fabrication

Jet



energized, the rapid ink movement
556)
Reduces crosstalk

complexity (e.g. Tektronix hot melt
560)
Tektronix



creates eddies which restrict the flow



Piezoelectric print heads).

piezoelectric ink jet



through the inlet. The slower refill



process is unrestricted, and does not



result in eddies.


 


Flexible flap restricts inlet
In this method recently disclosed by
561)
Significantly reduces back-flow for edge-
562)
Not applicable to most inkjet
565)
Canon



Canon, the expanding actuator

shooter thermal ink jet devices

configurations



(bubble) pushes on a flexible flap


563)
Increased fabrication complexity



that restricts the inlet.


564)
Inelastic deformation of polymer







flap results in creep over extended use


 


Inlet filter
A filter is located between the ink
566)
Additional advantage
568)
Restricts refill rate
570)
IJ04, IJ12, IJ24,



inlet and the nozzle chamber. The

of ink filtration
569)
May result in complex

IJ27



filter has a multitude of small holes
567)
Ink filter may be

construction
571)
IJ29, IJ30



or slots, restricting ink flow. The

fabricated with no



filter also removes particles which

additional process steps



may block the nozzle.


 


Small inlet compared to nozzle
The ink inlet channel to the nozzle
572)
Design simplicity
573)
Restricts refill rate
576)
IJ02, IJ37, IJ44



chamber has a substantially smaller


574)
May result in a relatively large



cross section than that of the nozzle,



integrated circuit area



resulting in easier ink egress out of


575)
Only partially effective



the nozzle than out of the inlet.


 


Inlet shutter
A secondary actuator controls the
577)
Increases speed of the ink-jet print head
578)
Requires separate refill actuator
579)
IJ09



position of a shutter, closing off the

operation

and drive circuit



ink inlet when the main actuator is



energized.





 


The inlet is located behind
The method avoids the problem of
580)
Back-flow problem is eliminated
581)
Requires careful design to
582)
IJ01, IJ03, IJ05,


the ink-pushing surface
inlet back-flow by arranging the ink-



minimize the negative pressure behind

IJ06



pushing surface of the actuator



the paddle
583)
IJ07, IJ10, IJ11,



between the inlet and the nozzle.





IJ14








584)
IJ16, IJ22, IJ23,









IJ25








585)
IJ28, IJ31, IJ32,









IJ33








586)
IJ34, IJ35, IJ36,









IJ39








587)
IJ40, IJ41


 


Part of the actuator moves to
The actuator and a wall of the ink
588)
Significant reductions in back-flow can
590)
Small increase in fabrication
591)
IJ07, IJ20, IJ26,


shut off the inlet
chamber are arranged so that the

be achieved

complexity

IJ38



motion of the actuator closes off the



inlet.
589)
Compact designs possible


 


Nozzle actuator does not result in 
In some configurations of ink jet,
592)
Ink back-flow problem is eliminated
593)
None related to ink back-flow on
594)
Silverbrook, EP


ink back-flow
there is no expansion or movement of



actuation

0771 658 A2 and



an actuator which may cause ink





related patent



back-flow through the inlet.





applications








595)
Valve-jet








596)
Tone-jet








597)
IJ08, IJ13, IJ15,









IJ17








598)
IJ18, IJ19, IJ21



















NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD











Nozzle Clearing method
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples

















Normal nozzle firing
All of the nozzles are fired
599)
No added complexity on the print head
600)
May not be sufficient to displace
601)
Most ink jet



periodically, before the ink has a



dried ink

systems



chance to dry. When not in use the




602)
IJ01–IJ07, IJ09–IJ12



nozzles are sealed (capped) against




603)
IJ14, IJ16, IJ20,



air.





IJ22



The nozzle firing is usually




604)
IJ23–IJ34, IJ36–IJ45



performed during a special clearing



cycle, after first moving the print



head to a cleaning station.


 


Extra power to ink heater
In systems which heat the ink, but do
605)
Can be highly effective if the heater is
606)
Requires higher drive voltage for
608)
Silverbrook, EP



not boil it under normal situations,

adjacent to the nozzle

clearing

0771 658 A2 and



nozzle clearing can be achieved by


607)
May require larger drive

related patent



over-powering the heater and boiling



transistors

applications



ink at the nozzle.


 


Rapid succession of actuator
The actuator is fired in rapid
609)
Does not require extra drive circuits on the
611)
Effectiveness depends
612)
May be used


pulses
succession. In some configurations,

print head

substantially upon the configuration of

with:



this may cause heat build-up at the
610)
Can be readily controlled and initiated by

the inkjet nozzle
613)
IJ01–IJ07, IJ09–IJ11



nozzle which boils the ink, clearing

digital logic


614)
IJ14, IJ16, IJ20,



the nozzle. In other situations, it may





IJ22



cause sufficient vibrations to




615)
IJ23–IJ25, IJ27–IJ34



dislodge clogged nozzles.




616)
IJ36–IJ45


 


Extra power to ink pushing
Where an actuator is not normally
617)
A simple solution where applicable
618)
Not suitable where there is a hard
619)
May be used


actuator
driven to the limit of its motion,



limit to actuator movement

with:



nozzle clearing may be assisted by




620)
IJ03, IJ09, IJ16,



providing an enhanced drive signal to





IJ20



the actuator.




621)
IJ23, IJ24, IJ25,









IJ27








622)
IJ29, IJ30, IJ31,









IJ32








623)
IJ39, IJ40, IJ41,









IJ42








624)
IJ43, IJ44, IJ45


 


Acoustic resonance
An ultrasonic wave is applied to the
625)
A high nozzle clearing capability can be achieved
627)
High implementation cost if
628)
IJ08, IJ13, IJ15,



ink chamber. This wave is of an
626)
May be implemented at very low cost in systems

system does not already include an

IJ17



appropriate amplitude and frequency

which already include acoustic actuators

acoustic actuator
629)
IJ18, IJ19, IJ21



to cause sufficient force at the nozzle



to clear blockages. This is easiest to



achieve if the ultrasonic wave is at a



resonant frequency of the ink cavity.


 


Nozzle clearing plate
A microfabricated plate is pushed
630)
Can clear severely clogged nozzles
631)
Accurate mechanical alignment is
635)
Silverbrook, EP



against the nozzles. The plate has a



required

0771 658 A2 and



post for every nozzle. The array of


632)
Moving parts are required

related patent



posts


633)
There is risk of damage to the

applications







nozzles






634)
Accurate fabrication is required


 


Ink pressure pulse
The pressure of the ink is temporarily
636)
May be effective where other methods cannot
637)
Requires pressure pump or other
640)
May be used



increased so that ink streams from all

be used

pressure actuator

with all IJ series ink



of the nozzles. This may be used in


638)
Expensive

jets



conjunction with actuator energizing.


639)
Wasteful of ink


 


Print head wiper
A flexible ‘blade’ is wiped across the
641)
Effective for planar print head surfaces
643)
Difficult to use if print head
646)
Many ink jet



print head surface. The blade is
642)
Low cost

surface is non-planar or very fragile

systems



usually fabricated from a flexible


644)
Requires mechanical parts



polymer, e.g. rubber or synthetic


645)
Blade can wear out in high



elastomer.



volume print systems


 


Separate ink boiling heater
A separate heater is provided at the
647)
Can be effective where other nozzle clearing methods
649)
Fabrication complexity
650)
Can be used



nozzle although the normal drop e-

cannot be used



with many IJ series



ection mechanism does not require it.
648)
Can be implemented at no additional cost in some



ink jets



The heaters do not require individual

inkjet configurations



drive circuits, as many nozzles can




be cleared simultaneously, and no



imaging is required.



















NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION











Nozzle plate construction
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples

















Electroformed nickel
A nozzle plate is separately
651)
Fabrication simplicity
652)
High temperatures and pressures
655)
Hewlett Packard



fabricated from electroformed nickel,



are required to bond nozzle plate

Thermal Inkjet



and bonded to the print head


653)
Minimum thickness constraints




integrated circuit.


654)
Differential thermal expansion



 


Laser ablated or drilled polymer
Individual nozzle holes are ablated
656)
No masks required
660)
Each hole must be individually
664)
Canon



by an intense UV laser in a nozzle
657)
Can be quite fast

formed

Bubblejet



plate, which is typically a polymer
658)
Some control over
661)
Special equipment required
665)
1988 Sercel et



such as polyimide or polysulphone

nozzle profile is possible
662)
Slow where there are many

al., SPIE, Vol. 998




659)
Equipment required is

thousands of nozzles per print

Excimer Beam





relatively low cost

head

Applications, pp. 76–83






663)
May produce thin burrs at exit
666)
1993 Watanabe







holes

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


 


Silicon micromachined
A separate nozzle plate is
667)
High accuracy is
668)
Two part construction
672)
K. Bean, IEEE



micromachined from single crystal

attainable
669)
High cost

Transactions on



silicon, and bonded to the print head


670)
Requires precision alignment

Electron Devices,



wafer.


671)
Nozzles may be clogged by

Vol. ED-25, No. 10,







adhesive

1978, pp 1185–1195








673)
Xerox 1990









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









4,899,181


 


Glass capillaries
Fine glass capillaries are drawn from
674)
No expensive
676)
Very small nozzle sizes are
678)
1970 Zoltan



glass tubing. This method has been

equipment required

difficult to form

U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212



used for making individual nozzles,
675)
Simple to make single
677)
Not suited for mass production




but is difficult to use for bulk

nozzles



manufacturing of print heads with



thousands of nozzles.


 


Monolithic, surface micromachined using VLSI lithographic
The nozzle plate is deposited as a
679)
High accuracy (<1 μm)
683)
Requires sacrificial layer under
685)
Silverbrook, EP


processes
layer using standard VLSI deposition
680)
Monolithic

the nozzle plate to form the nozzle

0771 658 A2 and



techniques. Nozzles are etched in the
681)
Low cost

chamber

related patent



nozzle plate using VLSI lithography
682)
Existing processes can
684)
Surface may be fragile to the

applications



and etching.

be used

touch
686)
IJ01, IJ02, IJ04,









IJ11








687)
IJ12, IJ17, IJ18,









IJ20








688)
IJ22, IJ24, IJ27,









IJ28








689)
IJ29, IJ30, IJ31,









IJ32








690)
IJ33, IJ34, IJ36,









IJ37








691)
IJ38, IJ39, IJ40,









IJ41








692)
IJ42, IJ43, IJ44


 


Monolithic, etched through substrate
The nozzle plate is a buried etch stop
693)
High accuracy (<1 μm)
697)
Requires long etch times
699)
IJ03, IJ05, IJ06,



in the wafer. Nozzle chambers are
694)
Monolithic
698)
Requires a support wafer

IJ07



etched in the front of the wafer, and
695)
Low cost


700)
IJ08, IJ09, IJ10,



the wafer is thinned from the back
696)
No differential



IJ13



side. Nozzles are then etched in the

expansion


701)
IJ14, IJ15, IJ16,



etch stop layer.





IJ19








702)
IJ21, IJ23, IJ25,









IJ26


 


No nozzle plate
Various methods have been tried to
703)
No nozzles to become
704)
Difficult to control drop position
706)
Ricoh 1995



eliminate the nozzles entirely, to

clogged

accurately

Sekiya et al U.S. Pat. No.



prevent nozzle clogging. These


705)
Crosstalk problems

5,412,413



include thermal bubble mechanisms




707)
1993



and acoustic lens mechanisms





Hadimioglu et al EUP









550,192








708)
1993 Elrod et al









EUP 572,220


 


Trough
Each drop ejector has a trough
709)
Reduced manufacturing
711)
Drop firing direction is sensitive
712)
IJ35



through which a paddle moves. There

complexity

to wicking.



is no nozzle plate.
710)
Monolithic


 


Nozzle slit
The elimination of nozzle holes and
713)
No nozzles to become
714)
Difficult to control drop position
716)
1989 Saito et al


instead of
replacement by a slit encompassing

clogged

accurately

U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068


individual
many actuator positions reduces


715)
Crosstalk problems



nozzles
nozzle clogging, but increases



crosstalk due to ink surface waves



















DROP EJECTION DIRECTION











Ejection direction
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples

















Edge (‘edge shooter’)
Ink flow is along the surface of the
717)
Simple construction
722)
Nozzles limited to edge
725)
Canon



integrated circuit, and ink drops are
718)
No silicon etching required
723)
High resolution is difficult

Bubblejet 1979 Endo



ejected from the integrated circuit
719)
Good heat sinking via substrate
724)
Fast color printing requires one

et al GB patent



edge.
720)
Mechanically strong

print head per color

2,007,162




721)
Ease of integrated circuit


726)
Xerox heater-in-





handing



pit 1990 Hawkins et









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








727)
Tone-jet


Surface (‘roof shooter’)
Ink flow is along the surface of the
728)
No bulk silicon etching required
731)
Maximum ink flow is severely
732)
Hewlett-



integrated circuit, and ink drops are
729)
Silicon can make an effective

restricted

Packard TIJ 1982



ejected from the integrated circuit

heat sink



Vaught et al U.S. Pat. No.



surface, normal to the plane of the
730)
Mechanical strength



4,490,728



integrated circuit.




733)
IJ02, IJ11, IJ12,









IJ20








734)
IJ22


Through integrated circuit, forward (‘up 
Ink flow is through the integrated
735)
High ink flow
738)
Requires bulk silicon etching
739)
Silverbrook, EP


shooter’)
circuit, and ink drops are ejected
736)
Suitable for pagewidth print



0771 658 A2 and



from the front surface of the





related patent



integrated circuit.
737)
High nozzle packing density therefore low



applications





manufacturing cost


740)
IJ04, IJ17, IJ18,









IJ24








741)
IJ27–IJ45


Through integrated circuit, reverse (‘down
Ink flow is through the integrated
742)
High ink flow
745)
Requires wafer thinning
747)
IJ01, IJ03, IJ05,


shooter’)
circuit, and ink drops are ejected
743)
Suitable for pagewidth print
746)
Requires special handling during

IJ06



from the rear surface of the
744)
High nozzle packing

manufacture
748)
IJ07, IJ08, IJ09,



integrated circuit.

density therefore low



IJ10





manufacturing cost


749)
IJ13, IJ14, IJ15,









IJ16








750)
IJ19, IJ21, IJ23,









IJ25








751)
IJ26


Through
Ink flow is through the actuator,
752)
Suitable for piezoelectric print
753)
Pagewidth print heads require
756)
Epson Stylus


actuator
which is not fabricated as part of the

heads

several thousand connections to drive
757)
Tektronix hot



same substrate as the drive



circuits

melt piezoelectric ink



transistors.


754)
Cannot be manufactured in

jets







standard CMOS fabs







755)
Complex assembly required



















INK TYPE











Ink type
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Examples

















Aqueous, dye
Water based ink which typically
758)
Environmentally friendly
760)
Slow drying
765)
Most existing inkjets



contains: water, dye, surfactant,


761)
Corrosive



humectant, and biocide.
759)
No odor
762)
Bleeds on paper
766)
All IJ series ink jets



Modern ink dyes have high water-


763)
May strikethrough



fastness, light fastness


764)
Cockles paper
767)
Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 A2 and









related patent applications


Aqueous, pigment
Water based ink which typically
768)
Environmentally friendly
773)
Slow drying
778)
IJ02, IJ04, IJ21, IJ26



contains: water, pigment, surfactant,
769)
No odor
774)
Corrosive



humectant, and biocide.
770)
Reduced bleed
775)
Pigment may clog nozzles
779)
IJ27, IJ30



Pigments have an advantage in
771)
Reduced wicking
776)
Pigment may clog actuator
780)
Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 A2 and



reduced bleed, wicking and
772)
Reduced strikethrough

mechanisms

related patent applications



strikethrough.


777)
Cockles paper








781)
Piezoelectric ink-jets








782)
Thermal ink jets









(with significant restrictions)


Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)
MEK is a highly volatile solvent used
783)
Very fast drying
785)
Odorous
787)
All IJ series ink jets



for industrial printing on difficult
784)
Prints on various
786)
Flammable



surfaces such as aluminum cans.

substrates such as metals





and plastics


Alcohol (ethanol, 2- butanol,
Alcohol based inks can be used
788)
Fast drying
792)
Slight odor
794)
All IJ series ink jets


and others)
where the printer must operate at
789)
Operates at sub-freezing
793)
Flammable



temperatures below the freezing

temperatures



point of water. An example of this is
790)
Reduced paper cockle



in-camera consumer photographic
791)
Low cost



printing.


Phase change (hot melt)
The ink is solid at room temperature,
795)
No drying time- ink
801)
High viscosity
807)
Tektronix hot melt



and is melted in the print head before

instantly freezes on the print
802)
Printed ink typically has a ‘waxy’

piezoelectric ink jets



jetting. Hot melt inks are usually wax

medium

feel



based, with a melting point around
796)
Almost any print medium can be
803)
Printed pages may ‘block’
808)
1989 Nowak



80° C. After jetting the ink freezes

used
804)
Ink temperature may be above the

U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,346



almost instantly upon contacting the
797)
No paper cockle occurs

curie point of permanent magnets
809)
All IJ series ink jets



print medium or a transfer roller.
798)
No wicking occurs
805)
Ink heaters consume power




799)
No bleed occurs
806)
Long warm-up time




800)
No strikethrough





occurs


Oil
Oil based inks are extensively used in
810)
High solubility medium for some
813)
High viscosity: this is a
815)
All IJ series ink jets



offset printing. They have advantages

dyes

significant limitation for use in inkjets,



in improved characteristics on paper
811)
Does not cockle paper

which usually require a low viscosity.



(especially no wicking or cockle). Oil
812)
Does not wick through paper

Some short chain and multi-branched



soluble dies and pigments are



oils have a sufficiently low viscosity.



required.


814)
Slow drying


Microemulsion
A microemulsion is a stable, self
816)
Stops ink bleed
820)
Viscosity higher than water
823)
All IJ series ink jets



forming emulsion of oil, water, and
817)
High dye solubility
821)
Cost is slightly higher than water



surfactant. The characteristic drop
818)
Water, oil, and amphiphilic soluble dies 

based ink



size is less than 100 nm, and is

can be used
822)
High surfactant concentration



determined by the preferred



required (around 5%)



curvature of the surfactant.
819)
Can stabilize pigment suspensions









Ink Jet Printing

A large number of new forms of ink jet printers have been developed to facilitate alternative ink jet technologies for the image processing and data distribution system. Various combinations of ink jet devices can be included in printer devices incorporated as part of the present invention. Australian Provisional Patent Applications relating to these ink jets which are specifically incorporated by cross reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.













Australian





Provisional


US Patent/Patent


Number
Filing Date
Title
Application and Filing Date







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




(IJ01)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ02)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ03)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ04)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ05)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ06)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ07)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ08)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ09)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ10)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ11)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ12)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ13)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ14)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ15)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ16)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ17)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ18)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ19)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ20)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ21)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ22)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ23)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ24)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ25)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ26)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ27)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ28)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ29)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ30)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ31)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ32)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ33)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ34)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ35)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ36)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ37)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ38)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ39)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ40)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ41)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ42)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ43)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(IJ44)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(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





Provisional


US Patent/Patent


Number
Filing Date
Title
Application and Filing Date







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




Creation Apparatus (IJM01)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM02)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM03)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM04)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM05)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM06)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM07)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM08)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM09)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM10)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM11)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM12)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM13)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM14)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM15)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM16)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM17)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM18)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM19)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM20)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM21)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM22)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM23)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM24)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8077
15 Jul. 1997
A Method of Manufacture of an Image
6,248,248




Creation Apparatus (IJM25)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM26)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM27)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM28)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM29)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM30)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8503
11-Aug-97
A Method of Manufacture of an Image
6,264,849




Creation Apparatus (IJM30a)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM31)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM32)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM35)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM36)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM37)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM38)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM39)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM41)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM40)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM42)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM43)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM44)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Creation Apparatus (IJM45)
(Jul. 10, 1998)









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


US Patent/Patent


Provisional


Application


Number
Filing Date
Title
and Filing Date







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




and Apparatus (F1)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




and Apparatus (F2)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Method (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


US 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
09/113,065




Method (MEMS11)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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





(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




Method (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.
















US Patent/


Australian


Patent


Provisional
Filing

Application


Number
Date
Title
and 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 Method
09/113,104




and Apparatus (IR05)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




System (IR06)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




and Apparatus (IR10)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




and Apparatus (IR12)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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





Provisional


US Patent/Patent Application


Number
Filing Date
Title
and Filing Date







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




(Dot01)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(Dot02)
(Jul. 10, 1998









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





Provisional


US Patent/Patent Application


Number
Filing Date
Title
and Filing Date







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




(ART01)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO7988
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing Method and Apparatus
6,476,863




(ART02)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART03)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO9395
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing Method and Apparatus
6,322,181




(ART04)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART06)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8014
15 Jul. 1997
Media Device (ART07)
6,227,648





(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART08)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART09)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART10)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART11)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART12)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8030
15 Jul. 1997
Media Device (ART13)
6,196,541





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO7997
15 Jul. 1997
Media Device (ART15)
6,195,150





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO7979
15 Jul. 1997
Media Device (ART16)
6,362,868





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8015
15 Jul. 1997
Media Device (ART17)
09/112,738





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO7978
15 Jul. 1997
Media Device (ARTl8)
09/113,067





(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO7982
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing Method and Apparatus
6,431,669




(ART19)
(Jul. 10, 1998


PO7989
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing Method and Apparatus
6,362,869




(ART20)
(Jul. 10, 1998


PO8019
15 Jul. 1997
Media Processing Method and Apparatus
6,472,052




(ART21)
(Jul. 10, 1998


PO7980
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing Method and Apparatus
6,356,715




(ART22)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART24)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART25)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8016
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing Method and Apparatus
6,366,693




(ART26)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8024
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing Method and Apparatus
6,329,990




(ART27)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART28)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART29)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8501
11 Aug. 1997
Image Processing Method and Apparatus
6,137,500




(ART30)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART3l)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART32)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8022
15 Jul. 1997
Image Processing Method and Apparatus
6,398,328




(ART33)
(Jul. 10, 1998


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




(ART34)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8020
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing Method and Apparatus
6,431,704




(ART38)
(Jul. 10, 1998


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




(ART39)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART42)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8000
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing Method and Apparatus
6,415,054




(ART43)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART44)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART45)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART46)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8499
11 Aug. 1997
Image Processing Method and Apparatus
6,486,886




(ART47)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO8502
11 Aug. 1997
Image Processing Method and Apparatus
6,381,361




(ART48)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO7981
15 Jul. 1997
Data Processing Method and Apparatus
6,317,192




(ART50)
(Jul. 10, 1998


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




(ART51)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART52)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART53)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART54)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART56)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO9394
23 Sep. 1997
Image Processing Method and Apparatus
6,357,135




(ART57)
(Jul. 10, 1998


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




(ART58)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO9397
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing Method and Apparatus
6,271,931




(ART59)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO9398
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing Method and Apparatus
6,353,772




(ART60)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO9399
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing Method and Apparatus
6,106,147




(ART61)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART62)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO9401
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing Method and Apparatus
6,304,291




(ART63)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART64)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO9403
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing Method and Apparatus
6,305,770




(ART65)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PO9405
23 Sep. 1997
Data Processing Method and Apparatus
6,289,262




(ART66)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


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




(ART68)
(Jul. 10, 1998)


PP1397
19 Jan. 1998
A Media Device (ART69)
6,217,165





(Jul. 10, 1998)

## Claims

1. A device for image capture and processing for a print-on-demand camera, the device comprising a single intergated circuit incorporating:
image sensing circuitry;
memory circuitry for storing an image sensed by the image sensing circuitry and incorporating flash memory storing authentication code for preventing reverse engineering of the device;
analogue to digital conversion circuitry interposed between the image sensing circuitry and the memory circuitry to digitize the image data from the sensing circuitry for storage in the memory circuitry;
decoding and processing circuitry connected to the memory circuitry to decode and process the digitized image data stored in the memory circuitry; and
drive circuitry connected to the decoding and processing circuitry to drive at least one component of a printing mechanism of the print-on-demand camera.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the image sensing circuitry includes a CMOS active pixel sensor array.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the image sensing circuitry includes row decoding circuitry to enable appropriate rows of the active pixel sensor array.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the image sensing circuitry includes a number of analogue signal processors, each of which correspond with a number of columns of the active pixel sensor array for at least amplifying a signal generated by each of the columns.

5. A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the decoding and processing circuitry includes printhead interface circuitry for providing decoded and processed image data to a pagewidth printhead.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the drive circuitry is transistor drive circuitry capable of driving at least a stepper motor of the print-on-demand camera.